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Biking to work: the good, the bad and the ugly
Biking to work: the good, the bad and the ugly Guest blog by Josh Varickanickal I finally went full hipster. I now ride a bike to work. For the last few years, I have been reverse commuting to work (out … Continue reading
dandyCommute Series: College and Euclid to Richmond and Bay
I like to take the alleys, love the graffiti Words by Tim Woods with photos by Sarah Greene Do you have a dandyCommute story to share? Send us an email at supercommuter @ dandyhorsemagazine.com (no spaces) or fill out a … Continue reading
dandyARCHIVE: Food fight with Wayne Scott
This story first appeared in our Food issue (summer/fall 2011). Get that issue here. Wayne Scott hams it up with the cows in "The Pasture" – created by Canadian sculptor Joe Fafard – in front of Mies van der Rohe's … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged 1998, 2011, archive, courier, financial district, food, Hoof and Cycle, law, messengers, Mies van der Rohe, tax, Toronto, Wayne Scott Leave a comment


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- About Us
- News & Events
- Parents/Carers
- Our Learning
- Contact Us
Well done to all Year 3 showing determination and stamina to complete the cross country course around the enormous field at the The Nicholas Hamond Academy. You all did brilliantly and didn't give up!
"I tried my best and really tried to come first but didn't quite make it. It was good fun, though!" Josh

subset: commoncrawl


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Fresno Pacific University Director of Athletics Aaron Henderson has announced the hiring of Priscilla Jensen as head women's tennis coach. Jensen, the reigning Wilson/ITA West Region Coach of the Year comes to FPU after starting the tennis program at San Diego Christian College, where she has served as head coach of the men's and women's teams since 2014.
"After a national search, Priscilla stood out amongst an excellent pool of candidates. Not only does she possess a strong track-record within the sport of tennis, but she genuinely understands who we are as a Christian institution. During the hiring process, it quickly became apparent that there was an alignment of core values and a shared vision of what FPU women's tennis can become," Henderson said. "She has an amazing testimony, a passion for helping student-athletes grow in all walks of life, and a desire to invest in our campus community as well as the Central Valley. We are excited to welcome Priscilla and her family into the FPU community."
In four seasons with the Hawks, Jensen has coached two conference championship teams and produced 24 All-Americans. San Diego Christian claimed the GSAC Player of the Year last season, while the women's team ranking climbed as high as fifth in the national poll. The Hawks have also demonstrated success away from the court under Jensen's direction, claiming three NAIA Champions of Character Awards and an ITA Community Service & Outreach Award. Academically, Jensen's teams have received 10 ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, while the women's program has claimed the highest team GPA in the department in each of the last three years.
"FPU has a long record of impacting the next generation of leaders through the platform of athletics, and I look forward to carrying on this tradition. My goal, as part of the rebuilding of the women's tennis team is to attract, retain and graduate women who will develop in all facets of campus life: spiritually, academically and athletically," Jensen said. "I am humbled by the confidence of Aaron Henderson, Jeremiah Wood and the full search committee who diligently carried out the hiring process. The future is bright at FPU, and I am certain God will use the women's tennis team to create sweeping impact throughout the community."
A 1997 graduate of Biola University, Jensen was seeded #1 in singles and doubles while also playing as a forward on the Eagles' soccer team. She received her B.A. in Intercultural Studies while minoring in Radio/TV/Film & Biblical Studies before earning her M.A. in Intercultural Studies and International Business from Biola two years later.
Fresno Pacific will give the Pacific West Conference the largest women's tennis membership of any Division II league in the country, and the Sunbirds will play a full schedule in the 2018-19 school year. Jensen will finish out the season at San Diego Christian and will officially begin her position at Fresno Pacific on May 15.
More at fpuathletics.com/news/2018/2/13/general-priscilla-jensen-selected-to-lead-fpu-womens-tennis-program.aspx


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CleanBrowsing Privacy Policy
Data that does not exist can not be stolen, compromised or shared.
When it comes to privacy, CleanBrowsing subscribes to this simple philosophy: Data that does not exist can not be stolen, compromised or shared.
CleanBrowsing Privacy Policy
Data that does not exist can not be stolen, compromised or shared.
When it comes to privacy, CleanBrowsing subscribes to this simple philosophy: Data that does not exist can not be stolen, compromised or shared.
Privacy - Free Filters
(including DoH, DoT and DNSCrypt)
If you are using our free DNS, for example, we do not log your DNS requests, we do not log your IP addresses or what you are doing. Our block pages generate a NXDOMAIN, and it is not redirected to a tracking page. This is our promise to anyone using our service.
CleanBrowsing was started by security professionals for our own kids, friends and families, and we do not want to see our own DNS data misused. We will never sell, share or misuse any of the data we might get into contact. In fact, we do not log or store any data to prevent any possible misuse. Our promise: Strong filters, fast DNS and privacy first.
Privacy - Paid services
If you are using one of our custom DNS filters (paid service), you have the option and control on what to log. You have the option of DNS visibility and to see all logs from your network or a total privacy mode, where nothing is ever logged. You can customize your settings inside your account.
All the logging data for the paid service is encrypted locally and never shared with anyone. You can also remove them any data you wish under our Dashboard->Settings->Data Retention.
Don't find what you're looking for? Drop us a line...
We love working with individuals and organizations to better understand what they need, and how we can help.
CleanBrowsing Detailed Privacy Policy
For the Attorney's
1. Policy Application
This Policy applies to CleanBrowsing's collection, use, and disclosure of the information of the following categories of data subjects:
- Attendees: Those who provide their information to CleanBrowsing or CleanBrowsing representatives when they attend or register to attend CleanBrowsing events or other events at which CleanBrowsing participates.
- Website Visitors: Those who visit our Websites and who may opt to provide an email address to receive communications from CleanBrowsing. For the purposes of this Policy, "Websites" shall refer collectively to cleanbrowsing.org, and any other websites CleanBrowsing owns and that link to this Policy.
- Customers: Those who register on their own or on behalf of an entity or organization to use the CleanBrowsing DNS resolver, including administrators on a Customer account. For the purposes of this Policy, "Services" shall refer to all of the cloud-based solutions offered, marketed or sold by CleanBrowsing or its authorized partners that are designed to increase the performance, security and availability of Internet properties, applications and networks, along with any software, software development kits and application programming interfaces ("APIs") made available in connection with the foregoing.
- Public Resolver Users: Those who use CleanBrowsing Public, Free, Recursive Domain Name System ("DNS") Resolver services, such as the 184.108.40.206 Resolver. Learn more about CleanBrowsing Free filters.
- End Users: Those who access or use our Customers' networks whom are configured to use our DNS resolver whose information we process in order to provide the Services to our Customers pursuant to our agreements with them.
2. Information We Collect
- We may ask for and collect personal information such as your name, address, phone number and email address when you register for or attend a sponsored event or other events at which CleanBrowsing (and/or its representatives) participates.
Website Visitors:
- Name, email address, and other contact information. We may ask for and—at your option—collect personal information from you when you submit web forms on our Websites, including opportunities to sign up for and agree to receive email communications from us. We also may ask you to submit such personal information if you choose to use interactive features of the Websites, including participation in surveys, contests, promotions, sweepstakes, requesting customer support, or otherwise communicating with us. We will send such communications in accordance with applicable law.
- Log Files. Just as when you visit and interact with most websites and services delivered via the Internet, when you visit our Websites, including the CleanBrowsing Community Forum, we gather certain information and store it in log files. This information may include but is not limited to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, system configuration information, URLs of referring pages, and locale and language preferences. This data is deleted automatically and never shared with anyone.
- Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies. We may use cookies and other information-gathering technologies for a variety of purposes, such as providing us with information about how you interact with our Websites and assisting us in our marketing efforts. You can control how websites use cookies by configuring your browser's privacy settings (please refer to your browser's help function to learn more about cookie controls). Note that if you disable cookies entirely, CleanBrowsing's Websites may not function properly. For more information about the cookies CleanBrowsing uses and your privacy choices, please see our Cookie Policy.
- Interactive Areas.The Websites may offer publicly accessible blogs, community forums, comments sections, discussion forums, or other interactive features ("Interactive Areas"). If you choose to participate in any of these Interactive Areas, please be aware that any information that you post in an Interactive Area might be read, collected, and used by others who access it. If you wish to remove your personal information from any of our Interactive Areas, please see the Section 8, below.
- Customer Account Information. When you register for a CleanBrowsing account, we collect your email address and a self-selected password. We refer to this information collectively as "Customer Account Information" for the purposes of this Policy. Customer Account Information is required to identify you as a Customer and permit you to access your account(s). By voluntarily providing us with such Customer Account Information, you represent that you are the owner of such personal data or otherwise have the requisite consent to provide it to us. You will use this as a way to access and authenticate with the CleanBrowsing system.
- Payment Information.
You are not required to enter your payment information unless and until you decide to continue with a paid subscription to our Services. When you sign up for one of our paid Services, you must provide payment and billing information. The information you will need to submit depends on which payment method you choose. For example, if you pay with a credit card, your payment information is collected via the Stripe payment processor. We do not store your payment information in the CleanBrowsing system. Find Stripe's privacy policy here.
Public Resolver Users:
- We do not collect any information from the DNS requests.
End Users:
CleanBrowsing processes End Users' information on behalf of our Customers when End Users use our Customers' networks.
This information may include but is not limited to IP addresses, and other information about traffic to and from Customers' websites or networks (collectively, "Log Data"). We collect and use Log Data to operate, maintain, and improve our Services in performance of our obligations under our Customer agreements.
CleanBrowsing also stores server and network activity data, and observations and analyses derived from traffic data collected by CleanBrowsing in the course of providing the Services (together, "Operational Metrics"). Examples of Operational Metrics include service uptime and service availability metrics, request volumes, error rates, cache rates, and IP threat scores.
CleanBrowsing only processes personal information in a way that is compatible with and relevant to the purpose for which it was collected or authorized. As a general matter, for all categories of data described in Section 2 above, with exception to Public Resolver User data, we may use the information (including personal information, to the extent applicable) to:
- Provide, operate, maintain, improve, and promote the Website and Services for all users of the Website and Services;
- Enable you to access and use the Website and Services;
- Process and complete transactions, and send you related information, including purchase confirmations and invoices;
- Send transactional messages, including responses to your comments, questions, and requests; provide customer service and support; and send you technical notices, updates, security alerts, and support and administrative messages;
- Send commercial communications, in accordance with your communication preferences, such as providing you with information about products and services, features, surveys, newsletters, offers, promotions, contests, and events about us and our partners; and send other news or information about us and our partners. See Section 9 below for information on managing your communication preferences.
- Monitor and analyze trends, usage, and activities in connection with the Websites and Services and for marketing or advertising purposes;
- Comply with legal obligations as well as to investigate and prevent fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access to the Services, and other illegal activities;
- Personalize the Websites and Services, including by providing features or content that match your interests and preferences; and
- Process for other purposes for which we obtain your consent.
Public Resolver Users. We use information we collect from Public Resolver Users to operate and improve the CleanBrowsing Resolver, such as to assist us in our debugging efforts if an issue arises. We do not use or store any Public Resolver User personal information. We will not combine any information collected from DNS queries with any other CleanBrowsing or third party data in any way that can be used to identify individual end users.
Information from Third Party Services. We may combine information we collect as described above with personal information we obtain from third parties. For example, we may combine information entered on a CleanBrowsing sales submission form with information we receive from a third-party sales intelligence platform vendor to enhance our ability to market our Services to Customers or potential Customers.
CleanBrowsing is a data controller for the Personal Data collected from all categories of data subjects listed above except for the Personal Data of End Users. CleanBrowsing processes the Personal Data of End Users on behalf of its Customers.
If you are an individual from the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), the United Kingdom or Switzerland, please note that our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information will depend on the personal information collected and the specific context in which we collect it. We normally will collect personal information from you only where: (a) we have your consent to do so, (b) where we need your personal information to perform a contract with you (e.g. to deliver the CleanBrowsing Services you have requested), or (c) where the processing is in our legitimate interests. Please note that in most cases, if you do not provide the requested information, CleanBrowsing will not be able to provide the requested service to you.
In some cases, we may also have a legal obligation to collect personal information from you, or may otherwise need the personal information to protect your vital interests or those of another person. Where we rely on your consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw or decline consent at any time. Where we rely on our legitimate interests to process your personal data, you have the right to object.
If you have any questions about or need further information concerning the legal basis on which we collect and use your personal information, please contact us at email@example.com.
We work with other companies who help us run our business ("Service Providers"). These companies would provide services to help us deliver customer support, process credit card payments, manage and contact our existing Customers as well as sales leads, provide marketing support, and otherwise operate and improve our Services. These Service Providers may only process personal information pursuant to our instructions and in compliance both with this Privacy Policy and other applicable confidentiality and security measures and regulations, including our obligations under the EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shield frameworks described in Section 7, below.
Specifically, we do not permit our Service Providers to sell any personal information we share with them or to use any personal information we share with them for their own marketing purposes or for any purpose other than in connection with the services they provide to us.
In addition to sharing with Service Providers as described above, we also may share your information with others in the following circumstances:
- With our resellers and other sales partners who may help us distribute the Services to Customers;
- In the event of a merger, sale, change in control, or reorganization of all or part of our business;
- When we are required to disclose personal information to respond to subpoenas, court orders, or legal process, or to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims. (Learn more about how we handle law enforcement requests here);
- Where we have a good-faith belief sharing is necessary to investigate, prevent or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, or violations of our Website Terms of Use, Self-Serve Subscription Agreement, and/or Enterprise Subscription Terms of Service; or as otherwise required to comply with our legal obligations; or
- As you may otherwise consent from time to time.
Public Resolver Users. We do not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties
Notice to California Residents: We do not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (California Civil Code Sec. 1798.100 et seq.), nor do we do not sell, rent, or share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes as defined under California Civil Code Sec. 1798.83.
CleanBrowsing is a U.S.-based, global company. We primarily store your information in the United States and the European Economic Area. To facilitate our global operations, we may transfer and access such information from around the world, including from other countries in which CleanBrowsing has operations for the purposes described in this Policy.
If you are accessing or using our Websites or Services or otherwise providing information to us, you are agreeing to the transfer of your personal information to the United States and other jurisdictions in which we operate.
- Attendees, Website Visitors, Customers, and Registrants: You have the right to access, correct, update, export, or delete your personal information. You may email us at firstname.lastname@example.com with any such subject access requests ("SAR"), and we will respond within thirty (30) days. Customers also can access, correct, export, or update their Account Information by editing their profile or organization record at cleanbrowsing.org.
- Public Resolver Users: We do not retain any personally identifiable information about Public Resolver Users that would be subject to the data subject rights described above.
- End Users: CleanBrowsing has no direct relationship with End Users. Accordingly, we rely upon our Customers to comply with the underlying legal requirements for subject access requests. If an End User requests that we access, correct, update, or delete their information, or no longer wishes to be contacted by one of our Customers that use our Services, we will direct that End User to contact the Customer website(s) with which they interacted directly. Our Customers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to their website users.
For any SAR, we will need to verify a requestor is inquiring about their own information before we can assist. Where a SAR may implicate the personal data of another individual, we must balance the request against the risk of violating another person's privacy rights. We will comply with SARs to the extent required by applicable law or the US-Swiss or US-EU Privacy Shield. In the EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
CleanBrowsing will send you commercial communications based on the communication preferences in your account settings. CleanBrowsing also will send you service-related communications. You may manage your receipt of commercial communications by clicking on the "unsubscribe" link located on the bottom of such emails, through your account settings if you have a CleanBrowsing account, or you may send a request to firstname.lastname@example.com.
We take all reasonable steps to protect information we receive from you from loss, misuse or unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and/or destruction. We have put in place appropriate physical, technical and administrative measures to safeguard and secure your information, and we make use of privacy-enhancing technologies such as encryption. If you have any questions about the security of your personal information, you can contact us at email@example.com.
If we make changes to this Policy that we believe materially impact the privacy of your personal data, we will promptly provide notice of any such changes (and, where necessary, obtain consent), as well as post the updated Policy on this website noting the effective date of any changes.
We may assign or transfer this Policy, as well as information covered by this Policy, in the event of a merger, sale, change in control, or reorganization of all or part of our business.
Non-English translations of this Policy are not provided right now. The English version is authoritative and controls.
CleanBrowsing, Inc.
Attention: Data Protection Officer
220 Adams Drive
Suite 280, #304
Weatherford, Texas 76086


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What Sound Does a Possum Make?
Follow Us:
Possums tend to make very few sounds; however, babies tend to make a sneezing sound when separated from their mother, and adults tend to make a clicking sound to communicate with one another and to mate, and a low growling or hissing sound when they feel threatened. In general, possums are gentle and docile creatures that prefer avoiding confrontation rather than attacking.
Possums have trademarked their signature escape route. When confronted, they typically flop down onto the ground and lie on one side with their tongue sticking out in order to pretend that they are dead. When the predators are off their guard, the possums will take the opportunity to escape.


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Although drunk driving has decreased in recent years, it remains a serious problem in our country. During the average hour, about 30 people suffer injuries caused by intoxicated drivers. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving such accidents killed 10,076 Americans in 2013. Various estimates indicate that these crashes cost the nation $60 to $200 billion per year. About 2.3 percent of the victims are children under 15 years old.
The good news is that fatalities have decreased by more than 50 percent since 1980. Government figures show that the number of people killed in 2013 was about 250 less than the statistic for 2012. While alcohol continues to play a role in about 29 percent of highway deaths, this compares well with rates reported during the 1960s and 1970s. Intoxication caused about three out of five fatalities in that time period.
State and local authorities have become more serious about enforcing drunk driving laws. Gone are the days when police would ignore all but the most serious cases of driver intoxication. Stricter laws and sobriety checkpoints have also made a difference. For example, KOMO-TV reported that three counties in Washington State introduced new laws during 2014. Drunk drivers with multiple convictions must undergo daily alcohol tests.
Shifting attitudes and greater awareness of the problem have helped to reduce intoxicated driving as well. Media outlets and schools across the nation regularly educate the public about the risks associated with this dangerous behavior. Public service messages on radio and TV often starkly illustrate the consequences. More people realize that it's a crime with serious medical, legal, and financial repercussions.
General improvements in highway safety are also helping to decrease fatalities and injuries. Cars have become safer in recent years, and most vehicles on today's roads feature multiple air bags. Additional exterior lights make modern vehicles more visible to other drivers and pedestrians. Increasing numbers of cars now incorporate backup cameras. As a recent Star Tribune news article pointed out, emergency personnel are responding to accidents more quickly as well.
It's appropriate to celebrate this progress, but more needs to be done. About six Americans die in traffic accidents involving alcoholic beverages every four hours, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This is still far too many. Even if you don't drink or own a car, you can help solve this problem by discouraging others from driving intoxicated.
If you become involved in an alcohol-related collision, be sure to seek the assistance of a Blumenauer Hackworth lawyer.


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Volkswagen will introduce its completely-revamped 2014 Polo model lineup at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, including the updated CrossPolo, Polo BlueMotion, BlueGT and R-Line pack you see here. Curiously enough, none of them feature the facelifted Polo's new headlights and grille.
The new CrossPolo, essentially a high-riding Polo hatchback with rugged styling, gains a new set of 17-inch wheels. The lights, silver-accented bumpers and SUV-style body claddings and roof rails stay as before. Otherwise, it gets the same mechanical and interior updates as the standard model.
New to the range is the Polo TSI BlueMotion – the first petrol-powered VW BlueMotion model. It uses a new 90 PS 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder direct-injection engine, which, paired to an optimised aerodynamic package and low rolling resistance 15-inch tyres, averages 24.4 km per litre.
The Polo TDI BlueMotion has been updated too, with Volkswagen's new 75 PS 1.4 litre three-cylinder turbodiesel unit replacing the older 1.2 litre mill. This one is claimed to do 32.3 km/l on the combined cycle while emitting just 82 grammes of CO2 per kilometre, bettering the old car's 30.3 km/l and 87 g/km.
Slotting below the Polo GTI is the updated Polo BlueGT, which now boasts 10 PS more than before at 150 PS from its 1.4 litre TSI ACT (Active Cylinder Technology) engine. It does 20.8 km/l with a six-speed manual transmission. Looks wise, it wears new R-Line bumpers and rear spoiler with 17-inch wheels.


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Submitted by Mr. Courtney
The purpose of this is to add a bit more sound (about 25%) and give a deeper rumble to your bike. It does not increase performance or power. It's not necessary to rejet your carb after this mod unless you've added really big holes at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.
Get yourself a 3' length of 3/4" all-thread or rebar at Home Depot or Lowes. It'll cost you about $8 or so.
Take a bench grinder or file and grind one end to a sharp point.
Stick it each of the two pipes sticking out of the back of your exhaust (12 o'clock and 6 o'clock) and bang the heck out of it with a big hammer or mallet. You eventually feel it pop off the cap at the end of the pipe.
Start her up and take a listen.
Like it? You're done.
Want more?
Take a drill with a 1/2" bit and drill two holes in the back plate of the exhaust at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions
Start her up and take another listen.
Like it? You're done.
Want more?
Get a 3/4" drill bit and make those holes a little bigger.
Start her up and take a listen.
Like it? Okay...now you're done.
This website and it's contents are not affiliated with with Honda Motor Company, or any other group or organization. Performing the modifications listed within the website is done at your own risk. Developed and hosted by McLauthlin Technologies, LLC. Send questions, comments, or additions to


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"CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley" was the only evening newscast last night to not cover newly uncovered emails from White House adviser Ben Rhodes, which provided talking points to former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice before her Sunday show interviews several days after the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in Sept., 2012.
Rhodes' email to Rice advised her to stress that the Benghazi attacks were rooted in a controversial YouTube video, "and not a broader failure of policy."
CBS did cover the emails 10 hours earlier on "CBS This Morning." White House Correspondent Bill Plante also mentioned that Ben Rhodes is the brother of CBS News President David Rhodes. A CBS News spokesperson also says Plante reported the news on CBS News Radio and CBSNews.com, adding, "There also was a thorough editorial discussion about it at 'CBS Evening News' and David Rhodes was not involved."
ABC's Jonathan Karl, who got into a heated exchange with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney over the emails, reported a 2-minute story for "World News with Diane Sawyer," while "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" produced a :30 voice-over story on the emails.
CBS Evening News has been criticized for not aggressively covering the Benghazi story. Last May, now former CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson, said "there hasn't been an appetite" for the stories she offered on Benghazi. CBS launched an internal review after Lara Logan's discredited Benghazi report on "60 Minutes" last October. Logan remains off the show.
The new Rhodes emails first hit the Web on Monday published by JudicialWatch.org. The story started getting traction on Fox News on Tuesday and on CNN and MSNBC on Wednesday.


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So O'Donnell Has This Witchcraft Thing Going…
…it started when she sacrificed a RINO.
. . .
. . .
Now we hear she's about to slaughter an Ass, too.
Ya know? The more I read about her the better my impression. This new generation of libertarian-leaning conservative gals are striking. Palin, Bachmann, Haley, O'Donnell – and more on the way. I wish Goldwater and Reagan were here to see their daughters triumph. (Though I suppose, the view from up There is much better.)
3 Comments leave one →
Mrs. Kissell permalink2010/09/20 01:15
"I wish Goldwater and Reagan were here to see their daughters triumph."
Profoundly insightful, that.


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Happy Cube Puzzle Concept
The Happy Cube Puzzle is a genious and simple concept. Puzzle a cube with the 6 foam puzzle pieces, then put them back into the frame. Once you get the knack of it, you can even use all the puzzles to make your very own 3D+ puzzle constructions. Get creative and astound colleagues, friends and family with your impressive puzzle masterpieces.
Do the test... How flexible is your brain?


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By K.B. Sherman, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) upheld a decision by Patricia Sheehan, the town's building inspector, to grant an occupancy permit for a lot located at 249 Hartford Turnpike.
At the Aug. 2 Planning Board meeting, abutters to the lot had protested that the parcel was not actually a "contractor's lot" as the applicants stated, but rather was being used as a trucking terminal.
The site was purchased in late 2011 by GFI Partners and subsequently leased to XTRA Lease. Under town bylaws, a contractor's lot is a space where a contractor can simply store building materials and associated equipment. The disagreement between the company and the neighbors revolved over just how much truck traffic can be allowed on a contractor's lot under the bylaws. XTRA Lease's website describes itself as "providing over-the-road trailers for rent or leasing."
At the Aug. 27 meeting, abutter Adam Gordon led several other neighbors in reiterating opposition to the lot's operation. He stated that there were scores of truck trailers stored on the site, which he said had been clear-cut to within 30 feet of his property. He added that trucks were constantly entering and leaving the lot with attached trailers.
Attorney Todd Brodeur, representing the business operator, countered with the argument that the site was indeed a contractor's lot, that its current use was well within the intent of the bylaw, and that the building inspector's decision to grant an occupancy permit was correct. He also noted that the town had failed to notify Sheehan in writing, as required, to enforce the bylaws in question, and that procedural error alone made Gordon's argument moot.
The discussion then devolved into the details of daily operations, numbers of trucks involved, numbers of movement of trailers, and other such issues. Several other abutters then rose to confirm Gordon's assertions.
The board members then spoke among themselves, with the gist being that most members believed that Sheehan's actions had been correct and that the occupancy permit was proper, although several did acknowledge that the disruption to Gordon's property was unfortunate. They also noted that the activity on this site was in line with other such contractor's lots in Shrewsbury.
The final vote affirmed the building inspector's actions, 4-1, with Paul George dissenting, who noted that the lot's operation did appear, to him, to be a truck terminal.
Gordon then asked about how the encroachment upon his yard could be mitigated. After consulting with Town Planner Kristen Las, the board informed Gordon that the matter was beyond its authority.


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I would like to give you a gift to end the week.
Perhaps you are struggling to find new clients, or not sure about getting the most from your offline networking?
To let you know how much BNI can do for you and your business please click here to download a free chapter from my book.
This tells my BNI story & why I consider joining BNI to be the best business decision I've made.
BNI is an integral part of my business and brings in over a third of my new clients annually.
I've been a BNI member for nearly two and a half years now, so please do ask me if you have any questions.


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Ultra compact vehicles like the Honda Fit and fuel-sipping hybrids like the Toyota Yaris are making huge headway in the marketplace, thanks largely to rising gas prices. We first heard about the Loremo LS back in February at the Geneva Motor Show, where the German automaker was showcasing the super stylish coupe capable of going 157 miles on a single gallon of gas.
It was little more than a lightweight (992 pounds) concept at the time, but we've just received word that the Loremo LS is set to head into production by 2009, thanks to a hefty investment from Kosmo Motor Company Sdn Bhd. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kosmo Tech of Malaysia, the company signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement, giving them a 26% stake.
Now that this hot little number (that only takes 1.5 litres of gas to drive 100 kilometres) is ready to hit the road, and it has really gone international, establishing itself in the Southeast Asian market, you should fully expect some pre-orders to be taken soon… even if we don't know how much it costs.


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Document Type
Contribution to Book
Publication Title
Camabridge Handbook of Culture, Organizations, & Work
Publication Date
First Page
Last Page
It is now widely recognized that countries around the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, and that both public and private organizations are of necessity becoming increasingly global. As political, legal, and economic barriers recede in this environment, cultural barriers emerge as a principal challenge to organizational survival and success. It is not yet clear whether these global realities will cause cultures to converge, harmonize, and seek common ground or to retrench, resist, and accentuate their differences. In either case, it is of paramount importance for both managers and organizational scholars to understand the cultural crosscurrents underlying these changes. With contributions from an international team of scholars, this book reviews, analyzes, and integrates available theory and research to give the best information possible concerning the role of culture and cultural differences in organizational dynamics
'This material has been published in The Camabridge Handbook of Culture, Organizations, & Work edited by Rabi S. Bhagat & Richard M. Steers, and has been reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press. It is available for purchase here:
Recommended Citation
Kuo, B.C.H. (2011). Cultural variations in work stress and coping in an era of globalization. Camabridge Handbook of Culture, Organizations, & Work, 418-441.


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Seeking Breakthroughs: The Startup Perspective
A roundtable discussion with Chase Spurlock, PhD, IQuity; Michal Izrael, PhD, Kadimastem Ltd; Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix; and J. Michael Ryan, MD, Rodin Therapeutics
What Motivated Founding Your Company?
Michal Izrael, Kadimastem Ltd.
Kadimastem is driven to replace, restore, or repair functionality of diseased and malfunctioning cells and organs in degenerative diseases. Our vision is that transplantation of healthy and functional cells will release patients from the burden of degenerative disease. This approach can be applied to diversified therapeutic programs with enormous unmet need and blockbuster potential. Kadimastem is targeting severe neurodegenerative diseases (eg, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]).
In ALS, despite selective motor neuron death, there is solid evidence that astrocyte malfunction plays a crucial role in disease progression. Thus, transplantation of healthy astrocytes may compensate for the dysfunction of diseased astrocytes. Kadimastem manufactures AstroRx (clinical grade human astrocytes) derived from human embryonic stem cells for the treatment of patients with ALS. The 2 currently available Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for treating persons with ALS only modestly attenuate disease progression. Both are small molecules with a single mechanism of action. We believe that because ALS is a multifactorial disease, potential therapeutic approaches should consider the multiplicity of mechanisms that underlie motor neuron degeneration in this disease. AstroRx cells that act through multiple mechanisms that can potentially treat broad pathologic aspects of the disease are more likely to be more effective. In vitro, AstroRx has activities of functional healthy astrocytes, including glutamate uptake, promotion of axon outgrowth, and protection of motor neurons from oxidative stress. Secretome analysis shows that AstroRx secrete several inhibitors of metalloproteases as well as a variety of neuroprotective factors. Intrathecal injections of AstroRx into transgenic hSOD1G93A mice and rats, an animal model for ALS, significantly delayed disease onset and improved motor performance compared to sham-injected animals. A safety study in immunodeficient mice showed that intrathecal transplantation of AstroRx is safe. Transplanted AstroRx attached to the meninges along the neuraxis and survived for the entire duration of the study without formation of tumors or teratomas. Kadimastem commenced its phase 1/2a clinical study in 21 ALS patients in April 2018, the clinical trial is taking place in the neurology department of Hadassah Ein-Kerem medical center in Israel (NCT03482050).
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
Rodin Therapeutics was founded in 2013 to advance a novel therapeutic approach focused on improving brain synaptic function. We know from prior research that synaptic integrity—the strength of connections between neurons—deteriorates in many neurologic diseases. Our goal is to develop drugs that strengthen those connections to treat a wide range of indications, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
There's no denying that neurodegenerative disorders are a particularly challenging disease area with high unmet medical need. Multiple recent clinical trials of experimental treatments for persons with AD have failed to demonstrate efficacy, and the resulting lack of new treatments has been deeply frustrating for patients, caregivers, physicians, and scientists. We urgently need new ways of thinking about drug discovery and development for these diseases.
Our research focusing on synaptic integrity is particularly exciting at a time when the biopharma industry as a whole is coming to realize that we need to move beyond the longtime narrow focus on amyloid as the main target in AD. Fortunately, we're starting to see new ideas blooming that cover a wider array of targets.
I'm honored to be part of Rodin's leadership team as we advance a therapeutic approach that we think has great promise to transform care for patients with neurologic diseases.
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
Quanterix was founded in 2007 by Dr. David Walt, who is also scientific founder of Illumina, and based on the discovery of a revolutionary new technique for measuring individual protein molecules that allows measurement of thousands of biomarkers at levels never before possible. This technology breakthrough led to a vision of advancing precision health science, in which biomarker measurements can change the way diseases are detected and treated. Everything we do at Quanterix is in an effort to move our vision forward—turning today's reactive sick care into tomorrow's preventative health care. When Quanterix launched our Simoa (single molecule array) technology, many in the industry had turned their interest from proteins to DNA, in part because no significant innovation had taken place in protein detection in many years. While there continues to be great interest in DNA and gene sequencing, protein detection is uniquely powerful because it reveals which genes are actually being expressed. Proteins reflect the way environmental factors affect our DNA. With nearly 70% of diseases being linked to the environment today, proteins are the most accurate variables for understanding a person's current state of health. Today, Quanterix remains dedicated to advancing precision health by focusing on the protein.
Chase Spurlock, IQuity
IQuity was founded to give physicians new tools that could be used to accurately identify patients with chronic illness as early as possible. When we first launched, we had developed technology that could analyze a blood sample and tell us if a patient had an RNA signal specific for a particular type of disease. The signals that we were looking at were RNA levels found in blood. Measuring RNA in blood allowed us to capture a real-time snapshot of the biochemical activities taking place inside immune cells. Using this information, we were able to associate the dynamic RNA patterns we found in blood samples with specific diseases. Although we looked at many different diseases, we were particularly interested in autoimmune disease because of our background in immunology. Autoimmune diseases affect more than 50 million Americans, similar to the number of patients affected by heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
Our technology was among the first to use machine-learning advances and data science to analyze large RNA (genomic) datasets. We use these to find differences among RNAs that can distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases from healthy or disease controls. This allowed us to identify RNA biomarkers (not just a single RNA, but a panel of RNAs) that could be used to accurately classify disease. Using our approach, we found that we could identify a specific autoimmune disease pattern, and within this general autoimmune disease pattern, we could find signatures for specific autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
This intrigued us, and we began looking at each disease, like MS, in detail. We found that RNA patterns were reproducible and could be developed into tools to distinguish persons with MS from healthy control subjects or patients with other neurologic diseases. After conversations with a number of physicians, we felt this technology could offer clinically useful information and should be commercialized so these testing options could be used in the clinic. Today, clinicians use our tests in a variety of ways, most often to accelerate the diagnostic process or to correct suspected cases of misdiagnosis. As part of our ongoing research and development, we actively follow these cases to document clinical utility and patient outcomes.
Building on our experience creating genomic tests, we are applying machine learning techniques to population-level datasets from tens of thousands of patients (sources include claims data, electronic health record [EHR] data, and more). Using these data, we are developing predictive classifiers that complement the blood tests we created. This allows us to predict oncoming disease diagnoses and uncover suspected misdiagnoses. Our efforts will soon extend to creation of data models that can stratify disease activity and monitor response to therapy. We're very excited by the opportunity to deliver these tools to key stakeholders across the healthcare continuum.
What Potential Breakthroughs Are Most Exciting Now?
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
The World Health Organization estimates that neurologic diseases affect approximately 1 billion people. Many of these diseases lack both viable treatments and noninvasive tests to concretely diagnose the disease in the first place. For this reason, we have a lot of room for improvement. I believe however, the most exciting breakthrough on the horizon lies in our ability to use biomarkers to detect neurologic diseases before symptoms are present and measure efficacy of new treatments especially in the early stages when there are few symptoms.
Research shows biomarkers will remain a critical tool for progressing our understanding of diseases including AD and PD. At the same time, the FDA has acknowledged the role that biomarkers play in advancing the drug development process. This is very much already becoming a reality with the proven link between biomarkers (eg, tau, glial fibrillary acidotic protein [GFAP], ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 [UCH-L1], neurofilament light [NfL], and amyloid-β [Aβ]) and neurologic diseases. Continued research on this front will be essential for improving how we treat these diseases.
We are also exploring ways early detection or diagnosis can help prevent some of these diseases. Research has started to demonstrate the interconnectedness between various disease states. For example, repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and mild TBI (mTBI), also known as concussion, have been linked to development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) later in life. While we are still in the exploratory phases of understanding how these diseases fully intertwine, diagnosing TBIs earlier and more objectively gives us a better chance of preventing CTE and other neurodegenerative disease.
Chase Spurlock, IQuity
We're particularly interested in exploring how the biomarkers we and others have found could be used to track patient treatment responses. The tool clinicians most commonly ask us for is a test or algorithm that can best identify treatment responders or nonresponders. For example, once patient treatment is initiated, can we track differences in RNA levels we've found and inform a clinician that a patient is indeed responding to a particular medicine or not. If not, the clinician will have the opportunity to alter their treatment plan to reduce the likelihood of an adverse event or relapse in the case of MS.
Previous work has shown that lncRNAs (the type of RNA we're measuring) exhibit a high level of cell-type specificity. Our theory is that lncRNAs will also exhibit a high level of disease specificity. In comparison to previous genes we've studied, including protein-coding genes (mRNAs), we've found that the differences seen in lncRNAs are greater. To analyze the data we generate, we use machine-learning techniques capable of creating models to distinguish multiple disease classes. When the differences are greater, the machine learning models are more easily defined, and the accuracy of these methods improves.
Using our approach, the lncRNAs we have identified can be used to distinguish multiple inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases and identify those diseases early. These lncRNAs are also showing potential to track treatment responses in patient cohorts we follow over time. The machine learning models we use produce scores that indicate how alike or dislike a specific pattern resembles our disease of interest. Expression levels of lncRNAs change as a consequence of treatment. Scores are altered when patients respond (or do not respond) to treatment. Our group is excited about the potential for this technology to help clinicians at the point of care.
As we think about the future and the therapeutics that will soon be available, our group has initiated studies to actively explore early markers of AD. In IQuity's research lab, we have started exploring RNA markers that can distinguish this disease from other neurologic conditions. Therapies for people with AD will be most effective when prescribed early. Like others in this field, we believe that current diagnostic tools for AD are useful, but they could be enhanced to offer inexpensive, noninvasive options to detect AD before irreversible damage occurs.
Michal Izrael, Kadimastem Ltd.
We believe that in regenerative medicine, we've reached an era where the interface between scientific facts and science fiction actually meet. The ability to clinically produce all cell types of the nervous system and transplant them in a region affected by certain disease is fascinating. Astrocyte dysfunction is implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. At Kadimastem, we plan to explore the possibility that AstroRx could be beneficial in additional neurodegenerative indications, including AD, stroke, MS, TBI, spinal cord injury (SCI), and PD. Once we demonstrate the efficacy of the cells in treating additional neurodegenerative disease in animal models, the regulatory pathway to clinical trials approval will be shorter, as AstroRx' safety was already demonstrated and the GMP manufacturing process of the cell is well established.
In addition to human astrocytes, Kadimastem produces an enriched population of human oligodendrocytes that were mainly used for drug discovery but when transplanted may be of great benefit for demyelinating diseases including MS.
In the emerging innovations in the field of 3D printing, we find great potential in our glial and neural cells to serve as "bio-ink" or "cell-ink" for generation of central nervous system (CNS) tissues. We may produce a spinal cord patch composed of a scaffold of human astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes with regenerative properties. This patch could be transplanted into the injured area in the spinal cord of patients with SCI to allow regeneration and reinnervation of neurons, serving as a tissue connector to bypass the damaged area.
Another enthralling field is the use of exosomes, which are small extracellular, membrane-bound vesicles (50-150 nm in diameter) secreted by cells to selectively transfer biologically active compounds, as a mode of intercellular communication. We are planning to explore the beneficial effect of exosomes secreted by human astrocytes. These could be harvested in large quantities and formulated as off-the-shelf product. The small size of exosomes might allow noninvasive administration (eg, intranasal delivery) for direct transport of compounds into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along the olfactory pathway.
Having functional healthy cells that build up the brain and spinal cord stimulate the imagination, and offer plenty of new options and approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
We are very excited about the sophisticated new translational tools that could revolutionize CNS drug development. Rodin, for instance, is currently sponsoring a test/retest study of a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand that may measure brain synaptic density in patients with neurologic disorders. (For those who want more technical details: the scan uses the novel radioligand [11C]UCB-J, which binds to the protein SV2A present in synaptic regions of neurons. The more SV2A evident in the brain, the greater the synaptic density.)
If the PET scan is reliable and reproducible, it will allow us to peer inside the living human brain for the first time to assess the density of synaptic connections and possibly track changes over time. When combined with synaptic biomarkers in patient CSF, measured by Simoa technology (in collaboration with Quanterix), it could be a powerful tool to help us assess the impact of experimental therapies far more quickly than a traditional, years-long clinical trial.
Our preclinical research approach at Rodin uses complementary tools to prioritize compounds based on assessment of synaptic gene expression, changes in synaptic structure, and functional impact in relevant animal models. Outside our labs, I'm interested in research into the role microglia may play in spurring inflammation and perhaps exacerbating neurodegeneration across several brain diseases.
What Breakthroughs Seem Far-Out and How Can Those Come to Fruition?
Chase Spurlock, IQuity
IQuity's mission is to identify chronic diseases, including neurologic diseases, at early as possible so clinicians have the best chance to help patients live longer and higher-quality lives. It's always been our position that early diagnosis and early treatment lead to the best long-term outcomes. This mantra is reinforced by many different patient- and provider-focused groups in the field of MS. Unlike many decades ago, we are now fortunate to have drugs that are highly effective, especially when they're administered early. Not all drugs work for every patient, so the ability to link the right medication to the right patient and monitor an individual's treatment response is critical. A number of tools exist that allow clinicians to begin to explore these trends, but there is still room for advancement.
As we think about future opportunities to further refine the tools given to providers, an avenue of investigation we're exploring is the ability to subtype various forms of a specific disease. In MS, a number of therapies are available to treat relapsing-remitting forms of the disease, and we are beginning to see a number of therapies emerge for the treatment of primary-progressive and secondary-progressive types of MS. An example of this is the approval of ocrelizumab, the first FDA-approved medication for use in primary-progressive MS. Not all MS medications can effectively treat each type of MS. Through our analytics, we are creating RNA-based data models that can be used to identify these unique types of MS so that clinicians can link a specific diagnosis to an approved treatment. The studies are in very early stages, but creating a diagnostic tool is something that may be very much within reach.
Apart from test creation, we are fortunate to have access to a variety of data sources that inform our understanding of the doctor-patient interaction and how patients can utilize healthcare most effectively. Patient-derived information exists in forms ranging from limited biomarker (genomic) or biometric datasets to population-level information spanning claims data, EHR exports, and other public or private datasets. These datasets, when stitched together, create an opportunity for clinicians to understand the positive or negative drivers of patient outcomes. With recent advances in data science, we are beginning to see broader applications of predictive and prescriptive modeling.
Using MS as an example, if we were to use these datasets to build models to inform the selection of one medication over another or anticipate a relapse, the act of creating these computer models will uncover patterns in the data that give us clues about critical drivers of treatment selection or relapse. A critical piece of successful data-science projects is the ability to identify the optimal parameters or data patterns that serve as inputs into computer models to build accurate reproducible predictions. Machine-learning methods are capable of identifying trends that aren't always obvious to the human operator and are often identified by sampling thousands of individuals over expansive geographies. By layering multiple datasets, we can create tools to be used at the point-of-care to present a holistic view of the patient and provide insights that clinicians have never considered before. The use of these strategies presents us with the opportunity to dramatically change how patient care is delivered.
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
I think our novel strategy to improve brain synaptic integrity through epigenetic modulation represents an innovative therapeutic approach. But we're using known mechanisms, specifically targeted histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition, to get there. Several approved drugs use HDAC inhibition to treat cancer, but these have been too toxic for use in neurologic disorders. We've developed compounds that are far more selective in binding only to specific HDAC complexes and should prove to be far safer for long-term use in diseases like AD.
Outside of neurology research, I'm very excited about the potential for gene therapies broadly and gene editing in particular. For diseases with clear genetic etiologies, these technologies could transform patient care. I feel lucky to be working in the biotech hub of greater Boston, where so many cutting-edge technologies are advancing potential new therapeutics.
Michal Izrael, Kadimastem Ltd.
Tissue engineering refers to the practice of combining scaffolds, cells, and biologically active molecules into functional tissues. Kadimastem can serve as manufacturer of the "cell-ink" component. Though this field possess great potential, it still faces great challenges. The CNS is one of the most complex tissues in the human body, with different infrastructure for different parts of the brain and spinal cord. Engineering tissue that can recapitulate neuron connectivity and proper wiring with the appropriate structural support may be a daunting task, in contrast to tissues with a simpler structure (eg, engineered skin that has already being approved by the FDA). Nevertheless, we believe in the great potential of this field and hope to play a significant role in accelerating the development of first CNS tissue prototype.
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
At Quanterix, we are on the cutting edge of the latest technological innovations and we take great pride in that. We also feel privileged to be able to use these innovations to change the current health care system.
While it may seem far out now, I believe that in the next several years patients will be able to monitor their health in real-time with even greater precision. I envision a day when patients will be able to go to their primary care doctors and have their baseline biomarker levels taken through a simple blood test to identify changes that could indicate the onset of disease. Even further out, but still in the foreseeable future, we will eventually get to a place where people can get regular biomarker level updates delivered to their smartphones and smartwatches for even faster results. This will likely mean the annual physical will become an antiquated benchmark of health. In return, the doctor-patient relationship will become much more collaborative, precise, and meaningful.
The first step to making this vision a reality is continued innovation and research. While the benefits of real-time biomarker readings are undeniable, many would agree it is more important to be accurate than to be fast. We've seen countless examples of companies who have rushed to make their technology consumer facing and have failed. That's why we are focusing our efforts on growing our research bench to further prove the accuracy of our technology before its potential application at point-of-care. With over 200 peer-reviewed studies to date, we are well on our way to bringing this vision to fruition while ensuring everyone who stands to benefit from this great opportunity trusts in the process.
How Will Your Work Today Change Patient Care Over the Next 20 Years?
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
Patient care today is reactive. It is often only at symptom onset when we act to investigate the problem, only to discover underlying causes or preexisting conditions. This approach represents a lack of knowledge that has plagued our health care system for years. I believe the work we are doing has the power to change this and can transform our approach to patient care from reactive to proactive, giving doctors and patients greater access to the data necessary to understand their true health, in turn catching disease before it can progress.
Moving the approach from diagnosis to prevention will require a fundamental shift in mindset from all stakeholders across the industry. It also hinges on our ability to advance biomarker testing. Fortunately, we've already seen evidence of these elements moving forward. A new research framework for AD issued by the NIH and Alzheimer's Association, for example, recognizes the preclinical stage of AD and centers around a biomarker-based disease continuum. I am encouraged by developments like this, which signal that we have already begun to take steps to alter patient care.
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
Our preclinical data suggest that our lead drug candidates can impact the molecular, structural, and functional deficits associated with neurodegeneration by amplifying the expression of synaptic genes that are critical to learning and memory. This results in durable improvements in spine morphology and synaptic density. We strongly believe that these compounds will demonstrate clinical benefit at multiple stages of disease and could work in synergy with existing treatments.
We're excited to take our lead compound and others in our pipeline into the clinic in the months and years to come. We are determined to deliver transformative therapies that will improve cognition and boost quality of life for patients with neurologic diseases.
What is Your Thought Process for Identifying New Targets?
Michal Izrael, Kadimastem Ltd.
We used our capabilities to produce human astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and developed high-throughput human cell-based screening assays for the discovery of new active compounds. Use of these cell- based assays can allow us to discover lead compounds that can be further tested in relevant animal models. In terms of human astrocyte cell-based assays, we have the capabilities to find compounds that can affect the capacity of astrocytes to uptake excess glutamate, secrete numerous neurotrophic factors, and promote the survival of neurons and neurite outgrowth. Each of these functions has great therapeutic potential in many neurodegenerative diseases.
Similar approaches were applied using our human oligodendrocyte cell-based screening assay. In these assays we already identified compounds that affect the capacity of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to proliferate, differentiate, and eventually myelinate neuronal axons. This system is useful in discovering lead compounds that can affect demyelinating diseases.
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
As I alluded to before, neurology is perhaps one of the least advanced areas when it comes to therapeutic targets for treatment of these diseases. The process for identifying new therapeutic targets is complex and relies on a wide range of technologies, but where we can play the greatest role is in being able to easily measure the efficacy of drug treatments on those new targets through measurement of blood-based biomarkers, without requiring CSF or subjective measurements of symptoms. In addition, a large part of accelerating change involves greater funding for research in the form of government grants and private dollars. Pharmaceutical companies in particular have a unique opportunity to accelerate the research needed to identify new therapeutic targets. In order to get their buy-in however, we need to continue to focus on presenting evidence of biomarkers' potential to advance drug development.
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
The accessibility of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in research has dramatically increased the opportunity to identify and evaluate novel targets in cells from patients with a clinically diagnosed disease. I think human iPSCs will provide a range of very exciting new therapeutic targets in the near future. These in vitro discovery efforts are critical for understanding pathways and generating hypotheses, but equally important is the appreciation of the immense complexity of the neuronal network that makes up our brains.
For any novel therapeutic target, we explore the science on multiple levels, starting with the molecular changes that underlie our hypothesis. Our investigation extends to any potential structural changes in specific brain regions and, importantly, to the functional level too, so we can understand if the network connectivity has been altered based on our target interaction. Due to the complexity of the brain, I think it is critical to link any molecular change to a measurable change in the neuronal network that can be used both in a preclinical and a clinical setting.
What Else Would You Like to Share With Our Readers?
J. Michael Ryan, Rodin Therapeutics
It is frustrating to see multiple negative late-stage clinical trial outcomes in persons with AD, but this also underscores the importance of continuing to push forward new ideas refined by what we have learned from prior studies. As an industry, we're determined to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. I'm proud to be part of that movement and grateful for the support Rodin has received from patients, physicians, and advocates for those living with neurologic diseases.
Kevin Hrusovsky, Quanterix
Today we have access to some of the most cutting-edge technologies this world has ever seen. Innovation is at an all-time high. Each day I am humbled by all of the advances being made, particularly in neurology. As technology moves forward we must work even harder to ensure our goals and aspirations to change medicine do not supersede what science proves we can do. Look no further than the revelations surrounding Theranos to see how believing so strongly in a mission without defendable evidence can open us all up to skepticism and distrust. We must ensure that as medical and scientific practitioners we set an example by ensuring every breakthrough or advancement is deeply rooted in science.
Furthermore, I want each and every person to understand the critical role that they play in effecting industry change, especially across neurology—among the most widely examined and problematic therapeutic areas in medicine. To do this however, we must make a commitment to challenge the status quo. We must not get discouraged by failed trials, rather see these as opportunities to consider new approaches to antiquated problems. We must follow the research and go where the science leads. We must maintain an open mind and leverage new technology developments that can accelerate the research to end these terrible diseases. Above all, we need to be outspoken and transparent, while fostering collaboration that will catalyze a movement in our approach to neurological diseases and the greater healthcare system.
Chase Spurlock, IQuity
At our core, IQuity is an analytics company that recognized the value of applying machine learning technology to facilitate our research and to investigate how we can anticipate and optimize the treatment path for patients living with chronic illnesses. When we first began, we found ourselves confronted by a data dilemma—our genomics research generated datasets comprised of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of data points, and we needed the ability to comb through these large datasets efficiently. Since the use of machine learning was in its infancy, we had to construct many of the methods used to interrogate these datasets ourselves—we couldn't just grab software off the shelf. We observed that by allowing the machine to pick out the patterns, we could discover trends in the data that we may not have ever seen simply looking at the datasets ourselves. Human beings have limitations.
This early adoption of machine learning has informed everything we've produced thus far including our genomic blood tests and the broader analytics platform we recently released which is capable of looking at population-level data to create predictive and prescriptive algorithms to detect, monitor and treat chronic illnesses like MS.
What's important for your readers to know? They should be aware that emerging innovations are soon coming online to assist with clinical decision-making. These innovations will include novel diagnostic/biomarker assays and more complex artificial intelligence solutions capable of assisting with clinical decision-making. It's important to recognize the role of technology—it is not to replace clinicians or second-guess their clinical judgment and expertise; it is another tool that gives them information they do not currently have to help them provide the best care possible for their patients. The future of healthcare delivery is exciting and new frontiers are constantly being explored and applied to improve clinician effectiveness, patient outcomes, and lower costs to the healthcare system.
Michal Izrael, Kadimastem Ltd.
Paraphrasing Sir Isaac Newton: if I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
The 30th of August 2017 was a truly historic-giant day for science and innovation. In the US, the FDA issued approval of Kymriah, a genetically modified cell-therapy treatment. The FDA commissioner stated "We're entering a new frontier in medical innovation with the ability to reprogram a patient's own cells to attack a deadly cancer. New technologies such as gene and cell therapies hold out the potential to transform medicine." We believe that the progress in the field of regenerative medicine will accelerate the approval of additional cell therapies, including Kadimastem's therapy AstroRx for the treatment of persons with ALS and hopefully other neurodegenerative diseases.
Practical Neurology would like to thank the companies and their leaders for participating in this roundtable.
Chase Spurlock, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Nashville, TN
Michal Izrael, PhD
Vice President
Research and Development
Neurodegenerative Diseases Kadimastem Ltd.
Nes-Ziona, Israel
Kevin Hrusovsky
President, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
Lexington, MA
J. Michael Ryan, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Rodin Therapeutics
Cambridge, MA


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Golden Globes 2020: Drunk Upon a Time in Hollywood
On the bright side, Cats didn't win anything. But Ricky Gervais kept coughing up hairballs all night. The host's shtick at the 2020 Golden Globes felt incredibly stale, which might be one reason the stars were hitting the champagne harder than usual. The celebrity speeches got loopier as the night went on, on a scale of one to Joaquin. Olivia Colman summed up the mood when she accepted her Best Actress trophy for The Crown. "I don't know what to say," she announced. "I already got a little bit boozy." Who could blame her?
The Golden Globes is the gala that officially kicks off awards season, which isn't to say anyone takes it seriously — the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's trinkets are just "golden dildos," in Peter Travers' immortal words. The Beverly Hills Hilton, as always, was buzzing with desperation and free bubbly. As Gervais declared, "The meal was all vegetables, as are the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association."
Give Ricky credit: He single-handedly rescued this franchise a decade ago, when he rebooted it as the bitchiest of award shows. But then Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took over and did it even better, and for some reason Ricky still seems enraged about it. When he tried to reclaim the Globes in 2016, nobody remembered the next day, since David Bowie died overnight. Last night, his insult-comic banter felt dated — a typical zinger was "I came here in a limo tonight, and the license plate was made by Felicity Huffman." His best quip: "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood was almost three hours long. Leonardo DiCaprio went to the premiere, and by the time it was over, his date was too old for him."
The schmooze-and-booze factor is a Globes tradition — you could spot Meryl Streep smooching Eddie Murphy, or Jay-Z popping a bottle with Beyoncé. A high point all night was the constant shots of the Irishman table, with Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino. Bobby and Marty seemed to be having the best time of anyone in the room, in case you worried they cared (or even noticed) their movie didn't win any Globes.
Editor's picks
Ramy Youssef was a welcome surprise for his semi-autobiographical Hulu sitcom Ramy, making him the night's least famous winner. "I know you guys didn't watch my show," he quipped. "Everyone is like, 'Is this an editor?'" But he surely picked up some new fans with his hilarious speech, especially when he admitted that his mom was rooting for another nominee, because "Egyptians love Michael Douglas."
Awkwafina, a well-deserved winner for The Farewell, dedicated her award to her father: "I told you I'd get a job, Dad." Brian Cox took an acting prize for Succession, seizing the chance to cup TV son Kieran Culkin's face in his hands and give him a great big kiss. Then he got lost wandering through the tables and had to be pointed to the stage by Jason Momoa in a tank top. (Why wasn't Jason wearing his velvet Tom Ford jacket? Because he'd gallantly given it to his wife Lisa Bonet when she got chilly — ever the gentleman.)
Director Bong Joon Ho won for Parasite and gave a rousing speech in Korean, with a translator on hand to make his point: "Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you'll be introduced to so many more amazing films." The moment was also perfectly timed, just hours after Korea's Golden Disc Awards, where BTS went viral with their reaction to Parasite star Park So Dam doing the film's "Jessica Jingle": "Jessica, only child, Chicago Illinois."
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, to the surprise of nobody, won for the glorious second season of Fleabag. (Those final 10 minutes — total genius. Some of us are still recovering.) It was sweet to see Elton's fanboy cheers for Phoebe as she walked to the stage — he must have appreciated her glitter suit. She was the only winner all night to thank a critic, even if the critic was an ex-President. Obama put Fleabag on his best-of-2019 list, a bold gesture considering the scene in Season One when she masturbates while watching him on TV. "Personally, I'd also like to thank Obama, for putting us on his list," she said. "As some of you may know, he's always been on mine."
Elton John took Best Song with his longtime creative partner Bernie Taupin, for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again." It became a poignant moment when Elton crowed, "It's the first time I've ever won an award with him! We never won a Grammy. We never did [win] anything together, and I'm so happy!" Finally, justice for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. It's ironic they won for a trifle nobody noticed in a movie nobody will remember in a year — Rocketman, a biopic that somehow managed to make Elton's life look unbearably boring. (Not to mention mangling a two-word song title.) But as Bernie said, "It's a 52-year marriage."
The most emotionally powerful moment was Kate McKinnon's heartfelt tribute to Ellen DeGeneres. As she said, "In 1997, when Ellen's sitcom was at the height of its popularity, I was in my mothers' basement lifting weights in front of the mirror and thinking 'Am I gay?' And I was. And I still am. But that's a very scary thing to suddenly know about yourself. It's sort of like doing 23 and Me and discovering that you have alien DNA." Ellen's speech was as gracious as McKinnon's, with a nod to special guest Carol Burnett. Her career montage included the Ellen episode where she came out — just to remind everyone her sexual-awakening crush was played by Laura Dern, who won for Marriage Story. This year, all roads lead to Laura Dern.
Michelle Williams gave the night's sharpest and savviest political speech, addressing reproductive choice. "Women from 18 to 118, when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest. It's what men have been doing for years." Patricia Arquette was one of the few stars all night to mention the brand-new war, though her outfit made its own righteous statement, right down to her blue shades. She also had a sweet moment on her walk to the stage: a wave to old pal Quentin Tarantino, 25 years after he wrote her star-making role in True Romance.
Jennifer Aniston had the thankless task of reading Russell Crowe's somber message about the Australian fires. She also had an empathetic smile when she had to watch Brad Pitt win for Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood — now that's grace under pressure. As Brad quipped, "When I asked Quentin how he wanted us to play two aging movie guys who were on their way out, he said, 'Just be yourselves.'" Brave words, considering that this year "Best Supporting Actor" could have been renamed "Most Gratuitous Topless Scene by a 55-Year-Old Man in Movie History." Tarantino gave a film-nerd orgasm of a speech, saluting his screenwriting idols John Milius and Robert Bolt. Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood won nearly every category it was nominated for, except Leo didn't snag Best Actor — as Julia Butters would say, poor Easy Breezy. Quentin also announced that he's in the process of reproducing, an ominous turn of events to be sure.
Joaquin Phoenix, winning Best Actor for Joker, evidently decided to pay tribute to the late Chris Farley by reprising his "nervous interviewer" SNL routine, except interviewing himself. It was a flop-sweat sonata of a speech, the first time all night the orchestra had to play someone off. Then Renée Zellweger won for Judy and set out to top Joaquin, but couldn't reach his level of incoherence. Sacha Baron Cohen described Jojo Rabbit as the story of "a naive, misguided child who spreads Nazi propaganda and only has imaginary friends. His name is Mark Zuckerberg." It was his funniest move at the Golden Globes since the time he dumped Kim Jong Il's ashes on Ryan Seacrest.
Warren Beatty was seated next to Taylor Swift, which must have been the work of a practical joker with a sense of history. Pierce Brosnan, who played one of the three dads in Mamma Mia, did another solid for fatherhood by donating his sons to wander across the stage as escorts. Tom Hanks got the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award and saw his highlight reel kick off with a clip from The Love Boat. De Niro had a grave face while Tom was talking, no doubt remembering the night they gave him this award and he did an unbelievably douchey stand-up routine about Megan Fox.
Note: The ceremony didn't include an "In Memoriam" montage this year — maybe because it's impossible not to snicker at an "In Memoriam" montage ever again after the Netflix sketch series I Think You Should Leave parodied them with surgical precision (see "Baby of the Year," Episode One). But really, adding "cause of death" to those things is an innovation that needs to happen, even if nobody gets pancaked by a dump truck driver.


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Hi, my name is Jon Bumstead.
I am a State Senator, former President of SCI Michigan Chapter, and co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus along with Senator Adam Hollier, Representative Tristan Cole, and Representative Leslie Love. The bipartisan Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus (MLSC) consists of legislator members who are dedicated to protecting the rights of Michigan hunters, anglers and trappers. The caucus meets 4-6 times throughout the year to discuss pending legislation that may impact sportsmen and women from across this state. We also host an annual Wild Game Dinner each May. If you would like to be involved in the MLSC and get to know the Michigan legislators who share the same interest as you please consider doing one of the following…
Ways to get involved:
- If you would like more information on the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus please see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MichiganLegislativeSportsmensCaucus
- If you are interested in being a guest speaker please contact Travis Chapman at 517-373-5483.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you at our next meeting!
Jon Bumstead


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Snap Workout: H.I.I.T.
2013-07-31 |
The Warm-up:
Select your favorite cardio machine and get your body loosened and blood flow moving for 5 minutes. The warm-up should increase your heart rate, but it should not leave you feeling fatigued.
The Workout:
30 seconds of each exercise
Complete 4 circuits
1a. Jumping Jacks
1b. Wall sit
1c. Bicycle crunches
Rest 30 seconds
2a. Step-ups
2b. Squats
2c. Elbow plank
Rest 30 seconds
3a. Mountain Climbers
3b. Lunges
3c. Side plank
Rest 60 seconds and Repeat circuit (complete 4 circuits total)
The Cool-Down:
End your workout routine with stretching exercises for 3-5 minutes
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A Hindu reporter in Pakistan's state-run news agency here was forced to drink water from a separate glass and barred from sharing utensils with other Muslim staff at his workplace after his colleagues found out his caste.
Sahib Khan Oad, a senior reporter with Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), has been barred from drinking water in the same glass and sharing utensils with other Muslim staff at the office, the Express Tribune reported.
Oad, who hails from Dadu district, was initially appointed as a reporter in APP Islamabad and was transferred to Hyderabad and then Karachi in April this year.
The discriminatory attitude started soon after Oad's younger son Raj Kumar visited his office and everyone found out that he was Hindu.
"Actually my name contains the word 'Khan' so everyone in the office initially thought I was Muslim," the paper quoted him as saying.
"The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations," he claimed.
Since the start of Ramazan, Oad is not allowed to sit at the same dining table at the time of Iftar and senior colleagues have suggested he bring his own plates and glasses if he wants to eat in the office, the paper said.
"I have now bought a separate glass and plate for the office," he said.
APP Karachi bureau chief Parvez Aslam denied making any such request. "He was suffering from flu so we suggested he arrange a separate glass," he said.
Aslam pointed out that he supported Oad when he was transferred from Hyderabad and called the discrimination charges 'total propaganda'.
"You can come to my office and see how he eats Iftar with us," he said.
Meanwhile, APP managing director Masood Malik said that they have started inquiry into the matter.
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), an organisation that works for labour rights, has written a letter to federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid against the discriminatory attitude.
"We are really shocked to know that a bureau chief of a government news agency has pressurised a reporter to drink in a separate glass because he is Hindu," wrote Piler executive director Karmat Ali.
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First of its kind, community-driven initiative celebrates customers' good deeds and generates engagement from retailers.
Cenex—the CHS energy brand—has launched a new a program that recognizes and rewards people for the everyday acts of kindness that make our communities a better place to live.
As part of a new marketing campaign launched last December, Tanks of Thanks is a program that invites Cenex retailers, customers and community members, to nominate others for free Cenex fuel as a way of saying thank you for their contributions to their community.
"Customers trust the Cenex brand because our locations are locally owned and an active part of the communities they serve," said Kayte Haaland, CHS refined fuels brand marketing manager. "The We're With You campaign and the Tanks of Thanks program reinforce our philosophy that our customers and our communities are at the heart of everything we do."
Nominating someone for Tanks of Thanks is easy, and anyone can nominate or be nominated for any act of kindness—big or small. People can participate simply by visiting TanksofThanks.com and briefly describing why a community member deserves a Tank of Thanks. The site also shares nominations from communities across the country, highlighting the selfless acts that make these communities great places to live, work and play. Each month, winners will be drawn at random to receive a Tanks of Thanks gift card worth $50 in free fuel.
In addition to the monthly drawing, each Cenex retailer is awarding Tanks of Thanks gift cards to individuals making contributions in their local community. By the end of 2012, it is anticipated that Tanks of Thanks will recognize more than 2,500 people.
"The Cenex brand has deep-roots in the communities that we serve; and we're delighted to give back to those people who go out of their way to make the community a better place," added Haaland. "These acts of kindness do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Tanks of Thanks is our way of celebrating and sharing inspiring stories—and hopefully encouraging others to think about ways they can make a difference, too.
In addition to the Tanks of Thanks program, the We're With You campaign also includes a new Cenexperts blog, providing insight from CHS experts on everything from ways to improve fleet efficiency and tips for heavy machinery maintenance, to home heating safety and tips for deep-frying a turkey.
To visit the Cenexperts blog or to learn more about the "We're With You" campaign, visit TanksofThanks.com


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Confession time! I'm a canary, of sorts.
No, I do not sing like one. (In fact, during school assemblies, I was told to lip-sync, for the sake of everyone present!) — Like an estimated 15% of Americans, I am highly sensitive to many common chemicals found in offices, homes, and retail establishments. – Why am I called a 'canary', then? I'll get to that, later. Promise.
The condition which affects folks, differently, goes by the names: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI), and Environmental Illness, among others.
The sad truth is that many of this 15% are unaware that they have a condition that comes with both a name and some governmental protections.
Where does the 15% number that I use, come from? Well there have been a number of government and university-level surveys conducted. The range of those who responded that they have hyper-sensitive reactions to certain chemicals in their life was in the 15% 'ballpark'. (Some lower and some higher.) – What really matters is that the percentage of those of us with some level of MCS is reasonably high.
So, MCS refers to an assortment of reactions when exposed to common (and uncommon) chemicals. Reactions vary with the individual and the chemicals. Common ones include: Vertigo, nausea, muscle pain and weakness, headaches, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, and 'brain fog' (inability to concentrate). Because it is not an allergy, there is no medications that really prevent the effects of an exposure. Depending upon the individual's level of MCS, problems resulting from exposures can worsen over time.
Governors in 35 states have issued proclamations regarding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Toxic Chemical Injury Awareness, one or more times. (FL has done so over 6 times!) These states are: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida. Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Missouri, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington. – Also, the Mayor of the District of Columbia has proclaimed MCS Awareness.
Fragrances are but one source of problems for those of us with MCS. Yet, they are an important one. Consider that there are countless chemicals in use that the FDA has never tested and likely will not due to financial costs. Then, you have federal protections afforded cosmetic companies so that they do not have to list many of the ingredients used in their products, claiming the information to be 'trade secrets'.
In addition to harming those with MCS, asthmatics suffer, often in silence, from being exposed to co-workers' air fresheners, incense, and perfumes/colognes.
Fortunately, an increasing number of government agencies are banning the use of scented products or at least advising against their use. – For example, the Maine Department of Labor instituted a voluntary fragrance-free policy for those at its one-stop centers. A number of Massachusetts government offices are also fragrance-free zones. – A number of hospitals and professional associations have adopted similar policies, in recognition of the problem. (Ex., http://www.massnurses.org/health-and-safety/articles/chemical-exposures/p/openItem/1346)
Sick Building Syndrome is another source of concern. – Sick buildings are ones where the indoor air quality is such that individuals experience one or more health problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a great factsheet regarding SBS. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/sick_building_factsheet.pdf).
Extremely ironic is that one of the first publicized examples of a 'sick building' was the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 1988! (http://articles.philly.com/1989-11-26/real_estate/26140477_1_indoor-air-pollution-epa-headquarters-environmental-protection-agency)
Business Week once ran a cover story, 'Is Your Office Killing You?' (http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_23/b3684001.htm)
Then, of course there are the VOCs. (Volatile Organic Chemicals.) These are often odorless but can have serious consequences. Common sources are furniture, carpeting, and paint. — Formaldehyde is a major culprit. Think back to the Katrina trailers designed to act as temporary housing for those who were displaced. Well, doctors began seeing a relatively large number of patients who were experiencing nose bleeds, headaches, and nausea. The culprit in many instances was from formaldehyde used in the trailers' manufacturing. As a result of this, new ones had to be ordered and the existing ones 'put out to pasture', all at a great expense.
Some of you have probably experienced headaches, watery eyes, and some sinus congestion when your office space was newly painted, carpeted, or outfitted with new particle board desks. Well, you felt, however briefly, what folks such as myself do, frequently, but on a larger scale.
Another area of concern involves cleaning chemicals. And their lobbying groups.
Cities, states, schools (including universities) have all found great savings from the use of green cleaning products: Dollars and a reduction in absenteeism from those adversely affected by traditional cleaning agents. Among them are Minneapolis, Seattle, Santa Monica, Rochester, Maine, Harvard University Medical School, and the University of Georgia. (http://www.butlerdearden.com/greener-buildings-improve-staff-and-student-performance/) – However, there are lobby groups that represent the traditional cleaning manufacturers and chemical companies. They can feel threatened by the movement toward greener cleaning and therefore try to block legislation that would mandate a change in how government entities are maintained.
Many federal agencies have specific personnel policy language addressing the needs of those with MCS. – Workers' compensation and EEOC claims have been filed on behalf of employees who suffered injuries or been denied basic and reasonable accommodations.
There are resources available to help employers recognize what primary concerns there are and some responsibilities that they must bear. (http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/09244.pdf — JAN (the Job Accommodation Network) is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor. (http://askjan.org/media/downloads/MCSEIA&CSeries.pdf)
Back to 'my story'.
I have been lucky to some extent. Yes, 2 environmental medicine specialists have diagnosed me with MCS. Yes, I must be careful about where I go and be prepared for any one of a variety of reactions depending upon the exposure. And, yes, explaining MCS to others can be a drag.
But, I am fortunate that agencies have been accommodating, overall. Co-workers avoid using air fresheners and perfumes. They clean their work areas with agents that I provide. And, I work around and with this condition.
My earlier promise to explain being a 'canary'.
Well, back in the day, when coal miners would need to know whether or not there was sufficient and safe air quality in a particular mine shaft, they would first send down a canary. Canaries are especially reactive to poisonous gases that are colorless and odorless. If the bird was healthy and full of song, then the miners knew that it was probably safe to venture down the shaft. If not, then it was time for them to hightail it out of there. – Those of us with MCS will hopefully help companies produce safer products and governments to provide safe environments for their employees and citizens.
(NOTE: I must warn that there are unfortunately those medical professionals who do not believe in MCS, just as many did not believe in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia or Gulf War Syndrome. And, there are businesses hawking all sorts of bizarre diets and products geared toward curing us. — The reality is that MCS does exist. There is currently no cure. Avoidance of triggers is the best advice, currently, for us.)
To learn more about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS): http://www.mcs-america.org/understanding.pdf
Russell A. Irving is part of the GovLoop Featured Blogger program, where we feature blog posts by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Blogger posts, click here.


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Building Links for Your Web Site
Getting your website higher rankings means more people will see your site when they do a relevant search. It takes time and skill to build a website that people will want to visit. You have to have great content and well written articles. Great graphics and pictures that do not take forever for the average user to load are also a huge plus. Aside from creating a site that has exceptional quality, there are other ways to boost a rank and get more unique visitors. One of the best ways is to build links to your site. Link building is equal parts art and science.
There are a few ways to build links, for example link exchanges can prove a very valuable tool for your site. One of the quickest ways to get people to link to your site is to create "101 ways" lists. These are quick to read and can gain a lot of traction with people who "digg". Lists that offer the top ten or ten best are also hard for people to resist and are quite popular things to link to. You can create lists comparing different products or pit them against each other. These are popular with techies especially.
Take some time and make sure that the spelling and grammar are correct and easy to read. This is very important if you intend to build links from professionals. You cannot be counted as an authority if half of your writing is misspelled. It is also necessary to present your site in a way that inspires trust. Having an open and easy to read privacy policy can go a long way towards making visitors feel at ease when browsing through your site and linking to content you have posted. It may also help to create an informative "about" page, which describes when and why your site is there.
Writing an entertaining and informative blog can be a great way to drive up traffic to your website. Reviewing local businesses and services helps develop your authority at a local level and can ingratiate you with people in social networks. Creating a social network site than people can "like" or become fans of can get even more page views. If you trade links with other sites, it is important to make sure that the site you have linked to is relevant to yours otherwise you can actually drive people away.