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OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to describe reported influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (pH1N1)-associated deaths in children with underlying neurologic disorders.
METHODS: The study compared demographic characteristics, clinical course, and location of death of pH1N1-associated deaths among children with and without underlying neurologic disorders reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RESULTS: Of 336 pH1N1-associated pediatric deaths with information on underlying conditions, 227 (68%) children had at least 1 underlying condition that conferred an increased risk of complications of influenza. Neurologic disorders were most frequently reported (146 of 227 [64%]), and, of those disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability were most common. Children with neurologic disorders were older (P = .02), had a significantly longer duration of illness from onset to death (P < .01), and were more likely to die in the hospital versus at home or in the emergency department (P < .01) compared with children without underlying medical conditions. Many children with neurologic disorders had additional risk factors for influenza-related complications, especially pulmonary disorders (48%). Children without underlying conditions were significantly more likely to have a positive result from a sterile-site bacterial culture than were those with an underlying neurologic disorder (P < .01).
CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic disorders were reported in nearly two-thirds of pH1N1-associated pediatric deaths with an underlying medical condition. Because of the potential for severe outcomes, children with underlying neurologic disorders should receive influenza vaccine and be treated early and aggressively if they develop influenza-like illness.
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- pH1N1 —
- influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus
- rapid influenza diagnostic test
- reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
What's Known on This Subject:
The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic caused illness in all age groups, but children were disproportionately affected. Children with underlying neurologic disorders were at high risk of influenza-related complications, including death.
What This Study Adds:
This study provides the first detailed description of underlying neurologic disorders among children who died of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of 343 influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (pH1N1)-associated deaths in children during the 2009–2010 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic through the Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality Surveillance System. This number of deaths was >5 times the median number of deaths reported during the previous 5 influenza seasons. In each influenza season since data collection began in 2004, neurologic disorders were most frequently reported among children who died and had underlying medical conditions.1,2 In 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its vaccination recommendations to include these children due to the increased risk of influenza-associated death noted during the 2003–2004 influenza season.3,4 Neurologic disorders in children comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders, including neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and hydrocephalus. Some of these children have associated medical conditions such as heart, lung, or other organ system disorders and many have impaired motor and intellectual function.5 Few published data exist on the clinical characteristics of children with neurologic disorders who die of influenza-associated illness and the contributing causes of death. Some studies speculate that impaired pulmonary function, including decreased ability to protect the airway through cough and proper laryngeal muscle function, contribute to greater risk for pulmonary infection6–8; however, not all children with neurologic disorders have associated pulmonary conditions.
This study assesses pediatric influenza-associated deaths of children with neurologic disorders that occurred during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. In this report, we describe influenza-associated deaths in children with neurologic disorders, their co-occurring conditions, and the clinical course of influenza illness.
Data Source and Influenza Case Definition
Influenza-associated pediatric death was added to the national notifiable disease list in 2004. A pediatric influenza-associated death is defined as a death in a child aged <18 years resulting from a clinically compatible illness that was confirmed to be influenza on the basis of an appropriate laboratory test result with no period of complete recovery between the illness and death. Respiratory specimens were tested for influenza at private commercial and hospital laboratories in addition to local, state, or CDC public health laboratories. Appropriate laboratory test methods include a rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT), viral isolation in tissue cell culture, enzyme immunoassay, fluorescent antibody testing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), or immunohistochemical staining of tissue samples. In some instances, laboratory testing identified influenza A virus infections, but subtyping of the virus was not done. During the 2009–2010 influenza season, national virologic surveillance data indicated that pH1N1 accounted for >99% of all circulating influenza strains.9,10 As a result, those cases with laboratory-confirmed influenza A virus infection of undetermined subtype were classified as "probable" pH1N1.
For surveillance purposes, an influenza season is typically defined as October 1 through September 30 of the following year. To clearly delineate seasonal influenza activity from the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, the 2008–2009 season was defined as October 1, 2008, through April 14, 2009, and the 2009–2010 season was defined as April 15, 2009, through September 30, 2010. State and local health departments notified CDC of cases by using a standardized case report form and transmitted the information via an Internet-based interface hosted on the CDC's Secure Data Network. Data collected on the form included patient demographic characteristics, date and location of death, influenza laboratory test results, results of bacterial culture from sterile sites, complications during the acute illness, underlying medical conditions, and influenza vaccination history. No additional information, including the original medical records or autopsy reports, was available to the reviewers. Children with medical conditions that place them at increased risk for influenza-related complications recognized by the ACIP are referred to hereafter as children with high-risk conditions.11 These included children receiving long-term aspirin therapy who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection or those with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematologic, or metabolic (including diabetes mellitus) disorders. In addition, children with immunosuppression or any condition (eg, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration were included as high risk.
Neurologic Disorders Classification
Neurologic disorders were classified into 3 groups: neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, and neuromuscular disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders included cerebral palsy, moderate to severe developmental delay, and hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Neuromuscular disorders included muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and mitochondrial disorders. Neurologic disorders and comorbid conditions were classified by a behavior-developmental pediatrician (Dr Peacock) and a clinical geneticist (Dr Moore). The standard case report forms were reviewed and given preliminary classifications by each reviewer; any discrepancies were discussed between the 2 reviewers to reach a final classification. In addition, conditions such as seizures were reviewed and excluded if they were considered more likely to be an influenza complication than a previous underlying condition.
Bacterial Coinfections
The results of bacterial cultures of specimens taken from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural fluid that were collected between illness onset and the day of death were summarized. Bacterial cultures from postmortem lung tissue were included for analysis only if the specimen was collected on the day of death. Bacterial culture results without speciation were not included in the analysis.
Statistical Analyses
Data were entered into Microsoft Access 2007 (Redmond, WA) and analyzed by using SAS version 9.2 (SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC). The χ2 or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare proportions, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to evaluate the difference between medians. All comparisons were 2-sided, and P < .05 was considered significant.
A total of 343 pediatric deaths associated with laboratory-confirmed pH1N1 infection were reported to the CDC from April 15, 2009, to September 30, 2010, by 45 reporting jurisdictions (44 state and 1 US territorial health departments). Two hundred eighty-six (83%) of these deaths were associated with pH1N1 infection, and an additional 57 (17%) pediatric deaths, classified as probable pH1N1 infections, were reported during the same time period. The majority of respiratory specimens collected from pediatric pH1N1 deaths tested positive for influenza by using RT-PCR (88%), followed by RIDTs (8%). Respiratory specimens collected from 33 (10%) of the 343 pediatric pH1N1 deaths initially tested negative using RIDTs but were later confirmed as influenza by using RT-PCR. Information on underlying conditions was available for 336 (98%) of 343 reported deaths; 109 (32%) of 336 children had no high-risk condition, 227 (68%) of 336 children had ≥1 high-risk condition, and 146 (64%) of these 227 had an underlying neurologic disorder. One-hundred fifty-eight (70%) of the 227 children had >1 high-risk condition.
Of the 146 children with neurologic disorders, 28 distinct disorders were reported. Among the 3 major categories, neurodevelopmental disorders were most common (94%) followed by epilepsy (51%) and neuromuscular disorders (6%) (Table 1). Seventy-one (49%) had neurologic diagnoses in >1 category. Among the 137 children with any neurodevelopmental disorder, 41 (30%) had both an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy. Before the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, a median of 67 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC annually (Fig 1). The percentage of children with underlying neurologic disorders reported during the pandemic was similar to previous influenza seasons.
Of 146 pediatric pH1N1 deaths with a neurologic disorder, about one-half were males, and the median age was 10 years (range: 0–17 years) (Table 2). The median time from onset of symptoms to death was 8 days (range: 0–141 days). Among the 144 children with a reported location of death, 115 (80%) died in the hospital after admission; among these, 94 (82%) had a known date of hospital admission, and their median time from hospital admission to death was 7 days (range: 0–122 days). When compared with pH1N1-associated pediatric deaths among children without high-risk conditions, children with a neurologic disorder were older (P = .02), had a significantly longer duration of illness between onset to death (P < .01), and were more likely to die in the hospital after admission (P < .01) (Table 2). Only 21 (23%) children received the seasonal influenza vaccine, and 2 (3%) children were fully vaccinated for pH1N1. Children with neurologic disorders who died in the hospital after admission had a significantly longer duration of illness between hospital admission and death (P < .01) and were significantly more likely to have complications occur during their illness (P < .01). The most common complications among children with neurologic disorders were radiographically confirmed pneumonia (70%) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; 40%) (Table 3). Children with neurologic disorders were more likely to develop radiographically confirmed pneumonia (P < .01), ARDS (P = .03), and seizures (P = .04) but were less likely to develop shock (P < .01) and sepsis (P < .01) than children without high-risk conditions. Children without high-risk conditions were significantly more likely to have a positive result on bacterial culture from a sterile site (P < .01). The most common pathogens identified were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. When compared with children with neurologic disorders, children without high-risk conditions were more likely to have a Streptococcus pyogenes (P = .03) or methicillin-resistant S aureus (P < .01) coinfection. No other statistically significant difference between percentages of bacterial coinfections among the 2 groups was identified.
Additional comorbid high-risk conditions were reported among 110 (75%) of 146 children with a neurologic disorder and pH1N1 infection. The most common comorbid conditions reported were a pulmonary disorder (48%), metabolic disorder6%), cardiac disease or congenital heart defect (16%), and chromosomal abnormality (12%) (Table 4). Nine (13%) of the 70 children had >1 pulmonary disorder.
This report describes 146 laboratory-confirmed pH1N1-associated deaths in children with neurologic disorders that occurred during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and were reported to the CDC and compares these cases with 109 pH1N1-associated deaths in children without high-risk conditions. Severe outcomes among children occurred throughout the pandemic. A median number of 67 seasonal influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the previous 5 influenza seasons, but the number of pediatric deaths associated with pH1N1 infection was >5 times that number. Among children with high-risk conditions, neurologic disorders were most frequently reported, and the distribution of neurologic disorders during the pandemic was similar to previous influenza seasons.2,4 Neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy were by far more common than neuromuscular disorders; multiple neurologic disorders were reported in nearly one-half of these children. Children with neurologic disorders were older, had a longer duration of illness, were more likely to develop pneumonia and ARDS, and were more likely to die after being admitted to the hospital than children without high-risk conditions. Pulmonary disorders were common among children with neurologic disorders.
Children with neurologic disorders might be at increased risk of complications from influenza due to compromised pulmonary function and inability to handle an excess of secretions.4,12,13 Several of the children in this case series also had scoliosis with restrictive lung disease, further increasing their risk of developing influenza-associated pneumonia. The finding that the majority of children with neurologic disorders developed pneumonia or ARDS as an acute complication of influenza is not unexpected, given that these children might have difficulty with muscle function that compromises clearing of pulmonary secretions.12
Ten percent of the respiratory specimens collected from pediatric pH1N1 deaths were initially negative for influenza by using an RIDT but later were confirmed as influenza by using RT-PCR. False-positive results with RIDTs can occur, which could lead to delays in treatment. Although RIDTs can provide results within ≤30 minutes and can be performed in emergency department or physician settings, they have low to moderate sensitivity compared with RT-PCR.14–18 Physicians should use caution when interpreting the negative results of RIDTs when a child presents with clinical influenza-like symptoms, and more accurate tests (eg, RT-PCR) should be considered if a laboratory-confirmed influenza diagnosis is desired. Antiviral treatment should not be withheld from patients with suspected influenza even if they test negative for influenza by using an RIDT.14–19
Children with neurologic disorders had a significantly longer duration of illness from hospital admission to death compared with children without a high-risk condition. It is possible that physicians of children with neurologic disorders were more likely to hospitalize their patients early in their illness, given their underlying medical conditions and a perceived greater risk of influenza-associated complications. Children without high-risk conditions were more likely to have developed sepsis and bacterial coinfection, including methicillin-resistant S aureus. The development of symptoms associated with a bacterial coinfection may have been the immediate cause for seeking medical care in these children. There are several potential mechanisms by which influenza virus infections might increase the risk for subsequent bacterial coinfections. If influenza virus infection destroys the respiratory epithelium so that the basement membrane is exposed, adherence of bacteria is enhanced.20,21 In addition, influenza virus infection may impair the function of immunologic cells, suppressing the respiratory burst response of neutrophils to stimulation.21–24
Annual influenza vaccination remains the best method for preventing influenza and its complications, and in 2010, the ACIP extended influenza vaccination recommendations to include all persons aged ≥6 months.11 Estimated seasonal influenza vaccine coverage rates in children aged 6 months to 17 years were 24% prepandemic.25 During the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, estimated national influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months to 17 years was 44% for seasonal influenza and 40% for monovalent 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccination.26 The majority of children in this study (70%) died before November 2009, when the pH1N1 monovalent vaccine became widely available. However, vaccination with recent seasonal influenza vaccines provided little to no benefit to children and adults with respect to an increase in cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against pH1N1.27 Continued efforts are needed to improve vaccine coverage in all children, especially those at increased risk of influenza-related complications. Physicians should counsel parents regarding the safety and effectiveness of influenza vaccine in children.19 Efforts should be made to coordinate among parents, primary care clinicians, developmental pediatricians, and neurologists to ensure vaccination each year.
These findings are subject to several limitations. First, completeness of case report forms varied, and there was limited information on children who died outside the hospital. Influenza testing is not universal in children who present to health care providers with influenza-like illness, and influenza-associated pediatric deaths may thus be underreported. Although influenza-associated pediatric mortality became nationally notifiable in 2004, only 47 states have implemented state-level reporting requirements as of 2010.28 Regardless, it is important for clinicians to inform their health department about potential influenza-associated pediatric deaths, and state health departments should notify the CDC of all laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths as soon as possible. In addition, treating clinicians might attribute the child's death to causes other than influenza, such as complications of their underlying medical condition or secondary complications of influenza. Before the 2010–2011 season, limited data were collected regarding antibiotic and antiviral use after illness onset, and data regarding timing and duration of antibiotic and antiviral therapy were not collected. Children who were hospitalized were more likely to receive antibiotic and antiviral therapy compared with those children who died outside the hospital. Influenza-associated deaths among children are rare, and during the 2008–2009 influenza season, 25 jurisdictions reported influenza-associated pediatric deaths to the CDC, but this number increased to 45 during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. These 20 additional jurisdictions contributed 94 influenza-associated pediatric deaths. Underreporting might have been offset by heightened awareness of influenza due to the pandemic, and physicians might have been more likely to report and conduct laboratory testing for influenza in patients presenting with symptoms compatible with influenza during the 2009–2010 season than during previous seasons. This possibility, in addition to the larger number of jurisdictions reporting, might partially explain the large increase in pediatric deaths during 2009–2010.
Forty-three percent of all children with influenza-associated mortality during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic had a neurologic disorder. Neurologic disorders belong to a group of chronic medical conditions that confer a higher risk of influenza complications. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for severe outcomes of influenza in children with neurologic disorders and both ensure that they are vaccinated and treat these children early and aggressively with influenza antiviral agents if they present with influenza-like illness.
- Accepted April 23, 2012.
- Address correspondence to Lenee Blanton, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, Mailstop A-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. E-mail: lblanton{at}cdc.gov
Ms Blanton had full access to all of the data in this study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis; Ms Blanton and Drs Peacock, Finelli, and Moore were responsible for study concept and design and acquisition of data; Ms Blanton and Drs Peacock, Cox, Jhung, Finelli, and Moore were responsible for analysis and interpretation of data and drafting of the manuscript, as well as critical revision of the manuscript for critically important intellectual content; and Ms Blanton and Drs Peacock, Finelli, and Moore performed the statistical analysis.
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
FUNDING: No external funding.
- Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Pediatrics


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WALTHAM, Mass. – Shay Faber (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Katryna Veasey (Quincy, Mass.) posted career highs of 20 and 14 digs, and Sydney Trusty (Durham, Conn.) nearly delivered a double double, but it wasn't enough to prevent a sweep at the hands of Brandeis University, Tuesday night at Auerbach Arena. Set scores were 21-16, 25-19, 25-21.
Faber and Veasey's career night on the defensive side of the net led a 62 dig effort by the Pride (3-9), the most in a three-set match since Oct. 12, 2016 against Daniel Webster. Trusty was one kill shy of her first double double this season, recording nine kills and 10 digs and hitting at a .381 clip.
Faber also took on most of the setting duties tonight for Regis, amassing 17 assists, while junior Rachel Bartels (Edinburg, Texas) led the Pride with a pair of blocks. Haley Schulte (Fullerton, Calif.) contributed 11 assists of her own with Veasey adding eight kills.
Leah Pearlman (El Paso, Texas) led the Judges (6-3) with 16 assists, classmate Yvette Cho (San Diego, Calif.) had a career-high eight assists, and freshman Megan Osorio Moran (Hollywood, Fla.) pitched in with seven helpers of her own.
Set one saw the Pride trail early but Schulte's kill kept her team close with a 9-7 deficit. Midway through the set, however, the Judges went on a 5-1 run highlighted by three Kirsten Frauens kills. Trusty's kills and Erika Andreoli's ace kept the Pride within striking distance but five straight Brandeis points to end the set put the Judges up.
The Pride again fell behind to start set two but battled back to even the score at 14-14. Meg Adams (Ware, Mass.) delivered a pair of aces in the four-point burst. Brandeis quickly recovered, going on a 10-4 run to finish the set and take a commanding two-set lead.
Set three saw more of the same before a late Regis run trimmed the deficit to 22-20. Trailing by five points, Bartels delivered back-to-back kills then got in on a block with Schulte to bring Regis within striking distance of extending the match to a fourth set. The run ended there however as Brandeis staved off the Pride to complete the sweep.
Regis gets right back at on Wednesday hosting New England College for a 6:00 p.m. match. Brandeis takes a short ride into Boston for its first road match of the season, facing Emerson College on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7:00 p.m.

subset: commoncrawl


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Over the last decade, Skype has become an essential tool for people around the world. Families share special moments together, students go beyond the classroom walls to learn in new ways and colleagues get to work from virtually anywhere. We feel the privilege and the responsibility of making sure that Skype continues to serve our hundreds of millions of users, while ensuring it evolves as technology shifts.
Recently, we have been focused on transitioning Skype from peer-to-peer to a modern, mobile friendly cloud architecture. By moving to the cloud we have been able to significantly improve existing features like file sharing and video messaging, and launch new features like mobile group video calling, Skype Translator and Skype Bots to name just a few.
The transition has been ongoing for a while and isn't complete quite yet. The team is working hard to ensure that our users can continue to use Skype smoothly throughout the transition. At times, unforeseen issues have cropped up, like messages not syncing across devices, or delayed notifications. Knowing the impact of these issues for our users, we fix these issues as quickly as we can. We do ask all our users to update Skype to ensure they benefit from our latest fixes and improvements and to enable a smooth transition to the cloud. As we transition, we are making some changes to the devices and operating systems we support:
Future device and operating system support – The pace of change in our industry means that the devices and operating systems used by the majority of people shifts with time. Our commitment to deliver the best possible cross-platform experiences requires that we continually assess when it's time to increase our focus on the platforms of the future. Sometimes this means that we must end support for some devices and operating systems.
These decisions are hard to make, but they are necessary as Skype moves forward so we can deliver new experiences on devices that have the capability to support them. As such, we will begin to implement these changes over the coming months. You can check our support site to find out which devices and operating systems Skype will support in the future, but as an example we will continue to support Windows 7, 8, XP and Vista, Yosemite on Mac, iOS 8 and Android 4.03 operating systems.
We encourage everyone impacted to upgrade to continue using Skype and benefit from new features and improved capabilities.
Investments in core platforms and the web – By focusing our efforts on the devices and operating systems where the majority of our users are, we can concentrate our efforts on what's most important such as call quality and new features. Our focus will be on the newly released lighter, faster and more responsive UWP app for Windows 10, Skype for iPhone, iPad and Android as well as a web-based native version of Skype for other supported platforms like previous Windows operating Systems, Mac and Linux, which will benefit from the latest ORTC or WebRTC technology that we've been working on for the last year.
Skype's transition to the cloud is a huge technical endeavor, but one that is necessary and one we firmly believe in. Our users are at the core of everything we do and this transition will enable us to meet their needs in the years to come.
So much hard work has already been done and we expect it to be completed in the coming months. Thank you for your support as we continue to evolve Skype to benefit from the best that technology has to offer today and tomorrow.


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Mini biography of Juan Diego Botto
Juan Diego Botto-Rota was born on 29 August 1975, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but moved to Madrid, Spain, where he still lives today.
Botto started acting at the age of 5 in the film Juego de poder (Power Game). His role in the 1999 film Sobreviviré (I will survive), got him more national and international recognition.
Botto has appeared on stage in Spain in several critically acclaimed plays. He also directed a play called Privilegio de ser perro (Privilege of Being a Dog), about the tough life immigrants are subjected to while trying to sneak into and live in a new country.
He also starred in Iannis Smaragdis' last film El Greco; a riveting performance which won him the first prize at the Cairo International Film Festival. He played key characters in films such as 1492: Conquest of Paradise(1992), Martín (Hache) (1997), John Malkovich's acclaimed The Dancer Upstairs (2002), El caballero Don Quijote(2002), the award-winning Roma(2004) to name a few. In 2006 he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas in Bordertown. He went on to play in Vete de mí(2006) and The Anarchist's Wife(2008) and in 2011 he starred in Silencio en la nieve.
In 2012 he starred in Dictado (Childish Games), which received a Golden Berlin Bear nomination at the Berlin International Film Festival.


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I went back to Yorkshire for the weekend, on my return I found this note in my room. Turned out "the crazy American" – whom I've never met – had slept in my room.
By all accounts I was relieved to have been away. She sounded quite a handful, my friends and sister all ended up and a very dodgy Belle & Sebastian disco in Salford… or something.
She is from a town in the mid-west called "Normal" and thinks that the Trafford Centre is the biggest mall in the world.


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Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show
The Little Sisters of Hoboken are off on their newest "Nunsense" adventure, this time heading to Tinseltown. They are thrilled at the prospect of performing at the Hollywood Bowl until they discover they are booked into the Hollywood Bowl-A-Rama, not the famous "Bowl!" But when they hear that a big-time producer is auditioning people for a new movie musical about the life of Dolores Hart, the famous movie star who became a nun, their spirits soar! Could this be their big break?
Featuring all new songs, audience participation, and heavenly humor, ABC Television calls this show, "Hilarious, Wacky, and Unpredictable!" It would be a sin to miss Cindy Williams, the lovable star of "Laverne & Shirley," as Mother Superior along with the original New York cast in this zany new musical comedy. The New York Times says, "The 'Nunsense' shows have raised the human spirit!"
Wed. Oct. 24 at 8:00 p.m., Pearce Auditorium. Faculty, staff and students call the Arts Council at 770-534-2727 for ½ priced tickets. http://theartscouncil.net/nunset.html


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- Home
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Sunday, 31 August 2014
Real Life Natural Hair Talks: Would you make your man's Natural hair?
8 comments :
- Anonymous31 August 2014 at 09:30
It depends on the kind of relationship you have, comfort level and respect. If you are good friends then no one would want to 'chore' the other one.ReplyDelete
This topic is no big deal because there can't be an answer- all relationships are different and how the individuals relate with each other.
It might not be a big deal for you but it could be for someone elseDelete
Like you rightly put, it depends on the relationship they both have but other factors also influence things
I'd make his hair a thousand timesReplyDelete
I barely want to do my own hair, then it's his hair I'll go and do?ReplyDelete
If it's a scalp massage, yes. Anything more, not likely.Replies
Ask him, I'm sure he won't mind helping out with yours if he could. Then maybe you can learn to reciprocate. It's fun and a great way to spend time together, you know :)Delete
- rhubarbsky1 September 2014 at 12:16
Agree with Dakara. As much as I love natural hair, styling my hair always feels like a major chore. Maybe styling someone else's here feels less tiresome though?ReplyDeleteReplies
From my experience, yes, styling someone's hair is much easier than trying to style mine myselfDelete


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The PowerBug is a one of a kind multi patented machine used for cleaning under gondolas during strip-outs and deep scrubs. Also strips the edges where autoscrubbers and strip machines can't get. Labor Saving. Fast effective results. See the video "The PowerBug In Action" under the video tab.
PowerBugs are made with the floor care industry in mind. Takes the hassle out of 'doodlebugging' and scraping and completely automates the process. With the grout brush makes cleaning grout nearly as simple as walking at a slow pace!
"Doodlebugging" and scraping by hand are a thing of the past. With the PowerBug, just flip the switch and the machine does the rest.


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Start the conversation
Or to contact Money Morning Customer Service, click here.
"What's the simplest strategy to boost my returns?"
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear when I'm on the road. And most people expect a long, drawn-out answer.
But in reality, there's a single word – the one you're about to see – that can lead to huge performance gains…
How huge?
Try triple-digit huge – that's why I place a high priority on this technique in the Money Map Report's proprietary 50-40-10 Strategy. It's critical to the success tens of thousands of our subscribers have enjoyed over the years.
It's incredibly simple, too…
Rebalancing: Your "Buy Low/Sell High Guarantee"
Most investors haven't heard of "rebalancing." That's very surprising, given all the lip service Wall Street pays to fancy-pants diversification, hyping stocks, and day trading as a sure route to wealth these days.
What I like about rebalancing is that it's deceptively simple yet immensely profitable, because rebalancing forces you to buy low and sell high. There's no ambiguity, no emotion, and no second-guessing yourself.
What I positively love about rebalancing is that it can lead to greater profits, even if the markets drift lower. Not too many strategies can do that.
Rebalancing isn't difficult. It doesn't matter if you're a newly minted graduate with $1,000 to your name or a sophisticated investor with 50 years of experience and millions. Anybody can do it.
I want you to have every advantage possible when it comes to building wealth, so I'm going to share my take on rebalancing – what it is and how it works. Then, I'm going to show what it can mean for your money.
What It Means and How It Works
Technically speaking, rebalancing is the periodic adjustment of your investments to reflect market conditions that have changed. Boring… ugh!
The plain English definition is much more appealing: Rebalancing means you buy and sell specific investments that have gotten out of line with your plan in order to bring your risk down and boost your returns. (I love that part.)
Let's look at an example…
John has $20,000 split between two investments – stocks and bonds – each representing 50% of his assets. He's a balanced fellow and likes it that way. You probably know quite a few investors like John – who use index funds to invest just like he does, using some variation of the "set it and forget it" approach.
A year later, John finds that his stocks have appreciated by $5,000 while his bonds have fallen by $2,000. So his 50/50 split is now $15,000 in stocks and $8,000 in bonds, or 65/35. That doesn't sound too bad on the surface because the value of his overall portfolio is now $23,000.
But John's risks are mounting. Because his stocks have appreciated so much, he's got a far riskier portfolio than he thinks he does.
That's where many investors find themselves now.
The markets have run up 150.9% from their March 2009 lows, as of September 24, 2013. Anybody who's got stocks and who hasn't rebalanced is just asking for a repeat of 1999 – or 2007 if things roll over, or more appropriately, when they roll over.
Fortunately, the solution is very, very simple.
About the Author
Keith Fitz-Gerald has been the Chief Investment Strategist for the Money Morning team since 2007. He's a seasoned market analyst with decades of experience, and a highly accurate track record. Keith regularly travels the world in search of investment opportunities others don't yet see or understand. In addition to heading The Money Map Report, Keith runs High Velocity Profits, which aims to get in, target gains, and get out clean, and he's also the founding editor of Straight Line Profits, a service devoted to revealing the "dark side" of Wall Street... In his weekly Total Wealth, Keith has broken down his 30-plus years of success into three parts: Trends, Risk Assessment, and Tactics – meaning the exact techniques for making money. Sign up is free at totalwealthresearch.com.


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Smashing Conference – Toronto, Canada
Smashing Conference, an event for Web designers and developers. Organized by Vitaly Friedman and the Smashing Team.
Smashing Conferences are friendly, valuable and inspiring community events that aim to help us all, Web designers and developers, to become better at what we do. With our events, we'd like to explore what works and doesn't work in actual real-life projects. That's why the conferences are usually focused on practical takeaways, workflows and hands-on insights. The goal is that every talk will deliver tangible, actionable points.


text: Suitable for medical professionals, the Medline Ocean AVE. Charcoal 3XL Yoga Scrub Pants are extremely comfortable. Sporting a yoga-style design, these scrub pants have a stylish silhouette and retain their shape and color over the time. They have an elastic waistband that can be folded down or worn over belly for extra comfort.


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Mike Betette is a writer/actor/improviser living in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. He has performed improv at colleges across the country with Mission Improvable and on a cruise ship around the world with The Second City. He is one half of the critically acclaimed sketch duo "Superpunk" and has co-produced two improv based pilots for CBS starring Craig Ferguson. Mike has written for CurrentTV's Supernews! and the Black Eyed Peas' web-series DailyDips. Most recently Mike was the lead in an independant, improvised film, "Hitting The Nuts: The True Story of the 2009 Scott County Series of Poker" due out next summer.
Jeremiah Christian Shalom Jordan came of age in Indianapolis. After attending Indiana University he headed out to Los Angeles, where he worked as (in no particular order) a tv and film producer, a dog-sitter, an actor, a Williams-Sonoma sales associate, a commercial editor, and freelance writer.
Jeremiah recently moved with his wife, Jennie, to Boston, where she is pursuing a doctorate in Education Policy. This makes Jeremiah really proud. However, he dearly misses his L.A. improv posse.
Irene White hails from the great state of Texas where she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. She has studied at the Second City in Chicago and IOWest. Her Chicago theatre work includes The All-Female Bonanza at Live Bait Theatre and Chamber Music at the Transient Theatre. Her Los Angeles theatre credits include Blue Window, The Women, The Red Coat and her one-woman show Open to the Public. Irene can be seen on TV in lots of commercials and in episodes of Friends, Will & Grace, Gilmore Girls and Scrubs.
Opus Moreschi is a talented writer and performer, and a considerably less talented internal surgeon. Born in Boston, he soon moved to Connecticut, Colorado, Germany and Belgium. Ostensibly this was because of a stepfather in the military, although close examination of police reports shows unsolved arson cases in every town. Opus attended Emerson College where he majored in debt. Opus has written and appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, The New Tom Green Show, Alf's Hit Talk Show, as well as shows for MTV, TBS, SpikeTV and Comedy Central. He's full of laughter and organs.
Tim Jennings was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago where he developed a taste for urban slang, gang violence, and a life on the streets. In 2002, he relocated to Los Angeles where he currently resides. Tim can be seen regularly at IO West performing with Wikipedia LIVE!, The Lusty Horde, and of course, Trophy Wife. By day, Tim writes for X-Play on G4 and has also written for and appeared on shows such as Weekends at the D.L. and Mind of Mencia for Comedy Central.
Eric hails from the Tarheel State via Chicago. He began improvising when he was 15 with Comedy Sportz in Raleigh, NC, and after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, spent six years in Chicago. In Chicago he studied, performed, wrote, & directed improv, sketch comedy, and scripted theatre with groups including Asterisks, Moat, The Noble Fool Theatre, and numerous Harold teams at Improv Olympic in Chicago, including three and a half years with the acclaimed ensemble The Reckoning.
In Los Angeles, Eric performs, teaches, and is the Training Center Director at I.O.West.
He lives for college basketball season. Go Heels!


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On the 17th and 18th of November, the Smart City App Hack Grand Final will take place, the challenge of the year in Smart Cities and collaborative economy that started last March and will now arrive at its end with this international final, where 15 mobile applications from Barcelona, Dubai, Phoenix, Helsinki, Lyon, San Francisco and New York will present and compete live. The final will take place during the Smart City Expo World Congress in the following two parts:
Day 17, competition by city and category. 5pm to 6pm – Congress Area / Sala 2
Culture and Tourism: Seety (Lyon); Eventmore (Helsinki) and Tripuniq (Barcelona)
Energy and Emissions: Virtual Energy Advisor (Barcelona) and Knodes (Nueva York)
Shopping and Retail: HER (Phoenix), Chronoscènes (Lyon); Glovo (Barcelona) and indoors (San Francisco)
Day 18, competition by city and category. 5pm to 6pm – Congress Area / Sala 2
Collaborative city: boxit co (Dubai); Einvite (Dubai) and Sharing Academy (Barcelona)
Urban Mobility: ParkX (Phoenix); TripGo (Helsinki) and Karos (Lyon).
On the 18th we will also get to know the winners of the FIWARE and MasterCard special prizes, for the apps that best use their technology. In the case of FIWARE this includes cash prizes, acceleration programs and visibility, while MasterCard prize is a slot and full paid trip for the Masters of Code competition, in Silicon Valley.
Other activities during Smart City Expo
Smart City Apps Showcase: a space where young entrepreneurs that have participated in SCAH can present their apps on stage. Sessions open to the public.
Day 18 / 12:30-13:30 Smart City Plaza (Speakers' Corner)
Day 19 / 11:30-12:30 Smart City Plaza (Speakers' Corner)
For more detailed information please check this link.
To get more information or ask for an interview on Smart City App Hack please contact [email protected] or +34 933 568 677. You can also follow our updates on Twitter @smartcityhack or using the hashtag #SCAH.


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The Band is now preparing for our Centenary in September, 2019. In the run-up to this, we are planning events, including looking into the production of new music and holding a large concert with a 'reunion band' in September 2019.
If you have any memories of The Tilbury Band, including photos, video and audio that you'd like to share, please visit our Facebook TB Memories Page.
New concert in the run-up to the Centenary, a joint concert with the London North East Fellowship Band at the SA Temple in Hadleigh, Essex on Saturday, 27th April, 2019.
Our 99th Anniversary Concert is now booked at The Tilbury Community Centre, Civic Square, Tilbury for Saturday 29th September, 2018. This is the actual 99th Anniversary of the Band's first rehearsal, and will mark the start of our countdown to 100. Ticket information for "Founders' Day 2018" coming soon.
We are proud to announce our Centenary Concert will take place on Saturday, 28th September, 2019 in the London International Cruise Terminal, Ferry Road/Fort Road, Tilbury, RM18 7NG.
Recording to be made to celebrate 100th Anniversary. Recording dates scheduled as 8th & 9th September, 2018 in the Band Hall. Please check calendar pages for further updates.


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Our own design of angelfish carvings done in China by expert gem carvers, this gemmy orange spessartite garnet fish stands by itself and is detailed on both sides. A real work of art. (Ask us to mount it in 14kt gold for a pendant at additional charge) See our angel fish section for more angelfish carved from other gems like lapis, ocean jasper, rubellite, and more.


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GPS fleet tracking users report positive ROI in less than six months. Get more interesting data points from 2020 Fleet Tracking Trends Report. Download now.
Lowering Engine Idle Time Can Help Reduce Fleet Costs
Are your drivers trying to beat the summer heat by sitting in idling trucks with the air conditioning blasting? Employee satisfaction is key to retaining good drivers, but excessive idling may be costing you more than you think.
Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and increases maintenance costs. Here'۪s what you need to know to help save money at the pump and extend the life of your vehicles this summer.
Top costs of excessive idling.
Many drivers keep their engines running to power heating and cooling systems during lunch breaks, or while they'۪re interacting with customers.
But idling comes at a cost.
Many trucks idle up to eight hours per day. This costs fleet owners and operators $5,000 to $12,000 in fuel per truck each year, according to Engines Off!, a Colorado government campaign to reduce vehicle idling.
Excessive engine idling can also increase maintenance costs for your fleet, according to the New England region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Idling causes more damage than stopping and starting an engine.
- The American Trucking Association estimates that idling can increase maintenance costs by $2,000 per vehicle per year and shorten the life of an engine.
- Idling causes twice as much wear and tear on internal parts as driving at normal speeds.
Excessive idling is against the law in many jurisdictions.
Excessive idling isn'۪t just an expensive practice. It'۪s against the law in many places around the country, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
In an effort to reduce air pollution, eighteen states have passed anti-idling laws. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia impose fines of up to $25,000 for breaking anti-idling laws. Idling is also regulated on a local level in more than 80 cities and counties.
Regulations vary, but most jurisdictions allow a maximum of either three or five minutes of idling. Several districts, such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, provide no exemptions.
In many ways, decreasing idle time is a win-win. It can save your organization money while helping to improve the air quality where your vehicles operate.
Tips to help reduce idle time.
Reducing idle time starts with your drivers. There are small behavioral adjustments they can make that could add up to big savings for your business. These include turning off engines when vehicles are not in motion, following manufacturer recommendations for minimum warm-up time and obeying local anti-idling laws.
Fleet owners and operators can also lower idle time with Verizon Connect'۪s fleet tracking software. Verizon Connect offers several ways to manage your vehicles and their drivers:
- Alerts. Receive notifications via email or text message when any vehicle in your fleet idles over a period of time you choose, exceeds a speed you set, enters or exits a geofence or operates a vehicle during unauthorized hours.
- Reports. Help manage driver behavior with informative, customizable reports about idle time, speed violations, stops, routes and more.
- Vehicle performance. Monitor fuel economy, fuel efficiency trends and the speeding history of every vehicle in your fleet.
- Maintenance alerts. Help lower costs with a preventive maintenance program. Receive automatic engine diagnostic alerts, track service records and set reminders for oil changes, tune-ups and other routine maintenance.
- Safety management. Help protect your vehicles and drivers with safety management tools like emergency roadside assistance, vehicle theft alerts and remote monitoring. Help protect your drivers from false claims by monitoring time of arrival, speed and more.
- A good way to get drivers excited about reducing idle time is to incentivize responsible behavior. Creating a contest, with a reward for the driver with the lowest idle time, can help reduce idling and create a culture that promotes efficiency.
Better manage your fleet idling costs with Verizon Connect.
GPS fleet tracking users report positive ROI in less than six months. Get more interesting data points from 2020 Fleet Tracking Trends Report. Download now.


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Photos: 15
Description: Finding one submissive beauty was not too hard, but these dudes found two of them that don\'t mind being made into cock swishing sex slaves, these chicks do anything their masters tell them!
These playful teen kittens might seem naive and innocent, but in fact they are depraved lustful sluts craving for cock 24x7 and ready to do anything to reach orgasm. Come see these yesterdays virgins suck huge cocks like cheap whores, get fucked from every direction with no mercy and drink cum like its the sweetest thing in the world.
The best galleries:


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True conservatives love to hate Senator John McCain. While he runs as a Republican, it's not always clear why. He is a very unreliable ally of conservatives, and is perhaps one of the best examples of a neocon in Congress.
It's also clear that he has an intense dislike of President Trump, almost to the point that you have to wonder if he wouldn't support policies that would damage the nation as long as they also damaged the president. Such is the spite that this man seems to display.
And when one has to turn to the half-brother of former president Obama, Malik Obama, to get a true picture of a Republican, well, something is very wrong.
Mr. McCain has made much of his Vietnam war record, having been shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese, resulting in his spending six years in a North Vietnam prisoner of war camp. This is not something we would wish on anyone.
Yet Malik Obama asked a very simple question that no one else is asking: What makes John McCain a "hero?"
Here's what it looks like when that awkward question is asked of the man who relishes being considered a war hero:
If @SenJohnMcCain is such a hero why is he so silent when people disrespect the flag?
— Malik Obama (@ObamaMalik) September 26, 2017
It is a source of embarrassment that the Republicans have failed to ask this question themselves. You would think that someone who suffered for his nation as McCain did would one of the first to attack those NFL athletes who disrespect our flag and national anthem. But McCain is strangely silent.
"Aside from McCain's praiseworthy military service, which includes serving in the Vietnam War and being held captive by the North Vietnamese for nearly six years, the guy seems much more like a back-stabbing villain than a hero.
"Because of McCain's intransigence, for instance, the Graham-Cassidy Obama 'repeal' bill proposed by Sens. Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham is pretty much dead in the water."
Obamacare repeal is a perfect example of the untrustworthy nature of McCain. He says he's in favor of repealing that awful legislation, but then votes the other way.
A few of the many clips of John McCain talking about Repealing & Replacing O'Care. My oh my has he changed-complete turn from years of talk! pic.twitter.com/t9cXG2Io86
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 26, 2017
Mr. McCain is no "maverick." His is a turncoat who betrays his own party and the president who leads it. The Republicans of Arizona repeatedly make a mistake by nominating him to run for Senate as a candidate from their party.
"And God forbid he take a stand for his fellow veterans by joining the president in condemning the punks in the NFL who've been kneeling during the national anthem."
Mr. McCain is a fraud. He is neither loyal to his party nor thoughtful in his positions. He is driven by ego and spite. While there was no joy in seeing Mr. Obama win the presidential election, Mr. McCain would have made a terrible president thereby making the available choices in the 2008 election among of the worst in our nation's history.
The people of Arizona should recall and replace John McCain. Share your thoughts below, and SHARE if you think Malik's question needs to be heard by all Americans!
Source: Conservative Tribune


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2015-2016 School Accountability Results
At their September meeting, the State Board of Education released information about the performance of NC students on State and Federal assessments. The links below highlight important sections of this reporting.
Polk County Schools Ranked #2 in NC
School Performance Grades
Read to Achieve - Grade 3 Reading Proficiency
State Test Results - All NC Schools
North Carolina School Report Cards
State Testing - Background Information


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Employee Engagement
The Align Us set of tools empowers teams to collaborate more effectively, keeping your members connected, engaged and organized without logging into multiple systems.
Align Us believes that engagement is the natural state of your people and it's a few simple pitfalls that create disengagement. In other words, your people likely started with your organization pumped-up and ready to join your cause! So, if you're feeling that your people are not all going in the same direction, a few simple tool changes can be the solution. Here's how Align Us can help.
All-In-One Toolset
Having everything in one spot is such a simple concept! Why is this important? Consider the opposite where members of a team use Google Docs™, Microsoft Word™, Trello™, Asana™, and Slack™. When one team member starts a project plan in Word™, tells everyone to put updates in a shared folder and then sees another team member using Google Docs™, how does that make them feel? It probably makes them feel like they are not "in-the-know" and that some alternate (secret) plan is being executed on. That immediately disengages the team because now, they have a trust problem… Get everyone on the same page by getting them all in the same easy-to-use system–Align Us!
Strategic Alignment
Have you ever been working on an assigned task, but unsure exactly WHY you are doing it? Sometimes we do the job that the boss tells us to do. Wouldn't it be better if projects had a set of prioritized goals with tasks and dates clearly assigned? With Align Us, tasks are part of a defined project, which is derived from a set of strategic initiatives established by the managers. Projects are guided by the philosophical values of the organization's leaders. Team members will know the "why," the "when," the "who," ensuring workflow continuity and goal achievement. The idea is to have all of the employees on the same "wave of why."
Manager Engagement
We usually don't discuss employee engagement without managers. So, let's call this Manager Engagement. Manager Engagement, however, does not mean more meetings. Part of a manager's responsibility is to strive for a positive culture in the organization. However, the culture itself is created by engaged team members. With so many different projects, meetings, agendas, and apps, teams need a single, easy-to-access system to keep focused on daily progress.
The simplest way to engage with your employees is to give them prioritized goals and tasks associated with their projects. Transparency is the key to managers being in-the-know without micro-managing. Real-time activity feeds, task completion notifications and ongoing conversations help teams communicate effectively and seamlessly as part of everyday life. Managers comment, encourage and "like" posts when necessary. When it's time for 1-on-1 meetings, managers have clear insight into all of the activity. Managers wind up with fewer meetings; focusing on progress & improvement rather than "updates of the past."
Ongoing Conversations in Align Us come in many forms. They are one-on-one between team members, team or group discussions, and they can be attached to the items being discussed. A discussion about what's for lunch should not be on the same 'channel' as the upcoming website redesign.
With multiple projects going on at the same time, Align Us logically separates conversations to that particular topic. Projects, tasks, pages, and meetings all have built-in discussion boards. Each instance has its living conversation that will always stay with that item. Save valuable time from searching through old emails, folders, and documents to try to piece together conversations from a past project.
Conversations are...
- Within projects, tasks, pages, meetings
- In small or large groups chats
- On a one-on-one basis
- Easily Searchable with the Powerful OneSearch Feature
News Feed
Like the everyday, popular social media sites Twitter and Facebook, the News Feeds Feature in Align Us keeps everyone in your organization up-to-date on projects, meetings, events, and announcements. One difference; Align Us is entirely private, without all of the external distractions.
Each team member can personalize their feed, choosing to follow the most relevant information. Department and team feeds can be shared, reviewed and saved-for-later, so no one "misses-the-memo."
We have found that the most effective manager feedback should be timely and frequently. In Align Us, News Feeds keep leaders informed without micro-managing...As managers review the live feeds, they are now fully engaged in EVERY project and can participate when needed. Managers engage, coach, encourage with timely and appropriate communication, without scheduling more "update" meetings. Managers will have fewer meetings and send fewer emails, leaving more time to complete projects.
Happiness Monitor
Happiness monitor is a fun way to let your team members express a quick anonymous feeling through a simple meter that shows up on everyone's landing page. If you see some Monday blues, engage your employees, get them excited. If the team is happy – keep doing what you are doing!
High Five
People like to be recognized for great work, and praise can come in many ways. No matter how small, sometimes a simple recognition is all that is needed. Pats on the back, fist bumps, and handshakes are ways to tell someone they are doing a great job. In Align Us, you can give a Big Virtual High Five whenever you want to show someone that you are proud of their efforts or you just want to offer some encouragement.
Surveys & Polls
What's the best way to know the answer? Sometimes, it's as simple as asking. Maybe you want feedback from the team about the new blog, input on a new logo or the team's food preference for Friday lunch and learn. It's easy with Align Us.
Don't let a simple decision become a complex ordeal. Check the pulse of the organization with the built-in surveys that appear in everyone's feed. Quickly create a poll about any subject; add questions, multiple choice answers, set a start and end time, and wait for the responses to come in.


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Eventually I can do it. I can figure out how to drill in fasteners into tough walls. How to work blinds into uneven window frames. I can.
It's easier to drive a nail through a brick wall than to change habits and dispositions, don't you think?
Take this guy: will he always wear a tie? Even in the heat of the afternoon Cambridge sun?
The day ends with grit. I mean grits. I mean both.
…heavenly corn grits with blueberries, poached peach pureé and lavender ice cream.
Now, if I could only have the daughters living within an hour's drive of home, life would be so good…
Thursday, August 30, 2007
from Cambridge: success, ltd.
Posted by nina at 8/30/2007 07:46:00 AM No comments:
Labels: US: Boston
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This week's episode is the first without co-host Andy Traub. He recently published his book titled Early to Rise (http://amzn.to/11zpvq4) and if you have not read this wonderful book, then run don't walk and read it NOW. May be the best $7.99 you ever invest in yourself! Due to increasing time demands, Andy is no longer able to serve as the co-host of the Thriving Dentist Show. However, the Show will go and we are forever grateful to Andy's contribution. Thanks Andy!
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadRunning Time: 47:43 min
I decided to do this Show as a solo show to allow me to go into detail on the topic of The 5 Systems for a Thriving Practice.
Here are those 5 systems:
1) Develop a Comprehensive Dental Marketing Plan
2) Make Teeth Whitening a Core Element
3) Use Digital Photography for Patient Oral Health Education
4) Get Serious about Diagnosing & Treating Periodontal Disease
5) Create an Incredible New Patient Experience
Here are 6 Goals of a Thriving Practice:
1) Overhead no higher than 60% (ideally 50%)
2) Ability to fully fund a pension or savings Plan
3) Enough revenue to allow you to have a state-of-the-art facility, modern equipment, generous CE budget, use the best labs, latest technology and still control overhead at 60% or less (Ideally 50%)
4) A high-performance team you truly love and enjoy working with
5) Patients you genuinely enjoy taking care of
6) Treatment mix that gives you satisfaction
Marketing Resources:
- Direct Mail www.affordableimage.com
- Wellness Hour Cable TV Show www.wellnesshour.com
- Mobile website www.makingmobi.com
- Social Media www.mysocialpractice.com
- Website Design www.sesamecommunications.com
Email Gary your social media questions – email@example.com
We appreciate your review on iTunes!
Category: Practice Systems


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Scoping out the latest in everything related to the fascinating world of images, our goal is to offer educational information, titillating tidbits, and glimpses of some of the best clipart and photos to be found online.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tutorials for Creating and Painting Pumpkins in Photoshop
Yet, while we must soon say goodbye to the flowers that brightened our outdoor living spaces, we need not leave all the colour of autumn to the trees. A walk around your neighbourhood on a gorgeous fall day provides plenty of evidence, with porches, beds, decks and patios boasting collages of mums, cornstalks, bales and pumpkins.
The latter of course are a big part of the season, holding centre stage from early autumn decorating, to the Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween, through to the American Thanksgiving. And you don't just have to carve one to be creative. There are some fun tutorials online to help you draw and paint a pumpkin with Photoshop. Here are just a couple examples:
Wordpress How to Draw and Paint a Pumpkin in Photoshop
tutorial9.net How to Design a Thanksgiving Pumpkin
Labels: create, creating pumpkins, design, design pumpkins, designing pumpkins, illustrations, images, paint, painting pumpkins, photoshop, Photoshop tutorials, pumpkin, pumpkins, tutorial, tutorials
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Social media and mobile marketing were hot topics at the annual ATME Travel Marketing Forecast that was held this week in New York.
Hugh Riley, Secretary General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization discussed the power of social media and how it will drive marketing plans for the Caribbean brand.
Some interesting points to note:
- The Caribbean broke a visitor record last year with 23 million visitors. But numbers can be deceiving – the deep discounting in the market reduced the region's tourism revenue to 2004 levels.
- Riley: "We have no choice but to be involved in social media" – The CTO is planning a new campaign this year which will be centered on social media called Whispers from Locals. The campaign will be geared to travelers that want to learn and experience what the islands have to offer. (as opposed to the fly and flop crowd) The idea behind the campaign is to embrace the local "secrets" in each island (as told by the locals through user generated content) and to inspire travelers to come to the Caribbean to seek out the secrets.
- "If we are the most tourism dependent region then we have to care more." – Hugh also announced a new initiative called TVS (Total Visitor Satisfaction) which will be a set of criteria that will put the power in the traveler's hands to determine what rating a destination gets (similar to Zagat for restaurant ratings). Social media will be heavily featured in this initiative.


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We're a New Zealand-based digital innovation agency, and we specialise in building online communities. We offer free webpages, digital tools and online education content for small business owners. Use the Internet better!
More information: aboutus.co.nz
Address: 226 jervois road, auckland
Region: Auckland
Mistake in this digital pin? Please send us your correction.


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Premier Support for Project Server, Project Online, and SharePoint
Annual Support Programs
Arbutus Solutions provides Tier 2 support services to our clients. We work closely with your IT Help Desk (Tier 1 Support) to escalate and resolve issues related to custom solutions, configuration, security, connectivity, Project Server performance, and any questions you may have.
Limited Time Support
Arbutus Solutions allows clients the ability to purchase pre-packaged support hours. These packages are a popular way of ensuring support is available during critical periods such as on-boarding after an implementation, product upgrades, and training of new staff.


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Protecting Species at Risk in Ontario
Key Elements of the Endangered Species Act
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is simplifying rules that protect endangered species in some low-risk situations. These changes will improve how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is administered, but they will not have any effect on the key features of the act that make it the gold standard for species at risk protection legislation in North America.
Science-Based Assessment: Species thought to be at risk are assessed by an independent body that reviews species based on the best-available science and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge. The four categories of "at risk" for species native to Ontario are:
- endangered - facing extinction or extirpation (disappearing from Ontario)
- threatened - at risk of becoming endangered in Ontario
- special concern - sensitive to human activities or natural events which may cause it to become endangered or threatened
- extirpated - no longer exists in the wild in Ontario, but still exists elsewhere
Automatic Protection: Species classified as endangered or threatened automatically receive legal protection.
Habitat Protection: When a species is classified endangered or threatened, its habitat is also protected.
Accountability: Timelines and reporting requirements are legislated. For example, recovery strategies must be created within one year for newly listed endangered species. The government must also let the public know which actions will be taken for species recovery and report back on these actions after five years.
Compliance and Enforcement: Monitoring compliance is an important part of protecting species at risk and their habitat. Maximum fines under the act were increased when the act came into force to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for corporations. Conservation officers also have the authority to search, seize, make arrests and issue stop-orders.
Administrative Changes Effective July 1, 2013
Volunteers and Researchers
Activities to help protect or recover species at risk, or address broader conservation initiatives, will be able to proceed without a permit from MNR. Individuals or businesses will be required to register with MNR and follow stringent rules to minimize adverse effects on species at risk.
As well, accredited organizations such as universities will be able to register for long-term possession of specimens for scientific or educational purposes instead of applying for approval from the ministry.
Standard Situations
Some activities follow standard procedures, have predictable effects, and require common approaches to minimize adverse effects and achieve benefits for species at risk. For these activities, rather than going through an application and review process with MNR, individuals and businesses will be able to register with MNR and follow stringent rules aimed at benefiting the species at risk.
An example would be a landowner who wants to cut down an endangered butternut tree. The landowner will be able to register and plant additional butternut elsewhere, which is faster and simpler than going through an application process.
Activities Necessary for Human Health or Safety
Activities required for human health or safety will no longer require a permit as long as the proponent registers the activity with MNR and follows stringent rules to minimize harm to species at risk. Examples of these activities include clearing vegetation from transmission lines or repairing structural damage to a bridge where there is a risk to human health or safety.
Developers with Projects Underway
Planning and development can take years for major projects. These changes will help existing or already planned activities proceed without additional approvals if new species or habitat protection comes into effect. A transition period will allow the work to continue alongside efforts to mitigate adverse effects on species.
Forestry Companies
Forestry companies are required to develop forest management plans under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. These plans include provisions for species at risk protection, which in some cases overlap with requirements under the ESA. MNR will establish a panel to review the linkages between the two acts, with members from Aboriginal communities, the forest industry, municipalities and environmental organizations.
To allow time for the panel to do this work and the government to respond, there will be a five-year period in which forestry companies will not require permits under the ESA for forest operations carried out under approved forest management plans. During this time, companies must comply with stringent rules set out in regulation, including those to address caribou conservation.
Success Stories for Ontario's Species at Risk
Recovering species at risk is a long-term endeavour, but the ESA is already making a difference for many species and their habitat.
Because of rules set out in the ESA, local populations of species at risk are improving - even while human activity proceeds. The ESA also created the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, which has supported more than 600 protection and recovery projects, and restored more than 24,000 hectares of habitat.
- After disappearing from Ontario, piping plover are once again nesting along the Great Lakes shorelines. The ESA protects their habitat, while the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund has provided support for community groups who are watching over these endangered birds.
- Peregrine falcon populations in Ontario have recovered to the point where the bird's status was recently upgraded from threatened to special concern. MNR has been working collaboratively with many partners on the protection and recovery of these birds.
- Where the new Detroit River International Crossing is being built, ESA requirements resulted in more than 1,000 endangered Butler's garter snakes being saved from destruction and transported to new habitat created for them. On the same project, ESA requirements resulted in studies that pioneered new ways to grow colicroot, a threatened herb, in new locations.
- Ontario is keeping endangered butternut trees on the landscape with requirements to plant up to 20 trees for each tree cut down.
- Where businesses want to develop areas that are habitat for bobolink or eastern meadowlark, they must ensure that a larger area of grassland nearby is made suitable and maintained as habitat for the bird.
- Where landowners want to remove barn swallow nests (for example, to tear down an old barn), they must put up replacement nests for the species.
- Local populations of plants such as American chestnut, dense blazing star, and willowleaf aster are being strengthened by planting seeds and seedlings.
- Stewardship activities are increasing the profile of numerous very rare species at risk, such as flooded jellyskin, pale-bellied frost lichen and dwarf lake iris. This leads to enhanced survey efforts and the discovery of additional populations of these species. Two new populations of Laura's clubtail, an endangered dragonfly, were found through a survey supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund — doubling the number of creeks in which it is currently known to occur in Canada.
- Ontario also funds the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program to assist farmers who help protect and recover species at risk and their habitats. The government has supported more than 1,450 projects since 2008.


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On the 19th-20th February 2018, the Museums Association of Namibia (MAN) hosted a stakeholder's workshop in Omuthiya, Namibia as the first step towards the development of The Museum of Namibian Music. This museum will be the first of its kind in Namibia. The development of the museum is one of the four components in a project entitled Museum Development as a Tool for Strengthening Cultural Rights in Namibia (MDTSCRN),
funded by the European Union and implemented by MAN that was launched in Windhoek on the 27th November 2018.
The European Union will provide 237,025.00 Euros over a two-year period to support activities being implemented by the Museums Association of Namibia to support regional museum development. The workshop was an information-sharing session that brought together 29 stakeholders in the form of musicians across all cultures,genres and demographics, archivists, culture officers from the Directorate of Heritage and Culture Programs, music lecturers from COTA, UNAM and APC, tourism and intellectual property experts from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and NASCAM, museum experts, composers and musicologists.
The workshop covered issues relating to the development and sustainability of the museum: collecting or reproducing traditional musical instruments, developing a `dream' for the museum, marketing the museum to the Namibian public, archiving Namibian music and memorabilia (such as posters and LP covers), the role of music during the liberation struggle, gospel music in Namibia, collecting and policy development, exhibitions to be showcased in the museum and the languages that they are to be written in and the facilities that the museum should offer to the general public.
The workshop was held in Omuthiya which will be the home of the museum. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has availed a state of the art building in Omuthiya to house the museum and music archive. The chosen venue is in line with MAN's commitment to decentralize development and create employment and economic growth in different communities across the country. The museum will be an educational and entertainment hub for all Namibians, also encouraging domestic and foreign tourism. MAN hopes to develop a museum that will be informative, educational, interactive and sustainable in a way that will encourage multiple visits.
The Museums Association of Namibia is inviting musicians and members of the public to assist by identifying musical instruments, recordings, photographs or stories that might be included in the museum. If you require further information please contact Ms Ndapewoshali Ndahafa Ashipala at the Museums Association of Namibia on 061-302230 or museums @iway.na


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Brandon, Can You Help Me?Can You Fix My Computer?
Can You Create My Website?
Can You Take My Picture?
Rarely a day goes by that I do not get asked one of these questions. I would help everyone if I could, but I can't; life is too short.
Instead, I created these pages to help as many people as I can. The questions above link to ever growing and updated pages with information meant to help you.
Photo Copyright & Image UseAll photos are Copyright © Brandon Seidel unless stated otherwise. If you would like to use one of my images, you can contact me directly or check out my online stock portfolio for license information.
Stock Photography CollectionsPlaces
- Austin, Texas
Commercial & Editorial
- People
- Travel
- Architecture
- Products
- Wildlife
- Editorial
Archive for August, 2009
Added ClusterShot to my list of Stock Photography AgenciesPosted on August 27, 2009 | 3 CommentsI had heard of ClusterShot before, but they were still working on "must have" features of the site. I don't mind supporting new "agents" as long as it's not a...
New Stock Photos of San Antonio TexasPosted on August 3, 2009 | No CommentsA recent trip to San Antonio, Texas yielded some great new stock photos. I walked the Riverwalk from one end to the other. San Antonio is always fun; no matter...


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Maintenance links
- MA files from this episode (11) • MA remastered files from this episode (22)
- Template:Titles/By Any Other Name yields By Any Other Name (TOS 2x21)
For general discussion on this episode, visit the TOS forum at The Trek BBS.
Random notesEdit
- Look closely-Kirk's Eyes move after he is supposedly paralized!! -- unsigned
- um.. very interesting... -- Captain Mike K. Barteltalk
- If Shea & Thompson were in the same positions, it should have been Shea who was killed!! -- unsigned
- These two people's shapes were held by the Kelvan leader in his hands. ISn't it more likely he switched the two shapes between his left and his right at some point? -- Captain Mike K. Barteltalk
- Could it be that another Redshirt landing party casuality was not sympathic enough?? --unsigned
- possibly. and another didn't. i'm not sure i see any point here. -- Captain Mike K. Barteltalk
- Regarding Scotty's slurred dialogue as he tries to tell Tomar what the drink is, I have always thought he was trying to say that he found it on Ganymede. - Kurt of North Bend
- That's a reasonable guess. When I hear it, I just can't tell if it's a "G" or "D" syballant. "D" suggests two possibilities to me. Either he found it "indaotherroom" or "onaldeberan". Maybe it's too coincidental that Picard identifies the green drink as "Aldeberan Whiskey" in "Relics", and that leads me the wrong way. I don't suppose anyone's seen the original script? AureliusKirk 19:39, 28 Dec 2005 (UTC)
- Stewart Moss had some amusing recollections about this episode in a "Starlog" interview. He tried to coax Barbara Bouchet to go out with him, to which she replied, "You're a nice man, but what can you do for me?" Ouch!
- No, the original comment is just plain incorrect. The first Kelvan picks up Shea in his right hand, and is facing the Kelvan leader when they're passed to him. The leader is holding Shea in his left hand, and crushes the one in his right hand. Izkata 00:06, June 8, 2012 (UTC)
removed info Edit
- This is one of the few episodes that sees into the suspected bathroom in the crew quarters. Kirk "appologizes" to Kelinda in her guest quarters. Moments after he lets her out of his lip-lock, Rojan enters from the room theorized by many to be the bathroom. The floor behind the door is carpeted blue and therefore not an entrance from the outside corridor. Clearly, Rojan has spent quite a good deal of time in this room while Kirk is there, which if actually a bathroom, probably indicates the adjustment to Human food is not going well for Rojan. Thankfully the Enterprise has vents as clearly shown in "Obsession".
The above is obviously a joke, but just in case, I'll place it here. Good for a laugh, anyway. --From Andoria with Love 16:53, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
- Adjust the tone if this is to be added, and is this the right article for it? It seems it has less to do with the episode itself than it has to do with the layout of the ship or the set -- is there an article about bathrooms?
- But anyway, this article is about the episode and this info is not about the episode itself. and its really unduly speculative to theorize he was taking a crap. he might've been snorting coke. who the F cares? -- if we need a note this might be a bathroom, then put it there without the flowery description of how we vent his crap-stink out. -- Captain M.K.B. 17:26, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
I removed this:
- * In the teaser, although the Enterprise crew is supposed to be frozen, Kirk is quite plainly blinking and rolling his eyes.
Big deal. Uhura was blinking, too, when the bridge crew got zapped. I doubt this was an error. Looks to me like the idea was that the crew was mostly or partially immobilized but not necessarily "frozen." I can't believe the director would have filmed the scenes without noticing two of the actors clearly moving their eyes, if they weren't supposed to be. But since we don't and can't know for certain, I see no reason to have this note here. - Bridge 02:10, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
misleading reasoning Edit
"Captain Kirk, remarking in amazement to the Kelvan's propulsion abilities, commented that an intergalactic voyage by a 23rd century starship would take "thousands of years" to reach the Andromeda Galaxy; this in comparison to the three century voyage made by the Kelvans. However, a century later as seen in TNG: "Where No One Has Gone Before", Federation technology has now apparently matched the Kelvans when it is discussed that a return trip to the Milky Way from the Triangulum Galaxy would take three hundred years at maximum warp. "
I think this is misleading as a ship can barely stay at maximum warp for long. It would have to maintain that speed constantly; if ships could do that then perhaps voyager would not have taken so long. Kelvan on the other hand appeared to be able to do 300 years at a constant speed; while they may not be able to go faster they certainly have more endurance and thus are technologically superior in this regard.
Removed speculation Edit
Removed as speculation- we don't state what wasn't seen or said, or assumptions not based on information
There is no record of the Kelvins having actually removed their improvements from the USS Enterprise, or at the very least there is no indication that such a removal, assuming it took place, was anything less than peaceful, since the encounter between the Kelvins and the crew of the Enterprise ended on a relatively peaceful note. This would explain the advances in Federation technology that start from the first encounter with the Kelvins up through TNG: "Where No One Has Gone Before", when comments regarding intergalactic space travel match the estimates made by the Kelvins. --31dot 23:04, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
Continuity Error - The "Essence Blocks" Edit
When the two redshirts (one a woman, one a black guy, how delightfully 60s :p) were reduced to those essence blocks, I watched carefully as to which block was which person. The block that ends up crushed was the man, not the woman. Yet when restored to Human form, it was the woman that was crushed.– The preceding unsigned comment was added by 184.108.40.206 (talk).
- I think that would be a nitpick, which we don't include in articles.--31dot 16:23, May 16, 2011 (UTC)
- The nitpick is incorrect anyway: The first Kelvan picks up Shea in his right hand, and is facing the Kelvan leader when they're passed to him. The leader is holding Shea in his left hand, and crushes the one in his right hand. Izkata 00:12, June 8, 2012 (UTC)
Nitpick? Edit
Regarding the following bit: * The 1985 Saturday Night Live Star Trek Convention sketch has the convention host (played by Phil Hartman) erroneously introducing Julie Cobb (played in that skit by Victoria Jackson) by saying that she was in the episode "Errand of Mercy". Would this possibly be a nitpick seeing as anything on Saturday Night Live is either a parody or just done for a laugh? leandar 05:03, April 6, 2012 (UTC)
- If it could go anywhere, it would be at Star Trek parodies and pop culture references (live action television), since it is a non-Star Trek property referencing Star Trek, but I'm not even sure it's worth mentioning there. 31dot 09:23, April 6, 2012 (UTC)
- Even better, Saturday Night Live. :-) –Cleanse ( talk | contribs ) 09:57, April 6, 2012 (UTC)
- You know, that is better, isn't it? :) --31dot 10:00, April 6, 2012 (UTC)
Spock's lipsEdit
I removed the phrase in the "Remastered Information" section that Spock's lips were not moving in the original version, which was corrected digitally. I just checked closely the whole chess sequence in both versions, and there is no scene where Spock "talks" without moving his mouth. As there was no such mistake, there was no correction. 188.8.131.52 06:45, September 2, 2012 (UTC)


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At Moore Family Dental, we are dedicated to providing you and your family with a positive dental experience in every way. When you visit our office, our friendly, knowledgeable team will assist you through the financing process, which gives you one less thing to worry about. To help cover your treatment costs, we are in network with the following insurance companies:
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Clean & Safe is dedicated to keeping downtown Portland livable for everyone.
Below are some of the comments we receive from businesses in the district.
"Thank you. On my Saturday stroll to work on an average, cloudy Portland day in January, I approached the corner of Broadway and Yamhill where I saw four young lads playing their instruments for the public. In that moment, I realized how pivotal your work is. These children could not demonstrate their talents to the world in broad daylight without the diligent oversight and protection by this organization. My day started out good, but that experience elevated my outlook to amazing.
Keep doing what you are doing. I have read the yearly reports, and I know there are challenges. Nonetheless, please keep striving; your fellow citizens appreciate your hard work."
- February 3, 2018
"The Old Town branch staff at Trailhead offers our deepest thanks to Clean and Safe for all of the work that is accomplished by your organization on a daily basis. Your efforts to keep our parking lot and sidewalks clean from waste do not go unnoticed and it is sincerely appreciated by our credit union.
The crews from Clean and Safe spend countless hours addressing our community risk concerns, and at times, take on very challenging situations in order to maintain a safe environment for those who visit our building. Please know that we value and respect your hard work and do not take for granted your commitment to improving Downtown Portland."
- November 20, 2017
"I would like to compliment Portland Clean and Safe officers and cleaning staff. Your crew of professionals have done a fantastic job in dealing with non law enforcement issues dealing with some of Portland's homeless folks that have decided to take up residency in my building's contractor loading zone. Your Officers were very professional and compassionate while dealing with such a sensitive issue. Thank you to Officer Nauerth and Officer Heirtzler for your help. You two are what I think of as Portland's finest. Keep up the great work."
- August 30, 2017
"On Friday 5/28, I called to get the front entrance of our building on 220 NW Broadway, Pendleton Woolen Mills pressure washed. The individual on the phone was happy to assist me. They said it would be done at night and over the weekend. I came in Monday morning to see a very clean sidewalk. They even did the Everett side of our building. We at Pendleton Woolen Mills wanted to say thank you, for doing such a great job and in such a quick fashion. Your hard work around the city does not go unnoticed."
- May 2, 2017
"All of us at GreenWorks would like to thank you for the difficult yet invaluable work you do for our office and the neighboring business in Old Town/Chinatown. Every encounter we've had with a Clean and Safe employee has been both positive and professional, and the way you treat the less fortune is highly respectable.
We experience multiple occurrences a week that require outside assistance, but not necessarily the assistance of law enforcement. We are fortunate to have an organization such as yours to help us mediate these instances in a non-threatening manner. Again, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the workers at Downtown Clean and Safe. Thank you for your incredible work!" - Feb. 16, 2017
"Thank you thank you Patrol Portland and Clean & Safe Officers! Our area of Old Town at NW 5th & Couch is feeling safer again. In the last couple of weeks I've felt a renewed presence of Officers. Today (Friday, Aug. 19th) we unfortunately had a theft of $130 worth of merchandise, but while we were working with police, a Clean & Safe Officer was in the area and took care of a person who'd fallen asleep against our store, and helped without us needing to call it in. It's happened a few times that Officers are already handling a situation we would otherwise be calling in about. Thank you to Lieutenant Jesse Riley for reaching out to us personally to address our concerns. Keep up the great work, and thank you for caring as much about Old Town and downtown as we do!"
- Aug. 19, 2016
"Hi, I'm a downtown Portland resident and want to compliment Sammy Webb, one of your staffers. Last week I was walking by the frozen yogurt place next to South Park and Sammy was carefully extracting a hypodermic needed from underneath a park bench where children often sit. I started chatting with him and he said he had found FOUR of them. He then used his pinchers to extract one from the shrubbery and deposit it into his sharps container. I commended him on his work ethic -- he had to go the extra mile to get the needle from the shrub in the planter - but he said he used to be on the streets and was grateful for his job and wanted to keep people from getting hurt. Mr. Webb does terrific work! Thank you for keeping downtown clean and safe!"
- July 5, 2016


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Mr. P moved up to middle school this year. He is LOVING it. This transition has gone so well! He likes his classes and likes 5 out of his 6 teachers. He is taking advanced placement math and English. And...he is doing very well with his grades. In band he chose to play the saxophone. So fun! He's made great progress (as in...it's no longer painful to listen to practice). Mr. P also joined the cross country team. 6th graders cannot compete but they turn out for the practices. So basically he ran, and ran and ran...just for fun. He takes after Cam. But, all that running was good for him and it put him in great cardio shape for basketball tryouts. He just tried out for the AAU team and he made it!! Woot! So proud of this guy! The only down side to middle school and sports is that I really miss him. He leaves for the bus at 6:45 am and doesn't get home until 4:30 pm. That's a LONG day. My baby!
The younger three have adjusted to the new school year with ease. My kids truly love school and needed the year to begin after a long and fun summer.
Baby George (yes he is a baby still) began his first FULL day of school. He is in heaven! He keeps telling me all about how he gets 2 recesses! 2!! George is fantastic reader. I love seeing him curled up with a book. George is playing soccer and is having a great time. He wants to play year-round!
Sis is off to a great start in 2nd grade. She has some great friends in her class and loves recess too. She is less shy this year and is settling into the classroom routine well. She is in tune with all the kids' feelings and moods. Sis is playing soccer too. She is so fast and is really engaged in the game this year.
Moses is loving 4th grade. He had a student directed conference and did an amazing job! He told us all about his goals for the year, both academically and goals for home. He made me get teared up with his goal of being kinder to siblings and playing with them more. What a nice boy. Moses applied for the Lego Robotics team. It's very competitive!! 4th and 5th graders may apply and they only accept 10 students. He made it!! It's such a great fit for him....and he is loving every minute of it. They will go to competitions too. Moses is on a soccer team too (yes, that's 4 kids in sports!!! BUSY practice schedule!!). He hasn't played soccer for 3 years and is so glad he returned to it. Soccer is his sport!! He's now looking into playing on an indoor team for winter.
Tuba was happier than anyone to go back to school! He is in his second year of job training. He is training at a local pizza place. They put chairs down, wipe tables and make pizza boxes. He loves the social aspect of school! Tuba is our biggest cheer leader. He loves going to all the kids' practices and games. He happily cheers for the kids. Good thing...because we spend A LOT of time doing just that.
On the first day of school Cam and I headed out for a day date. This sums up how sad we were to leave our kids at school. Ha!!
I have so many cute pics of our dogs. In our family we frequently say, "It's a dog's life" when we see our pooches lounging around (while we work and clean) or being spoiled.
Truly around here, "It's a dog's life".