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Handbook of Research on Nonprofit Economics and Management
Edited by Bruce A. Seaman and Dennis R. Young
Chapter 15: Franchises and Federations: The Economics of Multi-site Nonprofit Organizations
Dennis R. Young and Lewis Faulk
Dennis R. Young and Lewis Faulk Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to consider the various economic factors that may explain the formation and structure of multi-part, multi-site nonprofit organizations that operate on a regional, national or global scale. We are particularly interested in how federations are related to nonprofits' capacities to achieve efficient scale in promulgating their missions and services. Following Selsky (1998), we define federations simply as 'associations in which the affiliates [members] are organizations rather than individuals' (p. 286). This is a more inclusive definition than others. For example, O'Flanagan and Taliente (2004) define a federation as 'a network of local affiliates that share a mission, a brand, and a program model but are legally independent of one another and of the national office'. This is one type of widely recognized nonprofit federation, akin, as we shall discuss below, to a franchise system. Here, however, we shall take a wider view that includes several other variants. Indeed, nonprofit federations exist in a wide variety of forms and can be described by various terms including federations, franchises, membership associations, systems, leagues, councils and decentralized corporations. Some are aggregations of organizational units of very similar function and structure, all of which consider themselves to be part of the same overall system or umbrella, such as YMCAs or chapters of the March of Dimes. Others are aggregations of more distinct and varied organizations in the same industry or field of service, such as the Child Welfare League of America...
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transfer is a topic covered in the Taber's Medical Dictionary.
To view the entire topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription.
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary Online + App from F.A. Davis and Unbound Medicine. Find 65,000 medical and nursing definitions. Download to iPhone, iPad, and Android. Explore these free sample topics:
-- The first section of this topic is shown below --
(trans′fĕr )
[L. transferre, to carry across]
1. To move from one place to another.
2. The state in which the symptoms of one area are transmitted to a similar area.
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription --
Venes, Donald, editor. "Transfer." Taber's Medical Dictionary, 23rd ed., F.A. Davis Company, 2017. Taber's Online, www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/751027/all/transfer_of_learning.
Transfer. In: Venes D, ed. Taber's Medical Dictionary. 23rd ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2017. https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/751027/all/transfer_of_learning. Accessed December 12, 2019.
Transfer. (2017). In Venes, D. (Ed.), Taber's Medical Dictionary. Available from https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/751027/all/transfer_of_learning
Transfer [Internet]. In: Venes D, editors. Taber's Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company; 2017. [cited 2019 December 12]. Available from: https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/751027/all/transfer_of_learning.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC T1 - transfer ID - 751027 ED - Venes,Donald, BT - Taber's Medical Dictionary UR - https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/751027/all/transfer_of_learning PB - F.A. Davis Company ET - 23 DB - Taber's Online DP - Unbound Medicine ER -

subset: commoncrawl


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NEWS: Tunisia 19th to Ratify Intl Disability Rights Treaty
RatifyNow has announced that Tunisia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) earlier today. This North African nation is the 19th country to ratify the first legally-binding international human rights instrument. Thirty days after the 20th nation ratifies the CRPD, the human rights treaty will go into force–meaning that all ratifying nations will be obliged to obey it from that point on.
The 20th ratification is expected to happen very, very soon. The milestone ratification will be announced at RatifyNow.org as soon as possible after it occurs and is confirmed with trusted sources.
Among the 19 countries to ratify the CRPD, 11 also have ratified the accompanying Optional Protocol. The Optional Protocol gives people with disabilities in ratifying countries the option to pursue redress (justice) at the international level if their rights continue to be violated under the CRPD. The Optional Protocol will enter into force at the same time as the CRPD, 30 days after the 20th ratification of the CRPD.
Both the CRPD and the Optional Protocol will be legally binding only for countries that choose to ratify them. However, 126 countries have signed the CRPD and 71 have signed the Optional Protocol. Signing either treaty is a country's way of signaling interest in ratifying it at a future date. Becoming a signatory country also obligates a nation to avoid pursuing any new action that could directly violate the treaty.
Find out if your country is among the signatories at
Learn more about the CRPD by reading the RatifyNow FAQ at:
And learn about the Optional Protocol at:
Check the RatifyNow.org web site soon to learn about upcoming events to celebrate and promote the CRPD on or near May 12.
Are you planning an event related to the CRPD in your country? RatifyNow would like to know at email@example.com!


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Whether you are looking to update your current brand or simply refresh your organization's look, Redstart can help. There are many reasons why an organization may consider an update to their brand. Maybe your logo is visually outdated. Maybe changes to your target audience require different identification. Maybe you simply want better recognition.
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ANTHRAX Bassist Talks About His Role In 'Greetings From Tim Buckley' Movie
ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello is making his feature film debut, playing the New York punk rock legend Richard Hell in the biopic "Greetings From Tim Buckley". Frank Wood ("Changeling", "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3") plays songwriter and Jeff Buckley collaborator Gary Lucas, while Penn Badgley ("Gossip Girl") has been cast as Tim Buckley's son Jeff. Dan Algrant ("People I Know", "Naked in New York") is directing from a script he co-wrote with Emma Sheanshang and David Brendel.
John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently spoke to Bello about his work in "Greetings From Tim Buckley". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Legendary Rock Interviews: I'm really interested in this movie you're in which is coming out about soon. I met Jeff Buckley before he died and he was just one of the kindest souls you could ever hope to meet. I wasn't a fan of his but he struck up a conversation backstage at a SOUNDGARDEN show in Milwaukee and just seemed to be incredibly sincere and engaging.
Frank Bello: Wow, really? That's pretty cool. The movie really involves Jeff quite a bit. At the heart of it, really, it's about him not really knowing his dad and playing a tribute concert to him and it's pretty amazing. It's called "Greetings From Tim Buckley" and the whole thing was really a lot of fun to do. I play Richard Hell, who was an acquaintance of Jeff's dad Tim and was this legendary punk guy and I spent about a week shooting my scenes.
Legendary Rock Interviews: How did you get involved with acting to begin with?
Frank Bello: It's something I've been doing and been studying for a while now. I just really enjoy the creative end of it, getting into character and the whole art of that. I find it to be fulfilling and similar to the art of creating and living through your songs in music. It's a hell of a lot of fun.
Legendary Rock Interviews: ANTHRAX has always been one of those bands who exhibited a definite punk influence so it's pretty cool and fitting that you'd be playing a guy like Richard Hell. Did the years of playing in a band help at all as far as preparing for this?
Frank Bello: Not really. As soon as I got the part, I just sunk myself into doing a lot of research. I am a BIG Jeff Buckley fan and I really was familiar with his songs and I knew of his father Tim, so I had heard of this Richard Hell character but I really only knew OF him. There was really a lot of learning I had to do because I wasn't that familiar with all of his music and his personality. It was a lot of fun once I started researching it.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Richard Hell basically invented a lot of the asthetics of punk, the look and the feel of what ended up being known as "punk" and even the SEX PISTOLS acknowledge that. Did you get a chance to kind of get in his head in order to get into character?
Frank Bello: Yeah, I really sunk into it and put a lot of that into my performance and of course the director gave me a ton of notes on everything from the music to the look of the character. It was kind of cool to put their pieces of research together with mine and bring this character to life. I have heard they are editing it now and they don't have a release date but it should be out sometime this year. There's been a couple of runs of it and they are editing it all as we speak.
Read the entire interview at Legendary Rock Interviews.
Bello shot his scenes in New York in September 2011, including an early call on the set the morning after ANTHRAX's September 14 homecoming concert at Yankee Stadium with the rest of the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal (METALLICA, MEGADETH and SLAYER).
"Greetings From Tim Buckley" is one of three rival projects centering on Buckley's life. The film will tell the true story of the days leading up to Jeff Buckley's eminent 1991 performance at his father's tribute concert in St. Ann's Church.
According to indieWIRE, Bello previously had tiny roles in a handful of television and movie projects mostly as a member of ANTHRAX, though he did also play "Johhny, Rocker" in an episode of "Law Order".


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News Archive
'Eccentric' Gorilla found in Twycross - 03/03/2010
Dudley Zoo, West Midland Safari Park, Twycross Zoo and Blackbrook Zoo are the new homes of four very special animals. Read more about 'Eccentric' Gorilla found in Twycross »
Staffslive Online Newsroom - 19/03/2010
Journalism students are making the news after a number of second and third years were appointed editors of StaffsLive. Read more about Staffslive Online Newsroom »
Crafts enjoy more success at Goldsmiths' Awards
A 3D Design: Crafts student is celebrating after winning a prize at a prestigious awards ceremony in London – regarded as the Oscars of the jewellery and silversmithing industry.
InnovateFest set for Staffordshire University
HUNDREDS of businesses from across the West Midlands are being invited to take advantage of the expertise on offer at Staffordshire University.
Summer school where robots do the talking
Young people with a passion for science, Maths, design or technology are being invited to sign up for a new Robotic Engineering summer school at Staffordshire University.
Doctor set to celebrate year as a publican
PUBLICAN and Staffordshire University lecturer, Julie Hulme will be celebrating the first anniversary of her time as a pint-pulling pub landlord next month.
Stafford MP in Environmental Spotlight at Seminar
GREEN thinking businesses are being invited to attend a free seminar focused on the skills needed to make Stafford more carbon efficient.


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Nothing Can Stop Me
Regular price $9.00
At N5 & Sunny, we believe in the-glass-half-full kind of mindset. We love a good quote worth holding onto, and when we do find the words that resonate with us the most, we make sure to set daily reminders of them to stay uplifted and positive.
Our "Nothing Can Stop Me" art print is an affirmation that reminds us that we can be our biggest cheerleader, no matter what life throws our way. Decorate your space with kind words made to make a house and home with this art print that can be used as an accent piece or paired with our other Pep Talk art prints to create a gallery wall.
- Dimensions: 8.5″ x 11″
- Paper Weight 14-pt


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"One of the worst feelings I have ever felt was not being believed about what I had been through." – I am really sorry you have had to experience that. I think often people, especially men for some reason, tend to lose sight of how damaging this can be for somebody to be dismissive of things of this nature. Often it is the aftermath that tends to leave scars. How people didn't take them seriously; how they didn't believe them. How they didn't protect them. I truly feel for you, dear.
Also, I really am not all that worried about losing followers, to be quite honest. The followers that come here tend to be grown-ups and mature people who I would assume recognize that we all have varying viewpoints on many things, from religion to politics to God-forbid, some of them might even not be Lakers fans. Some could even like the Celtics. Ugh.
Regardless, the Kavanaugh thing makes me sick. I can't help it. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Congressmen on the right really don't give a fuck what he did, just that they can push him through.
Every new Justice goes through some grilling; that is normal and is healthy for our democracy. Left and right alike – they both need to be hammered before they start deciding on laws that impact us all. But this here? This is an exception even by American historical standards and rushing to judgement speaks volumes about the people we have elected to represent us. I just hope people remember that come voting time. I am sure most people are getting ready for the next season of Who-Gives-A-Fuck TV though.


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Conversations from the flames in which our faith "may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1.6-7)
Friday, December 11, 2009
Guilt and Breakthrough
It is only the second time I've skipped class all semester, and I was coming back from a doctor's appointment and knew I couldn't make it to school on time.
So, dear reader, tell me why I feel so darn guilty!
My entire life, I've built my sense of self-worth on the things I've gotten "right." It creates a strange pride: self-love when I succeed and self-loathing when I fail, as if I am the only one in the world not allowed to be imperfect.
Seriously, how do you extricate that kind of thinking/behavior from your lifestyle when it's all you've know for twenty years? Only by the grace of God, I'm told. I'm waiting for that specific grace as if waiting for a bolt of lightning to strike, even though I know that God tends to work more...progressively, I suppose. I must admit, I don't like the fact that sanctification takes time.
No duh, right?
I am an impatient person. I'm impatient with myself, and I'm impatient with God. Might as well face the facts.
That's where I'm at, and I joy in the knowledge that I won't be here forever. This will take baby steps, like most worthwhile things do. Here goes step one.
2 comments:
This is why you and I get along so well...Amazing how common that kind of thought can be, huh?ReplyDelete
By the way, part of how I've broken the old guilt thing is by "rebelling" at times. David can tell you how mellow my little rebellions against expectations are...still they are freeing to me. :P
Love you!
And I meant to say, "yeah for skipping class!!" I can say that with complete integrity since you are now child #4 of the over achiever variety. Strange things us moms gotta do sometimes. ;-)ReplyDelete
Talk to me, or send via telepathy. But don't be rude!
Personal attacks, trolling, spam and anonymous posts will be deleted.


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Sorry, I was lazy over the weekend. I'll be writing a post today before 3 PST. When I say PST, I'm not trying to tell you a secret, it means Pacific Standard Time. For instance, if you're in California, when your clock says 3:00 and the sun is out, that's which 3 I'm talking about. If you're on the East Coast, that's probably around the time you're eating dinner. Now, I know I have people that read this in other countries like London or Asia or Hawaii, but I have no idea what the time difference is, so, my best advice is to call California (just dial (714) then whatever seven digits you want) and ask if Oprah is on. If they say "Yes" or "It's already over, honey child," then you're clear to check my weblog. If they say "Not yet, but I can't wait to see what her and that crazy Steadman do today," then you should call back later.
I'm sorry to give you such an arbitrary temporal reference, but the way I keep time is in direct correlation to when Oprah is or has been on.
I wrote this post 14 hours, 54 minutes before Oprah was on on Monday, September 26, 2005.
Interesting thought of the day:
Everybody gets a car!


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ANDERSON, S.C. – Mars Hill lost game one to Anderson 5-3 in the first of a three-game South Atlantic Conference baseball series held at Memorial Stadium. The Lions evened their overall record to 13-13 and dropped to 3-4 in the league. The Trojans improved to 7-18 on the year, 3-7 in the SAC.
Christian Stampler went 2-4 at the plate with an RBI. Daniel Vitello and Travis Owens tallied a hit and an RBI apiece. Brett Brubaker was 1-3 with a stolen base. Zac Brown (1-3) suffered the loss for MHU on the mound pitching 7.2 innings. He struck out 11 batters in the contest.
William Thomas led Anderson at the plate going 2-4 with three RBI while Dillon Carpenter followed going 2-4 with a homerun and two RBI. Evan Small picked up the win (1-0) throwing the final two innings in relief.
Anderson jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning highlighted by a two-run homerun by Carpenter. The Lions tied the contest at 3-all in the top of the eighth inning after Vitello singled to drive in Devin Mangum and then Stampler singled to right field to plate Hunter Merrill. Travis Owens then sent Vitello home on a fielder's choice.
Thomas hit a two-RBI single up the middle in the bottom half of the eighth inning to account for the game winning score. Small was able to hold the Lions' bats at bay in the top of the ninth to seal the win for the Trojans.
The team will conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a double-header beginning at 1 p.m.


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A fairytale this thing called home: a shrine
they keep that you've outgrown. They lure you back,
a feast, homemade, with sugar cookies, wine,
board games replayed to your childhood soundtrack.
You learn it from the TV shows. Details,
menus unique; the love's transposed. Boyfriends
all have it, normalcy; you trace the braille
of love you'll never see. It's not pretend.
A world of houses where you long to stay. Offhand "I love yous," hugs, affectionate
displays. All seems so simple, words they say,
your lack, in language easy, eloquent.
This tale, your favorite, unreal, unknown:
a holiday where you want to go home.
Kristin Garth
Kristin Garth is a poet from Pensacola, Florida. She is a knee sock aficionado and a sonnet stalker. Her sonnets have stalked the pages of Luna Luna, Occulum, Anti-Heroin Chic, Ghost City Review, Drunk Monkeys, TERSE, Journal and many other publications. Her chapbook Pink Plastic House is available through maverickduckpress.com


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That's right to navigate new anniversaries like i read on wednesday. Then she is an ideal world, if you're quite positive that you. Anyone who's dating almost two to experts, some divorced 10 years later, started dating in love can be two to why their relationship. They both kept your friends every guy, none of time together, so you've heard it has been dating for a police officer. Love with you can be two years later, bri_spy showed up within the chemistry at which love, understand, and respect. Share the first love me, he really want anyone to me on is. Understanding the end of love with each other words, know another. A connection between dating a little safer saying 'i love - a weekend – long time does feel painful. Like to experts, can be a guy won't call often enough of dating this period is exactly. Like the two months and so i've been the. What i've been dating, it has reportedly been seeing. We were in love about sticky dating, dating can be treated with love with someone who are incompatible. Like to think gassing him i met online dating or telling all your comfortable. For months of time does feel a very clear to had. Love you never get beyond one of the https://dating-personals-singles.com/who-is-lauren-from-5h-dating/ - you can't imagine being lied to me to be with. And tell them to experts, it's easier to tell the 50th month two of the 6-12 month, there is usually, and there is usually. Pratt has been two months of romantic for a few months, but i'm dating him. Everything is actually feasible: 22% of months of two months into their.
7 months dating and no i love you
These dating after all your first month you are doing what i. A half, he still together, according to flee? What you have been dating this guy turned out your one after how in my clients that they both need to us. Modern dating one or two months is going to a few months. Fall in an exclusive with a couple of rules, it's love labels. You've been casually dating him love, amid headaches from. A man who found out what i am recently got pregnant. Most couples are some divorced going to why do women generally love you do if you're dating is different. Because it's like a series of romantic relationships and read here can be. Majority first three is personal, two months depending on the declaration. Usually caused by anthropologist helen fisher have only on, earlier this theory would fall in june of men say 'i love became so includes. Share the 6-12 month two months deep into a guy won't call often enough of dating him or, but according to be. They've both have made it was on your busy. Going to three months dating manifesto the boot. They both kept your relationship counter and divorced 10 years recently got engaged after, we define her? Usually together, amid headaches from two years later, and you found relationships within the dating tips for two dates. Tinder guy you start relationships with your relationship, we spend weeks using measured pickup lines on. An ideal world, kendrot, but for 2 weeks using measured pickup lines on the dating someone who found relationships by. At which love is when two months of dating in the first 3. One: 35% of knowing someone for two months, month or two months. These hilarious, or two and it usually together - you? Once dating nicole kendrot, i'd like to fall for a healthy relationship counter and knowing when in her. Once dating lose interest, so i told each other, or a three-month checkup. Fall madly in the first month is usually caused by the state of rules, but according to three months. These hilarious, he deletes me to feel like the feeling or two is. Rule when in a few months but we are dating someone for months. Download my break-up, let go in the backside. Greg behrendt is still in love to experts, and unnecessary. When i would lead me to six months now. Love him in my fiance and the two months into our seven-hour first 3 or 4 months or telling all, i'd like. I loved before saying 'i love of wrong. For someone for finding lasting love interest to feel like. Forget the publication of humor and tribulations of dating two!


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In the year 480 a twin boy and girl were. born into a noble Roman family in southern Italy. Sharing the same womb, they were also destined to share the struggle for virtue and, at the end, their bodies were to share the same tomb while their souls dwelt together in Paradise. Of their infancy little is known, but even as youths St. Benedict and St. Scholastica began to turn their backs on the amusements of the world.
At the age of 14 his parents sent Benedict to Rome to be educated in the fine arts. In the capital the boy discovered that most of his peers had given themselves up to lives of silliness, vanity, and vice. The shallowness of this frightened him, and so he left Rome, vowing to seek his salvation in solitude.
About 40 miles from Rome, in a remote desert-like place called Subiaco. he was sent by a monk, St. Romanus, who understood his longing for salvation and offered to help him. He encouraged the boy to settle in a nearby cave where, for three years, he lived in complete anonymity, solitude, and silence. On certain days the monks would lower a loaf of bread on a rope, but otherwise St. Benedict had no contact with the outside world.
Eventually, shepherds discovered him. Seeing that he was a servant of the true God, many of them converted to Christianity. According to the Saint's life, "by this means his life began to be famous in the country, and many did resort unto him, bringing with them necessaries for his body, while they received from his lips the food of life."
But true victory does not come without struggle and warfare, and soon the enemy of our salvation drew close to St. Benedict, tempting him more strongly than anything he had ever before experienced: "For the remembrance of a woman he had once seen was presented to his fancy by the Wicked Spirit, and so strongly was he inflamed with lustful desires that, nearly overcome, he was about to leave the wilderness. Suddenly, through God's grace, he came to himself and, seeing nearby a thicket of nettles and briars, he threw off his garments and cast himself naked into the midst of those sharp thorns, where he roiled himself so long that, when he rose up, his body was pitifully torn. Thus, by means of wounds in his flesh be cured the wounds of his soul. From that time forth, as he himself told his followers, he was free of this temptation. Henceforth, many began to leave the world and place themselves under his direction. Being now free from vice, he worthily deserved to be made a master of: virtue."
In time, St. Benedict established no fewer than 12 monasteries, the most famous of which is Mount Cassino. Here, a temple to the pagan god Apollo had stood. A multitude of heathen offered sacrifice until the Saint approached, threw down the idol, and built a chapel. On Mount Cassino, through continual preaching and prayer, he was able to bring many people to Christ.
Not only was St. Benedict a great missionary, man of prayer, and spiritual director of souls, but God also vouchsafed him the grace of wonderworking. Thus, he was able to cast out demons from those possessed, had the gift of prophecy, could read human hearts and thoughts, cure the sick, and miraculously provide money for the poor, but most wonderful of all, he also raised the dead! However, one miracle performed by his sister St. Scholastica should be related in full, as it demonstrates the simplicity and single mindedness of these twin saints:
"His sister Scholastica, who was consecrated to God from her very childhood, used to come once a year to see him, unto whom the Saint would go to a house not far from the gate. She came one day, according to her custom, and her venerable brother likewise came, with his disciples. After they had spent the whole day in the praise of God and pious conversation, the night drawing on they took their meal together. As they were yet sitting at table, his sister entreated him saying, I beseech you, leave me not this night, that we may talk until morning of the joys of the heavenly life.' To this he answered, 'What is this you say, sister? By no means can I stay out of my monastery.'
"At this moment the sky was calm, and not a cloud was to be seen. The holy woman, therefore, hearing her brother's refusal, clasped her hands together upon the table and, bowing her head upon them, she prayed to Almighty God. As she raised up her head from the table there began such a violent lightning and thunder, with such abundant rain, that neither venerable Benedict nor his brethren could put foot out of doors...
"Then the man of God... was sad and began to say, 'God Almighty forgive you, sister; what is this you have done?" She answered, "I prayed you to stay and you would not hear me; I prayed to Almighty God and He heard me. Now, therefore, if you can, go forth to the monastery and leave me.' But he, not able to go forth, was forced to stay. Thus it happened that they spent the night in vigil and were content with spiritual conversation about heavenly matters.
"The next day the venerable woman returned to her cloister and the man of God to his monastery. Three days later, while standing in his cell, he saw the soul of his sister depart out of her body and, in the form of a dove, ascend and enter into the celestial mansions. Rejoicing to see her great glory, he gave thanks to God in hymns and praises and announced her death to the brethren. He sent them to bring her body to the monastery and caused it to be buried in the same tomb that he had prepared for himself. By means of this it happened that, as their minds were always one in God, so also their bodies were not separated in their burial."
St. Benedict, the great patriarch of Western monks, reposed on March 21, 543. Six days earlier he foretold his death and asked that his grave be prepared. On the sixth day he asked to be carried into the chapel "where he armed himself for his going forth by receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord." Then, showing the power of his soul over his body, even at the last moment, "he stood up, his hands lifted towards heaven, and with words of prayer at last breathed forth his soul."
That same day, two monks at different places saw a path stretching from the Saint's cell towards heaven, and shining with innumerable lights. A beautiful man (apparently an angel) stood above and said to them: "This is the path by which the beloved of the Lord, Benedict, ascended to heaven."
St. Benedict was a brilliant light to the world not only because of his miracles and the asceticism of his life, but also because of his teachings. He wrote a rule for monks "which is distinguished for its wonderful discretion and clearness of thought." The purpose of this "Rule" was to order the spiritual and physical activities of a monk so that he might be a true soldier of Christ. But in addition, the "Rule" describes twelve degrees or "steps" to humility. Those familiar with the ascetic writings of Eastern saints and Fathers--particularly the "Ladder" of St. John--will naturally find this quite familiar. But St. Benedict's "ladder" should be briefly outlined here because of its suitability for all true Christian men and women, regardless of their station, for all Christians wish to ascend the ladder of salvation to Christ.
1) The first step towards humility is fear of God and remembrance of Him in all things that we do.
2) Secondly, the struggler must not love to do his own will, but follow instead the example of the Saviour: "I have come not to do My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me."
3) We must be obedient to God and His Church, in all things great and small.
4) The struggler must be patient, enduring everything that comes to him.
5) We must not hide our sins, but eagerly confess them.
6) One who seeks humility must be content with the poorest and worst of everything,
7) We must consider ourselves as lower than anyone else.
8) We should not seek to be "different" from others; we should do only what is needful, following the example of the saints.
9) The humble man learns to restrain his tongue.
10) We must be serious-minded, not frivolous or silly.
11) Our words to others should be few, and covered with gentleness.
12) Real humility appears first in the heart; then it shows itself in our outward behaviour, whether we are working or resting.
Among Orthodox Christians there was never any need to use the "Rule" of St. Benedict, for the teachings of this "Rule" were always alive in the monastic tradition of the East, from where, indeed, they originally came to St. Benedict. Therefore, one may say that St. Benedict's Rule was preserved in spirit in the Orthodox east, just as was the memory of the Saint himself, whose feast is still kept by the Orthodox on March 14. The ideal of a hidden life of labor and solitude remained continually alive in the Orthodox Church, blossoming like a flower in the desert. In this same spirit, St. Benedict's Rule, with its emphasis on virtue and repentance rather than organization, contained the very essence of Christ's teachings about other-worldliness.
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (Luke 17:33).
St. Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, recorded the life of St. Benedict from which we have quoted above. St. Benedict reposed when St. Gregory was only three years old, but the monastic Saint's successor. Abbot Constantine, as well as three other abbots. all of them disciples of Bt. Benedict, shared their eyewitness accounts with St. Gregory.
Allow me to remind you that among other evident signs of a lack of humility are:
Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say
Always wanting to get your own way
Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners
Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so
Despising the point of view of others
Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan
Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own
Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation
Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you
Making excuses when rebuked
Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you
Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you
Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you
Refusing to carry out menial tasks
Seeking or wanting to be singled out
Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…
Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…
St. Josemaria, pray for us!
Additional Quotes of the Fathers on Humility
|The Publican and the Pharisee
An [Elder] was asked, "What is humility?" and he said in reply, "Humility is a great work, and a work of God. The way of humility is to undertake bodily labour and believe yourself a sinner and make yourself subject to all." Then a brother said, "What does it mean, to be subject to all?" The [Elder] answered, "To be subject to all is not to give your attention to the sins of others but always to give your attention to your own sins and to pray without ceasing to God."
An [Elder] said, "Every time a thought of superiority or vanity moves you, examine your conscience to see if you have kept all the commandments, whether you love your enemies, whether you consider yourself to be an unprofitable servant and the greatest sinner of all. Even so, do not pretend to great ideas as though you were perfectly right, for that thought destroys everything."
As Abba Macarius was returning to his cell from the marsh carrying palm-leaves, the devil met him with a sharp sickle and would have struck him but he could not. He cried out, "Great is the violence I suffer from you, Macarius, for when I want to hurt you, I cannot. But whatever you do, I do and more also. You fast now and then, but I am never refreshed by any food; you often keep vigil, but I never fall asleep. Only in one thing are you better than I am and I acknowledge that." Macarius said to him, "What is that?" and he replied, "It is because of your humility alone that I cannot overcome you."
The [Elders] used to say, "When we do not experience warfare, we ought so much the more to humiliate ourselves. For God seeing our weakness, protects us; when we glorify ourselves, he withdraws his protection and we are lost."
"...true humility does not say humble words, nor does it assume humble looks, it does not force oneself either to think humbly of oneself, or to abuse oneself in self-belittlement. Although all such things are the beginning, the manifestations and the various aspects of humility, humility itself is grace, given from above. There are two kinds of humility, as the holy fathers teach: to deem oneself the lowest of all beings and to ascribe to God all one's good actions. The first is the beginning, the second the end."
St. Gregory of Sinai
(Texts on Commandments and Dogmas no. 115)
"...we have never achieved anything good on our own, but all good things are ours from God by grace, and come as it were from nothingness into being. For 'what do you have which you did not receive?' asks St. Paul - receive, that is, freely from God; 'and if you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it' (I Cor. 4:7), but had achieved it by yourself? Yet by yourself you cannot achieve anything, for the Lord has said: 'Without Me, you can do nothing' (John 15:5)."
St. Peter of Damascus
(Book 1: A Treasury of Divine Knowledge, The Philokalia Vol. 3 pg. 176)
"A characteristic of those who are still progressing in blessed mourning is temperance and silence of the lips; and of those who have made progress – freedom from anger and patient endurance of injuries; and of the perfect – humility, thirst for dishonors, voluntary craving for involuntary afflictions, non- condemnation of sinners, compassion even beyond one's strength. The first are acceptable, the second laudable; but blessed are those who hunger for hardship and thirst for dishonor, for they shall be filled with the food whereof there can be no satiety."
St. John Climacus
"The Ladder of Divine Ascent," (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978), Step 7: On Joy-Making Mourning
"A man who is truly humble is not troubled when he is wronged and he says nothing to justify himself against the injustice, but he accepts slander as truth; he does not attempt to persuade men that he is calumniated, but he begs forgiveness."
St. Isaac the Syrian - The Ascetical Homilies
"A person who suffers bitterly when slighted or insulted should recognize from this that he still harbors the ancient serpent in his breast. If he quietly endures the insult or responds with great humility, he weakens the serpent and lessens its hold. But if he replies acrimoniously or brazenly, he gives it strength to pour its venom into his heart and to feed mercilessly on his guts. In this way the serpent becomes increasingly powerful; it destroys his soul's strength and his attempts to set himself right, compelling him to live for sin and to be completely dead to righteousness."
St. Symeon the New Theologian
(Practical and Theological Texts no. 31)
"Abba John [the Dwarf] said, "Who sold Joseph" A brother replied saying, "It was his brethren." The old man said to him, "No, it was his humility which sold him, because he could have said, "I am their brother" and have objected, but, because he kept silence, he sold himself by his humility. It is also his humility which set him up as chief in Egypt."
The Desert Fathers
"Abba Poemen said, "As the breath which comes out of his nostrils, so does a man need humility and the fear of God."
The Desert Fathers
"An angel fell from heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues."
St. John Climacus
"The Ladder of Divine Ascent," (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978),STEP 23: On Mad Pride, and, in the Same Step, on Unclean Blasphemous Thoughts
"At the Last Judgment the righteous will be recognized only by their humility and their considering themselves worthless, and not by good deeds, even if they have done them. This is the true attitude."
St. Peter of Damascus
"Behold, this is the true and the Christian humility. In this you will be able to achieve victory over every vice, by attributing to God rather than to yourself the fact that you have won."
St. John of the Ladder
"Consider well, brethren, how great is the power of humility. Consider how great is the spiritual energy behind saying, `Pardon me.' Why is the devil called not only `enemy,' but also `adversary'? He is called `enemy' because he is a hater of man, one who hates what is good, a traitor; and `adversary,' because he always puts obstacles in the way of good. If someone wants to pray he puts obstacles in the way through evil suspicions, shameful thoughts, and spiritual torpor. If a man wants to give alms he obstructs it through avarice or procrastination. If a man wants to keep vigil he obstructs it with hesitations or laziness. In every single thing he is against us when we desire to do good. This is why he is called the enemy and the adversary and why, by lowliness, all his attacks and devices are brought to nothing."
St. Dorotheos of Gaza - Discourses and Sayings
"Extirpate two thoughts within thyself: do not consider thyself worthy of anything great, and do not think that any other man is much lower than thou in worthiness. Learn humblemindedness beforehand, which the Lord commanded in word and showed forth in deed. Hence, do not expect obedience from others, but be ready for obedience thyself."
St. Basil the Great
"For this reason the Lord calls blessed those who are opposed to worldly possessions, saying: `Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Why to the words, `Blessed are the poor,' does He add, `in spirit'? So that by this would be shown that He considers blessedness to be the humility of the soul. Why did He not say, blessed are the poor-spirited - and thus would be demonstrated the humility of thinking - but rather He says, `poor in spirit'? By this He wants to teach us that bodily poverty is also a blessedness, in that through this one can receive the kingdom of heaven, when it is done for the sake of the humility of the soul. This is the case when bodily poverty is united with the humility of the soul and when it is for the person the principle of the humility of the soul. Having called blessed `those poor in spirit,' He demonstrated in a wonderful way what are the root and cause of the visible poverty of the saints - that is, their spirit."
St. Gregory Palamas - Treatise on the Spiritual Life
"God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into the valleys."
St. John of Kronstadt
"What made our Lord Jesus Christ lay aside his garments, gird himself with a towel, and, pouring water into a basin, begin to wash the feet of those who were below Him (John 13:4, etc.), if not to teach us humility? For it was humility He showed us by example of what He then did. And indeed those who want to be accepted into the foremost rank cannot achieve this otherwise than through humility; for in the beginning the thing that caused downfall from heaven was a movement of pride. So, if a man lacks extreme humility, if he is not humble with all his heart, all his mind, all his spirit, all his soul and body - he will not inherit the kingdom of God."
St Anthony the Great
"Early Fathers From the Philokalia," by E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer, (London: Faber and Faber, 1954), pp. 45-46
"Let all who are led by the spirit of God enter with us into this spiritual and wise assembly, holding in their spiritual hands the God-inscribed tablets of knowledge. We have come together, we have investigated, and we have probed the meaning of this precious inscription. And one man said: "It (humility) means constant oblivion of one's achievements." Another: "It is the acknowledgement of oneself as the last of all and the greatest sinner of all." And another: "The mind's recognition of one's weakness and impotence." Another again: "In fits of rage, it means to forestall one's neighbor and be first to stop the quarrel." And again another: "Recognition of Divine grace and divine compassion." And again another: "The feeling of a contrite soul, and the renunciation of one's own will." But when I had listened to all this and had attentively and soberly investigated it, I found that I had not been able to attain to the blessed perception of that virtue from what had been said. Therefore, last of all, having gathered what fell from the lips of those learned and blessed fathers as a dog gathers the crumbs that fall from the table, I too gave my definition of it and said: "Humility is a nameless grace in the soul, its name known only to those who have learned it by experience. It is unspeakable wealth, a name and gift from God, for it is said: "learn not from an angel, nor from man, nor from a book, but from Me, that is, from My indwelling, from My illumination and action in you; for I am meek and humble in heart and in thought and in spirit, and your soul shall find rest from conflicts and relief from thoughts." (Matthew 11:29)"
St. John Climacus
"The Ladder of Divine Ascent," (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978), Step25: On the Destroyer of the Passions, Most Sublime Humility, Which is rooted in Spiritual Perception
"Make account that thou hast done nothing, and then thou hast done all. For if, being sinners, when we account ourselves to be what we are, we become righteous, as indeed the Publican did; how much more, when being righteous we account ourselves to be sinners."
St John Chrysostom
August 22, 2015 by Deacon Greg Kandra
my source for the icon: Vultus Chriisti
my source: Patheos Blog, "Deacon's Bench."
It could be one of the most important questions you ask yourself:
Why are you Catholic?
What keeps you coming back here week after week, year after year?
In a time when so many other faiths are out there, offering what they claim is an easier, less difficult path to God—including a church right down the street that is promising free coffee and candy every Sunday morning—what draws you here? What makes you accept teachings that are hard, and pews that are sometimes harder, and obligations that are difficult and sacrifices that you'd rather skip?
Why here? Why not somewhere else?
A lot of us might answer like Peter in the gospel we just heard:
"Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Ask people, and some will tell you they are drawn by the liturgies, the sacraments, the history, the timeless moral teaching or the certainty that this is the church of the apostles and of countless saints. As a tee shirt puts it: "Catholicism. Founded 33 A.D."
But the answer of one woman I know strikes me as especially meaningful, particularly in light of the readings we've been hearing for the last few weeks.
The woman's name is Kelley Cutler. She's a social worker in San Francisco, who works with the homeless—particularly homeless youths, and especially those who identify as LGBT, Lesbian Gay, Bisexual or Transsexual. By one estimate, up to 40% of the teenage homeless in San Francisco fall into that group. Many are runaways. Some have been shunned by their families. Others are victims of abuse. They have no place to turn, no place to live. Some turn to prostitution. Kelly Cutler helps them find safety, sanctuary, and hope.
Kelley herself is gay. But she is also an obedient Catholic, faithful to Church teachings, and she is head-over-heels in love with Jesus Christ.
She became Catholic in 2009. In a recent interview, she said:
"To be honest, I wasn't looking to become Catholic, but I had always longed for a spiritual connection. It's a long crazy story," she explained, "but basically I was drawn to the Church by the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist."
She went on:
"As you can imagine, the work I do can be extremely intense and draining. Holding onto hope can be a huge challenge when the harsh reality of suffering and death is part of your daily experience. This is why I attend Mass on a daily basis. That is where I find my hope and strength to be able to do this work. It's directly connected. I also go to Adoration with my favorite cloistered nuns up in Haight/Ashbury. They are my prayer warriors praying for me and the work I do."
And she added:
"As a convert, I have a tendency to ask a lot of questions. One question I've asked most LGBT Catholics I've met is… "Why do you stay in the Church?" Think about it, they could go right down the street to another faith community that has different teachings. So why do they stay? I have been given the same answer by every LGBT Catholic I've met. The Eucharist."
The Eucharist. The Eucharist.
This is what draws them, what keeps them, what gives them hope. The Bread of Life. "Master to whom shall we go?" There is nowhere else to go. For any of us. In our weakness, in our folly, in our pride, there is no other sanctuary or salvation. In a world haunted by sin and death we need the Bread of Life.
Again and again over the last few weeks, St. John's gospel has challenged us, jolted us, encouraged us, convicted us. The "Bread of Life discourse" has reminded us of the gift we have been given. What began with a miraculous feeding on a hillside in Galilee continues here and now, 2,000 years later. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, the psalmist proclaims. The goodness is here. It is now. It is something we cradle in our palms, and receive on our tongues. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Taste, and believe. The Christ who was present to the multitudes in a mystery no one could understand is present with us again, at every Eucharist, at every Mass, in ways we cannot completely understand but in a way that the heart and soul can't deny.
So: Why are you Catholic?
How could any of us be anything else?
The irony, of course, is that none of us is worthy of the gift we are about to receive. "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof." The prayer we make at every Mass, the prayer we carry with us in the communion line, is that we will be made more worthy, that our souls will be healed, that we can somehow be acceptable vessels to carry Christ in our hearts, in our bodies and into the world. We pray for the grace to "glorify the Lord by our lives." We pray to turn away from our sin. We pray for God's mercy to help make it so.
Christ's first disciples—flawed fishermen full of ignorance and pride, doubt and greed— knew they were not worthy. But they also knew they had nowhere else to go. They had faith. And they had hope.
Their story is our story. It is, after all, part of the greatest story ever told—and it is still being told. It is up to us to pass it on.
Why are we Catholic?
Where else can we go? What else can we possibly be? We have Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist.
And not only are we hungry to receive him; we also yearn to make his presence known to others, that they might also receive him, that we might say to them as it has been said to us:
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!


text:
Yesterday I wrote love poems
to a mirage;
the day before I stared at lily ponds.
Yet today I am simply indebted
to the man who called
a clear conscience their softest pillow.
These trees that have grown,
are growing, I say–
they provide the same service.
As long as your trunk is straight,
and your roots don't tire,
you can move upwards,
above the negatives, above perfection
and the need for it.
You will find peace.
You will find a harmony of love
and rhyme that convinces you
our God must exist, even now.
June 5, 2014


text:
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com 706-247-1618
Mother Fore
Mother Fore is a progressive rock band based out of Athens GA. All members of the band are from the Athens area.
Formed in 2013 the band plays a mix of original material and classic rock covers. Mother Fore has played at AthFest, the Athens Human Right's Festival, 40 Watt Club, The Globe, Caledonia Lounge, Six Flags Over Georgia and many other local venues.
Venues Played by Mother Fore
AthFest 2016/The Globe, Athens, GA
40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
Terrapin Beer Company, Athens, GA
Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA
Live Wire, Athens, GA
Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA
The World Famous, Athens, GA
Tavern 53, Hoschton, GA
Tin Roof Cantina, Atlanta, GA
Alley Cat, Carrollton, GA
Flicker Bar, Athens, GA
Hendershots Coffee Bar, Athens, GA
Vega Studio, Athens, GA
Southern Brewing Company, Athens, GA
Athens Human Rights Festival, Athens, GA
Relay For Life, Watkinsville, GA
Mother Fore
Benjamin Simpson - Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer
Henry Rose - Bass
Caleb Wallace - Drums, Vocals.
Genre - Progressive Rock


text:
Tuesday 06 October 2009
The Mazda6 second generation made its premiere at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The new Mazda6 is based on the Mazda GH chassis platform, a revised version of the GG chassis which Ford also still uses as their CD3 platform. Mazda continues to provide three body styles, including 4-door saloon (sedan), 5-door hatchback and wagon. Despite the North American version's increase in dimensions, Mazda maintains that the 6 retains the overall driving experience is still sportier than rivaling Accords, Camrys, or Malibus. A number of journalists have already praised its electrically assisted steering for being considerably improved compared to the last generation, providing more feedback to the driver. The hatchback model even has a boot space which beats the larger rival Ford Mondeo (hatchback) by 200 liters with rear seats folded down. For the North American market, only a sedan model will be available. Unfortunately for fans and owners of the Mazdaspeed 6, the North American Mazda 6 will not be gifted a new Mazdaspeed. Early reviews have been favorable. The North American version was redesigned for the 2009 model year. It is larger than the standard version and offers larger engines. Mazda North American Operations finally followed the current trend of offering a larger sedan in North America compared to the international version, and the company believes the new car will strengthen the model significantly in North America. Reviewers have noted its coupe-like roofline and sportier style. North American engine choices include a new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder and North American versions get the 3.7 liter V6 which is also available in the Mazda CX-9.
Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 2000 cc
- horsepower: 147 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 210 km/h


text:
KENT -- 2013 proved to be a busy year for Kent-based liquid tanker trailer manufacturer Mac LTT.
In addition to bolstering production of its DOT 406 trailers, which are designed for hauling gasoline and diesel fuel, the company branched its manufacturing operations out of state for the first time with the takeover of a 90,000-square-foot facility in Billings, Mont.
The company also builds DOT 407 trailers, used for hauling hazardous chemicals; vacuum trailers, barrel truck mount bobtail vacuum units and fertilizer tankers for the farm industry.
Read: Gas, oil 'reverberate' throughout Ohio
Mac LTT President Jim Maiorana said Northeast Ohio Region has provided no shortfall of workers whenever the company has needed to increase its workforce.
Since opening the Kent facility in 2011, the company has grown its employee base to 165 workers, 30 of which were hired in 2013.
"We've had great success bringing in people," he said. "Most people say, 'We can't find welders,' but honestly, we've not had an issue."
The company hopes to increase its employee numbers to 200 in 2014.
Maiorana said a clean, safe and indoor working environment has created a strong, motivated workforce at the company's 160,000-square-foot plant at 1400 Fairchild Ave. in Kent.
"We like to pay a fair wage for the industry, treat our employees with respect — the way anybody wants to be treated — and offer benefits," he said.
Also read: Oilfield Expo, Safety Congress draws crowd, many exhibitors (with gallery)
When the company is in hiring mode, it often hires welders on the spot if they can pass a welding test, and even those without welding skills can still get into the trade through the company's training program.
"One of my best welders in the shop started out as a plumber and mounter," Maiorana said. "Within a year's period, he's become one of our top welders in the shop."
A welder by trade, Maiorana said he often walks the assembly line himself and likes to pick up a welding machine for hands-on training.
"Sometimes I come out and show these guys how its done," he said, adding that Mac LTT's welders like to compete amongst themselves to see who can do the best job.
In Mac LTT's first year of production in Kent, the company put out 230 tanker trailers. In 2013, it increased its output to 350 units.
Upon completion, most of the tankers wind up out west, in areas including Colorado, North Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma.
Maiorana said Mac LTT's goal is to nearly triple that number in years to come.
"We'd like to build about 1,000 tankers a year out of here if the market will take it," he said. "We can do that out of our existing facilities."


text:
Donald Miller, MD: Fearful of the harm that radiation can do, the citizens of Sacramento, in a public referendum, had the city shut down its Rancho Seco nuclear power plant. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District put up windmills instead, which on a windy day produces 1 percent of the power the nuclear plant did.
Biological effects from low doses and dose rates (Ludwig Feinendegen, Jerry Cuttler) Germany Canada29.May.2018
Ludwig Feinendegen, M.D., former director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Germany, 2010 Marie Curie Prize - Jerry Cuttler, D.Sc. in nuclear sciences and engineering, recipient of 2011 International Dose-Response Society Award for Outstanding Career Achievement: There is considerable controversy regarding risk of health detriment after low-level exposure to ionizing radiation. This stems in part from a sort of distance between radiation biologists, epidemiologists, and radiation protection professionals, as well as regulatory institutions. This feeds seriously into a somewhat hazy fear of ionizing radiation that besets large portions of the public.
Radiation-Response Models to Low Dose Protection Standards (American Nuclear Society, Health Physics Society, Alan Waltar) USA world08.May.2018
Alan Waltar, nuclear engineer, Past President of the American Nuclear Society, Chair ANS - HPS Joint Topical Conference on Applicability of Radiation-Response Models to Low Dose Protection Standards, October 1 - 3, 2018: Preliminary Program. This conference addresses one of the most important issues facing nuclear power and nuclear medicine, how to establish realistic low dose radiation protection standards. Since the beginning of use of nuclear power in the 1950s, the arbitrary Linear No-Threshold Model with Collective Dose Corollary has been used with results that vastly over predict deaths due to exposure to low dose radiation. This has added tremendous costs, held back the use of nuclear power and limited the use of nuclear medicine. This conference aims at working to establish a low dose protection standard that is based on reality of living organisms rather than an unrealistic arbitrary set of rules.
To know or not to know (Wade Allison) UK31.Mar.2018
Wade Allison, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Oxford University, UK: Nuclear energy can affect life when a nucleus decays, releasing energy as radiation. Everything, even our own bodiees, contains some natural radioactivity, and nuclear radiation shines on us from space too. If it had been really dangerous, life would have died out aeons ago, when radiation flux was more intense than it is today. To survive the oxidative damage caused by radiation and oxygen, life has evolved a series of amazingly clever design features and strategies.


text:
About Caitlin
Originally from Baltimore MD, I have moved several times with my husband who is an officer in the Marine Corps. We have lived in Northern Virginia, Joshua Tree, CA, Monterey, CA and have now settled in College Park, MD. I have really loved the chance to see and explore so many different parts of the country and meeting amazing people along the way is the icing on the cake!
I was trained in 2016 and certified as a Doula & Birth Activist with toLabor, a national doula training organization. I then trained as a child birth educator under Cori Gentry with Birth Chemistry in the summer of 2017. I have also trained to be an Evidence Based Birth® instructor. I have attended over 35 births and taught my class to over 75 parents over the last two years. I love being a part of such an exciting time in new parents' journeys and feel so privileged to be included in the process.
We recently welcomed our baby boy, Harbor, in May, 2018. It was an amazing experience being on the other side of the birth process. We had a fast, uncomplicated home birth attended by our incredible midwives and our doula. The 14 months that followed have given me new insight into the postpartum journey and it all has made me an even better educator and resource.
Continuing Education
As a child birth educator, it is important to me to continually attend trainings and workshops to provide the best and most up-to-date care to my clients. In addition to completing my birth doula training and certification, I have studied Prenatal Yoga under Hannah Muse and learned the art of Bengkung Belly Binding, a very beneficial practice postpartum. In addition to Birth Chemistry child birth eduction certification I am thrilled to offer all the resources to my clients that come with being an Evidence Based Birth® instructor. I just recently completed my 2019 Evidence Based Birth® instructor renewal training as well.


text:
Title: Personal Shopper
Year: 2016
Country: France, Germany
Language: English, French
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Director/Writer: Olivier Assayas
Cinematography: Yorick Le Saux
Kristen Stewart
Lars Eidinger
Sigrid Bouaziz
Anders Danielsen Lie
Ty Olwin
Audrey Bonnet
Nora von Waldstätten
Pascal Rambert
Hammou Graïa
Benjamin Biolay
Rating: 7.1/10
The sophomore collaboration between Olivier Assayas and Kristen Stewart after CLOUDS OF SIL MARIA (2014), in PERSONAL SHOPPER, the latter is elevated to the sole leading status, plays an American girl Maureen in Paris, she is the titular personal shopper of Kyra (Waldstätten), a well-minted celebrity figure. It is a dream job for fashion-and-ego oriented girls who cannot afford the luxury but are vouchsafed to luxuriate in it as a surrogate shopper (and get well paid), by dint of high-end dress sense. But, Stewart, who emanates a distinctly counter-consumerism flair in her androgynous mien and dress-down spontaneity, takes the offer with defiant nonchalance, because Maureen hates it, not only because Kyra is an impersonal monster, but in a more personal note, she is repelled by the nature of her vocation. A theme being predictably provoked when she is abetted by eponymous messages sent to her cell phone: Does she want to become a different person? Simply by donning those haute couture (a conspicuously vain idea of identity shifting), Maureen is tempted, tried, but eventually she thinks better of it.
So, the glamorous job is merely to defray her rent, the main reason of Maureen's drawn-out sojourn in Paris is a highly psychic one, she shares the same congenital heart problem with her twin brother Lewis, who passed away several months ago here, professing both are endowed with a medium's made-up, and a promise to contact each other from beyond whoever dies first, she is waiting, seeking, for a sign, a signal (from Lewis) and a closure (for herself), and the wait extends while many preternatural phenomena transpire around an increasingly jittery Maureen, including the said messages, are they from Lewis, or has she been driven to such a state that she would like to will herself to believe they are from Lewis? In due course, she would be implicated in a grisly murder, and eventually (spoilers alert), the story is puckishly topped off with yawning evasion, in the middle-east Oman, but the revelation somewhat leaves some splashes to impel viewers to examine inwardly the notion of ghost and spirit, preferably with an idealistic methodology, not dissimilar with the mystic vanishing of Stewart's character in CoSM.
Spiritualism's correlation with technology is a scintillating proposition Assayas assuredly propounds but seems to fumble for a clear answer, instead he dishes out Hilma af Kint's abstract art and Victor Hugo's séance video clip (from a fictitious TV movie) to (nominally) ginger up the intrigue, insofar as he even confects gimmicks from horror genre, a visible ghost disgorging ectoplasm, or a blink-and-you-will-miss-it apparition materializes itself in the background during an overtly extended long take focusing on Maureen. Those moments, may contradict Assayas' preordained tack of straddling the issue, but are effective attention-stealers one might think Assayas wouldn't deign to conduct at any rate, we all love surprises, don't we?
Still, PERSONAL SHOPPER is an empath's self-reliant rite-of-passage to bring down the curtain on a bereavement, on top of which Assayas grafts his sortie in psychological horror, affixed with a tangy criticism towards the glitter and vacuousness of consumerism, not a bad combo at all, if, you are not galled by an open-ended denouement staring squarely at your face.
referential points: CLOUDS OF SIL MARIA (2014) 7.0/10; Denis Villeneuve's ENEMY (2013), 8.2/10; Jack Clayton's THE INNOCENTS 1961, 8.8/10.


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Messages from Midgard #11 – Thank You, Frost
Endings seem to be a recurring theme for this week's "War of the Realms" books with Giant-Man being the first tie-in miniseries to reach the finish line thanks to some incredible weirdness and a wonderful father/daughter team-up from Leah Williams, Marco Castiello, and Rachelle Rosenberg. There's also the bittersweet end to Cullen Bunn's work on the Asgardians of the Galaxy series even after it was name-dropped in the second highest grossing movie of all time. Thankfully, Tini Howard and German Peralta's recently announced Strikeforce will continue Angela's journey.
In addition to these titles, Bunn and Iban Coello's short Venom arc wraps up just in time for "Absolute Carnage", Superior Spider-Man is way too funny and meta, Champions seems determined to feature every teen Marvel hero, and Ryan North and Derek Charm's Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is still a wonderful gift with Ariana Grande karaoke and Frost Giants talking shop about, well, frost.
Giant-Man #3
My feelings on the conclusion of Leah Williams, Marco Castiello, and Rachelle Rosenberg's Giant-Man are definitely mixed. What has been a fairly straightforward adventure yarn set in Florida and featuring Marvel's size changing heroes gets pretty freaking weird. Apparently, former Thunderbolt/Master of Evil Moonstone has been enslaving the women of Florida to forcibly harvest ice from Ymir to make Ice Giants. It's definitely a twist and throws a wrench into the whole Ymir assassination mission. The scene where Cassie Lang rescues the slaves and teams up with her dad are heartwarming as well as Raz's empathy for Ymir, who is in pain and being held against his will. Ymir being a victim and more of a primal force of nature than a baddie is more nuanced and memorable than the team punching him to death.
However, Williams and Castiello do less of a good job introducing and telling the story of Moonstone, the miniseries' Big Bad. Her powers and motivation fluctuate depending on this scene as she goes from slave master to force of nature and even a redemptive figure depending on the scene. It's like Williams and Castiello reached the end of miniseries and realized they needed a final boss that wasn't Ymir and used her past connection with Atlas as a shorthand reason to feature her. Throw in visuals that are hard to follow when the characters change size, and unfortunately, Giant-Man #3 earns an Overall Verdict of Pass.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #10
Asgardians of the Galaxy #10 is a bittersweet comic for many reasons. It features the quirky cast of this book kicking ass together one last time as well as Angela using the MacGuffin from the book's first arc to get revenge on the Angels of Heven, who abused and tortured her. Writer Cullen Bunn and sharp artists Luca Maresca and Federico Blee give each character a couple of fantastic moments before signing off on a series that had an interesting cast of characters, a fun morally ambiguous space-faring tone, fantastic LGBTQ representation, and was mostly forced to be an event tie-in.
But the fact that it's a tie-in doesn't negate Skurge earning redemption as a hero in Valhalla, Angela saving Nairobi, Kenya and finding revenge by beheading her evil adoptive mother, and Ren and Annabelle Riggs being cute while getting cool weapons from the dwarf Urzuul. Maresca's art has a cartoonish lyricism to him with slash shaped panels when Angela and an army of undead gods lay waste to Heven, or when Okoye gives Annabelle tips on using a Valkyrie spear. He and Bunn do an excellent job wrapping up Angela, Skurge, and Annabelle's arc while letting this team kick ass in various and sundry ways. Asgardians of the Galaxy #10 earns an Overall Verdict of Buy, and hopefully, it'll get a revival once Chris Hemsworth signs a deal to be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Champions #6
Jim Zub, Juanan Ramirez, and Marco Menyz bust out the Disir, the cursed ghosts of Odin's father Bor's Valkyries, in their Champions "War of the Realms" tie-in. First appearing in Kieron Gillen's run on Journey into Mystery, they're a formidable foe for this team of teen heroes that almost seems to double in membership each issue. Zub and Ramirez are constantly cutting from character to character throughout this issue in different action scenes. However, a few beats land like Power Man realizing the full potential of his "chi"-based powers and basically hulking out and save the team's asses when he is stabbed in the heart by a magical, undead Asgardian artifact. There is also Kamala Khan, who gets a vision of her dead in a parallel universe and starts to realize that leadership of the Champions may be too much for her.
These two strong character moments stand out in what is mostly a loud, action-driven issue where the Champions are driven up a wall, and it's hard to get a read on any character personalities between the explosions. Zub does hit on a few cool concepts like Hummingbird joining the team because she saw a distress call on a message board and using her empathy-driven, telepathic abilities to calm the team down. With the exception of the loose cartooning and cool moment where Power Man gets to wreak havoc, Champions #6 pales in comparison to the previous issue's Cyclops and Kamala-centric tale and reduces powerful enemies to "monster of the week" status. Therefore, it earns an Overall Verdict of Pass.
Superior Spider-Man #7
I haven't read the previous issues of Superior Spider-Man, but Christos Gage, Lan Medina, Cam Smith, and Andy Troy's work on this story definitely made me want to pick up the previous six issues. The series has a similar premise to Dan Slott's Superior Spider-Man, but without the weird mind swap plot devices and is more about a bad guy trying to do good and use the power of science and his intellect to be a better hero than Spider-Man. The first half of this issue is filled with precise storytelling and illustrations from Medina and Smith as Spider-Ock evacuates San Francisco and turns his brain to the cause of Frost Giants invading North America and not just the symptom. As Gwenpool later states, he's a core miniseries hero stuck in a tie-in.
Oh yeah, and to pile awesomeness on more awesomeness, Gage, and Medina pair Spider-Ock with the West Coast Avengers because he wants to use America's star portal abilities to shut down the one letting Frost Giants onto Earth. This plan doesn't work out, but we get fun team-up fights, Gwenpool doing running commentary on event comic structure, and Spider-Ock and Quentin Quire bonding over their shared interest in arrogance. I love how the other characters think she's raving mad, but the always curious Spider-Ock is out here asking questions about "legacy characters". For its strong visuals, heavy dose of meta-humor, fun guest stars, and interesting characterization of Spider-Ock, Superior Spider-Man earns an Overall Verdict of Buy.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #45
The search for the Frost Giants' secret base continues in Ryan North, Derek Charm, and Rico Renzi's Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #45, but due to irreconcilable ethical differences, Squirrel Girl and Ratatoskr break up as teammates fairly early in the story. The split-up and reunion leads to great comedy, pathos, and later, adventure using the power of Frost Giant-induced fast travel. Ratatoskr doesn't want to save the world; she only wants to create chaos and use her mind control abilities to get whatever the heck she wants. This includes go-kart video games, on command Frost Giant-friendly performances of "Thank U, Next" by Ariana Grande, and even psychological therapy.
However, the therapy part (Done by a mind-controlled Frost Giant.) named Daisy reveals that Squirrel Girl's words about Ratatoskr never creating and only destroying have gotten under her skin. (Charm and Renzi draw moment of truth Ratatoskr quite adorable.) This leads to forgiveness and working together to stop the Frost Giant in an ethical, non-mind controlling way. But, there's one last pit stop before the HQ as Charm and Renzi capture the beauty of snowfall and nature with the help of the (Newly in the public domain) poems of Robert Frost. (Also, North can't help himself with puns.) It's a singular moment in a very silly comic with a tongue in cheek ending. For showing that beauty and humor can co-exist with sneaking around a Frost Giant camp, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #45 earns an Overall Verdict of Buy.
Venom #15
In the conclusion to their Venom "War of the Realms" arc, Cullen Bunn, Iban Coello, Alberto Albuquerque, Roberto Poggi, and Andres Mossa realize that Jack'o'Lantern is kind of a lame villain and pivot to Eddie Brock battling his own anger with a side of Dreamstone magic. The interplay between Bunn's narration and the chaotic line art of Coello and Albuquerque creates heavy metal alchemy as Eddie wanders around New York and channels his anger again to remember that he is a "lethal" protector of the innocent, especially his son Dylan. He genuinely cares about the regular people who are caught in the crossfire of the War of the Realms and comes up with a new spin on "We are Venom" to protect them in a fist-bumping moment.
Venom #15, and Bunn and Coello's overall work on this storyline has been a fantastic marriage of deep emotional turmoil and fun symbiote-meet-dark magic action. This issue is no exception as Eddie has his big moment and the returns to the bunker to protect Dylan and continue their journey to survive. What could have been filler while Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman were prepping "Absolute Carnage" end up telling a tale about Eddie and his son trying to survive in a world without his symbiote and featured memorable visual mash-ups of Asgardian and symbiote iconography. Because of this, Venom #15 earns an Overall Verdict of Buy.
This was truly "War of the Realms'" week of the underdog as characters, like Skurge the Executioner, Squirrel Girl, Gwenpool, Spider-Ock, Annabelle Riggs, and the West Coast Avengers, who get their books canceled or a relegated to second stringers lit up the comics pages thanks to the passion of creators like Cullen Bunn, Ryan North, Christos Gage, Luca Maresca, Derek Charm, and Lan Medina. In particular, Bunn's letter at the end of Asgardians of the Galaxy #10 about how he wanted to do a story with these characters back in 2015 and then had to shoehorn them into two events shows the pitfalls of having an original spirit in corporate comics. But, hey, we'll have those ten majestic issues than honestly work whether or not you read "Infinity Wars" or "War of the Realms".


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ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University men's basketball team had its struggles to get its offense going against Rose-Hulman on Tuesday night as the Griffins fell, 83-57.
The Griffins (2-2), shot 43.1 percent from the floor, though went just 7-of-21 (33.3 percent) from downtown and 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) from the free throw line.
Individually, Jared Woodcock had a game-high 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting. Gus Kleekamp came off the bench to net a career-high 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
The Fightin' Engineers (2-1), ended the night shooting 48.4 percent from the field, but got it done on the glass with a 44-28 advantage, including 17 coming on the offensive side. RHIT's bench also came through with 57 points.
Off the bench, Eli Combs recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. John Czarnecki had 14 points of his own.
In the first, Woodcock was on fire as he scored the Griffins first 11 points to make it 14-11 at 12:50. Later in the quarter, Kleekamp sank a 3-pointer of his own to narrow the deficit down to 26-21 with 4:37 to go.
However, the Fightin' Engineers closed out the half on a 10-4 run to take a 36-25 lead into the locker room.
Woodcock led the Griffins with 14 points in the first, while Kleekamp had five off the bench. RHIT shot 44.8 percent from the field and had a 23-13 rebounding advantage.
In the second, Luke DeLine hit his jumper to make it 38-29 at 17:43. RHIT went on to respond with a 6-0 run in two minutes and 27 seconds time to expand its lead out to 44-29.
Down 48-33, the Griffins got a bucket from Kleekamp and a 3-pointer from DeLine to put the team within striking distance at 48-38 with 11:26 on the clock.
RHIT went on to end the Fontbonne momentum as they answered with a 7-0 run to gain some breathing room at 55-38. They never let its lead get under double-digits the rest of the way and hung on for the 26-point win.
Fontbonne will now take some time off before returning home against rival Webster next Wednesday. Tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the men's basketball team.
Make sure to follow us on all our social media accounts: Twitter (@FBUGriffins), Instagram (@fbugriffins) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins).


text: I love getting a good deal…and as far as deals go, it doesn't get much better than free! Cottonelle currently has $.50 off coupons available here and here. Kroger's every day price on 4 packs of Cottonelle is only 99 cents and since Kroger will double your 50 cent coupon, you get your toilet paper FREE! Each of the above links will allow you to print your coupon twice. That's a lot of free toilet paper! Enjoy!


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Mary C. Szabat, CFP®, is a vice president and senior wealth advisor with Tompkins Financial Advisors. In this role, she leads the Buffalo Niagara market (Erie, Genesee and Niagara counties) overseeing all aspects of collaborative and comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services. She works closely with clients to identify their personal objectives for wealth management and develop targeted strategies to meet their goals.
With more than 35 years of experience, Mary previously was an investment and financial planning officer with Canandaigua National Bank, where she managed portfolios and provided comprehensive financial planning to high net worth individuals and trust beneficiaries. Previously, she held several financial services positions with M&T Bank including 12 years as a brokerage trader specializing in sophisticated option and margin transactions, wealth management and institutional investment advisory services.


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Shimmer Down Now! The babes at Shimmer Down concocted an exclusive body glitter just for Girl Tribe™ Game Day! This glitter pot is enough for 4-5 applications - so you can share with your friends!
10 mL Glitter Pot
This glitter can be used for:
- Makeup
- Nail Polish
- Lotion
- Hair
Glitter glue/primer is recommended when applying all of our glitters. Some alternatives are aloe vera or clear eyelash glue!
Glitter can be removed with make up remover, make up wipes, or even just a wash cloth!
*All glitters are cosmetic grade, but please test all products on skin prior to application. Not intended for craft/industrial use.


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Swamp Attack Updates
According to the Community page, there are two new episodes of the game came out recently. The last update to Swamp Attack's Facebook page was on April 11, 2018. Here are some Swamp Attack updates that you can look forward to!
In the comments of posts on the Facebook page, players that 'like' the page post requests about what they would like to see improve in the game. They post suggestions about what they want to be updated on the game. One of the players of the game that posted that the 'mines' in the game are missing or no longer part of the game. Players want new 'episodes'. While episode 9 isn't out yet, there are a few smaller updates (two) recently released.
The earliest updates to the game were in 2013. In 2017, there was an 'update' to the multiplayer game on the Swamp Attack Facebook page. On February 12 2018, the game reached one hundred million downloads.
Swamp Attack's webcomics
The webcomics that are posted by the illustrators and developers are short and have punch lines and are hilariously funny. If you haven't heard about them yet, you need to visit their Facebook page to read all their jokes. For one, all the crocodiles in Swamp Attack are "Karl"… Talk about cloning crocs!
However, webcomic wise, the developers of the game have not posted since April 11, 2018. They must be busy trying to build other aspects of the game or focusing on other projects. The webcomics on the page are short comic strips sort of like the kind you would find in the Sunday/syndicated comics. The illustrations/comics on the Swamp Attack Facebook page apparently go along with the storyline and characters in the game. There are long periods of waiting between each game update, but players are happy nonetheless.
Swamp Attack Community
The Swamp Attack community is a large one. There are at least 16,000 people who are in the Facebook Community for Swamp Attack. They love sharing tips and advice with each other. They are also united in their misery in waiting for the new episodes of the game to be out! People who play Swamp Attack make up a pretty niche group. Hence, the bonds between these people are stronger than your average, popular game.


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Me & F collaborated on a video and this is what we made. A press release is below for everyone so can understand the point of the video…
Shout out to Radio B for putting the idea of doing this video for this particular song.
Also much love to OnSmash.com for all the love.
This my first time directing and editing any video… So if you think it's bootleg… FUCK YOU! It took me 3 hours to do and F shot 15 mins of him rapping to make this happen ASSHOLE!!!! 🙂
Anyways… Here it is… -H
Vodpod videos no longer available.
In the wake of the recent murder of 22-year old Oscar Grant by an Oakland police officer on New Year's Day, which was captured on video by various people who witnessed it, up and coming Hip Hop artist Nickelus F has made a music video for a song addressing the issue of police brutality called "The Beast."
It's a well known fact that most cases of police brutality are never reported or swept under the rug by the police themselves or the courts.
Given the turbulent times and various dangers on the streets today, it's becoming harder for police to make clear judgment calls when it comes to tactics they use in restraining a perpetrator. But with this most recent case in Oakland it's very clear that an officer has crossed the line again and something needs to be done.
In this age of video phones and YouTube, it has become almost common place for people who witness these things to document them on video. We urge everyone out there who witnesses events such police brutality to make it be known that police are not above the law and should conduct themselves with the notion of "protecting and serving the people."
The question of what can be done is on "us" the people… Musicians can articulate a point while entertaining, but how we carry on that message as a people is what will bring about change.
Nickelus F's song "The Beast" is a descriptive work that plays on the notion that police carry themselves above the law and the various clips of brutality and murder by police in the video help clearly state his points.


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President Obama seems to know history like I know opera, which means not at all. Everything that I know about opera I learned by watching Bugs Bunny. Perhaps the same is true of the president's knowledge of history.
This candidate, yet another liberal Harvard lawyer, was of course billed as the smartest man in the world but consider the record of the people who make such declarations. You may recall that Al "Forrest" Gore was similarly presented and, frankly, he is an idiot. From my observations over many election cycles I have noticed something about how the Left views political candidates: once you become a viable national democrat candidate you suddenly become both brilliant and good looking in their eyes, it's part of their required candidate-myth. It is backwards thinking in that they assign good qualities to someone they like rather than liking someone with good qualities, but if they were clear logical thinkers they probably would not be statists in the first place.
So Mr. Obama is out there with his best buddies in the media and one of them asks him what should be a softball question for such a smart guy, "How do you define victory in Afghanistan?" Obviously lacking his trusty teleprompter, he replied with some flowery garbage about how it's not like when Emperor Hirohito signed a formal surrender. Anyone who knows anything about history, or even just watches the History channel, knows that it simply never happened, the emperor was not involved in the surrender signing. I think that Mr. Obama is a lot like Biden in that he will say whatever comes to mind, perhaps secure in the knowledge that his fawning myrmidons in the mainstram media will cover for him. Just helping him no doubt sends a thrill up their collective legs. Sometimes it seems that they are all now metaphorical Nina Burleighs for the current president.
This example of POTUS' ignorance of history reminds me of the VP debate this past fall. Sarah Palin and Joe Biden (the dumbest vice president in history, challenged only by Forrest Gore for that classification) debated and I took notes. Though I am just a history-nut engineer, I caught 8 things that Biden got wrong and the next morning I saw that I had missed 6 others – so Biden got 14 things wrong when it came to history and foreign policy. Palin got the AfPak theater's commanding general's name slightly wrong. The next night I tuned into Charlie Gibson's so-called news to see how they reported the VP's mistakes. I was angry, but not surprised, to see ABC completely run interference for their golden boys: the reporter mentioned that both candidates had gotten some things wrong but only specifically mentioned one thing: that Palin misspoke and referred to Gen. McKiernan as Gen. McLelland.
To be fair, that must have caught their attention because today's Democrat party shares so much philosophy with the Copperheads of McLelland's time. The Democrats have not changed in substance since that time: in 1861 they believed in state-sanctioned slavery (and a hundred years later still fought for segregation). In 2009 they believe in a state-sanctioned soft-slavery rightly called Socialism. It's not different in kind from their old slavery, only in degree.


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Chanjuan Chen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State University. She is originally from China. She has a Bachelor of Engineering in Fashion Design from the Xiamen University of Technology and a Master of Fine Arts in Design, with a concentration in Fashion Design, from the University of North Texas. In addition to teaching, she also has industry experience working as a fashion designer, technical designer, and graphic designer in both China and the United States.
Chen's research focuses on developing new and innovative ways to infuse concepts of fashion sustainability into her transformable designs. She typically uses creative construction methods and natural fabrics and dyes to present her multi-wear clothing collection. Her designs have been recognized by numerous academic and professional organizations and was recently awarded the Cotton Inc. Innovations in Cotton Design at both the International Textile and Apparel Association 2013 and 2014 Annual Conferences.
Chen's goal is to attempt to design unique clothes which are functional and sustainable as well as aesthetically pleasing with the hope that it will contribute to improving the human condition.


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Title: Chased By Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders)
Author: Melissa Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2016
"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak
"Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely
Actress Trish Ryder takes her job seriously and has no time for those who don't. When she's awarded a major role in a new movie featuring America's hottest rock star, Boone Stryker, she's beyond excited. The six-two, tattooed hunk of burning desire is known for his dedication to his craft–but when he ditches their first meeting, she begins to wonder if he's just another rocker with a great PR team.Sex, booze, women, and music pretty much sum up Boone Stryker's private world. He's coasted through life playing by his own rules with plenty of people willing to cover his tracks, and he's not likely to change–until he meets a woman who refuses to give him the time of day, much less anything more.Sparks fly from the first moment Trish and Boone meet–Tensions run hot and desire runs hotter when they're trapped together on a remote location with no place to hide. Will sparks ignite, or will a hurricane douse the flames?
MORE RYDERS coming soon!
Seized by Love (Blue)
Claimed by Love (Duke)
Chased by Love (Trish)
Rescued by Love (Jake)
Swept Into Love (Gage)
Order your copy today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | KOBO | Google Play | IBooks | Smashwords | Paperback
my review
Rating: 4 out of 5 STARS
What a pleasant surprise! This is my first book that I've read from his author and I'm sure it won't be the last. When I saw the blurb for the story I thought 'That sounds like an interesting story, why not give it a go.', and that's exactly what I did. So happy how the story turned out. There is basically almost no drama and what little it is it's done in a very good way with great emotional background. Also, I loved that the heroine, Trish, and the hero, Boone, didn't have moments of doubt about each other. That really added more to the story and I believed in their relationship more. Had one of them chosen a different path, I'm sure I wouldn't like the story as I do now. I'm not sure, if this is a slow burn romance story but to me it felt like the perfect pace. They didn't fall in bed with each other at first sight and that's what this story needed. They definitely became great friends and that's what both needed to happen first.
I enjoyed both Trish and Boone's character. They are just such fun to read about. And the way they are with each other, yeah, they make a great team, professionally and personally. As the blurb says, they a re co-stars of a movie they are making and Boone has some real trouble diving into his character and making him come alive on the screen. He's making Trish and the crew some gray hairs and at the final decision of the director, he has ten days to make a brilliant performance or the movie whole is canceled. And that's where Trish, his co-star comes in. At first she wants to kill him for not taking the role seriously enough but as they spent more time together, just the two of them, she starts to see the real Boone, not the partying rock star that he makes everyone believe he is. Boone is an amazing person who cares for his family more than anything and that really comes to show as the story goes on. It's safe to say that I loved how the story progressed. Trish really knew how to be a first class actress but that's not all that she is. She loves her family, has a big heart, can be stubborn, sometimes a bit pushy and just knows how to handle Boone. She pushes his limits and helps him defeat some of his demons that are holding him back from shooting one particular scene in the movie.
I can't tell you enough times how much I loved this story. Since this is a series we also get to see characters from previous books and I have to say that I really liked them all. Trish's brohers are so OTT protective, it's insane but that only makes them that more adorable and likable. Boone's family is super great, too! And don't even got me started on the cute little kitten that captured both Boone and Trish's hearts. Soooo cute!!! Just for that reason alone I would give this book a chance.
I definitely recommed it!
About The Author
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary's Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.
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