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Financial Aid Resources
This section of our website includes online resources for you to check out as you research how to fund your education. A good place to start is Scholarship Help, which explains how college funding works, the types of scholarships available, how to find them and how to apply for them.
Helpful hints for online searches:
- Do not pay for a scholarship search. The search options Davenport lists are free searches; however, we encourage students and parents to read carefully all the information.
- Do not pay to apply for a scholarship. Do not pay for any kind of "processing" fee.
- Set up a separate email account through Yahoo, Google, Hotmail or some other service. Use this separate email just for your scholarship searches. Some scholarship searches do send out advertisements, and using an email account separate from your personal account will better protect your personal account from unwanted emails.
- Research scholarships beyond just what the search engines provide.
- Be very careful about providing confidential information. You should never have to submit your social security number or anything similar to that. If in doubt, contact your Davenport financial aid counselor
Need Help filling out your FAFSA? Check out the following options:
- College Goal Sunday
- FAFSA Frenzies hosted at various Davenport campuses.
Need Help Evaluating your Award Letters?
- Thisguide is intended to help students and parents understand and compare financial aid award letters.


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Click the image on the right to see how the genuine classes of signs discussed by Peirce in 1903 fit into our scheme. Note that they appear in the 66 Periodic Table preserving the same relations they show here.
Click the image on the right to go to the interactive wheel. How does Goethe´s theory of colors relate to Peirce´s theory of categories? Find out the 66 classes of signs by applying the logical rule of material implication in the process of determination among the three sign correlates. Here you will find out which classes of signs are allowed while you rotate the wheel to explore its possibilities. See how the Semeiotic Wheel is related to our Periodic Table of Classes of Signs.
Click the image on the right to go to the interactive table. The 66 classes of signs arranged in this triangular shape show regular periods revealing the increase of complexity of semeiosis as it reaches communication, as well as phases that describe the whole process of inquiry. Here you will get an analysis and useful examples of each class of sign. Each class is also represented in a figure – the Solenoid of Semeiosis – showing how the sign aspects relate to one another.

subset: commoncrawl


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Oklahoma State Archivist - Gene Phillips
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This page was last updated on Monday, 22-Sep-2008 19:50:43 EDT


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Radon Abatement Is Important For Homeowners
The Invisible Danger of Radon
Radon is a silent killer of that can be found all over the world. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is released from decaying radioactive elements found naturally in rock and soil. Radon can become extremely dangerous when it accumulates in confined indoor spaces; due to the radioactive particles it contains, it is carcinogenic to humans who have been exposed to significant amounts of the gas. Radon distribution throughout a home or office is directly related to the building's ventilation. The poorer the ventilation, the higher the likelihood of radon concentration.
Radon Abatement and Preventing Radon Entry
For radon abatement to be successful, SWAT Environmental's experts must determine where the gas is coming from in the first place. There are several ways by which radon can enter a home. One of the most common is by seeping through cracks in the floor or walls of a concrete foundation. Another typical entry point is the spaces between the basement walls and slab. An opening around a sump pump or drain is another fairly common way radon can infiltrate a home, as is a crawl space.
Determining the Necessity of Radon Abatement
Since radon is present in the ground everywhere in the United States to some degree, the Environmental Protection Act suggests that every home be tested for radon. Unfortunately, none of your five senses will pick up on the presence of radon gas; obviously, it would be foolish to wait until signs of radon poisoning show up before taking action. If you wish, you can purchase a home radon test kit; however, the professional test SWAT's experts perform is much more accurate and quick.
The Impact of Radon Abatement
If unsafe levels of radon are detected in your home, you should have radon abatement performed as soon as possible. SWAT Environmental's radon abatement specialist will be able to analyze the problem and tackle it from every angle. In many cases, the first step is to seal all obvious points of entry for the gas. However, complete protection from radon gas requires diverse and complex approaches, depending on the situation. For example, active soil depressurization units can be added to the home to reduce radon levels. Put in simple terms, these systems work by pumping contaminated air out from beneath the house, then expelling it out and away from the house into the open air where it will do no harm, bypassing the home in the process. Additional components of the system help replace the air inside the house with clean air from outside.
In conclusion, radon abatement may be needed in your home, but you would never know it without first conducting a radon test. If the test concludes that high levels of radon are present in your home, then you and your family are in danger. SWAT's abatement specialists can design a system of radon mitigation that ensures you are kept safe.


text: Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. Gibson portrays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. The story is based on Blind Harry's epic poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace and was adapted for the screen by Randall Wallace. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards at the 68th Academy Awards and won five: Best Picture, Best Makeup, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, and Best Director. ... more on Wikipedia


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Tag Archives: Like Light for Flies
Hitting a Nerve: A Conversation with Lee Thomas
Lee Thomas is one of the strongest writers going today. If you aren't familiar with his work, reconcile that. Stunning writing, believable characters, and horrific…well, horror. He's the real deal, folks. Lee was kind enough to drop by ST Manor for some tea and playful banter…
John Boden: While I have a lot of your books, I have not read them all…yet. What I have read has been wonderful. Of all the possible charms I could go on about, the rich and realistic portrayals of emotion and character are staggering. Truly. There are also recurring themes of inner struggle as well as the given outer struggles. All of it delivered with such deft edge and detail. Do you put a lot of yourself in your work? Meaning, do you tend to infuse characters with struggles and feelings you have had or have?
Lee Thomas: Yes. I imagine most writers do. A character is an author's conduit to readers, so characters have to express feelings accurately, whether through action, speech, or thought. We all know what fear feels like, and we all know what love feels like. Granted I've never encountered a horrific visage of an old god on a fog-shrouded eve, but I've spun around in a car after losing control of it and felt that ice cold, near-paralysis in the process. I've waited in a hospital room while my partner was undergoing heart surgery, and I went through a spectrum of emotions about it. You use those things. Granted, that's oversimplifying, but most adults have enjoyed and/or endured the range of emotions. They are available to us, and they need to be employed. When you're writing, you're not just dropping info and walking readers through a series of events, you're trying to engage them and make them believe that what you're sharing feels real, even though they know it isn't. Characters are the primary way to do this. If what your characters feel reads as authentic, you won't have readers pulling back and thinking, "Huh?"
JB: I recently read your novel The German. (I know I was late to the party on that one…all of them, sadly.) I would imagine there was a great deal of research that went into the historical aspects of that novel. It was so rich with detail. What was the inspiration for such a book?
LT: I enjoy research, though I try to keep it unobtrusive. I don't want to weigh a reader down with a bunch of information that I might find fascinating, but which has no bearing on the story or the characters. With The German, I drew inspiration from a few places. They all hit at once within a relatively narrow window period. The first was a documentary on The History Channel, when they still did the occasional piece on history. It focused on a high-ranking German soldier who was openly gay. His name was Ernst Röhm, and it struck me as odd I'd never heard of him before. Fascinating stuff. That night I sat down and wrote what would become the prologue of the novel, and then it was out of my system, and I went back to other projects. Not long after, a week or two, I went on a day trip to Fredericksburg, a small town in the hill country out here, and they really play up the area's German heritage. I hadn't been living in Texas for very long at that point, but the fact it had been so heavily settled by Germans surprised me. Back in Austin, I found that there were still German music clubs and the like. So I had a protagonist and a setting (though I changed Austin to a smaller, fictional town named Barnard). The last piece was just random. I won't go into it. It includes adult entertainment.
JB: I know you to be a music fan (a fellow "metal head"), so I feel obliged to ask: how important is music to your creative process? Some find it distracting, others can't work without it. If you need or like music to create, what are some of the soundtrack favorites?
LT.: Music is important to what I do. Before starting a project, I'll try to find music that might enhance the tone of a piece while I'm putting the first draft together. The first draft of The Dust of Wonderland, which was written in a compulsive haze over the course of a few weeks, was written almost entirely to NIN's Pretty Hate Machine and the first Candlebox record. Back then it took effort, okay minor effort, to pop a CD out and throw another in to change the music. It didn't really matter. I was so lost in the story the music barely registered. I'd occasionally think, "Head Like a Hole" must have played a million times by now, but it still sounded good so I kept going. I need dead silence when I'm editing, but when I'm writing I like to have the music blaring to mask other distractions. Sometimes I'll rework a title from a favorite song and use it for a short story or book. I've done it a few times. Of course the story or book has nothing to do with the lyrical content of the song. It's just that metal and horror share a language palette. The cadence of the words gets into my head. Most of the titles I do from scratch, but there are a few that would certainly sound familiar to the hard rock set.
JB: I am always quite interested to hear how people got where they are today. Did you always want to be a writer? How young were you when you first began that journey?
LT: I was always interested in reading, but I thought writers were the anointed few who were identified as brilliant and predestined to have writing careers. Turns out…not so much. When I was in the Third Grade, I wrote a series of illustrated "novels" based on the Universal Horror canon. My teacher caught me working on one and asked to see them all. He typed up the stories and photocopied the pictures and made books out of them for the class. Great teacher. That was the last inkling I had from educators that I might be a writer, or have any useful skills at all. When I was sixteen I wrote my first full-length novel: 400 pages of a painfully bad werewolf story that was basically a modern interpretation of The Wolfman. I wrote another when I was in my early twenties. I probably wrote 10 "practice" novels, but I didn't think to do anything with them. Then, a friend of a friend hooked me up with a literary agency. They were legit and worked really hard for me, but my focus on characters "fraternizing," which was their nice way of saying "the characters are doing too much gay stuff," pretty much nailed the coffin shut for a while. I was fine with that. Writing was something I did, not a career I dreamed about. Early versions of Stained and The Dust of Wonderland were both written during that period, about 10 years before either saw publication. Then, in 2001 I took a speculative fiction course with Terry Bisson. He encouraged me to send some stories out, so I did. I sent out six stories and three or four of them got picked up. The first acceptance came from Brian Keene at Horrorfind.com. So yeah, blame Brian. Ha. One of the others went to Gothic.net, which was a pro market, and the story received some praise from writers I had heard of. It felt strange to suddenly have my work out in front of people, but it also felt pretty good. More short stories followed, and in 2004 my first published novel, Stained, was released.
JB: Being an avid reader, I find endless inspiration in the books I read. I try to get at least two books in a week. Plus all the submissions for Shock Totem. So I read A LOT. Are you a voracious reader and what sort of books do you like to read?
LT: I was a voracious reader as a kid. I picked up whatever book was lying around the house (some of which should not have been left lying around, I might add). I also made regular trips to the library, because we didn't have much money, so I couldn't buy comics or the books I saw at the grocery store. The library was always a good place to hang. I fell away from reading in my late teens and ever since I've gone in spurts. I'll read a dozen books and then nothing for a while, usually when I'm working on a novel. A few years back I was a judge for the Shirley Jackson Awards, and I spent six months reading everything they sent my way. It was wonderful. It was also a little exhausting because I was, at the time, organizing a World Horror Convention, starting my masters degree, and meeting deadlines for my own books. I've read a few books recently that other authors have sent me to blurb or edit. It'll be a bit before I can pick things up from the bookstore and see what's new.
JB: After I finished The German, I tore through Stained and The Dust of Wonderland. I can't help but wonder why these and so many other incredible small-press offerings have not translated into crossover mainstream success. It sometimes seems as though the small imprints are an invisible fence, and I guess it's open for interpretation as to whether they're to keep us in or others out.
LT: I never thought of fences in regard to the small press. Many successful writers in our genre write for both major publishers and the small press. Tim Lebbon, Joe McKinney, Gary McMahon, and Tim Waggoner are just a few of those that come to mind. Granted, I know of few small press titles that are picked up and re-released by big houses. Norm Partridge's Dark Harvest went from Cemetery Dance to Tor, I believe, but I can't think of other examples just now.
The small press serves a valuable service by publishing quality books that are perceived to be non-commercial. It also produces a good amount of bad books, but then so does mainstream publishing. Most of the spec-lit writers I admire these days–Barron, Ballingrud, Langan, and just about everyone who's published by Chizine–thrive in the small press, primarily. I could list a dozen folks whose work should be mass consumed but isn't. Over analyzing it doesn't really help things. Commercial trends are ocean waves and you can ride them in or continue to struggle against them. What you shouldn't do is scream at the waves and complain about them going the wrong direction, because it's a waste of breath.
For me the quality of the work isn't in question. I've had interest from editors at big publishers for all of the titles you mentioned, but when it came time for the marketing folks to chime in, the books didn't hit the right commercial notes. The sales teams didn't think they could sell to a large enough audience and the editors came back with rejections. Not great, but it doesn't make me question my skills. I'd love to make high five- or six-figure advances (or more) on all of my books, but that's only happened a couple of times. I'm grateful for it. The fact is, what interests me in regard to content isn't always perceived as having mass appeal, as noted above regarding the "fraternizing." I accept that, after I stomp and fume for five or ten minutes. All I can do is keep writing stories that fascinate me, and write them as well as I can. There's already an audience for it, and in time that audience will grow.
JB: I also started your collection, Like Light for Flies, and I am just as gob smacked with it as I am the novels. Truly unique and horrific, very much reminds me of the early masterworks of Clive Barker. Where do these ideas come from?
LT: Thank you. That's great to hear. I wish I had a quick and snappy answer for you, but the ideas come from all over the place. There's no real process involved. My stories don't emerge from dreams or deep transcendental states. I see a news story and think, "This is exactly like a news story I saw last month, which was exactly like a news story I read the month before that," and I sit down and write "Testify." I watch a brain-blasting marathon of Italian horror flicks and think, "They must lose something in translation, because they're awesome, but most make no damn sense at all," and I want to do that, so I write "The House by the Park." An editor asks me to write a story about a Bruce Springsteen song, so I throw on my favorite tune of his and the musical structure becomes integral to the structure of the story, and I come up with "Nothing Forgiven." I want to write a story about my dog and think about her as part of an adventure, so I write "The Dodd Contrivance." Somewhere in the process of writing, themes and metaphors emerge that tie into bigger issues. If effective I play those up. If not, I leave them buried. Whatever works for the story.
JB: Thanks so much for chatting with me, Lee. I have said many times, the greatest perk of working with Shock Totem has been the experience of getting to meet and befriend many wonderful and talented writers, and that definitely describes you. Anything you'd like to say or rant on before I have our driver take you home?
LT: Oh, just the usual promotional nonsense. "Buy my books." "Leave your reviews on Goodreads or your favorite online retailer site." "Tell your friends!" And more seriously, "Thanks for reading my work. I hope the stories hit a nerve or two." And thank you, John! I enjoyed the chat. \m/
Visit Lee Thomas at his website and then spend the rest of the day tracking down all of his books.
Posted in Blog, Interviews Tagged Butcher's Road, Horrorfind, Interview, Lee Thomas, Like Light for Flies, Stained, Terry Bisson, The Black Sun Set, The Dust of Wonderland, The German 1 Comment
The Lee Thomas Burrito (Sort of a Review)
For every big name horror author that you hear about—Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Clive Barker or Brian Keene—there is an extremely unsettling number of lesser known writers who deserve to be every bit as famous or well known for their work. And I get that. Music works the same way. We all know about Johnny Cash, but how many have ever heard the great Jerry Jeff Walker? I love it when I am not only impressed by someone I've never read before, but impressed to the point where I must track down and read all I can from them. Lee Thomas impressed me like that.
I had the pleasure of reading Ash Street nearly two years ago, for review. I liked it. For some reason I forgot about Lee Thomas, until we connected online and discovered a mutual affinity for heavy metal. I got some more of his work and devoured them all—greedily. So the verdict would now be that he is amazing. You ought to be reading him. All of his work.
With his debut novel, Stained, Lee introduces us to what will become his recognizable style: strong, character driven with realistic attitudes towards the fucked up things that are going on. Said fucked up things in this novel include an almost viral evil that possesses its victims and then tweaks and perverts their deepest longings. Upon completion, I could barely believe this was a debut novel it was so strongly written. No wonder it won a Stoker! The original printing from Wildside Press is quite rare but worth tracking down.
The Dust of Wonderland takes on a Southern Gothic sort of premise and punches it in its ghostly face.
A man is called to New Orleans under tragic circumstances—his son lays in coma near death and the events that surround it all seem to tie to the frayed psyche of Ken Nicholson, a man who has built his unstable life on a shaking pile of secrets and stones. Things take strange turns and all fingers point to a man long dead. This book ups things a notch. The pacing is superb and the realistic characters and reactions are wonderful. Had Lee been putting these novels out in the early 80's instead of this millennium, he'd be a paperback bestseller and mentioned in the same frantic fanboy breaths as Straub and King.
After that, I read his superb novel The German. I thought the others were good…this was fantastic! Gripping from page one and it does not let up until the last sentence. Reading like a shadowy memoir of sorts, it tells the sad tale of a small Texas town plagued by strange murders and the mysterious German who seems to be the one they want to be responsible. Straddling the barbed wire fence between To Kill a Mockingbird and The Stranger, The German is a gritty affair but reads smooth and generates a well of emotion and outrage. Simply put, it is one of the finest novels I have read.
His chapbook The Black Sun Set, from Burning Effigy Press, is a nifty cocktail; one part noir and two parts metaphysical horror. A chilling post card of sorts.
His collection Like Light for Flies shows us what Thomas is capable of in a shorter word count. The stories are eclectic and smart, some copping an early Barker vibe and a few holding a severely classic voice. You'll read about a man and his dog and how they try to save the world from monsters from another dimension. There is twisted noir with supernatural shades. Plenty of shocks and cringe-inducing images, all handled with deft precision.
And there you have it, a sort of Lee Thomas burrito. A brief encapsulation of what I have read, save for Butcher's Road, which I have not yet finished but will review upon completion.
Be on the lookout for my interview with Lee very soon!
Posted in Blog, Book Reviews, Reviews Tagged Albert Camus, Ash Street, Burning Effigy Press, Clive Barker, Harper Lee, Lee Thomas, Lethe Press, Like Light for Flies, Peter Straub, Sinister Grin Press, Stained, Stephen King, Stoker Award, The Black Sun Set, The Dust of Wonderland, The German, The Stranger, To Kill A Mockingbird Leave a comment


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|Working Group I: The Scientific Basis
|Other reports in this collection
7.5.1 Snow Cover and Permafrost
The presence of snow and ice adds complexity to surface energy and water balance calculations due to changes in surface albedo and roughness and the energies involved in phase changes and heat transfer within the snow/soil profile (Slater et al., 1998a; Viterbo et al., 1999). The parametrizations of snow processes have received significant attention since the SAR and more complex snow schemes are now used in some climate models (Loth et al., 1993; Verseghy et al., 1993; Lynch-Stieglitz, 1994). These models include advanced albedo calculations based on snow age or temperature and may explicitly model the metamorphism of snow as well as representing liquid water storage and wind-blown snow. Douville et al. (1995), Yang et al. (1997), Loth et al. (1993) and Slater et al. (1998b) examined the ability of snow modules within specific land-surface schemes to simulate snow cover. An offline evaluation of many schemes by Schlosser et al. (2000) focused on how successfully current land-surface schemes simulated snow over an 18 year period; they found considerable scatter in the simulation of snow and no evidence that the ability to simulate cold climate hydrology was related to scheme complexity.
Permafrost, defined as any soil/rock material that remains frozen throughout two or more consecutive years, underlies almost 25% of the exposed land surface in the Northern Hemisphere (Zhang et al., 1999b). The uppermost layer of ground above permafrost, which experiences seasonal thawing, is called the active layer. The most distinct feature of land-atmosphere interactions in permafrost regions is that mass exchange is usually limited to this relatively shallow active layer, with complex transfers of heat by conduction and percolation across the ice/water interface. Recent modelling studies indicate that by the middle of the 21st century, climatic warming may result in a 12 to 15% reduction of the near-surface permafrost area and a 15 to 30% increase of the active layer thickness (Anisimov and Nelson, 1996, 1997; Anisimov et al., 1997). Because of the latent heat involved, thawing of ice-rich permafrost under the changing climatic conditions will be slow, while the reaction of the active layer will be very fast.
There are two major longer term feedbacks between climate and permafrost: release of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost (Goulden et al., 1998; see also Chapter 4, Section 4.2) and changes in the vegetation associated with the thickening of the active layer. The first contributes directly to the global radiative forcing, while the second alters parameters of the radiation balance and surface hydrology.
Other reports in this collection


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The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 30,000 members in 235 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy throught advocacy, research, education and certification programs. The association fosters development and growth and fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.
AFP believes that to guarantee human freedom and social creativity, people must have the right to freely and voluntarily form organizations to meet perceived needs, advocate causes, and seek funds to support these activities. To guarantee these rights, AFP's purposes are to:
Foster development and growth of fundraising professionals committed to the preserving and enhancing philanthropy.
Establish a code of ethics and professional practices.
Require member adherence to a professional code of ethical standards and practices.
Provide training opportunities for fundraising professionals.
Implement programs that ensure cultural and social diversity in our membership and leadership.
Collect, research, publish, and disseminate historical, managerial, and technical information on philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising.
Promote public understanding of philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising.
Conduct activities that maintain and develop legislation favorable to philanthropy.
Enlist, organize, and support members to achieve our purposes.
Foster international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and education among fundraising professionals worldwide.
Use all necessary and proper means to accomplish our purposes.
Provide a valid and reliable certification program for fundraising professionals.
Donor Bill of Rights
The Foundation Center's mission is to support and improve philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grantseekers succeed.
To achieve our mission, we:
Founded in 1956, the Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
Fundraising Ethics
Member Firms of Giving Institute are organized to provide professional services as described in the Standards of Membership, Standards of Practice and the Professional Code of Ethics to not-for-profit organizations. Member Firms share a deep commitment to philanthropy and respect for the men and women who voluntarily commit their time and resources in the service of the philanthropic organizations operating today throughout society.
These tenets are a result of decades of service and experience by Member Firms, and have been carefully formulated to address the best interests of not-for-profit client organizations and their extraordinarily generous donor constituencies.
The philanthropic community recognizes the high ideas, competence, and integrity of the individuals who comprise the Member Firms. Through years of experience, these professionals have honed their skills and achieved acknowledged leadership in strengthening and expanding the philanthropic potential of their clients.
Standards of Practice & Professional Code of Ethicshttp
Vision: A just and inclusive society of active citizens, vibrant communities, effective institutions, and a healthy democracy.
Mission: To promote, strengthen, and advance the nonprofit and philanthropic community to foster private initiative for the public good.
Statement of Values:
Ethics & Accountability
Obedience to the Unenforceable: Ethics and the Nation's Voluntary and Philanthropic Community
In August 2012, nonprofit experts from across the country were invited to serve on a national taskforce to examine the original Standards for Excellence code and to identify opportunities for development. The review concluded in July 2013 and included an extensive environmental scan of Standards for Excellence Institute members, Seal holders, partners, as well as nonprofit professionals and members of the general public. The taskforce's work resulted in a fully revitalized program and distinct additions to the code in areas such as sustainability planning, resource development, cultural competency, board-executive relations, and disaster planning.
Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector
PANO is the statewide membership organization serving and advancing the charitable nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education and services in order to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania.
Standards for Excellence
The Utah Nonprofits Association is the umbrella membership association of 501(c)(3) organizations in Utah. Incorporated in 1990, UNA was created by, and for, people who strive for a stronger, more professional not-for-profit community in Utah. The organization focuses on providing mutual support, management development through training opportunities and sector-wide advocacy. UNA is the only statewide membership association that reflects the full diversity of the nonprofit sector in Utah. UNA is Utah's official statewide affiliate of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA). The current membership includes over 400 nonprofit organizations and individual members. UNA's members represent organizations of all sizes and mission areas, including arts and culture organizations, historical societies, homeless and battered women's shelters, agencies that provide services to children and families, community development organizations, environmental groups, museums, food banks, and many other types of nonprofits
Standard of Ethics: Core Values
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance was formed in 2001 with the merger of the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus Foundation and its Philanthropic Advisory Service. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, affiliated with the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance collects and distributes information on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicit nationally or have national or international program services. It routinely asks such organizations for information about their programs, governance, fund raising practices, and finances when the charities have been the subject of inquiries.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance never recommends one charity over another, and selects charities for evaluation based on the volume of donor inquiries about individual organizations. These policies allow the Alliance to serve donors' information needs and also help donors to make their own decisions regarding charitable giving.
All 129 local Better Business Bureaus in the United States disseminate Alliance educational materials. Local BBB's also report on organizations whose fund raising efforts are local in scope.
WISE Giving Alliance Charity Standards


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The hit detection is off, and I'm not entirely sure how much more accurate the final product will end up being compared to the demo, but even so the air drummer in me still took notice of Gyro Air Drums.
As a native iPhone 4 app, Gyro Air Drums does what the name implies: It takes advantage of the device's newly added gyroscope so air drummers can move the phone around to hit high hats and snare drums as they would with a real live drum kit. There's even a rubber duck that sneaks in there toward the end:
The sensitivity seems a bit off, especially when reaching up for the cymbals, but since this is a demo we'll give them the benefit of working things out before launch. [YouTube]


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I want to substitute the internal floppy of a MEga ST with a CosmosEX. Problem is the ACSI cable (I don't think the ATARI internal ACSI/SCSI converter would work). I only found viewtopic.php?f=103&t=27165&hilit=mega - but even their suggestion to buy an adapter from http://www.lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=92 (originally for Ultra Satan) would not work directly, as the cable is about 5cm too short. Did I miss anything, is there any "standard" way?
happy hacking


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Vroom! Vroom!
AKA: REAL MEN DRIVE MINIVANS. You may remember his little one won a t-shirt from Bella awhile back. He is brave enough to not only admit he drives a minivan, but that he is proud too! LOL!
So, drive on over, and tell him Bella sent ya! REAL MEN DRIVE MINIVANS! We truly appreciate this guy!
Bella Update
"Cuz I Roll That Way"
I am a meat and potatoes kinda guy, trapped in a chicken wrap, soy-milk, protein bar and bean sprout world (trying to eat healthy here) and this particular blogger makes me wanna head out and grab a cheeseburger...not because I crave it, but because I can...I want to...because I DESERVE IT! In a relatively short period of time, he has become one of my favorite blogger buddies...one of my favorite characters...and most certainly one of my favorite friends in the virtual world!
He leaves the most hysterical comments on our blog and honestly, I am always eager to see what he has to say next...his opinion matters and we adore his rants...and non-PC raves here! (He really is a nice guy although I have to apologize ahead of time to him - don't wanna ruin his rep with sugar coated compliments)...
We instantly became virtual friends, When you visit his blog, you'll encounter the same irreverent, funny, "piss you off - in your face" attitude that I love. And I say piss you off - in your face attitude because...well..let's just say he writes the world as it is...not only in his mind and eyes, but mine...and very well yours. That, and he even made me cry...The Bastard! (tee hee). Seriously.
Recently, I saw via the list to the right here, that he had updated. Blogged for the world to read...so, of course, being the uber-fan I am, (stalker maybe?) I raced over to see what was happening in his world. Usually, I read his musings and crack the hell up...(yes, a few profanities here and there, never hurts...and his blog is rampant with potty mouth analogies...(again, tee hee). To give him credit, and the benefit of the doubt, I am probably exaggerating a bit here...Man Oh Man I love reading this guys blog...can you tell yet? He has a badge on our blog, and that badge was made and posted just a few weeks after getting acquainted. We don't have many on here, but this was one we must have saved space for...hadda do it!
Anyway, I ventured over, clamping my butt cheeks, scrunching the abs, because I knew I was in for one hell of a belly laugh. Ya know, had to be prepared. And he made me cry.
THE BASTARD! (OK OK, I cry easily, being the emotional blob I am - but I was crying..and I mean C-R-Y-I-N-G! Out loud, lips quivering, body convulsing..,..thankfully Bella was napping and the other half was nowhere to be found!) Here I was prepared for a hearty good time...and I was blubbering like a baby.
This guy can WRITE! Seriously, like no other I have befriended in the blogger world. He says things that I think, he writes what I cannot...and he gets "it". You may absolutely love him, or hate him, but there is something you cannot deny...he is brilliant!
See for yourself...and go ahead...clench your butt cheeks too...it just may happen.
THIS is why I love this guy. (even if he did call me Dave) Check out the comment left:
"Thanks Dave and thanks to everyone who has stopped by and left GREAT comments. You know... some will ask... "How did a bad-ass International Security Operations Specialist come to be such good buds with Bella Dad?" Well this is how it happened..."I first met him atop a mountain near Jerusalem, praying to God, asking his forgiveness for the Radical Right blood spilt by his sword. Next, he amazed me still further in Italy when he saved a fatherless beauty from the would-be ravishing of her dreadfully ugly uncle. In Greece he spent a year in silence just to better understand the sound of a whisper. And that is how I met the man, nay the seeker of serenity, the protector of Italian virginity, the enforcer of our Lord God, Bella Dad!" (Insert theme music) ***Some accounts may be slightly (or wildly) exaggerated... but then again, I'm a writer! It's what I do! "
Last Weeks Featured Blog: SURPRISED MOM
Back To The Future?
Teaching your child how to use 911
Stranger Danger Quiz
Private Places
Check out our BELLABUDDY BLOGS OF THE WEEKs Past:
I Threw Up In My Mouth A Little Today!
Recently, (today, which is why I am writing this now) I came across a comment on another blog (which shall remain nameless), whereby an "anonymous" person (yeah, brave, eh?) suggested that parents, who give birth via surrogacy stand accused of paying for a "Designer Baby".
Seriously? A designer baby? Because they opted for a surrogacy program? Because this particular child has Blond hair and blue eyes, the "anonymous" person likened their birth choice to the NAZI MASTER RACE PROGRAM. THE FRIKKIN NAZIS!!! (never in a million years would I have thought to mention Nazi's on our blog...maybe fashion Nazi's, but that is another story). This because most surrogacy programs allow two men to determine whose sperm will be used. Either mixed or chosen. Some, for considerable amounts of fundage, will even allow you to choose the sex and eye color...(which we declined...cuz personally, we found that creepy). OUR OPINION for US ONLY!
I threw up in my mouth a little when I read that! How could anyone accuse parents of such a thing. Two people who probably weighed the best, most important birthing decision of their lives. Our experience was long and drawn out, because we had to weigh countless choices. Adoptions (our state did not allow it at the time), Live birth (we decided against for fear of the birth mother changing her mind. Open Adoption, (same reason as Live Birth)...foreign surrogacy (too involved for us at the time and difficult to find a trusting source) and Foreign Adoption, (again involved and no guarantees). In short, it took almost three years before we had even conceived, just because of the paperwork involved!
Perhaps we were selfish. We knew in our hearts, for us to have a child together, we preferred the biological method. With all the legal, medical and scientific crap involved, trust me, it never really felt like a biological birthing process. Men and Women can get pregnant, easily. In my thought process, there are way too many "easy" babies out there...wanting homes...and we could not give them one...for so many ridiculous reasons. And quite frankly, we were not willing to wait any longer, for anyone else to determine if we were "fit" to be parents.
We chose surrogacy because we wanted to. We could. Regardless of the reasons, it was our decision. OURS! We would never, ever demean someone, discriminate against or judge anyone based on their very personal decisions to have a child. However they chose to do it. Many people could never afford the program we utilised, and we have had plenty of comments pertaining to that fact (most harmless, just curious as to how it worked) and we have met those comments with facts...not glossing over the difficult times...the seemingly endless frustrations with the lengthy process...the HUGE amounts of money set up in trust BEFORE you are even matched with a Surrogate. The worrying if our sperm count is up to par, or if we will even get pregnant the first time, the concern that the surrogate will stay healthy...that our child will be born "normal" (all ten fingers and toes - yes I counted when she was born).. Endless concerns. Just like you...anyone having a child. And, we most certainly share the joyous times; Meeting the surrogate for the first time, the one who will unselfishly give up her life for up to a year...and that first ultrasound...or the first heartbeat...yup...just like you. I would assume the first time a potential adoptive parent see a picture of the child, or the ultrasound, it would feel exactly the same...the pride, the joy!
We considered adoption, (again, not legal in our state at the time), and also the fact that there are millions of unwanted, abandoned American Children who need loving homes...but, we were not given that opportunity because we are Gay. We could have gone out of state, but., the costs, although reasonable would have provided no guarantees...and bringing a child across state lines, legally adopted or not, creates a whole other bag of tricks for us Gay Folks (again, at the time, 5+ years ago, in our state). And, to be honest, we were eager to have our family come to life...Once we had made our decision to start a family, nothing was going to stand in our way of creating life...our way. We have even had some rude comments and insinuations that we should have gone the adoptions route, considering the amount of money it cost us to conceive and carry, based on the amount of children needing homes. We considered all of it...with very heavy hearts! And when we meet families with adopted children, we are thrilled for them as a family. We don't compare our processes with theirs...we are just happy for them. They were able to create a family...to provide a loving home...to a child! (and of course, I tend to whip out the camera and blind everyone, taking countless pics)...
Now, I am sharing all of this because I feel the need to remind people; Please, before you open your mouth and let out a whole lot of hurt, consider yourself. Consider the position you would be in, doing whatever it took to make a family. Reach out and try to understand, to educate yourselves in the many options, and not, that are available (and not) to anyone. Gay, Str8, etc...doesn't matter. Options are out there, but the right options can only be chosen by those involved. And if you have never had to experience any of these life altering, life changing avenues...then please, shut before you speak!
Allow these families to enjoy their, well families without their having to consider your opinions! Consider what each go through, and will continue to go through, their entire life. No one should look in shame on any family...for wanting just that...a family!
It shouldn't matter how people have children, what should matter is they did...they do..and they will. Bringing children into this world (legally) is a miracle. And for the record, we are considering expanding our family..this time through adoption. Stay Tuned!
Our little one (and this blog) should be testament enough!
We know resume our regularly scheduled broadcast. You have not missed any of your favorite shows!
SURPRISED? I thought not...but, you will be...or may be, pleasantly
surprised. I know I was, the first time I encountered our newest Blog Of The Week Buddy! Being a member of Dad-Blogs, it has always been all-inclusive when it comes to Dads...and moms. Which brings us to our next surprise (no worries, eventually, you will understand the constant use of the word..."surprise".
Happy Valentines Day!
This weeks featured BellaBuddy inspires me...daily. This particular blogger is a preschool teacher, writer, artist and the author of "A PARENTS GUIDE TO SEATTLE". He was called "The Peter Pan of Teaching" in a prior posting of ours, (I don't think he saw it - tee hee)...and I have to say this...I can only wish I'd had him as any one of my own Teachers. We all remember that one inspiring educator. The one took you by the hand and told you all would be ok...defended you against ridicule and encouraged you to succeed in life, at play and at home. Even at that most important, tender pre-school age. I remember mine, vividly...
But, seriously, don't take my word for it, check out his pic above..(again, I stole it without permission). That should be an indicator of what your in for...:-) Being an educator, his blog is easy to read, and get all caught up inspiring your young ones. And hell, his blog is fun! If not to inspire, he will certainly make you think...and wanna get down in the trenches and play...with mud, paper, paints, rocks, plants, etc...etc...etc...and even scientific stuff ;-) All the while learning some cool information...you could puff out that chest, be proud and inspire a HUGE Grin from your kid (insert melting comment here).
Please, fly on over to his blog. Make sure and tell him Bella sent ya!
Last Weeks Featured Blog: WINTER
"Daddy, Where's Your Vagina?"
"relevant" "poignant" "humorous" "compassionate" "truly entertaining"
There comes a time, in everyone's life, when you meet a special person; that one person whom commits to your personality traits, your overblown ego, your insecurities, your life. That person is open minded, loves, and in general becomes a crutch; one that supports and props you up with encouragement.
Nope, not talking your spouse, partner, lover, husband or wife…
I am talking: Joe Schatz!
I "met" Joe, by chance really. Perusing Google for stay-at-home-dad support groups, I came upon a fairly new blog site: DAD-BLOGS.COM I imagine everyone rolling their eyes, shrugging their shoulders, as I talk about, and feature DAD-BLOGS.COM on our blog…incessantly. But, this time, it was special. It was as if a new chapter was opening up in my stay-at-home-parenting life. A door I was not willing to close abruptly this time. You know the kind, where you find that very cool feeling, like things are going to change your life and outlook and then BAMM…you find out all they want is your time and money.
Not this time. I was smitten.
Dad-blogs was a place for SAHD's to hunt and gather. Loads of information. Tips, Camaraderie, etc… I fell in love with the site. And, with Joe. (Sorry Joe, man-crush alert)…So, yeah, I am exaggerating about the falling in love thing, but…
Here is a guy who is allot of what I am not: Str8. Married. Parent to multiples. Catholic. Founder of a Dad site, etc, etc. etc. Blah Blah Blah. But one thing we share, (other than being male) is that we are both Stay-At Home-Dads. Proud ones, in fact! So, when he came out with a book, one detailing his life as a SAHD, I had to know more.
I have to say this…I was a little concerned (not too much) that a str8 dude, writing a book, could never be that interesting for my life as a SAHD, (or Father for that matter.) Come on, think about it, we are quite differing in our lives…but, once I began to read, I realized, hey, we aren't that different, we are Parents…and his book details just that…we all get spit up on, fingers in baby poop, worrying about kids "escaping from their cribs", parental discrimination's, etc…we all do…we are Dads!
The intro for Joe's book is quite moving…in fact, I had to put it down after reading…pondering my life and dedication to my family…it brought a tear to my eye…but, I was eager to continue reading…
And you should too. This book is direct and quite poignant considering it is a book primarily based on personal experiences. But hell, these are happenings we ALL experience…Mom's too. In short, we are all different, yet, we are more of the same than we may realize. This book is relevant!
So please, check out the book…you will not be sorry…in fact, you'll be laughing quite a bit… It is easy reading and super entertaining…I guarantee, you will be laughing out loud, with your kid(s) wondering what that's all about. The cover and title has brought Joe some flack, some citing that it was inappropriate (to put it mildly)…I say, lighten up people! Don't judge a book by it's cover (cliche – but appropriate here).
You will realize, quickly, that Joe and I (and you) share similar parenting ideals, opinions, frustrations, compassion's and even resolutions. We are really the same…if not for that whole gay/str8 thing! And you will truly enjoy the read!
...and the award goes to...
OK OK, so, I never really got the whole blog awarding thing. instead, I usually found it to be an annoyance, taking up valuable space on our blog pages...not so much an award, as it is a chain mail...or pyramid scheme...or an invasion of privacy. KIDDING, KIDDING! (no hate mails please)
Recently, "Toddler Knows Best" awarded us the "Sunshine Award", to the left here, (I did nada to deserve this). I thought..."Oh Crap"...one of my bestest friends in the whole world had done the same...and I forgot.
I forgot to copy her list, paste it here, and come up with my own answers...and then, after reading it, yet again, I realized...HOLY Crap...I am supposed to come up with 10 RANDOM things about MYSELF? WT...? Like I have any clue about randomness, parenting a toddler...hell, I don't have time to count ten toes, let alone realize ten random things about myself...but, ok, ok, I can try...
So, without further ado, I give you the award, "The Honest Scrap Award!" (Honestly, when I first saw it, I thought it said HONEST CRAP!) Honestly!!
Thanks MRS. LEMON, your a pal!
1. I am pretty emotional. I like to see the good in people. I cry at commercials…and yes, even I consider myself a wuss. A nice wuss.
2. I don't care to stand in line to get in anywhere. Clubs, Restaurants, etc… I figure, if there is a wait, consider the crowds inside, waiting to bump into you…or the slow service you are going to get in a busy restaurant. ICK!
3. I am fairly sarcastic. Having been a stand up comic (long ago) I tend to find the humor in just about everything. Nothing is sacred.
4. When I am stressed out, I clean. EVERYTHING in my path!
5. I am an habitual shopper. Online, offline, always looking for and, (I must compliment myself here), finding GREAT deals. My kid has an amazing wardrobe. LOL
6. I take things too personally. When I post here on the blog, or comment on others', I want scores of comments. When they don't come? I wonder what I did wrong. I wonder if the blog is too "involved"…too difficult to read or navigate. I get twisted about it, but then I get over it. See # 7.
7. I have a temper. Sort of. I get angry, flip out, scream, yell, and get over it…all in the space of 10 seconds. and mostly in my head. Yes, I talk to myself when I am angry or upset. After all, being a Stay AT Home Parent, who is going to listen?
8. I hate the fact that I am getting old…I just don't feel it, yet, when I look in the mirror, there it is.
9. I miss being on stage. I was a successful actor for a time…stage, tv, movies, commercials…*Sigh*….
10. Two of my biggest pet peeves are:* BAD DRIVERS.* LACK OF COMMON SENSE!
AARRRGH! (talking inside my head again) Whew! there…over it!
P.S. Watch out...these people are next! (let's see if they notice!). And, even if they dont, click their names to visit their blogs...I can assure you, every blog is worth every moment!
About Me
- BellaDaddy
- Click "Our Story" below for more...


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Kensington revamps laptop lock
ClickSafe easier to use, more secure, claims firm
Kensington has introduced a new laptop locking mechanism it hopes will ensure fewer of us lose our computers to the light-fingered.
Dubbed ClickSafe, the system uses the famous "Kensington Slot" - found on almost all portable computers these days - into which you fit a new "anchor unit". The ClickSafe lock simply clips directly onto the anchor, locking as it goes.
That simplicity, the company claimed, will make it darn sight more likely that users will actually lock their machines.
With the lock in place, you need a special key to remove it. Kensington is providing an online key registration and replacement service, and it's possible to get a master key made that will unlock a small group of keys - handy if you manage a group of laptops and you want to give a set of locks to your users.
The "tamper proof" lock is connected to a loop cable constructed from seven seven-strand steel lines designed to thwart attempts at cutting the cord.
The ClickSafe lockhead pivots 180° and rotates a full 360° around the cable to it shouldn't hinder how you lay your laptop down.
The basic lock and cable combo costs £60, Kensington said, and it's also offering a £75 alternative that has has two locks fitted - both opened with the same key - to secure extra items of kit.
The locks are available now direct from Kensington or from a variety of computer and accessory sellers. ®
Sponsored: Practical tips for Office 365 tenant-to-tenant migration


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40 Lifestyle Changes You Should Make After 40
Getting old is not a punishment, but you have to make some minor adjustments. Aside from the healthy changes that need to occur - stop smoking, start eating vegetables and exercise more - certain lifestyle habits should be adopted. This is how getting older has actual perks. Now that you're behind all the drama of your younger years - you are probably more confident and feel like you have a purpose - it's time to start benefiting. Acquire better and more fun habits now because they will catch up to you later. Reap the rewards instead of seeing signs of premature aging.iStock
Take walks in nature
Research has shown that merely a walk in the park can calm the mind, while changing the way the brain works to improve mental health. According to science, people who spend time in parks cope better with stress, feel happier and have more self-esteem.iStock
Be a romantic
It's better even from a scientific perspective. Increasing warm touch among couples has a beneficial influence on multiple stress-sensitive systems, according to a study. They key is the hormone oxytocin. Its nickname is "the love hormone." Intimacy helps its production. Holding hands and hugging will do the trick as well.iStock
Smile more
Just try it - see how even forcing yourself to smile will put you in a better mood, at the very least, experiments show. Smiling basically throws a party in your brain. It triggers the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. The serotonin acts as an anti-depressant and a mood lifter.iStock
Laugh even more
Laughter will increase your heart rate in the beginning, but this will follow by a few moment of muscle relaxation and a lower blood pressure, according to medical reviews. All of these help reduce the risk of heart disease. There is also a fitness benefit of laughing - stronger abs. Laughing is a physical activity that causes your stomach muscles to contract, just like when you're doing crunches and other abs exercises.iStock
Mediate every day
Set aside at least 5 to 10 minutes and you won't regret. The benefits come in several forms - less stress, emotional health, controlled anxiety, and even a longer attention span. Mindfulness is defined as paying attention in the present moment. A study found that after an 8-week meditation course, participants' ability to focus and keep their attention was improved.iStock
Travel every chance you get
"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." Looking forward to something is an exciting feeling. Planning a big trip, for example, can only boost your happiness and research supports that theory. Keeping your mind active and preoccupied with joyful concerns keeps negative thoughts away. Traveling also keeps you concentrated on something that brings you positive emotions.iStock
Don't live alone
Either with a partner, a friend, or just a roommate. People who are happily married actually live longer than people who are single or divorced. Some science backs this up. Also, don't underestimate one of the most obvious perks of companionship: emotional support. You have a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. This is pretty much "an at-home therapist."iStock
Be an optimist
Optimism helps people cope with disease and recover from surgery, according to Harvard Medical School, which reviewed several studies. The impact of a positive outlook on overall health and longevity has been impressive. An optimistic outlook early in life can predict better health and a lower rate of death during follow-up periods of up to 40 years.iStock
Socialize more
Studies show people that have connections with small or large groups of people have stronger immune systems. Meet people at dinner, at the bar, by the pool, or during an exciting excursion. Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated and hit up the top deck running track together. Supportive interactions also help the endocrine and cardiovascular functions and decrease allostatic load, which reflects wear and tear on the body.iStock
But not online
You are probably already on the digital bandwagon and you check your social media profiles a gazillion times a day, spend your lunch breaks on your computer and bring your phone with you even in the bathroom. Nothing can replace human-to-human interaction. The dangers of spending too much time in the digital world have been known for some time. Don't cut yourself off from the world. Apple is even introducing new features to reduce interruptions and manage Screen Time.iStock
Set some alone time just for you
If Anita Lane, certified breakthrough coach, was to give one piece of advice to people about how to ways to love themselves more, it would be, she says, to start by making a statement that they will practice self-care and start choosing activities to support that declaration. Tell yourself "I'm my own best friend'" to help you make baby steps towards feeling better about yourself, she adds.iStock
Volunteer often
Helping others makes people feel happier, purposeful and self-confident, according to a York University study that included more than 700 people. Some were asked to be compassionate towards someone for 5-15 minutes a day. About six months later, they reported to be in a much better mood than those who were not helpful. Volunteering is good for the body and mind, other research shows. The biggest benefit is feeling connected to other people. This helps to ward off loneliness and depression.iStock
Go back to college
Recent research has found that brain age decreases by 0.95 years for each year of education (and by 0.58 years for every daily flight of stairs climbed). So keep your mind occupied. Going back to college may also be a good idea if you're thinking about switching careers. Also, taking your mind off the usual stuff and concentrating on something new and exciting can boost your mood significantly.iStock
Start saving money
If you haven't gotten out of debt, now is the time to do it. Review how much money you spend on your lifestyle and decide if you're putting enough into your retirement account. Create one if you haven't already. Take a close look at your expanses and cut, for example, unnecessary subscriptions and expensive cable package.iStock
Practice gratitude
Spend time before bed thinking about the good things you did during the day, Dr. Krista Jordan, a board certified psychologist, says. "Give yourself credit for the good job you did." This can be anything from accomplishing a task to skipping dessert at lunch because you're trying to cut sugar. Acknowledge the progress and be proud of it. Make a point to do something you like every day, Dr. Jordan says. "But it has to be a deliberate act of self-love such as a nice lunch or taking a hot bath." Tell yourself "I deserve this because I'm a good person," she adds. This will eventually turn into a natural habit, leading to more positive feelings toward yourself.iStock
Don't compare yourself to others
You can't stay too wrapped up in self-criticism because it will only lead to self-loathing, Hope Tackaberry, life coach and speaker, says. "Spending energy self-hating is not doing anybody any good." Do something about what you did wrong, and move on, she adds. "A lot of people get stuck in a state of self-hating. This can eventually lead to depression."iStock
Don't hold on to grudges
"Some patients hold on grudges for 20 or 30 years," Dr. R.Y. Langham, psychologist, a professional consultant for the Between Us Clinic, says. "They can't or won't let them go, so they drag them down. In other words, these past grudges make them bitter and angry, which affects all facets of their lives, so my suggestion is to just let it go."iStock
Be easier on yourself
People are too hard on themselves, Dr. Langham says. "They think life, themselves, others, and the world should be perfect and fair, in reality it is not." When it finally dawns on them that life is not perfect, they beat themselves up and self-destruct, she adds. "More specifically, they ruin friendships, relationships, careers, etc. They turn to drugs and alcohol, violence, etc. They become hopeless and simply give up - which is the worst thing to do." It's okay to not be perfect, but the key is to keep striving to be a better person than they were the day before, she adds.iStock
Set small goals
You probably hear about this every December when you work on you New Year's resolutions. There is a good reason for that - setting small goals make them achievable. Breaking big objectives down into shorter-term goals, for example a month, helps keep motivation levels high. What will also keep you motivated is giving yourself specific timelines to work toward that goal.iStock
Learn new skills
This is not to say you have to reinvent yourself, but the benefits of learning a new skill go well beyond being able to do something new. At the very least, you are going to be a better-rounded person. Consider learning a new language. Research shows that speaking two or more languages, even if you learned the second language in adulthood, may slow age-related cognitive decline, according to Harvard Medical School.Dreamstime
Turn off that TV
A study has linked prolonged television viewing with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Also, televisions and other electronic devices emit blue light, which affects the levels of the sleep-inducing melatonin more than any other wavelength. Another problem is what you're watching. Chances are a movie or a late show that you find will be more stimulating than relaxing, keeping you awake, which has many side effects, including weight gain.iStock
Step out of your comfort zone
Neuroscience has demonstrated that brain elasticity is encouraged by new things, according to Dr. Roger Jahnke from Health Action Synergies and author of "The Healer Within." This means it's critical to your growth to step out of your comfort zone from time to time - the courage comes from shifting your perspective. Learn to reframe those "out of your comfort zone" experiences as a positive instead of negative.Dreamstime
Spend more time with friends
Have you ever met anyone who has ever said "I wish I spent more time at work." Probably not. The good things about being in your 40s is that drama of your earlier years is behind you. So enjoy the freedom. On a more serious note, research shows that social support can moderate genetic and environmental vulnerabilities for mental illness, possibly by fostering effective coping strategies. So catch up with old friends and don't let these relationships fall to the wayside again.iStock
Make fun a priority
Take a look at your schedule. How many events do you see that you are genuinely looking forward to? If it's full of business meeting and other professional obligations, you need to re-do your schedule. It's time to set aside time for activities that make you happy. They could be anything from a spontaneous road trip and a dangerous winter hike to surprising a relative you haven't seen in years. The more positive and fun things you do, the happier you will feel.iStock
Handle stress like a champ
Many people thrive when they are under some amount of pressure, but chronic stress can be totally debilitating and a huge health risk. Apply a few tips to handle stress at work, which is usually the biggest culprit. The excessive tension and pressure will eventually take a toll on your physical and mental health with upset stomach, headaches or migraines being only a few of the possible side effects.iStock
Listen to cheerful music
Music has the ability to change your mood in an instant, Tackaberry says. And science has proven it. Another benefit of music is that it leads to social connections, which is also an effective way to fight the winter blues. Studies show that listening to your favorite music is a great wat to relieve stress. Happy tunes relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.iStock
Wear sunscreen year-long
Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen all the time, even in the winter, when people are outside. Everyone gets incidental exposures of sun that in some cases can cause sunburn and significant skin damage. Wearing sunscreen on a regular basis can help prevent this. And whatever you do, don't use suntan booths. They are incredibly dangerous; you are exposing your skin to ultraviolet radiation.iStock
Read more books
Stay informed, have plenty of subjects to talk about at parties, keep your brain sharp, and lower your risk of developing dementia. The benefits of reading more range from social to scientific. Reading keeps your brain young. Spending an hour a day to read helps with that, according to research. Also, "the more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go," according to Dr. Seuss.iStock
Develop a new hobby
This is an easy trick to take care of stress. Taking your mind off the usual stuff and concentrating on something new and exciting can boost your mood significantly. Some helpful hobbies for stress relief include painting, dancing, and playing sports. Binge watching TV does not count.iStock
Cook at home
People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research. It's no surprise that the combination of fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat - a very healthy diet - can add years to your life. Turn it into a cooking party, and have fun!iStock
Take sleep seriously
A minimum of 7-8 hours each night, a pre-bed routine without screens, and making your room cool, quiet, and peaceful are key steps to get started. Sleep deprivation affects the brain in a way that makes you want to eat more and not process food efficiently. It sparks a vicious cycle where you are left feeling tired, slowing your metabolism and playing tricks with your hormones.iStock
Rid yourself of toxic people
Review your relationships and get rid of anything that makes you feel bad. It's not easy to disregard family, the members of which you can't choose, so be around inspiring people any chance you get. Go on a "diet of positivity," Lane says. "Make life a workshop around how you want your life to be and engage with people who are motivating you to live it like that."iStock
Stop judging people
"People miss out on really great people, who could enrich their lives, simply because of their sexual orientation, gender, or religion," Dr. Langham says. "I see this a lot in sessions - people hating others based on some trait or demographic." Her suggestion is to spend time with the people that you have prejudices against - learn about them - because you may find out that you have more in common than you think.iStock
Change your routine
Even in terms of exercise, our bodies become accustomed to a certain regimen after just a few weeks. If you can make small adjustments to your routines every month or so, that will help keep things moving along. In fact, on a more curious note, studies have shown that happy marriages keep people healthier, and dull routines kill marriages faster than fighting.iStock
Stop using lack of time as an excuse
People are so busy in today's world that they tell themselves that there is no time to fit a workout or watching a movie into their daily life. Most people lead busy lives, and that is why you need to learn that certain stretches and exercises can be done at home while you watch a fun movie, for example. A good practice may be to meticulously plan out your day and consciously set aside non-negotiable 30 minutes every few hours to do something you actually enjoy.iStock
Grow a thick skin
Having a thick skin is generally about loving yourself. "If you are really confident in who you are, then you can handle almost anything. As with everything else, confidence is a practice," John Kalinowski, life coach and mindfulness expert, says. You can't let everything get to you. Avoid needless suffering and build immunity to other people's opinions and actions.iStock
Don't be addicted to your phone
The number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use cell phones have increased. But improvements in cell phone technology have resulted in devices that have lower power outputs, according to the American Cancer Institute. Still, a digital detox is one of the best ways to truly relax your body and mind and recharge. Cell phones can interfere with your sleep and can lead to neck and back pain from hunching over to use the devices.iStock
Don't wear headphones too much
Elderly people are often labeled as having hearing problems. They usually come with age but sometimes they appear due to environmental factors. Wearing headphones for more than an hour a day can be a cause as well. It's important to not overdo it and keep the volume down. Sound is delivered directly into the ear canal, very close to the eardrum. Over time that quickens the kind of hearing loss linked to age.iStock
Don't dismiss health warnings
"If you think you have an emergency, then you have an emergency until proven otherwise," Dr. Michael G. Millin from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says. The key to preventing potentially fatal incidents is to pay attention to small changes or sensations and to know when not to dismiss them because you had a busy day at work. Don't overlook symptoms such as sudden headaches - could be life-threatening, chest pain - could be heart attack, shortness of breath - could be heart problems of collapsed lung, swollen legs - could be a blood clot, or confusion associated with tiredness.iStock
Think about retirement
There is still a long time until you can stop working, and you don't even have too if you don't want to, but in case you're tired of a 9-5 desk job, make an appointment to see a financial planner. Now is the time to figure out what your money goals are for the next few years, so you can working towards them accordingly.iStock


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Date night with my house mate, I think we are going to go to YO! Sushi or something but we aren't sure yet! I practically force everyone to go to YO with me as Im addicted! The tempura makes my tummy happy! However I'm really tired and getting a cold so I feel a bit rotten. Was supposed to go to events today but I've just been way too lethargic, ended up going to one meeting and going straight home.
Some reason I decided to do double pink look, which was partly inspired by a outfit I picked out yesterday to wear at my Forever 21 thing. I actually quite like it as you know I like wearing pink, and its Valentines day (bah humbug!). I think it works quite well though to be honest! Thinking about reverting to my side parting again as well, I typically wear my hair in the middle (or just a messy excuse for a middle parting) but I quite like it when its straight and side parted! Makes it a bit easier to manage!


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AXIS Companion 360
Indoor 6 MP 360° panoramic network camera
- 360° panoramic view with 6 MP sensor
- Compact design for easy wall or ceiling installation
- Advanced client de-warping and digital pan, tilt and zoom
- Supports microSD card and Axis Zipstream technology
- HDMI support enables streaming to a monitor
Suggested Retail Price: €299 (Not inlcuding local Tax)
Get the best view
With one single camera, you get outstanding 360° panoramic overview of smaller premises. With its 6 MP sensor and full frame rate (up to 30 fps), AXIS Companion 360 gives you complete and sharp overview. HDMI output allows for connection to monitors for display of live camera footage. Utilizing advanced client de-warping and digital pan, tilt and zoom – AXIS Companion 360 is your choice for optimal panoramic surveillance.
360° indoor surveillance
From retail stores to small offices, AXIS Companion 360 is ideal for any location where high quality overview surveillance helps protect your business.
Simplified installation
The palm-sized AXIS Companion 360 can be easily installed on walls or ceilings. The camera is delivered factory-focused out of the box, so no focusing is required. The camera features PoE that allows one cable to provide both network connectivity and electrical power. And total costs are further reduced by Axis Zipstream technology, which preserves important details in full image quality, while reducing storage and bandwidth by up to 50%.
Please note!
AXIS Companion IP cameras are supported only by AXIS Companion video management software and mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
AXIS Companion video management software is the optimal video surveillance solution to view live and recorded video, even on the go.Download free software
Covers and Domes
Network Switches
Cables and connectors
Datové listy
Declaration & statement
Third party software licenses INTEGRITY CHECKSUM


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This event has passed.
El Super / VX Clinic
January 21 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
NEW LOW-COST Wellness/VX Clinic
Doctor Examination, Vaccines, Licensing, Deworming, Microchipping, and other services! No Appointment Needed
If you just need vaccines for your cat or dog no appointment is necessary.
We do vaccines from 1 pm to 4 pm at our clinics on a first come first serve basis. Click Here For Prices
Please call or email for a spay or neuter surgery at (855)-499-5829 or email us at email@example.com


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Chris Pine & Zachary Quinto Head Down Under
Star Trek studs Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto arrive at LAX airport in Los Angeles on Saturday (April 4) with their director J.J. Abrams.
The Starship Enterprise crew is headed to Australia for the premiere of their sci-fi flick at the Sydney Opera House. They should be joining fellow costar Eric Bana, who lives in Australia.
In the remake of the sci-fi franchise, Pine plays Captain James T. Kirk and Quinto plays Spock.


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Energy & the Environment
The solution of complex global energy and environmental sustainability issues will increase demand for modeling and simulation capabilities. The Ohio Supercomputer Center is supporting ambitious researchers who are investigating various aspects of these challenges, such as synthesizing historical weather data to create largescale polar climate models; exploiting massive volumes of satellite data to model flood patterns; simulating air flow around aircraft wings and payload cavities; modeling congested and multifaceted transportation systems; and evaluating unintended collateral threats to endangered species of wildlife. Scientists are developing new, costeffective sources of sustainable energy by developing new materials and processes to enhance wind and solar power generation and by creating new fuel products from biomass. The Ohio Supercomputer Center provides powerful resources for researchers who today find themselves in the throes of a worldwide Green Revolution.
- Reanalyzing the climate of the entire Arctic system
- Understanding airflow at transonic speeds
- Examining laser-plasma keys to fusion energy
- Tracking the impact of oil, chemicals on Gulf fish
- Testing battery traits in hybrid vehicles
- Improving wind turbine computer models
- Enhancing ocean surface height calculation


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ALEX Toys POPS Craft 4 Paper Chain Monsters
by ALEX Toys
Please check your favorite toy retailer for availability. Prices may vary.
Buy Online:
Product Description
Create a happy chain of little monsters holding hands! A fun craft for younger children and parents to do together, or for older children alone. Kit includes a chain of four (4) monsters, 141 stickers, 45 paper shapes, glue and easy to follow instructions. For fun in an instant, see our other great POPS Craft kits -the perfect stash for that "rainy day" closet! POPS Crafts make great party favors, too!
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Title, taxes, other fees, and incentives are not included in this calculation. Monthly estimates are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent a financing offer from the seller.
|6-Speed A/T
|Front Wheel Drive
|Exterior Color
|Broom Yellow Clearcoat
|Interior Color
|Stock Number
|VIN Number
Yellow Clearcoat 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 High Roof
3.6L 6-Cylinder FWD 6-Speed Automatic
Visit us at www.FreelandCDJR.com to save time and buy online. Call 888-485-1718. Price does not include dealer added accessories. New vehicle pricing includes offers and incentives. Tax, Title and Tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at 844-609-7574 or by visiting us at the dealership. Price includes: $750 - 2018 ProMaster Conquest Bonus Cash 40CJ2. Exp. 04/01/2019, $2,750 - 2018 Retail Consumer Cash 66CJ1. Exp. 04/01/2019
Vehicle Price: $31385.15
By clicking "Contact Seller," I consent to be contacted by EasyAutoSales or the dealer selling this car at any telephone number I provide, including, without limitation, communications sent via text message to my cell phone or communications sent using an autodialer or prerecorded message. This acknowledgement constitutes my written consent to receive such communications. I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy of EasyAutoSales.com.
Keep browsing to find your next perfect vehicle!


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5 's
Check out now. Fast, Easy, Secure Checkout.
Primary Material: Polyester
Size: S,M,L,XL,2XL
Pattern: Anti_Shrink Dust_Proof Acidproof Anti_Bacterial Flame_Retard
Color: Red
Great looking jersey! Shipping takes awhile, but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
I have had a horrible experience with this seller - DO NOT BUY! First, when you "contact the seller" - you email a GMAIL account, and the replies from this Jeen Lee gmail account have been from "Susan R. Jones" the CEO of New Day Stock. - so very suspicious. I have been trying to return an item, in perfect condition, in original packaging, since August 11th. I ordered the item 07/23/19, I received it on 08/06/19, and I emailed to return 08/11/19 within the week window as stated on this New Day Stock website - meanwhile not knowing New Day Stock was actually the seller until I received the reply email.
The Jersey Passion seller I thought I was purchasing from has this entire paragraph on the website listed under the item I purchased,
" Fast & Secure World Wide Shipping 30 Day Money - Back Guaranteed No Hassle Returns Shipping: We ship fast! ...We back that belief with an ironclad risk-free 30-day guarantee. If you don't have a 100% positive experience for ANY reason, we will do WHATEVER it takes to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase. Buying items online can be a daunting task, so we want you to realize that there is absolutely ZERO risk in buying something and trying it out. If you don't like it, no hard feelings we'll make it right."
So I assumed a NO HASSLE return as stated. I ordered a Braves jersey, "Women's Atlanta Braves Red #22 2019 Cool Base Nick Markakis Jersey,Order #: 1978627 from artfire.com" and it is a little too tight for my comfort level. I had every intention of returning the item, and ordering a medium. When I contacted the "seller" who I assumed was Jersey Passion, I was asked to send measurements of the jersey. After I sent the measurements, which I indicated would not change the size of the jersey that didn't fit, Susan asked for two more measurements. Now the emails back and forth have cost about a month and have been anything but "no hassle".
I have asked time and time again for the return address - I asked three times. No address was given. And now I have asked for a contact number to discuss or a manager to speak with. Again, no answer to my question. Susan/New Day Stock then offered a 20% discount, which is ridiculous to offer $8 off a $40 jersey that has cost now my time and money and I still don't have a jersey that fits. This has been a nightmare and I feel like I have been tricked considering I don't even know who I am talking to. DO NOT BUY.
Received item. Was what I ordered. Shipping took a while but understandable since it was coming from China. Would use them again and I will probably very soon.
Thank you for your business! If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me using the "Contact this seller" button. I am happy to assist you.
After 2 weeks your items will automatically renewed for another 60 days and $0.23 per item will be added to your billing ledger.
While you were away our TOU was updated,
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In this edition of the Meet the Team series, we introduce readers to Laser Radial sailor Paige Railey of Clearwater, Fla. About to compete in her first Olympic Games, Paige Railey takes us through her routine, describes her hopes for London 2012, and shares what advice her brother, 2008 Olympic silver medalist and 2012 team mate Zach Railey, has given her.
Describe the Laser Radial to someone who is a sailor but may not be familiar with the boat.
The Laser Radial is a one design boat. Meaning when I arrive to the Olympic Games I will be chartering a boat from the organizing committee. Every athlete who competes in my class will have the same equipment and gear, thus creating a field that is equal. Basically, it's a 14 ft boat that is good for a body weight of 150 pounds.
Take us through your typical routine before the start of a race.
I wake up and eat a huge bowl of oatmeal and some kind of protein such as egg whites. I then meet with my coach Luther (Carpenter) and go over the day's conditions and what to expect. At two hours and fifteen minutes before the scheduled race time I head to the club and rig up, then head out (on the water) an hour and 30 minutes before the start. I stick to my strict routine because it helps set the day up.
On average, how many hours a week do you spend training?
A lot. My days can be 6-14 hours long.
What's it like to be on the Olympic team with your brother Zach?
It's a very special time for my family and brother. We are best friends and it has been a family goal for us to go together. I always state that I sail an individual boat, but I am part of a team. The Railey family has been working towards this for years so it is so exciting to be competing with Zach.
What are you most looking forward to about competing in the Olympics?
I am very excited for the Opening ceremony and to show the world who Paige Railey is!
What will be your biggest challenge during the Games?
Watching my brother sail! I get so nervous!
Have any veterans given you advice for your first Olympics?
My brother has. He has given me so many tips and advice. I feel so thankful to have him on the team because he teaches me a lot.
Describe your "Olympic Moment", that first time you realized you wanted to compete at the Games?
I actually never really had one. I was told that this was what you did when you were serious with your sailing. So, I saw other people going to the Olympics and I didn't want to miss out. I was like hey, if they can do then so can I.
Is there one moment in your sailing career that you will never forget?
When I won my first ISAF Youth Worlds in Madeira, Portugal. I was 16 and it was a monumental moment in my career. I worked very hard for it and I was so happy to see my work pay off.
What is the television show you are most looking forward to catching up on after the Olympics?
Hart of Dixie


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What's new in January 2017
January 19, 2017
Ten new titles are now available on Kentucky Scholarship Online (KSO), adding to the Biology, History, and Political Science modules. These books cover a diverse range of subjects, from the work of Theodor Adorno to reconsidering Michael Walzer's Just and Unjust War (1989), and from the origins of the Anglo-American alliance to the history of the Bluegrass (Kentucky).
Discover a selection of titles by clicking on the book covers below:
KSO is delivered by University Press Scholarship Online (UPSO), which brings together the best scholarly publishing from around the world. UPSO is available by annual subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions, so ask your librarian if you have access. If you don't, then recommend this essential resource to your librarian today.


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National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases (NIAID)http://www.niaid.nih.gov
Media Contact:Laurie K. Doepel(301) firstname.lastname@example.com
Investigators supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have begun enrolling volunteers in three new clinical trials of novel HIV vaccine approaches. The trials are testing a novel route of immunization, an innovative vaccine strategy and a new adjuvant, or vaccine booster.
Volunteers are being recruited through NIAID's AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group (AVEG), which includes six clinical units located in St. Louis, Nashville, Seattle, Birmingham, Baltimore and Rochester (NY). These new trials bring the total number of vaccine protocols in human volunteers conducted through the AVEG to 45, using 22 different vaccine concepts. More than 2,400 volunteers have participated in AVEG preventive HIV vaccine studies since 1988.
According to Jack Killen, M.D., director of NIAID's Division of AIDS, "These three trials are part of NIAID's comprehensive approach to HIV vaccine development. Each of these studies will test a new idea or approach toward an effective, safe HIV vaccine."
In AVEG 027, an experimental HIV vaccine already being studied as an injected product will also be applied topically to specific mucosal sites, for example, the moist tissues lining the nose and mouth, vagina and rectum. Later, antibodies will be measured at those sites. Most HIV infections, such as those acquired through sexual exposure, are transmitted across mucosal surfaces. A vaccine that induces mucosal antibodies may work better than other types of vaccines against this most common form of exposure.
In AVEG 028, a new strategy -- based on a weakened form of Salmonella bacteria -- will be used to present an HIV protein to the immune system. Because this bacteria normally reproduces only inside human cells, it can present the HIV proteins in a way that may induce better immune responses than other vaccines.
In AVEG 033, a novel adjuvant, GM-CSF, is being combined with a canarypox virus-based vector containing HIV genes. GM-CSF is a drug commonly used to improve blood cell production in cancer patients. This study will determine if GM-CSF can improve the immune response to the vector.
Additional information about each trial follows.
AVEG 027 is evaluating sequential doses of live recombinant canarypox ALVAC-HIV vCP205 delivered first by injection and then as a topical solution applied to the mucosa.
ALVAC-HIV vCP205 is made from a weakened canarypox virus used as a vaccine for birds. The canarypox virus can fit large pieces of foreign DNA in its genome, infect human cells and cause them to produce foreign proteins. ALVAC-HIV vCP205 contains copies of genes for three pieces of HIV -- the surface protein, the core protein and one enzyme. When the ALVAC vaccine infects human cells, the cells make proteins from the genes and package the proteins into HIV-like particles called pseudovirions. Although not infectious, these pseudovirions fool the immune system and trigger an immune response. ALVAC-HIV vCP205 has already been tested in AVEG studies involving more than 700 volunteers.
Eighty-four volunteers will receive the vaccine or a placebo control at entry, one, three and six months. Volunteers will first receive an intramuscular injection to prime the immune response. Booster doses will be administered either intramuscularly or via a swab, nose drops or other method to mucosal surfaces of the nose, mouth, vagina or rectum. This is the first study in humans to examine vaginal and nasal administration of an HIV vaccine.
ALVAC vCP205 is being supplied by Pasteur Merieux Connaught (Lyon, France). The study is being conducted at all six AVEG sites: the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Rochester Medical Center, the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University and the University of St. Louis. Peter Wright, M.D., of Vanderbilt University, chairs the study.
AVEG 028 applies a new vector vaccine approach to HIV vaccine research. Vector vaccines use a non-disease-causing virus or bacteria to transport HIV or other foreign genes into the body. In this case, a gene for the HIV envelope protein, gp120, is inserted into a weakened form of Salmonella bacteria to make the vaccine, called VVG203. The weakened Salmonella vector should retain only a transient, unsustainable ability to replicate in human cells. To assess the safety of VVG203 and to determine whether it is sufficiently attenuated, volunteers will be closely followed for symptoms of typhoid fever.
Live-vector approaches offer many advantages over other vaccines including the ability to induce long-lasting antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, and the relatively low cost of production. In addition, because the vaccine is administered orally, it may stimulate the production of mucosal antibodies.
AVEG 028 will assess if the VVG203 vaccine is safe and how the body's immune system responds to the vaccine when it is given alone or sequentially with another AIDS vaccine, HIV-1 MN rgp120. The study will also determine the optimal dose and immunization schedule. The 12-month trial, to be conducted at the Johns Hopkins University AVEG site, will enroll 47 adults at low risk of HIV infection. Mary Lou Clements-Mann, M.D., M.P.H., of Johns Hopkins University, is the study chair.
VVG203 was developed at the University of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development in Baltimore by a research team led by David Hone, Ph.D., who currently is affiliated with the Institute of Human Virology, also in Baltimore. This is the first vaccine without industry sponsorship that NIAID has brought from the laboratory to clinical trials. VaxGen, based in South San Francisco, Calif., manufactures the MN rgp120 subunit vaccine used in the study.
AVEG 033 uses a new adjuvant with ALVAC to attempt to induce better immune responses. An adjuvant enhances or modifies the immune-stimulating properties of a vaccine. The only licensed adjuvants for use in human vaccines are alum compounds. Alum may act in part by stimulating certain chemical messengers, called cytokines.
this study, volunteers are being given a recombinant cytokine, human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as the adjuvant. GM-CSF may elicit a stronger immune response than alum when given directly with a vaccine.
GM-CSF is presently used to boost blood cell counts in transplant and cancer patients. It also can increase the ability of important immune system cells known as antigen presenters to initiate and direct immune responses. When used as an adjuvant, GM-CSF may enhance both antibody and cellular responses to the vaccine. The vaccine being used in AVEG 033 is ALVAC-HIV vCP205, which primarily stimulates the cellular immune response. The study investigators will evaluate the ability of GM-CSF to enhance both cellular and antibody responses to vCP205. The 36 volunteers enrolled in the study will be followed for 18 months.
The study is being conducted at four AVEG sites: the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Rochester Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University. Thomas Evans, M.D., of the University of Rochester Medical Center, chairs the study. GM-CSF is being supplied by Immunex (Seattle), and ALVAC-HIV vCP205 is being supplied by Pasteur Merieux Connaught.
More information about these trials can be obtained by calling the AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (1-800-TRIALS-A) or by visiting their Web site at http://www.actis.org.
AID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as HIV disease and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Press releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the Internet via the NIAID home page at http://www.niaid.nih.gov.
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