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By Shane McGinley
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The downturn has clipped the wings of the Middle East region's once soaring aerospace sector.
While the Middle East is one of the only markets in the world where passenger traffic numbers are still growing, the downturn has clipped the wings of the once soaring aerospace sector.
Traffic is a great litmus test of any event in Dubai. On the morning of this year's Cityscape Dubai traffic seemed to flow perfectly as normal. The lack of headline grabbing launches and a lacklustre property sector led many visitors and exhibitors to give the event a miss.
The organisers of the Dubai Airshow 2009 however, boasted that space had increased ten percent on 2008, nearly 900 exhibitors were attending, 130 aircraft would be on show and 50,000 visitors were expected.
Official attendance was not available at the time of going to press but exhibitors did indeed complain of traffic congestion and taxi queues were back to levels that haven't been seen in a long time.
Would this year's show bring in the big deals or would it prove to disappoint like the Paris show before it?
In his welcome speech at the 11th Dubai Airshow, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Airline and chairman of Dubai Airports, was bullish about the show's prospects and the region's future.
"The airshow comes at an important time for the aerospace industry as the world begins to see a revival in fortunes.
"During the past two years, the business has experienced unprecedented turbulence. However, I am very pleased that many of the organisations at the show this year were among those that continued to invest in the industry during the worst of times.
"It is the Middle East - and the GCC in particular - that has seen a growth in air transport, while elsewhere there have been falling passenger numbers," he added.
The Middle East region has indeed managed to buck global trends. Dubai International Airport reported that passenger traffic rose 11.7 percent in October, the fifth consecutive month of double digit growth and a rise so far this year of 8.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
On a global scale, statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed that the Middle East is the only region in the world to see air traffic growth stay in the black.
Overall, global revenue per passenger per kilometre measures for the first nine months of 2009 fell 5.3 percent, in Asia/Pacific the figure was down 8.8 percent and in North America it declined 6.7 percent, while the Middle East has surged forward 9.4 percent. The region is literally going in the opposite direction to the rest of the world.
As a result, Airbus's Global Market Forecast predicts that Middle East-based carriers will need more than 1,418 new aircraft, valued at around $243bn, over the next twenty years.
"The Middle East market encompasses all aircraft segments and is a barometre for the rest of the world. The recovery begins here," John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer - customers said at the Dubai Airshow.
Airbus' main rival Boeing forecast its twenty year regional requirement slightly higher at 1,580 aircraft worth $260bn, however while it is confident about the long-term future of the region it does see difficulties in the short-term.
"This is a very important market for us... and is one that will continue to have very good growth prospects," Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of commercial airplanes, told Arabian Business at a roundtable discussion at the Dubai Airshow.
The Middle East makes up about 25 percent of Boeing's backlog and about 19 to 20 percent of its revenue. However Albaugh said he does not see the region being immune from the global economic slowdown and that orders in the region will slow "dramatically over the next several years".
"A lot of customers who haven't been able to cover the cost of capital [are] being very careful about how they enter the market again," he added.
However, Sheikh Ahmed said at the Dubai Airshow launch press conference that he was "not happy" with aircraft delays and later revealed that Emirates was in discussions with both Airbus and Boeing about possibly increasing its fleet, which is already running flat out.
Emirates Airline is currently the world's largest operator of the Boeing 777 and it has reported that profits rose 165 percent to $205m during the first half of this year.
Canadian jet maker Bombardier arrived at Dubai to try and secure its first CSeries Middle Eastern jet customer and reported that it had so far received a lot of interest.
On a global scale, the manufacturer is still feeling the impact of the global downturn. "We are not bringing in orders fast enough to offset our production rates," Gary Scott, president of commercial aircraft at Bombardier told Arabian Business.While the market is growing in the region and bucking world trends, Scott was realistic about the size and influence of the market on the global stage.
"North America still accounts for roughly 50 percent of the world's commercial aircraft and even though they are not growing at all it is still a big base and the Middle East is growing but off a smaller base," he said, adding that while the company has around 2,500 commercial aircraft flying and a few hundred on order, the Middle East only accounts for approximately 160 of these.
"It is a relatively small but important [market] and certainly we want to make it a bigger piece."
Scott believes the global aviation market will only recover when the giants of Europe and North America begin to see a turnaround.
"I have been in this business for 36 years now. I have gone in and out of four cycles and fully intend to come out of the fifth."
However, Scott believes this current downturn has been handled a lot better by the airlines. "The airlines adjusted better to this one, in that they were more prudent in pulling out capacity, parking aircraft and keeping their yields up. Their practice in the past was to cut fares to keep airplanes flying, which led to more blood-letting."
One way for the Middle East to increase its dominance is to take a more proactive approach and this was highlighted by a number of announcements at the airshow.
At the opening press conference, Sheikh Ahmed said he would like to see more manufacturing taking place in the region.
During the show, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala made two announcements. It confirmed that the company is stepping up construction of its first aerostructures factory at Al Ain, which will make parts for Airbus, and it signed an agreement with Boeing to develop joint ventures together.
Financing is another issue which Dubai is pushing ahead with. Dubai-based national cargo carrier Midex Airlines announced it has launched a $500m fund to invest in the aviation industry.
Issam Khairallah, president of Midex Airlines, told Arabian Business in an interview at the Dubai Airshow that the fund will be wholly self-financed, will be operated for a maximum of five years and aims to generate "a little over" 6.5 percent return.
"Our target is other companies who would also like to launch in the aviation industry in the emirates. We are today the largest privately owned cargo operator in the Middle East and Europe and many people are coming to us either to purchase or lease aircraft for them," Khairallah said.
Launching a new 'Sharklet' device which reduces aircraft fuel burn by up to 3.5 percent, Airbus COO John Leahy pointed out that carriers outside the Middle East were often suspicious of the region's dramatic success.
"The idea that you pay less for fuel in the Middle East is more of a rumour spread by competitors," Leahy told Arabian Business.
The Middle East may be reporting healthy figures but comments at last month's Arab Air Carriers Organisation AGM by Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the IATA do sound alarm bells.
"Passenger demand in this region is up 8 percent... [but] that growth has not yet translated into profitability. Some are making money, but many others are in the red. Growth is good but if it does not generate profits, the business is not sustainable."
However, he did see some hope: "I see some encouraging signs. The region's wide-body fleet will expand by 8 percent this year, in line with demand growth.
"And aircraft utilisation in this region is improving at a time when other parts of the world are adjusting capacity by using their fleet less efficiently."
Low-cost carrier Air Arabia, which is the largest listed Arab airline by market value, reported its first drop in quarterly profit and said it believes difficult market conditions will extend into the second quarter of next year.
There were some large deals at this year's Middle Eastern showcase, such as Etihad Airways' $750m investment in fleet advances, but there were none of the big headliner deals from previous years.
There were signs around the airshow advertising that prices for space at the 2011 show have been frozen at 2009 levels, which appears to have been the prevailing mood at this year's Dubai Airshow. Things will continue to be challenging and harsh in the short-term but the industry will pull through and is looking at long-term survival.


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Laya Laya are a writer/producer duo from London, who originally connected in 2017 via a UK based music blog. Prior to their meeting, they had both been struggling with life changing health conditions that had made them leave their unfulfilling office jobs and turn to their love of music as a way to build themselves back up.
Having both grown up on the sounds of London's urban and dance scene... read more »
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This special album was recorded live at the 48th Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico, August 14-17, 1969. It features music from the following traditional dances: Hopi Basket Dance, Hopi Butterfly Dance, Jemez Buffalo Dance, San Juan Basket Dance, Zuni Rainbow Dance, Laguna Arrow Dance, Laguna Eagle Dance, and Laguna Buffalo Dance. The album provides an exclusive an insightful look into the traditions and culture of the Pueblo people.
- Various artists
- Format: Audio CD
- Number of discs: 1
- Original release date: 1972
- Label: Indian House
About the Artist
This album was recorded by Native American artists who carry on the musical traditions passed down to them from their ancestors. In many Native American cultures, these musicians play a role in traditional ceremonies that serve as prayers for blessings and rain. Their music is appreciated around the world for its unique and beautiful sound and its role in preserving an important cultural legacy.
Collector's Guide
At Shumakolowa Native Arts we are proud to sell rare and hard-to-find music that celebrates Native American and Pueblo culture, history and art. Our selection of music has been carefully curated by our team of experts to inspire and provide insight into these unique art forms.
Our Guarantee of Authenticity
At Shumakolowa Native Arts, we guarantee that your purchase is an original and authentic work handcrafted by Native American artists as defined by the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. We ask our artists to complete an extensive certification process, providing a CIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood) card and other documentation of their Native American heritage. Our team of experts carefully inspects every product to guarantee it is handcrafted using traditional, sustainable processes and natural materials of only the highest quality. We record the place and date of each purchase and pride ourselves in paying a fair price that allows artists to make a living practicing their craft. At a time when many commercially-made products are being sold as handcrafted Native American art, our in-depth purchase process allows us to guarantee the authenticity of every unique piece of fine art we offer. For more than 35 years, we have made it a priority to visit artists in their studio or home to purchase their latest handcrafted pieces and learn about their work. We have developed lasting relationships with artists, as well as dealers and collectors, and we take pride in being a trusted destination for fine Native American art.


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The Capitol Square Hotel is located on the corner of George Street and Campbell Street, in the inner city suburb of Haymarket. Located next to the Capitol Theatre, it is part of the Capitol Square development that extends to Hay Street and includes the former Palace Hotel, the Watkins Terrace group of buildings, a former bank and post office and the former Parker Lane. The buildings were originally constructed in 1876-1877 in the Victorian Italianate architectural style. They were redeveloped in the 1990s and now feature shops, a hotel, a pub, restaurants, offices, recreation and special function facilities.
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Haymarket, Capitol Square Hotel
Posted by Jim at 12:13 am 14 comments
Labels: heritage, hotels, shops, Suburbs - Haymarket
Monday, 29 September 2014
Haymarket, Market City, Moon Festival
Market City is a shopping centre above Paddy's Markets at Haymarket, near Chinatown. These umbrellas hung above the centre court as part of the Moon Festival celebrations.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 15 comments
Labels: events, multicultural, shops, Suburbs - Haymarket
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Kingsford, Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Holy Trinity Anglican Church is located on the corner of Sturt Street and Anzac Parade, in the eastern suburb of Kingsford. The original church on this site was known as St. Martin's Mission Church built in 1913. It was replaced by the first Holy Trinity church built in 1932 which was destroyed by fire in 1987. This building, built in 1989, was designed by Woodhouse and Danks.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 14 comments
Labels: churches, signs, Suburbs - Kingsford
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Circular Quay, Opera House, ferry
A view of Sydney Harbour towards Sydney Opera House from the Cahill Expressway Walkway, above Circular Quay railway station, as the Manly ferry makes its way to Circular Quay. The Queenscliff is a Freshwater Class ferry.
Posted by Jim at 12:15 am 11 comments
Labels: boats, Circular Quay, Opera House, Sydney Harbour
Friday, 26 September 2014
Sydney skyscrapers
Posted by Jim at 12:02 am 17 comments
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Jesse Street Gardens, plaque
This bronze plaque is located at the entrance of Jesse Street Gardens at Circular Quay. It commemorates the opening of the park in 1990 and its dedication to Australian Women. Jesse Street (1889-1970) was a noted feminist and international peace campaigner. She gained international publicity for the situation of Aboriginal Australians and her suggested amendments to the Australian constitution were adopted in 1967.
Labels: Circular Quay, parks, sculpture
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Circular Quay, ship and ferries
This cruise ship berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, dwarfs the ferries and boats at Circular Quay ferry wharves. The arrival of the Carnival Legend this week marks the start of cruise season. This view is from the walkway beside the Cahill Expressway, above Circular Quay railway station.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 13 comments
Labels: boats, bridges, Circular Quay, Harbour Bridge, wharves
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Daceyville, substation
This electricity substation no.32 is located in Dacey Garden Reserve, on the corner of Gardeners Road and Bunnerong Road, in the eastern suburb of Daceyville. The heritage listed building was built in 1913 in the Federation architectural style.
Labels: parks, substations, Suburbs - Daceyville
Monday, 22 September 2014
Randwick, Avonmore
Avonmore is a group of nine terrace houses located along The Avenue, opposite Alison Park, in the eastern suburbs of Randwick. These heritage listed, three storey terrace houses were built in 1888 by John Walsh in the Victorian Italianate architectural style. The middle terrace seen here is currently run as a boutique hotel known as Avonmore on the Park, while remaining terraces are all privately owned.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 13 comments
Labels: heritage, hotels, Suburbs - Randwick
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Little Bay, Interdenominational Australian Nurses War Memorial Chapel
The Interdenominational Australian Nurses War Memorial Chapel is located along Lister Avenue, in the eastern suburb of Little Bay. The original chapel was built in 1967 as part of the former Prince Henry Hospital site, looking out on the Pacific Ocean. It was destroyed by fire in 1981 but was rebuilt to the original plans in 1982.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 16 comments
Labels: churches, Suburbs - Little Bay
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Pacific Power Building, sculpture
This curious piece of contemporary artwork is located near the entrance of the Pacific Power Building, on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Park Street, opposite Hyde Park.
Friday, 19 September 2014
Rushcutters Bay, Sydney skyline
This cloudy sky above the Sydney skyline, behind Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay, is viewed from Yarranabbe Park in the eastern suburb of Darling Point.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 19 comments
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Woollahra, The Light Brigade Hotel
The Light Brigade Hotel is located on the corner of Oxford Street and Jersey Road, in the eastern suburb of Woollahra, bordering Paddington. It was designed by Sidney Warden and built in 1939 in the art deco architectural style. The pub is named after the famous British light cavalry immortalised by the "Charge of the Light Brigade" against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War.
Labels: hotels, pubs, Suburbs - Paddington, Suburbs - Woollahra
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Paddington, Reservoir Gardens
Paddington Reservoir Gardens are on the corner of Oxford Street and Oatley Road, in the inner city suburb of Paddington. This view is from the park on the top level towards Paddington Town Hall. The remains of a former 19th century underground reservoir were redeveloped in 2009 to create an urban sanctuary with lawns, flower beds, shaded seating and a fish pond water feature.
Labels: bridges, fences, gazebos, parks, Suburbs - Paddington, town halls
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Paddington, terrace house
This terrace house is located on the corner of Union Street and Broughton Street, in the inner city suburb of Paddington. This house is about twice the size of most terrace houses in this area but its divided design helps it blend into the streetscape.
Posted by Jim at 12:34 am 20 comments
Labels: houses, Suburbs - Paddington
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Paddington, Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel is located at Five Ways, on the corner of Glennmore Road and Broughton Street, in the inner city suburb of Paddington. This heritage listed pub was built in 1888.
Posted by Jim at 11:37 pm 12 comments
Labels: flags, lamps, pubs, Suburbs - Paddington
Paddington, St. George's Anglican Church
St. George's Anglican Church is located along Glenmore Road in the inner city suburb of Paddington. This heritage listed church was built in 1889 in the Victorian Free Gothic architectural style.
Posted by Jim at 12:06 am 19 comments
Labels: churches, Suburbs - Paddington
Saturday, 13 September 2014
Watsons Bay, Victoria Wharf
Victoria Wharf is located on Sydney Harbour, in the eastern suburb of Watsons Bay. It sits at the end of Victoria Wharf Reserve which can be accessed from Pacific Street and provides some spectacular views of the harbour and the city skyline.
Labels: lamps, pools, Suburbs - Watsons Bay, wharves
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Watsons Bay, tree
This view of Sydney Harbour is from Sydney Harbour National Park at South Head, in the eastern suburb of Watsons Bay.
Posted by Jim at 11:38 pm 17 comments
Labels: Suburbs - Watsons Bay, trees
Watsons Bay, Dunbar House
Dunbar House is located along Marine Parade in the eastern suburb of Watsons Bay. This heritage listed house was designed by Mortliner Lewis and built around 1837. In 1854 it became the Marine Hotel and later the Greenwich Pier Hotel and the Royal Hotel until 1923. It then became the Vaucluse Municipal Council Chambers until 1948 when amalgamation with Woollahra Council took place. It was refurbished in 2010 and is now a cafe and events venue.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 17 comments
Labels: houses, Suburbs - Watsons Bay
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Watsons Bay, The Gap
The Gap is an ocean cliff on the South Head peninsula, in eastern suburb of Watsons Bay. This view is of the weathered rocks below the cliff being pounded by the waves of the Pacific Ocean which have created some amazing patterns. The cliff is popular for sightseers but it has also gained infamy for suicides.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 14 comments
Labels: rocks, Suburbs - Watsons Bay
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Watsons Bay, bandstand
Robertson Park is located in the eastern suburb of Watsons Bay. This octagonal bandstand, which stands in the middle of the park, was built in 1918 following a request from the Eastern Suburbs United Band.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 18 comments
Labels: parks, rotundas, Suburbs - Watsons Bay
Monday, 8 September 2014
Haymarket, In Between Two Worlds
"In Between Two Worlds" is an art installation located in Chinatown at Haymarket. This artwork, created by artist Jason Wing, explores themes of heaven and earth featuring painted wall murals, etched granite floor murals and 30 suspended illuminated spirit figures. These three spirit figures are located above the entrance of Kimber Lane from Factory Street.
Labels: art, Suburbs - Haymarket
Sunday, 7 September 2014
Balmain, St Augustine's Catholic Church
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 19 comments
Labels: churches, Suburbs - Balmain
Saturday, 6 September 2014
Department of Education, Governor Phillip Tower
The Department of Education building is located along Bridge Street. It was designed by George McRae and built in 1914 in the Edwardian architectural style. In contrast, Governor Phillip Tower along Farrer Place rises up behind it. The 64 storey office tower completed in 1994 was designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall.
Friday, 5 September 2014
Circular Quay, Arena Calcetto
Arena Calcetto is an installation in First Fleet Park at Circular Quay. These are two of the six timber towers, standing at 10 metres high, which hide an individually handcrafted foosball table with custom-made players. They were created by a community collective known as Archrival, originally for the 13th Venice International Architecture Biennale in 2012 and will be here until 30 September 2014. I happened to catch a skywriter mid-message, writing something about "traffic" but it was hard to read the whole message since the wind had blown it away. The Sydney Opera House can just be seen in the distance.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 36 comments
Labels: Circular Quay, City, Opera House, parks, sport
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Centennial Park, Randwick Gates
Randwick Gates is an entrance to Centennial Park located along Darley Road, providing access from the eastern suburb of Randwick. The five sandstone columns with cast iron gates were designed by Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon and built around 1891. "Centennial Park 1888" is carved on the central column, the year the park was founded.
Posted by Jim at 12:15 am 17 comments
Labels: Centennial Park, gates, parks, Suburbs - Randwick
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Centennial Park, bridge
This is one of the sandstone bridges over the stormwater canal in Centennial Park. It was built around 1890 and carries Dickens Drive from Frog Hollow to the Column Garden.
Posted by Jim at 12:32 am 15 comments
Labels: bridges, canals, Centennial Park, flowers, roads
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Paddington, sculpture
This piece of artwork is located in Whelan Reserve, on the corner of Oxford Street and Lang Road, in the inner city suburb of Paddington.
Click here to view all participants of Our World Tuesday
Click here to view all participants of Our World Tuesday
Posted by Jim at 12:30 am 18 comments
Labels: art, sculpture, Suburbs - Paddington
Monday, 1 September 2014
Rozelle, White Bay Power Station (Theme Day: Rust and Ruins)
These rusting buildings are part of the former White Bay Power Station which is located along Robert Street, in the inner city suburb of Rozelle. This heritage listed former coal-fired power station was commissioned in 1917 and decommissioned in 1983. The ruins sit idle now but the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority which controls the site, is undertaking necessary preservation work to reduce further degradation and ensure the potential for future uses.
Posted by Jim at 12:00 am 22 comments
Labels: industrial, stacks, Suburbs - Rozelle
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Amazingly, my car started just fine and the interstate highway was still in existence this morning. I was kind of hoping to get the day off. Although, I didn't wash my colander so my face mask smells faintly of kimchi preparations. Having a good hair day too. I had no idea unruly hair was a function of the government. Thank goodness it's non-essential.
The ceiling raccoon in the office must either not be a government employee or eating the insulation of private industry is considered an essential function. I'm betting on the latter.
It's been calm in these parts. I figure it will be a few days before the zombie hoards make it this far inland. I should probably confer with Robb regarding vehicular armaments. I was considering a flame-thrower or a badger catapult, but the Ma Deuce is always a good choice.
For those that are curious, I did get a sneak peak at last night's Congressional negotiations. They went a little something like this.
Or, at least that's what I walked in on in my living room. Seems accurate. If cat blogging is good enough for Tam, it's good enough for me!


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By KATE SINERVO | Journalism Student
"It is very emotional for me to be back in Mississippi talking about my book," a former New York Times reporter told journalism students in the Overby Center Auditorium.
Ole Miss and the entire South are hallowed ground because "this is the birthplace of the Great Migration," Isabel Wilkerson said. Her book is about the movement of African Americans to the North during the 20th century and how it shaped the nation as a whole.
"The Great Migration was the greatest under-reported story of the 20th century," she told the audience.
Starting in the days before search engines, cell phones and other modern conveniences, Wikerson interviewed more than 1,200 people and visited cities, communities and living rooms across the country in a 15-year effort to complete the work.
"The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration" was listed as number five on Amazon's Best Books of 2010 list.
"We were particularly interested in having Ms. Wilkerson back to Ole Miss," said Curtis Wilkie, director of the Overby Center. "Race is as much a part of the history of this university as it is of this state as a whole."
Wilkerson led the audience through an in-depth look at how the caste system in the American South, the over-abundance of workers and the demand for workers in the North drove nearly 6 million African Americans to migrate to northern cities or out west at the outbreak of World War I. This migration did not end until the late 1970s.
Before this massive movement of people, she said nearly 90 percent of African Americans lived in the South and after the migration only 50 percent were there. Wilkerson believes the migration had an extremely profound impact on how American society and culture has been shaped during the last several generations.
"Immigration is meant for the children, grandchildren and the unseen great grandchildren," Wilkerson said. "People who left the South carried with them the culture. Southerners living in the North raised their kids as southerners."
She cited many popular icons who would not have been known if their parents had not participated in this migration. Some of these include author Toni Morrison, playwright August Wilson, and musicians Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
"This is in some ways a gift and an export to the world because (the migration) happened," Wilkerson said. "They had the chance to build on their genius and gifts they had because they left for a place with better opportunities."
Wilkerson said that the subtitle to her book, "The Epic Story of America's Great Migration," is not just about migration itself, but so much more about the 20th century as a whole and the changes that occurred.
The goal of the book, she said, is to help others understand what makes a person do such a thing, what these individuals went through and what others would do if faced with the same situation.
"The most inspiring thing about this migration is the power of the individual. The power of the individual to change a country," Wilkerson said. "It changed the country, North and South. It forced the country to examine itself … These people did what the Emancipation Proclamation could not do."


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Once a month, from October to April, your children will join in our school's vibrant learning experiences. Drop them off on Sunday morning (9:30 AM – 12 PM) or Monday afternoons (4-6 PM) and join them for select activities and holiday celebrations.
For our first session, we will honor Shabbat with some Challah baking.
For more information, visit our Emanu-El Explorers page.


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Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (29)
- Conference Proceeding (2)
- Liver Transplantation (2)
- Tacrolimus (2)
- Becton Dickinson (1)
- Big five (1)
- Cancer chemotherapy (1)
- Cancer treatment (1)
- Carrier-bound fibrin sealant (1)
- Collagen hemostat (1)
- Conventional Chemotherapeutic (1)
- Digestive system (1)
- The effect of donor age and recipient characteristics on renal outcomes in patients receiving prolongedrelease tacrolimus after liver transplantation: Post-hoc analyses of the diamond study (2019)
- Background: The DIAMOND study of de novo liver transplant patients showed that prolonged-release tacrolimus exposure in the acute post-transplant period maintained renal function over 24 weeks of treatment. To assess these findings further, we performed a post-hoc analysis in patients according to baseline kidney function, Model for End-stage Liver Disease [MELD] scores, and donor age. Material/Methods: Patients received prolonged-release tacrolimus (initial-dose, Arm 1: 0.2 mg/kg/day, Arm 2: 0.15-0.175 mg/kg/day, Arm 3: 0.2 mg/kg/day delayed until Day 5), mycophenolate mofetil and 1 steroid bolus. Arms 2 and 3 also received basiliximab. The recommended tacrolimus target trough levels to Day 42 post-transplantation were 5-15 ng/mL in all arms. In this post-hoc analysis, change in renal outcome, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Modified Diet in Renal Disease-4 (MDRD4), values from baseline to Week 24 post-transplantation, were assessed according to baseline patient factors: eGFR (≥60 and ˂60 mL/min/1.73 m²), MELD score (˂25 and ≥25) and donor age (˂50 and ≥50 years). Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable (Arms 1-3: n=283, n=287, n=274, respectively). Patients with baseline renal function, eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m², experienced a decrease in eGFR in all tacrolimus treatment arms. In patients with lower baseline renal function (eGFR ˂60 mL/min/1.73 m²), an advantage for renal function was observed with both the early lower-dose and delayed higher-dose tacrolimus regimens compared with the early introduction of higher-dose tacrolimus. At Week 24, renal function was higher in the early-lower tacrolimus arm with older donors, and the delayed higher-dose tacrolimus arm with younger donors, both compared with early higher-dose tacrolimus. Conclusions: Pre-transplantation factors, such as renal function and donor age, could guide the choice of prolonged-release tacrolimus regimen following liver transplantation.
- Patient Blood Management improves outcome in oncologic surgery (2018)
- Background: Patient Blood Management (PBM) is a systematic quality improving clinical model to reduce anemia and avoid transfusions in all kinds of clinical settings. Here, we investigated the potential of PBM in oncologic surgery and hypothesized that PBM improves 2-year overall survival (OS). Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients 2 years before and after PBM implementation. The primary endpoint was OS at 2 years after surgery. We identified a sample size of 824 to detect a 10% improvement in survival in the PBM group. Results: The analysis comprised of 836 patients that underwent oncologic surgery, 389 before and 447 after PBM, was implemented. Patients in the PBM+ presented significantly more frequent with normal hemoglobin values before surgery than PBM− (56.6 vs. 35.7%; p < 0.001). The number of transfusions was significantly reduced from 5.5 ± 11.1 to 3.0 ± 6.9 units/patient (p < 0.001); moreover, the percentage of patients being transfused during the clinic stay was significantly reduced from 62.4 to 40.9% (p < 0.001). Two-year OS was significantly better in the PBM+ and increased from 67.0 to 80.1% (p = 0.001). A normal hemoglobin value (> 12 g/dl in female and > 13 g/dl in male) before surgery (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29–0.65, p < 0.001) was the only independent predictive factor positively affecting survival. Conclusions: PBM is a quality improvement tool that is associated with better mid-term surgical oncologic outcome. The root cause for improvement is the increase of patients entering surgery with normal hemoglobin values.
- Eosinophilic cholangitis is a potentially underdiagnosed etiology in indeterminate biliary stricture (2017)
- AIM: To investigate presence and extent of eosinophilic cholangitis (EC) as well as IgG4-related disease in patients with indeterminate biliary stricture (IBS). METHODS: All patients with diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis (SC) and histopathological samples such as biopsies or surgical specimens at University Hospital Frankfurt from 2005-2015 were included. Histopathological diagnoses as well as further clinical course were reviewed. Tissue samples of patients without definite diagnosis after complete diagnostic work-up were reviewed regarding presence of eosinophilic infiltration and IgG4 positive plasma cells. Eosinophilic infiltration was as well assessed in a control group of liver transplant donors and patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. RESULTS: one hundred and thirty-five patients with SC were included. In 10/135 (13.5%) patients, no potential cause of IBS could be identified after complete diagnostic work-up and further clinical course. After histopathological review, a post-hoc diagnosis of EC was established in three patients resulting in a prevalence of 2.2% (3/135) of all patients with SC as well as 30% (3/10) of patients, where no cause of IBS was identified. 2/3 patients with post-hoc diagnosis of EC underwent surgical resection with suspicion for malignancy. Diagnosis of IgG4-related cholangitis was observed in 7/135 patients (5.1%), whereas 3 cases were discovered in post-hoc analysis. 6/7 cases with IgG4-related cholangitis (85.7%) presented with eosinophilic infiltration in addition to IgG4 positive plasma cells. There was no patient with eosinophilic infiltration in the control group of liver transplant donors (n = 27) and patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 14). CONCLUSION: EC is an underdiagnosed benign etiology of SC and IBS, which has to be considered in differential diagnosis of IBS.
- Combined transarterial chemoembolization and arterial administration of Bletilla striata in treatment of liver tumor in rats (2003)
- AIM: To evaluate and compare the effect of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and arterial administration of Bletilla striata (a Chinese traditional medicine against liver tumor) versus TACE alone for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in ACI rats. METHODS: Subcapsular implantation of a solid Morris hepatoma 3 924A (2 mm3) in the liver was carried out in 30 male ACI rats. Tumor volume (V1) was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on day 13 after implantation. The following different agents of interventional treatment were injected after retrograde catheterization via gastroduodenal artery (on day 14), namely, (A) TACE (0.1 mg mitomycin + 0.1 ml Lipiodol) + Bletilla striata (1.0 mg) (n=10); (B) TACE + Bletilla striata (1.0 mg) + ligation of hepatic artery (n=10), (C) TACE alone (control group, n=10). Tumor volume (V2) was assessed by MRI (on day 13 after treatment) and the tumor growth ratio (V2/V1) was calculated. RESULTS: The mean tumor volume before (V1) and after (V2) treatment was 0.0355 cm3 and 0.2248 cm3 in group A, 0.0374 cm3 and 0.0573 cm3 in group B, 0.0380 cm3 and 0.3674 cm3 in group C, respectively. The mean ratio (V2/V1) was 6.2791 in group A, 1.5324 in group B and 9.1382 in group C. Compared with the control group (group C), group B showed significant inhibition of tumor growth (P<0.01), while group A did not (P>0.05). None of the animals died during implantation or in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Combination of TACE and arterial administration of Bletilla striata plus ligation of hepatic artery is more effective than TACE alone in the treatment of HCC in rats.
- Indication for "over the scope" (OTS)-Clip vs. covered self-expanding metal stent (cSEMS) is unequal in upper gastrointestinal leakage : results from a retrospective head-to-head comparison (2015)
- Background: Intestinal perforation or leakage increases morbidity and mortality of surgical and endoscopic interventions. We identified criteria for use of full-covered, extractable self-expanding metal stents (cSEMS) vs. "Over the scope"-clips (OTSC) for leak closure. Methods: Patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for postoperative leakage, endoscopic perforation, or spontaneous rupture of the upper gastrointestinal tract between 2006 and 2013 were identified at four tertiary endoscopic centers. Technical success, outcome (e.g. duration of hospitalization, in-hospital mortality), and complications were assessed and analyzed with respect to etiology, size and location of leakage. Results: Of 106 patients (male: 75 (71%), female: 31 (29%); age (mean ± SD): 62.5 ± 1.3 years, 72 (69%) were treated by cSEMS and 34 (31%) by OTSC. For cSEMS vs. OTSC, mean treatment duration was 41.1 vs. 25 days, p<0.001, leakage size 10 (1-50) vs. 5 (1-30) mm (median (range)), and complications were observed in 68% vs. 8.8%, p<0.001, respectively. Clinical success for primary interventional treatment was observed in 29/72 (40%) vs. 24/34 (70%, p = 0.006), and clinical success at the end of follow-up was 46/72 (64%) vs. 29/34 (85%) for patients treated by cSEMS vs. OTSC; p = 0.04. Conclusion: OTSC is preferred in small-sized lesions and in perforation caused by endoscopic interventions, cSEMS in patients with concomitant local infection or abscess. cSEMS is associated with a higher frequency of complications. Therefore, OTSC might be preferred if technically feasible. Indication criteria for cSEMS vs. OTSC vary and might impede design of randomized studies.
- Sarcopenia as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with locally advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (2019)
- Background and aims: Patients with gastric cancer often show signs of malnutrition. We sought to evaluate the influence of sarcopenia in patients with locally advanced, not metastasized, gastric or gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) cancer undergoing curative treatment (perioperative chemotherapy and surgery) on morbidity and mortality in order to identify patients in need for nutritional intervention. Patients and methods: Two-centre study, conducted in the Frankfurt University Clinic and Krankenhaus Nordwest (Frankfurt) as part of the University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT). 47/83 patients were treated in the FLOT trial (NCT01216644). Patients´ charts were reviewed for clinical data. Two consecutive CT scans were retrospectively analyzed to determine the degree of sarcopenia. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression. Results: 60 patients (72.3%) were male and 23 (27.7%) female. 45 patients (54.2%) had GEJ type 1–3 and 38 (45.8%) gastric tumors, respectively. Sarcopenic patients were significantly older than non-sarcopenic patients (mean age 65.1 years vs. 59.5 years, p = 0.042), terminated the chemotherapy significantly earlier (50% vs. 22.6%, p = 0.037) and showed higher Clavien-Dindo scores, indicating more severe perioperative complications (score ≥3 43.3 vs. 17.0%, p = 0.019). Sarcopenic patients had a significantly shorter survival than non-sarcopenic patients (139.6 ± 19.5 [95% CI, 101.3–177.9] vs. 206.7 ± 13.8 [95% CI, 179.5–233.8] weeks, p = 0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, besides UICC stage, sarcopenia significantly influenced survival. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is present in a large proportion of patients with locally advanced gastric or GEJ cancer and significantly influences tolerability of chemotherapy, surgical complications and survival.
- Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in combination with standard of care chemotherapy in primarily untreated chemo naïve upper gi-adenocarcinomas with peritoneal seeding – a phase II/III trial of the AIO/CAOGI/ACO (2018)
- Background: Peritoneal metastasis is a common and dismal evolution of several gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, including gastric, colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and other cancers. The therapy of peritoneal metastasis is largely palliative; with the aim of prolonging life and preserving its quality. In the meantime, a significant pharmacological advantage of intraperitoneal chemotherapy was documented in the preclinical model, and numerous clinical studies have delivered promising clinical results. Methods: This is a prospective, open, randomized multicenter phase III clinical study with two arms that aims to evaluate the effects of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) combined with systemic chemotherapy vs. intravenous systemic chemotherapy alone on patients with metastatic upper GI tumors with a peritoneal seeding. Upper GI-adenocarcinomas originated from biliary tract, pancreas and stomach, or esophago- gastric junction are eligible. Patients in the study are treated with standard of care systemic palliative chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6) vs. PIPAC with intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6). Patients in first line with first diagnosed peritoneal seeding are eligible. Primary outcome is progression free survival (PFS). Conclusions: PIPAC-procedure is explicit a palliative method but it delivers cytotoxic therapy like in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)-procedure directly to the tumor in a minimally invasive technique, without the need for consideration of the peritoneal-plasma barrier. The technique of PIPAC is minimally invasive and very gentle and the complete procedure takes only round about 45 min and, therefore, optimal in a clearly palliative situation where cure is not the goal. It is also ideal for using this approach in a first line situation, where deepest response should be achieved. The symbiosis of systemic therapy and potentially effective surgery has to be well-planned without deterioration of the patient due to aggressive way of surgery like in cytoreductive surgery (CRS)+HIPEC. Trial registration: EudraCT: 2018-001035-40.
- Vitamin D, FOXO3a, and Sirtuin1 in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and differentiated Thyroid cancer (2018)
- Background: Protective effects of vitamin D have been reported in autoimmune and malignant thyroid diseases, though little is known about the underlying mechanism. Sirtuin 1 histon deacethylase (SIRT1) links the vitamin D pathway with regulation of transcription factor FOXO3a, a key player in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Aim of the present study was to investigate common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) in FOXO3a gene in respect to thyroid diseases, as well as to evaluate the hypothesis of Sirtuin1-FOXO3a interaction being a mediator of anti-proliferative vitamin D effects. Methods: The SNP's FOXO3a rs4946936/rs4945816/rs9400239 were genotyped in 257 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), 139 patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and 463 healthy controls (HC). Moreover, T-helper cells of HC and papillary thyroid cancer cell line BCPAP were incubated with 1,25(OH)2D3 and/or SIRT1 inhibitor Ex-527 in order to elucidate SIRT1- dependent vitamin D effects on cell proliferation and FOXO3a gene expression in vitro. Results: Patients with DTC tended to carry more often allele C in FOXO3a rs4946936 in comparison to HC (pcorrected = pc = 0.08). FOXO3a rs9400239T and rs4945816C was more frequent in HT in comparison to HC (pc = 0.02 and pc = 0.01, respectively). In both DTC and HT, we could not find a correlation of FOXO3a SNP's with vitamin D status. However, on in vitro level, 1,25(OH)2D3 showed an anti-proliferative effect in both T-helper cells and BCPAP, that was blocked by SIRT1 inhibition (T-helper cells: p = 0.0059, BCPAP: p = 0.04) and accompanied by elevated FOXO3a gene expression in T-helper cells (p = 0.05). Conclusions: FOXO3a rs9400239T and rs4945816C may constitute risk factors for HT, independent of the vitamin D status.This indicates the implication of FOXO3a in pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. The dependency of anti-proliferative vitamin D effects on SIRT1 activity further suggests a key role of vitamin D-SIRT1-FOXO3a axis for protective vitamin D effects.
- Emotion recognition and extraversion of medical students interact to predict their empathic communication perceived by simulated patients (2018)
- Background: This study assessed the impact of medical students' emotion recognition ability and extraversion on their empathic communication, as perceived by simulated patients in a training context. Methods: This study used a crossed-effect data structure and examined 245 students in their fourth year of medical school. The students' personality traits were assessed based on a self-assessment questionnaire of the short form of the Big Five Inventory; their emotion recognition ability was measured using a performance test (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-2, Adult Facial Expressions). Simulated patients evaluated the medical students' empathic communication. Results: Students with a combination of high emotion recognition ability and extraversion received more positive ratings from simulated patients than their fellow students with a combination of emotion recognition ability and low extraversion. The main effects of emotion recognition or extraversion were not sufficient to yield similar effects. There were no other effects related to the remaining Big Five variables. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that to build rapport with patients, medical staff need to combine emotional capabilities with a dispositional interest in interpersonal encounters.
- Sequencing of intraductal biopsies is feasible and potentially impacts clinical management of patients with indeterminate biliary stricture and cholangiocarcinoma (2018)
- Background: Definite diagnosis and therapeutic management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains a challenge. The aim of the current study was to investigate feasibility and potential impact on clinical management of targeted sequencing of intraductal biopsies. Methods: Intraductal biopsies with suspicious findings from 16 patients with CCA in later clinical course were analyzed with targeted sequencing including tumor and control benign tissue (n = 55 samples). A CCA-specific sequencing panel containing 41 genes was designed and a dual strand targeted enrichment was applied. Results: Sequencing was successfully performed for all samples. In total, 79 mutations were identified and a mean of 1.7 mutations per tumor sample (range 0–4) as well as 2.3 per biopsy (0–6) were detected and potentially therapeutically relevant genes were identified in 6/16 cases. In 14/18 (78%) biopsies with dysplasia or inconclusive findings at least one mutation was detected. The majority of mutations were found in both surgical specimen and biopsy (68%), while 28% were only present in biopsies in contrast to 4% being only present in the surgical tumor specimen. Conclusion: Targeted sequencing from intraductal biopsies is feasible and potentially improves the diagnostic yield. A profound genetic heterogeneity in biliary dysplasia needs to be considered in clinical management and warrants further investigation. Translational impact: The current study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of sequencing of intraductal biopsies which holds the potential to impact diagnostic and therapeutical management of patients with biliary dysplasia and neoplasia.


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Everyone knows that Microsoft has wanted to make users forget the browser by Internet Explorer via developed Browser last campaign the name of the edge "Edge".
Already we've seen the browser capabilities of the force, especially in the subject of synchronization and much more.
Microsoft come also dark Browser its edge on Android
In another context, the company realized as is the case with the other companies and teams work, to the more requested by users, is a feature it dark. This is manifested and gradually updated with the company to develop its embedding time dark.
To come this day the company an update to the browser by the edge, and got on Al dark of the Android operating system.
On the other hand, when this mode is activated, you will notice that all of the navigation bar and the menus and address bar and network tabs, as well as the interface settings may color in dark grey. As it can be for the user, set the dark mode to adjust to your preferences automatically.
For example, run dark mode immediately upon entering the evening, or start it when the battery level is low.
Microsoft come also dark Browser its edge on Android
However, unfortunately, the page is displayed the color to default, which means that the sites the White will turn to dark color.
Finally, update the browser Edge is currently available for all Android users, so they can be loaded with the transition to his page on the App Store.
Download update browser Edge on Android.


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Arsonist targets mosque in 'revenge' attack
Reporter: Gillian Potts
Date published: 24 May 2017
IMAM, Mohammad Siddiq outside the mosque
AN OLDHAM mosque is at the centre of a suspected "revenge attack" following the Manchester Arena atrocity.
Just hours after the suicide bombing killed 22 people and injured 59 someone attempted to torch the Jamia Qasmia Zahidia Islamic Centre - known locally as Villa Road mosque - by pushing lit materials into the letterbox at around 2am on Tuesday.
Luckily the flames were dowsed by a passer-by who also called the fire service.
Imam Mohammad Siddiq said they were considering it to be a reprisal incident and they had informed Greater Manchester Police and passed on CCTV images.
"It could be a reprisal reaction to what happened in Manchester but we can't say for sure.
"It's very sad. It's a time for people to come together and these sort of things do not help at all and it makes us as a community afraid and we fear whoever did this may come back."
"I have no words for what happened in Manchester and we are very upset by it. These were children.
"You can't control these people or what they do. It is terrible."
Facebook group "Oldham News and Media" circulated an image of the damage saying: "Everyone is sad and upset and confused, many emotions running through everybody in the region. But the person(s) responsible for this fire are not only doing exactly what the terrorist and the people behind them want you to do but are as bad as them. Do the opposite of what they want you to do, be united regardless of backgrounds. Don't let them win."
Debbie Abrahams, Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth, visited the mosque and said: "What happened in Manchester was an atrocious attack. I utterly condemn this attack and the attack on one of our mosques.
"Islam is a religion based on peace but, as with many religions, a small minority of people often seek to distort its true meaning."
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- 5Test and trace boss says contact tracers could start knocking on people's doors


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Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has delivered what he described as a 'caring budget' in the Dail this afternoon.
As expected, there will be increases in social welfare and pension payments and reductions in USC and income tax, meaning the average person will be up about €5 per week in their earning. The Budget is also benefits families, with reductions in childcare costs and more supports for parents.
There are increases in spending on healthcare, housing and education, and measures in place to combat the effects of Brexit.
Here's a round up of the most important points announced today.
Income Tax
Income tax bands will increase for middle income earners.
The 4.75% rate of USC will be reduced to 4.5%.
Minimum wage will be increased by 25 cent to €9.80 an hour.
Paschal Donohoe said: "To ease the burden facing low and middle income earners, I am again increasing the entry point to the higher rate of income tax for all earners by €750, raising it from €34,550 to €35,300 in the case of a single worker."
The weekly threshold for the higher rate of employer's PRSI will be increased from €376 to €386.
Mr Donhoe says he is allocating an additional €1.4 billion for schools, universities, public transport and other important infrastructure projects in 2019 #Budget19
— Buzz.ie (@buzzdotie) October 9, 2018
Social Welfare
The Christmas Bonus will be restored and social welfare payments will increase by €5 a week from March.
The Back-to-School Allowance will increase by €25.
Two weeks' paid parental leave will be introduced in late 2019.
Weekly qualified child allowance for children whose parents are on welfare payments will go up by €2.20 per week for children under 12 and by €5.20 for children over 12 years.
An extension of PRSI benefits for the self-employed to include jobseeker's benefit in late 2019.
An additional €174 million has been provided for health services in 2019, bringing the total capital allocation to €670 million.
Up to 100,000 additional people may qualify for free GP care.
The income threshold for GP cards will rise by €25 per week.
€3m will be allocated to hire 100 therapists for children will special needs.
There will be a €10 reduction in the monthly Drugs Payment Scheme threshold from to €124.
An additional €84 million will be provided for Mental Health Services in 2019.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund will get an extra €20m.
€150m more to be allocated for disability services bringing the total funding to €2 billion.
€2.3 billion to be allocated to the housing programme for 2019.
Mr Donohoe said he would allocate €1.25 billion for the delivery of 10,000 new social homes in 2019. These will be delivered through a combination of construction, acquisition and leasing.
He also announced plans to deliver 6,000 affordable homes.
An extra €121m for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to provide an additional 16,760 new tenancies next year.
€30m is to be allocated to homelessness services.
Cigarettes are to increase by 50 cent per packet.
"I am also increasing the Minimum Excise Duty on tobacco products so that all cigarettes sold below €11 will have the same excise applied as cigarettes sold at €11," Mr Donohoe added.
Parents receive an extra two weeks of parental leave in the first year, he hopes to increase this to seven weeks in the coming years. The new scheme will take effect in November 2019.
child benefit will also be increased by €5 per week.
In a speech that focused heavily on Brexit, Mr Donohoe announced an additional €110 million will be made available across government departments for Brexit measures, including increased funding for the peace programme.
There will be €10.8bn for the Department of Education and Skills, including the recruitment of 950 special needs assistants.
Corporation Tax
The corporation Tax rate of 12.5% will not change.
€40 million quid to fix pavements. This is how we'll be walking to work on our fancy paths every day #Budget19 pic.twitter.com/EvbJ54kJrO
— Buzz.ie (@buzzdotie) October 9, 2018
Climate Change
The minister also announced a number of climate change incentives.
€103.5m for improvements in grant and premium rates for planting forests and an additional funding of €70m for the Environment and Waste Management Programme.
There will also be a one per cent surcharge on diesel vehicles. Mr Donohoe said: "In line with several other EU States and in support of climate and public health policy, I am providing for a 1 per cent surcharge for diesel vehicles to apply across all VRT bands.
"I will be introducing a new accelerated capital allowances scheme for gas-propelled vehicles and refuelling equipment. This is designed to encourage the uptake of gas-propelled commercial vehicles as an economic and environmentally friendly alternative to diesel."
There will be an increase in the budget of An Garda Síochána by €60m to allow for recruitment of up to 800 gardai.
Rainy Day Fund
The Government will establish a 'Rainy Day fund' of €1.5bn. The fund will be supplemented with an annual contribution of €500m starting from next year.
"I commend the Budget to the House" #Budget19 pic.twitter.com/Le0ztzXZZy
— Buzz.ie (@buzzdotie) October 9, 2018


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The school year begins on Wednesday or Thursday after Labor Day,
and ends during the last week of May.
3 year old program: Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 12 noon
Tuition: $180/month due by the 7th
($200 for 2020-2021 school year)
PreK (4 and 5 year olds) program: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
AM class: 9AM to 12Noon
PM class: 12:30 to 3:30
Tuition: $210/month due by the 7th
($225/month for the 2020-2021 school year)
Each class has 24 students with at least 3 teachers.
There will be a $10 fee for checks returned from the bank.


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Gardai investigating the attempted theft of an ATM in Co Cavan have seized over €400,000 in cash in a raid.
Officers foiled an attempt to steal the machine located beside the Riverfront Hotel on the main street of Virginia last Wednesday.
And gardai investigating the incident carried out further searches yesterday evening.
Over €400,000 in cash was recovered in the raid which took place in Co Meath.
Two men in their 30s, one of whom has an address in Northern Ireland, were arrested following the searches and are currently being held at Kells Garda Station.
A 28-year-old man has also been detained for money laundering offences and is being held at Navan Garda Station.
A garda spokesman confirmed that investigations are still ongoing.
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Eco.Kid Call Me Bubbles Hypoallergenic Bubble Bath is a special blend of moisturizing oils and warm aromas that nurture and revitalise body and senses.
A unique blend of ancient essences of ylang-ylang, sweet orange, grapefruit, and patchouli, blended with uniquely Australian oils of rosalina, broad-leaf paperbark gum and lemon-scented ironbark gum create a pure oasis of bubbles that bloom in your bath.
The ultimate bubbly potion for soaking from head to toe.
Caprylic/Capric Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Coco-Glucoside (Coconut)*, Glyceryl Oleate (Coconut)*, Cananga Odorata (ylang-ylang) Oil, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Lactic Acid, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Extract*, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Melaleuca Ericifolia (Swamp Paperbark Gum) Oil, Leptospermum Petersonii (Lemon Scented Tea Tree) Oil*, Eucalyptus Staigeriana (Lemon Scented Ironbark Gum) Oil, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol.
*Certified Organic
Children aged 3 to 12 years old. All skin types, especially sensitive skin.
It is suitable for everyday use on children. After bathing, gently pat skin dry, then follow with Potion Lotion moisturiser to seal in the warmth and vitality. Pour 2-4 capfuls under warm running water in the bath.
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Upcoming Services Changes
19 May 2020
From 24th & 31st May there will be a number of timetable changes across the Diamond network in the West Midlands and Worcestershire.
During the next few weeks Diamond Bus will be preparing to phase services back to normal operations, therefore please keep an eye on our social media feeds and service update pages for news of changes that will be occurring.
Some initial changes will take place during week commencing Sunday 24th May, and during Bank Holiday Monday 25th May we will be operating a Sunday Service across most of the region.
Further changes will happen from 31st May, with some service revisions and the launch of our brand new 44 service, which replaces the 202 service between Halesowen and Bromsgrove.
To find out more about the service changes in your area, please click the links below:
West Midlands Service Changes
Worcestershire Service Changes
Diamond are working hard to ensure everyone can travel safely on our services. For passengers who are returning back to us after a while, there will be social distancing measures in place and we will be bringing you more information about this and other safety guidelines over the coming days.
Page further updated on 21st May 2020.


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MNUSA Held Its Legislative Reception Jan 28, 2019
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) held its annual reception on January 28, 2019 at the Capitol Ridge Event Center, 161 St. Anthony Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103. All legislators and members were invited to attend.
MnUSA's legislative priorities for the 2019 session include:
- Protection of the integrity of the Snowmobile Dedicated Account - protect against raids on the account for non-snowmobile related uses
- Support legislation that at least 60% of snowmobiling expenditures from the dedicate fund go to Grants-In-Aid
- Support legislation that will exempt building materials and supplies used for snowmobile trails from sales tax
- Support legislation that requires that registration stickers are a uniform color for each registration cycle
- Support legislation that increases club fees for safety training
- Protection of the unrefunded gas tax attributed to snowmobile use
- Protection of the use of snowmobiles on public land
- Support programs and policy that encourage continued access to private land for public use
- Support the use of a portion of the Parks and Trails Legacy Funds for trails that benefit snowmobiling
- Support legislation that will protect and accommodate trail crossings impacted by development of any new publicly funded rail developments for both light and heavy rail
- Support legislation and/or policy that will allow Grant-In-Aid trails to remain and/or be added to all existing or new WMA/AMA's.
- Oppose any action at any governmental level to ban studs on natural surface trails
To find out who your legislators are to talk with them concerning MnUSA's legislative priorities, go to http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
Sno-Barons Snowmobile Club
Visit Website
S & S Towing
Erickson-Larsen, Inc
Maple Grove,MN
Visit Website
Silver Sledders Trail Authority
Silver Bay,MN
Ash-Ka-Nam Resort
Visit Website
Thunderbird Lodge
International Falls,MN
Visit Website
Appleton Ridge Runners
Johnson Supply Co.
Visit Website
Willmar Lakes Area CVB
Visit Website
Best Western Plus & Willmar Conference Center


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Former TESTAMENT/SAVATAGE guitarist Alex Skolnick recently took part in the premier of "Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert", featuring a 30-piece orchestra. " It was simultaneously one of my most challenging and most rewarding musical experiences," Alex said. "To play in such a situation requires a lot of focus and concentration. You have to give it all your energy but still not lose your place with the sheet music and with the conductor (make a mistake and it's VERY obvious!). But when it all comes together it's something else. The music covers a lot of territory, from suspense to cabaret to pop and driving rock. Some sections were like an electric guitar concerto. It was funny to think back to the very early days of TESTAMENT in those sweaty dive bars; I never could have imagined I'd one day be surrounded by strings, brass, woodwinds, classical percussion and a conductor. It was a thrill to work hands on with creator/composer Frank Wildhorn. For now it's looking like our next round of performances is the week of September 8th at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut (with an eight-piece ensemble) with more large orchestra performances as a future possibility. Even if you're not a Broadway fan, you'll probably enjoy this, as it's got a rock edge both in the story and the music (at one time Sebastian Bach was in the lead role). Check out this show if you can!"
Former TESTAMENT Guitarist Performs With 30-Piece Orchestra In 'Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert'
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Leveraging Media Coverage - Your Tool For Business Growth
Media relations, simply put, is the business of building and growing reputations. One of the strengths of media coverage is that its free and gives great credibility because it is written by a third party, namely a journalist. But media relations does not simply end with an interview or article published. It is important to then use this media coverage to create opportunity for your business.
Here are ten tips for maximising the power of media coverage once you have gained it.
1. The Power of Momentum.
Once one media outlet picks up on a story then others are also likely to run with the issue and look for new angles. Always look to a range of media outlets covering many different mediums. The power of momentum utilises the strengths of all, for example radio, print, TV and Internet. Radio acts immediately and is in competition to find updates to stories as they happen whereas print news sources will be more likely to find extra facts, perhaps a feature article or biography depending on deadlines involved.
2. Maintain a positive, helpful attitude towards the media.
Remember the media is a people business. Build relationships with key people covering areas within your field of expertise. Always co-operate and respect deadline pressure. Remember you are not the only person trying to gain media attention and failure to return calls or providing poor information may result in journalists chasing another story.
2. Get reprints of print articles.
One of the most cost effective ways of leveraging media coverage is to ask the publisher permission to run extra copies of your article as a reprint. Reprints can be used as handouts or to send to clients and prospects. Being endorsed by the publication strengthens the reputation of your company.
3. Record radio interviews.
If you are going into a radio studio to conduct a live interview always take a blank cassette tape with you or minidisk. Ask permission for the station to record your interview. Then make copies of the interview to handout free to prospects or clients. Remember the radio station retains copyright of the interview so you cannot sell it for commercial gain. You can only make copies to give away for free.
4. Customise articles for specific industries.
One of the hardest things about writing articles is developing your main theme and a logical argument. Once you have done this it is a relatively easy process to customise articles for different industries. Identify few and effective key messages and package them well with examples rather then trying to include too many and complicating the article and making it difficult to read.
5. Encourage syndication.
If you are writing articles for a specialist trade magazine ask the editor if they syndicate articles to other magazines. Often smaller publications are syndicated to others who may share similar target markets. If the opportunity arises to have your article syndicated be sure to tailor it accordingly, perhaps take a different angle and ask the editor if you are unsure. Sometimes strong relationships come from asking simple questions and identifying opportunities.
6. Use existing success to leverage into new markets.
Give your story credibility by highlighting previous successful campaigns or current examples that the media can identify with. For example of you have had strong media support from one state and wish to enter a different state's market explain the previous success in your approach, the media will be more likely to support something that has been identified with previously then to risk the unknown.
7. Offer to be available to take talkback.
Always offer radio stations the opportunity to come into the studio and take talkback. This gives you more airtime and the ability to position yourself as an expert. Engaging with talkback callers is a great way to lift your profile, share your knowledge and help the station make great radio.
8. Offer to write a regular column.
If you have a range of ideas and can turn this into regular articles - why not break your expertise up by writing a regular column in a magazine. This will position you further as an expert and regularly put you in front of readers as well as strengthening your relationship with the publication.
9. Turn your articles into chapters of a book.
One of the most powerful ways of leveraging regular articles is to re-write them for a book. This has a double benefit. You get the discipline and practise of writing articles and then this provides the basis for a book.
10. Use local businesses as an outlet for your product.
If you are going into a new market with a new product or service research what local distribution channels there are. When you gain media coverage for one of your products in a new market - for example a new book - immediately find a local bookstore in the catchment area of that media outlet and approach them to distribute your book. Then mention this business in your media interview. This has a powerful effect in creating a win-win situation for both the local business and you. They get free publicity and you get a local advocate for your product.
Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com
Preparing For Your Media Interview
Media interviews are an important part of an overall public relations campaign. Any size company from entrepreneur to Fortune 500 can benefit from media interviews. Always arrive for a media interview prepared and early. We've seen competent CEOs drown in uncharted media waters. Being unprepared guarantees you won't get asked back. When you are contacted for any kind of media interview ask the following questions:
Are There Secrets to Gaining Media Coverage?
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it pure luck? It's a question that I am asked often while meeting with small-business owners who are seeking press attention for their companies or products. While luck certainly plays a part, the short answer to this question is "maybe." However with a little practice and skill, a small-business owner can significantly increase the chances of garnering coverage by following some basic journalistic rules.
The Press Release: How to Get the Media to Pay Attention!
As many of you already know, promoting and marketing your business in as many creative ways as possible is crucial to the success of your venture. But finding ways to get noticed presents a major challenge for most entrepreneurs. One of the most cost effective and powerful methods of getting noticed is by way of a good press release. Why? Because it has the potential of reaching millions.
Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Its Not Who You Know But What You Know
Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and over, from motivated, well-meaning financial planners who want to use publicity in their marketing mix. It goes something like this:
Can Small PR Firms Deliver Huge Results?
They can when they invest in the basics. The best of them obviously rely on some form of public relations fundamental premise to produce winners across business environments from rockets and orange juice to product recalls and indicted CEOs.
Doubt PRs Clout? Dont!
Done right, it helps modify the behaviors of your most important target audiences, and that can spell S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L.
Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, the Media Wants to Give You Free Publicity
In this great country of ours, there are basically three ways to get yourself tons of media coverage.
Photographs - Ten Tips For Getting Good Shots
Photographs are essential for getting good publicity in the print media, especially magazines, newspapers, internal newsletters and even websites. Taking effective photographs often requires patience and practice but is a valuable skill to acquire.
How to Write News Releases that Get Noticed
What do you do with junk mail? Are you like me? I toss this stuff without opening it ? unless I see some benefit. Publication editors do the same. They toss news releases that don't demonstrate a benefit to their audience.
Using the Media - Five Reasons Why
The media has the power to shape public opinion and change perceptions. Every day millions of people around the world consume at least one form of the media, whether voluntary or involuntary.
How to Write a Press Release
Why You Should Write Press Releases:A press release is another way of saying news release or an announcement. It's an easy and affordable way to get your message out to the public. It allows you to announce new products, services or improvements your company has made.
Hey, Mr/Ms Manager!
Does it really make sense to bet your PR budget on results like newspaper mentions and zippy brochures while your all-important outside audience behaviors are probably receiving much less attention than they need?
Pot Roast and Public Relations (or, How Your Web Site Can Be Your Best P.R. Tool)
�Recently I had a craving for pot roast. I racked my brain to think of a restaurant that offered a great pot roast (as you can see, I'm not a whiz in the kitchen). Anyway, I did what I usually do when I need to find information ? I searched Google for "pot roast boca raton" to see what restaurants came up.Well, only one restaurant's menu that featured pot roast came up. I had never eaten there before, so I phoned them to make sure they still had pot roast on the menu (alas, they didn't).But here's the bottom line: I would have become a new customer at this restaurant -- because it offered what I wanted -- and I learned about it while searching the Web. This underscores an important point: every business needs a Web site. Very simply, you never know when potential clients will be searching on the Web for something they need ? and the name of your business or organization will come up.Here's an example. The other night, I got a phone call from a writer in California. She was doing a story on P.R. and my name came up on her Internet search. If it weren't for my Web site, she never would have found me -- and I would have missed the opportunity for publicity.Here's another example. One of my clients told me that a potential customer had decided to do business with his company because of the high quality of its Web site. If you don't think your business or organization needs a Web site, consider this: quite possibly, this very minute, somebody out there is searching the Web for something he or she needs that you can provide.�Copyright 2004������ �� Margie Fisher���������� All rights reserved.
Making Your Own News
Getting a press release published in a newspaper or magazines can be one of the best ways to publicize your business. First, though, you need a good story ? and that can be the hard part.
What is GuerrillaPR Anyway?
Public relations is the art, as one of my colleagues put it, of "offering people reasons to persuade themselves." In other words, we are not Madison Avenue; we don't tell people what we want them to think. Rather, we give them evidence, facts, and opinions that help them reach a conclusion. If we're good at what we do, they will reach the conclusion we've been hired to promote.
PR: Your 500 Pound Gorilla
What else, for goodness sake, could you as a business, non-profit or association manager, call a heavy-duty helper who does something REALLY positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences of yours that most affect your organization?
Put Yourself in the Reporters Shoes
Imagine you're the technology reporter at a daily newspaper. You learn that a new computer virus is making the rounds on the Net and you find that it has shut down three local banks within the past few hours. You're desperately searching for information on the virus, names and phone numbers of experts who can tell you about it, ways to prevent the virus from spreading, how to eradicate the virus and repair the damage to computers, and a spokesperson from at least one of the banks so you can get a quote for your article -- all before 5 PM so you can write the story that will appear on tomorrow's front page. Whew!
How to Get a Story About You or Your Business in USA Today
I am often asked by clients to target USA Today for media coverage, and with good reason: USA Today coverage can have a significant impact on businesses and organizations.Here's why:
Media Relations - Ten Essential Tips to Use The Media to Market Your Business
In the 'Age of Scepticism' gaining media coverage is one way of cutting through the ever increasing noise to get your message across.
Make the Media Your Friend
The media (newspaper, radio, television) can be of enormous help to the small and home based business. So, it is very important that you develop a relationship with them.
|© Athifea Distribution LLC - 2013


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Posted November 26, 2012
85 years and 75 billion bottles collected at The Beer Store
75 billion bottles have been collected since The Beer Store began collecting 85 years ago.
Today the The Beer Store released 85 Years of Environmental Excellence – Responsible Stewardship 2011-2012, its annual packaging stewardship report detailing the packaging diversion performance of TBS's deposit return system for beer containers and the Ontario Deposit Return Program (ODRP) for wine and spirit containers.
Some of the environmental landmarks achieved this year include:
- Over 2.1 billion beverage alcohol containers collected – equivalent to 91 per cent of all beverage alcohol containers sold in Ontario;
- 1.81 billion beer containers collected (glass and PET bottles, cans and kegs) – a remarkable 94 per cent overall return rate;
- Almost all (99.1%) refillable glass beer bottles returned – these bottles are used an average of 15 times before being recycled into new glass bottles – enabling brewers to sell over 1.15 billion bottles of beer in Ontario in 2011-12 while only purchasing about 92 million bottles;
- 81 per cent of all wine and spirit containers sold were recovered and recycled;
- Large glass wine and spirit bottles (over 630 mL) had an impressive 90% return rate – these containers represent over half of all ODRP containers sold.
Combined, The Beer Store's beer container recovery program and the ODRP successfully:
- Diverted over 480,000 tonnes of beverage alcohol packaging from Ontario landfills;
- Saved 2.9 million gigajoules of energy – equivalent to over $46 million of oil;
- Avoided over 205,000 tonnes of GHG emissions – equivalent to taking over 40,210 cars off the road; and
- Saved Ontario taxpayers $40 million in waste management costs.
"The Beer Store's waste diversion results are outstanding," said Ontario Environment Minister Jim Bradley. "Waste diversion is good for our environment and our economy. The Beer Store's efforts mean more glass is recycled into new products like new bottles and fiberglass insulation rather than taking up valuable landfill space," he said.


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Stories Told Shape The Future We Will Live In
Our approach is simple, our methodology clear – Story Community. We design to empower people within a community to discover their own and others' stories, and in doing so increase their sense of belonging, cohesion and inclusion. We create media that strengthens culture and communicates that culture to the world.
We produce bespoke media packages tailored to the situation and desired outcomes of each project. We listen first, research second and then act.
We pride ourselves on building our media packages that don't just deliver a finale product.
We design into the our production process media asset that will help your organisation to attach itself to its story, strengthening its culture both internally and externally.
Let us help you drive your organisation forward to a new future without losing who you are today


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Lin's 'sabziwala' reintroduces Rohan's 'price protection'
MUMBAI: In the current Indian scenario, the combined effect of demonetisation, crackdown on un-taxed incomes, and a series of Bills passed by the government to make real estate more regulated, the consumer is anxiously holding their breath for real estate prices to fall in urban India. It's made the real estate market sluggish, with people delaying buying decisions to avoid the risk of losing money, in case prices fell.
Rohan Builders of Pune, were among the first real estate companies in India to introduce a 'Price Protection Policy' back in 2008. The policy ensures that if the market price of the property bought falls, Rohan refunds the difference to the consumer. They have re-introduced this policy, in the wake of current market conditions. While this policy is immensely relevant in the current market, it normally gets buried in the fine print of the legal documents and is left to the sales personnel to explain (or ignore).
To put spotlight on Price-Protection, LinTeractive recently unveiled a digitally-led initiative, Price-Protected Sabziwala (vegetable vendor). At this shop, you get price-protection on vegetables, even on small fluctuations in the market.
The campaign kicked-off with a series of prank videos set in Pune called "Aaj ka Bhav" (the rates today) by the popular comedy group STFU18. In the Series, vegetable vendors in and around Pune were asked if they would return money to consumers if vegetable prices fell. OOH and social media are being deployed to communicate Rohan's price protection policy.
To push the idea further, an online vegetable store, #PriceProtectedSabziwala has been launched, where people can buy vegetables with a price protection guarantee. Physical vegetable stores on the same lines have been setup in retail malls of Pune. The buyers of veggies from these stores are notified via SMS, every time prices fall and they can claim a refund of the difference online. The website goes on to introduce Rohan's Price Protection Policy invite buyer interest. A stock exchange-like price ticker for the vegetable market has been created as a mobile utility.
Rohan Builders director sales Abhishek Bhatewara said: "In the current state of the real estate market in India, the home buyer is anxious that house prices may fall, delaying their buying for a later date. At Rohan Builders, we understand the buyers' hesitation in committing their hard-earned savings to buy a house right now. LinTeractive has come up with a very simple and effective way to make people relate to this policy – an everyday fluctuation we all live with – the prices of sabzi. We're trying to trigger in the minds of the consumer that, buying a home with Rohan is something they should consider without fear as their investment is protected from any downturn in the market."
Within three days of going live, the campaign has generated enormous buzz in Pune. It's reach has crossed 3.5 million (all organic) and its garnering attention from local media. In fact, RED FM RJs even visited the vegetable vendors and talked about them at length in weekend programming.
MullenLowe Lintas Group CMO & president – marketing services Vikas Mehta said: "To put spotlight in a blind spot (price protection by a real estate company in this case) is always an interesting marketing challenge. These are hard times for the real estate business and I commend Rohan for thinking digital-first. Sumanta and the team at LinTeractive have done a great job of executing the idea seamlessly in an omni-channel manner. To see measurable impact on the clients' business in such a short period since the campaign went live with an improved CPL, is truly heart-warming."
Over a hundred potential customers have already come forward with interest in buying properties from Rohan Developers. More leads continue to pour-in as the campaign progresses.
LinTeractive executive VP Sumanta Ganguly said: "Inherent to our approach has always been the effective understanding of consumer journey's to use the effective touchpoints to enable specific action. The omni-channel campaign has been created using touch-points including physical and digital experiences (on ground, web and mobile), conversations on social media, video content and OOH."


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Student Senate welcomes guest speakers, discusses student open forum resolution
October 17, 2019
The Student Senate for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse began their meeting with a land recognition statement, welcomed guest speakers from the Counseling and Testing Center and Western Technical College, passed previous resolutions and had a technical examination of word choice for a student open forum resolution.
Dr. Gretchen Reinders and Dr. Crys Champion from the Counseling and Testing Center view access as a main priority. Reinders said that students were the main reason both she and Champion practice counseling for UWL, doing so in a safe and confidential manner. The awareness for mental health around college campuses has been steadily increasing over the years, including at the UW system. An "enormous" amount of awareness and motivation has been directed towards better addressing mental health across the UW system, which is due in part from the diminishment of stigmas that plague mental health awareness. With a 20-30 percent increase in college students seeking counseling, the high demand means a limit in the access UWL would like to offer students, causing the university to hire new staff members which Reinders has not had to deal with for the five years she's held a position here. Regarding signs or triggers that may necessitate a counselor's intervention into a student's life, Reinders said, "We are looking at not just crisis intervention but also targeted or at-risk populations who may need alternatives to western medicine approaches and prevention."
Reinders and Champion took questions from the student senate after their presentation on anything that may benefit their constituents. While same day access is offered, it is reserved for more severe or urgent appointments. Students are able to set up an appointment within a three-week time span, as the small number of clinicians UWL offers can only meet with so many patients a day. Reinders and Champion stressed how varied the process is for each person, as some students may need more sessions than others. Each student can attend ten sessions a semester. According to Champion, this is a "broad line" which could be adjusted by clinicians if they see fit for a particular student. "If a student only needs four sessions then that's great, but if one needs something more then 10 sessions then our services may not be the correct source," said Champion. Reinders said, "In general, it's based on the need of the students."
New counselors have been hired in the last six months after several years of the same staff, filling some positions that have been vacated. Within the next year there could hopefully be three more. Last spring semester there were no hires, as the center uses contract staffing if a vacancy needs to be filled. The ratio for counselors to patients should remain around one for every 15.
Reinders expressed excitement on expanding the center's services creatively, answer how the counseling center is troubleshooting ways to maximize time slots for more appointments. "If we provide services the way we have, if we hire more, we would have to triple staff in order to meet the level we want to be at," she said. According to Reinders and Champion, college counseling tends to see patients come and go to around the same time. Counselors on UWL became curios and began to experiment with students to see if prioritizing timing over length of treatment would better suit their life styles/needs. According to the counselors, on average, fifteen percent of students are satisfied with their services after their first session, which helped them formulate a "three sessions, three days" starter for new students.
President Agterberg and Chief of Staff Mark Moralez asked the counselors what their office is doing to support students of color, and if they're doing an adequate job of hiring people of color in general. "To have underrepresentation means that they know, but they understand that they have not lived your experience. We hire the people we do for a reason and hasn't been for a lack of effort with inclusion," Champion, who is an underrepresented specialist for the university, said. Reinders added "as we hire please know that we broadly search for our positions to find the correct person; but we need to do more, and we appreciate the feedback."
Western Technical college's sustainability director Casey Mehaan attended the meeting to describe what exactly he does, so the senate could familiarize themselves with what they should know when considering a sustainability director for UWL, the only university in the UW system without one.
"Helping the world think the itself back together" is how Mehaan described his approach to his job. He questions what the leaders on campus do in order to put their institution in-line for a narrative to thrive, while calling out any wrong doing through sociological questions. Doing so has helped the college to be "on trajectory" towards a carbon free campus. In order to spread the word about what Western Tech is doing sustainably, Mehaan does a lot of marketing to fully "spread" their story.
President Agterberg questioned Mehaan on how his committee is funded. "Different from UWL, my funding comes from the top, where your school has currently in the midst of a grassroots movement," said Meehan. He explained his funding came from college dollars.
The senate questioned Mehaan on how they would be able to add value to a sustainability program for UWL as well as WTC has. "The bottom line is where it comes from. Since 2010 we've avoided paying to our utility," said Mehaan. He reports to a chief financial officer who sees the 2.7 million dollars the program allocates for the university and decides how the program should be funded. Mehaan tries to work with the administration as much as possible, as there is a growing body of research that is show how members of Generation Z want to contribute positively to the world. "People are choosing colleges based on this. A Millennial is more likely to take a job position based on its sustainability level," Mehaan said.
Senator Stock asked how sustainability is being included into curriculums. "We do it in two ways, not unlike UWL," said Mehaan. "Western has a core understanding that every graduate is supposed to know before leaving: Climate change is real and the resilience in recognizing it, and how sustainability impacts the profession each student is entering after graduating." Mehaan says that this way of thinking is helping society change the way it thinks and lives. "Every student has to have an exposure to these things, fundamentally," Mehaan said.
Incorporating sustainability into the student's lifestyles has led to a yearly workshop for area schools (Winona State University, UWL, WTC, and "hopefully" Viterbo University) in how to include sustainability into their curriculum.
Mehaan described how he would process a sustainability position for UWL, saying "Don't limit the vision of what sustainability is." Mehaan thinks it would be beneficial to have a sustainability and social justice collaboration, making a department that covers all things sociologically damaging. Taking money from each department on campus, which he says could be met with backlash, could be a start in order to fund a future for a program for UWL. "Climate change is social justice, because it is disproportionately impacting disenfranchised people from privileged ignorance on climate change," Mehaan said. "Elevating people down the road from suffering, and anything we can do is what we want. Recognizing this power dynamic is vital, but making sure the risks are addressed."
The Student Association passed resolutions that approved new At-Large Senators to participate in the senate hearings, the approval for the fall 2019 Election Results, the support for Kayde Langer and the University of Wisconsin – Eau Clair's Inter-Tribal Student Council as they voiced their opposition and awareness against racism on UWL campuses, a resolution to create a student safety "Ad-Hoc" Committee and a resolution supporting the Student Call for an Open Forum.
The resolution for a call for an open forum based around Title IX circulated around all different representatives. UWL's faculty senate made a request to add clarification to the resolution: "Whereas this forum would be a place for questions and dialogue, as opposed to demonstration." The senate felt uneasy about asking the student body to withhold their passions and rights because the faculty senate told them so. Sen. Lichfus on the other hand saw this technicality as one they could take advantage of, saying it, "Could be wise to have this go through. It could allow for this to hearing to actually happen, based on the slim probability it actually does."
Sen. McReavy, the author of the resolution, made her case for the proper word choice. The version she came up with states "whereas this forum is more for conversation than demonstration." McReavy explains her position on the resolution saying that "it's to support upset students, not limit their expression of feelings."
Sen. Schock stated that the university's manner throughout the duration of the sexual misconduct as UWL's administration "tip-toeing" around how students should be told how to feel. "I don't like the idea of having administration and faculty to tell us how to react. It originated from students," Schock said. Schock expressed concern about how underhanded the university is being about the issue, especially with the veil they want over media coverage.
"Regarding media attention, admin should be more concerned how they treat their students than bad publicity," said Schock.


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