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The morning of 19th February was one that we had been working toward for some time. There was anticipation and yet there was fear – anticipation because it was an important initiative that we were all excited to be a part of; fear that perhaps we had taken on more than we could handle, that the relevant people would not show up, etc. etc.
But we needn't have worried. They were all there – the presenters and all the stakeholders – an interesting mix of women's rights organizations, activists, media professionals, bloggers, lawyers and technologists who had gotten together to develop a National Strategy for the "Strategic Use of ICT to combat Violence Against Women and girls." We had made arrangements for between 40 – 50 participants but were not expecting more than 25 to show up. Imagine our surprise when close to 50 showed up on both days and actively and passionately participated in the proceedings.
After having got the welcome and introduction of the project out of the way, Shahzad Ahmed of BytesforAll and I (on behalf of P@SHA) handed over to Nuzhat Kidvai who has been a key part of the Women's Movement in Pakistan for many years. Nuzhat had been requested to present highlights from the draft Country Issue Paper which had been put together by Kyla Pasha. She did this very coolly while pointing out that the statistics and surveys were weak and some of the facts inaccurate.
Tahira Abdullah, a very outspoken and well-respected long-time activist from Islamabad, was not that gentle. She tore the paper to shreds (metaphorically speaking) stating that whoever had written it had very little knowledge of the women's movement in Pakistan, its uphill struggle for decades and its achievements. Some of the key areas that she highlighted were:
1. The statistics, facts and figures in the paper were taken from an Aurat Foundation report that was already out of date and contained results that were questioned by Aurat Foundation themselves.
2. The surveys conducted for the Issue Paper were very superficial and limited to a very small segment of te population. The results therefore did not reflect the facts.
3. Types of VAW that were listed in the paper were incomplete
4. The commentary and opinion stated about the Women's movement was offensive, insulting and false. The paper stated that the women's movement targeted religous groups and was anti-religion but did not take up the legitimate causes of VAW. The paper also stated that women's rights organizations did not conduct research or provide input to the government on policies. Nothing was further from the truth, said Tahira. Consistent research had been carried out, policies had not only been scrutinized and commented on point by point, some policies had actually been drafted and provided to the government to move things along.
5. The list of organizations in the Issue Paper was anything but complete and in fact contained some organisations that were responsible for some of the ills that were faced by women in Pakistan.
6. The policies mentioned within the Issue Paper were also incomplete.
Tahira's critical analysis of the paper was added to by Nuzhat Kidvai (who now felt she didn't have to hold back how strongly she felt about the quality of the paper and its contents), Hilda Saeed and Nilofur Farrukh, all of whom had been active members of the Women's Action Forum for decades.
After much passionate discourse, there was consensus that the paper needed to be re-drafted. Nuzhat Kidvai and Tahira Abdullah were requested to take responsibility for different parts of the paper and involve anyone else who was required.
After the intense discussion on the Issue Paper the group broke for a sumptuous lunch.
After the intense morning session, Dr. Awab Alvi (better known as Teeth Maestro), gave a very enlightening presentation on "Online Activism Tools". He engaged the participants in a discussion on how they currently engaged in activism, awareness-creation and policy advocacy and showed them how various online social media and SMS tools can be used to effectively involve people in activism on important issues. He also showed them how to organize groups of people for rallies and protests and how to remain annonymous if one needed to, while engaging in these activities. Some of the tools were even new to those of us who are actively using new media already. Awab's talk was received very well and participants asked him a lot of questions which he answered very patiently.
The next presentation was by Rabia Garib, Editor-in-Chief of CIO Pakistan. She spoke about Online Privacy and how to keep oneself safe online while using all the latest technologies. "We are our first line of defence", she said and there are simple things we can do to ensure that we are secure online and that our privacy is not invaded.
She gave some common-sense tips that participants could follow to avoid being cyber-stalked and to keep ones personal data "private". She made it all sound so simple and easy to do. The Q&A showed how interesting and relevant the talk had been.
On the second day of the workshop Tahira Abdullah gave a very comprehensive presentation on existing laws and policies that affected VAW in Pakistan. She explained how many of the policies were actually in conflict with the Constitution of Pakistan. The presentation was extremely detailed and presented with the passion that one has come to expect from Tahira. She had participants listening intently to every word she uttered. A copy of the presentation is available for download here.
Tahira spoke about several pieces of legislation and policies that had been enacted over the years and explained how they were inadequate. These included the Women's Protection Act, the distorted Domestic Violence Bill, the laws on Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace and a draft bill on Reproductive Health and Rights. Her contention was that positive new legislation cannot be effective without repealing existing anti-women legislation. She also emphasized that there was a need to collect, compile and analyze all data sets disaggregated by gender. There also needed to be greater participation of women in all fora: political, economic, legislative – decision-making and policy planning, she said.
I then made my presentation on the Prevention of E-Crime Ordinance & VAW – the gaps, the issues and why all of us should be concerned and should work with the government to bring about the changes that are necessary. In fact the consensus was that any policy that was being formulated should have a gender element and focus to it.
Following the policy discussion, the National Strategy Workshop broke up into a general discourse on VAW and ICT and the future course of action that we needed to adopt as a group.
There were a lot of suggestions – here are some that there was a consensus on:
1. VAW and ICT needs to be taken to schools, colleges and universities.
2. There is a need to develop an online portal where all policies, resources, reports, discussions, strategies, links to videos and presentations & to women support groups can be provided. This portal should also contain information on how or who to report VAW to, what process to follow and who to contact in case help or advice is needed.
3. It was strongly felt that the TakeBacktheTech website should be localized to achieve maximum impact and outreach.
4. Presentations on VAW & ICT should be developed and shared so that various TBTT activists can use the same material when presenting at schools and colleges across the country.
5. More detailed hands-n workshops and awareness sessions are needed to learn the Online Activism Tools and how to maintain Privacy and Security online.
6. There was a need for various stakeholders to continue to raise issues, keep them current and advocate policy interventions that were required to ensure that women-friendly policies were framed and adopted.
Participants were told about the upcoing Feminist Tech Exchanges (FTX) that were being planned, the Digital Storytelling sessions and the Small Grants that would enable some interesting and useful initiatives.
Fariha live-blogged from the workshop on both days and I have a sneaking suspicion that a few of the people who showed up on Day 2 did so because Fariha made it sound like a discussion that just couldn't be missed – and she was right.
I came out of the two day workshop feeling that we had accomplished a great deal, that we had created linkages that would serve us in our activism and our policy efforts for a long long time. All the work that had gone into organizing this workshop, had been more than well worth it. Shahzad and I thanked Nuzhat Kidvai and Tahira Abdullah for their support and their guidance throughout the process. Without them we would never have been able to get the kind of participation that we did. We also thanked all the out-of-towners who had showed up and engaged in discussions.
The workshop may have ended but Fariha, Nighat, Shahzad and I sat in the hotel lobby having coffee or tea and going over all that had been said over the past two days, and planning what needed to be done next. Follow up activities were very important to keep the momentum going. Many important issues had been flagged and we needed to make sure that they were addressed and we lived up to our commitments.


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The PlayStation Network is going down for maintenance today, in the first steps of the planned PlayStation Store restoration. The PlayStation Blog is vague on how long the maintenance will last, only saying it will render the network "inaccessible for several hours."
"The sever maintenance performed at this time represents a crucial step in the full restoration for PSN, including the PlayStation Store," said Sony Network VP Eric Lempel. Sony confirmed yesterday that Store restoration is planned for this week, so this maintenance should be paving the way for it.
We had heard of scheduled maintenance in Europe for yesterday, but it was pushed back. Once the Store returns, Sony is planning multiple updates per week to catch up on content missed during the downtime.

subset: commoncrawl


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In Hood River and north of Parkdale, look for two Oregon Department of Transportation road projects in late May and early to mid-June.
12th and 13th Street paving
Hood River motorists should expect delays on 12th and 13th streets Tuesday, May 28, through Friday, May 31, during a paving project.
The delays will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 12th Street between Pacific Avenue and Union Street and on 13th Street between Oak and Pacific.
The streets are part of OR 281, the Dee Highway. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays.
The schedule may change due to weather or other unforeseen delays.
The work will include grinding pavement and repaving in some areas or overlaying new pavement over existing pavement in other areas of the project.
Culvert repairs Dee Highway
Culvert repairs on the west side of OR 281, the Dee Highway, will mean delays for motorists south of Hood River from June 10-14.
ODOT is restarting the project to repair the culvert on the west side of the highway at milepost 13.1, north of Trout Creek Ridge Road. The project was postponed last November because of bad weather.
Most of the work will take place at the ends of the pipe. Equipment will be parked on the shoulder of Dee Highway.
Motorists should expect daytime single-lane closures with flaggers guiding traffic and delays of up to 20 minutes.
The schedule may change due to weather or other unforeseen delays.
Preparations for the work started the week of May 20 but the repairs won't begin until June 10, with all work scheduled to be completed by June 14.
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Some individuals in need are more local than others, however the distance doesn't always determine the commitment. There is one local student that is ready and willing to travel great distances to make a difference.
Grace Beecher, Boyertown Area Senoir High senior, has seen firsthand the positive effect church missions have had on impoverished countries. Two years ago Beecher traveled with a family friend to Guatemala, while there the two took part in building a house.
A year later, Beecher could not wait to do it again. Still too young to go alone, Beecher's family only agreed she could go after church members recommended Adventures in Missions—an organization with more than one hundred thousand missionaries and many members of Beecher's own congregation had traveled with the organization in the past for missions around the world.
Drawn to Kenya, Beecher recently spent a month providing community service and support to established Kenyan schools and an orphanage.
"I thought Africa was hot all the time but it was freezing!" said Beecher, however the low temperatures were not the only shock.
Arriving via bus to the most poverty stricken environment, Beecher noted the positive effect the school's food distribution program and teaching had on the people.
"The people were clearly poor and some still suffered malnutrition, but almost everyone spoke English and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," said Beecher.
Elder missionaries pointed out the great importance that the returning missions have on the established schools. Under-staffed orphanages and schools depend on the selfless work of the visiting missionaries to help continue the progress being made.
While listening to her experiences, it should come as no surprise to hear that Beecher is determined to continue her missionary work. Next September Beecher hopes to travel back to Africa to live and work between homesteads, huts and different villages. It will be quite an adjustment seeing as she will be living overseas until May the following year, but the call to fellowship and community service outweighs any other inconvenience.
A mission of this length is costly. With a fourth of the funds already raised, Beecher is hopeful she can raise the $13,000 she needs by August 2013 with the help of others.
The Historic State Theatre of Boyertown is hosting a missiontripcomedyfundraiser the evening of April 27.
"The State is so very involved in helping the community; it's very admirable, and I'm so grateful," said Beecher.
This event begins at 7 p.m. and will open with the acoustic sounds of Marley Kropp followed by "Nationally Touring Clean Comedy Favorite"Bradd Toddof Scranton, Pa.Durango's Saloon, 120 E. Phila. Ave., will be the event's featured restaurant offering special discounts to all ticket holders for the night of the event.
Admission for the event is $15 in advance or $20 day of show. Tickets can be purchased from Beecher herself, Durango's Saloon or by visiting the Theatre Box Office.
Proceeds from this event benefit Beecher's nine month mission trip to Africa, Asia and Central America
For those who cannot attend the comedy show, donations may be made at Adventures.org by selecting the donation tab or by joining Beecher's support list by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Leeds manager Simon Grayson hopes to have wingers Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel back in contention for the home clash with Middlesbrough.
Snodgrass scored his first international goal as Scotland beat Denmark 2-1 in a midweek friendly while Gradel played the full 90 minutes in the Ivory Coast's 4-3 victory over Israel.
Both players came through unscathed but Grayson wants to assess their fitness before making any decisions.
Grayson has no new injury or suspension problems but was without striker Billy Paynter in the midweek Carling Cup win over Bradford.
Paynter sustained a thigh strain in the opening-day defeat at Southampton and left Grayson short of forwards, with Luciano Becchio (hamstring) not ready to return and Davide Somma a long-term absentee due to cruciate knee ligament damage.
Middlesbrough quartet Scott McDonald, Rhys Williams, Barry Robson and Tarmo Kink are expected to be back in contention.
All four players were away on international duty this week and missed the Carling Cup win at Walsall.
Australia striker McDonald, Wales defender Williams and Scotland midfielder Robson started in the opening-day draw with Portsmouth, while Estonia forward Kink was on the substitutes' bench.
Manager Tony Mowbray is hoping the club can finalise contract talks with Julio Arca in time for the Argentinian to take his place in the squad, but latest signing Faris Haroun will not be in contention.
Belgium international midfielder Haroun is expected to complete all the paperwork and seal his move to the Riverside over the weekend.
Defender Matthew Bates will retain the captain's armband despite continued speculation linking him with a move to Swansea.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nine people convicted in a government investigation of terror recruitment and financing for an al-Qaida-linked group in Somalia are to be sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.
Authorities say more than 20 young men have left Minnesota to join al-Shabab since 2007. Some have died, several remain at large, and others have been prosecuted in what the FBI has said is one of the largest efforts to recruit U.S. fighters to a foreign terrorist organization.
Some of the issues in the case, based on court testimony, court documents and AP interviews:
In 2007, small groups of young Somali men began holding secret meetings at a Minneapolis mosque, in cars, and at restaurants to talk about returning to their homeland to wage jihad against Ethiopians. The Ethiopians had been brought into Somalia in 2006 by its weak U.N.-backed government, but were viewed by many Somalis as invaders.
Al-Shabab recruiters in Minneapolis appealed to patriotic ideals and told young men — some in their teens — that it was their "duty" to return to Somalia and fight. Recruiters also quoted from the Quran, appealing to religious beliefs to deepen the fighters' resolve.
The men began leaving Minnesota in small groups to avoid detection, with the first departing Minneapolis on Oct. 30, 2007. Additional groups left in waves over the next months and years, with some raising money for their trips under false pretenses.
The FBI began investigating in 2008. The U.S. declared al-Shabab a terrorist organization in early 2008.
Some of the Minnesota men who went to Somalia said that when they arrived, they were asked to change their names and give up their travel documents. One said he was threatened with beheading if he tried to leave. The men spent time at an al-Shabab safehouse in Somalia, and then went on to build a training camp.
From there, some participated in an ambush of Ethiopian troops, which was filmed by a high-ranking al-Shabab member and used as propaganda. One Minnesotan had a speaking role in the film, urging more men to join the cause.
Some of the Minnesota men who remained in Somalia have gone on to hold leadership positions, or are responsible for significant duties in al-Shabab.
On Oct. 29, 2008, Shirwa Ahmed of Minneapolis detonated a suicide bomb in Somalia by driving an explosive-laden truck into an office of the Puntland Intelligence Service. It was one of five coordinated attacks that day that left nearly 30 people dead, including the suicide bombers.
Ahmed left Minnesota in 2007. Authorities said he is the first known U.S. citizen to carry out a suicide bombing. FBI director Robert Mueller said months after his death that it appeared Ahmed was "radicalized" in Minnesota.
An FBI affidavit filed in court last August says six men from Minnesota have died in Somalia. More are presumed dead.
At least 22 men have left Minnesota since 2007, including two who left as recently as last July.
A total of 18 men — including some travelers and some who did not go to Somalia — have been charged in the Minnesota case. Seven of those have pleaded guilty to various charges — ranging from providing material support to terrorists to perjury, and an eighth man was convicted on five terror-related counts after a trial last year.
The rest of those who face criminal charges are either at large, dead or presumed dead.
The defendants who face sentencing include a man who authorities say played a major role in facilitating and financing travel for recruits by helping arrange plane tickets and plan travel routes, among other things. Mohamed Said Omar will be sentenced on five terror-related counts. Prosecutors intend to ask for a total of 50 years.
Another man, Omer Abdi Mohamed, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Prosecutors said he was a leader in recruiting, using the Quran to pull in young men. Mohamed faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
The other men being sentenced include three who traveled to Somalia themselves, then returned to the United States after spending time at an al-Shabab training camp; one man who pleaded guilty to perjury for lying about whether he knew two of the travelers; and a seventh man, who most recently lived in Ohio, who admitted he helped raise money.
Two women from southern Minnesota will also be sentenced this week. Amina Farah Ali and Hawo Mohamed Hassan were convicted in 2011 of conspiring to funnel more than $8,600 to al-Shabab from September 2008 through July 2009. Probation officers have recommended from 30 years to life in prison for each. Prosecutors said in court documents Friday that they believe Ali should receive at least 20 years in prison, while Hassan should be sentenced to at least 15 years.
Prosecutors said the women went door-to-door in the name of charity and held religious teleconferences to solicit donations, which they then routed to the fighters. Defense attorneys painted the women as humanitarians giving money to orphans and poor people, as well as to a group they felt was working to push foreign troops out of Somalia.
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States, and there is a strong connection between the Diaspora and the homeland. Many local Somalis frequently send money to family back home, and many others have returned to Somalia in recent years to help rebuild that country's government.
News that some men had left to join al-Shabab — and the subsequent federal investigations and subpoenas — put the community on edge. A mosque that came under scrutiny because some of the men held private meetings there held an open house to assure the public that it was not recruiting. Meanwhile, family members of some of the men who left denounced efforts to radicalize youth and called for swift action from the U.S. government.
Abdirizak Bihi, an uncle of a young man who left Minnesota in 2008 and was killed in Somalia, said he is looking forward to the sentencings, and hopes they pave the way for the eventual arrest of those behind the recruitment.
"This is a good step in the right direction," he said. "I am so happy that after four and a half years we have come a long way."
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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The Bureau County Republican regularly reports on issues important to our community's workers. This Labor Day, I would like to highlight individuals whose work is on display every day: Merit shop construction craft-professionals.
The vast majority of construction workers — 86.8 percent — choose not to belong to a labor organization. They have made the decision to put their professional craft skills to use in a merit shop, free enterprise environment.
However, the livelihood of these merit shop workers is under assault by politicians who reward labor unions with political favors by supporting government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs).
When government entities require a PLA on a publically-funded construction projects, they are essentially tilting the playing field in favor of contractors that agree to use organized labor. Meaning the majority of the construction workforce cannot compete on an equal basis for projects funded by their own tax dollars.
In response to labor unions' efforts to promote PLA mandates, state after state has stood up for the construction workforce by rejecting government-mandated PLAs. Since 2011, 14 states have banned government-mandated PLAs, bringing the total number of states to do so to 18. But not Illinois; we continue to promote and encourage the use of these expensive, unnecessary mandates that cost the taxpayers millions of dollars each year; a "union tax."
Let our state leaders know that it is time to put an end to these discriminatory government-mandated PLAs. This is the highest honor we can pay to all in the construction workforce this Labor Day.
Alicia Martin, president Associated Builders & Contractors, Illinois Chapter


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Our fans are very good knowing when to keep the volume up. BUT! I noticed in the Pats game at times Brady would throw in one hurry up (unexpected) and bark some orders around. We let him get away with that a couple times while the bottom of our beer was pointed to the sky.
Up to us to watch for it and get our arms in the air and make sure the peeps behind you know when we can't let off.
Cut caperdink no slack..run your section...eyes up ladies


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"I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." Isaiah 41:18
Raw silk combines beautifully with handwoven, patterned Guatemalan cotton to create a striking stole. Pastors stoles have Guatemalan cotton angles across both sides. Silk dupioni offers vibrant liturgical colors. Our unique curved design helps it stay in position on your neck. The Stole is 5" wide and comes in two lengths: Petite (96") and Average/Tall (104"); it is available in blue, green, natural purple, red, and white.
The Guatemalan cotton fabric available will vary. Our cotton is imported by a Fair Trade company; we are supporting the weaving tradition of the Mayan people by using their fabrics. Stoles are made in U.S.A.
Delivery in 4-6 weeks.
Care tip…
Please follow the care instructions sent with your stole.
Did you know…
The stole, called an epitrachilion in Orthodox churches, is a long, narrow rectangular garment that is worn around the neck so that it hangs down in front of the wearer's legs, ending below the knees. The stole originated as a sort of kerchief; people used them as a general work cloth, for polishing things, and for wiping sweat from their faces. They came into the church, probably as a cloth that the celebrant could use to clean the Communion ware as part of the service, and for that reason, the stole became a Eucharistic garment.


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The Dollar Stretcher Community has a new home!
Feel free to read the great frugal living tips, ideas and discussions readers and community members have posted here. But if you'd like to post something or start a discussion, please click here to go over to our new community site and create an account.
Please contact email@example.com for questions about these forums.
8/28 - Spend (budgeted grocerie very low)8/29 - No spend8/30 - No spend8/31 - No Spend9/1 - No Spend
I made the salmon last night for dinner and DD and I had that and I have enough for a salad today and tomorrow. YAY. I am going to eat a frozen dinner tonight with some veggies. I have enough in the freezer and pantry to make it thru the weekend without going to the market. I am going to go as long as I can! I pulled a couple of turkey burgers out of the freezer. I also have some frozen potstickers to eat up soon.
Anyway... we are all doing pretty good this week! I am determined to use up what I have and take cash only to the store next time I go FOR SURE.... as well as use loss leader ads to plan!
Have a great day all!
Today will be a another budgeted spend day. I have some bills to pay online this morning. We have to go to the funeral home tonight for a visitation and I have to be at church to help with the girl's club sleepover at 7:30. Since DH doesn't get home until 5:30 not enough time for supper & clean up of the kitchen so he will grab some burgers on his way home.
I'm going to go ahead and post for Saturday since I doubt I'll have time to get on the computer. It will also be a budgeted spend day. DS#2's Eagle Scout ceremony is at 3:00 and then we are going out for supper at our favorite Mexican place.
This has not been the best week for me, only one no spend day. But all the spending has been budgeted so it's not a disaster. I really hope to have at least 3 no spend days next week.
08/29 spend08/29 budgeted spend08/30 budgeted spend08/31 no spend09/01 budgeted spend09/02 budgeted spend09/03 budgeted spend
8/28 - Spend (budgeted grocerie very low)8/29 - No spend8/30 - No spend8/31 - No Spend9/1 - No Spend9/2 - (possible spend)
I am not sure but tonight I am going to look at a brand new eliptical that I found on craigs list for half the price (300.00). I am not sure if she will take 300.00 but that is my offer because it will come out of savings if I buy it. I am paying 70.00 for 12 visits now to the community center, not bad, but finding that I would probably use it EVERY day if I had it at home. So ... we shall see.
Other than that, no spend. I need some tums but I asked my friend to bring me some cause he is taking us to Italian dinner tonight and I think I am going to need them.
I ran out of Nexium but want to try to take over the counter stuff to see if it will help instead. Last night I had a frozen dinner and it was tomato based and about 10 minutes after I ate it I felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest. All I had was Alka Seltzer, but it helped.
Anyone else here with that kind of problem? How do you cope?
Have a great day! Will update tonight or tomorrow if I spend or not tonight. Kind of hope I do!
Dmc hi cindy made it 5 days with out spending wow I didn't make it I spent today 50 dollars on food..
Cindy she gets a pat on the back for this one.
FIVE DAYS??? CHIC, you rock!!!! Girlfriend, I want 5 days.
I did not buy the eliptical. I went online and the reviews were bad. I am sticking to the community center! ;-) Whew, close call on that one!
8/28 - Spend (budgeted grocerie very low)8/29 - No spend8/30 - No spend8/31 - No Spend9/1 - No Spend9/2 - No Spend9/3 - Spend
I didn't by the eliptical = YAY!!!
I did however, get up today and hit some garage sales. My best deal was a tall white fan that moves and I got it for 2.00. Yep, two buck! yay. Gotta buy a birthday cake and my share of dinner for DDs birthday tonight.
See you next week. Not sure what it will bring but hoping for low spend. I am off and am going to golf and go to a couple of movies though..
You did great this week. I have been so busy I did not have a chance to post much and now I cannot remember if I spent or not! I must keep better track of it next week. I went to the grocery store today, so I know today was a spend day.
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text: Get henry copeland's new tononi quotes. Subscribe Recent quotes: Pooled consciousness? No... 'Take a sentence of a dozen words, and take twelve men and tell to each one word. Then stand the men in a row or jam them in a bunch, and let each think of his word as intently as he will; nowhere will there be a consciousness of the whole sentence'. This is how William James illustrated the combination problem of panpsychism [110]. Or take John Searle: 'Consciousness cannot spread over the universe like a thin veneer of jam; there has to be a point where my consciousness ends and yours begins' [117]. Indeed, if consciousness is everywhere, why should it not animate the United States of America? IIT deals squarely with this problem by stating that only maxima of integrated information exist. Consider two people talking: within each brain, there will be a major complex—a set of neurons that form a maximally irreducible cause–effect structure with definite borders and a high value of Φmax. Now let the two speak together. They will now form a system that is also irreducible (Φ > zero) due to their interactions. However, it is not maximally irreducible, since its value of integrated information will be much less than that of each of the two major complexes it contains. According to IIT, there should indeed be two separate experiences, but no superordinate conscious entity that is the union of the two. In other words, there is nothing-it-is-like-to-be two people, let alone the 300 plus million citizens making up the USA.13 #synchronize #consciousness #panpsychist #tononi - rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org Consciousness: here, there and everywhere? | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences A corollary of IIT that violates common intuitions is that even circuits as simple as a 'photodiode' made up of a sensor and a memory element can have a modicum of experience [80] (see also figure 5a, right panel). It is nearly impossible to imagine what it would 'feel like' to be such a circuit, for which the only phenomenal distinction would be between 'this rather than not this' (unlike a photodiode, when we are conscious of 'light' or of 'dark,' our experience is what it is because it includes scores of negative concepts, such as no colours, no shapes, no thoughts and so on, that are all available to us). But consider that normal matter at −272.15°C, one degree above absolute zero, still contains some heat. However, in practice its temperature is as cold as it gets. Similarly, there may well be a practical threshold for Φmax below which people do not report feeling much of anything, but this does not mean that consciousness has reached its absolute minimum, zero. Indeed, when we fall into a deep, dreamless sleep and don't report any experience upon being awoken, some small complex of neurons within our sleeping brain will likely have a Φmax value greater than zero, yet that may not amount to much compared to that of our rich, everyday experience. #synchronize #consciousness #panpsychist #tononi - rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org Get an email when henry copeland finds goodquotes on these topics: Subscribe All benzos x6 malpractice x7 medicalindustrialcomplex x122 melatonin x4 sunlight x43 tablets x3 memory x65 mobile x27 narratives x75 goals x7 managing x183 puzzle x4 sex x3 diabetes x18 marriage x37 comedy x9 AACAP x1 psychiatry x31 publishing x89 self-publishing x24 viral x10 writing x59 conversation x22 listening x5 anxiety x38 fear x4 hippocampus x21 exercise x87 meditation x39 mitochondria x3 paleotherapy x80 acupuncture x1 addiction x49 dopamine x22 GABA x6 neurons x86 community x34 depression x145 happiness x17 reddit x5 allergy x9 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text: Residents are discussing plans for a new cable access studio. The current studio, which is used by Halifax and Plympton, operates under a contract between Plympton and Comcast that ends in December. The two towns' committees on cable access have held joint meetings to decide the next steps; another meeting will be held on Feb. 25. The committees are looking at developing a nonprofit to keep a cable access studio in operation.


text:
Having the self-discipline to become a black belt in taekwondo is hard, but it is even more so when you are a teen who struggles with a condition that makes it more difficult to focus.
Having the self-discipline to become a black belt in taekwondo is hard enough, but it is even more so when you are a teenager who struggles with a condition that makes it more difficult to focus and limits your physical skills.
Jesse Power, 14, a seventh-grader at Oak Grove Middle School, will take his black belt test in taekwondo in May. Jesse has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism, which includes coordination problems, difficulty making social connections and issues with personal boundaries. But Jesse does not let his medical condition define him. In fact, he uses his challenges to excel at the art he loves.
"Taekwondo is about what you can do," Jesse said. "It doesn't matter what they can do, it is your individual journey. There was a time when I wanted to quit, but my mom didn't really give me a choice because we aren't quitters. It's one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it's worth it."
Jesse is the son of Tommy Power and Emily and Jimmy Walser. He has an older brother, Frank. Jesse began his taekwondo training three years ago when his father suggested he give it a try. He had taken karate when he was much younger, but it didn't interest him the way taekwondo did.
His father said he suggested the idea to give his son a physical outlet.
"It was something to channel his energy," Tommy Power said. "It was something he took to naturally."
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that includes physical skills and mental discipline. Master Martin Douglas of the TRU Taekwondo Center in Winston-Salem has been Jesse's trainer, confidant and, as Jesse puts it, "a third father" to him for the last three years.
"Sometimes he is hard on me," Jesse said. "He pushes my buttons a lot, but the reason he does that is because he knows I'm not trying. He demands absolute focus and concentration. He is very open to listen to my problems. He is someone who won't judge me."
Douglas said he has seen a big improvement in Jesse over the years and is impressed by his commitment.
"Jesse has turned a huge corner, especially over the last six months," Douglas said. "He was always getting into fights, where he was actually defending himself from kids who were picking on him, and he would make bad decisions. Now he comes in early and helps out in the class and has become a huge role model for others. He is a great kid. With everything that is going against him, it is a huge accomplishment to sticking to it. I can't even get some adults to stick to something for three years. "
The name of Douglas's martial art center, TRU, stands for trust, respect and understanding. Douglas said Jesse has taken the discipline of taekwondo and let it influence other areas in his life.
"I always told him that when you get upset, you make bad decisions and you end up getting yourself in trouble," Douglas said. "I think he is beginning to understand it's all how you react. The self-control that comes along with this training has helped him master that."
Each student in taekwondo has a different skill level, which is reflected in the color belt worn. Each belt coincides with a proven level of competence. Achieving a belt isn't just a matter of spending enough time in a previous belt. In order to achieve the next rank, a student must demonstrate proficiency in the current belt's techniques, including basic moves, sparring and form.
The belt for a beginner is white and progresses to orange, yellow and all the way to black, for 11 in total. The test for a black belt can take anywhere from two to four hours and can includes all the skills learned up to that point. It can also include upward of 400 punches, kicks and other physical demonstrations. Jesse said he will attempt to break a cinder block as one of his challenges.
Jesse and Douglas have been preparing for the test by undergoing training sessions on a weekly basis. Jesse said it has been difficult but rewarding.
"I could hardly walk after my second training session," Jesse said. "My legs started to wobble, and I sweated more than I have ever sweated before in my life. They expect 115 percent from the time you step on the mat."
Douglas said Jesse has even become a leader at the center, and he could see him continuing his training to the level of becoming a master.
"I train a lot of people," Douglas said. "It is people like Jesse that keeps me doing what I do. He is also one of the few people that tries hard the entire time. I wish more people understood what it is we do. It is more than a bunch of kicking and punching. It strengthens his social skills, his motor skills and his self-discipline. I could see him becoming a master himself and giving back to others what was given to him. He's a great kid."
Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at email@example.com. Follow Sharon on Twitter: @LexDisptachSM


text:
ROCKFORD - Rock Valley College interim President Michael Mastroianni is among four finalists vying to become the next president of the city's community college.
On-campus interviews with the finalists, including forums open to the public, will be conducted during the last two weeks of March. The college will notify the public of specific forum dates for each candidate in advance.
Rock Valley hired a consultant to conduct a nationwide search to replace former president Jack Becherer, who left the college in early January. A search committee comprised of RVC trustees, staff and community members has narrowed the field of applicants to four, and trustees will make an ultimate decision this spring. The finalists are:
Elizabeth Burmaster, president of Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wis. Burmaster joined Nicolet College in 2009 after serving eight years as Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has 34 years of experience in education, including extensive experience as a K-12 teacher and as a principal at the elementary and middle school levels, and for nearly a decade, as the principal of Madison West High School. John Hogan, chancellor for the Columbus/Franklin region of the Ivy Tech Community College system in Indiana. Hogan has been with the system since 1988, holding a variety of positions in student services and academic affairs. The Columbus/Franklin Region employs 140 full-time faculty and staff and serves over 10,000 credit and workforce students in a six-county area. Hogan has more than 25 years of professional and administrative experience, primarily in community colleges. Mastroianni, interim RVC president, joined the college in 1998 and has served as an adjunct instructor, director of the Management Institute (now Business and Professional Institute), dean, associate vice president, and most recently vice president of career and technical education and outreach. His prior experience includes executive positions in professional development and human resources with Rockford Health System, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, as well as his own consulting firm. Laura Urban, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Gateway Community and Technical College in Florence, Ky. The multi-campus two-year college serves approximately 5,000 credit and 2,500 non-credit students per semester. Urban has 20 years of experience in higher education at several institutions. She has been responsible for a small business development center, as well as academic affairs providing oversight of program and curriculum for transfer degrees.


text:
Fredericksburg, Va.-- The #16 University of Mary Washington Eagles men's lacrosse team displaced Southern Virginia 19-1 on Saturday. UMW got eight goals in the first to cruise to victory. The Eagles move to 7-1 overall and remain a perfect 5-0 at home.
Griffin Burke got the scoring started just 40 seconds into the contest off a pass from Chip Pittard. Luke Dick got a pair of tallies in the opening quarter, one from a Pittard assist. Mike Marson also scored twice for the Eagles; while Greg Smith, Chris Garcia and Billy Kelly also scored in the first.
Junior Jack Bondurant opened the second with a goal for the Eagles, and would later score his second midway through the stanza. Freshman Deion Raney got his first tallies of his career, scoring at 12:41 (from Teddy Blyskal) and 00:46 (unassisted). Blyskal scored a goal in the quarter off a Matt Cherry assist. Cherry would go on to score later in the quarter unassisted. Johnny Esposito got the seventh goal for the Eagles in the second with 3:35 remaining before halftime.
John Jamison got his first two collegiate goals in the third quarter to give UMW a 17-0 lead. Jack Harris added the only other goal in the third for the Eagles.
Mack Cary got the final tally for the Eagles in the fourth, off a Cherry assist. Southern Virginia would get on the board for their lone goal, thanks to Mike Bangerter with 3:10 to go.
UMW outshot the Knights, 40-10, and also went 21-24 on faceoffs. Three Eagle keepers comibined for the one goal win.
The Eagles return to action next Saturday, March 29th. The Eagles host #2 Salisbury in a CAC showdown at 3:00 p.m.


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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. - Metro-North will operate more trains than for a normal holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday. Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule, with 36 additional trains.
Although Monday is a federal holiday and the financial markets are closed, Metro-North will have extra trains in the morning and late afternoon. There will be 14 extra trains on the New Haven Line, with eight inbound to New York City and six outbound. There are 10 extra Hudson Line trains, with five in each direction, and 12 extra Harlem Line trains, with six in each direction.
Off-peak fares will apply all day. Check out Mta.info for details about extra train departure times.
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text:
Project Honeygate
International Press Coverage
Since Wednesday there has been huge international press coverage of "Honeygate", the largest most sophisticated and most extensive antidumping fraud involving collusion of exporters, importers and packers. Articles have appeared in Reuters, Bloomberg News, Wall Street Journal and Canadian newspapers. The investigation is not over and we expect that there will be various confessions forthcoming.
This information, along with my market report, which was sent earlier, subtitled "The march to monopoly has lost its momentum," is in email blasts, on websites and in print in The American Beekeeping Journal, The Alberta Bee News, and the AHPA website.
A Bloomberg News report quotes Senator Charles Schumer of New York, who played a decisive role in 2011 in arranging the Senate Finance Committee hearing at which Richard Adee gave decisive testimony. The point was to bring the cunning collusions of exporter, importer and packer to gain unfair competitive advantage over those who played by the rules and refused to engage in illegal activity to maximize their short term profits. See below:
Feb. 20, 2013
Honey Sting Leads to U.S. Charges of Smuggling From China
Five people and two honey processing plants were charged by U.S. authorities for their involvement in smuggling and mislabeling honey from China.
In one of the largest honey anti-dumping cases in U.S. history, the individuals and companies allegedly mislabeled Chinese-origin honey in an attempt to skirt more than $180 million in anti-dumping duties.
"The honey industry has been under assault due to anti- dumping circumvention," Daniel Ragsdale, deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said at a news conference yesterday in Washington. Ragsdale said the case marks the "tip of the iceberg" in the agency's pursuit of commercial fraud.
The charges from the probe, called "Project Honeygate," mark the culmination of a two-part investigation that began in 2008 and included U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. attorney's office in the northern district of Illinois. In the first phase, federal authorities charged 14 individuals for allegedly evading about $80 million in anti-dumping duties.
The latest phase of the investigation included an undercover agent, who took a role as director of procurement with a cooperating honey supplier. The resulting investigation led to two of the nation's largest honey suppliers -- Honey Holding and Groeb Farms Inc. -- entering into deferred prosecution agreements with the government and paying $1 million and $2 million in fines, respectively.
'Full Responsibility'
"We take full responsibility for and deeply regret any errors that were made in the past regarding the import of honey," Rolf Richter, the chief executive officer of Onsted, Michigan-based Groeb Farms, said yesterday in a statement. As part of the agreement to resolve the charges, the company implemented a new compliance program and dismissed senior executives responsible for the actions.
Honey Holding, which is now doing business as Honey Solutions, cooperated with the investigation, officials said yesterday. An individual who answered the phone at Baytown, Texas-based Honey Solutions declined to comment on the charges. The individual declined to give her name.
"Not only do these products disadvantage domestic producers and take jobs away from U.S. workers, these goods are frequently produced to standards can adversely impact health and safety," said Thomas Winkowski, the chief operating officer for Customs and Border Protection.
'Honey Laundering'
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat who has pushed federal officials to crack down on counterfeit honey imports, said the "successful sting operation is sure to be a buzz kill for would-be honey smugglers."
"We need a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to honey laundering," Schumer said in a statement.
The U.S. International Trade Commission in November voted to keep in place an order to prevent honey from China from being sold in the U.S. below production costs.
The U.S. imported $416 million dollars worth of natural honey last year, a 7 percent increase from 2011, according to the Census Bureau. It exported about $20 million worth of the product last year, a decline of less than 1 percent from 2011.
To contact the reporter on this story: Phil Mattingly in Washington at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Steven Komarow at email@example.com
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The 23rd annual "Ding" Darling Days celebrates National Wildlife Week and the birthday of the refuge's namesake, father of the Federal Duck Stamp program and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jay N. "Ding" Darling.
One highlight of the week-long "Ding" Days, which is Oct. 14-20, is the chance to meet and greet last year's four-time Federal Duck Stamp winner Joe Hautman and Junior Duck Stamp winner Christine Clayton at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 in the education center.
Orlando-based IBEX Puppetry troupe will make its Southwest Florida debut on Family Fun Day, Oct. 14, with its interactive endangered species and wildlife parade, featuring life-sized puppets made of recycled material, plus kites, flags, drums, costumes and music.
Article Photos
Photo by SHANNEN HAYES
'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge will host its 23rd annual 'Ding' Darling Days Oct. 14-20 in celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week and the birthday of the refuge's namesake, Jay N. 'Ding' Darling. A naturalist-narrated 60-minute tour in a Tarpon Bay Explorers tram is free during the first day of the event. The 'Blue Goose' is Karen Lopresti, a 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society intern; 'Teddy Roosevelt' is Jess Shelton, also a DDWS intern; and Ranger Toni Westland invites everyone to 'go outside' during 'Ding' Darling Days.
"This is such a perfect fit for 'Ding' Days," said committee co-chair Ranger Toni Westland. "I saw them perform last year at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and told my committee, 'we have to get them.'"
Heather Henson, daughter of the late Jim Henson, continues his puppeteering work and love of Florida's wildlife with her IBEX puppetry troupe, which will perform twice. In addition to the short, energetic, improv parades every hour starting at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 14, IBEX will return at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 in the education center with a half-hour bird kite making session and ends with an outdoor celebration.
"We're always adding new elements to our presentations," said company manager Frank Ramirez, who visited the refuge to customize the show to its locale. "We'll be creating new creatures that are indigenous to this area especially for the event."
At this year's "Ding" Darling Days, the refuge will host a national premier of an hour-long documentary "America's Darling: The story of Jay N. "Ding" Darling" created by film producer Samuel Koltinsky. It will be shown at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 and from there the film will travel throughout the country. This film's production, which was three years in the making, was mostly sponsored by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
DDWS was formed to help support the refuge after its headquarters was moved from the Sanibel Lighthouse to the current location off Sanibel-Captiva Road in March 1982 and opened the visitor's center that drew more than 11,000 visitors its first month. After being inundated with an inquisitive public, the refuge turned to volunteers for help.
In June 1982, the founding DDWS Board of Directors met with refuge staff to establish the new friends group. It was Bud Ryckman, the first board president and a refuge volunteer, who stepped up to the challenge. With him were William Frey, vice president; Milena Eskew, secretary; Dan Kimpel, treasurer; Millie Ford, volunteer drive coordinator; Reed Toomey, legal counsel; and Reed Palmer, accounting consultant. On Oct. 6, 1982, DDWS was officially established following the approval of its articles of incorporation by the Florida Secretary of State.
"We've had a lot of work to do in the last 30 years," said current DDWS board President John McCabe. "Resources from the federal government for refuges are not expanding and we are doing everything we can to fill that gap. The people who started (DDWS) were wonderful and we are trying to carry on that support of the refuge."
What started as a five-member support group to head a volunteer program has grown into a 1,300-plus member organization that through the years has built its own $3.3 million education center in 1999 and has become a model for refuge friends groups across the nation.
The society has earned several prestigious awards that include The National Volunteer Service Award in 1991 from the National Recreation and Parks Association; the Friends Group of the Year in 1999 from the National Wildlife Refuge Association; and the Southeast Regional Directors Award in 2009 for its help with distributing funds for refuge employees who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"The original board set the friends group up with a set of goals and values that has made the friends society a success," said McCabe. "The board has worked very hard and very well throughout the years. It's been somewhat of a leader from the beginning as one of the first three societies created; all due to the hard work of the people before us and today."
The wildlife society will celebrate its 30-year partnership with the refuge during "Ding" Darling Days, at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 in the education center. The public is invited to have a piece of birthday cake.
"I think the board is very proud of all the work that has been done and we continue to grow and change for the future," added McCabe.
The 2012 "Ding" Days will also include a new speaker series, during which people can learn about ospreys, mangrove cuckoos, sea turtles, endangered refuge species, wildlife smuggling and the capture of the "Sanibel Bear."
Free presentations will take place at least daily at the education center auditorium -- seating is limited and available on a first-come basis. Additionally, naturalists from Tarpon Bay Explorers -- one of the presenters of "Ding" Days -- will do daily deck talks at the refuge's Tarpon Bay Recreation Area.
For a complete listing of lectures and a full "Ding" Days schedule, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com or call 239-472-1100.


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Northward to the Moon (Hardcover)
In this beautiful follow-up to the highly acclaimed My One Hundred Adventures, Jane and her family have moved to Canada . . . but not for long. When her stepfather, Ned, is fired from his job as a high school French teacher (seems he doesn't speak French), the family packs up and Jane embarks on a series of new adventures. At first, she imagines her family as a gang of outlaws, riding on horseback in masks, robbing trains, and traveling all the way to Mexico. But the reality is different: Setting off by car, they visit the tribe of Native Americans with whom Ned once lived, head to Las Vegas in search of Ned's magician brother, and wind up spending the summer with his eccentric mother on her ranch out west. As Jane lives through it all—developing a crush on a ranch hand, reevaluating her relationship with Ned, watching her sister Maya's painful growing up—she sees her world, which used to be so safe and secure, shift in strange and inconvenient ways.
About the Author
Polly Horvath is one of the most highly acclaimed authors writing today. A National Book Award winner and Newbery Honor recipient, her most recent novel, "My One Hundred Adventures," was a "School Library Journal "Best Book of the Year, a "Booklist "Editors' Choice, a "Kirkus Reviews "Best Children's Books, a New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, a "Parents' Choice "Gold Award winner, and an Amazon Best Book of 2008.
Praise For…
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, January 4, 2010: "A dynamic montage of dark and light moments"


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What should you keep in mind when choosing a carrier?
The Jewish Agency has a list of shipping (moving) companies. This is by no means an endorsement.There are other companies, including international moving consultants in the yellow pages of your phone book which are highly competent.
Everything, including price, is negotiable.
Each shipper (carrier) you call will ask to come to your home for a "no charge, no obligation" estimate on price and cubic footage. Let them. They will give their pressure "shpeil" to give a deposit and try to make you to feel cheap, saying, "what is $25? The price is going up in a few days. For you, if you give me the deposit, I will personally guarantee yesterday's price."
Once they have your money, they will try their best to hang on to it by almost any means.
Estimates should have the additional 10% rough extra for crating space written on the contract. The shipping company should be responsible for more than 10% of the complete estimate, of course, without any further additions by you.
Clarify this point, if possible, in writing. Some companies, including international moving consultants will do this but only upon request. Don't be gullible and don't make any commitments.
Visit the company's warehouse. Don't rely on letters of recommendation by "famous" people.
There is nothing wrong with playing one company against the other to get the lowest possible price.
After the lift is sent, request a status report which should include: name of steamship line; name of vessel; date of departure and date of arrival.
If the ports in Israel are not on strike, allow about five weeks. You usually cannot take your lift out of the port until you have an apartment.
Before signing a contract, clarify these points:
Boxes should be free. Packing should be done at your home (some will only pack breakables). Free pick up from home, warehouse storage, customs agent for clearing, delivery to new home, unpacking and removal of cartons. There is a port tax in Israel which is extra as well as housing charges.
Most of the moving companies offer the same quality of service, despite their claims to the contrary.
If the contract includes packing, beware that packers will not pack as neatly and as compactly as you would. Before you run off and pack everything yourself, remember that the savings will be no more than a few cubic feet.
Lift-Van -- a solid wooden box , usually made of plywood which is set on a pallet, a three inch base. Some companies are starting to use a heavy cardboard.
Container -- a large metal box provided by the steamship company to the moving company for the transport of one's belongings.
If you are sending a relatively small amount then the Lift is probably better. If you are sending a large amount (a house) then the container is probably cheaper. You can even save more money by packing the container yourself. Remember you are renting the container. If you do not plan on taking the container out immediately, then you might want to consider buying the container and reselling it. Check with the company on how long you have possession before you have to pay additional fees.
Make separate piles in parts of the house. Caution: Don't keep items in shopping bags; the packer will just dump the entire bag in the box.
If you own valuable books, you may want to put them in plastic or line the boxes with a garbage bag. Make sure the movers know about it before hand.
The shippers use the standard size boxes. Bags of Pampers are useful space stuffers for those with babies.
Each box should be color labeled to room and numbered. A notebook should be used to list content of each box. Note the official box number (from the shipper) at the side of your number. This is of vital importance when the lift is packed at the warehouse.
Loading your crate: you will be allotted a pallet at the shipping company where all your items, both shipped directly and brought from your house will be placed. At least 2 people should be present and each item checked off as it is loaded. Do not let yourself be pressured.
Once the lift is loaded and sealed, the bill of lading becomes an official document for customs. If upon arrival and unloading you discover that an item was not packed, you have a problem since it is already stamped on your teudat oleh that you brought it in. If this happens immediately get a letter from the shipping company that your item was forgotten abroad.
Cabinets and all "natural containers" can be filled, so can the shelves of bookcases. You can place light clothing or pictures in the spaces and fill around them with towels, so they are well padded and secure. Do NOT put heavy items, such as books, linens, jeans, into furniture. If the piece is too heavy the movers might refuse to take it. Pillows, blankets, and towels are both bulky and light. Pack them before the shippers arrive, once they are there you won't have time.
If you have a good rug, roll it up the night before or it might be ruined by mud, dirt, and boxes. You may make suggestions to the mover if you think it important, but don't overdo it.
You may want to leave out a few blankets or pillows for the movers to stuff under a chair, for example. Make sure that NO TAPE is wrapped around good wood as the finish will come off with the tape.
Be extra careful about legs of chairs; they should be wrapped with heavy paper. If the packer refuses, call the boss immediately.
Dishes should be packed by the movers for insurance purposes. Pieces which are very valuable should be packed in a sheet of plastic bubbles. All boxes which you pack will be marked PBO (packed by owner) and noted on the inventory list as such.
Have a lot of beer on hand, especially during the summer. The movers all expect a tip but keep in mind that a tip is a reward for good work and not part of the regular pay. If you feel that a lousy job was done or is being done, call the company immediately and complain. The foreman should get more than the other packers. If they come back the next day, you can give a smaller tip if you wish. Packers are masters at hinting at how they might pack the actual lift and save you money by packing it tighter if you tip them. In my opinion, it is unfortunate that when a person could be spending as much as $3,000 he is also expected to tip.
Leave your tools out until the end and keep an eye on them. Then pack them in a locked tool chest. If you are taking wall brackets and standards, packers may remove them for you but with a notable lack of finesse.
Watch that everything receives a label, is noted in the Bill of Lading, and is removed from your home. As with the entire procedure, it is best to take an active interest. If you are going to oversee the move by yourself, you may have many more problems. As a rule it takes at least two people or more to carefully record your personal inventory and to make sure everything is moved onto the truck.
Your inventory should also serve as a basis for your insurance. The more detailed the list, the easier it will be to claim if there is any loss or damage. If you try to sneak something past Israeli customs, it is easier for you to get caught if they ask for the official list.
A last note on packing: Don't pack any aerosol cans or flammable items. The insurance company may give you trouble in case of fire. Also, do not pack loose plastic containers of liquid detergent. We know someone who ended up with broken gallons of Wisk all over their furniture.
Insurance rates are less perplexing than the shipping rates. Here too there is the omnipresent list at the Jewish Agency.
It is advisable to insure your goods with an Israeli company that specializes in Personal Effects and Household Goods Marine Insurance because, should your goods be damaged in transit to Israel, the fastest and most efficient claim-service will be provided by an Israeli-based company.
The most advisable type of insurance is an all-risk door-to-door insurance coverage.
The Marine and/or Air Insurance policy requires that the goods be insured for their actual replacement value in the country of destination. It is best for you to insure your goods for their retail value in Israel (regardless of whether or not you have customs rights), which includes the cost price, transportation expenses, customs, purchase tax, and V.A.T.
When goods are insured for less than their actual value in Israel, in case of a claim, reimbursement will be awarded proportional to the value at which the goods were insured and there will be no sufficient insurance coverage to pay for the cost of replacement or repair.
The insurance companies recommend multiplying your cost by several factors for different items:
An all-risk insurance coverage does not cover marring, denting, and scratching for used appliances and furniture.
An insurance policy should be in effect from the time that the first item enters the custody of the export shipping company or when the shipment is taken from your home.
Paintings and other high-value items should be accompanied by a detailed assessor's appraisal. Pianos and organs should be individually packed and crated.
All insurance should include at least 180 days of storage coverage in Israel.
Some insurance companies include warehouse insurance coverage for up to 240 days in Israel, at no extra charge, provided that the insured goods are stored at the original warehouse and/or the Israeli port.
Whether you send your belongings by a lift or a container, allowance must be made for the outer box (10% in a lift). This additional cubic footage is added on to the total.
Regarding export crating for major appliances, the crating -- done either by the appliance company or your shipper and the former is cheaper -- consists of cross boards on the side and corners along with a platform to prevent dents. The price depends on the size of the appliance. In a lift, this extra packing is probably superfluous, yet necessary in a loose packed container. Inform the carrier of all expected allowances and check to see which arrived.
DOOR TO DOOR vs. DOOR TO PORT
Before discussing these, let me note that there is also port to port but the savings are minimal, meaning only, that you save the initial pickup charge, if there is one. Before that take into consideration that most people plan on only a short, six month stay in an absorption center or furnished rental. Today most places in absorption centers are reserved for olim from countries in distress and Ethiopians. Unfortunately, waiting for an apartment can take a very long time.
As such make sure you have enough clothes and household goods with you when you go. Always consider the possibility of not seeing your lift for a year or so. As a side note, there is something called `sidur mukdum,' whereby you may be able to buy an apartment while still in North America. It is highly advisable to investigate this further with your shaliach.
Door to port should include free pick up from your home and delivery to port facilities. When you have an apartment, you go to the warehouse and either arrange for a customs clearing agent beforehand or take it through customs yourself. Storage at the port is prohibitive.
It is possible to use the Agency to obtain a loan to supply a truck and driver. You pay for porters to carry the goods to your apartment. There are usually plenty waiting near the port where you bargain for their services.
If you wish to avoid the hassles, arrange for a private mover when you are readyto take out your lift. Remember that you are entitled to free transportation of the items that you have with you from your hostel or absorption center. Of course this only includes a truck and driver.
In each move, be sure to confirm with the porters which floor you live on to avoid problems later.
In Door to Door the agreement is usually only for two walk up flights; anything more is extra unlessyou have it in writing and the agent has agreed before hand.
Be sure the porters agree to bring everything up to your apartment. This may include maneuvering through a balcony if you have very large items. Pianos usually have an extra charge.
If you are shipping a large amount and can afford it, door to door may save you some aggravation.Services should include free customs clearing agent, delivery to your apartment, unpacking and carting away of cartons. If they don't want to cart away the packing and cartons of major items -- don't tip.
If your lift is wood, the wood should belong to you (check with the shipping company); don't be pushed into donating it to the porter if you need it. Albeit, the quality is not the best, it may still be useful.
As soon as possible before the arrival and upon arrival make sure that you have the following documents:
"Original on Board Negotiable Bill of Lading" (In case of consolidated shipment in "house-to-house container;" this will be with your mover's Israeli agent who will obtain for you delivery order(s).
Teudat Oleh for all members of the family.
Passport -- for all members of the family (if one was an A1/Oleh in the past, then old passports as well).
Inventory and value of goods in the lift, in four copies (This inventory is required for customs, electric appliances and other items normally subject to duty should be listed with make and serial numbers).
Invoices for new items are helpful.
Insurance policy. Make sure that it is adequate for time of possible storage in a warehouse.
List of boxes eg. 10 boxes clothing new/used.
Proof of residency.
Sum of money required for necessary payments.
You should be receiving an "arrival notice" either from the steamship agency oryour mover's agent.Do not depend upon this, call yourself to avoid unnecessary port and possible demurrage charges. For shipments in cases and liftvans the initial port fee includes either 2 or 4 weeks (depending on weight) free storage.
Upon arrival of ship (arrival date published in the newspaper):
Find out when goods will be accessible at the port by calling the steamship agency.
1-3 days after the ship's arrival take documents and get a "delivery order" from mover's agent if it is a consolidated shipment. Go to the port where you can arrange for customs clearance and the "gate pass" (one for each shipment) as well as transportation to your home.


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Entrances for the station will be located on the northeast and southwest corners of 94th Street and 2nd Avenue and on the west side of 2nd Avenue between 95th and 96th Streets for a total of three entrances. The duration of this contract is scheduled for a total of 42 months.
The first phase of the Second Avenue Subway is extending the Q Line northward to 96th Street from Midtown Manhattan with new stations along Second Avenue at 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street. The subway line is expected to open for service in December 2016. There are two contracts remaining to be awarded on the project.


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In the spring of 2012, less than a year ago, Jared Lingafelt was receiving his diploma from Soldotna High School. Today he is back in Soldotna and being honored as a U.S. Marine hometown hero having completed his basic training. "When I graduated I had been thinking about military service and the Marine Corp. stood out to me because I wanted to be part of the best so I joined the Marine Corp," Pvt. Lingafelt told the Dispatch in an interview while home on leave. Jared says he liked sports in high school but that it was Sgt. Rehm United States Marine Corps recruiter that prepared him to become a Marine, "He got us in shape and helped us prepare for our basic training. I worked out a lot with my friends and fellow 'Poolees' to get in shape. Coming back home is quite a bit different now that I'm a Marine. It's great to see friends and family but I'm looking forward to heading back for more training," said Lingafelt.
As far as his plans for the future Jared says he's not thinking that far ahead yet but is focused on being the best Marine he can be and learning from all the Corp. has to offer. To the graduating class of 2013 Lingafelt says the military is still a great choice, "I wouldn't trade my experiences as a Marine for anything in the world. I can imagine doing other things but right now I couldn't be happier with my decision to become a Marine and right now being a Marine is all I want to do," he said.
According to Sgt. Rehm the choice for a military career remains a good one regardless of sequester or budget cuts, "One of the major changes we are looking at right now from the Department of Defense is military wide and will be cuts in tuition assistant. Basically what that means is recruits will still have an opportunity for education after their initial four year or whatever their term of commitment to serve, then once they exit the military they will continue to have opportunity to get their college education paid for. Tuition assistance is a program that allows them to get their college education while they are in the military on active duty. So the opportunity remains to earn their college tuition, but only after they complete their military service. Historically we have seen cuts in military spending, this isn't anything new and budget cuts have been dealt with since the beginning of the military, but I feel that programs like tuition assistance will be returning in the future. The military is still a good economic choice for young people graduating this year. One of the reasons I so passionately love the military is because I'm a family man with a lovely wife and two beautiful children and knowing that they are 100% financially provided for alleviates a lot of stress for me as a parent," explained Sgt. Rehm.
Congratulations to U.S. Marine Pvt. Jared Lingafelt and his parents and thank you for your service. To learn more about opportunities in the Marine Corps contact Sgt. Rehm at 262-2243, or stop by the Marine recruitment office in the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna located next to the U.S. Army & Navy recruitment centers.


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If you block someone you dont see there newsfeed anymore. Very helpful., LilacRosey
I have a related question-I have a friend that is constantly tagging me in pictures. None of them are bad, it's just funny things, or puppies, or whatever. The problem is that she does this 5-10 times a day and they are flooding my page. I have to go in and remove the tags because I don't want them showing up on my page. I don't know if she realises that I can see the pictures in my feed and that I don't have to be tagged to enjoy them. Is there a way to block her from being able to tag me in things, but to continue to allow her access to post on my status and my page? Thanks, and I don't mean to "steal" this thread. If I need to start a new one I will.
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I was in Vegas, on of the bridges that cross over the Strip, when I saw a Mennonite couple coming from the opposite direction. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...
A few years ago we traveled with my in-laws to MIL's home country. While there, lugging around suitcases looking for our hotel, another tourist family spoke to us in a language we did not know. MIL finally decided to speak to them in French, her third language, to help them out. So we were from one country, visiting another, and they were using yet another to converse. That rarely happens in America!
Growing up, my family and I went to a huge amusement park nearly every summer. One year while waiting in line for the flume ride, we saw two nuns on the ride going down the big hill. Splash!
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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Team Florida is an organization based in Panama City that has put together an elite 13u team that is here this week to participate in the Perfect Game 13u BCS Finals. It's the first 13u BCS Finals PG has presented since 2006 and it's the first PG tournament of any kind for the Team Florida 13u squad.
Fully aware of the level of competition the 20-team 13u BCS Finals would offer, Team Florida head coach Chris Cullen hooked up with Mike Beasley from the Southern Ball Academy in Tallahassee to make sure the youngsters on the Team Florida roster - all in the high school classes of 2016 or 2017 - would be able to handle what they were about to be served.
"Southern Ball Academy has been a tremendous help to us in this tournament," Cullen said from Terry Park after Team Florida won its sixth straight game at the Finals, 7-6 over the Academy Select Sun Devils from Dallas Texas. The win gave Team Florida an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin Thursday.
"We needed their help, they were more than willing to help, they've worked with a lot of our boys before and they've been a tremendous help with getting us to where we are right now," Cullen said of Southern Ball Academy's involvement.
Beasley is the director and head instructor at Southern Ball Academy, and is genuinely thrilled to be involved with Team Florida this week.
"Some of them are our kids, and this is the first chance we've had to be with them at a tournament all week long, and we're really having a blast," Beasley said. "Chris does a fantastic job with them and right now they're finding ways to win even when they don't show up. That's a good sign."
Team Florida breezed through its first round of pool-play by outscoring its first three opponents by a combined 36-7. In the second and decisive round of pool play, it beat the Pembroke Lakes Bulldogs, 9-1; Team Mizuno of Puerto Rico 13u, 6-3; and finally the Academy Select Sun Devils.
"The bats have really been coming through for us; the offense has been pretty strong," Cullen said. "It has been all year, but this tournament in particular it's really been hitting on just about all cylinders, I'd say, with the exception of about two games."
No one has been hitting like Donnie Gleneski (2016, Orange Park, Fla.). After six games, Gleneski was 11-for-16 (.688) with three doubles, a triple, three home runs, 16 RBI and 10 runs scored. Brendan Fox (2017, Panama City, Fla.) has tried to keep pace, hitting 11-for-17 (.647) with three doubles, seven RBI and 10 runs scored.
Cullen also said his pitching been "pretty solid" and he's pleased his staff and defense allowed just 17 runs in six games against many of the top 13u units from seven states and Puerto Rico.
"This is absolutely a solid field. I think some of the best (13u) talent in the nation is here and I think everybody realizes that," Cullen said. "We have expectations of winning this tournament; we haven't lost a 13u game since mid-March, We've been on quite a good run ... and so absolutely we expected to be doing what we're doing here.
"We're familiar with a lot of the top teams here and we've played a lot of them; we feel we're right in there with the big dogs."
As 13-year-olds, these players still need to develop and improve their games, and find an identity and a reason for being on the field. It needs to be fun, of course, especially for these early teens, as they learn to appreciate the game and nurture a love for it. But that doesn't mean they are allowed many do-overs.
"Absolutely we expect them to execute," Cullen said. "This team in particular has been put together with kids not necessarily from Panama City, Fla., but they're spread out from a big area and it's some of the best players from some elite programs. They've been taught well, so when they get here ... we absolutely expect them to perform well and do all the little things that are necessary to win."
Performance isn't the biggest challenge facing the Team Florida coaching staff, not on this particular trip, anyway. Outside forces are trying to influence the young teenagers, as Cullen explained Wednesday afternoon.
"We've been talking and dealing with the biggest challenge of all," he said, offering a knowing smile. "Normally, through all of our tournaments we stay in hotels, and (the players') parents are with their own boys. They make sure they get to sleep on time and we meet at the ballpark, and they're well-rested and their well-fed.
"This time they're all staying in one house, they rode in a van here together, and they're near a beach and pretty girls and all that, and that's been the biggest challenge - keeping them well-rested and not having too much fun besides baseball."


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We have 200+ indicators, all using a framework of core state obligations. The tree illutrates how they interlink, grow and are rooted in human rights law.
explore here
Conference on the right to inclusive education under the CRPD on 22 February 2014 in Galway, Ireland
NEW RTE Policy brief on Learning Outcomes Assessments: A Human Rights Perspective
NEW HANDBOOK on The Right to Education published by Amnesty International's Special Programme on Africa in collaboration with the Right to Education Project
NEW Report : Entitled to Education, Using International Human Rights Law to advocate for the right to education in the occupied Palestinian territory
NEW advocacy tool: At What Age?...Early marriage and the right to education
RTE paper on Using Human Rights Standards to Assess Privatisation of Education in Africa
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