text:
Easy DIY Platform Bed

This Easy DIY Platform Bed is the perfect build for beginners! Get the free plans and how-to tutorial at!

I’m back to share the Easy DIY Platform Bed that I made for my son 🙂 If you missed the Free Plans for the Planked Headboard, you can check them out HERE! I saw a platform bed in a West Elm catalog and loved how chunky the base and platform were, so that was my inspiration and I built it for about $55!!!

This is a VERY EASY piece to build so it is perfect if you are a beginner! Here’s how I built it! This plan is for a full size bed but it is very easy to adjust the measurements to accommodate another size 🙂

Easy DIY Platform Bed

I started by making all of my cuts for my top and bottom frame. Watch our How to Use a Miter Saw video HERE!

Then, I drilled all of my pocket holes with my Kreg Jig set for 1 1/2″ thick boards. (You can find the Kreg Jig HERE on Amazon) and check out our How to Use a Kreg Jig Video HERE!

I attached the top frame with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws

and did the same for the bottom frame.

Next, I flipped the top frame over and attached the bottom frame to it with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws.

I flipped it back over and attached the center support with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. You may need help flipping the bed back over, at this point, because it is heavy.

Finally, I attached the 2×3 cleats with 2 1/2″ wood screws (I call for 2×2 in the plans because 2×3’s are not available in every region.  If you do use 2×2’s for the cleats, get furring strips to save money). I like to use the Spax self-tapping screws. I find them at Home Depot and they are pricey but you don’t need to pre-drill with them!  If you use regular wood screws, make sure to pre-drill first to prevent the wood from splitting.

To finish, I applied one-coat of Rust-Oleum Dark Walnut Stain (you can find it HERE on Amazon). If you are buying your supplies at Home Depot, get the Varathane brand in Dark Walnut (it’s the same stain).

When the bed was dry, the hubs and I took it inside and into our little man’s room!  I used my brad nailer to attach the 1×3 slats.  I just spaced them out evenly and attached them to both cleats and the center support. You can use the cheap furring strips for this part, Just make sure they are smooth so they don’t tear-up your mattress.

To attach the headboard to the bed, I drilled 2 1/2″ spax screws from the backside of the headboard legs into the bottom and top frames of the platform.

I just love it so much and I’ve overheard our 11-year-old bragging to his friends (on a few occasions) that his mom built his bed – which is the best part for me 😉

Don’t forget to check out the headboard plans HERE and if you like the wall color in his room (I’m obsessed!) you can read about it HERE! I have received a lot of questions about the quilt on his bed, it is from Pottery Barn Teen but, I bought it a couple of years ago so I’m not sure that it is still available.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

4 from 1 vote

DIY Platform Bed

This Easy DIY Platform Bed is the perfect build for beginners! Make sure to click the link below to download and print the full set of plans with the cut list!
Author: Shanty2Chic

Supply List

  • 8 1x3x10
  • 1 2x8x10
  • 2 2x8x8
  • 3 2x6x8
  • 1 2x4x8
  • 3 2x2x8
  • 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
  • 2 1/2″ Wood Screws
  • Wood Glue
  • Finish of Choice

  • Cut List
  • Assemble the bed upside down. Start with the top frame. Use glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws at each connection.
  • Assemble the lower frame. Make sure the edge pocket holes are facing the same direction.
  • Lay the top frame on the floor with the pocket holes facing up and stack the lower frame on top. Secure them together with pocket hole screws.
  • Attach the 2×2 cleats to the sides and the center 2×4 support in the middle. The 2×2 cleats are just screwed into the bed frame with wood screws and the 2×4 support is secured with pocket hole screws on each end. All three of these pieces should be 3/4″ lower than the top of the top frame.
  • Add your slats and the construction is done! Now, all you have to do is sand and finish as you wish and enjoy your new platform bed. This platform bed was made for a previous headboard that I also made. Search our site for “Planked Headboard” to see it. As always, if you decide to make this bed be sure share it on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share it too!

  1. Desiree on January 11, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    I cannot locate any 2x in pine or whitewood in my area what other wood do you recommend

    • Nick Womack on April 21, 2015 at 8:58 am

      Douglas Fir/Fur is the typical type of lumber found at many Lowes/Home Depots and I’d believe will work fine. I’ve seen other plans for tables and such that called for whatever white construction grade lumber you can find.

  2. Stephanie on December 10, 2014 at 8:23 am

    California King dimensions ?

    • Mirya Glover on November 9, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      I was wondering the same for a regular king but figured I would just measure the mattress myself and add an additional 2 to 3 inches for the part that sticks out but I also plan to add legs to mine to elevate it.

  3. Shenanigans I say! on December 4, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    Just as a friendly reminder to those of you who are going to try this with the queen or kind sized dimensions. DO NOT forget that you will need to replace the 2x8x10 sized board with a 2x8x12. This is very important, because you will not be able to cut your 2x8x10 piece into 2 61″ lengths and you will end up having to purchase another piece.

    • Robyn on February 27, 2018 at 8:58 am

      So to
      Make this a queen just replace 2x8x10 with 2x8x12? Do I need to replace any other boards with bigger ones?

      • Tessa on March 15, 2018 at 12:16 pm

        Did those measurement work for you?

  4. monee2000 on December 2, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    I might be confused, but are there box springs on the bed? Are they not needed? I’ve never had a bed without them…

    • Shanty2Chic on December 2, 2014 at 1:25 pm

      You can use box springs if you want but our platform beds do not use them. The cleats and slats inside the frame take the place of a box spring. Hope this helps 🙂

      • monee2000 on December 2, 2014 at 2:32 pm

        It does indeed! Thank you for your reply – and your constant inspiration!

  5. Lauren Alexandra Wyer on November 26, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Dimensions for a California King Size bed? 🙂

    • Jordan Wilbur on April 21, 2015 at 3:43 pm

      72″ wide by 84″ long but all mattresses can vary by an inch or two

  6. ashley on November 11, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    So I’m pretty good at following directions and I think I could put the bed together but not so much for figuring out the plans. My boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE this bed frame and headboard and are going to build it next week! What would be the dimensions for a king size mattress? Thank you! Love your site!!

    • Shanty2Chic on November 11, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks Ashley!
      Add 22″ to the width and 5 inches to the length 🙂

      • ashley on November 11, 2014 at 7:34 pm

        Thank you!!! 😀

        • Tasha Anderson on February 6, 2015 at 10:09 am

          Yes I too would love if you could post the dimensions for the King size, I know nothing about building but if I had the plans to give my husband then he could do it for us, thank you!

          • LIZ on April 15, 2015 at 7:26 am

            do you need to use slats or can you just continue across (2’x8′) with the wide boards and make it a solid piece?

          • Shanty2Chic on April 15, 2015 at 7:58 am

            If you are not using a box spring you really need slats to let your mattress breathe.

          • Kevin8967 on January 15, 2016 at 12:00 pm

            Here is my shot at the bed. The instructions were great! I have been INSPIRED!!

          • Kevin8967 on January 15, 2016 at 12:02 pm

            Here is another one I’m working on. I added the handmade woodart to jazz it up a bit. Still working of the bed now that head board is done!

      • Lauren Alexandra Wyer on November 25, 2014 at 10:40 pm

        HI there,
        We are looking forward to building this bed as well! Any chance you could post the dimensions for a california king? 🙂

      • Ashley on December 11, 2014 at 4:12 pm

        It turned out absolutely AMAZING!!!! We are soo happy with it!! Thanks again for adjusting the measurements for me! I can’t wait to make more project from your site!!! Night stands will be our next one I think 😉

        • jeka on January 27, 2015 at 11:10 pm

          What where the dimensions you used!? Please help 😀

          For example the 2x8x10 is the yellow piece. And it is 52″ in is that in length or width? The directions say add 22″ to the width and 5″ to the length, how would I do that?

          Is it 52+22=74 (is that the width)??

          then where do i add the 5??

          Sorry not good at geometry apparently!

          • Ashley on January 28, 2015 at 1:36 pm

            Yes, you are correct. So add 22″ to all of the measurements following the direction of the yellow board – that is the width. And then add 5″ to the length which would be the green board. I don’t have the paper where I did all the math to each board but just follow the colors. Green, pink and red are length. Teal, dark blue, yellow and white are the width.

        • Amy on April 24, 2015 at 5:58 am

          did you change the height from the original plans for the headboard? what color stain did you use for the platform?

      • Jose on June 12, 2020 at 5:46 pm

        Do I add that amount to every piece? Or which ones only?

  7. Emily Weaver on November 11, 2014 at 7:03 am

    How would you adjust these plans for a twin size bed? Trying to make Christmas present for my sister!

    • Shanty2Chic on November 11, 2014 at 7:14 am

      Hi Emily,
      Subtract 15″ from the width!

      • Bri Mikec on April 6, 2015 at 6:24 am

        Hi there!

        I was just wondering if you would have plans for a twin sized bed? It looks like I would have a lot of wasted material if I’m subtracting 15″. Is this true? Do you have a rough estimate as to what the total material cost was for this entire platform and headboard?

        Thank you!

  8. Julio on October 31, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Dimensions for queen size bed???

    • Shanty2Chic on November 7, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Add 6″ to the width and 5″ to the length 🙂

  9. Melissa D on October 1, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    How would I go about changing the dimensions to fit a king size mattress?

  10. Taylor Skelton on September 21, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    So excited that I saw this on pinterest! I’ve been wanting a bed like this and trying to convince hubby that we can build it, so I’m so glad that you posted a plan! I’m not quite sure how to convert the measurements to queen size but I’m excited to try!!

  11. Tracey on September 14, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Could you please share the dimensions to fit a twin size bed?

  12. Andrea on September 8, 2014 at 10:48 am

    i see you used 52″ for the slats. Is that the width of your son’s full size bed? I’m converting the plans to fit a queen size bed and the standard full size mattress measures out to 54″x 75″ so I wanted to make sure that was what you were working with. Thanks!

  13. Megan Christina Drenthe on September 6, 2014 at 7:21 am

    How would you convert the plans to a queen sized bed?

    • Shenanigans I say! on November 25, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      Hey Megan. I may be a little late here, but the “standard” size for most queen size mattresses is 60″ X 80,” which is 6″ wider and 5″ longer than a standard full size. Therefore, you can adjust these plans by adding an additional 6 inches to all of the width cuts and an additional 5 inches to all of the length cuts.

      For example:

      The dimension cuts for the bottom support width piece (yellow in the free plans) is 55 inches. To achieve the desired queen size you are looking for, increase this cut to 61 inches. So-on and so-forth for the rest of the cuts.

      Hope this helps!

      • Olena Pazderska on September 6, 2015 at 10:24 am

        Did anyone take a stab at translating all the measurements into Queen? I feel like some pieces stay the same while others change and if you don’t get them all right, you will have to buy all of them all over again.

        • Jason Rockenbach on September 18, 2015 at 3:05 pm

          I working on a queen right now. I’m making it 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer.

          So far it is going well. The 2x8x10 will not be able to long enough to produce two pieces. I had to go back to the store. Same with the1x3x10 slats.

          • Kelsey Radford on July 13, 2016 at 11:55 am

            This is my first ever attempt at a woodwork project. Could someone please help to decipher what I’ll need as a supply list to build a queen bed? It’s currently at:
            1 x 3 x 10’ 8 Furring strips for the slats
            2 x 8 x 10’ 1 Pine or whitewood board
            2 x 8 x 8’ 2 Pine or whitewood board
            2 x 6 x 8’ 3 Pine or whitewood board
            2 x 4 x 8’ 1 Pine or whitewood board
            2 x 2 x 8’ 3 Pine or whitewood board

            Thanks in advance! Just want to make sure that I get the right amount of wood. 🙂

    • Carah Counts on January 10, 2015 at 1:40 pm

      lmao i was looking at this thinking “that looks just like megan’s bed… i bet she used this site”

  14. BourbonGhost on August 25, 2014 at 6:29 am

    What kind of wood did you use? Was it treated?

    • Andrea on September 8, 2014 at 10:51 am

      It calls for whitewood or pine, but I think she used pine.

  15. Fox and Finch on August 21, 2014 at 12:13 am

    Oh, I love that your son told his friends that you built the bed. My sister is a general contractor and I always get a kick of pride when I tell people. And, here comes the boast, she lives in Florida which has an extremely difficult test to pass for the license. When she took the test, she was the only woman among 700 men. You go, Girl!
    My other sister was the second woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, with a degree in agronomy.
    I enjoy being proud of them…because….I haven’t done a damn thing.

    • Diane Aiken Gatewood on June 10, 2015 at 9:25 am

      Are you the middle child? lol! I am the middle of three girls and though I’ve had and still have a great life, I did not have the ‘recognized’ accomplishments as did my sisters. (I also live stress free!😁)

  16. Todd on August 20, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Would really like to see the king plans

    • Ryan Kuechenmeister on July 21, 2016 at 6:28 pm

      We simply added 16″ to the width and kept the length boards the same as the plan for our king mattress. This resulted (because I thought the plan was for a queen) in less platform protruding from the sides of the mattress. I also added another 2″x4″ down the center to compensate for the additional width (as seen in the picture) Personally, I like it better.

  17. Val Frania on August 20, 2014 at 8:50 am

    This plan would be great modified to have a storage space below, either with drawers or maybe even with the bed on hinges to lift it up. Hmmm…

  18. Margo Lake on August 19, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I was wondering…….do you absolultely have to use a Kreg Jig to build this platform bed?

    • kylara70 on August 21, 2014 at 10:53 pm

      Nope! You sure do not. You could put this together MANY different ways, including screws, brackets, and other corner hardware. You could use corner hardware externally to give it a unique industrial look, or just hide it on the inside.

  19. Summer Goins on August 19, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Do u have any ideas what it would be for a king size bed?? lol. I always seem to get it wrong when I get to measuring things I am not sure of. 🙂

    • jeka on January 27, 2015 at 10:45 pm

      She said to “Add 22″ to the width and 5 inches to the length :)”

      • Pete on October 7, 2015 at 3:15 pm

        Wouldn’t the length to increase by be, 18″ to the width and 9″ to the length, being a Cal King is 72×84?

  20. Ashlee Ault on August 19, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Did you attach to the headboard by drilling 2.5″ pocket holes on the underside of the frame on the platform bed or where did you drill in the screws?

    • Shanty2Chic on August 19, 2014 at 9:14 am

      I’m sorry, I wasn’t very clear on that! I drilled from the backside of the headboard legs into the bottom base and top frame of the platform:)

      • Ashlee Ault on August 19, 2014 at 9:20 am

        Perfect, thanks! You girls are SO inspiring!

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100 Focus: Exclusive interview with Andy Kaye of Novus Trust/BIS Henderson

100 Focus: Exclusive interview with Andy Kaye of Novus Trust/BIS Henderson

Andy Kaye is CEO of BiS Henderson, a leading provider of executive recruitment, management consulting and apprenticeship solutions in the logistics and supply chain sector.

Andy is passionate about developing and inspiring  young  talent  in  the  industry.    He  has  recently  been  instrumental
in conceiving and implementing the Novus Trust, an initiative developed to inspire more graduates to enter the supply chain and logistics industry

SHD Logistics (SHD): You have developed and inspired young talent for our industry which has been recognised by the industry. Are future skills still a major issue in logistics?

Andy: The skills shortage is still a major issue for the logistics industry. At the top end we are experiencing a brain drain of our best people to other sectors and markets, and at the entry level we are not seeing enough bright young talent considering supply chain and logistics as a career of choice. Despite the increasing recognition that supply chain management is becoming an even more vital component to corporate success, understanding and appreciation of the sector by young people is still very limited.

SHD: What changes and developments are you expecting/predicting for the logistics industry over the next five years?

Andy: The changes in the next five years will be an even greater reliance and development of technology and increasing complexity of routes to market to match
customer demands in choice and value.

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World's Largest Sheet Music Selection

The Hymns of Keith Getty

Arranged for Piano Solo

By Keith Getty

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Piano - Intermediate
Arranged for Piano Solo. Composed by Keith Getty. Arranged by Mark Hayes. Sacred, Contemporary Worship, General. Lorenz Publishing Company #70/1727L. Published by Lorenz Publishing Company (LO.70-1727L).

Item Number: LO.70-1727L

ISBN 9781429117043.

Irish composer Keith Getty and his talented collaborators have created some of the most memorable hymns of this generation. With their folk-like melodies and scriptural lyrics, these songs have made their way into the hearts of congregations around the world. We have chosen ten of Keith Getty's most popular hymns and asked five of our brilliant arrangers to set them for piano. This book will serve you well throughout the church year with preludes and offertories suitable for Christmas, Easter, missions, prayer, Communion, and general use.

  • Joy Has Dawned  Composed by Douglas E. Wagner
  • Across the Lands  Composed by Douglas E. Wagner
  • In Christ Alone  Composed by Mark Hayes
  • The Power of the Cross  Composed by Mark Hayes
  • Glorious Light  Composed by Larry Shackley
  • God Of Grace  Composed by Lloyd Larson
  • Speak, O Lord  Composed by Mary McDonald
  • There Is A Higher Throne  Composed by Lloyd Larson
  • See What a Morning  Composed by Mary McDonald
  • Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn)  Composed by Larry Shackley

Buy Together

Buy both for $79.90

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text:
A Different Kind Of ‘Great Awakening’?

Religion News recently headlined the closing of every one of Lifeway Christian Resources brick and mortar stores.There are 170 of them. They will go entirely online.

The digital shift comes amid declining customer traffic and sales, according to LifeWay.

And it follows the closure of other major Christian retailers, such as the United Methodist Church’s Cokesbury stores, which closed in 2012, and Family Christian Stores, which closed its stores in 2017. At the time, Family Christian was considered the world’s largest retailer of Christian-themed merchandise.

LifeWay had acquired another chain, Berean Christian Stores, in 2013.

LifeWay adhered to a fundamentalist Christian approach, and dropped several popular authors’ books  over ideological differences. It banned author Jen Hatmaker’s books after she expressed support for LGBTQ Christians, and it threatened pastor author Eugene Peterson when it appeared that he was going to officiate a same-sex marriage. It also dropped Rachel Held Evans’ book “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” in 2012 after a similar dispute over the book’s content.

In other words, its approach to Christianity had a lot in common with Mike Pence’s.

Fortunately, it’s an approach–and a religiosity– that is rapidly diminishing.

A number of recent polls have documented a significant reduction in the number of Americans who are religiously affiliated; so-called “nones” are now 35% of the population. Among younger Americans, the percentage is greater.

For Millennials and even GenXers, the most common religion is no religion at all. The Nones claim 44% of the 18–29 age group, and nearly that (43%) among those who are 30–44.

This is more than twice their market share among Americans older than 65, just 21% of whom say they are atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular. However, even that 21% is a five-point rise from where the over-65 group was in 2015, when just 16% identified themselves this way.

Other findings: Barely a third of Americans believe it’s important for married couples to share the same religious affiliation (36%), but majorities do believe that couples should share the same social values (76%) or feelings about children (81%). And it will come as no surprise to learn that Republicans are much more religious than Democrats.

In school, most of us learned about the Great Awakenings of early U.S. history. (Great Awakenings were a series of religious revivals in the then-British colonies and the early days of the country during the 17th and 18th Centuries.) These were episodes of religious fervor that swept through the country before eventually abating. A number of religion scholars have also dubbed the late 20th Century rise of Christian fundamentalism from which we seem finally to  be emerging as a latter-day “Great Awakening.”

America has been fertile ground for these periods of excessive and ostentatious piety, and a number of sociologists have attributed the outlier religiosity of the U.S–we are far more religious than other Western democratic countries– to the personal insecurities that characterize societies with an inadequate social safety net. (Scholars have documented a significant correlation between personal insecurity and religiosity.)

Since our social safety net hasn’t improved, I don’t know how they might explain the current declines in religious affiliation. I personally attribute it to  the excesses of judgmentalism and appalling lack of humanity displayed by the Christian Taliban. The religious right makes religion look pretty repellent.

Whatever the cause, if I were choosing nomenclature, I’d save the label “Great Awakening.” for the current rise of the “nones.”

20 thoughts on “A Different Kind Of ‘Great Awakening’?

  1. You should read Tim Carney’s book “Alienated America”. Churches are the social safety net and primary means of engagement and charity. In the Republican primaries, it was those that don’t attend church regularly that gave us Trump.

  2. Almost any store that is not online will face certain closure. The real problem is that half of all sales online are related to Amazon. But keeping things in perspective online is still very small of overall sales.
    Churches are more likely to preach salvation and “family values” and less likely to preach without tolerance or love. It becomes a problem as society is not just tolerating but embracing LGBTQ values throughout. The film industry even though LGBTQ is one percent of society has introduced segments of movies or themes interwoven with these values. Note two movies “What Women Want” vs What Men Want”. The Great Awakening may be more densitizing or acceptance of certain values in religious circles as noted.
    It’s become important to the majority of Christians to lead people to a one on one relationship with Christ than exercise public policy.

  3. Harper Collins Christian Publishing is alive and well and the Christian Living section of Barnes and Noble occupies significant space in literature sales. The Bible in it’s various editions is available along with binded editions of other world religion scriptures. American readers want choices in the market place, not just one way of thought or a particular faith under one roof unless it is a choice of place of worship. Our church has a bookstore very well managed and attractively presented open on Sundays and always busy. Positive relations among loving, caring, serving people happens sans polity and corrupt power of political and religious jealousy.

  4. Church is the cause of so much pain and fear and hate. These Church folks throw their gay kids away because they believe in dogma more than they believe in their family. Sad & stupid. A LARGE % of the homeless children are gay kids that made the mistake of thinking their churchy family would care for them. Sadly, they were wrong. Theaw kids are on the streets – trying to survive – on their own.
    It is good news that the young people are turning away from such nonsense. That gives me hope.

  5. I note that “Christians” on the blog this morning are trying to distance themselves from the “Christians” who helped put Trump in the White House and at the same time preach that they have the answer, namely for “Christians” to lead the rest of us to their religion.

  6. Your blog contains an error. You state, “And it will come as no surprise to learn that Republicans are much more religious than Democrats.” … but I think it is more accurate to say: “And it will come as no surprise to learn that Republicans CLAIM TO BE much more religious than Democrats.”

  7. This, in a nutshell, is what has driven so many of us away from church…….”the excesses of judgmentalism and appalling lack of humanity displayed by the Christian Taliban”.

    At the age of 56 my Mothers Day gift to myself was to stop going to church. I had been considering it for quite some time, but finally became so fed up with the judgmentalism and appalling lack of humanity that I decided I could no longer be around those people on Sunday mornings.

    I haven’t regretted leaving organized religion one bit. It actually gave me a sense of freedom.

  8. Here in rural Indiana the churches have not been a source of a social safety net for my entire life – over 60 years. All they do is collect money to send missionaries to far away foreign countries to gather more souls for Christianity. Or, they ask for donations for those who want to go on mission trips so that those people can feel like they are doing something good. They don’t care about those who are suffering right under their noses. I cannot speak for churches in larger metropolitan areas, but this is how it is in rural Indiana churches.

  9. Theresa, Tim Carney writes about non-Christian “church” communities being a source of social strength.

  10. It is not only religious stores that are disappearing, often forcing on-line shopping, where are the book store chains and “stationery” stores which provided office supplies and many legal forms for convenience? Religious outlets appear to be a one-of-a-kind business; we don’t have historical book stores, romance, biographical, horror, children’s book stores….well, you get my message. The book store chains had religious sections yet religions separated themselves from the general supply of books with their own outlets as well as from other religous denominations.

    Reminds me of what I was told by a friend, a former Catholic, that the reason Catholic children were not allowed to be friendly with other neighborhood children was to prevent our evil from rubbing off on their children. Religions are more separatist in nature today, but so far less violent, than in history. They are becoming more aligned with political beliefs, which they believe are Biblical beliefs, as they reap benefits from our tax dollars but have all but ceased in neighborhood outreach to help the needy surrounding their tax exempt structures. Were those religious book stores considered religious property and thus tax exempt? Will their on-line access be tax exempt?

    Theresa; I fully agree with your comments about the separation on the blog. We have talked before about the sad fact that those who helped elect Trump separated themselves from us; we were willing to accept them, and agree to disagree, but haven’t been given that opportunity.

    Sheila sums it up well with this statement:
    “Since our social safety net hasn’t improved, I don’t know how they might explain the current declines in religious affiliation. I personally attribute it to the excesses of judgmentalism and appalling lack of humanity displayed by the Christian Taliban. The religious right makes religion look pretty repellent.”

  11. Norris Lineweaver,

    It sounds like you have found one of the rare churches that truly tries to exemplify Jesus’ teachings.

  12. Most practitioners of religion leave no room for doubt. Worshipers are expected to believe everything they are told to believe in a Bible full of contradictions. During one of his homilies, our priest told the congregation that he sometimes feels the need to cross his fingers behind his back as he recites the Nicene Creed. That made me feel pretty good about my church. I’m not sure how much of the myth I believe, but I am able to follow someone who preached love and forgiveness. It’s not the Commandments that I follow, so much as the Beatitudes. They are the heart of what Christianity should be about.

  13. We are in the midst of a cultural revolution, one of shifting values and beliefs in which the young are no longer fearful of terms such as socialism nor of the old taboos such as those medieval monks have laid on us in re homosexuality, abortion, going to hell etc., and we can thank the Falwells, Robertsons and Trumps of this world for speeding up the process. The Falwells and Robertsons have shown us what the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne looks like, and we are rightly rejecting such top down rigidity by religious dictators. The Great Awakening is being supplanted by another (but not made in Florence) Great Enlightenment which is occurring before our very eyes as cultural values are shifting rapidly of late, whether we recognize it or not.

    I understand, for instance, that the first black woman elected mayor of Chicago yesterday is a lesbian, and of course Mayor Pete is a gay man with a real shot at the big enchilada. This suggests that (primarily) the young are more interested in whether candidates can do the job and have a vision of how the job is to be done irrespective of such candidates’ being who they are, whether black, gay, gender specific erc., a view I share.

    Charlemagne (Charles the Great) required papal consent before he could become emperor of the so-called Holy Roman Empire. Some historians say he was illiterate, and if so, it appears that the Falwells and Robertsons as a modern day personification of the pope have not only consented but have been actively engaged in installing another illiterate in the Oval Office.

    Jesus Christ was a great philosopher who gave us eternal truths. We should follow such basic ideas as guides for living free of the interpretations of medieval monks and their modern day counterparts such as the Falwells, Robertsons and others.

  14. In the book of Daniel a 70 week time period was laid out for Jewish scholars to see a clear timeline of their anticipated Messiah to come. It wasn’t the message of hope they wanted, one religious organization rejected a man who historically was noted to heal and give a message of personal redemption. Many may hear it, some may even study it, even Stalin, but whether one practices it and exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit (he also promised) is dependent on whether they want to put their belief into action.
    Organizations of all types have their pitfalls, rules and intolerances that may drive us away. Many house churches throughout the world which are independent are a better fit and allow more voice for those seeking to be independent from an overarching organization.
    It’s about hope for so many with personal trials.
    There are many religious organizations with varying political views and “believers” that have varying views on society.
    The last thing my brother in law did, a strong Democrat, was to play keyboard for an outreach church.

  15. “Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”
    ― Marcus Aurelius – Marcus Aurelius, called the Philosopher, was a Roman emperor from 161 to 180.
    My working career was spent mainly in Property-Liability Insurance. Thus, I had to have some knowledge of the actual policy. It seems simple enough you have a fire, you expect the policy to pay you for the damage. The policy itself has an insuring agreement, conditions, definitions and exclusions, that will determine if we will pay for the claim as determined by the claim adjuster.

    The bible promises a pay off also, such as heaven, paradise, etc. The problem is the bible is full of rules (exclusions). What not to eat, a death penalty for certain sins, etc. , and of course Hell in the afterlife.

    Depending upon the church itself, the pope, minister, etc., set themselves as the “spiritual claims adjuster”. These people determine which part of the bible they will obey and which parts they will ignore. Those that defy the authoritarian leadership can be excommunicated, and even shunned by their own family and friends.

  16. Perhaps churches and mega wealthy preachers left us. Just like international mega corporations and extreme politics.

    Plants overgrow and at some point need to be started over.

  17. If we are stuck with terminology for our era that must begin with the letter A, I submit “THE GREAT ADUMBRATIONING”.

    I saw The Great Adumbrationing coming long before I had encountered the word “adumbrate”. I’m talking back in the 1940s, while I was first exposed to social studies in elementary school. I am not saying I found portents of Adumbrationing in school; I found its foreshadowing in the mechanics garages and grain elevators and the barbershops. There, working men and farmers, so many descendants of the Irish/Scotch fight-first culture, spoke in angry tones of how intellectuals like Neville Chamberlain, Dean Acheson, David K. Bruce, William Clayton, James Forrestal, W. Averell Harriman, Robert Lovett, John J. McCloy, Paul Nitze, Robert Patterson, Adlai Stevenson and others were some sort of terrible threat to family and country.

    Those discussions, overheard while I got a Coke and a bag of peanuts or helped tie bags of grain for my father, always left me feeling pressure to dismiss the lessons being taught at school. And in the rare instances in which the men directed comments my way, I knew precisely what they wanted me to think — that worldly knowledge outside of what is needed for assembly line or corn row was a great evil, dangerous even to merely sample.

    So it is that I find something false and troubling in present day critiques of politics and social system weaknesses. Not that thinking people are finding animosity for intellectuals but that we are so often assigning blame and beginnings to 21st century causes.

    To realize the full strength of opposition to education, we must understand its historical depth. It is not a fad or a movement. It is much more of a permanent obstacle with its foundation more set in our glands and guts than in our brains.

    Good luck on finding a solution to the problem.

  18. Larry Kaiser: well put. Humanity is way, way ahead of almost all individual humans in what each knows and that lead is growing exponentially. With such diversity in knowledge the few can quite easily lead the many for good or evil.

    What future does that portend?

  19. I have been an avid reader of local obits for years. Two things related to this discussion jump out at me: (1) A huge majority of those dying now (mostly 70-90) were very active in their churches for most of their lives, and (2) Perhaps, most importantly, a huge majority say that in lieu of flowers, send money to their church.

    In the years to come, the current trends are likely to cause a crisis in many smaller congregations.

  20. “A number of religion scholars have also dubbed the late 20th Century rise of Christian fundamentalism from which we seem finally to be emerging as a latter-day ‘Great Awakening.’”

    I’d call it the “Great Distorting,” though that actually began centuries earlier. Constantine and his pals knew that fearful and shameful people were easier to control, so they swapped out Jesus’ message of love, acceptance and forgiveness freely given for bs like Original Sin and Substitutionary Atonement. Art swung away from lambs frolicking in sunkissed meadows to dark, jagged crosses with a bleeding and lacerated guy nailed to it. The new theology was, “This perfect and wonderful white man was tortured for you! It’s your fault!” Boom. Guilt and shame lived happily ever after in the now easily malleable Christian psyche.

    Today’s pseudo Christian leaders like Falwell, Dobson, Graham, Jeffress and their ilk have perfected what Constantine and the boys began at the Council of Nicea.

    (I’m recovering, retired clergy.)

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Rap star and all-round hilarious legend Cardi B exploded at Instagram fans last night before disabling her profile altogether. We're DEVO.

The artist went on a rage-filled rant over the negative comments surrounding her Grammy Awards win; she was the first female solo artist to win Best Rap Album.

Apparently some felt she didn't deserve it, and she had some WORDS to say about the criticism, saying she "worked her ass off" to make Invasion of Privacy.

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She reminded fans that she was pregnant while making the hit album, which helped her to make history at Sunday's ceremony; "I'm sick of this sh*t."

"I work hard for my motherf*cking album. I remember last year when everyone was saying Cardi got snubbed but now there’s a problem? My album went two-times platinum my n***** in every chart that there was, my album was always Top 10."

"Number one album as well. I worked my ass off, locked myself in the studio for three months then went to sleep in my bed for four days straight – pregnant," she said.

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The star then deleted her entire Instagram profile, refusing to take any of the haters online. She made sure to thank her baby daughter Kulture in her Grammy acceptance speech, because her pregnancy gave her the motivation to finish the album.

"When I found out I was pregnant, my album wasn’t complete, I had three songs done. I had to shoot videos while I was still not showing. It was very long nights."

She posted a video thanking her fans and organisations for every single award she'd ever won, explaining that each is unique and special; "‘This sh*t is crazy," she said. "Every award is special to me, from Grammys, AMAs, Billboards, Nickelodeon, awards I get in another motherf*cking country, I don’t give a f*ck."

We hope the online community don't ruin her win for her, it's well-deserved and she's made HISTORY as a woman. Fair play, Cardi, you do you.

Earlier this week, Kanye West surprised fans in San Jose by admitting during a 40 minute rant that he supported Donald Trump in the US presidential election.

Unfortunately Ye’s ramblings didn’t end there, as last night the rapper criticised Hollywood’s most untouchable power couple before storming off his own stage in Sacramento, California.

After arriving one and a half hours late and performing just three songs, the Famous creator interrupted his Saint Pablo tour to condemn Beyoncé and Jay Z in another bizarre speech.

“This is a moment in the Matrix, bro,” he began.  “Beyoncé, I was hurt! ‘Cause I heard that you said you wouldn't perform unless you won Video of the Year over me, and over Hotline Bling.”

“In my opinion – now, don't go tryin’ to diss Beyoncé, she is great.  Taylor Swift is great.  We are all great people, we are all equal.  But sometimes, we be playin’ the politics too much and forgettin’ who we are – just to win.  F*ck winning!  F*ck lookin’ cool!”

“I've been sent here to give y’all my truth,” he continued.  “Even at the risk of my own life, even at the risk of my own success, my own career.  I've been sent here to give y’all the truth.”

“Jay Z, call me, bruh!  You still ain’t call me!  Jay Z, call me!  Jay Z, I know you got killers, please don't send them at my head.  Just call me!  Talk to me like a man!”

The father of two then turned on Hillary Clinton and the radio industry before declaring “I’m on my Trump sh*t tonight”.

Don’t worry, it makes no sense to us either!

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GIFs: Giphy

The ever-changing faces of the Geordie Shore girls have been getting a lot of attention lately, but no cosmetically enhanced body part seems to have caught the public eye more than Charlotte Crosby's growing lips.

Because of this, Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson has decided to have her say on Char's new look.

In a recent interview with New! Magazine, Louise said: “It's really bad – and sad. I've never met her personally but it's not a great image to portray to younger people that are fans.”

“Geordie Shore has such a big audience and she was so cool, her personality was everything, and now she looks totally different.”

Not being one to take things lying down, the former Big Brother winner has since responded to Louise’s comments by sarcastically saying: "I'm not really that bothered. Louise puts make-up on her face. That's quite sad.”

According to The Mirror, Charlotte then added: "Is she not happy with the person she is? Bore the f**k off."

Cue the lip police

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Last week the Geordie shared a close up of her bee-stung pout on Instagram with the caption: “Cue the lip police.”

Charlotte claims she hasn’t received lip filler injections since January and says she doesn’t care what people think of her new lips.

Have the Kardashian family officially gone into meltdown mode? First Kanye freaks out (many, many times) on Twitter, then yesterday his wife, Kimmy K started off, blasting other celebs and now Kylie has gone on a rant of her own. Oh, and don't forget about Scott with his grossly inappropriate comment on Kourtney's pic yesterday.

The youngest sister noticed someone commenting about her bodyguard and her money, so she blasted them, saying she doesn't give a f**k about them.

She then proceeded to share "good vibes" – much like her brother-in-law Kanye tweets after one of his rants.

But she didn't stop there. Nope, since Kim was getting a lot of hate for her nude selfies, Kylie decided to take her sister's side and declare she is a "legend."

We're guessing Kourtney or Khloe is next. Watch this space.

We thought with his fashion show and album being released he'd finally calm down with the Twitter rants, but once more Kanye has taken to the social media site to vent about a music producer.

Bob Ezrin has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Nine Inch Nails and Pink Floyd, so it's a wonder Kanye slammed him – but then again Bob did criticise the rapper, and well, it's Kanye.

The music producer said that Kanye "isn't on the creative level of some other prominent artists" on Monday.

So last night, Mr West produced this storm of tweets:

And it didn't stop there, Kanye even asked him to never speak to him in public again:

OK Kanye, whatever you say.

There has been numerous rumours about why Kim Kardashian has barely shown her face in public since she gave birth to her son, Saint West.

And in a recent article by the Daily Mail, it said that Kimmy was in a "self-imposed diet exile."

But, Kim reacted straight away and blasted the website for sharing false stories about her.

In rant of tweets, Kim said that she was just on "maternity leave" and has been out and about with her son and family.

She sure is taking after her hubby Kanye ranting on Twitter, but unlike Mr West, she actually had a substantial reason to hit out.

Kanye West might of had a little Twitter meltdown last night, but Brian McFadden really took the biscuit for being abusive on social media.

The former Westlife singer sparked a very foul-mouthed rant on Twitter after a fan insulted his career.

Brian took to the social media site to tell people about his stint on The Jump. He wrote, "This year @TheJumpC4 has gone to new heights!" which he tweeted along with a picture.

However, one user took a dig at the star saying, "Unlike your career hey?!"

But the dad-of-two, who obviously didn't see it as a joke, wrote back: “Shut your face c***!"

And he didn't stop there: "Or I'll find your IP address, find out where you live and strangle you with your f***ing mouse."

Then another Twitter user chimed in and said: "I'd be angry to, if I had to resort to dreadful reality TV to make a living!"

But not one to back down, Vogue's ex said: "As angry as you working in tesco and shopping at lidl?"

The tweets have since been deleted, but not before some eagle-eyed Tweeters took snapshots of them.

We know it's not nice to insult, but we think Brian took it a tad too far here.

Madonna was in no mood to be messed with at her recent gig.

The singer was in Manchester on Monday night and when she hit the stage the crowd started to boo and shout insults at her for being 50 minutes late.

But, Madge wasn't having ANY of it and had a very fierce reply to her audience.

"I don't like to be late, by the way, and all you b*tches who keep complaining about it can shut the f**k up.

"I'm not back there eating chocolates and filing my nails and getting my extensions done. The [background] video crashed. We had no video.

"We had to wait until we could reboot it… No selfish diva b*tch reason. If you diva b*tches want to keep complaining about it, don't come to my show."

Well, she certainly slapped them with the truth.

In recent weeks, Kimmy K has been pretty open about the €1m diamond present she wants as a push present from Kanye.

But the reality star will have to wait a little while until her hubby has time to go shopping.

The rapper took to Twitter on Saturday to announce to the world that he really doesn't want to be bothered for a while, and apparently he's warning everyone of the consequences.

He wrote on his social media account, "No offense to anyone… I'm asking everyone DON'T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING TILL AFTER I'M FINISHED WITH MY ALBUM," and then followed with "I'm finishing my album and my next collection…"

The clothes designer has been hard at work creating his seventh studio album, Swish. But signs are it's taking a long time to complete.

Maybe Kanye might cheer up after hearing his daughter, North, sent her first tweet

It was only a couple of days ago that TMZ leaked a video of Jared Leto listening to Taylor Swift's 1989, and let's just say, he was less than complimentary.

He seemed to be kinda into Blank Space but had zero-love for Welcome to New York. He is even heard at the end of the video saying, "F**k her."

Since then though, Jared took to Twitter to apologise to Tay and her fans saying, "The truth is I think @taylorswift13 is amazing + an incredible example of what's possible.

"If I hurt her or her fans my sincerest apologies."

But now, the Hollywood Reporter has published a statement from Jared describing his motivations to file a lawsuit against TMZ for leaking the footage.

Jared's company Sisyphus Touring filed the lawsuit against the Warner Bros-owned gossip site, alleging copyright infringement.

Jared claims that the video was stolen and he contacted the TMZ team before it went up to urge them not to publish it.

"Jared's lawsuit alleges the video was shot on Sept. 8 by a camerman he hired, who then gave the video to TMZ after being promised $2,000 for it.

"According to Jared's lawsuit, the videographer later asked TMZ to not publish the video, telling them he did not own the footage," reports HR

 "They chose to post it anyway," Jared said in his statement. "Let's be clear. This was stolen footage. This was an invasion of privacy. And it was both legally and morally wrong."

There are plenty of folk who confess to not being all that crazy about their name.

Maybe their parents opted for a traditional moniker that nowadays just doesn’t appeal – or perhaps their mum or dad were alternative types who had a moment of madness in the labour ward.

However, as the internet proves again and again, there is ALWAYS someone far worse off.

Take, for example, one poor Australian chap – who certainly sports one of the more cringe-inducing titles we’ve stumbled across recently.

In a frustrated Facebook post, Mr Phuc Dat Bich – who has been accused in the past of making up his name – stated: “I find it highly irritating the fact that nobody seems to believe me when I say that my full legal name is how you see it.

Indeed, taking matters into his own hands, 23-year-old Phuc decided to share a snap of his passport, proving once and for all he’s the real deal.

“I've been accused of using a false and misleading name of which I find very offensive,” he added. "Is it because I'm Asian? Is it?”

And although Phuc Dat Bich is actually correctly pronounced ‘Phoop Dook Bic,’ native-English speakers – overwhelmingly in the majority in Australia – can’t help but say the words phonetically.

Indeed, Mr Dat Bich furthermore highlighted that his Facebook account has even been “shut down multiple times”.

On the plus side, his online complaint, which was actually posted back in January but has only now gone viral, has received more than 125,000 likes and has been shared some 67,000 times.

Christian Bale has never been one to hide his feelings; who remembers that infamous meltdown he had on the set of Terminator: Salvation when he went to town on the director of photography for basically being alive?

Well, it looks like the British actor will continue to say whatever he thinks whenever he wants if his latest interview is anything to go by.

The Dark Knight star sat down with The Wall Street Journal to discuss his new role in Exodus: Gods and Kings and let his feelings for much-loved actor George Clooney be known.

When asked about paparazzi invasion, Christian calls George’s take on the media ‘boring’ and he doesn't stop there!

He then goes on to say: “It doesn’t matter that he talks about it. It’s like, come on, guys, just shut up. Just get on with it and live your lives and stop whining about it. I prefer not to whine about it.”

While he used far less expletives in this rant than in others, he still didn’t hold back, did he?

Christian Bale is probably the only person in the world who would call the newly-wedded Ocean’s Eleven star boring and whiny, right?


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Study Guide

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Festus Takes The Reins

  • As soon as Festus takes charge, he makes a little trip to Jerusalem. The Jewish authorities there chew his ear off about Paul.
  • The religious authorities want Paul transferred back to Jerusalem (where they can finish up their murder/death/kill plot). We're guessing they gave up on the whole not-eating-until-Paul-is-dead thing.
  • But Festus is all like, No, come to Caesarea and we'll totally do a trial. Dude, we just did that two years ago. Roman bureaucracy is the worst.
  • About a week and a half later, everyone is back in Caesarea and it's trial time.
  • The Jewish guys from Jerusalem say a bunch of completely untrue stuff about Paul. Typical.
  • Then it's Paul's turn. His defense: not guilty.
  • Festus says that since it sounds like they're all disputing over Jewish religious stuff, maybe Paul should just head down to Jerusalem and face trial there (maybe then the council members can kill Paul and Festus can cross one thing off his to-do list).
  • But Paul says he's appealing to the emperor's tribunal in Rome. Darn. He's headed up to the highest court in the land. He hasn't done anything wrong to the Jewish people, so why should they try him? To the emperor it is!
  • Several days later, King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, come into town and stop by Festus's house.
  • Festus discusses the case with Agrippa, who decides he wants to meet this Paul guy. Maybe they can figure out something intelligent to tell the emperor about him.
  • Two heads are better than one.


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Date: 28th October 2017 at 7:45pm
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FC Barcelona will have to sell players before they can potentially sign Brazil international star Philippe Coutinho, according to the Daily Mail.

The La Liga giants, who have won eight of their opening nine league games this term to top the Spanish top-flight, have been heavily linked with reigniting their interest in the Liverpool midfielder during the January transfer window, after failing to lure him to the Nou Camp in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who has 29 international caps for his country, has scored four goals and provided three assists in nine appearances in all competitions for the Premier League side so far this season.

Coutinho, who arrived at Anfield back in January 2013 following his reported £8.5m switch from Inter Milan, has netted 46 times in 190 games overall for Liverpool.

After three failed attempts to land Coutinho during the summer market, Barcelona will to try their luck again in the New Year transfer window, though they will have to reduce their extortionate wage bill before potentially welcoming the Brazilian to the Nou Camp.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.

The report suggests the Spanish outfit have a wage bill that currently runs at around 84 per cent of their budget, meaning five players may have to be offloaded in January, before any chance of bringing in Coutinho.

Wingers Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, defender Thomas Vermaelen, midfielder Andre Gomes and striker Paco Alcacer are all thought to be available.

Barcelona will look to sign Coutinho for around €120m.

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online holiday shopping

What this year’s surge in online holiday shopping means for retailers

Consumers worldwide have greatly increased their online spending in 2020, in large part due to COVID-19. Visits to the top 2,000 North American eCommerce sites increased 19% overall (and 125% on average) from March to June 2020, compared to last year. Not to mention, there has been a 71% year-over-year increase in digital revenue in the U.S., which will undoubtedly have an impact on this year’s holiday shopping season, and possibly those to come.

Retailers will need to make several adjustments to adapt to the surge in online holiday shopping, from conducting website performance testing to handle traffic increases and hiring staff for order fulfillment, to making user experience modifications and training customer service reps to process returns efficiently.

How Retailers Can Prepare for the Online Holiday Shopping Surge

There are many ways for retailers to still profit and prosper this holiday season, even if it means seeing fewer customers in-store. The following adjustments, improvements, and implementations in key marketing strategies will prove successful for the holiday season:

Start Marketing Earlier.

Typically, the holiday shopping season kicks off with Black Friday–the day after Thanksgiving. However, “Christmas creep” in recent years has put holiday theming and displays into stores just after Halloween. Retailers should prepare for a longer-than-usual holiday season, investing carefully with the mindset that promotions will need to remain enticing and fresh for months rather than weeks.

Shoppers are looking to stretch out their gift purchases over several months and begin bargain hunting early to avoid shipping delays. The first campaigns have kicked off as early as October, as seen by Amazon Prime Day; although it isn’t marketed as an online holiday shopping event, Prime Day has a large impact on consumer holiday spending.

Another key event that marked the earlier start to the holiday shopping season was the inaugural 10.10 Shopping Festival, hosted by Coresight Research in partnership with Shopkick and Fashwire. It hosted hundreds of retailers who all offered consumers special perks and discounts while also giving back to philanthropic organizations. Participating retailers reported an increase in traffic, brand awareness, and revenue

As it stands currently, 34% of online shoppers plan to have their shopping done by October or early November, and 30% plan to take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Optimize for Mobile.

If a retail website doesn’t load quickly and operate at peak performance, business is lost. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom can help identify areas of a website that require optimization to handle a higher traffic volume. Google’s Mobile Testing Tool can easily test if a website is well-optimized for mobile. Adopting better web hosting is another consideration if an eCommerce website lags, crashes, or suffers frequent down-time.

Retailers can further optimize their websites by:

  • Looking for ways to simplify the checkout process, including “guest checkout” as an option and accepting online payments from sites like PayPal or Venmo.
  • Displaying shopping cart items clearly with the product name, quantity, price, and photo, with easy size or quantity editing and a “save for later” option.
  • Supporting interactive images that allow shoppers to double tap to zoom, pinch to shrink, and swipe through a series of supporting photos.
  • Making the search bar more prominent and enabling auto-suggest.
  • Optimizing image sizes with TinyPNG or
  • Using browser caching to avoid the need to re-download files every visit.
  • Minifying CSS and JavaScript code files.

Incorporate Omnichannel Capabilities.

As we get closer to December, shoppers will increasingly seek options like curbside pickup and home delivery to circumvent potential last-minute shipping delays. It is important to note that many people will be trying these services for the first time this year due to COVID-19. Online searches increased 100% for “curbside pickup” and 70% for “home delivery” in March. Shopkick surveys have found that 44% of holiday shoppers plan to use the “Buy Online Pickup In-Store” (BOPIS) option this season. Retailers who want to compete must offer the ability to buy online pickup in-store or curbside and explore same-day delivery options.

Additional considerations include:

  • Training store associates to handle, pick, pack, and ship orders.
  • Creating signage and traffic flow improvements to handle contactless pickups.
  • Dedicating personnel to support curbside traffic surges.
  • Partnering with providers like Shipt and Rodei to expedite “last mile” shipping.
  • Reconsidering front store and back store inventory if business moves online.
  • Allowing customers to see updated in-store inventory in real-time.
  • Incentivizing curbside pickup rather than shipping, as it has a higher profit margin.

Partner With Complementary Platforms.

A retail website is just one destination for online shopping. Mobile marketplaces and apps represent other places to meet potential buyers in the digital sphere. U.S. consumers are expected to spend one billion hours shopping on mobile devices this holiday season—a 50% increase from last year—so it makes sense for retailers to target popular mobile shopping apps to position themselves as industry leaders.

Shopkick is a mobile shopping rewards platform that recently celebrated its 10-year milestone and has driven over 85 million store visits at top retailers across the nation, including Best Buy, Carter’s, and Ulta. Shoppers using the mobile app have earned over 29 billion “kicks” (rewards points) by engaging with partnering retailers and brands. Kick-earning opportunities include shopping at partnering retailers, making both online and in-store purchases, watching branded videos, scanning barcodes of select products in-aisle, and flipping through curated lookbooks. Shopkick users then redeem their rewards points for gift cards to their favorite stores, often the same stores where they earned their kicks, providing an incremental revenue stream for retailers.

Visa Decision Sciences studied the impact of Shopkick campaigns on partnering retailers and found:

  • 57% of sales driven by Shopkick were incremental, spontaneous, and unplanned.
  • 73% of incremental sales were by new customers.
  • 27% of incremental sales increased the loyalty of existing customers.

Even if retailers have their own dedicated mobile apps, they can easily integrate with Shopkick, benefitting from an expanded reach to our highly loyal and engaged user base.

Create an Optimal Customer Experience.

It’s never too late to create a better customer experience online. Refresh content with dedicated landing pages for major holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the greater holiday shopping season. Create helpful gift guides or categories based on gift recipients, enable personalized recommendations, and highlight seasonal offerings.

online holiday shoppingRetailers can meet or exceed customer expectations through:

  • Offering fast, hassle-free returns and speedy refunds.
  • Providing status updates from carriers with package tracking.
  • Using thoughtful and sustainable packaging.
  • Offering free shipping on any order or once shoppers reach a certain purchasing threshold.
  • Educating consumers to help them make the best purchasing decisions.
  • Providing detailed product information and personalized search results.
  • Improving product selection.
  • Offering one-click checkout.
  • Decluttering and streamlining their eCommerce sites.

Even if it’s not in the budget to adopt a new inventory management system or offer BOPIS, retailers can take cost-effective measures aimed at alleviating bottlenecks and improving the user experience.

‘Tis the Season

The global pandemic has been an emotional and financial struggle for many, but don’t discount holiday shoppers. They may be able to put a bit of cheer into the stockings of retailers with robust digital activity in the coming months.

Companies that go the extra mile by adequately preparing for increased online browsing and spending will have the opportunity to amass loyal fans for years to come.

Are you prepared to meet the surge in online holiday shopping this year? Read Shopkick success stories and contact us to become a partner and get started on your holiday campaign.

Get In Touch

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Business World Update December 2013

Spanish government unveils plans to all-but ban abortion

Spain’s Popular Party looks set reverse the liberal reforms to abortion laws passed by the previous Socialist government in 2010. The Catholic-dominated party will outlaw abortion except in cases of rape or risk to the mother’s life. The move has provoked fury from the opposition and from pro-choice activists, who highlight the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland as an example of the consequences of regressive anti-abortion laws. Nevertheless, the ‘pro-life’ bill will pass with a comfortable majority, despite there being little evidence of public demand for it.

The Thai opposition bolsters anti-government protests

The Democrat Party will boycott the snap election called by the Pheu Thai government (led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra), opting instead to summon hundreds of thousands of protesters on the grounds that the democratic process will be subverted. The Democrat Party and their allies are insisting on the installation of a ‘People’s Assembly’ to ease divisions- though the government has warned that it would be a front for a clique of Democrat who’d take over the country in yet another coup. Whatever one thinks of the Thai government, they are right in saying that the country is at risk of “civil war”.

South Africa: NUMSA trade union ends ANC support

Growing dissatisfaction from the left with the performance of the ANC government reached a new high last week as the 330,000 metalworkers’ union disaffiliated from the party, resolving to build a new socialist party. The leader of NUMSA said “the working class cannot any longer see the ANC… as its class allies in any meaningful sense”. The move marks a huge setback for the ANC as its vote base is squeezed by the poor who feel betrayed by its increasingly temperate, neo-liberal stance, and the middle class who are pulling the party to the centre. ANC leaders are concerned that their dominant party status (they have polled above 60% in every post-Apartheid election) could be further eroded.

South Sudan plunges into conflict and violence

An American evacuation plane has been shot at, over 500 people have been killed and rebels have taken over swathes of territory as South Sudan’s elected government struggles to recover from an attempted coup by the Vice President. Western nationals are rushing to be evacuated from the conflict-torn nation whilst foreign governments are still able to help. The conflict has formed an ethnic dimension, as the Dinka and Nuer communities fight for control over strategic assets such as the oil fields in the north of the country. Barack Obama has warned that “recent fighting threatens to plunge South Sudan back into the dark days of its past”.

‘Fascists’ accused of sabotaging Venezuelan power grid

Hugo Chavez’s successor, Nicolas Maduro, who shares the late Venezuelan President’s brand of ‘Bolivarian Socialism’, has alleged that right wing opponents deliberately caused the power cuts that blighted most of the country recently. Maduro claims to have evidence to support his claim that opposition supporters severed a key power cable in order to damage the government ahead of important local elections. However, it would be wise to treat such claims with scepticism: “right wing fascists” have been blamed for sporadic power cuts for years, yet international observers have yet to be convinced.

North Korea threatens South by fax

North Korea has used its only remaining communications with its rival to the South, a woefully out of date fax line, to warn that its military could attack South Korea “mercilessly” and “without notice”, apparently in response to a demonstration against the authoritarian regime in Seoul. It seems that North Korea treats any failure by other nations to live up to its exacting standards of oppression to be an act of hostility against it. South Korea may be well advised to file this fax in the same place that the US files warnings that Kim Jong Un’s army is about to bomb it out of existence. However, the South’s army has replied, using the fax line, to threaten “resolute punishment” to any act of warfare.

American Studies Association votes to boycott Israeli universities

A small but influential society of US academics, the American Studies Association, has resolved to cease all co-operation with their colleagues in Israel, as part of the economic and cultural boycott that is taking place due to international outrage at Israel’s treatment of their Palestinian neighbours. One critic of the move protested: “this is lumping into one big group all academic endeavours in Israel to say it’s politically tainted”. Regardless of the justification for the policy, commentators are agreed that it will bolster the boycott movement in the US, where it has hitherto made little impact.

Libya pushed offline by militant protesters

Libyan Telecoms and Technology (LTT), the monopoly Internet Service Provider, was hijacked by a force of armed rebels who cut-off web access for the entire country for most of last Saturday. Their call for the resignation of the Libyan Prime Minister failed as a back-up service resumed despite their continued occupation of the LTT building. The occupation is the latest in a long line of similar blockades with oil and other resources motivated by hostility to the post-Gaddafi democratic government.


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World Series of Comedy

Thu. Jul 8, 2021 at 7:30pm CDT
16 and Over
23 days away
Price: $17.00
16 and Over
  • Get Tickets
  • Details
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Event Stats
23 days away
Price: $17.00
16 and Over
Event Description
World Series of Comedy

The World Series of Comedy is a stand-up comedy event for comedians of all levels. It starts with weeklong satellite contests all around the U.S. and Canada throughout the year, culminating in a comedy festival we call The Main Event, in September. The festival includes 101 qualifying comedians competing in The Main Event, as well as an entire week of comedy seminars and social and networking events for comics, comedy club managers and bookers from the U.S. and Canada.

The WSOC comedy festival is now in its tenth year and is quickly becoming one of the best and biggest comedy festivals in the nation. The event helps comics obtain more contacts and get more gigs by creating a setting where both comedians and decision makers mingle throughout the events.

The World Series of Comedy was first held in Pittsburgh, PA, in 2003 at a local comedy club. In 2004, a second contest was run at the request of the owner.  President & CEO, Joe Lowers, knew he was onto something, and after he and his family moved to Las Vegas with visions of producing his own show, he began to lay out the plans for a yearly festival modeled after the one he created in Pennsylvania.

“I worked on the idea of the festival every year writing it out, working out the bugs and in 2010 it happened”, said Lowers. The resulting festival has been described as a contest, a festival, and a job fair. All are true.

Comedy club owners and comedy bookers serve as the judges of the contests, instructors in classes and panelists in discussions. Social events for both performers and producers are scheduled and provide a relaxed setting for talking shop. Perhaps the most valuable event is the annual Meet & Greet held during The Main Event. Here, comedians can visit the booths of comedy clubs from all over North America, distribute their information and discuss prospective employment.

Celebrating their Tenth Anniversary, The World Series of Comedy panel of judges will watch over 500 videos of comics just in preparation for the preliminary Satellite contests held in the first seven months of the year. Forty comics will be picked to compete at each Satellite location and the top 101 comics selected from all of the videos will go to The Main Event that is being held this year at Casino Queen in St. Louis.

Because the festival provides a weeklong job fair for comedians and club management, it’s not surprising that the prizes for the winners of The Main Event are employment.  Over 70 weeks of paid stand-up comedy performance work provided by participating clubs will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finalists. First Place will also get a CD recording deal with Uproar Entertainment.

While the competition, itself has the most sex appeal, perhaps more gratifying, says Joe Lowers, President & CEO of The World Series of Comedy, is “seeing the comics who didn’t win still end up getting work because they were seen or got to meet the right people.”

Reserve Tickets
General Admission + More Details $17.00
Venue Details
Map of Venue Location.
House of Comedy 408 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
Join the Conversation

Follow the event with #DrinkDineLaugh


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Microsoft Excel to Photoshop: Quantitative Data

Yesterday, I was preparing a poster for the “2010 CTSA Informatics Key Function Committee All-Hands Meeting” held at the Natcher Auditorium, NIH campus in Bethesda, MD on October 13-14, 2010. We will showcase some usage data of Digital Vita, an application developed by the University of Pittsburgh, which integrates CV management functions with academic social networking and basic research team management and collaboration functions. Initially, the graphs were created using basic functions in Microsoft Excel (see example in Figure 1):

Figure 1: NIH Biosketches in DV – MS Excel

I have converted these graphs into Photoshop, replacing the non-data-bearing frame with a y-axis indicating the range and changing the graph type to reflect that we combine cumulative data and non-cumulative data in one chart. In addition, I have labeled the data directly instead of using a legend reducing the cognitive load for the viewer. I first made a screen shot of the Excel graph and imported it into Photoshop, then I used the vector graph shape tools to draw the chart allowing me to scale it without quality loss. I ended up creating several 700 pixel high JPEGs which I inserted into a Microsoft PowerPoint poster template used by our Department of Biomedical Informatics (see example in Figure 2).

Figure 2: NIH Biosketches in DV — Adobe Photoshop


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February 10, 2011

Everyday Chickpea Salad

everyday chickpea  salad

Everyday. Chickpea. Salad. Everyday–meaning this salad is so good, you could eat it every day and can use everyday ingredients to make it! Nothing fussy, nothing crazy, just GOOD simple ingredients in a delicious/healthy salad that will make you feel full AND exceptional afterward.

I’m such a sucker for adaptable salads because there’s a nice ease to making stuff with what I already have in the kitchen. When I went to gather the ingredients for the dressing, I looked to see how much olive oil I needed to measure out and realized that there IS NO OIL in the recipe! Brilliant! The cashews and Dijon mustard act as the emulsifiers! The combo of balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard make it tangy! I love how the dressing soaked into the couscous, adored the crunchy sweetness of the peppers, and loved the creaminess of the chickpeas. I’m glad to have this salad & dressing in my current rotation.

Whitney & Anna both seduced me into picking up a copy of the Appetite for Reduction cookbook. Everything is entirely vegan, low calorie, low fat, but definitely NOT lacking in flavor. I made the Brussels Sprouts Potato Hash (post coming soon!) for lunch this week and now I’m totally hooked. I have over 15 recipes marked to try! I love that feeling.

So yeah, I’m back on the salad wagon (again). It’s such a nice wagon to be on. It always makes me feel fantastic, healthy and light! I hope my friend Jenny (who is going vegan for a week) LOVES this salad!

And we’re off!

Pulverize the cashews & shallots in a food processor.

cashew & shallot

Add the water, vinegar, agave syrup, & Dijon mustard with salt & pepper.

enter the mustard & vinegar

MIX MIX MIX. You don’t want ANY cashew chunks. You supposedly need 5 minutes of blending!

Gather up your salad ingredients. Look at that rainbow of vegetables!

Pop the dressing in the fridge for a bit. It thickens up that way!

ahhhh beauties

Toss all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Pour in the dressing…..MIX!

Toss in the spinach leaves. Toss toss toss.

Dig in…

A big plate of HEALTH. That’s all I see.

Everyday Chickpea Salad

Makes 4 servings

(Recipe adapted from Appetite for Reduction, by Isa Moskowitz)

For the salad:

  • 2 cups Israeli couscous cooked & cooled
  • 1 small red onion, thinly chopped
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1-15oz. can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
  • 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 pepper, sliced (I used 1/2 red and 1/2 yellow)

In a large mixing bowl, mix all the salad ingredients together. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Keep chilled in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days. (It didn’t last a whole day at my house)

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup cashew pieces
  • 2 tablespoons chopped shallot
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • a few pinches of freshly ground pepper

Place the cashew pieces & shallot in a food processor and pulse until totally chopped. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Blend for at least 5 minutes, and scrape the sides with a rubber spatula. Blend until completely smooth.

Shutterbean Notes:

-Original recipe calls for quinoa instead of couscous. Romaine lettuce instead of spinach. Als0- the cucumber & peppers were my addition.

-Next time I’m going to cut the peppers & cucumbers into smaller chunks, roughly the same size as chickpeas. Would have made eating the salad a *little* bit easier!

-Other possible fixins: avocado, sprouts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, roasted bell pepper, artichoke hearts…whatever your heart desires!

Leave a Comment


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As non-essential retail reopens, many local charities can open their doors once again. With social distancing lowered to 1 metre, we feel the time is near to safely start operating our popular drop-in days and home visits again, albeit with a number of notable changes.

We know that it is important to give assistive technology a try before you buy and there still remains no better way to demonstrate our different low vision solutions than in the company of one of our technical experts.

We have set up an online waiting list where you can sign up for one of our contactless home visits at a time of your choosing. This could be now with some of the guidelines relaxed, or in the future once guidelines have been relaxed further.

Drop in days are being arranged around the UK and Ireland in locations which allow us to safely socially distance. We will provide hygiene packs for you and we will manage the amount of people who will be in the space at any time. Please select this option below if you would prefer to visit us in a secure location rather than us come to your home.

  • Pre-registration only with an agreed time slot.
  • Personal protective equipment for our team and you.
  • A minimum of 1 metre distance kept at all times.
  • All equipment sterilised before and after each visit.

Please fill in the form below to register your interest in a home visit or a drop-in day at a local centre. If you’re interested in a one-to-one home visit, we will contact you to make arrangements soon.


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Family Crest Seal Engraved 14mm x 12mm - 18 Carat Yellow Gold Signet Ring

18 Carat Yellow Gold

Men's/Women's 14mm x 12mm Oval Signet Ring

with Family Crest seal engraved

Size: 14mm x 12mm

Thick: 2.75mm thick

Handmade with Hallmark.  Made in Australia.  Hand engraved.

All signet rings are made using solid annealed hallmarked blanks from Birmingham. This provides a superior quality for engraving and long term durability.  Hand seal engraved by our Master engraver.

Provide an image of your Family Crest at checkout or email it to us at

If you do not have a Family Crest  we can try to find it. (Suited best for English/Irish and Scottish names). Provide your family name and the origin of your family and we will do our best to research your name or provide you with a design that encapsulates your family's origin.

All rings are packaged in a black leather ring box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Ring Sizes Available:
USA 5 - 13
Australia J - Z1/2

Please select your ring size from the drop down box below. Don't know your size? Use our RING SIZER .pdf to help determine your finger size.

(Prices subject to change due to fluctuations in currency and metal prices.)

Please allow 4 - 5 weeks for delivery.

Please supply image artwork as a .pdf or .jpg file

Continue Shopping or Checkout

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Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh

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Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh

On March 23rd 1938 Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh succeeded as Maharaja on the death of his father, the well Known Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. The new Maharaja and his brother Raja Bhalindra Singh shared the love of playing cricket with their father. All of them played first-class cricket.

Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh was to be the last Pattiala kaMaharaja, agreeing to the incorporation of Patiala into the newly independent India on 5 May 1948, becoming Rajpramukh of the new Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).

He was allowed a privy purse of 17 Lakh Rupees for his upkeep and allowed to retain control over all his personal property.

See more at Lieutenant General Maharaja Yadavinder Singh


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    Buddhism Gurmat And Dhamma : A Study By Dr. Kanwar Ranvir Singh

    If you go to the Golden Temple one of the most interesting things you will observe are some Tibetan pilgrims who come to pray there, bowing down at each of their steps. These people are Buddhists who may belong to one of the numerous sects of Tibetan Buddhism, who regard Guru Nanak as Guru...


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Press release

Alyce Further Extends Its Leadership Position as Top Account-Based Execution Software, Named Leader in the G2 Spring 2020 Grid Report

Sponsored by Businesswire

Alyce, the Personal Experience (PX) platform that is redefining sales and marketing engagement, today announced its continued leadership position in the Leader quadrant in G2’s Spring 2020 Grid Report for Account-Based Execution. Leaders are determined by their high levels of customer satisfaction and likeliness to recommend ratings from real users on G2, the world’s leading business solutions review website. As part of this Spring 2020 report and continuing its strong market presence, Alyce also scored highest in G2’s Relationship Index for the Account-Based Execution category which noted the company for its ease of doing business, likeliness to recommend, and quality of its customer support.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the caliber of enterprise customers who not only view us as a strong platform to fuel their marketing, sales, and growth programs but as a strategic partner to help transform how they do businesses,” said Sean MacPherson, Head of Customer Success. “Couldn’t be prouder of our CS team who not only ensure our customer’s programs are successful and deliver results, but also guide BDRs and sales teams on the Personal Experience (PX) approach to create and strengthen personal bonds throughout the customer journey. And it’s making all the difference.”

“It’s good to see Alyce expand their Leadership ranking within the G2 Spring 2020 Report,” said Michael Fauscette, Chief Research Officer at G2. “Rankings on G2 reports are based on data provided to us by real users of the products, and help technology buyers find the best software products based on the real-world voice of the user, and gaining competitive advantage.”

Alyce continues to receive active positive G2 Crowd reviews; showcasing dedication to service, and the value of the platform and approach. Review highlights include:

  • “Alyce is perfect for all stages and levels of a conversation with any employee in the org. We’re able to generate better, more engaging conversations, and customers are typically happier to talk to us and disclose more information.”

    – Brett Purtell, Sales Development Specialist, Nutanix
  • “We use Alyce to target both new customers who are cold and as a method of saying thanks to existing customers who have done business with us. The experience a customer receives is second to none.”

    – Wes Talbert, Global Account Manager, NetApp
  • “With Alyce we’re able to create softer intros and build immediate rapport. Once people have accepted a gift, they’re much more open to a conversation.”

    – Cody Kopf, Sales Development, Adobe

Since its inception, Alyce has been focused on creating real personal experience moments that help businesses grow with the only platform that gives sales, marketing, and customer teams the ability to create individual personal gifts at scale.

Fully focusing on the recipient and customers’ interests, rather than sending everyone the same generic item, Alyce bridges the physical and digital marketing worlds to help companies create breakthrough connections engaging people on their own terms. Providing the power of choice, recipients can select the personal gift recommended, pick something else from the Alyce gift marketplace, or even choose to donate the value of a gift to a charity of their interest.

“The demand to create personal bonds in business has never been stronger, especially in these times and it’s reflective in the success our customers are having leveraging Alyce to help them strengthen prospect relationships, enhance their ABM campaigns and fuel growth as the world moves almost fully digital,” said Greg Segall, founder, and CEO of Alyce. “Extending our leadership presence through the captured reviews and voice of our users and customers speaks volumes – and we’re extremely honored to be recognized once again by G2.”

About G2

G2, the world’s leading business solution review platform, leverages more than 790,000 user reviews to drive better purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, more than three million people visit G2’s site to gain unique insights.

Learn more about what users have to say on G2 Crowd’s Alyce review page here.

Learn why our customers love Alyce by visiting our customer stories page.

About Alyce

Alyce is a Personal Experience (PX) platform that helps sales, marketing, and customer success teams create personal bonds with everyone they do business with through one-to-one gifting. Alyce bridges the physical and digital marketing worlds to help enterprises better engage prospects, customers, and employees while delivering measurable results. Alyce is a venture-backed, privately held company headquartered in Boston, MA.

Learn more at


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Press release

Redgate Uncovers The Promise and Pitfalls of DevOps Adoption for the Financial Services Sector

Sponsored by Businesswire

Businesses in Financial Services are ahead of the healthcare and government sectors in adopting DevOps to increase their speed of development and free up developer time. This is a major finding focused on sector by sector analysis of the data from Redgate’s 2020 State of Database DevOps Report.

“At the heart of what makes the financial services sector so interesting is its willingness to adopt a generative culture, which focuses on breaking free of siloes and promoting a proactive, collaborative atmosphere,” notes Kendra Little, Redgate DevOps Advocate and author of the report. “It’s what makes DevOps adoption work so well. This is a far cry from the culture and structure we saw from respondents in other sectors, which were often marred by little to no cooperation, and an inability to adapt to change.”

Nowhere is this more important than Financial Services. While features need to be delivered faster in order to meet heightened expectations from customers looking for added value, regulatory requirements need to be complied with and data privacy needs to be protected.

To give businesses in the sector a deeper understanding of the particular challenges they face, a special edition of Redgate’s 2020 Database DevOps Report presents a deep dive into the survey data from Financial Services respondents.

It highlights the differences and similarities that exist for businesses in the finance sector compared to other sectors, and gives a valuable steer on where they should focus their digital transformation initiatives.

Key findings for Financial Services respondents include:

  • 77% of respondents have adopted DevOps across all or some projects, or have a PoC in place, compared to 69% across other sectors
  • 34% of respondents think increased speed of delivery is the biggest driver for automating the delivery of database changes compared to 26% across other sectors
  • 66% of respondents believe the move from traditional database development to a fully automated process for deployment can be achieved in a year or less. This rises to 69% in the US and compares to 61% across other sectors
  • Financial Services businesses are ahead of every other sector in adopting automation across the database development process
  • 54% of Financial Services businesses now deploy database changes daily, weekly, or on demand, compared to 49% across other sectors

“What’s fascinating about the deeper sector analysis is the way businesses in Financial Services are innovating faster and further than any other sector,” added Little. “The data shows they face the same obstacles and challenges, but most are still surging ahead. Those who are lagging behind may need to revisit their digital transformation plans in order to remain competitive.”

Over the last four years, Redgate’s annual report has provided valuable insights into how and why DevOps is being adopted, along with the drivers for introducing it for both application and database development, and the obstacles businesses and organizations in every sector face.

With responses from developers, database specialists and IT leadership around the globe across all industry verticals, from small companies to big enterprises, Redgate’s report also highlights the varying challenges sector by sector.

Download the 2020 State of Database DevOps in Financial Services to see the full picture of how and why DevOps is being adopted in Financial Services.

About Redgate Software

Redgate makes ingeniously simple software used by over 800,000 IT professionals around the world and is the leading Microsoft SQL Server tools vendor. Redgate’s philosophy is to design highly usable, reliable tools which elegantly solve the problems developers and DBAs face every day and help them to adopt compliant database DevOps. As well as streamlining database development and preventing the database being a bottleneck, this helps organizations introduce data protection by design and by default. As a result, more than 100,000 companies use Redgate tools, including 91% of those in the Fortune 100.


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Recruitment AI start-up bags €30,000 at NDRC Investor Day

31 May 20171.15k Views

From left: David Tighe, head of innovation, Bank of Ireland; Andreea Wade, CEO and co-founder of; and Ben Hurley, CEO of NDRC. Image: Shane O’Neill Photography., a recruitment start-up using AI and machine learning, has won €30,000 in investment at the NDRC Investor Day for spring 2017.

It has been a busy few months for, a company founded in 2015 by two Romanian entrepreneurs – Andreea Wade and Adrian Mihai – who have made Ireland their home.

Recently featured as’s Start-up of the Week, its AI platform aims to narrow down candidate pools based on role-specific criteria. also uses data science to help recruiters sharpen their game and not overlook important CVs or opportunities.

Now, is celebrating the news that it has been named the winner at today’s (31 May) NDRC Investor Day, where nine companies pitched to a panel of investors.

The Dublin start-up will receive €30,000 in follow-on investment to expand its technology.

Some of the other competing companies work in technologies ranging from audio technology developments, to self-cleaning cameras for the mining industry.

Support Silicon Republic

The panel of judges included Ben Hurley, CEO of NDRC; Nicola McClafferty of Draper Esprit; Debbie Rennick of ACT Venture Capital; and David Bowles of Delta Partners.

‘Extremely bright future’

Speaking of’s success, Hurley said the company had an “extremely bright future”.

“It’s clear from the quality of all the propositions here today that there is a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in Ireland, where we see a pipeline of high-potential companies and continuously strong investor interest in NDRC’s portfolio.

“ has a compelling proposition, clear target market with existing customers, and refined commercial projections,” he said.

Supporting the NDRC was Bank of Ireland, whose head of innovation and recent speaker at the launch of Inspirefest 2017, David Tighe, welcomed the event.

“[NDRC] have a world-class approach to translating digital ideas into promising new ventures with a global outlook,” he said.

“Bank of Ireland continues to support start-ups across Ireland, helping them start, scale and succeed through our range of supports such as workbenches, StartLab and, most recently, our New York StartLab initiative.”

The other eight companies pitching at the event included:

  • Sonarc – Offers a new type of audio speaker based on plasma technology, which produces a clear sound with no moving parts.
  • AimSteady – Develops a wearable training aid for shooting handguns, providing immediate feedback in order to improve accuracy and performance.
  • AddJust – Simplifies the management of change orders in a construction contract by providing technology that streamlines the process of recording, assessing and approving order changes.
  • Transportzone – Helps transport companies to bring order and clarity to their subcontractor booking process.
  • Happy Marketing & Media/ – Helps advertisers to achieve a better advertising return on investment by matching their campaign criteria with the best fit advertising solution.
  • DocumentationHQ – A central repository for all your know-your-customer information, aligning corporate, financial institution and professional services documentation obligations into a single, up-to-date version.
  • Clearvue – A self-cleaning camera and accident video management platform for the construction and mining industry.
  • LiquidEdge – Enables powerful, highly targeted, real-time and programmatic customer engagement by leveraging hidden data from Wi-Fi, social media and other systems.

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic