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When you require Boston legal counsel
Consider Litigators With Over Forty-Five Years Of Experience, Including Successful Relationships With In-House Corporate Counsel And Referral Relationships With Prominent National And International Law Firms.
Founded by Tom Dwyer, a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1986 and former President of the Boston Bar Association.
"The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience...."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse, Boston, MA
Thomas E. Dwyer, Jr. is recognized as one of the region's preeminent litigators in the field of white-collar criminal defense. He also has a broad civil litigation practice, including state, federal and multidistrict litigation. Tom has tried many of the most complex state and federal criminal matters in this and other jurisdictions.
Jonathan C. Crafts has over 10 years of experience representing clients in white-collar matters, including both civil and criminal governmental investigations, and civil litigation. From initiation through resolution, Jonathan manages all aspects of litigation and investigation defense.
Of Counsel
Isaac Garcia-Dale has represented clients in civil and criminal white-collar matters. Isaac represents clients in internal and government criminal and civil investigations and is also an experienced civil litigator with an emphasis on complex financial matters.
John Adams Courthouse, Boston, MA
Crisis Questions Demand Experienced Answers
You can obtain the result you desire through Dwyer LLC's formidable experience and expertise. We work as an efficient, collaborative, and collegial team.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly listed Tom Dwyer as one of the 50 Most Influential Attorneys in Massachusetts Over the Past 50 Years.
Dwyer, who "ranks among a tiny cadre of the city's super criminal defense lawyers," brings decades of legal acumen to the table with a "focused perseverance and legal savvy [that] have become the stuff of near legend."
~ The Boston Globe
Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA
Civil Crisis Demands Both Experienced Answers and Close Relationships with Our Court System
Without question, when you are looking for either lead or co-counsel in Massachusetts, you need a firm with the knowledge and acumen in civil litigation to develop and execute a winning strategy.
"Without Tom Dwyer's help, there would simply be no Business Litigation Session in the Massachusetts Trial Court."
~ Suzanne DelVecchio (former Chief Justice of the Superior Court Division of the Massachusetts Trial Court)
Recent Civil Matters:
Representing accountant in several related matters arising out of alleged Pyramid scheme, including bankruptcy and a multi-billion dollar Multi-District Litigation class action in Federal District Court.
Representing former shareholder claiming fraud and misrepresentation on contractual obligations arising out of sale of shares.
John Adams Courthouse, Interior, Boston, MA
Criminal Crisis Demands Experienced Answers
For an executive, in-house, or outside counsel, receipt of a federal grand jury subpoena demands an immediate, reasoned, and aggressive response.
You know that the crisis may bring you or your client to the edge of the abyss.
Even in the most serious of circumstances, this firm's range and depth of knowledge will provide you with the assurance you need.
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Represented accountant in criminal investigation of company and executives accused of running alleged Pyramid scheme and in related SEC investigation.
Representing comptroller and bookkeeper accused of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
First Circuit White-Collar Review
Welcome to the Source for Analysis on White-Collar Matters in the First Circuit.
Designed to help the legal practitioner with arguing white-collar matters in the First Circuit, this compilation of case notes and analysis on selected matters is your one-stop shop.
Old State House, Boston, MA
Beacon Hill, Boston, MA
Contact Us
10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02114


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SSTMap Github Repository26 Feb 2018
The latest version of SSTMap can be found at our Github or can be installed with Anaconda's conda package manager. For more information please see our previous post regarding installation of SSTMap.
Read More
The latest version of SSTMap can be found at our Github or can be installed with Anaconda's conda package manager. For more information please see our previous post regarding installation of SSTMap.
We are pleased to anounce the release of SSTMap v1.1. This new version is base on python 3 with backward compatability with python 2.7. Now the version of python is not an issue but we recomnd the use of python 3 since future development will target this version of python.
In addition to adding support for python 3, SSTMap v1.1.0 incomporate some code optimizations and the ability to handle peridic boundary condition on non-orthorombic boxes.
As with previous releases we recoment to use conda for installation. If this is your first time installing SSTMap then use the following command to install the lates version of SSTmap:
conda install sstmap -c omnia -c solvationtools.
If you already had SSTmap installed then use the following command to update to the latest version:
conda update sstmap.
Our paper titled "Solvation Structure and Thermodynamic Mapping (SSTMap): An Open-Source, Flexible Package for the Analysis of Water in Molecular Dynamics Trajectories" has been published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation: DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00592.
The main requirement for installation of
SSTMap is the anaconda python distribution. If you are not familiar with Anaconda, please have a look at continuum.io/why-anaconda. SSTMap is implemented in python 2.7, so if you do not have the anaconda installation, downlaod the anaconda for python 2.7, as shown below. Alternatively, if you have a an anaconda installation for python 3.6, you can create a python 2.7 enviornment to run sstmap.
SSTMap implements two approaches for mapping water structure and thermodynamics on to solute surfaces, such as protein binding sites, the hydration site analysis (HSA) and Grid Inhomogeneous Solvation Theory (GIST). The command lines to run each of these analyses are simply
run_hsa and
run_gist which are the main command-line tools in
SSTMap. Here we provide examples of the command line arguments required to run these analyses with different popular MD packages.

subset: commoncrawl


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Magento for B2B Commerce, 2.2.x
My Orders
You have access to all of your orders from your account dashboard. Orders can be viewed, tracked, and resubmitted as new orders. Depending on the status of the order, you can print orders, invoices, and shipment records.
To view an order:
Find the order in the list, and click View Order. Then from the open order, do any of the following:
|To create a new order that is a duplicate of the current order, click the Reorder link.
|When the shopping cart appears with the items from the order, you can either continue shopping, or proceed to checkout.
Print Order
Print Invoices
Print Shipments
Track a Shipment
|On the Order Shipments tab, click Track this Shipment.
|Any tracking information that is available appears in a popup window.
|When ready, tap Close Window.
Print Refunds


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The Big Red Show Xmas Special w/ Guests | 03/12/18
Pete Obsolete was raised on vinyl and 90s action films. Rev. Austins blood type is I B DOPE POSITIVE. As BIG RED, we want to bring the smoothest mix between forgotten gems and modern-day classics, pushing homegrown, local talent as well as showcasing the latest from around the world. From hip hop to R'n'B via disco and funk with a sprinkling of trap and neo-soul for good measure, The Big Red Show keeps it bubbling.
Warning: Some songs remain uncensored and may contain expletives.
Listen back to all of The Big Red shows here.


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Amazing Spider-man game – The Rhino Trailer
No matter how you feel about the, Toby Maguire, Spider-man movies, you can't deny that the games were pretty good. This could be because they didn't follow the movie plot exactly, who knows, but one of the best things about them was the villains that didn't feature in the movie. Every one of the games had, not only the bad guys from the film, but also extra ones from the comics. Now that the movie franchise is getting rebooted, the games are getting the same treatment and it looks like they are keeping up the tradition of including secondary villains. A new trailer, for the game, hit the web, pun, today and it revealed that the Rhino will be in the game.
Rhino has been described as Spider-man 'dimmest' enemy and that's how he appeared when he was in the game Spider-man 2. However, this time he seems to be a lot tougher and have a bigger role to play and, while he wasn't exactly holding up his scores on an IQ test, a voiceover in the video, as well as some of the scenes, would suggest that brains don't matter as he simply uses his animal instinct. The 'beast' is in control.
It isn't only the villains that look tougher in this game; Spider-man is shown kicking some serious behind. Throwing people, grabbing there head between his feet, flipping them, Jackie Chan eat your heart out. There are so many different ways that you can beat up criminal, it looks really great and I'm glad that they kept it open city. I never really doubted that they would. It was such an important part of the previous instalments, though they are not related, it would have been foolish to leave it out when it works so well.
The other Spider-man games featured more than one new villain, so it stands to reason that this one will as well. No word has been announced yet, but if I could pick I'd like to see either Black Cat, because I thought her part in the second Spider-man game was really good, or Morbius, just sort of an old favourite. There's no guarantee that another extra villain will appear in the game, but it is very plausible.
What do you think? Are you glad Rhino will be in the new game? Do you think there will be another extra villain? Who would you like to see appear in the game? Let me know by voting and leaving a comment below. Also, don't forget to follow and click the like button, if you like this post.
One response
i really like the spiderman games expecially the open city aspect. the villains are pretty cool. id have to agree with you id like to see black cat back aswel. the games look more serious now but they still look cool 🙂
April 3, 2012 at 6:53 pm


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Hi All,
Can anybody help me to solve the below problem? I have data is as below. Please see my below condition. I have seen that data has not been changing whether value of G column is not 0, is blank, but still showing my data is Techandmate. But I need to data where G column data is 0, then Techandmate either is blank.
I am awaiting for your reply.
DebapriyaDebapriya Bej
Hi Debapriya,
You can use normal if condition to solve this problem.
if your formula is below one then you will receive TechandMate wheather your value is 0 or blank because bydefault excel consider 0 if cell is blank under formula-
=IF(G2=0,"TechandMate","No Match").
The correct formula is -
Devbrat Tripathi 10 May 2017 1 0


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Start Comparing Rates within Minutes!
Start Comparing Rates within Minutes and you could save!
Compare Rates Within Minutes!
- Complete 1 short quote form
- Compare rates from top insurers
- Save time & money!
Georgia electronic auto insurance verification system crashesPosted On Fri, June 11, 2010
There could be trouble for some Georgia drivers who have changed or added an auto insurance plan in the last week.
The Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System, which allows law enforcement officials to verify a driver's insurance information in the field, crashed early last Sunday, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The crash, which was caused by a burst water pipe on the roof of the state's Department of Revenue building in Atlanta, rendered the system unable to process updates to the system from insurance companies across the state that came after midnight on Sunday.
While the problem has since been repaired, the Times Free Press said it will leave those drivers who made insurance transactions after midnight on Sunday without updated information until the middle of next week. Because Georgia requires all drivers have insurance, the paper said, this incident highlights why it is important for all drivers to carry up-to-date proof of insurance in their car.
Georgia lawmakers also recently voted to ban texting while driving, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. The ban will start July 1 and any driver caught texting will receive a $150 ticket.
Feedback or questions? Email the editor here.


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Getting to Why
There's more to business than just the method. Business is always about making money, but is that all? With so much time and energy and sacrifice and sweat, there must also be passion in the mix. We'll help you get back to basics, and rediscover your passion for improving the world.


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1 on 1 Photography Coaching
I do 1-on-1 consultations with photographers like you, who are insanely talented but just can't figure out what they need to do to get to the next level. So let's talk about you, your work and get you thinking differently about your photography!
Feel free to have a list of questions/topics you'd like to discuss, such as:
We dig into your work and I help you take your photography to the next level.
I give you advice to separate yourself from the competition.
I Help you with pricing. I'll even be straight up with you and tell you what I think your work is worth.
I can teach you how to stay creative at every shoot.
I'll critique your portfolio and give you advice to make it stronger.
Through it all, I want to encourage you to be the best photographer you can be!
We get better together!


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1895 Boulder Springs Dr, Creve Coeur, MO 63146
Contact Us:
Corporate Housing and Extended-stay Apartments in Creve Coeur, MO
Looking for furnished apartments or corporate housing in Creve Coeur, MO? Boulder Springs is a luxurious apartment complex in the Westport/Creve Coeur area of St Louis. Enjoy the ultimate in sophisticated comfort in your fully furnished corporate apartment at Boulder Springs. Lavish landscaping and calming waterscapes encircle creatively designed apartment homes. Boulder Springs neighbors Westport and Creve Coeur Business Centers as well as Parkway Schools. From amenities for the active lifestyle to leisurely relaxation, there's much to satisfy your individual taste. Boulder Springs Apartments in Creve Coeur are located near the juncture of 270 and 364 (Page) at the Bennington exit.
Arch Interim Housing is a corporate housing, extended stay, furnished apartment provider in the Greater St Louis area. Our mission is to make our guests feel at home in their extended stay apartments, which is why all of Arch Interim Housing's corporate apartments come fully furnished and are ready to move in! We want to exceed corporate housing expectations and we attempt to do so by saving customers up to 60% off normal hotel costs! If you're in need of a furnished apartment in Central St Louis, Arch Interim Housing currently offers five locations including, Boulder Springs, Kings Landing, Whispering Hills, The Cove West and Charter Place.
Property Features:
- 24-Hour Fitness Center
- Putting Green/Jogging Trail
- Sparkling Pool
- Sport Court Tennis /Basketball
- Stocked Lake / Fishing Pier
- Car Care Center
- Minutes to Everywhere!
Apartment Features:
- Enclosed Patio or Balcony
- European Style Kitchens
- Wood Floors (in select units)
- Fireplace (in select units)
- Washer/Dryer
- Built in Bookcases
- Garage/Carports Available
In Every Apartment:
- Fully Furnished
- 32" Flat Panel TV and DVD Player
- Housewares – Kitchen/Bath/Bedroom
- High Speed Internet
- All utilities included
- Expanded Cable Service
- Unlimited Local Phone Service
- Washer and Dryer


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May we be as majestic as the mountains, as humble as the lakes and as resilient as the trees
The best time to reflect and set goals for the coming year may be now, when the benefits of the seeds that were sown in this month have started to reap and we begin to feel a sense of transformation…
This month, where we set limits on our most basic of needs demonstrates our truest potential and allows us to catch glimpses into our eternal selves.
May the feelings and rewards of this month serve as a sign of our tremendous ability to soar through divine attachment.
May this month serve as the foundation for a beautiful year to come.
Eid Mubarak to you and your families!
And in awaiting you, we have gone searching and seeking…
To the mountains of faraway lands and to the oceans and their foreign sands.
To the desert and the scorching sun and to Ali and his beloved son.
We have walked, pining, both by light and by night.
We seek you not through the eye but from the heart. We seek you before our end, despite your presence from the start.
And in this search, we look for a sign, and turn our gaze to the night skies. To the moon that shines so bright lighting up this blessed night.
And thus, we find our sign, and hear the night's song and so, for you, we shall continue to long.
Don't let a few grey clouds blur your perspective


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When training for any sport, there will constantly be multiple places of the body to focus on. You may possibly train to be a boxer by focusing on your upper body by means of the use of kettle bells, energy bags and boxing rings. The use of entire-physique vibration fitness machines supplements their education plan and supplies a excellent pretraining warm up. Vibration machines supply strength, conditioning, and revitalization advantages as well as help in accelerating rehabilitation right after an injury. FITNESS SF Mobile enables you to view class schedules, class modifications, add a class to your calendar, view current announcements, promotions, coupons and membership incentives. These programs also present you with the total fitness regime that can assist you stay fit and active throughout the day. These classes are a great way to work the whole body and boost general fitness.
Applying fitness equipment like the LS7000 elliptical trainer is a great way to get in shape and stay that way. Guests will forgive you for not providing an elaborate supplying of heavy duty strength equipment stations. Treadmills have maintained their reputation in the fitness equipment market in spite of competitors from many new and novel varieties of exercise equipment. Fitness initial also had a nice said of giveaways with membership good bag, water bottle, t-shirts. By varying between a steady, comfortable pace and brief periods of sustained work you will be in a position to improve your aerobic fitness level progressively more than time. Putting your order on the internet for any residence health club equipment or commercial fitness gear is now so straightforward and considerably convenient. The use of vibration exercising platforms enhances the benefits of coaching regimens and adds variation to any fitness routine. Any individual can assess your personal fitness against some of the fittest males on the planet.
Uncover the great and organic globe of bee pollen diet program tablets and how it can aid you obtain your fitness objectives. Swinton revealed that the most widespread purpose for property gym equipment accidents is improper equipment assembly major to dropping heavy weights on the floor, scrapping walls although moving equipment about the residence, Swedish balls knocking more than ornaments, and so on. You can forget about possessing any real good results as a fitness model if you never marketplace and network yourself effectively.
These fitness equipments are simply available in on the web store or in your regional industry and will last in your fitness center or private training studio for coming years. Whether motivated by other people at any one particular of the providence fitness center or simply working out on your own, it is crucial to contain all three routines in your fitness plan. If you want to get far better outcomes from your fitness routine, measure your progress – actually. Although you believe that the fitness equipment you are preparing to acquire is a very good 1, reading the fine print genuinely wouldn't hurt as it may possibly say that you also have to decrease your calorie intake and not just rely on what the machine could do for you. The Cybex Arc Trainer comes in several models all of which are deemed industrial grade fitness gear.
Despite the fact that property gym gear typically come with a lot of instruction on how to properly assemble, use, and preserve the machine, customers still take a wonderful risk when they choose to take care of the gear themselves. The treadmill continues to be the best option for any person hunting for fitness equipment in order to shed some pounds. On prime of that, health club equipment assembly experts do their job efficiently and promptly. Compared to other varieties of fitness gear, treadmills are simple to use and don't call for you to move your physique in an unnatural way, or restrict the natural movements of your limbs. This equipment is developed to provide maximum free of charge motion and has been released in the industry soon after top quality inspection of the most extreme requirements.


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Raccoon reaches roof of Minnesota office building as crowds watch
A raccoon made its way to the very top of a Minnesota office building early Wednesday as a captivated audience watched in the streets and on social media.
The raccoon, which scaled the UBS Tower in St. Paul, stopped along the way for a quick nap on a window ledge of the 23rd floor — more than 200 feet above the street, according to MPR News.
Animal control personnel hoped to get the critter down from the building before it went any higher. Officials set traps with food hoping to lure it and end the harrowing climb, the Star Tribune reported.
"We don't want to scare him," Laurie Brickley, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Safety and Inspections, told the newspaper. "The best thing is to leave him alone."
The raccoon received its couple of hours of fame on social media as users monitored the climb through the hashtag #mprraccoon. Users posted photos of the raccoon's plight onto social media.
MPR reporter Tim Nelson tweeted a video of the raccoon "doing a little grooming" from the 23rd floor's ledge, "now that he's a social media star."
Paige Donnelly Law, which is also located in the UBS building, posted some close-up shots of the varmint, which the law firm said "seems to be doing well."
"We've been told that the building has live traps on the roof and are trying to get him to go up there," Paige Donnelly Law wrote. "We all just have to keep our fingers crossed."
Evan Frost, also of MPR News, tweeted the raccoon got a visit from the St. Paul Fire Department, and that cat food had been placed on the roof of the building.
By Tuesday afternoon, the raccoon had its own Twitter account, with its first tweet saying, "I made a big mistake."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Prometheus I+II
©2011 Christopher Boots
In ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus, gave to mortals what was reserved for the gods: fire. From this point in history, humankind harnessed technology to advance civilisation to what is now contemporary society.
PROMETHEUS I and II displays a signature Christopher Boots 'rough-luxe' aesthetic and is now considered a contemporary classic.Enquire about this product
Hand rubbed brass, mirror polished brass, dark bronze, aged or mottled patina, brushed stainless steel. Please discuss finish options with your dealer.
Brass, quartz crystal, iron, polymer.
Dimensions: ∅ 450mm -∅ 2100mm. Further size options upon request.
Weight: Starts at 5.0kg.
Lamping: 2500K-2700K LED. Other options available.
Dimming: 0-10V. Other options available.
Details & Notes:Prometheus I Quartz crystals point up like a crown. Prometheus II Quartz crystals point down like the Sword of Damocles. Crystals are grown by Mother Nature, as such all crystals will differ in size, shape and scale with every fixture. Please note Prometheus I+II is produced in limited editions of 88 per year. Your dealer will advise on availability.PDF


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…oh, you know the rest.
I won't lie. I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music. The idea of Christmas Music 24/7 is not something I find appealing
But, I do like some of it, and that's why KROB is playing Christmas music scattered throughout the day. We won't bombard you or overwhelm you with wall to wall Christmas classics, but we will sprinkle in some of the Cool Yule Tunes to get you in the mood. And as we get closer to Christmas, we'll play more.
As my mom always said, "Enjoy … but, in moderation".


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Image from City Press.
It is sometimes unfortunate where what could be construed as a proper message gets destroyed by someone who a) is likely trying to whip up a bit of hype (which makes me ponder how election campaigns in 2014 are going to work out) and b) knows how the media (the world media, to be fair) clings to what makes a pretty headline. For example: "Pet dogs not for blacks - Zuma".
While we, including myself, spent the day ridiculing the president's remarks (and his spokesman's absurd statement of explanation), there are huge messages that were mixed up in the fray. Two of them stand out for me.
Firstly, while many people were quick to jump on quotes in Zuma's story such as "Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white," and spokesman Mac Maharaj's "the essential message from the President was the need to decolonise the African mind post-liberation," there is a very real phenomenon in South Africa, and the world, of the hangover from bastard regimes such as apartheid. Contrary to unpopular belief, elections in 1994 didn't solve the problems that beset South Africa after a fat dose of colonialism and 40-odd years of not only lawful segregation, but a institutionalised dehumanisation. White privilege (or douchebaggery, as some indirectly refer to it) is a very real thing, and its place in the head of most people - on both ends of the privilege - is common. While I am in no way an anthropologist, and am wary of suggesting solutions to anyone, a mere walk around South Africa, or a glance at many newspapers, will offer multiple examples of the effects of racism of which many people on the good end are not aware. When Maharaj wrote about "decolonis(ing) the African mind", he was quoting Nigerian author Chinweizu who authored The West and the Rest of Us, a book arguing against western models of governance and living (and denoting exploitation of Africa and Africans, amongst others) in places that were not western. Zuma clumsily (I use the word in its loosest sense) alluded to this concept in terms of culture: ie, playing into models which suit westernism (or in South Africa's case, white-ism, where there is, of course, significant overlap) at the expense of one's own culture. Somehow he bastardised it into a conversation about what is African vs un-African (a bizarre and incredibly distasteful concept - more on this later), how people treating their pets determines their culture (and indirectly the value of that culture), and some ridiculous and non-existent commonality of African culture (FYI: there are more than a billion people on the continent).
Zuma (and Maharaj) haemorrhaging this topic during his speech on Thursday shouldn't invalidate it as a real issue. Whether you are prepared to accept that there is still a significant hangover from apartheid or not (and sometimes government makes it incredibly hard to do so) a large portion of its effects is intangible. It is not just the crappy infrastructure in the Eastern Cape, or the endless pit into which we throw our youth during what other countries consider school age. It is mightily present in the day-to-day interactions among races (and cultures and sub-cultures and genders and so on) all over the place. White privilege (and the benefits therein), and conversely black (in the Biko sense) disadvantage (and the inherent hindrance), exists. In some ways this extrapolates into a social system whereby the beneficiaries of apartheid are not forced into confronting their own conditioning, and, in a nutshell, the lack of privilege experienced by those on the receiving end is complicit in this; ie the "colonisation of the mind".
Discussion over this concept, of which I really don't feel entitled to take part, shouldn't be canned because of the wackery enunciated by the president on Thursday.
Secondly, I worry there is going to be some mini culture war in the general election in 2014. A raft of by-elections since local elections in 2011 has indicated the ANC could hurt the next time the nation goes to the polls. Not terribly I would suppose, but that two-thirds majority is definitely on the line. I clumsily tried to denote my concerns about this on one or other social network earlier, but I then came across a superb blog post by @siyandawrites on Twitter, who explained this concept far better than I could ever have. (The emphasis is mine)
Zuma used the one word that I am physically incapable of ignoring. In his defence of his anti-pet-dog sentiments, he uttered the word, "un-African."
Nothing infuriates me more than the use of that word. It drives me particularly insane when its speaker is very obviously using it as a means of shaming Africans out of their right to self-determination.
It makes me even angrier because it is almost always used to persecute the African middle-class. Very rarely are the poor in Africa accused of behaving in an un-African manner. It's almost as if some people believe that the African, like some sort of religious servant, must stay in his most deprived form in order to retain dignity in his identity. Which is a notion that I regard ridiculous at its best and at its worst, utterly dangerous to the African psyche.
I can't believe it is five-to-2013 and we're still hell-bent on keeping African culture in 1605. How is it that African leaders are still allowed to equate walking your dog to lightening your skin?
[some text omitted]
So what is this about?
This is about using shame to police a part of the South African population that the ANC is quickly losing touch with—the African middle-class. By ridiculing them for choosing to lead a lifestyle outside of the confines of the poverty and often-oppressive 18th century principles that he defines to be 'African', the ANC president may be aiming to shame them back to the party that all the 'die-hard Africans' cling to like a life-raft in ice-water.
And there you have it. Culture war is likely an over-statement (I live in America, for goodness sake), but Zuma's speech today indicates there will be some of this sort of electioneering leading up to 2014.
And both of these points were lost in the great noise from this morning.


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The holiday season is upon us with Christmas only weeks away. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is undoubtedly the busiest travel time of the year with notorious transportation delays, traffic and travel snags meeting travelers at every turn.
Traveling with children in tow can be a big headache in general, so it is to be expected that vacations with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be even more chaotic, nerve rattling and stressful. So stressful that many families decide to stay home missing out on the chance to experience new things and visit friends and relatives.
This holiday season, I encourage you to take the leap and go. With a little preparation and planning, I am positive that both you and your children will have a wonderful time whether you're heading home or escaping on a family adventure. Most importantly, if your child is undergoing biomedical treatments and has improved, enjoy the positive responses you will get from friends and family who haven't seen your child in months. They will be thrilled to see the progress your child has made and will reinforce that all of your hard work has been recognized by others.
Transitions are usually difficult for many on the spectrum, and traveling is really a series of transitions. Preparing your child as much as possible will make any trip a more enjoyable experience for all involved.
Some advance planning of specific steps of the trip can be made ahead of time. Below are tips for both preparing your child and preparing the environment for a better travel experience.
- Put together a picture and word "travel book" of what means of transport you are going to be using to, who you are going to see, where you will sleep, and what you will do or see at your destination. Go over this like you would a storybook as often as you like in preparation for the trip.
- Take a practice run. Call your airport and ask if there is an autism access program in place. Many will let families take a practice run through airport security as well as other experiences, such as mock boarding.
Stick to a routine. Think of your child's daily routine and the items he likes or needs and bring them along to make him feel more at
home. Bring whatever foods and drinks will keep him happy on the trip, especially if there are dietary restrictions.
Obtain a doctor's note permitting you to travel with special foods, supplements, methyl B12 injections, etc. in cooler bags on the plane. The 3 oz rule for carrying liquids can be excused with proper documentation.
A few of his favorite things will go a long way. Bring iPads, games, toys and objects of comfort to hold your child's attention. If he only plays with one favorite item, try to find a duplicate and see if you can "break it in" before the trip.
Always board early when traveling by air or train, to give your child (and you) time to settle in and adjust to the environment.
Be a good neighbor. Talk to the passenger next to you about the possible behaviors that may be exhibited by your child during the flight. If your child a rocker, asking for bulkhead seats or the last row of seats on the plane will limit the number of fellow travelers that are impacted.
Your child should always carry identification. Make sure he has an id tag attached to him, with a current phone number written on it. You can order medical bracelets, necklaces and tags to attach to shoe laces. Make an ID card with a current photo, date and phone numbers. Be sure to put any information that is important to know such as allergies and medications, and any special information (i.e. non verbal).
When staying in a hotel, look for properties that offer clean, green, nonsmoking environments. It is also a good idea to call ahead and ask for a quiet room. You may wish to explain about the person's behavior if there is a likelihood of him exhibiting them in the public part of the hotel.
Prepare the relatives and friends you are visiting so they can be aware of your child's needs regarding food, sleeping situations, whether they are toilet trained or sleep in pullups, what their sleeping waking patterns are. No one likes to have house guests with lots of surprises!


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I've been thinking about doing some watercolor paintings for my Etsy shop. I haven't painted for a long time and was surprised at how difficult this simple painting became. So today's painting is just a practice piece to warm up and re-establish those connections between eyes, brain, and hands.
I was planning to start with a carrot, then paint this lovely red pepper. But I needed the pepper for tonight's dinner, so it got to go first.


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MONTREAL, March 27 (UPI) -- Dainius Zubrus' goal late in the second period proved the decisive tally Saturday as the New Jersey Devils downed Montreal 4-2.
Martin Brodeur stopped 25 shots while Patrik Elias, Brian Rolston and Jamie Langenbrunner each chipped in with goals for the Devils, who clinched a playoff berth with the win, pulling into a tie with Pittsburgh atop the Atlantic Division with 93 points.
Montreal got goals from Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec as the Canadiens dropped their fourth game in five contests but hung onto sixth place in the East, two points ahead of both Boston and Philadelphia.
Jaroslav Halak gave up three goals on 25 shots in the Canadiens' defeat.


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Are you there? ...
Need to learn to let it go
I know you'd do no harm to me ...
And it couldn't be more wrong 'cause there's no one there
Unmistakably lost and without a care ...
And it's wearing me down
And it's turning me round
And I can't find a way now
To find it out
Where are you when I need you
Are you there?
Anathema ~ Are You There? ~
Do you remember the book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret". Written in 1970 by Judy Blume, this novel was popular with young adults as they could relate to the sixth grade girl who had to confront many pre-teen female issues. Margaret would have conversations with God. One of my favourite books growing up.
I thought about this book recently, because of the constant conversations I have with Him. I usually start with an introduction. Which is odd, I know, because I am pret-ty sure He knows who I am. And not for any other reason but the numerous times I try to connect with him ... every day. He probably thinks, oh boy! here we go again ... seriously though, a creator knows his creation.
And my conversations have evolved. Initially they were around "why me?" ... yet, now on month 18 of the Gerson Therapy, I ask "what is the plan?", because I trust there is one.
I remember in the past having a debate about God with a friend. She couldn't understand why I had "blind" faith. She couldn't understand why there is evil in the world if He exists. Valid questions and stumbling blocks for many people. Yet understanding He loves us and wants us to love Him back by choice ... giving US the freedom to choose. And if we make this choice it is REAL love because it is a REAL choice. The potential for love outweighs the existence of evil, as evil is only going to exist for a short time, but love is going to go on forever. Perhaps all of the suffering and death that we see in the world today are the result of wrong choices made by man?
Many people are uncomfortable when is comes to talking about religion. Perhaps it makes them feel vulnerable because they feel they can't trust or don't know what to believe. I respect that we are in different places along our own spiritual journey. Thankfully, I have the space to freely discuss spirituality ... with my family and some friends. I feel safe. And sometimes I share my conversations, and other times, I keep them close to my heart.
I take great solace in my conversations. They are pure & honest. They are REAL ... and they may not be pret-ty all the time, but they do end with great gratitude for life. My Life.
Thank-You God, It's Me ...


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ELEMENT 2595 Hoover St. The Shrine Collection the Two Nine
*Disclaimer: Individual unit specifications and features may vary. Photos shown here are not meant to be representative of all units. Please consult with a leasing representative for more specific information. Measurements, dimensions, and angles depicted in floor plans are approximations only, and are made by third parties. Stuho does not accept any liability for the representations and/or claims made in these floor plans.
✔ Fall-2019 Spring 2020 Full Year ✔ Spring 2019✔ Immediate Move-in Possible (Call to confirm.) Now pre-leasing for Fall 2019, we're proud to present the newest addition to the USC student housing community: Element. These brand new 2-story townhomes, located on the North side of the USC campus, offer a new standard in luxury. Perfectly located just a short walk from the Row and campus, Element is also adjacent to great eateries and nightlife like Nature's Brew and Bacaro, to name a few, and will be home to even more desirable businesses once doors open. All apartments will feature individual remote controlled AC, laundry inside the unit, cutting edge modern finishes: stone counters hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances, to name a few. Top of line amenities include fully-furnished units, a pool, fitness center, high speed internet and satellite, and gated parking, among many others. Apartments can be rented as 3 bedroom 3 bathroom units or by-the-room. Leases go from Fall 2019 to Spring 2020. Spring semester 2020 leases also available! Penthouse The Penthouse at Element is the epitome of modern student living. Combining elegance and grace with luxury and comfort, the Penthouse is truly the definition of refined, redefined. The design features a sprawling layout with amazing common areas overlooking a beautiful, uninhibited corner view of the USC area. This is combined with high end designer furniture, beautiful finishes from Restoration Hardware, Bluetooth showerheads, a massive 55" home theater smart TV with HBO/Showtime and an Apple TV included, epic 12' high ceilings, USB electrical plugins, remote-controlled climate control, washer/dryer inside the unit, dramatic oversized windows, sleek stainless steel appliances, a whole a lot ore! But there is only ONE Penthouse, so do NOT delay. Contact us TODAY! Pre-leasing for Fall 2019 - Spring 2020
Distance to Campus:


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Three Training Pillars
Sales are the lifeblood of any successful organisation or business. Since 2010 PTS has provided sales training that has enabled organisations to increase revenue, grow margins and develop a robust sales culture for organisations across East Africa. From beginner through to advanced, we offer a range of sales & sales management programs tailored to cover every stage of the sales process. Our solutions are designed to equip salespeople & sales managers with the tools necessary to become effective, confident and efficient sales professionals and our sales trainers are consistently rated 9/10 for both curriculum development & delivery.
Nothing stands out clearer between competing institutions than the quality of their customer experience. In an ever evolving landscape characterised by stiff competition from local and international players, it's becoming more and more important for organisations – public and private – to provide a customer 'experience' that consistently exceeds expectations. Our Customer Service programs equip individuals and teams with the tools necessary to build a culture of service and delight customers which in turn will impact the bottom line.
EQ for Leadership
The evidence is increasingly compelling. Emotional Intelligence is essential for both individual & business success.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth. -Mayer & Salovey 1997
Research on emerging businesses indicates that the ability to effectively manage the human side of the business is critical for success. The same can be said for leadership. There is clear evidence that emotionally intelligent leaders are more successful. They are better able to foster a workplace climate conducive to high performance which yields significantly higher productivity, retention, and profitability. Ultimately, Emotional Intelligence is the "missing link" that equips people to be change-makers.
At Premier Training Services Ltd, we are excited about the fact that Emotional Intelligence is a learnable skill which means the power to increase human capital is internal. Through our partnership with EI pioneers, the Six Seconds Network, we provide high impact & practical Emotional Intelligence training programs.


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As the world gets more integrated, it is becoming ever more apparent that learning a second language is very useful not only for your career but also for yourself. The process of learning another language is very good training for your mind as well as it encourages your brain to look at things in a different way, making it more flexible. There are many ways to approach learning a second language as you will find out further on and bear in mind that the more different methods you use, the more quickly your brain will adapt to the new skill.
Use Professionals
The most obvious way to start learning a second language is to enroll in a language course. The advantage of a language course is that you will receive not only professional instruction, but also experience learning from reading, speaking and listening all at the same time. Of course, only learning during the hours of the course will never be enough to get competent in a second language. You will still have to use other techniques to reinforce your learning away from the classroom. An added benefit is that it will add a new group of people to your social network, and you may be able to practice with each other out of the classroom such as over coffee. Planning a trip to Rio? Check out this Udemy course, Fun with Brazilian Portuguese.
Raise the Stakes
In an increasingly globalized world, it is becoming more and more imperative to become proficient in more than one language. Even in America, and even though English is the most universally spoken language, you can significantly improve your employment outlook if you can speak English, Spanish and/or Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese fluently. Employers are continually looking for ways to expand their network. Hiring staff who can speak several languages shows them you can converse with an entirely different group of people. It may also enhance your opportunities to work abroad.
In addition, you get to better understand another culture. One of the ways to learn more about yourself is to learn more about others. Sometimes, you will get eye openers that would not have happened had to restricted yourself to being proficient in only one spoken language. Not to mention, studies have shown that students who studied a foreign language have higher test scores in math, reading and the language arts. This might be the result of stretching your mind's capabilities. Your brain is a muscle and as they say, use it or lose it. Learning a second language also help to improve your cognitive abilities.
Read Books in Other Languages
You do not need to be fluent in another language to read a textbook. Well written textbooks should be self explanatory and in any bookstore you will be able to find a variety of different styles. Spend some time browsing until you find one that suits your needs and that you find interesting. If the book has exercises, do them on a piece of paper rather than directly into the book so that you can repeat them multiple times and be sure to check that the book comes complete with the correct answers. It is essential to also invest in a good quality dictionary that translates both ways between your native language and the one you are trying to learn. Moreover, if you have always wanted to visit Pompeii, you should enroll in this Udemy course, Speak Italian Like an Italiano.
Create Your Own Language Aids
One of the most popular learning aids for languages and other things are flashcards. Buy a stack on index cards and use them to learn words and phrases by writing on one side of the card in your language and the translation on the reverse.You can then test yourself by looking at the phrase in your language and try to say out loud or in your head what the word or phrase is in your target language.
Go through the stack of cards regularly during the day for five to ten minutes and once you are confident you can remember a particular card remove it from the deck and put it aside. Once a week go through all the cards, you have put aside and double check you can still remember all the words and phrases. Make a card with a new word or phrase on it to place in the deck for each one you set aside. Perhaps you have the Great Wall of China on your list of travel destinations? Survival Chinese for Beginners should help.
Label Everyday Objects
A very good way to gain a quick grasp of basic everyday vocabulary is to use post it notes at home. You can label the objects in your house with the stickers with its name in your target language so that every time you look at the object you will associate the new word with it.This is especially useful for learning names for all kinds of food. It may look a little odd, but it is highly effective.
Use Audio Aids
There are a large number of audio tape course available for pretty much every language under the sun. These can be very useful for learning while doing other activities such as driving or exercising. You can also look online for television shows in your target language that you normally watch in your native language and watch some episodes. With internet radio, it is now very easy to find radio stations from anywhere in the world. Find one in your target language and put it on in the background when you are doing things so that your mind subconsciously absorbs the language.
Read News and Other Simple Articles
Reading is a very good way to learn vocabulary and sentence structure and reading out loud will help your mind see and hear the words. Good reading materials to start with are things like tabloid newspaper articles in your target language as they are short and usually contain simpler language. When reading keep your dictionary and index cards to hand so that you can look up words you do not know and add them to a flashcard for learning later. You should be able to find all these things online with a little searching. The sooner you get started, the quicker you can start the learning process.
Use Your Second Language at Every Opportunity
As the old saying goes practice make perfect so embrace any opportunity, you can find to use your growing language skills. If you have a friend who is fluent in or learning the same language as you, take every opportunity you can to talk in your second language rather than using your native one. There are also interactive computer learning courses where can 'talk' to your computer that will generate responses and critique your grammar.
As with anything, learning a second language is all about time and commitment. The more time and enthusiasm you put into your learning the faster your progress will be. Each of the methods mentioned here are not stand alone, and the most effective learning tool will be to use all of them. Learning a second language might be difficult, at first, but it is also highly enjoyable. Imagine next time you go on vacation to a place where you can now speak their language. It will be nice to be able to properly immerse yourself in the culture of that country. If you decide English is the language of your choice, you should check out this Udemy article, Best Way to Learn English: The Experts Weigh In.


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Isn't Delhi's heat getting on the head? If you are a Delhite, you know where I'm coming from. While it's so humid, I just can't travel without my tumbler, like I literally drink water like a fish. Having said that I also try to sip on coconut water, lemonade to.
Category: LIFESTYLE
I have been thinking to do this post since really long, but events and reviews kept me busy. Today through this post you would be able to Get To Know Me better. So many of you read my blogs, and it is important for you guys, my virtual fam to know.
Right from the day I started posting about healthy food and workouts on Instagram, I have started getting so many DMs. I feel that healthy eating is really important when we live in a place which is polluted, the lifestyle is so fast, & we are working the entire day..


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Spill Kits for Trucks – Managing Spills on the Road
The large majority of spills are considered accidental. In the case of spills relating to transportation, in particular trucks, used for freighting commercial goods they usually occur due to breakdowns or maintenance requirements. Without a spill kit for your truck in place, and without a basic understanding of how to respond to … Read more


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Creamos has been founded in 2001 by Maria Teresa Losada and Maria Cristina Angulo, two volunteers that have been operating in Bolivia for a long time.
Creamos receives support and donations mainly from Spain, Italy and lately Canada and USA. The Creamos Italian branch is supported by Museke ONLUS (for more info about Museke please see below).
Who is Museke?
Museke NGO has been operating for more than 40 years and helpschildren in Africa and Latin America. Museke supports Creamos in Italy, with offering consistent donations and allowing to use their postal and banking account, with no administrative and/or running cost. The amount of money collected through the donations is totally dedicated to the projects in Bolivia where the association is run by volunteer staff only (absolutely at no cost) and there are no administrative expenses.
Abandoned children deprived of any type of support and in danger of death are taken in and lodged in a guest house established and managed by Creamos.
The children remain in the house till their families are recovered and convinced to take them back home.
This becomes practicable because unwanted children are the only reliable means of sustenance for all the components of the family tanks to the economic support provided by Creamos. At present 15 children are hosted in the Hogar.
Children belonging to families under conditions of extreme poverty. With the money of donations, 360USD per year (the equivalent of only 1USD a day) Creamos supports the children's families with food contributions, school- stationery, text-books and school fees, reparation and retrofit of the house/cabin, medical care to all the components of the family.
With regard to this cash money is never delivered: volunteers of the organization pay a visit to the supported families more or less every two months and verify that mothers or grandmothers utilize all the allotted resources in accordance with established rules. At the moment 64 distance adoptions are being carried on .
Creamos has contributed to the realisation of 14 centres PAN located on the highland of Cochabamba and 2 in the neighbouring villages; the project has been financed by the local Government and partially by Creamos. These centres, sited at different altitudes, among 2550m and 4150m above sea level, give hospitality, from 8am to 5pm, to children aged one to six year. There the children are taken care of and receive breakfast and two hot meals a day, so that the mothers can carry out their work in the fields being free from cares of every kind.
Hereto, all the mothers have been organized in self managed co-operative associations, putting into practice the saying "help yourself and God will help you".
Currently Creamos furnishes food integration to all the 16 PAN centres because the nourishment provided by the Government, that consists only of pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, dried milk, oil and sugar, lacks of vitamins and animal proteins necessaries for the regular growth of the brains of the little boys hosted in the PANs. With regard to this Creamos delivers to the PANs vegetables and fresh fruit, eggs and chicken at least twice a week. 410 children aged from 0 to 6 years are being taken care of in the 16 PANs in this period.
Seven communities over the highland and two in the town are addressed with the "other activities"
- Patronizers of the Life are mothers who watch over the other mothers and the children in the community, assist the women with child before and during the delivery and celebrate periodically the Party of the Life.
- Medical service during the diagnosis and treatment of rehabilitation to those children considere "different" and therefore excluded from every type of therapeutic intervention.
- Creation of co-operative associations and training of women meant to become managers of the PAN centres, courses aimed at improving the techniques of cultivation and sale of the products of the earth and courses of updating every year.
- Courses addressed to those girls and boys who wish to become "sponsor of the life" in the belonging community.
Free offer
a free offer of 30-50 USD a couple of times a year according with one's affordability. These donations are set aside for the project Hogar of the niño and/or the food integration for the PANs children, according to the necessities.
Child Financial Support
this project is financed through donations of 360USD per year, usually allotted by semi-annual instalments
Where the money goes
With the proceeds of the donations Creamos helps the whole family to remain united thanks to contributions of food if the crop has gone badly, school aids and appliances for needy children, improvement or retrofit of the cabin they live in, and finally the medical treatment carried out entirely by volunteer physicians.
We cannot do everything, but we can all do something
supported by


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We previously told you about the ongoing debate centered around whether Title VII protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation (see our May and August newsletters). Late February, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled on the issue, departing from its prior position. Last year, a panel from the Second Circuit (meaning that the decision was rendered by only three judges) ruled that Title VII did not protect against sexual orientation discrimination. That decision was based, at least in part, on the conclusion that existing precedent can only be overturned by the entire Second Circuit or the Supreme Court. But the Court granted a rehearing en banc (meaning it would be decided by a full panel of thirteen judges) and oral argument was held last fall. Now, in Zarda v. Altitu de Express, Inc., the entire Second Circuit sitting en banc has decided that Title VII does protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Donald Zarda was previously employed as a skydiving instructor. In 2010, a customer and her boyfriend purchased tandem skydives, in which an instructor is strapped to the back of a client. At some point during the jump, Zarda informed the female customer that he was gay—as he often did with female customers, to assuage any concerns or minimize any awkwardness since he was strapped tightly to them. When the female customer's boyfriend found out after the sky dive, he complained to Altitude Express. Zarda was fired shortly thereafter. Zarda sued his former employer, alleging that he was fired from his job because he failed to conform to male sex stereotypes by referring to his sexual orientation.
Overturning prior precedent, the Second Circuit concluded that "sexual orientation discrimination is motivated, at least in part, by sex and is thus a subset of sex discrimination." In so doing, the Court recognized that Congress intended to make sex "irrelevant" to employment decisions and noted the Supreme Court has held that Title VII prohibits not just discrimination based on sex itself, but also discrimination based on traits that are a function of sex, such as life expectancy, and non-conformity with gender norms. Logically, Title VII's prohibition on discrimination "because of…sex" extends to sexual orientation discrimination because sex is necessarily a factor in sexual orientation. One cannot fully define a person's sexual orientation without identifying his or her sex; in fact, "sexual orientation is defined by one's sex in relation to the sex of those to whom one is attracted." In the Second Circ uit's view, sexual orientation is therefore a function of sex. Because sexual orientation is a function of sex and sex is a protected characteristic under Title VII, it follows that sexual orientation is also protected.
According to the Court, this interpretation is "reinforced by considering the question from the perspective of sex stereotyping because sexual orientation discrimination is predicated on assumptions about how persons of a certain sex can or should be, which is an impermissible basis for adverse employment actions." Sexual orientation discrimination is almost invariably rooted in stereotypes about men and women, which are impermissible bases for employment decisions. Referencing another recent appellate decision (discussed in our May newsletter), the Second Circuit noted that same-sex orientation "represents the ultimate case of failure to conform" to gender stereotypes (i.e., the belief that "real" men should date women, not other men). Regardless of whether negative views about same-sex attraction result from gender stereotypes or "moral beliefs about sexual, marital, and familial relationships" (as the defense argued) such beliefs necessarily take sex into consideration and are therefore predicated, to some degree, on sex. According to the Court, this inevitably brings them under the purview of Title VII's prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex.
With this ruling, the Second Circuit joins the Seventh Circuit in so holding. The Eleventh Circuit has already held that Title VII does not prohibit sexual orientation discrimination. To date, no other appellate courts (including the Tenth Circuit, in which Oklahoma lies) have decided the issue, and the Supreme Court has recently declined the opportunity to weigh in. This remains an ongoing debate, but one not likely to reach a consensus anytime soon. Stay tuned.
By Rebecca D. Bullard, email@example.com
Justin B. Munn
Justin represents clients throughout Oklahoma in family law, civil litigation, guardianships, adoptions, estate planning, trust and probate matters.
Oklahoma Employer's Law Blog


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Fungus Testing Laboratory
The Fungus Testing Laboratory was established in the Department of Pathology in 1985, and serves as an international reference laboratory for clinical mycology.
Services offered include: Fungal identification, the in vitro susceptibility testing of antifungal drugs, the measurement of levels of antimycotic agents in biological tissues and fluids, and the evaluation of antifungal properties of potential and new antifungal drugs. The Fungus Testing Laboratory has been particularly active in the screening and testing of newly licensed antifungal antimicrobics for the pharmaceutical industry and serves as the contract laboratory for clinical efficacy studies involving these agents in therapeutic and clinical trials in humans for the major drug companies involved in the development of such antimicrobial agents.
The Fungus Testing Laboratory is now Performing Isavuconazole Susceptibility Testing and Drug Level Measurements
Laboratory Director:
Nathan P. Wiederhold, Pharm. D.
E-Mail: email@example.com


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There is something worse than guilt: indifference.
We sin, and guilt is the response. Sin and guilt are inescapable while we're in this broken life. Redemption enters our picture and brings health. Healthy things grow. When we're not growing, something is wrong. Seems simple enough, but it isn't.
We can ignore our guilt and get used to not growing. Redemption is poisoned by apathy and a new pattern is set: we get stuck in a spiritual rut. Stagnation becomes our habit.
Redemption can enter again and set things right. If you're in a rut, you don't need to keep banging your head against the wall. You can make a change. The question is simple: what are you going to do?
God will show up, no doubt about it. What is our responsibility when we're stuck in the rut?
I have thought a lot about spiritual ruts. I've been a believer for 25 years, and I've gone through ruts both dark and deep. By the grace of God, I've heard his voice and made it back out. A few years ago I collected 12 principles that helped me climb out and move forward, I'll post these over the next week or so.
My encouragement is that you'd take a moment after reading each one and reflect on the condition of your heart. Spend time in prayer. Write out what you're thinking in a journal. The rut is powerful, consuming, lonely…but there is hope in Christ.
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7
part 8
part 9
part 10


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There's a lot of terms to describe people with paranormal abilities: psychic, medium, intuitive, clairvoyant. I feel like they all apply to me, but I never considered myself an empath.
I heard others describe themselves as such, but didn't think I was one of them. I was just a psychic.
But recently I have come to the realization that I am empathic too. And when I accepted it, everything made sense to me: like all of the times I felt uncomfortable in a crowd of people; whenever I met someone I automatically liked or disliked.
For as long as I can remember, I have been able to sense someone's depression, happiness, or anxiety. At times, I have received information (through my clairs) about someone's personality or past without them speaking a word. I just feel like I know them.
After my empathic epiphany, I understood why I was uncomfortable at parties when I was a child – there was too much energy movement: like an old coffee percolator. The excitement and glee was too overwhelming and I would have to call my mom to pick me up after being at a party for only half an hour.
My epiphany explained why I chose certain people to be my friends or pursued a relationship with them. It wasn't only because we had similar interests and experiences, but because their presence made me feel comfortable and happy.
That's not to say I haven't had bad friendships and relationships. I have met people who seemed nice and looked like a decent person but I felt their negative energy. Despite that, I became their friend all along feeling like it would not end well. I was almost daring myself to be their friend to see if my original feelings were true.
When I have abided by my original feelings I have had good friendships, good relationships, and good experiences. And whenever I ignored those feelings I entered into bad relationships, friendships, and gotten into trouble.
As I write this, it makes me think of the common term "psychic vampire". I think this term is incorrect and is really just an empath being overcome by someone's negative energy. Vampires extract blood, and there is no extracting happening, more like exuding: someone's negative energy is so strong that it overpowers an empath's positive energy making them depressed, fatigued, etc. The whole vampire fad helped the psychic vampire phrase become coined and popular.
Accepting that I am empathic also explained why I act a certain way around people. I am not anti-social or a wall flower, but I do tend to keep to myself. When out in public, I take in situations and if I speak with someone or not either way I'm ok. I don't force situations or conversations. Even when it comes to dating, I am kind of shy and just leave it up to fate. That's not to say that when I feel drawn to someone I ignore it.
I am still figuring this empathic thing out and realizing things about myself. I am reliving past situations and understanding that my reactions to them were based on the feelings I was experiencing. And I'm sure I will continue to have epiphanies and continue to decide how and who I associate with based on my feelings. This isn't going away so I need to learn to not only embrace being empathic but also how to live with it.


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Venti di Nurra, Italy
Windpark Venti di Nurra, Italy
The wind farm realized with Elettrostudio Energia represents a new milestone for Senvion in the Italian wind market. In fact, "Venti di Nurra" is not only the first wind farm in Sardinia for Senvion but also the first Italian project realized with the 3.2M114 turbines. The plant is located around 4 km far from the coast in a favourable position for the wind's exploitation for most of the year in the north-west area of Sardinia.


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Update: Construction delays have pushed back the opening of the new location by one day. It's now expected to open on Friday, July 15.
Original post: Wellington's TooJay's restaurant is moving out of the mall.
But before you panic, it's not going too far.
The business will shutter its Mall at Wellington Green location today at 9 p.m., but it will re-open in less than a week, Thursday July 14, at Wellington Green Commons — just out front near the Whole Foods.
The Florida chain is also offering a "kids eat free" promotion on every Wednesday through August 31 . A child 12 or under will get a free meal off the kid's menu when accompanied by an adult entree.
TooJay's has nearly 30 locations throughout central and south Florida.


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Tom Sorensen
The last great untold story about the Panthers and Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston
When I think of the Carolina Panthers playing New England in Houston in Super Bowl XXXVIII, I think of a great game, which the Patriots won 32-29. But I also think of some of the things players said.
I asked defensive end Mike Rucker who was a bigger deal in Charlotte – quarterback Jake Delhomme or wrestler Ric Flair. Rucker thought for a few seconds and said Flair.
I think of star receiver Steve Smith on a toll road that he didn't expect. He didn't have money with him, so he had to get out of his car and find somebody who would lend him some.
And I think of a player, a journeyman, who did not have nice clothes. Safety Mike Minter took the player in and told him he needed to dress as if he was on a business trip. The player listened, and went out and spent a fortune on a suit. He told me what he paid.
I told Minter. Man, Mike, because of you he's going to have to give all his Super Bowl money to his tailor.
Minter shook his head, went to the player and asked, "How much did you spend?"
The player told him. You could buy a car for what he paid.
Minter could not hide the disapproval on his face.
"But, Mike," said the player. "It came with shoes."
"OK," Minter told him. "You got a good deal then."
Tom Sorensen is a retired Charlotte Observer columnist. Sign up for his newsletter, and follow him on Twitter: @tomsorensen
More from this issue of the Tom Talks newsletter:
[TOM BRADY OR JOE MONTANA? It's hard to compare players of different eras, but ...]
[NFL QUICK HITS: Abolish Thursday night games; don't bet Panthers in 2017; thanks Gaga]
[SOMEDAY SOON ... : Sports organizations don't discriminate. But until HB2 is rescinded, the rest of us do]
[SORENSEN CLASSIC: Panthers QB Cam Newton was put on the clock from the start]


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President Obama sat down with NBC's Al Roker, ABC's Ginger Zee and other prominent weather forecasters Tuesday to make the case that climate change is real.
It's an attempt to take the case straight to television viewers as a new landmark report, the National Climate Assessment, details how climate change has hurt America.
Also read: Was Obama Funnier Than Joel McHale at White House Correspondents Dinner?
"Part of the reason for putting forward this assessment — which involved hundreds of people, experts, businesses, not for profits, and local communities sharing their experience — is we want to emphasize to the public, this is not some distant problem of the future," Obama told Roker in an interview that will air Wednesday on "Today."
"This is a problem that is affecting Americans right now. Whether it means increased flooding, greater vulnerability to drought, more severe wildfires — all these things are having an impact on Americans as we speak," Obama said.
See video: What the Government – and Google – Know About You
The president is going to the people because of what he called "resistance in Congress" — specifically, Republicans who insist that evidence of climate change is inconclusive, despite a near consensus that greenhouse gases are melting the polar ice caps, polluting the air, and otherwise hurting the planet.
This is the third time the U.S. Global Change Research Program has released the National Climate Assessment, which was established in 2010. You can read it here.


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The Dreams of Gerontius is all about puzzles and games.
Armchair treasure hunt books are a big motivator. The best is still the classic Masquerade by Kit Williams, but The [less classic] Merlin Mystery by Jonathan Gunson and Marten Coombe remains a source of intrigue for many. There are plenty of others in the genre of varying quality. I like board games, computer games and puzzles of all types.
I also have several personal projects, including an armchair treasure hunt book of my own that I'm working on. Maybe I'll finish writing it one day!
To keep up to date with posts, you can follow me on Twitter @DGerontius or like my Facebook page.
Stay awhile, relax, and have a little gentle brain exercise.


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Have you wondered about how the Internet of Things [IoT] is changing the way we build? If so, you may be interested in reading this post. You may immediately think of wearables or intelligent buildings, which is a good start. However, if you really delve into all the ways IoT touches your daily work practices, you may be surprised. This BuildingTech Insider post covers just some of the many ways IoT is transforming the way we build.
Let's Build.
Topics: Building Performance, smart buildings, IoT
Today's building systems are dynamic. They functionally integrate to minimize energy consumption, decrease water usage, increase indoor air quality, reduce operational costs, and minimize environmental impact. Buildings are being designed to deliver services to make occupants more productive (e.g. lighting, comfortable climate, indoor air quality, physical security, sanitation, etc.) at the lowest cost over it's lifetime. There's a lot to love about their intelligence.
Topics: Building Performance, smart buildings
Connectivity is a vital part of our daily lives, particularly in structures where we work. As a result, building powerloads are increasing, mostly from wireless accesspoints, in-building wireless antennas, Internet Protocol (IP), LED lighting and environmental controllers. The ability to effectively and efficiently power these devices is a growing challenge. This post discusses the critical role of low voltage systems to optimize building performance.
Topics: Building Performance, Low Voltage Systems
If you did not make it to Philly for the 2016 AIA Convention this year, you really missed out! For the architectural and design community, it is the event of the year when like- minds come together for an incredible experience. As you might expect, you get the opportunity to learn from industry experts, gain insight into what is happening in the built environment, and get inspired by rising stars in the design world. While this year's convention really delivered in all these fronts, I found this year's convention particularly meaningful. In this post, I wanted to share my top three highlights with you.
Jobsite environments are rapidly changing with the increased adoption of onsite technologies advancing active and effective engagement. In this new age of design and construction innovation, there will be winners and losers. There's a clear divide between early adopters and late bloomers that construction professionals cannot afford to ignore. The following describes the technologies we believe will continue to make an impact as well as emerging technologies that could begin to make a presence in 2016.
Topics: Construction Technology, BIM, Building Performance


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the whisperings of a movement
liz lamoreux
Finally, I had a few hours to catch up on lots of blog reading...and I think I have stumbled upon the whisperings of a movement (and I bet you may have heard these whispers too). The movement to let it out. I came across it here, then here, and then here (where it all began - thank you for being the catalyst Pixie!). Then I read this post and this post that had similar themes. And I was reminded of Michelle's post about letting yourself ROAR.
And my mind began to turn. This balance of the "stuff" we may have stuck within us and the wild woman who is inside us. The idea that the only way we may be able to uncover this wild woman, to let her breathe, feel, and howl, is to dislodge some of this stuff.
How do we do this?
I am not sure that I have any answers, but this is what is dancing around in my mind tonight. As I teach yoga, I remind my students to breathe. To create space inside them. To open the heart through the breath. I believe this is one piece. We must move the energy inside us. Breathing is one way. Creating sound is another. Take a breath. On the exhale, create the sound "ooooooh" - let it vibrate within you. Feel how it shifts your focus, your awareness.
Maybe through this connection of the breath and sound we can begin to shift the energy. We can invite the vibrations to lighten the load that we carry. We can put names to the "stuff" we have inside us and take away its anonymity. We can sing, giggle, talk, cry, scream, laugh, shout, chant, whisper with intention until we feel the wild woman inside of us awaken.
Maybe if we do this together we can really start a movement. A movement to let it out. To breathe, feel, live, and let it out....Do you want to join me?


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I periodically take a look at the posts requesting beta readers and so often it seems to me the poster would be just as happy, maybe happier, if he or she would post a selection for review and comments in Share Your Work instead.
Share Your Work (SYW) is open 24/7 for AW members to post first chapters of novels or non-fiction works, short stories, query letters, synopses, and even paragraphs and tidbits of works in progress for review and comment by their peers. There are some excellent critiquers in Share Your Work who are tremendously helpful. Share Your Work is an excellent learning tool. If you haven't found SYW yet, it's located just a little farther down the main AW page; it's password protected (easy access for AW members), and sub-divided into genre specific subforums.
The whole idea of SYW is for posters to get a feel for areas that need to be improved so they can take it from there and improve their entire WIP. Many writers don't realize that adverbs are out of favor, backstory needs to be worked into the story in little bits, infodumps are bad, and switching POV midstream is a not a good thing. The critiquers in Share Your Work help posters see and identify problem areas and help posters become better writers. And, one of the ways to become a better writer is by critiquing the work of others. If you do decide to visit SYW, you're invited (actually encouraged) to try your hand at critquing too. There's also a specific forum in SYW for query letters and synopses.
If you decide to take a look at posting in SYW, please read the Advice for Newbies main post in the Main SYW forum at the top of the page before posting. The Advice contains fifty points which will make your SYW experience more pleasant and beneficial.
On the other hand, if you've cleaned your WIP up to the point it is spotless - no grammatical or typographical errors, no problems with pronouns and antecendants, no switching verb tenses, and a thoroughly engaging story that comes to life - then you might want to ask for a beta reader to look over your entire manuscript instead.
There are many options for help here on AW. I wanted to make sure you were aware of an excellent one that is sometimes missed or overlooked by newcomers. Puma


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We are pleased to announce that Tim is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and will look forward to progressing his membership with the CIOB and The Charted Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
Tim Cole Downes is based in Castle Cary, Somerset. We have over 15 years knowledge and experience in project delivery, allowing us to provide a comprehensive range of Architectural services, all tailored to to suit your specific needs and aspirations. We offer full design services and can provide step by step assistance to ensure your project is successful.
Contact Tim Cole Downes today to see how we can develop your ideas. The first consultation is FREE!
About Us
We are a small award winning practice based in Castle Cary and established in 1999. We provide a good quality, bespoke service with individual client attention and choice of service which enable our customers to select the level of work required from initial design, local authority consent, project management or a complete turn key service.
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Contact Tim Downes
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07932 150873


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Big Box Retail
Many companies have an extensive network of brick and mortar stores in a multitude of locations and they require one comprehensive contractor to self-perform a scope of work.
Our regional setup and strategically located branches across the southeastern US have us perfectly situated to get anywhere in the southeast within three hours. Our crews use routing software to ensure we are being efficient with travel and we have a full time dispatcher to organize work orders and work load across the company. Our comprehensive stormwater system maintenance is second to none and our industry leading technological infrastructure allows us to provide competitive pricing and amazing quality control, all while performing excellent service in the field. We specialize in working within our clients' unique scope of work and with our reporting process, DGC becomes the client's eyes in the field. Our work completion reports give a real time picture of the site and allow the client to see the property and any out of scope work that may need to be completed.


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We are a small business in the Fredericksburg area and are mostly women and minority owned. We are veteran, DOMA, handicapped, and immigrant friendly. All of our preparers have worked for large national chains, but we wanted to offer more customer oriented services at more affordable pricing. We provide personal income tax preparation, small business tax preparation, notary services, bookkeeping and payroll.
Our Mission Statement:
We aim to set the standard for individual and small business tax preparation services in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and surrounding communities, by ensuring that each client receives the highest level of : Accurate preparation of your tax return, Affordable fee rates, and Awesome customer service.
Our Focus at AAA Tax Plus LLC is:
- To provide accurate, affordable, and awesome tax preparation service and planning for individuals and businesses.
- To ensure that you get the maximum benefit of all tax credits/deductions/adjustments allowable by IRS laws.
- To develop a business relationship with each of our clients and provide advice on each unique tax situation and understanding of those taxes for now and in the future.
- To provide seminars on: Small Business start-up, record keeping, and IRS requirements for different business entities, DOMA laws and how they relate to your tax situation, Marital issues whether young, middle-aged or senior, and Retirement questions. (If you wish to be advised of seminar dates and times, please provide us with your contact information so we can ensure you are kept informed). Additional topics will be offered whenever possible, based on requests and client needs.
- Peace of mind knowing that your tax return is being prepared by an experienced Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) and that your financial data and personal information are secured by state-of-the-art encryption software and data storage.
- To save time and money with fast, affordable, and convenient Federal and applicable State returns for individuals and small businesses including free efile.
- Knowledge in all aspects of your individual and/or business tax return preparation. Our firm has over 50 years of combined tax preparation experience.
- A convenient location that is open year-round for all your needs.
- TWO (2) mobile units that can go off site for home bound clients or those with transportation difficulties. Please contact us to make arrangements.
- A drop-off service for your convenience with a less than 48 hour turn around whenever possible (as long as ALL information required to complete the return is provided).
- All forms of payment accepted: cash, check, credit/debit cards. A fee withhold service is available for only $20.00* additional charge (*must have a refund and direct deposit into checking, savings, or onto a debit card).
Se habla Español


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added by cressida
Based on best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd.
added by cressida
Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's (Keira Knightley) lover (James McAvoy) of a crime he did not commit. Based Ian McEwan's romance novel. In theaters late '07.
added by nermai
His Dark Materials, a new original series based on the global bestseller, is coming soon to HBO. #HBO #HisDarkMaterials
added by nermai
NOS4A2 stars Zachary Quinto, Ashleigh Cummings, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Darby Camp, and premieres this summer on AMC.
added by DarkSarcasm
A woman and a pair of children are blindfolded and make their way through a dystopian setting along a river. Based on the novel by Josh Malerman.


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You're a mom. Sometimes it feels like you don't have time for anything. And how can you? How can you write when you have a to-do list longer than the Great Wall of China? If you had free time, you'd write. Right?
But you do.
I used to tell myself this because to me, writing used to mean sitting down for hours at a time letting inspiration flow through me in an almost ceremonial way. That was before I became a mom. Before I spent most of my days with cuddle fights, cleaning dishes, floors, cuts, scrapes, reading tiny books over and over. I love my busy kiddo filled days because I love being a mom, but somehow I got it into my head that that meant I simply didn't have time to write anymore.
But I did.
I'm in a Facebook group for eating healthy and a woman posted that she just didn't have enough time to make a healthy meal every single day and she felt it was impossible to eat healthy if she didn't have the time. The advice she got was pretty standard: Make a meal plan, Follow easier recipes, etc. And then I saw this suggestion that changed my life:
Put your healthy food in front of you. Get a veggie platter, fruit, or a healthy snack out of the fridge and on the counter throughout the day. That way if you don't always eat a healthy meal, at least you are eating healthy snacks.Genius! I thought. But ahem, let me stop for a second to address that you might be thinking eating vegetables is what changed my life. Well, yes, but no. That is not the Happily Ever After I'm heading towards. It's how I used that advice that made me realize I do have time to write.
When you're going throughout your day how many times does an idea pop into your head? And how many times does a dialogue scene play out, or a plot idea? And how many times do you just let it slosh around in your brain until you forget?
The thought of opening up your laptop to write out the entire scene might not be an option. But it's not your only option!
A successful writing session doesn't have to be hours of zoning out. Just like the idea of putting vegetables in front of you to eat healthier, put writing in front of you. Make it easier to quickly jot your ideas down.
- Get a thought journal that has a pen attached to it so you're never frantically searching for one. Keep it somewhere you won't lose it and that the kids can't reach it. AND NOT IN SOME DRAWER. Somewhere you'll see it.
- Use your phone. I use Google Keep because then I can access what I've written from my computer. I'd advise not to use an app that has way more cool features, because really, you just want to open it up, and get your thoughts on there before you've got a clean up on isle the kid'(s)' room.
- Get a white board and hang it on the wall. Write down your thoughts there. If you don't want your whole family seeing it, or if it gets too full, take a pic with your phone and erase. And if you really don't want to miss an idea there's this,
- Surround yourself with what will inspire you to write. There's no rule that says you can only keep your writing stuff in your writing nook. An awesome quote on the living room wall might just look good. Gasp. And even in the kitchen! It doesn't even have to be a quote. It could be a painting or photograph that makes you feel like a writer.
- MAKE SOME TIME. There's nothing wrong with taking time for yourself. You work hard. You deserve it. And you will be happier and better for it. But as tempting as just zoning out and watching TV sounds, don't do it. Ok, you can watch some TV. I'll be the first to admit I like my shows and I'm not ashamed, but don't give all of the time you've made for yourself to TV.
- Call yourself a writer. You can surround yourself with the idea that you're a writer but you have got to believe it. No, you probably aren't spending hours and hours writing unless you go to the occasional retreat, but writing is writing. No matter how unconventional your way of doing it is.
- Something is better than nothing. If you think what you're jotting down is pointless, it's not. This is J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix on one piece of paper.
So just do it. If this is your writing zone,


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New Gadget Sews, Rocks and Churns (Oct, 1935)
New Gadget Sews, Rocks and Churns
NOT content with using all her energy to run a sewing machine, an Oregonian housewife devised a plan whereby her sewing machine pedal could be made to do the work of several things at once.
One length of wood was fastened to the machine pedal, for the driving piston. Another length extending over a frame work fulcrum operated the two lengths of wood which served as connecting rods.
When all was ready, the baby's cradle was attached to one connecting rod, and the churn to the other. Then as she sewed, the baby rocked, and as the baby rocked, the cream was churned.


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What We Read - January 2017
Here are our favorite children's picture books from everything we read in January 2017!
Poor Little Guy, by Elanna Allen
**Noah's Favorite!**
"With the cheeky twist of Jon Klassen's This Is Not My Hat and the graphic appeal of Mo Willems, Poor Little Guy will leave kids giggling…and begging for rereads!
What do you do when you're so tiny that the bigger ocean creatures think you might even taste adorable?
An itsy-bitsy, glasses-wearing fish is minding his own business when a playful (and hungry) octopus snatches him right up. Luckily, this poor little guy is not quite as innocent as he seems…and he has a BIG surprise up his sleeve!
Told with wit, a wink, and a delightfully dark sense of humor, Poor Little Guy celebrates the very smallest…and all of their giant victories. Hand this cute but mighty book to fans of Bob Shea and Dan Krall."
Hug Me, by Simona Ciraolo
**Jennys Favorite!**
"Ever feel like you need a hug, a really big hug from someone? That's how Felipe the young cactus feels, but his family just isn't the touchy-feely kind. Cactuses can be quite prickly sometimes you know . . . and so can Felipe. But he'll be darned if this one pointy issue will hold him back, so one day Felipe sets off on his own to find a friend and just maybe, that long awaited hug.
In her debut picture book, Simona Ciraola creates an endearing tale of friendship, beautifully illustrated with buoyant wit and the perfect story to share."
Uni the Unicorn, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
"Uni is just like all the other unicorns . . . except for one thing: she believes that little girls are REAL. This magical story by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (author of I Wish You More) illuminates Uni's not-so-fantastical dream and celebrates the sparkle of believing.
Uni the unicorn is told there's no such thing as little girls! But no matter what the grown-up unicorns say, Uni believes that little girls are REAL. Somewhere there must be a smart, strong, wonderful, magical little girl waiting to be best friends. In fact, far away (but not too far away), a real little girl believes there is a unicorn waiting for her, too. This magical story of friendship reminds believers and nonbelievers alike that sometimes wishes really can come true."
Orion and the Dark, by Emma Yarlette
"Orion is scared of a lot of things, but most of all he's scared of the dark. So one night the Dark decides to take Orion on an adventure. Emma Yarlett's second picture book combines her incredible storytelling and artwork with die-cut pages that bring the Dark to life."
Mouse Mess, Linnea Riley
**Jude's Favorite!**
"There's a mouse in the house, and when he wakes up, he's going to be hungry for a snack. From cookies and crackers to olives, cheese, and sticky jam, MOUSE joyfully munches his way through the kitchen and makes a big MESS!"


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Opening Minds & Opening Hearts
By Marianne J. Dupre
We seldom pause to consider how we got to go to school. We were enrolled in kindergarten in a neighbourhood school, progressed to middle and high school, then continued on to college, university, trade school, or other training to carry us through life.
For children in Wotet Abay, a small town 50 kilometers south of Bahir Dar in Ethiopia, schooling has been a challenge. With 2,033 students, the Wotet Abay Elementary School was struggling to meet the learning needs of its community.
Currently, twenty percent of the children entering grade one are between ages eight and 12. This late enrolment, a serious detriment to learning, has been attributed to a number of factors: a distance too far to travel, families needing their children for work, inadequate physical conditions of the school, and poor quality teaching.
A shortage of classrooms meant staging two shifts of classes per day, with an average of 60 students per shift for grades one through eight. Classrooms in the mud-structure buildings were dark and dilapidated, and filthy, makeshift latrines offered no privacy for students or staff.
In 2017 big changes were being made at the school, and CEF was there to help. Approached by the Frances G. Cosco Foundation (FGCF) to support overall improvements being made at the school, CEF stepped up with funding to construct latrines and establish teacher training and a greening program.
Gina Cosco, CFO and Secretary-Treasurer on the Board of Directors at FGCF, told us about the foundation's work. "Our projects are based on a holistic model," she explained, "which includes school, library, science lab and latrine construction, provision of furniture and books, teacher training, water, sanitation and hygiene programming, as well as a greening program."
She was happy to report on increased attendance and enrolment. "Children, and in particular girls, did not attend in part because of the horrible, filthy latrines," she said. "Boys and girls now have separate latrines, and the girls helped choose where theirs would be located in order to be more private."
CEF funding for teacher training helped them move beyond the traditional "chalk and talk" methods of instruction. "Our training focuses on student-centred learning," explained Gina. "We use different teaching methods for different types of learners, and many more hands-on teaching methods and aids." One aspect encouraged teachers and administration to establish reading, sports, and health clubs. These didn't existent previously, but are now thriving with growing numbers of students.
FGCF's teacher training expert Abiyot Ashenafi, based in Bahir Dar, now oversees ongoing training. He manages planning, facilitating, maintaining best practices, modeling and monitoring student-centered instructional strategies, and measuring of students' academic growth.
"Teachers from the International Community School (ICS), that uses a holistic method of teaching, help lead our workshops," said Gina. "They host teachers from our schools in their own school so that they may shadow and mentor them."
The main impact on teachers has been motivating them to try new methods and enjoy teaching more. "Many now spend more time in school and more time preparing innovative props and aids to help their teaching," she said. "This is partly due to new facilities, but also because of inspiration from the training and the noticeable new enthusiasm of students in response to new teaching methods."
CEF's funding of a greening program took root to further enrich the school's learning environment. The planting of fast-growing, indigenous canopy trees will in three years provide shade for classes held outdoors, and keep indoor classrooms cooler.
Fruit and vegetable trees, such as mangos and avocados, were planted to educate about agriculture and farming methods. Future sales from the garden's harvest will generate needed income for the school, and support costs of uniforms and school supplies for destitute families.
Thanks to CEF, students are keener about school these days, reportedly arriving ahead of the start of class rather than straggling in throughout the day. "There seems to be much more desire to attend school on the part of teachers and students," said Gina, "and parents are much keener to send their kids to school."