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Lord Mayor, Miss NI and Olympian Kerry OFlaherty inspire community to hurdle to the finish line
04 October 2016
Lord Mayor, Miss Northern Ireland and Olympian Kerry O'Flaherty inspire community to hurdle to the finish line for the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon
Entries are already coming in for the 36th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon following the successful 4th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon which, started and finished at Ormeau Park, just over two weeks ago with 3,000 competitors.
The 2017 Full Marathon event will be held on May Day Bank Holiday, 1st May 2017 and was launched this morning (Tuesday 4th October) by David Seaton, Chairman of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon at the new Mencap Centre, Belfast, home of Mencap NI, the official charity partner of this year's race.
Technical Race Director, David Seaton said "In the past number of years, we have seen our participant numbers grow as there has been a resurgence of running in the local community and further afield. Whether it is the full marathon distance or a leg in the relay event, many more people are signing up to get involved and more importantly get fit."
"Following the success of our secondary event, the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon on the 18th September 2016, we are confident that entries for the Main Marathon Run will increase, as entrants will want to push themselves to tackle the 26.2mile distance and set themselves a goal."
Assisting the Chairman to launch the 2017 event at the new Mencap Centre, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Brian Kingston said: "36 years ago Belfast City Council took the decision to stage the first Belfast City Marathon and, over the intervening years, the event has gone from strength to strength. When other marathons fell by the wayside, Belfast continued to grow. Now, with the resurgence of interest in running – especially as a free and efficient way of getting and staying fit – we are benefiting from record entry numbers each and every year."
"While the marathon is undoubtedly a serious business, especially for competitive runners, it is also about having fun and enjoying yourself – whether you are a serious runner, or taking part in the relay with a team of friends or just cheering the runners along.
"Belfast, quite rightly, is regarded as one of the world's friendliest marathons, and runners from near and far are always encouraged by the warmth of the support they find in all four corners of our city. Once again, I would urge the people of Belfast to turn out and support the runners on May Day – whether it be by offering a glass of water or a slice of fruit, or merely an encouraging word," concluded Councillor Kingston.
In addition to the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon being the biggest single participatory sporting event in Northern Ireland, it is also one of the biggest fundraising events, with almost every runner or walker taking part to benefit charity.
"I'm delighted to announce that, in 2017, we will again be supporting the magnificent work of Mencap, as our officially nominated charity," announced David Seaton.
Margaret Kelly, Director of Mencap in Northern Ireland, said; "We are so excited to once again be the official charity partner for the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. Last May we raised an amazing £125,000 and we are calling on everyone across Northern Ireland to help us raise even more in 2017."
"You don't have to be a champion runner to take part on Marathon Day – anyone can get involved, whether that's signing up a relay team or bringing the kids along to the Fun Run. No matter what the event, we encourage everyone to run or walk in aid of Mencap this year."
Margaret continued "Funds raised from the marathon will go toward a number of initiatives including our soon-to-be-launched Family Support Programme, which will provide bespoke, one-on-one guidance for families with a young child with a learning disability. This innovative initiative is a first for our charity and we are launching it this autumn thanks to the money raised by the marathon. However, we still need funds to help us extend this programme over the next few years and reach even more children and families who urgently need our help.
"We encourage everyone to 'Step up for Mencap' this year and we can't wait to see everyone on Marathon Day!"
Also celebrating the 11th year as title sponsor, Deep RiverRock's Sponsorship Manager, Rob Crabbe said: "As Northern Ireland's favourite water brand with its roots in Tullynacross, Co. Antrim, Deep RiverRock is delighted to continue its long standing partnership with Belfast City Marathon in 2017.
"With a shared vision to encourage more people to lead active and hydrated lifestyles, Deep RiverRock's partnership with Belfast City Marathon is a perfect fit. Deep RiverRock is proud to be associated with such a world class event that resonates so well with the local community and as a company we are honoured to have played a part in the success of what is now a key event in Northern Ireland's sporting calendar."
David continued, this year are giving participants an option of receiving their packs via post (standard or special service) or at one of the many race pack collection dates, which can be found on www.belfastcitymarathon.com. This will enable us to ensure everyone receives their pack ahead of time allowing participants to dedicate 100% to their final few weeks of training and preparation. On completion of the event all entrants will receive their new finisher's pack containing their race t-shirt and a number of goodies.
"We are delighted with these plans for Race Day as it sees us fitting in line with other main races in the UK and Europe. We want to create a celebrative atmosphere on Race Day with the assistance of all our sponsors and official charity, so will be making the entertainment at the finish area bigger and better, an event not to be missed." David Seaton commented


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Urban Wildlife
"On Monday June 12, minutes after Asr prayer, I looked out the window and noticed a baby hawk resting in the shade. It was 91 degrees at the time and the lawn was still damp from the sprinkler. No less than an hour later, I was drawn back outside by a lot of commotion from birds chirping outside my window. This time I grabbed my video camera and captured Mama Hawk getting food for baby. As much as I like to watch nature programs this was truly a gift from Allah during the month of Ramadan." Imam Warithudeen Mohammed II | Click to view video: http://bit.ly/TMCWildlifeRead More

subset: commoncrawl


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ALBION target Jaroslaw Bieniuk has revealed he is ready and waiting for a move to the Premiership.
The Amica Wronki defender, who enjoyed a trial with the Baggies during the summer, has finally broken his silence on the speculation surrounding a possible January move to The Hawthorns.
The Polish centre-back, who is rated at about £500,000, had been reluctant to talk about his future, but has now spoken out after being told by his club that Albion were still keeping tabs on him.
"No-one has been in touch with me personally," said Bieniuk, who has been selected for Poland's B squad for their match against Scotland's B side.
"But I am aware there is some kind of interest and I'm told by people at my club that I have been watched by West Bromwich.
"Officially I am not allowed to say too much but I am still not sure where my future lies. Would I want to move to England? Who wouldn't?
"There are still a few weeks until the window opens and we will see what happens.
"I have no qualms about playing in England but as far as I'm concerned the hardest thing is earning a move to England in the first place.
"Being chosen for the Poland B side will be the ideal chance for me to impress the national coach and impress the British market."
Meanwhile, Inamoto believes Albion must continue to pick up points - starting with Saturday's clash against Manchester City.
The Japanese star was voted man-of-the-match following the weekend's draw with Fulham, having been up early on Saturday morning to congratulate his former team-mates from Gamba Osaka on their J-League title win.
Osaka won 4-2 at Kawasaki Frontale to become Japanese champions for the first time as rivals Cerezo suffered final day heartbreak by conceding a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Tokyo.
"I tried to phone some of my friends at 7am but just got their answering machines," said Ina.
"It was good to see them win the League and a shame we couldn't get a victory ourselves.
"But we haven't lost for three games and we have to build on that now.
"This is my fifth season in this country and I am adapting more to the game and I understand more about what the manager and the team want to do."


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The Scottish climate does not at first seem ideal for the application of solar power, and indeed there are no large-scale solar power plants or any plans to construct any. However, small-scale solar installations on houses, businesses or public buildings can provide a valuable input to the renewables mix. There is already an installed capacity of approximately 500kw of photovoltaic solar power in Scotland - yes, we do actually have sufficient daylight to warrant the use of this type of renewable energy. Modern solar panels are much more sensitive than older products, meaning that daylight alone can produce energy without the need for bright sunlight.
Another way of harnessing the sun's energy is in solar powered heating systems. These use panels of evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors which are usually positioned on the roof of the home. For maximum efficiency the panels should be on a southeast to southwest facing roof and should not be overshadowed by trees or other obstructions. A typical installation in Scotland would only require 5-6m² of roof space, and flat plate collectors for a solar power heating system can usually be installed to blend in as much as possible with existing roofing.
As of March 2009, domestic installations of solar power in Scotland no longer require planning permission (there are certain stipulations so check with your local planning authority), making it much easier for homeowners to use this type of renewable energy to produce either electricity or hot water. Solar photovoltaic installations currently (March 2011) attract the highest rate of feed-in tariff.
|Solar Electricity - Energy Saving Trust
|Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. Find out more about how they work, ow to install them in your home and how they can make you money.
|Solar Water Heating - Energy Saving trust
|Use free heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. How solar water heating works, costs and savings and how to work out if it is the right renewable technology for your home.


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Latest News! Bihar: 326 cartons of liquor seized :- Samastipur: A Bihar Police officer said that on Monday, the police have seized 326 cartons liquor from a truck near a village in Samastipur District, Bihar. This is the big illegal liquor being seized after the ban on liquor in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar's Government.
Police station in-charge at Tajpur – Manoj Kumar said that on late Saturday night, during patrolling, the police intercepted a truck near Bashi Bhidni village and recovered 326 cartons liquor consisting of 8208 bottles.
Kumar said that as per the sticker stamped on the bottles, the seized consignment of liquor was manufactured in Punjab state.
The police officer said that till now, no arrest has been made in this connection.


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IKI JIME is a traditional Japanese technique used to kill fish by brain ablation. Through the use of the Iki tool and brain ablation there are significant improvements in flesh quality.
Although the brain is not removed when killing fish by Iki Jime, the brain tissue is destroyed. It is important to destroy the hind-brain of the fish with the Iki Jime technique, because this is where movement control is centred.
Killing the fish quickly and immediately after capture delays the rigor mortis process when compared to fish that are left to die by slower methods such as bleeding-out or chilling. With the complete destruction of the brain and, in particular, the hind brain, there is no movement from the fish and therefore any energy remaining in the muscle tissue is used to maintain cellular metabolism post mortem. This delays the rigor mortis process and also the degradation of the tissue. It results in a far superior quality flesh to conventional methods, where the energy reserves are depleted very shortly after capture.
A major benefit of the Iki Jime technique is the humane slaughter aspect. Chill killing or bleeding out can often take several minutes for the fish to be killed, during which time the animal exhibits normal escape response behaviour and consequently depletes the energy reserves in the muscle tissue.
The Iki Jime tool is made of durable materials and has been specifically designed so that the curve of the metal spike follows the natural line of the brain canal. This ensures that the Iki Jime procedure can be completed with one swift easy movement. For immediate death it is important to ensure that the brain has been ablated and not just severely injured.
There are several ways of carrying out the Iki Jime technique. The figure below shows the spike inserted through the top of the head of a salmon, approximately 2 cm behind the eyes. Salmon have a small dip in the skull at this point. By penetrating the skull at this point the Iki Jime tool will curve around and along the channel housing the brain, destroying the brain completely.
For other species of fish that have a very bony skull the Iki Jime tool should be inserted through the gill arch to come in underneath the brain (this method can also be used on small fish) or at the back end of the eye socket.
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Remember Me


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Among the things that happened this past week in the American Restoration Heritage history:
April 19
April 19, 1826 – Of what use are varying Bible translations? Why burden the earth with yet another? Isn't the best rendering one that is literal, word-for-word, so to speak? Which version is "best," or is there even such a thing? And just how exactly is one to approach the reading of Scripture? How can a person maximize their comprehension and practice of what it says?
These are just come of the questions Alexander Campbell anticipates as two thousand copies of the first edition of the Living Oracles (LO), a translation of the New Testament edited by Campbell, rolls off the press today. In the Preface to this first edition, Campbell is careful to make a strong case for – to address the question of "why" – another translation. He offers several arguments, one of which reads:
"… we are now in possession of much better means of making an exact translation, than they were at the time when the common version [King James Version] appeared [over 200 years earlier]. The original is now much better understood than it was then. The conflicts of so many critics have elicited a great deal of sound critical knowledge, which was not in the possession of any translators before the last century."
Campbell continues to parry the anticipated thrusts of those who might try to find fault with the LO as he goes on to note in this first preface:
"… some who may be pretty well acquainted with the classical use and meaning of words and phrases, will think and say, that in some passages the common version is more literally correct than this translation. Indeed, we remember since we once thought so ourselves. But after forming a better acquaintance with the idiomatic style of the apostolic writings, and of the Septuagint Greek, we have been fully convinced that what a classical scholar, or a critical etymologist, might approve, as a literal version of some passages, is by no means the meaning of the writer. And the king's translators have frequently erred in attempting to be, what some would call, literally correct. They have not given the meaning in some passages where they have given a literal translation."
Touche! It is indeed difficult to beat "I've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. Is that the best you've got?"
Naturally, the LO will quickly prove to be a hit with preachers, teachers, and leaders of the Restoration Heritage, ultimately appearing in six editions. But, it is eighteen months after this first edition appears today, that Campbell pens a new "Preface to the Reader" [October 5, 1827] for a future edition of the LO. That "Preface to the Reader" is just as relevant to us now as the day it was penned. Do read it in its entirety; you will not find it burdensome, but pleasant, and you will not be disappointed:
"You are here furnished with a new and excellent Version of all the Apostolic Writings, by the combined labours of three eminent Critics [George Campbell, James Macknight, and Philip Doddridge]. This very important and seasonable work is by no means intended to diminish your regard for the Common Version, but rather to render it more profitable for the advancement of your knowledge, and the establishment of your faith, than the best translation could possibly be alone.
"That you may understand the utility of various different versions of Scripture, it may be observed, that distinct languages do not consist of precisely the same number of words, corresponding with each other in their signification and extent of meaning, like the several pounds which compose any given sum, or the four sides of a square, which are in all respects alike, so that any one of the same kind is equivalent to any other; but the corresponding terms of distinct languages agree with each other in meaning with slight shades of difference, like those natural productions which are in many respects similar, without being in all things absolutely equal. If one be furnished with a large collection of different kinds of flowers or fruits, and required to match every one of them as nearly as possible, in a garden where there are large quantities of every given sort, he will find it very difficult, in some cases, to fix on the one, out of many similar, which corresponds most nearly with the sample received: and if various persons be employed in succession, they will not always hit on the same selection. Thus, the same word of Greek may be rendered, according to circumstances, by the English word, church, assembly, or congregation; another word, by either bishop, superintendent, or overseer; another, by master, sir, or lord.
"Now, were a translator to interpret every word of the Greek by all the English words that have a similar meaning, the result of his labours would be a very clumsy paraphrase, rather than a faithful version, equivalent to the original. As, therefore, he must select, from among various similar terms, that one which he considers the most proper, to the exclusion of all the rest; and as different translators always deviate more or less from, each other in making their selection, the use of sundry versions is calculated to give the English reader a more distinct, full, and certain understanding of the sacred text, than could be obtained by the exclusive perusal of any single one, however excellent. Hence, it is not your duty to lay aside the common version, as less perfect than that which is here offered, or vainly to set the one in opposition to the other; but to compare them together, verse by verse, and combine the ideas suggested by both. Do this deliberately: do it repeatedly, with attention and candour; and its utility in advance your knowledge of the mind of the Holy Ghost, beyond all that could be attained from any single version, will exceed your most sanguine hope.
"But you must carefully study the whole of the Old Testament also, that you may be prepared to understand the New. Contemplate, therefore, the account which it gives of the original condition and the fall of man, in connexion with the only infallible illustration of the subject which has been given by our Apostle. See Gen. i. ii. iii.; Rom. v.; 1 Cor. xv. Consider, especially, the divine covenant of promise, made with Abraham and his seed; the covenant of the Ten Commandments, made with the nation of Israel, with the judgments and ordinances which were added to it; the everlasting covenant which was afterward made with David respecting the endless reign of his seed; and the intimations which were given by the Prophets of the establishment of a new and perpetual covenant in the days of the Messiah. All these covenants have an important and conspicuous place in the Sacred Volume, and its meaning cannot be properly understood if they be neglected, confounded, or in any way misrepresented. Make it your care, therefore, to observe the true nature, order, and design of them; and mark wherein they differed from each other, how they were mutually connected, in what manner the Prophets introduced them, and how the glorious consummation of them was disclosed by the Apostles.
"Examine the several component parts of divine revelation in their natural order and succession, without vainly attempting to comprehend all those things at once which were communicated at various distant periods, or beginning with those which are the most abstruse and sublime. Make the simple narrative of facts your first study. Then proceed to the leading doctrines, precepts, promises, and threats. Get a distinct acquaintance with the literal sense of Scripture, before you attempt to investigate the figurative or allegorical meaning of any part of it; and let those predictions which have not as yet received their accomplishment be your last study. To invert this order would expose you to endless perplexity and delusion.
"Keep some special subject of inquiry in view while you read the Scriptures, and attentively mark all those passages which treat of it, or throw light upon it. For example, you may make it your particular object, in reading the four Gospels, to ascertain all the different kinds of miracles which Jesus Christ performed, together with the various classes of persons who witnessed them, their surprising magnitude, the deep impression that they made upon enemies as well as friends, and all the other circumstances calculated to render them convincing. Or, you may read the Gospels to discover what new doctrines Jesus taught, — what he said of his own person, office, and salvation, — what representation he gave of vital religion, a general resurrection, and a state of endless retribution. In reading the Apostolic History and Epistles, your immediate object may properly be to ascertain the rapid success with which the Apostles preached after the effusion of the Holy Ghost; the additional information which they imparted beyond all that Christ had taught before his death, what they called sinners to believe in order to their justification, and how they commanded the disciples to walk so as to please God.
"Let it be distinctly remembered, that the four Gospels were intended for the instruction of all classes of mankind, but that the Apostolic Epistles were addressed to Christians exclusively, as a peculiar people called out of the world, and united in church-fellowship. Read them, therefore, that you may understand what a true Christian is, in distinction from a hypocrite; what a church of Christ is, in distinction from every other kind of assembly; what description of persons were admitted to be members of the primitive churches; what ordinances they were united to observe; what duties were required of them toward each other, as brethren; and how they were directed to act toward them who were without.
"Take heed of perverting the sacred Record by imposing an arbitrary meaning upon any part of it, or artfully accommodating it to any human theory or system of religion. You are not called to mend or improve the Scriptures, by making them more spiritual or perfect than they actually are; but to search them with singleness and candour. Beware of imagining that you may safely hold fast your preconceived opinions, as long as you can force any detached texts to give them apparent countenance or resist arguments of an opposite kind. The question concerning any particular text should not be, 'What turn can you give to it?' or, 'What can you make it seem to teach?' but, 'What sentiment did the Holy Ghost intend to impart by it?' Make it your daily care to ascertain his mind, as it is set before you in his word; and implicitly receive every passage in that sense which appears the most natural and obvious, when viewed in connexion with the context, and all the parallel passages which treat of the same subject.
"Keep the reality and unspeakable importance of eternal things in view, that your mind may be truly serious, sincere, and teachable. It is not with erring mortals chiefly, but with the Searcher of hearts, that you have to do in the investigation of his word. Remember, therefore, while reading it, that his all-seeing eye is upon you. He addresses you, in particular, as an individual; he sets his great salvation freely before you; he warns you to flee from impending wrath, and seek everlasting life; he demands your heart, without delay or reserve; and he will reward you at the last day according as you now receive and honour, or reject and violate what he reveals. While you ponder his holy Record, the personal interest which you have at stake to be decided according to it, is of infinitely greater value and duration than any temporal kingdom. Reflect on this, and you will no more trifle with sacred things, as if they were only matters of doubtful speculation.
"Join the prayer of faith with all your reading. None can properly understand the Scriptures without the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to give the spirit of wisdom to them who ask it. Seek his effectual teaching, therefore, with self-diffidence and unfeigned faith, earnest importunity and perseverance. Turn the sacred word into humble prayers, corresponding with the several parts of it; by confessing your sins which it reproves, imploring those spiritual blessings which it reveals, pleading the accomplishment of its promises, and asking grace to sanctify you according to its holy precepts. This is the most effectual way to discover the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, to fix it in your memory, impress it upon your heart, and secure the ultimate benefit of it.
"Make a practical application of all that is addressed to you in the Scripture. Receive it without gainsaying, as the sure testimony of God, who cannot lie — the immediate ground of your confidence before him — the immoveable foundation of your hope for eternity — the divine charter of your unfading inheritance — and the perfect rule of your future conduct. Treasure up the word of Christ in your heart, make it the chief joy of your life, and never hold any part of it in unrighteousness; but resolutely forsake every evil way, put off all your perverse habits, deny your own will, crucify your carnal affections, cherish every gracious disposition, observe the ordinances of Christ with godly sincerity, and keep all his commandments. If you comply with his will, in the manner now proposed, you 'shall know of the doctrine,' and become 'mighty in the Scripture' — you shall attain the delightful assurance, even in this world, that the truth is in you, and that you shall enjoy it for ever."
[cf. the entry for Jan. 29 in this series for more information on the LO.']
April 20
April 20, 1829 – Isn't the Bible a bit suspect? After all, doesn't it have some errors and mistakes in it? And so, can we truly trust it? Should we? Today, in his debate with renowned atheist Robert Owen, Alexander Campbell gives answer to just such questions.
Campbell does so, in part, by quoting a skeptic turned believer, by the name of Soame Jenyns (1704-1787). He relates how Jenyns had set out to author a book "against the Christian religion," but in the course of his research and reflection, came to write as to "the truth and authenticity of it" instead. Campbell's quote of Jenyns follows:
"… I will venture to affirm, that if any one could prove, what is impossible to be proved because it is not true, that there are errors in geography, chronology, and philosophy, in every page of the Bible; that the prophecies therein delivered, are all but fortunate guesses, or artful applications, and the miracles there recorded, no better than legendary tales: if any one could show, that these books were never written by their pretended authors, but were posterior impositions on illiterate and credulous ages, all these wonderful discoveries would prove no more than this, that God, for reasons to us unknown, had thought proper to permit a revelation by him communicated to mankind, to be mixed with their ignorance, and corrupted by their frauds from its earliest infancy, in the same manner in which he has visibly permitted it to be mixed, and corrupted from that period to the present hour. If, in these books, a religion, superior to all human imagination, actually exists, it is of no consequence to the proof of its divine origin, by what means it was there introduced, or with what human errors and imperfections it is blended. A diamond, though found in a bed of mud, is still a diamond, nor can the dirt which surrounds it, depreciate its value, or destroy its lustre."
* April 20, 1880 – Winthrop Hopson, widely regarded as one of the finest preachers in our heritage at the time, dies in Nashville at the home of his son-in-law, R. Lin Cave.
April 21
* April 21, 1836 – Today, under battle cries like "Remember Goliad!," "Remember the Alamo!," "Take prisoners like the Mexicans do!", and "Give them hell!," a militia of "Texians" led by Sam Houston, Sr. surprise and overwhelm a far bigger Mexican army beside the San Jacinto River in southeast Texas. And, the following day, they are able to capture the Mexican army's commander, General Antonio López de Santa Anna, as he tries to slip away disguised as a lowly Private. This victory not only brings a halt to Mexico's attempts to squelch the bid of Texas settlers for independence from Mexico, it gives quick birth to that freedom.
How so? With cold-blooded executions and massacres like Goliad and the Alamo vivid in their mind, few of the Texans are in any mood to show mercy. And so, just hours earlier – despite Houston's passionate attempts to prevent such – hundreds of Mexican troops are shown no mercy (a fact underscored by the highly disproportionate ratio of troops killed to those who are wounded; well over six hundred killed and only two hundred wounded, the exact opposite of what would be expected in most battles). However, Santa Anna himself – the instigator of the atrocities of the Alamo, Goliad, etc. – is now offered an opportunity to receive mercy for himself: recognize the "full, entire, and perfect Independence of the Republic of Texas" and be given safe passage to Veracruz. Santa Anna agrees and the Lone Star Republic of Texas is born.
Now in the course of the Battle of San Jacinto, the Texans suffer the loss of nine men killed and thirty wounded, and among the wounded is Sam Houston himself. His ankle wound is attended to by the Texan Army's twenty-nine year old surgeon, Dr. Mansil Walter Matthews – a preacher in the Restoration Heritage.
While I have yet to attempt to research the matter, it is probably safe to assume that Matthews is not the only one involved in the Battle of San Jacinto who has, or who will have, connections with the Restoration Heritage. Of the hundreds of Texans who fight in this battle, a percentage of them have come to Texas only recently from states where the Restoration Heritage has been experiencing great growth (Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.), Matthews himself being a prime example of such, even helping lead a large band of migrants to Texas. [cf. the post for Jan. 17 in this series for more info on Matthews]
One wonders: given the immense impact of Sam Houston's life on the future history of Texas, how things might be different today if Mansil Matthews' treatment of Sam Houston's wound at San Jacinto not proven effective.
* April 21, 1839 – At the age of nineteen, Isaac Errett preaches his first sermon. His subject is God's promise to David that his kingdom will never fail. [That's a far deeper subject than I attempted with my first sermon! How about you?]
* April 21, 1888 – It's all too easy for those of us within the Restoration Heritage to think of the earlier years of our heritage as being limited to the United States. Such is hardly the case, of course, and a man who dies today, Gilbert Young Tickle, is a striking example of a leader within our heritage "across the pond."
Tickle is a prominent church leader among our tribe in Great Britain and his influence is particularly felt far and wide through his gift of songwriting. The vast majority of his lyrical and musical work consists of putting the Psalms – and most remarkably, Matthew's Gospel, John's Gospel, and the book of Acts – to meter. However, this is not his only work and one of his songs, "Lord of Our Highest Love" can still be found today in a hymnal still commonly found among many Churches of Christ in the United States. "Lord of Our Highest Love" is #261 in the current edition of Songs of Faith and Praise.
In addition to hymn-writing, Tickle plays a quite vocal role in the the discussion of a number of social issues of his time in England, especially on the issues of slavery (he is an abolitionist) and the temperance movement (he is a teetotaler).
The next time you sing 'Lord of Our Highest Love" – perhaps most likely to occur immediately preceding sharing in communion, I would guess – remember how the roots of our heritage have long reached much further than just this country of ours.
* April 21, 1898 – Spain severs diplomatic ties with the United States today. Consequently, the United States initiates a blockade of Cuba. Two days later (April 23) the government of Spain formally declares war on the United States. And on April 25, the U.S. Congress responds with a word that a state of war has existed between the two countries since the blockade of Cuba began.
Arguably the most plain-spoken preacher of the time within the Restoration Heritage is Jefferson Davis ("J.D.") Tant. As the events that lead up to the start of the Spanish-American War reverberate in the minds of many, Tant is peppered with questions as to his take on Scripture and whether Christians should go to war or not. Finally, about three months after today's events, Tant will succinctly, and with characteristic color, declare his perspective in print in an article published in the Gospel Advocate:
"I would as soon risk my chance of heaven to die drunk in a bawdy house as to die on the battlefield, with murder in my heart, trying to kill my fellowman."
April 22
April 22, 1889 – Do you remember the land rush scene from the 1992 movie Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nichole Kidman? If so, you have a vision of what things are like at noon today as over fifty thousand people pour across the border in the first land run into the "Unassigned Lands." These lands – nearly three thousand square miles – make up a portion of what will, eighteen years later, become the state of Oklahoma. Of course, members of the Restoration Heritage make up a percentage of the homesteaders and each seek to stake a claim to 160 acres of free land as a result of the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862 and today's rush (commonly known at the time as 'Harrison's Horse Race' due to President Benjamin Harrison's sanction of it).
Naturally, this run results in whole communities springing up, quite literally, overnight and Oklahoma City, the future capital of the state of Oklahoma, is one of them. A number of the homesteaders of our tribe gather together there on the first Sunday following Harrison's Horse Race (April 28) and so, make for the start of, what will with the passage of time, become dozens of congregations of our heritage in that city and the immediate area.
The wild times only begin with this initial rush to claim land; the months that follow are wooly as well. So much so that Oklahoma City quickly gains the reputation of being "tougher than a boiled owl." So tough, in fact, that six weeks after today's run, when the first congregation there in Oklahoma City wants to walk together to the nearest water (the North Canadian River) for several to be baptized, their preacher, T.J. Head, requests that two hundred cavalrymen escort their coming and going and to keep watch over them during the proceedings.
April 23
* April 23, 1861 – Walter Scott dies today of typhoid pneumonia. Reminiscing of Scott, Alexander Campbell will write of him: "Next to my father, he was my most cordial and indefatigable fellow laborer … I knew him well. I knew him long. I loved him much."
* April 23, 1912 – A glowing report authored by Arthur Wilkinson and published in the Firm Foundation speaks of a "boy preacher" who's preaching skills leave everyone amazed. The report reads:
"Last Sunday was the day for _____, to occupy the pulpit at the Christian church in Sunset [located in Montague County, Texas]. _____ is known as the 'boy preacher,' which is indeed true. He is only 15 years of age, and is still wearing his knee pants, but his ability as a preacher is indeed wonderful.
"The house was crowded to its fullest capacity, and judging from the expression on the faces of the departing crowd, not one was disappointed over their attendance at either morning or evening discourse, but all were agreeably surprised, and no doubt greatly benefited by the lessons presented.
"Brother _____ not only has the startling ability to entertain his audience, but presents the Scriptures in meekness and love, causing all to realize that what he says, though it falls from the lips of a boy, comes from a heart that is sincere, and is intending to point people from the hopelessness of sin to the light of life in a risen Lord.
"It makes us rejoice to see such interest and earnest zeal manifested by one so tender in years, and we can almost feel the pride of the father and mother of so noble a son. And as this thought leaves our mind a sadder one comes to take its place, and we think what a pity it is that there are fathers and mothers whose heads are made to bow low in shame over the disgraceful conduct of their boy. This being true, we think that [in] the giving to the world [of] such a noble character in the young Christian, such as Brother _____, is made even more commendable, though it be that their parents have only done their duty.
"Now, we do not believe in singing the praise of one gospel preacher over that of another, but we do believe that the efforts of our young preachers deserve the commendation and that they should have our encouragement and prayers, therefore we have written the above."
Who is this boy wonder? Foy E. Wallace, Jr. And in only seventeen more years, this young man will be the editor of the most influential paper in our heritage at the time, the Gospel Advocate.
April 24
April 24, 1831 – Today, the first merger between those of "The Christian Connection," the movement of "Christians" who rally to Barton W. Stone, Sr., and those of the movement known as the "Reformers" (aka: "Reformed Baptists"). The latter are made up of "Disciples" who look to Alexander Campbell, Sr. for direction. This merger of the Stone and Campbell movements becomes pervasive and official seven months later on January 1, 1832. For the next several decades, the merged movements will be most commonly referred to as the "Christian Church" or the "Disciples of Christ."
April 25
April 25, 1826 – Today's post has two springboards. (1) Today, the daughter and son-in-law of one of the Restoration Heritage's key pioneer figures follows the the common wisdom of the time to "Go west!" and it costs them literally everything, except their lives. (2) Which great pioneer leader of our heritage has a grandson who offers a $1,000,000 reward for the kidnapping of Adolph Hitler?
A sterling example of a young man who attempted to "go west," but wound up limping home "back east" is a son-in-law of Walter Scott. It is on this day in 1826 that William Church is born to Samuel & Mary (Hannen) Church. William grows up to marry Walter Scott's daughter, Emily, on January 1, 1849. William and Emily make their home for a time in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; however, in the summer of 1857 they decide to move out "out west" onto "the unbroken prairie" of Caldwell County, Missouri. John Woolf Jordan tells us the rest of the story:
"The hardship, suffering, and danger involved in this daring enterprise can hardly be exaggerated. The part of Missouri in which they took up their abode was very sparsely populated, and every necessity of life was in the crudest form. On arriving at their new home in the wilderness they, with the help of some neighbors, built a log cabin from timber hewn on the premises – a dwelling which, like all others of that region, consisted of but one room. There was no money in part of the country, and the few necessaries which could be obtained were purchased on the basis of exchange for other commodities. The prairie home was unprotected by fences, and had but a meagre outfit of live stock. No food could be regularly obtained, with the exception of bacon, a few potatoes, and cornbread made by grating the corn direct from the ear. On rare occasions a sack of flour and a few luxuries, such as tea, coffee, and sugar, were brought from a town fifty miles distant. Mr. Church attempted to improve the quality of their civilization by establishing a sawmill on Maribone Creek, an enterprise which was regarded with great favor by the neighborhood, sawed lumber being at that time unknown on the prairie, and no house boasting the luxury of a wooden floor. After a few weeks' trial, however, the engine broke down, and there was no skilled labor available to keep it going. Finally, the spring rains overwhelmed the little lumber mill, which, together with the engine, was swept away in the rushing waters. …
"The slavery controversy had at this time assumed in Missouri a condition of great bitterness, and bushwackers took advantage of the state of affairs to commit robbery and murder, carrying their hatred of the anti-slavery principles which were held by the northern people like the Church family to such an extreme that persons were sometimes hanged for their opinions at their own roadsides. …
"Accordingly, in the spring of 1859 [two years before the death of Walter Scott], Mr. and Mrs. Church, with their family, now four children, entered their wagon, and as there was no possibility of selling their effects, they abandoned everything, including house, furniture, live stock and land, and set out across the country for Lexington, Missouri, completing their journey by boat, down the Missouri River to St. Louis, and up the Ohio to Pittsburg, profoundly thankful to arrive an unbroken family at their old home. Mr. Church became associated with the Pittsburg and Oakland Street Railway Company, serving as its secretary and treasurer throughout the brief remainder of his short life. He died March 11, 1863, having not yet completed his thirty-seventh year, and leaving the following children: Walter, Emily, Mary, Samuel Harden … and Sarah."
Now William and Emily's youngest son, Samuel Harden Church, grows up to enjoy, among other things, a very successful career in the railroad business, international recognition as a first-rate British historian and the longest tenure ever as president of the Carnegie Institute (1914-1943). And it is Samuel, a grandson of Walter Scott, who, at the age of 82, makes the following word public via a letter published in the New York Times on April 30, 1940:
"In order to prevent further bloodshed and outrage in this war of the German aggression, I am authorized by competent Americans to offer a reward of the person or persons who will deliver Adolph Hitler, alive, unwounded and unhurt, into the custody of the League of Nations for trial before a high court of justice for his crimes against the peace and dignity of the world. This proposal will stand good through the month of May, 1940."


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Lotus Stool - Moon Phase Edition
price in Canadian Dollars
Lotus stool dimensions
seat: 16" x 14"
height: 11.25 "
based on feedback and special requests I am now offering a 3rd size of yoni stool! This stool sits lower than both the bella and the lush so you are steaming in more of an open squat position.
The seat is also wider than the bella meaning more space for a pot, burner and comfort. It is also lower to the ground so no need to prop up the pot of herbs for steaming.
I personally drew and burned this Moon Phase design onto each of the stool legs using a burning pen. This is all done by free hand and with lots of intention.
I love the representation of this sacred practice honoring our own Moon Cycle that flows within and around us.
like the other designs, 2 of these stools can fit into 1 box for shipping.


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Check out the latest version of MyIT, BMC's help desk interface for consumerization done right!
Today BMC Software is announcing the 2.0 release of MyIT, a consumerization- and mobile-friendly front end for their IT service management products.
Today BMC Software is announcing the 2.0 release of MyIT, a consumerization- and mobile-friendly front end for their IT service management products. After getting a good look at the demo I was quite impressed, and I think it's one of the better examples of how to "do consumerization."
We all know that spending time with old-school help desk software, your IT service portal, or intranet is a horrible experience. You have to be on a VPN, you can never find what you're looking for, or it's just ridiculously annoying to use: "What, I have to downloading a Word document to read this internal blog post? Forget that!" It's these types of frustrating IT experiences that everybody has been railing against for the last few years. "Remove friction between the IT department and users!" the bloggers have been saying. That's great in concept, but wait... how do we actually do that?
I've seen my fair share of apps that promise to revolutionize and consumerize some experience or another just by repacking a previous web interface into a mobile app. While making it possible to use something from a mobile device is a huge first step, that's only half of the battle. If a sleek new interface just has all the same old buttons and options, then the value is limited. Same stuff, different bottle...
With this in mind, you can imaging that when BMC was pitching their MyIT announcement, I was a bit skeptical. But like I said, after getting a demo and talking with BMC's Jason Frye, I went away with a feeling that this was a good example of all that "let's change the way IT interacts with users" stuff that all us bloggers have been talking about for the last few years.
So what's MyIT? Basically, it takes your help desk front end, corporate directory, intranet, and other services and combines them into a UI that can best be described as being a lot like the current Facebook news feed. There's a rich web app, along with native apps for iOS and Android.
There are a range of things you can do:
- First, a lot of basic IT requests and help desk tickets can be submitted just by making a short post on the central news feed. You can tag people, it will auto fill hashtags for common tasks, you can include location—essentially it's all the common social networking stuff, except that it all gets sent back to the help desk. So think of how you might post on a company's Facebook page or tweet at them instead of calling a customer service hotline. Now imagine do that for IT service requests. Awesome, right?
- For more complex tasks, they're working to simplify the forms, and still, it's a far more modern web experience than so many other products.
- You can also monitor the status of services (so no more getting all those emails about scheduled downtime for internal applications you don't even use). The mobile apps can send you push notifications about this stuff, too.
- MyIT functions as corporate directory, and you can set up user groups.
- It can also hook into SharePoint.
- There's also an internal app store called AppZone. (AppZone 2.0 is also part of today's announcement.)
On the back end, all of this gets translated so that it can hook into BMC's existing Remedy and RemedyForce products. So while this may be a big change for end users, a lot of your existing IT workflows can stay the same. All of the MyIT features have APIs, so you can also hook them into other systems, or use it on top of other vendors' service solutions. Of course all that will take a lot more work, but at least that flexibility exists.
Clearly BMC has put a lot of consideration into MyIT, and it looks like a product I'd happy to use.


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Getting ready for the new term this weekend. I have a number of fears and quite a lot of excitement.
It is exciting to be meeting new students but I am scared because this year our first year students number 110.... and I will be teaching a first year module single handed...
I am excited because this year I get to design and structure modules which last year I took over from someone else with no time to reorganise them.
I am very scared of the new institutionally imposed deadline of 15 days in which to turn around all my marking.....
But I am excited about some of the new tools I am going to be using with my students. In the study skills module I am going to be introducing Evernote as a convenient storage and organising platform, Diigo for bookmarking and sharing resources, Google Sites for creating an e-portfolio.
I have just been setting up some online polls for my introductory/welcome session with the first year students using Poll Everywhere..... get your smart phones out!! I saw a demo of this last week in a staff training session and I think it is brilliantly simple and a great way to get nervous new students to interact with each other (and with me) during their induction. The free plan only allows 30 users so I plan to get them to work in small huddles and post multiple responses.
I was really inspired last week by the Guardian's seminar on using social media to enhance the student experience. So many great ideas for engaging students and enhancing teaching and learning - I particularly liked Alan Cann's ideas about using Google+ and that is something else I might consider introducing at some point - as a platform for micro blogging and sharing learning.
I am beginning the year with a survey designed to find out my students' current confidence with internet based tools. I hope in this way to be able to have a point of comparison so I can show some enhancement in this area by the end of the year.
One of the positives of being forced into tighter marking timescales is that I am having to get creative about setting assignments and giving feedback. I find it much easier to grade very tightly structured work, so am using templates for major pieces of work like reflective portfolios and am going to be experimenting this year with a grading "matrix" like this example.
I will continue to review this and also students' reactions - do they want formulaic feedback in 15 days or something more detailed a week or two later? I am sure many just want their grade, but we are also trying to get them to "engage with feedback", apparently.....
Well, there are probably enough (maybe too many) objectives there for the coming year. I'll continue to post about how it all goes..... (this is why teachers should have blogs)


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I remember that Saturdays were a big horror day for me as a kid. CREATURE FEATURES was the Holy Grail for me when I was younger. I had to make sure I got my rest during the day so I could keep my eyes open long enough to watch it.
First came THE LOVE BOAT - another fave of mine back in the day that reached the extreme high point when I actually met Charo when I was on a cruise! (She was super nice to me and my 13 year old or so self was in love with her at once.)
Then after the Love Boat was FANTASY ISLAND which was my gateway vehicle into the likes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE and THE NIGHT GALLERY a bit later.
Then...if I managed to stay awake and look chipper, my parents would let me stay up for
CREATURE FEATURES. This was the best thing in the world. The opening montage of horror goodness followed by the most excellent Bob Wilkins and his cigar with his fantastic, deadpan voice and blank stare.
The movies ranged from THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE to TWINS OF EVIL and never failed to fill me with glee. I still remember the version of TWINS OF EVIL they picked still having the nudity and me seeing the Collinson Twins'...delights...when I was very young and being thrilled by the sight. hehehe
I also stared in horror as the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD trailer was presented one night by ole Bob. The damn thing scared the crap out of me and still fills me with dread when I hear those discordant piano cords!
However, CREATURE FEATURES wasn't the only show in town. KTVU also had a few afternoon features that played horror that I loved as well. I still remember my Mother making popcorn in a big pot, putting it into a large bowl, then sitting with me to watch these old horror movies. We'd have a ball watching the likes of THEM, EARTH VS THE FLYING SAUCERS, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. So good. And, I'm still a fan of popcorn to this day. :)
There was one that I recall the visual for, but not the name of, where a man dressed in a white gorilla suit played music on a Victrola that was next to him on a little stand, then he'd do these odd little dances to begin the show. As the movie went on, he'd do little skits that were related to the movie, I believe.
There was the CHILLER DILLER movie that had another fantastic little 70s opening that I loved.
KBHK had the GHOULIE MOVIE in the 80s which was another good horror outlet.
A lot of these sorts of shows went by the wayside with the advent of VHS and cable programming. The idea of being able to go to the store and rent full movies to take HOME and watch was epic. I remember a friends parents actually purchasing the first VCR in the group and us flocking to his house for movie parties that would last all night.
When we all made VCR purchases, we would round robin the movie party location and make an effort to have one every two weeks or so.
A fantastic time to be a kid who loved horror. :)


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10 Cozy Mountain Getaways
There is something so comforting about exposed stone walls and dark wood beams, particularly when paired with a generous glass of red wine by the fire and a romantic blanket of snow outside. Surrounded by mountain vistas and endless trees, lodge resorts are warm and welcoming by nature. No matter how big or luxurious they may be, the best ones still feel cozy, with plush leather couches in lobby bars, heated indoor pools, oversized bedrooms, dimly lit and lounge-y restaurants, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the expansive horizon. Whether your mission is to hit the slopes, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, go sledging, laze in natural hot springs, try your hand at bobsledding, or, just enjoy that leisurely après-ski, mountainside lodges are prime winter destinations.
Click here to see the 10 Mountain Lodges with the Freshest Fare Slideshow.
The country's most luxurious lodges sit in picturesque settings — from Grand Teton National Park to Colorado's natural hot springs and from the chic slopes of Deer Valley to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. When your outdoor activities are done and night falls, they offer comforting and indulgent food and drink, like fondue at the Montage Deer Valley Resort, crispy pork-shank croquettes at Primland Resort, green-chile pot pies at New Mexico's Bishops Lodge, and a s'mores happy hour at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek.
Rocky mountains, whether they have snow-capped peaks or are covered in lush green grass, are the perfect backdrop for a true off-the-grid getaway. Your getaway can be as adventurous or relaxing as you like, since most lodges often have full-service spas that restore weary muscles and a dimly lit bar to hibernate in while the snow comes down outside. But nothing works better to restore the feeling in your fingers and warm your bones than home-cooked, seasonal eats enjoyed by the fire.


text: Nov.22 beat the rush By Chris Rich on November 21, 2014 in Uncategorized I'll be at the Portland Saturday market , also doing a show up in Olympia Washington . I'll be working on the glass candy cane today and have a large selection at both shows . looking forward to seeing you there !


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Board of Directors
Joe Borowiec | Chair
Joe Borowiec is an arts enthusiast who is seeking to support and promote the arts and artists in Toronto. Joe was a corporate policy and management consultant at the City of Toronto where he facilitated problem solving and policy implementation with City agencies and corporations. He also managed the recruitment of the boards of City corporations and was the policy lead in the public appointments process for the boards of City agencies. Prior to that, he was a budget analyst where he analysed and processed operating and capital budgets.
Kristopher Dell | President
Kristopher Dell has been working professionally in the Arts since 1994. He is presently the Director of Production and Facility Services at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Attending York University in 1991, Kristopher graduated with a BFA in Theatre specializing in Production. Working as a freelance designer, technician and production manager, Kristopher has worked at theatres and festivals such as Buddies in Bad Times, the Tarragon, Factory Theatre and the Luminato Festival. Kristopher joined the Toronto Centre for the Arts as a Production Manager in 2002, and has immensely enjoyed working with all the different acts, artists and organizations that have appeared upon the TCA's stages. His duties have gradually expanded to include facility services, but it always comes back to the shows.
Jason Ho | Treasurer
Susan Karnay | Secretary
Susan Karnay is an entertainment lawyer with over 20 years of experience. She is the co-founder of Bob Lake Productions, involved in the development and executive producing of film and television projects. Susan has worked as in-house counsel at Canadian media companies, and started her career in the entertainment group at Goodmans LLP. In addition to her Honours B.A. and LL.B. degrees, Susan has a M.B.A. from the Schulich School of Business. She teaches business and entertainment law at Ryerson University and Centennial College, and currently sits on the Board of Directors and Programming Committee of Women in Film & Television. A long-time Leaside resident who is passionate about the arts and community involvement, Susan is delighted to bring her legal expertise to NYA.
Umair Jaffar
Umair has been involved in the Arts sector since 2000 and has extensive experience in curating, art administration and management. He has an MSc in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oxford, UK and an MBA from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Umair migrated to Canada in 2014 (from Pakistan) and since then has worked in senior roles at major cultural organizations such as the Aga Khan Museum and Harbourfront Centre. In 2017 recognizing his contributions to the Toronto Art sector he received the prestigious 'Leaders Lab' fellowship by the Toronto Arts Council and Banff Centre. Prior to arriving in Canada, he founded the Institute for Preservation of Arts & Culture (also known as IPAC), the first non-profit organization in Pakistan that focused on developing sustainable solutions for promoting traditional performing arts and livelihood / welfare services to marginalized artist communities.
Kirsten Kamper
Kirsten Kamper is a dedicated fundraising and operations professional, passionate about the social and financial impact of arts and culture. She has had the privilege to work for over 18 years in the non-profit sector, currently as Vice President, Operations and Campaign with the Royal Ontario Museum Governors. Kirsten has worked in progressive fundraising positions for 13 years at the ROM, most recently as Vice President, Annual Giving. Prior, she worked in membership and communications with The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. Kirsten has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Toronto, and a graduate diploma in Non-Profit Administration from Concordia University. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Millean Kung | Interim Programming and Events Committee Chair
Born and raised in Toronto, Millean has always been an advocate for the arts. After graduating from university with a B. Mus. and a B. Ed., she became an educator in the Toronto school system.
Millean discovered Pottery and Glass Fusing a number of years ago. She was able to share her enthusiasm for the arts with other educators and a variety of special-needs students. Since retiring, Millean has devoted much of her time to her passion: Pottery and Glass. She is the sole proprietor of her business "1 in a Millean".
To keep her schedule filled, Millean is President of the North York Visual Artists and she volunteers at the Toronto Botanical Garden. As well, she enjoys cooking and baking.
David Oliver | Governance & Nominations Committee Chair
David Oliver has extensive senior executive experience in the investment and wealth management industry. He is currently President of Oliver Advisory, an independent consulting firm, and recently served as National Lead and Vice President at MD Financial Management, heading MD Private Investment Counsel and MD Management. Prior to joining MD Financial Management, Mr. Oliver was Chief Portfolio Manager, Vice President and Executive Director at CIBC, as well as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at TD Bank. Mr. Oliver started his career as an economist at the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
David Oliver currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO), where he sits on the Risk Committee and Investment Committee. Mr. Oliver also serves on the Board of Directors at the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, where he sits on the Finance, Audit and Human Resources Committee. Previously, Mr. Oliver served as a member of the Canadian Medical Association Pension Plan Investment Committee, as well as the Investment Dealers Association Regulation 1300 Review Committee.
David Oliver graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Master of Arts in Economics. Mr. Oliver holds the Chartered Director, Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Investment Manager, and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute designations.
Diana Panagiotopoulos
Diana Panagiotopoulos has been a principal in the TDSB for nearly 10 years. Currently, she is the principal of Don Mills Collegiate Institute, which is known for its CyberArts program. She completed her B.A. Honours and Bachelor of Education at Glendon College, York University and her M.Ed. in Administration and Policy Studies at McGill University. Ms. Panagiotopoulos is on the board of Expect Theatre, an award-winning, Toronto-based company who create original multi-disciplinary productions that explore modern urban life.
Kathleen Sloan | Marketing & Fundraising Committee Chair
Kathleen Sloan is a seasoned marketing and communications executive, contributing to the success of organizations in both the non-profit and commercial sectors. Her significant experience in the arts and culture industry began with marketing roles at Roy Thomson Hall/Massey Hall and then at Livent, where she developed and managed advertising initiatives across North America for award-winning theatrical productions including The Phantom of the Opera, Fosse and Barrymore. Kathleen was Director of Marketing for CAPA/Shubert Theater in New Haven, Connecticut, before returning to Toronto and joining Luminato as Director of Marketing, building the brand of the premier annual arts festival. From 2011 – 2016 she led the marketing and communications for Canada's Walk of Fame, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications for Villa Charities Inc. Kathleen holds a Chartered Marketer designation.
Bill Stephenson
Bill Stephenson is a senior finance professional who assists clients who are undergoing transition to solve problems, improve processes and systems, implement internal controls, execute and transfer knowledge.Bill believes that a finance professional should not only measure value but serve as a business partner who helps create value and drive strategy. Bill is a CPA, CMA and holds a business degree from the University of Toronto. He has worked in many industry sectors and has worked with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Bill has always enjoyed and supported the arts. He has been an active member in many community musical organizations over the last two decades and feels that arts organizations not only enrich the lives of artists and residents in the community but offers them the opportunity to connect with others. He is thrilled to be able to serve on the board of North York Arts and put his financial knowledge and experience in community- based arts organizations to use.
Nina Zaslavsky
Nina Zaslavsky has a MA in Journalism and Communication (Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel). Nina began her career in Canada as a constituency liaison for local councilor in Ward 10, York Centre. In her position, she organized a multitude of events: the Earl Bales Art and Music Festival, Russian Arts Night (in cooperation with Nuit Blanche), the Antibes Multicultural Festival, the Toronto Russian Film Festival, Youth Media Club and many other national and international events.
Nina is an experienced special project organizer and fundraiser with a specialization in cultural events and she has proven ability in working with diverse stakeholders to achieve objectives. Demonstrated success in building relationships with stakeholders in the arts and culture community. Nina is owner of her PR company and she is sill working as a the freelance journalist writing in English, Russian and Hebrew.
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
(Meridian Arts Centre)
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Join Our Network


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Institute for Environmental Security
Advancing Global Environmental Security through
Science · Diplomacy · Law · Finance · Education
IES Prototype EnviroSecurity Assessments
Promoting Environmental Security and Poverty Alleviation
in Three Case Study Areas
October 2005 - Updated June 2006
Virunga-Bwindi, African Great Lakes region
I. Recommendations from the Kalimantan, Indonesia Case Study
A. On Monitoring and Mapping Ecosystem Services and Threats
1. As a component of ensuring environmental security monitoring is essential. Both the monitoring of biophysical and man made aspects of the region as well as monitoring of the administration and effectiveness of projects is important. Regarding the former, we recommend the implementation of a permanent monitoring system aimed at detecting land use and land cover changes.
The existing radar-based monitoring system for the Mawas area should be extended to the Sebangau area and to the other peat swamp and peat forest areas of Kalimantan in order to be used to detect illegal logging; illegal canals and roads; illegal deforestation for plantations; fires; and, to help enforce existing legislation and regulation.
Results can be used to prevent further peat swamp forest destruction or to monitor parameters that need to be regulated as part of contractual agreements. These contractual agreements can be, for instance, between local forest owners and outside buyers of forest conservation or restoration based carbon credits; or, between local forest owners and outside parties interested in the maintenance of forest-based biodiversity. A crucial part of monitoring is being able to compare new findings with the past or with other types of data, thus a compilation of baseline data is important. Other data types can include cadastral boundaries, land use zoning plans, and maps of land suitability assessment.
2. The local communities, authorities and executing agencies should be fully involved in operating the system and the juridical follow-up of the data received and interpreted. Adequate training courses should be developed and conducted.
3. Since the system is of great importance also for other parts of Indonesia (Sumatra!), it should be embraced by the relevant ministries and national authorities and used for the obligatory reporting by Indonesia as Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to the Conference of the Parties.
4. The system should also be used in the preparation of meetings of the Parties to the ASEAN Haze Agreement, both to assess the performance of the Parties in preventing haze pollution in the region and to prepare effective programmes for the future.
5. Maps - updated by the monitoring system and applying GIS - should be made showing the ecological state of affairs, the threats and the (potential) conflicts. A very important purpose of these maps would be to demonstrate where certain activities can take place and where not. This is especially relevant for the concession policy in the field of logging and plantations.
B. On the Legal Aspects
6. As Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Indonesia - one of the "mega-biodiversity" countries in the world - is required to adopt and apply the ecosystem approach. Its National Biodiversity and Strategy and Action Plan should be made legally binding and should be implemented in practice.
7. Indonesia is Party to the Climate Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. Although it has no reduction obligations under the Protocol, it is bound by the objectives of the Convention and should refrain from activities aggravating the global climate problematique. From this legal perspective it should be encouraged to adopt effective policies to combat illegal logging and fires; during the burning season the fires make Indonesia one of the major emitters of greenhouse gases in the world.
8. The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution of 2002 has not yet been ratified by Indonesia. It is urgent to do so.
9. A thorough analysis should be made of the de facto situation with respect to the local rights of access to natural resources in the case-study area in the face of outside threats.
10. Environmental Impact Assessments should be used not only as technical reports, but also as a process to promote participation and good governance.
C. On Economics and Finance
11. Payments for ecosystem services should provide alternatives for ecologically detrimental activities such as illegal logging and the conversion of High Conservation Value forests into plantations. The proposed contract between Mawas and an outside energy industry to pay for a long-term carbon credit scheme can be a model for those areas with still existing forests.
12. Since under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in the field of forest management it is only possible to sell credits by re- or afforestation, those situations where this is possible should be inventoried and submitted to the (difficult) CDM procedure, with the help of outside technical assistance.
13. Now that "avoided deforestation" has been accepted as eligible for compensation under the Climate Change Convention, Indonesia should promote the operationalisation of a compensation mechanism, as soon as possible.
14. Commercial alternatives in the field of agriculture, certified timber and palm oil production and eco-tourism should be encouraged with the assistance of international NGOs working in these fields. (A promising initiative is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.)
15. Long-term financial security is essential for the management of ecosystems. It is recommended to use a multi-donor trust fund construction as now proposed for the protected areas in Colombia by the GEF/World Bank also for the peat swamp forests on Kalimantan and use this as a model for the other parts of Indonesia. A key component of this construction is an endowment, the proceeds of which are to be used for recurrent costs. The filling of such an endowment could typically come from a debt-for-nature swap. The existing options within the Indonesian context in this respect should be considered.
D. On Empowerment and Training
16. As mentioned above, training in using modern monitoring techniques is important to protect the local communities and the ecology against the threats of logging and fires. This training should especially assist the local police and judiciary in enforcing the law. Also, training in preventing and combating fires and in economic alternatives is essential.
17. The Indonesian military and diplomacy have to be made aware that the logging and fires on Kalimantan and increasingly now also on Sumatra pose a serious environmental security threat to their neighbours and to the rest of the world and constitute a violation of binding international agreements. They should be encouraged to make a paradigm shift here and become a country that is leading on the international environmental scene and earn a large part of their foreign exchange by selling carbon credits, making their unique biodiversity available to tourists and the pharmaceutical industry, and by exporting certified commodities such as timber and palm oil.
II. Recommendations from the Virunga-Bwindi region Case Study
A. On Mapping and Monitoring Ecosystem Services and Threats
1. While the focus of these recommendations is to strengthen the peace park functions of especially the tri-national Virunga parks complex, the first recommendation is to have a full analysis of all ecological values of the region and to determine the whole set of ecosystem services (as defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) the region is providing to its immediate surroundings, the wider region and river basins of which it is a part, and the global community. Apart from being the habitat for the last population of mountain gorillas, which is a global environmental benefit, there is other unique biodiversity, but from the perspective of environmental security the strategic hydrological role of the Virunga Massive comes to mind. The analysis of the USDA Forest Service and of the GEF-funded Global International Waters Assessment (and any others) should be continued, also with special attention to the relevance for the Nile Basin Initiative.
2. The threats to the maintenance and delivery of these ecosystem services should be identified on the various levels:
- local (e.g. population pressure)
- regional (violent conflicts, migration, et.al., to be identified in collaboration with, for example, the International Crisis Group and on the basis of the findings of the Peace and Conflict Impact Analysis as conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development)
- international (mining and logging for export markets)
- global (climate change: IPCC: impact of climate change is highest in Africa "where poverty limits options for adaptation." )
3. Ecological values and services and threats should be laid down on maps as produced for the UNEP/UNDP/OSCE programme on environment and security in Central Asia, the Caucasus and South-East Europe so as to give policy-makers on the various levels a direct and integrated view of the issues to be addressed.
4. A system of continuous monitoring of the ecology and the threats there-to based upon (radar) remote sensing with systematic ground-truthing by local authorities and counterparts such as IGCP - should be set up. There should be periodic reporting of this monitoring, for example, on the occasion and for the benefit of the quarterly tripartite meetings of the park authorities to discuss the joint management of the parks. Of course the results of the monitoring should also be made available to the governments and all other relevant decision-makers in order to allow them to take adequate action in time.
It is proposed that IES partners utilising radar methodology take the lead in setting up this monitoring system from the remote sensing side. Included in setting up the system should be modules for training to read and interpret the remote sensing data by the (local) authorities and counterparts, where necessary, based upon a needs assessment.
B. On the Legal Aspects
5. Considering the fact that one of the major threats to the ecological integrity of the Virunga Massive still is the instability on the Congolese side, it is recommended - if this is not yet already arranged - to establish (informal) channels of communication with MONUC to prevent invasions of the parks or using them as shelter and to strengthen park protection if needed. (See also the recommendations by International Crisis Group of 14 September2005 to deal with the threats as posed especially by the FDLR - Forces Démocratiques de la Libération du Rwanda - directed to the meeting in New York on 16 September of the governments of Rwanda and the DR Congo, the African Union, the European Union, the UN and the U.S. and separately to the same governments and to MONUC - the United Nations Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo - and the renewed call for action of 19 October 2005.)
6. On or in association with the maps the pertinent international legal regimes should be identified so as to define the responsibilities, obligations and rights of the various actors in and relevant for the region. It is recommended strongly to take the responsibilities and obligations of the countries in the Virunga-Bwindi region under the international environmental conventions seriously and work together as Parties to these binding law agreements. These countries wish to be treated as equal partners in a common endeavour to preserve the regional and global ecology, but there is great need for adequate capacity to translate the international obligations into national, enforceable, law and to fully participate in the meetings of the international conventions. It is recommended that the IUCN Environmental Law Centre in Bonn carries out a needs assessment of the countries in relation to the implementation of these conventions on the national, regional and international level.
7. The key element of the management of the Virunga Massive as a peace park is formed by the quarterly meetings of the rangers and (park) authorities as facilitated by the IGCP. As is suggested under point 5 these tripartite consultations may benefit from updated remote sensing monitoring reports. Also one may think of upgrading the Trilateral Declaration on the Transboundary Resources Management between the three States of October 2005 to a "Legal Framework for a Transboundary Area", as is proposed in the report by IES Legal Advisor Serge Bronkhorst "The Virunga Volcanoes and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Co-operation in the management of shared natural resources and the concept of Transboundary Protected Areas". This would imply a binding treaty between the three states. While this should be considered a desirable end goal to legally "cement" the necessary cooperation, the steps towards such an arrangement should be very carefully planned and built upon concrete progress of the on-going consultations between the three park authorities.
C. On Economics and Finance
8. Whatever the exact legal arrangement, adequate financing for monitoring and management is an absolute requirement for the Virunga-Bwindi area to be successful as a peace park, as habitat for unique biodiversity and as "water tower" for the surrounding regions and the connected river basins. Contributing to regional peace, to the protection of globally unique biodiversity and to the protection of a strategic regional watershed, warrants long term funding from regional and global sources. It is therefore recommended to critically review the performance of the Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Conservation Trust Fund (MBIFCT) and to design a mechanism which would also include the Rwandan and DRC parts of the peace park area. MBIFCT was set up to finance the global biodiversity benefit as defined by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). To the geographically extended Trust Fund could be added the hydrological component, mentioned under point 1, which could generate funding under the International Waters window of the GEF. An initial GEF grant can of course leverage other sources of funding. A model for a new multi-donor trust fund construction can be found in the World Bank/GEF trust fund construction proposed for the protected areas in Colombia and to be approved at the GEF Council meeting of November 2005.
9. The format of this fund construction includes an endowment to finance recurrent costs. Added is a sinking fund component and one can also think of adding a revolving fund component. The sinking component could, for example, finance a programme of training and capacity enhancement for the park management and for development of economic alternatives for the neighbouring communities. The revolving component could be used to give credits to starting businesses under, for example, the IGCP Enterprise Programme, to be paid back if the business is successful. The fund also could be the vehicle for the revenue sharing mechanism, as is being set up by the Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) to transfer a certain percentage of the income generated by the parks to the surrounding communities. It is also recommended to look at the possibilities for debt conversion (Paris Club, HIPC, or bilateral) to mobilize resources for the trust fund.
10. In order to maintain the Virunga Volcanoes park complex as a peace park and to provide sustainable livelihoods for the surrounding populations as a whole - especially in densely populated Rwanda - the highest priority has to be given to generate sources of income and employment outside the subsistence agriculture in which 90% of the population is working. If one would look at small to medium industries and to the ICT sector, energy (in the form of electricity) is an absolute requirement. Here there is a dilemma for a country like Rwanda, where water used for hydropower is diverted towards agriculture, thus increasing the need to use "dirty diesel" to produce electricity. This is exactly the opposite of what should be done to make the country earn income from producing carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol.
Building on existing (UNIDO/GEF) initiatives the Dutch development cooperation through its bilateral and multilateral channels should strongly support a clean energy strategy for the countries sharing the Virunga Massive, including creating options for CDM projects. Reforestation to prevent erosion and sedimentation of water bodies suitable for hydropower could at the same time qualify for the CDM. The Dutch CDM office at the ministry of VROM should be consulted to see whether now or in the future the obligatory Dutch greenhouse gas emission reductions via the CDM could be realized, for example, through energy and/or forestry projects in Rwanda.
11. Within the energy mix for Rwanda a special role can be played by the methane gas from Lake Kivu. Considering the risks associated with exploiting this gas a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of any project to indeed exploit this gas has to be conducted. The Dutch expertise can be very helpful to assist the Rwandan authorities in preparing the necessary EIAs. The contacts established after the visit of the IES team to Rwanda in July 2005 between the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority and the Dutch EIA Commission should therefore be extended and strengthened.
12. Special attention should be given to the integration of the environmental management needs in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). With further deterioration of the environment poverty and conflicts will increase. Here both the embassies in the region and the Executive Directors of the Netherlands at the World Bank and the IMF will have to scrutinize the PRSPs when they come up for decision-making.
D. On Empowerment and Training
13. After demobilisation and repatriation, the rebels, militias and refugees need to be trained in skills outside subsistence agriculture, such as for example environmental restoration and protection, wildlife and park management and as tourist guides, managers of lodges, etc. The international donor community should assist with providing incentives and training modules.
14. Empowerment of women is key to the necessary demographic transition. To provisions like in Rwanda where a minimum percentage of civil servants should consist of women, the promotion of educational, health and credit facilities relevant for women in the rural areas should be added.
III. Recommendations from the Matavén area of Colombia Case Study
A. On Monitoring and Mapping Ecosystem Services and Threats
1. A continuous, radar-based monitoring system has to be developed and installed so as to assist the local (indigenous) authorities in the management of their territories and to effectively relate to the outside forces which impact on these territories and the management there-of or which may do so in the future.
2. The development of the system has to be done in close consultation with the local authorities, using their own cartography and ecological calendar and the cartography developed by the GEF project 2001-2004, so as to programme the monitoring also in conformity with the local needs in space and time.
3. The local communities and authorities have to be trained and empowered to make optimal use of the monitoring data and to act as "groundtruthers" for these data. This training can best be done by NGOs with permanent field presence in the region and with full knowledge of the local cultures and with intimate sensitivity for the timing of the various activities (the "rhythm of the region").
4. Consultations have to be set up about who, in the Colombian context, can best manage such a monitoring system, and with whom, in what form and at what time the data have to be shared. While data concerning the Matavén area itself obviously have to be shared with the local authorities, data about relevant outside forces may also have to be shared with higher levels of policy and authority.
5. Since the Matavén area is part of the wider Guiana Shield ecoregion, stretching from Colombia into Venezuela, Brazil and the three Guianas, the monitoring should be part of the monitoring system proposed by the Guiana Shield Initiative (GSI), in which an important role is to be played by the Brazilian SIVAM programme (Sistema da Vigilancia da Amazonia), which is also a radar-based system. In this respect the system should contribute to address problematic transboundary issues between that part of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.
6. Periodically the maps as produced for this case-study for Colombia will have to be updated. It is proposed to do this as part of the updating of the interactive maps recommended by IES to the Amazon Programme of the Dutch Embassy in Bogotá.
B. On the Legal Aspects
7. Colombia has one of the most advanced legal systems in the world. This holds especially for the constitutional provisions and legislation regarding indigenous communities. Also, Colombia has ratified the ILO 169 Convention, the most important international legal instrument for indigenous rights. Furthermore, Colombia is Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and it was under Colombian political leadership that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was negotiated. As international agreements have pre-eminence in the hierarchy of Colombian law, it is important that the compatibility of proposed national legislation with these international arrangements is on the agenda of the consultations of the international donor community and diplomacy with the national government.
8. There is obviously serious incompatibility between the proposed Forest Law (Ley Forestal) and the under point 7 mentioned international agreements - for an extended analysis see the report "Contribución al análisis de la problemática en el resguardo de Matavén, Colombia: perspectivas nacionales e internacionales" by Fundación Gaia Amazonas as commissioned by IES. It is recommended that the donor community investing in programmes to strengthen indigenous rights and conservation of biodiversity expresses its concern about this incompatibility to the national government of Colombia. In general, internationally induced forces to privatise and commercialise biologically and resource rich natural environments undermining existing legislation protecting biological and cultural diversity should be scrutinised carefully by the donor community.
9. As has been extensively discussed in the report mentioned under 8., further ratification and implementation of ILO 169 is of the utmost importance for the future of the Matavén region in particular and of the indigenous(territorial) rights in general. It is recommended to the international human rights diplomacy to take note of the conclusions of this part of the report and to promote the further ratification and implementation of ILO 169 at the appropriate fora.
10. Idem for the recommendations and the conclusions of the visit of UN Special Rapporteur Rodolfo Stavenhagen in March 2004 to Colombia - see also the analysis of the Stavenhagen report for the Amazon Programme of the Dutch Embassy of October 2005.
11. On 16 August 2005 an agreement (convenio) was concluded between ACATISEMA, the association of traditional indigenous authorities in Matavén and their Venezuelan counterparts at the other side of the Orinoco, the Associación Comunitaria Cano Grulla, to regulate fishing in their section of the Orinoco. It is recommended to highlight this as a success of indigenous transboundary diplomacy and as further justification to strengthen indigenous authority and management in law and practice.
C. On Economics and Finance
12. The Matavén area is extremely rich in biodiversity. It is an important part of the Orinoco basin and its forests store and sequester large amounts of carbon and thus play a key role in the climate stabilisation. It is recommended to start the process of valuation of these ecosystem services and to develop systems of actual payments for these services. This should be done in close cooperation with the Guiana Shield Initiative which has applied to the European Union to set up pilot projects for payment mechanisms in the Guiana Shield eco-region, one of them in the Matavén region, and with the Nature Valuation and Financing-Network based at the Wageningen University. These services should remain in the public domain and not be privatised!
13. The proposed trust fund construction for the "Mosaique of protected areas in Colombia" could be a model or even the actual vehicle for the long-term financing of the management of the Matavén region. It is recommended to carefully study this construction from this perspective.
14. Now that "avoided deforestation" has been accepted as eligible for compensation under the Climate Change Convention, Colombia should promote the operationalisation of a compensation mechanism, as soon as possible.


text:
3 Tablespoons finely diced onion
1 pound ROMA tomatoes diced small
1 finely diced green or jalapeno chili
2 Tablespoons FRESH chopped cilantro
3/4 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients and chill. Stores in fridge up to 5 days.
I'll be posting this recipe to:
- Ultimate Recipe Swap
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text:
However, there is ample scope left to improve the occupational efficiency among employees of the public sector in Sri Lanka according to a recent survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DSC). According to statistics the highest educational qualification achieved by 35% of the government and semi government employees is the G.C. E Ordinary Level Examination while 17% have not passed this exam. This percentage is high among males accounting for 27.2 % the while the percentage for females 4.8%.
Of the total number of employees in this sector only 26.1 % possess a degree or a higher qualification and among the graduate employees 54 % are from the arts stream. Among those with higher qualifications females comprise 36.7% and males 17.6 %. The number of graduates in the public and semi government sectors is 290,378 of which 2,014 possess more than one degree. Of the graduates 54 % are from the arts stream while 14.3 % are management and commerce graduates and 10.4 % science graduates.
With regard to proficiency in language only 15.1 % declared that their proficiency in speaking English is good while 23.7% said the same about their proficiency in reading and writing English. Of the ability to use computers, email and Internet 66.8% were computer literate, 56.3% could use Internet and 38.4% were able to use email.
The survey on government and semi government employment conducted in November 2016 revealed that the number of employees in public and semi government sector exceeded 1.1 million excluding the staff of the three forces. Of the employees 55.1 % are males while 44.9 % are females. Among those employed 32 % are in the age group of 30 to 39 years while 24% are over 50 years. It has also been revealed that 60,000 employees are entitled to a pension scheme and they are to retire during 2018 and 2022.The DSC conducts periodic census of public and semi government sector employees and the first such census was conducted in 1980 and subsequently in 1985, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 at four to five year intervals.
DSC DG Dr. Amara Satharasinghe said that it is unusual to determine the employees as a percentage of the total population and as a percentage of employees of all sectors. The total number of employees is estimated quarterly and annually through the Sri Lanka Labour Force survey conducted by the DSC. The survey on the place of work revealed that a large number of public and semi government employees are concentrated in the Colombo district accounting for 225,000 or one out of five working in the district followed by Gampaha and Kandy districts each comprising 7.3%. The number of employees of the public and semi government sector are less than one percent in the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar istricts. The number of employees working overseas is 626."Our aim in this survey was to improve the response rate of the employees and we were able to achieve 100 % success in our survey conducted on November 17, 2016 from 9.30 to 11.30 am," Dr. Satharasinghe said .