text:
Newly mobile and more vocal, your little explorer is full of enthusiasm and—sometimes—a very strong will. Find out about toys that lend support as first steps lead to confident walking. And there are toys and activities to help your child absorb ideas and learn to respond to others during play.
Your child may be walking—and very proud of it!
She's better at entertaining herself and more deliberate in her exploration
He can string together ideas to form a basic plan
She shows affection with hugs, kisses, smiles and pats
He can put objects in and out of a box
She starts to treat objects in an appropriate manner—for example, cuddling a teddy bear
He likes to imitate familiar household routines
Begin with basics. Toys like these expose your child to the basic building blocks of learning simple concepts like letters, numbers, shapes and colors. Talk about these when you play with your child, extending them to other parts of the day.
Counting time. As you walk up steps, count them as you go. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5—wow, you climbed 5 steps!" You're extending learning, but you don't need to be concerned about teaching actual numbers at this age.
Read picture books to your child about the playset's theme—like farm life, animals and crops. Talk about what a farmer does and how farms provide us with food.
On the grow. If you have a garden, call on your "little farmer" to help with planting, weeding, or harvesting. Even if she's just sitting next to you digging, she'll feel important and this experience will help her understand what farmers do.
Sound practice. Reinforce your child's recognition skills by helping him practice sounds he hears—if you start, it's likely that your child will soon join in. Then challenge his memory and thinking skills by showing him an animal or a car and asking him to make that sound.
Field trip. It helps your child make connections when you can relate a learning concept to things within her own range of experience. Make an effort to show your child the real thing: visit a zoo or a farm. When you're in the car together, point out different vehicles.
Chore time. Prompt problem-solving and thinking skills by giving your child little chores to do. "Let's put the animals in their stalls for the night. Are they all in the right places?"
Boost confidence. Help your new walker practice balancing and walking by encouraging her to bring a toy along on little excursions through the house. It will boost her confidence until she's more secure with her balance.
What's different? For a lesson in action/reaction, point out how the sound and speed of the toy can change: "Push it along slowly…now faster! You're making the music play!"
On and off. Until she develops confidence in her balance and coordination, your child may need help getting on and off. She's likely to spend a lot of time mastering that skill, so be sure to clear a path all around the vehicle.
Cause and effect. When your child is ready to ride, reinforce his understanding of cause and effect by saying the words "go" and "stop" as the vehicle responds to his actions.
Use words to describe "on and off" and "stop and go" and you'll be building her understanding of the concept that words are associated with things and actions.
Yes, there is much you can do. Talk to him frequently. Be especially attentive to try to respond to anything he says to you. And read to him every day. In a few months he will be old enough to make routine trips to the library.
Pretty much the same kinds of things that make us laugh. Babies as young as 2 to 3 months will smile broadly if you look straight at them and smile at and talk to them.
Is there anything more appealing to young children than digging in the dirt and playing with water? Probably not. This appeal makes them a natural for gardening activities.


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Errol Damelin is unrepentant. He is a cruel Tory parasite profiting from people's misery, plunging more into debt they can never escape from, due to extortionate interest, split 3 ways to go into the pockets of Cameron, Beecroft and Damelin.
Not many people know where Damelin got his backing from to set up Wonga.com. He got it from major Tory party doner, Adrian Beecroft. It was Beecroft who advised David Cameron to scrap "Unfair Dismissal" laws, which Cameron duly did, no doubt with a hefty backhander from Beecroft. Abuse of Human Rights seems to be set to David Cameron's legacy, which he has profited from since his unelection, as one infringement after another attacks our civil liberties, all at the request of his elite friends, including financial terrorists, Goldman Sachs, who Cameron conveniently visited in New York just a few days before returning to parliament to gloat sadistically over signing the death warrant for the NHS.
|ITV should be forced to ban the unethical TV ad

subset: commoncrawl


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PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.
Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate's Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show participant, was shot and killed at Pistorius' upmarket home in the predawn hours of Thursday.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Friday in court it was premeditated murder, indicating the prosecution would file that more serious charge, upgraded from murder.
The double-amputee athlete's arrest and murder charge has left South Africa reeling after the model's shooting death at Pistorius' house in an eastern suburb of the South African capital., Pretoria
Pistorius stood with his face in his hands as he broke down in tears on his first appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates' Court. The magistrate delayed Pistorius' bail hearing until next Tuesday and Wednesday and ruled that the 26-year-old Pistorius would be held at a police station in Pretoria until then. Police have said they oppose the granting of bail.
Pistorius had solemnly entered the court wearing a gray suit and blue tie and initially appeared composed.
Chief Magistrate Desmond Nasir presided over the hearing in a hot courtroom that was jammed with more than 100 people, including numerous local and international journalists. The magistrate ruled that no recordings of court proceedings would be allowed in the case.
Pistorius' father, Henke, was in the court as was his brother Carl, sister Aimee and other supporters of the 26-year-old double-amputee athlete.
Pistorius' brother laid his hand on Pistorius' shoulder inside the courtroom as the Olympic athlete and one of South Africa's most famous celebrities began to weep.
Police said Friday an autopsy on the body of the victim was also taking place. Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale said the results of the autopsy would not be published.
The Paralympian and Olympic athlete was earlier seen leaving a police station, his jacket completely covering his head as he got into a police vehicle.
He was holding what appeared to be a white handkerchief in one hand as he was led by officers to a police van outside the Boschkop Police Station in eastern Pretoria, where he had been questioned on Thursday and had spent the night in custody.
A policeman was also seen carrying a handgun in a plastic forensic bag outside the Boschkop station. It was believed to be the weapon used to shoot and kill Steenkamp.
Police said the victim was shot four times at Pistorius' villa in a gated community. Officers found a 9 mm pistol inside the home.
Pistorius made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete at any games. He didn't win a medal but did make the semifinals of the 400 meters and the final of the 4X400 relay, propelling the world's best-known Paralympian to the level of an international track star.
AP Sports Writer Imray reported from Johannesburg. Associated Press writer Michelle Faul in Johannesburg contributed to this report.


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Pistachio & milk chocolate squares
Nutrition and extra info
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal342
- fat22g
- saturates11g
- carbs32g
- sugars22g
- fibre1g
- protein6g
- salt0.35g
- 140g shelled pistachios
- 200g milk chocolate, broken into chunks
Milk chocolatemill-k chok-lit
Milk chocolate is classically made from dark chocolate of low cocoa solid content and a higher…
- 200g golden caster sugar
- 200g very soft butter
Butter is a dairy product made from separating whole milk or cream into fat and…
- 3 eggs
The ultimate convenience food, eggs are powerhouses of nutrition packed with protein and a…
- 200g self-raising flour
- 100ml milk
One of the most widely used ingredients, milk is often referred to as a 'complete' food…
- 150ml soured cream
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. Whizz 125g of the pistachios, 75g of the chocolate and about half the sugar in a food processor until very finely chopped. Tip into a bowl with remaining sugar, butter, eggs, flour and milk, plus a pinch of salt, and beat. Scrape into the tin and bake for 35-45 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool.
Melt the remaining milk chocolate, stir in the soured cream and cool until spreadable. Trim the edges off the cake, then split in half. Spread a little icing over the base, sandwich the top of sponge back on. Spread remaining icing over the top, roughly chop the remaining pistachios and scatter them over. Cut into 16 squares to serve.


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On 8/19/16 12:17 PM, Clay Claiborne wrote:Louis, Just to be clear. If Trump would win because Clinton was one vote short, would you still refuse to vote for her?I don't deal in hypotheticals.More to the point, I am for a left party in the USA. I have been ever since I left the Trotskyist movement in 1979.
Finally, isn't it time to recognize that the Trump campaign is toast? The numbers are devastating.
2016 was a very successful year for the "anti-imperialist" Left. In 2016, more Left energy was focused on denying Hillary Clinton the presidency than any other issue, and they had a big win!
Of course, that didn't work out so well for the Stand Rock Sioux tribe, Muslim refugees, undocumented immigrants, and the world as a whole, because it meant Donald Trump became president.
These Leftists did this by giving vent to their hatred of Hillary. They eagerly promoted every Russian hacked, Wiki-leak of DNC embarrassment and wrong doing, while deferring any investigation or exposure of Trump's Alt-Right white supremacist ties until after the election.
Sometime Trump says gems of wisdom, like #NATO is obsolete. #cnntownhall— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) March 30, 2016
This data is from Politico [updated 22 Nov. 2016 - PA updated 2 Dec from http://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/ ] :
|Michigan [16]
|Wisconsin [10]
|Pennsylvania [20]
|Donald Trump
|Hillary Clinton
|Jill Stein
|cartoon by Pia Guerra
Many on the Left argued that what really mattered in 2016 was building the Green Party into a truly progressive party with a mass base that could seriously contend for the presidency in the future. They counseled that we keep our eye on that prize and not fret about who would ultimately be sworn in on 20 January 2017.
The Green Party knew it had absolutely no chance of putting its own candidates, Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka into the White House. It told anyone who would listen that it really didn't matter whether it was Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton that would be closely followed by the nuclear football after January. To make their case, they downplayed the significance of white supremacy in this election, ignored the pleas of minorities to make this election a fight against it, and even went so far as to claim Donald Trump might be the lesser of the two evils.
They were so focused on defeating Hillary Clinton that even Sean Spicer, Trump's Press Secretary, could be found campaigning for Jill Stein:
Hey @smerconish how about a little love for Jill Stein— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) September 10, 2016
what they were doing? Think the Jill Stein didn't know what she was doing?
.@smerconish since you are such an advocate of 3rd parties when was the last time you or @cnn had @DrJillStein on?— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) October 1, 2016
|Mirri Maz Duur
Now it is clear to most, if not Jill, that not only is Donald Trump the greater of the two evils, he is far and away the most dangerous US president in living memory. His election is undoubtably a great tragedy but what heartens the soul is the way people in the United States and around the world have turned out in massive numbers to oppose his assault on democracy. Starting with the unprecedented numbers at the massive women's marches the day after the inauguration, on to protests against his Muslim ban so massive that they shut down the nations biggest airports, and now in the fight against this new wave of Trump initiated deportations, the progressive mass movement has shown a scope, spirit and vitality not seen since the sixties.
So where is the Green Party in all of this?
Green Party of Atlantic County
If Ohio is an indication, they haven't had great success in turning their election "victory" into the massive invigorated Green Party that was promised. Although 44,310 Ohioans voted for Jill Stein on 8 Nov 2016, they only had about 40 Ohio Greens at the first full statewide meeting of 2017 on 21 Jan 2017, where "Another high point was the very few criticisms of Donald Trump..." [???] according to the State Committee.
What I found on US Green Party website is even more depressing. Very little has been updated since before the election. The Election Day and Beyond page still says:
It's GOTV time! Make sure all your friends, family, neighbors, and others who've expressed support for Green candidates get to the polls and vote Green. Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka won't get 5% or more without that last-minute push.They should be embarrassed by that page enough to have removed it by now. Jill Stein never stood a chance of getting even 5% of the vote. She got less than 1%, all that "last-minute push" did was put Trump in the Oval Office.
I felt like I was revisiting the now empty warehouse in which I had been previously "big store" scammed.
The reason I feel scammed is because the whole lot of "anti-imperialist" Left representatives, the Green Party, Democracy Now, Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, etc., etc, all those who made it their mission in 2016 to defeat neo-liberalism and Hillary Clinton "by any means necessary," even if that meant putting a white supremacist regime in power and moving from neoliberalism to fascism. Now that The Sting has gone down, their mood is "Don't Look Back." They have no criticisms of their pre-election positions. Instead they quickly orphaned them. Pretended not to know them. Act like they had been fighting Trump all along when really they were very sure Clinton would still win no matter how much they railed against her. That is why the Standing Rock movement had no trouble with calling out Hillary Clinton's silence on their cause even if it would cost votes. That is why they said little about Donald Trump's DAPL investments. Now they face a regime that will show no hesitation and no consideration in crushing all opposition and moving forward with dangerous pipeline construction.
|Dakota Access pipeline protesters ceremoniously burn structures in their main camp in southern North Dakota near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, as authorities prepare to shut down the camp. (AP/James MacPherson)
[Marxism] Atl Right White Supremacists take over leadership of Trump campaign
******************** POSTING RULES & NOTES ******************** #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. *****************************************************************
Now Paul Manafort is out and the new leadership of the Trump campaign comes from the Atl Right white supremacist gang, backed not only by Trump's money but now also the much richer Robert Mercer. This now represents an attempt by open fascists and white supremacists to take power in the US. The main task of all progressive people in the United States has to be denying the White House to this criminal gang. What will the Green's do? Will they win votes from Trump? Will they try? If they win progressive votes for Jill Stein, which is clearly their focus, they effectively become a part of their racist "Defeat Crooked Hillary" campaign. All the Greens really have to do to support white supremacists taking the White House in 2016 is to essentially repeat their 2012 campaign and act as if Donald Trump is really no different than Mitt Romney. Will the white Left's treachery with regards the people of Libya and Syria, be repeated with regards to colored peoples in the United States? I fear it is already happening! Clay http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/17/alt-right- rejoices-at-trump-s-steve-bannon-hire.html
By the time I posted that, I had been fighting to keep Trump out of power for many months. I first warned Bourgeois media resorting to sleight-of-hand to put Trump in the White House in December 2015. I ended that post with this:
If this is an example of the presidential election year that is coming, we have a big problem. As ridiculous as it seems, it looks like a rather large section of the US bourgeois wants Donald Trump to be our next president.Now there will be plenty of time to do what the Left failed to do in 2016, namely fight Donald Trump. Of course, it going to be just a little bit harder now that he holds state power.
Full disclosure: I have opposed Donald Trump for a long time. I'm from Atlantic City
|Vladimir Putin, Michael Flynn and Dr. Jill Stein back in the day
Syria is the Paris Commune of the 21st Century!


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This updated WebContactSheetII plug-in addresses a problem that has been identified in the original Adobe® Photoshop® Elements WebContactSheetII plug-in that can, in certain cases, lead to unintentional file deletion.
Our testing has confirmed that this bug does not exist in the English version of Photoshop Elements 2.0, any version of Adobe Photoshop Elements prior to version 2.0, or any version of Adobe Photoshop. Consequently, only users of localized language versions of Photoshop Elements 2.0 need to download this updated plug-in.
The WebContactSheetII plug-in contains the Web Photo Gallery, a tool within Photoshop Elements that allows the creation of a Web photo gallery automatically from a set of images in a folder. The HTML pages representing the Web photo gallery as well as the images that populate the gallery (resized copies of the original image files) are placed in a destination folder. If another Web photo gallery is created targeting the same destination folder, a bug in the original Web Photo Gallery plug-in will delete all files in that folder, including those unrelated to either the original or the new Web photo gallery.
Using this updated plug-in to replace the plug-in supplied by the program will prevent this error from occurring.
"Your download and use of the updated plug-in is governed by the license agreement below. Please read it."
|Photoshop Elements
|File Name
|File Size
|Proceed to Download
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 for Mac OS
After downloading a ".hqx" file on a Macintosh, use StuffIt Deluxe or StuffIt Expander to access the file's contents. StuffIt Expander is available as a freeware product.
NOTE: Please ensure you have the latest version of StuffIt by Allume Systems, Inc.
Need help with downloading? See our Downloading Help documents.
1. Make sure Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 is not running.
2. Download the archive file that contains the updated WebContactSheetII plug-in.
3. Use StuffIt Deluxe or StuffIt Expander to extract the contents of the archive file.
4. Locate the Adobe Photoshop Elements 2:Plug-Ins:Automate folder.
5. Drag the extracted WebContactSheetII plug-in into the Automate folder within the Plug-Ins folder. Allow it to copy over the original WebContactSheetII plug-in.
6. Launch Photoshop Elements 2.0.
You should install this plug-in if you're not already using the latest version available. To check what version you're using, follow these steps:
1. Locate the Adobe Photoshop Elements 2:Plug-Ins:Automate folder.
2. Find the file named "WebContactSheetII."
3. Control-click on the file. This will open a submenu.
4. Select Show Package Contents.
5. This will open a folder named WebContentSheetII.
6. Open the Contents subfolder, and then open either the MacOS or MacOSClassic folder.
7. Select the "WebContactSheetII" file inside, and press Command+I to open the file info dialog box.
8. If the version information in this dialog box is listed as 7.0, you need to install this plug-in. If the version information is listed as 2.0.1, you do not need to install this plug-in.
License agreement
By using software of Adobe Systems Incorporated or its subsidiaries ("Adobe"); you agree to the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with such terms and conditions; do not use the software. The terms of an end user license agreement accompanying a particular software file upon installation or download of the software shall supersede the terms presented below.
The export and re-export of Adobe software products are controlled by the United States Export Administration Regulations and such software may not be exported or re-exported to Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Libya; North Korea; Sudan; or Syria or any country to which the United States embargoes goods. In addition; Adobe software may not be distributed to persons on the Table of Denial Orders; the Entity List; or the List of Specially Designated Nationals.
By downloading or using an Adobe software product you are certifying that you are not a national of Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Libya; North Korea; Sudan; or Syria or any country to which the United States embargoes goods and that you are not a person on the Table of Denial Orders; the Entity List; or the List of Specially Designated Nationals.
If the software is designed for use with an application software product (the "Host Application") published by Adobe; Adobe grants you a non-exclusive license to use such software with the Host Application only; provided you possess a valid license from Adobe for the Host Application. Except as set forth below; such software is licensed to you subject to the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement from Adobe governing your use of the Host Application.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES: YOU AGREE THAT ADOBE HAS MADE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES TO YOU REGARDING THE SOFTWARE AND THAT THE SOFTWARE IS BEING PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. ADOBE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE; EXPRESS OR IMPLIED; INCLUDING; WITHOUT LIMITATION; ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; MERCHANTABILITY; MERCHANTABLE QUALITY OR NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties; so the above limitations may not apply to you.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT WILL ADOBE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OF USE; INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS; OR ANY DIRECT; INDIRECT; SPECIAL; INCIDENTAL; OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION WHETHER IN CONTRACT; TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE); STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE; EVEN IF ADOBE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages; so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.


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Welcome to the Dockwalk.com Forum
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Yacht managment software & setting it up
Yacht management software & methodology Efficient time & information management
A crew's ability to maintain high levels of onboard service and deal with regulatory audits and surveys efficiently is a true reflection of each crew member's time management skills and the vessel leadership structure.
Learning how to correctly use hardware and software together may take a bit of time at the start, but it does pay dividends in the end.
Hours can be lost too the virtual world very quickly if people don't balance out physical work and the usage electronic gadgetry.
Draft versions of the systems structure and data are best formulated externally as separate document files.
Using word processor (Word) spread sheets (Excel), email, contacts & scheduling (Outlook) you can precisely create your data files. For more advanced users there is data bases (Access) and project management software (Project).
Understanding exactly how work groups, classification certificates, regulations, physical equipment systems, internal spaces and external spaces relate to each other is very important.
As is the nomenclature used and the creation of key words which simplify folder structure and file searches. (See certificate & code table at the end of the document).
How easily management software imports and exports information is an important consideration. Failing to purchase a system which does not allow importation and exportation of data ultimately means communication outside the licensed version is limited.
Importing data into the management software can be both manual & automatic. Items such as photographs excel spread sheets and so on can be manually imported into the management software. While systems trending data, running hours and alarms can be taken from the main alarm and monitoring system at set intervals.
Automatic machinery logs, maintenance schedule and inventory management
Automatic data importation from the onboard monitoring and alarm systems can be used to created virtual engine room logs, flag maintenance tasks according to running hours and record alarms, log fuel consumption rates and with a bar code reader cleverly manage onboard inventories. Reordering can even be done automatically email.
Photographs, equipment manuals, training manuals, technical drawings and other important documents can all be hyperlinked to the management software for rapid retrieval.
During audits, surveys and while trouble shooting a problem. Access to historical data and technical literature can be a real life saver. Especially when trying to determine what make, model, serial and parts numbers are you will need for repairs and maintenance.
Exporting data into Microsoft Office Formats will unlock proprietary vessel information and allow is to be used in reports, which may include statistics, graphs, inventories, photographs, technical drawings and other visual information.
Data recovery, back up and sharing is crucial. As failed hard drives and software viruses can quickly destroy many hours of hard work. Ideally the software provider will offer data back up and recovery options.
Security and filtering information
The standard rules apply with security, virus protection and user access. Filtering information available and what users can edit is very important. As uncontrolled version control will kill the system.
I've been wondering whether this software exists... and does it? Are these just your thoughts, or are you selling a product???
This all sounds great, but whats your point? Are you trying to sell this software or just putting ideas out there?
If such a managment system does exist, does anybody have anymore info or experience using them?
I am just putting ideas out there having gone through the process of setting these systems up.
Its all good if you build the information and then continue to build on the original work and system to keep everything current.


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Home > Backgammon Sets > Luxury Backgammon Sets
Manufactured by Hector Saxe of Paris this is the Rolls Royce of Leather Backgammon Sets in Black. The quality is exceptional and will bring real pleasure for many years.
Backgammon Set Cased in calfskin embossed buffalo attache case.
Model: HSB652BLACK
This 21 inch luxury Hector Saxe Backgammon Board is a joy to play on.
Be the first to Write a Review for this item!


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From Geology to Fisheries
The success I found at UAS lay at the end of a tortured path of misguided endeavors at other colleges. After attending several community colleges during my military service I ended up majoring in physics at the University of Washington, which was a lot like friction — a drag. It wasn't until I came to UAS that I found my niche. Biology made sense to me at UAS. The four walls that formed the classroom did not confine the professors at UAS. I saw very early on that the "classrooms" at UAS extended into the intertidal and beyond, as nearly all biology courses included scheduled trips into the surrounding environment of Southeast Alaska. The doors of opportunity were literally opened up for me at UAS to explore the wilds of biology. The surrounding marine environments coupled with the faculty's desire to motivate and challenge me as an undergraduate student made for a memorable, meaningful, and applicable experience that culminated in my graduation.
The highlight of my undergraduate career at UAS was working on a research project with the US Geological Survey (USGS). Professors Tamone and Eckert gave me lab space and tools to inspect crab blood samples collected by USGS. I then worked with Jennifer Mondragon and Jim Taggart at USGS to establish a distribution of Bitter Crab Disease in Tanner crabs of Glacier Bay, Alaska. Ultimately, I presented our findings as a poster at the Glacier Bay Science Symposium.
During my two and a half years at UAS I worked as an intern for the Alaska Department of Transportation (ADOT&PF). After graduating with my BS in biology and a math minor I was hired by ADOT&PF as an Environmental Analyst. Currently, I am a graduate student in Fisheries at Oregon State University.
Thank you UAS!
Kyle Moselle
UPDATE: Kyle has finished a graduate program in fisheries at Oregon State University.


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Starting Nmap 5.00 ( http://nmap.org ) at 2011-04-03 21:09 EDT
Interesting ports on 192.168..:
Not shown: 65533 closed ports
30526/tcp filtered unknown
62078/tcp open iphone-sync
MAC Address: 00:00:00:00:00:00 (Unknown)
Nmap done: 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 677.09 seconds
centip3de wrote:I don't really mess with apple products all that much, but I believe there was a virus via text message swarming around a while ago.....
Goatboy wrote:Dwere wrote:I'm not one to start some branch of religion though. Not my thing.
Of course if you wanted to, you could call it the Davidians!
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


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Ray Rice, victim's mom push for cyberbullying bill to pass
Bill would charge offenders with misdemeanor punishable by fine or year in prison
Maryland lawmakers were joined Thursday by the mother of a cyberbullying victim and -- in spirit -- by Ravens running back Ray Rice in their push to pass the Cyberbullying Prevention Act.
Introduced by Baltimore County Delegate Jon Cardin, House Bill 396 would prohibit the online posting of "true threats that cause a minor to live in fear of his or her safety" and the posting of false or private information of a minor that, if publicized, would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. The bill would also prohibit someone from inciting someone else to harm a minor.
Christine McComas, the mother of Grace McComas, a 15-year-old Howard County girl who killed herself last year, gave gripping testimony at the hearing in her push for the bill's passage.
"I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate you. I hope you somehow see this and cry yourself to sleep, and then kill yourself," McComas read during testimony from tweets sent to her daughter shortly before she killed herself.
Her family said her suicide was caused by cyberbullying.
"Quite frankly, it should be a crime, and I'm hoping this House bill will help reduce the struggle for families and children that have run into it before," McComas said.
This week, Rice sent a written statement to legislators in support of the bill. He asked 11 Sports' Keith Mills to read it on the floor.
"This bill that is asking for criminal charges to be brought up against cyberbullying is very close to Ray. He feels this is an incredibly important step to eliminating this problem," Mills said afterward.
The bill would punish those who break the law by charging them with a misdemeanor. If found guilty of that charge, the person could get a year in prison, a $500 fine or both.
"My goal is not to criminalize this. My goal is not to make children face serious penalties. It's to get people to be sensitive to the vulnerabilities of others," Cardin said.
Current law only addresses bullying by text or private messaging. This bill expands it to include public posts on social media, where everyone can read what's being said.
"The First Amendment lets you be mean. It lets you be caustic, and it lets you be involved in public debate; however, at the same time, it does not let you do certain things to harm children," said University of Baltimore law professor Michael Meyerson during testimony.
McComas said she's hoping this bill will hold more teens accountable.
"No one was able to really help us or understand what we were going through or even make (the boy who sent the tweets) accountable for his words or apologize, and I think it could have made a difference," McComas said.
The ACLU of Maryland reportedly said the bill violates the First and Fifth amendments. One delegate told 11 News that the issue is better suited for civil, not criminal, law.


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(PaulWatson) – Zombie computers worldwide launch denial of service assault on flagship Internet freedom websites
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Alex Jones' websites were assaulted by a massive, organized and sustained attack today which is still ongoing as zombie computers around the world were used to launch a denial of service attack which is undoubtedly related to our ongoing efforts to expose the government's Cybersecurity agenda as the gargantuan threat to Internet freedom it represents.
"It appears to be a Distributed Denial of Service attack, utilizing "zombied" (or hacked) computers all over the world to overwhelm our servers, disabling them from serving normal traffic," states Infowars systems administrator Wes Perkins.
As Wikipedia explains, a DoS attack consists of "Saturating the target (victim) machine with external communications requests, such that it cannot respond to legitimate traffic, or responds so slowly as to be rendered effectively unavailable. In general terms, DoS attacks are implemented by either forcing the targeted computer(s) to reset, or consuming its resources so that it can no longer provide its intended service or obstructing the communication media between the intended users and the victim so that they can no longer communicate adequately."
This is precisely what happened to Prison Planet.tv and Infowars.net today, while flagship websites Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com have also come under attack but are still holding up at time of press.
The last such attack occurred around the time that we were exposing the swine flu scandal last year, but today's attack even dwarfs that in terms of scope and sustained assault.
The most likely source for the attack is obviously the inner sanctum of the military-industrial complex that we have been exposing for months as they rush through their Cybersecurity initiative which represents a massive threat to Internet freedom.
Over the last few years, the Pentagon has developed an "offensive" cyber capability against "adversaries," including DoS attacks. In the Pentagon's "Information Operation Roadmap" document, it is stated that the military "must fight the Net." The Pentagon believes the internet needs to be dealt with as if it were an enemy "weapons system."
We are now witnessing intensified efforts to attack and remove from the world wide web sites like Cryptome.org and others which pose a fundamental threat to the anti-free speech agenda of the elite.
It is at times like these that we really need your support to bolster our servers in order to fend off these kind of attacks, either by getting the DVD's or becoming a Prison Planet.tv member.
As is our habitual response, every time we are attacked we only grow stronger by beefing our servers and launching another website – which is exactly what will happen tomorrow with the birth of the Real Coffee Party initiative.
The enemies of freedom will be defeated in their continual attempt to silence free speech and their attacks will only make us close ranks and become stronger in the fight against the new world order.


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Here is who spoke -
Software Industry Panel:
* Council for Electronic Revenue Communication Advancement (CERCA) – Michael F. Cavanagh, Executive Director
* CCH Small Firm Services – Leonard Holt, Vice President, Business Development
* Drake Software – John Sapp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing
* Intuit, Inc. – Dan Maurer, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Group
Independent Preparer Panel:
* H&R Block – Amy McAnarney, Executive Director, The Tax Institute
* H&R Block – Tony Zabaneh, Franchisee
* Jackson Hewitt – Marianne Moe, Franchisee
* Empire Accounting & Tax Service – Cynthia MacIntosh
* Independent Unenrolled Preparer – Raymond W. Heinen
As you can see there were really only two true "independent preparers".
Everyone on the Independent Preparer Panel supports regulation of tax preparers (I must admit that I did not read the Software Industry Panel testimony due to time constraints).
Amy McAnarney, Executive Director of H+R Block's Tax Institute, who said she was speaking "on behalf of H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt", stated –
"H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt have a strong history of supporting regulatory and legislative efforts to improve the training, professionalism and ethics of all tax preparers. We believe a regulatory program that focuses on increasing tax preparer compliance and performance standards is in the best interests of our two companies, the industry, and most important, taxpayers. Taxpayers deserve a tax system that they can trust and that works efficiently."
(I am sorry – I just can't resist. It is too bad that Henry and Richard and JH's interest in "professionalism and ethics of all tax preparers" does not "trickle down" to these firms' actual tax preparers).
The Block and Hewitt franchisees supported their company's position.
Raymond Heinen, an Associate with Thoma and Associates, Ltd, says –
"I would like to go on record as supporting a mechanism for either licensing or credentialing tax preparation professionals".
Mr Heinen's testimony included some excellent statements that needed to be made –
"Please allow me to dispel, or at least question, some assumptions which may have crept into the dialog regarding the unenrolled preparer community:
1. Because they are unenrolled they are either unprepared or uninformed;
2. Because they are unenrolled they are incompetent or fraudulent;
3. Because they are unenrolled thay are unscrupulous or corrupt;
4. There is little or no difference between human error and criminal behavior;
5. Enrollment will solve all the problems of tax administration; and
6. Because a person holds a degree, license, or credential, they are de facto qualified to perform in that discipline.
I do not believe licensure or credentialing will ferret out all of the unprofessional practitioners or behavior – only scrutiny of the returns processed and prosecution of offenders will root out misbehavior."
Well said, Raymond!
Cynthia MacIntosh of Empire Accounting and Tax Service told the Forum –
"While reading the transcript of the forum held on July 30th, I am saddened and dismayed to see how others in my profession are conducting business. To that end, I must conclude that some level of registration is needed in order to curb these abuses. I invite some form of accountability since I work very hard to provide expertise to my clients."
Cynthia sees "four recurring topics of concern: registration, education of both the tax professional and taxpayer community, testing, and enforcement".
Ms MacIntosh echoes my feelings in her statement (highlight is gleefully mine) –
"There is no reason why ANYONE should be treated differently based on their credentials. There are many CPAs and attorneys who have absolutely no business preparing tax returns. This way, at least, we'd know that registered preparers have taken steps to remain "prepared" each year."
Henry and Richard franchisee Tony Zabaneh, feels that – "A national registration program should be applicable to 'all' tax preparers (paid or unpaid preparers associated with volunteer organizations like VITA, AARP)", but is "comfortable with CPAs, Enrolled Agents and Attorneys being exempt from the initial exam". He does, however, "believe that a continuing education requirement of year-over-year tax law and administration changes is a must".
(Again I apologize – but I could not help laughing out loud at Mr Zabaneh's statement, "Preparing an accurate return and gaining the trust of clients have been the hallmark of H&R Block since Henry and Richard Bloch founded out company fifty years ago".)
Marianne Moe, a Jackson Hewitt franchisee, believes –
"The IRS must first require all preparers to register with the federal government. This will provide valuable information regarding the size and scope of the tax preparer community that will help guide implementation of the education phase of the federal standard. Education and ethics requirements should be put in place as soon as possible following implementation of registration requirements. These requirements should apply to all preparers, regardless of their professional status or length of service. Experience does not equal competency, and every preparer can benefit from periodic education and testing on elements of the tax law."
Ms McAnarney's testimony proposed certain elements that should be part of the regulatory program. Read carefully the highlighted final recommendation –
"1) The program should apply to all individual income tax preparers who either sign the return or who materially assist with preparation of a tax return but do not sign as a preparer, including:
• Paid preparers and preparers via organized volunteer organizations such as VITA and AARP.
• Circular 230 and non-Circular 230
• And, to some extent, software developers
2) We also believe the program should focus on federal individual income tax returns, specifically the 1040 series and its related forms and schedules.
3) The program must include a combination of examination and continuing education to demonstrate a minimum level of competence.
Specifically, an initial exam should be required to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in the areas of income tax knowledge, tax administration procedures and ethics. Circular 230 practitioners {CPAs, EAs and Attorneys – rdf} would pre-qualify based upon their existing testing and ethics programs. As a result, we believe they should not be subject to this initial exam.
Continuing education should also be required to demonstrate an ongoing level of competence. We prefer a requirement focusing on year-over-year tax and administrative changes.
Last, in the area of examination and continuing education, we recommend that other certification programs be submitted for approval."
H+R's Tony Zabaneh comes right to the point –
"I strongly recommend that programs like H&R Block's and similar Certification and Education programs by other qualified organizations be 'blessed' by the IRS with any needed refinements as meeting the Education and Testing Standard Requirements."
Now I see the method in Henry and Richard and Jackson Hewitt's madness. They want tax preparer regulation with an initial test and continuing education requirements, but they want the IRS to permit the already existing H+R, and I expect JH, initial competency test and continuing education program to be accepted instead of an IRS created and administered test - so that H+R and JH employees would have to do absolutely nothing different than they are currently doing to become and remain licensed.
Gee, we all know how well the current H+R Block Certification and Education regime has done in combating incompetence and unethical behavior among tax preparers. Were not the majority of the tax preparers who were found to be lacking in both competence and ethics in the various government and non-government "sting" operations employees of H+R and JH?
H+R also wants their "certification" program to be "blessed" by the IRS and accepted in lieu of an IRS created and administered test so they can make more money by having tax preparers who are now required to take a competency exam pay them to administer the test.
The Public Forums on the question of tax preparer regulation are now ended, and the IRS must begin to sort through all the input it has been received and formulate its recommendations.
It seems that, with the exception of the American Institute of CPAs (for, in my opinion, self-serving reasons), all those who have testified, and I expect most of those who sent comments to the IRS, support some kind of regulation that would include registration, initial proof of competence, and ongoing continuing tax education.
And it looks like a majority of those expressing an opinion want all tax preparers, including CPAs and Attorneys and even volunteers, to be covered under this new regime with required continuing education in income tax topics. While I expect all would exempt Enrolled Agents from any initial testing, and some would also exempt CPAs and Attorneys, it appears to be a consensus that all preparers, regardless of credentials, should be required to complete minimum continuing education in the specific area of federal income tax.
I look forward to reading the IRS recommendations.


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A running discussion on the Cincinnati Reds and everything else in the baseball universe.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Back up the Truck...Bruce should be returned to Triple-A
Well, sadly, it's time for Jay Bruce to return to the minors. His play has been inspired and his exuberance appreciated, but in the end the Reds still need to return him to the minors. As good as Bruce has been, he's still been outdone by Johnny Cueto. Unfortunately, there's only room for one of the two on the team right now and it has to be Johnny Cueto.
Under the MLB rules, a team controls the rights to its players for the first six years of his career. The first three of which are years where the team can dictate the player's salary and the final three of which involves salary arbitration to determine player compensation. After six years, the cost control is gone and the free agent market awaits.
If the Reds were to keep both Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto on the MLB roster coming out of spring training, then it is very likely that Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and Johnny Cueto all will be eligible for free agency after the 2013 season. In 2007, Homer and Joey played enough to earn, respectively, 0.041 and 0.027 years of service time. So, just like Cueto and Bruce, they would need to be at the MLB level for the next 6 full seasons to earn enough service time to hit free agency. While it's fantastic to have all this impact rookie talent in the mix, the Reds need to manage it in order to get maximum value. It would be foolish for the Reds to put their four top prospects on the same service time schedule, as it would reduce the opportunity to retain all or even the most of them.
As it stands, it's unfortunate enough that the Reds will likely have three top prospects on the same schedule, but adding the top prospect in baseball to that mix would be foolhardy. By keeping Jay Bruce in the minors for a few months of 2008, the Reds would ensure he gets a bit more time to polish his game and delay the start of his service time clock. If they did so, they could bring him up mid-season and delay his impending free agency until after the 2014 season.
The Reds have done a great job of drafting and developing talent, but they need to ensure that they get the most out of it. Given that the Reds aren't likely going to be able to send Votto and Bailey down long enough to delay their free agency date, it comes down to a choice between Bruce and Cueto. As good as Bruce has been, Cueto has been better. Cueto is the talk of the Grapefruit League and he needs to be in the Reds rotation when they break camp. Unfortunately, that means that they'd be better off putting Bruce in the minors to start the year.
2 comments:
I agree with sending Bruce back to AAA but based on his spring performance more than arbitration management.ReplyDelete
When I watched him in Florida, he seemed over-matched often. I don't mean he couldn't hit a ML fastball but he swung at everything and got in the hole quick. At first surprising but really shouldn't be based on his age and total minor league at-bats.
If we were the Pirates or Marlins, sure start him. But thankfully we're closer to contending than that.
Hey redvol,ReplyDelete
Interesting to read your first hand observations of Bruce. They certainly conform to what I've heard about Bruce, as he is an aggressive hitter, though that might actually make him a Baker favorite. His bat speed is truly impressive, so I'd imagine he likes to make use of it early and often.
As it stands, Bruce has a solid .276 batting average in 29 spring training ABs. However, he's only got 1 extra base hit, so he isn't exactly blowing away the competition.
When you take into account the service time issue and Dusty's veteran preference, I think the writing is on the wall for Bruce. In addition, Dusty seemed to be laying the groundwork for sending Bruce down when he expressed concern about Bruce's "injury history" and his inability to stay healthy while patrolling centerfield.
A few months in the minors won't hurt Bruce or the Reds, but it will enable them to control his rights for an extra season. Ultimately, I think that's the way we need to go with Bruce.


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FRISCO, Texas---On Monday morning, it was business as usual for FC Dallas as Schellas Hyndman's club trained for nearly two hours in preparation for Saturday's season opener with Houston. However, at one point last week, it looked like any MLS activity this week could be in jeopardy since the players and league had yet to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
But late last week, the two sides found some middle ground and struck a new five-year deal. It's a safe bet that every member of Hyndman's roster is happy that their season opener with the Dynamo will take place as planned.
"I think a lot of guys are, and a lot of guys in the front office and everything are really appreciative that we got to a deal and that the season is able to go forward," FCD defender Ugo Ihemelu said after training. "Now we can just move past that and look forward to the season. We don't have to worry about people losing jobs or anything like that."
The veteran defender is FCD's player representative and last week after his team returned from a six-day trip to Tampa, he immediately caught another plane, this one to Washington, DC as negotiations heated up.
"It was pretty intense to be honest. Some guys had taken red eye flights, so they were kind of tired but everybody was focused on getting something done," Ihemelu said of the negotiations. "We knew it was really important and that it would really affect a lot of people. Everybody was putting their heads together trying to grind it out and figure out what we needed to do to get everything figured out."
[inline_node:7403]And when asked how close the players came to striking, he offered a pretty frank answer.
"Honestly, guys were serious about it. The players felt like there really needed to be some changes," the FCD defender said. "The first day we got there, at the beginning of the meetings, (Don) Garber came in and acknowledged that in some things, players weren't being treated fairly and there were certain situations that were brought up that happened to certain senior players.
"Jeff Larentowicz had a situation where he played out his contract and he wasn't happy about where he was. And there were older guys like Kevin Hartman who had put in time in the league. Those were big issues and Garber did acknowledge that certain things needed to be changed, but he also did state that the league was still early in its growth and that they couldn't give us all the changes we wanted. They had to be controlled changes and something that would make the players happy but at the same time, keep everything in order so the league can continue to grow."
Two of his teammates also expressed their feelings about the new deal.
"It's interesting, some of the topics that we have broken through a little bit on now. It's great to see the growth. I think at the beginning of the league, we took a lot more of a difficult approach by trying to sue all the time," said FCD goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, a 14-year league veteran. "I think that now that we've got something in place, it shows the players are committed to the growth of the league. I think that Don (Garber) did a great job of recognizing that."
Hartman also sees this agreement as setting a precedent.
"Hopefully, it's something that in the future will be a mutually beneficial agreement where they can pick our brains about some stuff. For five years now, we don't have to worry about going through what we've gone through the past year-and-a-half in terms of the negotiation process and the preparation for that," he said.
"We're obviously optimistic about it. I haven't seen the finalized things yet because I decided to stay here and train because I needed the work after my long off-season. I look forward to seeing how everything is implemented, but have a ton of respect for the guys that helped with that. I thought the guys within the union showed a ton of union and solidarity. That's something that really went a long way in terms of getting it done."
FCD midfielder Dax McCarty was equally pleased that the two sides agreed to favorable terms.
"Obviously, the most important thing is that an agreement was reached and we can start the season on time. I don't think anybody from the league and players wanted a work stoppage," McCarty said. "When you have these types of things, it happens in every sport and it was necessary. The players were unified and strong.
"I don't know all the details of the CBA yet but it seems like we got a good amount of things we wanted. It seems like the league kept hold of the single-entity structure for the most part. I think both sides are pretty happy with the deal, and now we can just go out there and play."
However, in the end, he realizes who benefits the most from the new deal.
"We (the players) were obviously very strong in our beliefs that there needed to be some change and credit to both sides for working hard to get a deal done. I think especially for the fans, it was important that there wasn't a work stoppage," McCarty said. "That's the most important thing."


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Hello Scribblers! J Monkeys coming atcha from inside a snow globe. Or at least that's how it looks from my office window. A fresh batch of snow fell last night and everything in view is covered – trees, roofs, even the sky is white, matching the gently falling flakes. Quite a contrast from the book I've been reading this morning.
How do you select a book at the store? Usually, it's one of two things that prompts me to pick something up – either a cover that attracts my attention, or the author's name. When it comes to authors, naturally, it's repeat business for me – I'm buying books by authors I've read before and enjoyed. Lynn Kurland, Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux. Sometimes it's a new book written by a friend or acquaintance – especially when they are written in a genre that isn't typically my cup of tea, but where I know from experience that I'll enjoy the ride – Kristan Higgins' contemporary romances, Katy Lee's inspirational romances or Casey Wyatt's urban fantasies, for example.
This morning, I'm reading a book that I chose based on the author, but it isn't an author whose work is familiar to me. In fact, the book I'm reading is his debut novel. Nor was the book/author recommended to me by a friend. I'm reading Dracula the Un-Dead written by Dacre Stoker – great grand nephew of Bram Stoker.
I'm almost exactly to the half-way point in the book and it's a delight! It's not scary, which is a good thing for me because I do NOT like scary stories. Mr. King's The Shinning still haunts me 25 years after I read it! While I loved The Stand, there were parts that I found creepy – I remember reading it while sitting in a corner, hidden from any ghouls lurking in the ether. But Dracula the Un-Dead seems more like a drama than horror as I think of it today. It's written as a sequel to the original book. In truth it's co-authored by Dacre Stoke and Ian Holt apparently written (according to Wikipedia) "Because of the Stokers' frustrating history with Dracula's copyright, Dacre with encouragement from screenwriter Ian Holt, decided to write "a sequel that bore the Stoker name" to "reestablish creative control over" the original novel." What an interesting idea. I don't know the extent to which it would reestablish copyright – but hey.
But if you've enjoyed the rise in vampire stories in the last decade or so, you might want to take a look at this homage to the original. It's well done (at least the first half!) and worth a few of your hard earned dollars. And, again according to Wikipedia, they wrote it based on Bram's original notes and stuff pulled out of the original novel. Again, a cool idea.
Today's secret: Dracula is Un-Dead and available at the bookstore once again. 🙂 Oh and by the way, they have begun filming season 6 of True Blood, speaking of popular vampires. The delightful Mr. Skarsgard has revealed a spoiler-ish something from filming. Click here to find out what.
Today's question: how do you decide to buy a book? What changes you from a browser to a buyer?


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A pair of red-ruffed lemurs have been born at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The two were born on April 21st of this year to Maditra and Bozeny, who have lived at the zoo for 3 years. The babies are still too young to have their gender identified and they have not been given names yet. Once full-grown they will weigh between 8-10 lbs.
Read about the red-ruffed lemur's cousin the ring-tailed lemur at Animal Fact Guide.


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Thinking about taking the dog on holiday? Or perhaps you're going travelling and don't want to leave the pooch behind? Check out our simple guide to taking your dog to Europe.
Had I known how easy it would be to travel with the dog, and how simple it is to get a pet passport, my dog would be far better travelled. After two months on the road with our kelpie, he'll never be excluded from European travels again. Unfazed by the long ferry journeys and van travel, he was in his element on the road: roaming miles of beaches, cooling off in the sea and making hundreds of friends to play with.
The only downsides of travelling with this dog were his scavenging skills and embarrassing habit of stealing frisbees from French naturists. On the upside – as well as him, and us, having more fun – he also provided extra security for the campervan filled with our worldly belongings. I won't be taking him on long-haul trips or city breaks but if you're planning a dog-friendly trip – preferably travelling by ferry or Eurotunnel – why not forego kennel costs and the worry of leaving Rover in someone else's care? Here are a few things to consider.
On the Pet Travel Scheme, dogs can travel between all EU-listed countries using a DEFRA-approved Pet Passport. As long as your dog is up to date with vaccinations and is micro-chipped, all you need is a trip to the vet for a health check and rabies jab. The vet will then provide you with all the necessary documentation, and your dog is permitted to leave the UK 21 days after the jab. (If you are travelling anywhere outside of the EU, the process is a little more complicated as your dog will need a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.) Before leaving I also ensured the dog's collar was fitted with a well-secured tag showing my name and phone number (including international dialling code).
Photo credit: Hayley Spurway
Wherever you decide to travel with your dog, you must depart from (and return to) the UK on an authorised route with an approved transport company. Eurotunnel and plenty of ferry companies welcome dogs onboard, as do several air routes. The cost of transporting your dog by ferry depends on if a kennel is required and the length of the crossing, but expect to pay anything from £16.50 to £50 each way. On the Eurotunnel it costs £15 each way for dogs to travel.
Before leaving, do some research into how dog-friendly the areas are that you intend to visit. Most beaches, parks and nature reserves across Europe are well marked if they do not allow dogs, or require you have them on leads. When we followed the coast from the southern tip of Spain to Brittany, the most dog-friendly areas – with quiet beaches and the fewest dog bans – were in southwest Portugal and northwest Spain. In busier areas around the Algarve and from Lisbon up much of the coast of Portugal, and in the south of France, many beaches don't allow dogs in summer.
Photo credit: Hayley Spurway
The key to you and your dog enjoying a holiday together is ensuring they're is well cared for, which can take a little more attention and planning when you're in hot climes and away from home. Firstly, keep them cool; plenty of water, regular dips in the sea or streams, and a small beach tent are the best ways of ensuring your dog doesn't overheat. It's also wise to take a good supply of your usual dog food, as dogs can be susceptible to changes in diet, and ensure your dog only eats what you feed him. It's important that the pooch has a comfortable, well-ventilated place to stay – not usually a problem if you've got accommodation, but if travelling in campervan it can take a little more thought. If in a van, have plenty of ventilation, reflective window covers and curtains, so the interior stays cool even on the hottest days. Finally, as well as taking regular stops and making sure your dog is well exercised, pack plenty of poop bags, a spare collar, a dog brush and a couple of blankets or towels.
Current regulations stipulate that your dog must have received vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arriving back into the UK. If you do not have your pet passport updated with proof of the correct treatment, or your microchip can't be scanned, you jeopardise your dog's re-entry to the country. Brittany Ferries supplies a list of vets close to its ports, but it can be easier (and cheaper) to find a local vet in a town you are passing through a few days before leaving. If you are concerned about getting your dog treated (or your language skills to make an appointment), you can use a third party (for a fee) to arrange the correct treatment.
All photographs courtesy of Hayley Spurway. Book hostels for your trip, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.


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There are few things that need our collective thought and examination as much as much as fighting wars with drones-having soldiers in the Nevada desert target and shoot missiles from unmanned aircraft against people halfway around the world.
Our technology has gotten far ahead of us and we haven't begun to consider the implications involved.
New Repertory Theatre's world premiere of "Pattern of Life" by Walt McGough goes a long way toward helping us feel what it's like to be on both ends of those lethal wasps in the sky. And toward helping us think about some of the tough, troubling questions that the operators should be facing and the potential victims on the ground inevitably face.
All of this is done through a two-man, 90-minute show featuring Carlo, a U.S. Air Force camera operator for a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), and Rahmat, a Pashtun villager in Pakistan whose brother drives home a truck that Carlos is watching closely on his screen.
Both men talk about people in their lives. Carlo speaks of Vanessa, the pregnant soldier who works with him, piloting their RPA, and is terrible at conversation. Rahmat mostly speaks about his brother Atsak and young nephew Marjan, with whom he lives, and the mysterious Dagar who has been radicalizing Atsak without Rahmat realizing it.
The show is a co-production with Boston Center for American Performance and is being performed at the Boston University Theatre, Lane-Comley Studio 210, a black box space directly above the Huntington Theatre's main stage on Commonwealth Avenue.
This is an intense show from the get-go, with a taut, extremely well-written script and brilliant, emotionally honest, and finely nuanced performances by Lewis D. Wheeler as Carlo and Nael Nacer as Rahmat. One of the keys to the script's working so well is that it transcends geography, just as the RPAs do, so that Carlo and Rahmat frequently confront each other in their dreams or their lives are intertwined as they describe and experience the exact same moment, one physically on the ground, while the other from thousands of miles away over a computer screen. Theater is a perfect medium for condensing space, getting at the interrelatedness of all of us.
We can sense from the beginning of the show that something very bad is about to happen. Rahmat is looking for a screw from a radio he loves and is trying to repair. He is a science teacher who lost his job when militants came down from the hills and burned his school. Carlo tells us about his first kill of three or five (hard to tell since they all look like splotches) men with machines guns. Once they had been killed, U.S. Marines who had been pinned down by them came out waving and dancing with joy. For the first time, Carlo felt the connection and brotherhood his father felt as a Marine.
But not all RPA kills are so clean and easily justified. When a messy one happens, the lives of Rahmat and Carlo are both turned upside down. Nacer and Wheeler are terrific at taking us through the many facets of the complex emotional and mental agony both of them experience as they try to sort through what happened and why. Carlo is fixated on a white box that Rahmat had in his hand and wants to know what's in it. There are lots of fireworks as Rahmat taunts Carlo in one of Carlo's dreams.
Rahmat's dealings with his many fellow villagers, the militant Dagar, and Bibi, who finally gives him a free soda, because he's now important, are fascinating. "I don't want to be this man's (Dagar's) friend. But you show me nothing," Rahmat says to Carlo in another dream. If that doesn't sum up the key problem our military and foreign policies face in the Middle East.
There's a vivid, powerful scene in which we experience the tension between Air Force men and women who are trained to risk their lives when killing and what they mockingly call the Chair Force who risk virtually nothing.
Characters evolve over the course of the play, as they should in any good play. And there are fascinating, not overly easy resolutions. Wheeler very much gives the feeling of a thoughtful U.S. soldier facing military issues, and Nacer, with just the right hint of an accent, very much gives us the feeling of an intelligent, passionate, Pakistani villager. Bridget Kathleen O'Leary did a superb job of bringing the show together and helping it come to life. There are some brief moments of humor skillfully planted to help to ease the tension.
The set consists of a simple wooden table that each of the men climb on at various points, two chairs that they threaten each other with, and a handful of television screens scattered through the audience on which we see Rahmat in his home as Carlo does on his monitor.
This is exactly what theater should be doing for us-helping us to feel and examine hidden, powder-keg corners of our culture and lives.
"Pattern of Life"
WHEN: Through June 29
WHERE: Boston University Theatre, Lane-Comley Studio 210, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston
INFO: 617-923-8487; www.newrep.org
Theater Review: New Rep explores powder-keg issue of military drones
There are few things that need our collective thought and examination as much as much as fighting wars with drones-having soldiers in the Nevada desert target and shoot missiles from unmanned aircraft against people halfway around the world.


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My youngest is 4! I can hardly believe that 4 years have passed since Daxton Robert came into this world (right on his due date) and made our little family of 3 into 4. Dax is one of the funniest kids I know, has a will of steel and is so full of life and energy. He has such a quick wit and you never know what he is going to come up with next. He loves to give me kisses and will do just about anything for something out of the candy bowl. I love you sweet baby cakes and am so happy that you are mine!
As tradition dictates, the birthday person gets to pick what they want for dinner and dessert on their actual birthday. As we talked about it earlier in the week, Dax wanted pizza. A day or so later he saw a commercial on tv for this
and said "Mom! You have to take me there"! He saw in the commercial that the kids meals come in car boxes and he was sold!
This was his face when we saw it from the highway
He ordered a hotdog and root beer and he was thrilled with his birthday dinner.
After dinner we went home to open presents and eat brownie sundaes with a cherry and candles on top!
Here are some pics from the day.
We had a family birthday celebration for Dax too that included his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from Cincinnati too. He picked the theme
and it was a blast.
Thanks to all of our family for the gifts and well wishes for our 4 year old. They were much appreciated. Thanks also to my SIL Mary for taking pics so that I didn't have to:)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
4 and fabulous
My youngest is 4! I can hardly believe that 4 years have passed since Daxton Robert came into this world (right on his due date) and made our little family of 3 into 4. Dax is one of the funniest kids I know, has a will of steel and is so full of life and energy. He has such a quick wit and you never know what he is going to come up with next. He loves to give me kisses and will do just about anything for something out of the candy bowl. I love you sweet baby cakes and am so happy that you are mine!
Posted by Melanie at 1:36 PM 1 comments
Labels: cupcakes
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
fall break
Xavier had a fall break and we wanted to do some fun things. Steve was able to take that Friday off so planned a few things. We decided to do a day trip to Louisville on that Friday and then some local things Sat. and Sunday. First we hit Lynn's Paradise Cafe for breakfast. They have been on the Food Network and in the Food Network Magazine and many of my friends recommended it so off we went. It was really different and unusual .... not your typical restaurant! Xavier and I split the Bourbon Ball French Toast which is one of their specialties.
And an order of fried green tomotoes. They were both delish! Steve ordered the chirozo frittata.
Dax got a pancake
and managed to eat almost all of it!
We really had a fun time!
Then we were off to the Science Center.
This fun mirror at the entrance was cool!
The Science Center had a lot of interactive activities for the kids. Their favorites were the water play area and the Sesame Street Body Exhibit. This was so fascinating for Dax. You pressed the button and well, you heard the toilet flushing...
you get the idea:)
We also saw an imax movie about Dinosaurs. It was a fun day and a fun trip!
The next day we went to Keeneland (a horse track here in Lexington) and watched the morning workout. We stopped for some bagels and brought hot chocolate and had breakfast right there at the track. The boys loved watching the horses warm up and I couldn't believe how close they came to us. It was beautiful to watch. We got there early around 7:45 and it was cold. Only 38 degrees. The cold didn't stop the fun though:)
On Sunday, we went to a birthday party at the pumpkin patch so it was a full long weekend filled with activities and good family fun! So much fun that it took us all a couple of days to recover:)
Posted by Melanie at 9:27 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 3, 2010
spookin' it up
We spent some time last weekend making the house "scary" and the boys were so excited! We did a couple of craft projects to help us along. I saw this and was inspired to make one of our own. My helpers and I
created this for our front door.
We used glitter glue on the spiders to help make them show up better. We just used spider rings to put in the wreath. We love it!
I also saw this and Dax and I made these while Xavier had a play date at a friend's house.
I found an old medical dictionary to use and thought that it added to the Halloween factor....and it is just funny:)
We then proceeded to decorate the mantel.
We found the crows at the Dollar Tree and also the skulls. They were kind of bright so we tossed them in a bag with some brown paint mixed with a little water to age them and it worked great. The boys are all about scary this year and it has been kind of fun!
I also made some homemade tomato soup. This was from a recipe I saw in the Food Network Magazine that a friend gave me a subscription to. The magazine has a ton of great recipes and food related articles in it. Love it:)
Tomato Soup
1/4 c. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped or pressed
2 lbs tomatoes, chopped
1/2 t. sugar
1 t. salt
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until vegetable are tender, about 25 mins. Puree until smooth with immersion blender, or process in batches in blender or food processor. Season with pepper and keep warm; add water to thin soup if desired. Serves 4.
It was fast and easy and healthy. I will be making this again soon!
Here's to a spooky, scary and fun filled month!
Posted by Melanie at 9:35 PM 3 comments


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Copyright claims are often used as a way to keep people from being able to talk about important issues. There are other legal maneuvers sometimes used to stifle free speech. Fortunately, some states have strong Anti-SLAPP laws!
In case you're new to the subject, SLAPP stands for a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. In short, SLAPP suits are lawsuits where it is fairly obvious that the intent of the lawsuits is to stifle free speech, rather than for a legitimate purpose under the law. The intention of anti-SLAPP laws are to allow for such lawsuits to be tossed out of court quickly -- and, frequently, to force those who bring those suits to pay legal fees.


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molo is a Canadian manufacturer and design studio dedicated to materials research and an exploration of space making. The paper room devider 'Softblock' designed by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen exemplifies molo´s ideas of intimate, temporal space making and the original thinking behind all their products.
The elements of the soft collection have been designed to be used and reused in variable and dynamic ways; replacing the need for more costly, inflexible alternatives of partitioning and arranging space. Despite being made from the light weight materials of paper and non-woven textiles, the honeycomb geometry lends these structures high strength and flexible resilience with an economy of material resource.
'softwall' and 'softblock' modular system consists of building blocks and free standing partition walls in a variety of sizes, two materials and three colours. All elements in the 'softwall' and 'softblock' modular system connect together with concealed magnets in an almost seamless way with the vertical joints blending with the rhythm of the vertically pleated structures.
'softwall' and 'softblock' further provides a medium for shaping acoustics and light within a space. The cellular structure and vertical pleats that run the course of an expanded wall serve to dampen sound while translucent or opaque versions of softwall can sculpt the light of a space.
Recognized for its poetic and pragmatic beauty and innovation, 'softwall' and 'softseating' have been acquired by several museums, including the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.


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Get DVD Talk Feeds
The TV Series
It's a cruel twist of fate that one of television's juiciest dramas, L.A. Law, has virtually disappeared since its late '80s heyday. After getting sentenced to a two-decade term in the correctional facility of our shared boob tube memories, however, things are about to change for the better. Shout Factory's DVD release of L.A. Law's first season as a six-disc, 22-episode set confirms that, über-'80s fashion and office decor notwithstanding, the show holds up remarkably well.
L.A. Law's 1986-1994 run bridges the gritty Hill Street Blues/Cagney and Lacey era of TV drama with the less demanding E.R./Ally McBeal period that followed. It was among the first lawyer shows to juggle several mini-sized storylines within a single episode. Within each hour, the core cast of glamour-puss litigators tackled earnest, message-heavy cases and lighthearted, humorous affairs with equal aplomb. Series creators Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher set out to do a sleek, West-Coast Hill Street and succeeded brilliantly. It's even apparent in the initial pilot movie, which is bolstered by an unforgettable guest appearance by actress Alfre Woodward - the following episodes in the first season would lose a little of the grit, but none of the intrigue.
Bochco and Fisher basically tweaked the formula that worked so well in Hill Street Blues for L.A. Law, supplying a large-ish cast of quirky regulars in interesting mini-dramas that are loosely tied together around the weekly office meeting. Here, we have the gritty turmoil of the Los Angeles County court system contrasting against the goings-on at the high-priced law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. The office is overseen by sensible, paternalistic senior partner Leland McKenzie (Richard Dysart), who runs the show along with his late partner's hawkish son, Doulgas Brackman (Alan Rachins). Other partners at the firm included the slick, womanizing divorce lawyer Arnie Becker (Corbin Bernsen), reticent do-gooder attorney Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry), nebbishy accounting lawyer Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker), and the earnest and somewhat enigmatic nice-guy attorney Michael Kuzak (Harry Hamlin). When a senior accountant is found dead in the pilot episode, the senior partners find a replacement in Victor Sifuentes (Jimmy Smits), a driven former d.a.'s office lawyer who seeks justice for under priveledged. Another indelible character is introduced in the first regular (non-pilot) episode - Grace Van Owen (Susan Dey), a determined, ambitious lawyer from the district attorney's office who, reluctantly at first, becomes Michael's love interest. The cast of regulars is rounded out with Ann's sensitive assistant, Abby Perkins (Michele Greene) and Roxanne (Susan Ruttan), the secretary who patiently puts up with Arnie's obliviousness.
L.A. Law exceeds in portraying its regulars as flawed, multi-dimensional beings, a key component in what makes these episodes so appealing (even now). This first season's scripts from Bochco, Fisher and the most prolific writer, William Finkelstein, do a great job of humanizing the characters even as their situations become silly and deliciously over-the-top. The stories also have the fingerprints of story editor David E. Kelley, who went on to create Ally McBeal on a similar (but not nearly as worthwhile) conceit. Kelley's first episode, Raiders of the Lost Bark - highlighted with Michael taking on the wrongful termination case of a former news anchor (Bochco's then-wife, Barbara Bosson) who dared to expose her cancer diagnosis to the television audience - kind of epitomizes the series at its best. Another fantastic moment came with its eleventh episode, The Venus Butterfly, a top-to-bottom excellent hour which perfectly handled both sensitive, topical content (Grace going up against a man tried for the mercy-killing of his AIDS-afflicted partner) and utter frivolity (Arnie and Stuart representing the estranged wives of a chiseling bigamist who kept the ladies happy with a specialized, ahem, maneuver). If Ally McBeal overcooked its quirkiness into something smug and irritating, L.A. Law tempers it with plots and characters that feel refreshingly real.
L.A. Law: Season One consists of the following 22 episodes, spread over six discs:
Disc 1
1-01 ____ 15/Sep/86 ____ Pilot
1-02 ____ 03/Oct/86 ____ Those Lips, That Eye
1-03 ____ 10/Oct/86 ____ The House of the Rising Flan
Disc 2
1-04 ____ 17/Oct/86 ____ The Princess and the Wiener King
1-05 ____ 24/Oct/86 ____ Simian Chanted Evening
1-06 ____ 31/Oct/86 ____ Slum Enchanted Evening
1-07 ____ 07/Nov/86 ____ Raiders of the Lost Bark
Disc 3
1-08 ____ 14/Nov/86 ____ Gibbon Take
1-09 ____ 21/Nov/86 ____ The Venus Butterfly
1-10 ____ 04/Dec/86 ____ Fly Me to the Moon
1-11 ____ 11/Dec/86 ____ El Sid
Disc 4
1-12 ____ 18/Dec/86 ____ Sidney, the Dead-Nosed Reindeer
1-13 ____ 08/Jan/87 ____ Prince Kuzak in a Can
1-14 ____ 15/Jan/87 ____ The Douglas Fur Ball
1-15 ____ 22/Jan/87 ____ December Bribe
Disc 5
1-16 ____ 05/Feb/87 ____ Beef Jerky
1-17 ____ 12/Feb/87 ____ Becker on the Rox
1-18 ____ 19/Feb/87 ____ Fifty Ways to Floss Your Lover
1-19 ____ 26/Feb/87 ____ The Grace of Wrath
Disc 6*
1-20 ____ 26/Mar/87 ____ Sparky Brackman RIP ?-1987
1-21 ____ 02/Apr/87 ____ Oy Vey! Wilderness!
1-22 ____ 09/Apr/87 ____ Pigmalion
* Includes bonus content.
The DVDs:
Like Shout Factory's other TV-to-DVD releases, L.A. Law: Season One is packaged in a slip-covered clear snap-case with each disc affixed on the case interior and hinged partitions. Titles, original airdates, and brief plot descriptions are printed on the inside wraparound.
Objection! The fuzzy, second-generation picture quality is perhaps the most underwhelming aspect of this set. Like much '80s-period television, the original 35mm prints on L.A. Law were transferred onto videotape to facilitate adding credits. These video dupes are likely the best-quality surviving copies. The murky, color-drained results leave a lot to be desired, however. The disc mastering also seemed awfully compressed and pixelated (even on the newly filmed material), although by and large it's decent.
L.A. Law's run spanned prime-time's transition from mono to stereo. The mono soundtracks used here have muffled sound and limited dynamic range, but for a dialogue-driven show like this it's generally pleasant and unobtrusive. No subtitles are provided.
Although this debut season of L.A. Law saw a long-awaited Region 2 DVD release in 2012, Shout Factory adds some tasty new featurettes to this particular release. Totalling about 150 minutes in running time, the new stuff benefits from the participation of Stephen Bochco and most of the first-season cast members (only Dysart, Van Peebles and Greene are missing).
Final Thoughts:
From the start, L.A. Law served up topical courtroom intrigue and steamy inter-personal relationships in equal measure - with a top-notch cast and excellent direction and scripting, it's still a genuine treat. For its first release on DVD, sub-par picture mars an otherwise excellent presentation from Shout Factory, with several hours of brand-new interviews and a comprehensive making-of video for fans to deliberate over. Highly Recommended.
Matt Hinrichs is a designer, artist, film critic and jack-of-all-trades in Phoenix, Arizona. Since 2000, he has been blogging at Scrubbles.net. 4 Color Cowboy is his repository of Western-kitsch imagery, while other films he's experienced are logged at Letterboxd. He also welcomes friends on Twitter @4colorcowboy.


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Corpus Christi Caller and Daily Herald (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. SEVENTEEN, No. EIGHTY, Ed. 1, Tuesday, March 9, 1915
Description: Daily newspaper from Corpus Christi, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.
Date: March 9, 1915
Creator: Stayton, John W.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Newspaper
Partner: UNT Libraries


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One thing I love about living in Las Vegas is that we have every conference imaginable in our lovely town. It turns out that most people in healthcare love this as well since it means that they can make a regular trip to Las Vegas for work. My most recent conference find is the Digital Signage Expo, February 26-28 and it has a surprising number of good healthcare focused content at the event.
As I thought about it more, digital signage is popping up everywhere in hospitals. For example, these are some of the areas that digital signage is used in hospitals to engage patients:
- Digital Signage at Hospital Bedsides
- Digital Signage in Lobbies
- Digital Signage in Dining Area
- Digital Signage in ED
However, the digital signage isn't just seen by patients, but can also be a great way for hospitals to communicate important messages to clinical staff as well. Here are a few places where digital signage can engage the hospital staff:
- Digital Signage in Nursing Units
- Digital Signage in Employee Break Rooms
- Digital Signage in Physician Lounges
Think about some of the possible benefits of properly implemented digital signage in hospitals:
Reduce Hospital Readmissions – This is a big topic in healthcare right now as hospitals search to lower costs and avoid penalties. Digital Signage can be a great way to properly educate the patients from when they step into your hospital to when they leave.
Increase Patient Compliance – Many hospitals are using their digital signage to educate their patients on discharge instructions, importance of filling and taking medications, and keeping follow up appointments with their primary care doctor.
Educate Caregivers – Many patients are recovering and unable to focus on the messaging provided, but digital signage provides an easy way to educate both the patient and their caregiver at the same time with a consistent, clear message.
Better Outcomes – This can be a particularly powerful outcome when clinical staff regularly see clinical messages. A simple example is using digital messages to improve hand washing in your hospital. An image can be a powerful motivator when it comes to promoting hand washing.
Put Patient at Ease – The right content can do amazing things to put a patient at ease during what can often be a very stressful experience.
Navigate the Facility – We often take for granted how easy it is for us to navigate the hospital. The same can't be said for patients who visit the hospital irregularly. Digital Signage can't help to alleviate this issue.
Patient Satisfaction – I have heard people talk about how reimbursement will soon be tied to patient satisfaction. Digital Signage is one major way to change the patient experience in your hospital for good. We will see a dramatic increase in patient satisfaction once we work to make their visit an experience.
Public Safety Alerts – In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and other disasters, I think we all can see the value of having a system available to communicate important safety alerts.
All of the above could lead to the most important result of them all: saving a life.
There's a lot for a hospital to consider in order to achieve all of the benefits listed above using digital signage. The technology has become much more advanced, the variety of displays available is much broader, and then there's always the challenge of how to produce and distribute the right content to these displays. Of course, this list doesn't even include advanced functionality like the convergence of mobile technology with digital signage. That's right. If you execute your digital signage properly, patients' mobile devices can be a real asset to your messaging.
It seems like the Digital Signage Expo Healthcare track covers a lot of these challenges and more. Not to mention, it's always great to hear how things are done in other industries so you can consider how that same thing can be applied to healthcare. Although, probably most interesting is Mayo Clinic's Sharon Erdman leading a discussion on Patient Experience Design at the event.
I'd love to hear stories of how you're using digital signage in your hospital or healthcare institution. What benefits and challenges have you seen?


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The Trails Committee has organized an Adopt-A-Trail program. Training is provided – no experience is necessary! Contact the Trails Committee for more information: [email protected]
All trail users are encouraged to report trail maintenance issues or suggestions to the email address above or on the Committee's Facebook page.
Responsibilities of trail adopters include:
- Clearing trails of intruding branches and fallen logs
- Repairing trail erosion
- Posting or maintaining entrance signs and trail markers
- Making trail map suggestions
- Reporting larger maintenance needs to the Trails Committee
- Reporting vandalism and inappropriate uses