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BC woman plagued by bedbugs on airplane not surprising says expert
VANCOUVER – A British Columbia woman plagued by bedbugs on a nine-hour flight to London is a victim of the explosive growth in the critters globally, but travellers shouldn’t worry they’ll become a common feature on planes, says an entomologist.Heather Szilagyi was on a British Airways flight with her seven-year-old daughter and fiancee Eric Neilson on Oct. 10 when she said they noticed what appeared to be bedbugs crawling out of the seat in front of them.She said the flight attendants couldn’t move them because there were no other available seats on the plane. After landing, Szilagyi discovered they were covered in bites.“To actually see them pouring out of the back of the TV on the seat, that was actually really gross,” she said. “Once we arrived at our Airbnb … we put everything through the washing machine on the hottest heat we could, put everything in plastic bags, sanitized everything that we could.”Murray Isman, a University of British Columbia professor of entomology and toxicology, said with the increase in personal travel and the spread of the insect globally, it’s not surprising bedbugs are finding their way onto commercial aircraft.“One of the ways bedbugs travel is in hand luggage and personal luggage,” said Isman, who also works with a company that develops bedbug repellents. “Where there is a lot of movement of people in and out, sooner or later someone is going to transfer these things in something they’re carrying, and this is how they get spread from hotel to hotel to hotel and this is how people bring them home.”Changes in local insecticide use and climate change are other factors contributing to the spread of bedbugs, he said.But travellers shouldn’t be too worried there will be more incidents of bedbugs biting passengers on planes, Isman added.“If you think about the normal situation which is someone sleeping in a hotel bed or a bed at home, the bedbugs don’t like a lot of disturbance or movement. They like it quiet, dark,” he said, adding the critters would first have to get out of luggage and onto a plane’s chairs and upholstery to even reach people.Szilagyi took to Twitter to share photos of her daughter’s bites after she said her calls to British Airways failed to guarantee they would not be on the same plane.“What we both would have been satisfied with was if it was possible to just have us on a partner line, not to fly back with British Airways,” she said, having been left unsettled by the experience.In a statement, British Airways spokeswoman Caroline Niven said the airline has been in touch with the customer to apologize and will investigate the incident further.“British Airways operates more than 280,000 flights every year, and reports of bedbugs onboard are extremely rare. Nevertheless, we are vigilant and continually monitor our aircraft. The presence of bedbugs is an issue faced occasionally by hotels and airlines all over the world,” the statement said.Niven added that any reports like Szilagyi’s are taken seriously, and the aircraft would be subject to any checks and treatment necessary.A statement from the Vancouver Airport Authority said it took immediate steps when learning about the incident to work with its cleaning and pest control partners to ensure the airport remains clean and sterile.Isman said exterminating the bugs is the best option for airlines since treating people and luggage before they get on an aircraft isn’t feasible.With travellers increasingly aware of the problem, he said more people are at least taking preventive measures by carrying insecticides or repellents to hotels to reduce the spread.—Follow @Givetash on Twitter.
US envoy sells Donald Trump as middle class champion just like Justin
OTTAWA – Kelly Craft wants Canadians to know a few things about one of the least popular presidents an American ambassador has ever had to represent in this country.Among them: He’s taking the United States in a new direction, but that doesn’t mean navigating away from its good friend, Canada; He’s got way more in common with Justin Trudeau than you would think; He wakes each day seized with helping the working class people who elected him, but he could do a better job of explaining how he plans to do that.In a recent Ottawa speech, the Kentucky-born, basketball-loving U.S. ambassador to Canada presented those insights — some more candid than others — to decode President Donald Trump for bewildered and curious Canadians.Six months into her job, Craft is determined to put a more cheerful face on what many see as an ugly administration.It’s Craft’s attempt to smooth her president’s rough edges, like a shot of finely aged bourbon from her beloved state.“I want to explain why our president — with a clear mandate from the people across the United States — saw a need for sweeping change. Responding to this mandate doesn’t weaken our alliance,” Craft said in a speech earlier this week to a gala dinner at the Canadian War Museum.“I expect that some here who hear the slogan, ‘Make America Great Again’ are concerned about our country’s engagement in the world. I’m here to tell you that yes, the president will put America first, just as Canada will put Canada first. However, America (First) does not mean America Alone.”The speech was well received by the several hundred at the annual Macdonald-Laurier Institute event, and it broke new ground beyond her previous, carefully scripted public appearances.She said she understands why so many Canadians “are weighing American actions through a Canadian prism.”“But sometimes it’s useful to look at all sides. This too becomes a challenge with today’s competitive 24-hour news cycle. It is often difficult to discern what is current or old, real or fake, what is reporting versus advocacy,” she said.The Canada-U.S. relationship may be complex, and that includes the ongoing renegotiation of NAFTA, but Craft said it is as vibrant as ever “even when the signals coming from the media and thought leaders often suggest otherwise.”In her view, one of the biggest reasons for optimism is the relationship between Trudeau and Trump, both of whom are “strong-willed and charismatic.”Both leaders delivered similar messages at last month’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about the need to extend economic prosperity to those who have been passed over, she said.Craft quoted Trudeau in Davos: “Over the past decades, citizens and workers have been calling for change. But too often their pleas have been ignored … We all know that to be competitive in this modern economy change is imperative. And the grassroots desire for change is there, it always has been, but it’s up to us to flip on the switch.”Then she delivered her punchline:“I can’t think of a better way to describe the wave that elected Donald Trump.”Mark Fisher, the president of the Toronto-based Council of the Great Lakes Region, listened with interest to her speech, and said it had all the hallmarks of an ambassador attempting to provide reassurance about a White House that is unorthodox and chaotic.He predicted she will grow into the role as her predecessors have, but it won’t be easy with musings about retaliatory trade action periodically coming out of the White House.“At some point, we’re going to have to sit down and say, ‘are we really on the same page here’ because the reassurances don’t seem to be lining up with what we’re hearing out of Washington?”Craft herself acknowledged that figuring out Trump is not an easy thing to do — even for her.But for any of the confusion he might create, she insisted that underneath it is a committed champion of working people who thinks like a businessman focused on getting results for them.“I don’t think that he is very good at expressing how we’re going to achieve those results. I think that would be very helpful if he laid that out for all of us,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.“The people here tonight that have made it possible for us to be able to sit at these tables — wonderful china, the crystal — those are the people in America who voted for Donald Trump, and at the end of the day, those are the people that he cares about,” Craft added.“It’s about the people who voted him into office … and every day when he gets up, he will say, ‘I want to make America great again for those people, the middle class.’”
Sons Of Anarchy Stars To Join Boot Ride And Rally
Registration is open for the highly anticipated 3rd Annual Boot Ride and Rally! Hosted by cast members from FX’s Sons of Anarchy, the Boot Ride and Rally is a unique Ride experience followed by an incredible party, all in the name of cultivating awareness and providing assistance for our nation’s defenders through the national nonprofit, The Boot Campaign.3rd Annual Boot Ride and Rally August 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.The 3rd Annual Boot Ride and Rally is Sunday, August 25th in Los Angeles, CA. Register now here.“I’m proud to be an Ambassador for the Boot Campaign, and couldn’t be more excited to participate in the 3rd Annual Boot Ride & Rally,” said Theo Rossi, actor on FX’s Sons of Anarchy. “I am in complete awe of our military men & women and their families, and seeing the general public come from all over to participate, wear their boots and embrace this event, is truly inspiring.”This one-of-a-kind ride allows you to role alongside cast from FX’s Sons of Anarchy and our nation’s fearless military veterans. Spots are extremely limited to ensure a VIP experience for all who ride.The party keeps going with the Boot Rally at the Happy Ending Bar and Restaurant on Hollywood’s Sunset Blvd. With live performances by Blackberry Smoke and other surprise guests, a military tribute ceremony, an up-close-and-personal experience with the stars of FX’s Sons of Anarchy, and much more… this is a party like none you’ve ever experienced.Single Boot Ride tickets start at $150/person, Rally tickets start at $35/person. Specialty packages are available.In 2010, the cast of FX’s Sons of Anarchy joined the Boot Campaign’s network of celebrity endorsers when they posed for their official “Boot Photo.” Since then, the cast has become a powerful advocate of the Boot Campaign not only through the annual Boot Ride and Rally, but also through various speaking engagements, media appearances and fundraising events throughout the year.The Boot Ride and Rally is an annual event that has raised more than $100,000 to provide direct assistance to military, past and present, and their families through the Boot Campaign.
Nirvanna the Bands wild Toronto antics are supremely funny
Advertisement Login/Register With: Advertisement Facebook Of all the legendary concert venues in Toronto, Nirvanna the Band frontmen Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol are interested in playing a show at only one: the Rivoli, a Queen St. W. club known these days for its standup comedy scene and cavernous pool hall.In fact, playing a show at the Rivoli is entirely the premise of Nirvanna the Band the Show, Johnson and McCarrol’s hilarious new “semi-scripted” television series that’s to debut weekly on Viceland on Feb. 2 and on City in March.“It’s unanswerable why these guys want to play at the Rivoli,” says real-life Johnson, the director of the show, who plays a hyperactive version of himself in Nirvanna. “Nobody could give you an answer. It’s not like they need to play the Silver Dollar and it’s not like they need to play Massey Hall. Either of those would have seemed stupid, but the Rivoli, for whatever reason . . . ”
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Morocco Remains Top Producer of Cannabis, Report Confirms
Rabat – Employing at least 40% of the workforce in Morocco, agriculture remains one of the most important industries in the kingdom. For numerous crops such as olives and almonds, Morocco remains among the world’s leading producers, helping to maintain the country’s international presence and participation in trade.However, on the darker side of agriculture in Morocco lies a massive network dedicated to the production of one substance in particular: cannabis. Morocco has gained an international reputation for cannabis production, with an entire industry dedicated towards “drug tourism” having recently developed, especially in cities throughout the Rif region, where a majority of the country’s cannabis is grown.The kingdom has also become notorious for its substantial hashish production, which at one point fueled over 70% of European consumption of the substance and continues to be the largest producer of hashish in the world.Meanwhile, this notoriety has been confirmed by a new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which confirmed that Morocco remains the world’s largest producer of cannabis, producing over three times more than the next highest contender, the European country Moldova.Additionally, the report revealed that cannabis production in the country continues to grow, with the production of cannabis herbs increasing from 35,653 tons in 2016 to 35,703 tons in 2017. However, in reality, this number is even higher, as these figures do not include the production of resin and other forms of cannabis.In an attempt to mitigate this growth, Moroccan authorities have continued to place heavy pressure on the illicit drug trade since the government announced in 2018 that it would be placing more focus on combating the drug trade.Last year, Morocco announced the implementation of “a multi-dimensional national strategy to fight illegal drugs and is determined to place civil society in the forefront of this national strategy.”This week on June 23, police seized over 600 kilograms of cannabis resin near Zagora in southern Morocco, arresting two suspects as a result.Earlier this month, on June 12, nearly 13 tons of the substance were seized in Nador, as well.In addition to making strides in combating the trade of cannabis, the government has been working towards countering the distribution of other drugs, such as cocaine and various psychotropic substances.On June 16, police in Agadir seized 100 grams of cocaine and over 31,000 psychotropic tablets, leading to three arrests of individuals involved in the trade of these substances.Mustapha El Khalfi, Morocco’s government spokesperson, announced that more than 107,000 people were prosecuted for drug crimes in 2017, and this number is expected to increase as the implementation of the government’s new strategy becomes fully realized in the coming years.
Tim Hortons rolls out mobile payments with updates to BlackBerry Apple and
A limited number of Tim Hortons stores are now letting you pay for a double-double with a smartphone.[np_storybar title=”Tims getting the donut smell back in the donut store” link=”https://business.financialpost.com/2013/12/06/tims-getting-the-donut-smell-back-in-the-donut-store/”%5DAs its core coffee business faces a renewed assault from McDonald’s and Starbucks, Tim Hortons’ CEO aims for an appetizing refresh. Keep reading. [/np_storybar]Participating outlets in Canada and the United States will allow users with some BlackBerry 10, Google Android and Apple iPhone smartphones to pay with a TimmyMe app.The BlackBerry app uses near field communication (NFC) technology and works similarly to the tap-to-pay method used with some debit and credit cards. Tim Hortons has not disclosed which stores are now offering BlackBerry payments.The app for Apple devices running iOS 6.0 or later and Android devices running version 4.0 or later use barcode scanning technology. So far, there are 11 municipalities in Ontario’s Niagara region that have stores setup for these payments.For all platforms, customers have to register a Tim Hortons card on the TimmyMe app to add funds to their mobile account, which can then be used to pay for purchases and replenished as needed.“We’re always looking to provide our Tim Hortons guests with the best overall customer experience, and mobile payment is one area that we feel can help streamline the average time spent at the order counter,” said David Clanachan, the company’s chief operating officer, in a release Thursday.Customers make a payment by opening the company’s app on their smartphone and tapping the screen to display a barcode, which is then scanned using a near-field communications terminal.Tim Hortons rival Starbucks already offers barcode-based mobile payments to customers via its own smartphone app.
Environment dominates debates at UN population commission chairman says
“This is contentious not only between developed and developing countries, but also among developed countries,” said Makoto Atoh, President of the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in Japan, who is chairing the current session of the Commission, a 47-member panel that monitors the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted by the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development.The week-long session is tackling the question of the environment as part of the international lead-up to next year’s ten-year review of the 1992 UN Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, known as the “Earth Summit.”Speaking at a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Atoh noted that disagreements among developed States were exemplified by their divergent attitudes towards the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty which contains binding targets for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.Mr. Atoh said developing countries viewed excessive patterns of consumption as playing a greater role in environmental degradation than population growth. The relative importance of population growth and excessive consumption in causing environmental degradation had historically been debated “again and again,” he noted.A report prepared for the session by Secretary-General Kofi Annan notes that in today’s globalized world, governments, the international community and the average citizen are growing ever more concerned about the relationships among population, the environment and development.The report notes that domestic programmes and effective international agreements to curtail environmentally harmful activities are essential. “Population and development policies — especially those relating to the size, growth and distribution of population — are necessary and vital components of the constellation of actions needed to ensure sustainable development and to safeguard the environment during the twenty-first century and beyond,” it states.
General Assembly adopts landmark global strategy to combat terrorism
The strategy, in the form of a resolution and a plan of action, includes practical steps at the local, national and international level – ranging from strengthening the capacity of individual States to prevent and combat terrorism to ensuring that human rights and the rule of law are always respected in the fight against terrorism.It also calls for measures to enhance the role of the UN system to deal with terrorism, and to make sure that the world body’s efforts are better coordinated.Speaking after the strategy was adopted by consensus at UN Headquarters in New York, General Assembly President Jan Eliasson said “we should consider this as a great achievement for the General Assembly, which has established itself in the area of fighting terrorism.”Acknowledging that the past 12 months of negotiations have sometimes been “troublesome,” Mr. Eliasson said the definition of terrorism remained a source of contention for many nations.But he said it was a sign of the mutual commitment to defeating terrorism that States were able to overcome their differences and find enough areas of common ground to devise a strategy.The strategy makes clear that it is vital to consistently, unequivocally and strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purposes. Terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.Identifying some conditions – such as prolonged unresolved conflict, human rights violations, socio-economic marginalization and lack of good governance – as conducive to the spread of terrorism, the strategy’s plan of action stresses the importance of achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), resolving conflicts and promoting dialogue and tolerance between civilizations.The resolution calls for the strategy to be reviewed by the General Assembly in two years’ time to chart the progress made by Member States.Welcoming the strategy, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement that it “sends a clear message that terrorism is unacceptable, no matter who commits it, no matter what the reason.”Mr. Annan said he hoped Member States would now move swiftly to implement all aspects of the strategy so that they can “honour the victims of terrorism everywhere.”The Secretary-General congratulated Mr. Eliasson and his two co-chairs, Singaporean Ambassador Vanu Gopala Menon and Spanish Ambassador Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo, “for leading the membership to this historic achievement.”In May, Mr. Annan unveiled a series of recommendations for the counter-terrorism strategy, which world leaders pledged to work towards at last year’s World Summit in New York.Speaking to reporters following today’s action, he said: “I am extremely happy that the General Assembly has approved this historic document on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. And I think it is the first time the 192 countries have come together and taken a stand on the issue of terrorism. Now the test will be how we implement it.”
Jets Bowles Titans loss will stick for rest of my life
NEW YORK — Jets coach Todd Bowles says New York’s loss at Tennessee on Sunday will stick with him “for the rest of my life.”The Jets blew a 16-0 lead before falling to the Titans 26-22, the team’s sixth straight defeat in what has become another lost season. New York is 3-9 with a game at AFC East-rival Buffalo next Sunday.Bowles has come under heavy criticism in his fourth season as the losses have piled. While management has not commented on the coach’s future, it would appear that Bowles will not return after this season. He has a 23-37 record and will fail to reach the playoffs in any of his seasons.Bowles acknowledges during a conference call Monday that the Jets’ latest loss was particularly tough to take for the coaches and players. He adds that the team is frustrated and searching for answers to snap its skid.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLDennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
Free mineral exploration archive available from MineralsUKcom
Relative to its size, Britain is well endowed with mineral resources. Considerable mineral exploration was carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS) over a 25-year period as part of its Mineral Reconnaissance Program (MRP). This provided geological, geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical and metallogenic information on prospective areas across Britain. By the end of the MRP in 1997, 146 reports had been issued covering localities across the UK; over the next year, all of these will be made available to download from the BGS website, MineralsUK.com, which has been relaunched this month.MineralsUK.com is the website of the BGS Centre for Sustainable Mineral Development. Part of the BGS Minerals and Waste science program, the centre is a global leader in the compilation, provision and analysis of mineral statistics and the major UK national provider of spatial and statistical minerals information. Its research focuses on areas directly relevant to the user community, such as metallogenesis, land-use impacts of mineral extraction and geomaterials.To mark over ten years online, MineralsUK.com has been freshly redesigned and brought right up to date. It will continue to provide the latest industry news, timely statistical, land use planning and resource information. The release of the MRP reports on MineralsUK.com is in keeping with the BGS OpenGeoscience ethos. The first 10 MRP reports are now available to download. This exploration information is the latest addition to a large portfolio of free downloads available from MineralsUK.com, including research reports and a global mineral statistical archive stretching back to 1913.Andrew Bloodworth, Head of Science for Minerals and Waste at the BGS: “The release of these exploration reports represents the latest addition to our large collection of minerals-related information which is freely available online to our users. Supported by the Department of Communities and Local Government, the new-look MineralsUK.com website represents a major source of impartial and authoritative information on minerals issues in the UK and elsewhere”.
New rare earths separation process based on ion migration
Geomega Resources has signed a cooperation agreement with FFE Service, based in Munich, Germany. The cooperation’s objective is to develop a high-throughput (metric tonnes/day) rare earth elements separation process based on free flow electrophoresis technology. The companies believe that this electric separation process has the potential to dramatically reduce the capital currently required to build solvent extraction facilities. “Our efforts in research and development over the last 22 months have led us to electrophoretic mobility of ions and two patents pending. The separation process in development exploits free flow electrophoresis technology to create separation between the rare earth elements.The cooperation with Dr Weber, a world leader in free flow electrophoresis, provides an important value-added partner and independent validation. China controls the rare earth elements supply chain with the solvent extraction separation method. Our process uses electricity to create separation between the rare earth elements providing a durable and cost competitive alternative” said Simon Britt, President and CEO of Geomega.Electrophoresis is the migration of charged species (ions, proteins, particles) in solution in the presence of an electric field. Each ion moves toward the electrode of opposite electrical polarity. For a given set of solution conditions and electric field intensity, the migration velocity depends on a characteristic number called the electrophoretic mobility. The electrophoretic mobility is directly proportional to the charge to size ratio of the ion. Geomega has filed patents in multiple jurisdictions to protect its novel separation process. Pouya Hajiani supervises the separation process and was instrumental in its development. In exchange for the conclusive development of the separation technology, the company will grant, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, 1,000,000 common share purchase warrants at an exercise price corresponding to the weighted average of the company’s share price during the five trading days preceding the conclusion of the technology agreement. The warrants become exercisable upon demonstration of high purity (>99%) separation, in a pilot plant using the separation technology, of the following lanthanides from the Montviel concentrate: neodymium (Nd), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu) and praseodymium (Pr).
Every other option was illegal Minister defends disability payments cut
JUNIOR HEALTH MINISTER Kathleen Lynch has said that the government had no other option but to axe two disability transport payments saying that to have kept them would have been unaffordable for the State.Lynch could provide no guarantee that those in receipt of the payments – the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant – would continue to receive it through another means once they are scrapped altogether in four months time.“We now have the HSE going to do an in-depth look at who receives it, what their transport needs are and how we can ensure that their transport needs are met in the next four to five months,” she told RTÉ Radio.“That’s what we’re looking at now and that’s the only guarantee I can give anyone.”Her comments follow the announcement last night from the Department of Health that the payment of the Mobility Allowance of around €208 per month to 4,700 people will end in four months time in addition to the scrapping of the Motorised Transport Grant paid to 300 people.This follows a finding by the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly that the exclusion of people over the age of 65 from the scheme was illegal and breached equality law. The government says that it would cost too much to widen the scheme.On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland Lynch said that to expand the scheme to include those over 65 would cost the State €170 million to €300 million and said that “every single option we came up” as an alternative “was considered to be illegal”.‘We simply cannot afford it’She said the choice was either to open it up or to close it down and said that the latter was chosen with a view to taking “a serious look as to how we would develop a transport system for everyone in the country”.Lynch said: “The facts are that if we keep this scheme going as it now exists then it will be open to everyone who is over 65 and who, within the Disability Act, is defined as having a disability.“We simply cannot afford it, we are trying desperately to deliver services within the health service to everyone.”She said that the Departments of Transport, Environment, Public Expenditure and Reform, Local Government and officials from the Revenue and disability groups would consult with the chair of an independent review group, Sylda Langford, to devise alternatives.The Department siad last night that the €10.6 million funding for the two schemes would remain in place. Mobility Allowance is a means-tested grant paid to people who are disabled and are unable to use public transport.The Motorised Transport Grant is paid to people with a disability to allow them to adapt their cars or vehicles for driving.Earlier the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly told RTÉ that it was “puzzling” that the Department had taken the decision to scrap the payment.“We never expected that they would abolish the scheme in this way,” she said.More: ‘A sick bureaucratic monster’ – Department slammed after disability payments axed
WILMINGTON REC REMINDERS Spots Still Available In Learn To Sail Program
WILMINGTON, MA — Below is a recent announcement from the Wilmington Recreation Department:All hands on deck! The Wilmington Recreation Department’s ‘Learn to Sail’ program is returning this summer on the Charles River. Children age 10 – 18 are eligible to register for this class which offers classroom instruction and on-the-water education. New students are required to pass a swim test. The program will take place Monday, August 5, 2019 through Friday, August 9, 2019, from 10:30am to 4pm. The cost of the program is $150.To register, visit www.wilmingtonma.gov/recreation, call 978-658-4270, or stop by the Reference Department in Room 8 of Town Hall. The required registration form can be found HERE.(NOTE: The above announcement is from the Wilmington Recreation Department.)Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading… RelatedWILMINGTON RECREATION REMINDERS: “Learn To Sail” Program Still Has OpeningsIn “Community”WILMINGTON REC REMINDERS: Day Trip To New York City On October 19In “Community”WILMINGTON REC REMINDERS: Registration Now Open For Upholstery Workshop This FallIn “Community”
Art deco wonder On in and under the Hoover Dam
Related Tours on CNET French naval history and art meet in silent steel and a concrete castle The sci-fi future stands derelict: Taiwan’s abandoned UFO houses Super Pit: The largest open-pit gold mine in Australia 148 floors in the sky: The view from the Burj Khalifa 54 Photos Dam deco State Route 172 curves around and along the red rock hills, then starts to descend. It feels like an odd place for a dam. This is desert. A final curve reveals a steep canyon drop-off, but that’s not what catches your eye. The concrete arch of a bridge is the first thing you see, spanning high above. Coming from Las Vegas, as most visitors do, you’ve already left the highway that crosses that bridge. But since you can’t see it from that point, its height and size is surprising. A hairpin twists you away, and now you’re able to see the tops of the intake towers and, glowing golden-white in the sun, the dam itself. It is an incredible sight, something so obviously man-made wedged between jagged rocks. It’s only after you park and approach any of the numerous overlooks that the full extent and tremendous size reveals itself. Hoover is one of the few dams that you approach from well above, and then marvel at as it drops down away from you. Far, far, down away from you, hundreds of feet meters to the river below. Share your voice Hoover Target Comment There’s one last stop before we head back up top, and I’m excited. The elevator stops halfway up, emptying out into a maintenance corridor that follows the gentle curve of the dam. We take a sharp right, ducking slightly to enter a circular tunnel that goes out to the face of the dam. Through slats I can see down the face to the roofs of the power plant, the the river as it continues south, and even the arch of the O’Callaghan-Tillman Bridge. It’s a similar, yet different and unique view compared to the one from far above. Carefully, I thread my 360 camera and selfie stick through the slats, and record one of my favorite videos I’ve ever taken. It’s simple, just a minute or so, but the camera is hanging out in front of the face of the Hoover dam. I’m amused. Falling water 1 The Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead, have been under drought conditions for nearly two decades, thanks to climate change. As the average water levels continue to drop, and with downstream water requirements limiting how much can be stored, the dam’s ability to function as a hydroelectric power plant diminishes. This power generation is secondary to its main purpose of regulating water, but it’s green energy in a power-hungry world, and well worth preserving. New turbines are being installed that are more efficient at the lower “new normal” water pressures. New water deals and decent snowfall in the Rockies means that this is hopefully as low as you’ll see the water level for awhile, but it’s unlikely that we’ll see a regularly-full Lake Mead. Looking to the future, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has proposed turning the lake and dam into a giant battery, using surplus solar and wind power to pump water from downstream back into the reservoir, to be resent through the turbines when needed. It’s called pumped-storage hydroelectricity and it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Looking further, the dam will likely outlast everyone reading this. The concrete is still curing, still getting stronger. With an expected lifespan of hundreds of years, our descendants will likely view it as we view Roman aqueducts. Barring unforeseen natural disasters, it’s possible it will last even longer, perhaps thousands of years. Could some future human, or probably human-cyborg hybrid, stare at this structure the way we look at the pyramids? Maybe. In the nearer future, you can visit the dam yourself. Or check out the gallery above. As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, airplane graveyards and more. You can follow his exploits on Instagram, Twitter, and on his travel blog BaldNomad. He also wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel. Tags The Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel.For 83 years, it has held back the Colorado River and supplied power to California, Nevada and Arizona. Over 726 feet (221 meters) high, and nearly that thick at its base, its 6,600,000 tons of bulk create Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. Amazingly it was finished 2 years early, under budget, and has continued to pay for itself via electricity generation. Only an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, over a million people each year visit.While you can walk around, across, and even take a tour down into the dam, security concerns restrict access to many areas once open to the public. Using special government contacts (their media team), and covert communications channels (we emailed them), CNET was granted access to parts of the dam otherwise inaccessible to the general public. I got extensive photos of off-limits areas, and what is likely the only 5.7K 360 video ever taken from the face of the dam. Join me as we head down into the tunnels, tubes and concrete of one of the most impressive dams in the world. I’m greeted by Chaz Pando, Doug Hendrix and Jamel Carry, all from the US Bureau of Reclamation, who are my hosts and guides for the day. After a few photos from the top of the dam, we descend into its depths. Gorgeous art deco ornamentation and designs make what could have been a boring slab of concrete into something far more. There’s beauty in the function as well as in the form. Currently, tours of the dam only let you see the generators on the Nevada side, and just from a balcony. That’s not for us. Instead, we head to the balcony overlooking the generators on the Arizona side, and then drop down even farther. The generators are impressive from above, but up close, they’re truly imposing. We leave this room and head along a rock-lined tunnel that, if my sense of direction is accurate, is deep inside the rock wall adjacent to the dam. Here, a viewing room sits above the huge penstocks, or intake tubes. It’s an eerily lit rock tunnel nearly filled with a 30-foot (9m) steel tube. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie. Then it’s back out to the generators and then outside. The dam seems even more colossal from below. The air feels heavy, not surprising given how much rock and concrete is looming above and around us. Culture Historic hydro: The Hoover Dam revealed
Captain Marvel about to blast past 1 billion at box office
See at Turo Sprint 32 Photos Apple iPhone XS $999 4 Turo is kind of like Uber meets Airbnb: You borrow someone’s car, but you do all the driving. I’ve used it many times and found it a great alternative to traditional car-rental services — in part because you get to choose exactly the vehicle you want (not just, say, “midsize”) and in part because you can often do pickup and dropoff right outside baggage claim.Between now and Sept. 1, the first 300 people to check out can get $30 off any Turo rental with promo code LDW30. Lenovo 130-15AST 15.6-inch laptop: $210 (save $90) The Cheapskate Best Buy The problem with most entry-level laptops: They come with mechanical hard drives. That makes for a mighty slow Windows experience. This Lenovo model features a 128GB solid-state drive, so it should be pretty quick to boot and load software, even with its basic processor. Plus, it has a DVD-burner! That’s not something you see in many modern laptops, especially at this price. Sarah Tew/CNET Sarah Tew/CNET Turo CNET may get a commission from retail offers. Tidal 3-month family subscription: $5.99 (save $54) Sarah Tew/CNET Comments Google Nest Hub: $59 (save $70) That brings the film’s worldwide earnings to $991 million, meaning it’s almost certain to join the $1 billion club this week. Another Disney film topped the weekend box office, knocking Jordan Peele’s Us from the top spot. The live-action remake of Dumbo flew to the No. 1 spot, earning $45 million at U.S. theaters and $71 million internationally. But that was disappointing considering, as BoxOfficeMojo noted, it fell short of Disney’s expectations it would cross $50 million.The billion-dollar box-office club is growing. Aquaman crossed the threshold in January. Black Panther also earned more than $1 billion in 2018. Avengers: Infinity War went even further, crossing the $2 billion mark in the summer of 2018. $59 at eBay Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case: $155 (save $45) Though not technically a Labor Day sale, it’s happening during Labor Day sale season — and it’s too good not to share. Nationwide Distributors, via Google Express, has just about the best AirPods deal we’ve seen (when you apply promo code ZBEDWZ at checkout). This is for the second-gen AirPods with the wireless charging case. Can’t imagine these will last long at this price, so if you’re interested, act fast. DJI Osmo Action camera: $261 (save $89) Chris Monroe/CNET More on Marvel $90 at Daily Steals via Google Express Tags Sarah Tew/CNET Rylo An Echo Dot makes a fine match for any Fire edition TV, because you can use the latter to say things like, “Alexa, turn on the TV.” Right now, the 24-inch Insignia Fire TV Edition starts at just $100, while the 32-inch Toshiba Fire TV Editions is on sale for $130. Just add any Fire TV Edition to your cart, then add a third-gen Echo Dot, and presto: The latter is free. Read DJI Osmo Action preview Lenovo Smart Clock: $59.99 (save $20) Tags Formerly known as the Google Home Hub, Google’s Nest Hub packs a wealth of Google Assistant goodness into a 7-inch screen. At $59, this is within a buck of the best price we’ve seen. It lists for $129 and sells elsewhere in the $89-to-$99 range.This is one item of many available as part of eBay’s Labor Day Sale (which, at this writing, doesn’t specifically mention Labor Day, but that’s how it was pitched to us). JBL Soundgear wearable speaker: $90 (save $160) Spotify and most other streaming services rely on compressed audio, which robs the listener of full fidelity. Enter Tidal, the only “major” service that delivers lossless audio — meaning at least on par with CD quality, if not better. Want to see (er, hear) the difference for yourself? Grab this excellent extended trial while you can. It’s just $6 for three months, and it’s good for up to six listeners. What’s cooler: A snapshot of a firework exploding in front of you, or full 360-degree video of all the fireworks and all the reactions to seeing them? Oooh, ahhh, indeed. At $250, the compact Rylo dual-lens camera is selling for its lowest price yet. And for an extra $50, you can get the bundle that includes the waterproof housing.This deal runs through Sept. 3; it usually costs $500. See It I thought this might be a mistake, but, no, the weirdly named HP Laptop 15t Value is indeed quite the value at this price. Specs include an Intel Core i7 processor, 12GB of RAM, a 256GB solid-state drive and a 15.6-inch display. However, I strongly recommend paying an extra $50 to upgrade that display to FHD (1,920×1,080), because you’re not likely to be happy with the native 1,366×768 resolution. $261 at Daily Steals via Google Express Read the Rylo camera preview Avengers: Endgame proves we should bring back the intermission Avengers Endgame runtime tops three hours, now we await ticket release Rotten Tomatoes president: We didn’t change site to protect Captain Marvel Share your voice TV and Movies Free Echo Dot with an Insignia or Toshiba TV (save $50) $999 $999 Flip through 32 Marvel-ous images from this super exhibit Best laptops for college students: We’ve got an affordable laptop for every student. Best live TV streaming services: Ditch your cable company but keep the live channels and DVR. TVs Speakers Mobile Accessories Cameras Laptops Automobiles Smart Speakers & Displays Recently updated to include digital-photo-frame capabilities, the Lenovo Smart Clock brings Google Assistant goodness to your nightstand. It’s a little smaller than the Amazon Echo Show 5, but also a full $30 less (and tied with Prime Day pricing) during this Best Buy Labor Day sale. 7 See It Boost Mobile Angela Lang/CNET Read Lenovo Smart Clock review Comments Other Labor Day sales you should check out Best Buy: In addition to some pretty solid MacBook deals that have been running for about a week already, Best Buy is offering up to 40% off major appliances like washers, dryers and stoves. There are also gift cards available with the purchase of select appliances. See it at Best BuyDell: Through Aug. 28, Dell is offering an extra 12% off various laptops, desktops and electronics. And check back starting Aug. 29 for a big batch of Labor Day doorbusters. See it at DellGlassesUSA: Aug. 29 – Sept. 3 only, you can save 65% on all frames with promo code labor65. See it at GlassesUSALenovo: The tech company is offering a large assortment of deals and doorbusters through Labor Day, with the promise of up to 56% off certain items — including, at this writing, the IdeaPad 730S laptop for $700 (save $300).See it at LenovoLensabl: Want to keep the frames you already love and paid for? Lensabl lets you mail them in for new lenses, based on your prescription. From now through Sept. 2 only, you can save 20% on the blue light-blocking lens option with promo code BLOCKBLUE. See it at LensablSears: Between now and Sept. 7, you can save up to 40% on appliances (plus an additional 10% if you shop online), up to 60% on mattresses, up to 50% on Craftsman products and more. The store is also offering some fairly hefty cashback bonuses. See it at SearsNote: This post was published previously and is continuously updated with new information.CNET’s Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page, and find more great buys on the CNET Deals page. $6 at Tidal $999 See it $210 at Best Buy See at Amazon Mentioned Above Apple iPhone XS (64GB, space gray) Amazon HP Laptop 15t Value: $520 (save $780) Captain Marvel Marvel,I’m shocked — shocked! — to learn that stores are turning Labor Day into an excuse to sell stuff. Wait — no, I’m not. As much as I respect the original intent of the holiday (which became official back in 1894), to most of us, it’s just a bonus day off — one that’s blissfully tacked onto a weekend. So, yeah, stores; go ahead, run your sales. I’m listening. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Labor Day doesn’t bring out bargains to compete with the likes of Black Friday (which will be here before you know it), but there are definitely some sales worth your time.For example:We’ve rounded up the best Labor Day mattress deals.We’ve also gathered the best Labor Day laptop deals at Best Buy.The 2019 Vizio P Series Quantum is back under $999.Be sure to check out Amazon’s roughly three dozen Labor Day deals on TVs and audio. Google Express is having a big sale as well, one that includes deals on game consoles, AirPods, iPhones, laptops and more.Below I’ve rounded up a handful of individual items I consider to be the cream of the crop, followed by a handy reference guide to other Labor Day sales. Keep in mind, of course, that products may sell out at any time, even if the sale itself is still running. Note that CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page. $60 at Best Buy Share your voice Review • iPhone XS review, updated: A few luxury upgrades over the XR Captain Marvel just keeps on earning. Marvel It’s no longer the top movie at the weekend box office, but globally, Captain Marvel continues to soar. The Brie Larson superhero movie earned another $47 million worldwide this weekend. Of that, $21 million was earned in the U.S. Rylo 5.8K 360 Video Camera: $250 (save $250) $155 at Google Express $520 at HP Preview • iPhone XS is the new $1,000 iPhone X See It Read Google Home Hub review $299 at Amazon DJI’s answer to GoPro’s action cameras is rugged little model that’s shockproof, dustproof and waterproof down to 11 meters. It normally runs $350, but this deal drops it to $261 when you apply promo code 19LABOR10 at checkout. Turo: Save $30 on any car rental Read the AirPods review Use promo code 19LABOR10 to get an unusually good deal on JBL’s interesting hybrid product — not quite headphones, and not quite a traditional speaker, but something you wear like neckphones to listen to music on the go.
Reeti Its a robot but were not quite sure what it does
Reeti being made by Robopec, which is based in France. The oddity of its aesthetics aside, Reeti is a robot that is designed to act as a kind of media center helper. His main goal is to act as an interface between your PC and your TV. So, if you want to watch a movie in your iTunes library, without being limited to the small screen, a bot like Reeti could help you out. Then again, so could a simple cable, and the cable won’t set you back nearly as much cash. Reeti, when it goes on pre-order on an as yet undetermined date, will cost you about $7000, and that price could still go up. Other than this, no one is exactly sure what Reeti does. Some have speculated that Reeti is, for the time being, mostly a blank platform that developers will be able to write apps for, a kind of like a robot app store, but to be honestly, this business model usually only works on devices that people already want to own for a built in feature, such as cell phones. © 2010 PhysOrg.com This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Citation: Reeti: It’s a robot, but we’re not quite sure what it does yet (w/ video) (2011, April 6) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2011-04-reeti-robot-video.html A more stealthy robot may be hearing you soon Explore further More information: www.reeti.fr/en (PhysOrg.com) — Robots come in all shapes and sizes; from sets of blocks, to child sized humans, and then, there is this. At first, this reporter didn’t know exactly how to classify Reeti. It isn’t exactly human, but it isn’t exactly a non-human. The real problem is that face, because humans tend to want to see faces as being human. The ears kind of remind me of Shrek, while the face looks surprisingly like a Snork. I will say this for the little guy (or girl?), it is packing some decent hardware. Each of the robots eyes have a HD camera, so he can see in 3D and recognize objects. It also has a speech synthesizer, that can allow it to read text back to you.
Art games that explore society
What happens when artists create games that define unexplored frontiers in new media art? Through art games, they can decode our political system, create a dialogue about refugees, and even raise questions about the Kashmir issue. All this and much more is being explored through an array of board games and digital games developed by eight international artists who have spent six weeks at Khoj Studios working on their projects.Khoj International Artists’ Association will present Of Games-III, a show resulting from a six-week long art and gaming residency at Khoj Studios which begins on October 15. Also Read – ‘Playing Jojo was emotionally exhausting’“The residency is closely curated to facilitate and incubate innovative projects that push the boundaries of contemporary art practice by exploring the burgeoning culture of art games within game development. Art Games defy and critically engage established tenets of gaming experience by breaking down traditional game mechanics, incorporating notions of identity, identification, immersion etc into the structures of game making. With its gaming residencies, Khoj is partaking in this global conversation around gaming as experiences of art,” said Promona Sengupta, curator at Khoj. Also Read – Leslie doing new comedy special with NetflixWith over a decade of experience in practising design, Chinmayee has worked with user experience(UX), interface design, wire-framing and branding, using visual art as a catalyst. She says about her gaming project, “The Indian Government structure is ambiguous to majority of the Indians. My project looks towards decoding and understanding conversations between the Indian Government system and the common man. This game offers an in-depth journey into the know-how of the systems at large. Through a strategy based game play that leads to competitive and alliance based interactions between the players, a conversational space about the working of the Government system is initiated. The game’s objective is to increase the interest level of the player in complex political and social changes through a light and fun based game play.” Krishnarjun Bhattacharya is an author, film-maker, and storyteller who is fascinated by all things supernatural, and firmly believes that stories have vast, untapped power; that stories can document and change history itself.He is working on two projects—Amor Fati is about an eternal battle between Hope and Despair, as they try and control a mortal’s life and steer it towards their own end. Players play as Hope, Despair, Mirth, Ego, or as the Mortal — this game being about pure storytelling, countering other stories with stories of your own, and believing in a world enough to make it real.The other project, An Old Lady Dies is about storytelling balanced with gameplay on a game board. A rich old woman dies, and relatives turn up for the inheritance, except none of them knew the old woman at all. Through photographs and visual cues the players try to lie their way into convincing the lawyer that they did know her the most, until night falls and the old woman’s ghost appears on the game board.Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra work collaboratively in a wide variety of media including painting, sculpture, installation, film and design. Their work responds to Bhau Daji Lad Museum’s collection and space, exploring the idea of “play” from cultural, strategic, and psychological perspectives, with the title “Walk of life.” The game is built upon the ancient Indian game called Ganjifa, Originally played with a set of 120 cards, the artists have turned it into a board game that depicts Dashavatar, the ten earthly incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu.The avatars can also be considered as the evolution of mankind: from fish, to reptile, to mammal, to human, to deity.The game aims to impart the meaning of life to those who play it, in effect by paying off one’s ‘debts’ and equalizing one’s ‘scores,’ which are recorded on the card of Karma.
AP PHOTOS Mandela remembered around the world
Ex-FBI agent details raid on Phoenix body donation facility Here are some images of people celebrating and remembering his life.____Follow AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/15Oo6jo New Valley school lets students pick career-path academies (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 5 ways to recognize low testosterone Comments Share Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter shows health improvement Get a lawn your neighbor will be jealous of Top Stories (AP) – Mourners sing and dance outside Nelson Mandela’s old house in Johannesburg. In Pakistan, children gather around his portrait holding candles. Well-wishers leave flowers outside South African embassies in Beijing and New York.People around the world are mourning Mandela, speaking out about the life and legacy of the former South African president and sharing how they drew inspiration from his strength and message of continuing the struggle against social injustice. Milstead says best way to stop wrong-way incidents is driving sober Top holiday drink recipes Sponsored Stories 
Club Med last minute summer deal
Club Med last minute summer dealClub Med last minute summer dealClub Med is offering limited last-minute summer deals to some of your favourite destinations in Asia and the Maldives. Rooms are filling up fast so get in quick and book before 30 April 2018 for the ultimate all-inclusive getaway to one of Club Med’s prime beachfront locations, enjoying non-stop activities and gourmet restaurant dining.Christmas, New Years and January holidays are included within this deal, with prices starting from $1,355 per person for 7 nights, based on 13th January 2018 departure date.Club Med offers truly hassle-free holidays with their premium all-inclusive package that include gourmet meals and snacks with international delicacies and traditional local cuisine, an open bar, a vast selection of activities, entertainment and more – giving you more time to enjoy with the ones you love.Offer available for:Club Med Kani, the MaldivesClub Med Kani is the ultimate endless turquoise playground in the Maldives, suitable for families looking for an indulgent escape. Enjoy unique must-try experiences of the Maldives including a coral rebuilding program allowing guests to help repair damaged reefs*, as well as surfing*, flyboard*, parasailing* and seaplane lessons*. Club Med Kani brings together delicious local cuisine, colourful marine life and pristine waters in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It truly is a bucket-list destination. Prices start from $2,803 per adult for 7 nights (based on 13th January 2018 travel dates).Club Med Bali, IndonesiaClub Med Bali is a sanctuary for families and friends on the shores of Nusa Dua, set between fields of rice paddies and temples, with masses of space to unwind. Featuring traditional Balinese must-try experiences, Club Med Bali’s cultural highlights include Bahasa language lessons, Balinese ceremonies as well as arts and crafts*. For those with a passion for action, there’s surfing lessons* and white water rafting* or wind down with a walk through the resort’s botanical track. The contemporary design of the resort, inspired by local culture, is the perfect place to rejuvenate your body and soul. Prices start from $1,440 per adult for 7 nights (based on 6th January 2018 travel dates).Club Med Bintan Island, IndonesiaClub Med Bintan Island is the ultimate holistic wellness escape, a short ferry ride from Singapore. The resort offers a new fitness and yoga menu including Yoga Palapa, night trapeze and juice bar all located in the heart of a magnificent tropical park, surrounded by private white sandy beach. Prices start from $1,935 per adult for 7 nights (based on 13th January 2018 travel dates and including ferry).Club Med Cherating Beach, MalaysiaClub Med Cherating Beach is a step into the wild, where you can enjoy unique resort experiences including watching the release of turtle hatchlings* into the ocean at the nearby turtle sanctuary, jungle walks and yoga with breathtaking views. Whilst there check out the resort’s must-try experiences including the new fitness and yoga menu or amazing firefly watching at night*. Prices start from $1,355 per adult for 7 nights (based on 13th January 2018 travel dates).Club Med Sanya, ChinaClub Med Sanya is a glamorous sun-kissed haven, nestled in a lush tropical setting, ideal for a family holiday in China. Sanya offers the perfect combination of Chinese and French culture through unique activities including Yoga and Tai Chi on the beach, Nantian Hot Springs* and French candle lit dinners* on the beach with views of the South China Sea. Enjoy some family fun at the resorts Art Studio, Game Academy and Music Factory. There’s also rock climbing, children’s waterslides and more! Prices start from $2,825 per adult for 7 nights (for a deluxe room, based on 13th January 2018 travel dates).Travel agents can download sales and marketing tools for this offer from the Club Med Travel Agent Portal: www.clubmedta.com.au and make bookings over the phone on 1800 258 263Terms and conditions: Prices advertised for departures on 13 January 2018 based on Club Med at Club Med Cherating. Limited Last-Minute Summer Deal valid for sale until 30 April for departures between 1 December 2017 – 30 April 2018, blackout dates may apply. Valid bookings to Club Med Bali, Club Med Bintan, Club Med Kani, Club Med Cherating and Club Med Sanya only. Offer not valid for group travel or in conjunction with any other offer. Ferry transfers included for Bintan Island. Local transfers not included in price but available at extra cost. Valid for new bookings by Australian and New Zealand residents only, subject to quota per date of departure and to removal without notice once reached. Please note that Club Med respects local legislation regarding the minimum age required for serving alcohol. Where there is an * refers to where extra cost is applicable. For full terms andconditions visit www.clubmed.com.auSource = Club Med
What Homebuyers Want in a Mortgage Provider
May 6, 2016 511 Views Share What Homebuyers Want in a Mortgage Provider in Daily Dose, Data, Featured, News, Origination
Bank of America Lenders Mortgage Loan Mortgage Providers 2016-05-06 Staff Writer When it comes to taking out a mortgage loan, more than half of all first-time homebuyers want to work with a company they consider trustworthy.That’s according to a recent Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, which the financial institution released for the first time in May.The report found that 63 percent of first-time buyers found trustworthiness the most desirable quality in a loan provider. That was still an important element for 56 percent of experienced homebuyers asked the same question.At 59 percent, the same amount of first-time buyers as experienced ones preferred lenders who could furnish the right rates.A little more than a third of first-time buyers preferred referrals when doing business, compared with 28 percent of experienced shoppers.More experienced buyers than first-time ones considered a loan officer’s accessibility and whether they’d already worked with a mortgage lender.According to the report, more than nine in 10 homebuyers considered saving for a home important, with a full 85 percent of survey respondents interested in a tool that would help them automatically save for home purchases.Interestingly, Millennial homebuyers expected help from their parents when securing a mortgage, with two thirds expressing interest in their financial assistance.“The reality is that many buyers today are balancing important financial priorities,” said D. Steve Boland, Consumer Lending Executive for Bank of America, said in the report. “And they are considering all of this while they are coping with student loans, credit card debt and college savings for their children.”Two-thirds or more of all first-time and experienced homebuyers were primarily interested in finding a single-family residential home in the suburbs.Bank of America also found that those homebuyers who budgeted ahead of time encountered fewer surprises and seemed generally more satisfied with outcomes.About four-fifths of these buyers felt comfortable with their mortgage products, the overall costs, and the stress and length of the process.“In many cases, we found today’s buyers are taking a long-term view of homeownership,” Boland added. “They want to purchase a home that will meet their future needs and understand that, in some cases, that will require saving more, waiting longer and making sacrifices.”