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Maybe the 2009 Chevy Camaro just wants to build a snowman. Or maybe just do some figure eights. Whatever the reason, the quick-to-the-shot spy shooters at KGP have snagged some photos of the 2009 Chevy Camaro playing around in the snowy winter wonderland that is Detroit. While the shots aren't exactly like the Camaro interior pictures or the Camaro engine bay shots we showed you a few weeks back, they do share a striking similarity — both are blurry as all get out. Full spy report from KGP after the jump.
Camaro prototypes have finally hit the ground in Detroit. The
Camaro's arrival in "The D" seems long overdue, after being teased for
weeks with sightings from Australia, Los Angeles, and even Sweden.
True to Bob Lutz's promise, one of the two Camaro prototypes we
snapped in Michigan was running completely camouflage-free, clad in
nothing more than a sinister black-on-black paint scheme. The other
prototype was fresh off the transport truck, still sporting the black-
and-white squiggle theme and the red-and-orange Aussie-spec tail-lights.
We hope this signals the start of more on-the-road testing in the
Motor City, as the Camaro finally hits the home stretch to actual


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Sun Run 2013: Halfway and hobbled
I never thought I'd be someone who complains about not being able to run. Back during my early – unsuccessful — attempts at becoming a runner, I actually envied those who had injuries because it gave them a legitimate excuse not to run. As I cursed my training runs, I quietly hoped I might fall into a pothole or twist my ankle on a crack in the pavement. Maybe I would develop a serious case of tendonitis or a joint strain, I thought gleefully. Then I could throw my hands up in defeat without feeling guilty about it. Oh happy day. But my wish never came true.
Now — when running contributes to my sanity as much as to my physical health – I find myself seriously injured and seriously pissed about it. I don't want to rest. I don't want to take time off. I don't want to try another sport. I want to run. I want to train. And I want to be able to meet my goal for this year's Sun Run.
At this rate though, there's little chance I'm going to be able to run those 10 km in less than 50 minutes, which is what I'd hoped. I've barely been able to run in the past three weeks and we're now at the halfway point in training. My middle's getting thicker. My legs are getting weaker. And my lungs are getting lazy.
My well-meaning husband suggested yesterday that I try a different sport. "What about swimming?" he said. "Or cycling?" I nearly bit his head off. After a year of hard work, I have come to love running. I love that it requires no equipment beyond good shoes. I love that I can do it rain or shine. I love that it's free. I love that I can do it out my front door. And I love the crazy high I get after a good run.
I don't want to give it up, but this persistent pain in my right hip is suggesting otherwise. That said, I don't want to be defeatist. Instead of participating in a fun 5km race tomorrow morning with my Sun Run group at Central Park in Burnaby, I will be meeting with a new physiotherapist. I had initially thought I would do the race, endure the pain, and then go see the physio. But as I pathetically limped through the rain this morning while walking the dog around Trout Lake, I realized there was no way I'd be able to run any distance tomorrow. At any speed.
So I will do the right thing. I will use the time I would normally be running to take care of my hip. And, with a bit of luck — and, most likely, some prescribed strengthening exercises and stretches – I will get back to running, preferably without the pain in my hip.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Fredonia head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald has coached in the WNBA, but her most impactful career move have been the stand she took for pay equity at the University of Minnesota in 1995.
File photo by Fredonia State athletics
By Ryan Scott
When Title IX went into effect in 1972, more than 90 percent of college women's athletic teams were coached by women. It was 55 percent by 1981 when the NCAA began oversight of women's athletics and today the number hovers around 40 percent and continues to shrink. Women's basketball is a bright spot at 56 percent, but that number continues to go down as well.
"When I got into the profession there were virtually no men," says Linda Hill-MacDonald, currently head coach at Fredonia, who has led teams across all levels, including as the first coach of the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers. "We were making almost no money – at one point we didn't even have a national championship. There was nothing to even draw people into the profession besides love of the game."
- Around the Nation: The secret to their (coaching) success | Persevering to go pro
- Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)
As things developed and money and prestige became a part of women's basketball, men entered the workforce. Men continue to be the decision-makers and those responsible for hiring and they're disproportionately hiring men.
Adds Hill-MacDonald, "I coached before Title IX and I coached during Title IX, and things have gotten worse instead of better when it comes to opportunities for women."
The picture is a little brighter when we look specifically at the Division III level – 61 percent of women's basketball coaches are women and that number has been rising steadily for the last five seasons. Money is less of a factor at this level and there's also the principle of critical mass.
A number of studies have shown that organizations are capable of making large-scale changes when a minority group reaches 30 percent participation among decision-makers. At the Division III level, 2016-17 saw the first year in which women comprised more than 30 percent of athletic directors.
Despite this good news for us, the overall numbers continue to move away from opportunities for women. Coaching is not segregated by division and even the best constructed bastion of equality can't stand up to tidal pressure from outside.
"It's going to take a lot of people to come together and say we need change and believe we need change and implement the change," says Capital head coach Dixie Jeffers who recently earned her 700th victory. "I'm not convinced people think we need to change."
Many of these numbers were shocking to the men I spoke with this week. None of them came as a surprise to the women. "These young women coaches are frustrated and demoralized," adds Jeffers. "They see a student manager or a practice player come in with no experience and get jobs ahead of women who played four years at good programs and spent time on the bench as assistants."
|Dixie Jeffers, Capital University head coach
Photo by Joe Maiorana, Impact Action Sports Photography
Jeffers continues, "Years and years ago it was split. You had a female AD and a male AD. I'm not opposed to that, if it means getting more women more jobs. I'm not saying men shouldn't be in the business – by any means – I think the best coach should have the job, but it's kind of skewed so that men always seem to be the best coach."
The NCAA produced an excellent piece that lays out some of the difficulties women face in the coaching profession and some of the means by which the NCAA is tackling these problems. Jeffers says, "We get money from the NCAA to bring diversity people to the campus and they present incredible workshops to us, but it doesn't result in change. You can't point the finger at the NCAA as much as we'd all like because it's the schools that aren't hiring women."
The implementation of the Senior Woman Administrator position has empowered women to be more involved in decisions at all NCAA member schools, but the women put into those positions don't always know what their duties and responsibilities entail, especially at smaller schools with lower budgets where many people are doing multiple jobs – a reality for many Division III institutions. It falls on individual schools to monitor, maintain, and empower true equal access.
Equal access may also mean giving women opportunities that haven't traditionally been open to them. "I couldn't not have basketball in my life," says Case Western Reserve University men's assistant Liz Hornberger, an all-conference performer at Youngstown State who wanted to keep one foot in the game while attending law school at CWRU.
"I reached out to both head coaches and the men's coach at the time, Sean McDonnell, responded first. I told him I'd fill water bottles, but he said, 'No, you played in college, you know what you're talking about. I'll give you a shot as an assistant coach.' I've been here four years now and I absolutely love it."
Hornberger, now finished with law school, continues to volunteer and expand her coaching role. She is responsible for all guard development at practice. "I have never had a situation where I felt uncomfortable. Being a woman has never been an issue – except for road trips when I have to change in the public restrooms with the spectators."
After the educational investment she made, it would be a difficult decision to pursue coaching as a full-time profession. But you can hear a passion in her voice that perhaps betrays a true calling.
Current Case Western Reserve head coach Todd McGuiness is entirely supportive. "I believe Liz can do anything she wants. She's really bright and really talented. If she wants to be a Division III head coach, and put everything into it, she could be really good. She could be a Division I coach or an athletic director. Whatever Liz wants to do, I have confidence she will do it."
"The common sense step is a head high school girls coach, but I haven't done that because I love coaching men's basketball," says Hornberger. "I'd hate to say I can't be a men's head coach, but the trailblazing hasn't really happened for that yet."
Maybe Hornberger is the one – she or any of the other 13 women currently on men's basketball staffs around Division III might be the trailblazer that true equal opportunity needs.
"If we want women to enter and stay in the profession, we have to do that with intention from very early ages. Little girls need to see women coaches."
- Lori Kerans, Millikin University head coach
"It's never been like she's a woman coach. She's just our coach," says Case senior captain TJ Duckett. She has so much experience and ability. She's definitely got the mentality to be a head coach."
"Good players are looking for any way they can to improve and develop their game," adds Ohio Wesleyan senior All-American Nate Axlerod. "They'll play for anyone they see as someone who can teach them the game of basketball. Players just want to get better."
We can call it a generational shift, but it was almost awkward even asking current players about women coaching men. The response was always polite, but implied a sort of bewilderment that the question even needs to be asked, which is another positive sign for the future.
Moving forward, though, it is important to remember how far things have come for women in basketball and the truly difficult fights and sacrifices that have been made to get even to the present day. Fredonia's Hill-MacDonald found herself in the middle of great controversy in 1995, when, as the head coach at Minnesota, she asked for pay equal to that of the men's coach.
"It was the volleyball coach [Stephanie Schleuder, who finished her Hall of Fame career at Macalaster] and I, but it wasn't about us, it was about how all the women coaches were being paid across the board. The pay equity was out of whack." Both coaches eventually lost their positions.
"I don't regret it because I know that in the long run the program advanced. Every coach of female athletics at Minnesota benefitted. The trustees were forced to take a look and they had to do something about it. Would I have liked to spend my career at Minnesota? Absolutely. I loved it there, but this was, I think, more valuable than my future."
When asked about how aware their players are of the history their coaches were involved with, all the women I spoke with joked about their players hearing "too many stories from the old days." Of course, one of the great benefits of college is to be relieved of your ignorance, but this is not a history disconnected from issues women continue to face in all walks of life.
"It is important for [my players] to understand where they are now compared to where things were when I was a player myself," says Hill-MacDonald, "Things are light years away from what they used to be. Sometimes athletes think they have it bad when they really have no clue. If there are things that are not equitable, I teach them to step up and take the bull by the horns. That's their responsibility."
Those words could not come with more authority, not with better role models for making a difference.
Millikin head coach Lori Kerans serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Women Coaches, which partners with the NCAA and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to provide opportunities for training and connection, developing networks of support so they can make coaching a lifelong career.
"When I entered the profession, there were very few women who found support to both have a family and coach," says Kerans. "Almost all of the hiring decisions were being made by men and the process of hiring and retaining coaches for men is just different than what it is for women."
Kerans speaks passionately about providing space for her assistants – both young mothers – to have flexible schedules, bring their kids to work, or work from home. The culture needs to change, not just so more women have coaching jobs, but so schools don't miss out on really talented coaches.
Says Kerans, "Some of the very best coaches I've seen are women – that doesn't mean the men aren't good coaches – but many more women would continue in the coaching profession if they felt supported."
Hill-MacDonald notes, "Men are connected in ways women have never been – in terms of calling their buddies and getting names of people. That's not a bad thing. It's networking, but women, in many respects, have not been included in that networking."
The NCAA's Women Coaches Academy provides four days of training for female NCAA coaches with experienced speakers and opportunities for networking and professional development.
The WBCA offers a number of mentoring opportunities, with very specific interest groups, designed to give personal connection between experienced and developing coaches. Jeffers speaks glowingly of the opportunity to mentor young coaches. "I learn just as much from the women I mentor. It's a breath of fresh air that we can reassure each other and help each other be better coaches."
The WBCA also works with the Alliance of Women Coaches to sponsor "So You Want to Be A Coach," a highly competitive training program for recently graduated and soon-to-graduate student-athletes looking to get into coaching. This event happens during the WBCA convention each year and the list of 2018 invitees features a number of Division III student-athletes.
"Many times we have coaches who come to interview participants for graduate assistant and entry level coaching positions," says WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "We've had great success getting those participants right into the profession."
Kerans says that through these programs, "women are being empowered to seek those relationships where they do feel supported and validated." They're creating the networks that have been lacking in the past and working to create foundations for a process by which each generation can mentor, encourage, and support the next.
This may seem obvious, but with women often isolated in athletic departments and so few in positions of power, there have been real drawbacks for women coaches to ask questions or appear vulnerable in ways male coaches don't often experience.
"We're working with administrators to set up processes that allow them to have ready short lists of women for coaching positions and to encourage a diverse and inclusive search process," says Kerans.
These efforts aren't just serving the coaches of today, but setting the table for generations to come. Says Hill-MacDonald: "The trend [of women losing opportunities] is even worse in high school and AAU. Young women may not be getting into coaching because they don't see women doing it."
"We're not asking for special treatment. We're not asking for more. We're asking for a level playing field and the numbers right now don't indicate a level playing field."
- Dixie Jeffers, Capital University head coach
Kerans adds, "If we want women to enter and stay in the profession, we have to do that with intention from very early ages. Little girls need to see women coaches. Girls need to be told that coaching is one of the greatest professions there is because you get to transform the life of a young person. You get to have an impact, not just on the X's and O's, but on how they see themselves as a confident young woman or young man."
In the end, though, it takes institutions making real decisions that lead to real actions that lead to real opportunities. Division III is populated with private schools, many elite and progressive, priding themselves on inclusivity and diversity. The foundations for an equal future exist, but we all need to be more intentional about supporting change. Inertia is a powerful force and in a society long dominated by men, even the best intentions won't bring about change – a counter force is necessary.
Division III is primed to lead in this. While our lack of media exposure and financial clout might make it an uphill battle against the decreasing opportunities for women in the profession at large, those of us who know and care for young women in our families, schools, and communities must make it one worth fighting.
Jeffers says, "We're not asking for special treatment. We're not asking for more. We're asking for a level playing field and the numbers right now don't indicate a level playing field. I believe deeply in equality. I don't believe I'm better than any man, but I also don't believe any man is better than any of us."


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If you wish to find out about doing marketing with video for the business, this information is the one which you need to read. In the following paragraphs we'll take about why marketing with video is really popular, using YouTube to advertise your company, and which business area are you able to apply your marketing with video to. After studying this short article, you might have some tips on how to create a beautiful video which brings people to you.
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Using YouTube to advertise your company
Probably the most popular video discussing sites is YouTube. Therefore it is advisable you need to place your videos with that site to obtain maximum exposure. However, the caliber of your video is essential. Here quality does not necessarily mean that the video ought to be created in Hollywood style. Your video ought to be top quality when it comes to information. Everyone knows that people don't like watching promotions for TV, so same rules put on movie also.
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Making spirited declarations of weight loss resolutions is far easier than sticking to them. Nevertheless, achieving your wellness goals means you simply must rise to the occasion and follow a fitness routine with great consistency. Fortunately, we present you with a few neat ways to challenge yourself.
Set achievable goals
While losing 10-15 kgs may be your goal ultimately, you must set your sights on something smaller. Set a realistic weekly or monthly weight loss goal after consulting a dietitian or nutritionist. Seeing progress in the short term shall give you the pleasure you need to fulfill your long term weight loss objective.asz
Remember No Pain No Gain
Losing those calories shall demand a grueling session of boot camp fitness exercises. Remember, that no pain brings no gain and the harsher the workout, the more calories you burn!
Challenge yourself with unusual workouts
Jogging, cardio and even sports are all said and done. Sign up to experiment with unusual workouts at a functional fitness gym. It is a superb way to keep it interesting while losing weight faster.
Lose weight quicker with partner workouts
A fabulous way to stick to your wellness resolution is to begin working out with a partner. They can be with you through thick and thin motivating you all the way and you can return the favor!
So gear up for physical fitness exercise that brings you some healthy pain as losing the pounds shall be reward enough!


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We all know they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I think a picture is worth more than a thousand words.
GoenSouth photographers and videographers are artist who capture the memories of your day like no one else.
When we all look back at photos of ourselves we can remember our feelings at that moment in time. My hope and goal is with the wedding photos we capture on your wedding day you will be able to relive your wedding memories any time you desire.
We have created a unique style of photography that blends photojournalism, art photography and traditional wedding photography into a beautiful blend of images that is unique to your wedding and your style. Our photographers are trained not only to capture every detail that the bride and our design team have spent so much time in planning but also the real moments of the day. We shoot the details as well as the panoramic.
Our photographers and videographers work with the entire GoenSouth team to make sure that your wedding day timeline will allow us to have the opportunities to use the best light and backgrounds possible.
I believe our photographers are simply the best, but you be the judge, if you feel the same please let us know, we would love to capture the memories of your wedding.
Morris Goen


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Atherton Mill is adding apartments to its mix of shops, restaurants
Atherton Mill and Market, a hub of shopping and dining options, plans to add apartments as part of its ongoing renovation and overhaul.
Atherton's owner, Columbia, S.C.-based Edens, is partnering with Charlotte-based Crescent Communities on the redevelopment. The partnership will build 346 high-end apartments at Atherton, in a mixed-use project that will also total 115,000 square feet of retail space, nearly two-thirds of it new.
Real estate records show a Crescent-affiliated corporation acquired the multifamily part of the site for just over $15 million, in a deal that closed Friday. Edens will continue to own the retail portion of the site.
Lyle Darnall, Edens' managing director, said the new project is the next step in "revitalizing this piece of Charlotte's history."
"Our focus is to create a vibrant gathering place for the people of South End," Darnall said, in a statement. The project will also include a "significant expansion" of the portion of the Rail Trail running along the site, which will be able to accommodate public events.
Retailers at Atherton include Anthropologie, Free People, Alton Lane, and Warby Parker, with restaurants such as O-Ku and Luna's Living Kitchen, as well as a market selling produce and prepared foods. The company has already begun construction on the first phase of a planned overhaul of the historic mill buildings on site.
The Historic Landmarks Commission's Design Review Committee approved the plans last fall. The new building, with the apartments, will be south of the historic Parks-Cramer mill building.
The new apartments will add to the ongoing boom in South End, which has been transformed over the past decade from a former industrial area to a hotspot for new residents, restaurants and breweries.
"As rich and authentic as the neighborhood itself, Atherton will be a storied community that celebrates the South End's history and future of industry, innovation and creativity," said Michael Tubridy, Crescent's managing director for the Charlotte market, in a statement.
Both Crescent and Edens have been active in the Charlotte market in recent years. In addition to Atherton Edens owns and operates other retail centers in the area, including Park Road Shopping Center and Kenilworth Commons in Dilworth. Crescent is developing several high-profile apartment buildings, including Crescent Stonewall Station, anchored by a Whole Foods uptown, Crescent Montford Park on Park Road and Crescent NoDa at the 36th Street Station on the Blue Line Light Rail extension.
Ely Portillo: 704-358-5041, @ESPortillo


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Coffee and tea drinkers know how difficult it is to remove stains left behind by their favorite beverages. That's because typical supermarket stain removers are not designed for the particular chemistry of coffee and tea stains. But Coffee and Tea Stain Remover has been specially formulated to remove coffee and tea stains and it will also remove many other yellowish or brown "tannin" type stains. When the spilled coffee or tea contains large amounts of cream and/or sugar, pre-treat with General Spotter.
Coffee and Tea Stain Remover
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Fine Living Network
Showcasing lifestyle gurus, innovative designers, fashion experts and chefs from around the world, Fine Living is full of fun, fresh ideas for every corner of your life. From Giada De Laurentiis, the resident expert of Italian cooking, to Vern Yip, home designer extraordinaire, Fine Living's line-up is fronted by the most credible and refreshing hosts to help you design your life. The channel's schedule is packed with an inspiring mix of modern living and design entertainment shows from around the world.
Interaction Design, Advertising, Creative Direction,
National Interactive Advertising Campaign


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After the last rosy blog post I wrote, I now feel totally down in the dumps. What I wrote was honest and reflected exactly how I was feeling about where I was with taking a break from alcohol. But now? Now, I feel the complete opposite. I'm stuck in this funk of a mood and hope that writing it out will help get me un-stuck. It's my heart-on-my-sleeve approach to life that moors me and undoes me at the same time, so I'm going to stay true to myself by continuing to put myself out there.
After hitting the three month mark of not drinking, I felt really proud and in a good place. Two days later I ventured out to a friend's house for a dinner party with the feeling that I was ready to socialize once again. And while I easily abstained from social drinking, I felt like a bit of a Debbie Downer. While everyone was posing for fun photos and breaking open a piñata, my internal dialog was an endless loop of observations and commentary on the evening. Everything was perfect from the outset - the food and the chance to gather and reconnect with friends, but it left me feeling flat and I felt like a total bore. I didn't really want to engage and instead faked it.
I'm sharing this because I've been in a funk ever since.
A few days after that dinner party, I hosted book club at my house and really focused on staying in the present and enjoying the process of entertaining. Setting a pretty table and planning a menu is one of my favorite things to do. I knew I wouldn't be drinking and made sure there were plenty of non-alcoholic options for me, as well as my guests. I thought, Oh, I've got this.
I purchased a bunch of pretty pink peonies and planned a summer menu to go along with our literary selection The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I ended up leading a mediocre discussion and occupied myself with the perfunctory tasks of getting dinner ready. Again, I was in my head the entire time having conversations with myself and observing my guests in a new light, a sober light. Would I ever be able to socialize and have fun again? Because these women are smart, funny and likable and yet I felt I was not quite ready to commune with them.
When I started this book club nine years ago, it was a way for me to connect with the women in my life outside of my place of business (the local wine bar). It was a monthly escape and excuse to let my hair down, overindulge in wine and adult conversation. Doing it without a glass (or two…or three…) just feels awkward and uncomfortable. I'm not jones-ing for a drink, but I'm jones-ing for familiarity and connectedness. Right now, I'm not feeling much of that with anyone.
These feelings need to be tended to and I'm not sure the best way to do that, so I've allowed myself to just feel them. I've allowed them to sink in and sit with me over the past week. Doing life without alcohol has been a worthwhile challenge, but it does feel a bit isolating. For the most part, I've enjoyed that part and really tried to retreat and be alone with all of these feelings. However, I know life isn't meant to be spent cooped up in my house without outside influence. That isn't a sustainable plan. I know that, but I'm just not quite ready to dive into additional social situations that set me up for this feeling of emptiness.
I turned to my husband and shared all of this with him. And that felt good. It felt like I was heard by the one person who really gets what I'm going through right now. But, if I'm being totally honest, it's not enough.
Escaping into my daily art-making has been a challenge, too. I'm dabbling in writing poetry, plotting my son's summer fun and reading as a way of redirecting my mood. It's working to a small degree. I read this book in less than 24 hours and now I'm on to this one. I think distraction is key for me.
So, this is where I'm at.
Not so happy and not so healthy at the moment, but totally feeling it - for better or worse.


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Type of Document Dissertation Author Chen, Yelin Author's Email Address email@example.com URN etd-11072007-150603 Title Sites of action and physiological impact of mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators Degree PhD Department Neuroscience Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Elaine Sanders-Bush Committee Chair Alex Brown Committee Member Danny Winder Committee Member P.Jeffrey Conn Committee Member Keywords
- Long term potentiation
- Site of action
- Positive Allosteric Modulators
- mGluR5
- Hippocampus
- Glutamic acid -- Receptors -- Effect of drugs on
- Allosteric regulation
Date of Defense 2007-08-29 Availability unrestricted AbstractPositive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) may provide a novel approach that could be useful in the treatment of certain central nervous system disorders. However, their physiological effects and pharmacological properties, such as sites of action, are not fully understood.
It has been suggested that two distinct mGluR5 PAMs, CDPPB and CPPHA, might act by binding to two distinct allosteric sites. We synthesized a series of CDPPB analogs and reported that these compounds bind to an allosteric antagonist (MPEP) site with affinities that are closely related to their potencies as mGluR5 PAMs. Furthermore, their allosteric potentiation is antagonized by a neutral ligand at the MPEP site called 5MPEP and reduced by a mutation that eliminates MPEP binding. Additionally, we have also reported that CPPHA potentiates mGluR5 responses by a mechanism that is distinct from that of VU-29, a CDPPB analog. CPPHA-induced potentiation of mGluR5 responses is also blocked by 5MPEP. However, 5MPEP and MPEP inhibit CPPHA in a non competitive manner compared with its competitive inhibition of the effect of VU-29. Consistent with this, the mutation that eliminates the effect of VU-29 has no effect on the response to CPPHA. Conversely, a distinct mutation that eliminates the effect of CPPHA does not alter the response to VU-29. Together, these data suggest that CPPHA and VU-29 act at two distinct sites.
mGluR5 has been implicated as playing an important role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. However, the precise roles of mGluR5 in different forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity remain unclear. We found VU-29 significantly enhanced threshold theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP), which was completely blocked by 5MPEP and was mimicked by a structurally distinct mGluR5-selective PAM. In addition, VU-29 potentiated LTP was blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist or src kinase inhibitor, suggesting that it shares a common mechanism with suprathreshold TBS-induced LTP. These raise the possibility that mGluR5 PAMs could be used as potential cognition enhancing agents.
Filename Size Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)
28.8 Modem 56K Modem ISDN (64 Kb) ISDN (128 Kb) Higher-speed Access thesis.pdf 2.46 Mb 00:11:22 00:05:50 00:05:07 00:02:33 00:00:13


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The guys had two incredible nights at The Opry, Vince Gill introducing them, joining them onstage, PPL joing Vince on his tune. A magical night in PPL history for sure.
Here's a few remarks from Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay's blog.
" Great show tonight; although wasn't really impressed with any of the non-Opry performers except Pure Prairie League."
"I agree with Fred about Pure Prairie League. Pretty good that a band famous as country rock sound the most country on the Opry compared to any of the new folks."
Knightsville, IN
"I've seen PPL a few times in recent years and these guys still get it done big time. Great band. Sensational pedal steel from John David Call who is better than ever !"
Mike Sweeney
"I see some great comments here re: Pure Prairie League.I'll add that PPL's Flat Tire Merle was sizzling hot with an enormous boost from steeler John David Call who is nothing short of remarkable.Center stage on the Opry suits him just fine. "


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Ensuring that your air conditioner filters are clean is a vital maintenance task that you should not ignore. Essential components of an air filter like the coils, the filters, and the fins all require being maintained on a regular basis. This is very important so as to ensure that it is able to function in an efficient and effective manner. When you decide to ignore regular maintenance, then you should be sure that as years go by, the performance of your system is going to keep on declining. This decline is going to be experienced even as the usage of energy keeps on increasing.
Maintaining the filters of your air conditioner
One of the most effective ways of maintaining your filters is by making sure that you are regularly clean and replace the filters if need be. Dirty and clogged filters will only block the normal airflow which in turn will end up reducing just how efficient your system is going to be regarding performance. Also, dirt that may be bypassing the filter may carry a lot of dirt into the evaporator coil which will only end up impairing the heat-absorbing capacity of the entire system. By ensuring that you replace a clogged and dirty filter with a new one, this is going to ensure that you are able to lower the energy consumption of your air conditioner by around 5% to around 15% depending on the type and make or air conditioner that you are making use of.
Maintaining the coils of your air conditioner
The condenser and evaporator coil are the ones that collect dirt over the months and years of service of your air conditioning system. Having a clean filter is able to prevent the evaporator coil from clogging a lot of dirt. However, after some time, your evaporator coil is still going to collect a lot of dirt. When this happens, the coil is going to be insulated, and the airflow is also going to be reduced. For you to ensure that you are able to avoid such a problem from taking place, then it is advisable that you check your coil or hire an expert to check your evaporator coil every year so that it can be cleaned when necessary.
Maintaining your coil fins
The aluminum fins that are in the condenser and evaporator coils can easily get bent which ends up blocking the airflow through the coils. There is a tool called a fin comb that is sold by many air conditioning wholesalers that you can buy. This tool can be used to comb the coil fins back to their original condition.


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Personal Goals – Retreat
For a retreat, Chris offers both a half day option and full day option.
Half Day Retreat
This retreat is a mixture of inspiration and methodical process. The inspiration is about how goals make a huge difference to our lives, both at home and at work, and how writing down makes them happen. The process is about how to clarify and define your goals – I use SPVEM instead of SMART, and I believe that goals should cover home and work, and also cover things you enjoy as well as things you want to achieve. Some people call this my 'Meaning of Life' session. Combining goals, efficiency, achievement and enjoyment gives six types of life, of which five are flawed. Which is yours and how are you going to change?
We will actually get our goals written in this session. I know that many people are already very big on goals, so participants will already have been thinking about their goals, this session won't duplicate this, it will build on it and refine what's already there, as well as renewing the determination to get the goals defined and achieved.
Full Day Retreat
Combining the above goals workshop with areas from the efficiency workshop, see below, would make an excellent day.
- Best use of email within your company.
- How to get your meetings to be more efficient.
- Strategies for handing interruptions.
- Better delegation – overcoming the barriers we all have.


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Fans of the movie will recognize the background setting for the game because it depicts Ted's living room from the movie. When players look below the reels they will see Ted's living room floor. The living room itself is adorned with empty beer cans and a neon bar sign with the silhouette of a woman pointing to it. Surrounding the reels is a neon pink frame that would wake up even the sleepiest player.
The symbols used in the game all have something to do with the movie. This includes Ted the teddy bear, Ted the game (and movie's) logo, the silhouetted woman, bottles of beer, a goose, a smoking pot and the Thunder Buddies Logo. Ted is the game's wild symbol and is the most important one players should look out for. Players should also look out for the Thunder Buddies Bonus logo acts as the game's scatter symbol. It should also be noted that Ted is the game's only stacked symbol.
Some of the game's symbols act as multipliers to increase players' winnings. The two multipliers that are worth the most in this game, are Ted's logo and Ted himself. They can both get lucky players as much as 500 times the amount of their bet when an active pay line consists of nothing but these two symbols.
The next two high paying symbols in the game are the silhouetted woman and the goose. They can both pay out 300 times the amount of a player's bet. After that come the smoking pot and the beer cans, which pay out 200 times a player's bet amount.
When players get three or more of the Thunder Buddies Bonus logo on the reels at once they get to activate a bonus game. This bonus involves players climbing a ladder and winning one of several possible bonuses:
• Ted Big Money Bonus
• Wheel of Fartune
• Flash Free Spins
• Bar Crawl Bonus
• S Mart Free Spins
The Ted Big Money Bonus is rarely seen in the game. When it is, players will see Ted in a carousel. The carousel features multipliers and to the right and left of the game screen players will see sale signs. The carousel will spin for a short period of time and rewards players with an x stake when it stops. Players then keep choosing sale signs until they choose the one that ends the bonus round.
The Wheel of Fartune requires players to choose a Ted. Under Ted they will see a spin, arrow or multiplier booster. If players pick an arrow it adds one to the wheel. Each position of the wheel has a different value and if players pick a multiple booster they get a higher multiplier. When players successfully move an arrow they win the Big Money Bonus. The first time a player lands on a stake multiplier or feature the bonus round is over.
The Flash Free Spins show players a 5×4 format. The reels are enhanced with extra prizes and players should look out for the Flash icon. If it lands on the reels they get a bonus grid shot. The further up the grid a player moves the more money they win. This round continues until they reach the top of the grid or run out of free spins. The S Mart Free Spins gets players five spins for free.
The Bar Crawl Bonus shows Ted walking down a street. Players choose bottles they see lying on the ground and win multipliers or simply a cash bonus.
Players can randomly trigger a bonus in which six possible modifiers can be activated by Ted. These six modifiers are:
• Psychedelic Super Spin
• Psychedelic Bonus Boost
• Laser Gun Infectious Wilds
• Psychedelic Colossal Spin
• Beer Shuffle
• TV Streak
The Psychedelic Super Spin shows Ted smoking a hookah pipe. Symbols will float out of the pipe and will all become a single symbol in the game. The Bonus Boost gets players stacked scatters on the reels. The Colossal Spin puts expanded wilds on the reels, increasing a player's chances of winning big.
The Laser Gun Infectious Wilds can trigger random rewards on non-winning spins. The Beer Shuffle can be seen when a winning combination of symbols is on the reels. New winning combinations are formed until the beer no longer produces bubbles. The TV Streak can also be seen when there is a winning combination of symbols on the reels. Ted hits remote control buttons that keeps adding more symbols to the reels to make new winning combinations.
Though wins tend to be few and far between when playing this game, the bonus features keep many players coming back for more. It takes many gaming sessions to see everything this slot machine has to offer. For players who persist, the eventual payouts can be significant. While the game is a treat to fans of the movie it can be enjoyed by players who never even saw it.


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Augmented reality opens up a new dimension of on-pack marketing. The technology provides a bridge between physical objects and the digital world in real-time. All you need is a smartphone or tablet, the Zappar App and off you go: content is brought to life.
Our tech-partner is Zappar, one of the world's leading developers and providers of Augmented Reality. The first SIG carton packs with Zappar's "zapcodes" are already on sale. The technology offers scope for a whole range of creative marketing ideas and campaigns – infotainment – that will engage and delight consumers.
But what is Augmented Reality? In simple terms, AR means the computer-assisted extension of the perception of reality. Easy, right? If not, check out the following videos:
Want to know more about Augmented Reality on carton packs? Give us a call, comment or e-mail us. Let´s bring communication on packaging to another level with AR.


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Our Blog
Cooments are off
|Posted by Sue on
It would appear that creepy creeps are everywhere. I had a guest comment area and the creeps went there to leave cryptic messages, so I deleted that page. Now they are leaving comments on this blog. Fine! Disabled Comments. So Sorry, ya'll, I will not have them junking up my pages and will disable them any chance I get!!
Categories: None


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There's A New Curl in Town
If there's one beauty brand that's the ultimate when it comes to throwing beauty parties, it has to be Benefit. Benefit parties are often held in fun, huge spaces, girly music is always playing when you enter, there are all sorts of beauty toys up for display and sometimes, there are even topless men running around. If you're into that.
Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara promises unprecedented curling power even without the use of a lash curler!
It took Benefit a long time but after several brush attempts, they finally found the right one!
I swear, Benefit has the best branded merchandise. Awesome pink mirrors!
Look who we spotted at Skye! BDJ Girls Kate, Dar, Candice and Em!
{and Wesley}
There had been fun stuff to do like tarot reading and stuff but I spent the afternoon chilling with my beauty blogger friends and drinking pink cocktails.
That's me and the fabulous digital girl of Benefits Cosmetics Philippines, Tasha.
I'm wearing my favorite sheer turquoise dress from Suite Blanco and my super duper high heels from Charles & Keith :P
As for the star of the show, it's just the curliest mascara in town. And yes, Chronicles of Vanity thinks it works wonders without using a lash curler!
See? Amazing curling power! I think the power of this mascara is in the very fluid but thick liquid formula, and the brush, too. No clumping!
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara is available at Benefit Greenbelt 5, Trinoma, Glorietta.


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We're working on a large-scale project with a client who must remain nameless. Our main contact had a high-level presentation; they wanted to make a lot of complex relationships clear, more-or-less instantly.
For client reasons, "heatmap" was the visualization of choice. (Don't get me wrong - I understand the appeal of heatmap-style visuals. I'm particularly fond of the iPad/iPhone app Stocktouch because it makes such elegant use of heatmap visualization. The whole stock market, at a glance, on a single iPhone screen. Wow.) But markets are, by definition, a bunch of like measurements of unlike things. "Like Measurements" is the key concept there - if AAPL is more red than GOOG, it's "as measured on the same scale."
OK, that's the fun & challenge of helping clients. You wanna heatmap, we gotta heatmap inna back. We knew that the data was (cough) in flux, so that ruled out hand-rolling color scales in Illustrator or InDesign. The magnitude of cross-comparisons probably would have ruled those out anyway - 10 groups, 30 different measures, 3 different comparison-range variable PER MEASURE. (You want to try hand-calibrating 9000 colored blocks against each other, knock yourself out. Not me.)
So the tool we turned to: big data geeks may sniff at this, but i'll meet 'em at the OK Corral any day with Excel in my holster. It wasn't a perfect solution, but the Conditional Formatting tool in Excel does include color scales, and we were able to engineer all of the visuals directly in Excel. Here's a snapshot - variables and data changed, of course.
There are actually 27 color scales here - one per row. Unlike the stock market, each row had different units of measure and a different basis for comparison; high wasn't always Tempus. Where Excel cooked on this heatmap problem was in enabling all of the calibrations and comparisons, and letting us change formulas/relationships quickly.
The color scale conditional formatting isn't a perfect tool by any stretch. Really fundamental Excel tools can be manipulated with & against each other - range references, functions, that kind of stuff. The color scale conditionals are more-or-less 'hard coded' on each row - for example, the LOW and HIGH references are absolute cell references. (Meaning, move the scale and the whole thing breaks...) Plus - and I know this is a nit - the only way to manipulate the conditional formatting is to click through the stupid dialog boxes.
All that said - if you want to take a heatmap view of something out for a run, it's not a bad way to go. Yeah, Processing or R could probably do it better, but deadlines and data-changes make coding solutions difficult. If the format gets fixed/frozen, we'll give that a shot.
If you want the actual Excel sheet...enjoy!
Another Excel heat map post here.
P.S. Great post on heatmaps and color blindness from our favorite technical partner, Wistia.


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I have written a number of times about bridges, their simple beauty and the increasingly rare appearance of steel arched types. This bridge, in central Kansas, crosses a small river not far from the original path of the Oregon Trail. On this day it was dripping from a recent rain and the sky was an eerily-threatening monotone of gray.
These were shot on a medium format late 1950's Zeiss Ikon Nettar folding camera recently given to me by my uncle.
Thanks Pete.


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Document Type
Publication Date
Winter 2-1-2009
This article has been peer reviewed. It is the authors' final version prior to publication in Journal of the American College of Surgeons Volume 208, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 210-217. The published version is available at . DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2008.10.019. Copyright (c) Elsevier Inc..
Background: Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for perioperative and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was determine the impact of obesity on morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).
Study Design: Between January 2000 and July 2007, 262 patients underwent PD at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), of whom 240 had complete data, including body mass index (BMI) for analysis. Data on BMI, preoperative parameters, operative details, and post-operative course were collected. Patients were categorized as obese (BMI >30 kg/m2), overweight (25≤BMI<30), or normal weight (BMI<25). Complications were graded according to previous published scales. Other endpoints included length of postoperative hospital stay, blood loss, and operative duration. Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariable models.
Results: There were 103 (42.9%) normal weight, 71 (29.6%) overweight and 66 (27.5%) obese patients. There were 5 perioperative deaths (2.1%) with no differences across BMI categories. A significant difference in median operative duration and blood loss between obese and normal weight patients was identified (439vs. 362.5minutes, p= 0.0004; 650 vs. 500 ml, p=0.0139). Furthermore, median length of stay was marginally significantly longer for by BMI (9.5 vs. 8 days, p=0.095). While there were no significant differences in superficial wound infections, obese patients did have an increased rate of serious complications compared to normal weight patients (24.2% vs. 13.6%, respectively; p=0.10).
Conclusions: Obese patients undergoing PD have a significantly increased blood loss and longer operative time, but do not have a significantly increased length of postoperative hospital stay or rate of serious complications. These findings should be considered when assessing patients for operation and when counseling patients regarding operative risk, but do not preclude obese individuals from undergoing definitive pancreatic surgery.
Recommended CitationWilliams, Timothy K.; Rosato, Ernest L.; Kennedy, Eugune P.; Chojnacki, Karen A.; Andrel, Jocelyn; Hyslop, Terry; Doria, Cataldo; Sauter, Patricia K.; Bloom, Jordan; Yeo, Charles J.; and Berger, Adam C., "Impact of Obesity on Perioperative Morbidity and Mortality Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy" (2009). Department of Surgery Faculty Papers. Paper 15.


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Sunday, April 18, 2010
MASTER OF THE WORLD Movie Coloring Contest, 1961
Kids could win tickets to see the movie "Master Of The World" by entering this newspaper coloring contest. The movie starred Vincent Price, Charles Bronson, Mary Webster, Henry Hull and Richard Harrison. The movie story was adapted from two novels by Jules Verne. The movie was released in 1961 and received good reviews. Director was William Witney with screenplay by Richard Matheson.
Labels: Charles Bronson, Jules Verne, Master of the World, movie coloring contest, newspaper coloring contest, Richard Matheson, Vincent Price, William Witney
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Back to vegan Mac N Cheese! This Oh She Glows recipe is perfect just the way it is, no changes here. I am simply informing you of the goodness Angela Liddon has yet again created. Annnd providing a second opinion on how delish this is! I will be completely honest, if you're looking for a processed, unnatural, sodium-saturated mac n' cheese, you're in the wrong place.
Juuuust try it. You know you want to.
1/2 butternut squash, peeled and cubed or approx 3.5 cups worth
3/4 cup raw cashews
1 cup almond milk
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbs minced garlic
pinch of salt
6-7 tbs nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp or more italian seasoning
1/4 + tsp turmeric (optional)
1/4 + tsp paprika
dash of black pepper
pasta of your choice


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it's been awhile since i've done a favorites post. so many pretty things!
1. Super Tote Pattern, 2. Art of Cloth Dyeing, 3. plastic bag holder, 4. Look who's done with knitting socks!, 5. The '138' quilt, 6. brand new patchwork colorway, 7. Zipper Case, 8. Marcelle Goes to the Circus, 9. Wool-Eater Motif CAL 2013
Created with fd's Flickr Toys
Have a great weekend! I will be cleaning, sewing aprons, and trying to figure out my new washing machine. oh and some dyeing, if i can make time.


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Correction Appended
BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 14 — Voters in this liberal college town have approved what environmentalists say may be the nation's first "carbon tax," intended to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases.
The tax, to take effect on April 1, will be based on the number of kilowatt-hours used. Officials say it will add $16 a year to an average homeowner's electricity bill and $46 for businesses.
City officials said the revenue from the tax — an estimated $6.7 million by 2012, when the goal is to have reduced carbon emissions by 350,000 metric tons — would be collected by the main gas and electric utility, Xcel Energy, and funneled through the city's Office of Environmental Affairs.
The tax is to pay for the "climate action plan," efforts to "increase energy efficiency in homes and buildings, switch to renewable energy and reduce vehicle miles traveled," the city's environmental affairs manager, Jonathan Koehn, said.
The goal is to reduce the carbon levels to 7 percent less than those in 1990, which amounts to a 24 percent reduction from current levels, Mr. Koehn said.Continue reading the main story
"The climate action plan serves as the roadmap to meet our reduction goal," he said.
The tax grew out of efforts by a committee of residents and members of the City Council and Chamber of Commerce to try to enable Boulder to reach goals set by the United Nations Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to curb global warming.
The protocol requires 35 developing nations to reduce their emissions of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide. The United States has not ratified the pact.
The Boulder environmental sustainability coordinator, Sarah Van Pelt, said residents who used alternative sources of electricity like wind power would receive a discount on the tax based on the amount of the alternative power used.
A total of 5,600 residents and 210 businesses use wind power, Ms. Van Pelt said.
A program similar to Boulder's began in Oregon in 2001. There, a 3 percent fee is assessed on electricity bills by the two largest investor-owned utilities, said Michael Armstrong, a policy analyst in the Portland Office of Sustainable Development.
The tens of millions of dollars is transferred to the Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit organization, rather than the state government. The trust distributes cash incentives to businesses and residents for using alternative sources like solar and wind power, biomass energy and structural improvements to improve efficiency.
Mr. Armstrong said that although Portland had several programs for "sustainable living," it had not enacted a carbon tax and that he knew of no other American city with one.
"We are interested to see how it plays out and see what we can learn from that," he said of the Boulder tax. "We certainly follow other local governments, and there are lots of innovative initiatives all over the country. It's a great exchange among local communities."Continue reading the main story


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Updated May 9, 2018
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This afternoon I set up my booth at the Dakota County Fair, which will run tomorrow through Sunday, August 16th! This will be Paintertainment's 12th year at the fair. This is still the only fair that I do to date.
We recently traded in our Dodge Durango for a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was a bit smaller. I wasn't sure everything would fit but I miraculously was able to cram everything into the car, even with a spot open for our carseat! I had to take photos to remember how to fit everything in when the fair is done!
It took about 50% longer to set up this year since we had our 19 month old son with us! But, all went well. Here is the booth all set up:
This year I have a new banner that runs the length of my booth...you're sure to spot me when walking by the building! I also have many new designs to choose from this year, and a new and improved photo board of past fairgoers and their paintings. Be sure to check it out if I took your photo last year...you may be on it!
If you'd like to find me this year, I'm in my usual spot, just inside the entrance of "building 22," also known as "Exhibit Hall South," down on the south end of the fair, just south of the red building. My mom will be painting most weekdays from 10-4, and I will be there from 4-10 every night, and from 10-10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Click here for directions. One thing to note if you are coming down I-35 to the fair...you can't get off on 70 this year due to construction, so you'll want to take 185th street to county road 50, into Farmington. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
All Ready for Dakota County Fair 2009!
Posted by Gretchen Fleener at 6:50 PM 1 comment:
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Face Painting for a Mayo Clinic Event
Today my mom and I painted together at an event held by the Mayo Clinic down in Rochester! It was the farthest I've traveled for a one-day event, about 2 hours away. Here is a shot of my mom by our tables, once we got set up (before the kids came in):
Here are a couple shots my mom took during the event:
It was a great time! They had tons of great entertainment for the kids and we kept pretty busy for the 4 hours we were there. Thanks much for the Mayo for inviting us to paint at your event!
Here are a couple shots my mom took during the event:
It was a great time! They had tons of great entertainment for the kids and we kept pretty busy for the 4 hours we were there. Thanks much for the Mayo for inviting us to paint at your event!
Posted by Gretchen Fleener at 11:40 AM No comments:
Labels: gigs
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Painting at Red Wing's River City Days 2009
I had a great time face painting at Red Wing's River City Days festival last weekend! The weather could not have been more gorgeous every day. I even ended up in the local paper! (above)
Here is my little sidekick, my 19 month old son, with his crab arm painting:
The crab was a popular one this year!
Here are a couple more painting shots...
I always love doing special requests, and enjoyed painting a couple people from the American Red Cross booth nearby:
I even painted some princesses!
It was a great time and I am looking forward to returning again next year if at all possible! This week I have a couple more painting gigs. Tuesday was a National Night Out event that I do every year in North St. Paul, and this weekend I'll be driving down to Rochester for an event for the Mayo Clinic along with my mom to paint. After that it's time to get set up for my 12th year at the Dakota County Fair! Stay tuned for more photos from this year's fair!
Posted by Gretchen Fleener at 1:45 PM No comments:
Labels: gigs, red wing, river city days
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Artificial Exterior Juniper Tree is an faux replication of a living Juniper tree. We use natural wood trunks and artificial juniper foliage with ultraviolet (UV) blocking chemicals to craft an outdoor faux juniper tree.
In addition to our Exterior Juniper Tree, we also manufacture an entire line of silk outdoor trees including artificial pine trees and spruce trees. All of our replica evergreen trees are built to each client's specifications. Our outdoor artificial plants shown on our website is a small sampling of the outdoor artificial plants we offer. Please contact us or request our artificial exterior plant catalog to see our entire collection of outdoor artificial plant and tree varieties.
Whether you're an office space, hotel or restaurant, retail store or any customer-facing business, the first impression starts at the entrance space. Hence, you need to make sure that your commercial property boasts of a warm and elegant entry or a landscape design which is incredibly stylish and crowd-pleasing. And if you're looking for landscape accents which will help you do this, then we have something which will be perfect for you – our artificial Bromeliad Bush Foliage. Featuring lush foliage and delightful, fiery red-yellow blooms, they will give you a highly charming and heart-warming commercial landscape design. Add them to your existing centerpieces or just toss a bunch in a planter, no matter how use them you'll be assured a rich and appealing business space. Design elements which will make your indoor landscape look fresh and welcoming; our silk Bromeliad Bush Foliage will make a stunning design statement in your setting and impress everyone with ease. A great way to get rid of bland, boring space, they will light up any setting devoid of style and character. This faux Bromeliad Bush Foliage offers an easy option to cheer up dull corners or seating arrangements and will bring a wonderful visual aesthetic to it.
They can be used in a range of commercial spaces including office or corporate buildings, government buildings, retail stores, entertainment facilities, healthcare and hospitality spaces, senior living facilities, casinos, theme parks, airports, colleges and others and will bring a rich and captivating to the setting. Our Bromeliads make use of premium quality material which makes them maintenance-free and extremely realistic looking plants. They are highly graceful and durable and will add a splash of joy and color in the space till times to come. Crafted using our innovative PermaLeaf® technology, no matter how harsh the weather conditions get our foliage will add grace and charm in the space. Combining UV blocking with strong colorfast pigments, they are inherently fade resistant and perfectly suited for any indoor space in the harshest conditions caused by wind, water, snow, sun.
There is something absolutely magical and joyous about a landscape featuring adorable blooms and refreshing greenery. And if you want to create such a space, then nothing works better than this Bromeliad Bush Foliage. Not only will they give you a highly interesting and atmospheric space, but they will make your setting extra-special.
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9901 West 74th St.
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Toll Free: 800-241-2718
Main: 952-934-7666
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Welcome to Module 3 of the Certificate in Essential Oil Theory & Aromatherapy Product Making Online.
This page contains everything you need to complete Module 3. Please take some time to read through the course manual and watch the teaching presentation and then complete the workbook. Please submit the workbook within two weeks of receiving this module. If you have any questions you can email them to me. Don't forget to continue with your Essential Oil Worksheets.
You can download the Module 3 Course Manual here:
You can download the Module 3 Workbook here:
You can download and watch the Teaching Presentation for Module 3 from the Dropbox folder – Certificate in Essential Oil Theory & Aromatherapy Product Making Online Teaching Presentations. If you have not received the email with the link please let me know.
How to Make a Water Based Product (Rollerball and mister) – Product Making Video – please watch this video and practice making different water based products using the essential oils you have studied in all three Modules.


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GRIFFIN MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Winchester
Find exhibitions from well-known photographers to those emerging on the scene that explore important themes and thought-provoking ideas designed to encourage the passionate exploration of the art of photography. This nonprofit organization is dedicated solely to the art of photography Through its exhibitions, programs and lectures, it strives to encourage a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual, emotional and social impact of photographic art.
The Griffin Museum of Photography no longer offers a savings coupon on couponsforfun.com. To find savings coupons at other great attractions in Massachusetts or in other states, please click below:


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Cultural Issues in Bringing Ayurveda to the West/
Transplanting Ayurveda to the West raises a number of significant cultural issues. An ancient, indigenous indian art, Ayurveda has evolved within a specific cultural and religious milieu. The cultural context of a country such as the USA is in many ways the polar opposite of this milieu. How can we transplant Ayurveda to this culture without doing violence either to the integrity of the teachings or to the cultural bias of our students and patients? In this paper, rather than attempting to provide answers, we will highlight some of the issues as well as suggesting a conceptual frame within which to understand the ways in which we may choose to make this adaptation.
What Happens When Cultures Meet?
Jesuit missionaries, engaged for the last four hundred years in bringing Catholicism to different lands, have described two different dynamics at play in the meeting of cultures.The first is Inculturation. Here, the transplanted philosophy adopts the dress, customs, language, food and artistic and architectural style of the host culture. Inculturation involves a deep soul-searching on the part of the transplanted philosophy. What is the immutable essence of the teachings? What are the dispensible cultural trappings? During the process of inculturation, core values must be identified, and essence separated from form. This process, by its very nature, brings renewal to the original philosophy, just as a ship is renewed when it is brought out of the water and the barnacles are removed.
The other dynamic is that of Acculturation. In the process of acculturation, there is an adopting of the dress, manners, behaviour and values of the exotic culture or philosophy. To give an example of these two dynamics at play, in Shambhala Buddhism, all prayers are in English, American business attire is worn, and the main celebrations take place on the solstices and equinoxes.Thus is a fine example of an inculturated philosophy. In many other Tibetan Buddhist sanghas, Americans learn to recite prayers in Tibetan, as well as wearing Tibetan religious garb and adopting Tibetan customs, an example of acculturation at work. In the context of Indology a specific kind of acculturation has been described. This is known as Sanskritization. Sanskritization refers not only to the use of the Sanskrit language, or certain vocabulary therefrom, but more specifically connotes a gradual process of refinement , as the dress, diet, and behaviour of Vedic culture are adopted. Inherent to this definition is the belief that Indian culture is in its very essence more refined than the barbarian customs which are being abandoned.
An interesting point to note is the profound difference between Sanskritization and conversion. Conversion requires a change in belief, the adoption of an alien orthodoxy. Sanskritization requires a change in behaviour, the adoption of an orthopraxy. In teaching even the most rudimentary elements of Ayurvedic selfcare,diet etc, we are by definition participating in Sanskritization, as we train Americans to adopt lifestyle habits which, according to our philosophy, are more refined, in that they are less disease-causing and more health-enhancing. Further, orthodoxy is more easily exported than orthopraxy, embedded as the latter is in a specific geographical and ethnic milieu.
Inculturation or Acculturation--the Challenge of Transplanting Ayurveda
As we bring Ayurveda to this culture, each of us is making choices on a daily basis--inculturation or Sanskritization? Do we teach our students and patients to adopt Indian food, or do we create Ayurvedic versions of familiar American foods? If we do not teach our patients, for example, to eat kitchari, are we short-changing them by failing to offer them a tried and time-tested way to eat both healthily and inexpensively? Are we missing an essential piece of the integrity of the teachings unless we utilize the specific foodstuffs and recipes indicated in the classical texts? Can we really claim to be practising classical Ayurveda without being true to its ancient culinary traditions? On the other hand , we might choose to ask--are we alienating our patients by asking them to adopt foreign foods rather than their familiar comfort foods? Is it possible to be both Ayurvedic and a stalwart, unindianized American? Is it truly holistic to do most of our food shopping at an import shop, purchasing goods which cannot even be grown in our own bioregion? The foods described in the classical texts are those which are indigenous to the region. Is the teaching telling us to use those specific foods, or to use the foods which are indigenous our own region? In America these questions become even more complex, as each of us comes ancestrally from yet another region. My Italian soulmate, for example only feels healthy and nourished if he intersperses his regular rice and dal diet with some ancestrally familiar Italian food. A good example of what we are dealing with in terms of the most basic of considerations, food , is seen in the work of Amadea Morningstar. Her Ayurvedic Cookbook is a fine example of gentle Sanskritization, as she introduces mild and easily prepared dals andkitcheris. In Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners, on the other hand, she takes the inculturation route, presenting wholesome and doshically balanced American recipes.
Herbalism--Sanskritization or Inculturation?
What of our most important healing tools, the herbs and herbal preparations? In American Ayurveda we see the whole range of approaches, both inculturation and Sanskritization. The purpose of this paper is to help us become clear as to which approach we are choosing , and why. At the Sansritization end , we use only those herbs described in the classic texts, preparing the various items of the materia medica exactly as described. The advantage to this approach is that we can be certain that, when we use the word Ayurveda, that is really what we are offering, in the most c lassical sense. We are taking full advantage of the wisdom of the sages, as well as of centuries of experience. The disadvantage is that almost all our healing substances are imported from India, with all the attendant difficulties of ensuring our supply, as well as the very significant issues of dwindling plant populations, presenting us with the possibility that some of our most important herbs, such as kutki, may soon be unavailable--for ever. And, as with foods, our classical approach deprives us of the opportunity to use the indigenous healing plants of our own bioregion.
At the acculturation end of the spectrum, The Yoga of Herbs, by Frawley and Lad, represents an important attempt to bring some of the most popular Western herbs into the Ayurvedic fold , as it were, by framing their properties in Ayurvedic terms. At Alandi School of Ayurveda, students explore some of the herbs of their own bioregion, examining their energetics and actions from an Ayurvedic standpoint. The advantage here is that we are beginning an attempt to indigenize Ayurvedic herbalism. The disadvantage--that whenever we depart from the classic texts, we have to ask the question,''Is ths truly Ayurveda?'' If we make a herbal preparation that happens to contain a herb such as ashwagandha, do we have the right to call it an Ayurvedic preparation? Or must it be both prepared and prescribed as described in the texts to merit this name? If we prepare a churna, prash or lehyam from a combination of both traditional Ayurvedic and Western herbs, departing from classic formulations in favour of our own creativity, is this Ayurvedic? On what authority do we validate the preparation? And what is our understanding of authority and authenticity in Ayurveda, if we depart from the texts?
A fine example of a successful inculturation and indigenization of Ayurvedic herbalism is of course found in Tibetan medicine, where Ayurvedic concepts are applied, with the use of the indigenous herbs of the Tibetan plateau.
When is Ayurveda not Ayurveda?
When a Shirodhara treatment is offered in a spa, is this Ayurveda.? When a product contains certain herbs from the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, is the product automatically Ayurvedic? For an authentic process of acculturation, we must see an adoption of the integral Ayurveda, rather than a piecemeal grabbing of highly marketable exotica.. We, the Ayurvedic community and NAMA members, are the guardians of the integrity of Ayurveda, as the ancient science meets the challenges of a commerce-driven society. Among ourselves, we must come to agreements regarding the proper and appropriate use of the term "Ayurveda", so that this sacred name of the Science of Life not become a mere exotic tagline, or a label for yet another form of self-indulgence for privileged people.
Treating individuals rather than conditions or symptoms and utilizing the prakruti-vikruti model as the basis for our recommendations, for example, could be regarded as essential preconditions for any treatment or medicament to be regarded as Ayurvedic. Just because a remedy originates in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, it is not necessarily Ayurvedic in itself, if used without regard for the prakruti-vikrukri model. It is important to become clear about our core values--such as individualized treatments, emphasis on balance and harmony of the individual in reference to time place, season and dosha, the importance of deep healing rather than symptomatic treatments, and a holistic model that considers body, mind, spirit, social setting and environment.
Accessibility of Ayurvedic care for destitute and low income people, as well as for impoverished spiritual aspirants, is another perennial value clearly indicated in the Sushrut Samhita. "Thou shalt help with thy professional skill and knowledge....the indigent, the honest, the hermits, the helpless...and thou shalt give them medicine without any charge whatever." (Sutrasthanam,chII 5). In our setting, this calls for some ingenuity in devising sliding scale clinics, tithe openings and other well-structured ways to fulfill this injunction. At Alandi School of Ayurveda, for example, we offer sliding scale panchakarma treatments, as well as tithe and sliding-scale options in the Ayurveda clinic.
The categories of persons one is forbidden to treat, enumerated immediately after this, present an unique cultural challenge, as in this country we are not accustomed to deny treatment on moral grounds. I had a personal experience of this dilemma when a chauffered Rolls Royce pulled into my driveway. I learnt that my patient for the day had made his millions opening topless dancer bars! To my great relief, he did not seek another appointment, his distaste for my simple ways being even greater than mine for his mode of livelihood.
Secular Ayurveda?
In coming to the USA, Ayurveda has crossed the proverbial black ocean to the secular city, where space and time are undifferentiated and there is no sacred centre. Is an inculturated, American Ayurveda then a secular Ayurveda? Variously decribed as an upaveda of the Atarva veda and as a fifth Veda in its own right, Ayurveda is and has always been an intrinsic part of sannatan dharma. It cannot be secularized without losing its soul and esence. The task of inculturation is to remove the unnecesary cultural accretions, not to amputate any part of the essence. Does this then tie Ayurveda to a particular religion? As we have already seen, Tibet has made a highly succesful integration of Ayurveda within a Buddhist country. Ayurveda already flourishes within two of the world's major religions.
The teaching of sannatan dharma is, "truth is one, the wise have called That by many names''. As Raghudas Maharaj of Alandi said, "in the railway carriage on the Pune-Bombay Express are Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs, Christians and Jews. Yet they will all get down at Bombay. To the person of spirit, religious differences are irrelevant.'' In offering Ayurveda to the West, there is no need to bring about conversion to either Hinduism or Buddhism. However, we must always walk in the spirit of sannatan dharma, honouring its essential teachings of truth and ahimsa, of reverence for the inwelling mystery within all things animate and inanimate, and of striving for loka sangraha, the welfare of the Whole.
We must also have the courage to offer to our patients and students what J. Krishnamurti has described as, " the greatest of all jewels", the Upanishadic spirit of awareness and self-inquiry. As mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, great pain is one of the motivating factors that leads one to the Lord.(7, 16). Thus the Ayurvedic practioner has an eminent opportunity to introduce the liberating knowledge to people hungry for anything that will assuage their pain. To do so , we must have so deeply internalized the teachings, such that we can express them to each individual in fresh and relevant terms.
As we examine the models of Sanskritization versus inculturation, we can see that great pitfalls and great opportunities lie before us. The biggest pitfall is schism, the tearing apart of our Ayurvedic community into the Sanskritizers versus the indiginizers. In the process, the Sanskritizers would become more rigid and the Inculturators more superficial. A fine example of this dynamic is seen in the Apples and Honey film The Quarrel. Two long estranged Holocaust survivors meet in a park in Montreal. One is an orthodox rabbi, still wedded to the dress, customs and orthopraxy of pre-holocaust European Jewry. The other is a thoroughly secular, fully inculturated poet. Their heated quarrel can never be resolved because each contains the part the other has rejected. Such quarrels have befallen most if not all transplanted philosophical systems.
The danger of persuing the Acculturation route alone is that Ayurveda will remain always an exotic hothouse plant, unable to naturalize itself in the soil of this land. And the danger inherent in inculturation into this particular culture is a commodification of Ayurveda., as well as the creation of a palatable, user-friendly pseudo-Ayurveda. We have seen both these phenomena emerge already where yoga is concerned. Sanskritization and Inculturation must go hand in hand, as we read both the text of the Ayurvedic classics, our only source of authority and authenticity, and the text of the current life situation. If fame and gain are the motives of our inculturation, we will in the end so distort and prostitute Ayurveda that there will be nothing vibrant or vital left. If fear of change is the motive of our efforts at Sanskritization, we will alienate the public from the great benefits of Ayurveda. Stepping out in the service of Ayurveda and of humanity, our pure motivation will inform our efforts at both Sanskritization and inculturation.
Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.
Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram's ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!


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First of all, what sick, creepy, pervert decided to market "come over to play" as a damn "play date?" What's up with that shit?
I happened into a conversation between two 4th grade boys at Beasley's school and all I processed was, "…play date at Christopher's…" and "…he got to second base…" There were talking about some Wii baseball shit, apparently, but I had to be the one feeling like a sick, creepy, pervert because somebody re-branded "come hang out" as some sort of a fucking "date."
I refused to use the term because of my sick, creepy, perverted mind and instead danced all around kid-social opportunities by asking (other) moms, "Hey, uh, hi I'm Ty and I'm Beasley's mom dad and maybe we can schedule a specific time and place for your little Jillian to hang out with my little Beasley and participate in developmentally and socially appropriate activities while you stay and have awkward conversation with me or use the time to shop for groceries or get your giant SUV washed or masturbate in private or blog about play dates or something."
"Oh, a play date?" And inevitable I am handed, no flicked, the mommy card of pertinent information. Yep, my mom-peers have this thing called the mommy card. A fucking business card that basically says what I could cryptically scribble on the back of a bar napkin or a matchbook. Maybe that's the mommy card purpose. I guess I'm the retard because I do not have a mommy card. Poor black, stingy Jewish father has no parent card (or license), my bad. Maybe I'll make up some race cards: Hi, I'm Black!
Maybe my brain's development is arrested at like 19 years of age when anything related to the word "date" was miserably awkward, fake, and every word and gesture was overly loaded like some sort of sex circus ballet. Back when "second base" was heaven, not something to do on a video game like I made up earlier in this post.
And while I'm not saying that dating sucked, it didn't (I very loudly protest), but it was mostly just so phoney…like the play date where every word and gesture overly loaded like some sort of sex circus ballet.
[I know I have to tread lightly here because I've already been accused of "parent bashing." But since there is no licensing requirement for owning kids in my jurisdiction, there seems to be a lot of variation in parenting ability and style. And like most things where no training is required by the socialist state, most people suck. I'm just holding up mirrors, people]
The Wiki says:
The intention of a playdate is to give children time to interact freely in a less structured environment than other planned activities might provide. Playdates are different from organized activities or scheduled sports, because they are not usually structured.
What?! Unstructured?! Since when? Have you seen the moms parents at these things? Oh, I see, the key word here is "intention." Most of the parents I've witnessed participate in the play date are hovering helicopter down blanket bubble wrap choke-leashes. The play date seems more akin to some sort of show and tell competition meets Indian dowry arranged marriage business meeting.
Best is when you arrive at these suburban palaces that appear to be straight out of a Mr. Clean ad and there's sushi, wine, and cheese and crackers from the Whole Foods. I love it when people show off, it's the best but I just can't compete or reciprocate. Shit, if my house cleaners haven't cleaned it, I'm not going to just for some kids to come wreak havoc. My place wasn't staged by realtors. Fuck 'em.
Got no goddamn Purell for the little terrorists either. They can wash their hands. Want something to drink? I have some water. Snacks? No, no snacks, kid. Ask your mother for some snacks when she gets back. And, stay the hell out of my studio, that shit ain't for Rock Band. I can hardly wait for people to leave.
But if anybody asks, I will now breathlessly proclaim, "Beasley's play dating now!" What's next? Play stalking? Play divorce? Play alcoholic aunt? See? Stupid.


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At Pågen, Sweden's leading bakery, we are all cookie monsters and thought it would be nice if you got real cookies when you hit the "I accept cookies" button. That's why we have developed a new type of cookie banner that doesn't just alert about cookies being stored on your computer, but also send cookies to store in your kitchen pantry. It's an open source solution so any cookie monster can install the alert on their website and start give away cookies for free. Check out the instructions below – it's a piece of cake!
Create your own cookie alert to install on your website. Start by edit the copy for your cookie banner and your cookie button. Then edit your pop up by uploading an image and message. Choose how your cookies should be delivered: by SMS voucher, e-mail voucher or home delivery. Once you have made all your choices, a code will be generated for you to copy and paste to your website. You will see a preview of your banner being created as you start to edit. If you would like to see an example before you start check out the cookie alert at www.pagen.se.
Please note you will be creating a campaign to give away cookies of your choice. Pågen will provide you with the tool to make this possible, but we will not provide cookies for you to give away.
View this wiki on a computer to generate your own code.


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a poem and t-shirts (and other good things)
liz lamoreux
an in this moment photo from my 365(+1) self-portrait project
(and, of course, my smash journal yet again)
I am pretending we are having tea this evening as I want to share a few things with you:
I keep meaning to tell you that I wrote a poem and shared it at Roots of She earlier this month. I love poetry (big).
Bella's video has me simply delighted. Every bit of it. The shadows. The music. The simple moment captured. (Of course, I also love that she mentions that she likes her One Word Girl necklace...but...really, I am inviting you to head over there to watch her video).
Speaking of Bella, she interviewed me this week over at 52 Photos Project. I so enjoyed her questions and sharing about self-portraiture and other good things. And I love that this interview pushed me to continue to own that I am indeed a photographer. (I tend to think of myself as a person who uses my camera as a tool to capture the moments of my life and sift through them, but I seldom use the word "photographer" when describing myself. Working on this one.)
I have so enjoyed this recent session of Emerge over at Live It to the Full. Teaching with Jenna and Viv is so much fun and deeply inspiring for me. And both of them have some incredible offerings right now. Check out Jenna's writing workshops and ecourses here (her intimate MFA-style writing workshop looks awesome). Find out more about Viv's photography ecourses here (and I am so so delighted that she is bringing back Swan Dive this Spring as I am so ready for it).
Have you seen Jen Lee's new t-shirts as part of the release of The Iconic Self? Oh my goodness that girl knows just what her kindreds need to hear (and wear). I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of her "Gentle Spirit...." tanks a few weeks ago and I have been known to wear it for several days in a row when I most need to be reminded of my hidden badass self. I am going to snap a photo of me wearing it soon. And I will also be sharing more on The Iconic Self next month. (Jen is sharing such good good things with the world.)