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Checklist for choosing an e-learning vendor
By Glynn Jung
Whichever product or service you seek, an organised, comprehensive selection process is required – perusing websites of e-learning companies just doesn't work. The selection process for a suitable e-learning vendor should be guided by whether they are supplying:
- technology,
- off the shelf e-learning titles or
- design and development services.
It helps if you develop a checklist, (indeed most purchasing departments demand this) so that you are consistent in comparisons. We recommend listing all the attributes of a perfect-fit vendor and deciding which features are must-haves, whether these are immediate needs or future growth and finally how important each feature is ("points").
We also recommend that organisations adopt the "MoSCoW" method for determining their needs. This is based on agreeing:
- 'must-have'
- 'should have'
- 'could have' and
- 'would be nice to have' – most organisations concentrate exclusively on "must have".
Below is a sample checklist that you might consider as a starting point for your own selection of a technology vendor.
In any e-learning vendor selection process there are generally a number of important criteria, such as pricing, technology, quality, service and so on. With regard to technology, ensure your vendors know what they will be dealing with in your organisation.
|Must Have
|Now or Future
|Vendor Qualifications
|Does the vendor serve organisations similar to yours?
|What do current customers similar to yourselves say
|Is the vendor's customer base sizeable enough to ensure continued operation?
|Are customer references available?
|Does the vendor support customer implementations with training and support?
|Can the vendor assure you of a successful implementation?
|Does the vendor have a proven plan for implementation of its system?
|How long has the vendor been operating in the e-learning market?
|Is pricing in line with similar offerings?
|Does the vendor rely primarily on revenue from its commercial system or is customization a large part of its income?
|Does the vendor offer a base price that scales with volume?
|Does the price include everything you will require to get started?
|Can you see a relationship between cost and quality?
|Does the vendor guarantee successful operation?
|Is there a stated quality policy?
|Are "bugs" resolved quickly or do they wait for a future release?
|How easy is the system to use: How much training is required?
|Does the system require minimal resources for administration?
|How reliable is the system: How often and for how long does it go down?
|Do the technical qualifications reflect our technology
|Is the system's technology up to date? State-of-the-art?
|Does the vendor rely on outside support for its basic services?
Is the system capable of delivering current types of media?
|Does the vendor provide multiple solutions for your needs?
|Can the system support with various authoring tools?
|Does the system support the browsers we need supporting?
|Does the system support mobile devices?
|Does the system support our compliance requirements?
|Are maintenance fees readily available?
|Does the vendor require the purchase of periodic updates?
|Does the vendor provide 24/7customer support?
|Does the system support multiple languages?
|Does the system support the accessibility we require?
|Can the software be placed in Escrow?
Bespoke e-learning development
If the need is for bespoke course development or off-the-shelf titles many of the same technical considerations still apply. You need to ensure that any course content can be accessed and viewed using devices which your staff will be using. You further need samples of their work to compare but before you do this we recommend you identify:
- who will be using the courses,
- where they'll be using them and
- what you consider to be fit-for-purpose regarding design of content.
For example if your IT people operate a "no download, no plugins" policy that the course material requires no extra software, will operate properly on your LMS (if you use one) or as a web-playable course and on any special devices your learners may use.
Location of learning is significant – if it's in a retail store, warehouse or factory audio is rendered virtually useless.
Your list may be modified as you start talking to potential vendors: the critical thing is to keep your absolute priorities and needs in front of you at all times and not be swayed by sophisticated marketing or sales.
Project planning and management.
Ensure the vendor provides a clear project approach which is logical and understandable – they're the experts so they should be able to keep to plan, warn of any pitfalls and deliver on time, within budget and to agreed benchmarks.
Working relationships
The final thing I want to talk about is working relationships. Working with willing, supportive, responsive and flexible vendors can quickly develop into a true partnership: if you really solely on numerical weighting systems you run the risk of attempting to work with people who don't fit your organisation's or people's style and culture.
Demand three personal referees similar to yourselves in their client base. Talk to these referees; don't use a pro forma reference form: find out what they're like to work with and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Also find out who will actually be working on your project: assess them as people when you come to interview your shortlisted companies – have a get-out clause ready in case the sales time disappears after they've closed the business and there's no-one to talk to in the vendor organisation who understand your needs.
What checklist do you use when selecting a vendor? Please let us know your comments or share with others who you think may benefit from this checklist.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Glynn Jung
Glynn Jung is Non-Executive Director at Aurion Leanring. He has over 25 years' experience delivering innovative and cost-effective learning and process improvement strategies for a wide range of public, private and third sector organisations.
Why adding interactive activities is important for e-learning.
By Maresa Molloy, Instructional Designer at Aurion Learning.
At Aurion Learning, our experience tells us that one of the best ways to guarantee learner interest and retention is through the appropriate and frequent use of interactivity.
This short article identifies the top five benefits of adding interactive activities to your online learning resources.
- Changes learner behaviour – Interactive activities such as, scenario-based exercises, behaviour modelling and guided practice prompt learners to review the lesson against their own work-place practices which is an ideal approach to affect positive behaviour change amongst staff.
- Ensures the message is understood – formative assessments, questioning and assessed role-plays provide learners with instant feedback, offering appropriate affirmation or explanation depending on whether the learner has answered correctly or incorrectly.
- Connects with the workplace – printable job aid exercises, such as checklists and action plans, prompt learners to focus on the application of the course material to their particular role.
- Engages all learning styles – variety of presentation, practice and assessments support high levels of user interactivity and engagement. Rich task-based multi-media and audio immerse learners by providing realistic practice in the subject areas being taught.
- Promotes a positive learning experience – the use of appropriate interactivity encourages learners to return to refresh their learning as well recommend the resource to their colleagues as material for group or individual learning.
As a quick rule of thumb, we feel that the definition provided by American Instructional Technology guru, Brandon-Hall encapsulates the spirit of good interactivity:
"An interaction is an engagement of the mind……. not the finger!"
LMS – CU Learn shortlisted for National Training Award
by Ciara Cunningham, Marketing Manager Aurion Learning
Aurion Learning and Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) are delighted to announce that their online learning system – CU Learn has been named as a finalist for an IITD National Training Award.
ILCU in partnership with Aurion Learning configured and implemented a new learning management system – CU Learn in 2012, to manage and deliver online training, accredited programmes, record classroom training attendance and provide leanring and development information in one central area for the 485 affiliated credit unions, 4,500 staff and 9,500 volunteers across Ireland.
CU Learn has also supported ILCU to fulfill its obligations with regard to new regulatory requirements by placing a renewed emphasis on the training and education of its members.
The Irish Institute of Training & Development (IITD) National Awards celebrates excellence in learning and development and CU Learn has been revealed as a finalist for the Networks and Group award which recognises the unique co-operation that is now taking place between organisations who are working together in networks and groups around the country to develop training solutions to meet the demands of their industry.
Speaking about the announcement, Suzanne Ryan, Head of CU Learning & Development at ILCU, commented:
"CULearn.ie has been central in supporting our focus to facilitate the efficient administration of training and education amongst our affiliated credit unions, particularly at a time when there is a renewed emphasis on developmental support, tailored training and Continued Personal Development, in the credit union movement.
She added:
The system has already added value to ILCU and has proven good learner outcome. CU Learn is available for free to all credit unions and we encourage those not already registered to logon to www.culearn.ie and start reaping the benefits."
Dr. Maureen Murphy, Managing Director at Aurion Learning said:
"CU Learn has been an exemplary partnership and we are very proud that it has been shortlisted for the prestigious IITD National Training Awards. We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the learning and development team in ILCU as they continue to transform their learning and development services to Credit Unions throughout the country."
Learning Management
CU Learn is powered by the NetDimensions' Talent Suite. Aurion Learning is a certified reseller for NetDimension's award-winning learning & talent management products in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The winners of the IITD awards will be revealed on Friday, 22nd March, 2013 at Killashee House Hotel, Naas.
Get the picture: adding the right images to your e-learning content
by Maresa Molloy, Instructional Designer at Aurion Learning
If a picture is worth a 1000 words, then it is important to ensure that you add the right pictures and images to improve your e-learning rather than distract from it. Simple – right? Well, actually yes.
This article contains tips and advice to ensure that you get the picture to maximise your e-learning environment.
Knowing your photos from your icons
There are three main types of images:
- Icons –They are multi-use clip-art type images such as, Important, Test Question, Review Point, or Key Fact. iconfinder has a good free range of icons to use.
- Graphics – a graphic is a designed image and are very specific. Graphics can be charts or graphs; they can be illustrations or word art.
- Photographs – Finding the right photo that portrays everything that you want and are trying to represent can be a powerful tool, however, these images can be hard to find, particularly if you are not a professional photographer! We have listed below an assortment of both paid for and free images that you can use:
Finding your images:
Firstly it is important to clarify that you can't copy and upload images from google. If you don't have a bank of images, you can find images on commercial sites such as shutterstock or iStockphoto.
If you would like to find free images, you can use the Creative Commons area on Flickr or stock.xchng. You can also use Compfight to help you search for photos that you can use. Remember to read the guidelines on proper attribution!
If you want to add your own text to the photo to illustrate a point you can use an online editing tool like PicMonkey or iPiccy.
Now that you have you images, it is important to remember the following:
Don't over egg the pudding.
After you have spent hours pulling together the content for your e-learning environment, the last thing you want to do is to clutter the page with images. Equally, images should not be there to take up space. Take a moment before adding an image and ask 'What is the purpose of this image? Ensure that it has relevance and reinforces what it is you are trying to get across.
It is important that your images work with the content of your e-learning programme making it easier for participants to focus and don't serve as a distraction. It is also worth noting that the images also need to work with each other.
Classic ROI for learning
by Glynn Jung
In this second instalment of learning analytics, Glynn discusses the classic approach to return on investment (ROI) for learning.
If you take the accountants' approach to ROI for learning analysis there are five important points to note;
- The assumptions made before conducting the analysis are important and you must document them.
- It takes more than one ROI model to establish value, and not all ROI models will be valid for a given case.
- Collaboration with customers and senior management in identifying Learning benefits is critical; ROI determination is not a one-sided exercise.
- It is too easy to fall prey to the temptation to just "play with the numbers" until an acceptable result appears.
- Calculators can only "do numbers" – they can't compute the value of the intangibles.
There are a number of classic approaches to show the financial impact that a given investment (your e-learning project) will have on a business.
The issue here is "How long will it take to get all the investment back?" Payback analysis results are expressed in months or years. This is calculated as the net investment amount divided by the average annual cash flow from the investment. The payback analysis is easy to use and easy to understand. However, it does not take into account the time value of money (which is addressed by another model, Net Present Value, or NPV). Payback also does not consider the financial performance of the investment after break-even Payback is best used to establish relative priority between potential projects.
Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)
This is another "simple" method for calculating the return on a major project. It gives a quick estimate of a project's payback, supports comparisons between projects and it also considers returns for the entire life of the project.
Net Present Value (NPV)
Net Present Value is best used for long-term projects. It considers the time value of money- it expresses future cash flows in terms of their value today. While this is the strength of NPV, it also means that this method is not appropriate for projects that do not have clearly defined cash flows, or when the benefits of the project are not financial. NPV can be tricky!
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
IRR is not as easy for non-accountants to understand or to calculate as NPV. I don't even understand the terminology let alone the techniques.
Full business impact: the Balanced Scorecard
Many human performance interventions have complex effects on business results. In recent years, the best known method of impact assessment has probably been the balanced scorecard.
The balanced scorecard looks at the effect of a project in four areas:
- financial,
- customers,
- learning and
- internal processes.
It is holistic and long-term, and it is forward-looking. Financial results are still an important area considered, but they are not the only element.
If your organisation uses balanced scorecards it may be useful to relate the benefits of your Learning project to each of the four areas of the scorecard. Show how the program objectives relate to the objectives and important questions in each area. The emphasis is on process, not on metrics.
ROI for learning (in times of rapid change)
Measurement and accountability have long been the order of the day in most organisations. Those infamous three little words; return on investment (ROI) analysis has been a standard tool in a manager's kit and deployed when needed. There are however a few challenges however with ROI:
- there's a number of techniques or methods to learn and use;
- these techniques and methods sit more easily with accountants than learning and development specialists and
- determining ROI can be a long and ponderous process when often operating units within the organisation need us to address their needs very quickly.
So is there a rapid approach for an impatient world? Well yes, there are in fact two such approaches that I've been using: Critical Mistakes Analysis (CMA) and Fast-track Proficiencies.
But firstly "traditional ROI": ROI is not a tool that you can use to prove the value of ALL Learning – it's just a tactical tool, not a strategic weapon. We see it often used to justify a move from traditional training to self-directed eLearning but this is only really valid in regulatory training e.g. iterative Aviation Cabin Crew training for certification purposes. This is training which has to be done and proven to have been done. In this context we can reasonably claim to offer a return on investment via shortened time to competence and reduced or eliminated indirect costs such as shift rota cover, travel or machine / simulator time, expert support and tuition time.
Apart from those situations, I suggest that many organisations struggle to develop precise and meaningful ROI based on classic accountants' techniques because:
- they rarely calculate the cost and value of people's time and efforts;
- they rarely have precise targets for focusing the training – i.e. what it is that needs to change or improve and what are the benchmarks for this and
- there is little evidence of a direct relationship between training / learning and improved competence in the workplace.
We've struggled with this for decades. Way back in the 1970's and 1980's, I worked with IBM on their methodologies, (SATD and SATE) for demonstrating the value of training to the organisation. Like Kirkpatrick's Level Four – improved organisational performance – it proved increasingly frustrating to prove the link or outcome.
Even when you have done your due diligence and used the appropriate method to calculate the expected return, getting decision-makers to accept your analysis requires presentation, negotiation, collaboration, compromise, and persuasion. Think of it as a consensus-based process. It's certainly rarely a quick fix for a problem. Additionally some people, like me, struggle to work like an accountant.
So are there any ways of ensuring that targeted learning or training can really deliver benefits, and do so rapidly? Well, there are two approaches that I've been using for a number of years which can be proved to deliver a return on investment (training time, expert time, learner time et al). These two approaches are:
- "Critical Mistakes Analysis" and
- "Fast-track proficiencies".
Critical Mistakes Analysis
CMA is a proprietary methodology offered by Cognitive Arts, a subsidiary of NIIT. CMA derived from a US Government initiative to determine if it could ever be possible to guarantee a return on investment for training. By analysing the data gathered from major Six Sigma (no, don't switch off) projects they found that a small number of very common mistakes caused most of the damage in an organisation. This was in every sector imaginable – manufacturing, logistics, health care, education, research, pharmaceuticals etc.
They were even able to put a cost against these common mistakes and so define the value of fixing them. The multi-year research project upheld the 80/20 rule and also spawned a commercial organisation with proprietary methodology. The thing is – all organisations have loads of data, of anecdotal evidence to point to where we should focus our attention for fixing mistakes; even the IT Help Desk records – we don't really need Six Sigma to find out what to fix. What typically is delivered as an intervention, by the way, is a 4 to 7 minute online tutorial and assessment for each fix, supported by simple online reference materials.
Fast-track Proficiencies
A CMA type approach will help reduce or eliminate the most damaging problems. Fast-Track Proficiencies on the other hand will help you deliver the key proficiencies essential to each different role. The approach came out of work done by Steve Rosenbaum and Jim Williams which resulted in a new, simple-to-implement set of techniques to help get employees up to speed in record time. It is all documented in their book: "Learning Paths: Increase profits by reducing the time it takes to get employees up-to-speed" (Pfeiffer and ASTD Press 2004), which includes a CD with templates and procedures for identifying key proficiencies. I was able to implement the techniques with a client immediately after reading the book. It even includes a rapid approach called 30/30 Learning Paths for tackling just a handful of proficiencies in a role, (not least to prove to yourselves that it really works). Again, what is typically delivered is a blend of short tutorials and online workplace support information. For more information visit http://www.learningpathsinternational.com, check out the contents of the book via the "look inside" facility on Amazon or just buy the book.
Glynn will continue to discuss the classic approach to ROI in our next blog edition. Follow us on twitter @aurionlearning for our latest blog articles and updates.
Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting
Many e-learning programmes today are built for compliance training, which more often than not means that learners are faced with boring and tedious 'page-turner' programmes.
E-learning guru and author Michael Allen has spent years fighting this trend for monotonous
e-learning. In his book, Designing Successful e-Learning: Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting, Allen proposes alternative ways of designing e-learning to ensure it's interesting and engaging for learners. Although published 5 years ago Allen's book, which is aimed at experienced instructional designers, is still included on many university reading lists and is worthy of review.
So what is Allen's main proposal in the book?
Designing Successful e-Learning: Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting is divided into three parts:
Part 1 – 'Scenarios' presents a selection of e-learning scenarios and asks the reader what they would do in these situations. This questions the readers' current approach to designing e-learning programmes and opens their mind to the possibility of designing programmes differently.
Part 2 – 'The Art and Science of Instructional Design' provides a critique of how instructional design is practiced today. It introduces readers to the 'Success Based Design' practiced by the author, which he believes encompasses the best elements of current instructional design theories.
Part 3 – 'Designing Successful e-Learning' explains how readers can apply a Success Based Design to their own e-learning programmes. Allen suggests that instructional designers provide learners with meaningful, memorable and motivational experiences, which he says you can do by:
- setting the programme in the context of the learner's real-life environment;
- by providing the learner with a challenge they are likely to encounter in this environment;
- by providing the learner with activities that help them to solve the challenge; and
- by providing them with intrinsic feedback – based on their performance of the activity.
The e-learning programme is meant to provide learners with a safe environment in which they can try out different options and solutions, and make informed decisions based on their mistakes and successful attempts. The success of the programme is then measured by how well they do in the real environment.
Allen's approach contrasts with traditional e-learning which provides learners with pages of content, followed by an assessment to see if learners can remember the content. Instead of just focusing on the content, Allen places emphasis on whether or not learners can apply their knowledge in a real-life task.
Is the Success Based Design a better approach than the traditional approach?
In my opinion, the Success Based Design is clearly a better approach to take. It facilitates production of
a more interesting and engaging programme and encourages learners to gain a deeper understanding of the learning content, and how to apply that learning in real-life contexts.
For example, a Success Based e-learning programme that helps nurses diagnose specific sinus problems with their patients would present the learner (the nurse) with typical scenarios. In each scenario, the learner asks the patient (or programme) questions about their symptoms and they observe the patient for physical symptoms. From this information, they can then submit their diagnosis and the programme will give them feedback. The scenario is reflective of a real-life task and challenge the nurse is likely to face at work.
The main limitation with Allen's approach is that learners do not have to read all of the content. They can choose which scenarios they want to do and they can skip those scenarios that they think they know well. Traditional e-learning programmes, on the other hand, tend to be compliance-based which means that learners are forced to read all of the pages of content.
Nevertheless, the Success Based Approach focuses more on improving the understanding of learners and focuses less on compliance. Focusing on learners' needs should always be a priority.
How well does the author deliver the content?
Allen describes the Success Based Approach very thoroughly in his book and provides useful diagrams and tables to explain his methods. He can be somewhat repetitive at times, for example, he repeats much of the same information about context, challenge, activity and feedback across several different chapters on designing instruction.
He also falls short of providing a step-by-step guide on designing e-learning programmes using this approach, and in providing practical examples of how it would look in an e-learning programme. For example, he does not show how the layout of the navigation and menus would look like. This would help give a clearer understanding of how he proposes to move away from the traditional layout and design.
Are there any limitations with his approach?
The Success Based Design is an excellent approach. However, I feel that because e-learning is a component of the overall training strategy of an organisation, many organisations would need to
re-evaluate their current training strategies before implementing a Success Based e-Learning programme. For example, many organisations today are still providing learners with endless amounts of PowerPoint slides in a training room, instead of providing them with interactive, scenario-based activities which are much more meaningful. If organisations update their overall training strategy, then a Success Based e-Learning programme would suit the organisation's training culture and norms.
How well does the book rate in relation to other books on Instructional Design?
Designing Successful e-Learning is still a popular book on the market. Allen uses a friendly and informal tone to deliver some very useful advice on how to design successful e-learning. He breaks away from some of the traditional books which are heavily laden in theory and jargon, and speaks to the reader on a level they can understand. I would therefore recommend this book to any Instructional Designer who wants to improve their current approach to designing e-learning.
Are there further resources available from the author?
Michael Allen has a useful website where you can access information about his other books and other e-learning resources:
Book information:
Designing Successful e-Learning: Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting – Michael Allen's Online Learning Library
Publication Date: 12 Jun 2007 | ISBN-10: 0787982997 | ISBN-13: 978-0787982997


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Friday, June 13, 2008
Alabama: Pardon Revisited
Lance Griffin of the Dothan Eagle has written a great little article on former Alabama Attorney General Richmond Flowers (D) who also ran for governor in 1966. Flowers was convicted on federal charges of extorting payments from life insurance companies in return for being allowed to do business in the state in 1969. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison and fined $10,000. But Flowers claimed the charges were "politically motivated" and served less than two years before being paroled in 1974. Griffin reports that Flowers was pardoned by Jimmy Carter in 1978. This can be commonly seen in obituaries and, as a result, on various web pages. But PardonPower has a copy of the clemency warrant. It is clearly signed in June of 1980, the last year of Carter's term. According to Griffin, Flowers' application for pardon listed as references: Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, Sen. Ted Kennedy and then-Attorney General of Minnesota Walter Mondale, Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and others. See full story here.
Posted by P.S. Ruckman, Jr.
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Purchasing a Water Softener for the First Time? Here Are Some Things to Keep in Mind
Are you trying to decide if a water softening system is right for you? If so, then you've come to the right place. An entire book could be written on how to choose the perfect softener system for your home. We're not going to cover all the bases here. Instead, we're going to come up with the basic primer that will help send you in the right direction. It's important to note that it's not a one size fits all situation. Some systems are beneficial to some while others may be completely useless.
Have your water tested
If you're using city water, you should be able to request information about it. Those who are using well water will need to have their water tested. It may be a good idea to have the water tested in both situations. You may find that the city says your water is fine, but you're not happy with the quality of it. Don't panic; this is quite common. Many people who live in the city find themselves unhappy with the quality of their tap water. The solution to their problem is a water softening system. You may also need a water filtration system. It's impossible for anyone to know what your water needs without first testing it.
Set a budget for a new system
You'll find that most softening systems are highly affordable. With that said, you still want to set a budget. Most first-time water softener buyers will choose a system from Fleck. They are the most widely known company and have many available models to choose from. You will find they have something for every budget. Though, another system may catch your eye. It's vital that you go into it with an open mind and allow your needs to guide you.
Decide what type of system you need
This is probably the most tricky part of the entire process. You're going to want to talk this over with a professional. They will know what you need and will be able to help you choose. It's not something that you should blindly take a stab at. You very well could end up buying a system that is either too small or too big for your home. It is entirely possible to buy something that's not useable in the least. You also don't want to spend too much money and end up buying a system that's more complex than you need.
Make the right choice
Buying a water softener system isn't all that difficult. Though, you do want to make sure to listen to the professionals. You should also realize that a water softener system will add value to your home. If you ever decide to sell your house, potential buyers will pay more money for it since you have a water softener. It can also be one of those things that push buyers over the edge and help them decide to buy. Anything that improves the quality of your life also raises the value of your home. It's this fact alone that makes a water softener a wise investment.


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Story highlights
- Nurses encounter drugs, prostitution and gunfire while treating patients
- Health care workers now travel with armed guards for protection
- Some of their patients are gun violence victims
Atundra Horne walks along the battered cement pathway to her patient's home with a set jaw and a solemn face. A computer with patient records is slung over her shoulder; a backpack stuffed with gauze, bandages and other medical equipment rolls behind her.
Horne is a home health nurse, and her patients live in some of the roughest areas in Chicago. On this day she is working in Auburn Gresham, a neighborhood on the South Side. Horne's workplace is far from water coolers and cubicles; instead, she says, it involves drugs, prostitution and the occasional clap of gunfire.
"There is a lot of crime," said Horne, who has been a nurse for 14 years. "It is a danger you face every day that you're out here."
The threat of danger is so acute that trailing a few steps behind Horne is a security officer toting a loaded gun.
A year and a half ago it became standard protocol for Horne and her colleagues at Advocate Health Care to travel with armed security officers, who offer protection while the nurses treat patients.
They need the help. In 2012 there were more than 500 homicides in Chicago, many caused by guns, according to local crime statistics. The deaths tend to be concentrated in the South Side neighborhoods that Horne and her colleagues visit every day.
"There are people hanging out on street corners, there are drug dealers congregating," nurse Beth Kairis said, describing the rough areas where she works. "You see different crime scenes and makeshift memorials for people who were shot the night before."
Kairis recalled a recent visit to care for a baby who was quite ill. As she and the security officer pulled up to the house, they found out there had just been a shooting less than a block away. Mobs of people filled the street; the situation was dangerous.
Leaving the baby without care


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Sunday, December 16, 2012
Systems, systems, systems.......
As most of you know by now the creation of the Map is based on a series of systems which dictate the manner in which it is executed.
The same is true of the selling of Map panels and prints. Each time I work on a panel (as determined by the draw of the cards) I make a copy of that panel and sign and date it. I offer those prints for sale on eBay. The price is determined by the average sale price to date. I take that average and multiply it by 1.2. If the print doesn't sell at that price within 30 days I re-list it at 80% of the original price. I reduce it another 20% each month after that until it sells. In that way the market determines the price of the prints. The first offering price is currently around $15.
I am now posting the available prints from North to South. I post two new prints for every one that sells.
Take a look and start collecting now! Thanks!
Posted by Jerry Gretzinger at 9:52 AM
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Shenandoah Sporthorses is situated on a small, private farm three minutes from the Lexington, Virginia city limits.
The Virginia Horse Center is ten minutes away, all Rockbridge Hunt fixtures are within a 15 minute radius, and the farm is convenient to Route 11, I-81 and I-64.
We currently have openings to board 1-2 horses in our roomy stalls and paddocks. Horses are cared for by Alice Bruno, the on-site owner/operator, who has twenty years of experience.
Possible opportunity to do morning chores in exchange for reduced board. Please contact with any questions!
Alice offers concierge-type services to help clients navigate the horse buying process.
For buyers who lack the time (or patience!) to horse-shop, she uses her professional network to find good candidates, and will comb the internet to find more horses if necessary. Alice does all of the legwork: she calls sellers, their trainers, veterinarians, etc., schedules appointments and travels to meet horses she thinks are good possibilities. She can then make recommendations about which horses are the strongest candidates, saving the buyer hours of travel time and significant expense.
When a match is made, Alice handles all contact with the seller, including financial negotiations, writing contracts, scheduling and managing pre-purchase exams, and makes shipping arrangements if a sale is a success.
Horse shopping can be fun—work with Alice and find out! Please contact for pricing and availability.
Shenandoah Sporthorses offers short-term boarding
for people traveling with horses or showing at the Horse Center.
We have 3 roomy stalls available for overnight or short-term stays. Horses enjoy private turnout, while humans enjoy a cozy studio apartment on the same property, with breakfast (and lots of coffee!) included.
The apartment is professionally decorated, offering high-quality linens and art by local artists. Bedded stalls are $30/night, and the apartment is $150/night, with multiple horse or extended stay discounts available.
Pony rides and parties now available in Rockbridge County!
Come party down in our barn or we will come to you. We are able to travel to Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville or surrounding areas.
Packages are available to fit every budget–party plans range from simple pony and/or cart rides to fully planned, decorated, staffed and catered events.
Pony rides also make great birthday gifts for horse-crazy kids, and a pony play date is always a memorable one. All parties and private rides are staffed by friendly, knowledgeable professionals with a fun and supportive attitude.
Our ponies are healthy, happy, sweet and quiet, and your children's safety and enjoyment are our priorities.


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General maintenance and repair workers are diversely trained in a number of different areas. They can maintain and repair a variety of machinery, plumbing, electrical and heating and air systems. They can also work in carpentry and handle work for a variety of businesses such as hospitals, schools, factories and stores. On the job, they may do general woodwork, such as building partitions and repair work for doors, floors, railings and windowsills. Electrical problems may require this worker to do work on air-conditioners, working with malfunctioning electrical switches and dealing with computer technology that controls the building's heating and air system. Being organized and willing to continually learn are essential to this job as the worker may have to deal with changing technology in new machinery on a regular basis.
General Maintenance and Repair Job Responsibilities
In order to do the vast amount of repair work required, general maintenance and repair workers have to consult manuals, blueprints and order parts from catalogs. The tools they use in their work can vary from simple hand tools, such as screwdrivers and hammers, up to power tools that include drills and tablesaws. Part of the job as well is keeping accurate records of repairs done, routine maintenance procedures completed and items that required the work. The work environment requires a lot of standing for extended periods of time, working on ladders, in small spaces and in places that may be hot or cold to a greater degree. Physical stamina and strength are essentials as its individual may have to do a lot of heavy lifting and moving of various objects.
These workers also need to have strong mechanical and technical skills. Being able to problem solve on a daily basis in a variety of situations is required for the diverse number of problems that this individual will have to deal with. Working without constant supervision may occur in certain positions, so the worker will need to be able to complete tasks in a timely manner and stay focused on the job.
General Maintenance and Repair Training and Education Requirements
Training for this position is normally done while working as an assistant in an informal setting. As they began work, the worker is given very basic tasks to do, such as working with a faucet that is leaking, changing out light bulbs and over time are given more responsibility. Many workers can become diversified in their knowledge and skills by serving as an assistant in various trades, including construction, electrical work and plumbing. It can take anywhere from a few months to a full year before the individual is able to work in this position. Someone wanting to work in this field can start to prepare during high school will by taking classes in math, computers, electricity and woodworking. Another option is to attend a vocational school or a technical program at a local community college that offers classes in these areas.
General Maintenance and Repair Salary and Wages
Job opportunities for general maintenance and repair workers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, has a probable growth of at least 11% by the year 2018. Many positions will become open as older workers retire or when others leave the profession. Those with the best chances for employment are those who pursue certification and diverse training. The average hourly pay is at $16.21, with the highest at or above $25.94 and the lowest at or below $9.78. Some of the highest paying positions can be found in local government jobs.*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Workers can advance to higher positions with training and certification to be supervisors or specialists in areas such as plumbing, heating and air or to work as an electrician. Certification can open the past two higher pay, better positions and advancement.
General Maintenance and Repair Certifications
Workers can receive certification from the International Management Institute, who offers certifications in three different areas: Certified Maintenance Technician, Certified Maintenance Professional and Certified Maintenance Manager. Going from basic to highest level, these certifications cover areas including electricity, skills in problem solving, math and blueprint reading. To gain one of these levels, the worker has to meet certain requirements and pass a written test.
Certain positions, such as those requiring plumbing tasks, may require licensure by the state or local area that the individual works in. The worker should check for the legal requirements where they work to make sure that they are carrying the correct license.
General Maintenance and Repair Professional Associations
The International Maintenance Institute offers certification opportunities to workers in the field. The Society for Maintenance and Reliability of Professionals, which is located in McLean, Virginia. This organization also supports its members by offering certification opportunities, educational resources and various publications. Workers can join at seven different levels, and take advantage of the many opportunities that they offer. There is even a scholarship provided to members for training.


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Florida Family Law
Is Dating During a Divorce Risky?
Posted on October 25, 2017
It can be tempting to begin dating once you and your spouse have decided to divorce. After all, it's always comforting to have a third party there to support you through this challenging time. Although you and your partner may have already separated, the court still recognizes you as a couple. If you decide to pursue a relationship in the midst of a divorce, here are some issues that may arise:
- Risks in Court. Since Florida is a no-fault state, you can pursue a relationship before your divorce is finalized without being directly penalized in court. However, your new relationship may factor into either division of property or spousal support. Living with your new boyfriend or girlfriend may be factored into the judge's decision of how much spousal support is awarded. Even if you are not living with your new partner, the gifts they give you may still be considered when determining property division.
- Emotional Turmoil. Beginning a new relationship before your divorce is finalized can take a toll on your former spouse. He or she may suspect you of cheating before the divorce process began, or they may be harder to negotiate with especially when trying to mediate. If your ex-spouse sees how quickly you were able to move on, they may become angry and fight more aggressively to try and ensure you don't get what you want.
- Parental Responsibility Issues. Children have enough to deal with when it comes to divorce. They may not understand why mommy or daddy suddenly has a new friend they spend all their time with. Although courts do not normally take your children's wants into account, if you have an older child, they may be able to sway the judge's opinion if they don't like your new relationship or how quickly you have moved on.
Ask the Professionals for Guidance
You can never be too careful when you are in the midst of a divorce. Having a team of skilled divorce attorneys on your side, like the ones at the Roberts Family Law Firm, can help you guide you throughout the divorce process. When you work with our team, you can rest assured you'll receive the aggressive representation you deserve in court. To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers, call us today at 407-426-6999 or fill out the online form provided on this page and we will contact you shortly.


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About Oesophagus (gullet) cancer
What is the oeosphagus?
The oesophagus is a long muscular tube that connects your throat with your stomach. It is about 12 inches long in adults.The back of your throat splits into two tubes, your airway (trachea) and your oesophagus. Your airway connects your mouth and nose to your lungs and allows you to breathe. It is connected to the top of your oesophagus. When you swallow, your oesophagus tightens and relaxes, pushing food down to your stomach. A valve at the top of your oesophagus stops food from going into your lungs.
What is cancer of the oesophagus?
When cancer develops in the oesophagus, the cells change and grow in an abnormal way to form a tumour. Cancer can develop anywhere in the oesophagus.
Usually the tumour does not cause symptoms at first, but as it grows it can cause difficulty with swallowing. Cancer cells sometimes break away from the tumour and can spread to other parts of your body.
How common is cancer of the oesophagus?
On average, 430 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in Ireland each year. Almost twice as many men get the disease as women.


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In a recent blog, we discussed the advantages of incorporating your retirement plan (i.e., pension plans, 401(k) plans, employer established IRA plans, etc.) into your overall estate plan. As we discussed, this can be a complex matter because the tax advantages which are accorded to retirement accounts are generally not extended to heirs or designated beneficiaries once the retirement account owner has died.
By way of summary, we have identified three goals you may … Read more


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Easy Guide to Ordering Glasses Online
Previous Eyeglasses Wearers: Look at the arm of your old frames for sizing measurements. Find the Model Number, Eye Size, Bridge Size and Temple Length to order new frames in the same or similar size. See image for reference.
New Eyeglasses Wearers: Welcome to the world of optics! For the most accurate measurement, you will need to try on frames at your eye doctor's or at an optical shop. In general, adults fall into three ranges of widths/eye sizes:
- Small (45-49 mm, or 50-55 mm for sunglasses)
- Medium (50-55 mm, or 55-60 mm for sunglasses)
Large (56 mm and up, or 60 mm and up for sunglasses)
Tip: Every frame page will display "Size Information", use your current frame measurements to find properly fitting frames.
Choose: oval and round frames
Heart Shaped Face
Choose: narrow, round or oval frames
Oval Shaped Face
Choose: most styles, especially rectangular frames
Oblong Shaped Face
Choose: tall and wide, bolder frames
Round Shaped Face
Choose: rectangular and wide frames
Still need some help finding your face shape? This video might help!
STEP (3) READING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONYour prescription may look like it's in a different language but it's pretty straightforward so let's translate it. You can also upload a picture or scan during of your prescription during checkout when you place an order and we'll just read it for you! Please note, we do not fill prism, bifocal or progressive lens prescriptions online.
Sample Rx:
O.D.: Right Eye
O.S.: Left Eye
SPH: spherical refractive error; (+) indicates farsightedness, (-) indicates nearsigntedness, PL or plano means no SPH
CYL: cylinder, or astigmatism; if left blank or DS written in this space there is no astigmatism
AX: axis of the astigmatism; if left blank there is no astigmatism
PRISM: only indicated in special prescriptions
ADD: only indicated if a reading or bifocal presciption is needed
PD: pupillary distance, the distance between the pupils of the eyes, measured in mm (millimeters)


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Current NWCCU report submitted February 28, 2018. The report is available tot he public as an electronic option and as a pdf document. Refer to Prior NWCCU Reaffirmation Notices and Prior NWCCU Accreditation Reports for archived reports including initial accreditation and reports under the old standards.
NWCCU Ad Hoc Report 2018 Online Electronic Report
NWCCU Ad Hoc Report PDF Document
Updated Appendix E: Includes 2 additional page for survey result comments
Accreditation Status
Below is a list of the Annual Reports submitted to NWCCU for the last four years. Prior reports are available by contacting the Accreditation Liaison Officer.
NWCCU Ad-Hoc Self Evaluation Report March 2016 - REQUIRED: visitor pass code is 8181D0B4
The report was submitted on March 1, 2016, to NWCCU. The report is available to the public. To access the current report, click on the link above which is the title of the report - pass code required. The report was written within the LiveText assessment, analytics and reporting system.
This report was originally posted to the SWOCC website prior to implementation of the current webpages, therefore, links to documents may not be up-to-date at this time. For a copy of a specific document, please contact the Accreditation Liaison Officer.
This section includes supporting documentation for the report. Documents are not intended for review as a "current" document, rather the documents represent the required appendices for inclusion within the report.
Additional online documents referenced in the report are noted below as "Online Resource Document" and were not included as appendices in the report.
Updated: To include the survey comments
This document was referenced as an additional online resource within the 2018 Ad Hoc Report and was not included as an appendix.
Appendices are listed first by section as written within the report followed by online supporting documentation not posted on another portal page.
Learning Outcomes Maps and Assessment Reports are located on their own portal page.
Links within this document are not intended for access outside of the IR network
This section provides the permanent documents that are linked within NWCCU accreditation reports, referred to as an appendix or exhibit, or other documents that may be needed for peer evaluators. These documents are accurate at the time the report was written and serve as archived documents
Mission Fulfillment and Core Theme, Objectives and Indicators and Annual Reports
Program Review public portal
Strategic Plan public portal
Success Indicator Reports - historical indicators webpage portal
This list is current as of February 2015 and includes green highlighted indicators that were changed from 2014-2015; either the measure and/or thresholds.


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Thanks. I just took last year's national test, and got 33 wrong. Most were math, because I had a migraine. However, I think I did pretty well.For you newbies, I would say the most common question I have had on a test is the extremely basic multiple choice, "Ecology is", then it gives 3 or 4 close definitions, and the 4th or 5th choice is the dictionary answer. Easy points. Beyond that, the event is VERY broad. I would suggest grabbing an AP Biology book and reading all of the sections on Ecology. I have been tested on everything from the 10% rule to extinction vortexes. The AP book should accommodate essentially all of your needs for ecological principles. After that there are the frustrating questions on biomes. For those you will find any general biology textbook to be sorely lacking. Often times they only have 1 or 2 pages on every biome. I resort to the internet primarily and any library I can find with books that specialize on a particular biome or even a particular aspect of a particular biome. The last kind of questions, which always seem like the wildcard questions, are conservation questions. Understanding how global warming occurs, human actions that are harming the environment, I even had a question at last year's national competition that asked about the Clean Air Act. If you can learn all of that you should be very well off.
No, but it was pretty math heavy. That's where I lost my points (I think I mentioned this already). If the same person writes it, you should expect some math (about 33% was math). Other than that, it was actually pretty easy. However, my team was able to get 3rd or 4th place last year WITHOUT a calculator. So maybe I'm just that good......was the nationals test hard?
Div. C and Div. B But it costs money and it includes a lot of other national tests from last year. For the C div. test it seemed like pretty standard stuff. Except a few questions about weird stuff like conservation legislation and hydrofracking. For most, it is wise to just learn all the basic principles and understand how the biomes work. That alone can get you a very good result.where can you find the nationals test from last year?
Thanks! That helped alot! Guess we have to put that on our note sheet!Carbon sequestration is when carbon is artificially stored to reduce global warming. The main idea is that if you take CO2, which is a greenhouse gas, out of the atmosphere you can lessen the greenhouse effect and global warming. The methods proposed are taking CO2 and dissolving it into the ocean. The ocean naturally holds a lot of CO2, but recently the levels of dissolved CO2 have been rising, which isn't surprising because there is also more CO2 in the atmosphere. Now having incredibly high CO2 levels in the ocean would also be a bad idea because it causes the ocean to become more acidic. Another, more ironic method is to pump CO2 back into the earth. For example into empty oil holes (which are partially to blame for the CO2 in the 1st place) where it can be sealed off from the surrounding atmosphere. Smarter methods might be reforestation or algal farms that will convert the atmospheric CO2 into O2. I personally like the idea of algal farms because in addition to using CO2, there has been some research into using algae to produce commercially available ethanol. So we could actually convert CO2 into energy you could use to run a car or something.
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8 Ball Pool is the biggest & greatest multiplayer Pool game online! You can't have a High Flash Video games listing with out mentioning not less than one in all these gems, and Kingdom Rush is one of the finest in its style. This sport is surprisingly involving and you'll continually must remind yourself that it's not really impacting your life however you may undoubtedly turn out to be invested within the online neighborhood.
It has many Sims-like parts, comparable to the way in which that gamers can customise each particular person visitor room with items of furniture. We provide great on-line video games which can be free to play. Fight selection can also be plentiful, with sneaking, capturing, and even dynamite taking part in a role in your adventure.
The most recent sport in the series is The Anno Online, which is a free-to-play technique game that can be played in your browser. So now that everything is laid out on the game board appropriately, you'll be able to start playing. The gameplay of the Mafia collection is very similar to GTA however as an alternative focuses on the early- to mid-1900s.
Of course, when you're enjoying on the Basic Solitaire site, all of that is taken care of for you routinely when you begin a new recreation. I spent most of my time with AoE2 although, playing with mates in large, eight-participant dying matches which had been all the time numerous fun and demanded an ever evolving technique to be victorious.
Those on this web page function a review of the sport, a video of the gameplay and any relevant links to play or buy the sport. It even allows customers to share their creature creations online for different players to obtain and use to populate their worlds.
The game makes use of a simple graphic interface and is played with only the mouse. It may be installed as an app from the Chrome Net Retailer or played online in any browser using HTML5. Gamers must build and develop a city while specializing in sustaining the happiness of their inhabitants and their cities' financial institution steadiness.


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The State Ports Authority is gearing up for a "big" 2014 in terms of the size of ships it handles while also reporting gains across its operations in 2013.
The maritime agency told its board this week that its Charleston area terminals handled the equivalent of more than 1.6 million 20-foot-long containers in the last calendar year, up 5.7 percent from 2012.
For its fiscal year, which started July 1, the SPA reported a 5.4 percent increase in containers compared to the same period a year earlier.
On the financial side, the SPA booked nearly $75 million in operating revenue since July. That's up 9.3 percent from a year earlier but flat to slightly down from projections.
"We typically see a modest first quarter of the calendar year followed by a stronger second quarter, and we expect 2014 to follow a similar trend," SPA chief executive Jim Newsome said.
Much of the growth from April to June will be driven by exports and what Newsome called "mega-alliance deployments by ocean carriers, if approved."
Shippers are entering into those vessel-sharing pacts to reduce costs and operate more efficiently amid declining volume growth and overcapacity. The SPA has said the alliances should drive more big vessels to the Port of Charleston this year.
The ships on the shared-vessel agreements typically can carry the equivalent of at least 8,000 20-foot-long containers, part of the "Post-Panamax" class of vessels that more lines are using. Post-Panamax vessels are too long or wide to squeeze through the Panama Canal.
The trend adds pressure on the port to add more land-side capacity and make sure Charleston Harbor is deepened to 50 feet from 45.
The SPA plans to open a $700 million container terminal opening in 2018 at the southern end of the old Navy base in North Charleston. The dredging project is in hands of federal officials.
Bill McLean, chief operations officer, said the SPA's existing terminals also need work.
"We are in the process of assessing what kind of infrastructure we are going to have to have at our facilities. ... These terminals were designed for five-and-six-thousand (container) ships, and now they're going to be twice that," he said.
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The blog relating to ESRC fiunded Making of the 'precariat': unemployment, insecurity and work-poor young adults in harsh economic conditions' can be found here. This blog is now inactive but is retained here for reference. New blog postings will appear on madeinleicester or the Jephcott or Elias blog pages.
Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Summary of a two day conference
Worth a look
On Monday (8th June) and Tuesday (9th June) I attended, and contributed to Professor Bren Neale's retirement conference and what an event it was! On Monday, I presented alongside some excellent speakers about my methodological strategy for conducting qualitative secondary analysis on two of the Tmescapes datasets and here is a picture of me presenting:
Others speakers included Bren herself, Nick Emmel, Sarah Irwin, Susie Weller, Ruth Patrick and Joanna Bornat. Between us we reflected on the methodological, theoretical, ethical and conceptual affordances, and challenges, of conducting qualitative longitudinal research (QLR). What struck me on the day, was the great flexibility that QLR offers social researchers in terms of developing and testing out more innovative methods and in developing a really rich understanding of how time is constituted in our lives as they unfold. QLR is certainly no simple task, yet it can uncover really powerful understandings about the micro dynamics…
View original post 326 more words
Learning for the past: What is a classic ?
We have been undertaking retudies for some time now and thinking about the need to revisit classic studies as part of our sociological analysis. Here is the introduction to a paper we have been working on and need to finish soon.
John Goodwin and Henrietta O'Connor
Following our various journeys in and around numerous past/historical/legacy school to work transition projects, from the 1960s through to the 1980s, we have developed a broader interest in the history of 'youth studies'. More precisely the restudies we have initiated has necessitated us developing some understanding of the genesis of those particular legacy projects and, as a consequence, we have been introduced to a wide range of researchers and writers who all have contributed to the field of youth studies during the last sixty or so years. The need to revisit what had been done before was important in aiding our understanding and appreciation of the nexus of inter-relationships in which these legacy projects were developed, funded, operationalised, researched and disseminated. In so doing we have been exposed to a range of studies previously unknown to us and, we suspect, which have now simply become obscured by the passage of time for many others.
For us these dusty book jackets of 'studies past' hide a veritable treasure trove of what was once 'state of the art' research on the sociology of youth, and what constituted youth studies, but which is now largely forgotten or just simply ignored. Yet this seems both wasteful and saddening as there is so much still to learn from legacy research and there are so many studies which deserve to be revisited or reconsidered. The fact that they are not, and that such legacy studies are so readily overlooked is, we would argue, problematic for a number of reasons. First, the process of 'disregarding' is part of a broader tendency that assumes that all that legacy studies, and associated research monographs contain, are 'old' not only in a chronological sense but also in terms of their utility i.e. that these studies have nothing 'new' to articulate of offer that is not already known. This relates to the dominant progress model of scientific knowledge that undergirds much of social scientific research – a model of research which posits that knowledge is a linear product that 'flows' in one direction towards greater 'clarity and truth', with each discovery building upon the last. Dunning and Hughes (2013:126) illustrate this approach by evoking Elias's metaphor of swimmers diving into the 'stream of knowledge at particular times and places'. The stream of knowledge 'flows' yet the dominant trend is to view the place we 'dive in' as the point from which all advancements originate. What about the accumulated knowledge downstream? As such a re-reading of any text, be it five years old or fifty-five years old, has the potential of offer new and original insights or to prompt new thinking when the ideas the contained within are considered via a 'contemporary lens' or are reconsidered in the 'present context'. Indeed, these legacy studies, as with other materials that document social life, have 'considerable value as both the subject and object of subsequent research' (Hughes and Goodwin 2014: XX).
Second, again as we have argued elsewhere, the overlooking of past youth studies is not simply a process of moving on but is also reflective of the 'fetishisation the present'. This is something particularly relevant in the context of youth studies which, as a subject matter, almost lends itself to a prioritisation of 'contemporary' issues at the expense of all else. Yet such an approach implies that the 'here and now', or the issues of contemporary youth are somehow hermetically sealed off from what went before. Or more problematic what 'issues' there are – be it youth unemployment, youth culture/subculture – emerged out of nowhere. Such an epistemological fallacy prompts us to consider more and more 'what is now' rather that how did we get here/how did this come to be? Yet discussions and explanations are narrowed if youth studies research remains focused only '…on contemporary problems. One cannot ignore the fact that every present society as grown out of earlier societies and points beyond itself to a diversity of possible futures' (Elias 1985: 226).
Finally, unless past research has attracted the sobriquet of 'classic' then for many it is simply not worth bothering with. Why re-read it? However, who is it that determines what is or becomes classic study (or otherwise) in social science research? Of course there are those studies that have moved debates and ideas forward, or have operationalized ground-breaking research designs or where findings have significantly shaped subsequent research agendas for many years to come. Yet these are often value judgements. However well intentioned or deserved in some respects the 'classic' tag may be unhelpful in that it could detract from those perfectly useful 'other' studies which still have a great deal to offer studies of youth. This is no way meant to detract from 'classic' studies but to simply suggest that the broader oeuvre of youth research may have considerably more of value to offer and studies, be it from ten, twenty or even fifty years ago should not be always readily dismissed, disregarded or diminished purely because it isn't 'new' or 'newsworthy'.
Making the Precariat
This poster was created for the ESRC Secondary Data Analysis Initiative Event in London earlier this month (#SDAI).
The poster features our projects key objectives, research design and the data we are using. The headlines at the top of the poster represent part of the media discourse on this subject. These headlines are from the 1980s but could equally be from now. It has prompted us to think aboit the differences between then and now.
Alan Felstead – Pay and Job Quality: Is the Grass Greener in the Public Sector?
A really interesting discussion by Alan Flestead
Gender, Youth, Community, Methodology and More: A Symposium Celebrating the Life and Work of Pearl Jephcott
Pearl Jephcott (1900-1980), in a research career spanning some forty years, made an outstanding contribution to British social science research. Her key works, including Girls Growing Up (1942), Rising Twenty (1948), Some Young People (1954), Married Women Working (1962), A Troubled Area: Notes on Notting Hill (1964), Time of One's Own (1967) and Homes in High Flats (1971), alongside other reports and articles, paved the way for many of the subsequent developments that were to come in the sociology of gender, women's' studies, urban sociology, leisure studies and the sociology of youth. Moreover her work is fascinating as it is very detailed, extensive, methodologically sophisticated and is replete with originality, innovation and sociological imagination. Yet despite this Jephcott's work has become neglected and relegated to second hand booksellers and 'studies from the past'. Her legacy deserves more attention and should be more widely celebrated. This free one-day symposium attempts to do just that.
Bringing together researcher from a range of fields, this one-day symposium offers academics and postgraduate students the opportunity to learn more about recent research that revisits and builds upon the work of this social research pioneer. The day represents a unique chance for a dialogue around Pearl's legacy and to hear how subsequent researchers have extended the rich vein of research she began in the 1940s. Pearl's legacy cuts across disciplines and research paradigms: across social sciences and humanities, historical and contemporary data, primary and secondary sources, quantitative and qualitative approaches and, as such, we envisage this event will appeal to a wide audience.
College Court Conference Centre
University of Leicester
July 9th 2015
This is a free conference with lunch included but pre-registration is required as places are limited.
Corah of Leicester
Great website by local photographer Matt Allen


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Bar/Bat Mizvah Catering
Why agonize over a cake flavor when everyone loves ice cream? Kids will go crazy for a Ben & Jerry's Deluxe sundae bar with delicious ice cream and an abundance of toppings.
With so many combinations of ice cream and toppings, there really is something for everyone.
The venue, the guest list, the vendors and the food have to be perfect for your milestone celebration. Bring in Ben & Jerry's U-Penn to do the dessert catering and you'll happy you skipped the cake.
Get started planning your event.
Monday: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Tuesday: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Wednesday: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Thursday: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Friday: 11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 10:00pm


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"If there are no more forests, there will be no more poets."
—Jonathan Bate on Robert Harrison's FORESTS
Yes, of course, but no.
The poets must live deep
In the dark wood, where fear goes on four legs,
Never bares its teeth and almost smiles,
Where temptation lurks behind each oak
Slightly showing a bit of herself, always
A hairy something from some part of her soft,
Warm body, that needs caressing, and parting,
And the poet limps about, shaded,
Never going forward for he knows he does not know
Anything of direction, progress. Born
To be lost, he likes veins in fallen leaves,
As mysterious to him as what he sees
Every day in his own palm, telling him nothing,
Delights in the parasitic vines throttling
Tree trunks, which also go nowhere, and loves
The deadfall that often trips him, stiff
Reminders of how hard it is to keep a rhythm
An allegorical place, the forest
Spreads correspondences, holy and green.
Adorno said: No poetry after Auschwitz.
There was. The poems looked like survivors, Bareboned, hollow-eyed, starved, trembling
At the fact they were alive and speaking words
In which the silence of the unspeakable echoed.
The greedy men who clear-cut and bulldoze forests,
Men who cannot see beyond their fingernails,
Work at a genocide like Hitler's and Himmler's,
Cannot see they are killing their children's
Childrens' future. The saw and saw for profit,
And will and will.
But after everything is stumps
Slashed down and burnt out, wilderness made
A flatland, ready for asphalt, even on hills,
Breathing nearly impossible for lack of leaves,
A few poets will rise up on their skinny elbows,
peer with haggard eyes at that bald, treeless
Space in front of them, will speak with some style
And good cadences resounding words, limping About in the dark woods of themselves, convinced
Words will stand, trees in a lost forest.
Source: Karl Patten, TOUCH, pp. 67-68.
COMMENT by the author
This poem, rather unusually, came directly out of the epigraph. That is an astounding sentence and is supported by Harrison's FORESTS, a book I can recommend heartily. And the somewhat strange title bounces directly from the epigraph, for, much as I was/am impressed by Harrison's book, I could not give up the lack of poetry in our future.
In order to find a way of disagreeing with (or partially disagreeing) Bate/Harrison, I went to Canto 1 of Dante's DIVINE COMEDY for the first six or so lines. And Dante will, in minuscule and quiet ways, underlie most of the poem. None of this should be notice by the reader; I am saying that the Commedia was essential for me in writing the poem.
The second full paragraph allows me to say through the imagery of a wood what I believe to be true of poets in general. The the two lines before the break open out, stealing from Baudelaire (and perhaps Emerson), in order to say what the forest gives us.
Next, I allude to Adorno's famous remark concerning Auschwitz, which I immediately disavow, for I am thinking of the poets of Eastern Europe, who suffered through Nazism and came forward with a stripped, yet powerful, poetry. And that naturally led me to Hitler and Himmler, whom I liken to today's corporate looters and their unceasing greed.
Finally, I return to the poets who have survived this raid on our planet (a different kind of genocide) and show them still speaking, believers in the permanence of words, bringing the forests of themselves into being, the place they started from.


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Posted on Wednesday 20 June 2012 by Ulster Business
For Belfast Harbour, the development of a new terminal for the assembly of offshore wind turbines represented the largest ever project in its 400-year history.
But, says Commercial Director Joe O'Neill, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the substantial outlay will pay dividends.
Government targets for renewable energy generation by 2020 – ranging from 15% UK-wide, to 40% in Northen Ireland and 100% in Scotland – mean that there is a guaranteed market for the turbines.
"If you're setting up in a business usually you have a reasonable idea about your raw materials, who your customers are and whether they will buy from you. In the renewable energy sector, Government targets mean there is a cast iron certainty there will be customers," says O'Neill.
Figures put out three years ago by the Crown Estate and Department of Energy suggested there would be a need for 11,000 turbines in UK and Irish waters by 2020 if UK plc is to meet its renewable energy targets.
"To put in that amount of turbines is probably a £100bn investment. I don't know of any other sector that is planning to spend so much, so quickly on our doorstep," adds O'Neill.
The 50-acre facility will initially support the construction of the West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm – a 50/50 joint venture between DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables that will generate 389MW of electricity.
The facility will then be used by Denmark-based DONG, a market leader in the wind farm industry, for its future Irish Sea Operations.
"There aren't many better brand names to associate yourself with if you're going into offshore wind than DONG Energy," says O'Neill. "They are a £6bn company, 77% owned by the Danish government, so they are pretty secure, they are the largest offshore wind farm developer in the world, currently building the largest offshore wind farm in the world."
DONG has planning consent for three wind farms in the Irish Sea and, unlike some other wind energy companies mainly interested in the electricity that comes out at the end of the process, DONG's offer runs through the design, development, installation and operation of wind farms.
The terminal is due to be finished in October and handed over in January to DONG, with components for wind farms arriving soon after. The development is the first bespoke offshore wind installation and pre-assembly harbour in the UK.
Belfast's ability to go from initial enquiry to completion of the site in under two years has caught the attention of other big companies in the sector and several other investments could be confirmed soon, said O'Neill, though details remain under wraps at this stage.
What is clear, however, is that Belfast has stolen a march on other UK ports in the scramble to get into renewables, putting itself in the same bracket as the leading European ports involved in the sector Bremerhaven in Germany and Esberg in Denmark.
"By delivering for DONG we have put ourselves in a prime position and now we're getting quite a few enquiries from other people saying can you do the same for us? So we've established a good reputation for Belfast and we are trying to capitalise on that," says O'Neill.
"No other port in the UK has responded the way Belfast has. There is probably the need for two or three other ports, probably on the east coast of England to be doing what Belfast is doing but none of them have responded yet. We took the leadership on that and that has been recognised," he adds.
Though there are limited opportunities to create other big logistics facilities to serve the Irish Sea market, Belfast Harbour sees big potential in the wind farm supply chain, with Danish and German companies that provide components possibly setting up manufacturing operations here for assembly and logistics.
"They need to invest in new production facilities in the UK closer to the development sites," says O'Neill. "We probably won't get the really big manufacturers who want to be on the East coast (of England) where more developments are, but there is still a huge opportunity to get manufacturing jobs in."
The next phase of the masterplan to carve a niche for itself in renewables will involve a new programme of land reclamation.
DONG's site covers 50 acres and there is strong interest in another 44 acre site, but after that the Harbour has limited waterfront real estate.
"The renewables sector, while hugely promising for us is very land hungry. We need to accelerate our plans for probably 60 acres but possibly up to 120 acres," explains O'Neill.
The plan is currently out to tender for planning consultants and is likely to take a couple of years to get consents and physically do the work, he estimates.
The Irish Maritime Development Organisation's annual report, released in April, indicated that in terms of tonnages trade across the Irish ports sector was essentially flat last year.
In that environment it is therefore encouraging that in 2011 Belfast Harbour was able to post a 7% increase in tonnages to 17.64 million tonnes, driven by strong increases in the break bulk and roll on / roll off or freight vehicles sector.
O'Neill says the figures made Belfast Harbour the strongest performing major port in incremental tonnage terms by some margin.
"Stepping back from our performance I don't disagree with IMDO figures that showed a stagnant marketplace where for most ports export volumes were up, largely on the back of a reasonably healthy manufacturing sector, but any gains were offset by declines in imports for consumer related products," he says.
Like all ports, O'Neill says some individual sectors were up and some were down. The diversity of its business helps to offset that volatility, for example a sharp rise in scrap metal volumes because of buoyant prices across Europe came as grain levels decreased.
Coal volumes have increased because of industrial demand, with coal tonnages last year up about 75% to half a million tonnes of coal. That is partly down to the work done to deepen the channel in the port and allow it to take up to 50,000 tonne vessels.
Another big positive is the large volume of stones / aggregates being exported out of Northern Ireland for the road building and maintenance sector in the south east of England, Holland and Belgium. Last year it exported a million tonnes of stone and is on track to do considerably in excess of that this year.
However, most of Belfast Harbour's tonnage increase was down to market share gain in the RoRo sector.
The port picked up business when Stena Line closed its Larne-Fleetwood service last year and then bought the Belfast-Heysham and Belfast-Liverpool services. It has also benefited from Stena building a new port terminal in Cairnryan in Scotland and operating two new ships which are bigger and more reliable on those routes, taking business off P&O's Larne-Cairnryan service.
The port is also set to see further gains in 2012 after Seatruck, which had been operating a freight only service to Heysham, transferred its service to Belfast in May.
"We are making huge strides in the RoRo sector," says O'Neill. "We used to be the largest RoRo port in Northern Ireland but lost it for a number of reasons. P&O put on bigger ships and Stena was constrained because it couldn't until it built another port and we had a bigger depot. All those pieces of the jigsaw have now fallen into place."
© 2020 Ulster Business


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Metro DC DSA is a member-driven organization: we empower our members to fight for the causes they believe in. There are many ways to get involved and fight for a more equal future:
- Learn about our committees, caucuses, and working groups and our issues
- Join MDC DSA to get plugged in and help shape our path forward
- DSA is proudly independent, and we greatly appreciate the support of individuals who are able to make a financial contribution. If you're able, consider making a one-time or recurring donation.


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2) Spoon one tablespoon of chocolate-hazelnut spread into the centre of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper diagonally in half over the filling and press the edges of the wrapper to seal.
3) Place the ravioli on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining wonton wrappers, egg, and chocolate-hazelnut spread.
4) Preheat the oven to 90°C. Add enough oil to a heavy large frying pan to reach a depth of 5cm. Heat the oil over medium heat to 180°C.
5) Working in batches, carefully add the ravioli to the hot oil and cook until they are golden brown, about 45 seconds per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ravioli to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Then, transfer the cooked ravioli to another baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven while frying the remaining ravioli.
6.) (The fried ravioli can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool them completely, then cover and refrigerate. Before serving, place them on a baking sheet and rewarm in a preheated 190°C oven just until they are heated through, about 7 minutes.)
7) Spray the top side of the mint leaves very lightly with nonstick spray. Working with 1 leaf at a time, dredge the coated side of the leaves in sugar to coat lightly.
8) Arrange 2 fried ravioli on each plate. Dust the ravioli with icing sugar. Decorate with the sugared mint leaves and serve.


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English | Espańol
All Issues > Volume 20, Issue 6
At the very end of the world, two people will be "in one bed; one will be taken and the other left" (Lk 17:34). Two women will be working together; "one will be taken and the other left" (Lk 17:35). What determines whether a person is taken to meet Jesus or left for destruction?
Jesus answered: "Wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures gather" (Lk 17:37). A carcass is a dead body. Thus Jesus is saying that, where there is death, there the vultures of the end-time destruction will gather. He is referring to the spiritual death due to sin (see Rm 6:23). So those repentant of their sins will fly away, and those left behind are earthbound because of the weight of their unrepented sins.
To escape the end times, we must be living bodies, not dead carcasses. We should be pro-life in the fullest sense of the word. We must not only be against abortion but against sins of violence, hatred, racism, unforgiveness, injustice, and pornography. The death at the world's end will only destroy those already among the living dead (1 Jn 3:14). At the world's end, the spiritually dead will be destroyed physically, and the spiritually alive will meet Jesus (1 Thes 4:17).


text: Have you ever been faced with a scary or confusing situation and didn't have the words to deal with it? There was one evening when the girls were very young that their Mimi babysat. When I picked them up to go home, I noticed that the television was set to The Exorcist. Shame on me for not asking the girls how they felt about what they might have seen, but kudos to Megan who at the wise-old age of four had the courage to open up the conversation. Her simple question exposed her confusion and fright, "Mommy, do devils eat little girls?" My response came too quickly to have been my own, as I blurted, "Not if you have Jesus in your heart." That evening, we modified the words of our bedtime prayer from "deliver us from evil" to "deliver us from the devil." Read more


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Why Huge?
What would the world be like if companies put user needs first?
Huge was founded in an attempt to answer this question. Two decades later we've demonstrated that industries change and lives are improved when design, technology, and communications come together to solve problems for people. To do this, we've built a company of experts with diverse backgrounds who believe technology should be used to deliver better services and experiences for people. We give them the freedom to make things that matter, working alongside colleagues they respect.
We're a company that prizes entrepreneurialism and embraces constant change. Over the years, five perspectives have come to define the way we work:
5 ways.
Be honest.
Don't be afraid to say what you think. Strong teams are built on different perspectives.
Embrace the unknown.
The future is uncertain, but you can be ready for it.
Take chances.
You can't be right until you know what's wrong.
Ideas over egos.
Listen to others and save your energy for what matters.
Give a shit.
If you don't care, why should anyone else?
We are always looking for awesome people.
We're hiring people who share our values across all offices, disciplines and experience levels.View open positions


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Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Find out more information at their blog http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/.
Title: Beneath a Darkening Moon
Author: Keri Arthur
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Release Date: October 30th 2012
Savannah Grant still
harbors deep secrets and carries emotional scars from a love affair gone
bad many years ago. She has tried to bury her heartbreak in her job as
chief ranger of the Ripple Creek werewolf reservation. But now someone
is murdering humans on her turf, and the pattern matches a series of
deaths she witnessed a decade ago: the same year that she met—and
lost—the love of her life.
The murderer seems to have risen
from the grave. Then Savannah's old love appears. Cade Jones is an
Interspecies Investigation Squad officer, determined to catch the killer
he let slip through his grasp once before—in part because of a
bewitching young werewolf. Now, as moon heat reignites their desire for
each other, Savannah and Cade are forced to come to terms with
long-buried secrets—not only to stop a monster from killing again . . .
but to give their promise to the moon one more chance.
Goodreads Link
Why I am waiting:
I love Keri Arthur books, so this is a must read for me. When I was marathon reading the Riley Jenson series a few years ago I looked into her other books and couldn't seem to find copies of the Ripple Creek books anywhere. Much to my surprise I ran across book one the other day (it is what I'm reading currently) so I'll have to buy Beneath a Darkening Moon when it is released.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
WoW [25] Beneath a Darkening Moon by Keri Arthur
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Saturday, July 9, 2011
Well It's finally happened...I'm the parent of a teenager!
Today is Gabriella's birthday. Her 13th birthday. She's officially a teenage. How did this happen?
Wasn't it just yesterday this was her?
I can't believe how fast it went from her needing my for everything to getting annoyed at me for trying to help.Watching her transform from an adorable little girl to the most extraordinary young woman has been such a blessing.As much as I complain that my girls are growing up too fast, I can't wait (well maybe I can wait a little) to see what this new chapter in our lives will bring.
Happy Birthday Gabriella
I love you so much & I'm so proud of the young lady you are becoming
7 comments:
Happy Birthday Gabriella!ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday Gabriella! Only a few more years and you will be driving.... :)ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday Gabriella!ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness. She is getting so big and she is so beautiful! Happy Birthday Gabriella, you are gorgeous and I know your mom is so proud!ReplyDelete
Happy birthday to Gabriella! She's a beautiful girl. I can't imagine my little one being a teen. I guess it will go by fast!ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday, Gabriella!!! Have a fantastic day!ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday! How fun to finally be in the "teen" years!! Hope you had a great birthday!ReplyDelete
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The pressure that I don't even know the form but I have to understand it.
I've been through my own crisis in every stage of life and I never expect that I have to face another big episode this year.
I have overcome problems during my early childhood which makes me "me" today. But, how do I overcome this thing?
People said "look from the brightside, darling" truth is, I did. I looked from the different perspective, from different shoes, different identity, different objective but I still could not find a thing that makes me stronger.
I want to see the world as I pleased.
Please, let me get what I want.


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The Future of Geospatial Imagery Collection Analysis Exploitation and Exchange
Geospatial intelligence has never been more important to enabling and enhancing a wide range of national and international missions as it is today. As the sources of geospatial data are increasing, expect there to be a decrease in the concern over access and availability of data over the next five to ten years. In terms of data security, future innovations within the industry to secure the influx of data are anticipated.
GIS is making a crucial difference to National Security in different environments, which ones do you think are being impacted most by the application of GIS?
From tackling the terrorist threat, to the refugee crisis, to the management of natural resources, and even planning for major sporting events like the Olympics, you'll find GEOINT at the forefront.
The applications for GIS reach far and wide. These results show us that beyond global security, GIS also has an important role to play in mapping natural disasters and planning and managing natural resources. This is particularly important in regard to increased water shortages in the face of rapid population growth worldwide.
The Future of Geospatial Imagery Collection Analysis Exploitation and Exchange
Download the latest DGI white paper, to get the first look at our most recent research to discover how they are using GEOINT today, how they are overcoming their challenges, and what they predict for the future.
[source: dgi.wbresearch.com]


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Architecture for Bureaucracy.
Giorgio Vasari and the architecture of the loggia.
Published in San Rocco Magazine, no.4, Summer 2012
Referring to the disunion between the plebs and the roman senate which constituted the very propelling source of the republican freedom, in his Discorsi sopra la prima Deca di Tito Livio Niccolò Machiavelli contested the traditional cult of civic concordance assuming conflicts and turmoils as necessary fundament for the state power. In this sense a city that aimed at extending its hegemony over the neighbouring states had to rely both on the faithful support of a popular army and on the art of government of its prince, whose virtuosity should have been aimed at controlling the intestine humores and the territorial extension of the conquered provinces through an organic deployment of political and economical institutions.
For these reasons, the two fundamental forms of Renaissance utilitarian architecture were military constructions, which paralleled the innovations of fire-arms technologies, and the building of bureaucratic apparatuses, related to the progressive capital accumulation managed by what Weber defined a new rising army devoid of condottieri. Deeply influenced by the reiterative modularity of the medieval Procuratie Vecchie in Venice while distant from the authoritarian nobleness of Bramante's Palazzo dei Tribunali in Rome, Giorgio Vasari's Uffizi in Florence and Loggia in Arezzo could be considered as two radical paradigmatic projects generated to frame the economical and political context of Cosimo I de' Medici dukedom (1537-1574) which was characterised by large defence investments and by a marked proliferation of specific 'immaterial' professions such as banking, trading, administrative and forensic activities.
If the Uffizi reversed the logic of the architectural 'objecthood' by modulating the irregularity of urban texture around the negative void of the strada nuova, the Loggia provided a subtle infrastructure for the trade businesses taking place in the overlooking Piazza grande, hosting shops, offices rooms and residential units for the Monte di Pietà, the Chancellery and the Customs House functionaries within a single building devoid of ornaments, a continuous multi-functional slender slab able to mediate the complex topographical conditions without compromising the overall equilibrium of the massive preexisting buildings.
While the first, as a modern epicentre for the city government,exerted its control over the continuous field of the urban production by structuring the different guilds and magistracies through a unique spatial office module and interiorizing the public soil as a propelling element of the building itself; the latter, conceived as a strategical financial outpost at the confines of Tuscany, acted as homogeneous stable background to control the internal productive activities and commercial exchanges between the princedom and the outer bordering states, in line with the close Medicean Fortress and the bastioned walls.