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My first role as a consultant working for Deloitte was when I designed a securitized loan program for the American Cancer Society. The goal was to improve the lives of the terminally ill by providing them an upfront amount in exchange for their life insurance assets which could be used to pay for their healthcare. This project was a career defining role as it not only provided me with the intellectual stimulation but also gave me an opportunity to use my problem solving skills to improve the lives of the despairing millions.
A few years into my career I was given the opportunity to set up a new exotics desk for Bear Stearns. The product we developed was not only at the forefront of innovation on Wall Street but also improved the lives of millions living in desolate conditions. This was achieved by trading / selling life insurance in the secondary market as opposed to surrendering it to life insurance companies for minimal value and using the proceeds to improve living standards of the aged nursing and disability homes community.
At a young age I had the experience of pursuing my entrepreneurial ambitions when I set up my own regulated asset management platform in UK, Old Park Capital. Working with regulators, investors, employees, clients, all at the same time was a highly enriching experience.
When 17, I was hired as an instructor of mathematics to teach at my own high school, one of the most prestigious high-schools in the region. I developed a passion for teaching and continued to teach while at University of Pennsylvania and later at some of the leading Asian universities including Lahore University of Management Sciences, Institute of Business Administration and National University of Science & Technology. Teaching provides an unparalleled opportunity to give back to the community and developing livelihoods for not only those you teach, but also those associated with them. I still find giving back to the community through teaching as one of my greatest passions.
BA Mathematics/ Actuarial Science University of Pennsylvania
Msc Finance London Business School
Executive MBA Wharton
International Faculty Development Program IESE Business School
The nature of my work requires me to create and design innovative demand driven solutions to meet the needs of people around the world. Doing so not only provides me with the necessary intellectual stimulation but also the satisfaction of improving the lives of other people. My career has evolved from being an actuary to an investment banker to now being in the development sector focusing on financial inclusion, sustainable business practices and promoting entrepreneurship. The current role not only involves every skill that I have acquired in my diverse professional experience but also provides me with an opportunity to reach out to the base of the economic pyramid and work within the real economy with the hope of steering the world towards a more sustainable direction.
Omer J. Ghani
Title: Regional Director, South Asia
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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The awards in tourism and cultural preservation are Best National Tourism Event in Sports, Adventure and Wellness 2014 for Sarbay Fest awarded by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, Most Visited Day Tourist Destination 2015 in Region 12, Best ASEAN Cultural Preservation Effort 2015, and Best Implemented School of Living Tradition 2014.
The governor stressed it was the concerted effort of Sarangani's top officials down to its employees who are "working in sync towards the flagship programs of the provincial government" that paved the way for all these recognition.
The provincial government has been aggressive for growth in these areas as a strategy to empower communities and sustain the province's tourism and cultural sites and as magnet for more investments.
Around P209 million from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Tourism convergence program were allotted for road development projects going to Gumasa beach resorts in Glan, School of Living Tradition in Malungon and White Water Tubing in Maitum.
The Department of Agriculture also partnered with DPWH for the construction of farm-to-market road going to the paragliding site in Maasim.
Sarangani also got the Most Outstanding Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Chapter 2014, Top 1 in National Achievement Test for 2014 and 2015 in Region 12, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Best LGU Partner for Credit Surety Fund Nationwide 2015, Best Prepared Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Region 12 for 2014 and 2015 and, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Awardee for Good Financial Housekeeping 2014.
Meeting DILG's minimum criteria for the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping, Solon said, is a reflection of how the provincial government sustained the values of "transparency and accountability" in running government affairs.
Sarangani was also awarded in 2015 as the Top 4 Forest Program in the Country and a national awardee on Road Safety Program for Public Transport Drivers/Operators.
Currently, Sarangani Province implements programs thru Sulong Sarangani, a convergence poverty reduction approach and development intervention that cuts across all sectors.
Recently, the Provincial Health Office bagged the award for Best in Local Health Initiatives in Family Planning Program in Region XII during the latest implementation review. Part of this program is the enrollment to Philhealth of all pregnant mothers. The province runs three major sustainable initiatives – Paaral para sa Sarangan, Tutok Buntis, and Resiliency Program for Barangay Health Workers - which were the bases for the award. (Beverly C. Paoyon / SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

subset: commoncrawl


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Situation Update | Kyainseikgyi, Kawkareik and Kyonedoe Townships, Dooplaya District (January to February 2015)
The following Situation Update was received by KHRG in May 2015. It was written by a community member in Dooplaya District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor local human rights conditions. It is presented below translated exactly as originally written, save for minor edits for clarity and security.[1] This report was received along with other information from Dooplaya District, including two other situation updates, two incident reports, seven interviews, 194 photographs, and 14 video clips.[2]
The information [below] was documented from January 1st 2015 to February 18th 2015 in Noh T'Kaw [Kyainseikgyi] and Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik] townships. [The report covers] the Tatmadaw activity, BGF [Border Guard Force][3] activity, Myanmar government activity, DKBA's [Democratic Karen Benevolent Army][4] situation, education, and healthcare. The detailed information is presented below.
The Tatmadaw activity
On January 19th 2015 MOC [Military Operation Command][5] #19, LIB [Light Infantry Battalion][6] #588, Lieutenant General Myo Min Thu and a battalion deputy commander marched to a KNDO [Karen National Defence Organisation][7] army base [checkpoint], [located between] B--- village and C--- village. They destroyed the KNDO's place and threw away the [Karen people's] flag. [Before they went there] they did not inform [KNDO of] anything and did not ask for permission [to enter the KNDO checkpoint].
On February 15th 2015, MOC #13 and LIB #432's Commander Kyaw Myo Min rotated their camp to the Kyaw Hta army camp. There were 30 of them in a battalion. MOC #13 and LIB 358's Commander Thu Way Thaw were [seen] patrolling in B--- [village] and C--- [village]. There were 27 of them in the battalion. MOC #13 and LIB #555's Commander Kyi Tha Pyo are situated in D--- village [army camp]. Those army camps are [currently in] rotation in Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik] Township.
On February 26th 2015, the Tatmadaw and the BGF joined together to fight DKBA San Aung's group.[8] The fighting took place in A--- [village] [near the] monk's well. The first time, it broke out on February 27th 2015 at 5:00 am. The fighting between them then broke out again. It took place in the lower part of A--- [village] beside E--- village at 11:00 [am, February 27th]. During the fighting period one Tatmadaw, two BGF and one DKBA soldier were killed. The DKBA soldier was beaten and beheaded before he died.[9] [The fighting] was led by BGF Platoon Commander Eh Doo, Platoon Second-in-Command Myint Win and Maung Aye Lwin.
Myanmar government activities
[There is road construction, which] stretches from Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik Town] to Kyonedoe [Town] and Kyonedoe [Town] to F--- [village]. The road constructors from the [Burma/Myanmar] government lied to the shopkeepers who are based beside the road. They borrowed the money [for their daily food needs] from the people [shopkeepers] and did not return the money back to the lenders. They [the road constructors] moved [from place to place] but none [of the] people know [where they are]. They went to eat in the shops and did not pay the money [they owed for their meals]. They are in debt with the [shopkeepers]. They also borrowed around 400,000 kyat (US $364.78)[10] from the [shopkeepers].
The road constructors from the government stole the [local] people's clothes, dug up wild yams from the [local people's land] and [took] coconuts [in order] to sell [them]. The owners saw them and went to talk with the village head. The village head went to tell [the road construction] managers [about the incident]. The managers said to the village head: "Could you recognise them? If you can't recognise them, do not say things like that. We are constructing the road for you [local people], we suggest you don't try to point out mistakes we do."
DKBA's situation
DKBA San Aung's group was patrolling in Noh T'Kaw [Kyainseikgyi] and Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik] townships, which scared the villagers. Fighting often breaks out between the DKBA and the Tatmadaw[11] during the ceasefire[12] period. We do not know how they will implement the ceasefire process.
Companies' situation
Natural resource extraction such as logging, metal mining and stone mining is taking place in Noh T'Kaw [Kyainseikgyi], Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik], Kruh Tu [Kyonedoe] and Waw Raw [Win Yay] townships. The natural resource extraction negatively impacts the local people because their lands have been destroyed and it is hard for them to make a living. This [natural resource extraction] has been taking place in each township [in Dooplaya District].
As for education in Noh T'Kaw [Kyainseikgyi] Township, [there is a concern in] the places where the refugees came back to live, [which] are Htee Muh Khuh Khee, Htee Muh Khuh, D'Lay Poh, Kyaw Kay Khoh and Ta Proh villages. Those villages need Karen [textbooks] for standards one to five[13] in order [to teach students in the school]. The school committee reported it to the [KHRG researcher] and said that there are no Karen [textbooks], therefore it causes problems for them [teacher committee].
The rural villages which are situated in Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik], Waw Raw [Win Yay], and Kruh Tu [Kyonedoe] townships reported that they encountered a problem due to destruction of natural [resources] because they use these plants for [medical] treatment as they live very far from the clinics. The [natural resource extraction projects] destroyed the herbal plants which are in the jungles. [This situation] negatively impacts the rural community therefore they reported it to the leaders [KHRG] and [are waiting to see] how the leaders will deal with this.
The detailed information [which covered] the Tatmadaw's activity, the Myanmar government activities, companies' activity, DKBA's activity, education, and healthcare in Noh T'Kaw [Kyainseikgyi] and Kaw T'Ree [Kawkareik] townships is presented above.


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Don't let all the ingredients below fool you - this is an easy and really delicious zucchini bread recipe you won't want to miss!
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups of grated zucchini
3 cups whole grain flour (try spelt or einkorn flour)
1 tsp. sea or kosher salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground mace
3 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter (organic, grass-fed)
3/4 cup oil (olive or coconut)
2 cups whole unrefined cane sugar (or coconut sugar or maple sugar or a combination thereof)
3 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped, soaked walnuts or pecans
About a 1/4 cup almond flour and a 1/4 cup coconut sugar, mixed, to be used as a crumble topping
How To:
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare two 8x14 pans (grease and flour).
2. Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, butter, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Beat on low to medium speed until combined.
3. Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, mace (dry ingredients) and mix well.
4. Combine and Cook: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. Add the zucchini and nuts, mix well by hand, and pour into pans. Sprinkle the "crumble" mixture on top. Bake about 50-60 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool for about 15 minutes.
Comments: We are definitely looking for ways to use up our zucchini and my only complaint with zucchini bread recipes is that they don't use up enough zucchini! So after trying a few different versions, I think this is the best, which actually uses more zucchini and results in a really delicious bread. We used the Cocozella di Napoli heirloom variety (pictured below) for our bread, which we grew from seed this year.
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edTube is a multimedia sharing gallery where staff and students can store their audio, video and images in an album. Albums enable staff to set access and authoring permissions for all staff and students depending on the purpose and educational need. Teachers are prompted to approve media uploaded by a student before it is published in an album.
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if you would like to enjoy the next 30 seconds of your life i recommend you watch this. ps i could not be more excited for karate kid if you pulled a pulp fiction on me and stabbed me with an adrenaline shot.
i love will smith
i love jaden smith
if i could hug any 12 year old in the world it would be jaden.
5 years ago


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I grew up on the water but now, living a few miles inland, I miss the sound of it.
The angel above is on the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, NYC, the dolphin baring its teeth below is part of a fountain in the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, California.
When the hounds and I came back from our walk the other morning this little guy was taking a nap on the front door.
I just finished with the flame-thrower and am waiting for the encaustic to warm up again so that I can pour yet another layer on to the piece I'm working on, while I wait I thought I'd post what Ron Black, who takes great nature photos, just sent me – pictures of our brand new pond, it's just a baby, less than a year old.
Standing next to this pond, a small cone-shaped hill lurks in the trees to the south-west, there are acres of forest on all sides and unless a small plane flies over head you can't see anything man-made here, even the part of the trail that is visible was made by animals. It is also the quietest part of the property.
Sometimes, standing there, I think about how much industrialization has changed the sounds we hear almost every moment of the day, even in the quiet of the night I can hear human sounds I couldn't hear over the noise of the day – vehicles on a distant road, a train on tracks eight miles off.
I love human sounds, I live in more than one place and where I sit writing this now I can hear my old clock ticking, the neighbours to the east singing prayers, and the girls to the south happily shooting hoops. But just as looking at the ordered chaos of nature is somehow calming and energizing at the same time, the layers of sound around this pond make it hard to walk away. The soft natural sounds (when there are no tractors growling downstream) are meditative and somehow invite further listening.
As a kid I always wondered why sounds can affect the mind and emotions so much, why can music make us feel triumphant or despondent? I was reading an article about preserving areas of natural sounds, and some book reviews about silence (also this) recently, and, predictably, I thought about noise a lot when I stayed in this Buddhist monastery for a while, but this Radiolab show is my favourite exploration of sound. The range it covers in one hour is incredible, and the part where they talk about why there were angry riots when Stravinsky's 'Rites of Spring' was first performed but adoration when it was performed a year later is amazing. I haven't been able to embed the program for some reason, but here is another link, there are three parts ('Behaves so Strangely', 'Sound as Touch', and 'Musical DNA'), they are each fantastic.
These are from this summer, all in my mom's neighbourhood.
I'm working with photos for a few days to distract myself from some technical difficulties with the other series I've been working on. I've looked around to see if anyone else is doing a similar process with inks, pencil and encaustic, but haven't seen any, so I'll go back to experimenting with the propane torches tomorrow. So far nothing big has caught fire or blown up, that's good anyway.
Earlier this evening I was showing a friend the website of one of my favourite photographers, Michael Eastman – his Cuban and Italian photos are incredible. Then I learned of the death of Roy DeCarava, another amazing photographer. I was trying to pick a few of his photos that I liked best, but it is so hard to choose. This is one of many, and this, and this. They are so evocative.
Now that I have loaded my photos onto this post I've decided I don't like the way they look small. I love how art has such a different effect at different sizes (except when it doesn't work small on my blog). I spent the day at an art museum with some friends recently, and was loving the difference between various pieces close up and at a distance. And the texture, that fantastic delicate texture of drawings and miniatures, it's all completely lost in reproduction.
I have to do some writing about my work and I'm dreading it. I don't feel very articulate about what I do, and I don't have a clear idea of what people want to know about me or my art. I did brainstorm a list of stuff about the work I'm currently doing, maybe I need a ghost-writer to shape it. I wonder if people still hire ghost-writers, it seems such an old-fashioned term.
I'm not a writer at heart (I used to say I avoid writing the way I avoid cutting myself with knives, that is, sometimes it happens despite my best efforts), so it has surprised me how much I enjoy publishing a blog, but my posts do tend to be pretty brief.
Work in progress. The texture will be softer, the various edges will be worked, and the gilt enhanced.
There is a thunderstorm overhead, a very dramatic background to work to.
yet another sun
Revisiting this one, with more colour. This is not my usual palette and I find it changes the emphasis quite a bit.
local colour
I love the designs of old hardware, and the variety. Here are a few favourites from the village my mom lives in.
Mme, above left, holds open the shutters, to the right is the view up the street past my mom's house.
Below are some local doors, many of them have multiple locks, I love the heart-shaped one.
Apologies for the quality of the photos, the camera has been seriously uncooperative lately.
toujours venu
That was a long break from posting – I was living in an internet-free area last month, then travel interfered with my productivity (but it was fun!).
I have been meeting the most wonderful people lately, so many artists live here and more migrate to and congregate in this area. It has been a fantastic privilege to be invited into so many studios, quelle chance!
I am still trying to figure out how to describe these pieces when called upon to talk about them, 'mixed media' sounds so vague.
I'm excited because I'm getting ready for three months of travel, but I'm also mourning because I haven't been able to work on assemblages lately, and I won't be able to bring those materials on the road. I will be restricted to working on pieces like this one (which I do love creating), plus a few fiber projects which pack easily. It's frustrating to want to be making things and not be able to get my hands on the bits and pieces, but at least I will be finding more in the four countries I'll be travelling through to visit my family.
There are a few things I'm sharing from the garden before I leave – raspberries, boysenberries, figs, pads for nopales (with lentils, yum!), and this lone avocado, very buttery. When I get back there may be a few strawberry and pineapple guavas left, then there will be pomegranates. I'll miss the peaches – heavenly when they're ripe and the skin slides off in your fingers, also the ripening of the manzana bananas and thimbleberries. My stubborn pineapples think they are just for show, all the other bromeliads bloom while they just sit there, but I am very happy because an ancient cycad that was damaged and seemed to die three years ago just produced a beautiful crown of leaves.
I love traveling, although I will miss a lot of close friends – three months is a long time between visits, but I will be staying with family and friends, some of whom I only see every few years, and there will be a new bébé when I get back.


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Get Ready for the Nordic Festival
It's almost that wonderful time of the year, the week that the Sun Valley Nordic Festival comes to town. This celebration of cross country skiing brings hundreds to the Wood River Valley to enjoy the picturesque, well-maintained and seemingly endless trails that helped Sun Valley earn the title of Nordic Town U.S.A. Pilgrims from across town and across the country gather to ski, meet like-minded people, talk gear and wax, and have fun. Cross country ski culture is celebrated with races, training opportunities, parties, events and food and drink specials. It culminates with the famous Boulder Mountain Tour on February 6.
The fun begins well ahead of the storied Boulder, though. Beginning on January 29, programming including Town Sprints, Ski the Rails, the Paw 'n Pole and much more kicks into high gear.
There is so much to do during the Sun Valley Nordic Festival, from clinics to races, demos to dinners, and it all culminates in the epic Boulder Mountain Tour (photo courtesy Nils Ribi)
The second annual Snowball Special Fat Bike Race sets the tone for the Nordic Festival. Fat bikes are all the rage and this race is a great way to get outside, get some exercise, have a fantastic time and do some good! The action is centered at the gorgeous Sun Valley Nordic Center where a specially created course on Sun Valley's trails, including the White Clouds and Boundary Creek, awaits. The big race is Saturday, January 30, starting at 10 a.m. Choose from race distances of 20k, 40k and a 40k relay. The event will be enhanced with a raffle, podium prizes and one-of-a-kind awards from Upcycle. Proceeds from the event benefit the Fat Bike Advocacy Group of the Wood River Bicycle Coalition. Please visit www.snowballfatbike.com to register. You don't want to miss this!
More traditional Nordic pursuits also begin on January 30 with the popular Ski the Rails event. This free community morning takes advantage of the Wood River Valley's miles of Rails to Trails that stretch from the South Valley all the way north of Ketchum. There are well-groomed classic and skate options and aid stations are located throughout the course to keep you energized. A special lunch will be available at the Sun Valley Brewery in Hailey, too. Bring your family, friends – even your dog and enjoy this true community event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Some fleet of feet skiers will be giving it their all during the Town Sprints that are held in downtown Ketchum. It is a great way to check out some terrific athletes
Speaking of dogs, the 30th Annual Paw 'n Pole is scheduled this year on January 31 at the Sun Valley Gun Club. Bring your best friend to enjoy an 'intergalactic theme' with race activities, delicious food and drink. The fun blasts off at 11 a.m. on Sunday and features the 'Bow Wow Boulder' -- a 3k skijor event, an Astro-Agility Course, a family snowshoe and cross country race, a costume contest, a silly pet trick contest and a sled dog exhibition. There will be demo skijor equipment available, too, as well as a prize drawing for all participants. Please register for this event here.
The marquis event of the weekend is the Boulder Mountain Tour also known simply as The Boulder. Starting at 10 a.m. on February 6, hundreds of racers will meet at the stunning Senate Meadows near Galena Lodge to compete in the scenic 34k tour. The race is designed as an open skate race, but a classic track is also available. There is also a 15k Half Boulder that begins at 11:30 a.m.
The Sun Valley Nordic Festival celebrates our wonderful cross country culture. Come and be a part of it!
But wait! There's even more! The elegant and fun Galena and the Trails Winter Benefit to support Galena Lodge and the Trails will be held on Saturday, January 30, at Sun Valley's Limelight Room. This is always a great party for a great cause. There are skier breakfasts, brunches, happy hours and dinners. There are opportunities to ski with some of Ketchum's best local skiers like Muffy Ritz and to benefit from the wisdom of acclaimed coach Rick Kapala. There are NordicTown USA Sprints right in the middle of town, and fun to be had in Stanley, Idaho. For a full description of events, please click here.
In Sun Valley, we are so lucky to have miles and miles of some of the best cross country skiing unfurling in every direction. Fresh air and the enjoyment of our exquisite surroundings is something everyone can enjoy, whether you're on skis, snowshoes or even a fat bike. Check back to this blog for more on the Sun Valley Nordic Festival and come be a part of it!
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Scout's Stiff One will allow you to bring the party, literally. This large soft cooler fits an entire 24 pack plus ice. The hard, reinforced bottom makes this cooler extra sturdy. There are two exterior pockets for a bottle opener and utensils.
Dimensions: H 12.5" x D 9.25" x W 14.25"
Material: Poly Twill


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A key part of assessing the quality of OINDPs involves analytical testing, specific to this type of product. This webinar will discuss how these fundamental tests are performed for different types of inhaled product and why they are important. The presentation will concentrate on pharmacopoeial tests for emitted dose and particle size distribution, as well as touching on spray pattern and plume geometry. Further information will also be given with regards to the CMC requirements for different products and submissions. With this webinar we aim to provide a good foundation for anyone new to the area of inhaled product development or new to inhaled product analytical testing.
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Cooperative Extension Publications
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Met Back Bay: Grilled Cheese Sundays
After a whole week of performances, Sunday evening rolls around and I find myself quite exhausted. When I get very tired, my ability to make decisions disappears and I become a very difficult person to make plans with. A good friend of mine always seems to be at the receiving end of this indecisiveness... and so, lo and behold, this Sunday, after completing our first week of Don Quixote, it took my friend and I about two hours and a billion text messages to figure out where we were going to go for dinner.
I wanted to try something new, but I did not want to walk or take the T, I wanted something casual and relaxed, nothing too fancy and certainly nothing pretentious. Area Four came to mind, but that was too far, Citizen Public House in Fenway was another idea, but I was not all that fond of the meat-heavy menu. Out of nowhere it seems, I got the idea of trying Met Back Bay, located on Newbury and Dartmouth in Boston.
With its proximate location, simple, but enticing menu and a bar with a decent reputation, it seemed the perfect fit for a particularly indecisive Sunday evening.
At The Met Bar, you can opt for a finer dining experience in their upper-floor dining area, you can settle down for a whiskey in their Library Bar, or indulge in their bar menu on the lower level. The great thing is that you can actually order from any menu wherever you are, the only thing that changes then, is the type of atmosphere you choose.
We opted straight away for their bar and lounge area, which even on a Sunday evening, had a nice buzz going. We started with some drinks, I tried their 'Tantric', an interesting and subtle blend of gin, ginger, ginger beer, cucumber and passion fruit. The drink was delightfully refreshing, with no ingredient overpowering the whole.
On top of its various menus, this restaurant also has a few nightly specials and by some stroke of good fortune, Sunday nights happen to be their Grilled Cheese Night. For $5.95, you can choose from a selection of delectable grilled cheeses and for $2, you get three shots of soup. It is a great deal and the grilled cheese selection is really quite impressive.
We opted for their 'El Amigo' — queso fresco, shredded short rib, and jalapenos grilled between their house bread. It was spicy and sweet with a generous amount of short rib. I was duly impressed with the sandwich and for $5.95, it is a steal. We also tried their roasted tomato, ginger-carrot and chicken and pecorino soups. I loved the first two, they were thick and rich and perfect complements to the sandwich. I was not a fan of the chicken and pecorino, which I thought lacked flavor and intensity.
Just to add a component of 'lightness' to our meal, we ordered their tartar duo — salmon and tuna. I was worried that it might be a bit 'sauce' heavy, but both were incredibly well executed. The tuna was a fabulous deep-red color, the salmon was also vibrant and fresh. The duo is served with salty, taro chips which can never hurt.
All in all, it was a gem of a meal and I plan on not only returning for future Grilled Cheese Sundays, but I also hope to experience their Taco Tuesday soon.
he Met Back Bay is an interesting space with a wide range of dining experiences - I would particularly recommend it if you are accompanied by an indecisive individual.


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While we're on the topic of color, I decided to explore which colors Pantone says are going to be fashionable this spring. When Pantone picks the fashionable colors for a season, they usually pick colors that will go well together in some way. They might not all work with each other, but you can mix and match them. One thing I found funny about this list is the fact that a few of the colors are colors I thought would work well with Marsala in my last post. I did not see this list before writing my last post.
Per Pantone the Spring 2015 colors are:
Scuba Blue
Lucite Green
Classic Blue
Toasted Almond
Strawberry Ice
Glacier Gray
Dusk Blue
Lavendar Herb
(image from jld-studios.com)
I think these are very attractive colors and can be mixed up to create some nice pairings.What surprised me was how muted the colors are. As I noted before, I usually think of spring colors as bright colors. Pantone defines these colors as "understated brights, pale pastels, and nature-like neutrals." I can agree with that.
They chose these colors because they are not too bold. These colors are a reflection of society's desire to minimize and find ways to live a simpler life. After reading this, I completely understand and agree with the need for a simpler life and the need to make sure that all things in life help us find that simplicity. They say certain colors bring on certain emotions so if we want to feel calm, we need subdued colors.
The irony in this is that only three short years ago Tangerine Tango was chosen as the 2012 Color of the Year because it was sure "to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward." Perhaps we got too much energy and need to relax? You can read about Tangerine Tango here.
What are your thoughts on these colors? Do you find colors affect your emotions and you could use some relaxing colors this year?
Thanks for reading!


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Richard F. Thompson, editor of British Bluegrass News, reports:
The Summer 2009 edition of British Bluegrass News is in the mail.
Monroe's Revenge are the subject of the cover story, as former mandolin player with the group John Baldry looks back to when he was with the band.
In addition, there are feature stories about the Scottish quartet Longway; Mountain Heart, who are Didmarton bound; and Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa, whose UK tour starts at the end of September.
Tom Travis reveals his 'Favourites' and 'The story behind the song' looks at Hazel Dickens's 'Mama's hand'. All this plus the usual 'What's on', tour details and 2009 festival dates, CD reviews, 'Light in the window', 'SmallTalk', and the area reports.
Finally, there is news about three BBMA business matters: the announcements concern the AGM, an introduction from the new membership team, and brief information regarding the new Touring Agency managed by Dave Bresnen and Penny Joubert.
This edition of the magazine is the first published with new editor Richard F. Thompson leading the editorial team. British Bluegrass News is published by the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA).
Besides BBN, the most visible asset that the BBMA has is its website. This is being made more user-friendly and kept up to date. While work on this task is continuing, the site now enables on-line membership applications.
BBMA was founded in November 1990.
For further information about the BBMA and this Press Release, contact Richard F. Thompson, Press Relations, 14 Lime Grove, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 6ER; 'phone +44 (0)1543 252683; e-mail
Those interested in joining the BBMA can do so by contacting the Membership Team, Clare and David Rozzell, by e-mail.
Bluegrass Junction to Play Wheatsheaf
9 hours ago


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Dude is a dog that appears in the films, Descendants and Descendants 2. He's Auradon Prep's campus mutt and later on, a close friend of Carlos. He is voiced by Bobby Moynihan in the sequel Descendants 2.
Dude first appeared during the scene where Ben was training Carlos with sprints. The dog was running behind Carlos until Carlos climbed up a tree since Carlos' mother, Cruella De Vil taught him to be cynophobic his whole life. When Ben handed Dude to Carlos, the two began to bond throughout the movie.
During the video chat to the evil parents. Cruella De Vil is surprised to see Carlos with him. She says he would make perfect earmuffs but Carlos steps up and tells his mother that they love each other.
Descendants 2
In Descendants 2, Dude gets the ability to talk due to eating the truth gummy Mal made for Carlos. He followed Carlos to the Isle of the Lost.
- The dog who portrayed Dude was a female dog named Paisley.
- According to Dude, he flunked obedience class.
- Ironically even though he does not talk in the original film, he talks in the Sequel.
|v - e - d


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Elite Therapy covers a wide range of physical conditions and injuries and offers a comprehensive range of therapies and services and you can book your appointment quickly and easily, either online at the link at the bottom of this page or call us during clinic hours.
Our therapists use evidence based treatment techniques to ensure that the most effective methods are used for your specific problem. At Elite Therapy we employ a hands-on approach to treatment combined with a rehabilitation programme tailored to your needs. Services may include the following:
- Manipulations and Mobilisations are manually applied joint movements to reduce stiffness and pain, increase range and ease of movement and optimise function
- Massage Therapy involves manually manipulating layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process and promote relaxation.
- Electrotherapy (ultrasound, interferential, T.E.N.S) which aids pain management and increases blood flow to help promote the healing process.
- Postural education to increase postural efficiency and awareness
- Stretching which increases muscle flexibility through maintained joint movements.
- Exercise Prescription and Rehabilitation within our on-site gym facilities which allow one-on-one exercise-based programs which are designed to aid functional recovery, a return to sport or activity, and prevention of recurrences.
- Taping, which is used for rehabilitation and injury prevention.
- Medical Acupuncture, the use of fine needles to facilitate relaxation in specific muscles and reduce pain, inflammation and promote healing.
- Home exercise programs, designed and tailored to your individual needs to help aid your recovery and rehabilitation
Book your appointment here:


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A Contemporary History of Siam and Thailand
Thailand as we know today, with it's capital at Bangkok, or Krungthep, has been nation in name since 1939, when it changed its name from Siam as a young Constitutional Monarchy –its first constitution drafted in 1932 during the reign of the seventh monarch, or Rama VII, Prajadhipok ราชการที่ ๗, Siam's first constitutional monarch.
The Thailand-Siam era thrives now in the waning reigning years of the ninth monarch, Rama IX, Bhumipol Adulyadej (pronounced Poo-mi-pone A-doon-ya-det) ราชการที่ ๙ ภูมิผล of the Chakri dynasty, which began in 1782, when the first monarch –which the dynasty takes its name, ascended the throne of the young Siamese nation whose capital was at Thonburi (located on the west flank of the Chao Phraya river opposite of present day Bangkok).
The first monarch shifted the capital to the opposite side of the river and in just over two centuries, Bangkok grew from a riverside village to a mega-polis capital of over eleven million inhabitants.
Prior to the capital shifting sides of the river by order of Chakri, Rama I, or King Yort Fa, the throne had been held by Taksin (pronounced Thaak-sin–not to be confused with former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, which is pronounced Taaksin, with no connection or relation to Taksin), the great Chinese blooded liberator who had unified the disgruntled Siamese after their previous capital at Ayuthaya had been obliterated by the Burmese invasion of 1767 , officially ending the Ayuthaya Kingdom's glory.
After the fall of Ayuthaya, Taksin rapidly built an army with his comrade Chakri reunifying the scattered Siamese, and relocated the new capital further south along the mighty Chao Phraya river at a small village known as Bang Kok (pronounced Baang Gok).
Taksin, with Chakri as his first general quickly mobilized masses and rebuilt Siam up to match its former glory, repelling the Burmese once and for all, repopulating the depopulated frontier, and thus reproducing trade, economy, and diplomacy amidst an ever changing world. Thaksin and Chakri built strong foundations and Siamese pillars for their kin to inherit and maintain, though it would prove to be anything but a field day.
With Myanmar heavily occupied in conflict with Colonial Britain to the west of Siam, and the once Glorious Lao (Lan Xang) and Cambodians (Khmer) deeply intertwined with the Colonial French conquest of Indochina to the east of Siam, the Siamese people persevered through a new era of survival and sway, being the only Southeast Asian nation to maintain autonomy and sovereignty throughout the European colonolisation era which engulfed the likes of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Chakri Dynasty Chart
Ancient History


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Agency OpportunityOur unique, patented Clikons product and Colori, Titano and Petite ranges are now being exported worldwide. Domani welcomes enquiries from potential business partners who are interested in an international agency agreement.
Our Clikons are world famous and highly sought after. Through extensive research and development, the patented magnetic sunglass clip-on fit is designed with a secure, interlocking system. Using a combination of magnetic and mechanical technology, Domani has discovered the optimum structural relationship between a secure fit of the sun clip and ease of removal. This system has been rigorously tested and gratefully adopted by Australians and their active outdoor lifestyle.


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And the winner is: Rhode Island and its innovation ecosystem
First two collaborative research pilot projects are announced under $19.5 million Institutional Development Award
While there is some recognition that small businesses drive the state's economy and are responsible for the majority of job creation, there is still a tendency to oversell the potential of using tax incentives to lure divisions of big corporations to come to Rhode Island as a profitable strategy.
The health industry is still the state's largest private employer, yet the potential for that sector to be gutted by the repeal, replace and repair efforts by the Republican Congress have not yet resulted in an action plan in response to the potential risk. Neither has there been a good analysis of the potential impacts it will have on the biomedical research sector here in Rhode Island. The question is: when will the research community speak up?
PROVIDENCE – If there were an awards ceremony for the best research initiative launched in 2016 by a collaborative research program in Rhode Island, the winner would no doubt be the Advance Clinical and Translational Research program, known as Advance-CTR.
Last week, the first two pilot project research grants under the program were announced as part of the five-year, $19.5 million Institutional Development Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
Another four pilot project research grants will be announced later this year, according to Gabrielle Stranieri, communications manager for the program. Each pilot program will receive $75,000 in funding for one year, with an option to renew for a second year.
Another four pilot project research grants will be announced next year, with a total of 22 pilot project grants planned to given out over the course of the Advance- CTR program, according to Stranieri.
Judging from the initial response to first round of pilot project grants, the selection process will be very competitive: there were 54 letters of interest for just the first round, according to Dr. Jim Padbury, chief of Pediatrics at Women & Infants Hospital and the William and Mary Oh/William and Elsa Zopfi Professor of Pediatrics for Perinatal Research at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.
Unmet need
The large amount of interest in the program, Padbury said, reflected what he called "an unmet need for clinical translational research" in Rhode Island.
"You can use the words enthusiasm, opportunity, resources and infrastructure to describe the program," Padbury told ConvergenceRI in a recent interview. Padbury said he was serving in the role of the principal investigator for the Advance-CTR program.
The goal, Padbury continued, is to promote translational research in Rhode Island on a statewide basis. "We want to be a hub for information, support and collaboration." Toward that end, the program has built an initial listserv with more than 2,300 email addresses.
By creating the infrastructure for collaborative translational research in Rhode Island, Padbury said it was very much about the creation of a virtuous circle in research, from the laboratory bench to the bedside, creating new kinds of medical innovation that would lead to entrepreneurial opportunities and new companies, flowing back to more collaborative research.
His colleague and collaborator in coordinating the Advance-CTR program, Edward Hawrot, the Alva O. Way University Professor of Medical Science, Associate Dean of Biology and Professor of Medical Science at Brown University, said that the new grant program placed the emphasis on building a statewide research infrastructure.
The standard NIH grant mechanisms, Hawrot explained, "are really devoted to developing new knowledge. There are very, very limited resources in general [to support] infrastructure that enables a lot of research [to be conducted]."
When there are these less frequent opportunities to build infrastructure, Hawrot continued, "We have to grab onto them and pursue them. It provides a tremendous return on investment."
One of the key words in the request for proposals that accompanied the Advance-CTR award mechanism was "infrastructure" – the intent was to provide resources for those states such as Rhode Island that were relatively under-resourced, according to Hawrot.
"For me, it was a very different kind of grant to write," Hawrot told ConvergenceRI. "It was not about a scientific question or a hypothesis that you wanted to test. It was about making the argument as to why NIH should be investing in Rhode Island and our research institutions, to convince them that this was a good use of NIH dollars."
What was the convincing argument why NIH should invest in Rhode Island? ConvergenceRI asked.
"We argued that we had a lot of the important pieces in place," Hawrot said. "We had top-notch researchers at institutions – at Brown, at URI, and at the hospitals. But, for the most part, there wasn't a lot of communication between them."
One of the beneficial parts of writing the grant was to identify the intrinsic barriers to more collaboration, to find out what's holding such collaboration back, according to Hawrot.
The Advance-CTR program, Hawrot said, "is all about connecting the dots."
Investing in biomedical research infrastructure
The purpose of the Advance-CTR grant is provide infrastructure and support to catalyze biomedical research and clinical trials that will hopefully translate the benefits of basic research to patient care in Rhode Island, according the news release accompanying the announcement of the pilot projects.
The collaborative partners in the statewide Advance-CTR program include: Care New England, Lifespan, the Providence VA Medical Centers, the University of Rhode Island, Brown University, and the Rhode Island Quality Institute.
First two translational research pilot projects
To be chosen as a translational research pilot project, the research must seek to bring together investigators from different disciplines, matching up younger research scientists with mentors.
• In one of the first two pilot projects, two researchers, Richard Clements, Ph.D., affiliated with the Ocean State Research Institute at the Providence VA Medical Center, the Vascular Research Lab at Rhode Island Hospital, and the Cardiovascular Research Center at Brown University, and Dr. Neel Sodha, assistant professor of surgery at the Warren Alpert Medical School, under the mentorship from Dr. Frank Selke and Dr. Samuel Dudley, physicians at Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, will explore why people with diabetes often have vasculature that does not dilate to accommodate increased blood flow. The researchers will then test different potential interventions in model mice.
For those research wonks, the technical title of the research is: "Mitochondrial ROS-Dependent Modification of RyR/BKCa Signaliing Axis in Diabetes." The investigator is Dmitry Terentyev, affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University.
• In the second pilot project, researchers Chathuraka Jayasuriya, assistant professor, and Dr. Brett Owens, professor, in orthopedics at the Alpert Medical School, will study the potential for stem cells to help heal damage of the meniscus cartilage in the knee. The researchers will be mentored by Rhode Island Hospital physicians Dr. Michael Ehrlich and Dr. Qian Chen.
Once again, for those research wonks, the technical title of the research is: "Meniscal Repair Using a Novel Subset of Cartilage-Derived Human Stem Cells."
Connecting the dots
On March 14, the annual statewide IDeA conference will be held at the Warren Alpert Medical School, bringing together researchers who are part of the COBRE research programs in Rhode Island as well as the Advance-CTR program. Both Padbury and Hawrot saw the gathering as an opportunity to learn about ongoing research and make connections, sharing information and having conversations across numerous disciplines and platforms.
Another program that Rhode Island will be participating in is a program called I-Trep, which seeks to provide education and skill development in entrepreneurship in order to facilitate the generation and competitiveness of biomedical businesses and to foster economic growth in IDeA states.
The lead institution for the I-Trep program is the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. The other states participating besides Rhode Island and Vermont are Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire and Puerto Rico.


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Let's face it. We all struggle with telling the truth all of the time. There are those awkward moments when your best friend asks if you like her new, loud dress and you don't want to hurt her feelings, or the times you've agreed with your boss because you knew that telling him your real opinion could make life difficult at work. Those little white lies are necessary to get along, sometimes, but not without risk of unexpected or negative outcomes down the road.
When we're young, lying to parents is a rite of passage (yes, I finished all my homework, now can I have the car keys?), often with significant consequences that teach the importance of truth-telling. But as we mature and parents age, there are some times when lying may actually be the right thing to do.
Tell the Truth As Long As Your Parents Are Mentally Capable
To be clear: It's essential to tell your parents the truth about their health and circumstances, choices and expenses, as long as they are mentally capable of handing that information. Even if the news is deeply upsetting—such as a serious medical diagnosis—your parents have a right to know the facts. They deserve compassion and support to deal with difficult truths, but should be treated with respect as older adults.
However, if your loved one is struggling with Alzheimer's, dementia or other cognitive challenges, telling a "fiblet" instead of a painful truth may actually be therapeutic.
"Fiblets" Can Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety for Parents with Alzheimer's
According to a recent survey of aging experts by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), more than 90 percent of respondents said they have used or recommended telling fiblets to relieve stress and anxiety and to protect an elderly person's self esteem, when that individual is cognitively impaired.
Among the most common situations:
- An aging parent refuses care or assistance at home. Telling her the caregiver is there for her spouse's benefit or another role can help the parent maintain pride and feel less anxious.
- The parent is no longer capable of driving safely but still insists on doing so. Taking away the keys and telling him the car is in the shop for repairs can reduce conflicts.
- The parent is very anxious about expenses, even though she has the financial resources to pay for care. Choosing not to reveal the cost of care can make the difference in getting her to accept needed service.
- A family member has lost a job, gotten divorced, been diagnosed with a serious illness or gone to jail, and the parent would only become anxious and stressed by the news. Sheltering him from family angst is the best route if there is nothing the parent can do to help, and if he would only perseverate with worry.
You Don't Need to Share Everything
Sometimes, with a parent struggling with Alzheimer's, the best approach is simply not to inform her of sad news or details about her own declining health. In other cases, you may need to find a creative way of shading the truth.
For example, if your loved one asks you to see a long-dead family member, and if reminding her that the person is gone would only cause her to grieve all over again, a better approach might be either to redirect the conversation (she must have been wonderful, tell me about her) or simply to say the person is out and will return later.
"A therapeutic 'fiblet' is just that—it is therapeutic because it calms and reassures, reduces anxiety and protects self-esteem," says NAPGCM President Emily Saltz. "You would use a fiblet only with parents who have a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease."
President of Deborah Fins Associates, PC, since 1995, Deborah Liss Fins is a licensed independent clinical social worker and certified geriatric care manager. Drawing on more than 30 years of professional experience in geriatric care management, DFA offers comprehensive assessments and planning, guidance in selecting appropriate care, help identifying resources for financial support and professional consulting. Please contact us to set up a complimentary initial telephone consultation.
For more on coping with aging, follow us on Twitter: @DeborahFinsGCM.


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I believe that a consistent practice can have a huge impact on your relationship with yourself and others.
It's not always easy to get out to a class or motivate yourself to get on your mat at home, which is why now being able to access an abundance of yoga online is such a gift.
With Ekhart Yoga you can join me and 40 other teachers offering around 2000 videos to motivate and inspire you to get on your mat, for flow, yin or meditative practices.
Click here to see their offerings >>
First month only €1 at ekhartyoga.com
Interview with Katy Appleton
Morning Stretches (short, full flow)
Cultivating light
Kick your asana
Open to grace
Slow down
Root to fly
Moving towards stillness
Spacious heart
Hip Hip Hurray


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I'm a fake flowers type of girl/
I've always been a fan of fake flowers. Flowers for me are a visual joy, rather than loving the smell or real-ness of the plant. I also always kill plants, no matter how hard I try!
Back when I was a Librarian, I was in charge of 'creating' a new school library. This was when I truely discovered the world of quality fake plants. I bought the library many bushes and potted trees, costing from about £60-£100 each. I used them to create nooks and crannies that were still visible to my all-seeing eye. I loved them.
This week I had on my to-do list to buy some flowers to decorate Rockalily Styles with next week for an event, and then I realised I should buy fake plants again!
Off I popped to Ikea, and I bought these 5 'plants'. I bought the pots from Tesco. I spent the same as a bunch of flowers (a nice bunch) but instead of binning them at the end of the week, I'll be enjoying their prettiness for a long time to come.


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As an open admissions animal shelter, we accept all pets that come to us from our service area, regardless of breed, health, temperament, or size. This means that sometimes the pets we take in are not in the best condition, and sometimes require grooming because their fur has grown to such an unmanageable, matted length. We are grateful and would like to thank Jan of the Clip Joint for donating her services to our dogs that need a little "prettying up" before they are made available for adoption. Note that some of the dogs we take in require a very close cut in order to get rid of the matting and other fur issues they were experiencing. See Dartagnan and Pierre's transformation below:
Thank you, Clip Joint!


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Exploring the Holkham Estate with Sue Penlington
Sue Penlington joined the Holkham Estate as its first education officer in 2013 and leads a team creating learning programmes and events for all ages.
Tell us about your role and how you came to work in the education department at the Estate.
I'm responsible for hosting school visits, adult education (walks and workshops), the family visitor experience including events such as Easter, Open Farm Sunday and Halloween, and I also run the Field to Fork Experience.
I came to Norfolk in 2004 for a job as a field studies tutor near Cromer, and pretty much never left. I love the mix of the coast, countryside and Norfolk Broads. I've been lucky enough to work in outdoor education throughout my career. I think the mixture of my experience and also knowledge of coasts and farming helped me to get my dream job here.
How many are in the team, and do you have access to all areas of the Estate for teaching?
I have a core team of two part-time staff who work with school groups and then the additional visitor services staff who run Field to Fork and trailer tours. I'm lucky enough to pull in help and expertise where I need it, from our room stewards in the Hall, the National Nature Reserve (NNR) team, farms, game-keeping, forestry and the landscape team. I also use some of the visitor services staff to help with Halloween and Easter. My team predominately covers the NNR, Parkland, Hall, Field to Fork and Walled Garden but we also cover the farms and renewable energies at Egmere.
What's your favourite part of the Estate for teaching, and why?
It's a tough question, but I think I'd have to say the sand dunes at Holkham Gap – I grew up on an island so I love the coasts and as a trained ecologist working with A Level students studying sand dune succession it takes me back to my roots.
How do different age groups react when they visit Holkham?
The younger ones are just blown away by arriving on a bus and having a packed lunch, it's the older ones who don't get it as quickly. Pretty much every young person is amazed that the Hall is still lived in by the family and they ask amusing questions like, 'How big is their television?' or 'What car does Lord Leicester drive?' The scale of things is a common theme which all visitors young and old are impressed with.
The Estate is constantly evolving, but what plans do you have for 2017?
I'm excited to be involved in putting together an exhibition in the Hall this year, which is called 'What the Butler Saw'. I'm looking forward to running more trailer tours and events with a new team. I'm also involved in the Walled Garden restoration project, which is at a pivotal stage in terms of generating funding – it would be amazing if everything went to plan on this front.
What's your favourite time of year a Holkham and why?
Easy – late September when the Pink-footed Geese are arriving and the trees are changing colour. The deer within the park are up really close as it's their rutting season and fungi are all over the woodland floor. It signifies the conclusion of a busy season for my team before we celebrate the end of the main visitor season with our Halloween event. On a dry sunny day, there is no-where else quite like it.
Where do you relax on the Norfolk coast when you're not working?
I like to spend a lot of time at Overstrand and Cromer beaches, the Rocket House Café in Cromer is a favourite haunt of mine. I wish I could spend more time at Cley Marshes but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day at the weekend.
Can you share a little-known fact about the Holkham Estate with us.
I don't think many people know that there was originally a stable block on the other side of the lake.


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Overland Park & Leawood
County approves $150,000 for King Louie concept plan
The county's latest plan for the former King Louie bowling alley got a boost last week as the Johnson County Commission approved $150,000 for a concept plan and more precise estimates of its cost.
Supporters of the newest plan, introduced month, turned out in force to speak in favor of converting the distinctive building at 8788 Metcalf Ave., into space for the Johnson County Museum, early voting and arts and theater programming from the county Park and Recreation Department.
The $150,000 allows the county to proceed further with what may be a $22.2 million project. The concept plan money will be transferred from a fund already in place for relocating the museum and does not call for new spending.
The spending was approved 4-3, with commissioners John Toplikar, Jason Osterhaus and Michael Ashcraft voting against.
About 35 people came to the commission's first spending vote on the King Louie idea. None spoke against the plan. Ben Craig, steering committee chairman for the Overland Park Historical Society, asked whether the county would consider sharing some of the unallocated space in the building with his group so that Overland Park's history could be displayed.
The Overland Park historical group has considered locating in a building in that city's old downtown now occupied by Traditions Furniture, Craig said. But the furniture store has no immediate plans to move out, and converting the space there would require considerable expense, he said. The King Louie building, if it is approved, would be ready in late 2016 or early 2017.
Nicole Emanuel, founder of the nonprofit InterUrban ArtHouse in Overland Park, assured the commission that the new space would not compete with her efforts to set up affordable work space for local artists. "This beautifully complements what we're doing," she said.
The latest King Louie proposal has been controversial with some voters, and county facilities manager Joe Waters took pains to answer some of their criticisms during a brief presentation. The objections concerned the appraisal of the property, which the county bought in 2011 for about $2 million and has spent $1.6 million more stabilizing.
According to the report, the property would be most attractive to a buyer as vacant land for redevelopment. Appraisers put the value of the property at $1.25 million, but it would cost about $400,000 to raze the building, leaving the as-is value at around $850,000.
The appraisal report also said the building shell was inadequate for its current use, but Waters explained that the current use is as a family bowling alley/ice rink. The county has successfully repurposed other buildings, such as the justice annex and NewCentury Air Center fieldhouse, he said.
"There is a time and a place for adaptive reuse and with the right application it will save money," he said.
The building is expected to generate revenue from rental fees from theater groups and others.
He also reassured the commission that the building is structurally sound.
Commission Chairman Ed Eilert, a longtime champion of the King Louie plan, agreed. "The county did not purchase this property to remove the structure, but to use the building," Eilert said.
Some on the commission remained skeptical. Toplikar asked why no mention was made during Waters' presentation of the first plan for the building — a large-scale museum of suburbia. That idea eventually lost steam and was replaced by a multi-use plan including the county museum, early voting and office space for the Enterprise Center. The multi-use plan also died.
"It looked like to me the museum of suburbia was a bust and that was driving a whole lot of this," Toplikar said. "The building became a space in search of a cause … then became a building in search of programming. Now it's a building in search of special interest groups to save the losses it has accumulated."
"In my opinion and in a lot of my constituents'' opinions, creating art is not an essential function of government and that is what we're talking about here," Toplikar said.
Osterhaus, whose district is entirely in Overland Park, said after the meeting that he voted against it because it would have been cheaper to have county staff do the concept plan, rather than hiring outside professionals. However he said he also leans against the larger plan because theater and programming space is already available at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Johnson County Community College and, eventually, at the Lenexa Civic Center when it is finished.
Toplikar also questioned whether the mold problem at the Johnson County Museum is "mostly hype." The county has been looking for new space for its museum collection for years because of water damage and mold at its current location in Shawnee. Officials set up air quality monitors there last year as a stopgap measure after failing to completely eliminate mold from between the walls.
Outgoing Commissioner Ed Peterson praised the King Louie plan, noting that the county museum space has been a problem since he first took office 12 years ago. He also noted that during that time the county has spent millions on public safety, building a jail, crime lab and communications center.
"I think it's time we began to pay some attention to the cultural needs and historical heritage we enjoy," he said.
He also said the better space at King Louie would allow the museum to display more of its collection.
Commissioners sworn in
Former Prairie Village Mayor Ron Shaffer was sworn in Monday as the new 1st District county commissioner, replacing Ed Petersen, who ran unsuccessfully for county chairman. Shaffer served on the Prairie Village City Ccouncil from 1989 to 1999 and then as mayor until this year.
Re-elected commissioners Chairman Ed Eilert, Jason Osterhaus and Michael Ashcraft also were sworn in.


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Before we go on to the picks for this week, let's reflect on the events of this past weekend.
Phoenix hosted Dias de la Crescent, a massive outdoor festival that walled off Civic Space Park and attracted thousands (one estimate said 3,500) people of all ages and walks of life, and the bands that drew them there? All local. Also, the Tempe History Museum opened a new exhibition, Tempe Sound, on Friday, and on metal legends Slayer came to town on Saturday. It was a great weekend for Phoenix music fans, and hopefully a sign of the continued strength and growing legitimacy of what we have going on here in the Valley of the Sun.
This week is a little less music-heavy, and things will naturally slow a bit as the holidays approach. Still, let's hope there are more great weekends to come. Check out our picks for the week, and browse our comprehensive concert calendar for more options.
See also: Five TV Show Theme Songs Without Lyrics You'll Sing Along With Anyway
Musée Mécanique - Monday, November 17 - Trunk Space
For the most part, it's pointless to take a band's name too literally. For example, I've stopped hoping that I'll receive a coin every time I'm forced to listen to Nickelback. Occasionally, though, a group's appellation perfectly captures its aesthetic, as is the case with Musee Mecanique, which headlines a bill Tea Party Bomba, and AJ Odneal. This Portland, Oregon-based combo, led by the tandem of Micah Rabwin and Sean Ogilvie, shares its moniker with a San Francisco museum filled with antique music boxes -- and while listening to its songs the image resonates. Electronic instruments are part of the mix, but so are accordion, glockenspiel and brass that call to mind a time when the phrase "cranking it" meant gently turning a handle, not maxing out the volume. --Michael Roberts
Tegan and Sara - Monday, November 17 - Marquee Theatre
Indie duo Tegan and Sara, identical twin sisters from Calgary, have toured with their fellow countryman Neil Young and had their track "Walking With a Ghost" covered by the White Stripes. Their connection to their music and each other is clear during their live shows. The openly gay musicians' frank discussions about their childhood, politics, and touring have become hallmarks of their renowned performances.
Now, the folk-rock darlings of the indie music world are making a change, in that their latest album, Heartthrob, the duo's first collaborative writing endeavor, very blatantly attempts to be a slick, poppy, radio-friendly album -- and it is. It also is a rousing and charming piece of art. The 30-somethings sing lustily about "the rush before we touch" on the catchy pop single "Closer." The change in direction has proved to be the all-access pass that now allows them to open for pop superstars Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. If the 10 tracks on Heartthrob aren't enough to catapult them into superstardom, they also worked with the comedy team The Lonely Island on "Everything Is Awesome," the infectious theme of the hit The Lego Movie. -- Jason Keil
Noah Gundersen - Tuesday, November 18 - Crescent Ballroom
There's something about the voice of Seattle, Washington, singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen -- it's evocative and haunting, the type of wail that sticks you can't shake for days after you first hear it. Gundersen writes songs and tours with his sister, Abby, on backup vocals and violin, and his brother, Jonathan, on drums. There are a few other members of the touring band, but the most powerful part of the songs is the combination of Noah and Abby's voices. Genetics help family bands achieve a scary-close vocal blend, and the Gundersens take full advantage of this. To hear the two sing harmonies on songs like "Poor Man's Son" is to swim in a velvet sea of sonic bliss. --David Accomazzo
FEA - Tuesday, November 18 - Trunk Space
With Girl In A Coma singer Nina Diaz taking time to put together a solo record, bassist and drummer Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz figured it was time to get ugly with a new band (naturally) called FEA, a four-piece (with singer Theresa Moher and guitarist Aaron Lee Magana) that puts the punk back in puncture wound. They're working on studio recordings now, but live captures of songs like "No Hablo Espanol" come off like the Bikini Kill, Blatz, the Dicks or even Fang. If there was ever a punk song that came out raw, slow and fucking pissed on some EP with a DIY Xeroxed cover, then FEA found it and built on it. Get ready for broken bottles if not broken ankles--FEA aren't fucking around! --Chris Zeigler
Primus - Wednesday, November 19 - Orpheum Theatre
Everyone loves chocolate -- some more than others. Les Claypool, the mad genius behind Primus, has taken his love of chocolate and churned it into Primus and the Chocolate Factory. Inspired as a child by the Gene Wilder epic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Claypool saved box tops for a kit to make chocolate bars and then sold his own chocolate Wonka bars to his grammar school classmates. Years later, the dark concept of the film still lingered in Claypool's brain, luring the bassist ever closer to becoming the master of his own chocolate factory. Following his vision of the past, Claypool has re-created the movie soundtrack in that timeless, dark, and wacky Primus manner. "I'm sure there's folks out there that didn't appreciate it. That is the risk of taking on a sacred cow," he says. "The thing is it's not so much about telling the story of Wonka and Charlie and the chocolate factory as much as it is the perspective of a young kid, which was me, back in the early '70s experiencing the world of Wonka." A twisted experience, clearly. --Glenn BurnSilver
Rusko - Thursday, November 20 - Monarch Theatre
Quite possibly the most honest man in dubstep, Leeds-born, L.A.-dwelling producer Rusko has taken responsibility for the existence of the much-maligned "brostep" -- which is to say, injecting the dark atmospherics and effects of the original genre with a distinct high-energy aggression that seems to appeal to the, ahem, frattier among us. His efforts over the last several years, such as 2012's Songs, while relying upon a few familiar tricks (wonky bass, mechanical skronk) also incorporated playful Basement Jaxx-like house, melismatic R&B-style vocals and actual dub music -- the Jamaican kind. And no matter where you sit on the love-it-or-hate-it seesaw with dubstep and/or brostep since EDM's recent zenith, Rusko throws a helluva show, barefoot and hopping wildly like a cartoon rabbit, wielding the power of the beat with a brilliant light display over his shoulders. --Chris Martins
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Reading 1 Corinthians 1.3-9
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge – because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Gospel Mark 13.24-37
Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
All Alleluia.
When the Gospel is announced the reader says
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said: "In those days,
"'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
"Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
"No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Let me ask you – what are the signs of the coming season? Christmas, I mean. And when do you start seeing them?
When I was in retail, we planning Christmas Stationery from the beginning of May. It opened on September 7. Many people thought that was too early. But there were queues on the first day. Some folks just lived for Christmas. Others had to catch the last posting date to new Zealand, which was surprisingly early.
What other signs are there? TV ads for gifts from October. Christmas lights from mid November. Christmas markets. Santa hats everywhere. Increasing panic – like the man who rushed in as the shop was closing on Christmas Eve and bought his wife a vacuum cleaner. Bet he had a good festive season.
Cards in the post. Happy Holidays for the politically correct. All those tedious annual descriptions of the children's achievements.
Today is Advent Sunday. It signals a period of waiting for the coming of Jesus.
Mark describes the drama of the Son of Man played out in 3 acts.
Act 1 starts on Palm Sunday. Jesus enters Jerusalem and is hailed Son of David. He moves in and out of the Temple, and is challenged by the authorities, both religious and secular. Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, scribes.
Act 3 is the Passion narrative. It starts at the Last Supper and ends as the body of Jesus is taken down from the cross and buried before sundown.
That leaves Act 2. Chapter 13 of Mark's gospel. Today we read the last few verses. Jesus teaches his disciples the truth of God's presence. They ask when the end of time will come. Jesus tells them the signs to look out for, but warns them only the Father knows the time of the apocalypse.
This reading inaugurates the Advent season for us. All around us we hear silver bells. Ho ho-ing Santas. Jollity. Christmas carols. The faces of smiling children.
The church, on the other hand, offers us this text:
"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken"
What chance does that have against Santa Claus is coming to town? What relevance do all these cosmic signs and dire warnings have for the Advent season?
Well, one could be forgiven for thinking a secular Christmas is a lot more fun, but as we know, so many of its signs and portents are empty ones. About a third of the whole year's profit in department stores comes at Christmas. But what does it signify? What is Christmas really all about? Sweaters you would not buy for yourself. Toys that break down before Boxing Day? Kids who prefer to play with the wrapping than what was inside?
What is inside Advent? What presents are we offered? The incredible promise within this passage is that which expresses the very heart of what we preach in Advent. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (13:31).
Amidst the chaos of this time of year, we hear a promise that transcends the cultural focus of our time. The transitory frenzy of our preparations for this grand secular event offer nothing truly meaningful. But this is where our word of the coming of the Messiah should, and does mean so much more. It is permanent and will not let us down. It will not disappoint. It will keep on, even when the decorations come down and once proudly lit up trees wait collection lying on the pavement.
During Advent, we are commanded to remain alert. Keep awake. We are told this three times, in case we were not alert enough to hear it once. What are we waiting for? Well, the coming of Jesus, naturally.
At the end of Advent, Jesus comes as a child in Bethlehem. But he comes also, not as a baby, but as the Son of Man. He comes as the Messiah. He comes in the evening. He comes at midnight. He comes at cock crow. He comes at dawn. All these times are given us in Mark 14 and 15. The cross is present during the Advent season, because of the coming of the Son of Man. This is as important as the coming of Jesus as a baby, born in Bethlehem. The two are inseparable. This is the real Advent message, which remains permanent and vital as the emblems and icons of secular Happy Holiday wishes die away, and reality intrudes on our consciousness.
Hear the closing promise of Jesus, the Son of Man, in light of all that has been said in this marvellous Advent text: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (13:31). Likewise, the final word of our Advent text is a word of urgency and watchfulness: "And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake" (13:37).


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I suppose my detachment from reality is a problem. I cannot quite connect the world that's in my head with the world that's outside of it. Every negative (and positive) situation I become involved in is viewed by my mind as a sort of experiment or learning experience. Instead of doing things to consciously alter the outcome, I simply do what I feel in that instant and watch the results, analyze and gauge the reactions of the humans around me. All this research…I wonder when I'm going to put the knowledge to use. I wonder if I'm ever going to join the rest of the world or just float alongside it, close but not touching.
There is hope, I believe. Every now and then I cross paths with a peculiar energy. They are never fundamentally the same, but the effect they have on me is similar. They're like a big glowing spot among all the dark gray blurs, they're the ones I can touch and feel and they seem more real than anything else around me. I never know how to handle myself when I suddenly find them in my presence. I'm so caught off guard that I attach myself immediately, twist and wriggle my way into their light and consume as much as possible without a single thought of conservation crossing my mind. A heightened awareness of existence. The best part is that they don't even comprehend the little life changing reaction that happens in my brain upon knowledge of their existence. This is good, though, because their power is paramount. Short lived, usually, because I do not know how to keep these things stable. I'm always too close to see the big pictures. I have found one of these energies as of late, as always, in the form of a normal human. Though they are not normal in the least.
The worst part is, I'm happy.


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For many parents, early childhood development is the child's ability to read and count. This is not true. Early development involves getting the basic concepts about the world, physical training and exercises, creativity development as well as self-help skills and more from the young age.
Every child is different. He develops at his own pace, develops his own capabilities step by step … And if a function is not formed to this or that age, developmental delay is talked about. This usually happens when a baby is seriously ill, or when he does not receive the attention of adults, when nobody educates and plays with the baby.
But when adults start playing with the baby, paying a little attention to her, telling her something, showing pictures, reading the books, she begins to develop, grow wiser, her eyes become more mature. Everything is interesting for such a baby, he asks to play with him over and over again.
So here we can give the definition of the term "early development". It is the intensive development of a child, his abilities at an early age (from 0 to 2-3 years). Of course at this age it is absolutely incompatible with the traditional, "kindergarten-school" methods of education and development.
The fact is that a child is born with a great potential, his brain actively works, connections between nerve cells are being established and strengthened, he absorbs all the information like a sponge. Children begin learning at birth. Surrounding sounds, tactile sensations and visual images – all this is the first lesson in a newborn's life. Every day the baby receives more and more information. Psychologists say that within the first six years of life, the child receives more information than during all the next years! Nature is arranged in such a way that during this period the child can easily learn, easily remember many words and can absorb a huge amount of knowledge. But, alas, this won't last forever. Development of the brain, which is as active as a child, gradually slows down. But in order for the brain to fully develop, it requires constant work. And that is why it should be given particular attention to learning during the first years of life. Education should be diversified and development should be harmonious.