text:
Making Schools Work
Why is the nation's second-largest school district mired in such seemingly intractable problems?
The Los Angeles Unified School District is arguably the worst school district in America. The evidence? Fourth graders in California were second from last among the states on the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics test, while the state's 8th graders scored third from last. On the more recent 2002 naep reading test, the state's 4th graders were third from last nationally, while its 8th graders were dead last. And among California's 1,056 school districts, Los Angeles Unified is chronically close to or in last place on the state standardized tests.
According to a report this year by WestEd, fewer than 20 percent of the district's students in any grade score at or above the "proficient" level on the state test for English/language arts. In mathematics, only one in five is "proficient" or better on the state test. Although district Superintendent Roy Romer can point to real gains in literacy in the early grades, two out of three 3rd graders are still below national norms on the Stanford Achievement Test-9th Edition. Among high school students, only 23 percent meet or exceed the national norm on Stanford-9 reading, and 34 percent do so in mathematics. Twenty-seven percent of Los Angeles' teachers lack full credentials, and the system has a chronic shortage of qualified principals.
Why is the nation's second-largest school district mired in such seemingly intractable problems? It isn't the students, the teachers, or the budget. It's not the size of the district, either. The problem is that the Los Angeles district has a system that centralizes all of the important decisions at headquarters. That same problem afflicts most of our school districts, but the larger the district, the more harmful are the results of centralization.
Most every school district in America claims to have embraced decentralization of decisionmaking. It's common now to have site-based management, local school councils, and so on. Los Angeles has these, too. In almost every case, though, this so-called decentralization isn't the real thing, it's a phony. Phony decentralization encourages teachers, principals, and parents to spend hours and hours in planning and discussions but gives them no authority or money with which to implement their creative ideas. Real decentralization, which is exceedingly rare but gaining a foothold, gives each local school control over its own budget.
Every school has a unique collection of students, with different proportions of gifted, special education, arts-oriented, and at-risk students. As a result, each school should have the ability to custom-design a varied curriculum that will reach each and every student. In order to implement this kind of program, the school needs the freedom to staff with a collection of full-time, part-time, and outsourced teaching resources. In order to fit all of these needs into an existing budget, the school also needs the freedom to arrange its schedule, which might be a two-day block schedule, a three-day, four-day, or even a five- or six-day schedule. No central-office planner can do this kind of detailed planning for every school, but each school acting on its own can easily accomplish the task.
In the just-released book Making Schools Work, I describe a multiyear study of 223 schools in six public and three Catholic archdiocesan school districts. The analysis is unusual in that it focuses on the organization and management of the district, rather than focusing on the school. My research team, supported by the National Science Foundation and private foundations, was testing the hypothesis that true decentralization, by giving schools the autonomy to custom-design their programs, would outperform traditional, centralized, top- down districts in student achievement.
We studied the three largest districts in the country: New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. We compared these to the three radically decentralized districts of Edmonton (Canada), Seattle, and Houston. For good measure, we also studied the three largest archdiocesan systems, which are extremely decentralized: Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. We found that true decentralization—the type that gives control over budget, staffing, and materials to each
school—does produce dramatically better student results. I've organized these success factors in seven key elements, which I call "The 7 Keys to Success."
1. Every Principal Is an Entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is the opposite of a bureaucrat. Bureaucrats follow the rules that are handed down to them. Entrepreneurs focus on their main goal: student achievement, whatever the rules might be. Traditional, top- down districts punish entrepreneurs and reward bureaucratic behavior.
In order to encourage entrepreneurs, a district needs to reduce the numbers of central-office staffs and instead let schools have the money. For example, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles serves about 100,000 students and has a central- office staff of only 24, including secretaries. By comparison, the Los Angeles Unified School District has 733,000 students and a central-office staff of 11,896. In addition to having too many bureaucrats telling the schools what to do, this means that Los Angeles spends only 35.4 percent of its budget on teacher pay, while Houston spends 48.5 percent and Edmonton spends 55.8 percent on teachers.
2. Every School Controls Its Own Budget. Houston, Seattle, and Edmonton all use the same revolutionary approach to budgeting. It's called the Weighted Student Formula. Under this system, the state categorical funds are attached to each student, and every student has a choice of any public school, with neighborhood families having priority. Weighted Student Formula was invented by trial and error by Superintendent Mike Strembitsky in Edmonton, starting in 1973. In 1996, John Stanford, a retired general, implemented it in Seattle, and in 2001, Superintendent Rod Paige did the same in Houston. Mr. Paige had begun years earlier to implement true decentralization in Houston, and Weighted Student Formula allowed him to guarantee that it was there to stay.
The result? Our research showed that in New York City, principals control only 6.1 percent of the money that is spent in their schools. In Los Angeles, it's 6.7 percent, and in Chicago, it's 19.3 percent. Now look at the three districts that use Weighted Student Formula: In Houston, principals control 58.6 percent of the money (and the figure is rising each year), in Seattle they control 79.3 percent, and in Edmonton, a whopping 91.7 percent.
3. Everyone Is Accountable for Student Performance and for Budgets. Actually, accountability is a three-legged stool in the successful districts. According to current Edmonton Superintendent Angus McBeath, who runs a district of 80,000 students, these are the three legs of accountability: (1) Every principal is held accountable for a specific gain in student achievement, with several subgoals. (2) Every principal is accountable for his or her school's budget. If a school runs a deficit in one year, it keeps that deficit until it is all repaid. If a school runs a surplus, it keeps that money to use on programs in the future. (3) Every employee, student, and parent completes a customer-satisfaction questionnaire each year and rates both the school and the principal. First graders answer simple questions, 12th graders more complex ones.
4. Everyone Delegates Authority to Those Below. Because the focus is on student-achievement results, it's pretty easy to delegate the authority to decide how any job is to be done. With the superintendent delegating to principals, and because most of management is really monkey see, monkey do, principals also delegate lots of authority to teachers—which is where it belongs. After all, the teachers are the ones who actually know what the students need. This approach works very well at Toyota, and it works in schools, too.
5. There Is a Burning Focus on Student Achievement. In our successful districts, the focus on student achievement is based on lots of good data about student progress. Every principal knows which students are making good progress and which ones are not. If the principals didn't know that, they wouldn't know which teachers need help or motivation. Compare Los Angeles with Houston. Both are large (Houston is the sixth-largest district), both are about 90 percent minority, and both are about 70 percent Title I students from low-income homes. Both use the same standardized test, the Stanford-9. Houston students consistently outscore those of Los Angeles, by nearly 10 points in both reading and math. Moreover, the "race gap" in Houston has declined every year since true decentralization took place there, while the race gap continues to widen slightly each year in Los Angeles.
6. Every School Is a Community of Learners. Every experienced teacher and administrator knows that the adults in a school must come together and agree on what the school is trying to achieve if the students are going to succeed. In our successful districts, the top management knows that, too, and they see to it that the principals get together frequently to study and to learn, not just to hear about the latest new rules.
7. Families Have Real Choices Among a Variety of Unique Schools. In a great school district, no two schools are alike, because no two neighborhoods or school missions are alike. Combine this variety with the principle of public school choice, and families have choices that mean something. If all schools have the same schedule, program, and staffing, what does choice mean?
The Los Angeles Unified School District isn't too big; it's just too centralized. Phony decentralization won't help Los Angeles, nor will it help any other school district.
Real decentralization, the sort that creates entrepreneurs, has real accountability, and gives families real choices, does work. Consider Edmonton, which started the revolution. Today, there are virtually no private schools left there: Edmonton Public is so popular with families that it's driven the private schools out of business. In fact, over the past few years, some of the few remaining private schools have voluntarily given up their private status and become public schools.
Don't settle for embroidering the edges of your school district. What's needed is deep, basic, revolutionary reform. It's succeeded in Edmonton, Seattle, and Houston, and it can succeed in your school district. Revolution!
William G. Ouchi is the Sanford and Betty Sigoloff professor in corporate renewal at the Anderson School of Management of the University of California, Los Angeles. This essay is based on his book Making Schools Work, written with Lydia G. Segal and published this month by Simon & Schuster. It contains portions excerpted from the book.
Vol. 23, Issue 1, Pages 44, 56Published in Print: September 3, 2003, as Making Schools Work
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.


text:
$474M for 4 failed ACA exchanges
Nearly half a billion dollars in federal money has been spent developing four state Obamacare exchanges that are now in shambles — and the final price tag for salvaging them may go sharply higher.
Each of the states — Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada and Maryland — embraced Obamacare, and each underperformed. All have come under scathing criticism and now face months of uncertainty as they rush to rebuild their systems or transition to the federal exchange.
Story Continued Below
The federal government is caught between writing still more exorbitant checks to give them a second chance at creating viable exchanges of their own or, for a lesser although not inexpensive sum, adding still more states to HealthCare.gov. The federal system is already serving 36 states, far more than originally anticipated.
( Also on POLITICO: Massachusetts ditches RomneyCare health exchange)
As for the contractors involved, which have borne most of the blame for the exchange debacles, a few continue to insist that fixes are possible. Others are braced for possible legal action or waiting to hear if now-tainted contracts will be terminated.
The $474 million spent by these four states includes the cost that officials have publicly detailed to date. It climbs further if states like Minnesota and Hawaii, which have suffered similarly dysfunctional exchanges, are added.
Their totals are just a fraction of the $4.698 billion that the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation calculates the federal government has approved for states since 2011 to help them determine whether to create their own exchanges and to assist in doing so. Still, the amount of money that now appears wasted is prompting calls for far greater accountability.
( CARTOONS: Matt Wuerker on Obamacare)
Where has that funding left the four most troubled states?
Nevada, for one, is still trying to figure out its future. Oregon has decided to switch to HealthCare.gov. Maryland wants to fix its own exchange, maybe by incorporating what worked in Connecticut. Massachusetts actually wants to do both — build a portal from scratch while planning a move to the federal exchange as a backup.
Massachusetts' dual-track approach could require more than $120 million on top of the $170 million it already has been awarded. That cost is nearly twice as much as if the state were to simply bail on its Connector, but officials seem to be banking in part on the Obama administration's greater interest in helping the Massachusetts exchange — the once-pioneering model for Obamacare — survive.
Josh Archambault, a senior fellow with the right-leaning Foundation for Government Accountability, argued that the state's efforts to salvage its exchange are just a face-saving exercise.
( Also on POLITICO: Full health care policy coverage)
"Instead of a quixotic sprint to rebuild the whole site in five months, state officials should instead pivot quickly to utilize the federal exchange, saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in the process," he said.
State officials have warned that most of what is left of their initial federal award may be needed to end their contract with CGI, the vendor that built the Connector. They acknowledged Thursday they have no guarantees of additional federal funding.
"You have two choices," Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) said last week. "One is to expend even greater amounts of money on something that had limited success thus far or going to the federal exchange. … There's simplicity in that, and I think that may be where some within the commonwealth would like to go."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tim Cook Apologizes for Chinese Warranties
Apple issued an apology letter signed by chief executive Tim Cook that vowed to revamp aspects of its customer-service policies in China after more than two weeks of pointed attacks by government-run media. Jessica Lessin reports. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes to China what could it digits on George stall ... Apple CEO Tim Cook took an unusual step of apologizing to China after the company ... has been has seen its reputation suffer ... in the past couple weeks and China's state-run media there's accused Apple ... of skirting warranty periods adopting customer service policies that discriminate against Chinese customers ... and when a lady in an adequate response to the reports ... today Apple CEO Tim Cook came out with an apology saying in part ... we are where the lack of communications link to the perception apples and two was arrogant and that we do not care and attach importance ... to consumer feedback ... we express our sincere apologies for any concerns or misunderstandings this gave consumers ... joining me now is ... the the U S chain reported just a lesson from separate Cisco covers Apple to study don't ... I judge him well thanks ... so ... do you think that this apology helps Apple to get over some of the reputational from say that over the past couple weeks in China ... if I just AG Beattie even as that Ivan stay red media I was very vocal instead of bashing Apple in the past couple weeks ... I there is also a lot of support for the company and social media sell ... it ... to tell what the overall perceptions are Vic clearly Apple was wary down ... clearly they need to do more business in China and why ... the government and all the people affiliated with it on their side and so I think they took this unusual and very interesting that ... obviously China has its huge market for Apple makes many of its devices there plus rising sales there is hope to ... hell were results in recent quarters ... and so as a result Apple likely wants to keep ... China ... and Chinese governments and China to the consumer happy ... and ... any sense as to ... how this incident may have hurt Jewish relations or ... if this might have any long range implications for the company ... I just I mean there's a lot of history as I'm tech companies going back and forth and very publicly with the government said ... in a that's a little bit different I think sometimes than the reality of ... of how the relations are we know they can cut the guy into China number of times recently and met with very senior official sell ... I'm sure that I'm ... in and then a second pic carrying publicly is little bit different than the reality but ... I think it does show that Apple needs to protect China currently it's about fifteen percent of its revenue ... Amit searching for new growth in new markets and that's the one he keeps pointing to sell ... I think it's un clear what the total reality is that ... interesting that it feels like it passed a fact that perception is well ... on you know I think this also reflects impacted his management style this is the ... second apology we seen from Apple we saw ... an apology and mapping project late last year ... on this isn't something that you know throughout the history of Apple we stop frequently enter Steve Jobs ... I think you're Aflac student's desire to say that knowledge when ... they are doing as well as they could be and to try them for that acting as a very genteel a high impulse on his part ... yet it but it is simply a thin rope that he has to walk between one ... plane the ... huge corporate giant that is hardly acknowledging some missteps versus the CEO the egg not just too many mistakes under his watch ... in fact they Nenad this apology a ... it started can try it says Apple could have done better than ... it really just less in L a number of change is ... on a change this is in some cases instead of getting up part takes you can now continue to buy a cell ... of the NL it's it's meaningful day if they are coming up with sweeping changes to yourself ... aam I think Tim does have to walk that broke the news walk in it ... it's not just do it the


text:
Tuna Canning Workshop 2014 is coming up for Slow Food Seattle members!
We hope your 2014 is off to an excellent start. Slow Food Seattle is planning some great member activities to make your year even more delicious.
First on our list is the return of our very popular Tuna Canning Workshop on Sunday, March 30!
This is a unique opportunity to work and learn alongside fellow Slow Food members to tin (jar) up some delicious tuna. It's been a sell-out event in years past and results in the best canned tuna you have ever experienced.
Starting this year, this special event is only available to our members.
We will be sending sign-up information to our current members the week of February 17th.
Not sure if you are a current member? Send a note to firstname.lastname@example.com and we'll confirm your status.
Has your membership lapsed or you're not a member? Want to participate in the Tuna Canning Workshop (and get access to other member-only events this year)? Renew or sign up now on the national website here and send us a note to confirm at firstname.lastname@example.com to ensure you are on the invite list.
And stay tuned for more great activities with Slow Food Seattle this year!


text:
�Mr. Sinatra ... I am an Italian!� said the comedienne Kaye Ballard, currying favor way back when.
�And I�m an American,� Frank Sinatra shot right back. (Funny, the things that turn up in old files.)
Our friend Cindy Adams of the Post settled it once and for all about the popular Barbara Walters. She is back in New York, at home, recovering from chickenpox with her special people, Ikadel and George, watching over her.
Barbara sounds just great, according to her pal Suzanne Goodson, and she is so glad to be home among her �things.� I�m hoping to see her soon and am sending �get well quick� love. A special pet goes to Cha Cha, her ever faithful dog.
One of my Smith relatives of whom I�m so very proud is Anna Deavere Smith, who will be presented with the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize by JP Morgan Chase & Co. on Feb. 13 at 1 Manhattan Chase Plaza, on the 60th floor.
Lillian Gish was one of the first heroines of silent cinema, having been directed by D.W. Griffith with her long hair glued to an ice floe back when actors had to do all their own stunts � or else. (The movie was 1920�s �Way Down East.�)
Miss Gish was a charmer and so talented. She died in 1993 but just before she went to her reward, she told me that Bette Davis (in her last movie, �The Whales of August�) was �the worst person I ever had to work with.�
Then Lillian promised me that I would, at any memorial to her, tell the following story.
Lillian was standing in a cocktail party given by the agent Milton Goldman. The room was crowded with stars and famous Broadway actors, including the witty Anne Meara, who was sitting on an overcrowded couch.
�Anne,� demanded Lauren Bacall, �get up and give Lillian your seat!�
Anne looked over at the 99-year-old Miss Gish and said, �Why? Is she pregnant?�
Maybe this won�t throw you on the floor with laughter but this was Lillian�s own favorite story.
Maybe Anna will tell this story herself. Former recipients of the Gish Prize include Ingmar Bergman, Bob Dylan, Arthur Miller, Peter Sellars, Robert Redford and Pete Seeger. No one deserves it more than Anna, who has moved and used comedy to elevate social problems.


text:
Travel Council Opposes Tax for Airport Expansion
Related Story
COLUMBIA - Support for the expansion of the Columbia Regional Airport has been positive, yet not everyone agrees it should be funded by an increase in hotel and motel taxes. Missouri Travel Council along with the Columbia Hospitality Association do not support the 3 percent increase of the already 4 percent hotel tax.
Michael Kelly is the General Manager of Stoney Creek Inn. He says one organization shouldn't be solely responsible for the airport expansion. "This should be a community endeavor. It should truly be everybody because everybody will benefit by a better airport," said Kelly.
City officials say the proposed 7 percent tax will increase funds more than $2.5 million. Since the expansion project is estimated to be $17 million, officials believe this is a good option for the city.
Hotel officals are meeting with the chamber task force to propose other options for the funding. "We want to be a part of it, but we shouldn't be the whole part," said Kelly.


text:
Coke got out of the gate first, but frankly, a commercial purported to show Kate Upton washing a Mercedes-Benz in SLOW MOTION has, in our estimation, taken the lead in the pre-hype of upcoming teasers for Super Bowl XLVII.
Not the game. The ads.
Here's the tease (and it is just that, in more ways than one):
(Our own tease: You can see a lot more of Upton in the gallery below!)
Critics of the ad on YouTube point out that you can't see much of the car, which doesn't appear to be the point of the ad. The point of the ad appears to be that you'll watch to see if Upton gets wet (ahem — in SLOW MOTION) and then up pops an advertising link saying, "Click here for a sneak peek at the ad that will appear in the Super Bowl."
That ad (below) appears to have nothing to do with Upton in slow motion or the whole car-washing thing.
Mercedes writes on the YouTube page: "In an old New Orleans cafe, a powerful force is undeniably present. What it is won't be revealed until the Super Bowl. Will you be watching?"
Will that force be Upton in a wet T-shirt? Well, who knows. We do know from a press release that Upton will be appearing in a Super Bowl ad for the Mercedes-Benz CLA four-door coupe.
"The ad, which was created by Merkley+Partners (NYC), is a tongue-in-cheek depiction of how far a person might go to get their heart's desire and what shape the 'good life' might take. Filmed in part on location in New Orleans, MBUSA went full throttle with star power including Kate Upton and Usher playing themselves."
OK, we give up. Guess we'll just have to wait and see (but if you want to see more of Upton now, remember, we've provided a gallery below).
Update 1-24-13: In the "You just can't please some people" category, the Daily Mail of London reports that parents are outraged over not seeing more car than Upton, while others are mad they don't see enough of her.
A spokeswoman for the Parents Television Council told the MailOnline that the car commercial 'isn't selling cars, it's selling sexual objectification' while disgruntled viewers think they don't see enough of Upton, the news org wrote.
Back to our story:
The stakes are high for companies and their commercial creators. As ABC News reports: The Super Bowl is generally the largest TV audience of any year. Last year more than 111 million watched the game and over 114 million tuned in for the halftime show. And Super Bowl commercials this year will run for up to $4 million for 30 seconds.
Now, on to some more-straightforward hype for teases of upcoming Super Bowl ads.
First, this video is an interview with an Anheuser-Busch dude about what we can expect from the beer-maker … in short, long legs, superstition and the Clydesdales.
Now, Coke's pre-ad tease:
The company is asking viewers to cheer for three very different groups in an interactive marketing blitz during the big game: A troupe of showgirls, a band of cowboys and a biker-style gang of "badlanders" — all on a quest for a thirst-quenching Coke in a desert.
Beginning Wednesday through the end of the Super Bowl users can vote online or send a tweet to choose their favorite group, and try to sabotage other groups. The winner, tallied in real time, will be shown in an ad immediately following the final whistle of the Super Bowl.
Last and maybe least is Best Buy's pre-ad hype.
Again, the AP reports:
Best Buy Co. has enlisted actress and comedian Amy Poehler to get its brand message across in a humor-focused spot during the Super Bowl XLVII. Ho-hum.
Oh, and … the Ravens and the 49ers are playing in the 2013 Super Bowl, which airs Feb. 3 on CBS.
Jake Ellison can be reached at 206-448-8334 or email@example.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/Jake_News. Also, swing by and *LIKE* us on Facebook.


text: Appleton conducts auto auctions. These are moderated and conducted by companies. Vehicles that may be put up for auction include classics, early or late model cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, recreational vehicles and many others. The bidders at the auction may be individuals, or companies such as finance companies, banks, dealers, fleets, rental car or insurance companies. These auction houses have a catalog of a number of models of different auto manufacturers, and one can bid on a model one is interested in. The bids carry on for a period of time, at the end of the which the bidder with the highest price wins. The auction house facilitates the legal process of ownership as well. There are charges for the service, which is over and above the retailer price/bid. Many such auction houses have a number of outlets spread all over the country. Online auto auctions are also popular.


text:
This is the weekly Sunday evening class on the book Sharh Riyadh as-Saliheen min Kalam Sayyid al-Mursaleen.
Note that this class is separate from the classes that used to be held on Wednesday afternoons on the same book.
We begin Chapter 3: Patience and Perseverance.
You may download the original Arabic text here: شَرْح رِيَاضِ الصَّالِحِين مِنْ كَلَامِ سَيِّدِ المُرْسَلِين
As with all of our classes at Masjid Tawheed in Stone Mountain, GA, we encourage you to join us. If you are not able to attend in person, please feel free to listen in via our Spreaker channel or our telelink line at 712-432-2856.


text: Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - African Amercian couple intersted in teaching in Asia Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today! Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in African Amercian couple intersted in teaching in Asia Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Asia Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message linghJoined: 04 Aug 2004Posts: 1 Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 8:24 pm Post subject: African Amercian couple intersted in teaching in Asia My wife and I are considering teaching in either China or Japan next year, but after speaking to a friend of mine who spent a considerable amount of time in both countries he warned me that as an African American teacher I may not be recieved very well and may not recieve to many opportunities by the schools(many of them require pictures w/applications). Does anyone have some insight? I dont want to be discouraged by what my friend said but I also want to be realistic. Please share any feedback. -LBP Back to top nolefanJoined: 14 Jan 2004Posts: 1458Location: on the run Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:24 am Post subject: what your friend said is partly true. It will be a bit harder to land a job in China or Japan but it is not impossible. There are loads of nigerians and Cameroonians teaching in china. The demaand for teachers outweights their prejudice against darker skin shades. The youger generation in Japan is more open to African americans because of the cool factor that is conveyed through Hiphop and hollywood. Overall, I'd say that you should try and don't get turned off by a few negative answers.... Back to top cheekygalJoined: 04 Mar 2003Posts: 1987Location: China, Zhuhai Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:51 am Post subject: you might want to try the South of China - it's more modern... Back to top hesterprynneJoined: 16 Sep 2003Posts: 386 Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject: more about the south of China sorry- I should clarify that the attention my friend receives for her hair is wholly of the "that's cool-how do I make my hair do that?!" variety. fortunately val is quite nice about people trying to touch her hair. I wanted to say also that women carry umbrellas here to keep the sun off. every skin product-even deodorant-advertises a whitening ingredient. regardless, china can be great. it's tough some days to bear being called "fat" by complete strangers. but some days I don't care. I speak enough Chinese now to know when I am being talked about! Here is a link to a picture of me and Val. http://www.tprenglish.com/jszy/jszy3.htm In typical disorganized Chinese fashion, our profiles are only displayed on the Chinese version of the website! Back to top hesterprynneJoined: 16 Sep 2003Posts: 386 Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:18 pm Post subject: oops yowza- that last should have also been a pm Back to top GlenskiJoined: 15 Jan 2003Posts: 12844Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject: lingh, I suggest that you post your query in the China and Japan forums in order to get more responses. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Asia Forum All times are GMT Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Where to Begin----------------General DiscussionNewbie ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumOnline Teaching Forum Africa Forums----------------General Africa Forum Asia Forums----------------CambodiaChina (Job-related Posts Only)China (Off-Topic)Hong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeTaiwanThailandGeneral Asia ForumVietnam Caribbean Forums----------------General Caribbean Forum Europe Forums----------------Czech RepublicFranceGermanyGreeceItalyMacedonia and the BalkansPolandRomaniaRussia & C.I.S.SpainTurkeyUkraineUnited KingdomGeneral Europe Forum Latin America Forums----------------ArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaCosta RicaMexicoMexico (off-topic)PeruGeneral Latin America Forum The Middle East Forums----------------BahrainEgyptIsraelKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Middle East Forum North America Forums----------------General North America Forum Oceania----------------Australia/New Zealand You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group Teaching Jobs in China


text: It's January 14, which means Valentine's Day is exactly one month away! And it's never too early to make sure you have the perfect gift for your special someone :) Whether you're shopping for her or for him, we've rounded up plenty of Valentine's Day gift ideas to get you started. Happy Shopping! 1. Mr. & […] Read More »


text:
|Welcome to Merkato Mall
|Open a Store
|Opened Stores
|My Account
|About MerkatoMall.com
|Privacy Policy
|Featured Store
MerkatoMall.com is the first and only online shopping mall aiming to offer products and services from a multitude of merchants in Ethiopia and USA. It is designed to give you the opportunity to experience Merkato (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) from the comfort of your home.
Merchants: Sell your products on this website. We will handle the payment processing, shipping and delivery to shoppers in Ethiopia and USA. We are currently accepting applications from merchants. Space is limited - only 10 merchants are allowed per category. Click here for details.
Shoppers: Buy products and services from your favorite merchants in Ethiopia and USA. These products and services range from Ethiopian music, books, software, traditional dresses, calling cards, and many many more.
Our Motto: We win only when our customers win! So your satisfaction is guaranteed whether you are a merchant or a shopper on MerkatoMall.com.
Our Promise:
Launch Date:
Contact information:
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Telephone - 770-330-4925
Telephone - Toll Free: 1-888-MERKATO (1-888-637-5286)
Telephone - Atlanta, GA: 770-330-4925
Live Chat (Yahoo Id): MerkatoMall
Merkato Mall Enterprises, LLC.
3577 Chamblee Tucker Road
Suite A #266
Atlanta, GA 30341
United States


text:
Item Details:
General Use: Melamine plastic plates, dishes and tableware are extremely durable, break- and scratch-resistant, and food-safe. Melamine plastic tableware is widely used in restaurants and hotels where appearance and durability are important -- and is a great choice for homes, too. Melamine plastic dinnerware is always solid in appearance, making it an ideal alternative to ceramic dishes.Dishwasher Use:Melamine plastic tableware is designed for years of use in both commercial and residential dishwashers.Microwave Use: Melamine plastic dishes and tableware are not recommended for microwave use. Melamine plastic can get excessively hot in the microwave.Scratching and Wear: Melamine plastic dishes and tableware are the most scratch resistant of all the plastics! Melamine plastic plates and bowls are ideal for everyday use and use with knives.


text:
This lack of focus is usually not a problem when I'm at home or at my desk, and can hunt for the next shiny bunny – usually in the form of channel/web/radio surfing with occasional bouts of productivity and creative cooking. But it becomes an issue when my precious media devices and refrigerator are simply not accessible and I'm forced to just sit there.
Think lectures. Think church. Think meetings.
Let's be honest, if the topic doesn't interest you, what are you going to do? Sleep? No, you're going to look around and daydream. Note: you can really kill some time harkening back to simpler times or brainstorming weapons of mass zombie destruction. While those remain some of my back-pocket options, my go-to daydreaming adventure – the thing I do most often in these situations – has got to be winging imaginary footballs off prominent objects in the room.
I simply cannot help it. A window. A poster. A lamp. A pattern on the wall. Someone's melon. Hut-hut-hike! Whether I'm checking down off some dude's drink, threading the needle at a podium microphone or throwing a bomb out of the conference center window, I'm peppering all these objects with tightly bound spirals of destruction… in my head. (You have no idea how much I crave a real football after these situations.)
To those people reading this who teach or monologue in front of others, if you see someone zinging imaginary footballs during your lecture, take it as a sign you need to work on your presentation skills. You're welcome.


text:
According to Microsoft's support forums, a user complained that his Surface RT running the latest version of the company's Windows 8.1 Consumer Preview was seeing an extreme power decrease while in standby mode. The user also noted that a driver known as "Microsoft UART V2" seemed to be causing the issue.
Microsoft's support team contacted the user and requested he try switching his Bluetooth to on to save battery life. Right away, this seems to be an odd solution; turning on your Bluetooth radio should decrease your device's battery life – not improve it. That being said, as soon as said user turned on his Bluetooth radio, his issue disappeared.
The folks at Microsoft explained why the issue fixed the problem:
Powercfg /sleepstudy reports any issues that are preventing the CPU from entering its lowest power state during Connected Standby (e.g. screen is off). In this case, the state of the specific UART controller is preventing the CPU entering its lowest power state. This UART happens to be connected to the Bluetooth radio on Surface. Unfortunately, the bug that causes this bad state occurs exactly when the Bluetooth radio is turned off in PC Settings.
As with all Consumer Previews and Betas, we expect to see a few bugs from time to time. It is very certain that Microsoft will fix the issue before Windows 8.1 is released to the mass public.
Have any of our readers been experiencing this issue themselves?


text:
Goalball Hosted by the NY Knights
Sunday, August 5, 2018
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
This event repeats every week on Sunday between 1/7/2018 and 12/31/2018.
Please note: This event has already taken place. Please use the Search options on the right to find upcoming events.
Join NYC Parks for goalball, a Paralympic sports for athletes with visual impairments. This sport is played by two blindfolded teams of three using a ball with bells on the inside to score goals against your opponent. Test your agility and hearing skills against the best!
A valid NYC Parks recreation center membership is required to participate in this program. To learn more about our memberships, please visit our Recreation Center Membership page
Event Organizer
NYC Parks
Contact Number
(646) 632-7344
Contact Email


text:
MILPITAS, Calif., March 3, 2015 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK),a global leader in flash storage solutions, today unveiled a revolutionary all-flash storage platform that creates a new category for the IT industry, termed by IDC as "Big Data Flash." Built using open source software, SanDisk's InfiniFlash storage system delivers massive capacity, extreme performance, and superior reliability to big data and hyperscale workloads, while significantly reducing data center complexity and costs.
According to IDC, the market for flash-based arrays—both All Flash Arrays (AFA) and Hybrid Flash Arrays (HFA)—exhibited strong double digit growth over the past five years for a combined market that in 2014 was over $11.3B in size.1 This growth is largely being driven by rapid migration to 3rd platform computing infrastructure, resulting from the massive storage, compute power and scalability requirements of an increasingly mobile workforce, social media, big data analytics, and cloud computing.
InfiniFlash is the next generation storage platform. Available in three different configurations(IF100, IF500 and IF700), this breakthrough offering provides 5x the density2, 50x the performance and 4x the reliability, while consuming 80 percent less power – as compared to traditional hard disk drive (HDD) arrays – and far surpasses the capabilities of existing all-flash arrays which focus solely on performance3 . InfiniFlash also delivers breakthrough pricing for an all-flash hardware solution at less than $1 per gigabyte (GB), and breaks the $2 per GB barrier for an all-flash system4 without requiring compression or de-duplication technologies.
"Building on our long history of industry-defining innovation, we are very excited to bring our first all flash array storage system to market in the form of a category-defining product that we expect will drive flash into big-data workloads at massive scale," said Sumit Sadana, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, SanDisk. "By offering InfiniFlash below $2/GB before compression and de-duplication, we are changing the industry dynamics in favor of dramatically broader flash adoption in new hyperscale and enterprise workloads."
1"IDC's Worldwide Flash Storage Solutions in the Data Center Taxonomy 2014," IDC #250560, September 2014.
2512TB of raw flash in a 3-rack unit enclosure (3U)
3Metrics when compared to typical HDDs deployed in Hadoop infrastructure, per the "Metrics Deploying Flash--Accelerated Hadoop with InfiniFlash by SanDisk".
4Price of raw flash without de-dupe or compression
Through the disaggregation of compute, switching and storage capabilities, InfiniFlash enables the use of flash for primary and secondary storage with new benchmarks in low total acquisition costs and extremely compelling total cost of ownership (TCO). The InfiniFlash system is configured with up to 64 specially-designed, hot-swappable cards, each providing an unprecedented 8TB of flash capacity. Together, the cards deliver half a petabyte (PB) (512 terabytes (TB)) of raw flash storage in a 3-rack-unit (3U) enclosure, which is able to connect with up to eight off-the-shelf servers.
The InfiniFlash system's modular storage design supports various operating system and storage stack offerings. It includes the award-winning, performance-optimized SanDisk ION Accelerator™ software stack, from Fusion-io, for block storage applications. For scale-out block and object storage workloads, InfiniFlash utilizes the 'flash-intelligent', open source CEPH platform to deliver enterprise-class data services. These offerings include development libraries and a software development kit (SDK) that allow customers to optimize applications for use with the system in order to obtain even better performance, efficiency and TCO.
SanDisk continues to work with its OEM partners to bring innovative flash solutions to market. SanDisk will also leverage its relationships with channel partners, value-added resellers and system integrators to deploy InfiniFlash and other SanDisk flash-powered solutions for enterprise and hyperscale customers. InfiniFlash system service, maintenance, and support are also provided by SanDisk and its go-to-market partners.
"At Dell, our enterprise and Big Data customers are increasingly demanding higher performance, higher capacity solutions that are delivered in a rapid, reliable, open and cost-effective fashion," said Jim Ganthier, vice president and general manager of engineered solutions, Dell. "Solution and appliance innovations such as InfiniFlash not only address these critical customer success metrics but also deliver on the promise that big data insights can drive differentiated business results."
Today's highly visual, social, analytics-driven society continues to crave higher performance, max-capacity storage solutions to fuel both new business insights and personal interactions. InfiniFlash is designed to address diverse enterprise and hyperscale workloads including:
Big Data Analytics—InfiniFlash delivers both the capacity and performance needed to mine information stores for patterns that translate into business insights for workloads such as Hadoop, Cassandra and MongoDB, as well as delivers timely analysis of in-memory databases.
Content Repositories—High-definition content repositories, such as social media sites, require blazingly fast read capabilities in order to deliver a delightful user experience. InfiniFlash provides quick and easy access to high-definition content 24x7.
Media Streaming – InfiniFlash supports the high data transfer rates needed for capturing and delivering rich media content such as movies, music, and video surveillance, that it can then rapidly analyze and deliver for viewing.
"The creation of the new storage category of Big Data Flash will be a welcome development for 3rd platform computing customers that are struggling to meet the requirements of hyperscale environments with legacy HDD technologies," said Eric Burgener, research director of IDC's Storage Practice. "Big Data Flash solutions consistently deliver sub-millisecond latencies, scale to hundreds of PBs, exhibit enterprise class reliability, availability, and serviceability, and bring the secondary economic benefits of flash deployment at scale to big data applications – all at a $/GB price point comparable to that of 15K RPM HDD systems. We believe products like InfiniFlash that offer an aggressively compelling price alternative to current scale-out HDD based architectures currently being used for big data applications, will succeed."
Over the last three years, SanDisk has built a strong, enterprise-class portfolio of cutting-edge storage and software solutions, augmented most recently by its acquisition of Fusion-io. Under the leadership of SanDisk vice president and general manager, Ravi Swaminathan, the company supports a growing enterprise portfolio of system and software solutions, which includes the SanDisk ION Accelerator, flash-appliance, FlashSoft server caching software, and ZetaScale flash-acceleration software. InfiniFlash capitalizes on these investments and today's launch underscores SanDisk's strategy to bring innovative, market-leading solutions to our enterprise and hyperscale customers.
InfiniFlash is available immediately from SanDisk for interested customers. To view a replay of the InfiniFlash launch webcast, please visit http://info.sandisk.com/WebinarRegistration.html. You can also view a product video overview here.For additional details on InfiniFlash and SanDisk's full portfolio of flash-based systems and software solutions visit http://www.sandisk.com/bigdataflash or the SanDisk IT blog.
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a global leader in flash storage solutions. For more than 25 years, SanDisk has expanded the possibilities of storage, providing trusted and innovative products that have transformed the electronics industry. Today, SanDisk's quality, state-of-the-art solutions are at the heart of many of the world's largest data centers, and embedded in advanced smart phones, tablets and PCs. SanDisk's consumer products are available at hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.
©2015 SanDisk Corporation. All rights reserved. SanDisk is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. InfiniFlash, SanDisk ION Accelerator, Flashsoft, Zetascale and others are trademarks of SanDisk Enterprise IP LLC. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including expectations for new products, product availability, capabilities, performance, capacities and pricing, market response and growth, competitive landscape, business strategies and industry and customer trends that are based on current expectations and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: the market demand for our products may grow more slowly than our expectations, our products may not be available in the capacities that we expect, when we expect, with the capabilities that we expect, at the prices we expect or perform as expected, our business strategies may change, industry and customer trends may not evolve as we expect or the other risks detailed from time-to-time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. We do not intend to update the information contained in this news release.


text:
History of Aviation Collection
Special Collections Department
Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Second Saturday of the month:
9 AM - 1 PM or by appointment
For More Information contact us at:
Phone: 972-883-2570
Email: [email protected]
Eugene McDermott Library,
Special Collections
800 West Campbell Road,
Richardson, TX 75083-0643
General James "Jimmy" H. Doolittle Archives
James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle (1896-1993) played a major role in the development of commercial and military aviation in America. He pioneered the concept of blind flying, landing a plane with an entirely blacked out cockpit using only its instruments. He set speed records in both land and seaplane races, as well as advocated for the creation of a higher octane grade of gasoline for use in aircraft to increase performance. In World War II he led a daring, aircraft carrier launched bombing raid on the Japanese Home Islands in April of 1942, then went on to command the 8th, 12th, and 15th air forces. Away from the world of aviation, Doolittle was a prolific speaker, as well as a big game hunter and humanitarian.
The University of Texas at Dallas History of Aviation Collection's James H. Doolittle Archives contains: The James H. Doolittle Papers, a collection of personal papers, speeches, and photographs spanning Doolittle's life both pre and post-World War II; The Doolittle Raiders Association Papers, pertaining to the organization established by the men who participated in the Doolittle Raid, collecting both their business and historical correspondence, as well as information about the annual reunion held to commemorate the Doolittle Raid; and material donated from three of the Tokyo Raiders, William L. Birch, Richard Cole, and Joseph Manske.
The curator for the James H. Doolittle Archives is Carroll V. Glines (USAF Ret.), Doolittle's biographer and official historian of the Doolittle Raiders.
Finding Aids
Doolittle Raiders Association Papers (Updated in 2012)


text:
Archive for August 2011
The Procedure
When those commercials come on with the animals sitting in cages waiting to get adopted (you know the ones I'm talking about), I get all weepy and want to rescue them all on my own. That got me to thinking, what is it that animal shelters and rescues really, really want us to know? How can we really help?
So, I gave the Michigan Humane Society a call to find out. In speaking with Kevin Hatman the Public Relations Coordinator, I told him we all understand the importance of donating for care, taking time to walk the sheltered dogs, and adopting. But what else is important for us to be aware of? OK, guys. This is where you cross your legs and wince.
Keep our streets litter free.
He said most importantly it was spaying and neutering the animals. That too many end up as strays, being feral, sick or injured. And worst – can't find loving homes.
The MHS has "fixed" 270,000 dogs and cats in the last 20 years which has kept exponentially millions of animals off the streets. Was there a number that could make an impression on us, something more relatable, I asked? Well, here's a biggie. One pair of cats left unchecked could lead to over 300,000 offspring over the course of 7 years. That's a lot of litter, so to speak.
Who knows what you're "kids" are doing out there when you're not watching, so send them out with some protection and help keep our streets safe and litter free.
Best In Show
"What do I know about judging a dog show" I thought to myself when I got the call from the Canton Public Library. But, hey. I know that I love dogs and have, after all, seen "Best In Show." So there I was, agreeing to be a judge. But then I began wondering, who were the other judges? What did I need to bone up on? What criteria would I need to know? Would I find it hard to vote on only one and not the others. I wasn't sure what to expect.
Here's something to chew on.
Funny thing is, when the dogs got up in the "ring" for the most part they all got stage fright. Kinda like me, not exactly sure what to do, but eventually got it.
Buddy, a leader dog pup in training was there and he's just like the rest of us. Learning step by step. And, Poncho the 11 year old police dog getting ready to retire had to start somewhere, too. These guys weren't there to win anything – just to show us how to help and be of service in some sort of way.
So, I guess don't be afraid to try something new or to reach out and help. We don't always need to win. We don't have to change the world. It's the little things that make a big difference. Take one step in doing something you've been thinking about. Give a call to someone who would love to hear your voice. Drop some change into the Humane Society bucket. Give an old blanket or towels to a local shelter to help keep the animals warm. Just do the best you can with what you've got.
I didn't know what to expect going in as a judge, but it turns out it wasn't about what I knew, but rather what I learned.


text:
Back when Sean Payton was on top of the world, he decided he'd like to go Hollywood. So he typed up the bare bones of a script, and as we learned this morning, handed it over to convicted felon Mike Ornstein to shop around. Nothing seems to have come of the project, and with Ornstein heavily implicated in the Saints' bounty scandal, it's hard to imagine anything will. For posterity, here was Payton's story:
The movie, currently titled "The Xbox Kid," is about a boy from a poor family in New Orleans who starts controlling the outcome of NFL games through a refurbished Xbox given to him by his grandfather following a devastating hurricane.
Payton said he envisions the movie as both a sports film and an inspirational story about the city's recovery.


text:
David Combs has been a journeyman since graduating from Southern Wayne High School in 2006.
Now the head baseball coach at South Lenoir, the two-sport star feels his journey is over.
DEEP RUN � David Combs has been a journeyman since graduating from Southern Wayne High School in 2006.
Now the head baseball coach at South Lenoir, the two-sport star feels his journey is over.
Combs, who was officially named the head coach of the Blue Devils on Monday, has taken an interesting and eventful trip from his last day as a student in Dudley to his first day as a South Lenoir physical education teacher last semester.
He has played baseball at two separate colleges and even did a stint in football at one of the nation�s top Football Championship Subdivision schools.
Then there were the opportunities to continue his baseball career post college in the independent leagues.
In the end, however, coaching and mentoring kids younger than the 25-year-old Wayne County native was where his future sat.
�I was just ready to get into coaching,� the 6-foot, right-handed former reliever for Mount Olive College and Lenoir Community College said.
�It�s always been a dream of mine (to be a coach), even when I played in college. I was studying the game just because I knew I wanted to be the coach. This is a great opportunity.�
Opportunities in athletics have been abundant for Combs.
After receiving his high school diploma from Southern Wayne, Combs had already made plans to pitch for MOC. But during the Trojans� fall workouts and schedule, something just didn�t feel right � he wanted to play football.
Combs played middle linebacker at Southern Wayne and received interest from Appalachian State, the winner of the Division I-AA national championship his senior year. When a spot opened up on the Mountaineers� roster, they gave Combs, who was at MOC at the time, a call, he said.
Wanting to get his football fix, Combs left Mount Olive following the fall semester and traveled to Boone, he said, where he enrolled in spring classes and participated in spring football.
But it took only one semester for him to realize that Boone wasn�t where he was supposed to be, either.
�It just wasn�t the right fit, I guess,� Combs said.
Having enrolled in two four-year schools in the same school year (2006-07), Combs� only choice after leaving ASU was to enroll at a junior college and he chose LCC. Combs had to try out to play baseball and he made the squad.
Like many standout college pitchers, Combs began his career as a catcher. But once Lancers coach Stony Wine saw him pitch � it took only two innings of work in the fall, Combs said � Wine knew he had a diamond in the rough.
A high-80s fastball and a �nasty slider� helped LCC reach the NJCAA Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn., in 2008 � Combs� only season with the Lancers.
They finished runners-up nationally to LSU-Eunice that season.
�He was a guy who solidified our bullpen and won us a lot of games,� Wine said. �At a questionable point (during a game), he got in there and kind of held down the fort.
�He was an integral part of our success to making the World Series. He was sometimes untouchable.�
After helping LCC reach the pinnacle of the junior college baseball season, Combs went back to Mount Olive � this time as a pitcher � and again helped his team to success.
In his three seasons with the Trojans, they won back-to-back Carolinas Conference titles in 2010 and 2011 and finished third in the NCAA Division II National Championships his senior year.
Had he remained at MOC originally, he would have been a part of its 2008 national championship team. Had he stayed in Boone, he would have been a part of a team that defeated then fifth-ranked Michigan to open the season and won the third of three straight national titles in 2007.
But he doesn�t regret his choices at all.
�It�s kind of crazy because I could have been a part of those national championships. I�m like (the movie) �Good Luck Chuck� for national championships,� Combs said.
�It would have been cool to be a part of those teams, but it just wasn�t meant to be. It just wasn�t the right fit at the right time.�
Combs has now found his fit, conducting offseason workouts with the Blue Devils � official practice begins on Feb. 13 � while fulfilling his dream of becoming a head coach.
Wine feels the first-year coach will do well, just like he did at LCC.
�He could sling it (and) he had a good work ethic,� Wine said, referring to Combs� ability to pitch.
�He should do fine. He�s got the mentality to communicate well and be a teacher of the game.�
Combs says he has no intentions of leaving Deep Run anytime soon.
That�s one of the big reasons he was given the job.
�The one thing we were looking for is long term,� said SL Athletic Director Lisa Smith, who had to find her second baseball coach in as many years. �One of the things that we did like is that he�s from this area and he wants to be here. He�s going to be here as long as he�s wanted here.�
A journey that began almost seven years ago has landed Combs in a tiny community known for its love of the local high school.
It may have taken Combs a while to find his way to Deep Run, but now he believes it can be his home.
�I�m planning on being here for a good while. I don�t see any reason why I�d leave,� he said. �They have a great staff, great school, a great community.
�There�s not going to be a whole lot better of a high school job to be honest.�
Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.


text:
July 18, 2011 -- Adolescents who are exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke have nearly double the risk of hearing loss than those who are not exposed, according to a new study.
The researchers say the study is the first to show a connection between hearing loss in adolescents and exposure to tobacco smoke. It involved more than 1,500 people ages 12 to 19 nationwide.
The young people were first evaluated in their homes and then given extensive hearing tests and evaluation of blood samples to determine levels of the nicotine chemical cotinine in their blood.
The findings are published in the July issue of Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery.
Reducing Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
Researchers say the teens exposed to secondhand smoke, as measured by cotinine, were more likely to have sensorineural hearing loss, a condition most often caused by problems with the cochlea, a snail-shaped hearing organ in the inner ear.
"It's the type of hearing loss that usually tends to occur as one gets older or among children born with congenital deafness," study researcher Michael Weitzman, MD, of the New York University School of Medicine, says in a news release.
Another study researcher Anil Lalwani, MD, also a professor at the New York University School of Medicine, says the results strongly suggest that more needs to be done to reduce childhood exposure to tobacco, both in their homes and at public places.
Also, children may need to be screened more regularly for hearing problems because few realized they have hearing difficulties. "More than half of all children in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke, so our finding that it can lead to hearing loss in teenagers has huge public health implications," Lalwani says.
The study shows that teens exposed to smoke performed worse across every sound frequency tested, especially mid-to-high frequencies that are important for understanding speech.
Also, teenagers with higher cotinine levels, indicating more exposure to tobacco smoke, were more likely to have one-sided or unilateral low-frequency hearing loss.
The researchers conclude that overall, their findings indicate that tobacco smoke is "independently associated with an almost two-fold increase in the risk of hearing loss among adolescents."
Unaware of Hearing Loss
More than 80% of the affected teens in the study were not aware they had any hearing problem, and Lalwani says milder hearing loss is not always noticeable. Therefore, he says, just asking a person whether they think they have hearing loss is may not be a sufficient way to determine if they do.
Weitzman says the mild hearing loss may have several causes, including a detrimental effect on the blood supply to the inner ear. All infants born in the U.S. are required to be screened for hearing loss, but Lalwani says there are no guidelines for testing a child's hearing past the early school years. Children exposed to secondhand smoke, he says, "need to be regularly screened."
The study says more than 50% of children in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke.
The researchers say the rate of hearing loss appeared to be cumulative, increasing with the level of cotinine detected in the blood.
The researchers say their finding "may have profound implications in light of the high exposure rates among adolescents" in the U.S. Future research, they say, needs to be done because of the adverse effects caused by hearing loss in children, including poorer academic performance and social development.


text:
Short story: Google uses Linux to create Android. Google makes some kernel modifications, in their own tree. Google has no time to deal with kernel community to re-architect their stuff so that it can go mainstream. GregKH whines like a baby.
Dude, get a clue. Seriously.
You can go on and continue to waste keynotes at conferences (yea, I'm sure the the organizers are super happy about that) to complain about people "stealing" your code. Waaa Waaa. Someone took my hippy license and took my code and isn't giving it back. Waaa.


text:
Address: The Esplanade, Woodgate QLD 4660
Accommodation Broome welcomes Woodgate Bowls Club Restaurant in Woodgate QLD 4660, we provide a friendly relaxing restaurant and bar. Woodgate Bowls Club Restaurant is a great place to unwind with a cold drink, an ideal place to watch and forget about the hustle and bustle while you enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or a snack from our affordable specials menu. Here are some of our features.
Woodgate Bowls Club Restaurant has interesting facts - Why are Pubs called Hotels in Australia? A pub, short for Public House, is an establishment whose main function is to serve alcohol, mostly beer. Also known as an Ale house or Tavern. The reason for this is that until recently, in Australia (late 1980s), pubs were forced, by the liquor laws, to provide accommodation and so were accurately called hotels.
copyright © 2019 Accommodation Broome. All rights reserved.


text:
Photo Challenge: Have a Heart
For this photo challenge, take inspiration from the tin man and start your journey in search of a heart. Once you start looking, the shape of a heart can be seen everywhere, and you can find hearts in the most unlikely places, like down back alleys or even inside politicians. Begin your adventure now so that you have a photograph of heart to share in time for Valentine's Day!
Closed March 1, 2011
RSS for photos in Photo Challenge: Have a Heart


text:
Contact Me
This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding v. 12.2, written by Darrin Lythgoe © 2001-2019.
Maintained by David Mantione. | Data Protection Policy.Copyright 2009-2019 by David Mantione. All Rights Reserved. If you use information or data from this site, you must give proper acknowledgement and credit. Please read the Disclaimer Policy. Contact us with your comments and corrections. Revised and Maintained by David Mantione. Last Modified: 12/28/2018
This site has been further customized by Our Family Histories, LLC


text: This article is written by Joe Festa, Manuscript Reference Librarian. Jeff Cowen, a contemporary art photographer born in New York City, is best known for his portraits and collages, and a painterly approach to his photographic process. Five gelatin silver prints by Cowen are housed within the Photographer File here at New-York Historical Society. Taken…Read More


text:
Increase tool up-time from 98% to 99,5%, by combining a traditional approach for preventive maintenance, with a more data driven approach for predictive maintenance. The maintenance tasks are determined by the condition of the equipment – rather than the average or expected life statistics. Thanks to the dramatically improved data analytics capability, and the sophisticated maintenance models, the repair can be scheduled at a time that minimizes the impact on production.
Sales: +370 620 11 602
Customer service: +358 207 189 400


text:
Southern Islands (TCG)
The Southern Islands Collection (Japanese: サザンアイランド Southern Islands) is the name given to a special set of cards for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
In Japan, the Southern Islands set was initially released with the second Pokémon movie in two promo folders, each with 9 cards per set (Rainbow and Tropical Island) and decorated artwork. The collection was also released as 3-card box sets. These box sets focused on a particular region from one of the two Southern Islands: Tropical Island and Rainbow Island. The English version came as a decorated folder and included the cards, postcards and 3 booster packs. Even though Wizards compiled the collection into one set, all of the original artwork including the islands and the full picture of each region (which was split into three to provide the card art) were featured on the folder.
- While in the Japanese version the cards have the old Base-Rocket design, the English release saw them in a Neo series design. Interestingly, this made the Generation II Pokémon featured the only ones of their generation to have Base-Rocket-styled cards, and Slowking the only non-Generation I evolved Pokémon to have had a square evolution box (all later card styles retained the circular evolution box).
- This was a very desired collection when it first came out in Japan. Its English release is a rare example of a promotional TCG product that has retained everything, including its original artwork, after localization.
- None of the cards have rarity symbols, as they are part of a fixed set. The English cards were numbered in the same fashion as Wizards Black Star Promos, while the Japanese cards remained unnumbered.
|Tropical Island set. Illustrated by Naoyo Kimura.
|Jungle postcard
|Beach postcard
|Sea postcard
|Rainbow Island set. Illustrated by Keiko Fukuyama.
|Sky postcard
|Riverside postcard
|Field of Flowers postcard
Card lists
|Complete English set
|Set insert
|Tropical Island insert
|Rainbow Island insert
|An opened Tropical Island set
|Japanese Jungle set
|Japanese Beach set
|Japanese Sea set
|An opened Rainbow Island set
|Japanese Sky set
|Japanese Riverside set
|Japanese Field of Flowers set
|Regions in the Pokémon world
|This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.


text:
Assessment How-to
Develop Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
1. What are program student learning outcomes?
2. Why develop and publish program student learning outcomes?
3. Characteristics of program student learning outcomes
4. Developing program student learning outcomes
5. Examples of program student learning outcomes
6. Good practices
7. Worksheets/Checklists/Resources
1. What are program student learning outcomes?Program student learning outcomes (SLOs) are clear, concise statements that describe how students can demonstrate their mastery of program goals (Allen, M., 2008). These statements identify the knowledge, skills, or attitudes that students will be able to demonstrate, represent, or produce upon successful completion of the program.
2. Why develop and publish program student learning outcomes?Student learning outcomes:
- Help students learn more effectively
- Make clear what students should expect from their educational experience
- Encourage students to be intentional learners who direct and monitor their own learning
- Help faculty design courses, curriculum, and programs
- Make graduates skills and knowledge clear to employers, accrediting agencies, etc.
Questions that student learning outcomes address include the following:
- What knowledge, skills, abilities, and values should the ideal student graduating from our program demonstrate?
- How will they be able to demonstrate these capabilities?
- How well does our program prepare students for careers, graduate school, professional study, and/or lifelong learning?
- What evidence can we use to demonstrate growth in students knowledge, skills, abilities, and values as they progress through our program?
Characteristics of program student learning outcomes:
- Describe what students learn, rather than what faculty will do or cover
- Framed in terms of the program and not individual courses
- Observable or measurable
- Important
- Alignment:
- Program SLOs align with school/college goals and institutional goals
- Course SLOs align with program SLOs
- Rely on verbs that specify definite, observable behaviors
- Focus on the central abilities of the discipline. Incorporate or adapt professional organizations' outcome statements when they exist.
- Stated such that evidence related to the outcome can be gathered by more than one data-collection method
- Collaboratively authored and collectively accepted
- 3-6 outcomes are ideal
Good outcomes use verbs that describe definite, observable
Bloom et al.s taxonomy is a well-known description of levels of educational objectives. It may be useful to consider this taxonomy when defining your outcomes.
Bloom et al.s Taxonomy
Cognitive Behaviors
1. Knowledge
To know specific facts, terms, concepts, principles, or theories
2. Comprehension
To understand, interpret, compare and contrast, explain
3. Application
To apply knowledge to new situations, to solve problems
4. Analysis
To identify the organizational structure of something; to identify parts, relationships, and organizing principles
5. Synthesis
To create something, to integrate ideas into a solution, to propose an action plan, to formulate a new classification scheme
6. Evaluation
To judge the quality of something based on its adequacy, value, logic, or use
Verb Power
Concrete verbs such as define, identify, or create are more helpful for teaching, learning, and assessment than verbs such as know, understand, or passive verbs such as be exposed to. Using verbs that specify a type of thinking or behavior can help faculty design activities and develop assignments, exams, and projects. In addition, students are clear on what they need to be able to do to demonstrate their learning achievement.
Some examples of verbs frequently used in outcomes are included in the table below.
[From: Gronlund, N. E. (1991). How to write and use instructional objectives (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.]
4. Developing program student learning outcomesBefore developing program student learning outcomes, it might be helpful to consider these questions which focus on outcomes in slightly different ways:
- For each of the stated program goals, what are the specific knowledge, skills, or attitudes that would tell you this goal is being achieved?
- What would a skeptic need (evidence, behavior, etc.) in order to see that your students are achieving the major goals you have set out for them?
- In your experience, what evidence tells you when students have met these goals how do you know when theyre getting it?
Learning outcome statements may be broken down into 3 main components:
- A verb that identifies the performance to be demonstrated
- A learning statement that specifies what learning will be demonstrated in the performance
- A broad statement of the criterion or standard for acceptable performance
For example:
Learning Statement
(the learning)
(the conditions of the performance demonstration)
produces and debugs
source code of programs
using at least programming languages (e.g., C++, Java).
global and environmental factors
in terms of their effects on people
Tips: Effective program outcomes are widely accepted and supported by faculty members. Developing appropriate and useful outcomes is an iterative process; its not unusual to revisit and refine outcome statements. In most cases, it is only when you try to develop ways of assessing program outcomes that the need for refining them becomes apparent.
5. Examples of program student learning outcomes
Natural Sciences
- Students can apply the scientific methodology in a research proposal.
- Students can evaluate the validity and limitations of theories and scientific claims in experimental results.
- Students can assess the relevance and application of science in everyday life.
- Graduates can write research papers in APA (American Psychological Association) style.
- Graduates can analyze experimental results and draw reasonable conclusions from them.
- Graduates can recognize and articulate the foundational assumptions, central ideas, and dominant criticisms of the psychoanalytic, behaviorist, humanistic, and cognitive approaches to psychology.
- Students can list major events in American history.
- Students can describe major events and trends in American history.
- Students can apply their knowledge of American history to examine contemporary American issues.
6. Good practices
- Publicize program outcomes in the catalog, on web, on syllabi, annual report, brochures, etc.
- Use program outcomes to guide course and curriculum planning so students experience a cohesive curriculum
- Use program outcomes to shape assessment efforts and faculty/staff conversations surrounding student learning
- Collaboratively develop program outcomes; discuss and collectively accept program outcomes
7. Worksheet/Checklist/Resources
Use this worksheet and checklist to record and evaluate your outcomes (Word document).
Workshop Presentation Slides and Handouts (PDFs)
- Course Learning Outcomes: Creating and Aligning (2010)
- An Introduction to Learning Outcomes (2009)
- Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Maps (2009)
- Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Maps (2008)
Sources consulted:
Allen, M. (2008). Assessment workshop at UH Mānoa on May 13-24, 2008. [Available at the Assessment Office]
How to Write Program Objectives/Outcomes. [PDF] University of Connecticut assessment web site
Program Assessment Handbook: Guidelines for Planning and Implementing Quality Enhancing Efforts of Program and Student Learning Outcomes. [PDF] University of Central Florida. (June 2008 edition).
Program-Based Review and Assessment: Tools and Techniques for Program Improvement. [PDF] Office of Academic Planning and Assessment. University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2001).
Tools & Techniques for Program Improvement: Handbook for Program Review & Assessment of Student Learning. [PDF] Office of Institutional Assessment, Research, and Testing. Western Washington University. (2006).
updated 8/29/2017


text:
For the ultimate, world-class golfing experience, Viti Levu has three spectacular 18-hole, 72-par championship courses.
The Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course is one of Fiji's best, located on the South West coast of the island and offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, along with excellent facilities. This stunning course is the home of the annual Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways golf tournament.
Less than an hour away in Nadi, is the Denarau Golf Club, a challenging and beautiful course with long, open fairways and several water hazards.
If you're on a budget and looking for a more affordable green fee, the Pearl South Pacific Championship Golf Course offers a challenging, adventurous course surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
Or if you want to mingle with the locals, try Fiji Golf Club in Suva – popular with residents, it has long, flat fairways with less vegetation. Short game is what you're after, Novotel Nadi Executive Golf Course has a challenging, nine-hole course set on a steep slope. Another nine-hole option is the newly-extended Shangri La's Fijian course, the only one in Fiji with Tifton Dwarf grass greens.


text:
Join us every Monday morning for prayer to build momentum for your week. Believers from our congregation join with other believers throughout the country to receive a weekly exhortation and engage in intercession. To join call 712-770-4035 access code 820980.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: March 1Wednesday in the Word
Later Event: March 8Wednesday in the Word


text:
Recently added item(s) ×
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Out of stock
Out of stock
For the last twenty years, Badlands has been designing and producing the world's best hunting packs, hunting apparel and hunting accessories. During the past two decades, Badlands has also focused on developing the best tents, shelters and sleeping bags built for the specific needs of hunters.
PHONE(Canada): (801) 256-9100
EMAIL: firstname.lastname@example.com
ADDRESS: BADLANDS BACKPACKS 8100 South 1300 West Suite D West Jordan, UT 84088


text:
Brad Miller necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 151 diseños de 36 diseñadores freelance.
We are relaunching a website that brings fishermen together with charter boat captains and provides other information about fishing topics (tide reports, weather, etc.) We are relaunching with a new look and feel and need a fun logo to better identify us.
All fishermen and charter boat captains.
New suggestion: It would be nice (but not required) if the design had some combination of fish, hooks and/or a boat in it.
We are looking for a fun logo that says "fishing"(not literally), that can be used on the web and other promotional materials.
It can depict fishing with a fish, a boat, both or neither, be creative. It can be stylized or real. If it has lettering, it should be clear.
It should either have "AnglingCentral.Com" in the logo or work well with the name placed above or below it.
Please be creative, we are not married to colors, although the sites right now are a bit blue heavy.
Look at our original site: anglingcentral.com and the one in development anglingcentral.com/dev to get an idea of what we are about. (We are still adding features and functionality to the new site.)
We are in development. If the logo is good enough, we may change our web design to better incorporate the logo, so, please do not limit yourself due to our current web design.
We will require a vector file (Fireworks, AI, etc.) and a jpg.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
We want you, our readers, to vote daily on the previous night's Fantasy 3 Stars of the Night. Based on your votes, points will be assigned to the top 3 stars of the night and at the end of the season the 3 players with the most points will be delcared the DailyFaceoff Fantasy 3 Stars of the Year.
The results for Oct. 11 as voted by you:
- Steve Valiquette
- Mike Ribeiro
- Brad Richards
The following two tabs change content below.
Latest posts by Kevin Dupuis (see all)
- Schneider To Start Game Three - April 15, 2012
- VOTE: Fantasy 3 Stars of the Night Feb. 25 - February 26, 2011
- VOTE: Fantasy 3 Stars of the Night Feb. 23 - February 24, 2011


text:
Among the more fascinating letters to editors are those from lawyers.
Surely an editor somewhere must have a wall of framed threats from lawyers, which cause either considerable mirth or lots of pain.
Take this one which the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald received in May 2010 from the law firm Colin Biggers & Paisley:
''This firm acts for Mr Moses Obeid. Mr Obeid instructs us that he has been contacted by a journalist employed by your newspaper - Ms Anne Davies. Ms Davies has put questions to Mr Obeid regarding the Obeid family farm in the Bylong Valley … The Obeid family farm is a working property producing beef cattle. It is also a holiday destination for members of the Obeid family …
''Based on the questions put to him by Ms Davies, Mr Obeid believe [sic] the Herald is considering running a story which purports to link ownership by the Obeid family of a farm in the Bylong Valley with the granting of certain resource exploration licences by the New South Wales government in the Bylong Valley region. There is no such relationship.''
The letter says the Obeid family has no involvement in decisions relating to the granting of exploration licences in the valley and concludes with the usual flourishes about malice and aggravated damages if anything along those lines is published.
Three days after the letter was written the Herald published a story by Davies linking an Obeid company with a prospective coalmining company which was seeking to raise funds for exploration in the Bylong Valley.
The headline was ''Coal down below: how rich is his valley''.
Eddie Obeid also stood up in Parliament the night before the article went to press, accusing the Herald of having a vendetta against him. All he sought to do was represent the interests of constituents who were concerned about a dangerous bridge in the area.
''I make no apologies, this is what my job has been for 18 years,'' Obeid told a sleepy Legislative Council.
Three weeks ago Geoffrey Watson, SC, made a detailed opening address to the Independent Commission Against Corruption in which he outlined what had been discovered by commission investigators so far about the Obeids' rural properties, coal in the Bylong Valley, acquisitions by associates of the Obeids, and the involvement of Ian Macdonald, the then minister for primary industries and mineral resources.
This inquiry is known as Operation Jasper.
What is additionally intriguing is that about two years before the threatening letter from Colin Biggers & Paisley to the Herald, some partners in the firm had been busily engaged in creating companies and trusts on behalf of the Obeids so they might better hide their interest in the prospective mineral riches of the Bylong Valley.
In one exhibit before ICAC, partner Chris Rumore made a file note which showed the Obeids were up for a split of profits arising from the increased value of neighbouring rural land purchased by a family friend, Justin Lewis.
Another partner, Greg Skehan, was the sole shareholder in a trust company, Voope Pty Ltd, that held the Obeids' interest directly in a mining venture, as distinct from the grazing of moo-cows.
As counsel assisting ICAC, Watson, put it: ''This development was quite significant because the use of Voope had the effect of masking the involvement of the Obeids and that mask left them quite free to go and get involved in a mining venture.''
So it's a puzzle that two years after these manoeuvres took place, the firm was writing a letter to the editor that categorically denies any ''link'' between the Obeids and mineral exploration licences in the Bylong Valley.
The puzzle may be unravelled by Commissioner David Ipp in due course.
Only this month another rip-snorter of a lawyer's threatening letter came to light. This was from Robert Todd, a partner in the global law shop Ashurst, previously known as Blake Dawson (not to be confused with the US porn star of the same name).
In writing to electricity price campaigner Bruce Robertson, Todd was in attack mode on behalf of his client, Grid Australia, a consortium of state-owned power companies.
Robertson had been an investment analyst, but is now a cattle farmer on the mid-north coast of NSW.
Who knew cattle farming could get so exciting.
Robertson had in public statements on the ABC, to the Herald and to a Senate inquiry attributed the eye-watering increase in power prices to the industry's ''gold-plating'' of infrastructure, dodgy forecasts and other misleading claims, such as ''rigorous reliability settings''.
Todd wanted Robertson to stop making these claims, to remove his submission to a Senate inquiry from his website, apologise and pay costs - otherwise litigation might ensue.
Senator Matt Thistlethwaite (ALP, NSW) said that Todd's letter might amount to a contempt of Parliament, in that witnesses before a Senate committee were protected by the law.
The letter was devoid of much specificity, such as which individual had been defamed, and how come government authorities were feeling ''hurt and distressed'' when they have no rights in defamation law.
Robertson got in touch with the Environmental Defenders Office, currently under budgetary threat from the O'Farrell government, and very shortly the legal threat crashed and burned, with the chairman of Grid Australia making a grovelling apology.
These are just two instances of bullying by lawyers, who hide behind ''instructions'' in making outlandish threats to people who seek to throw light on murky behaviour by corporates and politicians. Unfortunately, it is something editors experience on almost a daily basis.


text:
signalman necesitaba un nuevo diseño de impreso o envases y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 19 diseños de 7 diseñadores freelance.
Faith, Economy, Ecology Working Group
We are a religious working group working toward policy reform and paradigm shift in Washington, DC. As people of faith living predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere, we have long worked side-by-side with people of the South to raise awareness of the negative impact of predominant global international debt and trade systems now in use. We live in a world addicted to "economic growth" and watch as this unsustainable addiction ravages Earth's resources, extinguishes habitats and living species, banishes entire human communities to live in poverty, and leaves future generations and the planet with enormous ecological and financial debt.
We stand as witnesses to the destructive power of an economic model that ignores Earth's limits and its needs to rest and regenerate, claiming illusory growth as a measure of success while Earth's resources and living entities perish. We mourn the loss of cultures, people, species and traditional knowledge that are fervently pushed aside as the neoclassical economic world view asserts its autonomy everywhere. We deplore the rampant militarization which perpetuates and is necessitated by the industrial growth society.
Grounded in our faith and speaking from our core principles and values, we call on people of good will to join us in reexamining the false panacea of growth-oriented development models.
There are many advocacy groups and grass roots organizations that will be rallying around the G20 Summit (gathering of major economies) in Pittsburg and at the UNFCCC (climate change negotiations) in Copenhagen. These groups are lifting up human rights concerns and the need for sustainable systems that prevent further ecological destruction. Our group would like to draw attention to how the relentless pursuit of economic growth is the stumbling block to any real progress in the areas of peace, justice and sustainability. We are looking to draw focus and educate the NGO community about the need to bring economic analysis into their justice work and speak to the ways that our present economic system is the driving force behind climate change, inequality, poverty, violence, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion.
Our concept for the image is an Earth with a spigot or tap on it that is pouring natural resources into a bulging bag with GDP and a dollar sign on it. The resources could be forest growth, fish, minerals, maybe even humans. The image is accompanied by the word "ENOUGH..." It will end up on a 4 X 6 postcard, with our own message on the back.
The Earth is being drained of it's vitality, and it should be shown in a dynamic active movement that shows the relationship between the North's prosperity and the South's poverty. The southern hemisphere is devastated as forests are removed, extractive industries pollute the region, water is contaminated, landfills grow out of control and farm land becomes dessert. The northern hemisphere is overly developed, with skyscrapers and monoculture farms. Is there a way to show this movement? As if the draw of the tap drives this disproportionate development like a drain pulls water out of the sink.
The Earth should not appear totally wasted. There are still some thriving ecosystem intact. Though we should get the feeling that the Earth is in danger of being tapped out!
This image needs to be clear, not too cluttered. It is showing a harsh and painful reality and needs to not overdo or glamorize this image. It will be accompanied by a message that invites change. The tap is the leveraging point wher we can intervene in the system.


text:
EQ Harmony Maternity One Piece Swimsuiteq002
Product Details
Stay in shape with water aerobics and lap swimming in EQ swimwear's Harmony Maternity Swimsuit. These comfortable and flattering maternity swimsuits are based on EQ's stadard cut Harmony one piece but with a slightly different cut in the tummy area. These are the best maternity lap swim suits on the market. Great fabric and fit. This maternity swimsuit will take you through the full 9 months and will bounce back for use post partum thanks to the extra life lyca material. Quality constucted here in the USA with extra life Italian 4-way stretch fabic that will not gap, sag, or constrict.


text:
To help you encourage your relative or friend to talk, it's important to try to understand what they may be facing and the fears they may have. There are many different aspects of their illness that may cause fear.
When faced with a serious illness, it's normal for people to be shocked and confused. This may be followed by feelings such as fear, sadness, anger, bitterness, guilt or even shame. If the illness causes symptoms such as tiredness or pain, a person may find it harder to go about their everyday life. They may also feel more emotional.