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Maybe you have employed to run a neighborhood search, connect with a friend or write a evaluation about a terrible restaurant you visited. Hiring an ad or PR agent can take you and what ever it is that you are promoting to levels of good results that you only dream about. A devoted PR firm will have an insight into your business methods and objectives and this eventually helps them in devising a cautious plan at the finish. Analysis: You have to uncover out regardless of whether the PR officers can carry out proper study in bringing out a strategy for your business as value of investigation has enormously increased in all disciplines of marketplace to understand company atmosphere.
I recommend carrying out a search in Boston and seeing what comes up. Business is a good degree for the biz. To they guy who wondered if he should leave NYC at age 21 to move to Hollywood, and if it was as well late for him to do so, I have 3 words for you: You are A Infant! In truth, many public relations agencies have people who work 24/7 on the web scouring the Web for any mention of the brand names they are associated with, or have contracts with corporations for.
The part of PR agencies grow to be detrimental in a product launch or similar occasion as they know how to attract clients and make them addicted to the item or service. You should know that a PR agency helps your organization to prosper right after pondering about a situation, creatively applying all the appropriate tactics and strategies to it, analyzing what can be carried out and determining its outcome.
Then you will discover all the ropes and uncover out if functioning for an agency is what you imagined it would be like. It is essential that the agency you are hiring has the possible of adding strategic value to the occasion more than anything else. There are a lot of small business think that maintaining pr agency for sustaining their reputation is quite pricey.
Ahead of any Boston Advertising and marketing Firm , Boston Branding Agency or Boston Public Relations Firm can create brand loyalty for its clients, a robust brand label, image, and presence in the industry need to be established. I am from the Los Angeles metropolitan location and have attempted to make contact with several agencies (CAA, ICM, WME, UTA, and so forth.)with regards to their assistant/trainee programs nevertheless, I have yet to obtain any responses (I sent a cover letter and resume).…


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Featuring a wonderfully detailed high-back, wrap around shape that just oozes the promise of sumptuous comfort, the Olsen collection makes the perfect choice for both classic and contemporary homes alike. Offering a choice of standard fixed back 3 seat and 2 seat sofas, plus matching armchair, each piece is also available with the option of an easy to operate, premium quality, manual or fully powered recliner action, allowing you to put together the perfect combination to suit you, your lifestyle and your home.
Copyright © 2020 London Lounge. Website design by Iconography.

subset: commoncrawl


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I am so excited that we are finally, after two years, getting a pool! The kids are going to have a blast this summer and so will mom! I get to exercise by swimming! I had a pool practically my whole childhood and since I've been married (14 years) we haven't had a pool. It took some convincing, but we went out on Memorial Day weekend and actually bought it! It will be installed on the 9th and I am going to get some pool gear this week! It is a 18′ above ground pool. It has an upgraded staircase thing, solar cover and a do it yourself vacuum! No more doing it by hand, just drop the little thing in the pool and watch it go to work! The only thing I am concerned with is the chemicals. I am no scientist so this should be interesting! I'll be sure to update with pics for you all so you can live the dream right along with me! 🙂 WOOT!
Filed under: Weekend Fun | Leave a comment »


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Get into Genes is an award-winning program that has been helping secondary school students and teachers explore the use of gene technology in modern agriculture.
It was established in South Australia in 2004 by the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics and Molecular Plant Breeding CRC, with support from the Grains Research Development Corporation. Since then more than 20,000 secondary school students and teachers have attended the program in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Get into Genes is curriculum-linked, which has encouraged teachers to return to the program with new students year after year. These return visits are a testament to the validity of the program.
Real-life Australian research examples are discussed during Get into Genes, providing the 'hook' students need to grasp and remember concepts. Students also make the important connection between agriculture and their food.
Get into Genes incorporates professional development for secondary school teachers, giving them the confidence to teach agricultural biotechnology in the classroom. With additional funding from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Get into Genes has been brought to more than 1000 students in remote and rural areas across South Australia and Victoria.


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The United States (-36) shot its fourth-consecutive round below par to claim a nine-stroke victory over second place Germany (-27) in the Boys Division of the 2016 TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL in Toyota City, Aichi-Prefecture, Japan. It is the Americans' eighth title but their first since 2005. Thailand took third place at 22-under, two shots clear of Korea and South Africa (-20) – who tied for fourth.
"It's been a long time coming," American captain J.R. Steinbauer said. "They really played their hearts out and never gave up. I'm very proud of them and – after 10 years – it's nice to have the trophy again."
Chile (-15) used a final round 201 (-12) to jump up to sixth – four strokes ahead of seventh place Sweden (-11). Defending champion Japan (-4) claimed the eighth spot while New Zealand and Norway tied for ninth at 1-under and Canada dropped to 11th at plus-1. Mexico (+11), the Netherlands (+22), Zimbabwe (+23) and Brazil (+37) rounded out the boys' field.
Chile's Joaquin Niemann – the 2015 runner-up – shot a tournament record 62 (-9) to claim the Boys Division individual title at 17-under. Dylan Naidoo of South Africa – the leader following the second and third rounds – fell to second place at minus-12.
Five players – German teammates Marc Hammer and Max Schmitt, Sadom Kaewkajana of Thailand, Japan's Takumi Kanaya and Norman Xiong of the United States – finished in a tie for third at 9-under. Four more competitors – Americans Austin Eckroat and Will Thomson, Kousuke Hamamoto of Thailand and Korea's Kang Taeyoung – tied for eighth at minus-8.
In the Girls' Division, the United States (-18) shot its second-consecutive 139 to hold off defending champion Japan (-13) and claim its first event championship.
"I think the team played great today," United States girls coach Kory Henkes said. "Making birdies down the stretch was huge for us. I'm really proud of the entire team and it's been a great week."
Spain (-4) took home third place – one shot ahead of Korea (-3) and two clear of fifth place Italy (-2). Mexico (+4) jumped up to take the sixth spot while Argentina and South Africa (+11) tied for seventh and Australia (+28) finished in ninth.
American Kristen Gillman (-10) completed her wire-to-wire run atop the leaderboard to claim the Girls Division individual trophy. Japan's Mone Inami (-6) took second – one shot ahead of her teammate Riri Sadoyama and Alyaa Abdulghany of the United States (-5). Italy's Angelica Moresco and Ana Pelaez of Spain tied for fifth at 4-under – a single stroke ahead of Korea's Jung Ahram and Isabella Fiero of Mexico (-3). Kaitlyn Papp of the United States (+1) and South Africa's Ivanna Samu (+2) rounded out the individual top 10.
The 2016 TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL is the world's only junior golf championship in which 15 national teams – winners of regional qualifiers held across six continents and participated in by nearly 65 national teams – compete for the world championship.
TOYOTA CITY, Japan –
2016 TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP Supported by JAL Official Site : http://www.wjgtc.org/


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Some days,
We can bounce from this…
To this…
Up and down. Down and up. Sweet and sour. Good and bad. Laughter and tears. Happy and sad.
Things have been moving slowly but steadily in the family day care department. I encountered a few delays and glitches in the administrative side of things, but thankfully it's all sorted out now.
The calls and enquiries have started trickling, mostly from parents just asking around. I've had to turn down a couple of really interested parents because I was not able to meet certain specific requirements they needed. But two families have pretty much confirmed their interest. Next step will be to arrange an introductory meeting and take it from there,
Hope you are having a nice day wherever you are.
Here are some nice bits and pieces I've picked up lately…
12 things family day care providers wish parents knew
8 birthing practices from waaaay back when
Smash Books, the new way to Un-scrapbook
5 simple ways to organise the play room
And also sometimes it doesn't always pay to be an early adopter, otherwise you'd be left high and dry sitting on sad half-baked versions of…
The first computer mouse, which was essentially a wooden block on wheels.
The first electronic calculator, considered pretty lightweight at that time weighing 30 pounds.
And the world's first microwave oven, measuring 6 feet tall and costing $5,000. It didn't sell very well apparently. Can't imagine why.
Linking up to Sakura Haruka,
Little Drummer Boys and
Twinkle in the Eye


text: awsmness , Jul 21, 2017 : Hi, Day before yesterday I bought my first OP3T. Out of box I found OxygenOS OS 3.5.1 came pre-installed. I found that software update available (4.1.6) as OTA. But I am not sure should I perform an OTA update or is there any way to perform a 'fresh/clean install'? (As I used to do on my iPhone via iTunes) Main reason I am concerned because I want to save space (internal memory) also I always prefer clean install over updates. Thanks.


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Rockbox mail archiveSubject: Re: iRiver Port Congratulations
From: Linus Nielsen Feltzing (linus_at_haxx.se)
Date: 2004-10-01
dave_at_beermex.com wrote:
> Congratulations on getting the BDM interface working!
Thank you.
> Does your version of gdb support the 5249?
As far as I know. The only thing I can think of that would not be
> (And is the interface fast enough to keep up with it??)
The speed is not a problem, the wiggler controls the communication speed.
> So we're one step closer to getting code running on the iRiver... swweeeet
Page was last modified "Jan 10 2012" The Rockbox Crew


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UNESCO/mission/reforms – Palestinian membership/US and Israeli funding freeze
Paris, November 9, 2011
Madam President of the General Conference,
Madam Director-General,
Members of Parliament,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm very happy to welcome you this evening, on the occasion of the 36th UNESCO General Conference. Every two years, this conference enables us to reaffirm our joint commitment to protecting, transmitting and sharing knowledge and culture.
This commitment is particularly strong here in Paris, where the Palais UNESCO contributes to spreading the capital's influence and – in the eyes of Parisians and all French people – symbolizes France's determination to send out her humanist message to the world. It's also a symbol of the close ties between diplomacy and culture, a symbol of our profound conviction that our cultural policy abroad is a major trump card for furthering our aims and the values we uphold in the international arena: peace, human rights, development and solidarity among peoples. It's this conviction that guided us at the G8 summit in Deauville, where the French presidency wished to give a full role to Internet-related issues. I'll have an opportunity to reaffirm this on 13 December, in the framework of the seminar on cultural diplomacy that we're organizing on Xavier Darcos's initiative.
Allow me first of all to thank all the ministers and heads of delegation, who have come from every continent to take part in this General Conference. By their presence, they embody the universal nature of UNESCO, the living force of our organization.
I'd also like to pay tribute to you, Madam Director-General, for your commitment and determination.
Since your election at the last General Conference, UNESCO has done remarkable work in promoting the right to education, equal opportunities, cultural diversity, sustainable development and solidarity. I'm thinking about the adoption of a recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, the organization of the first meeting of states parties to the 1970 convention against illicit trafficking in cultural property, and the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
Under your authority, the organization has embarked on an in-depth reform and has been able to overhaul its programmes. It has adapted its agenda better to the international calendar and coordinated its action more effectively with that of the other players in the UN system. In Cannes, the G20 summit emphasized that this is necessary in a world that is changing ever more quickly and presenting us with a constant stream of fresh challenges.
Your commitment and determination will be more necessary than ever in the coming weeks and months.
As we all know, UNESCO is going to go through a difficult period, as a result of the announced interruption of American and Israeli funding following Palestine's admission as its 195th member. Of course, we hope the United States will find a way of continuing to contribute to UNESCO's programmes, to which she is committed. We also call on Israel to reconsider her decision to freeze her share.
In this delicate period, France stands alongside UNESCO and alongside you, Madam Director-General. Let's not close our eyes to reality: adjustments and structural reforms will be necessary. It won't be easy, and we have every confidence that you'll carry them through successfully. As far as we're concerned, the budgetary constraints we're facing leave us little room for manoeuvre. But we'll examine with all our partners – particularly in Europe and the Gulf – the ways and means to support the organization so that it continues to fulfil its mission.
More than ever, the world needs UNESCO, its message of peace and its development programmes in support of education, science and culture. (…)./.


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Reviews of The Earl Of Essex
Pubman79 (Averaging 3.3 from 86 reviews)
28th Jan 2013 - This is a proper beer pub. Its got a great selection of beer and is going to be brewing its own once they have fixed the tanky thing behind the bar. Im not very reliably informed by a regualar that they have a round pipe and a square hole for it to fit in. It was very busy for a Friday night back street pub. Its not an area you stumble upon you'd have to be looking for it. They had some great pictures on the wall and it was all very simply done. No extraneous tat that some pub companies feel is needed. The beer menu reminded me of the hymn selection at church. A large wooden board where the days beers are printed off and slide into a slot. As thats such an appalling description I suggest you either go see for yourself or look at the picture below it can just be made out in the background. As a man who likes his pubs a little quieter I think my next visit will be a saturday afternoon. The only warning I have is that a lot of the people in here on a Friday night are architects and therefore prone to talking a lot of bollocks. Still I suppose they have to go somewhere. Oh and before I forget it does have a nice beer garden at the back.
fin (Averaging 2.8 from 433 reviews)
4th Oct 2008 - Tucked away in the back streets of Angel, this pub caters well for the local residents. It never seems to be busy, which is a shame as it can't be too long before someone will want to turn it into a gastro. It's a bit smelly, but you get used to it, and there is a pool table and dart board for your entertainment.
No website listed.
No Facebook page listed.
No Twitter account listed.
No e-mail address listed.
What's on
There are no upcoming events.
It's a pub
Dart board
Pool table
Nearby pubs
Nearby Stations
Angel 0.3 miles
Essex Road 0.5 miles
Old Street 0.8 miles
Highbury & Islington 0.8 miles
Highbury and Islington 0.8 miles
Are you the landlord? Claim this listing by registering.


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Facebook C# SDK - Glimpse into the Future2.7.2012
The Move
I'm excited to announce that Facebook C# SDK will be moving to a new home at Github (https://github.com/facebook-csharp-sdk/facebook-csharp-sdk) along with SimpleJson (https://github.com/facebook-csharp-sdk/simple-json).
Moving forward we will be using Github for source control and bugs/suggestions (all bugs from codeplex have already been migrated) and Github pages for documentation (https://github.com/facebook-csharp-sdk/facebook-csharp-sdk.github.com). Stackoverflow with tag "facebook-c#-sdk" will be used for asking questions.
NuGet packages will be used as primary distribution for compiled binaries. This means Github downloads will not contain all the releases for compiled binaries but rather the most recent binaries only. Developers using Visual Studio earlier then 2010 or Express Editions will require to use the nuget command line tool.
The Future
With the move to Github we are also announcing a pre-release version of vNEXT (v6.0.1-alpha). A lot has happened in the past few months with introduction to Enhanced OAuth Dialog, Open Graph and ETags to name a few that a time has come for us to rethink how we develop Facebook apps. This has lead us to completely rewrite v6 from scratch.
Tons of features has been added to v6 along with removal of existing features which doesn't make much sense in the present context.
Anonymous Objects as Parameters
One of the most exciting feature to land in v6 is using anonymous object as parameters rather then Dictionary<string,object> or ExpandoObject. (Dictionary and ExpandoObject will continue to work).


text: It's about time! Time for me to finally design and decide on my own letterpress stationery. I just received a beautiful package of custom letterpressed stationery from my wonderful printer (Fireside Printing) and I could not be more thrilled with the results. The wardrobe is 2 pieces: A7 Flat Notes with a fretwork board and EM interlocking letters in addition to a small 4Bar Flat Card with my name in calligraphy by the talented Bride Whelan. I plan to use the larger cards for longer notes and correspondence and the smaller cards for quick notes and enclosure cards. We printed the wardrobe in my signature seaglass blue color on 220lb double weight Crane Lettra. Let me know if you are interested in placing an order for custom letterpress stationery for yourself – it is the ultimate treat! [email protected]


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You should no longer use yum-updatesd for updating your server as it will soon be depreciated. Unfortunately it's still the standard that is shipped with CentOS 5. You should use yum-cron for updating your CentOS and RHEL servers.
yum -y remove yum-updatesd yum -y install yum-cron service yum-cron start chkconfig yum-cron
You can see your /var/log/yum.log for updates done. Please do not use yum-cron in combination with external repositories as it might break your server. In case your server runs important production, do not enable automatic updates. The server is important enough to do manual updates for.
This feature is great for updating simple servers that host dns-services etc. You shouldn't enable automatic updates for production.


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Students with High Intellectual Potential (SHIP)
Thinking Skills Curriculum
Grange Primary School recognises that students who possess exceptional and unique abilities, talents and interests:
- learn at a pace and depth that sets them apart from their age peers; and
require modifications to their teaching and learning experiences so that they become confident, independent and self-directed learners.
Gifted students are identified as a result of observations and information from a range of sources.
Formal strategies may include:
- Psychologists' reports
- Standard Progressive Matrices
- Slosson IQ test
- Achievement tests (including Naplan results)
Informal strategies may include:
- Teacher observations and anecdotal notes
- Checklists of traits and characteristics
- Cumulative school history
- Interviews
- Competition results
- Nomination forms
Differentiation programmes are negotiated and based on individual student's needs and may include:
- Early entry
- Year level acceleration
- Subject acceleration
- Working with a mentor/LAP
- Enrichment /extension programmes including work at Seaton High School
- Individual contracts
- Higher Order Thinking Strategies integrated in classroom programmes
- Competitions such as Tournament of the Minds, Oliphant Science Awards, ICAS, Future Problem Solving, Math Olympiad, Poetry.
- Higher Order Thinking Skills
Staff at Grange Primary School acknowledge that all students benefit from learning experiences that develop their creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, reasoning ability, and
skills in decision-making and communication.
All students are offered teaching and learning programmes which integrate a range of Higher Order Thinking Skills including:
- De Bono's Six Thinking Hats
- Graphic organisers such as The Fishbone and Consequence Wheel
Compass Rose
- PMI (Pluses/Minuses/Interesting)
- Moral Dilemmas
- Staff Professional Development
Grange Primary School teachers actively engage in on-going professional learning and training about:
- the characteristics and needs of gifted students identification processes
- appropriate instructional strategies to use in the classroom, within each school and across the Cluster
- integration of higher order thinking skills across curricular areas.
**Established in 2001, the Tangara SHIP Cluster consists of four schools in the western suburbs of Adelaide in South Australia. The membership schools are: Hendon Primary School (Preschool – Year 7), Grange Primary School (Reception – Year 7), West Lakes Shore Primary School (Reception – Year 7) and Seaton High School (Year 8 – Year 12).
Download Gifted Learners Policy
Download Thinking Skills Policy


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Thank you so very much for taking the time to fill out this application. It will help me to gain a clearer understanding of how I can adapt the immersion to meet your needs.
Emergency contact:
Please write as much or as little as you feel called to on the questions below:
Please note that submission of the application form does not automatically guarantee you a place in the training.
We will endeavor to notify you if your application has been successful within 1 week of submission of the online application form.
If you application is successful, payment of the deposit (US$300) must be made within 7 days upon notification for your place to be secured.
Full payment is due 10 days prior to the start of the training. Payment plans are welcome.
In the unlikely event the program is cancelled by Freedom Through Movement, your payment and your deposit will be returned minus an administrative cost of US$100. Thank you for your understanding.
Travel expenditures will not be reimbursed, and are considered each individual's own liability. We strongly encourage students to purchase Travel Insurance.
Local rates for Indonesian students and scholarships for those with special circumstances that prevent them from being able to pay the full price are available upon request. Please note that the spaces are limited and reserved for those with the most sincere need. Please do not ask for a discount without very good reason.


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Checkout Pemesanan
Detail Tour
Komodo Tour The Dragon
Komodo Tour
|Rp /pax
Hari 01 Arrival - LABUANBAJO-KELOR-RINCA-PADAR
14:00-14:15 Arrival at Labuhan Bajo Airport and transfer to Labuan Bajo Harbor
14:30-16:30 Boat to Rinca Island with Semi Phinisi Boat
16:30-18:00 Trekkin at Rinca Island, to know closely the Komodo Dragon – Snack on Boat
18:30-20:00 Boat to Padar Island. Dinner on Boat
21:00-21:20 Overnight on Boat
Hari 02 PADAR-KOMODO-PINK BEACH-TAKA MAKASAR – KALONG
05:30.07:00 Trekking at Padar Island
07:00-09:00 Boat to Komodo Island . Breakfast on Boat
09:00-12:00 Trekking at Komodo Island
12:00-12:30 Boat to Pink Beach
12:30:14:00 Snorkeling and Swimming . Lunch at Pink Beach
14:00-17:00 Boat to Taka Makasar. Snorkeling and Swimming – Snack on Boat
17:00-18:00 Boat to Kalong Island. Dinner on Boat
21:00-21:20 Overnight on Boat
Hari 03 MANTA POINT – KANAWA - LABUAN BAJO
07:00.09:00 Snorkeling and Swimming
09:00-10:00 Boat to Kanawa
10:00-12:00 Snorkeling and Swimming, Free at own Leisure
12:00-13:30 Boat to Labuan Bajo
14:00:14:30 Arrival Labuan Bajo
14:30-15:00 Transfer to Hotel
15:00 - : drop to Cajoma Guest House or similar
19:00-21:0 Dinner at Tree Top Resto
21:00-21:30 Overnight Hotel
Hari 04 LABUAN BAJO – Next Destinations
07:00-08:00 Bfast at Hotel
08:00-09:30 Visit Batu Cermin (Stone of Mirror)
09:30-10:30 Photo hunting at Bukit Cinta ( Love Hill)
10:30-11:00 Drive to Exotic Resto
12:00-13:00 Lunch Exotic Resto
13:00-13:15 Transfer to Labuan Bajo Airport
13:15-13:45 Check in Check in at Airport
14:45-14:55 Next destinations
Transfers and Tours as a program
2 night Cabin Boat Semi Phinisi (CAJOMA ECO) / Similar - AC
1 night at Cajoma Guest House 2* include BF
3 x BF, 3x Lunch, 3x Dinner on Boat dan 1x Dinner at Tree Top Restaurant
Refreshment during tour
Entrance ticket
Snorkeling Gear
Indonesia speaking guide
All personal expenses such as tip, laundry, telephone , ect
Flight ticket
Soft drink and alcoholics beverages
- Valid only for CAJOMA ECO Boat and Cajoma Cottage
- Maximum Capacity 13 pax share room
- Available 3 cabin with share bathroom and toilet
- For group more than 13 pax, will consider to accommodate other boat with new quotations, due to the size and number of cabin
** Valid for Domestic Market only
Cajoma Eco Boat availability Date of TRIP
6 Hari 5 Malam
Kontak Kami
Apabila ada yang ditanyakan, silahkan hubungi kami melalui kontak di bawah ini.
LINE IDdreamlandholiday


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Secure Shopping
Safe Shopping Guarantee
We use some of the most sophisticated commercially available security software, it is extremely unlikely that any personal information that you transmit to us will be misappropriated. In the rare instance that an unauthorized person obtains your credit card information and uses it, by federal law, you are only liable for the first $50. In any instance where you have discovered or suspect fraud, you need to contact your credit card companies immediately. Because we are so confident in our security measures, we will reimburse you for the $50 not covered by your credit card company. That's our security guarantee. And for you, it means there is no risk when shopping at ItalianoFashion.
Shop With Confidence
We ensure the integrity of every order by using Geo-Trust (online leader in security transactions). You can be assured that your private information will never be distributed, sold, or rented.


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Before addressing whether there's a European requirement for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Good Clinical Practice (GCP), we need to consider whether ICH GCP (i.e. as provided by the International Conference on Harmonisation) remains the international standard following the publication of the Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC) and the GCP Directive (2005/28/EC). Why? Mainly because the Clinical Trials Directive did not explicitly mention ICH GCP, leading to the perennial question of: which GCP should we be following? So here goes my answer, particularly for those of us affected by European legislation, with a wee bit of context to explain it.
In Europe, the principles of Good Clinical Practice were adopted in July 1996, and became operational in January 1997. These principles were laid down in the community guideline: Note for Guidance on Good Clinical Practice (CPMP/ICH/135/95), otherwise known as ICH Topic E 6 (R1) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice or ICH GCP. Despite having no uniform legal framework for implementation, ICH GCP was largely adhered to within the European Community (EC) as a set of 13 internationally recognised principles for conducting clinical trials. In turn, these were founded in the bioethical principles established in the Declaration of Helsinki. But, its adoption as a regulatory standard was neither complete nor uniform.
In 2001, Directive 2001/20/EC - legislation known as the Clinical Trials Directive - eventually provided a common legal framework across Member States for monitoring and enforcing GCP standards in the conduct of clinical trials. This was followed in 2005 with the GCP Directive (2005/28/EC), which further specified the requirements. However, Directives have to be transposed into national law, in each Member State (within three years of their publication). This created scope for differing interpretations of the intended regulatory requirements, somewhat at odds with the goal of harmonisation.
Even so, ICH GCP is the cornerstone standard within both the Clinical Trial Directive (Article 1, clauses 2 and 3), and the GCP Directive (Recital paragraphs 1 and 8; Article 1, clause 1a). Far from receiving less emphasis, its principles have been adopted in both Directives, where it must be taken into account by anyone conducting clinical trials with investigational medicinal products. As such, it provides a basic standard for the conduct of clinical trials in a "set of internationally recognised ethical and scientific quality requirements, which must be observed for designing, recording and reporting trials that involve the participation of human subjects."
Is there a European requirement for GCP SOPs?
This then brings me to the question about requirements for SOPs. Even if this requirement isn't explicitly stated in European legislation, the burden to satisfy it exists nonetheless, particularly for sponsors because, according to ICH GCP 5.1.1 they're responsible for "QA and QC systems with written SOPs to ensure that trials are conducted in compliance with the protocol, GCP, and the applicable regulatory requirement(s)." Likewise, Investigational Review Boards (IRBs) or Independent Ethics Committees (IECs) - as they're better known across Europe - also need to have SOPs for their functions (ICH GCP 3.2.2).
What are the requirements for EU Member States?
As it turns out, in the GCP Directive the requirement for SOPs is emphasised less for sponsors, and more for Member States, since their inspectors need appropriate tools for verifying GCP compliance (Chapter 6, Inspection Procedures, Article 26: "Member States shall establish the relevant procedures for verification of good clinical practice compliance. The procedures shall include the modalities for examining both the study management procedures and the conditions under which clinical trials are planned, performed, monitored and recorded, as well as follow-up measures.")
So there you have it: SOPs are required tools for sponsors to ensure GCP compliance. For inspectors they're required tools for verifying compliance. As an all-encompassing requirement in the GCP Directive, it often seems to escape attention as the expression of the requirement for SOPs, perhaps because it appears understated. But it's there in Chapter 2, entitled Good Clinical Practice for the design, conduct, recording and reporting of clinical trials in Article 2, clause 4: "The necessary procedures to secure the quality of every aspect of the trials shall be complied with."
I don't know about you, but I think that's all about SOPs. Admittedly, the problem with interpreting law is we can't always see the wood for the trees, particularly when talking letter versus spirit of the law interpretation. What do you think?
Links to the Clinical Trials Directive, GCP Directive and the ICH GCP guideline can all be found on the European Medicines Agency website on the link below.
European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Marie's Blog on the Difference between ICH and WHO GCPs
Dr. Marie McKenzie Mills MICR, CSci, CBiol, MSB (aka Dr M | The SOP Doc) is a Medical Affairs specialist and trainer, with a background in the medical and social sciences. In 1996, Marie established McKenzie Mills Partnership, based in the United Kingdom. McKenzie Mills Partnership provides consultancy services across the spectrum of training, medical information, medical writing, and clinical research. She can be reached at: email@example.com.


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Friday, 10 October 2008
Turnberry Hotel gets £30 million makeover
for Open Golf Championship
A DELEGATION from Leisurecorp, the Dubai-based new owners of the Turnberry Golf resort, visited Ayrshire this week to reveal details of their £30 million plans to renovate and refurbish the Turnberry Hotel.
Internationally acclaimed designer Mary Fox Linton has been chosen to mastermind the makeover.
One of the first things Ms Fox Linton said she wanted to do, apart from ripping up the carpet, was to uncover the windows in the reception area to bring back the astonishing views of Ailsa Craig and the Turnberry Lighthouse.
She said her aim was to peel back the many refurbishments of the hotel and return it to how its architect, Glaswegian James Miller, had intended it.
The designer stressed that heritage and preservation were more her thing than the rush of shimmer and bling.
In three weeks, Leisurecorp, the development firm owned by the Dubai government, will officially receive ownership of Turnberry Hotel and Golf Course. Its investment will bring Turnberry into the same family as some of the world's most exclusive courses, such as Dubai's Jumeirah resort.
But Leisurecorp is keen to stress that the true links course, which is split by deep coastal shelves and is open to non-members, will not merely become another playground for the rich and famous.
"People think that you have come from Dubai and it will all be about these very flamboyant skyscrapers, but that is of course not what Turnberry is about," said Alan Rogers, chief executive of the firm.
"There is something so magical about Turnberry. Turnberry Hotel has always been one of the great icons of Scottish tourism, and I just adore the place. There is an amazing serenity here, and that is what Turnberry is about."
The hotel was built by Miller, an architect who had found a niche in designing railway stations, including Prestwick and Troon.
Turnberry Hotel will close at the beginning of November, as will the golf course, and reopen at the start of July 2009 - ready for the 138th Open Golf Championship which will draw thousands of spectators and millions of pounds to the Ayrshire coast next summer. The drive by Leisurecorp is to make sure that the style of redevelopment is "indigenous" to its surroundings. Scottish suppliers will be used where possible.
Historic Scotland and South Ayrshire Council have already been involved in hitting the right tone, and getting the approval of local people would appear to be important.
Ms Fox Linton said: "I would hate people to think that the hotel was pompous. We want everyone to be able to come in an enjoy it."
Mr Rogers said he wanted the community to be involved in the resort as much as possible: "Turnberry is an integral part of the south Ayrshire economy, and tourism is the leader of the economy. It is a mainstay of Scottish golf tourism."
Revealed: How Dubai Got Turnberry CLICK HERE
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Posted by Ayrshire Scotland Business News at 11:14 pm No comments:
Labels: golf, golf courses, Leisurecorp, Open Championship, Open Golf Championship, Turnberry Hotel, Westin Turnberry, Westin Turnberry Hotel, Westin Turnberry Resort
£3.8 million boost to rural economy in Ayrshire
RURAL economies across the whole of Ayrshire have received a massive financial boost this week, thanks to a £3.38 million award to be administered by South Ayrshire Council.
The money comes from LEADER, a European funding programme aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas and is delivered through a local partnership known as a Local Action Group, made up of partners from many public and private organisations.
It aims to develop rural business networks that will build knowledge, improve skills, encourage innovation and co-operation in order to positively tackle the challenges of rural living.
The Ayrshire Local Action Group will encourage small scale projects that will develop opportunities for keeping or attracting young people to rural areas or initiatives aimed at the creation of nature based projects.
Other project examples could include community organisations that need assistance with training members, rural development and giving support to the local area.
Councillor Hugh Hunter, Leader of South Ayrshire Council (pictured above) said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to drive forward a truly community centred approach to rural development across East, North and South Ayrshire.
"Administered by South Ayrshire Council, LEADER will encourage innovative and sustainable projects that will directly benefit rural communities and we have worked hard to create opportunities for those who live in rural areas. This is another sign that our commitment is bearing fruit."
Chair of South Ayrshire Council's Rural Panel, Alec Oattes said: "I'm delighted that rural areas are hitting the headlines with such positive news. This funding will allow small scale projects to make a valuable and sustainable difference to community development in the widest possible sense."
Invitations to promotional events in East, North and South Ayrshire will be advertised in local papers and it is expected that a senior Scottish Government figure will launch the Ayrshire LEADER programme soon.
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Thursday, 9 October 2008
Office accommodation to let at Hannah Business Park in Ayr
MODERN office accommodation at Hannah Business Park in Ayr is now available to let.
A low density office campus set in a rural location around two miles east of Ayr town centre, Hannah Business Park is only two minutes drive time from the A77 at the Whitletts Roundabout.
A spokesman for the letting agents said: "Hannah Business park offers modern office space with ample car parking set in a pleasant rural location on favourable lease terms.
"Comprising a detached office building with a series of cellular office rooms, our clients are seeking to dispose of their leasehold interest in this property by assignation or sub lease."
Rental offers are invited for the 1000 sq ft property.
E-mail enquiries: CLICK HERE
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Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Great Ayrshire golfer honoured with memorial
IN golfing circles, Andrew Strath's name might not be as well known as Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie or Sam Torrance's, but in career terms he's up there on a par with them all.
[Pictured at the memorial for Andrew Strath, left to tight: Lesley Cannon (South Ayrshire Council) Councillor Hywel Davies, Donald Turner (Prestwick Golf Club) Councillor Hugh Hunter, Ian Bunch (Prestwick Golf Club) and Philip Ewing (South Ayrshire Council). CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]
Now, 143 years after he won the most prestigious tournament of them all, Andrew Strath is being honoured as an unsung hero of the professional circuit.
Born in 1836, Strath won the Open Championship at Prestwick in 1865, having been the runner-up the previous year, third in 1860, fourth in 1863 and fourth again in 1867.
Today, this record alone would make for a golfing superstar, but Strath's achievement is truly remarkable, given that he was an apprentice clubmaker and not a full-time professional. Not only that, he was competing in a sport that was heavily dominated by the likes of Willie Park Senior, Tom Morris Senior and his son Tom Morris Junior.
Having partnered 'Old' Tom Morris in a number of challenges matches that were a feature of golf at the time, Andrew eventually succeeded him as the Greenkeeper at Prestwick Golf Club in 1865.
Sadly though, his career was cut short by tuberculosis and he died just three years later in 1868 aged just 32.
That's where the story might have ended, but for the tenacity of several members of Prestwick Golf Club, whose historical research flagged up the news that Strath's remains lie in the town's St Nicholas' Church.
Appropriately enough it's barely a couple of shots and a short putt away from the Prestwick Club itself and, after a ceremony on Monday 6 October 2008, a plaque commemorating and remembering Andrew Strath's life and career was unveiled by Councillor Hywel Davies.
Even though his success may lie in a bygone era, it's a grandstand finish and a fitting tribute for a local and national golfing champion.
[FOOTNOTE: Andrew Strath's brother David was runner-up in the Open both in 1872 and 1876 and another brother, George, was the first golf professional at Troon. He later emigrated to the USA.
The family name lives on by way of the Strath bunker which stands in front of the 11th green on the St Andrews Old Course.]
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Monday, 6 October 2008
Kyle Academy annexe is nominated for Best Building award
THE new Kyle Academy annexe has been nominated for the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2008.
The company which designed the annexe, Ryder Architecture, has nominated the annexe to The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
The £2 million pound annexe, which was part of South Ayrshire Council's Public Private Partnership project, was completed in October 2007.
Councillor Hywel Davies is South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity and officially opened the new annexe. He said: "The Kyle Academy annexe is a very distinctive design, housing a very functional building.
"I watched the annexe being built, and I knew that it was going to be an asset, but I could not have known what a positive impact it would have on the school and the local community.
"Everyone involved in the project should be proud that it has been nominated for such a prestigious award."
The architectural design team worked closely with the various project stakeholders to understand their needs and aspirations for the annexe. The aim of the design was to provide the local community with a modern and adaptable additional school facility, equipped with the latest technology to help the school meet the demands of the rapidly changing curriculum and national school contexts.
By providing much needed assembly and e-learning facilities, the annexe acts as a symbol for continued educational progress and civic pride as well as representing the opportunity for strengthened partnership and community learning within the local area.
The new building is a composition of three interlocking circular forms, the large drum accommodates the main volume of the assembly hall, stage and associated storage, while the smaller drums either side of the main volume accommodate the new e-learning, general workbase, meeting rooms and plant room.
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Ayrshire Chamber Business Forum appoints
Willie Mackie as Executive Chair
WILLIE MACKIE, managing partner at the Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre in Ayr and a founder member of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle has been elected to the Chair of the Executive of the newly formed Ayrshire Chamber Business Forum.
[Pictured: Willie Mackie, managing partner at the Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre in Ayr.]
Ayrshire Chamber chief executive Bob Leitch commented: "We are pleased that Willie has agreed to take on this important task. Willie has been involved in the Ayrshire business community for a number of years and sat on the Chamber Strategy and Economic Development Committee of which he recently took over the Chair. He was also a member of the Board at Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire before its demise in March of this year. So he is well qualified for the task."
Willie Mackie said: "I am looking forward to the challenge of this new post, and am absolutely committed to ensuring the voice of Ayrshire is not lost as a result of the recent changes in the delivery of economic development and tourism. Whilst it is important the Forum is driven by the private sector led by the Chamber it is also important to involve our partners in the Local Authorities. By working together we can make sure Ayrshire retains and grows its rightful place on the economic map of Scotland and the UK."
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Sunday, 5 October 2008
Ayrshire businesses can and will triumph
over world economic downturn
AYRSHIRE'S small and medium-sized businesses can beat down the current worldwide economic situation and return the region to full prosperity.
So says Elite Ayrshire Business Circle managing director Murdoch MacDonald.
[Pictured: Founder members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION. FOR DETAILED CAPTION CLICK HERE]
Murdoch MacDonald said today: "Ayrshire has a well diversified spread of excellent, innovative and hard-working businesses who can and will, not only survive the current economic downturn, but also emerge at the end of it stronger and more successful than ever.
"Journalists are quite understandably wary of clichés, but clichés become clichés because they are true. And an old cliché that is true and particularly apt at the moment is that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
"And now that the going is undeniably tough, Ayrshire businesses will not only get going, but raise their game yet another gear or two in order to successfully weather the storms ahead.
"It is all to easy to make difficult times an excuse for indifferent performance, or to imagine that setting up more think tanks or talking shops will somehow improve the situation.
"But Ayrshire businesses will take the proper, responsible path, and adopt Churchill's famous phrase - K.B.O. - keep buggering on.
"Keep buggering on doing what Ayrshire businesses do best - identifying, producing and selling a wide range of different goods and services that would be a credit to any region of the world."
And the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle will continue to help them do just that.
The Circle was set up last year by Fame Publicity Services chief executive Murdoch MacDonald and Frazer Coogans Solicitors senior partner Norman Geddes to celebrate and promote the wealth and rich diversity of business activity and entrepreneurial talent that abounds in Ayrshire.
One of the ways in which it does that is through its website Ayrshire Scotland Business News, which has already accumulated more than 360 permanently archived articles about successful Ayrshire businesses.
The website has already achieved a high ranking on Google and other search engines, and attracts visitors not only from Ayrshire, but throughout the UK, and around 50% come from elsewhere in different countries around the globe. Around 20% come from the United States and Canada.
Murdoch MacDonald concluded: "The Ayrshire business brand is essentially the collective efforts of the innovative and diligent people who live and work here.
"The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle will continue to promote that brand throughout the world.
"Together we can and will triumph over current adversities, as Scotland always has throughout its history."
OpenPress PR-GB Ecademy 24/7
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Defective Electric Blankets: How California Product Liability Law Protects You
A federal court jury in Missouri recently found that a Sunbeam electric blanket was defective. The case involved a elderly woman, Barbara Kay, who had been partially paralyzed due to an earlier stroke. She was sleeping under an electric blanket when it caught on fire causing her to suffer serious burns. Ms. Kay was spent five months in the hospital recovering from her burns, and had to have part of her left arm amputated.
A jury awarded her two million dollars compensatory damages for her injuries and her medical expenses. Evidence was presented that a faulty safety circuit in the electric blanket was responsible for the fire. The company has been the subject of many such lawsuits and has been investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
California product liability law protects consumers from defective products, such as electric blankets. Under California law, a product may be defectively manufactured or defectively designed. A product is defectively manufactured when the finished product deviates from the normal design. A product is defectively designed if the product as designed does not perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would have expected.
The case of the electric blanket is an example of a product which is defectively designed and does not meet consumer expectations as to safety. As an Oakland personal injury attorney, I have seen many cases over the years where corporations have put profits over the safety of the public. Our product liability laws were designed to curb such abuses. Hopefully, the recent Missouri verdict will deter Sunbeam from continuing to sell this particular product and design blankets which are not so susceptible to starting fires.


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It has now been over three weeks since I left home. Three weeks since I last had food that did not make my nose run, or did not make me fearful of unrequested bowel movements, and over three weeks since I've spoken to someone whose first language was English. But, really, three weeks is not that long. And yet it shouldn't be discounted as something insignificant for a twenty-one year old, or at least parts of him: his stomach, his immune system, his emotional health, his psychological disposition, his ideals and vocational hopes. These things can change with incredible swiftness. What is also amazing is how easily they can stay the same.
Since landing I have worked in a sector of development I rarely considered, one that I believed was mostly common sense, manipulated every so often by politics and ego. This is the sector of management, planning, and coordination.
I don't intend to disparage the profession. On the contrary, I aim to do the opposite - granted the professional involved lives up to what this occupation requires.
I've found that a failure to adequately assess a given situation – in my case, it is the flood-affected region of Uttarakhand state in northern India, though it could be anything from the spread of HIV/AIDs to the development of permaculture projects – can and often does result in a failed attempt to solve the issue at hand. Without a guiding principle or outlook, development projects are doomed to failure. Just the same, and maybe even more dangerous, an outlook that is inappropriate given the setting but left unquestioned can wreak untold damage in the present while making future development projects unnecessarily difficult or near impossible.
Let me give you an example. Thus far I have been working with a Mr. Puthumai Nazarene, the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) director for Uttarakhand state, and have mapped the locations of hundreds of schools (primary, upper primary, and high school) within the five most affected districts. The final maps list the district, village name, school type, latitude and longitude, what type of damage, and what organization (NGO or private) has signed to sponsor the school's reconstruction. This amounts to quite a lot of data, maybe even some information that is not needed by organizations or the Government of India when trying to implement relief or reconstruction projects. The data must therefore be presented in a manner that is intelligible to a host of different people: government officials, NGO workers, private sector and construction workers, and rural farmers all have different and specific needs when it comes to information. They will be using it in different ways, so this makes sense. Where the "guiding principle" of the development work comes in, then, is at the point of deciding what information should be collected, under what specifications, with what timeline, and in what way it will be presented – these will all impact the nature of the work and could mean a difference between sustainable projects of capacity- and resilience-building, or projects that are done unsystematically and leave the affected in a position of need, unable to carry themselves out of the disaster which is, ultimately, the only way to remain outside of it.
I have had an interest in India for years, especially with respect to its agricultural sector and the connection between sound ecology and sound human health. I have taken the perspective, common among medical professionals, that the first five years of a child's life carry huge importance and serve as the foundation for the health and wellbeing of future generations. If there is a disconnection between a people and their land, be it in access or misuse, this will manifest in poor health for all. This overarching perspective I have carried with me as an undergraduate, but not until recently have I witnessed its reality, played out in the lives of real humans and not simply theories.
Two days ago I had the privilege of meeting Vijyani in the mountain village of Ghat. The air was the clearest and cleanest I have breathed since arriving. No sounds of horns plagued this valley. All that was heard besides the soft talking of my hosts was the river washing stones, birds chirruping, and the light clinking bells of water buffalo. But Vijyani and her people lived in poverty. There was no denying that. And the outcomes of their lives demonstrate this unfortunate truth.
Due to climate change, this vulnerable region (I have heard it called the "third pole" of our earth, for it is home to many glaciers and is responsible for maintaining a steady global temperature) is suffering. Irregular weather patterns and hydroelectric plants, which divert streams to fuel the energy needs of the behemoth Delhi, have increased soil erosion, and the loss of nutrients and biodiversity. The people overharvest trees, one of their only sources of fuel, and the land becomes even more unstable. Flooding wipes away indiscriminately swaths of arable land, homes, livelihoods, and people. Sons and daughters seek better opportunities, and the cities offer a hope that is strong enough to momentarily outweigh the hardship. Whole generations leave, fight poverty, and learn to consume more; the earth warms, old ways of living are forgotten and lost. Because everything is related, the cycle continues.
Vijyani has two children, one five and the other two. She was paralyzed from the waist down a few years ago while cutting high branches from a dead tree, needing the fuel that is now sparsely available and must be obtained in increasingly difficult ways. Her husband is a day laborer, working mostly on the roads that are washed away every rainy season. The group I was with, leaders of a Catholic social service society, gave her a wheelchair – her first, though she has been paralyzed for years. Living on the top of a mountain, an hour walk from the nearest town that she can only be carried to, this device is can be used only inside her home. She is twenty-six years old.
Living and working in India these past few weeks has been what I can really only call an endless flux of paradigmatic shifts. My awareness is centered, focused upon a specific life, or on the face of a single person – then, suddenly, I am hurled into a different world, and I see not individuals, but movements of economy, resources, culture, and time. I am learning, slowly, to find balance and garner understanding from this constant movement. I am learning that perspective counts for so much in development, and those with resources, privilege, and skill cannot stay unwise to this fact. We are working on something far more important than ourselves, which means we must often step outside the parameters of one's self. I remain hopeful, aware, and open to the needs of the present as my stay advances.
After returning from Kotdwar in early February, I took up my work in Dehradun, again focusing on mapping in various ways the extent of the damage wrought by the cloudburst in June 2013. The work was sometimes tedious, but the final product was fulfilling; its reception by NGOs, the Government of India, and interested Indians (kind and courageous enough to talk to me while I eat alone at the restaurant across the street that I frequent daily) demonstrated the significance of works that illustrate their findings simply and intelligibly. I believe, if not directly impactful for this particular disaster, projects like this can show their efficacy and be used in the future, when our climate is even more erratic, the population is larger, and the need for skilled coordination in times of emergency is all the more necessary.
I spent the last week in Rudraprayag. Six hours from Dehradun, this district was one of the most heavily affected regions. Follow along road from Rudraprayag and you will reach Kedarnath Temple (I recommend searching for photographs of this region – they are sobering reminders of humanity's still-vulnerable presence in the natural world).
I made field visits to an abandoned village, which my host at the time, Praveen, hopes to transform through a process of de-urbanization and reintegration of rural peoples back to the land they were forced to leave for lack of opportunities and natural and manmade disasters.
I visited a rural primary school, shared chai with the school headmaster, and on the headmaster's request gave an impromptu speech of hope and thanks to the children. Sitting crouched on the dry dirt where their classes were held, they giggled and looked away. Partly because I spoke in English, partly because I was desperately in need of a haircut and they all knew it.
In their almost incomprehensible totality, these experiences have taught me the unquestionable need for expertise in the diverse worlds of international development. I did not really expect to leave India with the determinacy I now have, the vision I have for myself and the small but significant role I can engage with as I continue my education. Working in coordination projects through the mapping I've completed these past two months point to the need for projects and professionals that reach beyond good intentions. It is in this light that I have found myself driven to studying and specializing in restorative agricultural techniques tailored to the most vulnerable geographies and people. I see my approach to preventative global health must begin with hands dug deep in the soil and unpleasantness of the world, but with a skill and focus that is not overwhelmed by the near impossibility of the troubles that we face collectively. It is only by cultivating the ground directly before us that we can begin to justifiably move forward.
Also ... Here is another story I wanted to share:
When evening sets in Rudraprayag you can see men climb to their rooftops where they handle obscured contraptions in the half-light. Moments later they are looking up, fists clenched and eyes narrowed. If you follow the taught lines held between their fingers you can see hovering out in the echoing winds kites dipping in all directions.


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This is a question that is coming up in conversations among Christians more and more often over the last few years. Just recently, in a biblical counseling situation, I was told by the counselee.
I did the enneagram test and found out I am a 6, a Loyalist. When I looked at what that means, it really helped my understand myself, understand why I am the way I am. It helped my understand why I battle between strong emotional bonding and loyalty to others; and codependency, anxiety, and low self-image.
As we talked through her self-assessment, it was clear this person has little clear, biblical understanding of not only how we end up with the battles we do, but also what God's answers and solutions are to those matters.
This blog post in an effort to clarify for this person and many others who ask me, "How am I as a Christian to think about and view the enneagram?"
Instead of reinventing the wheel, if you will, I am reblogging an article by Kevin DeYoung that was posted on The Gospel Coalition's website on February 1, 2018: Enneagram: The Road Back to You, Or to Somewhere Else?
(While I cannot agree with and support everything The Gospel Coalition publishes, there often are excellent articles written that are worth reading. This is one of those.)


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Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rita Harowitz: Discovering the other
"My brother's son," Rita Harowitz, aka SeenyaRita, All rights reserved
There is no other time in human life as delicately suspended between two worlds as adolescence. Psychologists call it a liminal state -- outside the margins of child- & adulthood, slipping back & forth across the thresholds of both. It is an unbearably awkward time. And sometimes impossibly beautiful.
Look at this remarkable picture by my friend Rita Harowitz. You are pierced by the specificity of the boy, yet he seems somehow unearthly. His eyes shine with real affection, real intelligence, yet Rita's colorist skill & use of shallow focus make him seem to float in a glowing world without distinct boundaries.
Looking, I thought of mythic beings who have, in every culture, existed similarly between worlds.
When I was a teenager, I was fascinated by Irish folklore, particularly by the Sidhe (pronounced Shee), the people of faerie, who live in a kind of parallel universe with humans & sometimes emerge from portals in the landscape, called raths, to feast & battle with other Sidhe hosts. Occasionally too, the Sidhe have dealings with humans -- they bestow gifts & boons, also punish real or perceived insults. Both male & female faeries seduce & sometimes marry humans who take their fancy. Sometimes too, the Sidhe steal away human children, often replacing them with their own faerie children to be raised in human homes (see W.B. Yeats's "The Stolen Child.") The Sidhe, according to the stories, are tall and beautiful, a dream of nobility. They speak in silvery voices, a sound like music. They are like humans in many ways, but they never age & they never die. In Ireland they are referred to as "the gentry" and "the good people" -- though this is always a combination of true admiration and a sly propitiation of their potential wrath.
Detail from "Riders of the Sidhe," John Duncan, 19th c. Scottish artist
From An Encyclopedia of Shamanism, I found this: "In Celtic faerie lore there is a recurring theme that the beings of the Otherworld need human contact. For reasons that are not necessarily clear, the Sidhe actively seek to share their wisdom, power & secrets with humans. To this end faeries enter ordinary reality to be with humans and cause humans to enter into the Sidhe, into their realm. It is as if it is necessary for the survival of both species that we communicate & help each other."
I make no comparison of course between the actual boy pictured above & the Sidhe. Just that, for me, Rita's picture stirred a connection in my mind. Her artistry framed a moment that, for me, partakes of the same dream that created those Celtic legends.
Today's myths, it seems, are mostly freelance & transitory. Never without irony. Yet it is artists, as always, who reveal them.
4 comments:
- Christine (CA) said...
Lovely photo and beautiful essay.
- September 22, 2009 at 8:00 AM
- Chris Bonney said...
I wa struck by Rita's photograph, as well, but nowhere near as articulately as you.
- September 22, 2009 at 9:46 AM
- Sylvia said...
Beautiful, both.
I am catching up, again.
My novel is about the Sidhe, but in Scotland, where the sharp edge is dulled. The Seelie and the Slaugh.
But it's too complicated to explain on a back cover. I despair of it ever seeing the light of day.
- October 2, 2009 at 8:05 PM
- Tim Connor said...
Sylvia, Keep going. Writers have to write. It sounds like a fascinating subject. Who would have thunk vampires as teenage hearthtrobs a few years ago?
- October 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
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If I learn how to play the basic guitar, I don't want to stay playing the rhythm guitar or the lead guitar. Ever since I started in the music industry as a singer (yes, I am a singing chef - haters be gone), I never enjoyed doing solo, its good but it gets tiring - so I always sing back up which is even more challenging, because you have to blend it and provide the rhythm. And by getting a dearmond bass from musicians friend - I can learn how to keep the rhythm and the flow of music harmoniously stable.
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Pearson Longman and ETS combine their expertise in language learning and test development to create an innovative approach to developing the skills assessed in the new TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT).
NorthStar: Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT, a new three-level series, links learning and assessment with a skill-building curriculum that incorporates authentic test material from the makers of the TOEFL iBT.
Each text features:
▶ Ten thematic units to develop academic skills in English while building test-taking confidence.
▶ Integrated skills practice to develop critical thinking and communicative competence.
▶ Authentic TOEFL iBT practice sets created by ETS especially for this series.
▶ Practical tips to sharpen test-taking strategies.
▶ Teacher's Manuals with evaluation tools to track students' progress, and actual student responses (speaking and writing) at all score levels.
Use NorthStar Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT with the integrated skills series NorthStar to build a strong foundation for success on the TOEFL iBT.
File size: 101.3 MB


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Metolius 3D Simulator Hangboard
Colour: Green Swirl
A new design for the number 1 selling hangboard in the world.
- The next generation of the #1 selling training board in the world!
- The master is CNC milled for perfect symmetry
- The holds are arranged along a broad arc that tapers outward and downward for better ergonomics and reduced injuries
- Tapers from top to bottom in both dimensions for better forearm clearance
- Fine texture
- Massive variety of holds
- Includes comprehensive instructions, training guide and all mounting hardware
- 711 mm x 222 mm (28″ × 8.75″)
Quick Specs
|UPC / Barcode
Rated 5 out of 5 stars. (3 customer reviews)
What do you think of this product?
Share your thoughts with other customers.
Perfect training boardUsing this for my days off and like the other reviews state, it comes loaded with goodies for you to train with.
Great FingerboardAfter hanging this and downloading a routine for it have almost doubled my finger strength. Best thing is having at home and getting my mates into climbing just from having it around.
Finger licking goodnessThis thing is awesome! You got pretty much every kind of hold that you need. Edges, pockets, slopers, jugs and most have variations as well. The board is also curved so its more ergonomic for you body mechanics than the previous version of the simulator. The metolius website also provides some sets of excerises to do. Highly recommended if you can't also go climbing, but you want to keep up your strength!


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If you're considering starting a second career, you may be looking for an avenue that offers both greater income and a work-life balance. Fortunately, franchise opportunities satisfy both of these needs.
Many second-career seekers are interested in franchising because it is a lifestyle business. Setting your own hours and determining your own path to success make franchising an attractive option.
So, with the mounting interest in franchises, how do you find the best one for you – before someone else does?[Click To Read More...]


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The testing and release of the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) solution accelerator tool
The challenge
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) toolkit is an agentless inventory, assessment and reporting tool that securely assesses IT environments for various platform migrations. This includes Windows 8, Windows 7, Office 2010 and Office 365, Windows Server 2012 and Windows 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, Hyper-V, Microsoft Private Cloud Fast Track and Windows Azure.
The key challenge is to ensure two major MAP releases every year, along with the release of a couple of target customer-focused ones. It is a huge challenge to manage resources under tight timelines and schedules, for these parallel releases. It is also a big task to have a varied environment to effectively test and add new features to every release, without affecting the legacy features.
Our solution
We have established a robust delivery model, with our in-depth understanding of the customer's business needs. Exhaustive training has been given to teams, version after version, to keep them updated with new features and technologies. The teams have been divided into mini feature teams and they work closely together to stay abreast of any new change. It also helps to have onshore Mindtree minds. They can help offshore teams understand new features and resolve issues / challenges quickly.
Our approach
- Provide end-to-end ownership and accountability of testing
- Ensure senior members own different modules, with junior members assisting different modules
- Implement BVT automation execution on daily builds, to catch severe issues
- Facilitate regular performance test runs, to help keep the performance in check
- Maintain an offshore lab to help reduce the dependence on the onshore lab, enabling complicated setup scenarios
- Enable C# and SQL code coverage via manual testing and automation testing, to keep the test suite up to date
Business impact
- Ensured consistent and measurable quality, through adaptation and implementation of SLA-based service delivery
- 90% on-time delivery
- >= 95% test coverage
- Developed one click automation and schedule based Build Verification Test (BVT) run, which can run without manual intervention. This saved 15% of trivial manual effort
- Implemented regular performance test automation that helps to simulate MAP inventory, against huge environment / machines. This saved a lot of time and labor
Customer accolades
Thanks a lot for making the best effort to
- Find an alternative solution
- Understand the impact and its limitation and working around it to unblock RTM test execution, thus reducing the impact
Given the limited lab resources yesterday, the offshore team was still able to make good progress on legacy test execution. Thanks. I really appreciate it.
-Ying Liu (Test Lead – Microsoft)
Team, awesome job of wrapping up the RTM test pass! The overall quality of this release is far and away, the highest that we've ever achieved.
– Product Manager – Microsoft


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For Immediate Release: December 2, 2014
Contact: Patrick Carolan, Executive Director
Franciscan Action Network
Vigil will take place at 7pm at Lafayette Square Park
Washington, D.C.--As part of the international #LightForLima project, faith groups in Washington, D.C. will host a vigil on Sunday, December 7th at 7:00 PM in Lafayette Square Park in front of the White House.
This vigil is part of a larger effort that is taking place on the evening of December, 7th. People around the world will be gathering to show their concern about climate change. They are coming together for candle and solar-lantern lit vigils to shine light on the Conference of the Parties being held in Lima, Peru from December 1st- 12th.
Vigils are being held in Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, UK, and the USA. In the US, faith groups hosting the vigils hope to build on the momentum from the People's Climate March, which mobilized tens of thousands of participants in New York earlier this year.
Members of faith groups, green groups, social justice groups, and anyone concerned about climate change are invited to attend the gatherings and pray for progress towards an international agreement to address climate change. Those who do not wish to offer prayers are invited to attend and offer stories, poetry, music, or participate in a moment of silence.
Leaders from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i, Sikh, various Christian denominations and other spiritual backgrounds will offer prayers at the D.C. vigil. In addition, musician Jacob Crouse will offer songs, and the head of the NAACP's Environmental and Climate Justice Program will offer remarks. Other religious, spiritual and artistic contributions are welcome.
"The science is no longer in dispute, and it's time for the world's political leaders to unite and commit to a climate agreement that funds, designs, and provides for the implementation of a just and equitable global solution." said Jamie Konopacky, the Representative for Sustainable Development at the U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs. She added that from a Baha'i perspective, "justice, when appropriately brought to bear on social issues, is the single most important instrument for the establishment of unity."
Konopacky continued, "People of faith have been and will continue to do their part to ensure that world leaders reach a just and equitable plan of action for climate change and that the spiritual dimension of the social and ecological issues underlying the climate change problem are not ignored." Stressing a holistic approach to the needs of our time, she noted that in an authoritative Baha'i work, it is emphasized that "we cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life molds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions." According to Konopacky, "People of faith, science, and political leaders must work together."
Lise Van Susteren from Interfaith Moral Action on Climate Change in D.C. added, "We want to show our leaders that they have our support and urge them to be more determined and generous in finding ways to a meaningful global agreement on climate change"
Patrick Carolan, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network based in Washington, D.C. stated, "Pope Francis has called all of us to recognize the moral responsibility we have to care for all of creation. At a sustainability summit last May he said, 'Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will... Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude,'" Carolan continued, "Right now there is a lack of respect toward the planet and we are attempting to change that."
More info about OurVoices.net
#LightForLima is coordinated by OurVoices.net, a multi-faith, global climate campaign.
OurVoices.net's organizers hope that an outpouring of concern from people of diverse faiths around the world can help political leaders reach a climate deal. "Many people turn to their faith or spirituality for hope in the face of challenge and suffering," said Rev. Fletcher Harper, OurVoices.net coordinator and executive director of the religious-environmental NGO GreenFaith. "Our prayers, meditations and expressions of sincere concern can help our leaders find the courage to reach a strong climate treaty."
Vigil is Solar-Lit
In a twist on the religious tradition of candle-lit vigils, many of the vigils, including the Washington, D.C. vigil, are using solar lamps. For each lamp used in the vigils, two lamps will be delivered to African rural communities by SolarAid, enabling children to study and read after dark. The solar lamps will replace kerosene lanterns that fill poor households with noxious fumes, leading to thousands of deaths annually.
All Are Invited
Members of the public are invited to participate in the Washington, D.C. vigil. For further information, contact Patrick Carolan at firstname.lastname@example.com or 202-527-7565


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|Woodland Church
What Can We Pray For?
We are committed to the power of prayer as an essential part of God's church and consider it a privilege to pray for you and your needs. If we can pray for you in any way, we would consider it a blessing and a honor to be able to do so.
We also rejoice in receiving Praise Reports. It is encouraging to know that God is being given the glory for answered prayer.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)


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Issue Description
You encounter the error "You do not have permissions to do this" in one of the following situations:
- When you are creating an email template, you click on the Validate HTML button
- When you are trying to edit an existing email
Issue Resolution
This error is caused by Javascript in the HTML of the template. Email clients do not often allow <script> and Javascript in their Emails, so even though the email asset may be able to be approved, the email will present this error if attempted to be edited again or if you attempt to validate the HTML.
The solution in this situation would be to remove the <script> tag, including all Javascript, from the email HTML. After this, you should be able to edit the email or validate the HTML.
If you are unable to actually edit the asset, the workaround is to clone the asset. If you clone the email, it can open in the editor and then you have the ability to remove the script. After this, the email will be good to go.
Is this article helpful ?


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We advise on all aspects of legal and regulatory requirements, including putting together the documentation for energy efficiency wholehouse retrofit programmes, renewable heat installations and microgeneration funded via a range of sources.
We have provided advice in relation to every government led domestic energy efficiency programme in the UK for the last 18 years.
Our specialist team advises a range of central government departments, registered providers, local authorities, installers, contractors, manufacturers, assessors, energy suppliers, consultants, funders and Green Deal providers.
The appointment by the Department of Energy and Climate Change to be their sole legal advisor is testament to our expertise. We're advising them on the options for overcoming consent barriers to Green Deal take-up, identifying potential solutions to overcome barriers and to make recommendations to the Department of Energy and Climate Change regarding the next steps to implement proposed mechanisms.


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Modern Family - 1x13: Fifteen Percent - PhotosMitchell plants the seed in Jay's head that he thinks one of Jay's old buddies, Shorty, might be secretly gay. Jay doesn't believe it for a second except for all the questionable signs he now keeps noticing. Meanwhile Gloria gives Manny's date a makeover and Claire faces off with Phil's universal remote.
Press ReleaseMODERN FAMILY [EPISODE CHANGE]
Air Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time Slot: 9:00 PM-9:30 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#1ARG??) "Fifteen Percent"
Guest starring Chazz Palminteri ("The Usual Suspects," "Analyze This") as Shorty.
"Fifteen Percent" Mitchell plants the seed in Jay's head that he thinks one of Jay's old buddies, Shorty, might be secretly gay. Jay doesn't believe it for a second except for all the questionable signs he now keeps noticing. Meanwhile Gloria gives Manny's date a makeover and Claire faces off with Phil's universal remote, on "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Note: This episode was originally scheduled for Jan. 13.
"Modern Family" stars Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Sofa Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy and Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado.
Guest cast include Chazz Palminteri as Shorty, Kristen Schaal as Whitney and Reid Ewing as Reid.
"Fifteen Percent" was written by Steven Levitan and directed by Jason Winer.
"Modern Family" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's Selected HD Format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.
For more information on "Modern Family," visit ABC.com. 好的支持了先
[img]http://www.baiuh.com/baidu/1.jpg[/img] 讲的确实不错,可是有多少人在坚持呢,坚持很重要啊 有空一起交流一下
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May. 1, 2018
You know you want straighter teeth and a brighter smile, but you still have a few lingering questions before committing to anything. That's where we come in. SmileDirectClub invisible aligners are a series of doctor-directed, custom-fitting plastic trays that help straighten your teeth for 60% less than braces – and our customers see results in an average of 6 months. Ready to achieve alignment? Here are 7 things to know before you start SmileDirectClub:
SmileDirectClub invisible aligners are designed for minor to moderate teeth correction, including gaps, crowding, rotation, and some bite correction. Take our free, 30-second Smile Assessment to see if you're a candidate. Then schedule a visit to your local SmileShop for a 3D scan of your teeth. No SmileShop near you? No problem. Purchase an at-home impression kit to make molds of your teeth that you'll send back to us. It's entirely risk-free: If the dentist or orthodontist determines you're not a good fit for SmileDirectClub, we'll refund you the cost of the impression kit.
We work with a network of 225 dentists and orthodontists, and each SmileDirectClub customer is assigned a dentist or orthodontist who is licensed where you live. This doctor will oversee your new smile and will check in with you remotely every 90 days. You can reach out to your doctor at any time through the dental team by phone or through your online account.
For optimal results, wear your invisible aligners all the time except when eating and drinking anything other than water. You can drink cool water (not hot!) with your aligners in, but that's it. No smoking, no gum chewing, no wine drinking, no snacking. You could wind up with discolored aligners or, worse, cavities. Wear your aligners when you sleep, wear them when you work out, wear them when you go to the movies. Wear them, wear them, wear them.
A slight lisp is common for the first few days after wearing a new set of aligners. Eventually, your mouth will get used to having the aligners in, and the lisp with disappear. And chances are, no one else will even notice it's there.
It's completely okay for your teeth to feel a bit strange. Your aligners gently move them over time to form your new smile. Picture your teeth like a puzzle coming together, piece by piece, with each new set of aligners. Try these at-home remedies to alleviate any mild pain you might have.
And if your teeth don't hurt or feel weird, that's perfectly normal, too.
You should always brush your teeth and rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth. Clean your aligners as often as you like by soaking them in a mixture of warm (never hot!) water and gentle liquid soap. Whatever you do, don't brush your aligners with a toothbrush or toothpaste, which can scratch or damage your aligners. Bleach, alcohol, and mouthwash are other no-nos, as they can warp or discolor them.
Click here for 5 easy ways to keep your aligners nice and fresh.
We are here for you. Our Customer Care team is available via chat, email, phone, and social media 24/7 to answer any questions you might have. We've already helped 500,000 people (and counting) safely and effectively transform their smiles – and for 60% less than other teeth straightening options.
Take it from Rachel J.:
"Customer care is outstanding. Phone calls answered very quickly and very helpful staff. Emails also answered very quickly. I received my invisible aligners and started my journey to straighter and whiter teeth (I also got complimentary whitening gel, which I could use with my aligners! Super easy). Customer care emailed me every time my aligners needed to be changed, so I never forgot. The time flew by and now my teeth look so much better than they did before. Bonus … Nobody knew I was wearing them!
"I've had a lot of compliments about how great my smile is. I would highly recommend SmileDirectClub to anyone wanting to improve their smile."
Ready to get straight teeth for 60% less than other options? Get started today with our free Smile Assessment!


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Hunter River High School is a comprehensive, co-educational secondary school with an enrolment of approximately 800 students, 20% of whom identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Our school is located on Worimi land, close to the Hunter River at Heatherbrae, south of Raymond Terrace. 'Quality Relationships - Quality Learning' is the motto that underpins our community's belief that quality educational outcomes are achieved when all partners in the educational process work collaboratively in a supportive, harmonious environment.
Through high expectations and embedded Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) values of Harmony, Respect, Honesty and Success, the school provides a learning environment that aims to give each student the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
Hunter River High School offers an innovative curriculum that includes a full academic load plus significant programs, including a wide range of nationally accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) opportunities.
Hunter River High School is a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology) Pilot school, a leader in STEM education initiatives and provides extensive programs enhancing Aboriginal education, Literacy and Numeracy outcomes.
The School has two mottos. The traditional motto appears on our school's crest and is the French word "Essayez", meaning "test yourself".
This is reflected in our ongoing belief that none of us will ever know just how much we can achieve unless we are willing to push our own boundaries forward and try new things. More recently the school has adopted a second motto, "Quality Relationships - Quality Learning", because we believe that quality educational outcomes will be achieved when all partners in the educational process are working together in a supportive, harmonious environment.
These beliefs are put into everyday practice through: our positive welfare structure and special whole-school programs which aim to create a warm, caring and safe environment; our commitment to whole school community participation in decision making; processes we have implemented to allow the staff to work together to improve student outcomes; the provision of programs which allow students, staff, parents and community members to work together to cater for the academic, sporting, cultural, social and vocational needs of our students; our commitment to developing positive links to the Aboriginal community; and the close involvement of parents of students with special needs in the implementation of quality programs.


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When Richard Kline graduated from law school in 2003, he had $117,000 in debt and jobs in the legal field were scarce so he took a job as a mortgage loan officer. Despite his hard work and a housing market that was just starting to boom, he was barely making a dent in his balances.
Within a few years, though, he was debt-free, in large part because he was willing to take a step back in order to move forward. Here's how he did it.
The first year after graduation, Kline deferred his payments on his loans, but since interest continued to capitalize, he quickly grew frustrated by the fact that his balances were growing larger. His next step was to make minimum payments (about $450 a month) and pay extra when he could.
But living and working in an expensive city – New York – meant a big chunk of his income was going toward rent. The fact that he was getting paid largely on commission didn't help. No loans closed meant no commission check.
That's when he decided to get serious about paying off his debt. He wrote in an email:
"I didn't want to be a debt slave my entire life. I saw the hand writing on the wall and it was kinda scary to have this debt hanging around my neck for the next 30 years. I felt like I was running to stay in place. It made no sense to me to be in this situation."
So he asked his parents if he could move back in with them, a step that wasn't as common as it is today – especially for a law school grad. "Just a few years ago everyone was snickering at people that moved in with mommy and daddy," he said.
With no rent payment, though, he was able to put a large chunk of his income toward his debt. He also tried dabbling in the stock market, but it turned out to be a expensive mistake. He said he "lost about $5,000 on silly junk stocks. Never again."
His strategy paid off and within six and a half years he had paid off his loans completely. He's also now working in his chosen field as circulation manager and partner of LegalAdvice.com, a website that connects clients looking for legal advice on the Internet with a licensed legal professional.
His advice to other grads with lots of student loan debt? Don't dismiss the option of living with family if it helps you free up funds to pay off your loans as fast as possible. "I think it is wise to move into your own apartment and get married and buy a home, only after student loan obligations are paid off," he said.
His only regret is that he waited a few years to return home. "I could have paid off the loans much faster if I had moved back in with my parents even sooner, but I was brainwashed by society that says there is a social stigma for moving back in with mom and dad."
Are you struggling with student loan debt? Here's a guide to paying off student loans. And if you're wondering how your student loans are affecting your credit, you can use free tools from Credit.com to monitor your credit scores and get an analysis of your credit history.
More on Student Loans:
- How Student Loans Can Impact Your Credit
- How to Pay Off Student Loans With Forgiveness Programs
- How to Pay for College Without Building a Mountain of Debt
Image: Hemera | Inset image courtesy of Richard Kline


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This sewing project is a knock-off of a mexican dollar store tote I've schlepped around for years.
It's universally adored by supermarket cashiers and passers-by on the street - "ooh ♥ the owl bag!!!"
Am curious to find out if this knockoff… in a different colorway, hand stitched, will get anything close to the same amount of attention.
The whole owl thing mystifies me, actually.
How does a fairly fierce predator come off as cute?
er…um, I take that back.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Labels: sewing
3 comments:
I prefer your version
- October 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM
- bc said...
first day out with the new bag a girl at the gallery gift shop said she liked it
- October 17, 2012 at 5:58 PM
- Unknown said...
Owls are quiet, observant, solitude loving creatures. Those fortunate enough to exude owl-like tendencies are often gifted observers and analysts. BUT would you want to hang out with one. Probably not. :)
The bag is lovely though.
- October 28, 2012 at 3:25 PM
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The manipulator
You are a psychic freak in a world that doesn't like you very much! You must use your powers to escape from a military base patrolled by heavily armed guards. You can control their minds or, if you're feeling nasty, cause their heads to pop.
In a nutshell that's the theme and plot of this simple platformer game with a twist from Virtanen games
The graphics are extremely simple, but it's a fun game with unexpected depth (For example, after the first few levels you can read the guard's minds and discover their personal secrets)


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Casabella in East Sandwich offers a captivating collection of interior décor.
Tucked among Route 6A's antiques stores, quaint motor inns and gracious homes from other eras, Casabella, in East Sandwich is an unexpected haven of artfully collected home décor. In this meticulously arranged 2,500-square-foot space, treasures abound.
At every turn, there is something to fall in love with: plush furniture, refined armoires and end tables, finely crafted lamps, artwork, luxurious linens and intriguing tabletop items. On a single trip to the store, one could outfit multiple rooms of a home. It's also the go-to place for a unique wedding present, hostess gift, or an accessory to accent an existing interior design scheme. The only problem might be narrowing down your choices, since the selection of accessories is endless: throw pillows in various textures and prints, blown glass vases, floral arrangements, candles in an array of sizes and scents.
Perusing the selection is an experience unrivaled on the Cape, and that's precisely what owner Michele Chagnon-Holbrook had in mind when she opened the store in 2011.
Holbrook's background is in business. "I'm a corporate girl," says Holbrook, formerly an executive director of human resources for a healthcare company. "But I always loved design. It was my hobby; I've been helping people furnish their houses for years."
Several years ago, after buying a home in East Sandwich with her husband, Holbrook set about decorating the seasonal residence. "I scoured 6A; I went all the way to Provincetown," she recalls. "I couldn't find anything I liked. I was told by everyone that you had to go off Cape to buy great things, and that seemed ridiculous to me." The experience led to what Holbrook calls her "aha moment." She decided to open a home furnishings shop that brought city chic to Cape Cod.
Holbrook spent two years cataloging items she liked, and a couple more searching for the perfect location. "I wanted to be on 6A between Exit 3 and Barnstable Village," she says. After an exhaustive search, she was on the verge of renting a 600-square-foot barn when her current location became available. The former location of Sotheby's Real Estate was zoned for office space, not retail. But during a three-hour meeting with the building's owner, Holbrook convinced him to have the space re-zoned and leased to her.
Holbrook began an extensive build-out of the space in November 2010, and by April 2011, Casabella was ready to greet the public. The store was initially open just on weekends and Holbrook kept her day job in the city, living in Wayland during the week. From the start, the shop received an overwhelmingly positive response. "People started leaving me notes during the week taped to the door," says Holbrook, who decided to keep the shop open one day during the week, then another, and another until the place was open seven days a week. A year-and-half into owning the shop, Holbrook left her corporate job and turned her full attention to Casabella.
Early on, customers began to seek Holbrook's advice on decorating their homes. Soon she was designing the interiors of entire houses. "It's not what I intended when I opened the store, but I love doing it," she says. "We have become known for the details: it's really important to layer in the right kinds of accessories, and a lot of people don't know how to do that."
The majority of furniture—sofas, chairs, dining tables, even lamps—are designed by Holbrook and crafted in a factory in this country. "It's very important to me that things are made in the USA," says Holbrook. "I'm a small business, I want to support other small businesses." While the prices of furniture manufactured in the United States might be higher than prices of pieces manufactured overseas, locally made items are much higher quality, says Holbrook.
A section of the shop displays private-label upholstery fabrics for the furniture. "I'm a less-is-more gallery. I've picked out the best fabrics so you don't have to sift through 2,000," says Holbrook.
The shop is arranged in rooms: a bedroom setup, a living area, a dining room—the vignettes enable customers to envision how the furnishings look in an actual setting. "I want coming into the shop to be an experience. We have a mix of different styles: transitional, traditional, coastal," says Holbrook. "Everything here is handpicked."
"Furnishings should look like you've gathered them over a lifetime," says Holbrook. " You don't want to recreate the cover of a Pottery Barn catalog."
Holbrook finds it disappointing to venture into a store she admires and see that the selection hasn't changed in months. At Casabella, the products on display are constantly evolving. "Every week there is new inventory," she says. "Three to four times a year, we empty out the entire store and start from scratch." During the holidays, Casabella is decked from top to bottom in the finery of the season; a popular holiday open house draws customers looking for decorating ideas and accents.
Holbrook prides herself on the customer service she and her staff provide on all levels. "We're here to design your whole house; to help you create a display for your mantel; to offer assistance while you pick out a gift," she says. "Even just from one visit in the shop, we'll remember you the next time you come in." And that's a good thing.
By Jaci Conry
Photography by Dan Cutrona
Article published in 2014-2015 issue.