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Queen of Vitriol
By Leah Mueller
I first picked up a copy of Diane Wakoski's Motorcycle Betrayal Poems at a used book store when I was a harried mom in my late 30s. I felt intrigued by the cover's tag-line: "This book is dedicated to all those men who betrayed me at one time or another, in hopes they will fall off their motorcycles and break their necks." I opened the pages and began to pore over Wakoski's words...
Within minutes, I knew that I had stumbled into a motherlode-160 pages of verse which explored the many pitfalls of love in an unflinchingly honest manner. The book cost $2.50, and I purchased it without hesitation.
Within minutes, I knew that I had stumbled into a motherlode-160 pages of verse which explored the many pitfalls of love in an unflinchingly honest manner. The book cost $2.50, and I purchased it without hesitation.
I read the book in late-night one sitting, while seated cross-legged in the middle of my living room floor. The book's words were intimate, accessible. As I read "Love Letter Postmarked Van Beethoven," I could easily imagine the furious expression on Wakoski's face: "I am too angry to sleep beside you, you big loud symphony who fell asleep drunk…." This thrilled me to no end, since I had experienced similar emotions with various inebriated lovers.
I was intrigued by Wakoski, and said as much to my live-in boyfriend, Dave. Dave was a writer, and understood my need to surround myself with the words of kindred spirits. A few days later, he surprised me with two more used Wakoski paperbacks. I was pleased to discover that, as Wakoski became better-known, she'd achieved enough literary leverage to ditch Simon and Schuster and move on to the considerably more hip Black Sparrow Press. Black Sparrow is best known as Charles Bukowski's publisher. Bukowski was familiar with Wakoski's work, and thought well of it (although he did grumble that she seemed incapable of writing short poems).
Buk was incorrect. Though most of Wakoski's poems are lengthy, she is most effective in poems that make parsimonious use of words, such as her brilliant "Indian Giver":
"You gave me
this knife
an act
of friendship
I gave you
part of my lunch,
so you wouldn't have to eat
in the school cafeteria
and miss the ball game
Today you
take it back.
Indian giver,
I call you,
remembering I made a home run
yesterday at noon
and you
struck out."
Here, finally, was the sort of poetry I loved—straightforward and accessible, with stark, yet beautiful words that expressed deep emotion. I researched Wakoski's life and discovered that she was a native of Whittier, California, born in 1937. She attended college in Berkeley, shortly before the tumult of the sixties. Immediately following her graduation in 1960, she moved to New York City. She lived in New York for years, and finally settled in Lansing, Michigan, where she became a professor at MSU.
I was impressed by Wakoski's independence-as a pre-boomer, she was an anomaly for her generation. Most 1950s women were railroaded into domesticity, but she was haunted by restlessness and a desire to write. As I read "The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems" and my other volumes, I formed an image of Wakoski-tough and independent, yet haunted by raging self-doubt. Her plain but expressive face was a source of deep pain for her. Wakoski couldn't make peace with what she judged as her utter lack of physical attractiveness. Nevertheless, this persistent discomfort was Wakoski's fuel, and it infused her writing with passion and longing.
As I stared at Wakoski's photos, I saw a fierce beauty in her features. I hoped I would have the opportunity to meet her one day. I finally got my wish a few years later, in Portland, Oregon. Wakoski gave a reading at an obscure college campus on the edge of town. My husband and I had great trouble finding the lecture hall where the reading was scheduled. We showed up early, fearing an overflow crowd. To our amazement, hardly anyone was present. Wakoski sat by herself in one of the center aisles, staring at her notes. A few of her books rested on a small table, stacked in several neat piles.
Timidly, I approached Wakoski and said hello. My husband and I sat down behind her, and three of us chatted pleasantly. "I hope more people show up for the reading," I said.
"I hope so, too," Wakowski said. She didn't sound concerned about it. Her voice was soothing and quiet, the antithesis of what I'd perceived as her literary persona. I bought one of her books, intriguingly entitled, "The Emerald City of Las Vegas." She was happy to honor my request for an autograph.
"To Leah and Russ" she wrote, "that you may find many magic cities."
Wakoski performed her reading for an audience of perhaps a dozen people, using the same quiet, understated tone that she'd employed during our conversation. She read work from several of her books, and then left the lecture hall with little fanfare. The experience seemed surreal, as if it hadn't actually happened. Why hadn't the college done a better job promoting her? She was Diane Fucking WAKOSKI, for heaven's sake. Still, the lack of other fans had made it possible for me to speak to one of my literary heroines.
Wakoski still resides in Lansing, Michigan-where, at the age of 78, she is a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at MSU. Though I have been to Lansing several times during the past ten years, I never saw her again. I half-expected to see Diane at a bookstore, or wandering around the farmer's market, but somehow I always missed her. I imagine she's holding up well, Midwest winters and all. Meanwhile, "The Emerald City of Las Vegas" remains on my shelf, unread. Perhaps it's time for me to begin my search for those magic cities.
#Real #Essay #NationalPoetryMonth #April #BadassPoets
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Well, and out of touch, too.
That screen shot, to the "far right" (pun intended)? Those are tweets that were fired off last night by Bob Koss – who bills himself as, and this is a quote: "Free thinking conservative. Proud staffer at the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus." Koss is a Legislative Assistant for Joe Gimse.
The target of Koss' tirade? Republican State Representative John Kriesel, an Iraq War Veteran. Rep. Kriesel's offense, to "earn" comments such as "RINO" & "Piece of (stuff)" & "SOB" & "shameless self promoter"?
Kriesel had the audacity to speak his mind on the floor of the House of Representatives and then allow that speech to be included in a television ad advocating a "No" vote on the marriage restriction constitutional amendment.
Predictably, the media picked up on Koss' WAY out of line attack; KSTP TV reported on it this morning – "Twitter War Breaks Out Between Rep. Kriesel, Staffer Koss" – and City Pages not only wrote about it; they have screen shots of the entire exchange.
This so-called "twitter war" is simply the latest example of an out of control Republican Senate Caucus.
And where are the Republican Senators? Senate Majority "Leader" Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, is in Rochester trying to save his political skin. Asistant Majority "Leader" David Hann, R-Eden Prairie (the alleged co-chair of the Republican Senate Re-Election effort) is, well, who knows where? He's been ducking the press ever since Fox9 TV ran a story: "What Does Hann Do For A Living?".
As far as I can tell, it's understandable the Senate Republican Caucus' Communications "Director" – Steve Sviggum – couldn't jump into the fray and stop Koss, a caucus staffer, from committing poltical hari kari on twitter last night – because as far as I can tell, Sviggum – the Communications "Director" – isn't even ON twitter.
It's an insult to clown cars to call the scandal plagued Senate Republican Caucus a "clown car."
Hopefully next Wednesday, they WILL be called "the MINORITY Republican Senate Caucus."
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Whilst watching the tweets on #MNCaucus results, this one caught my eye:
That, Ladies and Gents, is a Tweet from the Independence Party Of Minnesota, the Party that (for now) has Major Party status.
Overwhelmingly, Democrats in Minnesota oppose the GreedOverPrinciples Party's bigoted and hateful proposal to amend Minnesota's Constitution by restricting the rights of our LGBT Brothers and Sisters. Specifically, they want to deny the right of our LGBT Sisters and Brothers to marry, thereby insuring Minnesota stays a state where marriage is an institution of "One Man And One Woman (at a time)."
And according to that tweet from the Independence Party, they reject Republican bigotry and hate, too.
Add into that Ron Paul's strong showing in Minnesota last night, and it looks like Minnesota may be the very first state to reject an anti-LGBT amendment to a State Constitution!
To ensure defeat, there's a lot of work to be done. Fortunately, Minnesotans United For ALL Families is out there working hard – I saw 'em at my Caucus Precinct last night, and was told they were all over this great state.
Go show 'em some love, would ya? When I pledge allegiance to the flag, it ends: "…with Liberty and Justice for all."
Yes, "all" - which includes my LGBT Brothers and Sisters.
Yours, too.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
On October 16th, I asked several fellow veterans about a comment the Republican Candidate for Governor in Minnesota – Tom Emmer – said to the Marshall Independent newspaper on 9/26/09. That quote by Emmer – "I don't believe you can be a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat" was not widely reported in the allegedly "liberal" mainstream media.
This video documents a few Veterans responses to Emmer saying, essentially, that Democrats, even military veterans, can't be real patriots.
I'd like to remind everyone that on 07 April 1775, Samuel Johnson said that "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
On 26 September 2009, Republican Candidate for Governor Tom Emmer demonstrated that he indeed is a scoundrel.
I paid for this with my dime. It's not not approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it. It's my deal and my deal only. Let's look!
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com, please post comments there)

subset: commoncrawl


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Everything is given for grownth.
You can settle your company's payment obligations to public institutions joining the Electronic Payments and Clearing System such as the National Tax and Customs Authority (NAV)
Everything is given for grownth.
You concentrate on your business, we on finances.
Your company's finances are in expert hands at UniCredit.


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Ember Music MIXcast 012 – SeptEMBER 2013
The Ember Music Mixcast is a regular helping of tracks by artists of the Ember Music label. This mixcast was compiled and mixed by Kurt Lorenz.
This MIXcast features:
01. 12th House – Experience in Progress
02. Mr. Sandbags – Metaphobia
03. Green Divide – The Promise
04. The A.M. Experiment – Hear the Longing in Those Bells
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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Heroin is a powerful and illegal drug that's often mixed with other toxic chemicals. Recently, Carfentanil (a large animal sedative never meant for human contact and/or consumption) has been mixed with heroin causing a large, growing number of fatalities. Overdose is a real possibility with heroin and in many cases, a heroin overdose will result in death. For a rare, blessed or lucky few however, they are given a second chance at life and survive what could have devastating for family, friends and loved ones.
Heroin is made from morphine which is derived from the poppy plant. View "What is Heroin" to learn more about its history, properties and where it comes from.
Heroin Dependency Vs. Heroin Addiction
It would be incorrect to call heroin highly "addicting" since addiction is a disease and occurs in the brain however, it does possess properties that cause people to become dependent on it. Anyone who uses heroin a couple of times will become dependent on it. In other words, a heroin dependent who stops using heroin will experience withdrawal symptoms. Hence, the body has become dependent on it and ceasing all use results in the body's physical objection to your decision. Other than the fear of withdrawal however, a heroin dependent feels no real urge or compulsion to continue using heroin.
Heroin addiction (as opposed to dependence) is the connection and compulsion caused by changes in the brain to repeatedly use heroin over and over again with no end in sight. A heroin addict will become addicted the first time heroin enters the body and dependency will soon follow. Thus, a heroin addict has to fight against the fear of withdrawal (the body's physical objection to stopping heroin use) and severe cravings, urges and compulsions to continue using. The degree of difficulty for a heroin addict to stop versus a heroin dependent is far greater.
Both, heroin dependents and heroin addicts can overdose. In fact, using heroin just one time could result in an overdose. Anytime there's an overdose, death is possible. We've about heroin withdrawal symptoms and Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) multiple times. Below, we discuss heroin overdose symptoms.
Heroin Overdose Symptoms
The warning signs related to heroin overdose may be overlooked at first glance. But by knowing the symptoms and what to do in the event of an overdose, you may just be able to save someone's life.
Those overdosing from heroin can experience pain – ironically, similar to the withdrawal symptoms they've been desperately trying to avoid. Symptoms of overdose include dry mouth, low blood pressure, slowed or difficulty breathing, a week pulse, discoloration of the tongue, overly constricted (pinned) pupils, muscle spasms, discoloration (typically blue) of the fingernails and lips, disorientation, sleepiness, hallucinations, etc. If someone who has overdosed is not treated immediately, they could go into a coma. If they're lucky, they may come out of it alive. Sometimes, however, those who end up in a coma end up not being able to breathe on their own without the help of machines and/or die.
Heroin Overdose Treatment
I want to state upfront that that this is NOT advocating the use of heroin. We are simply sharing intervention techniques that could save a heroin addict's life. The most effective way to avoid an overdose is simply not to use heroin. However, those that do should avoid using heroin when they are alone. If you suspect someone in the midst of heroin overdose, you should call 911 or a poison control center immediately. If a heroin overdose victim is caught right away, their life may be saved.
Heroin is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. But combining heroin with other drugs can be even more fatal. On another website, we've read advice that suggested that if one insists on using heroin to at least buy from the same dealer as it can prevent discrepancies in purity. While this may minimize risks of overdose, this is no guarantee. Dealers typically don't put bundles together nor do they make the mixtures.
NARCAN (Naloxone) may also just save a heroin overdose victim's life. Thus, if possible, take classes on how to administer it and carry it around with you in the event you see someone in the midst of overdosing from heroin. NARCAN or Naloxone can counteract the effects of overdose almost immediately and is given intramuscularly (by injection) or subcutaneously (through the nostrils).
The effects of Naloxone are sometimes so effective that it may send a heroin addict into immediate withdrawal. Thus, monitoring is important. For this and other reasons, it is typically better to administer NARCAN in a clinical setting however, we recognize that this isn't always possible. That said, not everyone is eligible to acquire Naloxone and whether or not the emergency kit is obtainable varies from state to state.
Detox Centers – First Step to Quitting Heroin Use
For those already using, dependent on or addicted to heroin, the best way to avoid an overdose is to get into treatment. The starting point for most treatment is heroin detox. At detox centers, you will likely be supervised in a medical setting and sometimes even provided with a synthetic opiate like Methadone or Suboxone or other medication to help alleviate heroin withdrawal symptoms. Detox typically lasts 3 to 5 days and afterwards, you can consider other forms of long term treatment.
Addiction Treatment Centers, Drug Rehabs and Residential Treatment
Residential, inpatient addiction treatment centers or drug rehab facilities may be an option for those with insurance looking to completely innovate and change their lives for the better. Quality drug rehabs that offer inpatient treatment can provide what few other modalities can. This includes fully monitored, regulated help by caring medical professionals, counselors and other staff who have dedicated their lives to giving back. Many people at the best inpatient rehab centers are recovering addicts themselves and no exactly what you're going through.
But be careful, the experience, skill and dedication of staff associated with addiction treatment centers vary as do their success rates. Thus, it is vital to choose a drug rehab that has been prescreened by patient / consumer recovery organizations / communities. For example, drug rehab members of the NAATC (National Alliance of Addiction Treatment Centers) must meet and maintain ultra high standards to obtain and retain membership. To see a list of NAATC members, visit www.naatc.org and our recommended addiction treatment centers.
Alternative Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction
Many long term treatment options exist for those suffering from heroin, opiate and/or drug addiction. This includes medicine assisted treatment options such as Methadone, Naltrexone (Vivitrol and ReVia) and Suboxone; Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and the 12 Step Program, individual counseling, group therapy, IOP (Intensive Outpatient Therapy), etc. View "Affordable Heroin Treatment Options" for more information.
Written and Published By,
William – Publisher and Founder of Kill the Heroin Epidemic Nationwide™
Visit our Free Heroin Addiction & Recovery Discussion Forum
Get help now by visiting our recommended addiction treatment centers.
Visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Admin: email@example.com
Support: email@example.com
Information: email@example.com
Website: www.killtheheroinepidemicnationwide.org
Discussion Forum: www.heroinforum.org
Blog: www.heroinblog.org
Facebook: www.heroinbook.org
Alternative Website Links
We are a community for recovering heroin addicts providing support and recommending the best treatments and clinics to people interested in conquering their addiction.


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Here is a video slot game that takes you into the laboratory of the mad scientist and his sexy assistant as they try to discover a serum for turning objects into gold. Dr. Prescott is the main character in The Madder Scientist slot game, and if you can make it to the unique bonus rounds in this game he will reward you with more money than your could carry out of the lab.
Play Madder Scientist
The Madder Scientist game is situated in the lab where Dr. Prescott sits in front of the spinning reels and tries to help you with winning more money. Before you begin to spin the reels, you need to choose the coin amount from the little box on the lower left corner of the game. Once you have chosen from .02 up to $1.00, you can then choose the number of lines you would like active. Choose from a single line all the way up to the maximum of 30 active paylines. You can also adjust the bet size credits, or if you simply want to play for the most rewards, click the max bet button and get to it.
The unique symbols that make up the Madder Scientist are all related in one form or another to working in the laboratory. The lower paying symbol is the yellow danger sign, followed by the bubbles, beakers, microscope, lighted tube, the rabbit, the sexy assistant, and Dr. Prescott himself. Getting 5 of a kind of these symbols pays from 200 to 2,500 coins. The only other 3 symbols are all related in one way or another to some of the wildest bonus features you will ever come across. These symbols are the green beaker, the switch, and the carrot.
The first of these symbols is the green beaker, getting 3 of the beakers on any reel will open the Click Me feature. With this bonus feature, you get to choose one of the three beakers to reveal either free credits or free spins. Continue choosing the beakers until the Collect symbol appears, then all the credits and free spins are added together and any free spins will be played out.
The second bonus symbol is the switch, and getting 3 or more of the switch symbol reveals the Wild Switches bonus feature. In this fun game feature, one of the reels will be chosen randomly to be full of wild symbols as 5 free spins are taken. During the bonus feature if any new switches appear on the reels, they add 1 new free game each to the total of remaining free games. This means you could be sitting back for quite a while as the free spins continue to explode your bankroll.
The last bonus feature is triggered when 3 carrots appear on the reels. Once the carrots are paid out, you will be taken to the laboratory where Dr. Prescott and his sexy assistant need your help making a new serum to try and turn an object into gold. You will be asked to choose a color serum that will them be poured into the flask. The next screen you will be asked to choose another color liquid that should neutralize the serum, which will then be poured into the same container. Once completed, the Dr. and assistant will use your serum on an object to see what happens. If the object turns to gold, you will be paid handsomely for your help to the delight of both employees.
While these bonus features might seem to be enough for any other video slot game, the Madder Scientist takes this to a completely different level with a bonus feature that is active throughout the entire game. After the reels have been spun, you have the chance to choose any of the reels to respin, but this does come with a price. Each reel will cost different amounts of credits, depending on how valuable that repsin could be. So for example, you have 4 symbols in the first 4 reels and need the last one in reel 5 to get a huge jackpot. Click the respin for the 5th reel and good luck. You have the option to click the respin feature as many times as you like until you strike it rich.
With the incredible animation that takes place on the Madder Scientist, each spin is like interacting with a movie in real time. The game has many interactive aspects that will allow you to control the way the game plays out and how much your bankroll is padded.


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Join Us
Looking for Veterinary Care? Golden State is a place that you can your pet can depend on for exceptional care.
Let's Go Shopping
Need a refill on vitamins, food, etc for your pet. Check our our online store.
Pet Diagnostics: Taking an Inside Look
Your pet's health means a lot to you, and we do our best to give the Castaic community complete care for them. That's why we offer pet diagnostics to give you both the most accurate diagnosis possible. As thorough as our regular exam is, sometimes we need help to better treat possibly painful conditions. Using cutting edge technology with digital radiography and 3D ultrasound, we're able to see what our bare eyes and your pet can't tell us. Digital X-rays let us see things like fractures and dental problems. Our ultrasound imaging lets us see whether your pet is pregnant or has other issues, like a cyst or cancerous tumor.
From Head to Paws, Digital Radiography is Better
Sometimes we need to dig a little deeper to give your pet the right treatment. With digital X-rays, we can pinpoint problems with their bones, teeth, digestive system and more. Conditions like gum disease and foreign bodies will get worse without proper treatment. Being one of the most commonly used tools in veterinary medicine, digital radiography is an easily accessible tool for pet diagnostics. Plus, it's the most up-to-date X-ray with many benefits:
- Your pet gets less exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals.
- We can almost instantly see imaging results for quick treatment.
- Results are shareable through e-mail and other digital means.
- Images are clearer and more readable than traditional X-rays.
Ultrasound for State-of-the-Art Technology
When it comes to top-of-the-line pet diagnostics, our ultrasound machine fits the bill. Using sound waves and 3D imaging on a real-time screen, we see all of your pet's internal organs and soft tissues. The most common diagnosis made with ultrasound is pregnancy and though it is exciting to see babies in your pet's growing belly, no issue goes undetected. We use the technology to diagnose many other conditions:
- It tells us where inflammation is coming from.
- It helps find cysts and tumors.
- It identifies painful kidney stones.
If you think your pet needs advanced diagnostics for any underlying conditions, call us right away. We're conveniently located in Castaic, California and we're happy to compassionately serve them. Our number is 661-670-8773.


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Company News | March 15, 2015
RxData raises a seed round of capital led by 8 international angel investors with strong expertise in the pharmaceutical market access environment. Notably, RxData investors span the globe from San Francisco and New York all the way to Switzerland and China. About RxData, Inc. (RxData) RxData, with operations in the U.S.A. and Switzerland, is a leading global market access data company, providing fast and reliable insights on life science commercialization. With the largest on-demand and automated database of pharmaceutical product prices and reimbursement decisions, it has never been easier to navigate the many complexities facing pharmaceutical commercialization. RxData empowers life science companies of all sizes to go-to-market faster, plan launches, price products and steer clinical and HEOR teams towards the best possible worldwide access.


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Every major press release distribution service has a reach of however many hundreds of thousands of journalists in their news wire but what matters, ultimately, is how many journalists from those media outlets will pick up your story and the quality of those media outlets.
Press Release Jet offers standard press release distribution at the incredible rate of $35. This package includes guaranteed placement across 250+ media websites and guaranteed placement on Google, Bing, Yahoo, Google News and Bing News. They also offer a premium press release distribution at $75 and this package includes everything from their standard package along with guaranteed placement across 375+ media sites including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and the CW.
Easy Newswire offers a basic package at $49 that nets around 150 media websites. They also have a premium version that costs $129 and nets around 250 media outlets. The quality is comparable to Press Release Jet.
PRWeb offers a basic package at $99 but the press release only lives on their website. Their standard press release package is $99, although from independent research conducted, the news releases sent using this package nets around 75 media site placements. PR Web's premium package is $369 and this package nets around 150 media site placements. PRWeb does not provide guarantees on how many media sites will pick up your press release.
eReleases is a reseller of another provider, PR Newswire. The advantage of going with eReleases is their pricing is cheaper than going with PR Newswire directly ($399 instead of $775 for a single press release distribution). However, Press Release Jet's premium package at $75 provides an 85% overlap in the media outlets and you get more media outlet pick up.
Business Wire has their pricing is hidden until you jump through a series of hoops but their pricing ranges from $99 to $499 and higher. Business Wire does not provide guarantees on how many media sites will pick up your press release.
In summary, the press release distribution service with the best return on investment is Press Release Jet. Their pricing is a fraction of what the other providers charge, and they deliver the most results in terms of media outlets picking up your press release.
Media Contact
Company Name: Media Contacts List
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Country: United States
Website: http://www.mediacontactslist.com


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Why build an energy-efficient home? The answer is convincing.
An energy-efficient home saves money by reducing energy use, provides a higher level of comfort to its occupants and increases the resale value of the house. Energy-efficient homes also fight against increasing greenhouse gases and global warming. Negative impacts of global warming include rising sea levels due to growing rates of glacial melting, more acidic oceans due to climbing carbon dioxide levels, and more frequent and severe weather events. Fortunately, recent technological advancements in building materials and construction techniques make the process of building an energy-efficient home less challenging.
Energy-Efficient Homes Must-Haves
New home builders have many decisions to make when building an energy-efficient home; however, most energy-efficient homes have several things in common. An energy-efficient home has a tightly sealed thermal envelope, controlled ventilation, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and energy-efficient doors, windows, appliances, and home electronics. The ultimate goal of an energy-efficient home is to achieve net zero energy use and create a comfortable home with high indoor environmental quality.
1. A Whole-Building System Approach for Designing an Energy-Efficient Home
The whole-building system approach treats a home as one energy system in which each part affects the performance of the whole-house. The whole-building system approach makes efficient use of water, electricity and other natural resources and strives to minimize waste and materials. It also ensures that all the building professionals are informed and understand every aspects that affect energy use in the home. The goal of the whole-building system approach is to create a home with lower utility and maintenance costs, improved durability and comfort, and a healthy and safe indoor environment. Architects, contractors, and homeowners agree that designing an energy-efficient home requires a whole-building system approach.
2. Site and Room Orientation of an Energy-Efficient Home
Proper site orientation (passive solar design) of a home is essential for taking advantage of the sun's energy. Specifically, in the Northern Hemisphere homes should be oriented north-south. The north-south orientation minimizes direct sunlight during the summer (which lessens cooling demands) while maximizing sunlight during the winter (which lessons heating demands).
Room orientation is also an important design consideration of an energy-efficient home.
- South facing rooms have good sun most of the day and are ideal for the main living spaces like living, family, and dining rooms.
- East facing rooms have good sun during the morning and are cool in the late afternoon, which is great for kitchens and bedrooms.
- West facing rooms get the late afternoon sun, which can be a problem for kitchens and bedrooms.
- North facing rooms have low levels of sunlight and are best suited for service areas such as garages, laundries and bathrooms.
3. Thermal Mass Materials of an Energy-Efficient Home
High thermal mass materials are an important design element of an energy-efficient home and typically used in walls and slab foundations. Thermal mass is the potential of a material to absorb and store heat energy. High thermal mass materials help stabilize temperature shifts within a home by slowing the rate of heat transfer. For example, at night an insulated concrete wall and floor will absorb the cool air and store it within its mass. During the day, if the walls and floors are shaded, they will stay cool and so will the interior of the home. In the winter, during daylight, the concrete walls and floors absorbs the sun's heat energy. During the night, the heat then slowly spreads through the wall and floor (conductivity) and releases into the home. Water, stone, brick, and concrete are examples of materials with high thermal mass. Steel, wood, and carpeting are examples of materials with low thermal mass and should be avoided as part of an energy-efficient home design.
4. Continuous Insulation of an Energy-Efficient Home
An essential design component of an energy-efficient home is continuous insulation (CI). In fact, the ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (2015 IECC) require continuous insulation, which is defined by the ASHRAE Standard 90.1−2013 as insulation that is uncompressed and continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. A thermal bridge is a section of a wall assembly that allows heat and energy to flow through it at a higher rate than the surrounding area and reduces the effective R‑value1 of the wall assembly. The purpose of CI is to stop thermal bridging, increase the effective R‑value\ and eliminate condensation. Continuous insulation stops air leakage (thermal bridging) in a home and saves homeowners money and energy by reducing mechanical ventilation costs and heating and cooling expenses.
5. Air and Moisture Barrier of an Energy-Efficient Home
Preventing air and moisture infiltration to the interior of a house is essential to the design of an energy-efficient home. Air tightness of a home is a critical factor in eliminating thermal bridges. Moisture resistance is crucial to preventing rot and the growth of mold and mildew, which can significantly degrade the indoor environmental quality of a home. To minimize air and moisture infiltration within a home, an air and moisture barrier, along with continuous insulation, is imperative to an energy-efficient home design.
6. Bautex Wall System — Best Practice Towards an Energy-Efficient Home Design
Bautex Wall System is a high thermal mass product that provides continuous insulation and minimizes air and moisture infiltration. The Bautex insulated concrete blocks provide an R‑14 continuous insulation that meets, if not surpasses, the codes and standards of the (ASHRAE 90.1) Code (2015 IECC). Also, application of the Bautex AMB 20 air and moisture barrier to the Bautex Block wall creates a moisture resistant, airtight home that eliminates thermal bridges and condensation.
In addition, the Bautex Wall System is noise reducing, easy to install, and disaster-resistant and has an ASTM E119 fire rating of four hours with ASTM E84 values for flame speed of zero and smoke development of twenty.
7. Cool Roofs of an Energy Efficient Home
A cool roof of an energy-efficient home protects against solar heat gain and keeps the house and attic space cool. Asphalt shingles, a traditional roofing material, has a high thermal mass and will absorb the sun's heat, which will transfer to the inside of a home. Typically, a cool roof is made of low thermal mass materials like tiles, slate, or clay that are reflective or have light-colored pigments that reflect the sunlight. A wonderful cool roof option for homes with flat rooftops and limited green space, is a green roof. Green roofs include anything from simple plant cover to a working garden. Cool roofs improve indoor comfort and reduce energy bills. They can also extend the roof's service life.
8. Insulated and Waterproof Slab Foundation of an Energy-Efficient Home
Slab foundations are most effective way to separate an energy-efficient home from the ground; saving time, money, and materials. Concrete slabs, along with a continuous layer of rigid foam insulation under the slab, are perfect for an energy-efficient home design. The high thermal mass of concrete holds radiant energy and keeps a home warm and dry inside. Also, an acid-etched or dyed concrete slab is a very attractive finished floor.
9. The Heating and Cooling System of an Energy-Efficient Home
A home's heating and cooling system accounts for 48 percent of a home's energy use. The design of an energy-efficient home should consider high-efficiency heating and cooling systems that use less energy. For example, the most efficient HVAC system is 95 percent efficient; meaning 5 percent of the energy produced is lost. It is imperative that HVAC professionals install the systems in accordance with ENERGY STAR homes. Improper installation of an HVAC lessens the efficiency of a system by up to 30 percent. VRF and variable speed HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available.
10. Ventilation of an Energy-Efficient Home
Controlling ventilation of an energy-efficient home is critical because the air-tightness of an energy-efficient home may trap pollutants (like radon, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds). It is essential for an energy-efficient home to install an energy recovery ventilation system. An energy recovery ventilation system controls ventilation and minimizes energy loss by transferring energy from conditioned air going out to fresh incoming air. Other useful methods of ventilation for an energy-efficient home are spot ventilation, such as exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms, along with natural ventilation.
11. Glazing System of an Energy-Efficient Home
The windows, skylights and doors of an energy efficient home provide light, warmth, ventilation, along with energy and cost savings. Design of an energy-efficient home should include energy efficient windows, skylights, and doors appropriate to the home's climate zone. Also, in the northern hemisphere, major glazing areas should face south to take advantage of the sun's energy in winter months when the sun is low. For warmer climates, limit south facing windows. If windows face south, install shading devices can prevents excessive heat gain during the hot, summer months.
12. Energy-Efficient Appliances
Design of an energy-efficient home includes energy-efficient appliances: washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, dehumidifier, freezer, etc. Energy-efficient appliances reduce a home's energy use, emit less air pollution and increase the resale value of a home. Selecting ENERGY STAR appliances ensure the product saves energy and money and protects the environment.
13. Energy-Efficient Home Electronics
The average home owns 24 electronic products, which are responsible for 12 percent of a home's electricity use. In addition in 2015, 24 percent of employed people did some or all of their work at home and require home office equipment. The design of an energy-efficient home must include selection of ENERGY STAR®-labeled office equipment and electronics.
14. Lighting of an Energy-Efficient Home
Lighting contributes up to 15% of a home's annual electricity costs and is a crucial design consideration of an energy-efficient home. Controls such as timers, photocells that turn lights off when not in use and dimmers can save money and energy. Examples of energy-efficient lighting include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and halogen incandescent.
- Light emitting diodes (LEDs) bulbs contain semiconductors diodes that convert electricity into light. LEDs are often used in recessed fixtures, and small track lights, desk lamps, kitchen, under cabinet lighting, and outdoors. LEDs are about 90 percent more efficient than incandescent light bulbs; however they are expensive, ranging from about $10 to $40. LEDs are the longest lasting energy-efficient bulb. LEDs last 50 times longer than a incandescent, 20 – 25 times longer than a halogen, and 8 – 10 times longer than a CFL.
- Compact fluorescent lamps are compact fluorescent light bulbs often used in recessed or can lighting. They cost between $1.25 and $2.50 for a 60-watt-equivalent bulb. The CFL bulb burns cool and uses much less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb. However, the cons of the CFL is it may take a minute or more to reach full brightness and CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, which makes recycling difficult.
- Halogen incandescents have a capsule inside that holds gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency. They are are similar to traditional incandescent bulbs, but use less electricity. Halogen are the least expensive energy-efficient lighting option at less than $1 each; however, they do not have the longevity of LED and some of CFL bulbs.
15. Water Heating of an Energy-Efficient Home
Water heating accounts for 15 percent of energy costs and is one of the largest energy expenses in a home. Fortunately, there are several high-efficiency water heater options that can save energy and money: tankless water heater, high-efficiency water heater, high-efficiency heat pump water heater, and high-efficiency solar water heater.
16. Energy-Efficient Home Design Includes Smart Home Devices
Including smarthome products in the design of an energy-efficient home is a convenient option for a homeowner that saves money and energy and makes a home safer. Examples of smart home products include programmable thermostats, occupancy or motion sensors, CO2 and other air quality alarms.
17. Renewable Energy Sources of an Energy-Efficient Home
The design of an energy-efficient home should strive to create as much energy as it uses by installing renewable energy measures: for example, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind system, small "hybrid" electric system, or microhydropower. Renewable energy sources can reduce or completely eliminate a home's utility bills and may even have tax incentives.
The ultimate goal of an energy-efficient home is to achieve net zero energy use. The design should also strive to meet the Energy Star requirements for sustainability, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). Achieving these standards and requirements will create an energy-efficient home that saves money and energy, creates a high degree of comfort for the occupants, and ultimately increase the resale value of the house. Visit Bautex Wall System for more information on must have elements for designing an energy-efficient home.
A building's wall assembly resistance to this flow is measured by its effective R‑value. The effective R‑value includes all the materials used in its construction: the studs, siding, drywall, fiberglass batts, plywood or OSB sheathing, water control plane. The higher the R‑value, the less the conductivities of the wall assembly.


text: NAMI News 2017 See what's going on in the world of NAMI. Google Partners with NAMI to Shed Light on Clinical Depression Aug 24 2017 NAMI believes that awareness of depression can help empower, educate and enable quicker access to treatment. That's why we partnered with Google to ensure that their new "Check if You're Clinically Depressed" feature is accurate and useful. Read More. Mary Giliberti Appointed to Federal Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee Aug 16 2017 NAMI Chief Executive Officer Mary Giliberti has been selected to serve as a non-federal member of the Department of Health and Human Service's Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee. Read More. Ask the Doctor Webinar on America's Opioid Epidemic Aug 14 2017 Thank you to all who joined NAMI's Ask the Doctor Webinar with Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia. Read More. Free Webinar Recording on Solitary Confinement Jul 31 2017 Check out NAMI's July 27 webinar on the mental health effects of solitary confinement. Read More. Senate's Rejection of Health Care Bill is a Vote for Mental Health Care Jul 28 2017 The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) expresses gratitude for the Senate's rejection of several proposed bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Read More. You Did It! Jul 28 2017 NAMI's six-month fight to defend mental health and substance use coverage is over and, together, we stand victorious. Read More. NAMI Applauds Bipartisan Governors' Letter Defending Medicaid Jul 27 2017 A group of 10 governors from both parties wrote a letter to Senate leadership this week to call for bipartisan solutions that fix the insurance marketplace and do not cut Medicaid. NAMI supports these governors and their recommendations. Read More. Senate Takes First Step Toward Dismantling Mental Health Coverage for Millions Jul 25 2017 The Senate voted today to open debate on health reform by passing a Motion to Proceed by 51-50. This paves the way for the Senate to vote on a new health reform bill that will be cobbled together on the floor of the Senate. The future of mental health coverage for millions of people who live with mental illness is at stake again. Read More. The Fight is Not Over Jul 20 2017 Will Americans have more mental health coverage and better care? Ask your Senators to work toward bipartisan solutions that fix the insurance markets and secure mental health coverage for millions of Americans with mental illness. Read More. Register for the 2017 CIT International Conference Jul 12 2017 Spots are still available for this year's CIT International Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, August 16-18. Read More. Displaying results 21-30 (of 58) < 1 2 3 4 5 6 >


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The following are the contents of an address by Pope St. Peter to Cornelius the Centurion. The address is preserved in St. Luke's Acts of the Apostles Chapter 10 Verses 34-47. I've sequentially numbered the paragraphs to make these excerpts easier to cite. Ellipses in this text are used to edit out some narration by St. Luke.
Address to Cornelius the Centurion by Pope St. Peter - ~37 A.D.
[1.] Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
[2.] You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
[3.] They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
[4.] And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. ...
[5.] Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?
Source: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=5033832


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Have any questions?
+44 1234 567 890
Fascination with Rotgipfler
Native varieties quite extraordinary
LORENZ ALPHART deliberately plants Rotgipfler in the famous Mandelhöh single-site vineyard. This rarity is also found in his new Pressweingarten vineyard - and both wines are now among the most exciting in the region. One is delicate, unusually salty and firm, almost Burgundian, the other has intense tropical fruit and spicy roasted aromas. A comparison shows precisely how different terroirs can be expressed with the same grape variety. This is a high art and a real ace up the sleeve of this young winemaker.
Another of Lorenz's favourite varieties comes from a premium location: his Zierfandler thrives in the Otzler vineyard. It's a real pleasure when someone brings these quite complicated varieties so typically, and yet new, into the wineglass.
When asked about the secret of his wines, the ambitious winemaker says dryly: "Length instead of breadth."
Recent awards
Gault Millau (2019)
17 & 3 Trauben - 2016 Rotgipfler L Reserve
17 & 3 Trauben - 2016 Rotgipfler Grape
2017 Rotgipfler Ried Mandelhöh wird zum
Lieblingswein der Redaktion gewählt
A la Carte (2019)
93 - 2016 Rotgipfler L Reserve
92 - 2017 Rotgipfler Ried Mandelhöh
90-92 - 2017 Rotgipfler Ried Mandelhöh
92 - 2016 Rotgipfler L Reserve
TOP 100 Weine 2018
3x Rotgipfler, 1x Zierfandler
Rotgipfler is a crossing of Traminer and Roter Veltliner, and is related to Grüner Veltliner (hence its synonym Weißgipfler). Likewise with Zierfandler, Rotgipfler is a speciality found virtually only in the Thermenregion. Warm south-facing vineyard sites with good calcareous-based soils are necessary. With strict yield control, the wine shows a high extract content, pleasant acidity and a fine bouquet. It tends to age slowly and is often blended with the varietyZierfandler.


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Ginger-Garlic Half Chicken Recipe
Asian-spiced chicken on the barbecue. Preparing half chickens on the grill reveals the beauty of cooking chicken with the bones intact. Even though you're grilling this chicken for 30 minutes, it will turn out tender, incredibly flavourful — and never dry. Thank the bones for that. Grill covered to create radiant heat that will penetrate the thickest parts of the bird and cook it evenly.
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp sake
2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
4 cloves grated garlic
2 tsp tobanjan (bean paste available at Asian food stores)
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 half chickens (3-4 lb. total)
Step 1: Mix together the soy sauce, sake, ginger, garlic, tobanjan, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl to make the marinade. Pour 3/4 of the marinade into a baking dish or rimmed sheet pan; reserve the rest. Lay the chicken in the marinade and flip the halves 4 times to generously coat all over. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to make sure all the crevices are well coated. Marinate the chicken halves for 10 minutes, turning once.
Step 2: Preheat a grill to medium. Grill the chicken, covered, for about 35 minutes. Start by grilling skin side down for about 2 minutes. Flip the chicken and brush on the reserved marinade. Flip the chicken about every 7 minutes, brushing on more marinade after each turn. The chickens are done when very juicy with meat pulling away from the bone. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, cut into serving pieces, and serve.
Reprinted with permission from Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat's The Japanese Grill (2011 Ten Speed Press).[img_assist|nid=2044681|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=middle|width=225|height=238]


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Ornithologist Profile: A Career With Animals
Ornithologists are biological scientists who specialize in the study of birds. The duties of an ornithologist can vary widely based on the specific type of position they are employed in.
Positions are available in a variety of areas such as academia, research, and private industry.
Ornithologists in academia prepare and deliver lectures, supervise students performing lab work or research, write grant proposals, publish research, advise undergraduate and graduate students, and supervise lab assistants. Publishing research is particularly important for college professors that are trying to secure tenure at their institution.
Ornithologists involved in research may conduct extensive work in the field, though lab work is also an option for researchers. Fieldwork often includes monitoring behavior, trapping birds with nets, banding birds for identification, utilizing GPS systems, tracking migration patterns, analyzing data, and publishing results. Research may be conducted for government, commercial, educational, or private entities.
While studying birds, ornithologists may interact with avian veterinarians, ecologists, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife biologists, fish and game wardens, and others in related fields. Those working in the field may be subjected to extreme temperatures and changing weather conditions while completing their work.
Career Options
An ornithologist may find employment in a variety of roles such as university professor, museum curator, zoo curator, researcher, public educator, or government agency employee. Positions in private industry may also be available (many recent job postings for ornithologists were from wind farms that wished to conduct environmental impact surveys).
Ornithologists may specialize by studying a particular group of birds exclusively (such as raptors, waterfowl, or songbirds). They may even narrow their focus to specialize in studying a single species of interest. Some ornithologists also work with non-avian species as a part of their research.
Education and Training
Ornithologists should pursue a graduate level (MS or Ph.D.) degree in ornithology, biology, or a closely related field that allows a concentration of avian related coursework. Advanced graduate degrees are generally required for university-level teaching positions or senior research positions. While some positions may be available to students with a Bachelor's degree, these are generally lower paying and do not offer the same educational and research opportunities available to professionals with a graduate degree.
Coursework for ornithologists generally includes classes in anatomy, physiology, reproduction, genetics, behavior, biology, statistics, population dynamics, calculus, chemistry, evolution, ecology, and zoology. Extensive lab work and research also factor into the completion of a degree in the field. Internships also enhance a student's resume, so it is important to use these opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field during the college years.
Louisiana State University and Cornell University are particularly well known for their ornithological programs. Cornell does not offer an ornithology degree in and of itself, but the school does offer several related majors that allow a student to study birds in depth. LSU is noted for its research on waterfowl and tropical species. An excellent listing of ornithological college programs can be found on the Wilson Ornithological Society's Guide to Graduate Programs in North America. Many schools offer ornithological courses or degrees to their students.
Professional Organizations
There are many ornithological societies worldwide that welcome professionals in the field. The world's oldest ornithological organization is the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU), founded in 1883. Other membership organizations include the Association of Field Ornithologists, the Cooper Ornithological Society, the British Ornithologists' Club, the National Audubon Society, the Wilson Ornithological Society, and the British Ornithologists' Union.
The salary for an ornithologist can vary widely based on the level of education, years of experience, their particular area of specialization, and what specific duties the job entails.
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a separate category for ornithologist salary data, it does record salary data for the closely related category of zoologists and wildlife biologists.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the rate of employment for zoologists and wildlife biologists will increase at a rate of approximately 4 percent over the decade from 2014 to 2024. This is a slower rate than the average for all occupations surveyed. Ornithologists with doctoral degrees will continue to have the greatest number of employment options due to their advanced levels of education and experience.


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Companion Pet Care of Littleton
- 603-444-0600
- www.cpclittleton.com/
Opening Hours
- Monday8:00~5:30
- Tuesday8:00~5:30
- Wednesday8:00~5:30
- Thursday8:00~5:30
- Friday8:00~5:30
- Saturday8:00~12:00
Companion Pet Care of Littleton
Companion Pet Care is proud to serve the Littleton NH area for everything pet related. Our veterinary clinic and animal hospital is run by Dr. Billie Winter, who is a licensed, experienced Littleton veterinarian.
Our team is committed to educating our clients in how to keep your pets healthy year round, with good nutrition and exercise. Companion Pet Care stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care in every check-up, procedure, or surgery.


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Acid Reflux also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastric reflux disease is a disease that is estimated to affect around 40-50% of the world's population in one form of another. I personally suffer from it and for the most part am able to keep it under control through proper diet and exercise. This article is meant to help those who may be new to the problem or already have difficulties with the disease find remedies to help with the pain, nausea, belching, and gassy feeling.
Do I have Acid Reflux?
What exactly is heartburn? How do I know if that's what I'm experiencing? Those are two important questions to figure out since a reflux "attack" can sometimes feel like a heart attack. Contrary to the name heartburn, the sensation and problems have absolutely nothing to do with the heart. Acid reflux actually doesn't affect your heart at all and poses no serious long term issues to any of the hearts functions.
Instead, acid reflux is a problem located in the digestive system caused by a loosing of the esophageal sphincter which then allows digestive acid to back up into the esophagus causing inflammation and irritation. The reason this happens varies from person to person and takes experimentation to fully master. Most of the cases though involve certain trigger foods such as alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, creamy foods, spicy foods, or citrus fruit. The trigger food will vary from person to person though which is why it is important to keep a log of what you ate throughout the day when the attack occurred to narrow it down. Heavy lifting, eating too much, laying down after eating, obesity, hiatal hernias, and certain medicines can bring also bring on reflux symptoms.
Symptoms of heartburn are varied but can include:
- Chest pain
- Bloating or gassy feeling
- A sour taste in the back of the mouth
- Regurgitation of food
- Trouble swallowing
- Increased salivation
- Nausea
- Painful swallowing
If left untreated, reflux can lead to serious problems including Barrett's Esophagus, Esophageal Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Erosive Esophagitis, or an Esophageal Strictures. Those only pose a risk if the problem is severe enough and left untreated. Otherwise, the only other serious problem is your day being ruined due to discomfort.
Treatments for Acid Reflux
Luckily for most individuals acid reflux can be managed through proper diet, exercise, and possibly prescriptions. Below is a list of things you can do today to help prevent heartburn later.
- Eat in moderation: Avoid consuming larger meals and instead opt for smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. This avoids overeating and allows the stomach to break down food easier.
- Eat slower and enjoy the food: If you're like me, eating food slowly can be tough at times. Unfortunately this is a very effective tool to combat reflux since eating quickly overloads the stomach and leads to overeating.
- Keep a food log: This will allow you to pinpoint which foods trigger reflux in your body.
- Exercise: Losing weight and getting in shape in an amazing way to solve not only reflux problems but also a whole host of other issues such as a lack of energy. It is one of the most effective tools you have besides watching what you eat to combat the reflux symptoms.
- Avoid eating right before going to bed: The idea behind this is that you won't be full and lying down. This is probably the worst situation a person can put themselves in since lying down allows the esophageal sphincter to relax leading to acid inflaming your esophagus causing you to wake up with chest pain during the middle of the night.
- Reduce stress in your life: Being stressed out can cause the muscles around your stomach to contract which then lets food and acid travel back up into the esophagus.
- Have a cup of hot water or tea after the meal: This is a method that is based around the idea that warm liquids dilute acid and flush out your stomach.
- Stop smoking: Smoking loosens the esophageal sphincter which once again lets acid and food into the esophagus causing inflammation and pain.
- Raise your bed 6-8": This keeps acid from flowing into the esophagus thus reducing the chance of waking up in the middle of the night with chest pain.
- Have a piece of gum: Chewing gum stimulates the saliva glands in the human mouth allowing the production of more saliva which dilutes stomach acid.
- Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothing contracts the stomach muscles which relax the esophageal sphincter thus allowing acid and food to back up into the esophagus causing inflammation.
Even with significant lifestyle changes some people may need medication to help control reflux. Medication ranges from prescriptions such as Protonix to over the counter pills such as Prevacid. Generally all of these medicines will be similar with differences occurring in the dosage and strength. Also be sure to check with your pharmacist for generic alternatives since they can cost a fraction of the price of the name brand.
If a prescription isn't enough to control the effects of acid reflux then the potential exists for undergoing the Stretta procedure. This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radio frequencies to create scar tissue or legions around the esophageal sphincter. The goal is to create a barrier to keep acid and food from inflaming the esophagus. It is a relatively new procedure but is gaining popularity due to its outpatient status. The procedure takes around 40 minutes and patients can expect to receive the maximum benefit from undergoing the surgery in about 2-6 months.
Taking Charge!
The main way to beat acid reflux is to not let it control your life. You have tools and options at your disposal to beat the disease but it is up to each of us to use them to our benefit. There will always be days that you will relapse but the goal is to minimize these days to once a year or longer. It isn't easy but with dedication and persistence it is possible to live a life free of acid reflux.


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Aspiring Panda
Dow Social partner up with a number of different web designers and app developers so we can match our clients with the best service. That is why we recommend Aspiring Panda.
About Aspiring Panda
Whether you are looking for a small website to increase your web presence or a fully fledged e-commerce shop front, our qualified consultants work with you to produce a site to be proud of. Aspiring Panda have expertise in ensuring you service your customers in the most current technologies, providing an easy to use platform to update or create new pages.
Looking for a website or app to showcase your business? Look no further we have you covered.
Visit http://aspiringpanda.com/ for more info
What clients saySee all testimonials
Martin Peston
Owner, Top Australian Wines
DowSocial are excellent at what they do. They have helped me reach over 10,000 followers on twitter and the opportunities I am getting because of this are paying dividends. They are professional and would recommend him to anyone who is serious about taking their business to the next level.
New Beginnings Incorporation
United States Military Veterans Charity
Kristian Downer, Managing Director, at DowSocial was brought on to manage our Twitter account. His expertise in social marketing helped to increase donations from the Twitter community. He was very diligent about ensuring the posts were sent and the content was appropriate for our organization brand. I recommend him to any company looking to increase their marketing via social marketing.
Chris Smith
IT Consultant
DowSocial were hired to work on my social media marketing and they continues to prove their worth to my business. As for so many other businesses finding the time to put 'pen to paper' and keep in touch with my customer base through blogs and social media content is a real challenge. I work with Managing Director Kristian whose enthusiasm for doing just this on my behalf means that I now have a trusted partner helping me grow my business. He works methodically and starts every phase with a customer meeting to ensure that full agreement is reached on scope and content. Kristian works autonomously to research and write each piece and ensures there is a final editorial review prior to each blog being posted. His writing style is adapted to the person he is writing for and this shows his dedication to providing his clients with a personalised service. I would certainly recommend Kristian and his company DowSocial to any other business.
Tim Lloyd
Technical Director, Censornet
DowSocial grew our social media followers 10 fold in the time we worked together. They are highly motivated and took the initiative on the best strategy for us (Censornet). I would have no hesitation in recommending DowSocial to others looking to build their social media presence.
Rachel Parkin
Managing Director, Balagan Group
We've used social media for several of our businesses with good effect. We wanted to take the next step, so we hired DowSocial. They were professional and had a real impact on our business by providing strategic insight that helped us build our presence & increase revenues.


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M. Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D.
M. Kathleen Behrens, Ph.D., has served as a member of our Board since March 2009 and Chairperson of the Board since April 2015. She also currently serves as a member and chair of the audit committee and as a member of the research and development committee of the Board.
Dr. Behrens served as a member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology ("PCAST") from 2001 to early 2009 and as chairwoman of PCAST's Subcommittee on Personalized Medicine. She has served as a public-market biotechnology securities analyst as well as a venture capitalist focusing on healthcare, technology and related investments. She was instrumental in the founding of several biotechnology companies including Protein Design Labs, Inc. and COR Therapeutics, Inc. She worked for Robertson Stephens & Co. from 1983 through 1996, serving as a general partner and managing director. Dr. Behrens continued in her capacity as a general partner for selected venture funds for RS Investments, an investment management and research firm, from 1996 through December 2009, after management led a buyout of that firm from Bank of America. While Dr. Behrens worked at RS Investments, from 1996 to 2002, she served as a Managing Director at the firm and, from 2003 to December 2009, she served as a consultant to the firm. From 1997 to 2005, she was a director of the Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy for the National Research Council, and from 1993 to 2000 she was a director, president, and chairwoman of the National Venture Capital Association. Since December 2009, Dr. Behrens has worked as an independent life sciences consultant and investor. Dr. Behrens was a director of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from June 2009 until Amylin's sale in August 2012 to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Dr. Behrens also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of a private oncology services company, KEW Group Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts from January 2012 to July 2014. In January 2019, Dr. Behrens was appointed to the board of directors of IGM Biosciences, a private biotech company that is developing IgM antibodies, initially for oncology indications. Our nominating and corporate governance committee believes that Dr. Behrens' significant experience in the financial services and biotechnology sectors, as well as in healthcare policy, qualifies her for service as a member of the Board.
Dr. Behrens holds a B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis.
Sarepta Therapeutics – J.P. Morgan 2020 Presentation
Sarepta Therapeutics 2019 Corporate Presentation
Latest Annual Report( FY 2018 )
R&D Day 2018 Presentation


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Great prices on duplexes and Apt. Bldgs.I have a unit in Uptown Memphis close to Fed Ex Forum and St. Jude totally renovated 295K 6 units I also have 23 duplexes rented motivated seller Frances Anderson Crye-Leike email me at: email@example.com for more info.. Thank you
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Intel chip security fix could permanently slow down PCs by up to 30 per cent
A major flaw has been discovered in Intel's processor chips by Google security researchers that could see hackers gain access to passwords and other confidential information on Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
The makers of these operating systems are already preparing fixes to close the vulnerability which will be released to consumers in the coming days and weeks.
The nature of the fix will fundamentally alter the way in which the operating systems communicate with the kernel - a core software layer - in such a way that executed tasks could be slowed by anywhere from 5 to 30 per cent.
Intel says the average computer user will not experience significant slowdowns once the issue is fixed. In reality, benchmarks will need to be carried out on patched computers to gain a full understanding of how their performance is affected.
The flaw affects all Intel chips produced in the last decade, although more modern chips include features such as PCID that could help to negate the slowdown to some extent.
Google's Project Zero team said on Wednesday that the flaw could allow access to passwords and other sensitive data from a system's memory.
The tech company disclosed the vulnerability not long after Intel said it was working to patch it.
Both Intel and Google said they were planning to disclose the issue next week when fixes will be available.
Intel has known about the problem since June; the company's CEO, Brian Krzanich, sold off a large portion of his stake in the company in October. Shares in the company fell by 3.4 per cent after the news was revealed yesterday.
Tech companies typically withhold details about security problems until fixes are available so that hackers do not have time to exploit the flaws.
In this case, Intel was forced to disclose the problem on Wednesday after British technology site The Register reported it.
Google said it also affects other processors and the devices and operating systems running them.
Although Intel cited rival AMD as one of the companies it is working with to address the problem, AMD said in a statement that it believes its chips are safe because they use different designs.
However, the aforementioned changes to the way in which operating systems access the kernel could still have an impact on those running AMD chips, at least in the short term.
"To counteract the threat, patches for all operating systems are in the works. These patches 'scramble' how kernel memory is stored, making it impossible for applications to exploit the flaw.
"While all the details are not available at this point, from what is known this vulnerability can be considered a threat. It could allow for credential theft or other privilege escalation exploits. In this respect, while potentially dire, it's very similar to an insider threat or admin data breach.
"Organisations need to layer multiple levels of protection to build defensive depth in their networks and applications."
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Shandi Schwartz, the owner of Strut Footwear, always joked that if her counseling/teaching career needed a change, she would open up a shoe store. Shandi has always had a love for fashion and a voracious appetite for shoes, and after 22 years in education, she is incredibly proud and excited to be bringing Strut Footwear to the women of Kelowna.
Strut boasts an exceptional collection of European made, sophisticated, fashion-forward footwear for the professional and fashion-conscious woman. Please come visit us in the Mission Park Shopping Centre, and take your love of shoes to a whole new level. We can't wait to meet you and help you find your new favorite shoe!
Strut Footwear is very proud to support COBSS, The Central Okanagan Bursary, and Scholarship Society. COBSS is a non-profit organization of volunteers from the Central Okanagan area who are dedicated to providing financial assistance to our Grade 12 graduates in order that they may further their post-secondary education.
Thanks to the generous contributions of donors, in 2016 COBSS allocated 533 awards, totaling over $432,000. In the past thirteen years, $5.6 million, contributed by local donors, has been distributed through COBSS to many deserving students in our community.
To learn more about COBSS or to become a scholarship or bursary donor please go to www.cobss.ca


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Before You Throw Out Your Christmas Tree: Read This
This holiday season was the most mindful yet. We learned the pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas trees, we bought our loved ones gifts that give back, and we became more aware of the role that holiday traditions play in mental health. In other words: We spent this holiday season thinking about how it can be a healthier experience for us, our loved ones, and the planet.
Now that the holidays are winding down, it's important to maintain this mindfulness, especially as we dispose of our holiday decorations and most importantly—our Christmas trees. According to a new article from the New York Times: It's important that we don't just throw our trees away. You don't want it to end up in a landfill where it won't be put to any good use. Luckily, there are a ton of ways to recycle it.
So where do you start? The first way is easy: Turn it into mulch. This option is available in many cities and towns and the mulch is then distributed onto public land, where it acts as "natural wildlife erosion control" and an "organic nutrient supply" to our parks. Sometimes it's even given out to people who will use it in their gardens or yards. If you live by the beach, old trees can be used to help rebuild sand dunes and prevent erosion. (They did this a lot after Hurricane Sandy). Live by a lake or creek? Old trees can be sunk and used as natural habitats for fish and other aquatic creatures. If none of these are viable options for recycling your tree—you might even be able to replant it.
The bottom line? Don't let your tree end up in a landfill where it will emit harmful greenhouse gases. Lucky for us, there are seemingly endless ways to reuse and recycle trees that will contribute to the good of the planet. And what's more festive than that?
Are you already shopping organic? Here's how to take it to the next level.
And are you ready to learn how to fight inflammation and address autoimmune disease through the power of food? Join our 5-Day Inflammation Video Summit with mindbodygreen's top doctors.


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"Appa, your kinda song" called out Aadi
My kind? Listened, liked it instantly and
That has set the ball rolling on a peep into
Mumbai, may be many things to many a man
Gun totting gangsters, trigger happy cops,
Starlit boulevards where ageing stars of bollywood
Swoop down in their mean machines
Adding up chaos on top of chaos
Where humanity flows like a swarm of bees and
Millions of hopefuls, still sleep on the sidewalks
Where the saffrons and greens glare at each other
The insanely demanding rat races, of
Barometers peeking up and popping out
Where people sleepwalk and pack
Themselves like iodized sardines
In the swaying tin boxes of locals,
It is still a city that gives much more than it takes.
To me, it's the one that has given unto me
The eclectric sense of sounds.
During the days of listless struggles,
It was the music, this city makes
That had given solace and kept me
from going insane.
Those days at the Kala Ghoda,
The Bavul Nights,
Sufi chants at Haji Ali,
The charmingly enticing "Jaydev jaydev jaymangal
Sunday choirs at many a church,
Gyrating numbers at my Sikh pals great parties,
Rock raves we've been to, all have made me love an
Array of sounds of liberating music,
I can tie many memories around.
Every time, I hear these strains,
The Sufi wails, when the church bells toll
When chants of Aum reverberates around
Its again a voyage to those lovely lanes
I left sometime back and
Now have an yearning to go back to.
I am all ears…
This poem is part of the Poetry Book Songs of a Solitary Tree: Graphical Verses of Sublime Snippets
Ultimate Belonging Poems Purposeful words about City Focused thought on Identity
Have something to say about the poem?


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The Insulin Plant That Is Nature's Gift To Diabetics
Believe it or not there is a plant called Costus Igneus that can treat diabetes and the symptoms from it.
This plant is also known under the name of Fiery Costus and Spiral Flag and it mostly grows in Brazil.
This plant can also be found in certain places in India and it has amazing anti-diabetic properties that have been proven since a long time ago and have been documented as well.
It is a plant that grows really fast and has thin leaves. It is a leafy green plant that resembles a herb and looks quite attractive to the eye. It can grow up to 6 inches and it is a plant that is very popular in the Ayurveda medicine exactly for its abilities to treat diabetes symptoms.
This plant has also been used a lot in the past for snake bites, gallbladder issues, gallstones, myoma and so on. This plant can provide many other benefits to the body other than diabetes prevention and treatment.
In order to treat diabetes and prevent it you can prepare this natural tea out of this plant to reap all the benefits it has to offer:
- You will need about 10 leaves of Costus Igneus and put them into 1 liter of boiling water.
- Boil the leaves for a little bit and them remove the pot from heat.
- Cover it with a lid and let the tea steep overnight.
- In the morning, strain the mixture and drink the tea 30 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach.
- You can drink this amount for several days just remember to store the tea in the fridge.
Other than the anti-diabetes properties you will feel a huge difference in the body because of this tea since it can give you many health benefits that will improve the general health. It is safe to consume for anybody and has no bad side effects.
Source: naturalhealingmagazine


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Scott: I knew I wanted to be a writer when I read Scott Fitzgerald's Winter Dreams in my first fiction class in college. Fitzgerald's prose is so seductive to young men in their early twenties. Trouble is I was one of those banal twenty-year olds who really didn't have all that much to write about. It wasn't until I defended my first murder case that I felt I had something worth saying, and I wrote my first novel, In Deepest Consequences, which I think remains available as an e-book. Still it took me fifteen years to figure out how to tell the story. I'm not the fastest plotter either.
Lily: Sometimes the best things in life take time. Like scotch. Are you working on anything new?
Scott: The Song of Deborah: Before a grief-stricken bounty hunter risks the wrath of the syndicate hiring him to track down their fifteen-year old runaway, he must come to grips with his culpability in the suicide of his teenage daughter. Will finish up revisions this weekend and send out for editing.


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What is a Support Specialist
Support Specialists are nurses, support workers and contractors who are experienced and specialise in supporting people across the community especially when a person is in need of some practical help.
Support Specialists are people who choose to work with people who are aged, have a disability, are recovering from illness or injury or simply want extra time in their day to spend at work, with family or friends.
The support they provide can be short-term help when a person returns home from hospital, or it could be more regular help with everyday cleaning, shopping, gardening or cooking, for those who are finding some everyday tasks a little more difficult to achieve on their own.
It could also be long-term or help with more complex issues such as personal care, wound management and other help – especially for those who are ageing or have a disability.
At Continuum Care we believe that regardless of the type of assistance required, our support team, gardeners and home maintenance contractors are special caring people who are committed to the people they work for and they love the work they do in our community to provide practical care solutions for people.
This is why we call our Team members "Support Specialists"
Our Support Specialists
Stephen Registered Nurse
Stephen is very experienced, having worked in the Aged care industry for over 22 years.
Annette Domestic Assistant
Annette really enjoys cleaning and has very high standards for her work
Gilles Support Worker
Gilles has experience and qualifications in Aged Care and Disability and Mental Health
Sallyanne Support Worker
Sallyanne is a very experienced Support Specialist who has worked in Aged Care and Disability for over 9 years.
Olga Domestic Assistant
Olga is a professional cleaner with over 20 years of experience in domestic cleaning.
Karen Support Worker
Karen has over 40 years experience working in aged care, disability and mental health.


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Benefits of smikBox NAS
Our Process
Out of the box the set up instructions are simple and gives you a fully functional NAS. It takes a few hours but most of this time involves drinking a cup of coffee while it "does its thing".
If you're running a 2 bay you should choose RAID 1 and in all other cases RAID 5 is most common.
At this point you have a running NAS and the task of installing, checking, evaluating and configuring the hundreds of available programs is for some an enjoyable technical and educational experience. All the information you could need is available online through blogs, posts, forums.
If however you're time-poor, or technically out of touch, let smikBox do it for you. After asking a few easy questions your NAS is setup for you with all the most popular features, up and running. After the smikBox Configuration and Setup is complete there is still plenty of features to be discovered, you're just removing the DIY frustrations and jumping directly to the fun part.
|The smikBox Process
|CPU, Storage, Network, Media management
|Backup, replication, Security, remote access, WiFi / Network speed
|Sync between devices, Web servers, Surveillance, Virtualizatin
|Business, education, Entertainment, Automation, iOT
|Setup form, Users, Locations, Devices you use
|Build, Configure, Test, Document
|Hand holding, Chat buddy, Operational training
|Help desk, Automated updates, Webinars, Consulting
What smikbox provides is:
- Configuration and Setup - A pre-delivery service to set up the NAS with the most popular features, make the changes to the backup, replication and management systems so it all just works and keeps working
- Support - A support service to help you once your NAS is delivered, with email, chat, webinar and training all provided for free
- Disaster recovery service - Insurance that if your NAS gets lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair you can re-instate both your systems and your data.
smikBox provides these services as:
- Standard service (Suitable for homes)
- Premium (Suitable for high spec, high performance and Business users)
smikBox Services
NAS made simpler with Setup Support and Recovery Services for NAS
After purchase smikBox sends you a form to complete that is used as a basis for setup.
Using your response to select all the best features, smikBox installs, and configures the systems and services to use the correct IP address / ports to avoid clashes and utilize the correct network (a NAS can have 4 x 1GB networks) or 5G WiFi so the NAS is used to its full potential, and ensure your local network is fast, secure, backed up regularly (automatically), users have access only to what they are authorized to use. You could do all this yourself with trial and error, but you will need to be prepared to dedicate the time to learn and experiment before you start using your NAS for real information. (You don't want to accidentally delete something important).
Your NAS can do a lot more than you realize, and using the setup and configuration service to enable all the cool features will allow you to get better value out of your NAS from the get go.
Premium includes:
- Premium level provides a more in depth matching of your exiting systems to the NAS
- The service enables the advanced Backup and replication functions used in environments with time critical or high volumes of data and files.
- Creates Virtual windows servers, links these to networks, setup NAS storage pools, snapshots (so you can restore selected files at a specific point in time), remote site replication, higher security policies, group policies, domain controller, proxies, container services
Now you have your NAS installed, it's likely you will need a bit of help now and then. The smikBox buddy system teams you up with a real person to help you get your NAS up and running. The support is then available by website chat, email and support tickets. If there is a difficult problem our experts can dial into your machine and share screens with you to work it out. The service coordinates the free automated updates and to your firmware and systems to ensure updates to your configuration work seamlessly. We apply these to our test machines (which are set up the same as yours) before the update is unpackaged on your NAS just to ensure its working as expected. The support service includes login access to training, webinars, and documentation through the resources area.
Premium includes:
- Remote Cloud monitoring of your NAS, checking logs, detection and correction of abnormalities (Alerts sent to you by email)
- Checking new software updates before and after being applied to your NAS, providing additional documentation, explanation of new features
- Vetting and product evaluation of new features, software products compatible with your NAS and providing news and recommendations on use of new updates and features
- Manage backup and replication, security breaches and services administration and management
- Telephone support / help desk and screen sharing support where needed
The RAID configuration of your disk drive protects against failure of one of your disks, but this is not your only risk. Damage from human error, theft, water, blunt force and other phenomena can damage your NAS beyond repair.
The disaster recovery service ensures that copies of important files are backed up and very important information retained in another server as a fail safe.
Firstly the firmware configuration is extracted from your server and stored in smikBox cloud server repository where it can be retrieved and used should your NAS be lost so a new NAS can be rebuilt from the DNA of your last NAS saving you the trouble of re-establishing all your software again.
Second the backup scheduled are altered to send important data to off site servers, starting with the use of FREE and low cost external storage providers such as iDrive, Amazon Glacier, S3 and other similar options.
Thirdly and most importantly, in the event of a complete failure, the service offers a rebuild service that starts by restoring your files on a "smikBox NAS" so you can get at the important information quickly and start to work out "which backup" you want to restore.
Premium includes
- Snapshot backup regime to restore parts of backups needed to reinstate the system as it was just prior to failure (standard service restores as it was at last backup)
- Send your backups to smikbox and we will restore on our server same day so you can access files immediately via the web
- Rebuild of the replacement unit to last known configuration
- You can rent a "loaner NAS" for the period between the failure and when your replacement unit is delivered
- After the "loaner NAS" is returned your files remain on the smikBox cNAs so you can access and download for another 4 weeks (or longer is requested)


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Child-centred care
Child-centred care
This guideline offers best practice advice on the care of children up to the age of 12 years with atopic eczema.
Treatment and care should take into account children's needs and preferences, as well as those of their parents or carers. Children with atopic eczema should have the opportunity to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment in partnership with their healthcare professionals. It is good practice for healthcare professionals to involve children and their parents or carers in the decision‑making process. Where a child is not old enough or does not have the capacity to make decisions, healthcare professionals should follow the Department of Health's advice on consent and the code of practice that accompanies the Mental Capacity Act. In Wales, healthcare professionals should follow advice on consent from the Welsh Government.
If the patient is under 16, healthcare professionals should follow the guidelines in the Department of Health's Seeking consent: working with children.
Good communication between healthcare professionals and children and their parents or carers is essential. It should be supported by evidence-based written information tailored to their needs. Treatment and care, and the information given about this, should be culturally appropriate. It should also be accessible to people with additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities, and to people who do not speak or read English.
Parents or carers should also be given the information and support they need.


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Take a close look around. Much of what we take for granted in our everyday life is shaped, guided, if not outright provided, by volunteers. Whether it is the organization of activities for our youth, assisting teachers, driving the grass root layer of politics, pushing social change, supporting the less fortunate, bringing us our music festivals and other cultural events, preserving our history, we all rely on volunteers in some way. Volunteerism can take on many roles, from leading the charge in a very public manner to quietly helping someone out once and a while. Take that look around, and think about where your talents, your muscle, or your time can help lessen the load on others, or maybe drive a little change.
In the past David has volunteered in or as:
Currently David's volunteer work includes:
Contact: davidlclark [at] rogers.com
The majority of David's all-to-little volunteer time is consumed by the RASC, a darned fine organization with a commitment to bringing astronomy to the people.
Another fine organization of which David is a member, but which he has somewhat ashamedly not donated time since his youth soccer days:


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Murray River Walk
Discover the Murray River on a 4 day, 3 night guided walking and river cruising journey that departs from Renmark, South Australia, in the cooler months between May and September.
Enjoy easy walking during the day and become immersed in a landscape that reveals a colourful history and a new environmental stewardship. You'll encounter wildlife and waterbirds along the river, creeks and old oxbow lagoons that meander through ancient redgum forests.
Accommodation is provided on a comfortable houseboat with hot showers and a top deck spa. Nightly guides prepare three course dinners showcasing locally produced wines and native ingredients.
MRW is committed to low impact, nature based tourism and environmental education operating in a high value natural area of the Murray River within the internationally significant Riverland Ramsar site.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating28 Reviews
Advanced Ecotourism Certified
Australian Tourism Accreditation Program
Australian Tourism Export Council
Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
The Ecotourism Association of Australia


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The corpus, its users and their needs: a user-oriented evaluation of COMPARA
Santos, D and Frankenberg-Garcia, (2007) The corpus, its users and their needs: a user-oriented evaluation of COMPARA International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 12 (3). pp. 335-374.
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COMPARA is a bidirectional parallel corpus of English and Portuguese, currently with 3 million words. The corpus was launched in 2000 and at present it is possibly the largest edited parallel corpus publicly available on the Web, with roughly 6,000 corpus queries per month. This paper summarizes an analysis of six years of corpus use. We begin by looking at user studies for language resources, especially corpora, and then we provide a snapshot of COMPARA's users and their behaviour based on log analysis. Particular emphasis is given to the language interface preferred by users (Portuguese and English are possible), the choice between the Simple and Complex Search modes, the reasons underlying null-results and behaviour after restricted output. The data has pointed us to cases where COMPARA's Web interface can be improved, and provided insights about our users and the problems they face, although further studies that distinguish between different kinds of users remain necessary.
|Item Type:
|Divisions :
|Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences > School of Literature and Languages > Languages and Translation
|Authors :
|Date :
|January 2007
|Additional Information :
|Copyright 2007 John Benjamins Publishing Company. The publisher should be contacted for permission to re-use or reprint the material in any form.
|Depositing User :
|Symplectic Elements
|Date Deposited :
|17 Oct 2014 18:01
|Last Modified :
|31 Oct 2017 17:01
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Press release
Mediation is better - couples told as divorce rate rises
Thousands of couples who separate each year have been urged to spurn confrontational court battles and instead to try mediation to sort out disputes over finances and children – as new figures show divorce rates increased last year.
Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes has called on more parents and couples to use mediation rather than face the stressful experience of going to court following today's publication of the Office of National Statistics figures.
The figures show 118,140 people divorced in England and Wales in 2012 – an increase from the 117,558 in 2011.
In 2012/13 more than 17,000 people successfully used legally aided family mediation – which is often quicker, cheaper and produces longer lasting results than going to court – to sort out disputes over their property, finances and children.
The Government continues to provide millions of pounds of legal aid so that more separating couples can make use of mediation – and in some cases financial help is also available for legal support for the process.
Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes said:
"Mediation works. We are committed to making sure that more people make use of it rather than go through the confrontational and stressful experience of going to court.
"These figures show thousands of people are sadly still divorcing each year. We want them to do it in the least damaging way for everyone involved, especially children. That is why we want them to use the excellent mediation services available to agree a way forward, rather than have one forced upon them."
Mediation uses negotiations to reach agreements which both people are prepared to live with, rather than having them dictated by the court. It is led by a trained and certified mediator and couples can ask a court to consider and make their agreement into a legally binding and enforceable court order.
The Government is introducing major changes in the Children and Families Bill designed to ensure that in future separating parents and couples will first consider using mediation to resolve the issues around divorce and separation – like splitting finances and property or agreeing child contact times – rather than fighting over it in court.
The proposed new law, which is currently being considered by Parliament, seeks to change the process so that a person who wants to apply for a court order about a children or financial matter must first attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM). Exemptions from this requirement will apply, such as where there is evidence of domestic violence.
Research shows that mediation can help people to reach solutions more quickly and cheaply and that couples who use mediation are less likely to need to return to the legal system to sort out ongoing issues. As it is a less confrontational process than taking a battle to court, it is also less traumatic for any children involved.
Notes to Editors
- ONS Divorce statistics
- The average legal aid cost of resolving a private family dispute following a relationship breakdown is approximately £500 per couple through mediation. This is compared to £4,000 per person for issues settled through the courts. The average time for a mediated case is 110 days compared to 435 days for non-mediated cases.
- Last year more than 17,000 people successfully used publicly funded mediation with only six per cent needing further legal services, compared to 21 per cent of those who didn't use mediation. 'Sustainability of mediation and legal representation in private family law cases: Analysis of legal aid administrative datasets, Quartermain [MoJ 2011]'.
- Mediation won't be right for everyone. Some people will be able to sort out their own disputes without using mediation or going to court. In certain other circumstances – such as with domestic violence or child protection concerns - legal action through the courts may be needed.
- Information for anyone considering divorce or separation, advice on some of the support and services available is available.
- More information on family mediation and reaching agreements can also be found on the Sorting Out Separation web app at sortingoutseparation.org.uk.
- For more information please call the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.