text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - UK employment - Could you help with info please? Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in UK employment - Could you help with info please? Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3 Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> United Kingdom View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message scot47Joined: 10 Jan 2003Posts: 15343 Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 5:16 am Post subject: Starting a school Establishing and running a Language School is a business, like running a restaurant or a retail business. If you go into it with the mindset of an amateur you will, like hundreds before you, fail. I am trying to get you to face reality. Back to top Will.Joined: 02 May 2003Posts: 783Location: London Uk Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 9:06 am Post subject: Hi Folks, It looks like you have decided already. I'll throw in my twopennorth worth anyroad. Scot 47. I also work at that uni...It ain't nothing special. crap money and conditions. good library resources. My point? If you have enough experience at teaching on a wing and a prayer, can manage to deal with bureacrats who have no knowledge or recognition of your field of experience or respect for it other than regarding you as a cash cow, come and work in the EFL industry in the UK. As a recently qualified newbie with a few years experience in a language school that is well resourced and helps you develop as a teacher you will not make it here, unless you hit a lucky link. there are good jobs out there. I have had a few. there are some crap ones too. hourly paid, part time hours, split shifts, prep time unpaid, assistance at meetings the list goes on. like Sue mentioned it is easier if you have your own accommodation because your savings will disappear really quickly if you have to rent in London or the South East. If you are preparing for a higher degree it is worth returning and suffering part time work, or badly paid-£8/9/10 an hour 30 contact hours a week-jobs for the access it allows you into academic institutions which allows you to research a lot more easily than abroad. Add to this when you are on a higher you spend less time, and money, in the pub and that crucifies most returnees. As for GaryWolf. The reference to regullations that you make is to the requirement of the British Council that 'recommended schools' have at least a 50% content of teaching staff holding the DELTA (no equivalents accepted) qualification. These teachers will not accept low wages. Employing them will not be easy for you and your freshly-started school will not attract them. Where will you get your students? How will you guarantee they remain at your school and don't go to a better cheaper one? The easy thing about trade is finding the right thing to sell. The five 'R's The Right product at the Right price in the Right place at the Right time in the Right quantity. I have boomed and busted many times. Buy low, sell high. Great idea but where do you get the punters from???? Who do you sell to? As Scot said do your research or you are wasting your time, both now and in your future. Point one, Business premises.... how much can you afford to throw away? Point two, Health and Safety requirements. Public access means a refit on your business premises and no income while this is going on!!! Point three, Insurance for you, your staff, your premises and your contents, and up to a million pounds for accident and injury claims from any crafty fly-by-night "student" that might try it on. Are you still with me? Have you considered buying some matches and petrol? hth, Will. Back to top khmerhitJoined: 31 May 2003Posts: 1874Location: Reverse Culture Shock Unit Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 3:55 pm Post subject: never mind, Gary. go for it. I suggest Ealing or Acton. Back to top GaryWolfJoined: 24 Apr 2004Posts: 27 Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 4:00 am Post subject: Scot Once again, thanks for your input. I can't believe that you can't see that step one is, 'can you have a school in the first place?'. It's ok Scot, I now understand that we would do things differently. First you would spend all your time researching all the things that "Will" is suggesting. Then you would spend lots of money on financial guidance from accountants etc. Then, the very last thing you would do, is find out that you can't own and run your own English school because of the new Home Office rules which are about to come into force stating that only students attending 'recognized' English schools will be given a visa. So after spending all your time and money, you then find out that you can't have your school after all, may be. I'd just like to start the other way round and know if first I can have a school due to the upcoming new regulations by the Home Office. Scot, we're just different. Admittedly, you are the more intelligent, I offer you no resistance here. Any way Thanks for the input. I know your heart is in the right place. As for Will Will first, thanks for your reply. Again, like Scot, just 'read' my post slowly and carefully. I'm just asking about regulations, only regulations. I understand that you have had a hell of a lot of failures in your life (as you said in your post - I don't mean to be rude), but not everyone does things like you and Scot. Just take your time Will, take things a little slower (eg, reading posts clearly). I think that if you and Scot set up a school, the first time you guys would hear about regulations and accredited schools is when your first students are phoning you from the airports back in their own countries saying that they couldn't get through customs because your school isn't accredited. Will, you said you have "boomed and busted many times". It's good to get some input from someone who is well experienced in failure. What did you fail in so many times? Is this why you started in the world of EFL? But again, thank you very much for your input Will Many thanks GaryWolf (very soon to be a failure too, "many times") Khmerhit Thanks for your vote of confidence. If I can help in any way, please just ask (same for Scot and Will) All the best GaryWolf Back to top Will.Joined: 02 May 2003Posts: 783Location: London Uk Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 10:26 am Post subject: Hi Gary, Thank you for such a nice response to my input. It is refreshing to receive such a positive response from new posters. To further your info on regulations search you could try to establish a link with the Home Office, or a colleague working there, as I have. The British Council has a website too. The info concerning their plans is available there as well. To answer your question I failed at being successful in business. Each time I thought I knew it all and could do it on my own. As I matured, with more experience, I became more successful at hearing what was being said by those who were giving me advice, and was capable of running a business at a profit. My products were produced and sold in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australasia. I did very well for 6 years. I eventually ceased working and employed others to do my work for me. I learnt to recognise a good thing. I then moved into management, got bored with it and started a new career in education putting my other 'life' on hold and used its finances to pursue 'another interest'. That was 15 years ago. The success came at a price. I closed my operations down and capitalised on the finances while at the peak. In other words I made a killing and got out while the going was good. I learnt how to back off at the right time and not try and milk the situation for ALL it was worth but to take what I could get and then get out. Let us know what the accreditation regulations are when you find out, I am sure we would all like to know more about this. I must admit it is all news to me. I imagine it is something to do with the 'visa schools' at the lower end of the market, My current activities are associated with 'home' students so that is probably why I missed it. thanks in advance for the info, Happy browsing. Back to top GaryWolfJoined: 24 Apr 2004Posts: 27 Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 4:49 pm Post subject: Will Thanks very much for your reply. Communicated and received much better than your first one. The problem, is that both you and Scot, instead of just responding to my request, automatically assumed that I have no knowledge of business and decided to let me know what you thought about it. I just didn't know why you came to that conclusion from my posts. I only ever enquired about employment in the EFL industry in the UK, then enquired about regulation in the industry. I understand the difficulties that you pointed out to me and I have much experience in most of the areas that you mentioned. However, I did appreciate the fact that you mentioned them, it's just the way you responded Will. Please accept my apology. I would like to congratulate you on your business successes. Sounds like you did well. I think your primary motive is financial gain Will, which is 100% OK with me, and I think anyone else with sense - not meant to be offensive ok. My motivation, is mostly professional satisfaction, but obviously, like yourself not just this, there is also financial reward (hopefully). I enjoy teaching Business English very much. My background is in the area of communication. Although, I'm not a 'teacher'. I have a lot of experience in business too, and I know it's difficult. As regards to the regulations in the UK I will paste a copy of an article that I found on the net. It is now confirmed that regulation will come into operation in the UK by the end of the year (see article below). How this will work nobody knows yet. If I will be able to own and run my own Business English School isn't clear from the article. I say this because I am not a qualified teacher. The article only mentions limitations as to students needing visas for the UK, it doesn't say that there are limitations as to who can own and run a school for students not needing a visa. Any way, sorry for the long response Will (and you other guys). I will put the article below 'if' it will paste, and then you can read it for yourselves. As you will see, nothing is yet confirmed in how all this regulation will administered or how it will work. Once again, thanks for your input Will, very much appreciated. GaryWolf Here is the article www.elgazette.com/ELNews/NewsStory.asp?SubTitle=UK%20and%20Ireland&Special=UK-Irl&StoryID=517 UK accreditation to be mandatory By Melanie Butler, Friday 7 May 2004 All UK language schools will have to apply for accreditation by the end of the year or risk their non-EU students being unable to obtain visas. This follows a promise by prime minister Tony Blair that 'we are going to file an approved list of accredited colleges. When this is up and running by the end of the year, students from overseas will only be given permission to come here to study if they choose insititutions on that list.' Contacted by the Gazette to ask if accreditation would become compulsory the Home Office responded that it was the government's 'intention to require non-accredited English language schools to have made steps to gain accreditation by the end of the year in order to move to a position where visas will only be issued to students who make applications to study at accredited institutions'. Concerns had been growing in the UK English language industry that the government intended to set up a new system of compulsory accreditation. This followed statements by David Blunkett, who as Home Secretary has responsibility for immigration. On 22 April he promised to 'establish a system in which those applying to study in the UK will only be able to do so at an approved college'. A Home Office press release of the same date said 'an accreditation and monitoring scheme will be set up to ensure that genuine establishments are properly registered by the end of the year'. Asked by the Gazette if the Home Office intended to set up a separate scheme or if existing accreditation schemes - such as the voluntary one run by the British Council - would be expected to do the job, the Home Office said that existing accreditation schemes would be used. 'The main accreditation providers we know of are the British Council's English in Britain scheme, ABLS and BAC.' Cherry Gough of the British Council, which runs the English in Britain scheme, told the Gazette: 'We fully support the Home Office initiative to create a strong regulatory framework for private sector English language schools and colleges, as we feel that this will inevitably lead to more consistent standards and more protection for international students of English in the UK.' Ms Gough was clear, however, that the final details of the government scheme have not been decided: 'Our understanding is that the Home Office announcement indicated an intention to firm up the registration and accreditation of private colleges,' she said. 'The details of the proposals are still being finalised, but we are in discussion with the Home Office and are confident that all relevant bodies will be consulted as part of the process,' she added. In response to the Home Office statement Judith Godfrey, chair of the Association of British Language Schools (ABLS), told the Gazette: 'For the last ten years ABLS has striven to ensure that an inspection and accreditation scheme was available to all language schools, regardless of type, size or budget. The Association of British Language Schools therefore welcomes the government's moves towards compulsory accreditation.' Back to top Will.Joined: 02 May 2003Posts: 783Location: London Uk Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 10:40 am Post subject: Hi Gary, Nice article, My the week flies by... This does not seem to really be of immediate effect for you or your planned school, I can see the effect it would have on the 'visa school' trade, most of them rely on the gullibility of their students and a fancy name....etc. If you really want to set up a school I am sure you will go ahead and do it. Bref! You should be able to set up and ignore the regulations until such time as you need to recruit non-EU students.Just nip down to companies house and fill in the forms, submit them, signed by yourself another director and a witness pay your money ( I think it is still about £80)wait a week or two and you are officially a company with all the tax benefits this implies... The implication, or risk as it is described in the article, will be to run your school on the basis of EU citizens only. this means by inference a reliance on ESOL and a full understanding of the funding and assessment and bureacratic mechanisms of the Learning and Skills Council. European union funding mechanisms such as Socrates, Leonardo, Erasmus and The European Social Fund to name but a few. The link here would be "How to survive as an independent language school and not poach students from other schools once they have entered the country and have a visa but realised how expensive it is at their particular school compared to yours" the regulation need not be heeded unless you wish your student base to contain non-EU citizens. Finding EU citizens who are willing to pay for English lessons from your school when they can get them for free from the school up the road may prove difficult. Diversity in difficult times and a limited student base does not make for a profitable outcome. Specialist training courses in your field of .. business English isn't it? could prove more productive. FYI: ESOl funding is up to and including ESOL level 2, equating roughly to CAE level. Schools feel able to 'Adjust' this level in order to include a student in a class as this means thay receive funding and that is a guarantee of income. A focus on courses of interest to EU citizens with professional qualifications in their own country , specifically the 'new Europeans' seeking to improve their professional opportunities for employment in this country often need high level communication skills. They are also willing to pay for this so you don't need to apply for funding which as a new kid in town you are not likely to get . This is an area you could exploit without being affected by the new regulations. There is a way around the regulations. Rules are not made to be broken but lawyers can make a fortune by circiumnavigating their way around them. I hope this is of interest and of help in your decision. Back to top Will.Joined: 02 May 2003Posts: 783Location: London Uk Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 10:40 am Post subject: double trouble! Back to top GaryWolfJoined: 24 Apr 2004Posts: 27 Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject: Hello Will Thanks for your response. All the information you gave was very insightful and of help. It is much appreciated. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Many thanks GWolf Back to top Will.Joined: 02 May 2003Posts: 783Location: London Uk Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 8:47 am Post subject: Glad to be of help, Back to top Benjamin SemwayoJoined: 05 May 2004Posts: 2Location: *************************** Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 9:39 pm Post subject: Hi Gary I'm sorry I've been so busy that I haven't been able to visit this forum for quite some time. SueH is absolutely right. I work for a teaching agency that finds work for me in the schools and I am paid on the basis of the number of days I have worked. The daily rates for various teaching agencies (There are scores of them.) range from £95.00 a day if you do not have qualified teacher status to £160.00 if you have QTS. You are not paid for the days you do not work. Work is plentiful in winter, when many teachers take days off sick, but in summer it is difficult to find work as schools often have their full staff complements. The result is that in summer some supply teachers resort to finding other jobs unrelated to teaching, and which usually pay less, in order to have something to fall back on if nothing is forthcoming from the agency by way of meaningful employment. As you can see, it is very difficult working as a supply teacher, which is why many supply teachers would rather find permanent positions. Hope this information helps. Ben Back to top GaryWolfJoined: 24 Apr 2004Posts: 27 Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:31 pm Post subject: Hi Ben Many thanks for your reply GaryWolf Back to top Russell HaddJoined: 06 May 2004Posts: 181 Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: scot47 wrote: Even universities in the UK treat their staff badly. My friends are told in June whether or not they will be required for the coming year. Tenure ? What is that ? And I am not talking about some back street EFL school - London University. Yuk ! This is a generalisation - Although I'd say it's the norm there is more and more in-sessional work available. Also, if your prepared to work with non-native speaking home students and can offer more thAn straight EFL e.g. EAP, numeracy or learning difficulties then there are opportunities. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> United Kingdom All times are GMTGoto page Previous 1, 2, 3 Page 3 of 3 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. 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The PenJet project is a collaboration of Rietveld Academie students Jaan Evart, Julian Hagen and Daniël Maarleveld. The project has originated from the workshop "Uncommon Usage" given by Jürg and Urs Lehni. During the workshop we experimented with the movement of print heads.
In general the new possibilities of every new technique influence the design process. This is the case for new alternatives of a printer. Therefore we decided to continue the project after workshop. Every brand of the printers has its own manner of movement and characteristic rhythm. The Penjet shows the handwriting of the machine, some fine and straight, others more messy. The quality settings of the printer (presentation/normal/300X300 dpi/150X150dpi etc.) influence the way the lines are drawn. The final result has both – the imperfections of handwriting as the preciseness of a machine. Every page is unique.
Filed under: Illustration, Lettering, Typefaces, Typography

subset: commoncrawl


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The functional Frame shelf system by By Lassen consist of square boxes in black frames. The Frame modules can be hung on the wall or stand on their own. Create your own Frame shelf system according to your needs: options are endless. Available in many different sizes and colors.
- Manufacturer:
- By Lassen
- Design:
- Mogens Lassen
- Material:
- Veneer, Mdf
- Colour:
- Black stained ash
- Length:
- 49 cm
- Depth:
- 42 cm
- Height:
- 49 cm


text: Member Directory Rep Roster New SearchPrev1Next Dr. Michael W. Williams, D.C.Williams Chiropractic & Sports Medicine Ctr.818-843-2225E-mail New SearchPrev1Next Member Directory | Calendar of Events | Member Account | Community Calendar of Events | Jobs | Member Promotions | News | Request Info Upcoming Events No upcoming events. Check back soon. New Members Victory Auto Body & paintGlobal Wave IntegrationHappier Home CareMagnolia Park Merchants AssociationBottle Coatings Inc. creator of SanitisprayMaintco Corp.Hands to Heart, Inc.Interior Design Firm: A Psychotherapy PracticeThe Osbrink AgencyCanyon Road FilmsIvy Avanessian Fua, DDS, INCAssembly Dude Inc.Lorraine Richardson: Lorraine's CreationsD-Light Me Holistic Health CoachingPaylocity


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The Buffalo Grove Theater is available for parties and Corporate Events. Whether it's a birthday celebration for you and 100 of your closest friends or a private party for you and that special someone; the Buffalo Grove Theater can meet all your needs! We offer affordable, flexible packages to cater to any size budget. Are you interested in planning a party or event or just have some questions? Call our Event Line at: 847-215-1221 today!
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Monday, December 25, 2006
Today was great my brother Jay, his wife Kathy and their two kids Kaylie 3 and Serenity 5 months came over.
I spent a lot of time with Kaylie. we took Rocky around the block and ran. She understands Auntie Catra runs in the Mountains 100 miles, and she also knows I work at Whole Foods. That's where my brother shops. But not at mine. But he always tells Kaylie that's who Auntie works for.
She told me she wants to run in the Mountains with me and she wants to have tattoos too.
I love just watching kids they are so free they have no worries.
I love to watch them run, we can learn so much they have no fear when they run. Kaylie was running and tripped and jumped right up and kept going.
I loved my time spend with Kaylie today. For the New Year I plan on spending more time with her.
3 comments:
- Matthew Ruscigno said...
yo Catra! What's up? I am working on my blog, should have stuff up soon soon soon. Next time you come down to So Cal give me a heads up and I promise to be on your pace team! You got a schedule posted anywhere?
I just LOVE reading your positive vibes! And I was also thinking about kids the other day, in regards to 'adults' trashing running. I was thinking - just watch kids - they run, they love to run! It's so natural - just watch them and see how normal and natural it is for us to do!!!
- Catra said...
Hey Matt-
Woo Hoo good to hear from you!
I will be running hundreds every month the rest of the year. I start my PCT speed record attempt on may 21st.
I will be in So Cal in September for Angeles Crest 100 so I would love to have you pace me then.
I will give you a holla when I come down that way to visit friends.


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METRO VANCOUVER — Several Fraser Health Authority hospitals have some of the worst results in Canada on various measures of patient safety and quality of care, according to a report prepared for the ministry of health and released Wednesday.
The most recent Canadian Hospital Reporting Project shows that Burnaby Hospital was the worst in Canada from 2010 to 2012 in a category called "nursing-sensitive adverse events." The category is a patient safety and quality of care indicator because complications typically stem from hospital care or lack thereof, as opposed to a patient's illness. The report studied the rate per 1,000 patients of such conditions as urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, in-hospital falls leading to fractures and pneumonia.
In studies, the conditions are often said to be associated with nursing staff levels. Surrey Memorial Hospital performed worse than 98 per cent of similarly sized hospitals and Royal Columbian fared only slightly better, with 92 per cent of peer hospitals performing better in 2010-11 and 83 per cent doing better in 2011-12. For medium-sized community hospitals, Ridge Meadows was also near the bottom, with 99 per cent of like-sized hospitals performing better in 2010-11 and 88 per cent doing better in 2011-12.
"These outcomes are particularly concerning, considering that the majority of surgeries that occur in Fraser Health are performed in these three (big) hospitals," stated the report, prepared for the health ministry in its seven-month review of Fraser Health. The report said Surrey Memorial had many quality indicator red flags warranting deeper investigation relating to infection control, hand hygiene compliance, delays in fixing broken hips within 48 hours, patient satisfaction and other measures of quality and safety.
At a news conference held in the Vancouver cabinet offices Wednesday, health minister Terry Lake said hiring more nurses is one of the priorities for Fraser Health leaders. While insisting that problems aren't all due to budget shortfalls, he nevertheless announced $60 million more in funding for Fraser Health over the next two years, on top of the $3.1 billion from government in the 2014/15 fiscal year and $3.2 billion in 2015/16.
"We are hiring more nurses. I think there's a couple hundred more nurses that have been hired recently in Fraser Health with the expansion at Surrey Memorial, for instance. And we're working very closely through the last collective agreement with nurses to ensure that we are hiring the extra number of nurses that we agreed to and we're on track to do that.
"Then again, it's about the appropriateness and utilizing the highly trained skills of nurses in appropriate fashion, so making sure that we are using their skills to the highest level possible, particularly in team-based care to make sure that patients are best served and that nurses don't get burned out because that's important for us that we want a sustainable, healthy workforce."
Lake praised the work done by "amazing, dedicated, skilled people …(who are like) unsung heroes" but he said the additional money is needed to improve the quality of certain indicators of patient care and safety.
Some of the other problems identified by Lake as needing attention include getting patients discharged from hospitals faster, since the risk of hospital-acquired infections and other complications go up as patients have more exposure to hospital germs. Lake said it's not that Fraser Health has too few hospital beds, it's that more than a third of patients admitted to hospital are staying too long.
The review contains numerous reports and one of them would appear to undermine Lake's contention that there are enough hospital beds. It shows that from 2008 to 2013, Fraser Health had patient occupancy rates above 100 per cent, which is why so many patients end up in hallways. For example, Mission Memorial had a whopping 136.7 per cent occupancy rate for the year ending in 2012/13.
For at least the past five years, the authority has had the worst rates of any health region in the province when it comes to getting emergency patients admitted into hospital beds in under 10 hours. Only 55 per cent of such patients were admitted in that time frame last year.
"Given current practices, FH has insufficient acute beds to meet current demand. A short-term increase in acute bed capacity, distributed appropriately, could then be implemented to allow administrators and health care providers to focus ... on decongestion strategies," the report states.
Lake said news reports about patients suffering or dying after falls in hospitals or medical mistakes are not the norm — they are "outliers." But he acknowledged there's room for improvement. The report echoes that:
"This suggests further education of both medical and nursing staff needs to take place, as well as more effective use of daily safety huddles," according to a government document.
The review identified several other areas where Fraser Health facilities need to improve: hospital mortality rates; immunization rates for measles, mumps and rubella; decreasing overtime of nurses; boosting mental health services; and increasing residential care beds — the latter said to be 300 short of the B.C. per capita average.
Lake asserted there is an over-reliance on acute care hospital beds across the Fraser region and that care has to shift to communities and homes. Too many patients are going to emergency departments for care they should be able to get elsewhere, he said. The report found that 550,000 ER visits took place at Fraser Health hospitals in 2012/2013. Use of emergency rooms is increasing 6.5 per cent annually, far higher than population increases of 1.7 per cent.
One changes being studied to help take the strain off involves hiving off the Burnaby Hospital and geographic region and making it part of Vancouver Coastal, since about half of patients in Burnaby get their care in that region. The change in health region boundaries is not expected to take place without a full consultation with the public and health providers, a process that could take up to a year.
The health ministry's report comes weeks after Dr. Nigel Murray, the former CEO of the region, resigned, to take a job in his homeland of New Zealand. Murray was the highest-paid health authority CEO in B.C., earning $444,000 in total annual compensation. A search for a successor is underway and that individual will be asked to take far less, about $348,000, said Wynne Powell, the recently retired CEO of London Drugs and chairman of the Provincial Health Services Authority. He was seconded by the health minister to also serve as the volunteer interim chairman of the board at Fraser Health.
Dr. David Ostrow, the former CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health, was asked to come out of his brief retirement to serve as interim CEO of Fraser Health.
Powell resisted any direct jabs at Murray, but said he thinks the leadership and board of the region met too infrequently and focused too much on day-to-day operations rather than big-picture issues. He has now ushered in an era of twice as many board meetings and wants board members to receive far better briefing notes so they can think more critically.
Powell said he has been extremely hands-on throughout the review process, even meeting with hospital cleaners.
"I've even gone around talking to janitors, asking them to do a little bit more. Things like cleanliness and hand washing rates have to go up."
Fraser Health serves a population of 1.7 million — the most populous and fastest-growing region in B.C.
Lake ordered the review last fall after the health authority faced a barrage of criticism on various issues:
• Fraser Health failed to meet its budget for three years in a row despite six-per-cent annual budget increases. Other health authorities got an average 4.8 per cent annual budget increases.
• Continued hospital congestion leading to patients waiting and being treated in hallways.
• In October 2013, a 90-year-old woman was sent home from the Ladner hospital at 2 a.m. in pyjamas and without shoes. Vivian Fitzpatrick was discharged from the hospital and sent home by cab, bleeding from a medical procedure and wrapped in a bedsheet.
• Recurring difficulties with so-called super-bugs and hospital-acquired infections such as C. difficile and other antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The Vancouver Sun has also reported on various tragedies at Fraser Health hospitals, including the recent death after a fall of a cancer patient. And at Royal Columbian Hospital, the catastrophic labour and delivery experience of a couple (a nurse and her law enforcement husband) whose infant died as a result of medical errors for which the hospital apologized.
Sun Health Issues Reporter
Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. CLICK HERE or go to vancouversun.com/moretothestory


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Authorities say safety devices were tampered with
Associated Press
Authorities say a man who was operating a ride at the North Carolina State Fair has been charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon after the ride injured five people.
The fair said in a news release Saturday that 46-year-old Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow, of Quitman, Ga., had been arrested. Witnesses say the ride had stopped and people were getting off when it started moving again.
Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said after inspecting the ride, investigators determined it had been tampered with and critical safety devices were compromised.
Tutterrow is employed by an independent ride contractor. A telephone call to Tutterrow was not immediately returned.
Three people are still in the hospital.


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What a busy week! I've been working on so many projects and getting ready for National Scrapbook Day! We are celebrating over at Bad Girls with the most amazing challenges and classes. The girls are so stinkin talented-I am so excited for all of the fun stuff they have planned. Here is a link to the forum to see all of the talk about whats going on that day--May 2nd! This will definitely get your mojo goin':
And we are headed for a big reveal night-the May kit is amazing! Wendy always puts together the best kits! When I first saw it-I wasn't sure what direction it would take me in. But it took on a life of it's own. I created some of my most favorite layouts with it...But in the meantime-I have some sneak peeks for you!
Speaking of reveal night--it's tonight!!!!! Come on over to the BG forum and join us at 9:00pst for the party. There are prizes, games and sometimes a reveal before the reveal-wink!
We are also doing a celeb chat with Janelle Smith from 7 Gypsies on May 5th @ 11am pst--what a great chance to chat with a Gypsie and find out where her Gypsy-ness comes from!
Hope to see you there!
Be back soon with my LO's!
xoxo Cari


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Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of WWE Backlash. We will be updating this page throughout the evening with results from the show, so check back often.
WWE Backlash opened with a flashback to Wrestlemania with clips of John Cena vs. Triple H, John Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show and Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy, followed by clips of the events leading to this show. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show and they went right to the entrances for the first match. Ross, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are calling the entire show.
ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. Christian.
Swagger took Christian down at the bell and rolled him across the mat with a front chancery. Christian made the ropes for a break, and Swagger shoved him. Christian slapped Swagger and hit some punches, then ducked under him and hit a spinkick. Christian delivered a second rope back elbow for a two count and applied a headlock. Swagger shoved him into the ropes and hit a shoulderblock, then a second. Swagger pressed Christian over his head and tossed him over the top rope and to the floor. Christian followed him to the floor and choked him, then rolled him back into the ring for a two count. Swagger hit a knee to the gut, then a second. Swagger applied a waistlock and tossed Christian to the mat, then rolled him into a bridge for a two count. Swagger kept the waistlock applied, while the fans chanted for Christian.
Christian got to his feet and elbowed out of the waistlock, then dodged a charge by Swagger in the corner. Christian went for a pendulum kick, but Swagger caught it and stomped Christian into the mat. Swagger applied a bearhug, then lowered Christian to try and pin him with the hold. Christian kept his shoulders off the mat, then forearmed his way out of the hold. Swagger went for a press slam, but Christian floated over it. Swagger grabbed Christian and hit a gut buster. Swagger went back to the waistlock, and when Christian got to his feet, hit a knee to the gut. Swagger missed a charge in the corner, and Christian hit the pendulum kick. Swagger came right back with a knee to the gut, then went for a V Bomb off the middle rope, but Christian got his knees up.
Christian was favoring his ribs, and threw some punches at Swagger, then a running forearm. Christian hit a back elbow, then went for a tornado DDT, but Swagger tossed it away. Christian ducked a Swagger clothesline and hit a sunset flip off the middle rope for a two count. Swagger grabbed Christian and backdropped him. Swagger went for the powerbomb, but Christian blocked it twice. Swagger rammed Christian into the corner, and set up for a superplex, but Christian kicked him away. Christian then hit the tornado DDT for a near fall. As they got to their feet, Swagger hit a belly to belly suplex, then went for a fireman's carry, but Christian armdragged out of it, sending Swagger to the floor.
Christian went outside after Swagger, but Swagger decked him. Swagger then went for a German suplex off the apron to the floor, but Christian blocked it and flipped Swagger back into the ring. Christian went to climb the ropes, but Swagger headbutted him in the gut. They fought on the ropes, and Swagger backdropped Christian to the mat. Swagger then hit a V Bomb from the top rope for a two count. Swagger pulled Christian up, trash talking, but Christian slugged him. Christian went for a Killswitch, but Swagger shoved it off and picked up Christian for a slam. Christian floated over and rolled up Swagger for a two count. Swagger kicked out, picked up Christian and gave him an Oklahoma Stampede for a two count. Swagger, frustrated, went to pull the pad off a turnbuckle, but the referee was stopping him. Meanwhile, in the other corner, Christian pulled off a turnbuckle pad. Swagger charged, Christian moved, and Swagger went headfirst into the exposed steel. Christian then hit the Killswitch for the pin at the eleven minute mark.
Winner and New ECW Champion: Christian.
Backstage, Evan Bourne, Finlay and Tommy Dreamer congratulated Christian. Christian then walked up to Edge. Edge accused Christian of thinking he was better than him because he had a championship. Christian asked what happened to Edge, saying he used to be "fun" and now he was a "bitter, raving lunatic." Edge said he was a lot of fun, but John Cena turned him into a lunatic. They argued, then Edge said he was going to be fun again after he got rid of John Cena tonight, and walked off.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Chris Jericho.
Jim Ross pointed that Steamboat's last singles PPV match was 15 years ago, against Steve Austin at Bash At The Beach. Jericho stalled at the start, then Steamboat took him down with a waistlock and Jericho went for the ropes. Jericho shoved Steamboat, who returned it. Steamboat slid under Jericho and out of the ring. Jericho went to follow him to the floor, Steamboat got back in and then kicked Jericho between the ropes. Steamboat hit a pescado, then tossed Jericho back in the ring. Steamboat armdragged Jericho, and there was a "You still got it" chant. There were some chants for Jericho too. Steamboat applied an armbar, but Jericho punched out of it and hit a shoulderblock.
Steamboat ducked under a charging Jericho and hit another armdrag. Jericho punched out of it, but Steamboat fired off a chop and hit a shoulderblock. Jericho tossed Steamboat out of the ring, but Steamboat skinned the cat back in. Jericho then clotheslined Steamboat over the top, sending him to the floor. Steamboat got on the apron and Jericho hit a springboard dropkick from the middle rope. Jericho hit a back suplex and kicked Steamboat in the back. Jericho called him "washed up" and told him to give up while slapping his head. Jericho applied a half nelson and crossface, telling the referee to ask for a submission. Steamboat battled out of it, and as Jericho charged, he armdragged him again. Jericho responded with a clothesline for two and applied a chinlock.
Steamboat tried to shove off the headlock, then tried to back suplex out of it, but Jericho kept the headlock applied, screaming that Steamboat was "finished." Steamboat battled out of it, but Jericho hit a headbutt. Jericho went to throw Steamboat in a corner, but Steamboat reversed it and threw Jericho onto the ropes. Steamboat hit some shots and went for a back superplex. They battled for position, and Steamboat hit a top rope back superplex. Steamboat crawled onto Jericho for a two count. They traded shots, with Steamboat getting the better of it. Steamboat ran into an elbow, but then Jericho ran into a powerslam for a two count. Steamboat went for a backdrop, but Jericho kicked it away and hit an enzugiri for a two count.
Jericho hit a bulldog and went for a Lionsault, but Steamboat got behind Jericho and went for an electric chair. Jericho rolled forward into a Victory Roll, but then rolled all the way through and applied the Walls Of Jericho. Steamboat reversed it and broke out, and it looked like Jericho was going for a catapult, but Steamboat dropped on him, then had difficulty getting a figure four leglock on Jericho. Jericho made the ropes and they rolled to the apron. Steamboat backdropped Jericho into the ring. Steamboat went to climb the ropes, but Jericho charged, so Steamboat jumped back and Jericho ran into the buckles. Steamboat then hit a flying bodypress, but Jericho kicked out at two. Steamboat went to the middle rope for a chop, but got hit with a Codebreaker. Jericho covered Steamboat, but Steamboat got his hand on the rope for a break. Jericho argued with the referee. Jericho went to pick up Steamboat, but Steamboat rolled him into a small package for a two count. Jericho kicked out and held onto Steamboat's leg. Jericho put Steamboat in the Walls Of Jericho and got the submission at the eight minute mark.
Winner: Chris Jericho.
Jericho left, and the fans gave Steamboat an ovation.
Backstage, Beth Phoenix and Rosa approached Santino, who pretended to be on the phone with Santina. Beth tried to get Santino to give him his charade, but he wouldn't do it, saying Beth was just jealous. He then tried to get Beth to kiss the Great Khali tonight. Beth said she wasn't kissing Khali, and she wasn't kissing Santino anymore either. Phoenix walked off, and Santino said he faked "you know what" in bed with her.
Coverage continued on next page.
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VANCOUVER — Canucks fans suffering from a case of Northwest Division-itis can take heart. National Hockey League realignment appears to be back on track.
The league and the NHL Players' Association have been discussing realignment in recent weeks and there's a chance a proposal could be voted on by the board of governors as early as later this month.
"Discussions on realignment are ongoing and we hope to be in a position to present something to our board soon," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday in an email to The Vancouver Sun. "We are working with the Players' Association in terms of constructing something that we think will work well for our league and for the game going forward."
Such a proposal is expected to be similar to one approved by the board of governors in December 2011. That proposal consisted of four conferences, two with eight teams and two with seven. The Canucks were grouped with Edmonton, Calgary, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix and Colorado.
Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis is all for realignment, largely because he thinks it would slightly ease the team's travel burden.
"We like it because we would play more games in our time zone," Gillis said. "We wouldn't have to travel to places like Columbus and Nashville as much. It would keep us more in the West."
Canucks' defenceman Keith Ballard isn't convinced realignment would make all that much difference to the team's travel.
"Geographically, it probably makes sense," Ballard said. "But unless they are going to put some more teams in Alberta and B.C., we still won't have that easy of a travel schedule.
"For us, I don't know how much difference it makes. I guess maybe you eliminate some of those long trips to places like Nashville and Columbus."
The biggest benefit could be for fans. There has been considerable discussion in Vancouver of late about the quality of the Northwest Division. Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild ran the Canucks' division record this season to 6-0-1. In the last four seasons and the early part of this one, the Canucks have gone 72-22-9 against the Northwest Division. Vancouver was the lone Northwest team to make the playoffs the past two seasons and some have suggested so much time spent playing weak division opponents does not make for great playoff preparation.
"That's people not from Vancouver that tend to want to attribute our success to the failure of other teams," Gillis said. "Well, they are still hard games, they are still good teams."
But Gillis does acknowledge that realignment would have an added benefit for fans and that existing rivalries with teams such as the Sharks, Kings and Ducks would intensify if the Canucks were playing in the same conference as the three California teams.
"It would be different for a period of time, something new," Gillis said. "I think there's a benefit to fans."
Of course, the Canucks' new conference, as it was proposed just over a year ago, would include all the Northwest Division teams save the Wild, who would join a conference that would include Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg.
Ballard doesn't think the current weakness of the Northwest Division should be used as a rallying cry for realignment.
"You can't realign divisions and conferences every time teams go through down years," Ballard said. "Every couple of years it's going to be a different group of teams. You look at Edmonton, they are going to get better every year ... You are never going to find perfect parity in all of the divisions."
Daniel Sedin said realignment is not currently a big issue inside the Vancouver dressing room.
"I don't think we care too much about that," he said. "It's fun to see some different teams and play them more. But if you look at the teams now in the Western Conference, it's pretty tight. I don't think it matters too much what division you are in or who you play against. It's going to be tough either way."
Daniel's right. The fans probably care more about realignment than the players. Under the most recent proposal, those in eight-team conferences would play one another five or six times each season. In the seven-team conferences, teams would play one another six times.
But what fans will most like is the fact every team would play every other team outside its conference in a home-and-away series.
The top four teams in each of the four conferences would make the playoffs and that has created questions about teams playing in the two seven-team conferences having a competitive advantage. That is believed to be one of the concerns the NHLPA had when the board passed its realignment proposal 26-4 just over a year ago.
"Regardless of what we come up with, it's not going to be perfect," Daly said Wednesday. "That's just the nature of the beast we're dealing with. And, I think the union and the players understand that."
One longer-term solution would be expansion. The addition of two teams would give the NHL a total of 32 and allow for four eight-team conferences.


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Speech Authentication Strategies, Risk Mitigation, and Business Metrics
The telephone was invented more than 150 years ago, and continues to be a very important means for us to communicate with each other. The Web, by comparison, is very recent, but has rapidly become a competing communications channel. The convergence of telecommunications and the Web is now bringing the benefits of Web technology to the telephone, enabling Web developers to create applications that can be accessed via any telephone, and allowing people to interact with these applications via speech and telephone keypads; that is, via voice browsers. See Appendix 1 for a brief discussion of voice browsers, including a toll-free telephone number where you can try one out for yourself.
Economic benefits are driving the current high level of interest in the use of voice authentication to secure these converged applications. This technology is saving companies a good deal of money when, for example, call center agents don't have to handle PIN reset requests or ask customers questions to confirm their identities. Password resets are the second most common reason workers call help desks, accounting for about one in four help desk requests, according to the Gartner Group, an IT research company. At an average cost of $22 USD per call, according to Gartner, that adds up fast, especially for large-scale enterprises and midsize organizations.
Now, applications can use the user's voice itself for authentication. The problem is choosing the level of security that best fits your needs. This article will examine many of the performance and cost vs. level-of-security issues that you should consider before making this choice. And, as with any kind of application, this choice should be made after executive-level decision makers are polled on the worth to the organization of the information to be exposed by the application.
First, I'll look at how voice authentication compares to traditional methods as well as to other biometric methods of authentication. Then, with many of the shortcoming of voice authentication in full view, I'll outline some of the rather compelling arguments behind its wide-spread adoption.
I'll conclude with a brief discussion of three offshoots of basic speech authentication:
- How Nuance's Voice Platform, a complete VoiceXML enterprise speech solution, provides real-time and other reports for the determination of system performance, ROI, and so forth.
- How the RSA division of EMC, a pioneering and still solid purveyor of security technology, is using voice authentication, in combination with other security measures, for the mitigation of risk.
- How some investigators are combining speech authentication, business process management (BPM) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).
When passwords are guessed or stolen, you usually aren't aware of the loss at the time. On the other hand, with smart cards and the like, the likelihood of a scam is reduced. To break into an account, someone would have to steal your smart card, but then you'd be more likely to know of the loss in time to do something about it.
Although smart cards, plastic cards that carry password and identity data for digital authentication, and biometrics, be it identification of someone's voice, fingerprint, iris or facial features, have taken off, most people still rely on passwords to gain access to bank accounts and computer databases.
Biometrics have an advantage over passwords and tokens in that they can't be forgotten, although they too can be lost. (People can lose fingers in an accident, or temporarily lose their voices due to illness.) But, biometrics can't be changed. If someone loses a key or an access code, it's easy to change the lock or combination and regain security.
So, if someone steals your biometric—perhaps by surreptitiously recording your voice or copying the database with your electronic iris scan—you could be stuck. Your iris is your iris, period. The problem is, while a biometric might be a unique identifier, it is not a secret. You leave a fingerprint on everything you touch, and someone can easily photograph your face.
Within the aforesaid glut of options, each with its own obvious shortcomings, there are some very compelling arguments that favor voice authentication for certain applications.
In large-scale, mainstream consumer applications such as banking, brokerage, or telecommunication services, having an authentication method that can be used by all customers from their home, office or car is a critical requirement. One of the main problems with finger, iris, or facial biometrics is the inconvenience and significant investment required for scanners and other hardware devices.
Because voice authentication is completed over a telephone with no additional hardware or software required for the end user, it is the only biometric that can be implemented today for an entire customer base. Voice authentication can, of course, also be established by a user and his or her speech-enabled PC or handheld device.
Voice authentication is based on an analysis of the vibrations created in the human vocal tract. The shape of a person's vocal tract determines the timbre and resonance of the voice, and everyone's vocal tract is fairly distinct in shape and size. Thus, just as B flat on a French horn and a piano sound different, different vocal tracts will produce particular sounds.
Critics of voice authentication point out that identical twins may pass for each other, but in most cases, imposters fail. The most variable factor in many voice authentication systems is the quality of the microphone and phone line.
Comparative Security
According to some university-based studies, a voice authentication solution can be set up to offer security with a less than a 0.1% false accept rate (in other words, impostors being able to break into a system) even when the impostor has the correct password information. In a conventional password system, given that an impostor has the correct password, the impostor has a 100% chance of breaking into the system. Voice authentication, therefore, offers around 1000 times more security than a conventional password system ... in this particular comparison.
Although now a few years out of date, a fairly rigorous scientific evaluation conducted on speaker verification technologies on behalf of the Australian Government is available at Reference 2.
During a brief enrollment process, the typical voice-authentication package might require that callers speak their ID and password. Speaker verification systems capture and analyze the speech to create a voiceprint that is stored in the system database. Voiceprints are not audio samples, but a matrix of numbers that measures behavioral characteristics of the way the person speaks, as well as physical characteristics of the person's vocal tract. During verification, the caller speaks a password, which is then compared and scored against the voiceprint database.
Nuance speaker verification products, regarded by many industry analysts as the best, perform well even with transient voice changes (caused by colds, different emotional states, or background noise) and deliver consistent performance over wireline, wireless, or VoIP channels. And, these products also offer safeguards against recordings played over the telephone, or impressionists mimicking a user's voice.
Nuance's SpeechSecure can be used to deliver personalized service by verifying a caller based on an initial greeting. For example, if caller says, "Hello, it's me," the system might identify the caller, greet her by name, and then deliver customized or preferred services without further prompting.
And, SpeechSecure can use secret pass phrases to deliver security. Pass phrases are user-chosen phrases, in any language, that the caller must repeat to gain access to information. In this way, SpeechSecure doesn't simply calculate voice similarity, it ensures that the caller knows what to say.
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This article was originally published on June 22, 2007
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His finalist year: 1978
His finalist project: Testing a process to remove sulfur belched from power plants
What led to the project: Growing up in Saint Joseph, Mo., in the 1970s, Robert Duncan was "very fortunate to have supportive, very good teachers," he says. For instance, the science department at Central High School, which he attended, saved up to purchase a gas chromatograph, used to separate and analyze the elements of gases. His chemistry teacher, Bill McLaughlin, helped him brainstorm projects that could use this technology.
They decided to study ways of removing sulfur from smokestack gases, such as the emissions which would come out of the stacks of coal power plants. It turned out that when you passed the stack gases over a column of half-calcined (heated) dolomite, the reaction could help remove the sulfur. Duncan entered his project, "An Investigation Concerning the Use of Half-Calcined Dolomite as an Absorber of Pollutant Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Liberated During Coal Gasification," in the 1978 Westinghouse Science Talent Search and was named a finalist.
The effect on his career: Duncan went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and studied physics, ultimately earning his PhD in the topic from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1988. After graduation he joined the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories and, in 1996, the faculty of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (U.N.M.). He also did some visiting professor stints at the California Institute of Technology along the way.
All the while, he studied low-temperature physics, and specifically what happens as helium transitions at low temperatures from a liquid to a special quantum state known as a "superfluid," because it flows with no friction.
One of the major thrusts of his research has been studying how this transition would work in space. When you're on Earth, he explains, the pressure gradient due to gravity affects the transition; in space you can observe this phenomenon unmasked by gravitational effects. However, before the experiments could be conducted in orbit, and to Duncan's great disappointment, NASA canceled its program in 2004 in favor of planning a mission to Mars. "There will be questions in physics we'll never answer otherwise," he rues.
In the meantime, Duncan decided to go into academic administration. In 2002 he became the associate dean for research at the U.N.M. College of Arts and Sciences, and then a few years later, when the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou) announced that it was looking for a new vice chancellor for research, he seized the opportunity to move back to the state where he had grown up.
What he's doing now: Duncan started his new job last fall. "I'm extremely excited by our program here," he says, and by his three goals: He wants Mizzou to gain a large share of the market for the isotope molybdenum 99, used in many medical procedures. (The university currently sells other radioisotopes to the pharmaceutical industry, and he thinks they could get into the molybdenum 99 market.) He also wants to build a program in translational medicine—the application of basic science to medical products and services—as well as create collaborations between the veterinary and medical schools to advance health care for humans and animals.
"I'm not in any way less enthused about my own physics," Duncan notes, but he thinks these are areas where the University of Missouri can be distinctive and interact more with the commercial markets.
An interest in such broad collaborations and the ability to communicate both with academics and private sector players is why he was selected for the job, says Mizzou Chancellor Brady Deaton, who helped hire Duncan. "He could take the most theoretical concept and very quickly get down to the practical implications of it," he says. "That was very impressive to us."
That ability is also earning him some calls from various media outlets. Recently, Duncan was interviewed by CBS's 60 Minutes for an April 19th segment on cold fusion—that widely debated but so far elusive low-temperature physics concept that's back in the news again.


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As a representative body of Christ on this earth and before the world, why doesn't the OPC actively engage, confront, and reproach the political and social elements in our society as they promote ungodly behavior as acceptable? I believe that many of the churches have been too silent too long and that the result is the vulgarization of our culture and the acceptance of sexual deviancy in many quarters. Few opposing voices have been heard from the church, with a few exceptions noted.
Thank you. God bless.
You are perhaps aware that there are debates in Reformed circles about what is called the "spirituality" of the church, i.e., "How much does the visible church get involved in the world, speaking to the world and society, and how much does the church focus on advancing the kingdom through the ministry of the Word, the sacraments, and church discipline as they transform the lives of God's people causing them to be salt and light?" There have been different answers given by Reformed theologians over the years, but the Westminster Confession of Faith in Chapter 25 definitely focuses the visible church's effort on "gathering and perfecting the saints, in this life" (WCF 25.3).
But, of course, since the Word of God speaks to all of life, including the moral and social evils of every age, a faithful church will, through the preaching of the Word confront those evils. Martin Luther once wrote that "At the preaching of the gospel gates of Satan's prison fly open, and the walls of his kingdom are shaken; he finds himself in danger of losing his principality." Those who once had been committed to the support of abortion, for instance, have been transformed by the gospel, repented of that sin, and now work through crisis pregnancy centers to turn women from abortions. Christians also write letters, participate in the annual March for Life in Washington, DC, and around the nation, provide clothes for newborns, adopt babies, take in single moms, and so on.
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church understands very well the moral and culture climate in which we live. Pastors throughout the OPC address these things Sunday by Sunday as they preach the Word of God. On rare occasions the General Assembly of the OPC has issued statements addressing moral evils (you can find some of them on the OP website), but the denomination believes that the best way to address the evils you mention is to preach the Word of God faithfully and to call upon God's people to live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The ethical portions of the Bible (and they are many) are aimed at instructing God's people how to live holy lives in an unholy world. This is how we are salt and light here, by remembering that we are aliens and strangers whose citizenship is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16, Philippians 3:20, I Peter 2:11-12).
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been editedall personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expandedto make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
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Lady Gaga Launches Social Networking Site 'Little Monsters'
Lady Gaga Launches Social Networking Site 'Little Monsters', Lady Gaga is already the reigning queen of Twitter, with her nearly 19 million followers topping those of anyone else on the site. Now, she's launching a site of her own. Little Monsters, now in invite-only beta testing, is the pop princess's effort at creating a network built around her fan base -- which she's dubbed the aforementioned "monsters."
An early look at the site suggests it will be designed a lot like Pinterest, the fast-emerging mobile app that lets users "pin" locations and items that they like. Gaga's site also will emphasize sharing and creating photos and videos, as well as letting other users promote content from others that they like (something similar to sites like Reddit and Digg).
The site is the first project by Backplane, the startup where Lady Gaga's manager, Troy Carter, is one of four founders. The company will focus on online community-building.
"Backplane is about bringing together communities and Gaga's community just so happens to be the community we're using to learn about proper functionality," CEO Matt Michelsen said to Mashable, a CNN content partner. "We think we can really change the world."
When other sites are launched, Backplane allows user to switch back and forth among as many as they want.
Even with Gaga's massive social-media presence (she was the first artist to hit 1 billion YouTube video views), it remains an open question whether a social site devoted almost exclusively to her fans will have a big enough user base to fly.
At The Frisky, another CNN content partner, Tiffanie Drayton imagines chat on the site this way:
Little Monster 1: "Lady Gaga sure knows how to rock a bad-ass meat dress."
Little Monster 2: "I think that getup must have smelled horrible."
LittleMonsters.com Administrator: "Lady Gaga always smells like roses!" (squishes Little Monster 2) "Carry on with the idolatry you little monsters!"
via: CNN


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Paris (CNN) -- Christian Dior has started proceedings to fire designer John Galliano after he was filmed making anti-Semitic comments in a Paris restaurant, the fashion giant said Tuesday.
The company condemned his "deeply offensive statements and conduct" in a statement announcing the plan to fire him.
The statement came hours after Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman condemned Galliano's praise of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
"I love Hitler," Galliano said in a video obtained by Britain's Sun newspaper. "Your mother, your forefathers would be f---ing gassed and f---ing dead."
The comments were reportedly made at a Paris cafe last year.
Galliano's lawyer, Stephane Zerbib, said Tuesday that Galliano formally denies that he is anti-Semitic. Zerbib declined to comment further.
"I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments that surfaced today," said Portman, who appears in ads for Miss Dior Cherie perfume. "In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way.
"I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful," she said.
Before the video surfaced on Monday, Christian Dior already had suspended Galliano for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks in another incident.
The fashion house said Friday that Galliano was suspended from his duties pending the outcome of an investigation into remarks the designer allegedly made last week.
Galliano was arrested Thursday night following an argument in a bar in Paris' Marais district, a prosecutor said.
Police arrested him on charges of assault and making anti-Semitic comments after a couple pressed charges. The designer was taken to a police station, and a test revealed he had a high level of alcohol in his blood, the prosecutor said.
Galliano has been released but may be summoned in the coming weeks. Zerbib said his client has denied the accusations.
Announcing Galliano's suspension, Dior President Sidney Toledano said, "The House of Dior declares with the greatest firmness its policy of zero-tolerance regarding any anti-Semitic or racist statement or attitude."
CNN's Kendra Petersen, Saskya Vandoorne and Jack Hannah contributed to this report


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St. Columba to host investiture for priest
Bishop Fernando Isern of the Pueblo Diocese will perform the investiture of the Rev. James Koenigsfeld of St. Columba Catholic Church with the title of monsignor, chaplain of his Holiness, at 6 p.m. Monday at the church, 1830 East Second Ave.
A reception will take place afterward in the St. Columba School Gymnasium.
Sacred Heart to host Halloween Carnival
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 254 East Fifth Ave., will host its annual Halloween Carnival today in the Parish Hall.
A Navajo taco dinner will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost for the dinner will be $7 for adults and $5 for children. Games and a cake walk will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., and bingo with prizes will start at 7 p.m.
A costume contest for ages newborn to 11 years will start at 7:30 p.m., and a quilt raffle drawing will be held at 8:30 p.m. A country store also will be available.
For more information, call 247-3997.
First Baptist Halloween celebration to be held
First Baptist Church, 332 E. 11th St., two blocks from Main Avenue, will host a Halloween Carnival from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The carnival will feature popcorn, hot cocoa, treats and cotton candy. There will be more than 30 games, crafts and a box maze.
For more information, call 247-0624.
Herald Staff


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July 10, 2014
By Kenneth D. Miller
Assistant Managing Editor
If the first year of the California Community Foundation (CCF) initiative for wayward youths in the I am BLOOM program is any indication for the progress of theses teens, then the future is bright.
BLOOM, is a five-year initiative to create a more positive and productive future for 14-18 year old Black males living in South L.A. who are or have been under the supervision of the L.A. County Probation Department.
During the recently held BET Weekend, the CCF presented its inaugural Bowl for BLOOM event at Lucky Strike located at L.A. Live.
Celebrities Larenz Tate and Ludacris were joined by entrepreneur Karim Webb, a partner in Crenshaw's Buffalo Wild Wings, NBA star and former Westchester All City basketball standout Trevor Ariza, promising Seattle Seahawks quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and PCF Management Partners' Edward Barnet all participated in honoring and raising funds for the programs on June 28th.
The goal of BLOOM is to serve 2,000 youth by the year 2017 and re-direct them toward improved educational and employment opportunities.
Each year, CCF allocates nearly as many charitable dollars as they receive. From 2003 to 2013, the organization raised more than $1.86 billion in philanthropic contributions and made almost 62,000 grants totaling $1.6 billion. CCF is a vibrant and dynamic philanthropic engine granting out, on average, 10-20 percent of its assets annually.
CCF has the insights, relationships and experience to make your charitable giving meaningful and effective. With an impressive track record of achievement and a relentless focus on strengthening outcomes for current and future generations, it's no wonder families, donors, non-profits and companies have trusted CCF as their philanthropic partner for nearly a century.


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Parent tosses beanbag during football tailgate
Photographer: Ross Brinkerhoff
Mar 18, 2013
From staff reports
Ohio University recently released the Homecoming and Family Weekend dates for the 2013-14 academic year. The dates are as follows:
Fall Semester
Parents Weekend: Sept. 20-22, 2013
Homecoming: Oct. 11-13, 2013
Dads Weekend: Nov. 8-10, 2013
Spring Semester
Sibs Weekend: Feb. 7-9, 2014
Moms Weekend: April 4-6, 2014
Undergraduate Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014. More information on the schedule of events will be given as each special weekend date approaches.
The full 2013-14 academic calendar can be viewed here.


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Katherine Heigl doesn't mind making motherhood her top priority – even when it gets in the way of her love life.
"If parent time interferes with sexy time, that's that," the star told the June issue of Harper's Bazaar, laughing and explaining that daughter Naleigh recently threw up on her intimates.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: From Blonde To 'Grey' - Katherine Heigl
U.S. & World
Though her child joins a Hollywood scene full of stylish babies, Katherine told the mag that Naleigh's no fashionista yet.
"Dude, I try, but I'm not nailing the baby fashion. It's intimidating," she said.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebs Who Opt To Adopt
While the 18-month-old child, whom Katherine and husband Josh Kelley adopted from South Korea in October 2009, has been described as a "special-needs" child, the star revealed her baby had had a heart problem which has since been surgically repaired.
"Her heart is 100 percent fine now. She has a scar, so she won't be wearing bikinis, which is fine by us," Katherine said. "A lot of children don't find forever homes because they're on that special-needs list, even if it's because of something as simple as her mother smoked cigarettes for a month, not knowing she was pregnant. That's not so huge that you couldn't handle it."
Motherhood seems to have mellowed the outspoken star, who has wrapped up her run on "Grey's Anatomy" and has a pair of movies, this summer's "Killers," due June 4, and October's "Life as We Know It," on the way.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Blondes
"I spent so many years just saying what I felt without thinking about the ramifications, without understanding that I have this opinion but not everyone might share that opinion and now they don't like me because of it," she told Harper's Bazaar. "That was really awkward… I was really raised with the idea that it's important to be honest and to share your experiences, both disappointing and exhilarating… It's lame to say that I'm a normal girl, but I think I am."
Copyright 2010 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Grey's Anatomy' Scenes & Stars
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Jaden Smith, Katherine Heigl & Robert Downey Jr. Shine At ShoWest 2010
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More from Access: [ Katherine Heigl Parenthood Couples ]


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Introduction and Task Force Recommendations
The guidelines identify the issues that faculty at Michigan community colleges should address when developing online courses to be offered through the MCCVLC. By appropriately addressing these guidelines all members of the MCCVLC can be assured that the Articulation Agreement can be utilized without additional scrutiny and all members are assured that the courses on the MCCVLC website are of the highest quality and provide exceptional learning experiences for their students.
These guidelines have been developed based on reviews of guidelines and other documents from The American Council on Education, The Higher Education Program and Policy Council of the American Federation of Teachers, The North Central Association Higher Learning Commission, American Association of Higher Education, and The Michigan Virtual University. Additional input was received during the ETOM Higgins Lake Retreat on May 29-30, 2001.
A Task Force of MCCVLC Advisory Council members and faculty have designed a rubric to accompany the guidelines. The MCCVLC Online Course Guidelines and Rubric are intended to assist member institutions with developing online courses of quality. Member institutions may elect to utilize these guidelines in a variety of ways. This instrument may be utilized as a self-assessment tool by faculty when developing courses for offering online. The instrument can be used to review courses already developed. The instrument can be also used as a tool for peer-to-peer review of courses within an institution or with other institutions.
The Task Force that developed the Rubric for the Guidelines strongly supports a recommendation for each institution to have in place a process of quality control for online courses. If institutions do not wish to utilize the MCCVLC Guidelines, then it is recommended that the institutions develop an alternative plan of action that may more appropriately assist them in assessing quality in the courses they offer through the MCCVLC.
Glossary of Guideline and Rubric Terms
Course design includes, for each lesson:
motivational techniques,
demonstration or information,
practice or exploration
with feedback;
a summary/
and assessment.
Course guidelines state that the instructor will provide feedback to the students within a specified amount of time, and a clear description of how the task of providing feedback will be accomplished
A written plan is in place for review of the course on a regular basis with the focus on continual improvement. Normally, this would be a self-assessment instrument or checklist that a faculty member would use to identify issues with the course. Students would provide feedback with course evaluations and survey instruments. Normally, the course would undergo greater review during it's first iteration online.


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The world's one of the biggest online fashion destinations, focus on street fashion, shop the latest women's dresses, tops, bottoms, jewellry & more.
Sisde is an online store of high fashion clothes. Our target is to be the largest online wardrobe in the world in 3 years. We aim to be exciting and innovative, offering our customers the latest and a variety of fashion clothings they want.


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Jeff Stone announces resignation from Wisconsin Assembly District 82
A state representative from Greendale announced Thursday that he will resign his seat this month after 15 years as a state legislator
Jeff Stone, a Republican representing the 82nd Assembly District, said in a news release he will resign from his seat on Oct. 14.
The state's Public Service Commission has named him a division administrator for water compliance and consumer affairs.
"What I'll be dealing with mostly is water issues and rates for the state. I've also been interested in the water council and Milwaukee's position in the world as a leader, and I think it's an opportunity to continue some of the work I've done in the area of water, both for our communities and for economic development," Stone said.
His district covers portions of south-central Milwaukee County including Greendale and Franklin. He was elected to the seat in a special election in 1998.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the 82nd Assembly District," he said, thanking his constituents in Milwaukee, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield and Raymond for their support. "I am blessed to have had this unique opportunity to serve these past 15 years."


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Charlie got the regular eight back in the lineup—finally—and shook up the batting order. It worked as the Phillies unleashed 19 hits and nine runs in ending the eight-game losing streak on Sunday.
Last time the Phillies had their regular eight was September 17, when they clinched the NL East by scoring–you guess it–nine runs. For the season, the Phillies are 12-4 when the regular lineup is in there.
Something else happened on Sunday–for the first time in 11 games–they scored in the first inning. Last time it happened was September 15, first game, vs. Marlins. For the season, they are 70-12 when scoring first. That says a lot.
A couple of weeks ago it was a foregone conclusion the Phillies would break the club record for wins, 101, in 1976 and 1977, and the four postseason teams in the NL were set.
Well, things happen. An eight-game losing streak dug a pothole in the road. The Phillies can still break the record but need to sweep the Braves in Atlanta.
The first round of the postseason starts on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The enemy? Still to be determined as the Braves and Cardinals are locked in a tight wildcard race. Should the Braves emerge as the wildcard entry, they can't play the Phillies in the first round. And, the Diamondbacks and Brewers are locked in a battle for the second-best record in the NL.
So, the postseason comes down to the final three games of the season.
Alumni Views
What changes would you like to see in major league baseball? Question was posed to Phillies Alumni.
Cookie Rojas, (INF, 1963-69)
"As far as new changes, we should go back to the good-old days when at the beginning of the season we had a roster of 28 players for the first month of the season, then they would cut back to 25. The reason being that at the start of the season most pitchers only go 4 or 5 innings then you have to go to the bullpen too much and in the long run, that will kill a lot relievers' arms. With so many players getting hit in the head, the pitchers should also wear the helmets inside the caps, what we used during my playing days. Pitchers are so close to the hitters they should be protected. The addition of another wildcard team would be great for the fans because more teams would be in the chase. Financially, it would be good for the game to have more playoff games."
1 Comment
I would reinstate Pete Rose. I can't fathom a Baseball Hall of Fame including Bill Conlin, but not Pete Rose.