Kefalonia dreamin': 7nt late season Greek getaway from £219pp incl. flights & aparthotel

Beat the post summer holiday blues with a sneaky late season getaway to the Greek island of Kefalonia. We have discovered a cheap and cheerful deal to the 3* Silo Apartments in October, located a short walk from the coast. If your a little strapped for cash at the moment, have no fear as there… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

In the mood for Gdansking: 2nt Polish break from £99.50 incl. flights & hipster hotel

There's nothing better than a cheeky European city trip, even better when it comes under £100 for 2 nights. Jet off to Gdansk, Poland this autumn and spend 2 nights in the super trendy PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto. This 4* accommodation has amazing views over the river and is within walking distance of many sites.… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Manchester Airport taxi blockade ends

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A blockade by taxi drivers at Manchester Airport has come to an end after a compromise was reached over issues surrounding the taxi location of the taxi rank.

Several hundred drivers took part in demonstrations, which included a go slow around the airport after the rank was moved at terminal 3.

Taxi drivers and their representatives were concerned that the relocation of the rank would have an adverse effect on disabled passengers wishing to take a taxi.

On july 12th, TaxiPoint reported that furious cabbies had stopped picking up from all terminals at the airport.

An agreement was reached between the airport and the cabbies today, with cabs being allowed to use four forecourt bays to pick up passengers, on the proviso that the number of bays can be reduced to two during busy periods.

Ali Qureshi, a representative from the Airport Taxi Association has claimed victory over airport bosses.

July 14, 2018 at 01:30PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Catch ya in Cuba: Late season 7nt all inclusive holiday from £793pp incl. flights, hotel & bags

Pirates, we know that a lot of you believe that the only way is All Inclusive when it comes to Caribbean holidays. Which is why we're bringing you this amazing week in Cuba that we have found on our Package Finder for under £750pp Jet off this autumn where you can still catch temperatures in… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Sleek 4* Madrid break 2nts from £173pp - incl. H10 hotel w/ luxury rooftop pool & flights

Ahoy mateys! Nip off to Madrid a city brimming with art museums, shopping and wining and dining for this stylish city-break. You'll be staying at the 4* H10 Puerta de Alcala offering a luxe rooftop pool, with many elegant boutiques nearby. This deal is available from a number of UK airports on selected… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London Black Taxi drivers back the crackdown of modern slavery within hand car wash industry

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In an attempt to crackdown on modern day slavery in the car wash industry, the capitals iconic black taxis have given their backing to a new awareness campaign focused on mapping and highlighting the extent of the issue.The London Taxi Driver Association General Secretary Steve McNamara has encouraged 10,000 black taxi drivers to be vigilant to any tail tail signs of modern slavery in many of the city's pop-up car washes. A "safe car wash" app has been launched for drivers to input details of any concerns surrounding the industry. The app, launched by the Santa Marta Group, the Catholic Church's anti-slavery project, is aimed at assisting the police in cracking down on such crimes in Britain's 18,000 hand car washes. The new app, once downloaded, will guide users through a series of indicators of modern slavery. Highlighted in the guide will be things to look for while attending a hand car wash site. Things such as whether workers have suitable protective clothing and behavioural clues, such as whether they appear withdrawn. Data from the app will help the National Crime Agency and the GLAA build a more comprehensive intelligence picture of the scale of the issues that are faced within the modern day slavery industry. According to the Independent Catholic News, the app is also backed by Kevin Hyland, Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner, the National Police Chiefs Council and the Local Government Association. Steve McNamara said London taxi drivers are the eyes and ears of the city and drive the same streets multiple times a day. McNamara supports the crackdown on crimes like modern slavery in the city. Drivers can download the app for free onto their Apple or Android devices. Users can then open the app when they are at the car wash and pinpoint their exact location using GPS.

July 14, 2018 at 11:02AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to Barcelona & Girona from £32 return

Pirates, fancy heading to Barcelona this year then you need to take a look at these cheap flights. There are many flights to Barcelona from London as well as Manchester, and flights from Birmingham and Prestwick to Girona. Use our flights finder for all options. Flight details Direct flights Flights to Barcelona & Girona Departures… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute bargain alert: Summer in Santorini with direct return flights from £84 return

Drop what you're doing Pirates because on our flight finder we have managed to find these incredibly cheap flights to Santorini. Set out next week to make the most of these incredibly cheap fares but book now, as these are so last minute, they could sell out at any moment! Flight Details Direct flights with… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Vegas baby from £466pp: 7nt iconic Luxor casino stay this winter - incl. direct flights & bags

Pirates, we love Vegas so when we come across a bargain to Sin City it certainly catches our attention! Today our Holiday Finder has tracked down a 7 night holiday in Las Vegas for under £500pp. You'll be staying at the Luxor Hotel right on the Strip with access to the Mandalay Bay Tram making… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Banana route? Chiquita branded Taxis offering free rides in the capital

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London Hackney Carriage taxis that feature the Chiquita bananas branding will be offering passengers the chance of a free ride across zones 1 and 2 on July 16. The "we are bananas" campaign is focused on raising awareness of Chiquita bananas among mothers and millennials. According to CampaignLive, a fleet of London's iconic black taxis will be wrapped in designs featuring Chiquita's stand-out yellow and blue branding creating maximum attention. Lucky passengers who flag down a Branded taxi and present the driver with a Chiquita banana will be privileged to a free journey anywhere in zones 1 and 2. Banana wrapped Taxis will be stationed around Covent Garden Piazza on Henrietta Street and Southampton Street and also Holborn tube station from 9am - 5pm on Monday 16 July. This is the fourth time the company has run a high profile campaign in the capital. The seven week campaign will also see some of the city's red buses turn yellow and blue and will be supported by digital and social activity across the brands channels.

July 14, 2018 at 10:01AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Digital Tax is coming to the taxi trade

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I was going to write about the effect of hard or soft brexiting on your day-to-day tax situation and, of course, the repercussions of a midterm snap election but I realise that my words will just be as sand on the shore as compared to the mass of words floating around in the ether of Media Land. In truth, the effect on the day-to-day working of our industry is completely unknown at this time and not necessarily going to affect your pockets in a major way; people will still need to be driven from A to B.

The wheels will keep on turning. The same with gig economy status issues; legislation to this tends to be a moveable feast depending on who is in power and the tax or economic trends of the day.

As I sit here nervously swotting up on my technical knowledge, waiting to be interviewed for a podcast by the accountants’ trade site AccountingWeb, I wonder whether I have done enough to let my clients and the trade know about the monster looming over the horizon … Making Tax Digital.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s plan to make individuals and businesses bring together individual customers’ information in one online place. It forces customers to access the service from a digital device and will be in full use by 2020. Some firms, such as my own, are currently involved in the pilot. Why? Because this is an inevitability and we would rather be in it for our clients to win it.

It dawned on me some time ago that for Making Tax Digital (MTD) there is such a technical hill to climb, with regards to what I lovingly call my ‘shoebox’ clients. Those who still think that tax is about putting their bills and receipts in a bag and delivering them to my (or any accountant’s) door like an abandoned puppy on the steps of Battersea Dogs Home, hoping that it will “all be alright in the end”.

MTD will be the single largest change in our relationship with HMRC since Self-Assessment. All of our information will eventually held ‘for us’ by HMRC and our job will be to tell them what we are doing every quarter. And yes, that is every one of us 16 million tax return people!

HMRC claims that accountants will be able to click a button and download the relevant information for tax returns. The information will initially be:

A list of employment and self-employment during the tax year, with employer names. Income (pay) from each source of PAYE employment. Income from private pensions, benefits such as working tax credit and jobseekers’ allowance.

Accountants will also be able to access benefit, tax and National Insurance information.

Like everything, this can be a good and bad thing. The days of shoeboxes full of receipts will eventually be a thing of the past, with all the information readily available for accountants to access and put into a tax return. This also means that penalties are (statistically) less likely because indiscretions are harder to make.

However, the self-employed and the ‘non-registered’ will have all of their information in one checkable source, with you and your accountant updating it every three months. No more holding on to those income sheets and invoices until the last day of January. There will be nowhere to hide.

My advice?

First, go see your accountant and ask what he is doing about it or seek professional advice.

Second, sometimes we just must accept the inevitable with good grace. So, get your house in order.

Welcome to the future. You have been warned.

July 14, 2018 at 05:41AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Brighton And Hove Taxi Reps To Meet With Lewes DC Over Uber Advising Drivers To Use Easy Option In Lewes.

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I have another meeting with Lewes DC next week along with Sean Ridley of Unite and George Beresforth ..Independent rep

This was my original statement to Brighton & Hove HNews which I fully expected to be edited down: 

We are very pleased that Lewes District Council has now taken steps to bring the conditions of licensing for LDC hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.

Background

As the conditions of Brighton and Hove licence vehicles are much higher than that of Lewes DC, Uber was giving recruiting information on its website by providing the comparison of time and costs to obtain licences between Brighton & Hove and Lewes DC to be able to work in Brighton & Hove. 

Brighton & Hove

Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: £1112

Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 40 weeks

Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: £134

Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 2 weeks

Lewes

Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: £422

Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 8 weeks

Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: £186

Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 2 Weeks

This is due to Uber in creating ‘Mythical Uber Regions’ in an attempt to calve up the UK and to reinvent the UK Licensing Authority areas by dividing the UK into nine ‘ Mythical Regional’ areas. This can only be seen as an attempt by Uber to create extraordinary larger licensing areas to try to change national Legislation via ‘Uber Stealth’. 

Brighton & Hove is in the ‘ South East Uber Mythical Region’ and Uber is encouraging out-of-town hackney carriage and private hire vehicle’s such as those from Lewes DC to predominantly work in Brighton & Hove

The difference in the standards required was put to the Licensing Panel at the Brighton & Hove Uber Renewal Hearing in April 2018 by the GMB and referred to by the Panel when the Uber representatives were questioned as to why its website looked as if it was encouraging drivers to obtain a licence in Lewes DC to predominantly work in Brighton & Hove.

A meeting between myself and the Unite representative Sean Ridley on April 18 2018 with Lewes DC raised the issue of Lewes DC being used as the lower end of licensing requirements for drivers who have no intention of ever working in Lewes DC because of the lower Conditions of Licensing

This is the result of the Deregulation Act 2015 which allowed what is known as ‘Cross Border Hiring’ which has been exploited by the likes of Uber to use drivers and vehicles from licensing authorities which have lower standards of licensing requirements to predominantly work in areas that have much higher standards. This is exactly why cities such as Brighton & Hove have been flooded with out of town private hire drivers/vehicles from places such as Reigate & Banstead, Sefton and Wolverhampton. Wolverhampton is by far the worst culprit having issued some 7500 + licences in 2017 compared to a mere 700 in 2014.

What will now happen is that ring fenced licensing revenue from those Licensing Authorities f higher conditions of licensing will now drop as cheaper and fast track licensing will be sought from councils with lower requirements.

In fact in 2017 Uber attempted to lower the standards of the licensing requirements of Brighton & Hove City Council in the removal of the ‘Knowledge test’ as the Uber legal representative stated that the use of SatNavs was in fact better. Fortunately the local councillors put Uber straight on the this and refused the proposal.

At the time of our meeting with Lewes DC we were told that there was a backlog of around eight weeks as council had been flooded with applications for licences since Uber had given out information that it was cheaper and quicker to obtain a licence there rather than in Brighton & Hove if the intention was to predominantly work in Brighton & Hove.

However at the time our meeting with Lewes DC we were informed that the current ‘Conditions of Licensing’ were now being looked at with the view for a complete overhaul and this could not come soon enough.

Historically Lewes DC would only have a few driver & vehicles applications a week but this took a dramatic upturn since that announcement on the Uber website resulting in the backlog and we can express some sympathy for Lewes DC as it has been exploited by Uber for its own cause.

Because of the flood of Lewes DC vehicles predominantly working in Brighton & Hove over the last few months the Brighton & Hove trade have has supplied Lewes DC with countless reports of its licensed vehicles not complying with the current ‘Conditions of Licensing’ where the driver/proprietor and even the council itself have breached its own Conditions of Licensing.

We have had to alert Lewes DC about ‘Dual Plating’ whereby the council does not allow a vehicle to be licensed in one area as well as in Lewes DC which the council contravened. 

Additionally we had to alert the Lewes DC about issuing a licence plate to a saloon vehicle that stated it was licensed to carry 5 people where this was clearly wrong along with Lewes DC drivers removing signage for whatever reasons.

Currently there are numerous Lewes DC hackney carriage and private hire vehicles showing expired licence dates on the vehicle plates

Effectively the Brighton & Hove trade has become the unpaid policing of Lewes DC private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.

However after months of the trade lobbying both Lewes DC and Brighton & Hove City Council we are pleased that Concordant Arrangements have now been put in place which means that the Brighton & Hove Enforcement Officers who make regular checks on the local licensed vehicles now have the power to carry out the same inspections on Lewes DC drivers and vehicles. We will now monitor the costs of this to ensure that the Brighton & Hove trade will not be paying for Brighton & Hove Council to be the exclusive Enforcement body of Lewes DC drivers and vehicles.

We are pleased that Adur DC have also granted the council with the same ‘Enforcement’ powers on Adur licensed vehicles but unfortunately other licensing authorities have refused to do the same.

Lewes DC Revision of Licensing Conditions

It is now very encouraging that Lewes DC appear to be taking responsibility in instigation a revision of the Conditions of Licensing. However we are greatly concerned where it has been reported that:

“The penalty for prospective taxi drivers found cheating on a knowledge test is also set to increase, with the introduction of a three-year ban. Currently a prospective driver found cheating on the test will be barred from re-taking the test for one year only.”

Just that statement alone puts Lewes DC in a concerning perspective.

Surely any potential driver of a Lewes DC licensed vehicle that has been “...found cheating on a knowledge test..” should be banned for life as that person is supposed to be ‘Fit and Proper’ to hold a licence to have the full responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of the public. Indeed it hardly compliments any licensed Lewes DC driver as no one will ever know if such a driver had previously tried to cheat the system.

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Judge who upheld Julian Assange's warrant questioned over links to security services

Julian Assange's supporters are questioning the integrity of the judge who upheld his UK arrest warrant, accusing her of being influenced by the British authorities and the secret service.

Earlier this week, Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected arguments presented by Assange’s legal team over why he breached bail conditions by seeking political refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012.

Judge Arbuthnot said she rejected the activist's request to have his warrant dropped out of fear that he could be extradited to the US, where he would face espionage charges. Since there is no extradition treaty between the UK and Ecuador, Assange cannot be arrested inside the embassy’s grounds.

After the ruling, the judge’s familial connections were brought into question by Assange’s supporters, some of whom insist she is linked to the establishment, as well as the UK’s security services.

Arbuthnot’s husband - and ex-Conservative MP - Baron James Arbuthnot is listed as a former director of Security Intelligence Consultancy SC Strategy Ltd. The other two listed directors are former Head of MI6, Sir John Scarlett and Lord Carlile.

The connections have outraged Assange supporters, who insist the legal system is stacked against the man that leaked evidence against the US, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election.

Fans of Assange took to Twitter to express their outrage.

Former British Ambassador Craig Murray posted the judge's connection on his website and accused the media of spreading fake news for not pointing out the connection.

“If anybody thinks the Assange case had anything to do with justice, they are very mistaken," Murray wrote.

Carlile and Scarlett formed the company SC Strategy in 2012, with their most prominent client being Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund.

Liberal Democrat peer Carlile told the Guardian his company provides confidential advice to several clients from around the world. In October 2013, confidential documents released by whistleblower Edward Snowden listed Carlile as part of GCHQ’s strategy of “talking heads,” advocating for the agency ahead of a key report on the use of intercepted evidence in court cases. Carlile later argued that Snowden’s revelations amounted to a criminal act.

Handing down her judgment at Westminster magistrates court, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot said: “I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr. Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years."

“Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed," Arbuthnot added.

    

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LTDA give evidence to police in relation to claims that ex-Uber General Manager “misled” the High Court

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The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association have submitted evidence to police officers today in relation to alleged claims that Uber’s ex-employee Jo Bertram ‘misled’ a High Court. The interview with the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Serious Crime Command was conducted in front of the LTDA’s legal representatives and focused on alleged false information given by Uber’s then regional general manager for Northern Europe Jo Bertram. The false information was claimed to have been given during a High Court ruling involving the classification of Uber’s ‘meter’ back in 2015. Lord Justice Ouseley ruled that the ride-hailing app was not to be classified as a taximeter and that the app should be ruled legal in the capital. Had they lost the case brought forward by the regulator Transport for London the firm would have had no choice but to change its service as only licensed taxis are able to use taximeters. The LTDA first made a complaint in September 2017 when Uber lost its operators licence in London.

According to an LTDA spokesperson “It became clear from Helen Chapman’s statement over TfL’s refusal to licence Uber that TfL thought Jo Bertram either did not know how Uber’s app worked or misled the court in the meter case.”The Metropolitan Police have waited until now, after Uber’s recent successful licensing appeal decision, to interview LTDA General Secretary Steve McNamara. Steve McNamara said “During the police interview officers requested copies of evidence from the meter case, the record of Judge Arbuthnot comments and a statement from me laying it all out. LTDA solicitors were present during my interview.”The LTDA General Secretary added “The next step is that Police submit preliminaries to CPS to see if there is prima facie case and to get the go ahead to carry on.”

July 13, 2018 at 10:26PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Mexico holiday from £675pp - incl. 7nts resort, flights, bags & transfers

Pirates, give yourselves some early autumn cheer with an all inclusive holiday to marvellous Mexico! Our Package Finder is offering 7 nights at the Royal Decameron Complex, located in beautiful Nuevo Vallarta on the Mexican coast. As well as staying on an all inclusive basis, this package includes flights, checked luggage, transfers and ATOL protection.… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Salou family holiday from £374pp - 7nts hotel, unlimited theme park & water park access & flights

Ahoy pirates, we have found this great deal for a family to head to Salou in Costa Dorada and stay at one of the PortAventura hotels. You will have unlimited access to the theme park throughout your stay as well as access to water parks and 1 days entry to Ferrari Land. Holiday details Travel… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Tighter regulations could be put in place to slow down the influx of Uber drivers in Brighton and Hove

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Uber drivers who get licensed in Lewes could soon be required to fit CCTV cameras in their vehicles. Many want-to-be Uber drivers seek private hire licences from Lewes District Council and work in Brighton due to the ease of obtaining a licence there. An eight week consultation will now take place addressing potential changes to regulations in order to improve passenger safety. Brighton has seen an influx of Uber drivers with Lewes licences since the controversial ride-hailing app encouraged potential drivers to seek the quicker and easier route to a life behind the wheel of a Toyota Prius (other models are available). The consultation will include Hackney Carriage drivers who will also be required to fit CCTV if the new proposals are approved. Other issues being raised in the consultation will focus on which types of vehicles should be driven by private hire drivers, electric and modern hybrid engines in-particular. The question on whether drivers should attend training sessions on diversity, disability awareness and child exploitation and safeguarding will also be raised. Brighton and Hove taxi drivers staged a protest in Lewes back in March over Uber pointing future "partners" in the direction of Lewes District Council to obtain a licence, stating it as "quicker and cheaper" than it would be to access one directly through Brighton and Hove council. Secretary of the GMB Brighton and Hove taxi branch, Andy Peters told Brighton and Hove News, that the consultation and a complete overhaul of current regulations "couldn't come soon enough".

July 13, 2018 at 06:41PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Chic Ibiza break: 4nts in funky hotel & flights from £175pp - solo from £300

If, come the end of August, you're not ready for summer to end, then why not spring for a late season mini break to the white isle of Ibiza? By travelling out of season, you can pick up a super bargain 4 night trip in the 4* Anfora Hotel for under £180pp! This super stylish… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Elle vient à la maison! Flights to France from £19rtn

Head off and explore the home of the World Champions* with these fancy fares to France from our Flights Finder! We've seen deals from sea to shining sea, with destinations including Grenoble (great for accessing Lyon or the Alps), Paris, Marseille and Strasbourg. *Definitely not trying to jinx them. No no. Flight Details Flights: UK… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber may have been issued a reprieve in London, but will it be able to keep regulators at bay in the rest of Europe

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With Uber managing to overturn Transport for London's refusal to renew their operators licence on the grounds that they weren't a fit and proper operator, you would be forgiven for thinking that Uber operating freely in the rest of Europe would be plain sailing. Well, it seems that the rest of Europe may be a more difficult nut to crack than first anticipated.

On the back of a major charm offensive, as well as capitulating to certain requirements prescribed by TfL, which included a dedicated 24/7 helpline, full co-operation with the police and limiting driver hours, Uber were granted a 15 month licence to operate in London.

This approach may not work in the rest of Europe, where only recently the European Union's highest court ruled that Uber were a transportation company.

As regulatory reforms take place in the rest of Europe, Uber will find it more difficult to operate in their current format without having to push prices up, and may have to adapt their business model to that akin of a typical European taxi operator.

In the past, Uber had attempt to circumvent numerous regulations by claiming that it was a tech platform rather than a transportation platform, however, with the EU court ruling, even countries who are hardened Uber-files will have to force Uber to comply with any given national taxi standard.

Although the London case was seen as a defeat for TfL by the taxi industry, in the rest of Europe it has been seen as the opposite, as TfL managed to extract a number of concessions from Uber, previously thought as near-impossible to do.

The costs to Uber's European operation could be heavy as they are forced to comply with numerous regulations.

Uber operate to a system which requires them to move quickly and crush the competition with low prices, thus emerging as the only player in town, this is how the Uber product is sold to investors.

Uber's pricing structure is subsidised by venture capitalists, as soon as investors pull out, prices have to rise. If the European mainland market proves too troublesome, Uber may decide to cut their losses.

July 13, 2018 at 05:00PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT