text:
At the inaugural Singapore Mini Maker Faire, National Instruments (NI) presents the NI LabVIEW Robotics Starter Kit, also known as DaNI, an industrial-grade, out-of-the-box robotics platform designed for teaching robotics and mechantronics concepts or for prototyping a robotic system, and Angry Eagle.
Read on to find out more.
About the booth
Through our interview, NI shared with us that their booth will showcase the above two items. The robotic demo showcases a Platform that allows you to quickly start prototyping your own autonomous application. It comes with an NI Single-Board RIO embedded controller that is mounted on top of a Pitsco TETRIX erector robot base, Ultrasonic sensor, encoders, motors and battery. This is an easy-to-use platform to start designing your first autonomous robot.
The second demo is the Angry Eagle game with actual slingshot. A big slingshot is built to fire the angry eagle. A force sensor and a variable resistor are used to measure the force and the angle that the player asserted. The data collected is transmitted to the computer through WiFi using NI WiFi Data Acquisition device(DAQ). Upon receiving the data from the WiFi DAQ, the computer program simulate the force and fires an eagle to break the bricks. With LabVIEW, the graphical programming platform, and simple NI DAQ devices, a lot of computer games can be brought to reality without much knowledge in computing.
Do visit their booth to speak with their engineers to learn more!
About the workshop
Besides the booth showcases, NI will also conduct a presentation entitled "Hack the Kinect and Other Cool Sensors with LabVIEW" . In this session, NI will introduce to you how to hack the Microsoft Xbox Kinect, iRobot Create, Neato lidar, Google Android, Apple iPhone, Texas Instruments ez430-Chronos, Nintendo Wii remote and Nunchuck, and the Arduino Uno with NI LabVIEW.
The common factor of the presentation and the booth is the platform behind all the interesting projects. This platform is called LabVIEW. LabVIEW is a graphical programming platform, inheriting the idea of a flowchart.
They had conducted one session of the workshop at the first day, but you are still in time to catch them for the 1pm session today. Don't miss it!
Encouraging more makers
When asked how we should encourage Singaporeans to make things, NI replied that the first step would be to educate Singaporeans on all the tools that are out there which will enable one to pretty much do whatever one wants. The next and much bigger step would be to provide Singaporeans access to these tools without breaking the piggy bank. NI's main advice would be to find as many like minded individuals and work on team based projects, so that cost is distributed and teammates can motivate one another to stretch their goals further. They also acknowledge that the lack of facilities would be a limiting factor. NI is open to talking to anyone who is interested in building these core facilities up for Singapore.
Today is the second and last day of our Mini Maker Faire. Check them out!


text:
Now we SAW this baby coming across miles away, and this will not be the last. Just yesterday, Fannie said MERS poses a significant risk…no DOUBT!
Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. "illegally prosecuted" non-judicial foreclosures in Michigan and owes more than $100 million to people who lost their homes, lawyers for three homeowners said in a lawsuit.
The homeowners said Merscorp Inc.'s MERS, which runs an electronic registry of mortgages, used Michigan's so-called foreclosure by advertisement process illegally and "misappropriated" their homes. Any foreclosures by MERS using this process in Michigan should be voided, they said in their complaint filed in federal court in Detroit.
© 2010-19 FORECLOSURE FRAUD | by DinSFLA. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Following the release of Rachel Uchitel and David Boreanaz's alleged text messages on Thursday, Tiger Woods' alleged former mistress says the texts in question are "not authentic" and she goes on to claim she did have a relationship with the "Bones" star and that he pursued her and loved her.
"I did not intend to make any statements about David Boreanaz and our relationship. However, given the fact that texts were published this morning over my objection that were not authentic, taken completely out of context or incomplete, I feel compelled to address the false picture that has been portrayed," Uchitel said in a statement to Access Hollywood. "For reasons unknown to me I believe that someone is deliberately trying to portray me in a false light. These texts should not have been published. I am in possession of many authentic text messages between David and myself which portray a completely different picture than the one based upon the texts that have been published today."
On Thursday, Radar Online published a series of alleged text messages that they claim were exchanged between Uchitel and Boreanaz.
"You're such a liar.You're never leaving. You've wasted my time and I'm once again alone," Uchitel allegedly said in a text to the actor, adding, ""I can't (bleeping) be alone anymore. I've been alone my entire life."
Boreanaz allegedly replied, writing, "What the HELL are you talking about. We spend more than enough time together."
In her statement to Access, Uchitel goes on to claim that Boreanaz loved her and that she ended the relationship with him.
"First of all I want to make it clear that he pursued me. Second, the authentic texts which I have reveal that David Boreanaz repeatedly expressed his deep love and affection towards me," she continued in her statement. "Third, I broke off the relationship because I no longer respected or trusted him. Finally, I am deeply hurt and offended that anyone would think that I wanted to break up his family. Nothing could be further from the truth."
Uchitel's lawyer, Gloria Allred, also released a statement on Thursday, saying, "Rachel Uchitel had a romantic relationship with David Boreanaz. She understood that he was unhappy in his marriage and had been for some time and she had reason to believe that he intended to separate from his wife. He continually asked Ms. Uchitel to be patient and to wait for him."
"Some of the reasons that she believed him include that he spoke to Ms. Uchitel on the telephone and through text messages from morning until night on a regular basis. He treated her as his girlfriend and also took her out in public. He called her between takes when he was taping his television show and put her on the telephone with his friends and his son," Allred's statement continued. "He even stayed with Ms. Uchitel when he came to New York for press tours. He gave her a silver key on a chain to symbolize "the key to their hearts." He also sent her a video of himself telling her how much he loved her, that he loved her then and that he would love her forever. She has kept the video. Their relationship ended because Ms. Uchitel decided to break it off. She felt that he had not been completely truthful with her and she no longer trusted him."
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Boreanaz publicly admitted to having cheated on his wife, Jaime Bergman, and claimed a woman, whom he would not name, contacted his attorney, Marty Singer, and asked for money. Boreanaz has not named Uchitel as the woman he claims was blackmailing him or acknowledged having a relationship with Uchitel.
When contacted by Access Hollywood, reps for Boreanaz were not immediately available for comment.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebrity Cheaters (Allegedly)
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Are They Or Aren't They? Hollywood's Hottest Rumored Couples
PLAY IT NOW: On TV: FOX's 'Bones' Celebrates 100th Episode (April 8, 2010)
PLAY IT NOW: What Really Happened Between Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren?
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: David Boreanaz - Rachel Uchitel - Tiger Woods - Gloria Allred - Media


text:
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a voluntary annual reward and incentive programme for all GP surgeries in England, detailing practice achievement results. It is not about performance management but resourcing and then rewarding good practice.
The QOF contains three main components, known as domains. The three domains are: Clinical; Public Health and Public Health – Additional Services. Each domain consists of a set of achievement measures, known as indicators, against which practices score points according to their level of achievement. The 2018/19 QOF measured achievement against 77 indicators; practices scored points based on achievement against each indicator, up to a maximum of 559 points.
- Clinical: consists of 65 indicators across 19 clinical areas (e.g. chronic kidney disease, heart failure, hypertension) worth up to a maximum of 435 points.
- Public health: consists of seven indicators (worth up to 97 points) across four clinical areas – blood pressure, cardiovascular disease – primary prevention, obesity 18+ and smoking 15+.
- Public health – additional services: consists of five indicators (worth up to 27 points) across two service areas – cervical screening and contraception.
For accessibility purposes, all six conditions/measures within public health and public health additional services are to be found under the one heading 'Public Health'.
The QOF gives an indication of the overall achievement of a surgery through a points system. Practices aim to deliver high quality care across a range of areas for which they score points. Put simply, the higher the score, the higher the financial reward for the practice. The final payment is adjusted to take account of surgery workload, local demographics and the prevalence of chronic conditions in the practice's local area.
NHS Digital has developed this online database to allow patients and the public easy access to the latest annual QOF points as an indication of how well their surgery is doing. NHS Digital is working to make information more relevant and accessible to patients and the public, regulators, health and social care professionals and policy makers, leading to improvements in knowledge and efficiency.
Browse the online database to find the results for your local surgery.
Other searches will compare your local GP practice to other GP practices in the local area and the national results across England, but caution should be taken in interpreting the results, as explained below in "what this site cannot tell you".
The online database provides easy access to comprehensive information on the pattern of common chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and coronary heart disease. In terms of scale, the data for QOF are collected from 6,873 GP practices with over 59 million registered patients in England.
The QOF helps practices compare the delivery and quality of care currently provided against the achievements of previous years. Ultimately, the aim is to improve standards of care by assessing and benchmarking the quality of care patients receive.
The clinical codes used to define the Learning Disabilities register changed for 2018-19, meaning that the prevalence figures for 2018-19 are not comparable with those for previous years.
Changes to the QOF indicators for previous years can be found on the NHS Employers website: www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/primary-care-contacts/general-medical-services/quality-and-outcomes-framework
The sample of the output chart above shows the results for some of the clinical indicator groups for an individual GP practice.
The latest 2018/19 results are presented in the chart, which also displays the current year's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and England averages.
Similar charts are available for the total achievement results, the individual domain results and the underlying achievement details for the individual indicators within each indicator group.
You can use this specially designed website to make specific searches on achievement in the following ways:
- search for any GP practice in England
- find the overall achievement score for any practice
- breakdown the achievement by a series of clinical measures
- compare local surgery achievement with other surgeries and the local CCG and England averages
- find explanations of the QOF clinical indicators
- export simple data tables of multiple practice results
- The QOF information is collected at an aggregate level for each general practice and does not refer to specific patients, therefore it cannot show how well a surgery treats its patients.
- The QOF only reflects part of the work that a general practice is responsible for; it measures only those conditions specified by NICE and used in the 2018/19 GMS contract. As such NHS Digital does not recommend or endorse the use of QOF data to rank practices into league tables. Users should also bear in mind that a practice which has no patients who have a particular QOF-measured condition cannot score any QOF points for that clinical area and could wrongly be perceived as being a lower performer in any rank of points scored. This is particularly relevant for specialist centres and those with specific demographics, e.g. a university practice whose patients are primarily students.
- Participation in QOF is voluntary – no data are available for those practices that do not choose to participate in QOF
The QOF FAQs are available on the QOF publication page: digital.nhs.uk/pubs/qof1819


text:
Item #7620
10-15 Days. Did you know there is a fifth taste sensation? After sweet, salty, bitter, and sour, comes savory. Chefs in the 1800s named this flavor umami, which is Japanese for "delicious" or "yummy." That's exactly what Umami Asian Blend is! Layers of complementary savory and spicy notes, make this mix the perfect garnish for Asian dishes and meats or added to salads for an extra pop of flavor. Umami Asian Blend microgreens can be grown indoors at any time of year and are a nutrient-packed way to get your "green fix" in the dead of winter. Move containers as needed for best light exposure and temperature. Harvest when first leaves appear and enjoy! Detailed sowing instructions inside packet.
This packet sows up to three 10" x 20" flats.
Days to Emerge:
Seed Depth:
Seed Spacing:
When to sow outside: Not recommended. Microgreens are fragile, and outside soil makes them difficult to clean.
When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. Sow indoors any time of year. For a continual crop, sow every 10 to 14 days.
Special sowing instructions: Use a shallow container with 1"-2" of potting soil. Sow seeds in a single layer, and cover with 1/8"-1/4" of soil.
Harvesting: When seedlings emerge, the first pair of leaves to show are the cotyledons, which can look very different from the leaves that follow, called "true" leaves. Umami Asian microgreens are ready to harvest 10 to 15 days after sowing, when they have cotyledons. Cool growing temperatures may slow germination and growth. Harvest by cutting just above the soil line.
(Percent of mix by weight)
Artist: Marjorie Leggitt
"The seeds germinated well and there were quite a few seeds in the packet so a good value." - K. Elliott
Item #7620
12.00 grams
What are microgreens and baby greens?
Micro- and baby greens are tiny, tender, flavorful seedlings of vegetables and/or herbs. Microgreens may be…


text:
John Makely / NBC News
Miatid Amini makes his way with his family onto a truck in Moonachie, N.J., on Tuesday. Frank Mercadante, right, assists.
TETERBORO, N.J., Updated at 3:15 p.m. ET — Residents of four northern New Jersey towns inundated when a levee failed to hold back Sandy's storm surge said Tuesday that they were terrified to see a torrent of water racing through their streets.
"Around 10 p.m. (Monday) water just started rushing down the street ... there was no stopping it," said Stefania Davi, 34, of Little Ferry, one of the four Bergen County boroughs hit by the floodwaters. Two hours later, it burst through the family's garage door. "We're doomed," Davi remembered thinking.
Davi, a mother of three boys, and her husband, Salvatore, were among hundreds of residents of Moonachie, Little Ferry, South Hackensack and Hackensack drying out and trading hugs and tears early Tuesday at the Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro.
There also were tales of dramatic rescues.
Frank Lofaro, 32, said he jumped on his Jet Ski to help ferry about a dozen of his neighbors in Little Ferry to waiting rescue boats.
"We'll do our own share," he remembered thinking, though he acknowledged he was scared piloting the personal watercraft through the water.
John Makely / NBC News
The flood aftermath in Moonachie, N.J., on Tuesday.
He also used the Jet Ski to take his wife, Angela Valenta, 37, their two children and their 5-year-old dog, Lucky Leo, to the rescue boats.
Valenta said her son, 9-year-old Angelo, was crying during the flooding. "He kept saying, 'Am I going to die?'" she said.
There were conflicting accounts on whether the levee protecting the towns broke or was overtopped.
The National Weather Service issued a statement Tuesday morning saying that "portions" of the towns were submerged after the levee broke. But Jeanne Baratta, a spokeswoman for Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan, said the flooding occurred after the swollen Hackensack River overflowed its banks, Reuters reported.
Watch aerials from WCAU of the devastation from Sandy along the New Jersey Shore. Raw video.
She told the New Jersey newspaper, The Record that the towns, along with parts of Carlstadt, had been "devastated" by the flood of water. And she said that as many as 1,000 residents had to leave their homes and that people in a trailer park had to climb onto the roofs of their trailers to await rescue, NBCNewYork.com reported.
Among those evacuating residents were members of an extended family from the area with a military-style transport cargo truck. By mid-afternoon, they had ferried an estimated 275 passengers, including a pregnant woman, children and pets, to the shelter and other stops in the truck, which had rubber bats and lights inside from recent duty as a Halloween ride.
During a trip into the flood zone residents waved the truck down as it plowed through several feet of standing water, or simply waved and cheered the crew on.
"People in need, that's what we're all about," said John Mercadante, 47, president of a medical imaging center in Clifton.
One of those they plucked up from their flooded doorstep was Russell Gassler, 56, and his mother, Claire, 80. The younger Gassler, a driver for a paint business, said his street was "bone dry" until the water started "raging" down it.
"It just came, the waves," he said. "I just couldn't believe it."
Little Ferry Mayor Mauro Raguseo, who was greeting fellow residents at the Teterboro shelter, was unable to shed any light on the cause. "All we were told is that it's a levee problem," he said.
Raguseo said that rescues were continuing early Tuesday afternoon.
"I'm just concerned at the moment for the people that are still in their homes," he said.
John Makely / NBC News
Laura Wyer sits with her dog Bailey in the Bergen County Technical School on Tuesdayafter being evacuated from her home in Moonachie, N.J.
Davi and her husband and three boys watched nervously through the night, "just praying and praying" as the floodwater lapped at the threshold of their raised first-floor living quarters.
It never came in, though, before the family was rescued by boat early Tuesday, along with their 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Rosie.
Davi, who was able to grab some family photos and computers before climbing into the boat, said she was feeling optimistic that her family would soon be back on its feet despite the ordeal.
"Today's a new day and tomorrow will be another one," she said. "I survived cancer. I can survive a flood."
Levee break Borough of Moonachie Bergen County. nixle.us/83P77— NJSP - State Police (@NJSP) October 30, 2012
But Mayor Raguseo said he was among the residents to feel the Sandy's full sting.
"I've lost everything as well," he said of the home that he moved into six months ago. "It's just devastating."
Rescuers are going door-to-door to save residents in Moonachie, N.J. stranded by floodwater caused by Sandy.
Andrew Burton / Getty Images
Superstorm Sandy made landfall Monday evening on a destructive and deadly path across the Northeast.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- The big picture: Assessing Sandy's devastation
- Live updates on superstorm Sandy
- Northern N.J. towns submerged when surge overcomes levee
- 50 homes burn as six-alarm blaze rips through Queens
- Storm seen as unlikely to delay election
- The superstorm, by the numbers
- Water surges into lower Manhattan as superstorm blasts through
- PhotoBlog: Images of Sandy's devastation
- The stay-behinds: Residents tell why they defied evacuation order
- Your images of Sandy's fury
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


text:
Benvenuto sul network Rome Polyglot!
|FabioROMAMarch 2017
Hello, I'm Italian I'm here for to improve my english and I will help you to learn Italian
|Alessandra83February 2017
Hi, i'm Italian, form Rome, I'd like find new friends in roma to improve my english.
|StevenLeeAugust 2016
Hello ~
I'm Korean. my name is Steven Lee. I'm Going to go to Rome 13, September, 2016.
I want to make Italian friends. If you want to be a my friend, plz send message - Kakao ID: SafeSteven
or text me on this page.
|LorenzoMarApril 2016
hi! I'm italian and I'd like find new friends in roma to improve my english end spanish , see you next!
|vultusNovember 2012
Hello, I'm Italian and I would like to learn English language, but also to meet new people.
|sabryesseOctober 2012
hi!I live in italy and I'd like to improve my english with new friends from all over the world!and I can help you with your italian.ty
|PaoloCanadeseMarch 2012
Io abito in Canada, parlo inglese. Cerco per un amico chi vorrano parlano italiano, e correggono io. Anche io parlero inglese e correggo inglese di Lei.
sabryesseOctober 2012ciao paolo io voglio imparare l'inglese


text:
General Arrangements Committee Manual
- Committee Chair
- Entertainment Committee
- Finance Committee
- Guest Program Committee
- Plant Tours Committee
- Program Copy Committee
- Publicity Committee
While the AIChE Meetings Department will coordinate the overall meeting operations, it is desirable and helpful to have representatives from the local section involved in specific areas of the meeting's planning. Essentially, our common goal is to provide an enjoyable, worthwhile experience for our attendees and to promote the Institute's activities to both members and nonmembers.
In order to accomplish these objectives, the General Arrangements Committee and AIChE headquarters staff will work closely in many areas of the meeting's development. This manual outlines the key areas of responsibility for the General Arrangements Committee and is based on recent and past experiences in the organization of Spring National and Annual Meetings.
The GAC Chair may appoint the following positions* to accomplish the overall goals of the Committee:
- Vice-Chair
- Secretary
- Finance Chair
- Plant Tours / Guest Program / Entertainment Chair
- Program Copy / Publicity Chair
* This is merely a suggested form of organization and the Chair should feel free to combine or eliminate any subcommittees as necessary.
The General Arrangements Committee Chair is encouraged to hold periodic meetings with the sub-committee chairs to get first-hand information on their progress. In turn, these various chairs may find it useful to hold meetings of their own committees.
The GAC Chair is responsible for the advance planning and organization of the entire General Arrangements Committee. This can best be accomplished by maintaining close contact with the AIChE Meetings Department. The following are some general guidelines:
- All contracts for services and special events requiring a financial commitment must be signed and organized by AIChE Headquarters. The AIChE Meetings Department is knowledgeable on the subject of contracts; therefore, they should be used as a direct resource to minimize exposure to liability in the event of unexpected problems.
- All ticketed events, including plant tours, guest program tours, and social events, must be entirely self-sustaining, including transportation. The GAC committee is asked to provide and arrange 2-3 plant tours for the meeting (Once the tours are decided busing will be arranged by AIChE Headquarters). Guest program tours and all transportation for tours/events is planned and arranged by the AIChE Meetings Department. We strongly recommend that the GAC Committee help AIChE with suggestions for various guest program tours and one evening event.
- Requests for hospitality suites should be referred to the AIChE Meetings Department.
- It is important that at the conclusion of the Meeting, GAC sub-committees submit a final report on their activities before, during and after the meeting.
As an expression of AIChE's gratitude, the GAC Chair and Co-Chair are invited with their spouses/companions to attend a reception hosted by AIChE Board of Directors on the Saturday evening prior to the Annual meeting. GAC committee members working on behalf of AIChE and spouses are also invited to attend the Saturday reception. Invitations will be issued from AIChE headquarters approximately one month prior to the meeting.
Complimentary meeting registration is available to Committee members who have specific duties at the meeting site and who will not be attending the technical sessions. The maximum number of complimentary registrations is 15.
In addition, the General Arrangements Committee may spend up to $500 on a post-meeting celebration. This gathering is another way to express AIChE's appreciation for the time and efforts of Committee members.
Before the Meeting
|10 months
|Appoint chairs to head the various sub-committees.
|10 months
up to meeting
Hold meetings of the sub-committee chairs to create
Send a list of committee members (and their functions)
For the Annual Meeting, your contact is Jeff Wood (email@example.com),
|6 months
|Check with Program Copy / Publicity Chair regarding
copy for printed program. The deadline for submission of
material to AIChE is approximately five (5) months
before the meeting date.
|5 months
|Confirm that final and full program copy has been sent
to AIChE Headquarters.
After the Meeting
|1 month
|Remind General Arrangements sub-committee chairs that
meeting reports are due.
We request that you write a report of your activities as General Arrangements Committee Chair suggesting deletions, changes and improvements to this Manual. Your experience and recommendations will be of great help to us, the AIChE staff, as well as future General Arrangements Committee Chairs. |
The function of this chair is to suggest entertainment functions that will be enjoyable for meeting attendees.
Welcoming Reception
Historically, the Welcoming Reception has been the most well attended event of the meeting. It provides a venue for attendees to meet one another and is held on the Sunday evening before the meeting.
Most General Arrangements Committees have been very successful in obtaining contributions from local industry to subsidize the Welcoming Reception. We encourage you to pursue this, since there is no budget to support food for this event.
The following are some important items to note while planning the Welcoming Reception:
- All expenses associated with the Welcoming Reception must be covered by the money raised by the GAC. This includes all food, decorations, fund raising costs (i.e., phones, and postage) and any other miscellaneous costs that may occur. (The donations only pertain to food, not beverages.)
- Before beginning the fund raising activity, target local companies and decide who you will contact. It is best to start early because budgets are tight. We recommend that you approach potential sponsors for donations in the range of $1000-$5000. All donations should be made payable to AIChE and sent to headquarters for deposit. Organizations that contribute funds to the Welcoming Reception will be recognized by appropriate signage at the event, in the registration area, and in the program book. Additionally, tables will be available for these sponsors to display a small quantity of literature.
- For a Spring Meeting, typically 500 people attend the reception, but at an Annual Meeting the number can grow to 2500-3000.
- It is more cost efficient to hold the Welcoming Reception in the meeting headquarters hotel. Even though the cost of food and beverage may sometimes be less expensive at another location, other charges such as transportation and room rentals often negate these savings.
- All contracts and food and beverage orders are completed through AIChE Headquarters. Again, remember that this event must be self-sustaining. All costs must be covered by donations. Cash bars are implemented to maximize the amount of money that will be available for food.
- Many people use the Welcoming Reception as an opportunity to network and catch up with friends. In order to provide an environment conducive to conversation and interaction among attendees, it has been decided not to have entertainment at this event. This is a specific directive of the AIChE Executive Committee and must be honored.
Evening Event
At a Spring Meeting, the best day to hold the GAC meeting evening event is either Tuesday or Wednesday, and at an Annual Meeting the most popular day is Wednesday. It is extremely important to have Committee members attend the evening events to make sure things go smoothly and be available to handle any emergencies that may occur. The GAC is asked to provide suggestions so that the AIChE Meetings Department can work directly with a local destination management company to come up with an exciting event.
The following are some important items to note while planning the Evening Event:
- Based on past history, and taking into consideration the number of other activities scheduled at a meeting, only one evening event may be planned.
- The evening event must be entirely self-sustaining. When deciding on suggestions for this event, be sure to include hidden costs such as buses, gratuities and any other items not included in the price quoted by the event locations.
- As you plan your suggestions for the evening event, be realistic in the number of attendees that will purchase tickets. Typically this event at a Spring Meeting will range from 20-40 attendees, while an Annual Meeting may attract from 30-50.
- AIChE will base the ticket price on these numbers so that the tickets purchased will cover the full cost of the event. Unfortunately, since there are no additional meeting funds to cover any shortfall, if ticket sales do not meet the necessary minimums, we will be forced to cancel the event.
- Please note that the AIChE Meetings Department will sign all contracts, and AIChE should be consulted before any details, such as ticket prices, are finalized.
Before the Meeting
|10 months
|Explore suggestions for the evening event.
Begin fundraising activities.
|9 months
|Finalize suggestions of the evening event.
|8 months
|AIChE Meetings Department to finalize program copy on
Evening Event to Program Copy Committee.
|3 months
|AIChE Meetings Department to finalize menu and other
details for Welcoming Reception.
After the Meeting
|1 month
|Remind General Arrangements sub-committee chairs that
meeting reports are due.
One primary function of the GAC is to work with AIChE staff in handing out packets and answering questions.
|Annual Meeting:
| For the first three days of the meeting, we need five
committee members. Two members are needed for the remaining days.
|Spring Meeting:
|For the first three days of the meeting, we need four
committee members. Two members are needed for the
remaining days.
Committee members should arrive 30 minutes before Registration opens each day.
|1.5 month
|Contact AIChE staff to schedule whom will be helping
and other details.
|One day prior to
the meeting start
|Meet with the AIChE representative for approximately
1 hour. This training includes a briefing on the
registration process.
The functions of the Guest Program Committee are to:
- Suggest to AIChE Meetings Department entertainment for attendees such as trips to historic or scenic places, shopping excursions, museum tours, luncheons, etc.
- Staff and operate the Guest Headquarters, if there is one.
The Guest Headquarters is an informal setting where registered guests of meeting attendees can gather. If refreshments are ordered, they are paid for by guest registration and ordered by the AIChE Meetings Department. It is a good idea to have a list of interesting attractions and their locations at the Headquarters so people may plan their own activities if they wish.
The following are some important items to note while planning suggestions for the Guest Program:
- Based on past history, only one tour per day may be offered or two half day tours. The last day of the meeting should be avoided since it is virtually impossible to sell the minimum number of tickets that would be required.
- The AIChE Meetings Department will have all expenses associated with a tour covered by the cost of the ticket.
- The AIChE Meetings Department will base the price of the ticket on minimum rather than maximum number of attendees.
- Unfortunately, since there are no additional meeting funds to cover any shortfall, if ticket sales do not meet the necessary minimums, we will be forced to cancel the event.
- The AIChE Meetings Department will sign all contracts, and AIChE will take care of all final details such as the number of tours and ticket prices.
- In general, tours should not run longer than 4 hours (half day) or 8 hours (full day) including travel time.
- It is extremely important for a committee member to accompany each plant tour and be familiar with its details. He or she should make certain to return from the tour with the same number that started the tour.
Before the Meeting
|10 months
|Appoint subcommittee members.
|9 months
|Hold meeting with committee members to brainstorm for tour options.
|8 months
Discuss suggestions with AIChE Meetings Department.
AIChE will handle the program copy; i.e. tour descriptions,
|4 weeks
|AIChE Meetings Department will confirm final arrangements
with selected locations.
During the Meeting
Accompany plant tours, staff guest headquarters.
After the Meeting
|1 month
|Report to the General Arrangements Chair on Guest Program
Committee's activities.
The function of the Plant Tours Chair is to plan and coordinate tours of local plants or sites to be visited by meeting attendees.
Suggestions for tours should be solicited at the earliest possible date. For example, plant tours may be made to industrial plants or government installations. You should consult with the Meeting Program Chair as to suitability and scheduling to enhance the technical program.
Details discussed with each facility to be visited should include:
- The maximum number of people that can be accommodated on the tour;
- Security regulations (trips may be limited to U.S. citizens); attendance by employees of competitors; any special requirements.
- Name of official plant contact for final confirmation of arrangements.
- Information about each tour for inclusion in the printed program.
- Possibility of meals.
- Use of cameras.
The following are some important items to note while planning the Plant Tour Program:
- Based on past history, only one tour per day may be offered. The last day of the meeting should be avoided.
- In general, tours should not run longer than 4 hours, including travel time.
- Base the price of tickets to cover the full cost of the event. The tour must be self-sustaining. Unfortunately, since there are no additional meeting funds to cover any shortfall, if ticket sales do not meet the necessary minimum, we will be forced to cancel the event.
- AIChE will contract for plant tour transportation.
- All contracts must be signed by the AIChE Meetings Department, and AIChE should be consulted before details such as the number of tours and ticket prices are finalized.
Letters confirming each tour should be sent by the GAC Plant Tours Committee to the plants as soon as the tour has been arranged. The plant should furnish the Committee with a short description of the tour for the printed program.
A contact should be designated at each plant to facilitate the handling of all details. A review of the details should be made with the plant contact approximately one week before the meeting. The contact should be notified of the number of visitors to expect on the day the tour is scheduled.
It is extremely important for a committee member to accompany the tour and be familiar with its details. He or she should make certain that visitors making the tour comply with the posted rules of the facility; for example, regulations for safety, cameras, etc.
Chartered bus service is the best mode of transportation to and from the facilities to be visited. If a large number of people are taking the tour, (more than one bus) it may be desirable to have more committee members accompany the tour (at least one per bus). Once the plant tour locations are set, the AIChE Meetings Department will handle the transportation needs.
The committee member accompanying the tour should count the tour attendees so that he or she will return to the meeting headquarters with the same number that started on the tour.
Before the Meeting
|10 months
Recruit committee members.
Hold a committee meeting to discuss possible plant tours.
|9 months
|Hold committee meetings to select tours.
|8 months
|Write a letter to each company to be toured, requesting
a personal visit and information on cameras and security
restrictions. Inform plant contact of the anticipated size
of group to be accommodated, anticipated time of the tour,
and obtain information about possible luncheon
arrangements at the plant. Also, request a short description
of the plant. Send copies of letter to committee members.
|6 months
Follow up on letters received from companies confirming
Submit program copy to Program Copy Committee;
|3 weeks
|Review arrangements made by Committee members
with plant contact.
|2 weeks
|Confirm final arrangements with AIChE Meetings
Department so they can confirm with transportation company.
During the Meeting
Notify company's contact of number of visitors to expect. Also, notify company if a tour must be canceled.
After the Meeting
|1 week
|Write thank you letters to companies
|1 month
|Report to the General Arrangements Committee Chair on
Plant Tours Committee's activities.
The function of the Program Copy Committee is to assemble complete, accurate and detailed information on the special activities planned for the meeting. In addition, pictures of event locations and local attractions should be provided, when available, and will be used in the program book, when space allows. (The AIChE Meetings Department may need to edit copy because of space limitations in the program).
The most recent copy of a comparable meeting program book is useful as a guide and to help ensure that no information is overlooked. The following are the sections that the Program Copy Committee is responsible for:
- Plant tours - Event name and description, day and time, price and minimum/maximum. If there are any special details, such as pre-registration or citizenship requirements, it should be clearly stated in the program copy.
- Guest program - Event name and description, day and time, price and minimum/maximum. Please indicate whether or not the tour is appropriate for children. AIChE will help get this material.
- Evening event - Date, time, location, description, price and minimum/maximum. AIChE will help get this material.
- Names, affiliations and function of all General Arrangements Committee members and pictures of the Chairs. Because of the limited amount of space, some General Arrangements Committees prefer to use a group photo rather than individual pictures.
Additionally, because AIChE wishes to present a cohesive and coordinated marketing effort for each AIChE meeting, the AIChE Meetings Department, along with our marketing staff, will assume responsibility for an appropriate design and message for the program book cover. However, ideas for the cover are certainly welcome. The Meetings Department will also assume responsibility (based upon information provided by the MPC) for the Meeting Highlights page.
The Meetings Department will take responsibility for placing the program copy on the AIChE web site.
Before the Meeting
|10 months
|Set up list of program copy to be collected.
|9 months
|Send notice to sub-committee Chairs that program
copy is to be received within three months.
|8 months
|Receive program copy from committees.
|7 months
|Send edited program copy on disk to AIChE Manager
of National Meetings.
After the Meeting
|1 month
|Report to the General Arrangements Committee Chair on
the activities of the Program Copy Committee.
Annual and Spring Meetings, as well as expositions, provide many opportunities for AIChE's Marketing/Communications staff and members to work together to build a showcase for the Institute's achievements and aspirations. Only the creative thinking and coordinated efforts of the members and the headquarters staff can assure that a meeting will be a public relations success.
We are very lucky. With tens of thousands of members across the nation, we can cultivate contacts with editors, reporters, television talk-show producers and people who influence news decisions. The members who join a meeting's Publicity Committee provide invaluable expertise, assistance and advice to Marketing staff during the six month period prior to, during, and immediately after the meeting.
The person who chairs the committee should select committee members who represent different segments of the host area. For example, if a meeting is to be held in Philadelphia, the Chair should try to enlist committee members from Delaware, Southern New Jersey, Center City and the suburbs. If possible, the Chair should also try to find representatives of other areas of the host state -- in this case, he might select Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Wilkes Barre-Scranton. In this way, when the meeting gives rise to some event which may have more newsworthiness in specific areas, the representative committee member helps in getting the story to the press in those areas.
With members volunteering their efforts, coordination is important. The Marketing Staff at AIChE headquarters will coordinate the overall public relations operation, consulting frequently with the Publicity Committee Chair. The Marketing Staff will give the Chair and members advice on how communications tasks should be performed. The manager's primary function, however, involves defining objectives and implementing a public relations plan, deciding what should be done to achieve those objectives and ensuring that these decisions are implemented.
Committee members are responsible for a number of functions designed to improve coverage of meetings and to promote the Institute. These responsibilities include:
- Preparing a list of media contacts in the host area (such lists are frequently available from Chambers of Commerce and Convention Bureaus);
- Advising the headquarters staff on issues of particular interest in the host area;
- Developing ideas for stories and features to pitch to local media and also for use in AIChExtra.
They work with the headquarters staff and the press in setting up interviews with key speakers and participants, gathering needed information, and promoting meeting activities to press representatives.
Advance copies of selected speeches and technical papers to be presented in the course of the meeting generate the preparation of news releases at headquarters. These are mailed to both the trade and general media and inserted in the press kits. A general release describing meeting highlights is also drafted. The Publicity Committee Chair and members can use these materials when visiting editors to acquaint them with the meeting. These working visits should take place approximately two to four weeks in advance of the meeting. The in-person visits should be followed up with telephone calls a few days before the meeting begins. Of course, get-acquainted letters or meetings can be initiated when the committee is formed. You may wish to make use of background brochures and papers describing AIChE and chemical engineering issues in these get-acquainted efforts. The Marketing Department can supply you with these materials.
The headquarters staff secures Press Headquarters materials and equipment. If the Publicity Committee believes that the situation in its area calls for special press room requirements, these matters should be brought to the attention of the Marketing Department.
The Publicity Committee's last duty involves writing a report in the weeks following the meeting describing the Committee's work and accomplishments. The report may also contain the Committee's recommendations on changes and improvements in the General Arrangements Committee Manual.
After the meeting, with AIChE's higher profile in the host area's media, local sections and their members will be in a position to continue to improve public relations and communications. Contacts made should be maintained and credibility and visibility nurtured. Opportunities to present the Institute's story will be permanently improved.
Cooperation between the Publicity Committee and the AIChE Marketing Department lays the foundation for the Institute's on-going public relations effort on behalf of America's chemical engineers.
Before the Meeting
|9 months
|Select committee members. Suggest any special
requirements for the Press Headquarters in the host city.
|7 months
|Get acquainted with the local Convention and Visitors Bureau
and Chamber of Commerce. Obtain media lists and plan your
initial contacts (please send copies to AIChE Marketing
Department). You may also wish to secure materials
promoting your city for display at the AIChE meeting
preceding the one in your area.
|3 months
|Revew the meeting program to find the best publicity
opportunities -- those with the greatest appeal to the media
in your area.
Send letters to executives of local chemical and allied
industries and to chemical engineering department heads
at universities explaining the importance of the meeting and
urging their cooperation in stimulating meeting attendance.
During the Meeting
Be available for possible press assistance.
After the Meeting
|1 week
|Collect press clippings for your report. Forward copies to the
Marketing Department, which will also use a clipping service to
ensure broad coverage.
|1 month
Report to the General Arrangements Chair on the Publicity
Your final duty is to write a report of what you did, how you


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MUSTANG HOOFPRINTS: Postseason is now underway for SMSU winter sports teams
Hello Mustang Fans!
It is postseason time for our winter sports.
The the Southwest Minnesota State men's basketball team (18-11 overall) defeated the University of Mary 82-65 in a Sanford Health/NSIC Basketball Tournament first-round game Wednesday at the R/A Facility. The Mustangs, the No. 3 North Division seed, advanced to play No. 7 South seed Wayne State in a second-round game at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Wayne State upset No. 2 North seed Bemidji State 88-76 in another first-round game Wednesday at Bemidji.
On Wednesday, SMSU women's basketball team (4-23) was eliminated from the first round of the Sanford Health/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Basketball Tournament, falling 73-45 at No. 21-ranked Northern State.
On Saturday, the Mustang wrestling team heads to Edmond, Okla., for the NCAA Central Region Tournament. Next week, the SMSU wheelchair basketball team travels to Arlington, Texas, for the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, which begins Thursday.
It is an exciting time in the SMSU Department of Athletics with our winter sports staring postseason play and our spring sports in the early stages of their seasons.
Drown SMSU Golf Classic
I know it is hard to think about golf with so much snow on the ground, but we have set June 20 as the date for the 29th annual David and Carol Drown SMSU Golf Classic, which will take place at the Marshall Golf Club.
The Drown SMSU?Golf Classic is the next fundraising event for the Mustang Booster Club. The Drown SMSU?Golf Classic Committee will be convening in the next few weeks to begin the planning for this great event.
For all of your information on the NSIC and NCAA Division II postseason competition, the Mustang Booster Club and SMSU athletics, visit our website: www.smsumustangs.com.
Upcoming SMSU athletic events
The SMSU wrestling team (12-5 overall, 6-2 NSIC) will be heading to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Super Regional 3 Tournament that begins Saturday in Edmond, Okla.
The Mustangs are looking to send more than the four wrestlers SMSU sent to the NCAA Tournament last season. Justin Reinsma (133 pounds), Kyle Begin (165), Jacob Begin (174) and Travis Peralta (184) all qualified for the national tournament in 2013 and seek to return once again.
Good luck to Coach Jesse Nelson and our Mustangs this weekend!
Indoor Track and Field
SMSU travels to Bemidji for the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Gillett Recreation/Fitness Center on Friday and Saturday at Bemidji State University. The Mustangs, who are competing in their first NSIC Championships since 1992, begin action Friday with field events starting at 12 p.m., while track competition starts at 3 p.m. Friday and continues into the evening.
On Saturday, field events begin at 10 a.m., followed by track events at 1 p.m. The NSIC Championships are expected to conclude by 4:30 p.m.
Southwest last competed at the Beaver Twilight at Bemidji State last Thursday with the Mustang men's and women's teams combining to earn eight first-place finishes.
Wheelchair Basketball
SMSU (11-14) will be in action next weekend at the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Championships on March 6-8 in Arlington, Texas. The Mustangs' first-round opponent will be the University of Alabama at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Women's Tennis
The Mustangs (2-5, 1-4 NSIC) split a pair of matches last weekend versus No. 38-ranked Augustana College and Minnesota-Crookston. SMSU fell 9-0 to Augustana, but defeated UMC 6-3.
In the Mustangs' 6-3 win over Minnesota-Crookston, SMSU took two of the three doubles matches and the Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 6 singles matches. Katie Kienitz defeated Catherine Brown 6-4, 2-6, 10-7. Kienitz and Kayla Uphus teamed up to defeat Casey Paris and Holly Roepke 8-3 in doubles competition. Shelby Monahan and Samantha Ritter also notched an 8-3 doubles victory for the Mustangs over Amanda Newman and Sarah Muellner.
SMSU travels to Mesa, Ariz., for seven non-conference matches, beginning March 11.
The Mustangs (1-3) head to Tucson, Ariz., March 7-15 to play 12 games on SMSU's spring trip at the Tucson Invitational.
Southwest begins NSIC play on March 22, when it travels to face Minnesota State in a league doubleheader, pending weather and playable field conditions.
The Mustangs (0-4) begins their spring trip in St. Louis, Mo., with a doubleheader against Missouri-St. Louis 3 p.m. Thursday. SMSU continues competition on the road trip, playing North Alabama on March 7 before arriving in Winter Haven, Fla., to compete in 12 games from March 9-14 in the Rebel Spring Games.
The Mustangs begin NSIC play on March 25 with a road doubleheader at the University of Sioux Falls, pending weather and playable field conditions.
Women's Golf
Southwest returns to action in two weeks, when it heads to Daytona Beach, Fla., to host the SMSU Spring Invitational at the LPGA International Golf Club on March 13-14. The Mustangs have four tournaments scheduled during their spring season, concluding with the NSIC Spring Championship and NCAA Central Region Championship.
Good luck to all of our SMSU teams competing this weekend!
Go Mustangs!
Trivia Contest
Congratulations to Ken Mukomela who provided the correct response to last week's Mustang Hoofprints Trivia Question: Who is the career leader in field goal percentage for the Mustang men's basketball team?
Doug Imming (1979-83) is the career leader in field goal percentage with 57.3 success rate (323 of 564).
Trivia Question
Who is the career leader in field goal percentage for the Mustang women's basketball team?
The first person to email me at email@example.com with the correct answer to this question will receive an SMSU T-shirt.


text:
Top flight deals to Melbourne (MEL)*
Fly to Melbourne with KLM
Together with our global network, we as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offer flights to Melbourne, serving Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Relax onboard your intercontinental flight to Melbourne with many fantastic films included in our in-flight entertainment package.
Top Melbourne attractions
- Melbourne Cricket Ground: the stadium where the Ashes takes place, but which also hosts Australian Football matches.
- Eureka Skydeck 88: an observation tower offering fantastic views of Melbourne's skyline.
- Southbank: a strip of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars that lines the river's edge.
- Queen Victoria Market: a large covered market with live entertainment and street food.
- Federation Square: a precinct with places to eat, cultural events and shows.
For more insider tips on the best attractions, bars and restaurants in Melbourne, take a look at our travel guide!
What's the best way to get around Melbourne?
Hop on a tram - they are free to travel around the city and run every 8 to 15 minutes throughout the day and night. To travel further afield, you can also catch a train. There are several stations in the city centre alone. Melbourne is also very pedestrian-friendly, and walking alongside the river is always pleasant.
What's the weather in Melbourne?
Melbourne is one of the coldest places in Australia. The warmest months to visit are January and February, when you can expect pleasant temperatures of 21°C (70°F). If you're visiting in the winter months, you'll need to bring your coat; in July the average temperature is a cool 10°C (50°F)!
Weather in Melbourne
Powered by: OpenWeatherMap.org
15 °CThursday13/08/2020
17 °CFriday14/08/2020
15 °CSaturday15/08/2020
13 °CSunday16/08/2020
15 °CMonday17/08/2020
12 °CTuesday18/08/2020
12 °CWednesday19/08/2020
*All amounts are in EUR. Taxes and surcharges are included. No booking fee is applicable, but a payment surcharge may apply. Prices shown may vary depending on fare availability. You will see the final amount when selecting your payment method.


text:
The birthplace of one the most influential German scholars of the 19th century, the Karl Marx House in Trier is among Germany's most important historical museums.
Redesigned in 2005, the permanent exhibition provides a vivid and accessible tour of Karl Marx (1818-1883) the man, his place in history and the development of his philosophical and economic ideas. Key works such as 'The Communist Party Manifesto' and 'Das Kapital' are placed in their 19th-century context.
Opening times:
November-March: Monday 2pm-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5pm; April-October: daily 10am-6pm, first Friday of the month 10am-8pm
Dvije korisne kombinacije tipki za zumiranje u pregledniku:
Povećavanje: +
Smanjivanje: +
Dodatnu pomoć dobit ćete od proizvođača preglednika klikom na ikonu:


text:
April 2014 by Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!
Audience: Veterinary Team
Originally published January 2013 and updated April 2014.
(This information is intended to be educational in nature. Shelters and rescue groups are expected to work with their veterinarians to determine appropriate treatment for the animals in their care.)
Having step-by-step protocols for every situation is one of the most important strategies that a high volume shelter can have if the goal is to successfully move a large number of animals from intake to live outcome. That's particularly true for one of the most common conditions we see in shelter dogs and cats - diarrhea.
There are several typical causes of diarrhea in the shelter animals cared for by Austin Pets Alive! (APA). We have identified these causes based on treatment response or failure, testing sample groups and observation. We can further break down those causes based on what type of animal they affect. Within each grouping of animals, we've listed the most common diarrhea causes first, with the least common last:
Neonatal Diarrhea:
- GI flora changes in response to switch from mothers' milk to formula, or from formula to gruel
- Coccidia, other parasites
- Viral (corona, panleukopenia, etc.)
Juvenile (eating on their own, less than 4 months of age) Diarrhea:
- Coccidia, giardia and other parasites
- Viral (parvo, panleukopenia, corona)
- Food change
Young Adult Diarrhea:
- Stress/excitement
- Giardia or coccidia
- Diet change
- Viral
- Other (autoimmune, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, allergies, etc.)
Adult Diarrhea:
- Stress/excitement
- Diet change
- Parasites
- Other
To further back up our assumptions based on our own findings, there was one study of pathogen-related diarrhea 1 that showed 68% of tested shelter dogs with diarrhea were positive for giardia and 15% for coccidia. Of shelter cats with diarrhea, 11% tested positive for coccidia, but the majority tested negative for all viral and protozoal pathogens.
This study did not test for parasites such as roundworms, hookworms or whipworms which are very common in young animals, and even with negative fecal examinations and deworming, they should be considered highly possible to be present.
Statistical analysis of the causes of diarrhea is important because it shapes how a shelter can treat the group in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. If a large majority of the animals who have diarrhea are likely to be suffering from the same cause, then that treatment should be the first line of defense against diarrhea in all dogs and cats for the sake of efficiency and lifesaving. For most treatment of diarrhea, there is very little risk in terms of harm to the animal or cost in using the treatment for that problem on animals who have diarrhea, whether or not they have the problem.
With that philosophy in mind, we have created protocols for the veterinary care staff to follow, which outline what to do to address the most common causes of diarrhea.
Our protocols are not meant to replace care by a veterinarian, but instead to demonstrate a simple method of treating the most common types of diarrhea in an efficient manner, saving the veterinarian's time and energy for the most pressing cases that need their expert attention. In a shelter setting, where resources are often extremely limited, it is important to use those resources in the most cost and time effective way possible.
For example, in private practice, almost every animal with diarrhea would have tests run to determine the cause of diarrhea before treatment. In the reality of a shelter, running fecal floatation tests and direct tests on each animal is cumbersome and time-consuming (about 10 minutes each). Additionally, such testing may inadvertently spread disease due to staff handling of infected feces in a high-volume clinic setting. It slows down the lifesaving capacity of high-volume clinics to employ routine, private practice, individualized care measures that are part of the practice's business model.
That's why standardized protocols to treat the majority of the animals with similar symptoms are a key strategy for handling the sheer volume of animals that need to be saved. Since there are so many causes of diarrhea in shelter animals, and they vary by group and situation, at Austin Pets Alive! we have developed protocols to treat each animal when diarrhea occurs based on the most likely cause for which group that animal fits. The vast majority treated in this manner will respond to these protocoled treatments. Staff, fosters and caretakers can rely on a transparent, consistent treatment plan which helps to ensure consistency, accurate communication and follow-up.
If we can treat or prevent most causes of diarrhea with a protocoled response, we can maximize our time on the animals needing more concentrated care. Only the animals who do not respond to or worsen while on the protocoled treatment are elevated to more individualized care with the veterinary staff. The veterinarian can and should do routine rounds on all patients to ensure oversight and compliance, which is much simpler when every animal's care follows set protocols.
Getting Started
The first step of any medical protocol is to assess the symptoms of the animal. We characterize the stool, ensure that the animal does not have other, more life-threatening symptoms, and then provide empirical treatment. (Note: protocols for sanitation, not addressed here, also ensure that all caregivers are following standard disease control, such as isolation of affected animals from unrelated animals, washing hands or wearing gloves between animals and cleaning with appropriate disinfectants - all essential in a shelter environment.)
The Protocols
Neonates: At intake into APA, we treat neonatal puppies and kittens who have no mother with a single penicillin G injection in an effort to pre-empt bacterial imbalance as neonates switch from mothers milk to formula. Before we started this practice, we found that upwards of 80% of babies developed diarrhea after the diet change. They also receive a dose of routine pyrantel pamoate (Strongid). A baby can die quickly from diarrhea, and providing this at intake prevents many from ever developing it. We have found that by using this pre-emptive treatment, we have far fewer cases of neonatal diarrhea from diet change than we did before we began treating prophylactically.
When diarrhea occurs in neonates, quick action is necessary to prevent malnutrition, dehydration, hypoglycemia and death - much more so than in other animals. A delay of even six hours can cause death. These little babies suffer imperceptible (to the naked eye) weight loss and signs of dehydration before death, and so with any symptom of diarrhea, it is critical to notice and treat immediately. We don't address general neonatal care here, but weighing the animal multiple times per day is also essential to catch illness early enough to intervene. The treatment protocol that our team uses for what we term "common diarrhea" in neonates is:
Diarrhea alone (appetite present and no vomiting):
- Penicillin G injection if it has been longer than 48 hours since injection at intake
- If no improvement in 12 hours, start medications below
- Marquis (ponazuril)
- Panacur (fenbendazole)
- Subcutaneous fluids
If no improvement in 24 hours or if patient worsens (not eating, lethargic, vomiting, fading), start protocol below:
- Contact vet team for immediate appointment
- Isolate the pet in a cage bank located away from other animals
- Ensure proper disease control is used, such as the use of separate or individualized disposable gloves and smock per litter, and use of trifectant spray on any and all communal areas between litters
If vet appointment is not immediate:
- Force feed every 4 hours until eating on own
- Test for parvo/panleukopenia
- Consider baytril injections subcutaneously
Juveniles and Adults: We treat every animal, regardless of age, with pyrantel pamoate at intake, and then again in 2 weeks.
The protocol for any animal over 6 weeks of age who is eating well and has stool that is loose but still formed/not watery:
- Ensure that pet has received routine dewormer (Strongid or Panacur) appropriately
- Do a trial of kaolin and/or bland diet for 24 hours and reassess
If the pet is eating well, but the stool is watery:
- Start metronidazole (Flagyl)
If stool is yellow, with or without a grainy texture:
- Start ponazuril; extend if diarrhea improves but then relapses immediately after 5 day course
If the pet is a puppy and eating well but bloody diarrhea is present:
- Do a parvo test and then start ponazuril and metronidazole, as above
If no improvement in 48 hours or if patient worsens:
- See vet staff for fecal and physical exam
If an animal has other symptoms such as pain, fever, vomiting or anorexia:
- Have vet evaluate without delay
In a high-volume environment, it is critical that the majority of the animals are treated in the same consistent way even if their symptoms vary slightly. If each animal had his or her own different treatment plan, it would become too much for a small medical team to handle and keep track of. Having a routine method of dealing with each general grouping of problems enables the veterinarian to focus on the bigger issues that seem too big when there are thousands of smaller problems with individual solutions each year.
With consistent, easy protocols, most animals will fit the mold and do very well. For the ones who don't, there needs to be a clear way to communicate when an animal truly needs the veterinarian's attention immediately. Once the pet reaches the veterinarian, it is also critical that there are protocols and consistency in how each veterinarian in a multi-veterinarian clinic addresses those needs to preserve efficiency and scalability.
For Austin Pets Alive! the solution for dealing with diarrhea in a shelter is a great example of all the work we do. Two main themes have allowed us to treat thousands of animals on a shoestring: compartmentalizing the work and automating processes. We do not have the perfect solutions for diarrhea, and end up with our fair share of cases that do not respond to the protocols, but we have limited those to a manageable few by relying on our easy-to-follow standardized processes.
1. M.E. Spindel. "Prevalence of Select Infectious Agents in Diarrhea Samples From Dogs and Cats in North Central Colorado Animal Shelters." American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) 2006.
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, DVM
Dr. Jefferson is a leader in Austin's No-Kill effort. She joined Austin Pets Alive as Executive Director in 2008 and began applying best practices in efficiency and operations to resolve Austin's previously high euthanasia rate. Within the first year of her leadership, Austin Pets Alive reduced euthanasia in Austin by more than 20%, and in 2011, Austin reached a 91% save rate. She founded EmanciPET in 1999 and has been its Director for nine years. Before that she worked nights as an emergency room veterinarian, volunteering during the daytime at the local animal shelter. She graduated from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.
Since 2008, Dr. Jefferson has been the Mayor's appointee to Austin's Animal Advisory Commission, and in 2009 she was a finalist for the Austin Under Forty Awards. She also served on the Nation Spay/Neuter Task Force from 2007-2009 and has had work published in the peer-reviewed veterinary literature.


text:
John Lucas
One of Kamil Issa's exotic cars - a Lamborghini - parked in front of his family's new home in Glenora.
Scott McKeen, Edmonton Journal · Oct. 1, 2012 | Last Updated: Oct. 15, 2012 1:25 PM ET
The only space left on the street demands a parallel park. Gulp. Sometimes I pull off a parallel-park so adroitly - zip, zip, zip - I spend the day smirking. Most times, though, after ponging back and forth - and maybe a bit of bumpering - I abandon the car and run away. Today's lineup of potential bumper cars include a Maser-ati, a Range Rover and a Lamborghini. Gulp. My car is a sun-faded, old-model compact, missing its driver's side mirror.
And yet - zip, zip, zip - I'm home and dry, between the lottery cars. And smirking.
In truth, the Italian exotics and the Range Rover belong to an old acquaintance, Kamil Issa. Kamil is a character - a man of many moods, with sharp debating skills and a gift for investing in real estate. His Glenora house is so new that the address numbers aren't up yet. Look for the house with the flag, he says.
I'm greeted at the door by children so tiny and cute they should be on posters. Reina is six, Hassan is four and Haya is two. Kamil and his wife Mirvat are originally from Lebanon. Kamil's family emigrated 20 years ago, almost to the day. Kamil, age 19, started work right away. "I killed chickens," says Kamil, laughing. He worked at the Lilydale plant full time and also helped the family with contract cleaning on weekends. "I saved money and started buying buildings," says Kamil so nonchalantly he makes it sound easy.
The family's new home is 2,700 square feet, with three bedrooms, four bathrooms and dark hardwood floors. The basement is also finished, with plush carpeting, two guest bedrooms, a TV area and plenty of space for three kids and their toys.
The kitchen is stunning, with dark maple cabinetry, glossy granite countertops and a hockey-stick-shaped island with red leather stools. The family spends much of its time here, or in the attached everyday room, furnished with comfy seating and a big-screen television.
At the end of a front hallway, lit by a gorgeous, locally bought chandelier, is a space set behind glass doors. Inside is a formal dining room with an adjacent sitting area, complete with elegant grandfather clock.
Mirvat says the sitting room, like other areas of the house, is still incomplete. The sitting area needs accent tables, she says. Perhaps, but the red leather bench sofas look fabulous atop the near-black hardwood. A second door at the rear of the dining room leads to a back hallway, complete with built-in china cabinet and butler's station. No, there's no butler. But even this area - as well as counters in bathrooms and the upstairs washroom - is done in the glossy granite.
Kamil mutters about the counters. Apparently, the granite was quite dear. Mind you, if I were his wife I'd merely point outside. At his Lamborghini.
But if I were him, I'd then point out that I just participated in a charity event where sick children were given an opportunity to ride in exotic cars like my Lamborghini.
(Author's note: I totally made up that argument. But I feel I represented each side well).
Upstairs are the children's bedrooms. The girls' bedroom, in particular, looks like a set from a fairy tale.
The spacious master bedroom is open to an angled hallway that leads to the walk-in closet and large ensuite, complete with jet tub and a shower that rains hot water. Kamil swears by it.
The story about Kamil driving sick kids at a charity event is true, by the way. He belongs to a group of exoticcar owners who get together to swap stories, but also to do good works. As for the flag out front of his house - it's a Canadian flag. Kamil flies it with pride and gratitude.
Envy is easy. And I feel a bit of it myself when I walk into exotic homes or gaze at exotic cars. But then you meet the people, who in most cases are just folk - folk who worked damn hard, spent years in university or took risks most of us are unwilling to take.
"No fear," is Kamil's explanation, when I ask him about his rags-to-riches story. "Take risks," he adds. "Don't be afraid."
Sound advice. Except when parallel parking.
Scott can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com for comments or suggestions for future features on unique or beautiful homes in the Edmonton region.


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The Ultimate All-Chocolate Shopping, Interactive
and Educational Event
April 18 and 19, 2015
MOSI - Tampa, FL
Cocoa Couture Fashion Show
Up-and-coming designers have sketched, sewn, stitched and eaten their way into the creation of cocoa-themed fashions fit for the Festival of Chocolate "Yum-way." The garments are created to include wrappers from their favorite candy bars inspired by personal chocolate passions and sweet childhood memories.
On Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 pm, models will walk the "Yum-way" in front of The Festival of Chocolate audience. With unique works including a Reeses Cup Cocktail Dress and a Dove Chocolate Chandelier Dress... these chocolate inspired handmade designs are to be admired for their art, their skill and the number of calories that went into their creation. Register to Participate
Award Winning Pastry Chefs and Chocolatiers will share tips and tricks of the trade as they create breathtaking decadent chocolate creations right before your eyes. Discover the difference between varying percentages and origins of chocolate; experience the recipe of hot chocolate made with the same techniques and tools as the Mayans, and be the envy of your friends as you learn the steps for simple, elegant chocolate treats that you can replicate at home.Schedule of Demonstrations
Live Professional Competitions
Top Chocolate and Pastry Experts compete Live at The Festival of Chocolate in a high level chocolate competitions with specific time constraints and rules. Judged by Industry Experts, the skill, creativity and drama of these competitions make them a favorite of Festival of Chocolate guests.Schedule of Competitions
Wine & Chocolate Pairings
Everybody loves the idea of pairing chocolate and wine and with good reason. They are two of life's great pleasures. But the flavors of chocolate and wine aren't always that compatible. Hosted by a professional Sommelier and a Chocolate Expert, this interactive class breaks down the flavor profiles to help you make matches that work perfectly for your palate. Classes Sell Out Quickly -- So, Reserve Soon.Reserve a Seat for the Pairing
Chocolate Vendor Showcase
Everything Chocolate in one place! Local and Regional Chocolate and Confection Companies will showcase and sell a variety of decadent chocolate treats including: Truffles, Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes, Crepes, Waffles, Ice Creams, Brownies, Chocolate Drinks and much more!Check out the Vendors
Guests Competitions
Whether you are 2 or 102, guests of all ages enjoy getting chocolate crazy in fun chocolatey contests! Stack a skyscraper of cookies, gobble down bowls of ice cream or beat the clock in our signature "Face the Cookie" competition. Plus, you can test your choc-ology in Brownie Bingo -- a game where you are encouraged to eat the playing pieces!
Chocolate Game Show Stage
Test you chocolate knowledge as you go head-to-head in the infamous Wheel of Chocolate. Show off your Choco-ology in some Tasty Trivia. Watch Grandpa and Grandma conjure up favorite Chocolate Memories in our Grandpa Grab Bag Challenge. Take part in a conga line of armpit fudge makers....and, you can eat the fudge! You'll learn, laugh and be showered with sweet treats!
Chocolate Activities
Whip up a batch of Chocolate Lip Balm. Make some chocolate playdough. Show off your Pudding Picasso. Or just grab a chocolate apron and get behind the counter like a true Kid In A Candy Store! There is so much to do for chocoholics of every age at The Festival of Chocolate!
All Adult Advance Purchase Tickets receive 2 complimentary Chocolate Chip Coins and a Chance to Win a Spot at the Chocolate Judge's Table.
Event Details
Sat 4/18: 10am - 6pm
Sun 4/19: 10am - 6pm
Attention Chocoholics!!
Advance Ticket Purchase will be available only until April 17th! Get your 2 Free Coins with Advance Adult Ticket Purchase.
If you are coming to The Festival of Chocolate and need hotel accomodations, we recommend the Festival of Chocolate Hotel Sponsor.


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Iranian educated in North Korea becomes minister
Iran's parliament has approved a North Korean-educated former military official for a key post in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government.
The official IRNA news agency says Mohammad Hasan Nami - nominated by Ahmadinejad last week for the post of communications minister - got 177 votes in parliament on Tuesday. There were 243 lawmakers present in the 290-seat chamber.
Nami is the third minister with a military background to join Ahmadinejad administration, after Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi and Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar.
Nami holds a doctorate degree in state management from Kim Il-Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea. He is also a former deputy defense minister and Iran's ex-deputy Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Army.
Nami is fluent in English and is reportedly behind Iran's national intranet project.


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I think I say the same things every year when I write the introduction to my Best of the Year list…..this year was one of the greatest years for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal! More and more new albums come out from a wide variety of bands and 2011 was no exception, this was the biggest year for Heavy Metal Addiction as far as promotional review copies go. Usually, I physically buy all my new albums but this year I partnered with more labels, more promotional people and more bands and I received more albums for review than any other year. Honestly, I couldn't keep up and I came nowhere close to listening to all of them properly. Looking at the piles on my desk, the boxes next to it and the separate iTunes folder I reserve for promo downloads, it's easy to estimate that I have more new 2011 albums submitted to Heavy Metal Addiction than in 2010! Add in all the new releases I bought on my weekly trips to the record stores, and my daily online searches, and it's fair to estimate that the total number of new releases is on par with what I had for 2010. Unfortunately, I've let the website go a little in the last couple of years so, while I've been listening to almost everything, I just haven't posted about it.
The only criteria I followed for my Top 25 was the same criteria I've used for the last few years: the album had to be a studio album (not a live record, best of, or covers collection) AND the album had to be released in 2011. Just like previous years, an album that was released in 2010 internationally, but was released in the U.S. in 2011, qualified as a 2011 album…..basically I went by the date on the back of the CD! There are plenty of albums that got late U.S. releases and there may be a few in this countdown.
The ranking of the Top 25 is based solely on my enjoyment of the album and not some scientific formula. Bottom Line: I had to like it! There were so many releases this year that I could have continued with a Top 40 list but I got so far behind listening and writing so there are definitely albums I haven't heard yet or didn't give proper time to. We're talking a couple hundred albums though so anything that got missed might end up in an expanded "Albums I Missed in 2011″ post during next year's awards week. Just like last year, I will be splitting the Top 25 into three posts so it's easier to read. Be sure to check out the links to the album reviews. So here it is, my Top 25 Albums of 2011:
25. Nelson – Lightning Strikes Twice (2011)
24. Michael Monroe – Sensory Overdrive (2011)
23. U.D.O. – Rev-Raptor (2011)
22. Riot – Immortal Soul (2011)
21. Tokyo Blade – Thousand Men Strong (2011)
Starting at the bottom of the countdown is the new Nelson album that surprised me with it's huge melodic hooks and vocals, former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe's latest solo album that I bought late in the year but ended up enjoying a lot and the steadiness of U.D.O.'s Traditional Metal REV-RAPTOR. I still can't figure out what a "rev-raptor" is aside from the machine on the cover but there you go. Two huge surprises were from Riot and Tokyo Blade! Riot scored #22 with a solid record from the THUNDERSTEEL-era lineup (a record I was looking forward to big time!) but the band had to endure the loss of Riot founder/guitarist Mark Reale…..at least he left a lasting legacy with this last album. The big surprise was NWOBHM legends Tokyo Blade, who came out of nowhere with THOUSAND MEN STRONG, one of the biggest comebacks of 2011! I've been a Tokyo Blade fan for a long time but I really didn't expect much when I heard the band was releasing a new album but I was completely surprised and excited, sounds like old school NWOBHM with a modern touch.
20. Stratovarius – Elysium (2011)
19. Journey – Eclipse (2011)
18. Iced Earth – Dystopia (2011)
17. Royal Hunt – Show Me How To Live (2011)
16. Arch Enemy – Khaos Legions (2011)
I came late to the Stratovarius party even though I've acquired a few albums over the years, ELYSIUM was another epic Power Metal record. Journey's ECLIPSE was a leader for the Top 5 this year but, as other bands released new records, and I kept comparing this album to 2008's REVELATION, ECLIPSE fell a little. It's still a solid AOR album Arnel Pineda still shines as the new Steve Perry but it wasn't as good as REVELATION. Iced Earth made another vocalist change adding Stu Block from Into Eternity but they released one hell of an album with DYSTOPIA…..another late year purchase that might have gone higher with more time. Same for Royal Hunt but their reunion with D.C. Cooper is just what I needed to add their new Progressive/Power Metal album into the Top 25. I know a lot of fans of the more extreme side of Metal look at Arch Enemy as somewhat of a commercial band, especially with Angela Gossow front and center, but they are still kind of new to me. As I open myself up to more extreme bands, a band like Arch Enemy is a good starting point. I'm more of a Traditional/Power Metal fan and a AOR/Hard Rock fan but KHAOS LEGIONS sounded great to my ears and I had to rate it higher than some of my favorite bands (Iced Earth, Royal Hunt, Riot).
15. Anvil – Juggernaut Of Justice (2011)
14. Scheepers – Scheepers (2011)
13. Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011)
12. Chickenfoot – III (2011)
11. Sebastian Bach – Kicking & Screaming (2011)
Gotta give some love to Anvil because THIS IS THIRTEEN (2007) was a great comeback album (even though they never left!) even without the movie and they had four busy years to release a follow-up. JUGGERNAUT OF JUSTICE continued where THIS IS THIRTEEN left off and exceeded all my expectations…..great to see the band still getting success even with the movie hoopla dying out, hard work pays off! Ralf Scheepers didn't stray too far from the more commercial side of Primal Fear's last few albums but his first solo album was just as good as those. What can you say about Dream Theater? They always release one great record after another and, yes, Mike Portnoy is a huge loss on drums but Mike Mangini does a great job! Another big surprise in 2011 was the new Chickenfoot album, III, because I didn't really feel the debut album. Not to say I didn't like the first Chickenfoot record but the songs weren't as catchy, as memorable. On III, the songs instantly stuck too me and the harmonies were awesome between Mike Anthony and Sammy, they can take the "supergroup" label off and just be a band now. Talk about a comeback! Sebastian Bach came back and kicked his former band in the teeth with this new solo album, KICKING & SCREAMING. Baz sounds as great as he ever did and his band is blazing! I always get disappointed with Baz because I always think he should be doing more music than interviews, or reality shows, or VH-1 related things but he really came back strong with this record.
10. Warrant – Rockaholic (2011)
9. Saxon – Call To Arms (2011)
8. Night Ranger – Somewhere In California (2011)
7. Motorhead – The World Is Yours (2011)
6. Black Country Communion – 2 (2011)
Despite original singer Jani Lane passing away, Warrant recruited former Lynch Mob singer Robert Mason (who replaced Black 'N Blue singer Jamie St. James) and released a wicked Hard Rock record with ROCKAHOLIC. The first two songs, 'Sex Ain't Love' and 'Innocence Gone', are two of the best Hard Rock songs of the year! Saxon is one of my Top 5 favorite bands of all time and they released another great album with CALL TO ARMS. I was a little worried when I read they were stripping back their current sound for something more like the early '80s because they have released a string of great Traditional/Power Metal albums since 1997's UNLEASH THE BEAST…..the good news is that the old NWOBHM guard still maintained their excellent track record of the last 15 years! I've been a Night Ranger fan since the early '80s and I thought they easily made the best Melodic Rock record of 2011 after one spin of the new album, once I heard this album, the Journey and Nelson records started to pale in comparison. Like Saxon, Motorhead is a favorite band and a staple when it comes to my year end countdowns. You know what you're going to get from Motorhead before they album is released but you know it's going to rip your face off and punch you in the gut! Lemmy, Mikkey and Phil just keep making great album after great album every other year…..see you in 2013 Motorhead! Coming is at #6, and just missing the Top 5 by a hair, is the sophomore album by Black Country Communion (the other supergroup in the countdown). Just hearing Glenn Hughes sing '70s styled Hard Rock is enough to catapult any band or album into year end lists but the songs are so good and the performances so perfect that I knew this was going to be a top album of 2011 after the first spin. Hard working band too, this album came out a year after the debut, they released a live record and DVD and have toured constantly…..that's old school work ethic and it pays off.
5. Whitesnake – Forevermore (2011)
4. Mr. Big – What If… (2011)
3. Anthrax – Worship Music (2011)
2. Michael Schenker – Temple Of Rock (2011)
Making the Top 5 is no easy task when hundreds, if not thousands, of new albums get released each year but these four albums had the #1 spot on my countdown and really put me to task to pick the best album of 2011. Whitesnake started the year off with the album to beat, FOREVERMORE being a continuation of GOOD TO BE BAD but just a shade behind that awesome 2008 album. Maybe it's because FOREVERMORE didn't have 11 years of waiting and then hit you between the eyes but the new album did keep David Coverdale and the band at the top again. This year's countdown has a lot of Hard Rock comebacks with Baz and Warrant turning in solid albums but Mr. Big really made the superior Hard Rock album of 2011 and then toured the album hard with more than just a few making the live set. I expected nothing from a new Mr. Big album but WHAT IF…. was a great album from a band reuniting and not just going out for the quick nostalgia buck. I'll tell you what, they were definitely one of the best concerts I saw this past year too! Mr. Bog would have had the top album of 2011, and the best comeback of 2011, if Anthrax decided not to release WORSHIP MUSIC! Are you kidding me? WORSHIP MUSIC is an album that should be my top record of 2011 because it's so good, so thrashy, so hard and so melodic all rolled into one. The band is tight as usual, no problems there, but the wild card in all of this was whether the band reuniting with Joey Belladonna would make a difference. No offense to the John Bush-era of Anthrax but Belladonna is just a better fit! Joey sounds as good as he ever has, the band sounds as brutal as ever and there isn't a throwaway song on the album. A lot of year end countdown's have Anthrax at the top of the list and, in a year of comebacks, they have the best one but the band got trumped by one of my favorite guitarists of all-time…..Michael Schenker! The #2 album of 2011, and a serious contender for the #1 spot right to the end, was Schenker's new TEMPLE OF ROCK solo album. Is it the Michael Schenker Group? Is it him by himself, hence a solo album? TEMPLE OF ROCK follows the lead of 2006's TALES OF ROCK 'N ROLL where Michael and his regular backing band teamed up with another new vocalist for the half of the new album and then did a few songs each with a different singer from Michael's career. This time around it's new singer Michael Voss for 10 of the 12 new songs with Robin McAuley and Doogie White each singing one…..I kind of expected Gary Barden to fit in here somewhere considering he's done Michael's last two albums but he's not here. Voss sounds great, the guitar is pure Schenker mastery and the songs are all well written with big memorable hooks and solos. Best song on the album is the McAuley led 'Lover's Sinfony', which I got to see live when the band came through town, with a close second being 'Miss Claustraphobia' performed by Michael Voss. Michael Schenker had some rough years since the mid-'90s but the guy is such a talented musician, so prolific on guitar, that the music is a reflection of the man's genius. Definitely a tough task to beat out anyone in the Top 5, especially Anthrax, but Schenker and company came out of nowhere and blew me away.
Up until the last minute, up until I had written this post this far, I finally made the decision to place the next album as the best album of 2011…..the top album of 2011 is…..
(drum roll please…..)
Alice Cooper – Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011)
This was a hard one to call with the Top 5 albums being so good and Anthrax and Michael Schenker being in a virtual three-way tie with Alice Cooper right up until the end. Actually, I didn't make up my mind until I gave each album a spin one last time before I wrote this up. In the end…..Alice is the winner!
WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE is not a sequel to the iconic WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE (1975) but a continuation of Alice's nightmares…..that's exactly how this album won. Alice and producer Bob Ezrin weren't trying to best one of the greatest Rock albums of all-time, they were trying to continue the tale and putting a current spin on what Alice would be dreaming about 37 years later! Turns out Alice's nightmares just get worse! Every song on the album is well written with the usual Alice Cooper trademark humor and horror mix, the production is perfect and the performances are flawless. There are more than a few guest stars, including the surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band and notable names like Vince Gill and Ke$ha, and they all move into the dreamworld effortlessly. I was especially impressed with the reunion of the original Alice Cooper band members because it just shows how much impact the original band had and how much creativity they still have because they are all great musicians. Now Alice Cooper is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now Alice has a #1 album at Heavy Metal Addiction…..what could be better?