text:
Submitted by ahna on
This article was originally posted on the AAHA website.
A visit to the veterinarian can be stressful for pets. Unfamiliar smells and sounds, unfamiliar hands poking and prodding you with strange objects, and other animals possibly experiencing pain or fear surrounding you—all tend to make pets feel uncomfortable or fearful.
"Pets experience the white-coat effect just like people do and can become more anxious just by walking into the veterinary hospital... or even just being in the car," says Dr. Heather Loenser of Crown Veterinary Specialists in Lebanon, N.J., and a member of the AAHA Board of Directors. "Vets know this, and during the exam we often find higher heart rates and blood pressure than we would if we were sitting at home on your couch with your pet."
One of the best ways to acclimate your pet to the veterinarian's office is to occasionally stop by for a brief visit just to say hello. Call in advance to find some good times to drop in. Make these visits part of your pet's socialization experience. A well-socialized pet gets along calmly, confidently, and without fear or too much exuberance. Dr. Loenser says, "By stopping by to visit me, without anything being 'done' to your pet, except getting some snuggles and treats from my staff and me, my hospital will soon be like a second home to him."
Dr. Wendy Hauser, veterinarian and member of the AAHA Board of Directors, says, "I love 'happy puppy visits.' We recommend all puppy owners make a point to stop by at times other than scheduled appointments for multiple reasons. It is a great positive experience for the puppy to come in and get lots of attention and a treat. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to weigh the puppy and record the data in his or her health record. We can then stay abreast of those puppies who are not growing well (or too well!) and provide nutritional advice. Finally, it helps bond the owners more tightly to our hospital. My team enjoys the visits. After all, who doesn't love a puppy and a happy owner?"
Both Dr. Hauser and Dr. Loenser also encourage us who have adult pets to drop by for a friendly veterinary visit. For example, Dr. Hauser recommends monthly weight checks for overweight pets, especially since more than 50 percent of dogs and cats are overweight. Dr. Loenser adds, "With levels of obesity skyrocketing, it can be difficult to compare your pet to your neighbor's to see if he's on track for weight loss. Instead of comparing apples to oranges, having your pet reliably weighed on the same scale can let you know if your pet is reaching his goals. Even losing a few pounds can have significant benefits for many pets and that can be very hard for you to detect. It's not like his pants will suddenly start falling off!"
These friendly visits will actually improve your veterinarian's ability to accurately measure your pet's health. For example, when a pet's heartbeat or vital signs are elevated due to stress, Dr. Loenser says, "This can make it difficult to for us to know if these parameters are abnormal from the 'stress' of being in our presence or if they are true indicators of diseases (pain, heart disease, etc.)." Dr. Loenser adds that when a pet's vital signs are elevated she might need "to run some tests to see if your pet has underlying issues (X-rays, ultrasound of the heart, rechecking blood pressures, etc)."
In addition to helping your pet, these friendly visits will benefit you as the pet owner. They'll make you more confident and calm, which will reassure your pet, calm her, and boost her confidence. They'll help to keep costs down because a veterinarian won't have to order additional tests to make sure those elevated vital signs aren't due to a problem. Dr. Loenser says, "Think of how much time and money could be saved if your pet is so comfortable in my exam room, that his vital signs mimic that which you'd see if he was watching TV with you at home!"
Having an open, trusting relationship is also beyond monetary measure. Dr. Loenser advises, "Especially when you are faced with serious health issues, knowing your vet as a human being, not just a person in a lab coat, will create a bond that will only increase in strength as you walk the path of your pet's final years." Next to your family and your veterinarian, Dr. Loenser adds, "There is no one out there who understands more why your pet is important to you."
It helps us to also see it from our veterinarian's perspective. Here is valuable insight from Dr. Loenser: "We give up time with our family, vacation days, and financial rewards to stand beside pet owners and their furry companions on the pathway to health. Nothing enriches a veterinarian's life more than being a trusted member of your family. We love the Christmas cookies, graduation notices, homemade sweaters, invitations to speak at your children's career day, and all of the other benefits of being part of the village that is helping you raise your family, both two- and four-legged. Please stop by and get to know us. We'll both be glad that you did!"


text:
Development of the energy sector in Europe should be multilateral in order to maintain economic competitiveness and reduce dependence on imports. The above conclusion was reached by participants in the debates of two-day Energy Forum in Sopot. Professor Jerzy Buzek, former President of the European Parliament, took the lead of the conference by saying that it was worth to become aware that the EU climate policy superseded its energy policy and think how it happened. Appeals for equal treatment of the energy objectives of the European Union could have been heard nearly during each discussion panel.
How to finance energy projects?
Guests of the Forum in Sopot warned that government pressures and also consequences of the EU climate package could have a negative impact on the financial condition of the industry. Energy infrastructure of the European Union requires investment in the amount of at least 1.1 billion euros (500 billion euros for new power plants and 600 billion euros for transmission infrastructure) and only a strong industry would be able to answer such challenge – convinced representatives of energy concerns.
Poland, in view of the condition of its production and distribution infrastructure, according to estimation of consulting company Deloitte, will require investment worth more than 170 billion zlotys in the perspective of the nearest 10 years. It has already been known for more than a decade that Poland would have to take up the challenge of producing more power. – The economic crisis poses a problem though by leading to a reduced availability of financing – said Wojciech Hann, an analyst of Deloitte. "Polish Investment", a newly established company, is expected to provide support for Polish energy sector. According to estimations, the investment potential of the new company, operated by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, will reach 40 billion zlotys until 2015. - This amount will not translate into the level of deficit and public debt because the above mentioned fund will be built, inter alia, from capital frozen in state treasury companies – announced during so called second expose Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Explaining the purpose of establishing the company, President of BGK, Dariusz Daniluk, emphasized the necessity of state intervention in case of free market failure, especially in the field of building infrastructure and realization of large projects with a longer time of return on investment.
Dariusz Lubera, President of TAURON Polska Energia, claimed that instability of legal environment was a major obstacle in financing energy projects. – The European Commission adopted in 2008 the climate package, which outlines objectives until 2020. We haven't yet begun 2013, as the first year when CO2 fees are due, and the Commission has already prepared a "Road Map" until 2050, which imposes the target already now. It is extremely staggering process from the investor's point of view – emphasized president Lubera. Referring to the situation in nuclear energy, Kamil Blazek, President of the Supervisory Board of Czech Association of Foreign Investors, stressed that the atmosphere created around nuclear energy after the Fukushima breakdown, coupled with the euro crisis, is not favourable for investment. – It is quite difficult now to find sources of financing, that is why we try to find other methods, for example in the structures "build and hand over" in cooperation with Turkey –explained Blazek.
Energy security – shale gas, LNG terminals, cross-border infrastructure
The most important thing in the European energy sector is to ensure security, which is connected with diversification policy. According to the participants in the debate "Natural, liquid, shale – which gas for Europe?", the EU has a number of ways to ensure security. A great chance would be to increase liquid gas imports from the United States – a fundamental importance will have a report about the influence of gas exports on the US economy, which is scheduled to be submitted to Congress in the beginning of 2013. Another possibility is to build Nabucco gas pipeline, whose construction is expected to be much less expensive thanks to an agreement signed between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Another chance is presented by development of infrastructure – cross-border connections and LNG terminals as well as gas mining from shale deposits.
Energy security in Central Europe is expected to improve effectively the system of cross-border connections and the North-South gas corridor. The most important investment in this context is construction of gas terminals in Swinoujscie and Croatian island Krk, which in the future would form a basis for a gas connection going through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia. - The project is analyzed currently – the interconnector Hungary-Croatia was already opened in 2011, and Gaz-System signed a contract with Croatian transmission operator Plinacro in September 2012, which gives optimistic forecast for the future – reported a representative of the Polish operator. Gas mining from shale deposits, which increased internal mining potential, is likely to improve significantly energy security. Additional environmental regulations formed on the European level are problematic because they rule out hydraulic fracturing close to drinking water intakes or on mine premises. According to MEP, Bogusław Sonik, a real wave of reluctance towards shale gas has swept through the European Parliament. In the beginning of the year – said Bogusław Sonik – we should become familiar with the position of the European Commission as regards shale gas, prepared by commissioners for energy, environment and industry, which gives a chance of complex approach to the issue. – We stand a chance of making shale gas an auxiliary fuel for Europe – convinced Sonik.
Interesting point of view was presented in Sopot by Francisco Ruiz Gonzalez, a Director of Research Department of Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies. – Spain does not have any deposits and has to import all energy resources. The above situation was defined as a threat to national security. That is why diversification of supply is so crucial for Spain. According to the expert, the energy strategy of his country assumes that only 15 percent of oil imports could be supplied from one country. Meanwhile, as regards gas, 70 percent of this raw material is imported in liquid form (6 gas terminals have been built in recent years), and 30 percent by gas pipeline from Algeria.
Climate policy and economic competitiveness
The climate policy of the European Union has deteriorated competitiveness of European economy as compared with the United States and Asia – such thesis was heard both during debates and unofficial talks. – The EU already in 2008 said goodbye to balance between energy security, availability of energy and climate policy for the benefit of the latter – said the Member of European Parliament, Konrad Szymański. In his view, energy intensive industries adapted to EU regulations, but at the cost of halted investment and suspended innovative projects. According to Dirk Buschle, a legal counsel in Austrian Energy Community, renewable sources are favoured through preferential tariffs, among other things. The EU policy in the area of energy was criticized by Keith Smith, an expert from the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies. In his view, by resigning from shale gas exploration and nuclear energy, the member states of the Community make themselves dependent on expensive energy from Russia or renewable sources. – This way leads to extermination of the European chemical industry – convinced the US expert.
According to Professor Andrzej Strupczewski from the National Nuclear Research Centre, Poland will have to pay 76 billion zlotys for renewable sources of energy until 2020, and the subsequent years the surcharge will be ca. 10-11 billion a year. In comparison, the entire debt of the ministry of health is ca. PLN 10 billion. Comparing energy prices, Strupczewski stated that in France the cost of one MWh generated by nuclear power plant is 42 euro, and the price of the same unit from a wind farm in Germany is 190 euros.
The foundations of the European climate policy were undermined resolutely by a Member of Parliament, Ludwik Dorn, who paid attention to the costs and related social issues. – Introduction of the Climate Package in the perspective of ten years will cost Polish economy approximately 10 billion euros and loss of 250 thousand work places. Moreover, the scientific grounds of the climate package are doubtful – emphasized Dorn.
The magic of offshore investment
The speech of Minister Slawomir Nowak about offshore wind energy was most frequently commented in Sopot. – The Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy prepared a special plan concerning preparation of offshore areas for investment. After necessary national consultations, we have shown possible locations for offshore wind farms to investors. Recently Poland has prepared administrative grounds for future locations of wind farms– emphasized minister Sławomir Nowak.
Minister Nowak added that in order to facilitate investment process in offshore wind energy, the amended law of 2011 allows to divide into four parts the fee for issuing permission to build artificial islands for wind farms. He estimated that the cost of permission represented only one per mil of the value of investment. The fee that has to be paid in order to begin the process of preparation for investment, is only 10 percent of above mentioned per mil.
Minister Nowak attached great attention to social consultations at construction of wind farms. – The citizens of Pomerania express their concerns as regards the influence of offshore wind farms on tourism and fishery – he argued. Sławomir Nowak mentioned also the plans of creating "the energy hub" in Pomerania, whose components would be nuclear energy, gas from shale formations and offshore wind energy. – Pomerania is likely to become an important region producing and exporting energy – convinced the chief of the ministry of construction and maritime economy.
The Forum in Sopot has been prepared by Institute for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, the organizer of the Economic Forum in Krynica-Zdroj. The main partner of the conference was Energa Group. One among the media partners of the conference was Slovakian-based energia.sk as well as EurActiv.pl.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You Need to Get Your New Home Tested for Lead
- Lead paint
- Lead in a tainted water supply
- Lead fumes during construction
How to Test for Lead
If you are an avid DIY-er like us, be sure to use these strips to test any furniture you may be giving a makeover for the new nursery, too. You definitely don't want to sand down an old dresser that was previously painted with lead paint. That dust can be extremely dangerous when it becomes airborne. You also don't want to paint over it since your little one could peel away that paint some day and ingest it. There are plenty of old dressers that need a lot of DIY love (so don't ditch this creative idea entirely!), just be sure to choose one that doesn't have a history with lead.
What to Do If Your Child Has Already Been Exposed to Lead
Take the precautionary steps to avoid this contamination, and you are your little one will be safe. Just be sure you use the resources available to confirm that your new home is clear of any risk before it's too late. The bottom line is that lead poisoning is extremely dangerous and fetuses and small children are unfortunately at the highest risk of the side effects.
House Hunting While Expecting?
House Hunting While Expecting? Don't Forget About These Things
Get Your Home Tested for Radon
Who knew some old houses could have a dangerous build-up of radon lurking within? I had no idea until right before I moved into my new house and did some investigating. I'm definitely not a pro on the topic, but here's all the info I found out through my moving experience.
Radon is a dangerous gas that radiates out of the soil over time and is more prominent in some areas of the country versus others. Those areas' homes catch these gases, trapping them inside and increasing the levels of radon to a point that can be dangerous to live in over long periods of time. According to the American Lung Association, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer … right behind smoking! I don't want my baby exposed to second-hand smoke and I don't want him exposed to high radon levels either.
How Do I Get a Radon Test? How Much Does it Cost?
The great news is that high levels of radon in your home don't need to be a deal breaker because there are solutions to lower the levels of gases. Each state's EPA shares resources on which companies you can call to test your home for radon right here. This test costs a couple hundred bucks (depending on location, house size, etc.) and it takes a few days to complete. To test for it, a tracker is placed in your new home, usually in the basement. Note that the longer the tracker can stay in the home, the more accurate the read will be.
For reference, the average level of radon in households across America is 1.3 picocuries per liter and according to the EPA, you need to take action on reducing radon on or above 4.0 pCi/L. Talking to the company who tested your home will be the best resource to start identifying what specific steps you can take to decrease these radon levels now and eliminate them from rising in the future.
Other Harmful Chemicals to Consider
- Rodent/Insect pesticides
- Landscaping pesticides or fertilizers
- Paints with VOC
- Polyurethane finishes for floors
- Paint removing liquids
- Spray paints (it's better to roll/brush no-VOC paints if possible!)
- Arsenic (which is a substance that a lot of outdoor decks or wood is treated with)
Especially if you're pregnant like me and someone in your home needs to use these listed products, be sure to use proper ventilation, steer clear, or even see if you could stay at a friend's place until the fumes are gone. It's always better to be safe rather than sorry, right?
Overall, I went into my move feeling a lot more at ease about these potential dangers because I invested a little time and money into having my house tested for both lead paint and radon levels. Also diving into these topics a little deeper helped me identify how I can take steps later in my pregnancy (or in future pregnancies) to stay safe, which I'm very grateful for. If you're looking to move while pregnant, I hope you too can find peace of mind by getting your home tested (and cleared!)


text:
Does it seem like you never have enough time and your schedule is always full? Does your department continue to be plagued by manual processes even though everyone says it's the "digital age?" Did you follow the experts' advice to get rid of paper and put data in electronic systems, yet still have a barrage of data problems?
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Too many companies have fallen into the trap of embracing digitalization without addressing their underlying infrastructure problems. More specifically, for Human Resource and Payroll departments, this means operations that still rely on different databases and systems to handle hiring, benefits and payroll. When these three functions are handled by multiple, non-integrated systems, it can cause serious data accuracy issues and have a widespread, negative impact on operations.
Consider, for a moment, the butterfly effect. Originally used with weather predictions, this concept explains how a very small change in an initial system can result in large differences at a later state. In other words, when data is changed in one system but not in another, it creates system-of-record conflicts that have far reaching consequences.
Imagine, for example, an employee changes his or her healthcare plan selection using an online benefits systems. The correct benefits plan is activated, however, payroll is not notified of the change and continues to deduct the original amount from the employee's paycheck. Once the error is discovered, HR is faced with a long process of checking and confirming details with original documents or contacting the employee directly to determine which plan selection is correct. Eventually, payroll is notified and is tasked with figuring out how to go back in time to rectify the incorrect deductions issue. This scenario clearly illustrates how easy it is to make mistakes when systems are separated and how it can lead to a frustrating amount of wasted time.
However, HR teams that use different systems for hiring, benefits and payroll, have gotten creative with developing work arounds. These companies often rely on the human-developed solutions for getting to the right information. Unfortunately, when people leave, they often take this "tribal knowledge" on how to get accurate data with them.
A Single Core System of Record is Data You Can Trust
New HCM platforms, such as SyncHR, have been developed specifically to address the fundamental problem of bad data. Understanding that accurate information is the foundation for operational efficiency and success, these new solutions use what is called a "single core system of record." With a single core system, the HR, benefits and payroll functions share one employee record, utilize the same application and access the same database.
Why is a single core system of record a better solution? The biggest benefit is that with one system and one set of data tables, data is never duplicated, creating a source of truth all users can trust. When a change is made to any employee record, it is instantly updated and accessible by all users. This eliminates the potential for data to get out of sync and saves a tremendous amount of time.
Maintaining accurate data is similar to telling the truth. If you tell the truth all the time, it is easy to ensure the same information is conveyed over and over again. However, if you tell a lie, it takes much more effort to make sure the lie is sustained over a long period of time. Any little change must be remembered and incorporated with each retelling. An HCM platform with a single core system eliminates any doubt in the accuracy of the data. Consequently, HR and payroll professionals no longer need to spend valuable time correcting mistakes, allowing them to focus on core HR services and supporting company growth without adding expensive headcount. The result is more efficient operations, improved profitability and greater employee satisfaction.
For more information on SyncHR's single core system architecture, click here.
Back To Resources
Enterprise Tech Success named SyncHR one of the Top HCM Solution Providers for 2019, calling the company "The Future of Human Capital Management Technology."
As job opportunities become available, your employees, especially those feeling unchallenged and under-valued, may begin to seek out other options. Do you want your best people to quit? Here are eight ways to ensure that they don't!
An important question to consider, as a CEO or manager, is: what value does a healthy workforce have in relation to my employee's productivity and organization's bottom line?
Upcoming Live Online Demo
Register Now
Watch a Demo Online
Watch our 6-minute video
Request a Private Demo
Request a demo


text:
Howdy Folks! Welcome to the first in a series of vector art optimization challenges.These challenges are presented as bite-size exercises for community members to tackle. My hope is that we'll learn from each other in the process. All are encouraged to participate regardless of skill level.
Challenge Format
The format of this challenge is as follows:
A vector graphic is provided along with a value denoting the number points that make up the image. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to optimize the graphic so as to reduce the number of points used (nodes and handles) while retaining image fidelity. You are free to use any techniques at your disposal but be aware of the following:
Guide lines
- Submissions MUST be all-vector, no raster graphics should be used
- Handle co-ordinates count as points
- Nodes that make up clip paths and masks are counted as points
- Gradient nodes also counted as points(each "stop" on the gradient path counts as a point)
- ...we'll come up with more as we go along
And so without further ado....
Lets kick this off with an isometric tile, courtesy of Kenny.nl's open-source asset collection as seen below:
[Right-Click to save]
This image is comprised of 56 points. Can you do better?


text:
Nigeria's R&B Sweetheart poses with Flavour Nabania and Wizkid in this month's issue of THE RED SHEET Entertainment magazine and boy, do they look gorgeous.
R & B Songstress, Tiwa Savage covers this month's issue of Red Sheet magazine looking effortlessly stunning and chic. Styled by Veronica Ebie-Odeka of "Vane Style", Tiwa had her glam squad prepped with pins, curling irons and lengthy lashes for the cover girl transformation.
Make up was done by Joyce Jacobs with Hair by Debs Falana. Red Sheet Magazine is available on news stands around the country(Nigeria), ask your vendor for a copy.
Follow Tiwa Savage on Twitter – @TiwaSavage to find out more about upcoming projects from Ms. Kele Kele Love or visit her Facebook page.
Magazine Photographer: Frank Nsoedo
Location: Nike Art Gallery


text: Recording of Empire report captured in 2946 [font]....[/font][font]pit.[/font][font]This Crux remember to GRAB EAT some BIG BENNY's in the limited Crux Cup Themed Containers....[/font][font][/font][font]ALAN NUEVO: And welcome back to the Empire Report I am Alan Nuevo and that was latest in a string of Advertisements that have flooded the comm channels in the lead up this [font]year's[/font][font] Crux Cup. [/font][/font][font]BECK RUSSUM: That's right Alan, it seems The Crux Cup has been saved! Concerns were raised by the recent declaration of war against the Vanduul that many sporting event would cease as valuable resources were redirected to the war front. Private investors had invested in the Crux Cup in order to ensure the event continued but it was the surprise announcement that Big Benny had signed a major agreement with the Racing commission that has ensured the Crux cup will go on.[/font][font]ALAN NUEVO: That's right Beck, with the private sponsors and now a major Trans System Corporation backing the regatta the Crux Cup may finally achieve what Earth's Council was unable to do and that is turn the Crux into one of the Premier racing events in the verse.[/font][font]BECK RUSSUM: I have to admit, I do love the Aurora Classic, I don't know any other major regatta that has a category reserved only for such an iconic ship. It really is a category everyone can enter. And RSI representative confirmed that a ready supply of Aurora models is available. I may have to take some leave and bring my old Aurora out of the hangar for the event[/font][font]ALAN NUEVO: Beck, that is of course, unless Terra's Senator [font]Kelos[/font][font] Alervar has his way. He would like nothing better than to ensure the only time Earth features on any Comm is when it shows that Terra is the center of the Empire. Should Terra be the new Capital? This story and more next on the Empire Repo....[/font][/font][font][/font]


text:
alanperezCO, US
gardening interests: Culinary Herbs, Fruits and Berries, Urban Gardening
Member Since: 07/09/2015
Re: Corn
I really like it.. Well done
Re: QUESTION: What vegetables best to grow this fall and when
Nicely done.. Awesome
Re: Hummus
Great work done..
Re: My first garden
great looking garden!
Re: SunFlowers and veggies
Its really awesome...
Re: Scenes from Smith's Acres Farm
Thanks for sharing
Re: Fruit
Brilliant Work.. well done
Re: Basic Pesto Recipe
Amazing Creativity!!!
Re: Tomatoes and carrots to be!
Best of luck for future.. KEEP IT UP!!!
Re: Buying Produce at Farmer's Markets
Wonderful work!
Re: Around the yard
Truly inspiring!
Re: The blank slate
Re: Matt's Famous Guacamole
Impressive :-)
Re: Basic Cornbread
Great work
Re: Are You Ready for Garlic?
Really good work


text:
1. to allow (animals) to consume the vegetation on (an area of land), or (of animals, especially cows and sheep) to feed thus
2. (trans.) to tend (livestock) while at pasture
3. (informal) to eat snacks throughout the day rather than formal meals
4.(South Africa, informal) to eat
5. (intr.) (informal) to switch between television channels while viewing without watching any channel for long
6. (US) to pilfer and eat sweets, fruit, etc., from supermarket shelves while shopping
7. (South Africa, informal) a snack; something to eat
1. When int., often followed by "against" or "along" to brush or scrape (against) gently, especially in passing
2. (trans.) to break the skin of (a part of the body) by scraping
3. the act of grazing
4. a scrape or abrasion made by grazing
Between waves
Flocks of rocks graze
Turning to sand


text:
New definitionsPermanent link All Posts
In 1710, Queen Anne told Sir Christopher Wren— one of the greatest architects in history— that his renovation of St. Paul's Cathedral was "awful, artificial and amusing." He was thrilled with the compliment; today, she would have said his work was "awesome, artistic, and amazing."
The meanings of words change. And the definitions we give to Jewish terms need to change, too. It seems that every book with a glossary of Jewish terms at the end, even ones published just a year ago, simply recycled it from one written in the 1940s in England. This is true for novels, memoirs, histories, textbooks, even cookbooks.
The message these hoary, cobweb-covered definitions sends to someone learning about Judaism is that our religion is outdated and foreign. That it is unrelatable and irrelevant. Exactly the opposite of the truth, and exactly the opposite of what these books are trying to do, which is speak to today's readers in today's terms. To encourage participation in today's Jewish life by today's Jews.
Calling Rosh Hashannah "The Jewish New Year," or Yom Kippur "The Day of Atonement," is fine, as is calling Chanukah "The Festival of Lights." All are accurate in both their denotations and connotations. (But we could do without this "Feast of…" business. As if people didn't already think of Jews as overly food-focused.)
Succot is usually translated as "Tabernacles." First of all, no one knows what that word means. Why would we explain an unknown word with another unknown word? If someone doesn't know what an "elephant" is, do we say "a pachyderm"? Second of all, it sounds like a joint disease: "Yup, storm's a-brewin'… mah tabernacles're actin' up." The word is Latin for "tents." But we don't speak Latin and we don't build tents on Succot, not in the current sense of a camping tent. In fact, that waterproof kind of tent would be an invalid succah.
Aside from Tabernacles, the holiday is called "The Festival of Booths." That's still not good enough. What's a "booth"? There are no telephone booths in the day of the Blackberry, so we use that word to mean the seating in restaurants comprised of benches instead of chairs. Or a "booth" is a stand at a tradeshow.
The word we want is "hut." A "hut" is a basic, fragile, unassuming dwelling made of materials at hand, often with a thatched roof. Which is what a succah is. Does the word "hut" sound primitive? Good, it should. It's supposed to evoke life in the wilderness and fields, where the original succot were built. Why not— "Succot: The Festival of Huts."
Shavuot is "The Festival of Weeks." While this is an accurate translation of its name— it comes seven weeks after Passover— it sort of buries the lead. Which is that this is the holiday celebrating the Revelation of God at Mt. Sinai and the giving of the "Ten Commandments" (see below). Now, these are things most people have heard of, and have even seen the movie. If so, why have so few heard of the relevant holiday? It could have something to do with its wishy-washy name. Why not call Shavuot "The Festival of The Revelation," since that is the headline of the story.
Calling Purim "The Festival of Lots" only prompts the obvious query: "Lots of what?" Well, no… Haman "cast lots" to determine the day on which to commit genocide on the Jews. But that's such a minor point in the story— why even bother to update that translation to "Festival of Lotteries"? Why not call it "The Festival of Esther," since she is the focus? Wouldn't it be cool to be the religion with the party holiday that honors a heroic woman?
And Pesach, of course is "Passover." Again, a minor plot element in the story becomes the name of the holiday. But in this case, "Passover" has so much name recognition it gets... well, a pass.
But why must we call "matzah" the "unleavened" bread? No one knows what that word means. No one ever uses that word in any other context. Even a kosher-for-Passover cake isn't called an "unleavened cake." What about calling matzah "yeast-less bread" or "yeast-free bread," since that is the point.
On the subject of food, why must "kasha" be "buckwheat groats"? Why make people look up "kasha," only to have to then look up "groats"? Why not "buckwheat grains," or simply "buckwheat"? Kashe varnishkes: buckwheat and pasta. Done.
One Jewish food with a confusing definition is "kugel." Almost unanimously, glossary-makers define this Britishly, as "pudding." And, equally unanimously, Americans equate the word "pudding" with a custard-like dessert that mostly comes in ice cream-like flavors. I don't want a Snak-Pak of potato pudding, do you? Or a Jell-O noodle pudding pop? So why do we call a potato kugel a "potato pudding?" A more contemporary definition of "kugel" would be "casserole." It comes in a 13x9 Pyrex, just like tuna or green bean casserole. And if it must be "pudding," then we should expand, helpfully: "pudding, as in bread or rice pudding." Oh, that kind of pudding.
The most off-putting old definition of a Jewish food is that for kishka (a.k.a. kishke). This was—generations ago, oceans away— made by using a cow's small intestine as a casing. Not for sausage, but for a seasoned, bready stuffing. Today, in this country, we use plastic or paper casings. In any case, the casing is never eaten anyway. Yet, kishka is always called "stuffed derma," or "stuffed intestines," which makes it sound like the Jewish equivalent of haggis. In fact, it is merely— and more accurately— "maztah-meal stuffing." And if it's not exactly healthy, it is quite tasty.
Meanwhile, what is "chopped liver," chopped liver? Yeah, well… why can't it be the much more sophisticated "paté"?
But perhaps the Jewish word with the most useless traditional definition is "tefillin" (teh-FILL-in). These are small leather boxes worn during morning prayers, held in place with leather straps. The source for this practice is the Torah itself, a passage that is part of the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:8): "And you shall bind [these words] on your hands, and they shall be amulets between your eyes" (my translation).
Anyway, these things are almost always defined in glossaries as "phylacteries," a word which nobody even knows how to pronounce, let alone comprehend. Why not save everyone the trouble and define "tefillin" as "leather, parchment-filled boxes worn by Jews during morning prayers." Yes, that's a mouthful, but at least that's what they are, presented in words everyone can comprehend.
Some other ones:
—The word "mitzvah" may mean "good deed" in slang, but literally means "commandment."
—So yes, "Aseret HaDibrot," is more accurately rendered not "The Ten Commandments" but "The Ten Declarations." For those of you who have long held that the first of the Ten is more of a "statement" than a "commandment," well, sure… Hebrew speakers never called them all "commandments" in the first place!
— Instead of saying that we "chant" the Torah or prayers, can we please say that we "recite" them? "Chanting" sounds savage, witchy, and thudding. But we "recite" poems, and play piano at "recitals," so that word is much more enlightened and melodic. The prayers are largely Psalms, written by King David and other poets, to be sung by the Levites in the Holy Temple. They are not "chants" grunted by a men's encounter group in the woods or shouted by angry protesters.
We Jews are a minority, and our ways are esoteric and ancient enough; these archaic definitions create another barrier to those exploring our already-challenging world. Our clinging to outdated definitions is additionally off-putting— intellectually and emotionally— to those who want to know more about Judaism. But with new definitions, we Jews can stop seeming "awful, artificial, and amusing".... and start coming across as we are— awesome, artistic, and amazing.
The Glossary of Jewish Terms I wrote for JUF's website, www.juf.org, is here. Last I checked, it was being used by the Federations for 40 US cities, states, and regions, as well as sites based in Canada and the UK. In compiling the Glossary, I strived to make the definitions relevant to today's speakers and readers. Feel free to let me know how I did.


text:
|Biosequences .. Software .. Molbio soft .. Network News .. FTP
I just received two vials of flies from Carolina, and I'm wondering what the best way is to handle them. I don't see any larvae in the vials, so I assume they just put some adults in a fresh vial of culture medium and shipped it. So, I shouldn't expect to see larvae for several days. The adults climb up to the top of the vial, away from the medium. Should I stand the vial on-end, which encourages the flies to stay away from the medium? Or, should I lay the vial on its side? Do the flies care about photoperiod? I was keeping the vials in a cupboard, but then it occurred to me it's dark in there, and I moved them to a place of subdued sunlight where they won't get too warm. Carolina sent the flies first, so the rest of my order is yet to arrive, along with their booklet on raising flies. So, I'm sort of flying blind right now.


text:
Yankee Candle Glitch!
There is a Yankee Candle Glitch but you'll have to be fast to get this Free Yankee Candle Gift set and bauble!
You can get a FREE Yankee Candle 2015 Bauble worth £7.99 when you spend £25, and there is a free Tote Bag Gift Set worth £72 when you spend £60 or more but when you remove the £60 worth of items, the freebie stays.
All you have to do is add £60 worth of items to your basket, plus the Yankee Candle Bauble and the Free Tote Bag should be added to your bag automatically.
Secondly remove your extra items from your bag, and a pop-up box will warn you that you have gone below the spend needed for the free tote bag. The next trick is …. DO NOT CLICK OK, instead click on the X to close the window and the free tote will stay on your order!
CLICK HERE to try out the glitch!


text:
July 20, 2016
The Small Firm Exchange (SFx – previously called the Small Firm Roundtable, or SFRT) seeks the anonymous input of small architectural firms (10 persons or fewer) on a variety of business practices. Below is a full article by Kevin Harris, FAIA explaining the request. This article will soon appear in the CRAN Journal. But, to help us get a jump on this we are asking for you to participate in the survey now. The survey is very brief and should not take long to complete.
To access the survey click HERE!
CRAN Journal – Summer 2016
Article by Kevin Harris, FAIA
As architects, we are all familiar with the process and benefits of modeling our designs prior to construction. Models are an effective medium to study proposed creations and help communicate those concepts to our clients.
Constructing a model takes time however, it can give us an opportunity to take a break, reflect on new insights, and manipulate the parts until all seems right. Working with a model is a process that helps us elevate our plans from good to better.
As part of their ongoing effort on identifying what information could best benefit members of the AIA, the Small Firm Exchange (SFx) distributed its Small Firm Survey (Beta version) during the 2016 AIA Convention. Its purpose was to identify and measure the variety and commonalities existing in small firm models with the goal of providing meaningful insight to all architects practicing in small firms. It collected data on firm location; staff number, credentials, and commitment; project numbers, types, locations, and budgets; business plan existence and update frequency; contract usage; fee methods; gross revenue; and identified interest areas for additional studies.
The surveys were distributed as paper copies in both the SFx and AIA Fellow/VIP Lounges at the convention. Participants in this "Beta" test group formed a small sampling however, one large enough to reveal certain patterns of important concern to small firm practitioners.
Most notable is the fact that very few responded as having, or updating, a business plan. Those that did have one admitted at best to infrequent review or updating of this important planning tool. A business plan is widely acknowledged as a basic guide that is to be used throughout the lifetime of any business. In order to be of value, the plan must be kept up-to-date!
This brings up the rhetorical question that, as a profession, why don't architects apply those concepts of creative process improvement modeling used to arrive at better designs, to plans used to guide their own businesses? Why indeed!
I am also guilty of spending little to no time on developing, studying, or "modeling" my own business plan. This SFx survey has piqued my interest on what other things I might learn from observing other practices. What patterns are applicable to my own firm? For example, since I want to improve my financial success, is there a correlation between firm income and the number of projects each year? Or does the number of staff in my outfit restrict the types and sizes of projects I can best handle? What type of contracts do others use? Are there better patterns to distribute the responsibility hats worn by a sole proprietor when in a firm of 2-4 people, or is it any better with 5-10? Is a larger firm more profitable than a sole practitioner without support staff? The data sampling of small firms must be greatly enlarged to properly study these and other relevant questions.
Below is a sample "dashboard" that visually communicates the data gathered from the initial "Beta" version. Similar outputs will be applied to the digital version, and will be made available to all who participate. Follow this link to the survey: http://tinyurl.com/AIASFxBusinessModelSurvey
Answering basic business questions and conducting mid-stream course corrections is required for your basic business survival. Having access to a database illustrating how your peers address these same issues will go a long way towards guiding you towards a more financially sustainable practice.
Download the survey link NOW! http://tinyurl.com/AIASFxBusinessModelSurvey
Updated small firm model statistics will follow in a future issue of the CRAN Journal.
CRAN Journal – Summer 2016
Article by Kevin Harris, FAIA
By Bruce Turner AIA | Posted in Architecture in NJ, Business, Practice Management, Small Firms, Uncategorized | Tagged: CRAN, CRAN Journal, Kevin Harris, Kevin Harris FAIA, SFRT, SFx, Small Firm Exchange, Small Firm Round Table, Survey | Comments (0)
Architects are skilled professionals who listen to you, interpret your wishes, help realize your building dreams, and add value at every stage of a project.
414 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611
(609) 393-5690


text:
Business in South Africa (Course, Master)
Syllabus of the Subject: Foreign Trade and Business in South Africa. South African Businessman.
South African Businessman.
The aims of the Subject "Foreign Trade and Business in the Republic of South Africa" are the following:
Description of the Subject (Doing Business in South Africa).
More information about South Africa (African Portal - EENI Business School & HA University).
Main religions in South Africa:
South Africa belongs to the Southern African Economic Area (African Civilisation).
Economy of South Africa.
The Republic of South Africa is the second-largest African economy and a BRICS country.
The first African car-maker (76% of the total African production).
South Africa: The economic growth engine in the Southern Africa region.
South Africa has preferential access to
Trans-African corridors:
The largest South African Ports:
Nearest foreign ports:
Port of Walvis Bay (Namibia).
The Port of Maputo (Mozambique) is located to 120 kilometres of the frontier. Access to Limpopo, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga (Maputo Development Corridor), Johannesburg, and Pretoria.
Business in Durban (South Africa)
South Africa is a member of:
❮ Samples - Business in South Africa ❯
(c) EENI Business School & HA University (We do not use cookies)


text:
My first contribution to this blog last year talked briefly about some of the reactions that I received from family and friends when they heard I was going into the family therapy profession. My grandpa, a wonderful man with an ever-present sense of humor responded by sharing with me a psychology themed joke which had been sent to him by a friend. I keep it at my desk and it always brings a smile to my face so i thought I'd share it here for your enjoyment:
During a visit to a mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was that defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.
The Director Replied, "We fill up a bathtub and offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and then ask them to empty the bathtub"
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup"
"No," said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want to be by the wall or near the window?"


text:
Written by Philip Legge RNC, CH, CDMT
You'll find a wide variety of interesting topics discussed with health and fitness advocate, Philip Legge. Some subjects include fitness, nutrition, detoxification and cleansing, massage, natural health care and more. We hope you enjoy and benefit from reading these articles as well!
Cardiovascular Training for Fitness, Health and Youthfulness - Part 3
Cardiovascular Training - Review


text:
Intuitively creative and artistic, eh?
Those in my circle would offer that as an assessment of my current photography skills… and humbly, I would agree.
Attracted to every aspect of photography… countless hours of snapping images, reading, studying other photographers and web searching have been invested. Haha — an abundance of trial and error indeed — if you only knew how I have pained over creating bokeh in my compositions!
Self- taught, and a decent photographer… I know that the information untapped is considerable. Still perplexed by aperture, still perfecting composition and working my camera in manual mode, the mission of becoming astute continues to be the goal.
Action plan?
The action plan has been implemented and it is time for that next step… one that is LONG overdue.
Actually, it should read as such: L. O. N. G. OVERDUE… for commencing tomorrow, yours truly is beginning studies as a student in the Washington School of Photography, Professional Photography Program.
Shhhhhh. Listen carefully… you can hear me shouting from the rooftops…"Oh freaking happy day!"
All things happen for a reason…. and the reason that this endeavor hasn't happen sooner, will perhaps one day be revealed. I know for certain that timing is crucial; patience even more so. Especially since two years prior, I participated in conversations with the program registrar and opted out — knowing that a "right-fit" wasn't right then.
Since that conversation, the signs indicating that I needed to move forward, have been everywhere. Even more so now…
How does one describe that feeling… the feeling of knowing that the moment is now right. Elated?! Yep… elated!
Big picture though… 29 days ago, my 45th birthday was celebrated.
For me, birthdays offer wonderful opportunities to be relished by loved ones, reflect on accomplishments and roadmap the way for new birthday wishes made.
Since turning 40 in the midst of an awful snowstorm… celebrating with friends and family in Paris on my 42nd birthday and shaving my head on my 43rd birthday, that day, 7 February, serves as momentum for newness.
More important, the wisdom that is gained with each passing birthday, I am truly compelled to share. Since I am constantly learning from others, my hope is that perhaps someone; mainly my two children and especially my daughter (who, even though she will not admit it, is always carefully watching her mother's actions) can possibly gain something from my experiences.
Back to the big picture…
Tomorrow marks more that just the beginning of a photography program. It marks the notion that all things are possible and it is NEVER too late to pursue your aspirations!
Back in late December of 2014, serious preparations for this program officially went into play. All with the objective of pursuing a dream and entering another birthday with a next step of improvement secured — fulfilling a wish made.
In being transparent, the African proverb – It takes a village – is applicable to me. Without embarrassment I say that even at 45 years of age and working full-time outside of the home, the financial investment of family has enabled this opportunity to become reality. For that, I am eternally grateful… and deeply touched that they too share my dream and see my potential.
More transparency…
What used to embarrass me and cause me angst in conversation is no more. Never a untruth told… I just artfully evaded the question or skillfully used semantics in my favor when answering… but truth be told, I did not graduate from college. For a long list of reasons (some 23 years later, many of which now seem so frivolous) the years spent at The College of William and Mary did not yield a degree… instead, a wealth of knowledge, an unforgettable experience, a close circle of friends, a compassionate man who became my husband and a career in interior design. Haha — perhaps I did graduate, eh?!
Sans degree, I still know that knowledge is key and educating/investing in yourself is a nonnegotiable.
So… with the many hats that I wear, I am eager to add another and take my photography to the next level. When my children become adults and coherent to rhythms of adult life, I am hoping that my actions make them proud. I am hoping that they view me as a role model and see my appetite to improve myself as tenacious… and in their own life, they too follow suit.
This past Christmas, my husband gifted me with a phenomenal 50mm lens for my camera. His way of offering me a nudge in the direction of my goals. His words… "Kisha, you are about to blow up!" My interpretation of his words… in a true T.I fashion, "do it, do it, do it… whatcha waiting for? Big things poppin'!"
I'm on the move… and my appetite for photography is ravenous.
And… over this year-long program, I intend on quenching it and getting full!
Taking it one step further, my life as a stella & dot stylist and the company mission have definitely been a fantastic influence on my photography ventures… that mission: to give EVERY woman the means to style their own life.
Well here I go… here I go!
Ahem… what was that? Did you say you needed to hire me to take your picture? (wink. wink)
Very soon.


text:
"Over a hundred Bridgwater people, many of them residents of streets surrounding Bridgwater's iconic Brewery Field, sat down to a summer picnic on Sunday in a community celebration of one of Bridgwater's last 'green lungs.'
Joining them were several families of teddy bears, bicycles, tents, deck chairs, dogs, kites, flags, rugs, a wind-up gramophone playing dance-band 78's, and, of course, well-filled picnic hampers!
Under threat by Sedgemoor District Council's sell-off to Tesco, the Brewery field links Bridgwater's historic docks to the town centre. For a hundred years or more, it has been, literally, a playing field for footballers, dog walkers, strollers and kite flyers.
The entire Brewery Field should remain a green and public open space for Bridgwater people to continue to enjoy for another hundred years!
So Sunday was a celebration: but also another episode of a continued and determined protest led by Bridgwater Forward that will carry on until Sedgemoor revoke their intention to dispose of this priceless asset, an asset they should be holding in trust for all of Bridgwater's citizens."
Dave Chapple,
Bridgwater Forward


text:
ONTONAGON, Mich. (AP) — A Minnesota father and his adult son have been rescued after being stranded overnight in blizzard, sub-zero weather while snowmobiling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Donald E. Horn says that searchers found 40-year-old Benjamin Jenney Sr. and 19-year-old Benjamin Jenney Jr. on Monday afternoon in Ontonagon County. The site is near the Porcupine Mountains State Park in western upper Michigan.
Horn says the Jenneys had no survival gear. He says they texted about 5:30 p.m. EST Sunday that they were stuck in the woods and again about 8:30 p.m. that they were trying to walk out.
Horn says the Albertville, Minn., residents had symptoms of hypothermia and dehydration but were in overall good condition. He says they were taken to Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital for treatment.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
You must log in to post a comment.


text:
Last month, the family of Marvin Booker, who died in custody at a Denver jail in 2010, expressed frustration over delays in a lawsuit they filed against the city the following year. Weeks later, a trial date still hasn't been set, but court action is taking place: The family's attorney, Darold Kilmer, has filed a motion asking a judge to authorize the release of information to the FBI, which is conducting a separate investigation into the matter.
On July 9, 2010, as we've reported, Booker was arrested and transported to the Van-Cise Simonet Detention Center after failing to appear at a hearing in regard to a possession-of-drug-paraphernalia charge. He spent several hours in a processing area, and at some point, he took off his shoes.
When Booker's name was finally called, the lawsuit maintains, he started toward the booking desk before going back to retrieve his shoes. A deputy then "pursued Mr. Booker and grabbed his arm in an attempt to restrain him," the suit continues. "In what may fairly be described as a massive overreaction, four other deputies then rushed in, violently restraining each of Mr. Booker's limbs and wrestling him" to the floor. In the process, Booker was placed in a "sleeper hold" amid an altercation that also included the use of nunchucks, handcuffs and a Taser. Afterward, the suit contends, Booker's "limp, lifeless" body was placed in a holding cell. Only later did personnel realize he wasn't breathing and call for help.
The city's version of events is far different. The use of force was necessary due to Booker's belligerent response, officials argue. Moreover, he suffered from an enlarged heart and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among other ailments, and had cocaine in his system at the time of his death -- meaning that he "possessed most, if not all, of the classic symptoms for somebody at risk of sudden cardiac death," the defense team has written.
Nonetheless, notes attorney Kilmer via e-mail, "federal Judge Brooke Jackson denied Denver's motion to throw the case out of court" this past December "and ruled that it may proceed to a jury trail." However, he goes on, "Denver has appealed that order. So now we're in the appellate court as a temporary detour on our way to the jury trial."
In the meantime, Kilmer writes, "the FBI has contacted us seeking our assistance in their federal investigation into Mr. Booker's death. They have asked that we provide to them documents and transcripts of testimony by the guards that were involved in the killing."
Kilmer and the family would love to help -- but as he points out, "there is a 'protective order' that governs many of the documents and other evidence in the case." On top of that, "Denver has designated a significant amount of evidence as 'confidential' under the protective order, which means we cannot release the evidence unless either (1) Denver consents; or (2) the court authorizes it."
Continue for more about the latest filing in the Marvin Booker case. Thus far, Denver hasn't signed off, and Kilmer's clearly not happy about it. He accuses the city of "continuing its campaign to cover up the facts and circumstances of Mr. Booker's death" and having "no interest in anyone reviewing the conduct of the jail guards that led to Mr. Booker's death. They don't want a jury to review it, they don't want the media to review it, they don't want the FBI or the DOJ to review it."
With that in mind, Kilmer and associates have filed a motion asking that Judge Jackson authorize the plaintiffs to disclose the information to the FBI.
Not that Kilmer is expecting miracles if the feds do get the documents. "Given the recent decision by the federal authorities to not pursue the case relating to the brutality inflicted upon Alex Landau by the Denver Police, we have reason to be skeptical that any such investigation will lead to anything, despite the compelling evidence of unconstitutional brutality inflicted upon Mr. Booker. Nevertheless, we remain willing to cooperate and hope to be pleasantly surprised if federal government officials do decide to finally draw a line regarding Denver law-enforcement brutality."
Look below to see the order, as well as a scan of a page from the Rocky Mountain News circa 1976. It features Booker speaking to the Colorado House of Representatives on Martin Luther King's birthday several years before the date was designated a national holiday. Booker's family says he was something of a King scholar who memorized MLK speeches.
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!
By the way, Booker's trial was supposed to be underway on Martin Luther King Day, 2013.
Marvin Booker Motion for Order Authorizing Disclosure to the FBI
More from our Follow That Story archive: "Marvin Booker's family upset at delay in lawsuit against city, deputies they say caused his death."


text:
I have been absent for a while. I was bouncing from place to place. My next project (after getting my computer up and running) is to sift through photos and share with you visual memories.
For now, I wanted to share with you what looking for animals feels like. This unedited photo (except for the words I stuck in) shows you what a bustling waterhole looks like from the naked eye, no zoom, no binoculars, just the eyes that you use to see. The animals are hard to see, but they are there! Let me know what you find 🙂
51.532270 -0.294292


text: From Boats to Brokers From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history. Share | Have A Question About This Topic? Name Email Address Question Thank you! Oops! Related Contents The Good Ship IPO The seas of the market are constantly shifting. Whether the good ship IPO can set sail may depend heavily on the tides. The Utility of Sector Investing Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out. 5 Smart Investing Strategies Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.