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Avoiding Returning a Dog to the Animal Shelter
Find food that fits your pet's needs
Find a dog food that fits your pet's needs
Find a cat food that fits your pet's needs
Bringing home a dog from a shelter is always an exciting day. After all, you want that dog to be your close companion for many years to come. But sadly, for some adopted shelter dogs and owners, the relationship doesn't last.
A 2013 study by the American Humane Association found that one in ten pets adopted from a shelter were no longer in the home six months later. The study said the issues surrounding returning a rescue dog are complicated and that "given the complexity of the situation and relationships, it may be unlikely that there is one 'silver bullet' intervention that is likely to markedly increase retention."
Common Reasons Why Dogs Are Returned
The report did find that potential pet parents who were rigid in their expectations of their new pup were more likely to be responsible for returning a rescue dog. Common issues associated with return included those related to time commitment, health and behavioral issues. More specifically:
- Unexpected costs
- Human health issues
- Destructive behaviors (for example, soiling in the house, chewing furniture)
- Disobedience
- Barking
- Hyperactivity
- Aggression (with children, other family members or pets)
How to Avoid Returning a Dog to the Shelter
The AHA study found, perhaps surprisingly, that there was no difference in return rates among owners who had done a lot of research on a pet before adopting and those who made a spur-of-the-moment decision. But the study did find that people who asked for help before returning the pet were more likely to keep the pet than those who had not sought advice from a vet, friends, family or the shelter.
So how can you make sure you don't have to go through the painful process of returning a dog to the shelter? Make sure you research more than what breed of dog you want. Think about how you will react to problematic situations that may arise and how you picture him fitting in with your existing family. Some things to consider:
- Make sure you can afford a dog. Statistics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found the average first-year cost for a dog was $3,085. That figure includes supplies, food, vet costs and one serious illness, but it does not include training classes.
- Human health issues. Animals can cause allergies or share parasites like hookworms and tapeworms. Make sure your existing family members don't have allergies and can comfortably live with a pet. It's also a good idea to visit a vet to give your new dog a clean bill of health as soon as you're able to get an appointment. If you discovered too late that someone in your home is allergic to your new pooch, talk to your physician about how to reduce the reaction. It is also helpful to have all family members there at the time of adoption to help reduce the risk of unexpected allergies creeping up after adoption or to visit friends with dogs to ensure that your family is allergy-free.
- Destructive behaviors and disobedience. Crate training your new family member can be super helpful for those days when you're away from home. By getting him used to the crate, you can reduce or eliminate behaviors such as chewing or soiling around the house. Training classes are also highly recommended as a way to bond with your new dog and for both of you to learn important skills and good behavior. Dogs are pack members and they are just looking for the leader of their pack. Teaching them what good behaviors are and rewarding them for it will go a long way in helping avoid the common destructive tendencies.
- Barking and hyperactivity. Separation anxiety can cause a dog to bark nonstop or lead to hyperactivity. To help combat this, make sure to give him plenty of love and attention when you are home, and take him out for a long walk or a good play session at the dog park. This will not only tire him out at the end of the day, but the extra attention will help diminish his fears or separation. Barking for those that live in an apartment complex or other multi-family dwelling causes the issue of not wanting to disturb the neighbors. Keep this in mind before adopting a dog. Learn about different dog breeds that are less prone to barking to help you find a better fit for your living situation.
- It is also good to note that many people return their canine friend to shelters because they didn't first clear getting a pet with their landlord . Some rental agreements may state that pets are not allowed, or they require a pet fee. Whether it is against your rental agreement or the cost of paying a pet fee is too great, you should check with your landlord ahead of time to make certain that there are no issues with you adopting a dog.
- Aggression. Most shelters will check for aggression before adopting out a dog, but the evaluation isn't always foolproof. Your first responsibility as a pet parent is to make sure children, family, friends, strangers and other animals are not victims of aggression by your new dog. You can lessen the risk by knowing your dog's triggers for the aggressive behavior, but if you fear that you have adopted an aggressive dog, you should immediately separate him from anyone who could be vulnerable to an attack. Consult a vet and professional behavior expert for help. Aggression is often the result of an environmental factor such as poor parenting from a previous owner. Proper behavioral training can help alleviate many causes of aggression in dogs.
By doing your homework and understanding that there might be potential issues and behavioral problems as your new dog settles into your home, you can reduce the likelihood that you will make the heartbreaking decision to return your pet to a shelter. Remember that you aren't the only one that is heartbroken when you have to return your pup to the shelter. It is just as hard, or even harder on the dog. Careful consideration ahead of time can ensure that the two of you live happily together for many years to come.
Contributor Bio
Kara Murphy
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, PA. Her family was adopted by a shelter cat named Olive.


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Savannah, Georgia, is America's first planned city. General James Edward Oglethorpe (who had previously founded the colony of Georgia) founded Savannah in 1733. He designed his new capital as a series of neighborhoods centered around 24 squares. Chippewa Square is at the center of the downtown historic district. The square is also at the center of Savannah's nightlife and entertainment, largely in part because of the Historic Savannah Theatre. The Savannah Theatre is the oldest theatre in the United States and still produces shows nightly. The performances have been described as "2-hours of high energy music, dance and comedy, perfect for a southern evening!"
The Square is also known for the famous park bench scenes from the critically acclaimed film Forrest Gump. In the opening shot of the film, a feather floats high above the trees, then sweeps down past the Independent Presbyterian Church and makes its way toward Chippewa Square, eventually landing at the base of a park bench. Tom Hanks, who plays the role of Forrest, sits on this park bench for about 80% of the film telling his life story to anyone who will listen. The bench that Hanks/Forrest sat on was actually a movie prop that has since been placed in the Savannah History Museum. But the location of the bench for the movie in Chippewa Square is still a popular spot for photographs.
The film ended up earning over $677 million worldwide during its theatrical run, and garnered multiple awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and People's Choice Awards, among others. This famous bench has become a valuable pop-cultural artifact and has been said to be one of the hottest Hollywood collector's items since Judy Garland's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz."

subset: commoncrawl


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Beautiful nature
Making your way in the world today
takes everything you've got. Taking a break from
all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away? S
ometimes you want to go where everybody
knows your name, and they're always glad you
came. You wanna be where you can see, our
troubles are all the same. You wanna be where
everybody knows your name.


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Is audio unstable while viewing digital broadcasting?
1. Audio from my TV goes on and off.
1. If the symptom takes place for a specific channel, it may be due to signals transmitted from broadcasting station.
How to fix
1. Contact the broadcast or TV service provider for technical assistance.


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From R5 899pm Incl. VAT
Retail price includes 4-year/60 000km service plan.
Born for this.
*Terms and Conditions apply. Monthly instalment includes the monthly service fees of R69 and the total cost of credit of 558 786 includes Bank Initiation Fee of R1208 incl. VAT. Offers apply while stocks last. Interest rate is linked to prime (currently 11.75% as of 26 May 2023) and is accordingly subject to change in the event of a change in prime. Finance offer subject to approval from Suzuki Mobility Finance, a product of WesBank - a division of FirstRand Bank Ltd. An Authorised Financial Services and Registered Credit Provider. NCRCP20. Retail offer valid until 31 July 2024. Mandatory insurances are excluded.


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For the second year in a row Art of the Title served on the jury for SXSW's Excellence in Title Design competition, allowing us to share the stage with a terrific group of designers and producers.
SXSW Film Design Awards "Excellence in Title Design"
Design Awards organizer David Horridge brought together Jenny Lee (Smith & Lee Title Design), Kurt Volk (Troublemaker Studios), Ron Pippin (Shiny Object), and Tommy Pallotta (Submarine Channel) for an evening of show and tell on March 14th at the Vimeo theater.
The evening event started with our previously mentioned A Brief History of Title Design video, led in to IFC's Matt Singer and Stephen Saito discussing five sequences from their recent "The 50 Greatest Opening Title Sequences of All Time" article - Vertigo, Fahrenheit 451, Saturday Night Fever, The Naked Gun and Watchmen - and then finished off with a viewing of the 17 nominations for the year, listed below.
Adventure Time
Any Human Heart
Blue Valentine
Boardwalk Empire
Cats and Dogs
Corp + Anam
El Bulli-Cooking in Progress
Elektra Luxx
Jerry Cotton
The Losers
The Other Guys
Wowie, pt 2.
After the screening we retired next door to the Hilton bar where we fairly quickly came to an agreement on the jury choice for this year. On an unrelated note our gathering was also interrupted numerous times by local talk radio host Alex Jones (he "happened by" to visit Tommy) and ended with Kurt leaving for the Highball bowling alley to do karaoke with Jon Hamm (aka Don Draper of Mad Men).
The following evening it was then Kurt's pleasure to present Blue Valentine with the 2011 Jury Award, and more remarkably the popular-vote Audience Award, for Best Title Sequence. The film's editor and title designer Jim Helton wasn't able to attend unfortunately but we messaged him during the event and he was thrilled to learn of the win.
Jury and Audience Award Winner: Blue Valentine
Designer: Jim Helton
A huge part of the festival are the films, both large and small. A brief rundown of our favorites:
- Super - dark and awkwardly hilarious. Amazing animated titles, soon to be featured here.
- Being Elmo - is it possible to be MORE emotional when watching a film? Heartfelt and completely honest.
- Attack the Block - Assault on Precinct 13 meets Gremlins. Throw in the greatest practical monster effects sinceAn American Werewolf in London and the best amalgamated editing and soundtrack since Fight Club and we're talking an amazing feature debut from writer/director Joe Cornish.
- Hobo with a Shotgun - the title pretty much sums it up. Another terrific genre piece.
As with last year we was able to attend some great panels, some great short films, meet some great people and eat a lot of great food. We can't wait to return.


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Work No.1104 2011 consists of six thick horizontal rectangular strokes of deep opaque pink acrylic paint applied across a commercially prepared and unframed canvas. The bands of paint appear as though they are stacked on top of each other, and narrow incrementally in width from bottom to top so as to form a ziggurat shape. The bottom stroke spans the entire width of the canvas. All of the white ground has been left exposed around the painted shape. The colour has been applied from left to right in a single layer of uniform thickness, with a set of flat brushes reducing in breadth from bottom to top (13 cm, 10 cm, 8 cm, 6.5 cm, 5 cm and 4 cm). The artist's signature and the date ('Martin Creed 2011') is written in pencil on the reverse top edge of the canvas.
Work No.1104 is one of a series of paintings that the artist started making in 2006. Each work consists of one colour of acrylic paint applied according to the range of sizes available in one standard pack of household brushes. The first painting in this series, Work No.508 (Black Painting) 2006 is composed of a stack of horizontal rectangular bands similar to Work No.1103 except that the sequence of painted strokes reverses so that the thinnest band is at the bottom with the strokes getting thicker towards the top. Another work of 2006, Work No.585, consists of black strokes that are stacked along the left hand margin. Subsequent related paintings include Work No.596 2006, Work No.903, Work No.904, Work No.930, Work No.931, Work No.932, Work No.933, Work No.977 (all 2008), Work No.991 2009 and Work No.1315 2011.
Work No.1104 can also be compared to Creed's stacked sculptural works including Work No.67 (As many 1" squares as are necessary cut from 1" masking tape and piled up, adhesive sides down, to form a 1" cubic stack) 1992, and to later sculptures such as Work No.396 2005 which consists of piled up planks of wood, and Work No.916 2008 and Work No.998 2009 which consist of stacked boxes and chairs respectively. Creed regularly returns to pre-existing motifs and processes when making new work. The artist has stated: 'it has always been kind of like that for me, like going back to things and looking at [my works] again, jumping backwards and forwards.' ('Martin Creed: Twenty (More) Questions by Corinna Durland', http://www.martincreed.com/site/words/questions-by-corinna-durland, accessed 11 January 2013.)
Links also exist with his first catalogued work, Work No.3 (Yellow Painting) 1986, described by Creed as 'a single swirly brushmark made with a big brush on a small canvas. I was trying to simplify things: I wanted to make a painting with just one brushmark, one wave of the arm. I would like to make work that is direct and not thought-out, like a convulsion or a natural event. That painting was a bit like that.' (Martin Creed Works, 2010, p.1015.)
Journalist Miranda Sawyer, commenting on the ziggurat paintings, has remarked: 'These works are all about restrictions: impersonal rules which require a quick, definitive line in space in order to complete the task ... the mark made must be directly proportional to the ground one. And so on, until there aren't any paintbrushes left in the packet. Part random, part ordered.' (Miranda Sawyer, 'People Know What's Fake and What's Not', Observer, 18 July 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/jul/18/martin-creed-interview-miranda-sawyer, accessed 11 January 2013.)
Work No.1104 emblematises a number of central themes and strategies found in much of Creed's work, such as an economy of means and processes, minimal ordering and incrementation, and a certain playfulness. In this particular case the work demonstrates the artist's reluctance to make overly conscious choices, specifically about what size of brush to select. He has stated that 'I find it difficult to chose, or to judge, or to decide' (cited in Virginia Button and Charles Esche, Intelligence. New British Art 2000, exhibition catalogue, Tate Britain, London 2000, p.49). Using all of the brushes equally is a way of avoiding having to choose one over another. For psychoanalyst Darian Leader, 'These pieces are both testimony and solution to indecision' (Martin Creed Works, 2010, p.xxxix). Regarding Creed's paint choice, the critic Michael Archer has linked the artist's approach to that of an acknowledged influence, the abstract painter Frank Stella (born 1936) who once said that in each of his canvases he was trying to 'keep the paint as good as it was in the can' (cited in Ikon Gallery 2008, p.36). Creed's work is generally linked to a wide range of art movements from conceptualism, minimalism, situationism, abstraction and the 'young British artist' movement of the 1990s. However, Creed often resists categorizing his work according to such a lineage, remarking with an air of naivety, humour that 'everything is kind of a little experiment in trying to make enough decisions to be able to come up with something I am happy with' (Martin Creed Works, 2010, p.x).
Work No.1104 and the three related works also gifted to ARTIST ROOMS (Work No.1102 2011, Tate AR01150; Work No.1103 2011, Tate AR01152; and Work No.1105 2011, Tate AR01154) were donated to the ARTIST ROOMS collection before being publicly exhibited. Collectively they form something of a sequential unit in having four, five, six and seven colour bands respectively. Creed became the first new artist to join the ARTIST ROOMS collection after its formal establishment in 2008 when he donated a complete 'room' of his work in 2012, including this work.
Further reading
Martin Creed: Works, exhibition catalogue, Southampton City Art Gallery 2000.
Martin Creed, exhibition catalogue, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham 2008.
Martin Creed, Tom Eccles, Massimiliano Gioni and others, Martin Creed Works, London 2010.
Andrew Patrizio
The University of Edinburgh
March 2013
The University of Edinburgh is a research partner of ARTIST ROOMS.


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Dear Medical Professional, You will ask about his medical history, And I will repeat the story I have told 100 times or more, The details fine tuned to the essentials I know you need: He was born full term, He has a 7 year old brother who is fit and well, He is allergic to penicillin. You will ask me what happened, And I will answer: He is 6 years old. He wasn't breathing for 7 minutes. I gave him mouth to mouth. I will hand over a careful typed piece of A4 paper. It will tell you his hospital number, The things he is allergic to, A list of medications and doses. You will take it and smile. You'll tell me I make your job easier. I will stand calm, And in control. You see my demeanour, my hospital bags packed and ready, And you say, You've done this before. I'll nod and say many times. But remember this; That 6 year old is my baby. That boy with the oxygen, And the wires, And the tubes, Is my son. I watched him turn bl
- Get link
- Other Apps


text:
Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 242 Metal Grey
Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 242 Metal Grey
Regular price
- In stock, ready to ship
- Backordered, shipping soon
Like Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush, Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat is a beautiful high twist, 100% Mercerised Cotton yarn in Laceweight, making it perfect for lacework and fine crochet and knitting projects. Both yarns are produced using recycled wastewater, making them a eco-friendly choice for sustainable crafters! The only difference between the two yarn collections is the meterage supplied per ball. Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat is available in 87 shades and has a gorgeous, subtle sheen. Recommended needle/hook size is 1.25-1.50mm. Each hard core ball weighs 25 grams and has a 140-metre length.
Tip: the colours of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush and Maxi Sweet Treat match perfectly with Scheepjes Catona yarns to enable you to mix and match.
- Fibre: 100% mercerised cotton
- Yarn Weight: 0 Laceweight / 2ply
- Ball Weight: 25gm
- Length: 140m
- Hook or Needle Size: 1.25mm - 1.5mm
- Gauge: 25 stitches, 33 rows to 10cm on 1.25mm needles or hook.


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While Steve and Pam portaged around a fallen tree, I took a quick photo with my iPhone inside the Biologic Reecharge case. The day was that gloomy looking. The ride dirty and slushy with debris everywhere. Tweeted when we got back
Rode straight into the Pineapple Express today, full soak through in minutes, pushed the limits of our outerwear. A dirty slush ride.
Regarding the outerwear, the ride itself didn't seem that epic until we turned into that storm and it was like a cold, constant, punishing Silkwood shower. That's the first time eVent couldn't handle the conditions and its clammy tendencies made me feel too cold. Not only did I sweat the laminate out, but it got wet too. The water came in from my neck, down from the helmet and cap. I couldn't vent the clamminess either, cause I didn't want more water flowing in.
The best thing to do in situations like that, besides calling your mommy, is to burn calories to stay warm. Steve was ahead pushing through and I got on his wheel with Pam inline behind. In a few miles, about 45 minutes later, that storm front and icy squall passed and the temps were balmy. eVent worked well then and did what it's supposed to do. I unzipped to dehumidify the microclimate and was back to comfort in a few more miles.
When the eVent gets clammy, a stinging cold rain against your face, and even darker storm clouds ahead, a good wheel to pick is @sgluckman.
Up a hill and 'round another bend, I saw the storms clouds gathering, getting dark again, and the temperature dropped. I decided to drive it back home and with a tailwind got on top of the gear. I knew all of us would get in a bad or worse way, if treated to another squall.
Reviewing Novara's first-gen eVent jacket a couple years ago, I said
you can get cold real fast if you're just wearing a thin liner and a jacket.
In the Winter, when I'm wearing eVent, I always carry a balled-up rain cape in a jersey pocket. I had the cape at the ready for this ride too, but we made in home just in time. As Pam heated up mochas, the rain started again. We were also relieved to have not crashed on black ice.
Mother Nature is boss 'round here and no matter the technical materials you're wearing, she'll remind you of it, at will. It's best to prepare, as well as you can.
…We're riding townies, adventure, and mountain bikes. Find recommendations on our store page. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.


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Your house is not really a simple building made from stone and cement. It's a place in which you share your happiness and feelings together with your family. Lots of people see it as well worth the cost to invest for home renovation. It may add great value to your house, while improving the appearance also. Remodeling your kitchen, bathroom renovation, flooring, roofing and painting are the remodeling tasks that may improve your home's value. These jobs are complicated projects, so getting a home renovation contractor is inevitable. Selecting the best contractor will help you get the do it yourself remodeling work completed with great ease.
Hiring home renovation professionals will increase the initial price of the work, but it will save you lots of money and stress over time. They are able to have vast experience, which will help you discover many pitfalls. It's however crucial to locate a highly qualified contractor, who are able to supply the best remodeling services. You are able to request referrals out of your buddies and relatives, to be able to pick the right contractor. A skilled professional relieves you against the strain of home renovation tactic to an excellent extent. Home renovation is really a completely organized work requiring lots of creativeness. An unorganized remodeling work can double your cost, time and effort. A reliable contractor organizes the job correctly and completes it promptly.
The contractor first results in a sketch from the remodeling work and will get your approval. If you wish to remodel your bathrooms, the contractor provides you with some designs. You are able to choose the design that meets your financial allowance and taste. The contractor employs various professionals like designers, painters etc to change your old bathroom right into a stylish one. Painting is among the how to remodel your bathrooms. You may create a lavish accommodation feel for your bathroom with only a couple of strokes of the brush. Trustworthy contractor helps you to have this work done affordable.
If you wish to produce a unique look to your house, after that you can employ a home renovation contractor who enables you to choose custom cabinetry, home windows and doorways. However, it may increase the price of your remodeling project. If you wish to cut costs, but love creating a marvelous look, you may choose a skilled contractor who offers a number of standard and semi custom choices. Apply for these products that suit your bank account after which ask the contractor to include embellishments to obtain the customized look.


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Parent Trigger Act
Section 1: {Short Title.}
This act may be cited as the "Parent Empowerment and Choice Act" or the "Parent Trigger Act."
Section 2. {Definitions.}
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(A) "Parent" means the natural or adoptive parent or guardian of a dependent child.
(B) "School district of enrollment" means a school district other than the school district in which the parent of a pupil resides, but in which the parent of the pupil nevertheless intends to enroll the pupil pursuant to this article.
(C) "School district of residence" means a school district in which the parent of a pupil resides and in which the pupil would otherwise be required to enroll pursuant to state code.
Section 3. {Parent Empowerment.}
For all public schools where more than one-half of the parents or legal guardians of pupils attending the school, or a combination of more than one-half of the parents or legal guardians of pupils attending the school and the elementary or middle schools that normally matriculate into a middle or high school, as applicable, sign a petition requesting the local educational agency to implement one or more of the three interventions identified pursuant to Section (5), the local educational agency shall implement the option requested by the parents.
Section 4. {Intervention Implementation.}
The local educational agency shall notify the Superintendent and the state board upon receipt of a petition and upon its final disposition of that petition. The local education agency is given 180 days to implement the chosen model of reform.
Section 5. {School Intervention Models.}
There are three school intervention models: restart model, school closure, or educational choice model. Each is described below.
(A) Restart model. A restart model is one in which an LEA converts a school or closes and reopens a school under a charter school operator, a charter management organization (CMO), or an education management organization (EMO) that has been selected through a rigorous review process. (A CMO is a non-profit organization that operates or manages charter schools by centralizing or sharing certain functions and resources among schools. An EMO is a for-profit or non-profit organization that provides ''whole-school operation'' services to an LEA.) A restart model must enroll, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend the school.
(B) School closure. School closure occurs when an LEA closes a school and enrolls the students who attended that school in other schools in the LEA that are higher achieving. These other schools should be within reasonable proximity to the closed school and may include, but are not limited to, charter schools or new schools for which achievement data are not yet available. In the event that no such school exists, the district will implement the educational choice model.
(C) Educational choice. Educational choice occurs when an LEA implements a school voucher program pursuant to Section 6.
Section 6. {Universal Educational Vouchers.}
(A) Any student of, or student who would naturally matriculate into, a school triggered for the educational choice reform option will have the option to receive a monetary voucher to cover the cost of attendance at any private or other public school.
(B) Any student of a triggered school wishing to attend a private school will qualify for an annual scholarship in an amount equal to the lesser of:
(1) 75 percent the triggered school's annual cost per pupil, including both operational and capital facility costs; or
(2) 75 percent the dollar amount the resident school district would have received to serve and educate the eligible student from state and local sources had the student enrolled there.
(C) Any student of a triggered school wishing to attend a different public school will qualify for any public school with no additional fee.
(D) Funds available to a student are calculated using an average of the last three (3) budget years and recalculated each year.
(E) Funds are made available to each student until the earlier of (1) completion of their high school degree or (2) their 21st birthday.
(F) Students receiving voucher monies are to be counted in the enrollment figures of their LEAs for the purposes of calculating future voucher monies.
(G) Students receiving voucher monies more than the cost of tuition in a private school are given the opportunity to store that money in an Educational Savings Account (ESA) to be used for any additionally encumbered educational expenses. Qualifying expenses include but are not limited to tutoring, lessons, educational camps, school materials, textbooks, educational software.
(H) There are no additional regulatory powers granted to the state in this legislation:
(1) The education voucher reform option does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district in any way.
(2) Any regulatory board in existence must be represented in at least half by members not a part of the public school system.
Renewed by the Education and Workforce Development Task Force on July 17, 2020
Renewal approved by the Board of Directors on August 9, 2020


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Post your reenacting photos for FREE in our photo gallery! Let the world see your great impression!
One thing I have noticed while researching this Time/Area is that there is a real lack of Native American reenactor links. This is just wrong, I don't know why no one posts them, but we ARE! Right now, we have only a few, but over time, I am sure we will get more and more. Please visit the sites we have linked below and tell 'em you saw it on reenactor.Net ;-)


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Just released some personal web pages, made a new web portal design with knock-out web graphics? Are you someone who makes attractive website templates and want to show them off? Some of the best web sites are the new ones added here.
Related Websites | General Web Hosting | Platform Based Hosting | Programmer's Hosting | Special Need's Hosting |
C++ Forum PHP Scripts Free Scripts SEO Services Cheap Web Hosting |
Web Hosting Resources |


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By clicking "Accept all cookies", you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
Property Type: | House |
Bedrooms: | 4 |
Bathrooms/WCs: | 3 |
Floor area: | 3500 |
No. of floors: | 3 |
Area of land: | 15p |
Built In: | 2018 |
Availability: | Available Soon |
Nearest bus stop: | 450m |
Nearest train station: | 5.2km |
Agent's Ref: | HFS1393 |
- 3500 sqft
- 15 perches
- Unfurnished
- 4 Bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- 2 Living rooms
- Balconies and dining space
- Kitchen with pantry
- Maids rooms and bathroom
- Powder room
- Large rooftop
- Garden
- 02 Vehicle parking space
Prime location within close proximity to schools, supermarkets and hospitals.
Price - LKR 55 Million
Legal Fees and stamp duty fee may apply.
Please get in touch with Mister T on 0762815146 or write to us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Mister T - Sri Lanka's No. 1 Real Estate Agency - www.mistert.lk
Committed to serve with honesty & integrity!
The Western Province is by far the most buzzing province in the country, the commercial hub of the country is also in this province and many of Sri Lanka's richest people also reside in this province. Apart from that, the main towns such as Colombo 01, Colombo 02, Colombo 03, Colombo 04, Colombo 05, Colombo 06, Colombo 07, Colombo 08, Colombo 09, Colombo 10 up to Colombo 15 are also encompassed in this province. The leading schools as well as 90% of the high-rise apartments are located in the western province. Living in the Western Province is a prestige and privilege of its own. Whether you are looking for houses for sale, house rent, apartments for rent, apartments for sale, lands for rent, lands for sale, it is prime real estate in the western province and very much sought after. Western Province is also the most popular province in the country. Real estate however is not expensive in all areas of the Western Province and could be purchased for reasonable rates for investment and other ventures. The city of Colombo is the most crowded area with many buildings and famous hotels like Shangri-la, Hilton, Galadari, Galle Face Hotel, the Kingsbury, Mount Lavinia Hotel etc.
The Real Estate Industry has evolved in Sri Lanka. The industry has improved and is growing year on year. If you are looking to invest in real estate in Sri Lanka, your options are countless. The country has been through many struggles historically and overcome the many challenges and barriers it faced. Real estate is also a great catalyst in driving the economy of a country, the development of real estate forces a direct impact in all business sectors across all industries and the country is bracing for economic growth thanks to this boost in real estate.
Buying property is never a bad choice and the appreciating value of property will always give you the added advantage of making more money. Properties can be divided into 3 categories predominantly, namely A grade, B grade and C grade properties. The style, modern concept, age and structure of the property along with the condition of the property determine whether the property is an A, B or C grade property. Apartments and houses have always been at the forefront in terms of the most preferred property purchase and you will naturally find many houses and apartments listed on this website. When purchases properties through a bank loan, potential buyers are often advised to start their search with a pre-approved mortgage, the reason for doing so is that it would establish clearly what kind of property they can buy given the limitation of their budget, it has to be noted that property buyers often find themselves in tricky situations due to the inadequate knowledge of approaching the sale of a property in the correct manner.
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bacteria: Reproduction
In bacteria the genetic material is organized in a continuous strand of DNA. This circle of DNA is localized in an area called the nucleoid, but there is no membrane surrounding a defined nucleus as there is in the eukaryotic cells of protists, fungi, plants, and animals (see eukaryote). In addition to the nucleoid, the bacterial cell may include one or more plasmids, separate circular strands of DNA that can replicate independently, and that are not responsible for the reproduction of the organism. Drug resistance is often conveyed via plasmid genes.
Reproduction is chiefly by binary fission, cell division yielding identical daughter cells. Some bacteria reproduce by budding or fragmentation. Despite the fact that these processes should produce identical generations, the rapid rate of mutation possible in bacteria makes them very adaptable. Some bacteria are capable of specialized types of genetic recombination, which involves the transfer of nucleic acid by individual contact (conjugation), by exposure to nucleic acid remnants of dead bacteria (transformation), by exchange of plasmid genes, or by a viral agent, the bacteriophage (transduction). Under unfavorable conditions some bacteria form highly resistant spores with thickened coverings, within which the living material remains dormant in altered form until conditions improve. Others, such as the radioactivity-resistant
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- Pathogenic Bacteria
- Beneficial Bacteria
- Nutrition
- Reproduction
- Characteristics
- Bibliography
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Moneran and Protistan


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Lance Reddick, a long-time character actor best known for his roles on The Wire and the John Wick franchise, has died. He was 60.
He was found dead at his home in Los Angeles Friday morning, according to his rep Mia Hansen. Hansen said Reddick died from natural causes.
"Lance will be greatly missed," Hansen added.
Reddick's death comes as a shock to movie fans, as he was in the middle of a press tour for John Wick: Chapter 4, where he reprised his role as Charon. He did not attend the red carpet premiere of the film earlier this week.
Reddick started his acting career in the 90s, appearing in New York Undercover, The Nanny, Oz, Fringe and Bosch.
He is survived by his wife Stephanie and children Yvonne and Christopher.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land is always informative and I loved his focus today on "killerettes", see Paula Hane's great coverage of Danny's talk. What visions do you have when you think of killerettes? — pom pom shaking cheer leaders? zombies with big knives? Googlebusters? killer apps for libraries? Share your visions with us! AND, think about how we can build on that word and our visions for next year's conference! Ideas welcome. Let's have some dialogue around this. Jane Dysart, Conference Chair, IL2008
Tag Archives | "killerettes"
Danny (Re)Visits Search Engine Land
Search engine guru Danny Sullivan is always a welcome addition to any Internet Librarian program—he's so busy traveling to his own company's events that's it's great to grab him when the opportunity presents. He says he likes to come to IL because it forces him to examine if there are big "themes" to discuss.
If there is a theme, it's that there isn't a Google killer yet—Google is likely to dominate for the foreseeable future. They have made it very difficult for anybody to challenge them.
Cuil.com played the "biggest is better" card again (and had a great "founders" story)…but bigger isn't better – Cuil's relevancy was woeful.
Powerset was hyped as a potential killer but it proved that natural language isn't a natural killer. It only searched Wikipedia—and was then acquired by Microsoft, for not much money. It has intriguing technology but Danny says it is overkill at this point.
Microsoft fumbled with Yahoo! and as a result set Google up as more powerful than ever. Google now has more than 60% market share in the U.S. and even higher in many other countries, such as Germany. So, is that it? Does Google now rule everything?
What Danny says is there likely won't be a single killer—there will be "killerettes." There will be many small contenders that nibble away in niche areas. Here are some of the interesting tools he mentioned—most of them consumer oriented.
- Summize/Twitter search – hyper real-time tool to follow the buzz and breaking news, and Google at this point has nothing like this (http://search.twitter.com)
- Urbanspoon – never wonder where to eat again (this iPhone app that knows where you are and picks a restaurant—it actually uses a huge database of reviews) again, Google has nothing like this
- Eventful (http://eventful.com)
- Upcoming (owned by Yahoo! – Google has no event search, and may have to play catch-up in this space)
- Yelp (local reviews of all types at http://yelp.com)
- Trulia.com and Zillow.com – for real estate information
- Kayak.com and Farecast.com (now owned by Microsoft) for travel info
- Craigslist.org – buy and sell related to local areas (Google has Google Base but it hasn't really taken off)
- Jobs at Indeed.com
- News/discovery at Digg.com
- Video search – Blinkx.com, VideoSurf.com
- Gas prices at GasBuddy.com
But the "killerettes" have a challenge – it's hard to remember all the ones out there and go back to them.
Yahoo continues to face uncertainty. It is still doing innovative things – BOSS, Search Monkey (enhanced search listings), etc. With the assumption that Microsoft will eventually take over, which just makes for more uncertainty—it's hard to get excited. Like the situation with Ask.com—Danny finds it hard to even talk about them. People lose faith with these alternatives.
Microsoft is positioning itself as the chief competitor…and it has some good stuff, but will people really notice and will it grow? It bailed out of "non-consumer" search; it focused on ads first and search second; and it has major branding problems.
Lots of people try to figure out where Google is taking us—does it have a "master plan"? Danny's theory is that it has done some planning (Chrome browser, Google Checkout) but much of it comes naturally, through a "hive mind" mentality (see his post at searchengineland.com). He thinks the economy will slow the company's growth somewhat but it may weather things better than most companies. Unfortunately, he says we'll see many more ads—everywhere.
The real big trend that he says will continue is personalized search results. Google is now doing "search customization" – it is tailoring results based on your geographic location, previous query, and your Web history. He thinks Google will ramp this up. As a search professional you may not want it to do this.
The bottom line: Google will continue to be the benevolent dictator—for the next 5 years or so. Mobile and vertical search do offer new opportunities, but the economic downturn may hit some of the startups.
Paula J. Hane
News Bureau Chief, Information Today, Inc.


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I first discovered Simon Pegg in the most excellent movie Shaun of the Dead. I was on a "girl's weekend" with my mom and sis, and we were lounging in our hotel room watching endless hours of television. This movie came on and my sister said...."Oh, you're gonna love this one. It's right up your alley." Well hell, I was in LOVE...a funny, brilliant, quirky zombie movie. I was instantly hooked on the comedic couple of Pegg and Nick Frost. If you haven't seen this movie, it's a freakin' fantastic classic...you gotta see it! Also, Pegg's version of Scotty in the updated Star Trek was wicked good. I thought he stole the damned show.
Well, onto our beard critique. One, this photo is great because it totally captures his boyish good looks as well as his naughty sense of humor. I love red-heads...just think time-travellin' Scottish warlords with legs like tree trunks, thick, red beards, those luscious accents...hear me? Well, Pegg's got a British accent and a nicely groomed beard and stache. Hot Fuzz for sure. (Hee hee...sorry, that's a horrible joke but I totally couldn't help myself). Anyhoo, there's something sexy about a guy who knows how to make people laugh.
Be on the lookout for Paul, a new movie with Pegg and Frost, coming out this spring. It looks absolutely hilarious. Here's the link for the youtube preview...check it out!
Happy Hairy Friday to All! And Happy New Year!!!!


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In 2008 Karen started her diabetes blog, Bitter-Sweet, and became immersed in the diabetes online community. She is a member of Diabetes Advocates, is a Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation Board Member and leads the monthly Virtual PODS support meetings for DiabetesSisters. She also advocates offline, volunteering with two local JDRF chapters in her home state of Connecticut – she holds the volunteer Advocacy Team Chair position and Board seat with one chapter and volunteers on the Adult Outreach Planning committee with another chapter.
Her blog tag-line best sums up what she's come to realize over the years . . . . life with diabetes isn't all bad.


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Smoking, the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, causes 130,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Many smokers are now considering screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) scans in the hope of diagnosing the disease early. A new study that shows lung cancer risk varies widely among smokers may help individuals and their doctors decide if voluntary screening is appropriate for them.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center analyzed data from a large lung cancer prevention study and found that the risk of developing lung cancer can be accurately predicted based on a person's age, sex, and smoking history. These factors accounted for an individual's 10-year risk for developing lung cancer which ranged from a low of less than 1% to a high of 16%. The study, along with an interactive lung cancer risk prediction tool, is published in the March 19 issue of The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"The risk assessment tool should help physicians and patients balance the possible risks and benefits of screening," explained Peter Bach, M.D. of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Memorial Sloan Kettering and the study's first author. "For example, the subjects in our study who were at the low end of risk had less than a 1% chance of getting lung cancer in the next ten years. That needs to be contrasted with the 30 to 50 percent risk that a screening CT will show some lung scar or shadow that requires further evaluation or surgical biopsy, even though it will ultimately be deemed to be harmless.
"The researchers reviewed the information from a lung cancer prevention study called the Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) conducted by investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. This randomized, multi-center trial looked at the effect of beta-carotene and Vitamin A supplements on lung cancer prevention in 18,314 people. The subjects included 14,254 men and women aged 50 to 69 who were considered heavy smokers - defined as having smoked at least one pack per day for 20 years and who were either current smokers or had stopped smoking within 6 years prior to enrolling in the study. The remaining 4060 participants were asbestos exposed men aged 45 to 69 who were either current smokers or former smokers who quit within 15 years of enrollment. The trial was terminated in 1996 after preliminary results indicated no benefit and possible harm from the supplements among individuals who continued to smoke cigarettes.
For the new study, the data from 18,172 subjects in the CARET trial who had a history of current or former smoking were used to create a mathematical model that predicts the likelihood that an individual will be diagnosed with lung cancer within the next ten years.For the risk prediction model, the duration of smoking, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, duration of abstinence, and age turned out to be the main factors that determined the probability of an individual being diagnosed with lung cancer. Looking at examples from people undergoing lung cancer screening, a 51-year-old woman who smoked one pack per day for 29 years but stopped smoking 9 years earlier had a 0.8% (less than 1 in a 100) risk of getting lung cancer in the next ten years while a 68-year-old man who smoked two packs a day for the past 50 years and continued to smoke had a 15% (1 out of 7) chance of developing the disease in the same time period.
"Our findings suggest that accurate risk prediction may also be useful for researchers designing clinical trials of early lung cancer diagnosis," said Colin Begg, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Memorial Sloan Kettering and senior author of the study. "For example, focusing on the truly high-risk individuals may allow for more effective clinical trials of lung cancer screening and prevention."
Mark G. Kris, M.D., chief of Thoracic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering and one of the study's co-authors, believes the new model will be a valuable tool in assessing risk. "Using the new model, we have a much better way to predict who is at high risk for developing lung cancer and, equally important, who is at a lower risk. With more than 90 million current and former smokers in the U.S., we need an accurate way to identify those individuals at exceptionally high risk who have the most to gain from screening."
The study's co-authors include Michael W. Kattan, Ph.D., Ramsey C. Tate and Lillian J. Hsieh of Memorial Sloan Kettering; Mark D. Thornquist, Ph.D. and Matt J. Barnett, M.S. of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The study was funded by the "Steps for Breath Fund" from The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering and by a Public Health Service grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research and education in cancer. Our scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose and treat cancer. Our specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide.
The prediction tool can be found at: /cancer-care/adult/lung/screening-decision-tool
and only applies to individuals who are older than 50 and have smoked for at least 25 years.


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The photos in this post were taken in December, when I came across a Giant Cuttlefish off the Sydney coast in a den where I've encountered many of the most spectacular animals pictured on this website. When cuttlefish are common in the area, this seems to be one of the most highly prized dens, a site of contests and expulsions. This individual, large and confident, looked right at home. I spent twenty minutes or so with him, and watched an unfolding series of medusa motions and poses.
He went through some color changes, including a "yellow flare" – an explosive display where all the yellow chromatophores in the skin are suddenly expanded. The two photos below were taken 4 seconds apart.
I'll put a separate link, here, to the shot of him in that glorious yellow. And from here I'll let his colors and arms do most of the talking. So, another pose:
And another. And one more:
Some of these displays look aggressive, and the jaws-of-hell position of the arms often seems to be produced in order to shock an intruder. But this animal did not appear to be directing any animosity at me. Instead he just seemed full of vigor and curiosity, and occasional friendliness. I came in and reached out a hand, and twice he touched it gently with his own arm. Eventually I went away for a while, came back, and found him entirely quiet.
This is the last post on The Giant Cuttlefish. I'm moving across to another website, Metazoan.net. The themes there will be similar, with plenty of cephalopods, but more emphasis on the early history of animal life and behavior. So the wild-armed cuttlefish of this post signs us off.
I won't transfer subscriptions across to Metazoan.net, but will let people decide afresh whether to subscribe to the new site.


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Got to the end of Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell today. It was a good read, although I found that his efforts to explain certain things about this iconic battle in English history did obscure the storytelling – he seemed to be trying a bit too hard to show how certain things happen – i.e. this is how such a small English army beat such a big French one. A good read, but I wonder if it could have been better – a bit more naturally told somehow?
In my last post about Azincourt
I mentioned an historical inaccuracy regarding the Bishop of Oxford. Well right at the end I spotted another one – this time there is a priest who offers to say two masses in one day – however, a priest is only ever allowed to say one mass a day except in special circumstances.
I guess I shouldn't be too picky though – I am sure my own work contains just as many mistakes, but these two did jump out at me!


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First American Bank & Trust CO Routing Numbers
Here, you can see that the office of First American Bank & Trust CO and contains the numbers 061111255. In this way, you could always make certain you're sending money to the proper branch in a certain city and road, and you'll also receive funds in your branch office near rather than the need to visit a different area of the city to money the transfer.
Check Bank-routing.org website, if you're unsure what the individual number of your bank is and you'll find all reliable and concise information regarding your specific institution. You will always send or receive funds properly, if you use our service.


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100% Brand New And High Quality
Gender: Women
Lens Height: 46 mm
Lens Width: 56 mm
Style: Goggle
Package Content:1 x Sunglasses
(NO Retail Box. Packed Safely in Bubble Bag)
Support Dropshipping and Wholesale
We accept Alipay, West Union, TT. All major credit cards are accepted through secure payment processor
If you cannot checkout immediately after auction close, please wait for a few minutes and retry payments.
1.WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.(Except some countries and APO/FPO)
2.Orders processed timely after the payment verification.
3.We Only Ship to confirmed order address.Your order address Must Match your shipping address.
4.There might be slightly difference in color,because of the computer monitor settings.The images are for ur reference only.
5.Service Transit Time is Provided by the carrier and excludes weekends and holidays,Transit times may vary,particularly during the holiday season.
6.If you have not received your shipment within 60 days from payment,Please contact us,We will track the shipment and get back to you as soon as possible with a reply,Our goal is customer Satisfaction.
1.You have 7 days to contact us and 30 days to return it from the date it was received,if this item in your possession more than 7 days,it is considered used and we will not issue you a refund or replacement,There are no Exceptions shipping cost is bear by both buyer and seller in half.
2.All returned items must be in the original packaging and you must provide us with the shipping tracking number,Specific reason for the return,and your PO#.
3.We will refund your full winning bid amount upon receipt of the items in its original condition and packaing with all component and accessories included,after then buyer and seller cancel the transaction from Aliexpress,OR,you may choose to have a replacement.
4.We will bear all the shipping cost if the item is not a advertised.
We maintain high standards of excellence and strive for 100% customer satisfaction! feedback is very important we request you contact us immediately before you give us a neutral or negative feedback.so that we can satisfactorily address your concerns.


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Light Modulation from Jenoptik: Custom-Made Modulators for a Wide Range of Applications
In order to modulate light according to your requirements, Jenoptik offers you various integrated optical modulators and liquid crystal based modulators, as well as the appropriate control unit.
Jenoptik light modulators are ideal for the amplitude, phase and polarization modulation of laser light in the visible and infrared spectral range. Our products are perfectly tailored to your applications: In addition to standard light modulators, Jenoptik also develops and manufactures customer-specific components.
Integrated Optical Modulators: Modulation of Light Using Electro-Optical Crystals
With the Jenoptik integrated optical amplitude modulator, you can influence the amplitude of laser light at particularly high frequencies up to the gigahertz range with a very good extinction ratio. An outstanding feature is the excellent optical power stability.
You can easily control the amplitude modulator as required using the Pulse Selector IOM pulse picker control unit via the USB interface on your computer. This enables you to reduce the repetition rate of pulse lasers or produce radiation pulses.
Our integrated optical phase modulator is ideal for influencing the light phase. It can be used to generate sidebands, for example.
The light is simply coupled in and out via polarization-maintaining single-mode fibers with the appropriate connectors. The geometry of the waveguide structure or the operation wavelength can be precisely customized to your individual requirements.
Liquid Crystal Light Modulators: Liquid Crystal Based Amplitude and/or Phase Modulation
Jenoptik SLM-S spatial light modulators are based on a linear array of 320 or 640 independently controllable strips. With the single-mask array, you can realize phase modulation or amplitude modulation. The dual-mask array enables you simultaneously to modulate the phase and amplitude of laser light.On request, we manufacture antireflection coatings for various spectral ranges.


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Ampeg Heritage B-15 Amp
Re-tube your Ampeg Heritage B-15 Amp with our specially selected vacuum tube sets. Our Ampeg tube replacement kits are designed for your amplifier and come in different option levels ranging from Value to Premium to Ultimate.
We've been supplying tubes for Ampeg amps for over 20 years. Use our extensive knowledge, experience and customer feedback to select re-tube packages that will work great in your tube amp.


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SMS group has installed a pioneering hydraulic closed-die forging machine in the U.S. for Weber Metals, which is part of the OTTO FUCHS group. The machine boasts a forging force of 540 meganewtons, which equates to 60,000 short tons. That is why the most powerful, most precise and most advanced press featuring digital technology is known simply as the 60k press.
A large-scale project
Experience the entire large-scale project implemented jointly by OTTO FUCHS and SMS group
Erection and installation
How do you erect such a colossal plant that consists of 9,000 tons of steel and weighs more than the Eiffel Tower? A plant that requires a hydraulic system for 270,000 liters of oil and features cutting-edge digital technology with a massive network and over 3,000 sensors? Here you can get to know the people, the partners and the teams behind the successful erection and installation of the plant.
For OTTO FUCHS the new closed-die forging press was not about setting world records but about opening up entirely new future prospects for the aviation industry. This forging press is capable of producing larger and lighter components. Find out all you need to know about the background to how and why the management chose this press.
This is not only the world's largest closed-die forging press, it is also the most fascinating in terms of technology. Here you can gain an insight into how the technology interacts with all the components and what it is capable of. Find out about the smart forging process, high precision, and outstanding automation and digitalization.


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Well, today is the day that the music died. Yahoo is shutting down Geocities. 2009 is turning out to be a big year for Yahoo. There was the announcement that Geocities would close. Then there was the Yahoo/MSN merger, where Yahoo announced that MSN would provide the natural search results for Yahoo at some point in the near future. Then Yahoo announced they were going to discontinue the Yahoo Paid Inclusion Program (Yahoo SSP). And today is the day that Yahoo will official shut down Geocities. It honestly feels like a piece of my childhood is dying. My first website was on Geocities. Awwwww….how cute.
In January of 1999, Yahoo purchased Geocities for $3.57 billion in stock. They spent $3.57 billion for an asset, and now it's closing 10 years later. Sheesh. Do you think they made their money back? Ugh. What a downer.
BTW, anyone have any idea how DMOZ is going to react to this news? They are going to have a tough time removing/redirecting all those Geocities listings in the DMOZ directory.


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Tea News — diuretic and laxative properties
Elderflower Cordial - a refreshing change
Posted by Gaynor Birkhead on
Elderflower Cordial #Elderflower tea is a pleasant caffeine free tea substitute which has a heady, floral and somewhat fruity flavour and a delightful aroma. Elderflower has been used in traditional medicine all over the world in many different cultures due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The most common uses are for colds and flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory disturbances. As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is helpful in relieving occasional constipation. Elderflower has antibacterial and antiviral properties and may also help alleviate some allergies and boost the functioning of the immune system. Topically,...


text: Home PR News CrimsonLogic Helps Automate Qatar's Customs System CrimsonLogic Helps Automate Qatar's Customs System14 years ago·3 min readShareTweetPinShare New unified clearing system to streamline procedures and ensure accuracy SINGAPORE, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ — CrimsonLogic, a leading provider of eGovernment solutions and services, was awarded a contract in 2008 by the State of Qatar to design and implement a nationwide eGovernment system to automate and streamline the customs administration system. Currently in phases of implementation, the system, upon completion, will simplify procedures to bring about hassle-free trade clearance for the local trading community and their international trading partners. The Qatar Customs Clearance Single Window (QCCSW) project, granted by government agency ictQATAR, with support from the Customs and Ports General Authority (CPGA), will provide a single electronic interface linking the trading community with up to 13 relevant ministries and government agencies. This will facilitate data exchange for cargo clearance, encourage a seamless cross-border trade flow and reduce time spent on paperwork. "We are excited to be part of this revolutionary system by the Qatari government. Qatar is a visionary country and is aggressively embracing automation to achieve greater transparency and increased business efficiency. The QCCSW project is a significant milestone in Qatar's extensive automation drive as it puts in place a unified clearing system that simplifies customs procedures and ensures accuracy, as well as brings significant cost savings to government agencies and the trading community," said Leong Peng Kiong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CrimsonLogic. The new customs system employs a method of classification, by separating declarations according to the importance of inspections needed. Qatar is set to lessen customs inspection to just five percent of total imports — a target set by the country's Maritime Customs. Importers will be able to save time and efforts as clearance procedures will now be conducted virtually. Consignment clearances will also be greatly reduced from a period of a few weeks to a few minutes, preventing overcrowding and demurrages in Qatari ports. This utilisation of international best practices will benefit economic development and promote foreign investment in the country. On the challenges of executing multi-geographical solution implementations, Mr Leong said, "Our approach to any solution is holistic and goes beyond IT systems and implementation. Specifically, it encompasses devising comprehensive change management programmes to cultivate adoption of the system amongst potential users. Similarly, for the Qatar project, the provision of online end-to-end services aims to make it convenient for users to use the system during the customs clearance process." In a span of five years, CrimsonLogic has established a strong presence in the Middle East, having worked on several prominent projects, including a trade facilitation project known as SaudiEDI in Saudi Arabia in 2005, an integrated arbitration system in Dubai in 2007, and an eJustice programme in the United Arab Emirates in 2008. As a leading eGovernment solution provider worldwide, CrimsonLogic has been working with governments across the globe to develop and implement eGovernment systems. Just last month, it announced its recent appointment by the government of Mauritius to help design and implement an eJudiciary programme. This new system aims to improve court administration, boost judicial transparency and efficiency. Commissioned by the Judiciary of Mauritius and in partnership with local partner Mauritius Network Service, CrimsonLogic will be establishing an eJudiciary platform that delivers e-Filing and Case Management capabilities to automate internal processes for the Supreme Court in the first phase of the project. The rollout of activities from planning, designing, marketing, delivering and supporting various eJudiciary services will take place over a period of 18 months.See alsoPR NewsLamothe Advocates for "Climate-Smart Zones" in the Caribbean The programme will enable the Judiciary to move towards a paperless system, easing the reliance on paper and eliminating the need for physical storage space and security. This integrated platform enables seamless case filing, notary services and legal research — minimising the risks of human error and time spent on administrative procedures. The legal fraternity will also benefit from its single user interface where the easy management of cases from initiation, trial and then disposal can be facilitated. In addition, CrimsonLogic will work closely with the Judiciary to drive user adoption amongst government officials and the legal community. About CrimsonLogic Pte Ltd CrimsonLogic is a trusted partner to governments worldwide. For over 20 years, CrimsonLogic has worked with governments across Asia, Middle East, North America, Latin America and Africa to find innovative and sustainable solutions to collaborate more seamlessly with their citizens and ecosystem. CrimsonLogic has continued to set industry-standards by delivering world-first eGovernment solutions to optimize workflow, increase operational efficiencies, and improve decision-making. CrimsonLogic has the unique ability to deliver end-to-end services, from designing and building eGovernment solutions, through to operating these services in order to drive substantial and lasting improvements.


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How the 'beast quake' is helping scientists track real Earthquakes
Scientists with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network will install instruments this Thursday to provide real-time monitoring of the stadium's movement during the 2015 NFL playoffs.
This year, the UW researchers have also upped their game. A new QuickShake tool will provide a faster connection between the sensors and the website. This Saturday will be the first test of the software that displays vibrations within three seconds -- five to 10 times faster and more reliably than readings from the same sensors installed last year.
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network monitors earthquake and volcanic activity throughout the region. Network scientists first got interested in football when a seismometer a block away from the stadium showed vibrations during Marshawn Lynch's legendary Jan. 8, 2011, touchdown run. The resulting seismograph became a celebrity in its own right and coined the term "Beast Quake."
After a couple of quieter years, the group got permission last year to place two strong-motion earthquake sensors inside the stadium. The project was a huge hit and the group added a third sensor for the 2014 playoff game.
A Beast Quake happens when the energetic jumping and stomping of so many fans at once shakes the stadium and reverberates through the surrounding soil. Seahawks fans also generate record-breaking noise, of course, but sound waves don't rock the building. A guaranteed shaking event with significant public interest is a great test case.
"We're mostly interested in the speed and the reliability of the communications," said John Vidale, a UW professor of Earth & space sciences and director of the seismic network. "It's hard to simulate thousands of people using this tool all at once. When we can get a lot of people looking, we can see problems that we'd encounter during an actual earthquake."
For fans at home, the faster data transfer means that TV viewers may get a tipoff to a big play they'll see on the screen after the 10-second broadcast delay. The researchers have dubbed them "Early Football Rowdiness Warnings."
The foot-stomping is a real-world test of technology to detect the bigger shaking that originates underground. The seismic group is working with the U.S. Geological Survey to offer early warnings for the Pacific Northwest that could provide tens of seconds to several minutes' notice of an incoming strong shaking. This year some public agencies and large businesses will have a first chance to try out the system that will eventually be available to the public.
"The Seahawks experiment should provide us and the Internet-connected public with a feel for the minimum time early warning might provide," said Steve Malone, a UW professor emeritus of Earth & space sciences. "In this case it's football fan activity that generates a signal as a warning for what shows up on TV some seconds later. In the future, it might be seconds to minutes of warning after an earthquake starts."
This weekend the group will be beefing up its social-media presence to post updates and respond to questions during the game. That also helps get ready for an emergency situation.
"During the rumblings on Mt. St. Helens a decade ago there was a huge influx of Web visits and phone calls," Malone said. "Now with social media, it's a whole new ballgame. We've got to learn how to deal with that because it's going to snow us over if we're not prepared."
The group will have more staff monitoring social media during the game, and more robust websites that they hope won't slow down or crash during heavy traffic.
On the scientific side, they hope to explore the different readings between the three sensors placed at different levels. They also hope to explain some mysterious patterns of shaking during commercial breaks, what one researchers hypothesizes may be a "dance quake."
Several researchers will be at the UW campus lab Saturday monitoring the sensors. Two group members will be at the stadium providing eyes on the ground to help explain what could be causing any unusual spikes. They will be rooting for a victory for the Seahawks -- and for science.
"We're developing these new Web tools, and monitoring the game really motivates everyone to get excited," Vidale said, "and we're rooting for a second helping of roars and rumbles against the Packers or Cowboys to perfect the system."
The above story is based on materials provided by University of Washington. The original article was written by Hannah Hickey. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.


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What's our conclusion? Introducing 'scalable sociality'
By Daniel Miller, on 16 June 2015
Right now we are finishing the last of our eleven volumes from this project, a book which will be called How the World Changed Social Media. Not surprisingly, people are starting to ask about our conclusions. There are of course many of these, and the website will also showcase these 'discoveries', but as anthropologists our primary concern is to determine the consequences of social media (or what used to be called social networking sites) for our own core concern which is sociality – the study of how people associate with each other.
We have concluded that the key to understanding this question is through what we will call 'scalable sociality.' Prior to social media, we mainly had private and public media.
Social networking sites started with platforms such as Friendster, QZone and then Facebook as a kind of broadcasting to a defined group rather than to the general public, in a sense scaling downwards from public broadcast.
By contrast some of the recent social media such as WhatsApp and WeChat are taking private communications such as telephones and messaging services that were mainly one-to-one and scaling upwards. Often these now also form groups, though generally smaller ones. Also these are generally not a single person's network. All members of the group can post equally to all the others.
If we imagine two parameters – one consisting of the scale from private to public and the other from the smallest group of two up to the biggest group of public broadcast – then as new platforms are continually being invented they encourage the filling of niches and gaps along these two scales. As a result, we can now have greater choice over the degree of privacy or size of group we may wish to communicate with or interact with. This is what we mean by scalable sociality.
However this is just an abstract possibility. What people actually do is always a result of local norms and factors. In each society where we conducted fieldwork, we saw entirely different configurations of these scales as suits that area.
In our South Indian site these mainly reflect traditional groups such as caste and family. In our factory China site an entirely new society of floating workers create largely new norms of group interactivity including their first experience of true privacy. While in our rural Chinese site the main difference is that it is possible to now include strangers on the one hand and to extend various social 'circles' on the other. In our English site people specialise in the exact calibration of sociality that is neither too close, nor too distant.
Nonetheless, all of these are variants that can be understood as exploiting this new potential given by social media for an unprecedented scalable sociality.


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MTT and Ax open New World season with Mozart and Schoenberg
By admin on October 20, 2016 | Category: News | No CommentsBy David Fleshler
South Florida Classical Review
16 October 2016
Sixty-five years after his death, Arnold Schoenberg can still be a tough sell for concert audiences.
At the season-opening concert of the New World Symphony Saturday in Miami Beach, the conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and pianist Emanuel Ax did their best to prepare the audience for a performance of the composer's Piano Concerto. Speaking from the New World Center stage, they discussed the work's themes, demonstrated a few passages and tried to show how the music could be experienced in the same spirit as a concerto by Brahms or Tchaikovsky.
They did not understate the difficulty of grappling with the music of a man whose twelve-tone system of composition attempted to overturn the existing order in music and drove many audience members from the concert hall. "The piece you're about to hear is definitely one of the most difficult and challenging things there is for all the people in the room," Tilson Thomas said.
Ax, long an advocate for the concerto, which he recorded with Esa-Pekka Salonen, played in a soft-edged manner—except when the drama of the music required a harder touch. From the lyric opening, his sensual, non-percussive approach to the work fit it into the romantic piano tradition which preceded it, while capturing the concerto's unique and unearthly mood.
In this performance, Schoenberg's strange harmonies, often so harsh to the ear, didn't exactly fade away. But they were accompanied by an emphasis on the textures, the drama, the sweeping sense of theater with which the performers built to the work's climaxes. There were glints of the late 19th century in the glowing wind harmonies, and in the work's rhythmic drive. Dissonances came off as eerie and melancholy, rather than grating, except in the brassy climaxes, where they contributed to these passages' craggy power.
No pre-performance sales job was required for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 14. Ax, giving an ironman demonstration of stamina in an evening of two concertos, played in a light, articulated manner, with a sense of the long sweep of Mozart's melodic passage work. In the second movement, against a glowing accompaniment from the orchestra, he brought an almost Chopinesque sense of wistfulness and dreaminess to the long, yearning melodies. In the last movement, his spiky, angular playing gave contrapuntal passages just enough bite, while remaining within Mozartean proportions, with a fine sense of tension in the dark passage leading up to a restatement of the main theme.
The concert opened with Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn, which Tilson Thomas described as "one of my most favorite pieces."
With many of the greatest theme-and-variations works, the composer seems to draw a contrast between the drab or trivial theme on which the work is based and the complex and imaginative variations that follow. The theme here, which musicologists say wasn't actually composed by Haydn, isn't drab or trivial, but the orchestra played in a subdued and formal manner that left lots of room for the performance to develop in musical power.
The variations built magnificently, with brilliant individual passages that felt part of a larger whole. Particularly strong were the minor-key variations. Tilson Thomas drew maximum tension from one in which winds and strings engage in a pensive counterpoint, and another, a quiet, rustling passage that created the darkness from which the build-up to the sunlit finale could begin. The finale, however, felt underpowered. It's a clanging, blaring statement, with the ping of a triangle on top, and it didn't feel like the weighted, joyous musical payoff that it could be.
The concert ended with Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, a virtuoso work that the New World musicians tackled with gusto. Textures were transparent, with horns played in a spirited and immaculate manner. There was a touch of grotesqueness to the swooping melodies, appropriate to this medieval tale of blasphemy, irreverence and death. Playing the E-flat clarinet, which represents the doomed jokester Till Eulenspiegel, Ran Kampel brought out the humor, humanity and final desperation of the character as he faces execution.


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March 25, 2009
Creamy Mushroom Pizza
18 comments:
- Wen said...
Wow the pizza and chiffon cake look so good! Amazing you actually baked so many pizza in a day!
Your chiffon was so nicely done! Mine always can't get the side evenly brown.
Wendy - March 25, 2009 at 5:59 PM
- Honey Bee Sweets said...
Wow! You are great Grace, I think you can even open a Pizza restaurant too! Remember to leave me a slice, it looks delicious!
See larr, your chiifon so nice! What is the brand of your tube pan? - March 25, 2009 at 6:07 PM
- Unknown said...
wow looking at yr pizza like looking at pizza menu all done so nicely. Do u mind sharing how to make the 12 inches thin crust pizzas. cheers
- March 25, 2009 at 8:15 PM
- Small Small Baker said...
Oooh, the creamy mushroom pizza looks so delicious! It's my favourite! Can teach us how to make the thin crust pizza?
You know what. I'm addicted to your blog now. Esp your chiffon cakes and breads. Hehe... :) - March 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
- Elyse said...
What a perfect dinner and dessert. Your mushroom pizza looks fabulous, and I love that it creates its own sauce from the cream. Talk about delicious flavor combinations. And, of course, my sweet tooth appreciates this fabulous looking pumpkin chiffon!
- March 26, 2009 at 1:05 PM
- Passionate About Baking said...
Wow Grace! Your creamy mushroom sure is such an appetitiser! I've baked several pizzas, but always so "traditional" & "boring", only tomatoes! Now I know how to do it the creamy way already! Thanks a lot for sharing!
Congrats on your another successful chiffons. I'm happy that your friends love your bakes. :) - March 26, 2009 at 1:20 PM
- Kitchen Corner said...
Hi Wen,
Thanks for your lovely words. I must say I would not able to make so many pizzas but I always have a good helper with me. I roll out the doughs and he place all the toppings :P
Hi Honey Bee Sweets,
Haa.. still long way to go for opening a pizza restaurant hehe.. However, there is always the happiness when we make some food ourselves right?! I think the spirit of baking chiffon has back again and this pumpkin chiffon really well baked. I use the chiffon tube bought from Phoon Huat.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your compliments! My pizza shape didn't looks very nice as I didn't manage to roll out in proper round shape. What I do is, I roll the dough out into a large circle and place it on a pizza pan then use my hands to push it out towards the edges of the pan.
Hi Small Small Baker,
Thanks! I used the recipe of 孟老师的100道面包. But, I roll it out very very thinly with my hand to push it out as thin I as can. I double the recipe and make three of 12 inches thin crust.
kekeke.. I've been reading your blog long time agooooo...
Hi Elyse,
Thanks for your lovely words! Yes the creamy mushroom has create its own sauce from the cream and it goes very well with the cheese.
Hi Jane,
I love creamy mushroom too! I use to eat creamy mushroom in the restaurant. They normally serve it with breads as an appetiser. Hope you like the recipe. If you feel the mushroom is too dry add more cream or milk so that you could dip more bread to eat kekeke...Have fun! - March 26, 2009 at 3:42 PM
- Unknown said...
hi..do u mind sharing the recipe for the pizza thin crust dough as i do not have the book 孟老师的100道面包 and also cause i dont read or write chinese therefore i rarely buy chinese baking books. thanks in advance.cheers
- March 27, 2009 at 1:20 PM
- Kitchen Corner said...
Hi Sue,
I know a blogger using the same recipe as mine. You can refer to her page:
There is only a different which is I used 100g plain flour instead of cake flour. Happy cooking! - March 27, 2009 at 2:29 PM
- chumpman said...
Your pizza looks very professional, as good as those served in Pizza Hut. Let me take the time and find ready made pizza dough and make mine too.
- April 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
- Kitchen Corner said...
Hello Chumpman,
Thanks! But my pizza definately couldn't compare wth Pizza Hut. My pizza is very homemade country style. Hope you like the recipe. Cheers! - April 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hi, your creamy mushroom pizza looks yummy...would like to try something different from my usual ham/cheese kind. I found the pizza base recipe under honeybeesweets but not the recipe for your topping. Where can I find them? Tk you very much. lyn
- April 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM
- Kitchen Corner said...
hi lyn, the recipe for creamy mushroom is stated on the page. Pls read through the page you'll see the very short and simple intruction for making the creamy mushroom. Happy cooking!
- April 27, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Oops...how could I miss that! Tks.
- April 28, 2009 at 4:17 PM
- Sue said...
HI Grace, your mushroom pizza really looks delicious. Thinking of trying out your recipe. But I do not have pizza pan. Can I just use those aluminium baking tray? Where did you get pizza pan?
- April 29, 2010 at 9:03 PM
- Kitchen Corner said...
Hi Sue,
I have not tried aluminium tray before. I think normal baking tray or cake pan will do too! You can try and see. There are some pizza pan selling at Phoon Huat. Are you a local? Please check it out ya!! :) - April 30, 2010 at 10:19 AM
- Sue said...
Hi Grace, thanks for your reply. I'm a Singaporean. I've seen pizza tray from Phoon Huat. It has holes on the base. Then I also saw another type at Robinson. It has no holes. I'm wondering which is better? Do you have any advice? One more question, what kind of cream do you use? Besides non-diary whipping cream, I'm not familiar with the rest. Thanks.
- April 30, 2010 at 4:56 PM
- Kitchen Corner said...
Hi Sue,
If I will you, I'll choose the pizza pan with holes. Anyway, it's not very important. I place my pizza at the lowest rack in the oven so the base crisp up nicely and the top just nice with the melting cheese. I use whipping cream. Cheers! - April 30, 2010 at 7:48 PM


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It's a sad fact of life that most of us will need to rely on the emergency services from time to time.
Whether it's a serious life-threatening situation or you've gone and chipped a tooth, knowing the location of your nearest hospital, GP, chemist or dentist is paramount, especially if you're new to the area.
So, with that in mind, here's the location of your nearest emergency services to AB10 6NA. Hopefully you won't be needing them any time soon.


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WalkwithGod.com » Entries tagged with "confession"
Hidden Sin (Joshua 7)
Joshua 7 talks about the sad life of Achan, a man who tried to hide his sin from God. For those who are struggling with confession, guilt and overcoming the bondage of sin, this sermon is a must-hear. [display_podcast] You may also view the notes on this study by clicking on this link. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bible Studies, Featured, Podcast


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Michael Gove's own experts revolt over 'punitive' model for curriculum
Education secretary has been bypassing the panel set up to advise on reforms, claim senior members
Michael Gove, the education secretary, is in open warfare with the panel of experts commissioned to advise the government on the controversialnational curriculum he announced last week.
Three members of the panel have made public their dismay at Gove's handling of the changes to how primary school children are taught maths, science and English, including the introduction of an officially mandated spelling list for children to master.
Professor Andrew Pollard, who described the plans as "crude" on a blog, told the Observer he believed Gove's model for reform was "punitive and controlling".
His colleague, Professor Mary James, president of the British Educational Research Association, published correspondence between the panel and Gove laying bare the "tensions", as she described them, with the department.
And Professor Dylan Wiliam said he believed the principle of learning from the best education systems in the world had been "lost" during the creation of the proposed programmes of study.
Further claims include:
■ A shadow team of advisers, whose identity has not been made "transparent", was advising Gove and bypassing the official panel in a move that raised concerns among the experts.
■ Two of the experts resigned last October over concerns about the government's "direction of travel" towards a highly prescriptive curriculum but were persuaded to stay on board.
■ The panel was upset to discover its official report was "quietly" published on the Monday before Christmas, avoiding media exposure.
The revelations will be a considerable embarrassment for Gove, who last week thanked the panel for its "superb work in shaping" the curriculum, a claim his critics say is hollow.
The proposed changes focus on a rigorous curriculum, with pupils expected to memorise times tables up to 12 by age nine, multiply and divide fractions by age 11 and begin to learn poetry at five.
But last night Wiliam said he "struggled to see the linkage" between the proposed curriculum and the original intention of learning from the best systems in the world. "If you don't have a set of principles for a curriculum it just becomes people's pet topics," he said.
Speaking to the Observer, Pollard escalated the row by questioning Gove's claim to have taken on board the advice that teachers should be given freedom to teach as they saw best. "We need to have systems that encourage constant improvement and take people on board with it. I think the model the government is adopting is really punitive and controlling," he said. "There were attempts by the expert panel to bring the freedom of teachers into discussion and the curriculum was delayed a year because of this.
"When we raised this, Gove, to his credit, said 'OK, we will look at these issues seriously and we will move it on', but what has actually come out is not a serious engagement with these issues. What they have published now is just the programmes of study, but we don't have a sense of the freedoms the schools are supposed to have."
He added: "The word freedom has been part of Michael Gove's rhetoric. But in terms of the academy, it is almost freedom to retain inequality, isn't it? In the case of the curriculum, he does talk about teachers in schools having freedom – but there is so much structure and constraint around them, I don't think the freedom is going to be very real."
Pollard said he had grown concerned that Gove was not being transparent about where he was picking up his advice on the programmes of study. He said: "The DfE hasn't made transparent the people who have contributed to these programmes of study."
Chairman of the expert panel Tim Oates rejected the concerns, adding: "The principles agreed with the expert panel, including Andrew, at the start of the review remain in place There is greater demand and detail in the content of these key subjects and there is greater freedom for teachers in how they teach it. Publishing content year by year is not some rigid straitjacket. There remains flexibility for schools in the scheduling of content. The draft Programmes of Study are drawn from a rigorous research base, both domestically and internationally."


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I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. In a few minutes, you talk back to us. We'll hear comments and letters about some of our recent interviews and conversations. That's BackTalk. It's in just a few minutes.
But, first, it's time for Faith Matters. That's the part of the program where we talk about matters of faith and spirituality and, today, we want to talk about a controversy touching on faith and politics connected to President Obama's second inauguration, which is just over a week away.
Evangelical pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta had been selected to offer the benediction, but he has now withdrawn after gay rights supporters drew attention to remarks he made two decades ago condemning same-sex relationships and the gay rights movement. In a statement, he said that his prayer would have, quote, been dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.
We wanted to learn more about this, so we've called Laurie Goodstein. She's a national religion correspondent for The New York Times and she's with us now by phone.
Laurie, thanks for joining us.
LAURIE GOODSTEIN: Thanks for having me.
MARTIN: So tell us about Reverend Giglio. Why was he chosen to give the benediction in the first place?
GOODSTEIN: Well, he's an evangelist in Atlanta, Christian evangelist who has been working for many years with young people, high school and college students. He convenes large gatherings and, in recent years, he turned his attention to the issue of human slavery and, in particular, sex trafficking. And at his last big gathering in Atlanta, tens of thousands of young people - they raised millions of dollars to fight sexual slavery. He also has a church in Atlanta that he founded just a few years ago and President Obama had met him before. Just last year, they were together at an Easter prayer breakfast.
MARTIN: Now, as I understand it, the comments that caused him to withdraw - and one assumes he was asked to withdraw - were found by the liberal website Think Progress. They posted audio of the sermon and in the talk the pastor said he gave it 15 or 20 years ago, he cited Scripture. He said same-sex relationships were sinful and an abomination and he also criticized what he called the aggressive agenda for acceptance of the, quote, "homosexual lifestyle." And he also recommended the writings of an advocate for what has been called a conversion therapy that aims to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexual relationships, which has obviously been discredited as having no scientific basis at all.
But, as we said, this was a while ago, but is what he said - however painful it may be to some people - is that outside of the mainstream? Is there something that he said that's outside of the mainstream of evangelical theology?
GOODSTEIN: In his world, among evangelical Christians, these are very mainstream beliefs that homosexuality is a sin and that the only way to deal with it is to turn away from it, perhaps remain celibate, that this is what Scripture says. And another thing he said was that, you know, gay people cannot go to heaven and that the portrait he painted of the gay rights movement, he said it's not a benevolent movement; it's aggressive and wants to make the homosexual lifestyle, as he put it, a norm for all of our society.
Now, that is something that many conservative Christians do believe is an accurate portrayal of what's going on in the country. The reason this was difficult, however, for the Obama administration is, you know, President Obama has come out and endorsed gay marriage. It has put itself in support of measures in states to make gay marriage a norm and has won the loyalty of the gay rights movement. So, four years ago, President Obama had another pastor who prayed at the inauguration, Rick Warren, who even more recently than Reverend Giglio had endorsed an anti-gay measure in California, Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage...
MARTIN: Well, I was going to ask you about that. Given that evangelical Pastor Rick Warren, very well-known, even outside of church circles, for his books, a best-selling author and so forth, delivered the invocation prayer at the president's first inauguration, which some gay rights groups criticized then. I guess the question would be, are Reverend Giglio's views very different from Rick Warren's views or is it that the context has changed or the politics of the issue have changed?
GOODSTEIN: I think the views are similar and they both come from a similar theological background, but yes, the times have changed. In four years, gay marriage has become more widely accepted. It's even become more widely accepted among evangelicals. There is a shift, in particular, among young evangelicals where they don't object necessarily to gay relationships and gay marriage.
And so, four years ago, Rick Warren was - even though, just a few weeks before the inauguration, he made comments in an interview with BeliefNet in which he likened gay relationships to incest. I mean, that was very offensive and very current and yet he went ahead and gave that prayer at the inauguration. So I think, in some ways, this is a real portrait of how times have changed.
MARTIN: Finally, Laurie, what's been the reaction in faith circles?
GOODSTEIN: Well, there are lots of religious leaders and religious folks who support gay rights and so they have applauded the White House and the Inaugural Committee, saying this is the right outcome. But, among conservative evangelicals, this has played into a fear that their views are not being tolerated and they have turned the tables and accused the White House and the gay rights movement of being intolerant of religion, but, you know, a president has a prerogative to choose who speaks at his inauguration. It doesn't mean that Reverend Giglio can't say what he believes about homosexuality, but you know, he's not included on this rostrum of speakers.
MARTIN: Laurie Goodstein is a national religion correspondent for The New York Times. She was with us by phone. Thank you for speaking with us.
GOODSTEIN: Thanks for having me.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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