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Summer safety for kids
Summer is almost upon us, and with it comes warmer weather, outdoor fun, and more freedom for our children to move and be healthy. As the season approaches, it helps to be reminded of ways to keep our kids safe in the summer months.
Don't Bug Out
Unfortunately, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes love summer as much as we do. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus, which has been on the rise in recent years, along with St. Louis encephalitis and other diseases. To protect yourself, reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your home by draining sources of standing water and repairing door and window screens. Wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors when weather permits and use mosquito netting over infant carriers and strollers. Avoid outdoors when possible at peak mosquito biting times (dawn and dusk).
The most effective repellents are those which contain 20 to 30 percent DEET, and repellents with greater than 30 percent DEET have not been shown to offer any extra protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends repellents with no more than 30 percent DEET on children.
Other ingredients such as picardin and essential oils (eucalyptus, lemon, cedar, soy bean) have shown some effectiveness in studies by the Centers for Disease Control if you want to try a more natural repellent. The AAP recommends NO insect repellents of any kind for children under two months. Chemical repellents containing permethrin are recommended for tick and flea infestations in yards, outdoor equipment, and even clothing, but should never be applied directly to the skin.
If you do find a tick on a member of your family, don't panic. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible and pull upwards evenly to avoid leaving the mouth-parts attached to the skin. After removal, thoroughly clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. As always, if a family member develops severe headache, confusion, or weakness, seek medical attention immediately, as these may be symptoms of a transmitted illness.
Sun Smart, Swim Smart
Make sure to use sunscreen every day you are in the sun, with at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 and both UVA and UVB protection ("broad spectrum"). Reapply after swimming and as directed on the container. Recently, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) proposed new regulations regarding sunscreen, including removal of claims that they are "waterproof" or "sweat proof," and changing products that claim to have SPF higher than 50 to read simply, "SPF 50+." There is no reliable data that products with SPF over 50 provide any additional protection, and these products can be more costly and more laden with chemicals.
Please keep an eye on your children at all times. Children can drown in seconds, and in silence. Use personal flotation devices that are U.S. Coast Guard approved for children. If you own a pool, make sure that the fence and self-latching gate are in working order, and never allow children to swim in your pool unattended or while you are away. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission has a great website on pool safety.
Additionally, avoid swimming when you are sick. Yes, chlorine helps to kill germs, but not immediately. Many people have become sick from germs in contaminated pools and lakes, so teach children to avoid getting water in their mouths. Take kids on bathroom breaks often, and check diapers/swim pants frequently. Be sure to shower after swimming, using the bathroom, or changing diapers.
Safe food handling and hand washing
It just isn't summer without some delicious food cooking on the grill. Just make sure to avoid food-borne illness by washing hands before and after handling food, and use a food thermometer to ensure that meats are cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Marinate and defrost in the refrigerator, not on the countertop and don't put cooked meats back on the same unwashed plate that held raw meat. In hot weather, food should not sit out for more than an hour before going to the fridge.
Street Smarts
The freedom that summer brings for kids can create a lifetime of memories. To make sure everyone stays safe, make sure to remind your kids of basic traffic rules, including looking both ways, using crosswalks, and never allowing children under 10 to cross streets without an adult. On bikes, wear a helmet every time you ride, even on short rides. Make sure you know where your child is at all times, and tell them when they are expected home. Teach kids to avoid isolated areas and to practice the "buddy system," instead of wandering off alone. Revisit the conversation about "stranger danger," including the fact that grown-ups should ask other grown-ups for help, not children.
Road Trip!
Summer also means more cars on the road, including yours. So remember to buckle up every time, and keep kids under 12 in the back seat. Remember that kids need a booster seat until they are about four feet nine inches tall. Avoid distractions while you are driving, so that you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. With more states and communities passing "no texting while driving" laws, consider an app for your phone that sends automated responses to incoming texts while driving, such as SafelyGo, DriveScribe or Zoomsafer. Interestingly, a recent study showed that tending to children in the car distracts the driver up to 12 times more often than talking on a cell phone! Set some ground rules for your kids, so that they know they can't get your help until the car stops.
Our community has so much to offer in the warm summer months. Following these simple tips will ensure a safe and happy outdoor season.
The story originally appeared in Brazos Family Magazine's Spring/Summer 2013 edition courtesy of Alison Fisher Pittman, RN, M.S.N., CPN, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing.
Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, 979.436.0611.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Oh, so that's why they hired Michael C. Hall.
After the reckoning of last season's finale, in which Dexter's put down his brother, and the first episode of this one, in which Rita's ex Paul gets killed in prison, "Waiting To Exhale" turns into a strong meditation on grief, and the various ways people say goodbye to the flawed souls that have shaped their lives. In other words, it was basically an episode of Six Feet Under, except the deaths here are of unnatural causes.
The opening finds Dexter "drifting," still trying to get his bearings after having killed his brother and having failed to kill a couple of bad guys that he'd normally dispatch without giving it a second thought. When he stands over the slain body of the mother who had the courage to come forward and implicate Little Chino, he sees the consequences of his inaction, but his reaction isn't grief or even guilt. When Deb questions his stone-faced response, he says, "I'm more a crying on the inside kind of guy." A funny line, and actually not that far from the truth: He's not crying on the inside, exactly, but he's definitely feeling responsible for the woman's death, in addition to guilt and frustration over how his brother's passing has affected his ability to function. When Rita finally gets around to confronting him about the telltale shoe, he's so distracted that he can't find an excuse for having hit and drugged her ex, and then he's cornered into a ridiculous lie about his own alleged drug addiction.
To me, the key line of the episode is when Dexter suggests that Rita have the county pay for Paul's burial, so the insurance money can be used for the kids' college fund. It sounds like practical advice—and no doubt struck Dexter as the wise thing to say in a situation like that—but of course, it's callous beyond belief to Rita, who wants Paul to have a proper funeral. (Full disclosure: My wife works in Elder Law for the county, and often talks about those sad situations when people don't have enough money left in savings for a proper burial. Basically, they're granted a pine box and a number, and their deaths are a matter of the coldest government bureaucracy.) Dexter doesn't understand why people can't just "deal" with death, or why a shit like Paul, who abused his wife, would be worth a second thought. But sometimes, coping with the death of a scoundrel can be just as difficult a process, and when that scoundrel happens to be the father of your children, you have them to think about, too.
After last week's analysis, some commenters astutely pointed out that Dexter doesn't entirely know himself, so we can't take everything he says (in voiceover and to others) entirely at face value. That thought came to mind a lot during this episode, because the grieving process definitely falls under the realm of things he doesn't understand. Clearly, killing his brother has consumed him with regret: He flashes back to his adopted father pulling him out of the dock crate, severing him from his brother forever; he keeps that plastic doll's head on the his keychain as a twisted memento; and his guilt leads to a jump-off-the-couch shock straight out of Carrie. God, sin, Hell—none of that afterlife stuff means anything to him, but his life on Earth is taking on greater dimension and feeling week-by-week. The circumstances that lead to him finally being able to kill again are pretty ingenious: He sees himself in that poor little girl who lost her mother and brother, and that gives him sufficient motivation to get back on the serial killer horse. But then, killing is what distances him from the rest of the human race, too. So with one step forward, there's another step back.
So along with that great stuff, there's plenty of the usual not-so-great stuff. I'm excited to see Keith Carradine join the cast as an FBI agent who always gets his man, though he's only just starting to poke around now and will no doubt become a more exciting factor in the weeks ahead. (The swiftness with which Carradine immediately counts out the Ice Truck Killer as the likely "Bay Harbor Butcher" had me laughing out loud. There went the primary suspect and Dexter's hoped-for scapegoat, just like that.) From there, the blandness continues: Deb's already questionable policing skills have deteriorated further now that she's become a cop-on-the-edge and pulled a gun on a pint-sized graffiti artist. Poor Doakes is "too much of a leader" to be chosen for Carradine's task force, which is good news for Dexter, because once the criminal connections between the victims comes to light, Doakes has got a clear suspect at the front of his mind. And oh man could I care less about the station chief and her improper use of resources to dig up dirt on her no-good fiancé. The show really needs to shit or get off the pot with that situation: Either there's something pertinent going on that will have an impact on Dexter and company, or we're stuck in a B-plot hell worse than Angel's marital problems from Season One.
Sorry to be so Dexter-centric again, but as ever, he's the star. On a slower week, perhaps I'll get into more detail about those elements of the show that are still frustratingly generic. But for now, I'm inclined to savor Hall's triumphant return to Six Feet Under territory.
Grade: B+
Stray observations:
• I'm generally not good at locating plot holes, but I'm a little perplexed by the videotape Little Chino makes to prove he wasn't the man who killed his accuser. Wouldn't the very act of producing a tape in anticipation of a murder implicate you as an accessory to the crime? Am I missing something here?
• "I will not kill my sister. I will not kill my sister. I will not kill my sister."
• I loved Dexter asking Masuka (C.S. Lee) for corpse disposal advice. Not that he applies any of it himself—which is surprising, since police have to be looking for loners heading out on the bay for night boating trips—but funny nonetheless.
• Anyone else having trouble swallowing Rita's rationale for reaching out to Dexter after she deduces (illogically) that he has a drug problem? Drug problem or no, her boyfriend has just confessed to knocking his ex cold, framing him as a drug addict, and sending him away to Federal prison. I don't buy her obliviousness here, and I'm willing to cut Rita a lot of slack in the obliviousness department.
• Will Doakes ever try another way of nabbing Dexter than following him everywhere he goes? Being a police detective, surely there are other angles to pursue. Maybe he's not FBI task force material, after all.


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In the context of algebraic (equivariant) K-theory (more specifically, in the context of Chriss and Ginzburg's book representation theory and complex geometry) I would like to know if I have the correct intuition for the following.
Let $N$ be a smooth variety and $\pi:M\to N$ a vector bundle (or really $M$ a smooth variety and $\pi$ any flat map). Let $\mathcal{F},\mathcal{G}$ be two locally free sheaves on $N$, and write $[\mathcal{F}]$ for the element represented by $\mathcal{F}$ in the (zero-th) K-group. Is it true that $\pi^*([\mathcal{F}]\otimes[\mathcal{G}]) = [\pi^* (\mathcal{F})]\otimes[\pi^* (\mathcal{G})]$ in $K(M)$, the zero-th K-group?
To what extent is this true, provided that we must keep $M,N$ smooth so that the tensor products are defined? Specifically is it true provided only one of the sheaves is locally free?
EDIT: We must be careful here, as the definition of tensor product of modules isn't quite sufficient to define tensor product in K-theory. Perhaps we should expand the question to a question about the notion of pull back in $K$-theory.
Essentially we build the tensor product of modules in 2 steps. Fist we have the exact construction, $\mathcal{F},\mathcal{G}$ modules over $X,Y$ reps., then we can form the outer tensor product of $\mathcal{F},\mathcal{G}$ on $X\times Y$. To do this let $p_i$ be the $i$-th projection and set, $$ \mathcal{F}\boxtimes \mathcal{G} = p_1^*\mathcal{F}\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_{X\times Y}}p_2^*\mathcal{G} $$ As the projection is a flat map the pullback functor $p_i^*$ is exact, and hence the above formula gives rise to a well defined map $K(X)\times K(Y)\to K(X\times Y)$.
In the case $X=Y$ we also have the diagonal embedding, $\Delta:X_\Delta\to X\times X$, and hence we can pull back the outer product of two sheaves to the diagonal, $\mathcal{F}\otimes\mathcal{G}:=?\Delta^*(p_1^*\mathcal{F}\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_{X\times Y}}p_2^*\mathcal{G})$.
BUT $\Delta^*$ need not be exact! In fact it is only a closed immersion even if we assume $X$ is smooth, so even then the diagonal map is not flat! To make matters worse, if $X$ is singular the higher derived functors $R^i(\Delta^*)$ need not vanish for $i>>0$, so the typical trick of taking as the definition of $\Delta^*$ an alternating sum of the higher derived functors doesn't work.
Thus Chriss and Ginzburg's definition of the pull back under a closed immersion is somewhat ad hoc. Perhaps the better question to ask here is for someone do describe the geometry of this construction, and give some intuition for it in simple cases. (i.e. does transversality simplify things some?)
Their definition goes as follows. Let $f:Y\hookrightarrow X$ be a closed immersion of smooth quasi-projective varieties. For any coherent sheaf $\mathcal{F}$ on $X$ there is a finite locally free resolution $F^\bullet$ of $\mathcal{F}$ (Hilbert's syzygy theorem), $$ \cdots \to F^1\to F^0 \to \mathcal{F}\to 0. $$ (For me, the following is the strange part) The sheaf $f_*(\mathcal{O}_Y)\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_X}F^i$ is a coherent sheaf of $\mathcal{O}_Y \cong f_*(\mathcal{O}_Y)$-modules (i.e. it is annihilated by the ideal $\mathcal{I}_Y$). Thus, the homology sheaves of the complex, $$ \cdots \to f_*(\mathcal{O}_Y)\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_X}F^1\to f_*(\mathcal{O}_Y)\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_X}F^0\to 0 $$
are coherent sheaves of $\mathcal{O}_Y$-modules. Finally(!) we define, $$ f^*([\mathcal{F}]) = \sum (-1)^i[\mathcal{H}_i(f_*(\mathcal{O}_Y)\otimes_{\mathcal{O}_X}F^\bullet)] $$
It seems clear (but I have a hard time trusting) that for $\mathcal{F}$ locally free we have an equality with the old notion of pullback, $$ f^*([\mathcal{F}]) = [\mathcal{O}_Y\otimes_{f^{-1}(\mathcal{O}_X)}f^{-1}(\mathcal{F})], $$ so the intuition for the the pull back of tensor products problem mentioned at the beginning is that we can simply use the composition of pull backs is the pull back of the composition for locally free sheaves. Is this the right intuition?
In practice the resolution construction might be overkill. Suppose $i:Z\hookrightarrow X$ is another closed immersion of smooth quasi-projective varieties, and suppose that $Z$ and $Y$ intersect transversally. Then can we say something without using resolutions about the pullback of the structure sheaf $f^*([i_*\mathcal{O}_Z])$ to $Y$? (i.e. is it the obvious thing, $[\mathcal{O}_{Y\cap Z}]$?)


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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Random Quik Hits
Bring on Boston: After pillaging their way through the top two teams in the American League, we can think of no better way for the Jays to keep the good times rolling than to have the Red Sox roll into town. With the rotation making its way back to the putative top, we're anxious to watch RickRo, Marcum and Cecil pitch like men against Boston.
The Chase for Fifth!!!1: In case you'd forgotten, we're all about the Jays catching Boston and ending the season as the AL team with the best record who didn't make the playoffs. Sure, you can scoff at this goal as underwhelming...but if the Jays sweep the Red Sox in this series, they'll sit a game back in the Chase for Fifth!!!1
J.P. Arencibia's Accent Portends Awesomeness: After hearing a few interviews with the Greatest Blue Jays Since Scott Rolen (GBSSR!!!1), most of us seemed puzzled by the odd lilt in his voice. Is he Dutch? Swedish? Some odd Cajun/Slovenian mix? As it turns out, Arencibia's folks are Cuban, and he has somewhat of a touch of Spanish to his English. But what is particularly awesome is that Arencibia is apparently fluently bilingual, and spent his first few days floating between the Anglos and Latinos in the Jays clubhouse.
We've been on this language hobby horse for a while now, and if it offends your Libertarian sensibilities to think that language skills have any importance in the workplace, then fine. Mange d'la marde, mon gros toxon. But if we're hearing that the franchise's soon-to-be primary catcher is conversant in both English and Spanish at precisely the moment where the team is looking towards international signings as their key to competing and building, then that would seem to us to be an awfully good thing. We know that grunts and hand gestures and clipped sentences whatnot might work for some, but we can't help but feel like this will be an asset to the team going forward.
Poor Fred Lew: We're not sure what's going to happen with Vernon Wells' toe (which is apparently not broken, just dislocated). But with Wells potentially out of the lineup, it seems to us that Fred Lewis might find himself parked on the bench for the next stretch. Lewis doesn't play the field well enough to sub in at centre, and we imagine that Wells' absence will mean more time for Dewayne Wise and Travis Snider in the short term.
Wait a second: As much as we've softened on him lately, why would we assume any rational action from The Manager?
16 comments:
- Ty said...
In a couple of the rare games that Vernon sat out or DH'd in, I remember Cito putting FLew in CF, so it's not totally out of the question. But that was before Wise showed up, so we'll see.
After checking my facts it looks like Lewis has played 6 games (4 starts) in CF for Toronto this year.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:40 AM
- The Ack said...
Wait, what? Arencibia is.....Cuban?!
That settles it. Destiny.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:43 AM
- Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...
About the day off yesterday: yes. We needed a day to let sink in just what the hell happened over the weekend. Big Game James my ass. Morrow!!!1
"GBSSR!!!1": Brilliant.
Romero vs. DiceK
Marcum vs. Buchholz
Cecil vs. Lackey
You know what that means, right? Priesty, and all of us, are going to lose our shit. Fun.
Vernon will play. And fuck fifth. (For now.) I'm not conceding the Wild Card just yet.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:45 AM
I'd like to see Bautista try to handle CF in Wells' absence with Lewis in LF and Snider in RF. On the surface, that seems like a total defensive clusterfuck, but, I think it is the team's best offensive option. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more games with double digit runs scored. I'm pretty sure that Wise in the lineup all but eliminates that as a possibility.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:47 AM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Holy shit: Fred Lewis has played six games in CF this year?
Where was I when that happened?
The baseball season goes by too fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:48 AM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Actually, I don't think that Bautista could handle center. He takes some weird routes to balls some times, and I think he benefits from having a stronger CF beside him.
Fred Lew is worse though, and has an errant, weak arm.
- August 10, 2010 at 10:49 AM
- Ty said...
The idea of Bautista in center sounds insane, but I'm pretty sure he played there in Winter Ball and was the backup CF for the Dominican Republic in the most recent World Baseball Classic (he only got in a few innings there, though).
- August 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM
- Darren Priest said...
I don't want to get too emotionally invested in this series against Boston, but it's hard not to lose my shit. (Thanks for the name-check, Eyebleaf) The bitter tears of the Nation alone would be like the elixir of the gods.
OK, I can roughly translate most of that French, but what the heck is toxon?
- August 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM
- The Ack said...
Based on nothing, I get the feeling that Freddy Lew is due for one of those games that got us all excited when he first came on board. Three hits, maybe a double or triple, a stolen base.
And I can also totally see a beanball war brewing this series. Just because.
- August 10, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Toxon = smartass, basically. Though it's kind of one of those "passe-partout" words that can vary in meaning depending on the tone in which you use it.
- August 10, 2010 at 11:54 AM
- Ian Hunter said...
Tao, thanks for clarifying re Arencibia's accent. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
- August 10, 2010 at 1:46 PM
lewis in cf...
- August 10, 2010 at 3:49 PM
- Ty said...
I posted this on Twitter too but found it interesting enough to double post here. In Snider's short major league career so far...
Hitting 9th: .825 OPS in 274 PA
Hitting anywhere else in the lineup: .709 OPS in 238 PA
I find it really surprising that a) Snider has that many plate appearances outside of the 9th spot, and b) in this small sample size, he's performed markedly better as the #9 hitter.
- August 10, 2010 at 4:38 PM
- Parker said...
lewis in cf...
Has Gaston gotten Fred Lewis confused with Devon White? Lewis is a butcher in CF.
- August 10, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Can't help but think that Wise gets to the Lowrie double ... but alas, not to the Drew and Lowell homers.
V-Dub back tomorrow?
- August 10, 2010 at 11:53 PM
anyone else think the sox give rickro the yips?
- August 11, 2010 at 5:17 PM


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something to be proud of.
the magenta homies gave the god of mischief his very own board. i'm honored and hyped. check it and the rest of the new line (including the carlos young guest board!) at the theories of atlantis store.
a rad little review of the SF section up on Mass Appeal.
i'm back in new york. it's bittersweet. i'm missing the hills already. to remember the vibe, check out this new promo from northern co, a new skate company which is looking to be pretty sick. jesse narvaez and bryan botelho are the first riders, and the promo was shot and cut by the bizarre and wonderful zach chamberlin.
Northern Co. Promo/ Jesse Narvaez & Bryan Botelho from THE NORTHERN COMPANY on Vimeo.
maybe you should expect some mandible claw-related stuff from them in the future....
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Sunday, March 12, 2006
Sunday Sermon: Building Walls
If you're not Biblically inclined please bear with me as I am going somewhere with this…
Last week my pastor used a passage from Nehemiah (4:1-9) to serve as the foundation for his sermon. At this point of the story many of the Jews who had been languishing in captivity at the pleasure of the Babylonians had returned to Jerusalem. A few Jews had remained in Babylon including Nehemiah who is described as King Artaxerxes' (465-425 B.C.) cup bearer.
Upon hearing an update on the Jews that had returned to Jerusalem Nehemiah is most distressed to hear that his people are having a hard time. He immediately prays to God to watch over his people, and he asks permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to help the Jews rebuild the city.
As the Jews are rebuilding the walls surrounding Jerusalem they are suffering from scorn and other indignities from various individuals and groups in the area. One person, Sanballat, is mentioned specifically. He was fairly powerful in and around upper and lower Beth-horon which controlled the major route between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea. Sanballet's influence was such that he could affect Jerusalem's economy. He opposed Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem along with Tobiah and a host of others. Tobiah was a practicing Jew who happened to live in a residence chamber of the temple. He is referred to as an Ammonite in the Bible perhaps because his family fled to that territory during the destruction of Jerusalem. If the wall was rebuilt and some semblance of normalcy returned to Jerusalem he might loose his hold on political power. He might loose his cushy residence.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem Nehemiah also suffers the scorns and indignations of Sanballat and others. He immediately prays to God and asks him to note the indignities His people are suffering, to avenge their cause, and turn the reproach back upon the scoffers.
Under Nehemiah's leadership the people of Jerusalem rebuilt the wall in 52 days despite the opposition of neighboring peoples. The builders of the wall kept their mind on the task, kept a constant speed and soon the wall was back to half its original height. There's a reason for this:
*the people had a mind to work
*their hearts were upon the work
*they kept the project advancing instead of allowing it become stagnant.
The struggle Nehemiah found himself in was political. As teachers we are also the pawns of a political struggle. The very organizations that we have formed to assist us in the political power play have become politicized themselves. Are our teacher organizations really helping us? Hmm..even Herod and Pilate weren't friends until they opposed Jesus (Luke 23). Our school boards and administrators seem to take orders from our business communities. We need to be mindful that when there is no logical reason to oppose something the only option that is left for neigh-sayers is scorn. I'm tired of being scorned. I'm tired of having to rewrite lesson plans simply to fit someone's idea of what a good lesson plan should look like. I'm tired of forms and more forms that data software could replace if someone would just spend the money. I'm tired of unrealistic benchmarks and discipline problems. I'm tired of parents ignoring discipline notes, not showing up for conferences, yet let their child tell them someone touched their pencil and all of sudden they find time to come and blame me.
Sometimes I feel like I'm languishing in captivity and suffering the scorn of the public at large. I'm caught in a maelstrom between the students, parents, politicians, media and administrators. We are a political football that is tossed about between the politicians, business leaders, parents, and media. I honestly believe that politicians don't want us to succeed. What is their motivation? If we don't succeed they have an issue. If they have an issue they can lay blame and propose reforms. If they propose reforms they get re-elected. With as much money that has been thrown at education over the last twenty years why are we still having problems?
Nehemiah believed that God was greater than his opposition and so should we. Our work isn't just what occurs in the classroom. Our work should also include supporting each other, getting involved in the political process, and standing up for ourselves. Like Nehemiah and the citizens of Jerusalem do we have a heart to work? Do we have our hearts upon the work? Do we allow the work to become stagnant?
The citizens of Jerusalem had dedication to the task. They had a desire to work together. They knew what they were doing was for God's glory. They were building a wall, not walls. Constant scorn makes us very pessimistic and then we begin building up walls of cynicism around ourselves. I'm tired of seeing a series of "me" walls. We need a "we" wall dedicated to advancing our profession, improving the field of education, and advocating for what's best for our students. We need to remember that we are the professionals.
Posted by EHT at Sunday, March 12, 2006
Labels: Education Reform
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Jan von Holleben's pictures of little tykes having fun outside with their homemade costumes and props look impressive and inspiring, but Tim Macpherson takes the cake when it comes to kids having fun indoors. It only took a few household items to create the scenes that he did, but they're all done so well that you can't help but be awesomed by all of them.
Macpherson only did a handful of images, but each one is a delight to behold. They were commissioned for Mother's Pride Preschool with the tagline, "Let children be imaginative", and indeed each image is evocative of that line (you can find more details about the advertisement campaign here). Check out the rest of the set below.


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Kanye West promotes France in new television commercial.
Wikileaks disclosures spark worldwide diplomatic crisis.
Massachusetts inmates sue prison over rules for HIV meds.
Black AIDS Institute CEO Phill Wilson share his thoughts on the importance of World AIDS Day, Wednesday December 1.
Also on World AIDS Day: Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae and others will sign off Twitter until they raise $1 million for Keep a Child Alive.
Condom prices rise as rains hit Southeast Asian rubber producing nations. "The cost of rubber climbed 65 percent over the past year, the Financial Times reported. Condomania, one of the largest specialty condom retailers in America, said condom prices jumped up to 20 percent in the past year and suppliers were warning of further increases."
Openly lesbian prosecutor brings down anti-gay Tom Delay.
Klimpton Hotels tops with gay travellers.
First lesbian couple to publicly come out in Botswana, where same-sex relations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Why choose just one? Cuban twin bodybuilder brothers Omar and Jean by Kevin Slack.
Cast of Burlesque—Cher, Christina Aguilera and Cam Gigandet—speaks out on anti-gay bullying.
Ontario teacher accused of sexually assaulting, showing porn to students.
Former TN judge: Lesbians should be allowed to serve in the military "because straight male soldiers could 'convert' them."
And finally in the Ivory Coast: At least 2 are dead after polls close in presidential elections. The opposition party accuses the government of "voter intimidation, kidnapping and violence" but "millions of people voted largely without incident, reports the AP.


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Vehicle Availability Listing (VAL)
The Vehicle Availability Listing (VAL) identifies the vehicles that are open and available to order. Please refer to AutoChoice to review details of available models. Sign up for GSA Automotive's email notification and receive up-to-date information, including:
- AutoChoice/Federal Vehicle Standards changes and updates;
- Important information covering vehicle contract awards and ordering information; and
- Vehicle availability dates.


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(Science: cytokine) a hormone-like substance released by stimulated t lymphocytes, causes activation and differentiation of other t lymphocytes independently of antigen.
a type of interleukin, a chemical messenger, a substance that can improve the body's response to disease. It stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system.
It is secreted by Thl cd4 cells to stimulate CD8 cytotoxic t-1yrnphocytes. Interleukin 2 also increases the proliferation and maturation of the cd4 cells themselves. During hiv infection, interleukin-2 production gradually declines.
use of interleukin 2 therapy is under study as a way to raise cd4 cell counts and restore immune function.
Acronym: il-2


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I was given this great avatar to try out, and I must say… it's pretty cool! It comes with skins, shapes, and a mesh HEAD. Yep, you heard me. The head comes with different makeup, eye color, eyebrow, hairbase, and even expressions. The skin is very well-detailed, and there are Lolas Tango appliers available for sale also! Also got this great necklace and earrings set from Amorous. Happy Shopping! 🙂
The Look:
- Partial Mesh Avatar: LOGO Infinity Chloe Hybrid Mesh Avatar
- Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Amelie Mesh Hair – Browns Pack
- Mesh Breasts: Lolas ::: Tango ::: Mesh Breasts
- Top: Blush. My Top print (@ TBS)
- Skirt: Happy Undead – Mini Skirt [vinyl black]
- Boots: Slink Tall Leather Thigh Boots Black
- Necklace and Earrings: : Amorous : Automatic (Boxed)
- Watch and Bracelets: FEMALE_[MANDALA]SITENNOAH_watch&bracelet_FAT_ver
- Nails: [FEMALE [MANDALA]NAIL PALETTE 1/Super Long]
- Poses: Glitterati


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We strive to feature high quality goods that are made by hand, vintage, or repurposed.
Our goal is to support independent emerging artists from all over the world.
We offer custom design in many mediums. Please email us at [email protected] with your request, and we will do our best to connect you with the perfect artisan for the job.
Our Tiny Shop in Ojai is open:
Mon, Wed, Thu - 10am-2pm
Fri - Sun - 9am-3pm
Our Airstream Shop Is open at different times depending on the event and location. Please see our Events and Route sections for more details.
We have two stores. One is a traveling vintage airstream that roams around the West Coast, you can check our route section to find out more about where to find it at any given time. The other shop is a tiny home in downtown Ojai, located behind NoSo Vita Cafe at 205 N. Signal St.
We currently accept all website payments through paypal. If this does not work for you, please email us and we can arrange credit card payment over the phone.
We only accept returns if products are defective. Exchanges are granted within 15 days of purchase with a reciept and unused merchandise.
Email us if you need make a return or exchange and we will send you a return label.
We make many of the products upon recieving your order, so please allow up to 2 weeks. We will send you an email with an estimated ship date when the order is placed.


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IG Toolkit version 12 contains a new dedicated Local Authority requirement set to replace the Social Care Delivery view used in previous versions of the IG Toolkit.
The intention is that the new Local Authority view can be contributed to by Public Health teams rather than (as some teams did in version 11) separately completing the Hosted Secondary Use Team/Project view. This offers significant advantages as it streamlines the approach for those Local Authorities that completed two separate assessments.
Background to the development of the new view, guidance and support documents specifically for LAs are available on the IGT Help page (see "Local Authorities" link at: https://www.igt.hscic.gov.uk/help.aspx)
Note that during this first year of the new LA view on the IG Toolkit, the External IG Delivery Team will offer dedicated IG SME support to Local Authorities wishing to migrate from version 11 Social Care Delivery/Local Authority view (Hosted Secondary Use Team/Project view) to the new version 12 Local Authority view. Organisations wishing to migrate should contact the External IG Delivery Team via the Exeter Helpdesk at: (email@example.com).
Your IG Toolkit session will automatically timeout in 5 minutes
Please press Ok within 5 minutes of this message appearing to stop your session
timing out


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"Red Hot Mama" Dachshund Figurine With Real Feathers
Limited edition. Handcrafted stylish diva doxie with big brown eyes, oversized red hat with sculptural roses, real feathers and a strand of "pearls."
Measures approximately 3-1/2" H
From The Hamilton Collection
- Price:
- s&s◇
This item is part of a collection. Subscribe to receive each issue in the collection by clicking "Add Collection to Cart."
- Price:
The long and short of it is that this Red Hot Mama is full of style and hat-titude! No dachshund lover will be able to resist falling for this darling dachshund figurine with her expressive, big brown eyes that will melt your heart. This adorable pampered pooch is dressed to the ca-nines donning an oversized wide-brimmed red hat with sculptural roses and real feathers. A long strand of "pearls" is draped around her neck and flows to the ground.
This limited-edition doxie puppy is exclusively from The Hamilton Collection. She is handcrafted of artist's resin and meticulously hand-painted. She'll make a wonderful addition to your collection or a great gift for a dachshund lover. Strong demand is expected, so order now!
- Dachshund figurine with oversized accessories and hat-titude, available only from The Hamilton Collection
- Handcrafted of artist's resin and meticulously hand-painted to bring out all the charming sculptural detail
- Diva dachshund figurine dons an oversized wide-brimmed red hat with sculptural roses and real feathers, and a long strand of "pearls" draped around her neck
- This adorable pampered pooch has big brown eyes that will melt your heart
- Premiere issue in the Divas with Hat-titude Figurine Collection
- Doxie puppy makes a wonderful addition to your collection or a unique gift for a dachshund lover
- Edition is limited to 95 casting days, so order now
- Hand-numbered with matching Certificate of Authenticity
- Measures approximately 3-1/2" H; 8.9 cm H
©2010 The Hamilton Collection. All rights reserved.


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Behold, my portfolio.
How to hire (and now pay!) MW
logos • brand identity • shirts • coins • stickers • ephemera • strait-laced branded stuff • packaging • puzzles • exhibits • martinis • internet things • anything fit to print
Melanie Warner
Hello, friend. I am Hotiron Creative. I love to design logos, sling vectors, attend hacker cons, and think about information security. I love design that is clever, introspective, deceptively simple, full of character, durable, well-executed, and uniquely yours.
Since starting this company in 2002, my designs have won awards, I was on the cover of a trade magazine, and I've lectured on branding at NYU. My work is published, in print across the globe, and in your local store. I've designed digital products for Fortune 100 companies. I built a luxury audio brand for connected homes and watched it grow into a multi-million dollar company.
I've served a diversity of clients over the years. Today, I design for hackers. As one who identifies strongly with the hacker mindset, I fit right in with the information security community. The invisible work that #infosec researchers do is more important than ever, and I want to help these brilliant people get seen so they can make a difference.
Hiring graphic designers is most rewarding when they get your industry. My involvement in #infosec has brought me much closer to reaching that audience effectively. It also helps to be more experienced, more conscientious, more technical, and more resourceful than most designers you might consider. (BONUS: I'm also delightful!)
Let's design a hotter brand. | START HERE
Some Clients
She's brilliant and can do anything and do it beautifully.
—Serene Han
Melanie has an incredible grasp of brand strategy within--and beyond--design. Part brand designer, part marketing sherpa, she offers clients razor-sharp strategic thinking, guiding them to new, effective levels of integrated branding. Her special passion for technology helps tech clients hit the ground running without that grinding climb of the learning curve.
—Janice Hughes
Melanie is an artful, organized, and detail-oriented creative leader. She is skillful in pursuing collaborative endeavors and always aims to achieve the best results for any challenge she faces while also listening to outside perspective as a means to arrive at the best solution. Her creative skill, experience, and expertise and sense provides a clear articulation of ideas which makes her a well-rounded, design-driven entrepreneur who is always hungry for the next big opportunity.
—Jon Pacio, Brand Design Manager, Incase
I have known Melanie since she moved to NYC in 2009. Up to that point in her career, she had moved herself and her personal business (as well as growing client base) from Idaho, to Salt Lake City, to Cincinnati, to New York. Over the years I have really marveled at my friend's great involvement in multiple professional organizations, as well as her dedication to her own personal development. She really always knows what's new, now; with an up to the minute knowledge encompassing graphic design, consumer products, interaction design, and marketing. She balances her industry consciousness with a true love for the arts, taking in all of the cultural experiences found in NYC. Melanie already is a great entrepreneur; she has developed the brand of herself and has successfully taken it across the entire United States to thrive in the metropolis that is so unforgiving to so many.
—Carolyn Peters
Melanie has great design approach and the drive to build something meaningful.
—Tristan Bel
If I have to describe Melanie in one word, she is a perfectionist. Her attention to detail is hard to go unnoticed even if you are with her on non work related things. Her thoughts about Technology and entrepreneurship always echoed mine. We went to meetup groups, always chat about the next wave of technology and generally talk about how to constantly update/retool ourselves to keep pace with technology. She never sees an issue or a task as a single encapsulated entity but how it fits in the overall picture and that I think is very important quality that hardly gets noticed.
—Rakesh Mandalapa
Melanie is a very creative person. She's incredibly talented and very good at what she does. She's extremely passionate about design and everything design-related as well as a typography expert (a.k.a. typography geek). She's open minded and very intelligent. Has a great personality and is someone you want to know. I would recommend anyone who has the chance to meet her, to do so, as she has a whole lot to offer in terms of personality and creativity. She's truly an out-of-the-box thinker.
—Natalia Pérez Wahlberg
Melanie is smart, very talented, and possesses a deep knowledge of human centered design and user experience. She is very comfortable meeting technical challenges head-on, is a resourceful collaborator, and is deeply curious about how things work. She has a tireless work ethic and is always committed to getting things done and having a real impact.
—Doug Muise
Melanie is one of the very few people I've worked with that I would recommend to anyone. Her design sense, attention to detail and most importantly, her immense dedication is unlike anyone I've worked with.
—Chris Heile
Melanie has been a guest lecturer in my NYU course on "Positioning & Brand Development" several times, as well as an advisor on my brand consulting work. While her background is mainly in graphic design, she is unique for her comprehensive, yet practical knowledge of marketing and branding and her extraordinary creative talents. Compared to most designers who just focus on artful executions, Melanie starts with the brand concept and creates new themes and ideas that reflect the core brand personality and impression, so that ALL touchpoints and communication vehicles consistently reflect the brand message. The holistic impact is captivating and memorable. Melanie would be an ideal advisor to any company seeking a fresh creative approach to re-position a brand and/or market their product or services successfully.
—Jay Grönlund
Talented, knowledgeable, thoroughly professional. Melanie's always delivered top-quality work for us, and I'd gladly hire her again.
—Rob Simpson
Melanie's attention to detail and immaculate craft in production was really a lifesaver. She's definitely a pleasure to work with.
—Christopher Ritter
Melanie has been a dream to work with on every project and position she has accepted from Creatives On Call. She provides our clients with great design options and provides the reps at Creatives On Call with peace of mind that the clients will be thoroughly satisfied. I would recommend her time and time again.
—April Dimig Rainbolt
I cannot recommend Melanie highly enough for her creativity and expertise in the area of brand design. She listens closely and offers more than one concept after thoroughly interviewing the client to assess the client's vision of their business and its future. Hotiron Creative is a highly professional, yet thoroughly personable company to work with!
—Lori Pierce
Melanie's production and prepress skills are superb. She has a strong attention to detail and the ability to meet even the most pressing deadlines. It is always a pleasure to work with her.
—Ruth Preston
"an invaluable partner"
Melanie is responsible for the identity of my company - she worked in her beautifully intuitive way to create just what I needed for my logo, web design, and all of the elements of design for the interior and exterior of my first book. She has been an invaluable partner.
—Jenifer Madson
I have known Melanie Warner for two years as a business associate and fellow member of AIGA Cincinnati. Melanie is a highly professional, ethical and passionate designer. She offers clients truly creative solutions to a variety of visual communication needs. Her design savvy distinguishes her work offering sophisticated graphic concepts to her clients. She is an active member of AIGA Cincinnati participating and supporting events and programs that promote the field of design and give back to the community at large.
—Mark Thomas
It's f@¢%ing sexy. I'll have you know, that is the logo. THAT logo is the one I am getting tattooed on me.
—Brendin Ross
Melanie is one of the most versatile and creative artists I know. Her work is both beautiful and modern and she has a real knack for expressing complex ideas in a clean design.
Melanie is extremely easy to talk to and takes great notes, which makes working through the initial visionary stages very comfortable and efficient. Throughout the project she asks great clarifying questions and is very accommodating in the revision process.
It is always a joy to work with Melanie and I look forward to having the opportunity to bring her in on a project again. I feel very fortunate to be able to recommend her to clients who desire to work with an extremely competent business woman who is also an award-winning artist.
—Marjorie Signer
Melanie is extremely talented. What I value most about designers are those who can take a creative brief and breathe new life into an otherwise run-of-the-mill project. Her designs are sophisticated and she pays attention to every single detail. Moreover, she's extremely pleasant to work with and in this fast-paced, high-stress business. Melanie is exactly what you need!
—Catherine Clay
Melanie works as part of the client's team. When freelancing for Memory Makers Books, she was a creative problem-solver and an excellent communicator, working with us to figure out how we could get the jobs done together, either on tight budgets or tight deadlines or both. I feel confident entrusting her to projects because I know they will be done well and on time. Highly recommended.
—Christine Doyle
Melanie is an expert in the graphic design field, so much so that we not only interviewed her for an article about design on Cincy Chic, we let her write the entire article from a subject matter expert standpoint because we value her expertise and credibility so much. The article got an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and is still one of most read/searched-for articles on our Web site. I recommend Melanie to anyone who wants to hire a leader and expert in the design industry.
—Amy Storer-Scalia
Melanie is a super sharp and creative marketer who puts more emphasis on client needs and objectives versus just good design. Once she knows her clients, she then creates outstanding designs that represent them perfectly. I gladly recommend her.
—Jennifer Panepinto
I have known Melanie for quite awhile and recently had the opportunity to produce a printing project for her. She did an outstanding job making sure we had everything we needed to produce the job successfully, such as properly prepared computer files, mockups, and clear instructions. She is very conscientious, is quite knowledgeable, and pays very close attention to all the details. Melanie is definitely the person you should work with if you want to make sure your project is a success. I look forward to continue working with her in the future.
—Gregg MacMillan
Melanie shows creativity, style, skill, chemistry, reliability, flexibility, and speed. She works hard at getting it right and attention to detail. Truly enjoyed working with her!
—Sandra Vogel, President, VCC, Inc.
Melanie designed some amazing magazine layouts on really short notice for me when I worked at Writer's Digest. She also designed several entire special-interest publications for me, again, on really short notice. The SIPs had a very fresh, modern look and, as such, sold quite well.
—Kara Uhl
Melanie did a FABULOUS logo design and ad layout work. Very well done.
—Jim Hyland
I hired Melanie to perform an array of design tasks as part of a very fast-paced new magazine launch. She delivered what I needed--and then some--on time and always with an awareness of how the work was going to be incorporated into the whole. She has a keen eye for type and color, great attention to detail, and is dedicated to delivering superior work.
—Jane Beard, Editor, F+W Media
Melanie for the past two years has designed our invitation and reply card and we have been extremely pleased with the results. She works was able to secure a paper donation and helped keep the cost down on each invitation. In the non-profit worked that is huge. I would recommend Melanie to anyone wanting superior work.
—Annemarie Barnett
"unparalleled work ethic"
Melanie went above and beyond on a recent project we worked on. I asked her to do "X" and she completed "Y" and "Z" before I had even thought of them! She's extremely proficient at design and her work ethic is unparalleled.
—Peg Stookey
"heart for information security"
Melanie has a great eye for design and a heart for the information security community. She has the ability to tie several themes in her designs and logos to tell a story. She created the design for the BSidesJackson 2016 logo, incorporating music themes along with hacking themes that perfectly represented the conference. I highly recommend Melanie to anyone looking for creative and meaningful designs in the security industry.
—Chris Sistrunk
"detail, integrity, dedication"
Melanie took on a deep project [Bounce, P+G] with fine detail and artistic integrity, and helped us put a strong product redesign on shelf with a great new look, and we couldn't have done it without her dedication. Her attention to detail through both the creative and production process was phenomenal.
—Dan Barczak
As President of AIGA Cincinnati, I have had the opportunity to interact with Melanie Warner on multiple occasions; most recently Melanie offered her insight and professional acumen having been chosen as a select participant in this year's Roundtable Discussion. AIGA Cincinnati has utilized the annual roundtable discussions as an effective way to gather and focus feedback from members at the local level on issues that are addressed while later meeting collectively at the local and national level.
As the Principal of Hotiron Creative, LLC, Melanie has been proactive in supporting AIGA Cincinnati and the design community at-large through her continued participation and willingness to offer her input and opinion which is always solicitous and genuine. I have come to recognize Melanie as a significant professional in the Cincinnati marketplace; it is without reservation and at the highest endorsement that I recommend Melanie Warner.
—Patrick Schreiber
Melanie is a highly creative individual who always comes up with excellent concepts and follows through with great attention to even the smallest details. She has always delivered on time and on budget.
—Michelle Perry
Melanie is able to take a general idea, and make graphic sense of it all. She is detail oriented, EASY to work with, creatively sound, and brings structure to almost every situation into which she is placed. I would heartily recommend Melanie as a design resource at pretty much every level.
—Kenny Snowball
Melanie is an excellent designer and has a tremendous attention for details. She produces an excellent product and is a strong advocate for her customers. We enjoy working with Melanie.
—Dave Sperry
Melanie is a hardworking professional who can efficienlty and effectively manage projects. She's very knowledgable about her craft and her attention to detail make her an asset for any design project. Her talents are many, from design, layout, digital production to photography, she approaches them all with the same artistic eye.
—Jamie Markle
Melanie is a fantastic graphic artist. Besides her amazing graphic art skills, she is an amazing Mac operator. Our company was having some challenges with a few of our Macs and she went above and beyond and was able to figure out the problem, which was no small task. She is a very personable, detailed and knowlegeable creative person. I would hire her again without hesitation.
—Bill Landrum
Melanie is an outstanding designer, with great creative problem-solving abilities. She is very knowledgeable about technology and production as well, so her designs are not only beautiful but effectively produced. It is also a pleasure working with her. I would highly recommend Melanie as a design professional.
—Clare Finney
Melanie did a great job of coming up with an innovative concept, working within my budget, and meeting the production schedule. Her work is getting compliments from my consulting peers.
—Heather Haley
Melanie is among the best graphic designers to work with. She not only does an excellent job with graphic design, I also relied on Melanie to be a project manager. I felt comfortable with Melanie being in charge of our largest client base, finding the right look/feel for the project, getting it done on time and in a professional manner. Great results, personable, expert in her field, excellent value, on time, high integrity and creative. Her attention to detail is remarkable and I highly recommend her.
—Kristi Loeffelholz Edwards
I recommend Melanie to ALL my clients that need ads designed both for print and online properties. She is prompt, her ads create results and all my clients have expressed gratitude for recommending her.
—Cristy Adamski
Melanie has completed multiple magazine projects for Writer's Digest. She's project-oriented, creative and consistently meets deadline and budgetary guidelines.
—Maria Schneider
I have had the opportunity of working with Melanie as a co-worker at Hyperquake and as a contractor for Hotiron Creative. Her level of professionalism and creativity made working with her a pleasure. I look forward to future collaborations and would highly recommend her to others.
—KC Dunstan, Web Developer, 525creative
Melanie is an incredibly talented designer. She can take an industry she isn't very familiar with and can create an identity that meets her client's every need.
—Jo Moore, Owner, Jo's Sewing Studio
Melanie is a wonderful creative with the capacity to listen and understand what her clients want. Her work is on target and on message.
—Monika Roberts
I'm reading
I endorse
I love
Design projects include: logo design, identity, color and font choices, brand guidelines, logo packs, media kits, corporate stationery, sales and marketing materials, business forms, templates, packaging, product graphics, icons, diagrams, vector art, photography and art direction, exhibits, print and banner ads, publications, web and mobile interfaces, email newsletters, presentations, pitch decks, promotional items, and conceptual, integrated campaigns. Minor copywriting on a per-case basis, such as for ads or short posts. I neither code, nor produce content involving audio, video, or animation.
How to hire MW
TL;DR: → Answer these questions. ←
After I receive your responses, we'll kick off with a phone call and get to the heart of what your brand needs. You have all the answers, and it's my job to ask the right questions.
How to pay MW
D e s i g n a h o t t e r b r a n d .
©2002–2020 Hotiron Creative | All trademarks are property of their respective owners. | +1 646 414 4114 | LinkedIn | Email | → PROJECT QUESTIONNAIRE


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The BE-Basic Foundation is an international public-private partnership that develops industrial biobased solutions to build a sustainable society.
As we want to switch from fossil fuels to biomass in the near future new technologies and insights are required for all industries that provide us with food, chemicals, energy and materials.
The BE-Basic Foundation initiates and stimulates collaborations between academia and industry, between scientists and entrepreneurs and between the Netherlands and abroad.
no news in this list.


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President Barack Obama is getting a namesake high school in Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced plans Thursday to build the Barack Obama College Preparatory High School, a selective-enrollment high school, with $60 million in tax increment financing funds.
The school is scheduled to open for the 2017-18 school year on Chicago Park District property near Skinner North Classical School on the city's North Side. It ultimately will enroll 1,200 students, starting with a freshman class of nearly 300. Emanuel's office said the new school is part of his pledge to provide more high-quality options for Chicago families.
"Year after year, too many of our students who have put in years of hard work are turned away because as a city we haven't had the capacity to meet their capability," Emanuel said in a statement, "and this important investment will help us fix that."
Emanuel said about 70 percent of the school's spots will issued to students through the selective enrollment admissions process used at such schools as Jones College Prep and Westinghouse College Prep. Obama College Prep marks Chicago's eleventh selective enrollment high school.
Such schools are in high demand, and Emanuel and Byrd-Bennett noted they are highly competitive. This year, applications for existing selective-enrollment schools grew 8 percent, with 16,440 students vying for about 3,200 seats.
"When a student has worked hard to make the grade and excel," Byrd-Bennett said, "we need to do our part to provide them with opportunities that will ensure they can live up to and achieve their full potential."
Emanuel said the school's location was picked for its accessibility to mass transit and expressways. CPS is the nation's third-largest school district.


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No Respect For Charlie
Comedian Rodney Dangerfield once said, "I get no respect."
Well, to me, the same goes for Charlie Manuel. Once again, he didn't win the manager of the year award in the NL. Four straight division titles, two World Series appearances, one NL ring and one WS ring over the past four seasons. Never once has he won the award. Granted, Charlie would much prefer the rings to an award.
Well, to me, Charlie did his best managerial job in 2010. A simple stat: the straight eight was available for a total of 14 games during the regular season. The total number of players on the DL: 18. Wilson Valdez had 342 big league at-bats in 152 games prior to this season. He had 333 playing second, short and third (111 games).
Charlie certainly kept them afloat when the postseason seemed like a dream in July. In the end, his team led the majors in wins, a first for the Phillies. But, it wasn't good enough for the writers who vote. Not winning is one thing, finishing fifth is an insult. Sorry, but that's how I feel.
The Arizona Fall League ends this weekend. Three Phillies farmhands have outstanding stats with the Mesa Solar Sox: 1B Matt Rizzotti, RH starter Joshua Zeid and RH reliever Justin DeFratus.
Zeid has been shutdown by the Phillies as he reached a certain number of innings. He's facing a 2,400-mile drive from Phoenix to Clearwater. You can read all about him in his outstanding blog.
While the AFL is ending, several Phillies are playing winter ball, including Dom Brown and David Herndon who will begin shortly in the Dominican Republic.
Blog Numbers
MLB has posted the top blogs for October. Todd Zolecki's Zo Zone ranks #1 in the MLB.com writers division.
In the Fan category, congratulations to Phillies Phollowers, # 11.
In the MLB Pro category, the Phillies ballgirls are #16 and this blog is #17.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
Looking Ahead
**November 19: Phillies need to file their reserve list, which is fancy name for the 40-man winter roster.
**November 20: Third annual Shane Victorino Foundation Celebrity Dinner and Golf Classic at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui. The event is sold out so I'll skip it.
**November 23: Deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their free agents.
1 Comment
Thank you :O) And you always do a great job here!
I agree about Charlie; he was totally robbed…again. And 5th place? It is like all these people voting resent him for being successful. It is a real shame.


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Join us for an Evergreen Nature Adventure!
Let's read the book, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.
Then let's go on rabbit trails of discovery about deciduous trees, evergreen trees and more! We will toss some magic dust in the air and jump into the book with hands-on adventures.
And when we've finished the book, let's throw a party and celebrate evergreen trees!
Would you like a preview?
Just click the link below to take a peek inside the book club.
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Online Nature Book Club
If this is your first book club, start here…
Are You Ready to go on a Nature Adventure?
Our nature online book clubs are Teachable courses that guide your student through reading picture books while adding optional handwriting practice. Each book club is made up of 4 parts that are designed to be a month-long nature study. They are designed for students ages Pre-K through elementary. Each nature online book club explores different creatures and plants in nature and leads the student on nature walks for all four seasons.
What is in an Online Book Club?
Rabbit Trails
Several per Lesson
We will go on rabbit trails of discovery. We will hop off the traditional roads of literature studies and meander down paths about pop-culture, history, biographies, poetry, music and more. We will take deep dives into some of the subjects touched on in the book and broaden our minds with new adventures.
Magic Dust
Several per Course
We will also bring literature to life by sprinkling a bit of magic dust along the way. These hands-on projects will take us into the book through science, art, games and more. We will touch, see, feel and learn about the book through the activities.
Party Time!!
One Per Course
The pinnacle of the Family Online Book Club experience is the Party School! At the end of each literature study, we will celebrate the book with a party. Invite friends or family over for food and fun! All the ideas for food, decorations, and activities are included.
Check out our course that is currently free for subscribers. Sign up below!
What ages of children is the book club for?
The book, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, would appeal to elementary students.
What happens next?
After you make your purchase, you will receive an email link to the course. You will need to create a username and password, if this is your first course.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own for the lifetime of Literary Adventures for Kids.
Can my child work through this independently?
It will depend on the age of the child. Older children should be able to complete it independently. However, parents will need to be available to help with projects. I recommend parents review the course before their children begin.
Can this be used for more than one child or as a family book club?
Absolutely! We are a homeschooling family, and we encourage all our children to participate in book clubs. Often we will read the book together as a family read-aloud and then work through the rabbit trails and magic dust together.
What supplies will we need?
You will need the book, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. You may also want a notebook for notes and vocabulary. The project supply list is provided at the beginning of the course. You may choose which projects you will want to do.
What are the dates of the book club?
This is a self-paced course. There are no starting or ending dates. Feel free to use at your leisure.
How long should this book club take my child?
The book club is set up on a lesson by lesson basis. It can take as much or as little time as you and your child feel you want to spend. That said, the original design is for a one-week to one-month nature study. However, I recommend you choose which projects will be a good fit for your child and not feel obligated to complete all lessons.
Can I use this course with my co-op or school?
Yes. Please contact me at [email protected] for information about school and co-op licensing.
What if I don't like the course?
We understand that not every book or course is the perfect fit. Due to the digital nature of this product, we are limited in how long we can offer a refund. If you don't find that the course fits for your family, please let us know within 5 days of purchase for a full refund. After that time, we will not be able to offer a full refund.
Hi, I'm Dachelle. I'm a homeschooling mom of 3 in the South. I love chocolate and have been known to hide it from my children. I can often be found reading a good book (or even sometimes just an okay book) and enjoying a jar of Nutella — don't judge. I blog, here, at HideTheChocolate.com when I'm not creating book clubs and making lists…lots and lots of lists (it's an addiction). Learn more…


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WASHINGTON – Ruthie Mundell opens a door within the warehouse of the nonprofit thrift store known as Community Forklift and eagerly displays the donations of countless gardeners.
Hoses, weed whackers, clay pots, axes and lawn mowers all form a silent testimony to hours of yardwork. What are the stories behind the artifacts? Did some donors get too creaky and move to a condo? Did they find a new life in Texas? Did they accumulate too much stuff and decide to have a clear-out?
"Everyone seems to end up with five rakes," she says, casting an eye over at least that number of leaf rakes.
Mundell hopes the tools will find new homes when the Maryland store holds its fourth annual Spring Soiree, an event that includes the sale of the garden items. It's a good way for new gardeners to find affordable gear, and a source of tools for school and community gardens that need stuff in quantity.
I find that I do about 90 percent of my gardening with just three tools: a garden or digging fork, hand pruners and a hoe. The fork seems to confuse people — it's not a pitchfork but a sturdy, five-tined wood-and-steel affair that is a match for the heavy clay soil in our mid-Atlantic area. It's great for digging life into old soil and working in compost and other amendments. The only time I touch a shovel is when I'm planting something; otherwise it's the garden fork. The hand pruners are a pretty obvious asset for trimming branches, grooming roses, cutting flower stems, snipping the greens off newly harvested carrots and a million other little jobs. I use a sharp hoe to weed, chop up clods of soil and grade a freshly dug bed before seed sowing.
Those are the sorts of tools I would search out if I were at Community Forklift this weekend, along with a lawn rake, a weeding knife and a pair of lopping shears, perhaps.
The nonprofit group formed in 2005 and primarily sells building materials that have been salvaged, and in a way this side of its business might be of greater value to gardeners. We are an inventive lot — visit a community garden and you will see how stuff has been repurposed: a piece of fence for a trellis, a ladder reworked into a gate, a toy box used for tool storage.
In my community plot, I used iron gas piping to make a perimeter fence and, because a lot of terracing was involved, old cedar planks for shoring. I didn't want to use pressure-treated lumber in a garden where I grow food. The cedar, which I bought from Community Forklift, is naturally rot resistant and now retains a bed currently housing fava beans and peas.
A lot of repurposed materials in the community garden are inherently junky, but that is part of their charm. I call it shanty chic. Recycling reveals gardeners to be thrifty, inventive and self-sufficient, all part of our "green" ethic.
This can become amusing when items are used for decoration as well as utility.
Mundell showed me a storage yard containing a row of bathtubs, some of them decidedly out of date in style and color. Some folks treat them as plant beds. This is a bit extreme for my tastes, but I could see a land-starved city dweller with a concrete patio using one to grow veggies and herbs.
Wooden pallets are another favorite: People turn them into fences, compost bins or growing beds. Broken pieces of granite and other stone end up as mosaic stepping stones. Almost anything will do duty as a tomato stake.
For the soiree, staff and many visitors will dress in garden-party garb, floppy hats and floral dresses. "Basically," says Mundell, the soiree is "a chance to usher away the cold winter and welcome in the spring."


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stick (one's) head above the parapet(redirected from stick our head above the parapet)
stick (one's) head above the parapet
To state or defend opinions that may be considered controversial in spite of the risk of receiving unfavorable reactions from others. Thank goodness that someone is willing to stick their head above the parapet and drew customers' attention to the deceitful practices of these corporations. Several senators stuck their heads above the parapet and defended the legislation against their own party.


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America's #1 Provider of Mortgage Protection Insurance
Alexander EllenburgManager
NC/SC Region Ph: (704) 640-5383 firstname.lastname@example.com
NAA Life - Your Source for Mortgage Protection
We know that your family is your most precious asset. That's why our team of mortgage insurance specialists is committed to helping you find the right coverage for your household. NAA Life is the number one resource for mortgage protection in America. Through our network of insurance providers, we can put together a plan that not only fits your family's needs, but also fits your pocketbook. With mortgage insurance protection, you can rest assured that your family will always have a roof over their head. To receive a free quote, simply fill out the form above.
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Mortgage insurance is protection to ensure that your family will never lose their home, even in the event of a tragedy. If you die, the insurance will pay off your mortgage. And, if you are hospitalized because of an illness or disability, mortgage insurance can make your monthly house payment for up to two years. Even if you refinance, your coverage stays in place. With a mortgage protection plan, your family's future is secure.
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With traditional life insurance, you have to choose from a limited set of products provided by one insurance carrier. With NAA Life, you have access to an extensive network of carriers offering a range of products to fit your needs. That way, we can find the most suitable protection for your family at the best price. In other words, we do the shopping for you.
To get started with your free mortgage insurance quote, please fill out the form above. Our team of highly skilled mortgage insurance specialists will put together a plan to ensure you have the right coverage at the most competitive rates.


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Welcome to the fair land of Spare Oom! Here you will find discussions on a wide variety of topics not directly related to Narnia. To help you and everyone else enjoy this section, please read and follow the forum rules as well as these guidelines:
1.) Because of the pace at which threads are created and the large number of threads in this section, new threads on individual subjects may quickly be relegated to page two of the Spare Oom. We have a few broad topics to cover books, movies, music, and TV shows.
• We do permit "Special Feature" topics that focus on a single author, book, series, etc. If you have a suggestion for a Special Feature topic, PM one of the Spare Oom moderators with your idea. Each Special Feature will run for a period of at least two weeks. When it's time for your topic to be opened, the Spare Oom moderators will contact you via PM. You will have the option to open the topic yourself or ask the moderators to do it for you. The Spare Oom moderators reserve the right to close the topic at their discretion after two weeks or later depending on the popularity of the thread.
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3.) Do not start contests in the Spare Oom without obtaining approval from the moderators.
4.) Due to a small number of members who abuse this privilege, only moderators are able to create polls in the Spare Oom. If you would like to have a poll set up, please PM a Spare Oom moderator.
5.) Should a thread become a place of everyday chat-like conversation, it will be closed and redirected to the Cup and Platter chatroom or the Town Square in Ditto Town.
6.) Some threads in the Spare Oom have particular rules depending on the topic. Please be sure to read the first page of any thread in which you participate, to avoid breaking any rules that might be set for that individual thread.
7.) Any potentially controversial topics will be closely monitored. Any discussion that violates the forum rules will be subject to moderator action, including thread closure. The moderators reserve the right to close any topic that they feel is not consistent with the atmosphere of NarniaWeb.
Please contact any of the Spare Oom moderators if you have a question about this section.
Thanks, and happy posting!
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With time running out to avoid a shutdown of state government, the largest state employee union is asking top officials to approve another one-month budget if there is no agreement on a permanent spending plan.
With time running out to avoid a shutdown of state government, the largest state employee union is asking top officials to approve another one-month budget if there is no agreement on a permanent spending plan.
Henry Bayer, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, sent letters to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders asking them not to let state operations grind to a halt after the current temporary budget expires July 31.
"If a full-year budget cannot be agreed upon and passed in the very near future, another one-month budget must be approved," Bayer wrote. "State employees and the citizens who rely on their services should not be help hostage to the ongoing budget impasse."
Bayer said a shutdown will "serve no one and in fact do great harm to all of our citizens who rely on essential state services and to the tens of thousands of state employees who provide those services."
That threat is looming, though, with just eight days left before the state loses its authority to pay its bills. State government is only operating now because the governor and lawmakers approved a one-month budget in late June when the state was first faced with the threat of a shutdown.
There was no meeting Monday between Blagojevich and the four leaders to discuss a budget, short term or otherwise. The governor was in Chicago signing a statewide smoking ban into law, while House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, both D-Chicago, spent most of the day on a fly-around to promote an electric rate relief bill.
In the past few days, various legislative leaders have warned that more and more rank-and-file members are upset about the lack of progress on a budget for the full fiscal year. They've warned that there may not be enough support for another one-month budget. Some, like House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, and Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, have said a shutdown may be the crisis that finally forces serious discussions.
"Tom has consistently said we should try to do a 12-month budget," said Cross spokesman David Dring. "There seems to be some discontent among members to do another one-month budget."
"There is sentiment among some members that (another one-month budget) would take the pressure off, that the only way to get a resolution is to have a deadline," said Watson spokeswoman Patty Schuh. "A shutdown is not in anyone's best interest, but there may be members who do not support another one-month budget."
Both Watson and Cross are careful to say they do not want to see a shutdown.
AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said it is unacceptable for anyone to view a shutdown as a way of forcing a budget compromise.
"You don't play games with the livelihoods of state employees," Lindall said. "You don't deny vital services those employees provide as a way to exert political pressure."
In some cases, like staffing state prisons and other public safety jobs, work would continue even if government is "shut down."
"In that case, you are asking individuals to work without pay. It is not acceptable," Lindall said.
Spokesmen for Jones and Madigan said both men continue to work on crafting a full-year spending plan.
Doug Finke can be reached at (217) 788-1527 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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An apparent mistake by the city's Board of Elections (BOE) would have had Whitestone residents voting in Forest Hills during the upcoming primary.
About 100 people in Whitestone, College Point, Malba and Beechhurst were sent BOE mailers last week directing them to vote more than six miles away, double the distance of their usual polling place, a local civic leader said.
The 61-20 Grand Central Parkway poll site listed on the notices is on the border between Corona and Forest Hills.
"I've been in Whitestone for 27 years. I've always voted at P.S. 193. It's four blocks from my house," said resident George Mirtsopoulos, 58. "I get this notice saying I'm voting in Forest Hills. I thought it was ridiculous."
Mirtsopoulos, Malba Gardens Civic president Alfredo Centola and the area's city councilmember said they alerted the elections board of the blunder.
The BOE first told residents the change was due to recent redistricting and later switched to say it was a "glitch" that sent voters in the 11357 ZIP code to poll sites in the 11375 area, residents said. The two numbers differ only by switching the last two digits.
"You should check and double check," Mirtsopoulos said. "Somebody should have said, 'Wait. They live in Whitestone, why are they voting in Forest Hills?' The bells and whistles should have gone off a little bit."
The mailer blindsided multiple residents, mostly the elderly, who did not take immediate notice of change in poll site, Mirtsopoulos said.
"A lot of people on my block didn't even realize it," he said. "It would have caused a lot of confusion."
Councilmember Dan Halloran — who awaits trial for bribery but represents the district for the remainder of the year — said his office "was flooded with calls from angry or upset people."
He said an 84-year-old widow named Marilyn would not have traveled to Forest Hills despite voting in every election since 1955.
Residents who called the BOE to complain were told new mailers with the correct poll site would be sent out soon, but the Board had no immediate comment for the press.


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Renata Calka-Emok Mamoki Double Sided Organic Soft Toy
At Design Interviews
Interview with Renata Calka : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Renata Calka : Inspiration for EMOK MAMOKI toy was an expression of happiness on little boy's face. It came when I was minding two lovely boys. Mark had only few teeth and laughed with mouth wide open. That inspired me to design a toy with a hole as a mouth. When I created the first toy, it was only one sided. My husband started to play with it and reversed it. It happened suddenly - something just clicked, we thought - why not to make another character on the other side of the toy...So, an idea on double sided toy came out as a result of pure fun. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Renata Calka : I just wanted to make a gift for Mark on his first birthday. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Renata Calka : MAMOKI designs have big potential on toys market. I hope that MAMOKI will gain attention of more people and that they will get possibility to be produced in series. That definitely would made them more available. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Renata Calka : The idea for for the first toy came quickly. Since the beginning I knew that it should be full of colours and soft. Than some more research help me with the decision to make it organic. Later, for over a year, I worked with my husband only on the improvements and details. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Renata Calka : In some way it was commissioned by Mark... .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Renata Calka : I have been working on double sided toys since 2010. All of them were made at home in Ireland with special care and organic love. When they got popular I decided to send them into production to make them more accessible. Despite my best endeavours this project failed, so I started considering selling my ideas as a designer. I'm looking forward to this opportunity. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Renata Calka : Will to express my imagination. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Renata Calka : I create instinctively. There are all original designs. While I work, I share my ideas with my husband to get different point of view and than we both develop them. And, that process make our designs really unique. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Renata Calka : I sold EMOK MAMOKI toys personally on the local market, also via Internet and on commission. So, I have good findings about my customers. They are mostly young people in the age between 18-25 looking for something original. Also, new parents in the age around 30, their families and friends, who are looking for a special gift for a child or a newborn baby. Also, people with ecological awareness, who appreciate organic value. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Renata Calka : MAMOKI Double Sided Toy is an innovative design. There is no other toy that is reversible in this way. It is completely ours original idea which is at the cutting edge of the toy industry. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Renata Calka : Name was quite hard issue for me as I really wanted it to be short and easy to say for children. I tested many names on children and carried out a survey. Part of MAMOKI's name - MAMO- originate in Polish word 'mom', noun in the vocative. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Renata Calka : This particular project is very emotional and I didn't use any specific design tools to create a toy by myself. Than, when I decided to send project to factory I prepared in electronic version. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Renata Calka : That it is reversible with different characters on each side. Children are amazed when the toy get changed. It is also ecological toy. It's made with organic fabrics, filled with hypoallergenic stuffing, with lavender and buckwheat husks filled heart. Each toy has a passport with name, unique toy's number and birth (production) date attached. This toy is unique as works for child's senses - touch (softness, different types of materials), vision (colour), smell (lavender heart), interaction and imagination (reversible). .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Renata Calka : I worked on this project with my husband. He helped me with technical solutions. He is an inventor and wood artist. We always share our projects ideas. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Renata Calka : Technology is crucial to reduce production time and make MAMOKI designs more accessible. It would make them more accessible when produce in a series and divided into units. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Renata Calka : As a result of my previously research and conclusion that ecological toy market is very small and limited, I decided to carry out a survey about organic value of a toy. I made it personally among my friends and customers. I conducted 50 surveys. I found out that people value that toy can be made from organic cotton, also hypoallergenic stuffing. Beside ecological value there is a lot of allergic children nowadays. Also, they appreciate softness and interactivity. That survey helped me to improve my designs. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Renata Calka : Time which is need to make the toy is twice as long. Also, difficulties with getting proper stuffing and organic materials in real for my budget quantities. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Renata Calka : I decided to share my idea with others. I've gained a great audience, but I am not able to produce my toys myself in a line. I thought that submitting into an international design competition could be an opportunity to find right company which would be interested in producing my designs. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Renata Calka : During my work on this project I found myself very enterprising in many different directions, as a designer, producer, manager... but now I would prefer to carry out one of them, simply- designing. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Renata Calka : Yes, I would like to thank you for reading this:) .
Renata Calka-Emok Mamoki Double Sided Organic Soft Toy Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Design Industrial homepage.


text: You may not want to shock the monkey, but you could find yourself dancing with the cute robot. Peter Gabriel is doing some music for the soundtrack of Wall-E, Pixar's new robot movie. He's creating a couple of new tunes for the occasion, plus putting "some glue" on things he's come up with previously. In a video blog entry, Gabriel describes the movie, including the fact that humans look like "flat blobs in armchairs," due to bone deterioration in space. [CinemaBlend]


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Is Yoga Equivalent to Running?
Does yoga burn more calories than actually going to the gym and running on
the treadmill?
– Brianna*
Even a vigorous yoga workout won't burn as many calories as the same time spent on the treadmill. That said, yoga is a great addition to any exercise routine, and the benefits go beyond the time you spend on the mat. Besides making you more flexible, yoga also can build strong muscles, and muscles burn more calories than fat. So, even when you're studying, your yoga muscles keep on burning calories.
Start out by incorporating easy-to-do beginner yoga
stretches before and after your workouts or consider joining a yoga class. Don't stop
running, though. The best fitness programs include strength training, flexibility,
and aerobic exercise. And by combining running with yoga, you get all of those.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.


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Google introduced their new Nexus One phone today — watch Adrian Ludwig preview an early version of Flash Player 10.1 running on the new device.
As we announced at MAX, Google has joined the Open Screen Project to bring another level of openness to the Web that is good for both developers and users.
Many of Google's technologies such as YouTube, Google Chrome, and soon Android will include Flash Player, enabling users to consume Flash media content seamlessly.
The Nexus One features Google's Android software, HTC's hardware design, and QUALCOMM's Snapdragon chipset. All of these companies participate in the Open Screen Project and we've been working with our partners to bring a high performing Flash Player 10.1 to Android and other devices.