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Presented to:
Dr. Lambert Vincent Stepanich
Presented by:
Moataz Mohammad Attallah
One may wonder why the majority of the philosophers who tackled the issue of free will, or human beings ability in controlling their actions, insisted in accompanying it with the words problem or delusion[Check the sources]. The word problem may induce some presuppositions about free will that show it like a critical issue, that requires extensive learning before being able to deal with. Despite being frequently used in philosophy, referring to free will as a problem will be avoided in this essay. It is better for people with limited experience to deal with it as a concept rather than a problem. Particularly, free will has been an important concept, not only in philosophy, but also in physical sciences, psychology, and theology. However, philosophers and those who are involved in this concept still have not settled on a definition that all philosophers agree upon.
It seems that there is a
tendency among philosophers to deny the existence of free will (Stace:108).
They deny its existence based on their belief in determinism (or the principle
of universal causation), physical sciences and psychoanalysis. The opponent
party that believes in its partial or full existence bases its argument
on the undeniable existence of morality and some facts related to psychology
and human nature. In fact, belief in the existence of what we shall term
"Levels of free will" seems the most tolerable one; which means that determinism
and free will are in compatible positions. Thus, this compatiblist position
has gained ground because it does not give a sharp yes or no answer. It
moderately gives chance for human mind to think more about its freedom.
Therefore, following an unorthodox method, we will start by introducing various viewpoints for and against the existence of free will, each based on its definition of free will. We will be presenting the argument and counter-argument to reach to the compatiblist perspective, hence the definition of free will that is mostly acceptable. Howevertemporarily we will use the very basic simple (philosophy-free) definition of free will. To say that a person has free will simply means that that person is equally capable of either doing action (A) or not doing it.
For any argument about the
existence of free will to be valid, one has to go through certain concepts,
based on which some philosophers confirmed or denied the existence of free
will. There are three different thoughtways, yet intangibly related, which
are: determinism versus indeterminism, soft and hard determinism, and the
analysis of the concept based on psychology and natural science. These
will be the three interrelated dimensions that will be tackled mainly in
this essay. To include all the possible tracks, a fourth dimension is added,
dealing with the concept of free will from a theological viewpoint.
Newton himself did not really think what it means to be free. Newtonian physics termed the falling body under the effect of gravity as "Free Fall." Consequently, it is reasonable to question the definition of freedom according to Newtonian physics, which defined the falling of a body under the effect of gravitational forces as a free fall. The term "free" refers to the fact that the object is not acted upon except by one force, which is gravity. However still, this case is a typical example for a deterministic event; which can be ultimately predicted; both the position and motion of a body under free fall. So, is it really free? As a result, we can "strongly" claim that determinists, who based their rejection of free will on physical sciences, suffer from a self-contradiction. They call a falling object to be "free," and they deny free will to human beings.
Now, think: do we really live in such a deterministic universe? Are all our actions "law determined"? Actually, dealing with human beings as just physical objects is unfair. Moreover, is it really wise to base our judgment and definition of free will on a physical law? In fact, what is not clear to the majority is that science itself is a source of freedom. It is the one that gives us a level of free will. Think about it this way; the more physical laws we discover, the more we are likely to have some control over our future. For example, were it not for the discovery of the DNA, we would have never had the option of gene therapy these days, and thus many people would have been denied the option of "choosing" a better life.
Accordingly, it is not physical
sciences that deny free willthough it is true that the determinists did
not directly use physical science to deny the existence of free will. Still,
it should be highlighted that even if determinism is rooted in physical
sciences, it is physical sciences that gives us free will.
Einstein strongly believed that the whole universe, dealing on micro or macro level, has just one simple equation that governs it all. He spent around 20 years searching for it with no result, and others followed him . Still the existing scene is that both viewpoints work, or both concepts can co-exist because we did not reach to whether universe is deterministic or not. At least, we do have levels of determinism or indeterminism, to be accurate; deterministic macro and indeterministic micro.
This may seem like a weak argument in our defense to prove the existence of levels of free will. As Solomon argued, human beings are not micro objects, and our free will does not mean randomness or spontaneity. Solomon mentioned an example that if a person falls from a plane, he will definitely fall the same way as a sack of potatoes does (Solomon:475). This is perfectly true [human being is not a micro object]. Thus, using indeterminism (based on science) to prove free will is unsatisfactory evidence, especially when free will is mistakenly defined as indeterminism.
However, extending Solomons example, we can say: but a human being can think, and change his fall to be different from that sack of potatoes. He can increase his fall area (like a parachutist), unfolding his arms and legs, increasing air resistance to his body, hence decreasing his velocity. He can look and find a lake or a sea, and float in air to fall in it, again by physics. Still, one may debate that even if he can control his speed or his location, he is governed by laws of nature. This is factual and no way to disprove it. But a human being is able to choose the course of action he wants physics to work it on him. It is necessary now to mention the outstanding Schopenhauers comment:
One may wonder where philosophy is. Perhaps early determinists based their concepts on natural science and indeterminists followed them, but both did not forget tackling it within a philosophical context. The philosophical argument about determinism lead to a branching of determinism into hard determinists, who deny the existence of free will at all, and soft determinists, who believe in the compatibility of the determinism with free will.
Hard determinism was unforgiving with freedom. A "hard determinist" such as Paul Henri DHolbach believes that a human being does not posses free will, despite his uniqueness from all other physical objects and phenomenon. He says: "Man's life is a line that nature commands him to describe upon the surface of the earth." He concludes that mans actions are an output or "...a consequence of his temperament, of the received ideas, and of the notions....of his opinions, strengthened by examples, by education, and by daily experience." (Solomon: 470)
On the other hand, some "hard"
indeterminists oppressed free will by saying that free will is nothing
but indeterminism (Solomon:474). This returns us back to the verbal problem
of defining free will. It again highlights the fact that there should be
a place where both determinism and indeterminism can meet. This is the
so-called Soft Determinism.
This requires an example.
Modern science and genetics have proved that some diseases, such as cancer
and diabetes, or even some psychological traits, such as the tendency to
commit suicide or even violence, have genetic origin. So, is it really
necessary and inevitable for somebody with this genetic origin to
become diabetic for example? The answer is certainly not necessarily. It
is well known that diabetes occurs because of the inability to consume
glucose in blood. So, what if that person, knowing his genetic readiness,
was able to control the amount of glucose he consumes? Then, we can say
that he has the free will to control himself. Consequently, as Mill said,
we can not deny determinism, nor reject the "necessity and inevitability"
of it provided that its causes occur. However, these causes are still under
human control. We can conclude that free will itself is the cause that
that person did not become diabetic. On the other hand, if that person
was in a stressed environment that he could not control, he would certainly
become diabetic [levels of freedom]. What seems interesting about this
context of free will is that it agrees with determinism and causation.
However, it stresses the point that causes are controllable. Not only that,
here the will is the cause that forced an event not to happen.
Truly, Hospers argument is not very strong in spite of the fact that it appeals to the reader when he talks about experience and education influencing behavior. Hospers article was published in 1948; at the time when psychoanalysis and the Freudian psychology was still an argumentative issue. But now, after more than fifty years, the idea of the unconscious influencing behavior still can not be proved. Moreover, psychologists have found the whole issue of behavior more complicated. The human mind so far is still a mystery. Physicians and cerebral anatomists believe in the spontaneity of the human brain; it is governed by lots of involuntary physiological functions. The Freudian theory, on the other side, puts two distinctions; between conscious and unconscious. Both study the human brain or mind, but the difference between them is like the difference between a hardware and a software engineer. The first will open the PC to check what is wrong with it when it crashes down. The second will advise you to use certain software packages to return your PC normal. But none of them can candidly ultimately explain why it crashes down all of a sudden, because actually both were not present when it happened.
Hospers remarked that some psychoanalysts believe in the existence of "degree" of consciousness and unconsciousness. But that distinction between conscious and unconscious is not rational psychologically and even philosophically. Hospers mentioned a very intelligent analogy adopted by some psychoanalysts; they think that free will is inverse proportional to neurosis. In other words, there are degrees of freedom; not just absolute free will or no free will at all as other philosophers claimed. However, he opposed it by saying that most of the human behavior, under this criterion, will have no free will. As a counter argument for this, one can say that Hospers reached that conclusion based on his definition that included both the external and the unconscious forces. In other words, Hospers was searching for the absolute freedom, which is definitely impossible. Hospers himself mentioned that on the level of external compulsion, " there are countless free acts."
We conclude that the human
mind gives a degree of freedom. This is noticeably clear when making moral
judgments. Mans experience and the existing circumstances determine his
decision. Selection is possible among several possible decisions. But,
the selection must be among this set of decisions that come out of our
experience. This returns us to Schopenahuers comment. But, if we assumed
the existence of two agents with the same experience [like twins for example],
still there is a possibility that everyone decides a different decision.
Considering this fact, some
conclude that it is impossible to have free will. So, again where is the
What made this concept looks paradoxical with what we concluded about the existence of free will is because we linked two events in two "different frames of reference"; or dimensions. It is exactly like saying that I am now motionless. Thanks to Einstein, the question that we should ask now is: according to which frame? When we compare our will to Gods will then we are comparing two incomparable quantities; nobody can deny that. However, we can compare our own will to others will or verify its existence in comparison to the existing causes in our world. But, increasing the camera focus to include this whole universe with its Mighty creator will lead us to nowhere!
Mill explains this by saying
that even the religious philosophers, who supported free will still strongly
believed in the divine predestination, accepted the fact that if
God knows our future actions to see in what way we used our freedom. In
the Quran, Allah says what means: "Human Being is given the choice of one
of the two roads," that is good and evil. Most religions agree that life
is a divine test; if one follows true and does good deeds, he will be rewarded
later. It is exactly the same concept of the test; if a student works hard,
become psychologically and academically ready for an exam, he will definitely
pass it. That would be clear to his teacher. One may argue why not
pass him without the exam? Exactly, the same question is raised; if God
knows everything, and He knows who shall go to heaven, so why not send
people directly without life. The student has the ability to choose between
passing or failing; simply by studying.
As we indicated before, the
question of free will exists on two different levels; the free will of
the first level changes to the jailer of the second one. To define free
will within a philosophical context, we can say that free will is neither
determinism nor indeterminism. It is not absolute freedom, which is free
of effects imposed by antecedent conditions, by necessity, or by predetermination.
It is not freedom of all sorts of control, practiced by heredity or environment.
Emmanuel Kant said: "To think yourself free is to be free." I think it
is TO THINK is to be "partially" freeone level freedom. Considering ourselves
puppets in the hands of unconscious, nature, environment, heredity, etc..
means reaching to determinism. Remember the falling person example, if
he stops thinking about what to do, he will have no free will at all. We
conclude that there are two levels on which the question of free will can
move. The upper level deals with the existence of absolute free willbased
on this discussion, we can not achieve.
1 . Blatchford, Robert.
The Delusion of Free Will.
2 . D Holbach, Paul Henri. System of Nature.
3 . Free Will. Encyclopaedia Encarta. 1997: Microsoft.
4 . Hawking, Stephen. Brief History of Time. Great Britian, The Bath Press, Avon: 1988
5 . Hospers, John. Free Will and Psychoanalysis
6 . Hospers, John. What Means this Freedom.
7 . Mill, John Stuart. On Causation and Necessity.
8 . Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated readings. 6th Ed.
9 . Stace, W.T. The Problem of Free Will.


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First, Phillip Merling tore his Achilles tendon just days before the start of training camp, depleting the depth of the Dolphins' defensive line. Next, Jared Odrick suffered a broken fibula in the season opener at Buffalo. Now, Odrick is out for the season after suffering a broken leg in practice. Where do the Dolphins go from here? That's where we start our Thursday morning talking points:
1. Odrick's injury forces GM Jeff Ireland to be searching for defensive line help.
The Dolphins got by for four games without Odrick and one without Tony McDaniel, who was suspended for the New England game. But Odrick being sidelined means Ireland will have to try and find help six weeks into the season, which figures to be extremely difficult.
Charles Grant and Marques Douglas happen to be available if the Dolphins want to go the veteran route. Grant was waived by Chicago on Tuesday, two weeks after signing with the Bears. He didn't play in a game. Douglas hasn't had work since the Dolphins cut him just prior to the start of the season.
Either way, it's a tough blow for Odrick, who showed great promise in the limited opportunities he had prior to his original injury. The first-round pick out of Penn State was a candidate to either regain his starting spot or be a top backup, depending on whether Randy Starks returned to nose tackle. For now, Starks will undoubtely remain at right end and Paul Soliai will continue on as the starter at the nose.
2. How tough will South Florida football fans make it on Ben Roethlisberger?
About 20 picketers reportedly stood outside Heinz Field in Pittsburgh before the Steelers faced Cleveland Sunday. They were generally ignored, and for the most part Roethlisberger was able to keep his mind on football during his personal season opener.
So will Dolfans make his life miserable? Will there be hundreds of picketers this time, still outraged over the two brushes he's had with the law involving young women? Or will they ignore the matter, figure he's paid his penance and let the game unfold.
Roethlisberger didn't seem to really understand the question when he was asked about it on a conference call Wednesday. Asked about playing in South Florida, he said, "It's awesome. We felt like we had a lot of Steelers fans there (last year) and hopefully it'll be the same this year."
3. Dan Carpenter award marks big turnaround for special teams.
The bye week made it difficult to realize that the special teams improved dramatically from the New England game to Green Bay, but the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award placekicker Dan Carpenter picked up this week underscored the unit's improvement.
It still wasn't perfect – one punt was partially blocked and a holding penalty negated a 43-yard field goal by Carpenter, which he made moot by hitting the 53-yarder to follow – but the improvement was noticeable in almost every phase of special teams.
Carpenter and punter Brandon Fields remain very solid in what they do, and special teams captain Patrick Cobbs is invested in making those units better. Darren Rizzi, former special teams coach John Bonamego's assistant who now is running the units, deserves a nod for a job well done.

subset: commoncrawl


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Baltimore's claim-to-fame may be that it was the birthplace of America's National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," but its determined, down-to-earth spirit makes it a truly American city. With a dynamic Inner Harbor – the best view of which is from atop Federal Hill – that was as busy in the 18th Century as it is today, Baltimore is a city of contrasts. This center for cultural and heritage travel also is known for its quaint neighborhoods and thriving culinary scene. Tour the important landmarks like the first Washington Monument or first Catholic cathedral in the United States, but don't miss seeing the vintage row houses and meeting proud, friendly locals.
The City of Baltimore is the largest in the state of Maryland and the largest independent city in the United States. There is a huge amount of history behind this fantastic city and approximately one in three buildings is listed on the National register which is more than any other city in the country. Baltimore has the world famous Inner harbor which is a site to be seen either at day or night and a plenty of places to get your fill of live entertainment.
There are countless things to do here so let's take a look at the best things to do in Baltimore.
Top 10 Reasons to Meet in Baltimore-Washington
The Baltimore – Washington area includes two major metropolitan areas thriving with culture, tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping and more!
Great transportation, hundreds of accommodation options, world-class attractions, expert planning assistance – Baltimore has it all for your next meeting or convention. Baltimore is famous for its beautiful waterfront, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind attractions, three centuries of history and much more. But if you're still not completely convinced that the perfect place for your event is right here, we've put together a handy summary of great reasons to meet here.
Easy to Get Here
We're the crossroads of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a region of 50 million people, giving you an edge in attracting attendees. Located off I-95, at a convenient stop on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and 15 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport– with 650 daily flights from 70 destinations – Baltimore is well situated to make it easy for your attendees to get here. For those who drive, more than 40,000 off-street spaces in downtown garages and lots make parking convenient.
Inner Harbor – The Heart of the "Convention Community"
Our shining jewel, the Inner Harbor, is surrounded by renowned attractions, a variety of restaurants, unique shopping, first-class hotels and the Baltimore Visitor Center. It's all within a quick walk – or as we say, "just two feet away" – from the Baltimore Convention Center.
Top-Notch Convention Facilities
Dozens of facilities – from casual to elegant and hip to exquisitely traditional – can accommodate intimate, banquet-style gatherings or receptions that draw thousands of guests. Our central venue is the Baltimore Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 75 percent of today's meetings and conventions with 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, 50 flexible meeting rooms and a 36,000-square-foot ballroom. The center is investing more than $20 million in renovations, including a recently completed outdoor terrace that doubles as a green roof over the exhibit hall, new restrooms, paint and carpeting. The center and the city's hotels have put a number of green initiatives in place, and many Baltimore hotels and attractions are Maryland Green Travel partners.
The Sumptuous Culinary Scene
From fine dining in restaurants that have drawn rave reviews to a traditional crab feast, Baltimore restaurants present a varied menu of culinary delights. Many of Baltimore's chefs have been touted in culinary publications and major newspapers, as well as featured on network television. You and your attendees won't be disappointed in a search for a little local flavor or the tastiest international cuisines. Many of the city's restaurants also offer private dining.
Easy to Get Around
Although nearly everything you may want to do and see is within easy walking distance from the Baltimore Convention Center and major hotels, many of our one-of-a-kind neighborhoods, museums and attractions are easily accessible via the fast and free Charm City Circulator hybrid buses or the Baltimore Water Taxi. In addition, city tours aboard replica trolleys or deluxe motorcoaches and harbor cruises are popular options for visitors.
A Multitude of Experiences for Everyone
With more than 130 attractions, museums, historic sites and performing arts groups, Baltimore promises something for everyone. From "The Star-Spangled Banner" to African American history, pop culture to sharks and dinosaurs, there is something exciting around every corner. Many of our venues are perfect for off-site parties, receptions and small gatherings. Baltimore also celebrates its diversity with festivals and events that spotlight its multicultural heritage, the African American, Hispanic and Asian communities, and its LGBT pride.
Historic, Hip and Trendy Neighborhoods
From historich to Fell's Point, Harbor East to Mount Vernon, Little Italy to Hampden, Canton to the Station North, Bromo Tower and Highlandtown arts and entertainment districts, our intriguing and colorful neighborhoods serve up great food, stories from the past, fascinating things to do and see and a world of unique shopping.
Temperate Climate
Baltimore is a great place to visit during any season, with warm weather prevailing from April through October. Winters are relatively short, with more rain than snow. The following chart represents average Baltimore temperatures throughout the year (temperatures in Fahrenheit):
Month High Low
January 41º 24º
February 44º 26º
March 53º 34º
April 65º 43º
May 74º 53º
June 83º 62º
July 83º 67º
August 85º 66º
September 79º 58º
October 68º 46º
November 56º 37º
December 45º 28º


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Last year, about 13 percent of 8th graders who use e-cigs said they didn't know what was in the device they used. Most teen say they inhaled flavoring alone, but it's important to know that some products labeled "nicotine-free" may actually contain nicotine (an addictive substance). https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes
Fast Facts about Tobacco, Nicotine, & Vaping (E-Cigarettes)
A menthol cigarette is still a cigarette—complete with all the chemicals and addictiveness of any other tobacco product. Flavoring isn't going to make it any safer. In fact, research shows that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive than nonmenthol cigarettes and could make quitting even harder.
Smoking accelerates skin aging and can lead to premature wrinkles. Wrinkles caused by smoking can appear in just a few years and may not go away.
Each day in the United States, nearly 1,300 youth under age 18 use smokeless tobacco for the first time (including chewing tobacco or snuff). Our health experts are online now—ask them what this does to your mouth!
If no one smoked tobacco, at least 88 million Americans could breathe freely without any exposure to secondhand smoke. Our experts are online right now and can tell you how secondhand smoke can affect your health.
Even smoking just a little bit opens the door to addiction and smoking-related diseases. In fact, research shows that just a few cigarettes now and then can lead to cravings and other symptoms of addiction in some teens.
If you know someone who has recently quit smoking or is trying to quit, you can share facts from this website with him or her: http://smokefree.gov/. Above all, be sure to let that person know you're proud of his or her decision to become smoke-free.
Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 high school students don't smoke? That's a record low. So even if it seems like everyone around you smokes, it's important to recognize that smoking is actually not the norm.
Nicotine addiction can be very powerful. Three out of four teens who think they will stop smoking in a few years actually don't.
How do you add even more chemicals to a cigarette? Light it. Many of the dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke are formed through the chemical reactions that occur as the cigarette burns. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals—many of those are toxic, and more than 70 have been linked to cancer.
Of every three young smokers, only one will quit, and one of those remaining smokers will die from cigarette smoking-/tobacco-related causes.
More than 40,000 nonsmokers in the United States die every year from diseases caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
More than 1,300 people die each day in the United States because of smoking and secondhand smoke—that is nearly one person every minute.
Many young people, especially girls and young women, believe that smoking can help them lose weight. But studies show that's not true—young people who smoke are not thinner than those who don't.
Quitting smoking when you are young is one of the best ways to lower your risk of getting smoking-related diseases, but never starting is the best way to stay free of smoking-related diseases.
On average, every cigarette takes 11 minutes off of your life. Smokers die at least 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.
Each day in the United States, more than 2,600 young people under age 18 smoke their first cigarette, and nearly 600 youth under age 18 become daily cigarette smokers. That's way too many.
For each person in the United States who dies because of cigarette use, nearly two youth or young adults become daily smokers. Avoid becoming a statistic, and stay away from tobacco.
Quitting smoking at any age is beneficial, but quitting while you are still a teen will give your growing lungs a chance to reach their full capacity. This will make you healthier and more physically fit.
A study in 2015 showed the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is high among teens. In the past month, about 10 percent of 8th graders, 14 percent of 10th graders, and 16 percent of 12th graders used e-cigs. Ask our scientists about e-cigs. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/are-e-cigarettes-harmful
You may think that using a hookah (waterpipe) is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but it still delivers the addictive drug nicotine and is at least as toxic as cigarette smoking. In fact, research shows that hookah smokers inhale 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke in a 1-hour hookah session than they would from a single cigarette.
While electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are often promoted as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, which deliver nicotine by burning tobacco, little is known yet about the health risks of using these devices. www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly 90 percent of those deaths.
Fast Facts about Brain and Addiction
It takes time to recover from addiction— not only for the brain to readjust, but to make lifestyle changes to avoid drugs. Think of how hard it is for people trying to lose weight—they try different diets, exercise for a while, and lose a few pounds only to gain them back… until they can make lasting changes to keep the weight off. Same with quitting drugs—it may take several rounds of treatment before it sticks. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/have-a-drug-problem-need-help
Have you seen the Drugs & Health Blog for teens? It has all the latest information on drug and addiction research and news, and you can comment on what's written. Check it out at https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/
Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense, and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that continue even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time a person can lose control over his or her ability to stop using. If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs, this page has step-by-step guides that can help: www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment
Like playing games? Try out these games and videos that explore what happens to the brain and body when drugs are used: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/games
Some people think becoming addicted to a drug is just a character flaw, but it's not. The first time people use drugs, it's usually a conscious decision. But once people become addicted, they are dealing with a difficult brain disease.
Although we know what happens to the brain when someone becomes addicted, we can't predict how many times a person must use a drug before becoming addicted. A person's genes and the environment each play a role. We are all different and unpredictable, so any use is risky.
If you are in high school and you are receiving treatment for drug problems—it is important to continue treatment after high school—whether you are in college or are working. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/have-a-drug-problem-need-help
Research shows that brain development continues well into a person's twenties. Alcohol and drugs can affect this development and contribute to a range of problems.
Addiction is a brain disease and treatment is hard work, but it can work. We see it every day. www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment
Contrary to common belief, drugs are chemicals. They invade the brain and interfere with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information.
When you go college, you will experience a lot of changes in your life; there will be a lot of excitement as well as stress. It is important to continue to take care of yourself and not fall to peer pressure to do something bad for your health. Here are six tactful tips for resisting peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/6-tactful-tips-resisting-peer-press....
Want to learn more about the science of addiction? Check out our booklet Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/d...
People unable to stop using drugs can be helped with counseling, where they can learn to change their behavior. There are medications that can be added to the treatment plan for some drugs (including tobacco, alcohol, heroin, or pain pills). Treatment varies for each person, depending on the type of drug(s) being abused and the person's specific situation. For a step-by-step guide on how to find the right treatment, check out: www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment
Repeated drug use can reset the brain's pleasure meter so that without the drug, you feel hopeless and sad. Eventually, everyday fun stuff like spending time with friends or playing with your dog doesn't make you happy anymore.
Fast Facts about Marijuana
Studies have shown a connection between regular marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, a very serious mental illness. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/marijuana-psychosis
A common myth is that marijuana is harmless. But research has shown that it affects learning and memory, which can affect your schoolwork; coordination and judgment, which affects your ability to drive and play sports; and can be addictive. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/10-things-you-can-learn-about-marij...
NIDA's 2015 Monitoring the Future Survey showed that about 12 percent of 8th graders, 25 percent of 10th graders, and 35 percent of 12th graders used marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Congratulations to all the other teens making healthy choices!
Research shows that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana, but this number increases to about 17 percent among those who start young, and 25 to 50 percent among daily users. Ask our scientists about marijuana and addiction.
Did you know that if you use marijuana regularly as a teen, your IQ level could actually drop as an adult—even if you stop using it? Read about it on the NIDA website: www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page/messages-director/2012/09/ma...
Longtime marijuana users report being less satisfied with their lives, experiencing memory and relationship problems, poor mental and physical health, lower salaries, and less career success.
Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increases the lungs' exposure to chemicals in the smoke, resulting in irritated lungs.
Long-term marijuana users trying to quit can have withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, making it even harder to quit. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/marijuana-withdrawal-real
Compared with their peers who don't smoke, students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower graders and are more likely to drop out of high school. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/marijuana-use-can-lower-your-grades
Marijuana is linked to problems in school. Marijuana's negative effects on attention, memory and learning can last for days and sometimes weeks—especially if you smoke often. One major study suggests it can even lower your IQ.
Research shows that drivers on marijuana have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and problems responding to signals and sounds. Learn more about the effects of different drugs here: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/
Marijuana affects skills required for safe driving—alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. So it's not safe to drive high or to ride with someone who's been smoking. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/read-if-you-know-people-who-smoke-w...
No, everybody is NOT doing it. Only about 20 percent of 12th graders say they have smoked weed in the past month.
Research shows that about one in six of those who start marijuana use as a teen will become addicted.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Short-term effects of marijuana use include euphoria, distorted perceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty thinking and solving problems. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/history-of-cannabis-part-1
Fast Facts about Inhalants
Younger teens are more prone to experimenting with inhalants that seem like harmless common products. A study in 2015 showed that about 5 percent of 8th graders, 3 percent of 10th graders, and 2 percent of 12th graders had used inhalants at least once in the past year.
Long-term inhalant use results in nerve cells not being able to do their job, which can cause muscle spasms and tremors or even permanent difficulty with basic actions such as walking, bending, and talking.
Some common household products used as inhalants to get high can have permanent effects including hearing loss, limb spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, bone marrow damage, and possibly death from heart failure or suffocation.
Inhalants prevent the necessary oxygen from reaching the brain, which can damage brain cells. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/inhalants
Inhalants are among the first drugs that preteens or teens abuse. In fact, they are one of the few types of substances that are abused more by younger teens than older ones. Inhalant abuse, if continued, can become a real problem in adulthood.
Fast Facts about Mental Illnesses
A lot of big changes happen to your brain when you're a teen. Learn more about these changes: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-still-under-construc...
No matter what problems you're dealing with, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You'll be connected to a trained counselor. All calls are confidential and free. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
It's normal to feel anxious or stressed sometimes. These feelings can help us deal with a tense situation, study harder for an exam, or keep focused on an important speech. But if your anxiety doesn't go away or gets worse over time, it can make life harder, especially with school or relationships. Learn more: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml#pub9
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.
If you have been feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable for like a long time, you might have depression. Girls are more likely than boys to experience depression. Teens who are depressed may be moody, get into trouble at school, be negative or grouchy, or feel misunderstood. Learn more about depression: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression/index.shtml
If you know someone who is considering suicide, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get your loved one to seek immediate help from his or her doctor, nearest hospital emergency room or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Learn more about the warning signs here: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-a-major-preventable-mental-...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a very common childhood disorder that can continue through the teen and adult years. With ADHD, you may have difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling your behavior, and may be really hyper. Learn more about ADHD here: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-...
People with mental illnesses are not "crazy" or "psycho." Mental illnesses are serious but can be treated. They are not something a person can just snap out of. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will get better. Learn how to get help here: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml
Did you know that mental illnesses are brain disorders? There are differences in the structure and the way the brain functions in people with a mental illness. Researchers are still trying to understand the exact causes of mental illnesses, but it's most likely that a combination of biological, genetic, environmental, and social factors play a part.
Evidence shows that mental disorders often begin in youth: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml.
Fast Facts about Alcohol
Adolescents typically have an increased desire to experience new things, but experimenting with alcohol is not a good idea. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
Drinking alcohol is NOT a healthy way to cope with stress. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
Unfortunately, many young people do not fully recognize the negative effects that alcohol can have on their health and behavior. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
Drinking can lead young people to make poor decisions about engaging in risky behavior, including drinking and driving, risky sexual activity (such as unprotected sex), and aggressive or violent behavior. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
Sixty-five percent of 15-year-olds report that they have never had a drink in their lives. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Research shows that brain development continues throughout adolescence and into a person's twenties. Alcohol can alter this development, potentially affecting both the brain's structure and functioning, meaning how well it processes information. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
An estimated 679,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 had an alcohol use disorder in 2014. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Only about 1 out of 10 kids ages 12 to 17 drank alcohol in the past month. So MOST—about 9 out of 10—did not drink alcohol. www.thecoolspot.gov/
An estimated 55,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 received treatment for an alcohol problem in a specialized facility in 2014. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
If someone is pressuring you to do anything that's not right or good for you—such as drinking alcohol—you have the right to say no. www.thecoolspot.gov/
More than 10 percent of U.S. children live with a parent with alcohol problems, according to a 2012 study. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Only about 1 in 16 kids ages 12 to 17 drank five or more drinks on one occasion in the past month. So MOST—15 out of 16—did not drink this way. www.thecoolspot.gov/
Research shows that drinking during the teen years could interfere with normal adolescent brain development and change the brain in ways that increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Teens who drink can suffer a range of consequences, including injury, sexual assault, and even death, including dying in an alcohol-related car crash. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Alcohol contributes to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions—most notably, alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis (loss of liver cells), various cancers, and injuries. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
About one in four college students report academic consequences from drinking, including missing class, falling behind in their schoolwork, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall. High school students who drink can also experience these consequences. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholFacts&Stats/AlcoholFacts&S...
Alcohol poisoning occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support systems—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdose...
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion; difficulty remaining conscious; vomiting; seizures; trouble with breathing; slow heart rate; clammy skin; dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking); and extremely low body temperature and death. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdose...
If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, get medical help immediately. Cold showers, hot coffee, or walking will NOT reverse the effects of alcohol overdose and could actually make things worse. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdose...
Research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are much more likely to meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives than people who delay drinking until past age 21. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm
Fast Facts about Cocaine
The high from snorting cocaine is brief—from 5 to 30 minutes. So to stay high, a cocaine user has to take the drug again and again. This is why cocaine is sometimes abused in binges—taken repeatedly within a short period of time, at dangerously higher doses each time. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/stimulants
Stimulants such as cocaine cause the body's blood vessels to narrow, constricting blood flow, which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the body. The heart may work so hard that it temporarily loses its natural rhythm. This is why there have been many cases of people dying suddenly from heart attacks after using cocaine. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/stimulants
A 2015 study found less than 1 percent of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders had abused methamphetamine in the year prior to being surveyed. That means about 99 percent of students don't use methamphetamine. Get more facts about methamphetamine, cocaine, and other stimulants here: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts
Fast Facts about Heroin
Heroin often contains toxic contaminants or additives that, when injected, can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs.
Regular heroin users develop a tolerance to the drug. This means their "high" gets weaker and weaker, and more and more heroin is needed to achieve the same effect. But taking more heroin increases the risk of addiction and overdose. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/heroin
Fast Facts about Viral Infections (HIV, Hepatitis) and Drug Use
Drug abuse by any method (not just injection) can put a person at risk for contracting HIV. Drug and alcohol intoxication affect the way a person makes decisions and can lead to unsafe sexual practices, which puts him or her at risk for getting HIV or transmitting it to someone else. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/drug-use-leads-hiv-epidemic-one-com...
Using any type of mind-altering drug can affect judgment and inhibition and can put you at greater risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). To learn the link between drug abuse and HIV, check out: http://hiv.drugabuse.gov.
Fast Facts about Opiates
One dose of naloxone (brand name: Narcan®) can save a person dying from an opioid overdose.
Did you know that opioid pain relievers act on the same sites in the brain as heroin? This is one reason why they can be so dangerous when abused. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-pain-medications-opioids
Fast Facts about Prescription Drugs
Research tells us that most teens who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or relatives and, to a lesser degree, from their own prescriptions. Is this a problem at your school? Ask our scientists about Adderall® and other commonly abused prescription drugs, such as Ritalin®, Xanax®, and Vicodin®.
Did you know that more people die from overdoses from prescription pain relievers (such as Vicodin® and Oxycontin®) than die from heroin and cocaine combined?
Taking prescription drugs that aren't prescribed for you IS drug abuse. Prescription drug abuse includes taking a controlled medication (such as pain pills or ADHD drugs) without a prescription, in a way other than prescribed, or to get "high.
Teens abuse prescription drugs for a number of reasons, including to get high, to treat pain, or because they think it will help them with schoolwork. Explore what happens when teen use prescription drugs here: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/choose-your-path/
Many people think that abusing prescription drugs is safer than abusing illicit drugs such as heroin because the manufacturing of prescription drugs is regulated, or because they are prescribed by doctors. But that doesn't mean these drugs are safe for someone other than the person with the prescription to use them.
Opioids (such as the pain relievers OxyContin® and Vicodin®), central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax® or Valium®), and stimulants (such as Ritalin® and Adderall®) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
Fast Facts about MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)
Ecstasy (X, Molly, or MDMA) changes the body in many ways. It even interferes with the body's temperature regulation, which leads to dangerous overheating, called hypothermia. This can lead to serious heart and kidney problems—or even death. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/mdma-ecstasy-or-molly
Some people who use MDMA (Ecstasy) might feel so alert and "hyper" that they could keep dancing at a club for hours at a time and lose their sense of time. However, others can experience anxiety, agitation, faintness, sweating, or chills.
Researchers have seen memory loss among regular users of MDMA, sometimes called Molly. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/have-you-seen-molly-even-if-you-thi...
High levels of Ecstasy in the bloodstream can be life-threatening; they increase the risk of seizures and affect the heart's ability to maintain its normal rhythms.
Call it Molly, MDMA, or Ecstasy—teens are using it less. In 2001 just more than 6 percent of 10th graders were using it, but last year, only about 2 percent were using it.
Fast Facts about Stimulants
Some people take prescription stimulants—without a prescription of their own—thinking the drugs will make them do better on a test. However, there is no clear evidence that this works at all. Some research suggests that stimulants may actually dampen creative thinking, although more studies are needed. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/can-pill-improve-your-grades
In 2015, a little more than 7 percent of high school seniors used the stimulant Adderall® (often prescribed for ADHD) for nonmedical reasons.
Stimulants such as Adderall® or Ritalin® are often prescribed for ADHD. When taken properly, with a doctor's prescription, they are generally safe. But because prescription stimulants act on the same brain systems as cocaine, they can put people at risk for negative health effects, including addiction and overdose, if not taken properly. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-stimulant-medications...
Fast Facts about Cough and Cold Medicine (DXM and Codeine Syrup)
Some teens think cough medicine that can be bought at a drug store without a prescription is safer to abuse than illegal drugs. But to get high, they need to take high doses, which can be dangerous. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/cough-and-cold-medicine-dxm-and-co...
Fast Facts about Eating Disorders
Eating disorders often appear during the teen years. An eating disorder is an illness that causes the urge to eat extremely small amounts of food or to severely overeat beyond a person's control. Severe distress or concern about body weight or shape may also signal an eating disorder. Learn more about eating disorders here: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
Eating disorders affect both girls and boys, but they are more common in girls. Like girls who have eating disorders, boys also have a distorted sense of body image. Boys may have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder marked by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular.
Watch nine eating disorders myths get busted: www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2014/9-eating-disorders-myths-busted....
Fast Facts about Spice
Sometimes called "synthetic marijuana," K2/Spice is marketed as an alternative to marijuana, but in fact, it is a very different drug. In 2015, 5 percent of seniors were using it, which is much lower than 11 percent reported 3 years ago in 2012. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/spice
Fast Facts about Salvia
Salvia (Salvia divinorum), an herb in the mint family found in southern Mexico, changes the chemistry in the brain, causing hallucinations (seeing something that seems real but isn't). The effects can be very intense and frightening. Less than 2 percent of 12th graders used salvia last year, compared to more than 3 percent in 2013. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/salvia


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Introduce yourself, your business name and where you are from.
My name is Kristen and I'm half owner of Pommes Frites Candle Co. I grew up in Northern Virginia, but I currently live in downtown Los Angeles. By the way… our business name, Pommes Frites may translate to belgian fries, but it's actually just a goofy play on my last name (Pumphrey). That's what happens when you start a business at age 22!
You made your first candle at the age of 12, what inspired you to do that?
My sister brought a candle-making kit home from Michael's craft store, to make and sell candles for a home economics fair. In true little sister, "me too!!" style, I learned to make candles and continued to make them for easy gifts throughout high school. When I started my business after college, it was a no-brainer to make candles again, I already had the tools!
Tom and Kristen in their studio
What does the day in the life of Kristen Pumphrey entail?
During the week I usually work from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. or so. Work usually entails emailing with the shops that stock us (both independent boutiques and our national brands), developing new scents, making sure all the orders are heading out and receiving supplies. I usually take time each day to post on our instagram (@pfcandleco), play with our dog (an Italian greyhound named Max), and go for an iced coffee. Weekends, I love to explore our neighborhood in DTLA, or get away from it all on a quick camping trip.
Your candles smell amazing, what inspires your scents and how do you know which scents to combine?
Thank you! There's two ways we go about picking scents: brainstorming sessions and direct inspiration. We do a scent brainstorming session once or twice a month, where we will pull out all the oils we have on hand, dip blotting strips, and just start smelling combinations together. A little bit of this, add some of that, mix the oils together. Then the whole team will stop what they're doing and smell the results. For direct inspiration, we may think something like "we want to create a scent inspired by Big Sur" and we will take a trip to that location and smell everything we can, just taking it all in, and taking notes. This usually gives us a base to start with, a few notes that were prominent to us, then we will take that inspiration to our brainstorming sessions for further development.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Travel and nature are huge inspirations, visiting national parks, camping, or even visiting a nearby botanical garden. We want to produce scents that invoke feeling or meaning and that also smell really, really good.
Can you share the making of a soy candle with us?
Our soy candles are poured in small batches, but we work from a larger batch to get there. We will melt anywhere from 50-150 lbs. of soy wax at a time. Once the soy wax is melted and has come up to temperature, we add fragrance oil into our giant wax melters.
From there, the wax is poured off into metal pitchers, allowed to cool, and then poured in into pre-wicked jars in batches of 8-9 (or 12-16 for the mini size). We use the same method I used when I started making candles, just with fancier equipment and on a much larger scale.
What inspired the packaging for PF candles?
My design skills are pretty limited, having never taken a class in graphic design, but I wanted to make something that felt authentic to me. I loved interchangeable stamps and used them in packaging across the board (when our company used to make more than just candles), so one day, after feeling frustrated with designing on the computer, I went back to basics and just started hand stamping our labels. I wanted the candles to be simple enough that they can exist in your space every day without being too fussy, toeing the line between rustic and clean design.
What is the one scent that we will always find burning in your home?
It depends on the room! For our living room, I like Neroli & Eucalyptus and Summer Breeze. Sweet Grapefruit is always either uncapped or burning in the bathroom. When I'm at work, I like to burn Campfire on my desk.
Have you ever mixed a scent that made you say 'what was I thinking'?
Absolutely! Luckily with our brainstorming session, it usually doesn't get past the initial phase. There have been a few combinations that I've smelled and said "NOPE!". My biggest no-no when it comes to a scent is if it gives me or any of our crew here a headache then it gets eliminated from the list. We work hard to make sure our candles can be enjoyed by even those with fragrance sensitivities.
Besides candle-making, what other hobbies/interests do you have?
Camping, bike riding, tending to my ever growing plant collection. And as I said before, traveling and experiencing new places. We try to take a weekend trip at least once a month. We live and work in the heart of downtown LA, so escaping from city life is awesome.
Describe your personal style.
Mostly utilitarian with a little bit of California hippie thrown in. My job is always hands on. You can find me unloading a pallet or unpacking wax or mixing fragrances, so I tend to wear things I don't mind getting messy. In the summer I wear simple cotton dresses and Vans sneakers. In the winter, I'm all about jeans (including AEO jeggings!) and a simple tee shirt. I usually always wear little stacking rings and copper or bronze skinny cuff bracelets. But my favorite thing to wear, hands down, is a poncho. I can't wear them at work,just not practical enough, but on a camping trip I usually don't change out of one. I have this awesome one my dad gave to me when I was a kid; it's from Argentina. It's one of those things I didn't appreciate until I was older.
Tell us something surprising about you that no one would guess!
I may be a candle maker, but I actually studied to become an actor. I did 4 years of rigorous training at NYU's Tisch School, and right before graduating, I realized it wasn't the right choice as a career for me. I got involved in the DIY community, and haven't looked back since. In school, they constantly told us that you have to make your own work – sometimes there wouldn't be somebody who would want to give it to you or take a chance on you. It was a really important lesson to learn – and one I clearly applied when starting PF.
Anything else you would like to share?
We're so happy to be able to partner with AEO for their Wear America initiative! It's awesome to us that the candles that are handmade in our studio by our crew of six can be enjoyed by a wider audience, and that handmade on a larger scale is possible!
What is your favorite scent from PF Candle Co? Tell us in the comments below!


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A Plestinian boy wails in grief at the funeral of a relative killed by Israeli forces during a devastating raid in Gaza yesterday.
Tanks and helicopter gunships pounded the region in the bloodiest fighting since Hamas militants took over in June. Leader Mahmoud Zahar's son Hussam, 24, was one of 19 killed in the attack, which may have scuppered planned peace talks.
A farmer in Israel was shot dead by a Hamas sniper and the group launched rockets over the border.


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Summer freshness salad
Ingredients for 4 portions
Per portion: 293 kJ / 70 kcal
For the vegetables:
For the sauce in lemon-soy:
Preparation time: 15 mins
Wash salads, pick the leaves off them, and press them.
Wash and cut tomatoes in quarters, wash herbs and chisel them.
Peel carrots, beet, wash them and cross them on a mandolin with zucchinis and radishes. Put salad leaves in a salad bowl; add all the vegies and the herbs.
Prepare the sauce: grate the zest of the lemon over a bowl, add 1 tbsp. of lemon juice, oil, the Tarami soy sauce, the vinegar, pepper and whip a few seconds.
Just before serving, pour dressing and mix.


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Big Sky, MVFC create Challenge Series
(STATS) - With nonconference matchups between the Big Sky and Missouri Valley ever growing, the two FCS conferences announced Tuesday their games will be promoted as part of a challenge series.
This season, there are eight matchups involving nine programs, with six being hosted by the Big Sky school. Each game will involve at least one team ranked in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25.
"The history of games between these two great FCS conferences is long and strong and it's wonderful to give these games even more significance with this Big Sky/MVFC Challenge Series," MVFC commissioner Patty Viverito said. "Inter-conference FCS matchups featuring nationally ranked teams make the football season more interesting and meaningful for teams and fans alike."
Five of this year's games will be played Sept. 9: No. 2 North Dakota State (MVFC) at No. 5 Eastern Washington (Big Sky), No. 23 Cal Poly (Big Sky) at No. 18 Northern Iowa (MVFC), No. 4 South Dakota State (MVFC) at Montana State (Big Sky), No. 25 Western Illinois (MVFC) at Northern Arizona (Big Sky) and Missouri State (MVFC) at No. 8 North Dakota (Big Sky).
North Dakota will play at South Dakota (MVFC) and Northern Iowa will visit Southern Utah (Big Sky) on Sept. 16, while No. 20 Illinois State (MVFC) will travel to Northern Arizona on Oct. 7.
Since the MVFC was founded in 1985, its teams have a 50-33 edge against Big Sky teams, with 30 meetings in the FCS playoffs. The two conferences, which have produced 13 FCS champions, split eight matchups last season.
The Big Sky and the MVFC created a challenge series logo, in the form of a shield, to be used this year and in future seasons.
"It was important to both leagues to highlight and promote the outstanding achievements of our players, coaches and programs," Big Sky commissioner Andrea Williams said. "This year will be no different, with top teams in the country meeting in great nonconference matchups."


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Frequently Asked Questions
Account Questions
Does Alaska USA offer investment accounts?
Alaska USA offers insured Money Market and Certificate accounts. Traditional and Roth IRAs are also available and provide tax benefits as well. IRAs are insured separately from your other credit union accounts.
Does Alaska USA offer senior checking?
Alaska USA offers three checking account types to meet consumers' needs. All Alaska USA consumer checking accounts have unlimited check writing and are free with either direct deposit or a low minimum balance.
Does Alaska USA offer trust accounts?
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union can assist in providing members with Living Revocable or Irrevocable Trust accounts. For more information, call the Member Service Center.
How old do I have to be to get a checking account with an ATM or Visa Debit Card?
You must be 16 years old to establish a checking account. You may request and be issued an ATM card at the time you open the account.
In order to obtain a Visa Debit Card you must be 18 years old and meet the requirement of having an established checking account for one year.
What is Federal Regulation D?
Federal Regulation D (Reg D) establishes the monetary reserve amount financial institutions are required to maintain. All deposit or share accounts are categorized as transactional or non-transactional, and reserve requirements differ accordingly.
Reg D also restricts non-transactional accounts to prevent their being used as transactional accounts. Financial institutions are required to enforce these restrictions, to include closing an account that repeatedly exceeds these limits. Alaska USA has opted to enforce these limits by not allowing members to exceed the limit of restricted transfers or withdrawals.
Affected accounts and restrictions
Savings and money market accounts are non-transactional acounts subject to the following restriction:
- No more than 6 preauthorized, electronic or telephonic (telephone, fax, or computer) transfers may be made from a non-transactional account to another account in the name of the member or to a third party in a calendar month. No more than 3 of these may be to a third party.
This limit includes transfers made through UltraBranch or initiated by calling the member service center, or by overdraft protection.
In-person transactions at a branch or ATM are exempt from these restrictions.
Avoiding the Reg D limitations
There are several things you can do to avoid the transfer restrictions of this regulation:
- Keep sufficient funds in your checking account to cover your transactions.
- Make payments to third parties from your checking account, not your savings account.
- Open a credit line for overdraft protection instead of using your savings account.
- Perform transfers at any ATM or branch location.
When will I receive my statement?
Members receive statements monthly or quarterly, based on the types of accounts they have. Monthly statements are generated if an account has any one of the following:
- Any money market account
- A consumer or business checking account
- Any loan identified by loan type L1-L11
- An active debit card
Accounts that receive monthly statements are divided into four groups based upon the last digit in their account number. Normally, paper statements are mailed within five working days from the date they were prepared. eStatements (electronic statements) can be accessed on the same schedule.
|Last digit of account number
|Approximate date of statement
|0 or 1
|7th of month
|2, 3 or 4
|14th of month
|5, 6 or 7
|21st of month
|8 or 9
|28th of month
Why was I charged an "International Transaction Fee" on my debit or ATM withdrawal or purchase?
Member Service Center
907-563-4567 or 800-525-9094
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week


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After 15 years of court battles, injunctions, smear campaigns, lobbying and other interventions, the vulture funds have finally won a tentative agreement with the new Argentine government. Vulture funds — the name preceded this particular dispute — are so called because they buy up defaulted debt for a very small fraction of its face value, then sue (and use other tactics) to collect an exorbitant return. In the case of Argentina, the chief vulture, American billionaire and major Republican campaign donor Paul Singer, will get an estimated 370 percent return; another vulture fund in the settlement did even better, with a return of 950 percent.
The agreement is tentative because President Mauricio Macri of Argentina still has to get the nation's Congress, in which he does not have a majority, to change some laws in order to finalize the deal. And he will also have to reach agreement with some remaining "holdout" creditors. And now the vulture funds are appealing the judge's order that would allow Argentina to issue new debt, presumably in an effort to extract even more concessions. Assuming it all works out, though, there are some important lessons to be learned from this long war over sovereign debt.
Argentina arguably had no alternative but to default in 2002, but the government also did the right thing by standing up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its international creditors until it reached a deal (in 2003 and 2005) that would allow the economy to recover. International lenders — in this case, a creditors' cartel headed by the IMF — often succeed in getting a settlement that keeps the country trapped in recession, depression or very low growth with an unsustainable debt burden; the settlement also entails numerous conditions (cuts to social spending, public pensions, public employment) that harm the majority of the debtor country's citizens. Some of the worst recent examples of these abuses can be seen in countries like Greece and Jamaica, and will likely include Puerto Rico if there is a debt restructuring there.
By taking a hard line with its foreign creditors, Argentina reached an agreement with 93 percent of them that allowed the country to do very well over the ensuing 14 years. Instead of a prolonged depression as in Greece, or limping along from one crisis to the next, Argentina began an extraordinarily robust recovery just three months after its default and enjoyed very high growth — more than 90 percent in real gross domestic product (GDP) from 2002 to 2015. (There is some dispute over the exact number, but it does not change the story.) This enabled Argentina to reduce poverty by about 70 percent and extreme poverty by 80 percent, in the 10 years from 2003 to 2013.
So, even though the country would later run into economic trouble — in the world recession of 2009, but also in the last four years — there is no doubt that it pursued very successful economic policies which it would not have been able to implement under a less-favorable agreement with its creditors. Now, about the slowdown of the past four years, in which the economy has grown by about 1.1 percent annually: Part of the problem was that Argentina could not borrow on international markets, due to its inability to settle with the vulture funds. For Argentina's detractors, this proves that the default and subsequent tough negotiation were wrong. But clearly that is not the case; the alternative offered by the IMF and the creditors was vastly worse.
The problem is really the vulture funds, and also the foreign policy goals of certain actors within the United States who were against the prior government of Argentina. Here is Judge Thomas Griesa, of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, to whom The New York Times devoted an article describing his incompetence: "Put simply, President Macri's election changed everything." That was from Griesa's decision of Feb. 19, explaining why he decided to conditionally lift the injunction he had imposed against Argentina in 2014, which the Financial Times editorial board generously described as "eccentric rulings," and which prevented Argentina from making its debt payments. In other words, he much preferred the new, right-wing, pro-Washington government, as opposed to the prior, left-wing government that he helped get rid of. Griesa's unprecedented decision to take 93 percent of Argentina's creditors hostage on behalf of the vulture funds was obviously political at the time. Now he has admitted it, to the chagrin of our legal system.
Argentina had appealed Griesa's injunction to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the governments of France, Brazil and Mexico, and the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, filed briefs on its behalf. Interestingly, the IMF announced that it, too, would file a brief on behalf of Argentina. This was not because the IMF loved the Argentine government, but because Griesa's decision was considered a threat to the stability of the international financial system. But the U.S. Treasury forced the IMF into an embarrassing retreat, most likely due to pressure from the vulture lobby and some anti-Argentina members of Congress, in particular from Florida, who could threaten to hold up legislation that the IMF needed.
Did I mention that vulture fund chief Paul Singer is a major contributor to Florida Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioTom Hanks weighs in on primary: 'Anybody can become president' GOP senator blocks bill aimed at preventing Russia election meddling Group of veterans call on lawmakers to support impeachment, 'put country over politics' MORE (R), and is rumored to become finance chair for his presidential campaign?
The U.S. government also stopped blocking loans to Argentina at the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank just after Macri was elected. Macri himself also has an interesting history with the U.S. State Department: In conversations with U.S. officials leaked by WikiLeaks, Macri chastised them for being "too soft" on the Argentine government and encouraging its "abusive treatment" of the U.S.
The main lesson from this whole episode is the importance of national economic sovereignty for middle-income countries like Argentina. This is what allowed Argentina to recover from disastrous economic policies implemented under IMF tutelage; and it was the infringement on this sovereignty by U.S. courts and other actors that made it difficult for Argentina to resolve the economic problems of the past few years. We will see how this new, less sovereign government fares going forward, now that it has settled with the vultures.
Weisbrot is co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington and the president of Just Foreign Policy. He is also the author of the new book "Failed: What the 'Experts' Got Wrong About the Global Economy" (2015, Oxford University Press).


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Scrap my last entry regarding doing a separate install of SJAS on OS X.
The latest netbeans 5.0 and SJAS 8.2 bundle now allows you to specificy a different destination dir for SJAS.
I'm begining to like netbeans. :D
adding a Vi plugin for netbeans would really make my day.


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As with any renewable, I love the idea. I just cast an engineer's eye around the enviROI in practice in many cases.
Try and make your own mind up. Though between most media and governments I'd say you'd often be struggling to be totally clear.
Guardian - Big oil to big wind: Texas veteran sets up $10bn clean energy project
FT.com - Setback for UK wind farm push - Were it me, I'd have gone for 'Blow to...' Especially when one reads this: 'The large subsidies paid by electricity users to fund the drive towards wind power are generating profits for existing wind farm owners – without producing many new turbines'
Indy - Save peatlands from wind turbines - More facts than I have seen anywhere in a while. Thing is... are they accurate? I am guessing we'll not hear more as the caravan rolls on.
The Register - Shell pulls out of Thames Estuary mega-windfarm -
Telegraph - Shell disappoints with wind farm withdrawal - I merely note the competencies and responsibilities and agendas of those 'disappointed', but look also at this: Quite simply, the costs of wind farms are spiralling out of control. I think in terms of enviROI+, but most talk seems to be of image. Which is better for our kids?
Indy - Shouldn't local people have a say on wind farms? - There are many factors to be considered here; and most are important, if often different ones to different people.
However what often gets lots is clear data on the actual deliverables of energy to meet these 'targets'.
With expanding economies, and populations, there are frankly going to be demands of land and resources for all sorts of reasons.
In making tricky choices my major concern is that whatever else is going on, we are allowed to assess the merits of these alternative energy options on clear issues of ROI and enviROI (environmental benefits to our kids' futures), and not certain narrow, short-term definitions that are more to help box-tickers' careers, lobbyists bonus payments and contractors' subsidy-supported profits.
Telegraph - Wind Weekend to celebrate wind power - Another week/end, another feature/celebration of stuff that is 24/7, 365/365. I guess it must be good for PR with lazy media. Like me! I'll confess to having linked but not read.
The Register - Research: Wind power pricier, emits more CO2 than thought - I have been asking for more meaningful data, especially on enviROI as well as deliverables, for a while. Ta-da! However, doubtless there will soon be a ton more that totally contradicts this. Seems a heck of a lot of uncertainty still to be pinning £100B and the country's energy needs on.
Telegraph - Wind won't solve energy gap - A piece from a 'side', so the real value is in the thread replies.
Times - Giant turbines to make north Windy Central - 'Each could [my italics] generate up to 7.5 mega-watts of power, enough for 4,000-5,000 homes.' What, I wonder, do we know they can... and will generate. Why is this always left unknown? I am keen to be convinced, but such reporting leaves me always wondering.
Telegraph - Homeowners living near windfarms see property values plummet - A problem, but also something to bear in mind before accusing some of unthinking, unreasonable NIMBYism.
Telegraph - When the wind stops - the other side of the wind turbine argument - Some science (if from a clear 'side' - check the comments in reply. One only, so far)
Gaurdian - A blot of turbines - With a title like that...
Greenbang - Wind power: "Expensive and unreliable" - worth reading on as the headline is not all there is to it
The Register - Greenpeace: UK gov trying to strangle wind power - Um, why? I don't say they are not, but they say they are in favour. Confused?
Guardian - Report finds US is world's top wind producer
Times - Host of new pylons to carry wind farm power
Greenbang - UK wind: only for the rural - Now there's a thing. Who'da thunk and why did no one mention this before? Could have spared all sorts of eco-savvy folk money and looking like enviROI-numpties... like our next PM, for instance. Arthur, bring up more coal from the bunker, if you please! George, throw a few more rods in the reactor! Gives me a warm glow (I hope that's all it is) just thinking of the brain power being deployed on our behalves.
The Register - Carbon Trust: Rooftop windmills are eco own-goal
Times - Country out-performs towns in household wind turbine trials
Gaurdian - Wind farms are not only beautiful, they're absolutely necessary - Just gotta love objective headlines
RenewableEnergyWorld - Software Predicts Electricity Output for Wind - Now this looks more promising, but note reply
ASA - Interesting insights via ad complaint
Telegraph - Giant Upside Down Kitchen Whisks (GUDKW) to save the planet? - Can it be beaten? Personally I'd have gone for 'Blender Blades'... snappier.
Times - Wind turbines generate bonus for homeowners
Guardian - Spinning to destruction - Not anticipated by whom (Whilst being cautiously in favour, as an ex- Civ. Eng I recall wondering how a gearbox in the North Sea stood up), and when, exactly? At what cost? (ROI & enviROI?) And why?
BBC - When the wind doesn't blow - I read this as I read about a chap who 'saves' by using the energy from his next door neighbours' homes to radiate into his. Not too sure this system works too well.
EU Referendum - Trouble at t'grid
Inhabitat - Groundbreaking Energy Ball Wind Turbine for Home Power - Interesting comments and links to this
EU Referendum - Candour from the Beeb - I am starting to sense that not only has the cart been put before the horse, no one actually seemed to figure out that first you need a path to follow. This lack of informed foresight, intelligent planning and sensible, objective, agenda-free media oversight from major public media with immense resources is nothing short of a scandal.
Telegraph - Wind farms, hot air and spin , Wind farms fail to deliver value for money, report claims -
I tend to share most of the concerns articulated here, especially (ignoring a few other pertinent parameters) those of the actual enviROI.
But as an ideal I want the idea to succeed and remain ready to be persuaded. The advocates have not yet, at least in many UK locations, but may win me round.
However, in the same way, those in favour of nuclear also still have a job ahead, at least for this microscopic jury of one.
'...nuclear energy is the most realistic option for meeting our long-term energy needs.'
May be true economically (though I have seen rather scary numbers on simple ROI here, at least without subsidy - which comes from whom?), but I'd hazard that to tick my environmental boxes as well, a few questions need to be answered. Especially... long term... I'd like to have more confidence that there's a better notion of what will be done with the waste, beyond hoping that eventually a solution will be found.
Daily Mail - A load of hot air: Why spending £100bn on windfarms to please the EU is Labour's greatest act of lunacy - Caution: as the title might suggest, this is not what you might call a 'Pro' stance. I also query the claim; Labour might have had a hand in a few other odd and fiscally unwise efforts to challenge this assertion.
And no mention of enviROI.
Times - Wind power plans may be blown off course - Having just watched a YouTube of one that sounded quite noisy, before it exploded, I wonder what rpm was meant when the guy says 'You can easily hold a conversation under the blades as they whizz around'?
Guardian - Wind farms must be nearer coast to meet targets, says report - I always thought they had to be out there to get the wind (or they could all be stuck on David Cameron's roof) , but nearer at least improves the enviROI of maintenance.
Observer - UK wind farm plans on brink of failure
Times - Shell pulls out of its last UK wind farm project
Guardian - UK overtakes Denmark as world's biggest offshore wind generator
Newsnight - Some interesting, if unproven and possibly partisan comments in the comments at the end.
Indy - Winds of change: A beacon of optimism
Greenbang - Wind energy "capacity" - just hot air?
So, here's a surprise. In one corner a pretty extreme climate optimist. And in the other the leader of our country, a very smart man… who spins on his own axis pretty much whenever the political winds shift. Currently a bastion of 'green'. Who to believe? No help from the Telegraph. Any experts out there who can help. It's just numbers after all.
Max/min/average ratings. Wind speeds. Efficiencies. Maintenance schedules. Lifespans. Etc.
With a few less clear influences as work: Targets. Bonusses. Subsidies. Fines. Lobbying. Etc.
So… what delivers an enviROI from construction through to decommissioning that has an enviROI my kids' futures can depend on?
Times - Wind investment at a standstill
Indy Letters - I missed the piece that inspired it, but I reprint this with my usual caveats about being impressed by titles and concerns that today's major media seem quite content to share black and white in sequence, without really being too concerned that teh reader aquires any sense of subtle shades of green...
When the wind does not blow
It is all very well for Michael Meacher to call for a higher proportion of electricity to be supplied by renewables (Letters, 3 December) but he ignores the main objective of the supply industry: to provide low-carbon electrical power continuously, on demand.
Wind is intermittent and variable. The "cube law" is hardly ever mentioned. (When a 30 mph wind falls to 10 mph, the power output falls by 96 per cent.) The deficiency usually has to be made up by gas or coal generators. Other countries do not have to rely so heavily on carbon credits. The Scandinavian countries have available hydro-electricity. Germany can import electricity from up from up to nine countries. We have one cross-channel cable.
Professor Charles Hughes, FREng
Guardian - Spinning to destruction - Actually an old one I just stumbled across. My main concern with reliability is how it affects the enviROI (gearboxes and salt air don't seem happy bedfellows), but safety is also a maintenance-related issue and concern, too. However, the failure rate, so far, still seems low.
Telegraph - Do you really want a wind turbine? - Oo, facts. There's a novelty.
Guardian - Keep the blades of wind power turning
Guardian - Opposing wind farms should not be socially unacceptable
Telegraph - Wind Farms: the death of Britain - Wind still grabbing the headlines, and not always good ones. And this is a good (bad?) example. Between the piece and the comments in reply the divide makes a climate change discussion seem almost an exercise in polite compromise. It is important, as there is so much money involved. And my main concern remains the enviROI. What beggars my belief is that we have got to this point and there seems still no clear cut trustworthy, objective facts. And when those making the most noise are a target-obsessed government I wouldn't trust to build a sandcastle vs. an often very reactionary press, the issue remains downright obscure. Criminally so.
Telegraph - When wind power blows, jobs will fall - Can't comment on the objectivity of the facts (see above) but certainly a sober outline of some critical issues. Can't help be suspect that an article from a more supportive source would paint a different picture.
Telegraph - How can wind turbines generate so much lunacy? - Ditto. I guess you need to review the comments for 'balance'. But I do prefer cold, hard numbers. And the examples of how badly some media can apparently get them wrong...is concerning.
Guardian - Live Q&A: George Monbiot on wind power - It's a shame, but I rather find the Grauniad and Torygraph to be bookends when it comes to eco-objectivity, so at least this is likely to provide some 'balance' and maybe even facual considerations to the last few I have come across. I hope. I'd pose a question or two, but seom blogs are now too flamey for comfort. but worth a gander IMHO tomorrow.
Indy - Wind power plan blown off course - Don't know where the Indy rates for objectivity, but that headline doesn't bode well.
BBC - Newsnight - The iPlayer is only good for a week. But the follow up comments offer an interesting mix of viewpoints. I think the BBC really needs to address the qualifications of its 'reporters' in what is a very science/engineering-dependent topic (with a fair mix of enviROI economics in the mix - preferably without box-ticking targets and or subsidy-addicted lobbyists skewing decisions). Both to understand the issues and, as important, share them both objectively AND understandably.
Guardian - Wind power: Local difficulty - an interesting debate sparked and, indeed, still brewing, especially as more on the 'Two E's' aspects come out.
Guardian - Wind power: the silent majority must speak out, says Miliband - Always a tad concerned when minority groups (esp: pols) invoke the majority. Even more when mandates are presumed.
Guardian - A wind farm is not the answer - Get the feeling this is topical... and about as polarised as climate change? How is it that there seem yet to be few numbers that anyone can trust, and hence agree upon?
BERR - UK Windspeed Database -
UK Wind Speed Database -
EERE - Wind Powering America - Its a start. An odd one; but interesting.
energy4all.co.uk - For setting up community projects
warwickwindtrials -
windpowertv.com - NEW - Clear advocates, but lots of useful information to add the knowledge base
Carbon Trust - Small-scale wind energy
allsmallwindturbines.com - Looks useful!
encraft.co.uk -
windandsun.co.uk -
See labels below, especially under 'Alt. Energy' for previous notes. If you have anything to add to the headings above... share 'em! Direct to info[at]junkk.com or via the comments on the blog.
Useful Media
renewableenergyworld.com -
Junkk.com promotes fun, reward-based e-practices, sharing oodles of info in objective, balanced ways. But we do have personal opinions, too! Hence this slightly 'off of site, top of mind' blog by Junkk Male Peter. Hopefully still more 'concerned mates' than 'do this... or else' nannies, with critiques seen as constructive or of a more eyebrow-twitching 'Oh, really?!' variety. Little that's green can be viewed only in black and white.
Friday, August 14, 2009
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Amethyst Flower
Gradual and gentle unfolding of psychic ability and deepening of visions is the hallmark of working with Amethyst Flowers from Brazil. Amethyst is often the "gateway" stone for beginning to connect to the spiritual worlds and see into them. You know when you can step into a room (like at a spa) and you can smell the subtle scent of essential oils in the air and it just makes everything feel better? That's the vibe of amethyst. Amethyst flowers are ideal for those who want to gently but actively work with understanding their connection to the spiritual worlds and their own psychic abilities.
This AMETHYST FLOWER shows a definite ombre from the darker purple in the center to the lighter tips. Gesture of this specimen truly resembles an unfolding of a flower.
2.25" x 2" x 1.25"
1.7 ounces


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Labryant Jones
Overhills High
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Travel Consultant
Do you believe that there's a better way to travel?
Experience Travel Group is a fast-growing, dynamic travel company which leads by example. We believe that by redefining the travel experience for the modern world, we can help our clients travel in a more involved way.
We are a travel collective: our team and our partners do everything we can to make sure that our customers have a brilliant time by connecting them to their distinctive holidays through curated experiences that reveal the fabric of a destination.
We lead by our strong values: Enterprising, Collaborative and Integrity. We are looking for a person who shares our fundamental values and believes, like us, that there is a better way to travel.
We are looking for an ambitious and motivated person who wants to take the next step in their career in travel.
The job in question provides an opportunity to help as many clients as possible to make deep connections with themselves and their chosen destinations so that they can be curious within their holidays & push their comfort zones. You will be working within an experienced Travel Team to provide top quality & client-focused service that builds the clients' understanding of their needs and how they are best met.
The key requirements/competencies we are looking for with this role are:
- You must have at least 1-2 years relevant experience, with a history of exceeding targets
- You must have a genuine passion for travel within ETG destination(s)
- You must have a passion for, and understanding of, a client-focused sales approach
- You must have a positive and energetic attitude, with a willingness to push your comfort zone in sales
- You must be a natural communicator, with an ability to build relationships
- You must be willing to learn and proactive in doing so
- You must have a passion for providing something extraordinary
If you have those attributes and are of the calibre to represent an ambitious and world-class company, then please send us your CV along with your answer to the following questions:
- We aim to "redefine the travel experience for the world's curious travellers". How would you contribute towards that?
- Why do you want to work with us?


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Appalachian Catholic Worker's "E.C.O. Center" is just 2 miles up the road from the farm. Here, we host groups of up to 10 and individual retreatants.
Eat 'n' Sleep Space – "Denver's" belonged to the patriarch of our holler, Denver Wallbrown, who passed away in 2015. Built in 1922, this cozy farmhouse has a nice kitchen and eating area. Two of the three bedrooms have bunkbeds (1 on top, 2 on bottom), and the retreatant's room has a Queen-sized bed. Please bring your own sleeping bags and pillow cases to use. We like our mountains made of forests, not laundry.
Meeting Space – The 100 year old one-room schoolhouse, a short walk across the yard from Denver's, provides ample space for us to stretch out on couches and bean bag chairs to get to work learning, discussing and having our evening reflections.
Bathroom Facilities– To save water and our fragile septic system at Denver's, we "let mellow when it's yellow, and flush it down when it's brown." Participants are allowed one (traditional) shower per week. Although many have found "going without" as a challenge and a group-bonding experience, we HIGHLY encourage daily "bird baths" out of the sink, or the use of 'wet-ones' for aromatic quality and comfort in close quarters! Regardless, baseball caps and bandannas will likely become your group's new fashion trend.
Meals – Due to high energy costs of the production and distribution of meat, and our respect for the intrinsic value of factory farm animals, most meals are vegetarian. Breakfasts and lunches are simple, nourishing and often "on the go." Dinners are cooked for you and eaten family-style, and clean-up is a group effort. While we try to accommodate special diets, folks may want to bring their own items to supplement meals. Food is figured into your cost.
- Mon – Fri – Continental – fruit, yogurt, cereal, bagels, toast, jams, butter
- Sat – Sun – french toast & veggie sausage or pancakes & eggs
- Brown Bag: PB&J sandwiches (or veggies & hummus for nut allergies) fruit, pretzels
- "The Spread" – if we eat at home, a buffet style- cold veggie pizza, pasta salad, cheese & crackers, fruit, and yummy left-overs
- spaghetti, salad, garlic toast (tomato sauce)
- tacos -large soft shelled (both meat and bean), salsa & chips
- chili (vegetarian), hummus, pita bread
- gypsy soup (sweet potato-based, vegan), black bean dip & bread
- pesto 3 cheese tortellini and salad
- popcorn – on movie night
- cookies – chocolate chip…for as long as they last!
WATER: Our well-water is tasty and safe to drink. Please bring your own reusable water bottle and be conscientious of your use of our planet's most precious resource. Never leave the tap running!
House Chores – Daily house chores encourage service among peers. Participants will sign up to be a member /expert in one of four areas:
- Chew Crew – Kitchen clean-up, meal prep if needed
- Green Team – Recycling and composting
- Poo Crew – bathroom clean up & tidying up meeting spaces


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ACE Wellness
develops CREATIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS for
wellness & SUSTAINABILITY
Carlsbad Village Yoga Co-op is a co-op or shared community space that offers yoga and fitness classes and workshops (kids and adults, all levels), massage, wellness services, nutrition couseling, and community events. The space also supports several non-profit and community programs, and houses the grassroots non-profit, C3.
Carlsbad Causes for Community (C3) is a 501(c)3 non-profit consisting of local businesses and Carlsbad residents who collaborate to raise money for various community causes by organizing and implementing events and projects that serve the community. C3 focuses on providing social, athletic, recreational, and wellness services and activities for those who live, work, and play in the Village of Carlsbad.


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Assistant Teaching Professor
E-mail: email@example.com
Phone: 573.884.7261
Fax: 573.884.4544
S424 Sinclair School of Nursing
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Nursing Specialty
Maternal child health, Women's health
Interest Area(s)
Health promotion for women
- BSN, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., 1984
- MN, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 1995
- PhD, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Area of Doctoral Study
Unintended pregnancy
Bio and Professional experience
- Staff nurse in labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care units (1985-1990)
- Staff development educator for maternal child health units, St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, Wash. (1990-1994)
- Staff nurse midwife and clinical instructor for midwifery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. (1995-1998)
- Staff nurse midwife, Columbia, Mo. (1998-2005)
- Instructor of Clinical Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. (2006-present)
Teaching Responsibilities
N3750 — Nursing of Women and Infants (Undergraduate students)
N3760 — Nursing of Childbearing women (Accelerated students)
Honors and Awards
- MU Sinclair School of Nursing, Clinical Instructor of the Year (2008)
- MU Sinclair School of Nursing, Outstanding Classroom Instructor (2012)
- American Nurse's Association
- Missouri Nurse's Association