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Posted by Bob on Sep 03, 2010 in NEWS.
it wouldnt be Friday without some freebies, so get you mitts on these before they revert back to costing you a few hard earned coins.
Posted by Bob on Sep 03, 2010 in NEWS.
it wouldnt be Friday without some freebies, so get you mitts on these before they revert back to costing you a few hard earned coins.
Posted by Bob on Aug 27, 2010 in NEWS.
Want to win some cash to spend on the iTunes store, well here's your chance. You might even win some redeem codes too.
To enter, just post links to http://www.AppDope.com from as many other websites as you can – or get other people/websites to. This could be on a blog, a forum, a social networking site, or any other website – they don't have to be run by you, feel free to talk to other website owners.
The rules:
1. Only one link per domain – i.e. myblog.com
2. As soon as you get a link live, email it firstname.lastname@example.com with subject "COMP 01″ (use the same email address each time so we can count the…
Read the rest
Posted by Bob on Aug 16, 2010 in NEWS.
AppDope has a new section. With the sheer number of normally paid games going free for a short time, we felt they warranted a permanent area.
So if you look on the right hand side of the page, you will see a FREEBIEGAMES – a list of games that are usually paid for, but have temporarily dropped to free. The list constantly updates, and will hopefully keep you in supply of good quality, free games.
At the time of writing the list is as follows, starting with the ever popular iShoot…
Posted by Bob on Aug 13, 2010 in NEWS.
I can tell you that our servers register a phenomenal 260,000+ apps on the App Store now, of which nearly 45,000 are games. In addition to the fabulous amount of choice, the great news for you is an ever increasing number of freebies on Friday.
In case you don't know AppDope's PRICEDROPS page searches the App Store to find all the reductions in price. You can specify genre, whether it dropped to free, and minimum number of ratings.
Check it out, but first download these free game, before they revert to paid…
Global rating: 3.8 (14195 ratings)
Global rating: 3.25 (210 ratings)
Global rating: 2.95 (49 ratings)
Global rating: 3.1 (1931 ratings)
Global rating: 2.6 (254 ratings)
Global rating: 2.9 (255 ratings)
Global rating: 2.9 (570 ratings)
Global rating: 2.9 (496 ratings)
Global rating: 3.55 (11 ratings)
Posted by Bob on Aug 12, 2010 in NEWS.
The delightful Chop Chop Runner is free today, get it while its hot!
Global rating: 3.35 (2260 ratings)
Posted by Bob on Aug 10, 2010 in GAMES, MINIREVIEWS, REVIEWS.
Getting a chance to review Finger Balance was an exciting prospect, the game looks like an original concept with an interesting control system. However, after playing the game for a little while, i'm left with mixed feelings. Initially the game doesn't disappoint, it is fun, addictive and is great to just pick up and play. The graphics and audio are good, if not spectacular, but the physics engine is excellent – which is obviously extremely important in a game such as this. The controls are very precise, if a little too much so occasionally when the slightest twitch will send the ball flying. The addition of OpenFeint adds a nice level of re-playability. So far, so good.
Read the rest
Posted by Bob on Aug 05, 2010 in NEWS.
A couple of interesting new games popped up in the NEWRELEASES section, we havnt played them yet but they certainly look like fun. If you have them and would like to publish a review here on AppDope, email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Meow Meow Happy Fight ($0.99)
Posted by Bob on Aug 04, 2010 in NEWS.
With the iPad sales now topping 3 million (according to Apple), it not suprising to see many existing apps, particularly games, getting a HD revamp. Sauce Digital have announced they will be updating their entire suite of games to HD versions. The existing iPhone apps can be found here:
Posted by Bob on Aug 02, 2010 in NEWS.
1951 – World War One made its way onto the App Store last week and it looks a lot of fun. Even this early on it has 15 reviews worldwide at an average of 3.85 stars. It is a top-down aerial shooter, involving bi-planes and lots of bullets. The plane is manoeuvred using by tilting the device, with and onscreen buttons for fire, repair and special weapons.
1951 is single player, with two game modes. "Wave Mode" takes the player through a succession of enemy waves which get progressively larger and harder, "Survival" tasks the play with simply staying airborne as long as they can. The game is OpenFeint enabled to track how well the player does…
Read the rest
Posted by Bob on Jul 30, 2010 in NEWS.
It's Friday, that means the weekend is nearly here. So here are a few interesting looking games that are free from a limited time, and will make your weekend a little more fun.
Global rating: 3.05 (4323 ratings)
Global rating: 3.15 (170 ratings)
Global rating: 2.35 (690 ratings)
Global rating: 3.75 (90 ratings)
Global rating: 3.05 (77 ratings)
Global rating: 2.65 (633 ratings)
Global rating: 2.75 (532 ratings)


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We offer the full Ford comercial vehicle range on the below options:
- Business contract hire
- Finance lease
- Hire purchase
- Discounted outright purchase
- Full maintained contracts available
- Require further information?
Please click on your required model below in order to view Prices, Quick facts & Vehicle specs.
The Ford Fiesta Van is as exciting to look at as it is to drive. With the sophistication and versatility to make a big impression wherever your business takes you, the Fiesta Van is small enough to tackle busy city streets but has the power to eat up the miles on the open road.
Equally capable on and off-road, Ranger's durability, power and reliability mean it's a match for even the most difficult challenges. A restyled exterior with head-turning looks has created a more imposing presence.
Every millimetre of the all-new Transit is made to help you run your business effectively, productively and cost-efficiently. The van is more capable, tough and durable than ever.
The all-new Ford Transit Connect offers van operators class-leading fuel economy, load carrying ability and durability. Deliveries of the new model are scheduled to start at the end of 2013.
Capable, reliable and highly fuel-efficient, like every Transit van. Comfortable, rewarding to drive and full of smart technology like a Ford car. Thats the new Transit Courier.
The new Ford Transit Custom embodies all the strengths the Transit has long been renowned for. It now builds on those strengths and completely reinvents them.

subset: commoncrawl


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All prices are Wholesale.Volume or multiple frame orders contact sales for other discount codes.Other discounts will be applied when we contact you after receiving your email order.
Once logged in you can order online .When you view your cart before sending to us, enter " artist " in coupon code to receive your 10% discount.This does not apply to sale items or any other applied discounts. Prices are for finished frames only not including other charges. Code must be entered at time of ordering.
Returns, Refunds and Exchanges Policy
How To Return An Item
Your item must be in its original unused condition to be returned, unless there is a manufacturer defect. Customers must return the item within 5 business days of your purchase. Invoice and receipt must be presented. Discounted clearance items purchased as closeouts at our facility are not refunded or exchanged.
Customer is responsible for all shipping , delivery, pickup and storage of merchandise.
All orders are F.O.B. The Framers Outlet. 5155 Sugarloaf pky-d Lawrenceville ,Ga 30043 770.822.6388 email@example.com
Pickup customers are responsible for all handling and care of merchandise
Merchandise that has been used, or altered will not be accepted for return or exchange.
Restocking Fee
Due to the custom nature of our product .All items are subject to a 30% restocking fee, this will be deducted from your refund. We also do not refund the original shipping and handling that you paid on the order.
Payment Policy
Accepted Methods of Payment
Credit Card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover)
Check/Money Order
Cash On Delivery
Credit Card Charges
Due to the custom nature of our product backorders on delivery are a possibility.
Your credit card will be charged when you place your order. If we are not able to fulfill your order due to temporary out of stock within 30 days you may request in writing or email for your credit card TO be refunded.
Mailing Address
The Framers Outlet, inc 5155 Sugarloaf pkwy-d Lawrenceville,Ga.30043 email:email@example.com
Shipping Policy
We use the following carriers to deliver our orders:
Common carrier or Best way


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Church Repair Fund Appeal
The cost of maintaining and repairing a mediaeval building is high and so donations are always very welcome, small or large! Cheques made payable to St George's Gt Bromley Repair Fund can be posted to one of the churchwardens: Mrs Jenny Nicholls, Fyerning, Hall Road, Great Bromley CO7 7TS.
For more detail on what has already been achieved, look at updates about various recent repair projects (2015 the south porch and door, 2014 the south aisle, 2013 the lychgate, 2012 the clerestory) on the "Church Restoration" tab in the menu.
Thank you to all those who helped organise fund-raising events, made donations, applied for grants, and those who helped practically with repairs and maintenance over recent years. The Repair Fund raised £14,000 towards the works and we received generous grants from English Heritage (HLF), GCG Environment Trust, National Churches Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Essex Heritage Trust, Friends of Essex Churches Trust, Allchurches Trust, and The Veneziana Fund. We thank our Stone family friends in the United States who have generously supported us with their donations.


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Istanbul is the cultural, historical and economical center of Turkey. It is the bridge between Asia and Europe, making it a culturally and historically significant place throughout history with a unique clash of cultures. Istanbul was known as Constantinople until the early 20th century.
Here are 10 things to do in Istanbul:
- Hagia Sophia: Originally built as church, the Hagia Sophia functioned as a mosque until 1935. It is now a museum and one of the most popular tourists attractions in Istanbul. It is an interesting combination of Christianity and Islamic influences.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar has over 5,000 shops along 60 streets. The vendors might be a little pushy, but they are all pretty friendly.
- Ortakoy: This quieter, lesser visited neighborhood outside of Taksim Square is a nice place to walk around at night and has a great nightlife scene.
- Istanbul Archaeological Museums: Opened in 1869, there are more than one million antiquities on display here. Some date back to the first century. If you're not a museum person, you can probably skip this one. If you love history, this is a great place to walk around.
- Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque was built to rival Hagia Sophia in the 1600s. It is still an active religious site, so dress appropriately.
- Topkapi Palace: This colorful palace has a very colorful history. It was built in 1453 by Mehmet the Conqueror.
- Spice Bazaar: This Ottoman-era marketplace has existed since the 1660s. It is where you can see rows and rows of colorful spices and candies. Vendors also sell other kinds of food and souvenirs.
- Basilica Cistern: This is Istanbul's largest surviving Byzantine cistern. It was built in 532.
- Fazil Bey: According to Lonely Planet, this is the best Turkish coffee in Istanbul.
- Hippodrome: This promenade is a great area to walk around and chat with friends. It used to be an arena for emperors to watch chariot races. Some of the statues and obelisks are still intact from that time.
Those are just some of the interesting things you can do in Istanbul. There is so much culture and history here to experience.
Have you been to Istanbul? Where is the best place to get Turkish coffee?
Like this post? Save it on Pinterest!


text: I rent houses to college students in Berkeley, California. I make chocolate and have a free chocolate store for my tenants. In order to shop in my free chocolate store, you have to be a current tenant of mine. The free chocolate store is not open to the general public. Sorry!


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tuesday is a joke /
played on those not quite prepared /
the same game again
"I have to say, I'm pretty close to giving up on Mr. Obama, who seems determined to confirm every doubt I and others ever had about whether he was ready to fight for what his supporters believed in."– paul krugmanin his blog for the new york times
Inappropriate comments, including spam and advertising, will be removed.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.


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East Point Military Complex
East Point has a long association with Australian military history. From as early as 1925, military tacticians identified it as an ideal defensive position for protecting Darwin Harbour and its strategic assets. East Point subsequently became one of the most heavily militarised areas in Darwin, and there are many remains and ruins dotting the area around the Defence of Darwin Experience. These offer fantastic insights into defensive strategies developed for Australia in the build up to, and during, World War II.
Map Location
UBD Gregory's Street Directory - Darwin
Map 25, C2
Located at the end of Alec Fong Lim Drive, East Point Reserve


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Yesterday, the South China Morning Post reported that the Country Garden, the Hong Kong-listed developer behind Forest City, would refund payments on its Johor Forest City project to mainland Chinese buyers hit by a crackdown on capital controls.
Zhu Jianmin, vice-president of the Chinese developer told that investors who had made down payments but were now unable to make further payments could cancel their transactions without paying a forfeit fee. The Hong Kong-listed developer stopped sales of the Malaysian project in China amid tightening capital controls, imposed as Beijing seeks to curb outflows and limit downward pressure on the renminbi.
This 2016 article https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-11-21/-100-billion-chinese-made-city-near-singapore-scares-the-hell-out-of-everybody tells how hard Forest City was being sold to the PRCs.
For those Singkies investing in Johor and M'sia good luck:
"I am very concerned because the market is joined at the hip, if Johor goes down, the rest of Malaysia would follow," said Shanker, at Axis-REIT Managers, who estimates that about half the units in Iskandar may remain empty. "If the developers stop building today, I think it would take 10 years for the condos to fill up the current supply. But they won't stop."


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Picking only the best remote control ceiling fans is a hard decision, because there's a number of things buyers must consider before making their purchase. Models vary according to the height of the room you intend to install your ceiling fan in. Then, there's the issue of material – what do you want your fan to be made of? Some materials work better for the bedroom, whereas others are great for the kitchen. Some fans make sure that the air recirculates properly, while others might not offer the same benefit. To make a safe call, have a look at our buying guide.
What to look for when buying the best ceiling fans with remote
Size of the blades
Although people are tempted to believe that the size of the blades of a fan don't make the difference between one model or the other, they are actually quite important. If you want to install the fan in a higher room, you need to get an item with longer blades. On the contrary, if your room is not that high, a fan with shorter blades will do to recirculate a proper amount of air.
What material are the blades made of?
Wooden blades are more quiet than their metal counterparts. That's why it is recommended that you install a metal fan in your kitchen, which is a well-known noisy room, and a timber one in your bedroom. Metal ceiling fans generally do an outstanding job, but they're too noisy for the room you'll be sleeping in.
Energy consumption
It is believed that most ceiling fans on the market today consume about as much energy as a 60W lighting bulb. Buyers will therefore pay around 1c or more on every hour they use the ceiling fan.
Can it be used both during the summer and during the winter?
Most ceiling fans nowadays feature two types of rotation. The standard one, which is to say the clockwise rotation, is used for cooling air during the hot season. If you want to keep warm during winter, you can use the same item to bring down the warm air that has been accumulating on the ceiling. In this case, all you have to do is use a counterclockwise rotation.
Remote control
Since most users usually want to adjust the speed of their ceiling fans while they are resting in bed, these products now come with remote controls.
Best Rated Remote Controlled Ceiling Fans
Minka-Aire F1000-ORB Dyno
This Minka-Aire model is one of the best ceiling fans on the market today. It comes with a powerful motor, reversible blades and an entirely unique LED system. It also comes with a remote control, so say goodbye to getting out of bed and turning off your ceiling fan manually.
However, if you're keen on adjusting the settings of your fan when you enter the room and reach for the wall button, this model unfortunately isn't for you. The product doesn't come with wall control.
As we were saying in the introduction of our buying guide, sometimes it's important to know the height of the room you want your ceiling fan installed in. This particular item comes with a 12 ½" height and a 3 ½" downrod.
What's interesting about this item is that the same remote controls both the light and the actual fan, but it does it separately. There's an unlimited number of products from the line that make it impossible to turn on the fan but turn off the light. Thanks to this product, you can finally rest in bed, feel the coolness and enjoy the darkness.
The design of the product is classy, with bronze and walnut finishes.
In this period Amazon comes with a nice promotional price for this product. Click here to check it!
Emerson CF955BS Midway
If you've been looking for some ceiling fans for bedroom, you might have just found the perfect one. This Emerson fan model is supposed to be one of the most efficient ones in matters of energy consumption. It features a specific motor, that goes by the name of Emerson EcoMotor. Compared to the Minka-Aire model we recommended earlier one, this product does come with a wall control and this one is largely adjustable.
It's a little higher than some of its counterparts, featuring a 4 ½" rod. It takes up around 18 watts and is considered to be a green alternative in matters of ceiling fans.
The remote control of this particular fan comes with 6 customizable speeds, allowing you to adapt the settings of the product to your needs. The same remote control features a reverse setting, which helps you benefit from a warmer temperature during colder seasons.
The item is considered to be highly efficient when it comes to saving some bucks on electricity bills. It seems that if you use the fan and your air conditioning system moderately, you can benefit from enhanced air ventilation and circulation.
The motor of the product is known for being remarkably quiet. It's also easy to install.
Not sure where to find the best deal for this product? Click here to visit Amazon.com!
Westinghouse 78284
The Turbo Swirl Ceiling Fan is surely the best Westinghouse ceiling fan on the current market. It comes with a beautiful design: an antique brass finish and 6 blades the color of walnut. The same product but a different model comes in a brushed aluminum finish and 6 blades the color of light maple.
The Turbo Swirl has a number of features which makes it worthy of being called one of the best ceiling fans under $100.
This item is said to fit rooms with a height between 8 and 10 feet, which means it's perfect to use in offices, small and medium-sized bedrooms and other rooms of the same kind. Its wattage is a little higher than the Emerson model we've addressed above: 52W. It comes with a weight of 12.5 pounds, so it is lighter than some of the other alternatives on the market.
Although its speed is largely customizable thanks to a remote control, this product only comes with 3 fan speeds.
It is an elegant ceiling fan that will surely match some classic or contemporary furniture, considering that it comes in two variants: a wooden and a glass one. The rotation of the wooden blades is more quiet when compared to the glass ones.


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Hey there! I'm Monica, a destination wedding photographer from Indianapolis who loves to celebrate adventurous couples passionate about marriage and legacy. I hope you enjoy browsing through our most recent work, resources for brides and photographers, and take a peek into our personal life! Be sure to check back soon, because we're always adding new content!
Find US ON
Caitlin and Alex are married!! They tied the knot in their quaint home town of Findlay, Ohio this past Saturday. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and it even looked like fall in some of the images because a tree at the church has already started changing colors.
Just like in their engagement session, Caitlin was absolutely RADIANT and her quiet confidence was beaming. Seeing her joy & love for Alex was one of my favorite parts of the entire day!
Their wedding day was SUCH a beautiful celebration of all the Lord has done. They've been together since high school so, as you can image, they were ready to be married! We loved their fun & thoughtful ideas: Caitlin attached her grandpa's ring to her bouquet, the Mr. and Mrs. balloons, Caitlin got Alex the SWEETEST gift during the reception (he's a huge Arsenal fan & she contacted them to write a congratulations letter to Alex for their marriage!), and all the bridal party speeches. We really felt like we had an intimate look into their relationship.
We are pumped for all that lies ahead for them in marriage! Alex & Caitlin- hope you're having a blast in Cancun, Mexico!! We LOVED celebrating with you!!
Mon & Drew
Ceremony: St. Marks Church/ Reception: Findlay Inn/ Gown Designer: Mori Lee/ Wedding Gown Boutique: Wendy's Bridal Cincinnati/ Bride's Shoes: Betsy Johnson/ Groom's Attire: Joseph A. Bank/ Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Salyer's Fabulous Bridal- Bill Levkoff/ Hair: Stephanie at Journey's Salon and Day Spa/ Make-up: Debbie Wagner/ Florals: Gina Lynne Design/ Catering: The Findlay Inn/ Cake: Kaker's Cake Pops/ Rentals: Gina Lynne Design/ DJ: UltraSound Special Events


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Yoga & Pilates
Yoga Classes
Yoga (we offer hot, classic, and hatha) classes are guaranteed to strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, and refocus the mind! You may even break a sweat! If a yoga class looks interesting to you, come on in and try it out. We'll give you the tools you need, and you'll get there in no time- we promise!
Pilates Classes
Get the long, lean muscles while focusing on your core. Learn a variety of core and stability exercises, often even using small weights! Great for toning and strength development.


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This is a blog to give friends and loved ones an opportunity to view the progress of the sailing adventures of Captain Don Montgomery and The Admiral Lana Montgomery.
The Garden Of Eden in Black Point Bahamas
Have you ever met someone and when you left their presence you felt as if you just received a gift, a blessing? Well… today I met one of those people, his name… Willie Rolle. When we initially arrived at Black Point, Bahamas our first stop was at a bar/restaurant named Scorpion. While there we inquired to what areas in town a traveler may visit to learn more about the local culture. Immediately, the fellow behind the bar responded that we needed to go to see the Garden of Eden. When we questioned as to what exactly the Garden of Eden was, the guy behind the bar replied with a wide toothy grin, "You go see for ya selves". Naturally that raised the curiosity level up a few notches. So off we headed, up the street and around the corner to find the Garden of Eden in Black Point, Bahamas. Following a little walk we came upon what appeared to be a garden gone wrong. As we stood in front of this site I thought to myself this cannot be the Garden of Eden!! The yard was full of dead pieces of wood that appeared to be scattered haphazardly about. What a tourist trap this is was my next thought! I looked at the Captain with a look of bewilderment! His response…."Ahh come on let's at least go look around since we have already walked the walk." Off we went wandering our way through this chaotic pile of rocks and driftwood. Just a few feet into the garden we notice a man standing by the front door of a house. We made steps towards him to ask permission to continue to walk the property. He gives a big excited smile and replies with a broken, slurred English, "Let me give you a tour!" He introduces himself as he puts his hand out, "Hi my name is Willie, Willie Rolle, pleasure to meet you and welcome to my garden!" He had a affectionate welcoming air about him.. practically innocent and childlike. I felt as if I had known him for years. It was a strange presence that I cannot begin to explain in words. Willie took us by every one of his creations and explained each section to us. Every now and then he would let out a hardy chuckle as he explained the works of art. Each piece of driftwood, each rock was picked up and arranged by Willie. Some you had to really stimulate your imagination but through Willie's eyes we saw the Garden of Eden art exhibit, art sent from nature! With a modest amount of imagination and with the help of Willie we saw ballerinas dancing, penguins, crocodiles, birds, lions and even George Washington. It was amazing! As we approached the end of the exhibited we noticed trees and plants growing out of the center of rocks! The Captain and I couldn't believe what our eyes were seeing. Before us was a true garden there were fruits and veggies growing as far as you could see. There were bananas, kiwi, tomatoes, mangos, aloe vera, potatoes, corn.. the list goes on and on. Willie reached up into the tree with a grandiose smile and plucked a tamarind from his tree. He thoughtfully handed one to us so we could sample it. It tasted delicious. The most marvelous part was that these trees and plants were not just growing but they were prosperous and thriving!! Growing in small sections of rock with scant amounts of dirt!! Willie told us he had worked on his garden for 30 years. The only thing that he and his family purchase from the store is rice, lard and sugar! He is self sufficient and very happy.
Moral of the story… Don't ever pass judgments on first impressions only… when you do you risk missing a wonderful blessing and meeting possibly an angel or at least a very special human being!!
Peace and joyous hearts to all ......
3 comments:
Don and Lana,
Pam and I have been following your blog and learning from it as well. So thanks a bunch! We noticed that you're getting philosophical in a 'stop-and-smell-the-roses' kind of way. It's the kind of spirit that you can only get when you have the luxury of not having a 'job'. Not that you don't have work to do. But you now you bear the responsibilty of entertaining us wage-slaves. So keep posting. It's great motivation for us. We look forward to each posting!
Chris and Pam
- 2/06/2010
- Unknown said...
I love your story! I can picture it in my head and it sounds wonderful! I am looking forward to many, many more of these stories!
- 2/08/2010
- Unknown said...
I love your story! I can picture it in my head and it sounds wonderful! I am looking forward to many, many more of these stories!
- 2/08/2010


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In my defense...
it's genetic.
Gotta be prepared, you know?
So, to that end, I'll be blogging probably only sporadically. Writing comes first, right? But I've read a couple of really great books recently, so I'll try to post those reviews soon. Also, I have some writing posts planned and another giveaway ready to go. Good stuff coming up.
Okay, some cool news:
Shelli Johannes-Wells is having a Pay It Forward contest as a nod to Suzanne Young for having given her a jumpstart in her writing career. The prize? A personal recommendation to her agent, Alyssa Henkin at Trident Media, to help you get out of the slush pile. In order to win, you have to enter your YA/MG pitch (up to four sentences) in her comment section. In publishing, whatever boost you can get is practically gold. So GO HERE to check out the details. Contest ends this Friday, Feb 4.
ALSO, if you haven't entered yet, make sure you GO HERE to enter to win a Signed ARC of Lisa and Laura Roecker's YA mystery THE LIAR SOCIETY. Giveaway ends tomorrow, Thursday Feb 3! So HURRY!
FINALLY, if you're new to my blog...Helloooooo! Huge thank you to new and old bloggie friends alike. Happy to have you! *Tips hat*


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The first baby teeth to emerge in the mouth are two bottom front teeth. These teeth generally emerge around six to eight months old. Next, the four upper front teeth and the rest of your baby's teeth will erupt periodically. They generally appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until your child is around 2-½ years old.
At this point, your child should have all 20 of their teeth. Between ages five to six, your child's first permanent teeth will start to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth will replace baby teeth, while others will be completely new. Do not be concerned if some teeth erupt a few months earlier or later, all children are different.
Baby teeth are very important. Not only do they hold the space for permanent teeth, but they also allow your child to chew, bite, and speak correctly.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's first teeth, please schedule an appointment with Superkids Pediatric Dentistry in one of our three convenient locations:
46175 West Lake Drive, Suite 430, Sterling, VA. 20165 • Phone: 703-774-0014
9800 Falls Road, Suite 7, Potomac, MD 20854 • Phone: 301-299-4400
5787 Winston Court, Alexandria, VA 22311 • Phone: 703-931-4400


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Since arriving here in Sri Lanka events have been tumbling over each other as one day kaleidoscoped into another. After the amazing birthday party just a few days after our arrival, we had a memorial celebration for three kind and generous people who died some time ago but were responsible for many generous acts during their lifetimes. It was simple, solemn and sincere with seven Buddhist priests in their saffron robes creating a huge splash of colour and adding an aura of great reverence as they sat in a row of high-backed chairs quietly fanning themselves with traditional fans shaped like giant pepal-leaves while the senior monk spoke about the deceased and uttered prayers to which the small family gathering responded. Mind, by European standards, a family of forty-eight descendants of the surviving matriarch would be pretty unusual, and hardly considered small.
Last Saturday we all set off on a family pilgrimage to Kotaragama Temple set on the top of a mountain that was accessed through dense jungle surrounding the slopes of the mountain. Thousands of other pilgrims had the same idea. Many went on foot and climbed up as well as down on the single stone track. I was among others who were taken on a newly concreted road in specially adapted four-wheeled drive safari-jeeps designed to ferry a seemingly endless stream of pilgrims up, then returning for more after carrying others down.
Once there, I have to admit, it was too crowded for me. I had to ask to be taken down almost as soon as we got up. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of claustrophobia in the crowd milling around as they ascended and descended steep stair cases to get from one level to another. The viewing platforms afforded magnificent views but much was obscured by a heavy mist.
We eventually returned to the very comfortable motel until the evening when we went to a second temple at nearby Sithulpauwa. This was smaller but exquisite. Set on top of a smaller mountain we were able to climb up the huge rock that formed its base.
This rock was itself an amazing phenomenon because it was possible to see the swirls of mud that had helped make it millions of years ago. The rock was part of a massive mountain range that stretched as far as the eye could see; like the humped backs of so many undulating giant elephant covered with jungle greenery.
Once on top and standing on the level, meditation-area, it was possible to view all the paths leading out of the jungle to the lake which lay at the foot of the rock and behind the temple. We were rewarded with sightings of two elephants coming to drink as well as watch them enjoy a dust bath, and to capture all on camera for the record.
Returning to our motel via the jungle reserve, we were thrilled with sightings and photographs of peacocks and hens; wild boar and monkey families, as well as an elephant with his head and trunk inside the doorway of a single-decker Leyland bus. The drivers of these vehicles sit directly opposite the doorway and as our car went round the bus we witnessed a very nervous driver getting ready to vacate his seat, (wild elephants can be temperamental) but all was well, the great beast was simply scrounging some tit-bits and the bus soon caught up with us – and I had another once-in-a-lifetime photograph.


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People from Phoenix treat the summer like the zombie apocalypse. I realize this every time I stare out of a car window at people groaning and lifelessly shuffling in the heat. I think about how I would never dare go out there, for fear of being infected.
The sun in Phoenix has a magical effect on people. It makes every minor inconvenience seem like an attack on your dignity as a human being. It also turns previously sane people into deranged lunatics.
For example, I had to fill up a bike tire at a gas station. It's a normally simple task that seemed like a personal injustice thanks to the sun. When I was finished, I barged into the gas station convenience store and heard the song "Ooh Child" by The Five Stairsteps playing on the radio.
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Now, under normal circumstances I think that song is one of the most overtly positive and optimistic songs ever written. But thanks to the heat I began to curse the song and shake my fist at the speakers. Because in Phoenix during the summer, the last thing I want to be told is that "things will get brighter."


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Labour Characteristics of the Off-Reserve Population
Explore two sources that provide labour characteristics for the Aboriginal population.
The Labour Force Survey
The Labour Force Survey covers the off-reserve, civilian non-institutional population of Canada.
The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and estimates are subject to both sampling and non-sampling errors.
National Household Survey (NHS)
Labour characteristics of the on-reserve Aboriginal population are available from the National Household Survey Aboriginal Population Profile (carried out at five-year intervals).


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What is Programmatic Advertising?
Programmatic is a form of digital advertising that uses computers to buy remnant ad inventory on the open ad exchange much cheaper than buying directly with publishers. Programmatic advertising started growing in popularity in the early 2000s. Since 2015, over half of all digital ads have been sold on these platforms. In my experience, many agencies don't even realize that they are buying programmatic when they buy ads on Google Display and Facebook. Any platform that claims to connect you to virtually all of the internet-viewing population is probably selling you programmatic.
What is More Valuable – Programmatic Advertising or Premium Placements?
- Benefits of Programmatic – It's much cheaper (lower CPM), gives you access to more inventory, and uses AI with machine learning to optimize your campaign for your KPI at scale in a way that humans couldn't possibly manage.
- Benefits of Buying Direct on Premium Placements – It's brand safe because you know exactly which sites your ads will appear on. If you buy on TripAdvisor, you know your ads will not appear on an extremist or X-rated site. According to comScore, direct buys get higher viewability rates, meaning more of the ads are seen by actual humans and not bots.
What is Ad Viewability and Why Does it Matter?
Display ads are sold based on ad impression volume (CPM – cost-per-thousand), but we still have to agree on what that means and how to make sure advertisers are getting what they're paying for. You wouldn't want to go to the movie theater and buy a tub of popcorn, only to find out your tub was half full of cotton balls. Then when you go to complain, they try to convince you that you're better off with cottony popcorn, because otherwise you would pay twice as much and gain more weight.
How Much of Your Ad Budget is Wasted on Cotton Balls?
It's estimated that over 50% of paid programmatic impressions are never viewed by an actual human.
What is a Viewable Ad Impression?
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Google define a viewable ad impression as:
Showing at least 50% of your ad within a viewable area for at least 1 second.
What is the Ideal Viewability Threshold?
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) recommends a threshold of 70% viewability with at least half of your ad visible for at least 1 second.
Some programmatic vendors have told me their default setting for viewability threshold is 35-55% and that increasing to 70% would also increase the cost and eliminate 95% of all inventory. They also said it would hurt performance, resulting in lower engagement and fewer sales.
Does Higher Viewability Really Hurt Performance?
Actually, no. Sizmek says ads that met the 70% viewability standard got better results with more engagement.
Why Are They Selling Us Cotton Balls?
It's simple math. If 70% viewability eliminates 95% of inventory, then most of what they are selling is cotton balls or fluff. If we stopped buying cotton balls, they would go out of business. Perhaps this is because much of the higher quality inventory is reserved for direct buys.
Why Are Most Ad Impressions Not Viewable by Humans?
Here are the primary factors that impact viewability:
- Bots have taken over the internet, accounting for about 52% of total website traffic.
- Mobile screen sizes with responsive websites have reduced ad viewability because often the ad appears on a part of your page that was never shown.
- Some publishers serve mostly non-viewable ad impressions.
- Some ad positions higher on the page have better viewability, due to scroll depth.
- Vertical ad units get better viewability.
- Viewability varies by industry with reference getting the highest rankings.
Is Viewability Increasing?
Some studies do show average viewability rates increasing, while the length of time ads are viewed is decreasing. This is because as more advertisers demand minimum viewability standards – 50% of the ad viewed for last least 1 second – publishers are trying to make as many of the ads appear for only 1 second to make more money.
Does Programmatic Have a Latency Issue?
Yes, big time. Programmatic with real-time-bidding uses header bidding technology to calculate the value of each ad impression in real time before an ad is displayed. Real-time bidding and use of tracking pixels can create latency that slows down page load by 2 seconds or more, which can result in a bad user experience, and perhaps no one winning the ad auction at all. This is one reason why some larger brands are choosing more premium programmatic options, such as private marketplace and programmatic direct.
Can Programmatic Advertising Hurt Brands?
Yes. Brands doing programmatic advertising are trusting their reputations to robots automatically placing their ads on thousands of publishers' websites on the open ad exchange.
Can't We Exclude Certain Sites?
Yes, you can opt out of "sensitive categories" and provide lists of sites to exclude. I always exclude these categories in Google Display, but new content pops up every day.
There's no guarantee that Google, YouTube and other platforms have properly identified every extremist website and video before your ad shows up next to it. Just as with spammers vs. anti-virus software engineers, there's a constant battle between the ad platforms and people publishing content.
Most businesses and agencies don't have time to sort through thousands of websites to ensure each one complies with their brand standards. Last time I went through the top 50 or so that showed up in my "placement" list on Google Display, I had to call my company's IT team to quarantine a virus.
So What Are the 3 Steps to Avoid Brand Suicide in a Programmatic Apocalypse?
Step #1: Define your brand safety concerns with a Brand Safety Guidelines document to help your digital media partners understand your priorities. This should include any topics, categories, and sites you would like to avoid.
Step #2: Based on your Brand Safety Guidelines, you can work with your agency to determine the best media mix for your brand, which may include programmatic with category and site exclusions or a focus on direct buys with only hand-selected premium placements. Ask your digital marketing agency about:
- Your display ad viewability rate
- The brand safety standards they are following for your campaigns
- Your brand vulnerabilities with current advertising endeavors
Step #3: Consider utilizing a third party platform such as MOAT to protect and monitor your brand safety.
Download the MOAT Defining Brand Safety White Paper
Need help with your brand safe approach to digital marketing? Contact Aristotle today for a free consultation!


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New product allows removal of heel shift lever for increased floorboard space.
Pingel Enterprise, Inc., Manufacturer of high quality motorcycle performance products for over 40 years, is proud to introduce the Heel Shift Lever Eliminator. Get back some of that valuable floorboard space and quit snagging your heel on the shifter. Our Heel Shift Lever Eliminator Kit removes the heel shifter and is easily installed in minutes with normal hand tools. Made from billet aluminum and polished. Made in USA.
Fits Softail models from 1986-2011.


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It is widely known that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death. In India, recently the disease burden has been shifting from communicable/infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases, and CVD constitutes a significant percentage. India ranks as one of the countries with a high death rate due to CVD. The prevalence rates among younger adults and women (in the age group of 40 years and above) is also increasing. Premature mortality in terms of years of life lost because of CVD in India increased by 59%, from 23.2 million (1990) to 37 million (2010). Hence, India is dealing with a CVD epidemic and to tackle it, three major concerns need to be addressed: accelerated build-up of cases, the early age of disease onset in the population, and the high case fatality rate.
Current prevention strategies revolve around lifestyle management like smoking, diet, and exercise among others. However, extensive research has shown that CVDs have a sizeable hereditary component. When lifestyle factors add on to hereditary ones, it increases an individual's risk for diseases. Hence there needs to be more emphasis on studying genetic predisposition as a risk factor to get a better understanding of the disease. Genetic predispositions to disease occur due to gene mutations which result in altered biological function of the gene/protein which can result in increasing an individual's risk for disease. These mutations are commonly known as polymorphisms. There are also polymorphisms that indirectly predispose individuals to CVD by rendering them genetically susceptible to other related diseases, such as diabetes. Conversely, positive genetic predispositions also have been discovered, wherein an individual's genetic tendency to have elevated levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) decrease a person's chances of developing CVD.
Assessing CVD risk is integral to the prevention and treatment of the disease. Several markers, polymorphisms and genes have been identified with the onset for CVD. Disease management options for CVD are available, and can substantially mitigate the burden of CVD, if implemented effectively. The mapping of the human genome has contributed to a better understanding of the genetic causal factors associated with CVD. Genetic testing has been proved an effective tool in estimating predisposition of individuals to several complex diseases and are being widely used worldwide. When genetic testing is done in a family with some affected members, it not only provides prior information about the predisposition of physically unaffected members, but also relieves the genetically unaffected members of unnecessary lab tests and concern.
Genetic testing for CVDs and many other non-communicable diseases are available in India. One of the issues with the use of most of these tests was their design, which reflected the genetic makeup of Caucasian population, since the pioneering studies were done on this population. However, recently ongoing studies on the Indian populations have identified specific variants and genes associated with CVD risk in the Indian population. There is still a need of extensive studies on Indian cohorts/populations to conclusively identify novel genetic markers and validate some known markers causing or protecting against CVD. There is recent interest to take it forward to provide a composite diagnostic chip consisting of these genetic markers and develop a risk score for prediction of CVD. This will lead to the development of more precise and effective treatments and management of the CVD in the future.
The awareness and use of genetic testing is in its growing phase in India. Next generation sequencing has provided high throughput multiplex platforms to perform routine genetic testing in a cost effective manner. However, in order to reach a wider population, the costs need to be moderated further. The emerging epidemic of cardiovascular diseases is a big health challenge. Therefore, improving CVD risk prediction to reduce the mortality rate is an important public health goal.
Considering the huge impact genetic testing might have on public health management of a major health concern like CVD, government funds and policies might come in handy to bring down cost of genetic testing in India. Funding for large projects involving studies on the Indian populations to develop a CVD risk prediction models, creating awareness about early prevention of CVD and the role of genetic testing and providing cost relief to patients needing genetic testing, are some areas which need the attention of policy makers.


text: Shift Dress Fashion for Girl Shift Dress, A shift dress which have short sleeveless that hangs from the shoulders is suitable for every girl, they will look more energetic, beautiful, and elegant when using the shift dress. Maybe you are one of the lovers shift dress. Here are some tips on ...Read More »


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I'm very happy to be able to share the Amazon link to my book, Dust to Dust. It's currently available for pre-order ahead of its 1st October release date.
Once again I'd like to thank my colleague Dmitri Thompson for his cover design. If you have any design work you need done, you can reach Dmitri here.
Here's a reminder of the blurb:
Dan Wallace is working on Dust, an app that enables secure communication in a Britain in which privacy comes at a premium. When the right-wing Olof party comes into power, law and order begin to break down. The government trains its sights on Dan, their charismatic leader Hadi Ghazzali and the beautiful new arrival Laura Taylor. In the face of this instability and hostility, it falls to Dan to carve out a future for their creation.


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Big news!
The EEOC has just announced a proposed revision to the Employer Information Report (EEO-1) that would include collecting pay data from employers, including federal contractors, with more than 100 employees. This new data is meant to assist the agency in identifying possible pay discrimination and help employers promote equal pay in their workplaces. More info is available here; the comment period ends April 1, 2016.
What does this new development mean for you? Well, if you're at all concerned about the possibility of inequitable pay practices at your organization (either deliberate or inadvertent), now is an excellent time to start looking into things – before the EEOC starts looking into them for you!
In a previous post, I explained how to analyze the possibility of a gender pay gap at your workplace. That same analysis applies regardless of the type of pay discrimination that may be occurring, whether on the basis of age, race, or other illegal factors.
If you do uncover pay inequities, I highly recommend that you bring your findings to your senior management team ASAP. But there's no need for panic. As compensation expert Frank Kyler noted in a recent BLR webinar, it's not necessary to take a "boil the ocean" approach to remedy pay inequities. Small, manageable steps are key to fixing the problem.


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Calecas Hall
Calecas Hall is a one-story building adjoined with the Nicholls State Police station. Home to about 80 residents, it is one of our most cost-convenient living options on campus but it fills up quickly. With its open and inviting courtyard, students often find their new home in it's recently renovated rooms.
- Two Persons per bedroom; four persons per suite
Room Amenities
- Two standard twin beds & mattresses (twin extra-long)* (can be bunked)
- Built-In and Non Built-In Desks and 2 Chairs*
- Dresser (two-drawer stack able units)
- Wardrobe with two drawers
- High-Speed Wireless Internet
- Basic Cable Connection
- Telephone Connection
- Vanity Area with Sink
- Shared Bathroom (Suite-mates) with Full-Sized Shower
Building Amenities
- Lobby area with flat screen television, pool table, and seating area.
- Full kitchen and dining area with vending machines and ice machine (Vending machine accepts Colonel Cash)
- Computer Lab in lobby area
- Laundry facility
Jon Stallons, BA – Area Coordinator
(Ellender, Scholars, Calecas, & Brady Apartment Complex)


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More than 700 years of income inequality in the UK measured via income share of the top 5% and Gini, 1980-2010 by Max Roser.
Excellent charting of what is a difficult to measure concept.
What is missing is the productivity dimension. Yes, income inequality is blessedly dramatically lower today than it was a hundred years ago. But that just measures the relative difference at the whole society level.
A hundred years ago, if you were in the bottom quintile, maybe the bottom two quintiles, you were border line starvation and even the middle income quintile was financially perilous. When everyone was working at such lower income, absolute income was a greater issue than relative income. It is only since we have become so prosperous so quickly that we have focused (mistakenly) on income inequality rather than what has always been the real root issue, productivity.
I think what these charts bring to the fore is that a hundred years ago poverty and income inequality were tantamount to starvation whereas today, definitional poverty and income inequality are really measures of relative discomfort.
And it is the rapidity of the spread of prosperity which is perhaps most remarkable of all. From top of mind, the bottom income quintile in the US in 2016 have a capital and durable goods consumption profile equivalent of that of the middle income quintile in 1970. There are a lot of people who are alive today with happy childhood memories of being middle income quintile in 1970.
Looking internationally, Mexico today has an average per capita GDP about where the US was in 1950 (from memory). Again, most of us today know someone who can remember the 1950s.
The only point here is that the income in individual and national productivity has increased dramatically and in a short time frame. It is disorienting and easy to lose perspective. Yes there are still poor countries and poor people within countries but what those terms actually mean in real life circumstances are far different from what they meant fifty and a hundred years ago.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Productivity has increased dramatically and in a short time frame
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Until we find out the "anatomical features" of our child in August, I am looking for a new name for "baby."
To begin, I have to give credit where credit is due -- Katie (Wipperman) McHugh is currently pregnant and has a hilarious blog http://neverknoweverything.blogspot.com/ . In her blog, she calls her baby "turnip" and it is quite catchy. I feel like I know turnip already! I am not sure where the name came from exactly, however I think she always found it comical when the weekly update emails compared her child to a food item. I assume that is how she got the name turnip. (Katie, correct me if I am wrong).
So, here is where you come in ......... please leave me some ideas in the comments section of names that I can call our "baby" until he/she has an actual name!
Thanks for your help!
Many of you, my readers, might remember Joshua. He is the little baby that I helped to deliver whose mom was addicted to drugs, HIV positive, and very unh...
3 weeks ago


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The phil&teds parade carrier is designed for older babies & children and features an internal lightweight aluminium frame. If offers a back carrying position and is suitable for your baby from the time they are sitting independently (about 6 months) to 18kg.
The parade carrier is made from waterproof synthetic fabrics and comes in blue/grey & orange/grey colour combos.
Price: $139
Availability: Baby Bunting with other phil&teds stockists to follow
We love …
- extended carrying for bigger babies
- lots of comfort features
- flat fold
- independent stand
In use …
The first thing you notice about the phil&teds parade carrier is that, pulling it out of the box, it's much lighter than you expect. Weighing in at 2kgs, the phil&teds parade is bulkier than most carriers, but will accommodate your baby up to the very decent size of 18kgs.
The parade features two harness, one for you & one for your baby. To get started, firstly adjust your harness to fit snugly, ensuring the waist strap goes around your hips, with the padding sitting just on your hips. Then take your carrier off, add your baby & adjust their harness so they are safely secured, the stand on the parade allows it to stand independently while you do this. Finally, grasp the little handle on top of the parade to help you hoist it onto your back, back pack style.
You'll find lots of ergonomic/comfort features built into the parade including thick, padded shoulder & waist straps and a soft padded back that includes ventilation panels to keep you cool. How long you'll feel comfortable carrying your child, though, will depend on the size of your child and your stamina. The good news is that the parade is easy to swap between parents.
One of the things that allows the phil&teds parade to be used for longer periods of time for your baby is the sling style seat. Not only does it help balance the heavier load, but it also supports your baby in a way that encourages blood flow to their legs.
The phil&teds parade gets the big thumbs up from our toddler tester. He loved being at the same height as the adults around him and being in the midst of the action. He had lots of to delighted things to 'say' about his new perspective.
There's quite a bit of storage on the parade carrier. Including expanding pockets on either side of the carrier, big enough to accommodate a bottle of water, wallets, keys & other essentials. There's also a little pack on the back, if you're clever & compact, you could fit all your baby's change needs in there. Or, you can detach the pack & your toddler can wear it as a back pack.
The phil&teds parade folds flat for easy transport and storage when not in use.
Consider this …
The phil&teds parade carrier is designed for longer baby carrying, but there's no head rest or hood for when your baby needs a snooze. Also a hood would be great to keep the rain out. It defeats the purpose of having a waterproof carrier if the rain can fall in on your baby.
How easy the parade is to get on and off your back depends on your upper body strength. Our tester mum had a bit of difficulty hoisting it, whereas, our tester dad had no trouble at all.
The stand only stays open when the parade carrier is sitting on a surface. So you can't flip open the stand and put the carrier down on it. You have to put the carrier down and hold open the stand at the same time.
I love the idea of the detachable toddlers backpack, but you have to permanently snip it off the carrier. Imagine how useful it'd be if you could reattach it or even if it had a clip & lead so it could also be used as a toddler harness.
Be a little cautious about what you place in the side pockets. Your child can access them if they are crafty or curious (or both!).
The verdict …
The phil&teds parade carrier goes places no pram or stroller would dare to. Use it as an alternative when you are travelling, need to get around busy and/or confined area or for a general day out.
Need more? Thanks to phil&teds we have a trifecta of baby carriers to giveaway. Enter below to win an phil&teds parade carrier valued at $139. Visit our phil&teds airlight & emotion reviews for more carrier giveaways.


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Defraggler is a software that allows you to defragment your disk drives. It can be programmed to perform a check and defragmentation at the desired time. The displacement of some large files facilitates the defragmentation and increases the performance of reading and writing data.
Author : Piriform Ltd.
Editor : Piriform Ltd.
System : Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10


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DotA Allstars 6.62b Official Release by IceFrog is Ready for DownloadWritten by admin on September 4th, 2009
DotA Allstars 6.62b is released. Serious danger was fixed in latest version, so now playing DotA must be more comfortable, without(or at least not in less quantities) those stupid abusers.
* Fixed a major exploit that was recently discovered


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Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Iowa Department of Education today released new online reports showing how public schools performed in a new accountability system that meets the Every Student Succeeds Act, a federal education law that replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.
What is ESSA?
The Every Student Succeeds Act, signed in 2015, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (enacted in 2002). It maintains a focus on equity for all students, while giving states and local school districts much more ownership over systems of school accountability and support. In Iowa, ESSA has been a great opportunity to build on bold education improvements under way that align with ESSA requirements, including clear and rigorous standards for what students should know and be able to do, a school accountability system that targets support where and when schools need it most, and a structure for professional learning that emphasizes teacher leadership and evidence-based practices.
ESSA requires states to publish report cards reflecting the performance of the state, schools and school districts. Iowa's online report card is called Iowa Performance Profiles.
Iowa School Performance Profiles (New Report Card)
The new reports, called the Iowa School Performance Profiles, include each school's scores on a set of accountability measures. The reports display scores based on a school's overall performance, as well as the performance of subgroups of students, such as children from low-income backgrounds.
Identification of Iowa Schools for support and improvement is based on these measures:
- Student Participation on State Assessments: Requires a minimum of 95% of a school's enrollment participate in annual state assessments.
- Academic Achievement (measures the following):
- Proficiency: Percentage of students in a school who are proficient in math and reading based on assessment results.
- Average Scale Score: Information about the average performance of students in reading and mathematics in a school.
- Student Growth: Measures overall student growth by looking at student percentiles and determining whether the student is meeting or exceeding growth targets.
- Graduation Rate (high schools): Determines percentage of students who graduate from high school in four or five years.
- Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency: Measures a student's progress in obtaining English language proficiency across the domains of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Conditions of Learning: Measures a school's safety, engagement and environment based on a survey of students in grades 5 through 12.
The new accountability system emphasizes student growth as measured by results on state assessments from year to year. This approach was based on feedback from Iowans who wanted a change from a previous federal accountability system that emphasized proficiency.
NOTE: The Iowa School Performance Profiles are different from the Iowa School Report Card, developed in 2015 to meet a state legislative requirement. In 2019, the Iowa Department of Education will work to update data in the Iowa School Report Card and then merge the site with the Iowa School Performance Profiles. The goal is to ensure the state has one report card that meets both state and federal requirements.
Source IDE News Release and websites 12-18-18.
Iowa School Report Card
Research and data are foundational to the education provided by the Clear Creek Amana Community Schools. Whether it is reviewing the needs of your individual student or setting goals for an entire building to achieve, we do our research.
As a publicly funded organization, we are also required to publish a variety of reports, which provide our community members and parents the information needed to assist us in our efforts to educate the children of our district. The Iowa School Report Card is a web-based system that evaluates and rates public schools based on their performance on a required set of measures. The system was developed to meet a state legislative requirement.
The Iowa School Report Card includes information on student proficiency rates in math and reading, student academic growth, narrowing achievement gaps among students, college and career readiness, student attendance, graduation rates, and staff retention. Based on each school's performance over a two-year period, the report card assigns one of six ratings: Exceptional, High-Performing, Commendable, Acceptable, Needs Improvement, and Priority.
About the Iowa School Report Card: The Iowa School Report Card delivers on a component of the comprehensive education reform legislation adopted by Iowa lawmakers in 2013. The legislation, House File 215, directed the Iowa Department of Education to develop a process for evaluating the performance of each school on certain measures and to "arrive at an overall school performance grade and report card" that is posted to the Department's website.


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Happy NEW YEAR all you lovely, fantastic Meta Desi's out there!
We're back with all new Jataka Manga tales for you and there are several chapters in a row all set and in storage now so you shall be getting a steady stream of these pages in the weeks and months ahead! 🙂 As always, send your love and thanks to the creative brotherly team of Ananth and Gowra!
We kick off the new year with a sweet, funny tale of a honesty and a good heart – seemed fortunate that this is the chapter kicking off the new year!
2015 was a great year for us here at Meta Desi, it saw the launch of a record (for us!) THREE new comics as Ground Zero v3 launched to much great feedback from all of you out there AND our most popular member of that little anthology got itself it's very own comic: HOLY HELL!
The first successful spin-out from our anthologies, HOLY HELL #1 launched Bangalore Comic Con and we continued the momentum and energy by bringing out Holy Hell #2 just a couple of months later at Delhi Comic Con just last month and so far the reviews and fan feedback have been not just encouraging but exciting to see and hear!
So stick with us folks and we'll be bringing you not just more Holy Hell but many other new comics in the year ahead thanks to your support AND please do let us know if you guys want to see a collection of Jataka Manga in print form for all the younger, little Meta Desi's among you!
See you Monday for the first page of this new tale!
Akshay Dhar


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Posts tagged 'Disney'
Monsters University
New viral page for Monsters University. As someone who works for a major university, they nailed it. Enjoy!
Captain Jack in the 1970s?!?!?!?
Disney fan and Design by Me Disney t-shirt finalist Jasmine Contois unearthed this poster from the now-defunct Discovery Island at Walt Disney World, and it features someone very, very familiar.
It's not often that I see something Disney-related that surprises me, but this most certainly did. More at this link
It's a pilgrimage!
Earlier this year, I discovered that a fantastic Disney resource lives right here in our little college town. Kim is a Disney Vacation Planner, and I wanted to find out what that was like, and she was gracious enough to spend some time and answer some questions for us.
Just Off Main Street can highly recommend Kim's services in planning your next Disney vacation, find her at kimbowers.offtoneverland.com or on Facebook.
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Kim Bowers, I'm 43, married to my husband Tom for 20 years and have two kids. I grew up in Atlanta, went to school at the University of Georgia and graduated in 1991 with an Early Childhood Education degree.
Tell us about your job:
I provide fee-free booking and planning services for anyone planning a Disney vacation. My clients come to me because they are overwhelmed by the number of decisions that must be made when planning a trip to Walt Disney World, and they have a thousand questions! Which resort to choose? What time of year is best? etc.. I can help you plan your Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise, or any other Disney destination vacation.
I get to know them and what they want, and help them get the very best rates on the package that is just right for them. Then I help them plan out their itinerary. Going to Walt Disney World is not just another vacation – it's a pilgrimage! People want everything to be magical – and they appreciate the insider guidance. I have several clients who come back to me because they know I stay up to date on everything, and I can fill them in about new attractions and make sure they get the best price. I've been doing this for 4 years now.
How did you get started?
After planning several trips for my family and friends, I realized I had a vast (some might say ridiculous) amount of knowledge and a knack for planning. Somehow I had become a walking travel guide! I just knew I could do the job. My background is in teaching preschool, which involves a lot of planning and of course, understanding kids, so I draw on those experiences a lot too. I loved the idea of having a profession that would keep me connected to Walt Disney World. I turned to the Internet to find out how I could become a travel agent and found Off To Neverland Travel. I applied, interviewed, and was hired as an independent contractor.
So, this isn't a Disney company?
No. Off To Neverland Travel is an Earmarked agency. That means we are Authorized Disney Travel Planners. That affords us access to the very latest news resources and training. We book directly with Disney, and add our own special services at no extra charge.
Planning Disney vacations for my clients is a lot of fun because I put myself in their shoes and try to anticipate what they will need to know. So in my mind, I go to WDW a lot! And helping people make happy memories is very gratifying. I love to hear from my clients after they travel that my advice and guidance really made their trip run smoothly, or that a character meal I suggested was a highlight of their trip, and so on. It may sound corny but it is an honor to help families make memories that will last a lifetime.(Ed's Note: It's not corny, it's kind of awesome)
One of my favorite things about my job is a service we provide called reservation monitoring. This is something that won't happen if you book online or by calling Disney's reservation line. Once a client books with me, I watch all the discounts that come along. And when one comes up that matches, I apply the savings or offer an upgrade. I can't ever promise it will happen, but it does quite a bit. It's not often you get a phone call from someone saying "Guess what you are going to save money!" So, it's fun to do that!
Do you book other theme park vacations?
Honestly, I will but I prefer not to because other companies do not instill me with the confidence Disney does that my guests will be blown away by an all-round superior experience.(Ed's Note: So true)
How many times a year do you visit the parks?
I visit 2-3 times a year for vacations or meetings (And no – I don't get to go for free! )
What are your favorite places to visit when at Walt Disney World?
My favorite resorts are Disney's Pop Century Resort because of the low price and the over-the-top Disney theme and service; and Disney's Polynesian Resort for the tropical ambiance and location (right on the monorail, and you can see Cinderella Castle from the pool!).(Ed's Note: Allow to me add the Polynesian's great themeing, and the luau is my second favorite meal at Disney.)
I really like EPCOT, and its relatively relaxed pace. And there are so many neat little nooks and crannies to be found – especially in the World Showcase. I notice something new to me every time I visit. EPCOT is also home to Soarin', my favorite attraction.
Crystal Palace for breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and friends is my whole family's favorite place to eat. My husband calls it the epicenter of the happiest place on earth.
Do you have any advice for guests planning their Disney meals?
I can't eat wheat, so normally it's difficult for me to eat out. But at Walt Disney World, I have almost as many meal and snack options as everyone else and I don't have to worry because the Disney chefs come out and speak to me personally and they are very knowledgeable and accommodating. They make a gluten-free brownie at Pop Century and several other restaurants that is even better than the regular kind. They also stock cookies and other goodies I, and others with wheat allergies, can enjoy while my family is having their treats. To me that is a very big deal!
Do you have a favorite place in the parks off the beaten path?
This won't be off the beaten path for long because it is very new and people are just discovering it. You could easily spend a day in Magic Kingdom Park and not even know about this. "The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" is an interactive game that takes you all over the park on a self guided quest with mysterious maps and magical playing cards to save the park from the Disney villains. My 10-year-old son and I tried it out in May of this year, and he loved it. The technology is very impressive. They have holographic-looking characters popping up in shop windows and such, and you can actually cast spells that make things happen. It's very cool. (Interesting link about testing the experience)
What's your favorite Disney movie?
My favorite classic Disney movie is Cinderella. It was my first theater movie when I was a kid. My mother had to drag me out because I laughed to hard at the mice! They are still my favorite part of the movie!
Tell us something no one knows about Disney from an insider's perspective:
A Disney vacation can actually be relaxing, and you don't have to go home exhausted ! There are many places to enjoy peace and quiet at Disney World! A lot of people make the mistake of cramming in so much activity they forget to relax. I try to help people find that balance so they go home refreshed.
Is there a Disney experience you've never done, but want to?
Aulani , the new resort in Hawaii is on my "someday" list!
Tell us about some of your most magical experiences helping plan a Disney vacation:
I've had the pleasure of working with several families whose Disney vacation is a celebration of life in the wake of a very difficult time. Hospice patients, cancer survivors, and others have come to me and said, "…life has been really hard this year. And we just need to get away, have a fun time making happy memories together," or "We just realized that life is too short to put this off any longer."
I handle all the little details so they can just go down there and enjoy. It really is an honor to help a family have a fun, relaxing, healing experience like that. And I can't think of a better place for them to do that than Walt Disney World.
Many, many thanks to Kim for sharing. I can't wait to call her to book our next trip!
I always enjoyed opportunities to participate in magical moments
After putting out a call on the blog and Facebook, Tony was kind enough to contact me about his time at Disney. Many thanks to him for sharing his experiences with us!
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Tony, I'm 31 and from Tampa, FL. I'm currently a fraud detective in Central Florida. I married my wife, Sarah in October of 2010, and we have two dogs. We both LOVE Disney World! We're both annual passholders and frequently visit the parks. Also, every February for the past 4 years, we celebrate the birthdays of some close friends by drinking around the world at EPCOT with about 20 friends. This September, we are attempting to drink around the resorts in an event Sarah has named "The Happiest Hour On Earth".Ed's note: I can totally get behind this idea.
I worked at Disney for 6 months during the summer/fall college program of 2001. I was enrolled at the University of South Florida in Tampa then, though I wasn't taking any classes while I was away at Disney. I left when I saw how hard the tourism industry was hit after 9/11. Managers were being asked to work fewer hours due to decreased attendance. After seeing how I could work hard to become a manager and have something out of my control greatly effect my career and income, I thought it was time to consider looking into another career field.
Why did you begin working for Disney?
I was an employee in the marketing/group sales department of Busch Gardens when I applied for (and participated in) Disney's College Program. I enjoyed working in the theme park industry and was originally interested in learning what set Disney apart from the other companies. I thought this would be a valuable opportunity for me to learn skills that would help me to advance in a career when I came back to Busch Gardens.
Tell us about your job at Disney:
I worked in Disney's Animal Kingdom as a theater usher at the Tarzan show. I also worked in ride operations at Dinosaur. At Dinosaur, I would do everything from seat belt checks and party grouping to tower control and attraction greeter.
Tell us your favorite memory of working:
I always enjoyed opportunities to participate in "magical moments." Sometimes we would be assigned to do a magical moment by "the bump", (an employee position assignment system). However, magical moments could happen at any time when you have positive interactions with a guest. Little things like giving a guest reserved seating in the Tarzan show, or taking guests past the line to go on a ride.
The "bump" tells employees where to report for the next part of their shift. When you returned from a break, you would go to a computer located somewhere inside or near your assigned attraction. After logging in to complete your lunch break, a receipt listing all of the positions needing coverage at that attraction was printed. If you printed the bump, you were likely sent to the "first" position, which at Dinosaur, was a greeter position. You would report to the front of the attraction and meet who the previously assigned greeter was. You pass the bump to them, and it tells that person to either go on break or report to another location at the attraction. This process would continue through almost every position to keep breaks on schedule and a good rotation for cast members. Most cast members had preferred positions and would offer to stay where they were if the person with the bump wanted to skip that position. At Dinosaur, I enjoyed all the positions except the hallway position after the pre-show, it offered little guest interaction or opportunities to stay busy. When I worked at the theater for the Tarzan show, I don't remember an official bump. Our breaks and lunches were all taken at the same time between shows. We took it upon ourselves to rotate positions and that normally worked out fine without issue.
Tell us about a challenging day:
September 11th, 2001. I was in my car and on my way to work around 10 a.m. when I heard on the radio that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I was clocking in at the Animal Kingdom breakroom near the front entrance when I saw on TV that the Pentagon had just been struck.
I walked to my position as an usher at Tarzan Rocks that morning and couldn't believe the news. What made things more strange, was that since Animal Kingdom opened at 8 am, many in the people in the park had no idea what was going on outside Walt Disney World, especially since smartphones didn't exist. The few guests that knew were the ones with Blackberries.
The way I remember it, after a couple of hours of work, the decision was made to shut down the parks. We were asked to turn guests away from the attractions and tell them the park was closed. When guests asked "why?", we were instructed to suggest that they go back to their hotel rooms and turn on the TV for the news. I don't recall any guests being difficult about being asked to leave. Many of them had no idea and were only catching rumors on their way out. I am glad that we were advised not to tell guests what was going on. Knowing that I could be talking to someone that worked and lived in New York City and was at Disney on vacation, I'm glad that I wasn't put in the position of potentially having to give someone what could be a death notification.
After the park was clear of guests, management requested that the Dinoland employees remain corralled in the breakroom to await further instructions. Many of us sat on the floor in this cramped space watching the TV for any updates. The decision was ultimately made to send us home and keep the park closed. Back at the college program housing, despite the macabre situation happening in the world, many of us gathered for an impromptu cookout. It was rare when we could all be together without schedules getting in the way. It may sound disrespectful or insensitive, but I don't think we knew what else to do. Many of us were from across the country and since congested telephone networks made it difficult for some people to reach family members, we spent quality time with the people we grew to consider family where we currently were living. Throughout all of this, I (and many others) couldn't help but worry if Disney World would be an additional target.
Disney World was a quiet place in the weeks to follow. People weren't traveling and managers were asked to cut their own hours in half voluntarily. As many people who lived through that time noticed, there was a renewed sense of patriotism and kindness to your neighbor. This was especially noticeable at Walt Disney World.
Where did you live while in Orlando?
I lived in Disney's College Program housing at Chatham Square.
Tells us about your favorite Disney park and collectables:
My favorite Disney Park is EPCOT where my favorite attraction, Spaceship Earth, resides.
I'm a big fan the Udon noodles at Katsura Grill in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT.
I love the Vinylmation Park Starz figures and enjoy Disney's 'Meet the Robinsons.'
Did you ever see a celebrity in the parks:
I had the privilege of meeting Richard Dreyfus and his family while giving them a brief tour of the Dinosaur control tower. I also met Roy Disney on Walt's 100th birthday while I visited the Hollywood Studios as a guest. Mr. Disney was walking through One Man's Dream and talking to Michael Eisner. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet Mr. Eisner.
Tells us something no one knows about Disney:
With enough money, you can buy a block party at Disney's Hollywood Studios in which you and your company can walk the red carpet and be mobbed by cast members that have been hired to hound you for pictures and autographs.
Would you go back?
I would really like to work in the parks again, but after I retire from my current career.
Did it help your future career?
Yes. I think having a name like the Walt Disney Company is a strong employer to list on a résumé. I also attribute many of my people skills to the opportunities I had at Disney to help people.
Are you still in contact with Disney co-workers?
I still have one as a Facebook friend. Although I haven't talked to my former coworkers and roommates in a long time, I would be happy to see any of them again. We did have a reunion 5 years after our college program.
Did you park hop during your time there?
Absolutely! On the college program, you don't make much money so you learn to rely on the parks for a good time. My roommates and I would spend our time off at the parks. I even remember bringing a change of clothes to work so I could meet up with friends as soon as I finished my shift.
Did you have a favorite out of the way place to hang out in the parks?
Although it wasn't really "out of the way", I would often find time to go by The Living Seas at Epcot. I've always enjoyed the exhibits there, particularly the cuttlefish tank. When I had time to myself in the parks, I enjoyed spending it there. I find the cuttlefish fascinating and relaxing to watch. I still love showing them off to friends that haven't seen them before; everyone seems to find them interesting.
Do you have a favorite Hidden Mickey?
My favorite hidden Mickey is in Dinoland at DAK. If you stand near the weird dinosaur statue outside Chester and Hester's, and look down, you might be standing on it! It's a series of cracks in the concrete making a hidden Mickey about 18 inches wide. I think most people stand or walk over it and never know its at their feet!
What advice would you give to a guest visiting the parks from the perspective of a cast member?
I would suggest that guests take time to interact a little more with the cast members. When you engage a cast member in conversation, not only will you break some of the monotony that they might have in their day, you also give that cast member an opportunity to show you why Disney service is above the rest. Although most people work at Disney because they have a passion for what the company represents, it is still a "job" at times. Showing interest in the people of Disney and not just the attractions will open many unexpected doors for memorable encounters. Like Walt said, "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it makes people to make that dream a reality."
If you could change anything about Disney, what would it be?
Fortunately, Disney has been progressive regarding their integration of technology and communication "plus-ing" the guest experience in the parks. That being said, I am quite happy with things they have done or are planning to do. But if I was put in charge, I would work to bring the future back to Future World in Epcot. Provide better dining options in the Magic Kingdom. And finally, install a One Man's Dream-style exhibit at each park that is focused on Walt's interests and achievements relating to that park's theme.
Are you glad you worked there?
Most definitely.
Many thanks again to Tony for sharing!!
A few pictures from various places of Disney cosplay at this year's Comic Con. More here and here…


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School of Music > Academics > Minors, Double Degrees & Double Majors > Music Business Minor
The Music Business minor includes introductory music history and music theory courses as well as courses that are part of DePaul's Performing Arts Management program.
A maximum of six ensemble credits may be applied to the additional courses requirement. In addition, credit will be given for musicianship courses taken as a former music major.
Students who take both MUS 107 and MUS 277 are eligible to take COM 313 (2 credits), offered during fall or winter quarter.
Students majoring in Music are restricted from earning this minor.
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