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Guest Author: Ms. Storm Reyes. Featured Image: ©2014 Michael Russell. http://www.mrussellphotography.com/
I first heard the term "Nurse Log" from my father who was reminiscing about his logging days with an old friend. A nurse log is one that has fallen and become the vehicle for new life. Small trees sprout out of it, critters make homes in it and as it slowly disintegrates, it nourishes the earth. It has a vital place and purpose in the natural world, even though as a tree, its role has dramatically changed.
The concept of nurse logs has helped me to determine if something is simply a change in my life or in fact, a time of transition. As has been said many times, change is one of the few constants in life. I welcome change, as I would become stagnant without it– simply existing rather than fully living. A life transition or transformation, however, I have found to be terrifying, particularly when it is not of my choosing. Nonetheless, all persons will face it at one time or another and for some of us, many times.
Born into a world of poverty and violence, with intent and hard work I made my way out of it. That transition required a drastic change of view and a few drastic actions. At the time it seemed the obstacles were insurmountable, but I had the will and energy to climb over or bust through them. And when successful, I become a young, single mother. That transformation was the most terrifying because I was totally responsible for another human being and my mistakes would impact more than just me. In 20 short years, I had gone from wild child, to hell-raising Indian with an attitude, to a responsible parent and contributing member of society.
That, however, was only the beginning of the transformations awaiting me. Eventually the child grew to a manhood, graduated college, become a husband and father. As he was building his life, I had to rebuild my own. I finally went full-time to meet the calling that I had been trying to fit into a busy life. I become an ordained Minister in my spiritual tradition and that work led me to many unexpected places., including a marriage. Transition still wasn't done with me, though, and ultimately I lost the marriage, my life's work and everything that I had spent over 40 years building. This transition brought me to my knees and I wasn't sure I could ever rise from it.
And you wonder what does a nurse log have to do with any of this? The answer is simple: place and purpose. In each transition or transformation, I found my place and purpose in it. I owned it and took control of it, even though I felt helpless at its beginning. Each transition and challenge strengthened my capabilities and confidence in myself. Each become a piece of the jigsaw puzzle that has been my life and I now look forward in excitement for the pieces yet to fit in rather than the dread of missing ones.
The most difficult part of a transition is truly letting go of what was to make room for what is and will be. I always had a brief mourning period for the losses, but learned to focus more on what I had rather than what I did not. I have learned to cherish the simple things in my life like the warmth of a good friend, the embrace of a grandchild, the taste of outstanding chocolate. Throughout all the transitions and changes, I have been able to sort through things to discover the vital things in my life and how vital my place and purpose is in the general scheme of things.
I have become that old nurse log now. My place and purpose is to support new life and do my part in nurturing those around me. I no longer stand tall and reach for the sky because I have already touched it. Now, I sit quietly through the seasons weathering the storms, soaking up the sun and enjoy the breeze and sounds that flit around me.
When transition comes your way, meet it head on. Step into it and embrace it. Explore it, prepare for it as best you can, guide it and remain flexible in it. Let loose of the things that bind you to what no longer can be. Don't give over your power to it, but instead acknowledge it and take the reins. Remember the ones that have come before and what was learned from them. It also helps to remember the old joke about how does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time. You don't need all the answers – you just need to ask the right questions and most importantly, trust yourself. You can do it – you have done it – you will do it.
-Storm "Jack" Reyes, Puyallup Indian Nation.


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We dream of a strong local church,
Mighty in the grace of God,
Reaching out with great compassion,
Discipled and transformed by the love of Christ.
We seek to help those who have been overcome to overcome, care for those who hurt, and guide them to lead wholesome lives through Jesus, His Word and His amazing love for us.
Founded in 1988 by Ps Joshua Yee, our church is a Lutheran church with a unique thrust of ministry that focuses strongly on God's Word and grace. One of the thrusts of our church is to reach out to mainline churches all over the world therefore some of the identity of a mainline church is retained in our church.
We have a united team of care leaders, zone leaders, and zone pastors who have been trained and are equipped to minister healing, deliverance, counselling, and prophecy.

subset: commoncrawl


text: In this contemporary world, individuals are interested in getting the most up-to-date items. Currently, modern office furniture is being bought by offices and replacing their older furniture items. Since the furniture augments the great thing about the decorations many variables are involved in utilizing contemporary office furniture. It is necessary for offices to have furniture


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Tiger Woods is the first athlete to reach a billion dollars in career earnings, according to Forbes.com, cementing his status as the top pitchman/athlete in sports history.
The $10 million prize he claimed for winning the FedEx Cup title on Sunday pushed him over the top, according to Forbes' estimates.
Woods had earned $895 million coming into the season and took home $10.5 million in winnings to go with his championship bonus and endorsement money, appearance fees and earnings from his course design business.
Don't feel too bad for Jordan, by the way. He still receives a reported $45 million annually from Nike and is projected to pass the $1 billion mark himself in 4-5 years.
Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher is also close behind with $700 million in career earnings.
But neither Schumacher or Jordan figure to catch Woods. Schumacher peaked at $80 million annual earnings in 2003 and Jordan's best year was only $69 million in 1998.
Plus, Woods is only 33 and his earning power is still on the rise. His lucrative side businesses ($10 million or so per course design, as much as $3 million in appearance fees according to Forbes) figure to help him through the tough times after he decides to put down the clubs as well.
In other words, he'll be sports first multibillionaire well before he's old enough to play on the Champions Tour.
Tiger thanked the two biggest influences in his life, A-Rod, and Satan.


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Description: Official Twitter account of avantgarde medieval band QNTAL. For adventures On the Road: https://t.co/dGFMgFZOya
Location: Munich & Berlin, DE
Statuses: 805
Following: 336
Followers: 984
- QNTAL – Making of Nachtblume: https://t.co/69Unw4nRHO via @YouTube
- Take a look behind the scenes of our guest filled performance at Festival Mediaval 2016! https://t.co/2GoTTRCNTJ
- I liked a @YouTube video from @sarahmariko https://t.co/YMTxSqeVjJ Calling President Obama: How I tried to save the QNTAL show at
- At long last, On the Road with QNTAL returns with "Eine Nacht im Bergwerk"! https://t.co/cx2P7xpe32
- I added a video to a @YouTube playlist https://t.co/cx2P7xpe32 On the Road with QNTAL: Eine Nacht im Bergwerk
- @Silent0siris Thanks for the plug! 🙂
- @eagleacc So glad to accompany on your literary adventures!
- Congratulations, Paul! We wish you a wonderful day and all the best for the future! So happy to be a part of it! https://t.co/Nn9OiR2yi1


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Winter colour: Ilex aquifolium 'JC Van Tol'. Photograph: Alamy
We have a solitary holly, which is like the anchor point for our little house on the hill. It sits dark and solid and is the envy of our neighbours at this time of year. I have no idea whether it is a named variety but imagine it was selected for its branches many years ago, when this land was market gardens.
It is festooned with berry and, named or unnamed, I am delighted to have it. Late in the autumn I climbed up into its branches to take some cuttings from the little wood that is without fruit. The plan is to have some young plants to emblazon other parts of the property and the cuttings will provide me with the security of females among the hedging hollies I am working into the quiet corners.
Knowing the sex of your hollies is essential if you are growing them for the fruit, and having an idea that there might be a male in the area to help in the process is also useful. A self-fertile variety, such as Ilex aquifolium "JC Van Tol", or a selected female such as "Alaska", will ease your concerns, but in truth it is rare that a named female goes unpollinated. Holly will grow almost anywhere, be it coastal exposure, buried in hedges or deep in woodland, and we are rarely far from this trusty native.
Though we are lucky in this country for the contrast of our four seasons, the steadfastness of winter greenery is welcome in winter, and I like the pagan ritual of bringing greenery into the house to remind us of constancy. I am planning to plant Ilex x koehneana "Chestnut Leaf" as a buffer to the wind around the vegetable garden. The evergreen Lonicera is a toughie, but having to cut it three times a year is tiresome. It is also one of those greedy evergreens, and I would rather wait for something slower growing than be constantly returning to keep it in order. The chestnut holly is a wonderful plant, with foliage not unlike its namesake and paler green for a holly. Its branches sweep groundwards if you leave it unpruned and fruit prolifically and later than most, extending the season.
Golden globes: Ilex aquifolium 'Bacciflava'. Photograph: Jason Ingram for the Observer
The yellow-berried hollies are also particular for hanging on to their fruit, and Ilex aquifolium "Amber" or "Bacciflava" will bring a ray of light without relying on variegation.
Ivy grows anywhere shady and gets a grip here where its berries have been deposited by the birds. At this time of year you can see it darkening the hedges and woodland floors and greening the trunks of deciduous trees. Its flowers are only just going over, their heavy honey perfume giving November a particular atmosphere and the arborescent parts of ivy will retain their shrubby form if you propagate from these parts of the plant. Hedera helix "Arborescens" will make a low, relaxed shrub that is perfect for dark corners, but out in sunshine it will be more flower than leaf. And there is berry of course, dark and inky and a feast for birds in winter.
There is an arborescent form of the large-leaved H colchica that I have yet to try and sits firmly on my list of "to get's" for next year. H colchica is so much more beautiful than the chaos of its variegated offspring. "Paddy's Pride" is bright if you like a splash of colour, but I find its presence in a garden reminiscent of pizza toppings, or worse if you take the imagery in the wrong direction. Let the plain-leaved form rule. As complement to your hollies you could not think of a finer compliment.
Growing tip
To sex your holly, wait until it flowers. If it has berries it is female. Or buy one already labelled from the garden centre…
Email Dan at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Efficiency class.
The values of fuel consumptions, CO2 emissions and energy consumptions shown are determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable at the time of type approval. The figures refer to a vehicle with basic configuration in Germany and the range shown considers optional equipment and the different size of wheels and tyres available on the selected model and may vary during the configuration.
* The model/motorisation with these values shown are orderable until [dd.mm.2018]. Please check availability with your MINI dealer.


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It gets quite uncommon nowadays to meet people who stutter. I used to see it a lot more on TV, and it's not much presented nowadays. I wonder if people no longer suffer from this problem, or they just don't get out there and socialise much (so we hardly get to meet them and talk to them). (It also seems that most children grow out of it anyway).
Till few months ago I received an email from a lady in her 20s. She said it was depression that she needs help for. At first, based on what she wrote, I was thinking she might be quite socially anxious. And towards the end, she casually mentioned that she also had stammering issues.
I, also, quite casually replied to her that if she's keen, I can help her with her stammering issues, on top of her depression. Undeniably I was quite "eager" inside, I was thinking I finally might meet one whom I can put what I learnt into practice.
That was few months ago. Now she almost, no longer stutters. She told me sometimes she will still do it, deliberately, just because she was quite used to it (due to some techniques that I coached her to try), now it's all under her control, she can do it or not based on her will (just like everyone of us?). She is a lot more confident than when I first saw her, a lot more socially active too. It wasn't quite "depression", hence her previous treatments (mainly medication) didn't help her much.
I don't think people generally seek help from psychologist for stuttering and stammering issues, but yes, psychotherapy will help, hypnotherapy too. So yes, please get in touch if you happen to be one or know someone who might need this probably-life-changing therapy.
Extra knowledge: Stuttering VS Stammering
Stuttering refers to the repetition of words or syllabus when one is speaking, while stammering is when one is unable to make out the sound while speaking.
#口吃 #结巴 #治疗 #催眠 #心理治疗


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Harry P. Selker, MD, MSPH; John L. Griffith, PhD; Joni R. Beshansky, RN, MPH; Christopher H. Schmid, PhD; Robert M. Califf, MD; Ralph B. D'Agostino, PhD; Michael M. Laks, MD; Kerry L. Lee, PhD; Charles Maynard, PhD; Ronald H. Selvester, MD; Galen S. Wagner, MD; W. Douglas Weaver, MD
Thrombolytic therapy can be life-saving in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, if given too late or insufficiently selectively, it may provide little benefit but still cause serious complications and incur substantial costs.
To develop a thrombolytic predictive instrument for real-time use in emergency medical service settings that could 1) identify patients likely to benefit from thrombolysis and 2) facilitate the earliest possible use of this therapy.
Creation and validation of logistic regression-based predictive instruments based on secondary analysis of clinical data.
4911 patients who had acute myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram; 3483 received thrombolytic therapy.
Data were obtained from 13 major clinical trials and registries and directly from medical records, including electrocardiograms obtained at presentation. Input variables include presenting clinical and electrocardiographic features; predictive models generate probabilities for acute (30-day) mortality if and if not treated with thrombolysis, 1-year mortality rates if and if not treated with thrombolysis, cardiac arrest if and if not treated with thrombolysis, thrombolysis-related intracranial hemorrhage, and thrombolysis-related major bleeding episode requiring transfusion. Together, these models constitute the thrombolytic predictive instrument.
The predictive models generated the following mean predictions for patients in the Thrombolytic Predictive Instrument Database: 30-day mortality rate, 7.1%; 1-year mortality rate, 10.9%; rate of cardiac arrest, 3.7%; rate of thrombolysis-related intracranial hemorrhage, 0.6%; and rate of other thrombolysis-related major bleeding episodes, 5.0%. They discriminated well between persons having and those not having the predicted outcome; areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve were between 0.77 and 0.84 for the five outcomes. Calibration between each instrument's predicted and observed rates was excellent. Validation of the predictive instruments for 30-day and 1-year mortality, done on a separate test dataset, yielded areas under the ROC curve of 0.76 for each.
After the basic features of a clinical presentation are entered into a computerized electrocardiograph, the predictions of the thrombolytic predictive instrument can be printed on the electrocardiogram report. This decision aid may facilitate earlier and more appropriate use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Selker HP, Griffith JL, Beshansky JR, et al. Patient-Specific Predictions of Outcomes in Myocardial Infarction for Real-Time Emergency Use: A Thrombolytic Predictive Instrument. Ann Intern Med. 1997;127:538–556. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-127-7-199710010-00006
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1997;127(7):538-556.
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Here at Srilanka Share Market, we're on a mission to provide first hand information to those who are willing to invest or trade in Colombo Stock Exchange. Also heading into share market could be scary, but we SriLanka Share Market turn that fear into fun by providing educational, research materials from respectable sources.
Thursday, 19 March 2015
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"Suckers think that you cure greed with money, addiction with substance, expert problems with experts, banking with bankers, economics with economists, and debt crises with debt spending."- Nassim Taleb
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Tel: 847-461-5041
My goal is to make magic for my clients when planning a Disney vacation. Family travel to Florida, Hawaii and European destinations are also part of my expertise.
I am a specialist in Disney Destinations – Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Paris, Adventures By Disney and accredited with Disney as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Having completed The College of Disney Knowledge Agent Education Graduate & Master Programs and visited these amazing destinations numerous times, I can offer families a memorable experience of their own!
It is important to know my client's unique expectations and needs. I assist in extensive itinerary planning so they will get the most value…and experience the most magic! Of course, there are some special Disney secrets I can share to make their vacation a perfect one!
Explore Disney
Disney Adventures
Disney Cruise Line
What customers have to say about Julie:
Julie was instrumental in making our Disney vacation a success. This is a trip that for a family who has not been to Disney you need a helping hand. She walked us through the hotel, the magic bands, the meal plan, the fast passes, the reservations, the parks..EVERYTHING. WE had some items that were on our bucket list to do and while planning when we got our reservation at Be our Guest, she was just as excited as we were to get in. Its as if she was going to be traveling with us. You felt her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the brand throughout the whole process. She was a big part in making our Disney vacation MAGICAL!!! We had a wonderful vacation and would never book a Disney vacation without using Julie.


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Marijuana Law: Expanded Legalization, Regulatory Reforms, Business Concerns (IL)
Audio program! (check our CLE Programs page for live versions)
Wait! If you want our most current program on Cannabis, you'll want to pre-order our upcoming, Cannabis and Hemp Law and Business in Illinois: The Nuts and Bolts, which will be held in Chicago on February 21st, instead of purchasing this program recorded in 2017.
Our upcoming program addresses the legalization of Cannabis in IL for recreational use, as well as the latest surge in hemp legalization, and business issues related to both, including the latest rules and regulations, compliance, banking, finance and insurance, employment issues, IP, litigation, and a comparison between states with a discussion about what's next.
You can pre-order that audio, which will be available by the first or second week of March, at this link.
If you can't wait, go ahead and purchase this program and we'll give you a code for $100 off the 2020 program (after you order this program).
There is little dispute that 2016 continued a streak of the most significant years in marijuana policy since President Richard M. Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act into law over 45 years ago.
On November 8, 2016, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Maine all voted to legalize recreational marijuana—doubling the number of legal-marijuana states to eight. Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota legalized medical marijuana for specific medical conditions. Early indicators suggest that 2017 will see even more reforms across the country.
And in Illinois, there are two bills in the state legislature to legalize it for adult use starting 2018. Recently Illinois Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy introduced bills that would make marijuana legal for adults and regulate it similarly to alcohol.
With medical marijuana now legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, insurers, employers, and business owners are being confronted with new challenges as well as opportunities.
In today's ever-changing legal landscape, is your practice prepared to navigate the nuances of complex cannabis regulation, law, and policy?
Please join us as we guide you through legal considerations faced by businesses, insurers, and employers dealing with the reality of legalized growing, sale, and use of marijuana.
Do you want to improve your public speaking skills? Get Faith Pincus' newly published book Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys, from the ABA now (ABA members receive 10% off). It is also available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback versions.
What You Will Learn
The Legalization of Marijuana: Background and Statutes discussion
Erin Alexander and Eric Berlin
- Overview of legal and regulatory framework of IL Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act
- Statutes, Rules, regulations
- Agencies regulating
- Any potential changes
- Licensing and permit status and predictions
- Proposed legislation legalizing adult use
- Types of Clients attorneys are likely to see in the Industry
Federal Regulatory Framework and Enforcement
Bryna Dahlin and Michael Chernis
- McIntosh Case
- What will happen under Trump
- State v. Federal Law
- Criminal Exposure
- Department of Justice Rules – Funds on enforcement
- Defenses available in Federal Court
Manny Flores
- Challenges in maintaining banking accounts
- DOJ policy issues for banks three years ago
- Federal banking laws background and guidelines
- Due Diligence
- Advice for clients
- Representing dispensaries
Adam Fayne
- Recent trends in investing in cannabis operation
- Challenges with investing in cannabis businesses
- Common investor concerns
- Funding / capital raising from the investor's perspective
- Transactions
Cannabis Cultivator/Producer Operations
Charlie Bachtell
- Provide insight on the areas of legal representation most useful to, and sought out by, operators in the legal cannabis space.
- Day-to-day matters such as:
- Capital raising
- Litigation
- Partner disputes, etc.
- The application processes:
- Regulation comprehension
- Corporate formation,
- Application arrangement/drafting, etc.
Employment Issues
David Birnbaum
- Overview of issues facing employers
- Overview of legal issues and developing case law in IL and other states
- Practical advice for advising employers
Real Estate Transactions
Michael Delrahim
- Real property purchase & sale agreements;
- Cannabis-intensive lease provisions;
- Remedies for dealing with defaults
Cannabis Related Litigation (and avoiding it)
Dina Rollman and Julie Stewart
- The types of litigation most likely to occur
- Best practices to avoid lawsuits
- Forums and venue, including ADR clauses
- Tips on handling lawsuits
"Learned a lot about a growing legal issue." – Alex Baker, Esq.
"Really good program covering numerous topics…very helpful program with really good and interesting speakers." – Eric Chisholm, Esq.
"Great update and identification and discussion of current topics." – Bob Bauerschmidt, Esq.
"Case law and statutory/regulatory citations were very helpful for future study."
"Excellent introduction to [this] area of law…Excellent seminar. Very informative. Great speakers."
Erin Alexander, Esq.
General Counsel
Cresco Labs
Erin Alexander brings a decade of legal experience in the highly regulated gaming industry to the cannabis industry. As an attorney with the Illinois Gaming Board for five years, she counseled the Board and its staff regarding all legal and policy aspects of Gaming Board functions, including the investigation and licensing of individuals and financial transactions with multi-jurisdictional components.
After leaving the Board in 2011, she expanded the breadth of her investigative and compliance experience by working for Spectrum Gaming Group, a leading independent research and professional services firm for the gaming industry, on projects for jurisdictions new to casino gaming. She has also acted as a consultant for Illinois gaming companies, conducting compliance reviews and assessments.
Erin's cannabis experience includes representing a business involved in writing certifications for medical cannabis cards in Illinois, working with a company to draft standard operating procedures for an out-of-state dispensary and assisting a company with a dispensary application in a jurisdiction that has recently legalized medical cannabis. She is a Director and the Co-Vice President of Illinois Women in Cannabis, an organization committed to ensuring that women have meaningful role in the success of Illinois' Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. She is also Secretary of the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association. Erin received her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University.
Charles Bachtell
Cresco Labs
Charles Bachtell is the CEO of Cresco Labs, LLC. Bachtell is an attorney and brings with him deep legal expertise in both corporate governance and complex regulatory compliance. Bachtell helped Cresco secure each of the five (5) licenses that it currently holds and continues to work tirelessly to ensure that Cresco remains an industry leader, setting new standards for a progressive, transparent and reputable medical cannabis community, and operating at all times in a professional, secure and compliant manner. Bachtell is a founding member of the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association and the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois.
Prior to Cresco Labs, Bachtell served for 8 years as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Guaranteed Rate, the nation's seventh largest mortgage bank – a leading attorney during the reform of the US mortgage industry, Bachtell established himself as one of the industry's foremost authorities on regulatory affairs and compliance in one of the nation's most heavily regulated industries.
Eric P. Berlin, Esq.
Dentons US LLP
Eric is one of the nation's leading cannabis law authorities, advocating full-time for clients in, or impacted by, the state-legal cannabis industries and tensions with federal law. With more than two decades of courtroom and jury trial experience in high-stakes matters, Eric is ideally suited to counsel companies in this fast-growing industry on how best to achieve their business objectives while avoiding the legal risks of operating in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment brimming with tension between federal and state law. Current clients include large publicly traded companies selling products or services into the cannabis industry, companies involved in financing the industry, vaporizer manufacturers, health care institutions, testing labs, cultivators, processors, and a company operating dispensaries in several states. Eric is a member of the Health Care group and works with colleagues in other practices to provide counseling and compliance advice on numerous other laws applicable to these evolving businesses, from laws governing the employment relationship to laws protecting intellectual property rights. Eric also counsels clients on risk management and litigation avoidance, and provides legal assistance in all types of commercial and corporate transactions.
Eric has also provided government advocacy services at the state level. He worked with members of the Illinois and Ohio legislatures to draft and get passed bills creating medical marijuana dispensaries. He has represented large, publicly traded companies that sell products or services to the cannabis industry, companies involved in financing the industry, vaporizer manufacturers, testing labs, cultivators and processors, and dispensary operators.
Additionally, Eric has also represented non-cannabis industry clients in high-profile health care and antitrust litigations. Some of his successes include a trial in a .3 billion Sherman Act and Robinson-Patman Act case; a False Claims Act case against major pharmacies; a bundling antitrust case against a large medical distributor; an international arbitration between agricultural companies; and appeals in the US Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Circuits.
Eric currently serves as president of board of directors for the University of Chicago GI Research Foundation and a director for the Better Government Association in Chicago.
David S. Birnbaum, Esq.
Jones Day
David Birnbaum represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters. A substantial portion of his practice focuses on labor relations issues, including collective bargaining, union organizing and decertification proceedings, unfair labor practice cases, strikes and picketing disputes, corporate campaigns, arbitrations, and Section 301 litigation.
David recently advised the City of Detroit on labor and employment matters in connection with the city's historic chapter 9 bankruptcy and other restructuring matters. In that role, he negotiated collective bargaining agreements with numerous unions, including some of the city's largest public safety unions. David also advised the city in restructuring its workforce in order to achieve operational efficiencies. Previously, he played a significant role in the Firm's representation of a multiemployer bargaining coalition consisting of 30 freight rail carriers before Presidential Emergency Board 243. The board, which was tasked with developing recommendations for a collective bargaining settlement to avoid a national strike, adopted the vast majority of the railroads' arguments.
David's litigation experience includes cases arising under ERISA, the FLSA, Title VII, the ADA, the FMLA, the Federal Railroad Safety Act, and a variety of state law statutes. Additionally, he frequently counsels employers regarding compliance with employment laws, hiring and firing, compensation and benefits, noncompete agreements, reductions in force, employment and severance agreements, and business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions.
David is a frequent speaker on labor and employment issues. He coauthors the PLI Labor Management Law Answer Book and is a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law.
Daniel M. Borek, Esq.
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Daniel M. Borek has experience in a broad range of legal matters including corporate, real estate, estate and probate, transactional, and commercial litigation.
Prior to joining Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, he was managing principal of a general practice law firm. Daniel graduated from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and was admitted to the Florida bar in 2009 and to the Illinois bar in 2010. Prior to obtaining his Juris Doctorate, Daniel earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science in Criminology and Law at the University of Florida.
Daniel enjoys advising start-ups, business owners, corporate boards, and individuals on a variety of legal issues, including the new and exciting arena of cannabis law. He consulted and prepared applications for medical marijuana licenses in Illinois and continues to counsel clients on a myriad of issues associated with the industry. Daniel brings a unique perspective to each client with his broad legal experience and background.
Bryna Dahlin, Esq.
Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Bryna Dahlin is widely known for effectively navigating the cutting-edge legal issues present in the fast-growing cannabis industry.
She advises cannabis companies of all sizes, from startups to stars in the industry. Clients rely on her practical, real-world approach to navigating the industry's complex and contradictory laws and regulations. Bryna's clients range from growers, distributors, product manufacturers and ancillary businesses to traditional companies who work with and are impacted by cannabis laws.
Bryna advises on issues of regulatory compliance; risk avoidance; company formation; contracts and licensing; corporate transactions; advertising and product packaging; and brand strategy and intellectual property protection. She also performs legal due diligence for investors in the cannabis space and guides hemp, health and beauty brand clients in navigating CBD and FDA laws.
Bryna is also a skilled trial lawyer who has represented clients in an array of high-profile, "bet the company" cases in both trial and appellate court. Past representations include prominent food, pharmaceutical, entertainment, advertising, technology and consumer product companies.
Bryna's desire to play a small part in helping to correct the social injustices resulting from the war on drugs, combined with her significant branding, food and drug law experience, led her to form a legal practice catering to the cannabis industry in 2015. She serves as an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she taught Illinois' first law course on cannabis, has lectured around the country on cannabis law, and serves as pro bono counsel to Chicago NORML.
Michael J. Delrahim, Esq.
Managing Partner
Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim Ltd
Michael J. Delrahim is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Brown, Udell, Pomerantz & Delrahim Ltd. He has an expansive practice counseling institutions, opportunity funds, sponsors and investment managers with respect to partnerships, debt and equity placement, and real estate and leasing transactions. He also serves in-house as counsel to nationally operating real estate companies.
Complementing his transactional practice, as a member of the federal trial bar, he brings a unique perspective to representing clients in real estate acquisition, development and management, debt and equity source documentation, troubled asset workouts, and partnerships. Michael's representation of managers, sponsors, partners and lenders is comprehensive.
Michael is a member of the Chicago Advisory Board of BBVA Compass. In recognition of his accomplishments, Michael was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) and is a member of their Diversity Committee.
He is the founder of the Chicago Real Estate Professionals, a monthly networking group that brings together nearly 1000 of the most seasoned real estate professionals to attend a facilitated panel discussion on thought-provoking topics of interest to real estate professionals. An adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law – IIT, he teaches Real Estate Fundamentals and Syndication and lectures extensively before business and legal forums on real estate and related topics. He is a frequent lecturer, writer and commentator on real estate topics for the local and National media.
He is licensed to practice in Illinois and the District of Columbia. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law – IIT and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Dina Rollman, Esq.
Chief Counsel – Compliance
Dina Rollman is GTI's Chief Counsel – Compliance. In this role, she monitors and ensures full compliance with state and federal laws pertaining to GTI's multi-state cultivation and dispensary operations.
Dina is an experienced attorney who, prior to joining GTI and specializing in cannabis law, was a commercial litigation partner, representing plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes throughout the country.
Dina is the founder and President of Illinois Women in Cannabis, a not for profit group that promotes women's role in Illinois' medical cannabis industry. She recently taught Illinois' first Cannabis Law & Policy course as an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Dina has lectured widely on cannabis topics, addressing national trade conferences, national legal conferences and presenting at legal seminars.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College and a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
When Dina is not moving the cannabis industry forward, you might find her playing tennis, reading or running.
Julie Stewart, Esq.
Julie Stewart's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. Julie has experience litigating cases involving commercial contracts, intellectual property, medical cannabis, banking & finance, real estate, accounting malpractice, antitrust, employment law, non-competition law and bankruptcy issues. Prior to joining the firm, Julie worked at a large Chicago firm and served as a law clerk to Judge Richard C. Wesley of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Ms. Stewart is admitted to practice in Illinois and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She received her law degree, magna cum laude, from Cornell University Law School in 2010, where she was named to the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the George Washington University in 2006 in political science. During law school, Ms. Stewart served as a member of Cornell Law School's Moot Court Board and the ABA National Appellate Advocacy moot court team. She also served as a managing editor of the Cornell Law Review. Her article, "'Litigation is not Ping-Pong,' Except When it is: Resolving the Westfall Act's Circularity Problem," is published in the journal's 95th Volume.
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Location: Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia (13° 26′ 6″ N, 103° 53′ 21″ E)
Date: 15 November 2002; 11.40am
Camera: Canon G1
One of the most atmospheric temples within the Angkor Wat complex is the Ta Prohm temple. The temple was totally swallowed by the jungle, literally, being covered by trees and their roots twinning all over the structures after centuries of abandonment and neglect. It more or less remains the same as the conservationists decided to leave the temple in the same state as it was found after it had been stabilised. Apart from the Buddha heads that adorned most of the temples of the Angkor, the winding roots of the trees around and engulfing the temple architecture is the next most recognisable icon of the Angkor Wat temple complex. Ta Prohm also gained fame as the location of the Tomb Raiders movie.


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Feb. 1, 2002
By Clara Chu
The Santa Clara
Senior D.J. Frandsen who has been fighting cancer for the greater part of his life, was selected to run with the Olympic torch for a quarter of a mile in East San Jose on the morning of Jan. 18.
Unknown to Frandsen, he was nominated by a family friend as one of the most inspirational people he knows. Frandsen later discovered that he had been nominated by several different people for the honor of running in Chevrolet sponsered event.
The surprise of being selected was only followed by more surprises on the day of the run.
"I had to get to the 'secret spot' an hour and-a-half before my start for them to explain everything," Frandsen said. "They didn't explain everything in great detail. They didn't explain how many cops were going to be there. They didn't explain how many cars were going to be there. The best way to describe it was that you were treated like the President at that time."
Until the run began, Frandsen was still unsure of what to expect.
"When they handed me the torch, I'm standing here looking down the street and all I can see is people on this whole right side of the street and they're all just waving the flag and focusing on you," Frandsen said. "For my first steps, I was totally overwhelmed."
Frandsen, who is the manager of the men's basketball team, serves as a good example for the players.
"D.J. has always had a positive attitude and has been encouraging for the rest of [the team]," David Emslie, one of the captains of the men's basketball team, said. "They recognized what kind of person he is and he deserved to run."
"When I got closer to where I was starting, I started to see friends, the guys from the basketball team, coaches, my family," Frandsen said. "For me, it was the first time I was ever taken away by the experience."
After handing the torch off to the next person, the excitement didn't stop.
"People wanted to take pictures with me and for five minutes, I became this instant celebrity," Frandsen said. "I ended up signing a hundred autographs and taking a lot of pictures. It was like being a rock star."
Remembering that day, Frandsen becomes wide-eyed and excited.
"The whole day was just so overwhelming. If someone wanted to define the word awesome, that was what it was like from the start to the finish," Frandsen said.


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Quickmount Warning Flags & Bracket Assemblies
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We also offer Grommet styles in our Oversize Load Signs and Warning Flags.
Our oversize warning flags are the most durable on the market today. We use a heavy, premium quality mesh fabric that resists both fading and ripping on every flag we make. All flag styles are available in either standard Scarlet Red or Fluorescent Orange.


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Cast a shadow for your creative projects easily with this Photoshop extension. It's provided with options to add shadows for text, and layers, smart objects! The sun is shining for your artboard.
Free Textures, Patterns, Brushes & Backgrounds
A section where you can find free hand-crafted textures, patterns, geometric backgrounds and a host of other things. All these freebies are created for being used in digital and print projects and presented in formats for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
It's metal and paint that is vibrant and gorgeous! Put them together, add a bit calligraphic art and discover the PSD typeface you may feel free to use for any projects you like.
Are shadows that simple to craft? Doubt it! As a creative, you should be aware of how important it is to bring realism to your work, and there's no better way to do it than to add a shadow!
Today's super cute freebie brings you a set of beautiful Christmas lettering compositions and print-ready greeting card designs. Use them for your Holiday projects or create something unique!
Weekly updates bringing the best design resources to boost up your workflow.Discover Plus
Sometimes it may be tricky to find a font combination that would be the right fit for your project, especially when the time is short. That's why we decided to share some nice ideas!


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LONDON — With oil companies hungry for new undersea reserves, Iceland is opening its waters to exploration. The island nation, which was battered by the financial crisis, is hoping some promising early signs will lead to a big find.
Melting ice is expected to make the Arctic more accessible to drilling, mining and shipping, and Iceland is eager to position itself as a base for some of that activity.
It issued two licenses for oil exploration in January and is finalizing a third, hoping to pave the way for rigs to drill beneath its seas for the first time. Still, any drilling is probably years off, and will happen only if fresh studies confirm the signs that significant amounts of oil may be present under the sea floor.
Geological similarities to oil-rich areas of Norway have raised hopes, said Andy Brogan, oil and gas transactions leader at Ernst & Young in London. A report that was published during the licensing process said analysis of seabed samples had found residues pointing to the presence of oil, offering further encouragement.
"There's definitely something interesting there," Mr. Brogan said. If the undersea rocks prove to be as rich in oil as those in Norway, "then there could be some quite big prospects there."
"It's one of those high risk, high return options," he added.
Norway is a major oil producer and has found extensive reserves in the Barents Sea, northeast of Iceland. To the west, Greenland's waters have attracted the industry's interest, though early drilling has produced dry holes. A new government in Greenland is now seeking to slow the pace of exploration, responding to concerns about drilling's impact on the environment and indigenous lifestyles.
But Iceland is moving ahead. It is pinning its hopes on the Dreki region, along the Jan Mayen Ridge, an underwater fragment of continental crust that, before prehistoric shifts, adjoined Norway and Greenland. The area, 200 kilometers, or about 125 miles, north of Iceland, was the subject of a 1981 agreement with Norway giving each country the option to take a 25 percent share of any drilling license its neighbor issues in the region.
Norway has not opened its half of the Jan Mayen area to exploration but has made optimistic assessments of its potential. Oslo is exercising its option on the Icelandic side, with the state-owned oil company Petoro managing its stake.
Iceland first sought to issue licenses for exploration in the area in 2009, but in the midst of its economic crisis, only two companies expressed interest, and both ultimately withdrew their applications.
The 2012 round was more successful. One license went jointly to Faroe Petroleum, based in Scotland and Norway, and Iceland Petroleum. Valiant Petroleum of Britain, since acquired by Ithaca Energy, took the other in partnership with Iceland's Kolvetni, now merged with Eykon Energy. Petoro holds a 25 percent stake in each license.
The National Energy Authority is preparing to approve a third license, for Eykon, of Iceland, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation by the end of the year, said Thorarinn S. Arnarson, the authority's hydrocarbon exploration manager.
The chief executive of Faroe, Graham Stewart, said his company believed there was a high potential for finding oil in the area, because "it's got all the right ingredients."
"There's a reasonably good chance of finding something, and something big," he said, adding that it would probably be three years before the first exploration well was drilled.
Mr. Arnarson said commercial production, if it happens, would be at least 10 years off. Although the area's remoteness makes drilling there a challenge, warm currents mean its conditions are milder than is typical for the region, and it is free of sea ice all year, he said.
"It's manageable, it's technically feasible now," thanks to advances in drilling techniques, Mr. Arnarson said. "It wasn't some years ago."
The Arctic's natural riches, including iron ore and rare-earth minerals, are drawing global attention as a warming climate melts the region's ice. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated in a widely quoted report from 2008 that the Arctic contained 90 billion barrels of potentially recoverable oil, representing 13 percent of its estimate of the world's untapped yet potentially accessible total.
Many experts say the region will soon become viable as a summertime shipping route, cutting thousands of miles off the journey between Asia and Europe.
That has piqued the interest of China, which would benefit if its cargo ships could avoid long routes through the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal.
Iceland would be a useful stop on any new northern route, and could provide an Arctic foothold for extracting the energy and other resources China needs. Beijing is embracing the country as a new partner, signing a free-trade pact with Iceland in April, its first with a European nation. It maintains an enormous embassy in Reykjavik.
For now, China's interests in the Arctic may be more political than economic, focused on positioning for the future, said Andreas Raspotnik, an analyst based in Cologne for the Arctic Institute research organization.
Iceland, meanwhile, hopes to capitalize on what it sees as the coming Arctic boom.
Beyond the direct benefits of jobs and revenue, building an offshore oil industry could also help the country establish itself as a service center for activity in the far north, said Heidar Gudjonsson, the chairman of Eykon Energy.
"In Iceland, you have good infrastructure, you have a good network of harbors, ice-free the whole year round, international airports, a good health care system, a whole network," he said. "This is a rarity in remote places such as the Arctic."
"Shipments, freight, cargo should flow through here," he said. "If we can be the place that harvests many of these opportunities, I think the living standards here will increase."
That would be welcome to a country just getting back on its feet after its devastating economic crisis, though the oil licensing effort had been in the works for years and the authorities said it was not prompted by recent woes.
Environmentalists fear that mining and drilling would irreparably damage one of the world's most pristine regions. And pumping more oil would only speed dangerous climate change, they argue.
Despite oil companies' relentless search for new finds, and the technological sophistication that has brought once-inaccessible reservoirs within reach, some analysts question predictions of a rush to the Arctic.
Working in remote areas like the Dreki is expensive. And experts say the recent jump in shale oil production, particularly in the United States, could keep oil prices low enough to undermine the profitability of Arctic exploration.
"I'm not so sure that the companies are so eager to enter into this," said Dag Harald Claes, an oil and gas expert at the University of Oslo. "If you're going to do very, very large infrastructure investments, you need to be sure you'll get a very, very high oil price for a long time to come, and I'm not sure we will see that."
Mr. Brogan, of Ernst & Young, said the enthusiasm with which oil companies pushed forward in Iceland would probably depend on what other options they have.
"People are taking it seriously, but they've got a whole raft of places where they can put their money, and there's quite a few of those which are less speculative," he said.
"What you may well see is it's one of the smaller companies that pushes it, rather than one of the big guys," he continued, "because the big guys have got their books full of stuff in better-known" areas like Brazil and West Africa.


text: Do Small-Diameter Shafts Maximize Arrow Penetration? Jon E. Silks - August 25, 2015 Our ongoing Practical Bowhunting Test Series attempts to answer age-old archery questions, test commonly held (but unproven) theories, assess claims, and tackle myths. In this test, we take a look at the widely held belief that using small-diameter arrow shafts results in deeper target penetration.The idea that a small-diameter shaft will penetrate deeper than a larger-diameter shaft makes sense, since the smaller diameter results in less surface area and, therefore, less energy-robbing friction. But is a small-diameter arrow really all it takes to boost penetration? Arrow penetration was measured by shooting into custom-made targets built with horizontal layers of foam sealed in industrial-grade plastic wrap. The foam was chosen because it provides a very consistent material shot after shot. What if the narrower shaft is much lighter than the larger-diameter arrow? Do I need to somehow match the mass weight of the two arrows to evaluate the true benefit of the smaller shaft? And does it matter what the outside surface material is? For example, will a carbon micro-diameter arrow penetrate as deeply as an aluminum-cased arrow of the same size and weight? We set out to answer these questions and more with our testing. Before diving into our tests and results, let's discuss the question "Does this really matter that much, considering modern bowhunting equipment and a high number of pass-through shots?" Well, I would argue that it does indeed matter. We all have different abilities, different equipment setups and a wide variety of animals we pursue. Some bows are slower, some animals are thicker and not all shots are perfect! On any given shot in the field, penetration may become VERY important, and for that reason every bowhunter should be interested in maximizing the effectiveness of our equipment.Test Setup All shots for our penetration test were fired using the Petersen's BOWHUNTING X-Ring Shooting Machine. This motorize, computer-controlled machine allows for perfect arrow flight and precise shot placement that removes human error from the equation. We started with the new Mathews NO CAM HTR bow, which was set to a 29-inch draw length and 60-pound draw weight. An NAP QuikTune 3000 arrow rest and nocking loop were added to the bow, and it was then tuned for good arrow flight out of our exclusive Petersen's BOWHUNTING X-Ring Shooting Machine. The range was set up for a 20-yard shot from the front of the bow to the face of the target.Next up was choosing the target material, and since we've had excellent results in the past with our shop-made foam plate targets, we decided to stick with them. We cut 16x16-inch squares, stacked them horizontally and wrapped them with industrial-grade plastic stretch wrap, which holds the target together.Some readers will surely ask (or at least wonder) why we used this material, as opposed to commercially produced targets or even a lineup of deer carcasses. My short answers are consistency and practicality. The material we use is readily available, affordable and we can cut and wrap a target in less than 10 minutes. More importantly, it is a very consistent medium that performs well shot after shot. Consistency is what counts in comparative testing and we certainly had that, with three-shot groups never varying in depth of penetration by more than half an inch with fieldpoints or fixed-blade broadheads.Although conducting a similar test with deer carcasses would surely be entertaining, inconsistencies from one spot on a carcass to the next — not to mention from one carcass to the next — simply would not yield the kind of consistency we require.All the test arrows — six different models with the same approximate spine — were cut to 28.75 inches and fitted with fieldpoints that were either exactly the same (where possible) or at least the same basic shape.For the purpose of our test, we categorized our test arrows into three general diameter categories — small (Easton Carbon Deep Six Injexion and Deep Six FMJ), medium (standard Easton FMJ and Easton Axis) and large (Easton XX75 aluminum and Beman ICS Hunter Patriot Edition).Test 1: Matched Arrow WeightIn this test, we found the heaviest arrow in the bunch (465 grains) and brought all the others up to the same reading on the scale. Why did we do this? Simple; it singles out diameter as the only variable in the test. In this way, we can know whether diameter alone is having an impact on the depth of penetration. We inserted weight into the shafts to reach a desired consistency. Three shots were taken for each arrow with a fieldpoint and then again with a 4-blade fixed broadhead. A brand new broadhead was screwed on the end of the arrow for each shot. Broadheads were not used twice. The results in the charts below represent the averaged penetration for all three shots.To give you an idea regarding how well matching the arrow weights leveled the playing field, it is worth noting that arrow speeds for all shots in the matched weight tests registered a speed of 251 or 252 feet per second, with kinetic energy for all shots only varying from 65.07 to 65.59 foot-pounds.We originally decided to test just one 4-blade broadhead model and the fieldpoint. However, those results made me curious. So, we took a few more shots with a 3-blade fixed broadhead and a 2-blade mechanical head to see where things went. I had enough heads to do an entire round with the mechanicals but only enough 3-blade heads to test two arrows.With fieldpoints, it is easy to see the distinction between both diameter and material, except that in the largest diameter the carbon penetrated deeper than the aluminum. After that, things get somewhat muddled.Within the broadhead group, the 3-blade broadhead shows the clearest distinction in penetration between the two diameters, but the 4-blade head appears to have lost the pattern among the small- and medium-diameter groups, both of which still demonstrated more penetration than the largest diameter shafts.There is a pattern in both diameter and material with the 2-blade expandable head, though the differences are slight, especially in the small and medium diameter sets.Test 2: Varied Arrow WeightIn the real world, if a bowhunter decides to switch from their current arrow to something with a smaller diameter, he or she will most likely just go to the local pro shop and order the correctly spined arrows cut to length without making any modifications to mass weight. The outside diameter of each test arrow in our lineup was precisely measured using a calibrated gauge. Narrower shafts have less surface area, which means less energy-robbing friction. With that scenario in mind, we performed a portion of the test again with no changes to the factory mass weight of the various arrows. We simply cut them to the same length and shot them as is.As you would expect, arrow speeds obviously varied in relation to mass weight. Despite that, kinetic energy for all arrows in this portion of the test remained very close, with the total range only varying between 64.39 and 65.4 foot-pounds.We conducted the same penetration tests for fieldpoints and the 4-blade broadhead as we did for the matched-weight arrows. Again, three shots were taken for each test model with a fieldpoint and then with a broadhead. A brand new, never used broadhead was screwed on the end of the arrow for each shot. Broadheads were not used twice. The results in the charts below represent the averaged penetration for all three shots.Again, we can see a clear distinction of both arrow diameter and material with the fieldpoint test, other than the Patriot penetrating deeper than the XX75. The 4-blade broadhead results were much the same as those with the matched-weight arrows. There was little distinction between the small and medium diameter arrows. However, they all penetrated deeper than the largest diameter shafts.Interpreting the ResultsSo, what does all this mean? Clearly, our results show that small-diameter shafts offer a penetration advantage over larger-diameter shafts — though there is no denying the level of advantage seems to vary based on what is screwed onto the end of the arrow (fieldpoint, fixed-blade broadhead, mechanical, etc.). A calibrated Easton digital grain scale was used to ensure each test arrow was weighted perfectly for an apples-to-apples comparison in our penetration test. All test results were recorded for careful analysis. We found the variations in penetration among the 4-blade, 3-blade and 2-blade broadheads particularly interesting, and the switch from fieldpoints to broadheads seemed to reduce penetration more on the smaller shafts than it did on the larger shafts.In fact, if you follow just the largest two test shafts through the tests, you will see there aren't any really significant differences regardless of head type, and the 2-blade expandable broadhead actually penetrated deeper than the fieldpoint!Despite that apparent anomaly, we feel confident in saying that smaller-diameter shafts still offer a penetration advantage — not always a great advantage, but an advantage nonetheless. My broadheads change often depending on what and where I am hunting, and this test shows me I have the best chance at maximum penetration with a smaller-diameter shaft as I move from one head to another.The test also shows a narrow but consistent advantage to aluminum shafts over carbon. I am giving small-diameter shafts the close win for this series of tests, with a best supporting cast award going to aluminum.


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Having finally secured a return to the Champions League, Inter head into 2018-19 looking to consolidate and build.
The Nerazzurri moved quickly in the transfer market, signing Stefan de Vrij and Kwadwo Asamoah on free transfers, as well as promising Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez.
Arguably the biggest signing of the summer so far though is Radja Nainggolan, a favourite of Coach Luciano Spalletti who has been one of Serie A's best midfielders in recent years.
The public declarations are all about cementing that top four place, but some fans dare to whisper of the Scudetto.
Here are the five matches that could define whether Inter are battling for the Scudetto or a place in the Champions League next season.
Inter vs Sassuolo – Week 1
On paper Inter have a relatively easy start, which means two things for Luciano Spalletti's side.
The first is that they have the chance to lay down a marker earlier in the season, the second is that the pressure is on to put points on the board in the opening fixtures.
Sassuolo await on the opening weekend, and the Neroverdi have been something of a bogey team in recent years.
If Spalletti's side can get over this opening day hurdle, subsequent fixtures against Torino, Bologna and Parma could build some real momentum.
Sampdoria vs Inter – Week 5
Arguably the first real test comes five games into the season, when the Nerazzurri take on Sampdoria at Marassi.
While Samp tailed off badly last season they were impeccable at home, and this won't be an easy game.
Inter vs Milan – Week 9
Derby day in Milan is always something special, and Inter will be desperate to establish early bragging rights.
The first Derby della Madonnina of the season comes just days before the third Champions League group game, which could be an issue for a squad which went through all of last season with no European commitments.
The aforementioned signings have added depth, but this is where the going really starts to get tough.
Inter vs Juventus – Week 35
Given the way the Serie A fixtures are drawn, and easy start to the season means a gruelling finish.
Avoiding Juventus, Napoli and Roma in the first 13 fixtures means facing all three in the final six.
A small blessing for the Beneamata is that Roma in Week 34 and Juventus in Week 35 are both home fixtures, but these aren't the games you'd choose as the season reaches its zenith.
Juve visit San Siro on the weekend of April 28, days before the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
Napoli vs Inter – Week 37
This could be a real blockbuster, as the Nerazzurri travel south to Campania for the penultimate game of the season.
Both teams will be aiming to challenge for the Scudetto, with a place in the top four as the minimum requirement.
There are few more daunting places to go than a packed-out Stadio San Paolo, so if there's something on the line in early May this could be unmissable.


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If you've experienced a traumatic or disturbing life event that is causing you problems in every day functioning, therapy can help. There are various therapeutic approaches that can be used when helping those who suffer from trauma. Two of these approaches are described below.
Amy received training in hypnotherapy from Stephen Willis during her graduate studies, and has pursued additional post-graduate education and supervision in hypnosis. She sees hypnosis as a valuable tool for turning down the conscious, critical mind and utilizing clients' creativity and capacity for change in therapy.
Amy uses hypnosis with a variety of presenting concerns, including:
- Stress and anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- Emotional disturbances
- Sleep problems
- Trauma and PTSD
Stephen Willis has been working in hypnotherapy for more than 25 years. He is a member of the American Society of Hypnotherapy (ASCH) and the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). He has trained and supervised graduate students and professional therapists in the use of hypnosis.
Hypnosis or trance is a natural process. People go into a trance when they daydream, listen to a fascinating or really boring speech or get all involved in their music. Most people enter what is called naturalized trance about every 90 minutes or so. Hypnotherapy is psychotherapy that takes place in a trance. It can speed up the process of dealing with issues and has the added benefit that once a client learns to enter a hypnotic state, they can utilize that skill after they leave therapy.
Stephen utilizes hypnosis with a variety of issues:
- Habits
- Phobias
- Sleep problems
- Stress and anxiety disorders
- Trauma and PTSD


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Working in a pool of murky light late at night
Where des the time go? I looked at your website on Monday and here it is Friday with no comment to date! I really enjoyed my visit and the whole site looked great and worked really well. Congratulations! Its a major achievement to build and create your own website.
Thanks so much Fiona, I'm glad it comes across okay. I've been meaning to do it for some time now and quite enjoyed the process of building it - a lot less painful than I thought it was going to be.


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All-inclusive package including flights, all transfers, 2 pre-cruise hotel nights in Cape Town with breakfasts, 1 post-cruise hotel night in Singapore with breakfasts, 24 nights all-inclusive on the Norwegian Spirit including all meals, $50 off excursions per cabin per port, and 250 minutes of Wi-Fi on board.
Departure date: March 19, 2020
$7398 taxes included / person in an Interior Stateroom: On Request
Upgrade package to Ocean View or Balcony: On request
*Replace 250 Wi-Fi minutes for Unlimited Premium Beverages including tips: + $750 taxes included / person
Norwegian Spirit
While onboard make a trip to the Tivoli Pool, soak in one of our four outdoor hot tubs, or take the kids to Buccaneer's Wet and Wild. That's just the beginning with 14 delicious dining options, 12 bars and lounges, the Maharaja's Casino, and the Roman Spa & Fitness center at your fingertips, you're ready to have a vacation of a lifetime!
27 Nights / Days 29
Day 1: Canada - Cape Town (South Africa)
International flight with a good itinerary.
Day 2: Cape Town
Arrival at Cape Town airport. Transfer to your hotel, the Sun Square Cape Town City Bowl (or similar). The next two days are free to explore this wonderful city.
Day 3: Cape Town
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy an amazing half-day city tour of Cape Town.
This amazing tour includes the visits of the Castle of Good Hope, the Company Gardens, Cape Town Diamond Works Tour (time permitting) and the visit to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding city and harbor (weather permitting).
Day 4: Cape Town (Boarding)
A transfer will take you from your hotel to the port of Cape Town for boarding the magnificent Norwegian Spirit Cruise ship.
Beginning of your cruise.
Departure: 04:00 pm
Day 5: Mossel Bay (South Africa)
Located along the Southern Cape, Mossel Bay is one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations. Sink your toes into the sands of Santos Beach. Hike up the trail to the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse where the 19th-century structure provides stunning views of the surrounding area. Learn about the earliest humans at the Point of Human Origins archaeological site. Then explore the more recent cultural heritage at the Bartolomeu Dias Museum.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 6: Port Elizabeth (South Africa)
Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa's major municipalities and bears the nickname "The Friendly City." Relax on beautiful King's Beach. Spot some big game at the Kragga Kamma Game Park nature reserve. Explore the rich history of South Africa's Eastern Cape at the Donkin Reserve. Try local dishes like potjiekos, an indigenous stew cooked outdoors in a cast-iron pot.
Arrival: 07:00 am
Departure: 08:00 pm
Day 7: At sea
Take advantage of this day at sea to discover the different facilities of the Norwegian Spirit.
Day 8: Richard's Bay (South Africa)
Situated on the deepest natural harbor in the Southern Hemisphere, Richard's Bay will thrill both nature and culture seekers. Spend the day walking through the Umlalazi Nature Reserve where you might see one of the rarest birds of prey in South Africa, the Palm-Nut vulture. Catch some sun or some waves at Aklantstrand Beach or learn about South African history and art at the Empangeni Museum.
Arrival: 07:00 am
Departure: 08:00 pm
Day 9 to 11: At Sea
Take advantage of these days at sea to discover the different facilities of the Norwegian Spirit.
Day 12: Pointe Des Galets (Reunion)
With its lush rainforests and beaches bordering coral reefs, Pointe des Galets, Réunion will dazzle you with its natural splendor. This island in the Indian Ocean is a French department and is known for Piton de la Fournaise, a climbable active volcano that rises to 8,635 ft. When you're not hiking through the Bélouve Forest or laying back on l'Hermitage beach, you can visit the Aquarium of Réunion or stop by the Jardin de l'Etat, a botanical garden opened in 1773.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 13: Port Louis (Mauritius)
Lose yourself in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis. Named after a former French emperor, this port city was a major point of passage for ships sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. Visit the famous Champs de Mars race track. Learn about the local history and culture at the Blue Penny Museum. Walk through the gorgeous foliage in Les Jardins De La Compagnie. Then stroll along the Caudan Waterfront to check out the shops, restaurants, and famous Chinese Pagoda.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 14 to 15: At sea
Take advantage of these days at sea to discover the different facilities of the Norwegian Spirit.
Day 16 to 17: Port Victoria (Seychelles)
Take a sabbatical in the Seychelles capital of Victoria. Located on Mahé Island in the Indian Ocean, it's famous for its exports of vanilla and coconut oil. Take a stroll through the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens full of flora, fauna and fruit bats. Stop by the Selwyn-Clarke Market for some street shopping. Try some local Ladob, a dish that can be served either sweet or savory. Then settle in for some sun at Beau Vallon Beach or visit the Navasakthi Vinayagar Hindu temple.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 04:00 pm (the next day)
Day 18 to 19: At sea
Take advantage of these days at sea to discover the different facilities of the Norwegian Spirit.
Day 20: Male (Maldives)
Male, the capital of the island nation of Maldives, is known for its colorful buildings and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Visit the Malé Friday Mosque, built in 1658, to experience its ornate architecture. Scuba dive among the many atolls that surround the capital. Stop at the many restaurants and shops along Majeedhee Magu. The harbor houses a fish and produces market where visitors can taste the daily catch or try the local fruit.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 06:00 pm
Day 21 to 23: At sea
Take advantage of these days at sea to discover the different facilities of the Norwegian Spirit.
Day 24: Phuket (Thailand)
Experience the many facets of Phuket, from its gorgeous beaches to its 19th century Chinese and Western architecture and stunning Buddhist temples. Wat Chalong with its lovely pagoda, and Wat Phra Thong, revered for its huge golden Buddha statue, are must-sees. Explore the breathtaking Phang Nga National Park, made famous by the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. If it is shopping you seek, bright silks, teak carvings, and trinkets will satisfy many a shopping list.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 25: Langkawi (Malaysia)
Langkawi's appeal extends from sea level to its hilly interior. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park with its boat tour of mangrove forests, bat caves, and floating restaurants, is a leading attraction. Adrenaline seekers can take a walk 2,300 feet above sea level on the Langkawi Sky Bridge and enjoy the amazing view of the surrounding rain forests and nearby islands. If sea level is more your level, relaxing on Cenang Beach or some duty-free shopping in Kuah Town may be just your thing.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 26: Penang (Malaysia)
Known as "The Pearl of the Orient," this island's rainforest and waterfall-clad mountains form the backdrop to its beautiful, sandy beaches. The capital's George Town Historic District, a wonderful mix of elaborate colonial homes, Chinese heritage buildings and temples, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sprawling Kek Lok Si Temple, with a 100-foot pagoda and gardens, overlooks George Town and is a great spot for photos. Penang's abundant street eats will tempt foodies.
Arrival: 08:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 27: Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang, Malaysia)
The diverse capital of Malaysia blends colonial, Islamic and modern architecture, from the soaring Petronas Towers to the beautiful Masjid Jamek, once Kuala Lumpur's main mosque. Get a bird's eye view of the city from the open-air observation deck of the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the highest point in the city open to the public. Head to the air-conditioned Central Market to browse its stalls and shops for all kinds of souvenirs, with no bargaining necessary.
Arrival: 06:00 am
Departure: 05:00 pm
Day 28: Singapore (Singapore)
Disembarkation. You will be transferred your hotel in Singapore the Oasia Hotel Novena (or similar). The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own.
End of your cruise.
Disembarkation: 08:00 am
Explore a compact, fascinating city-state that's truly global. A one-time British trading post, its diverse past is reflected everywhere, from its old Chinese quarter and colorful Hindu temples to its modern skyscrapers and common language, English. Take a short cruise along the Singapore River or a pedicab ride through town, or enjoy the quiet at the National Orchid Garden. Interested in Asian medicine? A special medicinal restaurant can prescribe just the menu to help you feel your best.
Day 29: Singapore - Canada
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
-End of services-
Package includes:
-International flights between Canada / Cape Town and between Singapore / Canada with good itineraries
-Transfers between the airports, the hotels, and the ports of Cape Town and Singapore as per itinerary
-2 nights pre-cruise in Cape Town at the Sun Square Cape Town City Bowl 3.5* hotel (or similar) in a standard room
-Half-day city tour in Cape Town
-24 nights on the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship with all meals included
-USD $50 Offshore excursions credit per cabin in each port
-250 minutes internet package per cabin OR Ultimate Beverage drinks package depending on the chosen option
-1-night post-cruise in Singapore at the Oasia Hotel Novena 4* hotel (or similar) in a standard room
-All taxes, fees, and OPC
Package does not include:
-Travel insurances
-Visa fees (if applicable)
-Baggage fees (if applicable)
-Optional activities and personal expenses in each city
-Service Charges on Board (14.99 USD / day) will be charged at checkout
*Please note*
Triple or single occupancy, as well as children rate, are available on request with Wingbuddy
Please note that the Itinerary is subject to change without notice
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Canyon Ranch Tucson Resort & Spa
Learn About Canyon Ranch Tucson And Where It Is In Tucson AZ
Canyon Ranch is situated on more than 150 acres in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona. Canyon Ranch was once the center of a sizable cattle ranch. From the 1930s into the 1970s is was a guest ranch.
Start you Search For a Tucson Home – Here!
Canyon Ranch takes advantage of Tucson's sun-drenched climate. Clear desert air make the views of the Santa Catalina Mountains unforgettable. This setting and the incredible facilities make Canyon Ranch a classic spa vacation destination. Hiking, biking, outdoor dining and lounging by the pool are available the year-round.
Take a stroll around the stunning grounds or just sit a a quite area. Quail will be seen in many places. Roadrunners and other wild life are also making a visit in this natural environment.
You will be fascinated by the cultural and historic richness with this much filmed and photographed part of the world, and the lofty cactus and vast desert skies cannot fail to stimulate you.
When you arrive to Canyon Ranch, you'll enter the comfortable Clubhouse. The Clubhouse is at the center of the resort. In the clubhouse you can rest beside the original stone fireplace of the old guest ranch.
Read a book or get a healthy drink and delicious snack at the refreshment bar outside the Main Dining area. Enjoy a delicious mock cocktails before an evening meal in the Wicker Lounge and watch live entertainment in the evenings.
Take time to read your email, browse the Library or view a movie in the Media facility. Find a book to read or play a board game and watch your other guests go by.
Sit down by the Flagstone Pool with a glass of iced tea at the lovely Double U Café. Whether indoors or outside activities abound and are just a few yards from the Clubhouse.
Guests taking part in the Life Enhancement Program® have meetings, enjoy meals and work out at the home-like Life Enhancement Center® at "the center of Canyon Ranch."
Find your way to Canyon Ranch – MAP
Interested in moving to Tucson or looking for homes for sale Tucson Arizona? We can help!
Sign UP to receive daily HOME TRACKER UPDATES – OR – Our Monthly NEWSLETTER – OR – Tucson Real Estate INFORMATION. And get regular updates on the Real Estate Market and events in Tucson, AZ.
Questions about the Tucson Real Estate Market or Tucson Homes for Sale?
Call Us – 520 940 4541 OR complete the – CONTACT FORM – and we will get right back to you!


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School Closings and Delays
Get the latest information on school closings and delays related to severe weather.
Get the latest information on school closings and delays related to severe weather.
Sioux Falls and the Tri-State area could see 4 or more inches of snow from Wednesday into Thursday. Here is the latest.
Meteorologist Brad Teameyer of the National Weather Service says parts of Sioux Falls received varied amount of snow overnight.
In advance of a winter storm, Gaylynn Huber of the Sioux Falls Street Department says his crews and equipment are ready to tackle the snow!
This week's snowstorm was named the biggest snow event since 2008. Check out these impressive photos from people all over southeastern South Dakota.
Gaylynn Huber, manager of Sioux Falls Streets, says his crews will return to an area where a car was parked and removed---leaving behind piles of snow.
So it snowed. In Sioux Falls we got somewhere between six and seven inches. 30 miles south in my hometown of Beresford they got twice that amount, registering 13 inches...
The first winter storm of the season always brings me back to a little Minnesota farm house, a kerosene lantern and a deck of cards.
The ever-opinionated Jeff Thurn has a few choice words about having to drive to work during a South Dakota snow storm. For that alone it's worth a watch.
Snow, sleet, and ice are heading our way. The NWS in Sioux Falls says the tri-state area is in for a significant taste of winter. Here's what you need to know.


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The reality is this: my clothes don't fit. Like at all. My tops, my jeans, my capris. None of them. I have spent the last few weeks shoving myself into my old clothes, convinced my Bella Band would be enough, but the truth is that it's not. I have put on 10 pounds so far, and no, that is not earth-shattering, but 10 pounds on 5'2 is more than 10 pounds on 5'9. Especially when eight of those ten pounds is in one's boobs and the other two is in one's butt.
Last Sunday I decided to do some cleaning. I was going to organize my clothes into three piles:
2. Can't wear now, but will wear after the arrival of Chewy
3. Can still wear.
Sound strategy, right? Except this is what I came up with:
The piles went something like this, respectively:
1. I might still squeeze into these for another month
2. What was I thinking?
3. With the right tailoring...
4. Yeah, I'll never wear these again
5. It depends on how far my hips spread
6. It depends on how desperate I am
7. Do pregnant women wear button downs?
8. I will never need to look this cute again
You see where I'm going with this.
I did two things this week that made me feel better. One-- I went to prenatal yoga. I loved every minute of it, even the endless downward dogs. I will blog about this later ('Send looooove to your baby....'). And two-- I bought five maternity shirts at a second hand store down the road. I have no idea why I waited this long to be comfortable. So--phew-- life is back to good.
I always thought that a woman who laments her pregnancy isn't ready for motherhood. How can you be sad about the loss of your youth (or at least the feeling of your youth) and overjoyed with the miracle of life at the same time? But I know now that this, just like all things, is not quite so simple. A woman in her thirties can break down and be fulfilled, all at the same time.