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One of the regular features on this blog will be postings regarding dress codes and etiquette for sporting events in the British Season. We have already commented on The Season in general. This week, we begin our quick insights into each major event with next month's Badminton Horse Trials.
Set in the park of Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the three-day horse trials are an annual event, which began in 1949. The cross-country day at Badminton attracts crowds of about a quarter of a million people, the largest for any paid-entry sporting event in the UK. Although it is said to be 'three-day eventing', the trials actually take place over four. The Thursday and Friday are for dressage; the Saturday for cross-country and the Sunday for show-jumping.
As with many social events in the British season, we at The English Manner start to get many enquires asking us what the correct dress code is for this event, which this year takes place from 7th-10th May.
It is advised that your choice of clothes is 'country' and that sensible shoes are worn. 'Country' does not mean what one would wear to go walking or rambling in the fields, but instead it infers tweeds or rustic fabrics. For those that hope to enjoy the corporate hospitality in the Portcullis Club or company marquees, it is requested that you wear jackets and suitable ties (no novelty ones, please!).
Badminton is known for its stringent rules on dress. The New Zealander Mark Todd rode two-thirds on the 1995 cross-country course on his horse with only one stirrup before getting disqualified at an inspection the next day.
If you are still in any doubt as to what to wear, please do feel free to reply to this blog with any more questions on the event you may have. Alternatively, visit our main website for more information: http://www.theenglishmanner.com


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Assassin's Creed 3: "Following Ezio is going to be a challenge," says Hutchinson
Assassin's Creed 3 contains a less "flamboyant" assassin this time out, and while Connor may be more "straight laced" than Ezio, director Alex Hutchinson feels he's just as cool.
Speaking with OPM, the game's director said no matter which assassin the team chose, following Ezio was going to be a "challenge."
"[Ezio's] so iconic, he's over-the-top, he's funny, he's a juicy character to dig into," said Hutchinson. "We just wanted to create someone who could stand up against the other two Assassins. Yes, [Connor] is a little bit more strait-laced, but it's the story of his whole life. We really hope people get a kick out of him.
"We spent a lot of time working on this Assassin, trying to make someone who was compelling to people and seemed like a cool person to be. The fact that responses have been positive – we've already seen cosplaying and fan art – and people seem to really have adopted him, which was really satisfying.
"When you haven't shown the new guy, you're always worried that people won't embrace him as they did with Ezio before. Overall, just the sheer excitement we've generated on a game that comes out once a year has been so rewarding. It's tough for us. If something comes out once a year, people potentially get tired of it and we work on it every day. Getting people this excited has been really rewarding."
Assassin's Creed 3 is in stores now, as is Liberation, the Vita version of the game starring a the series' first female protagonist.
The game will be released on Wii U November 18 in the US and November 30 in Europe.

subset: commoncrawl


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Day twenty-five: How'd you get your hair like that?
Day twenty-five in the #denverhair series "How'd you get your hair like that?" comes as part two to day twenty-four – or as I previously named it – Plooping Part II.
You may remember curly haired Sarah, from day twenty-four. Sarah's curls are a product of plopping, or, as she thought it was called for too long of a time, plooping.
Sarah demonstrates the step-by-step method of plooping for the curly haired girl in today's interview – a process apparently common to the curly haired community – which explains the fact that I knew nothing of it.
Plooping, or plopping, requires wet hair, a bit of product for the curls and a long-sleeved shirt. I'm told the curls come out more natural and beautiful when the shirt is a favorite, one that generally evokes some feelings of nostalgia.
Sarah keeps the ploop on for anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. When the headdress is removed, her curls are perfectly plopped.
Follow my series here and on Twitter, with @notajappycamper and #denverhair.
Stay tuned for day twenty-six!


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Doors open at 8pm-2am. FREE ADMISSION before 10pm. Both cover charge and the DJ start at 10pm and is $5. The DJ plays a mix of Old School, EDM, Hip Hop and Top 40...guaranteed to get you shaking with a perfect combination of ardent audio, captivating video and cutting edge lasers.
Join us on our open air rooftop pavilion (weather permitting) with ample lounge and seating, a fantastic craft beer selection and a inviting atmosphere. Perfect space for you and yours to gather and enjoy one of Northern Virginia's biggest rooftop areas. CHEERS!


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Get the first week free. Cancel any time. I love watching the market. I love reading about it. I love writing about it. That's why I created this newsletter and why so many people find it valuable.
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Updated September 2019
The Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) has been developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) National Examining Board (NEB) as the fourth step in assessing educational equivalency for purposes of ECFVG or NEB certification, respectively. It is intended to assess the practical clinical veterinary skills of an "entry-level" veterinarian.
The hands-on, performance based CPE is a 3-day, 7-section, clinical skills examination, administered by the faculty of a college of veterinary medicine or other authorized testing institution. The skill and knowledge level expected to receive a passing score on each section of the CPE is that of an entry-level US or Canadian veterinarian (ie, new graduate of an AVMA/Council on Education-accredited veterinary school).
The CPE assesses a subset of the entry-level clinical veterinary skills taught in an AVMA/Council on Education veterinary school. All candidates taking the CPE are encouraged to critically consider whether the education they received is sufficient to provide them with the necessary skill level to perform at a passing level on the CPE. For example, to succeed in the surgery and anesthesia sections of CPE, candidates will need not only to have knowledge about performing surgery and anesthesia, but they should also have experience performing small-animal surgery and anesthesia in an instructional or clinical setting prior to attempting the CPE.
A candidate preparing to take the CPE should have clinical experience and basic animal handling/husbandry skills working with the species used in this exam. Most emphasis is placed on the dog, cat, horse, and cow with a lesser emphasis on goats, sheep, and pigs. Candidates are advised to focus on these species. A candidate lacking in experience working with any of these species should seek this experience before taking the examination.
Although experience gained from reading material and viewing videotapes, DVDs, CDs, PowerPoints, etc, is helpful in preparing for the CPE, the candidate must not consider these to be a substitute for the "hands-on" clinical instructional experience outlined above.
Communication skills and service to clients are a high priority in veterinary practice in the United States and Canada. Throughout the CPE candidates will be expected to communicate clearly and effectively with a client (role played by the examiner) in order to take an accurate history, and to communicate information to the client including clinical findings, diagnostic plans, test results and interpretation, therapeutic options, and prognosis. Other sections will require the candidate to explain findings to the examiner directly. Lack of adequate entry-level communication skills in English (or French at the Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe for NEB purposes only) will negatively impact a candidate's performance on the CPE.
Although only well-prepared candidates will be able to pass the CPE, no candidate is expected to obtain a perfect score on the seven sections of the CPE. However, in the opinion of the ECFVG and NEB, every candidate should have considerable familiarity and entry-level experience with the skills and knowledge to be assessed in each section of the CPE.
All ECFVG candidates are strongly encouraged to read this entire Candidate Bulletin, which is designed to ensure complete familiarity with application and scheduling procedures (including accommodation requests), examination fees, security and test behavior expectations, and score reporting for the CPE. If questions remain after reading the Candidate Bulletin in its entirety, please contact the ECFVG Testing Coordinator at ECFVG or 800-248-2862, ext 6682.
In addition, policy and schedule changes impacting candidates taking the CPE may occur at any time. It is the candidate's responsibility to monitor the ECFVG Web site for information about ECFVG program policies and changes.
The seven sections of the CPE include: anesthesia (canine), equine practice, food animal practice, necropsy, radiographic positioning (small animal), small animal medicine, and surgery (canine ovariohysterectomy). The CPE Manual of Administration (MOA) describes specific sections and skills to be assessed and serves as the guide for administering the CPE to all candidates. All sites offering the CPE must adhere to the standards set forth in the MOA and two other quality assurance documents (Appendix 1 and Appendix 2).
ECFVG candidates have access to the current MOA online. The MOA is updated on a yearly basis and it is the candidates' responsibility to ensure that they have the most up-to-date MOA. Candidates are urged to carefully read this MOA and understand the skill requirements of the CPE prior to completing their CPE application. After having done this, each candidate will be able to critically self-assess his/her competencies to determine those areas of weakness that require further training/education. If further training/education is required, the support and expertise of a veterinary mentor is strongly recommended prior to scheduling and attempting the CPE.
The CPE is a test of "entry-level skills." Therefore, cases/conditions selected for inclusion on the examination should be common conditions with which the new graduate of an AVMA-accredited school should be familiar. The ECFVG maintains an example list of common diagnoses, however, candidates must realize that this list is not exhaustive and that there is no requirement that the CPE be limited to the diagnoses and conditions on this list.
The ECFVG administers the CPE in cooperation with approved sites. The approval process, which is rigorous and ongoing, is outlined in Appendix 2.
In 2019, the following two sites will administer the CPE for the AVMA/ECFVG:
Candidates who complete any portion of their clinical education (pre- or post-graduation) at an AVMA-accredited veterinary college cannot take the CPE administered at that college. Candidates are not permitted to take examinations at the same site which they were a resident or an intern, or an employee or former employee of that site or school/college.
Candidates may take the CPE at a site at which they took Continuing Education (CE) courses, provided that candidates are not tested by the same individual(s) who provided the training. Also, training must have taken place at least six months prior to examination at same site.
The CPE is administered multiple times each year, at one or more of the above sites. All sites administer retake sections as well, although not all sections are offered as retakes by all sites.
After a candidate's CPE application is processed and a testing date is assigned, the candidate will receive a confirmation letter, which will contain information (eg, test site and date(s), nearby airport/driving directions, and lodging information) to allow the candidate to make travel arrangements. Expenses related to travelling to, and staying at, the CPE site are the responsibility of the candidate. Approximately two weeks prior to the assigned CPE date(s), CPE site personnel will send the candidate more detailed information regarding his/her on-site examination schedule.
The ECFVG certification program includes the following four steps:
Candidates must recognize that enrollment into the ECFVG program does not automatically result in application for the CPE. To be eligible to apply for the CPE (ECFVG Step 4), a candidate must first register in the certification program and complete ECFVG Step 1 (verification of graduation); complete ECFVG Step 2 (English language assessment); and complete ECFVG Step 3 (BCSE; assessment of basic and clinical sciences knowledge). Please note that Step 1 is considered complete only after the ECFVG office has received and accepted the "certification of graduation" form from the candidate's veterinary college administration as well as appropriate copies of the candidate's veterinary college diploma and final transcripts.
In addition, candidates who enroll into the ECFVG program on or after July 1, 2014, must submit validated Surgical Experience Documentation forms as proof of having performed, in the five-year period prior to date of CPE, at least one (1) ovariohysterectomy as the primary surgeon and at least five (5) additional surgical procedures as either the primary or the assistant surgeon. The 5 additional procedures may be ovariohysterectomies or other surgical procedures, but each documented surgery should involve all elements of an aseptic surgical procedure, including gowning & gloving, draping of the patient, and use of sterile instrumentation. Validation of surgery experience can be provided by one or more veterinarians licensed to practice veterinary medicine in any international jurisdiction. Please note that, candidates who enrolled into the ECFVG program on or after July 1, 2014, will be eligible to register for the full CPE only when the required documentation is received in its entirety in the ECFVG office and processed by ECFVG staff. The ECFVG reserves the right to verify the documents received. Candidates are reminded that falsification of documents would be a violation of the Rules of Conduct and can resolve in disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal from the program. Candidates who successfully fulfill this eligibility requirement will be notified of their Step 4 eligibility by e-mail and will be able to register and apply for CPE through ECFVG Online.
This CPE eligibility requirement does not apply to candidates enrolled in the ECFVG program prior to July 1, 2014. However, the ECFVG strongly recommends that all candidates have the experience described above prior to attempting the surgical section of the CPE.
All fees for the CPE are non-refundable and non-transferable. Currently, the entire CPE fee is forwarded to the site administering the CPE to defray costs associated with the examination. Beginning on January 1, 2017, a $200 administrative fee will be collected to defray costs associated with examination scheduling and administration. In addition for CPE's conducted after July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, the CPE fee will increase by $200, respectively. After January 1, 2019 and 2020, the CPE fee will increase by $215; respectively.
For CPEs administered from 2019 - 2020, the following full CPE expense structure will apply:
The following payment schedule for the full CPE applies:
The final balance must be sent (post-marked) to the AVMA/ECFVG no later than 60 days prior to the scheduled exam. Final payment must be in the form of a cashier's check or money order made payable to the AVMA. Failure to pay this balance by the required deadline will result in forfeiture of all fees and loss of the reserved examination space.
PLEASE NOTE: CPE fees and adminstrative fees (full or retake) cannot be refunded if the candidate fails to receive a visa or other required travel documentation to allow travel to the CPE site. Candidates are responsible for ensuring all documents permitting travel are in place prior to submitting any non-refundable/non-transferable fee. Please also make sure all other CPE policies both in this Bulletin (eg, rescheduling) and in the ECFVG Policies and Procedures Manual (eg, Canadian NEB) are understood before requesting or submitting a CPE application, because all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please contact the Testing Coordinator (ECFVG; 800-248-2862, ext 6682) if you have any questions regarding these policies.
CPE- eligible candidates must complete the CPE application through ECFVG Online and submit the appropriate fee (as indicated in the Fees for the Full CPE section of this Bulletin) by credit card at the end of the application or in the form of a cashier's check or money order (non-refundable/non-transferable) payable to the AVMA. Candidates requesting testing accommodations must indicate this on the application and also submit the CPE Test Accommodation Request Form at this time (please refer to Appendix 3 of this Bulletin for complete information regarding accommodations requests).
PLEASE NOTE: candidates who complete any portion of their clinical education (pre- or post-graduation) at an AVMA-accredited veterinary college cannot take the CPE administered at that college. Candidates are not permitted to take examinations at the same site which they were a resident or an intern, or an employee or former employee of that site or school/college.
Candidates have access to the current CPE Manual of Administration (MOA) online. The MOA provides candidates with detailed information regarding skills to be assessed during the CPE. Candidates are urged to carefully read the MOA and understand the skill requirements of the CPE. After having done this, each candidate will be able to critically self-assess his/her competencies to determine those areas of weakness that require further training/education. If further training/education is required, the support and expertise of a veterinary mentor is strongly recommended prior to scheduling and attempting the CPE.
After the candidate's application is processed, a confirmation letter will be sent via e-mail, confirming the date and location of the scheduled CPE. Examination dates are assigned on a first-come/first-serve basis.
PLEASE NOTE: CPE fees and adminstrative fees cannot be refunded if you fail to receive a visa or other required travel documentation to allow travel to the CPE site. Make sure all documents permitting travel are in place prior to submitting your non-refundable/non-transferable fees. Please also make sure all other CPE policies both in this Bulletin (eg, rescheduling) and in the ECFVG Policies and Procedures Manual (eg, Canadian NEB) are understood before requesting or submitting a CPE application, because all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please contact the Testing Coordinator (ECFVG; 800-248-2862, ext 6682) if you have any questions regarding these policies.
For each of the seven sections of the examination, specific grading rubrics are published in the CPE Manual of Administration (MOA).
The MOA specifies the knowledge and technical skills (globally referred to as clinical proficiency skills) that will be asked during the examination. Examiners will assess each candidate's knowledge and technical skills by direct observation, and in some cases, will assess their written descriptions of findings or conclusions.
The term "efficiency" is an element in some of the assessments. Efficiency is a component of competency. Candidates are to be assessed on their timeliness and effective use of resources to complete a procedure. A candidate who, in the judgment of the examiner, requires an unreasonable amount of time to the extent that the outcome of the procedure is jeopardized will be penalized. The penalty for this type of assistance will be reflected in the number of points assigned to the particular clinical skill. A candidate who cannot complete a skill or set of skills in the maximum time allowed will be penalized and may receive no points for a given station or section.
Communication skills and service to clients form a high priority in veterinary practice in the United States. Throughout the CPE, there are frequent requirements of the candidate to communicate with a client (role-played by the examiner). This occurs most often during history taking and communicating a clinical message to a client. Throughout the CPE the candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to take a history from a client by asking appropriate questions. Lack of adequate entry-level communication skills in English will negatively impact a candidate's performance on the CPE.
Further, if a candidate compromises his/her personal safety or the safety of personnel while working around animals during the course of the CPE (eg, too close to the rear legs of a horse), the examiner will intervene, may terminate the procedure and will assign a penalty that will be reflected in the number of points assigned to the particular skill. The section may also be scored as unsatisfactory (fail) depending on the nature of the safety violation(s).
The examiner will also assist an animal and terminate the section if a candidate by an act of omission or commission puts an animal into an inhumane or life-threatening situation and the situation is not corrected by the candidate. The section will be scored as unsatisfactory (fail) regardless of the score accumulated at the point of termination.
The skill level to pass each section of the CPE is that expected of a minimally competent new graduate of an AVMA/Council on Education-accredited veterinary school. This passing standard corresponds with a minimum score of 60 points (out of a total of 100) for all sections except anesthesia and surgery, both of which are scored as "pass" (at least minimally competent) or "fail." A score of 60 points or greater or a "pass" in each of the 7 sections of the CPE is required in order to pass the entire examination.
Score reports (stating pass or fail only for each section) will be reported by the ECFVG via e-mail and through ECFVG Online. Scores will be released no more than twenty (20) business days following the final day of any given CPE administration. Scores CANNOT be released via fax or telephone. To ensure timeliness in delivery of score reports, it is essential that candidates update contact information immediately through ECFVG Online or by e-mailing or faxing the ECFVG office (ECFVG; 847-285-5732).
An unsuccessful candidate may request an extended but standardized score report of failed section(s) from the office of administration (ie, ECFVG or NEB offices). The report will identify major areas in which the candidate has demonstrated a deficit of knowledge and/or technical proficiency. As such, the purpose of the report is to aid that candidate in preparation for a career in veterinary medicine rather than helping the candidate pass a limited number of skills on the CPE. Requests for extended score reports must be received within two weeks (14 days) of distribution of the candidate's CPE score report. Candidates intending to file an appeal of a failing score must request an extended score report within 14 days of the score notification and before initiating the ECFVG Appeal Process. ECFVG candidates must request the extended score report via E-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com. The extended score report will then be returned to the candidate via E-mail within 10-15 business days of receipt of the request. Candidates may only request extended score reports from the ECFVG office (or the NEB office for CPEs administered in Canada) and are prohibited from asking examiners for feedback or for more details of their failure during or after completion of the CPE.
A candidate with a "fail" in four or more sections of the examination must retake the entire examination by repeating the application process for the full CPE and paying all associated CPE fees and adminstrative fees (no additional QAP fees will be required for all candidates including those candidates who initially enrolled into the ECFVG program prior to January 1, 2006).
A candidate with a "fail" in one, two, or three sections is allowed two additional opportunities to retake and successfully pass the failed sections as long as the candidate applies for retakes within six months of each failure and accepts one of the first available retakes offered. Failure to successfully pass the retake sections within these two attempts or failure to accept one of the first available retakes will necessitate the candidate retaking the entire CPE.
For retakes administered the following retake expense structure will apply:
2019 administrations: $1,450 (USD) per section ($1,400 CPE Application fee + $50 Adminstrative fee)
Other than the adminstrative fee, all retake fees are forwarded to the CPE site administering the retake sections to defray costs associated with the examination. All fees to retake failed sections of the CPE are also non-refundable and non-transferable.
PLEASE NOTE: CPE fees and adminstrative fees cannot be refunded if you fail to receive a visa or other required travel documentation to allow travel to the CPE site. Please also make sure all other CPE policies both in this Bulletin (eg, rescheduling) and in the ECFVG Policies and Procedures Manual (eg, Canadian NEB) are understood before requesting or submitting a CPE application, because all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please contact the Testing Coordinator (ECFVG; 800-248-2862, ext 6682) if you have any questions regarding these policies.
Candidates retaking one or more sections must complete the CPE retake application through ECFVG Online and submit a total payment of $1,450 per section (non-refundable/non-transferable) by credit card at the end of the online application or in the form of a cashier's check or money order made payable to AVMA.
PLEASE NOTE: CPE fees and adminstrative fees cannot be refunded if you fail to receive a visa or other required travel documentation to allow travel to the CPE site. Make sure all documents permitting travel are in place prior to submitting your non-refundable/non-transferable fees. Please also make sure all other CPE policies both in this Bulletin (eg, rescheduling) and in the ECFVG Policies and Procedures Manual (eg, Canadian NEB) are understood before requesting or submitting a CPE application, because all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please contact the Testing Coordinator (ECFVG; 800-248-2862, ext 6682) if you have any questions regarding these policies.
Candidate who request to reschedule a confirmed CPE date (full or retake sections) in the event of emergencies and unforeseen situations (such as a medical condition pertaining to the candidate or a death in the immediate family) may do so without expectation of a refund. All fees are non-refundable. If given sufficient notice, the ECFVG will try to fill that vacated CPE date. Only if the vacated CPE date is filled by another paid candidate, the original candidate's fees will be transferred to his/her rescheduled CPE date. Requests to reschedule a confirmed CPE date must be submitted as soon as possible in writing to the ECFVG Testing Coordinator at firstname.lastname@example.com. However, fees will not be refunded and may only be transferred if the ECFVG will succeed in finding another candidate to fill the vacated CPE dates.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws, the AVMA/ ECFVG provides equal opportunities for access to programs and services for individuals with documented disabilities. Completed accommodation requests with all necessary documentation must be submitted immediately following the completion of the CPE application and must provide the ECFVG with sufficient time (at least 90 days before the first day of the preferred CPE administration) to review the accommodation request and reach a decision. CPE Accommodations Request Form
The ECFVG Policy on Testing Accommodations (see Appendix 3 in this Candidate Bulletin) provides individuals, schools, professional diagnosticians, and service providers with information regarding how to document a disability and a related need for accommodations for candidates for the CPE. The information and documentation submitted should be as comprehensive as possible in order to allow the ECFVG to make an informed decision on the accommodation request and to avoid time delays in the decision-making process.
The ECFVG has established Rules of Conduct to govern administration of the CPE to ensure that no examinee or group of examinees receives unfair advantage on the examination, inadvertently or otherwise.
If there is a reason to believe that the integrity of the examination process is jeopardized, the ECFVG may invalidate all or any part of a CPE administration. If information indicates that continued testing would jeopardize the security of examination materials or the integrity of scores, the ECFVG reserves the right to suspend or cancel any CPE administration.
CPE site team members (ie, coordinators, examiners, technicians, and assistants) monitor all sections of the CPE. If CPE site team members observe a candidate violating the Rules of Conduct or engaging in other forms of irregular behavior during a CPE, the team members will not necessarily advise the candidate at the time of the examination, but shall report such incidents to the ECFVG. Each report shall be fully investigated.
By applying to take the CPE, a candidate agrees to the following Rules of Conduct:
Unless specifically authorized, candidates may not bring personal belongings into secure testing areas of the CPE site. Failure to follow these rules shall constitute a violation of the Rules of Conduct for the administration of the CPE and may lead to adverse action regarding a candidate's examination. For the CPE, candidates should understand that the entire testing session over the 3 -day testing period, including all breaks, is considered a closed and secure testing session, and that the entire CPE site, including any on-site lunch room, break rooms, and restrooms, is a secure testing area. Therefore the rules regarding unauthorized possession during the CPE extend to lunch, if lunch is provided on site, and all breaks.
For the CPE, unauthorized personal belongings include, but are not limited to:
If candidates bring any personal belongings to the CPE site, they must store them in a designated locker or storage cubicle or other designated area as directed by the CPE site team. All stored mechanical or electronic devices must be turned off. Upon reasonable suspicion, a candidate's personal belongings and their contents may be inspected. Any materials that reasonably appear to be reproductions of any case material specific for the CPE administration in which a candidate is participating will be confiscated. Making notes of any kind during the CPE, except on the materials provided by the CPE site for this purpose, is not permitted. If candidates have any questions regarding the appropriateness of personal belongings to be brought into the CPE site, contact the ECFVG or a CPE site team member prior to admission.
Admission to the CPE—When candidates arrive at the CPE site for orientation and check in, they must present a photo ID with signature. Acceptable forms of identification include the following forms of unexpired identification:
The identification must contain both the candidate's signature and photograph. If a candidate does not bring acceptable identification, he/she will not be admitted to the CPE. In that event, the candidate will be required to reschedule the CPE in accordance with current ECFVG policy. The candidate's name as it appears on his/her CPE application must match the name on the form(s) of identification exactly. If a candidate's name listed on his/her CPE application is not correct, contact the ECFVG office immediately at ECFVG, or by phone at 800-248-2862, ext 6682 or 6778.
Test Centers and Testing Conditions—The time and location for arrival at the CPE site for orientation and check in will be sent to each candidate by e-mail prior to the administration of the examination. If a candidate arrives late, he/she will not be admitted, and will have to reschedule the test date in accordance with current ECFVG policy.
At the time of check-in, candidates will be required to present unexpired identification. Prior to beginning each day of the examination, candidates will be directed to a small storage cubicle or locker or other designated area in which they must place personal belongings. These cubicles may not be secure, so do not bring valuables.
In addition, candidates should please note the following:
Once candidates enter the secure testing area of the CPE site, they may not leave that area until directed to do so by a member of the CPE site team. Breaks, including a lunch break, are provided. CPE site team members will direct candidates to any on-site break and lunch rooms. Candidates may not discuss the cases with fellow examinees at any time, and conversation among examinees in any language other than English is prohibited at all times. CPE site team members will monitor all examinee activity. See "Irregular Behavior" below.
CPE site team members are not authorized to answer questions from examinees regarding examination content or scoring.
Should a candidate wish to file a concern regarding the CPE testing experience, he/she may do so at the site on the test day(s). If a candidate does not file a report at the site, he/she must notify the ECFVG office in writing within three weeks of the final day of the administration of the CPE. Concerns that are reported in this way will be investigated in accordance with the current ECFVG Complaints Procedure.
NOTE: Visitors as approved by the ECFVG, may, on some occasions, be observing a CPE in progress. Other than site evaluators, they will be given no information regarding examinee identity or performance and will have no interaction with examinees.
Irregular Behavior—Irregular behavior consists of any action by CPE candidates or others that subverts or attempts to subvert the examination process, including, without limitation:
NOTE: Talking to another examinee during the examination may be reported as evidence of giving, receiving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance.
If a candidate is determined to have failed to abide by the Rules of Conduct of the ECFVG or otherwise to have engaged in any form of irregular behavior, the ECFVG may terminate the candidate's participation in an examination, invalidate the results of an examination, withhold or revoke the candidate's scores or certification, bar the candidate's participation in future examinations, and/or take other appropriate adverse action. In addition, such determination shall become part of the candidate's permanent ECFVG record and the fact of such determination may be provided to third parties that receive or have received verification of ECFVG status. Such information may also be provided to other legitimately interested entities.
Candidates also should understand that the ECFVG may or may not require a candidate to retake one or more portions of the ECFVG if presented with sufficient evidence that the security of the examination has been compromised, notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of a candidate's personal involvement in such activities.
Appeal Process-Candidates determined to have violated the Rules or Conduct or otherwise engaged in irregular behavior may appeal the decision by following the current ECFVG Appeal Procedure.
The ECFVG reserves the sole right to determine whether or not an examination is valid or invalid. The acceptance of a candidate's application to take the examination, the scoring thereof, or the release of said examination results to any party shall not act in any way to amend the right of the ECFVG to determine whether such examinations or the scores achieved thereon are valid or invalid in whole or in part. A determination that an examination and the scores achieved thereon are invalid may be made at any time by the ECFVG. The ECFVG also reserves the right to cancel any scores that may already have been reported when subsequent information raises doubt of their validity.
Occasionally testing irregularities occur that affect a group of test takers. Such problems include, without limitation, administrative errors, defective equipment or materials, improper access to test content and/or the unauthorized general availability of test content, as well as other disruptions of test administrations. When group testing irregularities occur, the CPE site will provide information to the ECFVG. Based on this information, the ECFVG will determine what, if any, action needed to be taken. Affected test takers will be notified of the reasons for the invalidation and their options for retaking the examination. Please note, the ECFVG Appeal Procedure does not apply to group testing irregularities.
In no case shall the AVMA or ECFVG be liable to any test taker or group of test takers, either in contract or tort, for cancelling, invalidating, withholding, or changing a test score or result, as provided in this Bulletin. When appropriate, the ECFVG, at its discretion, may provide affected test takers with an opportunity to retake an examination or provide a refund of the testing fee paid.
Should a candidate wish to file an appeal regarding a failing score on one or more sections of the CPE after requesting and receiving an extended score report for his/her performance on the examination, he/she may file a Petition for Reconsideration of the adverse decision by following the ECFVG Appeal Procedure. Appeals submitted without a prior request for an extended score report will not be considered by the ECFVG.
Complaints: Should a candidate wish to file a concern regarding the CPE testing experience, he/she may do so by notifying the ECFVG office in writing within three weeks of the candidate's test date. Concerns that are reported in this way will be investigated in accordance with the current ECFVG Complaints Procedure.
Should you have questions, please use the following contact information:
He/she is a graduate of that school/college.*
He/she has participated in a clinical training program at that site or school/college.*
He/she is an employee or former employee of that site or school/college.*
ANIMAL REQUIREMENTSIt is imperative that the CPE site provide for humane care and treatment of animals. In order to assure proper care and treatment, the following are required:
Acceptable sources of live and necropsy animals and bovine fetuses may include the following:
Examinations centered on real, or simulated, cases with the use of live animals provides the ability to assess a candidates skills beyond what can be assessed through traditional test methods. However, the use of animals provides a dynamic variable to an otherwise standardized test situation. To ensure that candidates are tested and assessed as accurately as possible and to improve the defensibility of the examination in the face of appeals, the ECFVG strongly recommends that best test practices for the use of live animals include confirmation of signs consistent with the tested diagnosis on the day of examination – when using animals repeatedly over multiple examinations, examiners should recognize that signs may change over time. For example, a horse with navicular disease that is predominantly lame on the LF when originally examined and used for the CPE may be predominantly lame on the RF at a subsequent CPE date. Therefore, it is recommended that examiners examine animals on the date of use for the CPE and document physical exam findings rather than relying on historical findings for that animal.All weights provided for animals used in the CPE will be given in kilograms (kg).
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTSPersonnel utilized for administration and scoring of the CPE must possess demonstrated expertise to test entry-level clinical skills of veterinary graduates. The site and section coordinators and examiners must possess well-founded knowledge of the list of common conditions/diseases and pharmaceuticals/biologicals as they pertain to the practice of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada. Site coordinators should take precautions to ensure that potential ECFVG applicants are not utilized to deliver the examination. In order to assure adequate personnel, the following minimum standards are required:
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENTThe facilities and equipment used in the CPE should meet contemporary practice standards for the US and/or Canada. Facilities refer to structures and equipment refers to movable items used to practice clinical veterinary medicine. CPE sites are expected to comply with the following:
All CPE sites (existing or new) must agree to be monitored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the National Examining Board (NEB) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
TO ESTABLISH AN EXAMINATION SITEAll those interested in establishing a CPE site must provide the ECFVG or the NEB with a comprehensive proposal outlining how the site meets the requirements set forth in the CPE Manual of Administration, and address all items in the Requirements for Sites Providing the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE).
The chair of the ECFVG or NEB appoints a three-member committee as noted below, to assess the proposal:
Based on the criteria contained in the Requirements for Sites Providing the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE), the committee analyzes the proposal and makes a recommendation to the ECFVG or NEB to approve or disapprove the proposal. If the proposal is approved, the ECFVG or NEB authorizes a "pre-exam" site visit. If the proposal is disapproved, the vendor is notified of the rejection in writing and given the reasons for the disapproval. The vendor is informed that another proposal is welcome if the deficiencies are addressed. The vendor may appeal, through the original process, the decision to disapprove the proposal to the ECFVG or NEB.
SITE QUALITY ASSURANCEThe CPE Manual of Administration provides a detailed outline of the CPE and the requirements for administering the examination. However, the sites require standardization, particularly related to administration of the examination and evaluation of the candidates. Therefore, the following steps have been designed to assist sites in establishing a quality assurance program.
Pre-Exam Site VisitA site visit must be conducted before administration of the first examination to ensure that the resources described in the proposal are present and meet the expected standards.
The site visit is conducted by a CPE site consultant (preferably the same individual who evaluated the original proposal) who shall be appointed by the ECFVG or NEB.
All facilities and equipment must be in place. The animal resources plan must be established, although animals may not be on the premise at the time of the site visit. The site coordinator must meet with the site consultant to assure the qualification of all CPE personnel concerning knowledge of entry-level veterinary practice, communication skills, level of understanding of the CPE Manual of Administration, conveyance of professionalism, comprehension of the evaluation process, and understanding of the resources necessary to provide the CPE.
The pre-examination site consultant provides a written report of findings to the ECFVG or NEB.
Possible Outcomes of the Site Visit
Final approval or denial of the site is made by the ECFVG or NEB.
The proposed site may not administer the CPE without final approval of the ECFVG or NEB and may schedule only one examination after approval is granted.
Oversight of the First ExaminationA site consultant must be present during administration of the first CPE to assist the site in understanding all factors involved in the examination.
The site consultant ensures that:
Decision Process Resulting from the First Administration of the CPEThe site consultant will complete an evaluation list for that site and the results will be reported in writing to the ECFVG or NEB. Based upon the analysis of the report, the ECFVG or NEB may:
Periodic MonitoringAll existing and new CPE sites are monitored on an ongoing basis. Monitoring consists of providing the ECFVG or NEB with a written report regarding each examination and the outcomes and periodic site visits. The ECFVG will give 2 months' notice for a site evaluation, but reserves the right to do an unannounced visit.
No more than thirty (30) days following the last day of each examination, ECFVG-approved CPE sites are required to report specific information for each section of the CPE on an Excel spreadsheet provided by the ECFVG office. These "after-exam reports" must be submitted to the ECFVG office in an electronic format. The use of the after-exam reports will allow the ECFVG to monitor at least three consecutive examinations at each site to ensure all sites are complying with clinical case and other requirements specified in the Manual of Administration.
Each ECFVG member will be assigned a CPE site and will serve as the reviewer of that site during his/her tenure on the ECFVG. The ECFVG will accept, reject for cause, or receive reports of CPEs administered at each of its meetings, and will communicate with the sites immediately following each meeting. The NEB will monitor its approved CPE sites in a manner determined by the NEB.
Every two years, or every 120 full-exam candidates, or as determined by monitoring of the after-exam reports, a site consultant, appointed by the ECFVG Chair, will visit ECFVG-approved sites during a CPE and evaluate the examination process. A written report will be submitted by the site consultant to the ECFVG, which will evaluate the report in relationship to the CPE Manual of Administration. The ECFVG will make a decision on ongoing approval of the site to continue administering the CPE and will provide its decision, in writing, to the site, together with required or recommended actions for improvements. The NEB will conduct on-site evaluations of its approved CPE sites in a manner determined by the NEB.
Travel expenses and a consultant fee for the periodic monitoring is funded by the CPE or ECFVG Quality Assurance Program (QAP) for ECFVG-approved sites and the NEB for NEB-approved sites.
Introduction—The AVMA/ Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) provides equal access to programs and services for individuals with documented disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations. The ECFVG Policy on Testing Accommodations provides individuals, schools, professional diagnosticians, and service providers with information regarding how to document a disability and a related need for accommodations for candidates for the ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE). The candidate is still required to have and demonstrate the skills and knowledge of veterinary medicine. Reasonable accommodations do not alter or change the skills and knowledge that must be demonstrated or examination as a fundamental method of assessing the requisite skill and knowledge.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) define a person with a disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, or learning. The candidate has the responsibility to demonstrate a qualifying disability. The more comprehensive the information provided especially regarding the disability and related functional limitation as supported by qualified professionals, the better ECFVG with its consultants can make a decision regarding the need for and appropriate accommodation to be provided. Accommodations "match up" with the identified functional limitation so that the area of impairment is mitigated by an auxiliary aid or adjustment to the testing procedure. For example, a functional limitation might be an inability to hear within normal limits. An appropriate accommodation might be use of an amplified stethoscope. It is essential that the documentation submitted with an accommodations request provide a clear explanation of the functional impairment and a rationale for the requested accommodation.
The determination of a disability by ECFVG is an individualized inquiry and will be made on a case-by-case basis, per individual and per examination administration. ECFVG reserves the right to make final judgment regarding testing accommodations. If your request for testing accommodation is denied you will be entitled to take the examination at the time originally scheduled or at another test date acceptable to you and ECFVG.
As noted in the CPE Manual of Administration, the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) is a hands-on examination of entry-level educational clinical skills and judgments designed for graduates of non-AVMA/Council on Education (COE)-accredited veterinary colleges. The CPE is intended to assess the practical clinical veterinary skills of an "entry-level" veterinarian (ie, a new graduate of an AVMA/COE-accredited school). The CPE Manual of Administration lists the specific clinical proficiency skills measured by each section of the examination.
The reasonable accommodations that may be provided for the CPE will be considered on a section-by-section basis. Because of the different clinical skills measured by the different sections, accommodations may be provided for some sections but not for others. In no case will accommodations be provided that would compromise any examination section's ability to test accurately the skills and knowledge it purports to measure. Similarly, no auxiliary aid or service will be provided that will fundamentally alter any section of the examination.
As part of the measurement of clinical "efficiency," candidates are assessed on their timely and effective use of resources to complete a procedure. Efficiency is a component of competency. Therefore, an accommodation of additional testing time will not be provided for those sections that assess efficiency. Similarly, no accommodations, including additional testing time, will be provided where the safety and welfare of an animal may be compromised.
Candidates Who Require Additional Break Time - Candidates with physical or health conditions, such as lactation (to express breast milk) and diabetes (to monitor/treat blood glucose), may apply for additional break time.
Confidentiality—Except where necessary to make a determination of appropriate accommodations, the ECFVG does not disclose names of applicants with disabilities or information concerning the application or accompanying documentation. In that event, such information shall be disclosed only to outside experts and other consultants, who are required to maintain confidentiality. Entities receiving verification of certification are not advised of any accommodations provided to the subject candidate.
When to Request Test Accommodations for the CPE—After being notified of eligibility and submission of the on line CPE application the completed CPE Test Accommodation Request Form (available on line) must immediately be submitted to the ECFVG office. Appropriate documentation of the disabling condition and need for accommodations must accompany the CPE Test Accommodation Request Form. In order to facilitate processing and to avoid delay, the ECFVG encourages applicants to provide detailed and complete responses to the request for test accommodations and accompanying documentation.
How to Request Test Accommodations for the CPE—All requests for ADA accommodations must be in writing for each accommodation. Accommodation requests by a third party (such as an evaluator or veterinary school) cannot be honored. Candidates should read and comply with the following seven steps to request accommodations:
General Guidelines for Documenting Disabilities—When requesting a testing accommodation based on an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities submit the following documentation from your testing professional:
Guidelines for Documenting Learning Disabilities—When submitting a request for accommodations based specifically on a learning disability or cognitive impairment the following documentation is needed.
Guidelines for Documenting Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—When submitting a request for accommodations based specifically on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), provide the following additional information:
Appeal:Adverse Decision_A candidate dissatisfied with a decision not to provide an accommodation or with the accommodation approved may appeal the decision pursuant to the following ECFVG appeal process:


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<- Go Back to Craftsbury Calendar of Events
CrossFit in the Activity Center Gym at 4:30pm taught by Nick Petterssen and Cady Hart of The Confluence in Montpelier. This program is open to all levels and available to Craftsbury Members for $5/session. Not a member? Find full details. Craftsbury houseguests are also welcome to attend these classes at no cost.


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Baseball Pitcher & Player of the Week ? No. 8
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Aaron Conyers of York (Neb.) has been named the NAIA National Baseball Pitcher of the Week and Brett Kauten of Lubbock Christian (Texas) has been tabbed National Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Conyers and Kauten, who are the final weekly award winners for the 2013 season, were selected based on their performances from April 22 – 28 and were chosen out of a pool of conference/independent/unaffiliated group winners.
Conyers, a native of Cameron Park, Calif., led the Panthers to a 10-0 victory in game two of a doubleheader against Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Central Baptist (Ark.) April 26. The junior lefthander tossed a complete game no-hitter that included 12 strikeouts. Conyers allowed one runner in the game on an error in the second inning, however a double play three pitches later and a strikeout kept the no hitter intact.
Conyers owns six complete games this season en route to a 7-2 record and 2.73 earned run average. He leads the squad with 66 innings pitched and 67 strikeouts.
Kauten, a junior outfielder, was a catalyst for the Lubbock Christian offense in its final regular season series against Wayland Baptist (Texas) April 25 – 27. The Shelby Township, Mich., native hit .571 (8-for-14) with 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, four home runs, three walks, three steals and a triple.
In game three of the four game series, Kauten was 4-for-5 with three home runs and a triple en route to a season-high nine RBI, which is one RBI shy of tying the Lubbock Christian single-game record. His home run performance included his first grand slam of the season in the top of the third. Kauten had a hit and at least two runs scored in each of the four games.
Kauten leads the NAIA with 17 home runs this season, while also ranking in the top 10 in slugging percentage (.753), total bases (122), RBI (54) and runs scored (56). His .340 batting average ranks fifth on the team (minimum 100 at-bats). Kauten is the second Lubbock Christian student-athlete to claim Player of the Week honors this season.
For a complete listing of all the national statistical leaders, click here.
For the complete Player/Pitcher of the Week calendar, click here.
Pitcher Nominees: Rodney Mckay, Tougaloo (Miss.); Kevin Maloney, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Danny Sullivan, Davenport (Mich.); Taylor Luna, Taylor (Ind.); Zack Brewer, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Evan Taylor, Viterbo (Wis.); Matt Lambert, Tabor (Kan.); Matt Robertson, Campbellsville (Ky.); Shane Henderson, Oklahoma City; Brandon Stennis, Doane (Neb.); Ethan Gibbons, Missouri Baptist; Jake Fabre, William Carey (Miss.); Ethan Fleenor, Milligan (Tenn.); Manny Perdomo, Point Park (Pa.); Drew Grewie, Central Methodist (Mo.); Scott Vachon, Saint Xavier (Ill.); Sean Callegari, British Columbia; A. J. Work, The Master's (Calif.).
Player Nominees: Sergio Sanchez, Faulkner (Ala.); Clayton Brandt, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Dustin Porter, Tougaloo (Miss.); Kyle Chastain, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Austin York, Taylor (Ind.); Michael Lukkason, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Nick Flanagan, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Marc Culmer, West Virginia Tech; Matt Rosenberger, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Nico Moreno, Jamestown (N.D.); Elliot Drain, Aquinas (Mich.); Manuel Ozoria, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Daniel Schneider, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Pier Olivier-Dostaler, Missouri Baptist; Brian Embery, Bellevue (Neb.); Andrew Miller, Friends (Kan.); Tom Birko, Point Park (Pa.); Grant Zawadzki, Bryan (Tenn.); Bobby Joe Tannehill, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho); Tyson Popoff, British Columbia; Taylor Eichhorst, San Diego Christian (Calif.).
2013 Composite Award Winners (Pitcher; Player)
Week 1 (March 12): Jeremy Gooding, Madonna (Mich.); Nerio Barreto, Talladega (Ala.)
Week 2 (March 19): Elliott Engle, Doane (Neb.); Brady Steiger, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
Week 3 (March 26): Rey Rodriguez, Robert Morris (Ill.); Justin Moore, Georgetown (Ky.)
Week 4 (April 2): Cole Swanson, Concordia (Calif.); Wigberto Nevarez, Lubbock Christian (Texas)
Week 5 (April 9): Drew Greiwe, Central Methodist (Mo.); Brian Ferrell, Bethel (Tenn.)
Week 6 (April 16): Mike Lachapelle, Arizona Christian; Tyler Brake, Union (Ky.)
Week 7 (April 23): Manny Perdomo, Point Park (Pa.); Chase Jensen, Oklahoma City
Week 8 (April 30): Aaron Conyers, York (Neb.); Brett Kauten, Lubbock Christian (Texas)


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Hammel's strong run comes to end in loss to Bucs
PITTSBURGH -- Chris Coghlan should make the Cubs' highlight reel for a catch he didn't make.
Coghlan nearly robbed Andrew McCutchen of a home run with a leaping catch, but a fan ended up with a souvenir and the Pirates picked up the win, beating the Cubs, 4-2, in a rain-delayed game on Wednesday at PNC Park.View Full Game Coverage
PITTSBURGH -- Chris Coghlan should make the Cubs' highlight reel for a catch he didn't make.
Coghlan nearly robbed Andrew McCutchen of a home run with a leaping catch, but a fan ended up with a souvenir and the Pirates picked up the win, beating the Cubs, 4-2, in a rain-delayed game on Wednesday at PNC Park.View Full Game Coverage
McCutchen's homer in the first ended Cubs starter Jason Hammel's scoreless streak and homerless streak with one swing. Hammel served up a season-high 11 hits over five innings in his shortest outing of the year. He said his routine wasn't affected by the one hour, 38-minute rain delay that pushed back the start of the game.
The loss was only the second of Hammel's career in seven games (six starts) against the Pirates, but he didn't feel it was a bad outing.
"Honestly, I thought I did a pretty good job for as many baserunners as we had tonight," Hammel said. "It was definitely a battle, it was a grind. You have to keep pitching, throwing strikes."
The Cubs starter entered the game riding a 14-inning scoreless streak, but that ended quickly. He walked leadoff man Josh Harrison on four pitches, and one out later, McCutchen launched his 10th home run to left. Coghlan may have made the best non-catch of the season when he jumped to the top of the fence, with the ball deflecting off his outstretched glove. A lucky fan got the ball, the Pirates had a 2-0 lead and Coghlan impressed with his daredevil leaping ability.
"I definitely would've gone out there and high-fived him if he would've caught that," McCutchen said. "That was a really good effort, kind of what I was laughing at. If he would've caught that, I wouldn't have been mad. I would've been impressed, like, 'That's a play no one's gonna top, and at least I was a part of it -- wrong end, but still a part of it.'"
All Cubs manager Rick Renteria could see were Coghlan's legs as the outfielder went up the wall.
"You can't ask for anybody to do more than he did," Renteria said of Coghlan's effort. "He scaled the wall and put himself in a position to potentially catch it. If it had been anything different -- where it's a ball and somebody is reaching over to this side of the field, you can go out there and say something. In this case, he was trying to take away a souvenir from a fan."
Coghlan said he used the wall to give him a boost.
"I had the ball, I could've caught it, but the guy got in the way -- his hands were up," Coghlan said. "It's a good place to be able to rob a home run, because the wall's not that tall. I felt I went a couple rows deep and I had it, but the fan was there.
"I'm not on the [fan] at all," Coghlan said. "I just know where I was and where the glove and the ball were going to go, I would've caught it."
The homer was the first off Hammel in 51 2/3 innings, dating to April 22. It was the fourth-longest streak in the Major Leagues.
"A lot of hits given up, up in the zone," Hammel said of his outing. "Obviously, could've been better strikes thrown. It could've been a lot worse. Eleven hits through five innings -- it's amazing they only put up four. Some good defense tonight, and we had our chances with guys on base and [Pirates starter] Brandon Cumpton was able to get out of stuff, too."
The Pirates didn't help themselves with some baserunning blunders. The fifth inning was one example. Pittsburgh had two on and one out but pinch-hitter Travis Snider popped up to catcher John Baker, who started an unusual 2-4-5 double play, getting Starling Marte at third. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said they ran that play in Milwaukee and it worked. Not this time.
The Cubs tied the game in the second on Baker's RBI single and a run-scoring groundout by Darwin Barney. But the Pirates loaded the bases with one out in the second, and Gregory Polanco picked up his first career RBI with a groundout to first. Pittsburgh made it 4-2 in the third when Pedro Alvarez tripled with one out and scored on Marte's single.
Hurdle knows Hammel well. The right-hander was on his pitching staff in Colorado. What did he like about the pitcher?
"Persistence," Hurdle said. "More than anything, it's been Jason maturing on the mound, getting innings of experience, learning to deal with the good and the bad and developing his own personal edge. You now see a much more mature pitcher. I'm proud of his development. I'm proud of what he's been able to accomplish.
"When you have a young guy like that and looking at what might be, but don't get to see the finished picture and now you see it -- well done, young man," Hurdle said. "'You've done very good with the opportunities you've been given.'"
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.


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Life Science: Session 7
What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis refers to the process by which light energy is harnessed and transformed into chemical energy in the form of the food sugar. More specifically, carbon dioxide and water are combined and their atoms are rearranged to form a sugar molecule. The bonds within the sugar molecule store the energy obtained from light. Oxygen from water is released as a by-product in this process.
The following is the chemical reaction for photosynthesis:
light energy + CO2 + H2O -> CH2O + O2
light energy + carbon dioxide + water -> sugar + oxygen
Dr. Aaron Ellison demonstrates photosynthesis in the video. A leaf from a pitcher plant is placed in a closed chamber that measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. As photosynthesis occurs, carbon dioxide is removed from the air and its level falls. As this happens, sugar is formed and oxygen is released.
Where does photosynthesis occur?
Photosynthesis is a process that is carried out within the cells of plants as well as certain protists, bacteria, and archaea. In the eukaryotes (e.g., the plants and protists), photosynthesis is carried out in organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a lipid that gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll is what actually captures light energy. The photons in light (i.e., the light particles) "jostle" the electrons in the chlorophyll molecule, which starts the process of energy transformation.
Interestingly, the chloroplast is actually derived from a group of bacteria known as cyanobacteria. This is one of the examples of symbiosis mentioned by our host, Dr. Doug Zook. In this case, the cyanobacteria were taken up by eukaryotic host cells billions of years ago and the ability to photosynthesize was eventually passed onto upon the host cells. In addition to being important as ancient symbionts, cyanobacteria in the ocean are responsible for most of the photosynthesis occurring on Earth today.
How does photosynthesis reflect the properties of energy?
In photosynthesis, light energy is changed into chemical energy. The first law of thermodynamics is "obeyed" in that the amount of light that is the energy input equals the amount of chemical energy that is the output. However, the second law of thermodynamics seems to be defied. Energy emerges from photosynthesis in a more organized form as chemical energy, which is a higher-quality energy than light. This is an example of "life battling against disorder" and is possible only by the addition of energy.
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Our favorite music festival, Coachella, goes down this weekend in Indio, California. With all due respect to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, we'd prefer some Cali sun in April to Tennessee and Chicago in the summer (not to mention Jay-Z, the Gorillaz, Pavement, and Wale—yes, Wale!).
And while camping is the big thing at music festivals, if you're like us, you need a little city-fication in your life. Which is where Palm Springs comes in. Located 26 miles east of Indio, it's the closest big city to Coachella, and a worthy destination in itself for most of the year (we ain't really fuckin' with that desert heat in the summer, dry or not). So this week the Complex City Guide is goin' back to Cali, starting with the best places to stay in Palm Springs...
Renaissance Palm Springs
888 Tahquitz Canyon Way
(760) 322-6000
• As a branch of the Marriott, it's arguably the hottest upscale hotel in the city. And if you're trying to impress a lady-friend, its romantic vistas and outdoor pool provide the most relaxing ways to end a crazy day. Plus, its downtown location surely gives you more to do if the festival doesn't suck all the energy outta you.
Andreas Hotel and Spa
227 North Indian Canyon Drive
(760) 327-5701
• Coming to the Andreas is like coming home, and the hotel staff aims to make you feel that way. Much of the cozy hotel was hand-done, to reflect its family-founded roots, and its amenities—poolside jacuzzi, pillow-top beds, and outdoor gas fireplaces—encourage you to unwind the day.
Spa Resort and Casino
100 North Indian Canyon Drive
(888) 999-1995
• For some reason, you can't be in the California desert without having a casino within a five-mile radius of your location. But usually, there's nothing else within a five-mile radius of that casino. Enter: Spa Resort and Casino. The self-descriptive hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, right in the middle of the go-to strip of bars and restaurants to hit up once you hit the jackpot in the casino.
Desert Riviera Hotel
610 E. Palm Canyon Drive
(760) 327-5314
• The number-one ranked spot in the city gets much of its reputation from its exceptional hospitality services. We hear there's a chance that they'd even offer you a cold beer once they see you step outta the sun and into their lobby. Not to mention, they offer guests complimentary limo rides. A-List treatment for no-list people like us? We're already booked for the rest of our life.


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From WikiFur, the furry encyclopedia.
Ayeaka (also known as Celeathka and Braeden; real name Brittany Kuppin; born September 17th, 1990) is an artist who was born in central Texas, U.S.A. She lived for a short while in Louisiana before moving back to Texas to continue school. She prefers female pronouns but doesn't care one way or the other.
Ayeaka's fursona was originally a black werewolf with red eyes, of the same name. In early 2006, she began to feel that Ayeaka no longer represented all of her, and now includes Celeathka (a heavily hybridized chimaera) and Braeden (a humanoid dragon, or "drake") as avatars for herself.
External links[edit]
|This person is a WikiFur user:


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Small City, Big Salaries: Bell is one of the poorest cities in the state, but you'd never know it by looking at some officials' six-figure salaries. [LA Times]
GOP Might Get $30M From Whitman: She's already spent nearly $100 million of her own money on her campaign. Now, she might help out the state party. [SF Chronicle]
Counting on Experience: Is that a good idea at a time when being a career politician is perceived as a problem for some candidates? [Wall Street Journal]
Meet California's Happy Tax Man: Tax rolls are down all over the state, but the assessed value of commercial and residential real estate in San Francisco actually grew 4 percent. [Bay Citizen]
In Whitman's Opinion...: Her views on immigration are similar to those of Jerry Brown. But the Sac Bee points out a major difference on a key component. [Sacramento Bee]
Education Board to Declare Emergency: The state board is expected Thursday to make the declaration, which "suggests that students in those schools are at risk of 'serious harm.'" [California Watch]


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Game #37: Rays at Jays pregame
Tampa Bay (14-22) at Toronto (15-21)
at 1:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre
Today's lineups:
Rocco Baldelli, CF
Brendan Harris, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Ty Wigginton, 3B
B.J. Upton, 2B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Delmon Young, RF
Dioner Navarro, C
Johnny Gomes, DH
PITCHING: RHP Jae Seo
Adam Lind, LF
Matt Stairs, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Royce Clayton, SS
Jason Phillips, C
Ryan Roberts, 3B
PITCHING: RHP Shaun Marcum
NOTES: Marcum was making his first start since Sept. 30, 2006. … Still no word on whether or not 3B Troy Glaus (sore left foot) was headed to the DL. Toronto manager John Gibbons said Glaus was "making progress" since injuring his foot during Friday's game. … Gibbons also indicated that whoever is called up to start on Tuesday would likely only be in the rotation for one start. … Gibbons cited the Rays' lack of any lefties in the bullpen as the reason for having three left-handed hitters (Lind, Stairs and Overbay) in the first four slots of the lineup. Right fielder Alex Rios was just given the day off.
2 Comments
both pitchers have no-hitters right now this is getting pretty crazy
My question is not 'why take Marcum out' I understand bringing him out with a real good,feel good space.
My question is, " With lefties hitting well over 300 against Frasor, and righties hitting 180 or so, why on earth did the Jays not simply walk Pena, the lefty, and go after Young ( i think it was) a righty who followed and stand a much better chance of getting him out and coming out of the inning with hope? At least then Stairs would have tied the game.
I really wish tho, that the Jays would play more small ball in tight situations. Much more fun, much more interesting, not so much pressure on the big hitters.


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Hornig Bike Lifter for select BMW Motorcycles
Slide the rubber coated pipe of the Bike Lifter in the final drive of your BMW and lift it up. Easy to use by one person and very stable support for the bike. Made of high quality steel. Diameter 42mm, zinc-plated and the diameter of the rubber is 52.5mm.
Works with K1300S, K1300R, K1300GT, K1200S, K1200R, K1200R Sport, K1200GT2, HP2 series, R1200GS/ADV, R1200RT, R1200R, R1200ST, R1200S, RnineT.
Dimensional weight listed
Hornig Bike Lifter for select BMW Motorcycles
Produced by Hornig of Germany


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Heading to the gym to blow off some steam? Good idea, as long as you don't take out your stress on everyone around you.
It's likely that anyone who's spent time at a health club has seen some bad behavior, including the equipment hogs, the slobs who leave cardio machines dripping with sweat and the muscle men who grunt loudly as they lift oh-so-heavy weights that they have no intention of putting away.
But these are just a few of the ways that exercisers can be rude and obnoxious at the gym, fitness instructors say. Sometimes, things get downright nasty.
"I had to break up a cat fight," says Peggy Gregor, group exercise director at Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness in Bethel Park, Pa.
It happened after a woman new to an ongoing fitness class took the spot on the floor that another attendee regularly claimed. A verbal argument ensued and quickly turned physical.
A yoga instructor in New York says a participant in her class let loose on the whole group — after she took a call on her cell phone.
'I can do whatever I want'
She "rummaged for a good two minutes in her bag in the middle of class for her techno-blaring phone, then screamed into her cell phone at her boyfriend not to call her during yoga class, while we were all staring at her from our down dogs," says Sadie Nardini, owner of the new Fierce Club yoga studio in Manhattan. When she got off the phone, the woman snarkily shouted back to the astonished group, "Sorry, I had to tell him not to call me during class!"
Nardini says that when she took her aside after class to talk about the diva behavior, the woman was offended, saying, "Well, I paid for this class. I can do whatever I want."
The stress of the times could be one factor fueling this type of bad behavior, says Nancy Lerner, a psychologist in northern New Jersey. "What underlies anger is anxiety and fear," she says. "There are a lot of angry people out there. The gym is another place for them to be pushy." While exercise can be a great stress-reliever and mood-booster, some people's behavior might be worse if sports or other forms of physical activity bring out aggressive tendencies, she says.
Lerner herself is currently involved in a dispute with another woman at her co-op gym who refuses to turn down the volume on the TV. The woman blasts "Frasier" reruns — refusing to let go of the remote control — while Lerner is trying to read on the treadmill.
"I asked her to lower the sound and she told me that I would have to get some noise-canceling earphones," says Lerner. "I plan to attend the next board meeting and strongly suggest closed captioning on the TVs when others are working out."
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While stress may underlie some bad gym behavior, it's a poor excuse nonetheless, says Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and the owner of the Protocol School of Texas in San Antonio, which specializes in corporate etiquette training. "Just because you're more stressed doesn't give you a free pass to be rude. We're all stressed."
Oftentimes, the way people behave at the gym is similar to their behavior outside of the gym, says Gottsman. So the person who's rude at the gym is likely to be one of the people cutting in line at the coffee shop or screaming at a kid's soccer coach.
As Nardini, the yoga instructor, puts it, many of the rude participants she sees seem to lack an "etiquette gene." Others just want to be noticed. "They want the audience," she says. "They don't want to be a participant. They want to be the star."
One bad apple …
Overall, most gym-goers don't bother other exercisers too much. But even one bad apple can ruin everyone else's workouts, says Gregor. The trouble-makers are enough of a problem that she recently wrote an advice article for fitness instructors on how to deal with them.
In the article, titled "Pruning the Prima Donna Participant" and published in a trade magazine called the IDEA Fitness Journal, Gregor lists some of the more common diva types in group fitness classes. Among them: "Chatty Cathies," those who show up late and make a grand — and disruptive — entrance; "spotters," the ones who insist on having the same place in class each week (so they can look at themselves in the mirror); and "soloists," those who choose to do their own routine rather than following the program (usually, Gregor says, because they want the attention).
Elsewhere in the gym, Gregor and other fitness professionals note, problems also can include hygiene-challenged people who skip deodorant or wear smelly workout clothes; those who douse themselves in perfume or cologne and strut around trying to make a love connection; and those who don't just grunt when they lift weights but scream.
If they aren't causing an all-out ruckus, all of these behaviors can be, at the very least, highly annoying.
Lethal hands, hazardous heels
Nicholus Odem, 43, of Chandler, Ariz., couldn't believe what he saw another gym member do in the locker room. "He left a stall in the men's room and headed straight for the gym without washing his hands," says Odem, noting that this man also tends to wear the same old gym clothes day after day.
"He completed his full workout going from machine to machine," says Odem. "Since then I have an industrial size bottle of hand sanitizer in my car … I bathe my hands in sanitizer after I leave the gym."
Jay Averill, 32, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is still troubled by something he witnessed at his gym a couple years ago.
"The inappropriate behavior was actually a part of a workout routine of a middle-aged, skinny fellow who used to frequent the gym I go to," says Averill. "His routine focused on pelvic thrusts. He would do them standing up, lying on his back, on his side, and yes … he'd lie on his stomach and do pelvic thrusts. He'd do them with weights, on benches and on the sit-up mats, all the while not even showing any sign that what he was doing may look a little odd. To top it all off, he would always wear tights."
The man's actions were so extreme that Averill just couldn't focus on his workout. "It's really hard to do the military press while a grown man is making love to a bench beside you, although I wouldn't describe it as love so much," he says. "It's really hard not to look, and it's even harder not to laugh out loud."
Also in the absurd-and-annoying category, Nardini had one participant who came to yoga class in 8-inch stilettos, a skimpy leotard, fishnet stockings, legwarmers and a white fur coat. "She'd come in dressed like an exotic dancer, which I later found out she was."
Nardini warned her against doing yoga in heels, but the woman insisted on it, saying it was practice for her work. "She poked so many holes in the mat that we had to charge her for it," says Nardini. "It looked like Swiss cheese when she was done."
Among other disruptions Nardini has seen in her class, there's the man who would "breathe like Darth Vader" rather than practicing typical yoga breaths and another guy who plopped himself down in the middle of the room and did headstands and other moves of his own choosing, regardless of what she was teaching.
Dealing with divas, dolts
So how should you deal with these divas and dolts at the gym? If someone is hogging the triceps press, you could politely ask if you could take turns. Or if they've left huge weight plates on the leg machine, you could ask the person to please remove them.
But Gregor and other instructors generally recommend speaking to a gym employee about bigger complaints. Taking matters into your own hands can breed animosity among members, sometimes even causing brawls. Climb out of your fitness rut
They say good fitness professionals stay on top of bad behavior and nip it in the bud when it starts. They talk to the offender, which usually goes a long way. In some cases, they may need to give warnings and even revoke memberships if the behavior doesn't improve.
One instructor has some unconventional ways of reprimanding naughty exercisers. In what he's dubbed "flipping the bird," he throws a stuffed bird at offenders, a sign that they have to go to the corner and do the day's punishment — such as 30 push-ups or 20 mountain climbers.
"When someone talks too much, slacks off, drops a weight or anything I or the group may deem undesirable, I flip them the bird," says Bobby Kelly, owner of the Results Only gym in Phoenix.
"The person must immediately perform the bird punishment or I flip them the bird again," he says. "It makes people laugh and it gets my point across."
When members are particularly obnoxious, Kelly has another form of punishment: the undesirable T-shirt, which reads "I am the problem child."
"If they're really bugging me, they have to wear it for the rest of class," he says.
Kelly insists it's all in good humor and "there's absolutely nothing mean-spirited about it."
Sometimes he even pokes fun at himself, wearing a T-shirt that reads "EOA" — Equal Opportunity A******.
© 2013 msnbc.com


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Scandinavian Airlines, SAS, is Northern Europe's leading airline with 1 000 daily flights to over 120 destinations in Scandinavia, Europe, the US and Asia. SAS was also one of the founders of Star Alliance
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Peloponnese | Mainland Greece
Abundant in diversified sceneries, Peloponnese is a blessed land for all seasons and all tastes.
Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece and consists in 7 prefectures within its 21.500 m2. A land blessed by nature with hundreds of villages and some of the most populated towns in the country, Peloponnese is in itself an experience that needs to be lived in maximum lengths.
Starting from Athens, Peloponnese is reached at less than 1,5 hour drive and all of its wonders are instantly unraveled before the visitors' eyes. A beautiful laced coast so diversified as its mainland: sandy beaches, pebbled coves, organized resorts, secluded bays, rocky sceneries, all await guests for the holiday of their life.
Peloponnese is suited for all year holidays as it offers everything. Seaside towns and villages, organized camping sites, majestic trajectories in its lush forests, rivers, waterfalls and lakes, a few of Greece's highest mountains with traditional stone built villages and even a ski center. And of course it boasts a rich gastronomic tradition crowned by the olive oil produced in its fertile lands which is considered to be the best olive oil in Greece.
ManiMani is a wide region divided in two parts: Mani of Laconia and Mani of Messini. The first one represents the raw and rough face of Peloponnese. Built within massive rocks and bare mountains, this place boasts a wild, untouched beauty that seems almost unearthly. The area features a few popular settlements where traditional houses have been refurbished to private villas or luxury boutique resorts. Other than that, Laconic Mani is not massively developed maintaining its natural character and its overwhelming energy with a few small taverns and old cafes for a sip of authentic tradition. Visitors should definitely pass to the other part of Mani, the Messinian one, which is like a fairytale scenery, painted with lushly vegetated hills, traditional villages and refreshing coasts.
Epidavros & NafplioJust a breath away from Athens, Epidavros is the Mecca of the revived ancient Greek culture. The two ancient theatres of Epidavros are a pole of attraction for thousands of people each summer that want to enjoy some of the relived ancient Greek plays. Epidavros is also a region of vast natural beauty with amazing coasts and nearby sites of interest. In less than a 30' minute drive, one will find Nafplio, the painting-like town with paved alleys and neoclassical buildings still holding up to its past grandeur as the first capital of Greece. An hour away from Nafplio, driving to the south, visitors will reach Porto Heli known as the Greek Riviera. Porto Heli is a cosmopolitan area overlooking the island of Spetses filled with newly built properties to rent throughout its verdant landscape.
MonemvasiaMonemvasia is located on the south-east part of Peloponnese and is a small settlement developed around the magnificent rock of the Castle. When entering the area, you feel you are drawn to a travel back to the legendary past of the place and guided right to the well-preserved old Castle town. And when you set foot at the Castle hill, then the magic begins. While ascending the cliff you are surrounded by nature at its purest; from one hand the imposing rock and the other the endless sea. Entering the Castle is the zenith of this travel back in time; stone paved narrow alleys encircling the settlement's centre with small shops and uniquely refurbished galleries and hotels, all in tune with the rocky ambience and the legendary past.
KalamataKalamata is located at the mid-south part of Peloponnese, within Messinia prefecture, and is one of the most vibrant towns of Peloponnese. Built between the foots of the imposing Taygetos and the coasts of Messinian bay, Kalamata is a town one can easily live in. Its amazing coastline, its rich archaeological history, a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes, stone paved alleys and cultural sites, the convenience to just hop in the car and drive to numerous nearby areas of utmost natural beauty and historic significance make this town a holiday must-stay. Sharing the natural beauty of the entire Peloponnese, Kalamata should be the first stop of your holidays and the starting point for exploring other popular spots and amazing resorts of the southern Peloponnese.
Peloponnese is full of options for all travelers and all tastes. Whether you are travelling during winter or summer, whatever you need or want to do, just name it!
A diversified coastline of a few thousand kilometres hosting all kinds of beaches, coves, bays, shores, the coastline of Peloponnese calls for exploration during summer. Clean waters and amazing surroundings will compensate travelers who choose to have a road trip throughout the peninsula. In order to fully enjoy the amazing beach life Peloponnese has to offer, we suggest heading south from Corinth, pass through the entire southern part and ascend the west coast, which is actually an endless sandy coast.
For those who love lush forests and mountain trekking paths, Peloponnese is full of hidden treasures in its blessed mainland. The prefecture of Arcadia, right at the heart of the peninsula, is full of traditional villages scattered throughout Menalo and Parnonas mountains. The mountainous part of the prefecture of Corinthia is a bliss for all senses. Best visited during autumn, winter and spring, the area is full of untouched natural beauty with the artificial Doksa lake, the mountains full of fir trees – no wonder why the place is known as Greece's Switzerland –, the ski centre of Kalavryta, Trikala with its amazing array of traditional accommodation and taverns, and many more.
Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, is located at the north-western part of Peloponnese and it is one of the most sacred places of ancient times. The area still exudes the energy of its glorious times and visitors will have the chance to see all the ancient masterpieces dedicated to Zeus and other Gods of the Twelve Olympians.
Methoni, Koroni and Pylos are also three settlements of graphic beauty and can be all visited while touring the southern part of Messinia. Other places of utter natural beauty are the Cave of Diros, the natural reserve of Gialova, the gorge of Lousios river, the enchanted forest of Foloi and Tsivlou lake. Polylimnio, meaning many lakes in Greek, and Neda's waterfalls are two of the most beautiful and well reserved biotopes with natural waterfalls, ponds and rivers amidst the lush green hearts of the mountains around them. A swim there is a must for hot, summer days!
Peloponnese is only 80 km away from Athens and, as such, one can flight to Athens and then drive there. In any case and as it is a huge peninsula with far too many points of interest, visitors should definitely make arrangements for a car in order to be able to enjoy their trip at its fullest. One can also fly directly to Kalamata, whose airport serves various non-domestic flights during summer months or even reach Patras, at the northern part of Peloponnese, by ferry from Italy.
When visiting Peloponnese the accommodation options are just countless. Visitors will find a vast variety of luxury villas and holiday villas in Peloponnese depending on their needs and available budget. The Greek Villas team is the expert for helping you with your holiday plan and will ensure not only you will get one of the best luxurious private villas in any part of Pelopoonnese but will also provide all top-notch VIP concierge services for the seamless and most enjoyable stay.


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Readers who are college graduates offer advice to incoming freshmen who wonder if degrees are worth the hype.Full Story
College can be expensive, even apart from the high tuition bills. You'll need money for food, books, activities, transportation and other essentials. Follow these steps to make college affordable without giving up any of the benefits of attending a university.
Controlling your spending in college can require some creative thinking, but it is an attainable goal. Taking as many steps as you can to save money will help you manage your budget, and you may even be able to put some savings aside. With discipline and desire, it is possible to get an education without going broke.
Before the Americans with Disabilities Act, the country was a very different place for people with disabilities, who had to navigate hurdles such as inaccessible public buildings. Yet when it comes to the workforce, the hurdles may not look much different than they did 27 years ago.
The share of adults with disabilities who are working by some measures hasn't improved since the ADA was passed in July 1990. When the law was signed, about half of disabled Americans were employed, a share that declined to 41 percent by 2010, according to Census data.Full Story
Until college graduation, students spend their whole lives preparing for one thing: a job.
Fortunately, unemployment among college graduates has been on the decline in the last decade, but many graduates still struggle to find well-paying jobs to start their new lives in the workforce.
College graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher are currently facing an unemployment rate of only 2.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compare that to the average unemployment rate of the working population of the U.S., which is almost twice that, at 4.4 percent — clearly, getting a degree makes you more marketable.Full Story
A six-figure job is often seen as the hallmark of success, but how difficult is it to find one?
Workers in certain high-paying professions are likely to face a tougher time securing a job, based on a combination of demand, skills and industry trends. Many of the six-figure jobs that are in most demand don't require advanced degrees, which may also explain their appeal to job-seekers, according to a new survey from Glassdoor.Full Story
Although the U.S. unemployment rate is near a 10-year low, not all jobs are created equal in the post-recession economy. Some professions and industries are pulling ahead of the pack when it comes to compensation and benefits, while millions of Americans continue to struggle with stagnant pay and limited job prospects.
So how does one find a lucrative job with plenty of career prospects? It helps to focus on three industries, according to a new study from employment site Glassdoor.
About half the jobs with the best prospects for 2017 tend to be found in technology, health care and finance, the study found. These careers are highly skilled professions that typically require college degrees or specialized training, which emphasizes the increasing opportunity divide between Americans with college degrees and those who didn't progress beyond high school.
And because these jobs are resistant to automation, they're likely to continue providing a good income and career prospects for years to come.
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Less-skilled occupations are increasingly feeling the impact of automation as companies turn to robots for manufacturing work, for instance. That trend is likely to expand into other industries. The World Economic Forum predicted last year that automation will cause 5.1 million job losses over the next five years.Full Story
While there's still a stigma against for-profits, the quality of education varies widely within the sector, experts say.Full Story
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The Federal Reserve says the government is prepared to rescue any of the banks that underwent "stress tests" and were deemed vulnerable if the recession worsened sharply.
The Fed says the 19 companies that hold one-half of the loans in the U.S. banking system won't be allowed to fail — even if they fared poorly on the stress tests.
The tests are intended to measure whether banks have enough capital to withstand losses on mortgages and other assets if unemployment rises and home prices fall further.
Investors had feared the tests would highlight some banks' vulnerability to failure.


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The Danger of Going Alone
Tom Elenbaas
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Tom Elenbaas is the Senior Pastor of Harbor Churches. This is a collection of Tom's messages from various churches.