text:
bling bijoux Diva
Crystals on my cell phone
Amethyst on my wrist
Pailette beads on my shoe tips
You know I can't resist
Everyone says I'm a Diva
'Cause shiny is my thing
But I'm not one for labels
I just love good b l i n g
Fall / Winter 2011/2012
There are few dependable "green lights" for the economy or consumer confidence going forward--though "green shoots" of hope will appear here and there.Envisioning where and when they will spring up is the object of passionate study.A variety of disciplines must be called upon to focus our vision of the future
Science will continue to develop new materials and finishes in the form of forward-looking technologies.And the spiritual realm will continue to exert its less definable but equally powerful influences.
Romance, frequently in the form of historical novels, will invite us to draw from the deep wells of the past.Journal writing will encapsulate the present with its attempt to capture the nuances of personal experience.
Farmers' almanacs will rely on folk wisdom's combination of the tried and true and the intuitive logic of nature.And manifesto will attempt to channel the future through the force and brilliance of the human intellect.
Combine them all and we may arrive at a perfect combination of everything that is human.
It's not enough to survive or even to control: we want to understand, too.Formal religion has lost some of its luster in recent years--but spiritual inquiry continues.Individualistic contemplation leaves behind stained glass and prayer books and looks towards the most ancient spirituality we know of: fire worship.
Copper, apricot orange, golden apricot, sun orange, burnt ochre and aurora red capture the colors of fire--treasured for warmth, a sense of protection and the promise of enlightenment.Smoke pine and red mahogany promise life and health.Brown stone and licorice hint at what Is left when the fire goes out: dirt and soot.
If you don't know your history, your future cannot be bright.So we look to historic dramas of love and conflict to help us see our present in a different light.A generous dusting of gold, especially when layered over reds and plums, brings old glories to the fore--and reminds us that there was a time before machines.A time when things looked beautiful because they were made by skilled hands, each with their own histories.Nuance and subtlety are part of the picture here.
A trio of reds establishes the romance palette.Persian red, with its hint of blue, brings a sense of mystery and passion.Ribbon red's clearer tone speaks of riches and power.And chili pepper's warm personality encourages warmth and comfort.Layered over and around the reds, champagne beige and pale gold become luxurious neutrals.Traditional neutrals of wind chime, jet black and turkish coffee are equally sumptuous in their own ways.
Burlwood and plum wine bring layers of unexpected feeling to the palette.Are they serious or sexy? It depends on the way they are combined.Kombu green can be as bold and important as the reds, but is to be used sparingly like precious serpentine jade.
Spring / Summer 2012
Birthstones and their association to the monthly calendar
In 1912 a jewelers association published a standardized list of gemstones which is still used up to this day:
Since the Eighteenth Century, gemstones have been assigned to the specific calendar months.
The Europeans, beginning in Poland, wore a different Gemstone for every month of the year.
This meant that everyone had to possess twelve Gemstones.
Later on, they only wore the Gemstone that represented their birthmonth.
This tradition is still used currently.
The gemstones representing each month had many different facets.
The gemstones were named firstly because of the color they had.
Relationship between gemstones and the monthly calendar
The most important cuts of gemstones:
Gemstones have lots of various cuts.
Nowadays more progressive cuts are being used, which of course is related to changing fashion trends.
In the table below you will find the most common ones.
If you were looking for a specific gemstone and it wasn't listed below, please contact me to get further information: here
Blue Agate: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
If blue is your color (it is "the color" for millions), the jewelry you create with this vibrant sky blue agate will be a "must have." In its natural form, agate--especially South American agate--is often grey. The art of dyeing agate has been a closely guarded secret that's been perfected in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, one of the most important centers for cutting and dyeing since the early 16th century. With this brilliant blue, they've outdone themselves.
Blue is associated with truth, loyalty and reliability. Its importance for healing has been recognized since the Golden Age of Greece. It was revered in ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations.
Today, healers who work with color use blue stones for diagnosing and treating throat-related problems. And poise and serenity have always been associated with blue light. Even the expression "feeling blue" comes from blue's cool, sedative effect. No wonder even people who don't "love blue" are drawn to people who do.
Amazonite: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
A Brazilian legend boasts of the Amazon people giving ''green stones'' to the visitors of the region. Europeans were already familiar with green microcline (my-krO-kline) from Russia and assumed the blue-green rock given to them by the Indians of South America was the same stone. As it turns out, Amazonite is not found in the Amazon Basin and the legend was most likely referring to Nephrite (jade). It is believed that Amazonite was first called ''Amazon Stone,'' and was later changed to amazonite.
Amazonite is said to have a soothing effect on the nervous system. Since the nervous system controls our emotions a great deal, this stone is said to soothe tense and aggravated situations and enhance love. Since this stone is associated with the throat and heart, it is best when worn as a necklace near these areas. Amazonite is said to bestow truth, honor and integrity to its wearer.
Amethyst: History/BackgroundMetaphysical/Healing Properties
Leonardo Da Vinci once wrote that amethyst holds the power to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken ones intelligence. Healers have been using amethyst to increase their psychic abilities and intuition for centuries. Cross-culturally, this popular gemstone was used as a symbol of peace and unification. It is also thought to evoke feelings of serenity and calmness in those who wear it. Amethyst is often used during meditation to provide an overall sense of spiritual balance. Some naturopaths will use amethyst to help treat insomnia and sugar imbalances, and to relieve headaches.
Amethyst is a naturally-occurring, macrocrystalline (meaning large crystal formations) variety of quartz. Geodes containing amethyst crystals are formed when clay, silt, sand or gravel are deposited and compacted by running water. Some of the largest amethyst geodes have been found in Brazil. Other locations where amethyst is mined include Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Africa, Russia and the United States. Were amethyst less abundant, it would be even more highly-prized -- and expensive!
Aquamarine: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Aquamarine is sister to the emerald and other rare varieties of the mineral species, beryl (pronounced bare-UL). Aquamarine is found in underground caves and fissures growing inside crystals with knifelike edges that can reach 3 to 4 feet in height. The intoxicating blue-green color comes from concentrations of metallic ions the crystals absorb as they grow. The amount of ions present and where they are located within the crystals determine the stone's natural color, which can range from pale green to varied shades of blue.
In ancient times, aquamarine was thought to protect those at sea. It was believed to make sailors fearless and safe from adversaries on the open waters. Aquamarine is derived from the Latin word, aqua marina, meaning ''sea water,'' and dates as far back as 480 BC when it was considered the ''treasure of the mermaids'' because the stone's power was believed to increase when submerged in water. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that the wearer would be granted foresight and freedom from insomnia.
Today, aquamarine is still thought to bring protection to those at sea and is a popular gift among ocean travelers. On land, it is believed to have soothing effects on couples, helping them to work through their differences and ensure a long and happy marriage (interestingly, aquamarine is the anniversary gemstone for the 16th and 19th years of marriage).
It is also considered to be the stone of courage and preparedness, and is believed to help maintain balance and order. Aquamarine is often used as a ''good luck'' stone, thought to bring feelings of peace, love, joy and happiness to those who wear it.
Aventurine: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Its glistening effect comes from the small inclusions of shiny minerals. It was named for aventura, a type of Italian glass found by accident about 1700. Most aventurine is quartz, but the orange and red-brown shades (aventurine feldspar) are called sunstone. Many consider the green aventurine to be the most desirable.
Shortly after she started wearing an aventurine necklace regularly, a close friend got a job offer she wanted but never expected. She loaned her necklace to another friend who was going on vacation. That friend came back with a new love interest. While neither of them gave aventurine all the credit, they both said they felt different when they were wearing the necklace. It was as if a secret dream that had felt out of reach was worth pursuing and could actually happen. That's the power of aventurine. Though there isn't a "d" in the word, when you see aventurine think "adventure." Think optimism. Think bountiful. Think practical enthusiasm. All are ingredients for adventure. If you long for change, aventurine is for you. It keeps various chakras open and unblocked, allowing good things to come your direction.
Carnelian: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Named after the red-orange Kornel cherry, carnelian was believed by the Romans to be a stone of courage--able to shore up confidence and strength. In ancient Egypt, the stone was placed on mummies to assist the dead in their journey to the afterlife. Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony and is a micro-crystalline quartz. It appears in a vibrant range of fire-orange reds to brown-reds and has a dull, waxy luster (as opposed to the vitreous quality of crystal quartzes such as amethyst). The reddish tints in the translucent stone are due to one of its ingredients: iron oxide.
From antiquity, carnelian has been worn in cameos in the belief that it will ward off insanity and depression. In contemporary times, carnelian is thought by some to enhance self esteem, to combat feelings of inadequacy, and to increase physical energy. In the home, it is sometimes used as a talisman to protect against fire and misfortune. Carnelian is associated with the solar plexus chakra (the yellow chakra), in which imbalances are thought to cause digestive problems, as well as lack of confidence.
Citrine: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
From the earliest of times, citrine was called the "sun stone" and the gemstone was thought capable of holding sunlight and useful in the protection from snakebite. Its color was associated with gold and it became known as the merchants stone. It was thought to improve communication and to attract wealth. To the Romans, it was the stone of Mercury, the messenger god, and it was used for carving intaglios. Citrine is a macrocrystalline form of quartz, as are amethyst, aventurine and rose quartz. It is a mineral based on silicon dioxide.
The color of the solar plexus chakra is yellow, so citrine is associated with this chakra. It is thought to have a positive influence that can relieve backache, and combat depression and problems with the liver, spleen, digestive system and the bladder. Some believe that the gemstone can help promote prosperity.
Emerald: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
You know how you feel when you've been in the city too long-all that concrete, glass, brick and metal? If you discover a park full of lush green trees, grass and foliage, you immediately feel better. It's why people have always gone to the country to convalesce from illness. It's why the words "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" from the 23rd Psalm are so comforting. It's why spring lifts our spirits. The vibrant green stone is a sage stone. Emerald revitalizes us and restores balance. It heals old wounds. When we're confused or troubled, it helps us cut through to the truth. Don't wait until you're completely frazzled by life. Do the wise thing- wear emeralds today, tomorrow and always.
Garnet: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
It was said that Noah guided the ark by the light of a garnet lantern during the rain and darkness of the deluge. The stone was later used by travelers as a charm to ward off accidents and it was worn by the crusaders as an aid to safely find their way home. In Eastern Europe, garnets were worn to guard against vampires. In the 18th and 19th centuries, perfectly transparent garnet became the height of jewelry fashion. The name comes from the Latin granum for "seed-like," as it was thought that red garnets resembled pomegranate seeds. Garnet is a blood red gemstone called pyrope, a complex silicate, but the term also refers to almandine and spessartite (which have very similar chemical compositions and can appear in a large range of colors: green-yellow-orange-violet-red). Garnet's deep wine color is due to its content of iron and chromium.
Garnet has always been considered insurance for travelers against misfortune. Likewise, some believe that it is useful in warding off bad dreams and as protection from theft. The stone is thought to attract love and soul mates and to enhance creativity. Garnet has been associated with the root, or red chakra; imbalances of which are said to be responsible for anxiety, irritable bowel and lack of energy.
Jade: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Imagine white ice with the faint color of mint blended through it. Imagine someone with the tiniest fingers carving that greenish ice into a variety of beads: round, crow, wheels and circles. These hand-carved, highly polished beads are imported from northern China where jade, regarded as the most precious stone, has been meticulously carved into mystical figures and symbols for centuries. Jade may be either nephrite or jadeite, with most jadeite coming from Burma. "Stir" these beads like tiny ice cubes into your jewelry to cool warmer colors. Or mix them with other white beads for a tingly winter wonderland feeling all year round. The Chinese have traditionally believed that jade increases energy and prolongs life. Like a skim of ice over a mountain stream, green-white jade reminds us that there is more to life and to who we are than what we see on the surface. Something powerful and beautiful is moving inside us. Jade gives balance to what we see (body) and what we don't see (spirit), so each revitalizes the other.
Jasper: Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Jasper motivates us to move out of apathy into action. It helps us avoid over-thinking and encourages us to just enjoy the experience of living. Zebra jasper's striking colors intensify that message. Like the swift, wild horse for which it's named, it shows us how to live. It says: Get out of your head! Get into your body. Let the zest for life flow through you. If you feel like galloping, then gallop!
Labradorite: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
If raindrops were drops of labradorite, at the first hint of rain, people would rush out with buckets to catch this soft grey/blue stone with lustrous blues and greens flashing inside it. Also called spectrolite, it is named for Labrador, the Canadian peninsula where it was first found in 1770. It is also located in Mexico, Russia and Finland. You'll love the cabochons set open backed so the light can illuminate them. Or combine the beads with sterling silver beads or liquid silver for a necklace that will remind you of a shimmering fountain with the sun's rays igniting green and blue sparks in the droplets.
Labradorite is a tremendously spiritual stone. When I think of labradorite, I think of "labor." It is especially helpful for people who tend to overwork. It helps us regain our energy and aids our bodies and spirits in healing themselves. If you practice meditation (or would like to), focusing on labradorite can help you enter and maintain the meditative state. Like the sound and glistening beauty of a gentle rain, this gemstone quiets us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Lapis Lazuli: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Since the earliest of times, lapis lazuli has been associated with strength and courage. The Sumerians believed that the spirit of their gods lived within the stone. That theme was adopted by the ancient Egyptians, who drew a connection between the speckling of the stone and the glittering stars in the night sky. One of the most famous uses of the stone is in the mask of King Tutankhamen, where it is inlaid with turquoise and carnelian in bright gold. It was used by European artists during the Middle Ages, ground as pigment for producing the color aquamarine.
From antiquity, lapis lazuli has been worn in the belief that it will ward off evil. In ancient Egypt, it was powdered and worn about the eyes to improve eyesight. Today, it is considered by some to be an aid to balancing the brow chakra (which influences vision and hearing). Imbalances of the brow (or blue) chakra are said to cause headaches, anxiety and disorders of the skin.
Malachite: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Malachite probably derives its name from either Greek malhe, meaning grass for its green color or Greek malakos, meaning soft because the stone lends itself well to being carved. With its concentric, eye-like rings of green that mimic the eye of a peacock feather, this stone has captured the imagination of many cultures for ages, and has been described by poets as spring grass swaying in the wind. The first culture to use malachite for adornment was ancient Egypt around 4,000 BC. The Egyptians used malachite as an ornamental stone in jewelry and art. The stone was imported from King Solomon's infamous copper mines on the Red Sea. Archeologists have found Egyptian tomb paintings using malachite gemstones that had been ground into paint that colored the walls. It was also ground into a fine dust and mixed with galena, a thick paste used to make kohl, on slate palettes to be painted onto eyelids as a cosmetic and talisman against evil. Vivid green malachite kohl is believed to be Cleopatra's favorite cosmetic, and she was buried with a large vase of it for use in her afterlife. Malachite also played an important role in European paintings during the Renaissance period of the 15th and 16th centuries as a pigment for paints and dyes. It is believed that many of the green colors found in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting were painted with malachite-based oil paints. One of the most common uses of malachite from the medieval through the Victorian times was to hang small pieces of malachite dangled from baby cribs and children's beds to help keep evil at bay, and to help children have peaceful sleep. It was the Russian Romanov dynasty, however, that really made malachite synonymous with outlandish luxury. High quality malachite, discovered in 1635 in the foothills of the Urals, had become very fashionable for jewelry by 1820 and was frequently paired with gold and diamonds. In 1835, a malachite boulder of the highest quality was discovered that would take 21 years to unearth and bring to the surface. Slabs from this 260-ton gem were used to adorn the interior of two Russian palaces; creating malachite pillars, columns and encased walls. This same boulder also supplied enough malachite to encase eight of the ten huge Corinthian columns that support a two-hundred foot tall gilded altar in St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Malachite is the essence of joy and is known as the "stone of transformation" because it helps reveal and heal emotional pain by absorbing the pain into itself. It is especially helpful in bringing ease during times of change and gives the insight needed for personal growth.
Moonstone: Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Moonstone helps with stress by calming the mind and soothing the spirit. It's so effective that gem therapists and ayurvedic doctors use a purified form of it (called godanti) to cure anxiety and strengthen the will. So, if you're feeling stressed and anxious like so many people I know, here's my prescription: put on your most beautiful moonstone jewelry, pour yourself a cup of tea (or a glass of your favorite wine), kick off your shoes and put up your feet. If you don't own any moonstone jewelry, create some!
Onyx: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
The name "onyx" comes from the Greek for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of the multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying. The Romans were expert at glyptography (the carving of layered stones to reveal different colors) and crafted beautiful seals from onyx (white layer over black base) and sardonyx (white layer over reddish-brown base). The patterns were cut in negative relief. Engravings with a negative picture are called intaglios and those with raised image are cameos. In the Middle East, onyx was associated with sorcerers.
Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings. Black onyx is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when one is traveling. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create the opportunity to move beyond bad relationships--and to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him/herself against unfair criticism.
Peridot: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Shimmering, pale green peridot is as refreshing as a sparkling mountain stream. The popularity of this most beloved gemstone of the olivine group reaches back to the Middle Ages when it was brought to Europe by the crusaders. During the Italian Renaissance and the baroque period, the most creative periods in history, it appeared everywhere in jewelry and religious objects all over Europe. Jewelers and jewelry lovers long lasting love affair with this exquisite, lime-green gemstone is understandable. It adds a stunning, classic look wherever it appears-in beads (in a variety of shapes), cabochons or faceted forms. For a piece of jewelry that is pure ecstasy, put peridot with amethyst. Their pure, translucent colors are like a duet that sings of a beauty so constant and delicate only these two classic gemstones together can express it.
What I love most about this stone is its association with humor, especially in dark situations. Peridot has been used traditionally to heal bruised egos, lessen anger, and prevent jealousy. I wear it whenever I've been hurt or am feeling angry. A friend of mine, a clear, green-eyed woman with a great sense of humor, wears it to calm jealousy. (If you saw the way other women look at her gorgeous husband, you'd understand why she needs it.) Whenever you're feeling uncertain or bad about yourself, whatever the reason, wear peridot. Put it in a bracelet where you can see it. Then watch how its shimmering light helps break up those dark clouds around you.
Rose quartz: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Rose quartz came to be known as the stone of love and reconciliation from the Greek myth about Aphrodite and Adonis. Their blood was commingled when Aphrodite was cut by a thorn bush while saving Adonis from an attack by Ares (disguised as a wild boar). Their blood stained white quartz to make it a rose-pink color. Later, it became customary for the Romans to use the stone as a gift of love.
Rose quartz is associated with love, the heart and beauty, and is thought to be a healing aid for the heart chakra. Imbalances of this chakra have been said to cause colds, allergies and psychosomatic illnesses. When in balance, the heart chakra is thought to make one open to love and compassion. Some believe that rose quartz has calming effects and helps people develop strong friendships.
Ruby: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
The queen of gems, deep red ruby is the rarest and most valuable of gemstones. Rubies have been so loved by royalty, they have always included them in their insignias and famous jewelry, but rubies actually have humble beginnings. Most deposits are still worked in the primitive way they've been worked for centuries. They are panned from rivers and picked out by hand from the other minerals around them. Their beauty is only skin deep. In their natural rough form, they are dull greasy-looking stones. But cut and polished, their high luster is dazzling (comparable to diamonds), and their rich red color is pleochroic. (Pleochroic is color that varies when you view it from different directions.) The ruby beads in Fire Mountain Gems' hand-faceted strands are pale shimmering red on the outside edge deepening to a vibrant deep red at their center. In cabochons and faceted stones, those rich red colors shimmer in all directions. Expect a hush to spread through the room when you wear this gemstone of quintessential beauty. Ruby, queen of gems, thou art still fairest of all the fair gemstones.
Ruby's great spiritual value is like her beauty. It runs deep. It sits at the core of her being. Think of a woman who holds her head high. A talented woman who knows that she is capable of meeting every challenge. She knows who she is. She knows where she is going. She embraces life confidently-accepting each day and everything that comes with it. Her success is assured. Her acceptance of that success is always deeply and beautifully gracious. That's the gracious gift of confident self-esteem ruby offers all of us.
Sapphire: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Since medieval times, sapphire has been associated with the majesty and tranquility of the heavens. It was thought to dispel evil thoughts and to bring peace and amiability to its wearer. The stone is associated with Abraham in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The name sapphire comes from the Greek (for blue), and as late as the Middle Ages, the word applied to lapis lazuli.
Sapphires and rubies are closely related, having corundum as their base mineral. The iron pigment in the corundum makes sapphire blue, while the chrome element in rubies makes them red. Corundum gemstones are the second hardest of the most precious of gemstones (diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald). Sapphire actually has a range of colors, from blue to yellow to green to orange-pink.
From Antiquity, gemstones have been thought to possess mysterious powers. Sapphire is said to enhance creativity and to focus purity of thought. It is known as the stone of new love and commitment and is claimed to be useful in encouraging faithfulness and loyalty. Because of its blue color, it is associated with the throat and brow chakras - where energy imbalances are said to cause sore throats, headaches and nightmares.
Tourmaline: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Each variety of tourmaline has a different mineral name depending on its color. Pink or red tourmaline is called rubellite, blue tourmaline is called indocolite, brown tourmaline is called dravite, colorless tourmaline is called achroite, black tourmaline is called schorl and green tourmaline is called verdelite. Contrary to what these names imply, uni-color examples of this stone are rare. Most tourmalines have varying shades within the stone and some have distinctly different colors within the same crystal, such as the dramatic mix of watermelon tourmaline with its green rim and pink center. Ruby red tourmaline (rubellite) is the most highly valued of all varieties of tourmaline and is found in Russia, East Africa, Madagascar and Brazil. Black tourmaline (schorl) is fairly common and, therefore, less expensive. Most varieties of tourmaline come from Russia, Brazil, Africa and Sri Lanka.
There are many varieties of tourmaline, and each variety has its own distinctive healing properties associated with it. Watermelon tourmaline with its contrasting pink and green banding represents opposites and is said to have a calming effect during emotional upheavals or when there are conflicts between people of different temperaments. Pink tourmaline is believed to help open the heart chakra and facilitate compassion. Black and green tourmaline have been used for acquiring inspiration, diminishing fear, encouraging understanding and promoting self-confidence.
Turquoise: History/Background/Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Turquoise, a stone ranging in color from blue to green to yellow, is filled with wonderful patterns of brown and black matrix that are composed mainly of copper deposits. Although turquoise has captivated man's imagination for centuries, no one is sure exactly when it was discovered. Prehistoric people used and prized it for its blue-green colors because carved pieces have been found in burial and archeological sites spanning the globe.
Turquoise has a waxy luster. It is typically blue-green with brown/black veins of matrix running through it. Some turquoise is dyed to give it an evenly vivid color. Most turquoise is stabilized to improve overall strength and polish. It is mined across the globe, and each location yields specific stone colors and characteristics ranging from the bright sky blue-matrix free Sleeping Beauty turquoise from Arizona to the rough, organic yellow colors and heavy matrix mined from Africa. Chalk turquoise is a form of natural turquoise that has a white chalk-like consistency. It has the same chemical composition as turquoise, only without the copper (it's the copper that causes the blue turquoise color). It is dyed pleasing colors and stabilized to produce beads that are hard enough to use in jewelry.
Turquoise is one of the official birthstones for the month of December, and is heralded as the stone of communication. It encourages enthusiasm, thus inspiring new projects and bringing to light undiscovered artistic abilities. Turquoise also provides understanding and encourages attention to detail while attracting prosperity and success.
The sprawling lines of coppery matrix provide a large amount of energy to its wearer. This may be one reason why the stone has long been prized as a powerful talisman with healing properties. It is believed that turquoise can help balance the blue throat chakra, enhancing the ability to communicate while increasing resistance to viruses, helping to relieve sore throats and allergies.


text: 4 Activities to Teach Your Kids About Columbus by on Monday, October 14, 2013 5:19:00 AM In 1492 Columbus Sailed Across the Ocean Blue! Teach your kids about the history of Columbus' trip to a new continent. These learning activities will make the history lesson easy to understand and age appropriate. This entry was posted in Creative Kids Arts and Crafts, Let's Play - Kids of All Ages, Toddlers & Preschoolers Playtime, Big Kid Adventures. learning activitiescolumbus dayhistory lessonactivities for kidskids learn

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text: Travelers lined up Friday to reschedule flights at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after the region's air traffic control was sabotaged. More flights are resuming Saturday, but hundreds were also canceled. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images The Two-Way More Chicago Flights Canceled; Suspect Was Told Of Hawaii Transfer September 27, 2014 One day after Chicago's air traffic system was crippled, some flights resume and details emerge about the man suspected of setting a fire inside a federal radar center.


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Improving knowledge work productivity through new ways of working
Ruostela, Jenna
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Knowledge work and knowledge work productivity have been studied for several years without achieving a consensus on how to improve it. One of the reasons is that the work practices and methods are based on traditional ways of working originating from the industrial era. Such ways of working are not applicable in our contemporary knowledge economy, hence there is a need for innovative ways to improve knowledge work productivity. 'New ways of working' offers a novel approach to tackle the issue. The main objective of this research was to examine how new ways of working affect knowledge work productivity and thus to ascertain how new ways of working could improve knowledge work productivity. This study entails two aspects: work environment consisting of three dimensions (physical, virtual, and social) and work practices (such as flexible and mobile work). This study incorporated both a theoretical and an empirical approach. The theoretical part focused on understanding the dynamics of knowledge work, knowledge work productivity and new ways of working. The empirical part took the form of a qualitative case study with two case companies, Rapal Oy and Granlund Oy. The empirical material was gathered from 18 thematic interviews. As a result, the impacts of the work environment and work practices were identified in both cases. The potential of new ways of working to improve knowledge work productivity was analyzed resulting in three most important aspects in both cases. Most of the key findings of this study corroborated those of earlier studies. However, this research emphasized the significance of the social environment and work practices as regards productivity. New ways of working were considered to affect, for example, work flow, time efficiency, knowledge sharing, and more intangible aspects, such as job satisfaction and motivation. However, the impact on the work-life balance was perceived to be a rather complex issue, since both positive and negative impacts emerged In conclusion, this research increases the understanding of the relationship between new ways of working and employee productivity, offering a comprehensive view on the matter.


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Subscribe To SteelSeries Announces Stratus Wireless Gaming Controller Updates
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The first iOS 7 wireless controller from SteelSeries has been announced and it's called the Stratus. The controller is small and sleek and designed to work wirelessly with Apple's iOS 7 compatible devices. It could, technically also work with smart TVs via proxy, which could make it a potential living room controller solution for non-console based devices.
SteelSeries announced that the Stratus would be compatible with the AppleTV, the AirPlay TV, iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch. Basically, all of the Cupertino, California company's devices will be compatible with the device and it's designed to take advantage of the age-old living room controller scheme that gamers have been used to using for decades.
As noted in the press release, Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO, commented about the new controller saying...
"The Stratus Wireless Controller, the first wireless gamepad controller ever to be supported in iOS 7, forever alters the mobile gaming landscape," ... "With Stratus, gamers have easy and direct access to a growing roster of great games on iPad that were intended for an immersive, controller-enabled experience. We're incredibly excited to be the first gaming peripherals company to develop a standalone controller for iOS devices and are thrilled to see an abundance of high quality game titles rolling out from publishers everyday."
The idea is that developers will be able to use this alternative control scheme for iOS 7 compatible titles that diverge away from the typical touch-screen controls. One of the biggest complaints from gamers is that a lot of times the on-screen prompts aren't very responsive and it's difficult to perform complex actions and reactions using the touch-screen analog/digital pads.
The press release also details some of the more practical functionality of the controller, including its battery life and indicators for those of you out there who game seriously on your mobile devices, with the release stating that...
"The Stratus Controller features a familiar console-style layout with the a pressure-sensitive directional pad (D-pad), 4 pressure-sensitive action buttons and 4 pressure-sensitive shoulder buttons, in addition to dual analog sticks, a dedicated pairing button to connect to iOS devices via Bluetooth and a convenient on/off switch to save on power. The battery life is estimated to be approximately 10 hours on a full charge, with an average full charge time estimated at 2 hours. It charges with an included USB connection cable."
Now that the advertorialism is done and over with, let's talk about this thing honestly and realistically: I don't see it taking off at all.
Even with developers having access to software APIs made available for the Stratus, implementing support is just an additional design barrier I can't see any developer willingly taking on when all it does is add to the overall complexity of the project.
Also, this isn't the first iOS-themed controller for hardcore gamers. There are many out there from other peripheral makers as well. The reality, though, is that it's a bit of an inconvenience trying to play games on mobile devices that aren't really designed to be played as hardcore games. The Dead Triggers and the Infinity Blades are the rare breed of mobile titles, not the norm.
It will be interesting to see how well the Stratus does on the market, however. Logitech has also wedged their way into the mobile peripheral market as well, but they haven't yet stated whether or not their foray into the "financially illustrious" territory of mobile gaming is paying off or not.
You can learn more about the Stratus controller by paying a visit to the official website.


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A complete medical history will be taken along with a
physical examination to help confirm the diagnosis of
autism or to see whether there are other causes for
unusual behaviors.1 Also, the doctor will ask
questions to assess the child's strengths and weaknesses and the family's
Information from this interview will help your doctor
apply the diagnostic standards from the American Psychiatric
Association.2 These standards are the basis for
recommendations used by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
The doctor
will ask questions similar to the following.
CitationsJohnson CP, et al. (2007, reaffirmed 2010). American Academy of
Pediatrics clinical report: Identification and evaluation of children with
autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5):
1183–1215.American Psychiatric Association (2000). Autistic
disorder. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text rev., pp. 70–75. Washington, DC: American
Psychiatric Association.
Last Revised:
April 3, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Fred Volkmar, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


text:
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text:
2012 Audi A4 review
* First UK test of 2012 A4 saloon * Price from 23,625 * On sale now...
The Audi A4 has been given a face-lift and improved efficiency as it prepares to battle the exceptional new BMW 3 Series.
The new car gets a redesigned front bumper, a bonnet with more pronounced creases, and a mildly reshaped grille. The sharper shaped headlights are the most noticeable change, bringing the looks more into line with the rest of Audi's range.
What business users will immediately notice are the emissions figures, with the cleanest model the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDIe producing just 112g/km of CO2. The 161bhp TDIe isn't far behind, with a figure of 115g/km.
The A4 also gets a new steering set-up that's designed to save fuel, along with changes to the infotainment system.
2012 Audi A4: What's it like to drive?
We tried two diesels: the 141bhp 2.0 TDI and the 134bhp 2.0 TDIe. Neither version is particularly rapid, although the 2.0 TDIe feels significantly slower because of its longer gear ratios. Both are smooth and quiet, though.
The new steering set-up is geared towards efficiency, and it isn't as engaging as that of a BMW 3 Series. It makes the A4 easy to manoeuvre at low speeds, but isn't responsive enough to deliver an entertaining drive away from the city streets.
The A4 does feel assured through corners and grips well. The suspension thuds over poor surfaces, but the A4 manages to keep vibration through the cabin to a minimum.
2012 Audi A4: What's it like inside?
It's much like the car it replaces, which means there's a good range of adjustment to the seat and steering wheel. However, it can still be difficult to get comfortable, because the pedals are offset to the right.
There's plenty of room in the front, and while space in the rear is okay, rear passengers don't get as much room as their counterparts in a BMW 3 Series.
The biggest change is to the MMI infotainment system. It's been simplified, with fewer buttons on the dashboard and central console.
There are still some poor-quality materials on display, though around the gearlever, for instance, and down by your calves.
2012 Audi A4: Should I buy one?
The fresher looks certainly add appeal, and the A4 is significantly cheaper than the BMW 3 Series, with prices for the diesel versions starting at 26,555 more than 1500 less than the 320d.
However, the BMW is quicker, cleaner and much more enjoyable to drive, so it remains the class leader by some distance.
BMW 3 Series
Mercedes C-Class
What Car? says
Tom Webster


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One person died when a tour bus belonging to Miley Cyrus overturned, but the 16-year-old "Hannah Montana" star was not on board, according to Virginia State Police. The deceased has been identified as William Douglas, 53, of Austin, Texas.
Sgt. Thomas Molnar said the black-and-maroon luxury tour bus overturned at about 8:15 a.m. Friday on Interstate 85 at the 55-mile marker, about 40 miles south of Richmond.
The bus -- one of four headed to Cyrus' next concert in Greensboro, N.C. -- was traveling in a southbound lane when it ran off the left side of the road to the left and overturned onto its right side, according to Corrine Geller of the Virginia State Police. The bus apparently skidded for several hundred feet.
Geller said members of Cyrus' production crew were on the bus. Police were waited to share the identity of the victim until his next of kin was notified. One of the other nine passengers had minor injuries.
One of the first responders at the scene said most of the passengers got out of the bus through the front windshield before help arrived.
"I think they were just trying to make heads or tails of what had happened," one firefighter said at the scene. "I think most of them were asleep or lounging at the time of the accident."
According to Miley Cyrus' Web site, the pop singer is scheduled to perform Sunday in Greensboro.
Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, who also appears on the family friendly sitcom "Hanna Montana."


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(Portland, Ore.) June 13, 2010 -- Portland State University honored its largest graduating class ever in its most sustainable commencement ceremony yet today at the Rose Garden Arena.
PSU awarded 5,135 degrees to the Class of 2010, including 3,525 bachelor's degrees, 1,560 master's degrees and 50 doctoral degrees. The undergraduate graduating class has doubled since 1993-94, when 1,750 bachelor's degrees were awarded.
Portland State incorporated an array of green strategies this year to reduce the environmental impact of the ceremony, such as using biodegradable regalia made from natural wood fiber sourced from renewable-managed forest, programs printed on 100 percent recycled paper and seasonal flowers from local growers. All communication with students about commencement was done by e-mail instead of paper, and students and guests were encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation to the ceremony.
Green pins were given to graduates who signed a pledge saying, "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."
Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund and a lifelong advocate for disadvantaged families, delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree.
"The test of the morality of a society is how it treats its children," Edelman told the graduates and the packed crowd at the Rose Garden. She cited dozens of statistics detailing the violence, poverty and school failure that plague millions of children in the United States.
"A black boy born in 2001 has a one in three chance of going to prison in his lifetime," said Edelman, who was the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar and directed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund office in Jackson, Mississippi.
"I'm deeply concerned that incarceration is becoming America's apartheid," she said. "We are spending three times more to send somebody to prison than to school. I can't think of a dumber policy."
She urged graduates to enter careers as teachers and educators and "to leave our world a better and safer place than where you found it."
Two honored graduates also spoke at the ceremony: Christian Aniciete and Kimberley Mansfield. Aniciete is a student leader who immigrated to Hillsboro with his family from the Philippines at age 10. Mansfield enrolled in PSU at age 41 after an eclectic background as a professional equestrian, actress and bartender.
The top five undergraduate majors were social science and general studies, psychology, liberal studies, health studies and criminology and criminal justice. The most popular master's program was education, and the most doctorates were awarded in education administration.
About 80 percent of the graduates are Oregon residents. Women represent 59 percent of this year's grads. International graduates came from more than 50 countries to study at PSU. Outside the United States, the countries with the most PSU graduates are India, China and Thailand.
Here are more photos from 2010 commencement.
About Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for over 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation's most livable cities, the University's innovative approach to education combines academic rigor in the classroom with field-based experiences through internships and classroom projects with community partners. The University's 49-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State's commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. PSU's motto, "Let Knowledge Serve the City," inspires the teaching and research of an accomplished faculty whose work and students span the globe.
# # #


text:
Louis Vuitton Monogram Trousse Toilette 28 4142022
This item is no longer available
This is an authentic, pre-owned LOUIS VUITTON Trousse Toilette 28 Cosmetic Pouch. It's a vintage travel bag for your make-up and/or toiletries. It features the Monogram canvas with a gold-tone zip around closure, a washable beige interior, three gusset bottle holders, and a large open pocket. Keep your make-up and toiletries organized wherever your go with this LV cosmetic pouch. This item is in good condition, due to its vintage nature it will have some visible signs of wear and/or use. Please view photos carefully for details. Pay close attention to sizes and measurements.
- Handle Drop: 0 in.
- Condition Quality: Good
- Color: Brown
- Material: Descriptive Monogram
- Exterior Condition: Good
- Hardware Description: Gold Hardware
- Height: 6.7 in.
- Interior Condition: Good
- Interior Pockets: Multifunction Pockets
- Length: 3.1 in.
- Material: Canvas: Monogram
- Width: 11 in.
Authenticity code: Louis Vuitton
Item Condition: Pre Owned
Product Code: 4142022
Read more about Louis Vuitton Date Code here.
All photos are of actual item being sold. © 2007-2019 LuxeDH.
This Louis Vuitton® item is guaranteed to be authentic. Louis Vuitton is a registered trademark of Louis Vuitton. LuxeDH is not affiliated with or represents Louis Vuitton in any way or form.
All pre owned designer handbags come with a white LuxeDH dust bag. New with Tags items come with original tags attached and original designer dust bag, if applicable.


text:
January 8, 2003
Eric S. Shube, Esq.
Dear Mr. Shube:
This is in response to your letter dated January 8, 2003. A copy of that letter is attached with this response. By including a copy of your correspondence, we avoid having to repeat or summarize the facts you presented. The defined terms in this letter have the same meaning as in your letter, unless otherwise noted.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) hereby grants an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) on the basis of your representations and the facts presented, but without necessarily concurring in your analysis, particularly in light of the following facts:
The Commission grants this exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act to permit the Prospective Purchasers to purchase or arrange to purchase Ordinary Shares otherwise than pursuant to the Offer, subject to the following conditions:
1. No purchases or arrangements to purchase Ordinary Shares, otherwise than pursuant to the Offer, shall be made in the United States;
2. The Offer Document shall disclose prominently the possibility of, or the intention to make, purchases of Ordinary Shares by the Prospective Purchasers during the Offer;
3. The Prospective Purchasers shall disclose in the United States information regarding purchases of Ordinary Shares to the extent such information is made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the City Code;
4. The Prospective Purchasers shall comply with any applicable rules of the United Kingdom Organizations including the City Code and the rules and regulations of the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange;
5. The Prospective Purchasers shall provide to the Division of Market Regulation (Division), upon request, a daily time-sequenced schedule of all purchases of Ordinary Shares made by any of them during the Offer, on a transaction-by-transaction basis, including:
a. size, broker (if any), time of execution, and price of purchase; and
b. if not executed on the London Stock Exchange, the exchange, quotation system, or other facility through which the purchase occurred;
6. Upon the request of the Division, the Prospective Purchasers shall transmit the information as specified in paragraphs 5.a. and 5.b. to the Division at its offices in Washington, D.C. within 30 days of its request;
7. The Prospective Purchasers shall retain all documents and other information required to be maintained pursuant to this exemption for a period of not less than two years from the date of the termination of the Offer;
8. Representatives of the Prospective Purchasers shall be made available (in person at the offices of the Division in Washington, D.C. or by telephone) to respond to inquiries of the Division relating to their records; and
9. Except as otherwise exempted herein, the Prospective Purchasers shall comply with Rule 14e-5.
The foregoing exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act expressed above does not apply to purchases or arrangements to purchase Ordinary Shares prior to this exemption being granted, is based solely on your representations and the facts presented, and is strictly limited to the application of this rule to the proposed transactions. Such transactions should be discontinued, pending presentation of the facts for our consideration, in the event that any material change occurs with respect to any of those facts or representations.
In addition, we direct your attention to the anti-fraud and anti-manipulation provisions of the federal securities laws, including Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The participants in the Offer must comply with these and any other applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. The Division of Market Regulation expresses no view with respect to any other questions that the proposed transactions may raise, including, but not limited to, the adequacy of disclosure concerning, and the applicability of any other federal or state laws to, the proposed transactions.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation pursuant to delegated authority,
James A. Brigagliano
Incoming LetterThe incoming letter is attached in PDF format.


text:
This question already has an answer here:
I marinated a whole chicken and put it in the fridge for 5 days--can I still cook and eat it?
Stack Exchange network consists of 175 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.Visit Stack Exchange
This question already has an answer here:
I marinated a whole chicken and put it in the fridge for 5 days--can I still cook and eat it?
Five refrigerated days is pushing well past the recommended boundaries--MeatSafety.org and FoodSafety.gov both recommend no more than 1-2 days.
The marinade would make no significant difference in the overall shelf life of the chicken. This applies even to acid or enzyme based marinades since the concentration and application is not uniformly controlled.
Generally 5 days is too long, however it depends on the sell-by date of the chicken. If it was very fresh when you bought it any you marinaded it right away then it may be within its sell-by date in which case it may be safe to cook and eat. Make sure it passes the smell test after you wash it very thoroughly if you decide to give it a go.
Personally, I'd chuck it and get another one as I'd find it hard to enjoy a chicken that I suspected could potentially make my future short and painful.


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Kobato is one of those series that at first sight isn't anything special. It starts with a premise, and repeats that for a bunch of episodes with a number of questionable results. In Kobato's case, she has to heal a number of people's hearts. I too wasn't that much interested by this premise, having seen a few too many series with similar premises that never really went anywhere in the end. Kobato however, did.
The people that Kobato heals in the first half of this series range from nice enough to mediocre, so it's understandable to get turned off at first. But oh, the character-development in the second half more than makes up for it. This is one of those series which is greater than the sum of its part. Through its entire airtime, it never forgets what it's supposed to be, and what it's supposed to build-up for. Every of the early episodes spends time to flesh out the characters, while the later episodes use this build-up to deliver with an excellent emotional impact, resulting in a heart-warming series.
Kobato truly stands out in how incredibly genuine she is. I found her an airhead at first, but her personality and innocence turned out to be so addictive that I couldn't help but root for her. And true, the story in the second half can get pretty soppy at times, but this isn't the show that tries to pull deus ex machina for extra drama, and instead carefully builds it up.
Madhouse has done the animation, and despite that you can easily see that this wasn't the series that their best artists were working on, they still delivered great graphics, allowing Clamp's character-designs to shine, along with a few episodes that look absolutely gorgeous.
Kobato's story is very simple, but it has really proven that it's in no way a disadvantage. Due to its simple plot it had all of the time it needed to properly tell the story that it wanted to do. the ending is wonderfully un-rushed, and provides an amazing conclusion to the series that made optimal use of the time it spent on building up. This isn't a series for people who dislike overdramatic-ish series due to the soppy parts, but this series' second half hit all of the right buttons for me.
|9/10 – Never forgets the meaning of build-up. Simple, but very effective.
|9/10 – Excellent character-development, though the drama can get a bit soppy at times.
|9/10 – Madhouse rocks, even in their less-budgetted series.
|8/10 – Good attention to detail to the series' small surroundings, plus some Clamp references that don't feel forced or rushed.


text:
Kidoodles Toy Zone
Kidoodles Toy Zone is a locally owned specialty toy store that strives to carry quality and unique toys and games that will delight children of all ages...
Copelin's Office Supplies
Copelin's offers a full line of office and computer supplies, teaching and classroom supplies, developmental toys, and new and used office furniture.
Copelin's Teaching Tools
Norman's Best Source for Teaching Supplies & Tools! We carry a full line of educational and daycare supplies.
Our resources and materials range from early childhood through high school.
Copelin Contract
We provide complete office furniture and workspace solutions for companies and institutions throughout Oklahoma in the fields of corporate business, banking, higher education, hospitality, tribal, and government sectors.


text:
Your cart is currently empty!
Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Mama May i Toys Gift Card.
Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.
Mama May i
Sensory Box - Explore With Me Sensory Bin Starter Set
This Handmade Wooden Sensory Bin or Sensory Box is full of developmental manipulatives. Our wooden box kit is an excellent starter toy for hands-on learning and imaginative play. This is a preschooler toy or toddler toy ages 3 and up, with open-ended exploration opportunities to develop an understanding of physics, gravity, volume, shape, size, sound, how things fit together, similar and different, size relation. Add tactile manipulatives to make it a homemade surprise or seasonally appropriate toy.
Our Maker's Description:
Introducing the Explore With Me Sensory Box tool kit – an invaluable addition to hands-on learning. Oh how I love the open-endedness of a sensory bin. I love how many different skills can be practiced with a little bit of imagination and a box of "stuff". I always enjoy creating these seasonal boxes, it's a lot of fun for me to make - and how I love watching my little one's excitement when she sits down to play – it's like opening a present. It's therapeutic and just plain fun.
My little explorer really enjoys playing with different nick-knacks in a tub filled with something tactile - I mean, who wouldn't? It's a great way to add texture to play while exploring a subject through excavation and discovery. Sometimes she mulls through the bin on her own and sometimes we work on it together, incorporating more conversation as she explores. Either way she is learning some very important lessons: physics, gravity, volume, shape, size, sound, how things fit together, similar and different, size relation...the list goes on.
There are so many ways to use, play, and explore with the contents in this kit. A wooden box is the window to sensorial play and imaginative excavation. Let your little one's creativity go wild with the pouring, scooping, pinching, placing, picking, poking, and playing opportunities this learning box inspires. Add a smidgen of playful thought and create a unique and magical Explore With Me experience at each and every sit-down. This kit contains the basics and can be used over and over again – just change the ingredients and you can create a whole new learning adventure.
Some ideas for something tactile:
Uncooked Pasta
Un-popped Popcorn
What's You Get:
- 1 wooden box measuring ( 8.5" x 8" x almost 2" deep ) to hold all your tools & can be used as the actual "Sensory Bin"
- 2 different wooden bowls
- 2 different wooden scoops
- 2 different wooden canisters with lids
- 1 pair of wooden tongs
- 1 muslin pouch to fit inside the box & put your main ingredient in
The Color Sorting Bowls and Sorting Hearts shown in the last picture are NOT included in this kit. If you are interested in these items they can be found by following these links:
Color Sorting Bowls - http://www.mamamayishop.com/products/color-sorting-bowls
Sorting Hearts - http://www.mamamayishop.com/products/counting-hearts
Mama May i
Pocket Place - Little People Travel Toy - Choose Your Color
Pocket Place is a preschooler toy and big kid toy that fits perfectly in little pockets as a travel game or imaginary friend and play companion. Choose a pocket place of your favorite color or collect them all!
Mama May i Toymaker's Description:
Pocket real estate is definitely a commodity. But what if you could have a friend hidden between the cloth and thread? A friend kept close, in a home of their very own. What fun. What company. What peace of mind knowing that your little companion could so easily transport – to school, a restaurant, the doctor's office, grandma's house, with you - next to you. Transitions may be a little easier…Play times a little less lonely…night times a little less afraid….with a familiar friend held near. This open-ended pocket toy travels easily and lends itself to a myriad of imaginative play, time and time again in a whimsical little world; My Pocket Place.
Each Pocket Place comes in a tiny tin approximately 3.75" x 2.5" - the perfect size for pockets, backpacks, and pretend. Inside each little house you will find a friend...and some things to make a house a home.
1 Little Tin "House" - Each color has it OWN style house / window and cannot be changed
1 Little Person approximately 1.75" tall
1 Fabric Swatch
1 Ball approximately 3/4" diameter
1 Felt Rectangle
1 Circle Disk
1 Raw Wooden Bowl
1 Raw Wooden Spool
1 Raw Wooden Circle
This listing is for one pocket place, please select your color variation before adding to cart :-)
This product has Small Parts and is NOT suitable for children under the age of 3. Thank you!
This toy and description are property of Mama May i. I work really hard to create new toys. Please don't copy my ideas or words for monetary compensation. Copyright MamaMayi 2008 – present
All of my creations were made with your little one in mind. Each piece was designed to nurture child development through open-ended play. These pieces can be used to broaden your little one's understanding and knowledge of our world and were created as early educational toys. I am inspired by the teachings of Montessori; the natural beauty of Waldorf; and incorporate a myriad of other learning-through-play philosophies when I design. It makes me smile to see my made-with-love pieces being toted for use as preschool toys and in natural play settings. Thank you for helping me support little minds, bodies, and imaginations through engaging, hands-on play and discovery.
© 2008 - present by Mama May i.
All rights reserved. All products, descriptions, pictures, words, logos and, names are property of Mama May i and may not be copied, used, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Mama May i.
For re-posting permission for Blog Features, please email Jessica Perkins at MamaMayiShop [!at] gmail.com
Mama May i
Family Box - Handmade Wooden Little People Playset
Family Box Handmade Wooden Little People Playset reinforces beginner color concepts, size relations, fine motor skills, and open-ended play. This is a great preschooler toy and big kid toy ages 3 and up.
Our Maker's Description:
A whole little world inside a box*…like your little one's imagination, you will find a world of play, a world of fun, a world of learning. The Family Box will inspire creative play and enchant young story-makers. Each family has six members (one for all the colors of the rainbow) and six coordinated sleep sacks. Entice imaginative thinking while reinforcing beginner color concepts, size relations, fine motor skills, and open-ended play.
Each family member is made of natural wood and has one of six colors marked on their bottoms. There are six coordinating sleep sacks made of comfy, cotton fabric. Encourage cognitive problem solving while your little one practices matching sizes or colors and enhances fine motor skills.
With a dash of imagination, the play and learning possibilities are endless….
Stand the little people Shortest to Tallest or Smallest to Biggest.
Match the colored bottoms to their sleep sacks.
Tuck the little people into a sleep sack they fit into.
Count the people in the family.
Group the "kids" and "grown-ups" or "boys" and "girls"
The tallest peg doll measures a little less than 2.5" tall. Mom measures a little more than 2" tall. and the sister measures a little less than 2" tall. The twins measure almost 1.75" tall each. The smallest wee one measures only a little more than 1" tall.
- The Family Box contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 3.
As with all toys, little ones should be supervised while at play. -
*NOTE : The box you receive may vary in shape from the one pictured.
Mama May i
Classic Ball and Cup Dexterity Game
This old fashioned game will never go out of style. You will find that little ones and adults alike will want to try their hand-eye-coordination and skill at this classic game. "Just one more try…" won't be enough when it comes to playing with this traditional gem. Enjoy the simplicity of building fine motor skills, understanding physics, and fostering hand-eye coordination with this hours-of-fun, old-fashioned toy.
*This listing is for ONE of the games, you choose the color from those shown in the picture.
Each Ball and Cup Game is painted to order. You can choose from one of six colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue Purple. The ball and the cup are painted with a non-toxic plant based paint and then lightly sealed with a beeswax finish. Because they are painted to order, please allow an extra 3 business days.


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The Dictionary Hostel, Shoreditch, London
We're proud to bring you the latest edition to London's cool and trendy hostels with The Dictionary.
It's set in an old veneer factory in trendy East London and boasts an industrial bar, ensuite bedrooms, brand-new refurbished rooms and an eco-friendly approach to life.
Welcoming you with open arms are experienced and enthusiastic owners and a handful of friendly staff who all work together to make sure you have the best stay you can have in London!
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hostel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- Adaptors
- Age Restriction
- Bar
- Board Games
- Book Exchange
- Free Breakfast
- Cable TV
- Café
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free WiFi
- Foosball
- Hair Dryers
- Hair Dryers For Hire
- Hot Showers
- House Keeping
- Internet Access
- Jobs Board
- Key Card Access
- Self-Catering Facilities
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
- Luggage Storage
- Meals Available
- Meeting Rooms
- Mini Supermarket
- No Curfew
- Non Smoking
- Outdoor Terrace
- Reading Light
- Restaurant
- Taxes included
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Towels For Hire
- Vending Machines
- Washing Machine
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Hostel InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Check-in from 14:00.
Check-out by 10:00.
We cater to the age 18-35 market as a guideline and can't accept guests under 18 years of age .Please contact us for more info if you fall outside this age range. You must bring the credit/debit card that you booked with, even if you wish to pay the balance in cash. Please remember to bring your valid ID for check-in (passport, EU ID card or UK driving licence are all valid, but student ID cards will not be accepted, sorry!). No-one will be checked-in without their valid ID.
We are a hostel for backpackers and tourists - bookings from people resident in London will be accepted at the management's discretion only. As an extra security precaution to keep everyone safe, you may be asked to provide proof of address. Anyone unable to provide such proof, when asked, will unfortunately not be allowed to stay.
If you are a group of 12 or more, please contact us directly. Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours prior to arrival. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of the stay.
The maximum stay for guests is 14 days. There is a 2 night minimum stay at weekends (Fridays & Saturdays).
A fee of £5 per hour applies for every hour, or part thereof, of late check out after 10am
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Old Street - 10 minute walk. From Old Street Station, take EXIT 2. Once you are out of the station continue walking along Old Street. After 2 blocks the road forks. Keep left and make sure you are still on Old Street. Walk for about 3 more blocks until you go under the railway bridge, turn left onto Kingsland Road. We are on your right hand side.
Liverpool Street Station - exit the station and turn left up Bishopsgate Rd (the main road). Head to bus stop E (opposite Boots and the Dirty Dicks pub) and take either the 26, 48, 149, or 242 to Shoreditch Church. You can ask the bus driver to announce it for you and there should be electronic screens with the stop names too.
From Shoreditch High Street Station, come out of the station, turn left and then left onto Bethnal green Road and right onto Shoreditch High Street. Walk along until you go past Shoreditch Church (right hand side after about 6 minutes). Carry on straight and cross the road, and walk another 30m. We're on your right hand side at 10-20 Kingsland Road.
Located Near
Plenty of artists, creatives & buzz in Shoreditch, makes this area perfect for the young & fun-loving traveller. With no end to the choice of restaurants & bars, markets & shops you'll love the edgy & endlessly stimulating vibe in Shoreditch.
We're only bus trips away from the Tower of London, Oxford Street, Covent Garden & within walking distance of Spitalfields Market, the Geffrey Museum, Brick Lane & literally dozens of bars, clubs, boutique shops & markets. We are even near a Banksy!


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Welcome to Almar Online
At Almar Online we offer a range of new timepieces taken from the collection of some of the most important watch houses of the world, including Audemars Piguet, De Grisigono, Franck Muller and Hublot.
In the watch business, as in many other comparable businesses there is a continual process of model development within the framework of the original design. As some models no longer form part of the current collection, a unique opportunity presents itself to purchase from major watch brands of the world at unbelievable prices. We have a large collection of Swiss made timepieces, many of which are now classics. Take our Audemars Piguet collection for example; some of these vintage and rare pieces also feature in their own Museum in Le Brassus Switzerland.
Not everything we have is vintage. A few of our pieces from Franck Muller, Pierre Kunz and De Grisogono are still available in some stores at full price! Here at Almar though we offer you great savings, from 30% all the way to 70% off. This is not a Sale. The Almar Online was created to sell fabulous timepieces at low prices.


text: Crimcast is a virtual resource devoted to critical conversations about criminology and criminal justice issues. Our blogposts, twitter feeds, podcasts and other content provide an overview of trends, research, commentary and events of interest to criminal justice practitioners, academics and the general public. CrimCast is sponsored by The Center for Crime and Popular Culture, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY.


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Add Printer Wizard Driver
Scan Computer For Add Printer Wizard Driver Driver Updates
Scan For Add Printer Wizard Driver Drivers Related Errors
Manufacturer: Brother Industries Ltd
Devices this driver supports:
Brother DCP-8020
Brother DCP-8020 Printer
Brother DCP-8020 USB Printer
Brother DCP-8025D
Brother DCP-8025D Printer
[full list]
Operating Systems:
Note: The download link may go directly to the file, or may link to a page where the file can be found. This is unavoidable, as some manufacturers do not allow direct links to their files.
Driver File Information
Downloaded: 597 times
File Size: 3.29 MiB
File Name: Brother DCP-8020


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Dream Seed is a sound healing ensemble created by members of Golden Drum, Sacred Arts Research Foundation, and Didge Project. Shamanic chanting, mantras, overtone singing, Native American songs, indigenous music, didgeridoos, crystal singing bowls, bells, gongs, harmoniums, tuning forks and other overtone-emitting instruments are used to create an environment conducive to deep relaxation and inward investigation.
Participants are led through guided meditations and sound healing practices designed to harmonize body, mind and spirit. Some blankets and yoga mats will be provided but we encourage people to come with extra padding just in case there isn't enough for everyone.
*** Cancelations made the day of the event will not be refunded.
*** We ask that everyone please be respectful and arrive on time. Doors close at 7:45 promptly.
Suggested donation*: $25
*No one will be turned away for lack of funds
Members of Dream Seed are active organizers of the Golden Drum and the Sacred Arts Research Foundation communities. They are students of Maestro Manuel Rufino, a recognized Taino elder, spiritual guide and ceremonial leader. With his blessing, Dream Seed was created as a vehicle with which to share the music of sacred traditions of the world.
Their affiliations include Made in Prayer, Jungle Cafe and Didge Project.
They have spent over 7 years in a deep study in Brooklyn, NY cultivating their art, music and programs through their practices and disciplines.


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Elected Officials
The following information is accurate in general, although every city and county government office will differ somewhat in structure and function.
- To provide local services, including libraries, parks, land use planning and zoning, sewers, building inspection, fire and police protection, business licenses, garbage disposal, and weed abatement.
- The city council determines the city's budget and may establish local laws.
- City council meetings are open to the public, and hearings may be held on matters relating to any city service.
To Contact:
- The city clerk can provide information on the city council, when it meets, and how they can be contacted.
Elected county officials may include the board of supervisors, sheriff, district attorney, county clerk, tax assessor, and tax collector. If these positions are not elected in your area, they are appointed by the board of supervisors.
- To provide services such as those listed under city officials to all areas of the county which are not incorporated cities.
- These officials also provide health and social services, county jails, property tax assessment and collection, and supervision of local elections.
Assembly members and state senators are responsible for state laws, the state budget, and many government services and programs.
To contact:
- Legislators maintain a local district office and an office in Sacramento. Consumers can write to legislators at the Capitol:
The Honorable (name)
California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Members of the House of Representatives and US Senate are responsible for federal laws, the national budget, and many governmental services and programs.
To Contact:
- Representatives and senators maintain district offices as well as offices in Washington, DC. Consumers can write their representatives at the offices in the Capitol:
The Honorable (name)
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510


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Reminder: October's Virtual Tasting takes place on Wednesday the 27th at 7pm Pacific Time. Read about how to participate here.
I am pleased to announce the integration of Washington Wine Report reviews as a content channel within CellarTracker and Grape Stories. The integration will provide their users access to reviews from this site from within the CellarTracker/GrapeStories systems.
In six short years, Eric LeVine's CellarTracker (and now GrapeStories) has revolutionized the way many people approach and think about wine. The site allows users to enter their own tasting notes and see the notes of others. On any given day, the user community adds more than 1,500 wine reviews; the site itself contains 1.5 million reviews. It is, quite simply, one of the most important places for on-line discussion about wine (see a post about CellarTracker written prior to the launch of GrapeStories here).
I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to continuing to be a part of this vibrant user community.
CellarTracker & GrapeStories Integration
Reminder: October's Virtual Tasting takes place on Wednesday the 27th at 7pm Pacific Time. Read about how to participate here.
5 comments
CindyW Says:
I've been meaning to send you a congratulations, ever since I noticed the announcement in Cellartracker. It's great to see your reviews appearing in the CT notes. I'm glad to see you receiving the respect you deserve, and I think this will be a great boon for Washington wines.
Congrats, Sean! :)
Sean P. Sullivan Says:
Thanks CindyW. Much appreciated.
Eric LeVine Says:
Thanks so much Sean, I am very happy to be collaborating with you!
Eric LeVine
Thad W. Says:
Sean, congrats on yet another validation of the terrific work you're doing covering Washington wine.
In addition to your coverage being integrated into Grape Stories, I was excited to see your feature in Seattle Met magazine. You've clearly demonstrated the merits of truly writing about wine versus merely blogging about it.
Keep up the great work connecting consumers to Washington wines.
Sean P. Sullivan Says:
Thanks Thad! Appreciate your support.


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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)— A Washburn University football player has been killed in a car accident.
Washburn football coach Craig Schurig said on the university's web site Saturday that 18-year-old Jermon Watson, of St. Louis, Mo., has died of injuries from the one-car accident Friday. The accident occurred in the Kansas City area.
Watson was a defensive end/linebacker who played high school football at Rockwood Summit High School in the St. Louis area.
Schurig said he was very sad about the loss and that Watson was an "outstanding young player who did great in the classroom."


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Sean McDermott Joins SILENCE! THE MUSICAL, 1/19
Beginning this Saturday, January 19th, Broadway favorite Sean McDermott will star as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Off-Broadway's smash hit Silence! The Musical. Following the announcement that SILENCE! would be ending its long run December 30th, ticket sales unexpectedly soared, shattering all previous box office records for the show so far. As a result, the producers determined that performances of the smash hit show will resume after a brief hiatus on January 19th.
Sean McDermott starred on Broadway in Miss Saigon (Chris), Grease (Danny Zuko), Starlight Express (Rusty) and Falsettos (Whizzer). He was one of four Broadway singers handpicked by Barbra Streisand to sing alongside her on her 2007 European tour. Sean has traveled the world performing with some of the most celebrated symphony orchestras and has shared the stage with Bernadette Peters, Mandy Patinkin, Elaine Stritch, Johnny Mathis and Robert Goulet. His TV credits include "Desperate Housewives," "Charmed," "Medium" and "Freddie."
Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, Silence! The Musical is the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli. The show was selected by Time Magazine as one of the Top 5 Musicals of 2011.
In the Academy Award-winning film The Silence of the Lambs, rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling matches wits with the brilliant but insane cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, to catch the serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill. Clarice faces her own demons while racing the clock to unlock Lecter's clues before another innocent girl is killed and skinned by Buffalo Bill. The laugh-out-loud raunchy satire, Silence! The Musical, features a singing chorus of floppy eared lambs narrating the action as Buffalo Bill gleefully dances a hoedown while kidnapping hapless Catherine Martin. Even Dr. Lecter, scary as ever, sings about the life he'd like to lead someday outside the prison walls.
Also featured in the cast of Silence! The Musical are David Ayers, Pamela Bob, Ashlee Dupré, Stephen Hanna, Natalie Joy Johnson, Howard Kaye, Topher Nuccio, Ronica V. Reddick, Kimberly Stern and Doug Trapp.
Created by Jon and Al Kaplan in 2002, SILENCE! began as a collection of songs on the internet which immediately attracted a staggering number of fans. The Kaplans' subsequent screenplay Silence! The Musical was adapted by Hunter Bell into a live stage show, which also featured newly composed songs by the brothers. Fueled by a rabid cult following, SILENCE! shattered every box office record at the 2005 FringeNYC Festival, winning the award for Best Musical. Silence! The Musical met with further success in London where it garnered ecstatic reviews at the Above The Stag Theatre.
Set design for Silence! The Musical is by three-time Tony winner Scott Pask, with costume design by David Kaley, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, and sound design by Carl Casella. Music Supervisor is Mark Hartman, with musical direction by Brian J. Nash.
SILENCE! The Musical has hosted an unusually large number of celebrity attendees including Jodie Foster, Matt Bomer (twice), Perez Hilton, Joan Rivers, Kelly Ripa, Jonathan Demme, James Earl Jones, Josh Groban, Rachel Dratch, Justin Kirk, Jonathan Groff, T.R. Knight, Lisa Lampanelli, Andy Dick, Neil Simon, Corbin Bleu, Richard Kind, Alec Mapa, Ben Schwartz, Willie Garson, Steven Pasquale, Lindsey Shaw, Mario Cantone, Erin Cummings, Linus Roache, Stephen Schwartz, David LaChapelle, Jeremy Jordan, Chad Allen, Heather Matarazzo, James Lapine, John Kander, Chita Rivera, Danny Burstein, Vicki Lewis, John Billingsley, Georgia Engel, Christian Campbell, Will Swenson, Barrett Foa, Tovah Feldshuh, Randy Harrison, Stephen Flaherty, Julie Brown, Cady Huffman, Audrey Wasilewski, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Barbara Feldon, Shuler Hensley, Reed Birney, Michelle Clunie, Anthony Heald, Seth Rudetsky, Scott Lowell, Donna McKechnie, James Barbour, Telly Leung, Howard McGillin, Brent Barrett, Karen Ziemba, Eden Espinosa, John Cunningham, Daniel Reichard, Annie Funke, Todd Robbins, Tricia Walsh Smith, Charlotte d'Amboise, John McDaniel, John Rando, Kara Lindsay, Chris Barron, JohAnna Day, Carol Woods, Alex Wyse, and Lindsay Nicole Chambers.
Produced by Theater Mogul, Silence! The Musical runs 90 minutes with no intermission. The playing schedule is Fridays at 7 PM and Saturdays at 2 & 7 PM at the Elektra Theatre, 669 Eighth Avenue (at 42nd St.) Tickets are available by calling 212-352-3101 or through www.SilenceTheMusical.com.


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We have a group of intercessory prayer folks who gather each Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to pray for the needs and praises of our congregation and beyond. Please contact Pastor Jeff if you would like to join this special prayer group.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: May 2Men's Bible Study
Later Event: May 2Women's Bible Study


text: John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, producer, and musician. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol. Depp has challenged himself by playing larger-than-life roles, including a supporting role in Oliver Stone's 1986 film Platoon and the title character in the 1990 romantic dark fantasy Edward Scissorhands. ... more on Wikipedia


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Keeping It Legal When Hiring A Nanny
Steering Clear of Legal Traps
Hiring a nanny can be stressful. To ease that stress, THELAW.TV asked business attorney Mark Chatow to explain how to properly hire a nanny. If you follow the advice below, you can steer clear of some of the most common legal traps when bringing a nanny into your family.
By Attorney Mark Chatow
Special to THELAW.TV
Can my nanny be an independent contractor?
Hiring a nanny as an independent contractor may seem like an easy way to avoid payroll taxes and employee wage requirements. But to be properly classified as an independent contractor, rather than as an employee, a nanny must run their own business and have you pay them as a client of that business.
In addition to having a well-structured independent contractor agreement, you will need proof they have their own business license and insurance, and that they're paying payroll taxes. They should also be working with other clients, able to hire assistants or others to help with their work (at their expense), supply their own "tools of the trade," and be engaged with your family on a relatively short-term basis.
Ideally, you'd have a minimum notice requirement of 30 days to terminate the contract. An at-will agreement tends to point towards an employee-employer relationship.
Additionally, under the law, if you train a nanny or tell them how they should perform their duties other than an initial orientation and some general suggestions, they're most likely an employee, not a contractor.
If all of that sounds onerous, you're right. The IRS and government labor agencies are well aware that employers will call employees "contractors" to avoid taxes and wage requirements.
Miscategorizing your nanny as a contractor can open you up to tax liabilities, back pay, and substantial penalties.
What type of employment contract is needed?
If you decide that going the employee route is a better call, you'll want to document the employment relationship with an employment agreement.
The agreement should, at the very least, cover the basics, including the duties to be performed, anticipated work hours, and pay.
Every state other than Montana allows you and your nanny to end your working relationship at will if you have not defined it otherwise. Be cautious when defining contract end dates. Putting anything regarding the length of an employment agreement into the contract can potentially turn the employment from at-will to a fixed period, and set you up for a wrongful termination case down the line.
Hourly pay or salary? What's legal and what's not?
Nannies are categorized as "non-exempt" employees, which means that you'll be required to pay minimum wage, overtime, and provide meal and rest breaks, as required in your state.
Under Federal law, nannies who live outside the home in which they are working are entitled to be paid overtime for any hours beyond 40 hours in a week at 1.5 times their regular hourly wage. Nannies who live in your home are entitled to overtime at their regular hourly wage. Some states, including California, New York, and Maryland, calculate overtime at 1.5 times hourly wage for live-in nannies.
Overtime and minimum wage laws vary from state to state and may be more stringent than federal law. Check the laws for your state.
If you want to pay a flat salary, you should always classify it as an hourly wage plus an overtime wage in your contract with the nanny. For example, if you want a live-out nanny to work from 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, they would be working a total of 50 hours a week: 40 at regular pay and 10 at overtime rates. If their weekly pay was $660, you would classify it as 40 hours at $12 an hour ($480), plus 10 overtime hours at $18 an hour ($180), for a total of $660 a week.
How do you keep track of taxes, nanny information, and hours worked?
To comply with federal law, you must keep a record of 14 different pieces of information on an employee from name and birth date to days and hours worked. The law requires you to keep your summary payroll records for three years and the timesheets on which the records were based for two years. You can find a complete list of what you need to keep track of here: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs21.htm.
You'll also have to track and pay all required payroll taxes. Failure to do so will expose you to liability for back taxes and penalties.
What about benefits?
The requirement to provide benefits to nannies can vary from location to location. In San Francisco, for example, workers must receive 9 paid sick days. If you are already offering paid vacation days, those count towards the requirement. This law applies specifically in the City of San Francisco, but not in adjacent cities, which illustrates how important it is to check with your city, county, and state to find the requirements in your area.
If you do provide vacation days, accrued vacation days are considered wages. They must be paid upon termination and penalties for failure to comply can be significant.
How do I end things?
When it comes time to end a nanny's employment, start preparing as soon you see signs that things are not working out. Document any performance issues in writing, along with proof that you communicated those issues to the nanny. By creating a paper trail, you'll make it easier if you ever need to fight a case for wrongful termination.
Having the nanny sign a release in exchange for a small severance can also help alleviate potential issues. Be aware, however, that an employee cannot waive their rights to wage and hour claims.
The author, Mark Chatow of Chatow Law, practices business law in Newport Beach, California.
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Australia salvage bronze in sevens
Australia have salvaged bronze in the rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games, after defeating Samoa 24-0 in the playoff for third.
It's Australia's third minor medal in sevens competition, but yet again they've missed out on the main prize of gold after going down 19-7 to New Zealand in the semi-final stage.
A despondent James Stannard admitted after the loss to New Zealand, that Australia felt they had fallen short of their goal.
"We're bloody disappointed in that," he said.
"We were only coming here for the gold really."
But Australia managed to put the loss out of their minds quickly enough, coming back two hours later to blank to Samoans.
Despite not going all the way, Australia proved there's plenty of promise for Geraint John's young side looking ahead to the sport's sevens debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
It took two and a half minutes for Australia to touch the ball and six minutes for the 0-0 deadlock to be broken against Samoa.
Australia's top try-scorer for the Games, Greg Jeloudev, bagged a double in the final 60 seconds to set up a 10-0 halftime lead.
Former Sydney Uni flyer Jeloudev, who finished with seven tries for the tournament, put a massive fend on a would-be Samoan defender and showed his blistering pace to race 55 metres and score the opener.
Then some smart work at the breakdown from Wallaby Liam Gill earned a penalty for Australia in the opposition red zone, and James Stannard took advantage of a Samoan player being down injured to give off to Jeloudev to cross in the corner.
Shortly into the second period, a powerhouse run from Sean McMahon paved the way for fellow Super Rugby ring-in Gill to crash over and put the result beyond doubt.
The average age of the team is 23 and Australia illustrated their potential by finishing undefeated in the pool stage and fighting back from 19-0 in their quarter final against Wales to record a resurrection mission for the ages.
After a heartbreaking last-ditch 24-17 loss to New Zealand in the gold medal match in Delhi 2010, Australia were primed for revenge in the semi.
But it wasn't to be.
The game was in the balance at 7-7 with three and a half minutes on the clock thanks to a try to McMahon, but a Scott Curry double at the death secured the win for New Zealand.


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Paris, France, April 3, 2013 – Nanobiotix (Euronext: NANO), the oncology focused nanomedicine company, announces that its CEO and co-founder, Dr. Laurent Levy, has received the UB Entrepreneurship Award at the Annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Reception on March 25 2013 at the University at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo, NY, USA, which he attended as guest of honor.
The award recognizes individuals that have championed a UB technology to create a highly successful company and whose products will have a beneficial impact on the lives of people worldwide.
Commenting on the award, Dr. Levy said: "I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard for Nanobiotix over the past 10 years to develop the NanoXray technology, including those from the University at Buffalo who have provided substantial academic support. This recognition follows a decade of dedicated research and industrial development to realize the vision of a revolutionary nanomedicine technology for the local treatment of cancer, which is now under clinical development."
Nanobiotix is a clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering novel approaches for the local treatment of cancer. The Company, founded in 2003, is based on intellectual property developed by Dr. Levy during his postdoctoral research at UB's Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics approximately 10 years ago. Nanobiotix's first-in-class, proprietary technology, NanoXray, locally enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy inside tumors without increasing the damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Its lead compound, NBTXR3, is currently under clinical development in Europe.
Notes to Editors
About NANOBIOTIX
Nanobiotix (Euronext: NANO / ISIN: FR0011341205) is a clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering novel approaches for the local treatment of cancer. The Company's first-in-class, proprietary technology, NanoXray, enhances radiotherapy energy to provide a new, more efficient treatment for cancer patients. NanoXray products are compatible with current radiotherapy and brachytherapy treatments and are meant to treat a wide variety of cancers via multiple routes of administration. Nanobiotix's lead product NBTXR3, based on NanoXray, is currently under clinical development for soft tissue sarcoma. The Company has partnered with PharmaEngine for clinical development and commercialization of NBTXR3 in Asia. The Company is based in Paris, France.
For more information, please visit www.nanobiotix.com
Issued for an on behalf of Nanobiotix.
To contact the Nanobiotix team at College Hill email firstname.lastname@example.com
Melanie Toyne-SewellManaging Partner