text:
Happy Birthday
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dearrrrrrrrrr Johhhhhhhhhnnnnnnnn, happy birthday to you." A round of applause and John stared unblinkingly upon a bank of computer screens, CCTV cameras, cables and tubes with multi-colored liquids flowing through them; the rest of his body was encased in a shiny black sarcophagus that would bend and flex each of his 640 muscles.
The camera panned away and John's family filed out of the small room that was adorned with streamers, balloons, banners and the paper string and plastic remnants of party poppers.
In John's mind he was having a great time, he could see his family and talk to them whilst enjoying the taste of the best cake he could remember. As it was his 14th he was even allowed a small glass of sweet sparkling wine and it made him sleepy. After a while his mother and father left and he returned to school life.
"Ah that was nice," said his mother, "do you think he's happy?" That was the same question she asked every year at this time.
"Of course he is, he's got the best life money can buy." That was his father's response to the same question.
The Academy was the place to send your children. Au pairs and nannies were considered old fashioned and even boarding schools had become passé for those who could afford something better.
Four years later it was graduation, one hundred pairs of parents gathered in the banqueting hall of one of the finest restaurants in the country and as the clock struck 1pm, 25 limousines began to drop the young adults at the front entrance where they were herded into the reception room. Once they were all there, an electronic fanfare was piped through a sound system and the dining room's doors swung open.
The parents were aghast as their offspring nonchalantly, but confidently, walked through the doors. To a man they were all fit, slim, toned and tanned beneath perfectly tailored suits. Some of the mothers and fathers, not in the first flush of youth, gasped as they saw these healthy young men, who if they weren't destined to become leaders of men would grace the covers of fashion magazines, enter the room and casually survey the area looking for their progenitors .
But behind them came John, the exception to the rule. It's not that he looked much different. He was tanned, his muscles were taught and he was quite handsome. But there was something in his gait that just shouldn't be there. His shoulders slumped forward, his chin drooped and as he walked he looked at the floor only occasionally raising his eyes to get his bearings.
"John, John!" gushed his parents.
He raised his eyes and briefly smiled before walking off to the edge of the room and finding a seat.
"I guess it is a bit overwhelming," said his Mother.
"I'll be damned if he'll do that," muttered his father before irritatingly wandering off to find the headmaster.
"Hello, John. Is something wrong?" his mother had gone to find him.
"Hello Mother." He spoke quietly and without emotion.
At the tender age of five, he was enrolled at The Academy a private school for the richest of parents that believed in the Victorian principles of child raising: that children should be seen but not heard. His progress could be watched by his parents through TV screens and realtime graphs showing his body weight, IQ, blood sugar count and everything in between. Children at The Academy were the healthiest in the world, their nutrition was constantly tweaked to ensure they had the best. Lessons were delivered through personal online tutors that, through the use of constant brain scans, monitored brain activity for signs of interest and adapted the lesson plan accordingly.
In his mind John was pursuing an active life of interacting with his friends, going to school and being forced to do homework and run for three miles around a freezing cold field in the name of building character. That was the theory and so far no one had contradicted it.
"How was school dear?"
"Lonely, very lonely."
"Didn't you play with friends?"
"Some of the time I played with friends but at the end of the day I just stood and stared out at row upon row of blinking lights for hour upon hour until my eyes closed and I returned to my friends. I couldn't move a muscle during all of that time."
"There there dear it can't have been that bad."
"You left me alone for thirteen years." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Thirteen years of pain and misery. Thirteen years of sleepless nights. I must leave now. Good bye mother. I used to ask myself why, but now I don't care. Have you any idea how lonely it is for a boy to be locked up without seeing his parents?"
"But you saw us love."
"In my mind's eye, but I never felt your love."
"But they told me…"
"They told you what? That we wouldn't know the difference? That we wouldn't miss out on anything?" He almost spat at her with the venom.
"Yes, yes, that's what they said."
"They lied or they don't know. Either way it doesn't matter, now goodbye mother."
And with that he stood up and walked away.
They didn't see him again until 20 years later when he arrived at the reception of his father's office building.
"Hello Father." He still spoke with the soft dry intonation he'd had all those years ago.
"Hello John, how have you been?"
"You have heard I assume?"
It had been in the news John Sutherland had developed the cure for locked-in syndrome. There would be no more patients afflicted by this paralysis.
"We're very proud of you. You see, that school was the best education that money could buy and now look what you've achieved."
"It is true that without that school I wouldn't have wanted to cure that problem. But I wanted to discover what caused it as well."
"And you did?"
"I did."
"Excellent, excellent. Well now if that's all I'm extremely busy."
"Shall we have lunch Father? I have invited Mother."
"Yes yes alright." His tone was hurried.
They took a taxi to a small apartment in the center of town and entered through an anonymous door, taking a goods lift to the seventh floor. They entered a room which had a dining table and three chairs in it and two sarcophagi's. His mother was already there.
"What is this John?" asked his mother.
"We never had dinner together, so I thought we'd have one last family meal."
"And those things?" his father nodded towards the caskets and just then both parents slapped the side of their necks with the palms of their hands. "You have bugs in here John?"
"Just those two. Now please eat."
They ate and they talked and John explained what his life was like at school and what he'd been doing for the last 20 years. Presently his parents fell asleep and he moved them into the coffins where they would pretend they were living their normal lives until the evening when the darkness engulfed them and they would be awake for 12 hours staring out into the never ending darkness.


text:
Our purpose is to raise funds to support and expand the animal care services of the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. We seek health, comfort, freedom from fear, and a loving guardian for our companion animals.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Olympic diving hero Tom Daley has revealed he's in a relationship with a man.
The 19-year-old made the admission in a YouTube video to his fans, which he bagan by saying:
"Most of you are probabaly wondering why I'm doing this video. My life's been a bit of a rollercoaster to say the least."
He goes on to say: "In spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great.
"That someone is a guy."


text:
Today's pic…
Lamborghini Jota. This is the 2012 Lamborghini Jota, which was first leaked at 2008, has made an amazing recovery from that, to this. The Jota will be a Murcielago/Reventon mix at the price of the Murcielago, taking over the Murcielago at last. The Jota is expected to be much lighter and together with an even more powerful V12, rumors are talking figures at around 700 horsepower.
Definitely a change to Lamborghini, we'll see what they shall do with the Jota soon I hope.


text:
Custom Wedding Aisle Runners come in a variety of sizes and styles.
All wedding aisle runners include an elegant pull rope for your wedding ceremony.
Standard Lengths:
25, 50, 75, 100, 150, or 175 feet
Custom sizes available on demand, we will cut to length free of charge. Made of lightweight, durable, non-woven rayon blend fabric.
All runners are approx. 36" wide
Make your wedding day glamorous with a personalized aisle runner. Custom wedding aisle runners are customized with a monogram, couple's names, wedding date, and phrases.
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Have more questions? Use the form below to contact us.....or call 586.322.5482


text:
|First lock of the day
|Travelling breasted up in Berkhamsted.
|Passing Sickle's twin, Tycho.
|"The Riser" where we performed two days ago.
|Winkwell swing bridge
|Well and truly raining again by Apsley
|Trevor Maggs on Corona - stll in the rain.
Miles per boat: 7.0, Miles both boats: 14.0, Locks: 17
Total Trip Miles: 114.5, Locks: 56


text:
This article was originally posted by Ryan at the original HillRunner.com Blogs.
Believe it or not, I didn't feel like I had a ton of great material that demanded a Monday post last week. I have a couple interesting things this week, though.
Ice Baths: We all hear about the benefits of ice baths. It is generally accepted that they are good for you. College teams gather in the training room after practice for team ice baths. The elites regularly do it. I remember when I was in school gathering outside the fieldhouse when the weather was nice to take my turn in the ice barrels that the trainers would have ready for us. When the weather wasn't as good, the whirlpools would be waiting for us at the end of practice and we'd gather in the back room of the training room to take our turns. This still goes on today at probably almost every college and many high schools.
Ice baths suck but they are good so we do them. But are they really good?
A recovery placebo administered after an acute high-intensity interval training session is superior in the recovery of muscle strength over 48 h as compared with TWI and is as effective as CWI.
CWI is cold water immersion. In other words, this suggests the benefits of ice baths are at least partly, maybe completely, the result of the placebo effect.
Do you run in a densely populated area with a lot of vehicle traffic and/or other sources of pollution?
The good news: Running is better for you than the pollution is bad for you. So, even if you're running in the pollution, you're doing more good than bad.
The bad news: While you're doing more good than bad, there is bad.
Keep doing what you can, even if it means running in pollution. However, try to change what you can to reduce the amount of pollution you have to breathe. Consider running before the morning rush hour, running away from streets and on motor vehicle free trails if possible. On particularly bad days, consider running inside where climate control systems will filter out some of that pollution. Probably nothing new but a good reminder.


text:
2013 Champion
Shady Spring Middle School Team 1
Fairview Middle School Team 1
|City and County
|Team Members
|Andrew Jackson Middle School
|Cross Lanes, Kanawha
|John Harmon, Louisa Smith, Cassie Stewart, and Ben Tissenbaum
|Ansted Middle School
|Ansted, Fayette
|Maddy Brown, Fairan Gill, Logan Johnson, and Trevor Hawkins
|Cameron High School Team 1
|Cameron, Marshall
|Sarah Allen, Austin Dowdel, Jasmine Jasenee, and Angelica Starovic
|Cameron High School Team 2
|Cameron, Marshall
|Cole Aston, Ben Hart, Lander James, and Joey Thomas
|Edison Middle School Team 1
|Parkersburg, Wood
|Madison Matheny, Logan Penn, Akshay Suresh, and Ben White
|Fairview Middle School Team 1
|Fairview, Marion
|Austin Composky, Breanna Lewis, Becky Luketic, and Brett Mays
|Fairview Middle School Team 2
|Fairview, Marion
|Lincoln Opyoke, Tayler Pope, Eden Toothman, and Devony Workman
|Frankfort Middle School Team 1
|Ridgeley, Mineral
|Allison Beverlin, Trey Clark, Garret Grose, and Kylie Malone
|Green Bank Middle School
|Green Bank, Pocahontas
|Brady Jones, Caleb Mullenax, Drake Warder, and B. J. Wilfong
|Independence Middle School
|Sophia, Raleigh
|Kayla Blankenship, Logan Kelly, Faith Kidd, and Jacob Roark
|Jackson Middle School Team 1
|Vienna, Wood
|Noah Chidester, Jack Johnson, Collin Kelly, and Jerry Wang
|Logan Middle School Team 1
|Logan, Logan
|Grace Bannister, Abby Lee, Tomi Nelson, and Brandon Wood
|Milton Middle School
|Milton, Cabell
|Ella Cooper, Cheylan Lewis, J. D. Marcum, and Jasen Thaxton
|Moorefield Middle School Team 1
|Moorefield, Hardy
|Brock Dolly, Nick Martin, Katie McCausley, and Sloan Williams
|Moorefield Middle School Team 2
|Moorefield, Hardy
|Hunter Ayers, Seth Hoyt, Kameron Kesner, and Sophia Riggleman
|Mountaineer Middle School Team 2
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Joseph Gutmann, Noah Spencer, Amanda Swistok, and Chad Williams
|Richwood Middle School Team 1
|Richwood, Nicholas
|Kirstin Burwell, Hunter Peyatt, Jacob Sigley, and Kora Younts
|Ripley Middle School
|Ripley, Jackson
|Lauren Hopper, Anthony Jarvis, Trae Swisher, and Jed Westfall
|Shady Spring Middle School Team 1
|Shady Spring, Raleigh
|Rachel Carrico, Kristen Miller, Peyton Michaels, and Ryan Young
|Shady Spring Middle School Team 2
|Shady Spring, Raleigh
|Garrett Basham, Luke Keaton, Tristen Nesmith, and Shade Varney
|Sissonville Middle School Team 1
|Sissonville, Kanawha
|Zac Boggess, Tyler Burdette, Alex Monday, and Olivia Montgomery
|Summersville Middle School Team 1
|Summersville, Nicholas
|Ryan Belmont, Scottie Dorsey, Luke Frame, and Morgan McHenry
|Taylor County Middle School
|Grafton, Taylor
|Sean Doyle, Zachary Fancher, Amanda Glaspell, and Casey Mayr
|Wayne Middle School Team 2
|Wayne, Wayne
|Kyle Powers, Sammy Riniti, Kendal Turley, and Branty Wilson
RESA Competitions
Shady Spring Middle School Team 1
Shady Spring Middle School Team 2
|Independence Middle School Team 1
|Sophia, Raleigh
|(Play in Champion); Seth Hall, Logan Kelly, Faith Kidd, and Jacob Roark (at RESA 1 competition)
|Independence Middle School Team 2
|Sophia, Raleigh
|Kayla Blankenship, Hailey Brooks, Chris Duncan, and Ryan McClure (at RESA 1 competition)
|Park Middle School Team 1
|Beckley, Raleigh
|Nida Amir, Julia Henry, Rachel Quattrone, and Jacob Young
|Park Middle School Team 2
|Beckley, Raleigh
|Ivy Sesco, Hampton Thomas, Larissa Tyree, and Chanson Wallace
|Peterstown Middle School Team 1
|Peterstown, Monroe
|Jacob Belcher, Matthew Meadows, and Tyler Sams
|Peterstown Middle School Team 2
|Peterstown, Monroe
|Evan Beasley, Ashton Carr, Logan Dillon, and Seth Walker
|Pikeview Middle School Team 1
|Princeton, Mercer
|Joe Bisaha, Anne Hopkins, Dakota Miller, and Nick Shrewsbury
|Pikeview Middle School Team 2
|Princeton, Mercer
|Martha Ball, Kim Carr, Sierra Killett, and Makaila Maynard
|Pineview Middle School Team 1
|Pineville, Wyoming
|MacKenzie Cook, Ben Cooper, Michael McGraw, and Meagan Seaton
|Pineview Middle School Team 2
|Pineville, Wyoming
|Joshua Hawks, Erika Kissel, Chad Morgan, and Michaela Shumate
|Sandy River Middle School Team 1
|Avondale, McDowell
|Micah Addair, Paige Cooper, Kaitlyn Dobbs, and Hannah Osborne
|Sandy River Middle School Team 2
|Avondale, McDowell
|Joshua Bryant, Michael Dingess, Michael Dority, and Zachary Perdue
|Summers Middle School Team 1
|Hinton, Summers
|Nicole Lin, Ashton McNicholas, Alexis Plumley, and Gracie Smith
|Summers Middle School Team 2
|Hinton, Summers
|Kiera Crawford, Nathan Grimmett, Tristan Nelson, and Colton Willis
Wayne Middle School Team 2
Milton Middle School Team 1
|Beverly Hills Middle School
|Huntington, Cabell
|James Laslo, Beth Anne Nilles, Taylor Roy, and Bree Tomlin
|Burch Middle School Team 1
|Delbarton, Mingo
|William Collins, Jeanna Evans, Molli Fergueson, and Bobbi Varney
|Burch Middle School Team 2
|Delbarton, Mingo
|Lee Chafin, Donald Corn, Justin Dotson, Aerianna McClanahan, Angel Maynard, and Levi Smith
|Chapmanville Middle School Team 1
|Chapmanville, Logan
|Cassidy Lewis, Abby Marcum, Shiann Sigmon, and Samantha Williams
|Chapmanville Middle School Team 2
|Chapmanville, Logan
|Macalla Artist, Chris Bailey, Rachel Costa, and Ashley Gilman
|Crum Middle School Team 1
|Crum, Wayne
|Anthony Bailey, Bri Muncy, Lucy Robinett, and Payton Stanley
|Crum Middle School Team 2
|Crum, Wayne
|K. K. Brewer, Kayley Cripe, Cameron Newsome, and Trevor Parsley
|Duval Middle School Team 1
|Griffithsville, Lincoln
|Josie Cummings, Kerry Matthews, Anna Smith, and Makayla Triplett
|Duval Middle School Team 2
|Griffithsville, Lincoln
|Kaleb Aldridge, Ryan Miller, Joseph Sigmon, and Skylar Smith
|Fort Gay Middle School
|Fort Gay, Wayne
|Emily Collins, Addy Dillon, and Kirstin Johnson
|Gilbert Middle School Team 1
|Gilbert, Mingo
|Allie Cline, Allison Heath, Hunter Lester, and Isaiah May
|Gilbert Middle School Team 2
|Gilbert, Mingo
|Ashlee Blankenship, Michael Hall, and Corey Lester
|Hannan Junior/Senior High School
|Ashton, Mason
|William (Chaz) Fielder, Andrew McComas, Josh McCoy, Desire Sparks, and Maggie Waugh
|Huntington Middle School Team 1
|Huntington, Cabell
|Sam Aulick, Pete Proctor, Chip Sweeney, and Spencer Webb
|Huntington Middle School Team 2
|Huntington, Cabell
|Jakob Adkins, Katelynn Laslo, Eiryn Poindexter, and Paige Reger
|Logan Middle School
|Logan, Logan
|(Play in)
|Matewan Middle School
|Matewan, Mingo
|Hayley Mounts, and Markah York
|Milton Middle School Team 2
|Milton, Cabell
|Emily Garrett, Emily Kuhn, Rachel Lake, and Kelli Moore
|St. Joseph Catholic School Team 1
|Huntington, Cabell
|Chad Dye, Maddie Hill, and Maddie Perry
|St. Joseph Catholic School Team 2
|Huntington, Cabell
|Ben Day, Phoenix Huron, and Michael Novotny
|Wahama Junior/Senior High School Team 1
|Mason, Mason
|Krista Clay, Shannon Lyons, James McCormick, and Chase Williamson
|Wahama Junior/Senior High School Team 2
|Mason, Mason
|Morgan Cundiff, Rebecca Gerlach, Mason Hildreth, and Grace Hill
|Wayne Middle School Team 1
|Wayne, Wayne
|Hannah Castle, Taylor Chafin, Desiree Roysden, and Anna Stamper
|Williamson Middle School Team 1
|Williamson, Mingo
|Evan Allen, Ricky Ball, Aaron Banks, Chandler Hicks, and Spenser Stogsdill
Sissonville Middle School Team 1
Andrew Jackson Middle School
|Charleston Catholic High School Team 1
|Charleston, Kanawha
|Keirsten Barker, Kayce Boggess, Georgia Payne, and Madison Settle
|Charleston Catholic High School Team 2
|Charleston, Kanawha
|Taylor Legg, Emma Malinoski, Jay Sheth, and Andrew Willis
|Clay County Middle School
|Clay, Clay
|Kelsie Cottrell, Sunny Hudnall, Haley Jones, and Brennan Rhodes
|George Washington Middle School Team 1
|Eleanor, Putnam
|Hunter Allen, Nathan Casto, Connor Fields, and Jasmine Luikart
|George Washington Middle School Team 2
|Eleanor, Putnam
|Timothy Eads, Tamara Jividen, Summer Randolph, and Allison Wagner
|Horace Mann Middle School
|Charleston, Kanawha
|Nathaniel Burdette, Lauren Campbell, Jeevan Murthy, and Jeremiah Weintraub
|Sissonville Middle School Team 2
|Sissonville, Kanawha
|Zander Dorsey, Cameron Humphreys, Derrek Slater, and Chris Tucker
Summersville Middle School Team 1
Ansted Middle School
|Braxton County Middle School Team 1
|Sutton, Braxton
|Seth Backus, Leslee Coffman, Maggie Cutlip, and Justin Vankirk
|Braxton County Middle School Team 2
|Sutton, Braxton
|Luke Bonnett, Alex Brady, Lydia Moran, and Drew Taylor
|Eastern Greenbrier Middle School
|Ronceverte, Greenbrier
|Elizabeth Corey, John McCutcheon, Abigail Plum, and Hannah Schmidt
|Green Bank Middle School
|Green Bank, Pocahontas
|(Play in)
|Richwood Middle School Team 1
|Richwood, Nicholas
|(Play in Runner-up)
|Richwood Middle School Team 2
|Richwood, Nicholas
|Taylor Adkins, Kendra Amick, Sheldon Mullens, and Grayson Phillips
|Summersville Middle School Team 2
|Summersville, Nicholas
|Wade Bell, Allison Dove, Jackson Reed, and Hannah Roop
|Webster Springs Middle School
|Webster Springs, Webster
|Nathanael Arthur Trevor Holland, Michael Malcomb, and Montana Nutter
|Western Greenbrier Middle School Team 1
|Crawley, Greenbrier
|Cyerra Boswell, Shannon Brunzo-Hager, Madison Burke, and Jared Sykes
|Western Greenbrier Middle School Team 2
|Crawley, Greenbrier
|Lauren Alderson, Matt Helmick, and Jennelle Jennings
Edison Middle School Team 1
Jackson Middle School Team 1
|Calhoun County Middle School Team 1
|Mt. Zion, Calhoun
|Kaylee Bennett, Callie Cooper, Ashley Hersman, and Makayla Smith
|Calhoun County Middle School Team 2
|Mt. Zion, Calhoun
|Sara Hough, Makenzie Seabolt, Adrianne Shimer, and Robert Smith
|Edison Middle School Team 2
|Parkersburg, Wood
|Chase Anderson, Jarrett Sampson, Alec Smith, and Jackson Starkey
|Geary Elementary Middle School
|Left Hand, Roane
|Gabe Bowen, Caroline Putnam, Cailyn Reynolds, and Tori Sullivan
|Jackson Middle School Team 2
|Vienna, Wood
|Ashley Casto, Max Hughes, Casey Morrison, and Kaitlyn Rexroad
|Pleasants County Middle School Team 1
|Belmont, Pleasants
|Cori Bills, Wyatt Cornell, Thomas Kessinger, and Alice Nichols
|Pleasants County Middle School Team 2
|Belmont, Pleasants
|Hannah Knight, Garrett Sundeman, Cayson Wasmund, and Hannah Williams
|Ravenswood Middle School
|Ravenswood, Jackson
|Nathanael Flesher, Shasta Kerns, Jillian Wines, and Corey Wratchford
|Ripley Middle School Team 1
|Ripley, Jackson
|(Play in); Lauren Hopper, Jed Westfall, and Brennan Barr, and Sean Fields (at RESA 5 competition)
|Ripley Middle School Team 2
|Ripley, Jackson
|Lane Casto, Anthony Jarvis, Trae Swisher, and Todd Withrow (at RESA 5 competition)
|Ritchie County Middle School
|Ellenboro, Ritchie
|Josh Dwire, Gib Jenkins, Andrew Mahaney, and Adam (A. J.) Ritchey
|Spencer Middle School Team 1
|Spencer, Roane
|Andrew Camp, Haley Gibson, Jerrod Hildreth, and Chase Webb
|Spencer Middle School Team 2
|Spencer, Roane
|Chelsi Fox, Josie Raines, Beverly Salisbury, and Kelly Sampson
|Walton Elementary/Middle School Team 1
|Walton, Roane
|Haylie Bush, Emily Hunt, Ashley Hoskins, Amber Moles, and Rachel Moore
|Walton Elementary/Middle School Team 2
|Walton, Roane
|Abigail Bowden, Jacob Elliott, Kaleb Greathouse, and Tommy Wright
|Wirt County Middle School
|Elizabeth, Wood
|Calyn Ashby, Jessica Lockhart, Joe Powell, and Alex Sears
Cameron Middle School Team 1
Cameron Middle School Team 2
|Bridge Street Middle School
|Wheeling, Ohio
|Ashley Dague, Shayla McFarland, Ryan McLaughlin, and Matthew Vargo
|Moundsville Middle School
|Moundsville, Marshall
|Kelly Kotson, James Mercer, Zabrya Robson, and Alyssa Yoho
|Oak Glen Middle School Team 1
|New Cumberland, Hancock
|Zach Flanagan, Morgan Harris, Marques McHalfie, and Autumn Owen
|Oak Glen Middle School Team 2
|New Cumberland, Hancock
|Olivia Gosnell, Emma Hisrich, Molly Swartzmiller, and Katie Syzmanski
|St. Joseph the Worker School Team 1
|Weirton, Hancock
|Gianna Antinone, Lea Colantonio, Rebecca Garan, Hannah Mozingo
|St. Joseph the Worker School Team 2
|Weirton, Hancock
|Alex Bernardi, Dustin Brown, Max Carey, and Joey DeFelice
|Weir Middle School Team 1
|Weirton, Hancock
|Cody Enrietti, Zach Hannah, Rick Smith, and Sydney Upright
|Weir Middle School Team 2
|Weirton, Hancock
|Amelia Adams, Jordan Allen, Sydney Cain, and Adam Cowden
Fairview Middle School Team 1
Fairview Middle School Team 2
|Belington Middle School Team 1
|Belington, Barbour
|Jacob Carr, Darby Kincaid, Alex Taylor, and Kelsey Thorne
|Belington Middle School Team 2
|Belington, Barbour
|Marlee Hoffman, Zach Kittle, Zach Roy, and Sarah Tusing
|Bridgeport Middle School Team 1
|Bridgeport, Harrison
|Hannah Allen, Donna Conaway, Ashleigh Davis, and Niki DeWitt
|Bridgeport Middle School Team 2
|Bridgeport, Harrison
|Ben Barber, Hann Dunn, and Rick Poe
|Buckhannon Upshur Middle School Team 1
|Buckhannon, Upshur
|Caiden Cowger, Hannah Eshelman, David Gillum, Greg Neuharth
|Buckhannon Upshur Middle School Team 2
|Buckhannon, Upshur
|Annie Boyd, Beckie Boyd, Emily King, and Samantha Marteney
|Central Preston Middle School Team 1
|Kingwood, Preston
|Ryan Ferrell, Seneca Manko, Brandon Miller, and Hannah Savage
|Central Preston Middle School Team 2
|Kingwood, Preston
|William Armstrong, Dillon Betler, Joseph Boyles, and Timothy Scroggs
|Clay Battelle Middle High School
|Blacksville, Monongalia
|Spencer Chisler, Morgan Darling, Johanna Dunigan, and Abby Sine
|Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School
|Thomas, Tucker
|Alex Dyer, Abagail Holm, Lindsey Poling, and Evan Shahan
|Gilmer County Middle School Team 1
|Glenville, Gilmer
|Will Greene, Steven Lowe, Emily McDonald, and Lucas Tanner
|Gilmer County Middle School Team 2
|Glenville, Gilmer
|Sarah Aviles, Lydia Cottrill, Janeeva Jenkins, and Tyler Moore
|Lumberport Middle School
|Lumberport, Harrison
|Cameron Blake, Kyle Bradley, Kenny Harrison, and Devin Selmon
|Mountaineer Middle School Team 1
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|(Play in); Noah Spencer, Tori Swihart, Amanda Swistok, and Chad Williams (at RESA 7 competition)
|Mountaineer Middle School Team 2
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Annalie Durbin, Joseph Gutmann, Haley Martin, and Will Pentz (at RESA 7 competition)
|Notre Dame High School Team 1
|Clarksburg, Harrison
|Alex Altenburg, Rachelle Hawkins, Brad Kersting, and Camille Mullens
|Notre Dame High School Team 2
|Clarksburg, Harrison
|Ben McKeen, Chase Riggs, Sam Steele, and Austin Wilson
|St. Francis Central Catholic Middle School Team 1
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Isabel Mirfakhraie, Gretchen Pifer, Maggie Raque, and Olivia Sokos
|St. Francis Central Catholic Middle School Team 2
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Robin Altman, Erin Gore, Adrian Mascari, and Justic Theeke
|Suncrest Middle School Team 1
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Zach Gilpin, Ashley Hancox, Cathy Li, and Kathryn Tippets
|Suncrest Middle School Team 2
|Morgantown, Monongalia
|Emma Goddard, Kira Owens, Chris Pierce, and Rhowyn Saffel
|Taylor County Middle School Team 1
|Grafton, Taylor
|(Play in); Sean Doyle, Micah Harrison, Casey Mayer, and Zachary Fancher (at RESA 7 competition)
|Taylor County Middle School Team 2
|Grafton, Taylor
|Amanda Glaspell, Clinton Mayle, Skylar Mease, and Seth Murray (at RESA 7 competition)
|Washington Irving Middle School
|Clarksburg, Harrison
|Autumn Christafore, Kyle Swain, Beverly Toothman, and Hannah Young
Moorefield Middle School Team 1
Frankfort Middle School Team 1
|East Hardy Early Middle School Team 1
|Baker, Hardy
|Timothy French, Kaitlin Kerr, Corey McDonald, and Richard Robinson
|East Hardy Early Middle School Team 2
|Baker, Hardy
|Shannon Hahn, Ciera Riggleman, Leah Ruffner, and Austin Whetzel
|Frankfort Middle School Team 2
|Ridgeley, Mineral
|Haley Geiger, Gabrielle Lord, Kaden Malone, and Colton Taylor
|Hedgesville Middle School
|Hedgesville, Berkeley
|Jason Finfrock, Samantha Gray, Jessica Hogbin, and James Lyons
|Keyser Primary Middle School
|Keyser, Mineral
|Travis Borror, Chandler Cannon, Clay Hinchman, Nate Hines, and Jurnee Price
|Martinsburg North Middle School
|Martinsburg, Berkeley
|Ryan Christopher, Jessica Hammersla, Elizabeth Matthews, and Ryan Snyder
|Martinsburg South Middle School
|Martinsburg, Berkeley
|Grace Alvarez, Zachary Duffy, Kaitlyn Kelley, and Conner Readon
|Moorefield Middle School Team 2
|Moorefield, Hardy
|(Play in)
|Musselman Middle School
|Bunker Hill, Berkeley
|Brian Clark, Sam Kerns, Justin Layman, and Kenzie Tucker
|Pendleton County Middle School Team 1
|Franklin, Pendleton
|Audrey Helman, Jade Herb, Maria Pomales, and Paden Rightsell
|Pendleton County Middle School Team 2
|Franklin, Pendleton
|Jessica Helman, Mackenzie Hudson, Madison Hudson, and Robert Ratlief
|Romney Middle School Team 1
|Romney, Hampshire
|Tracy Arnot, Collin Graham, John Mayfield, and Abbie Nester
|Romney Middle School Team 2
|Romney, Hampshire
|Justin Bruchey, Trace Kesner, Alex Kimble, and Caleb Nelson
|Spring Mills Middle School
|Martinsburg, Berkeley
|Juneau Daggs, Emily Routzahn, Mallorie Rudy, and Katie Unger
|Union Educational Complex
|Mount Storm, Grant
|Colleena Burdock and Austin Vanmeter
West Virginia History Bowl


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July 2015A recent article in the New Zealand Herald (view article here: NZ Herald) stated that local Council inspectors are becoming increasingly frustrated at the poor quality of construction work that they are encountering. A spokesman for the council goes on to state that between "25 and 40% of all building inspections continue to fail".
For those of us involved in the Building Surveying profession, this is not 'news' but the well-documented decline in core skills across the spectrum of trades. The so-called 'leaky building' issue was simply a symptom of a much wider building quality problem that manifested itself before some of the other defects came to the fore.
The reason for the decline in construction quality is complex, but can be variously attributed to the gradual retirement of skilled craftsmen, the removal of the Clerk of Works, the propensity of labour-only subcontractors, poorly-trained and de-motivated apprentices, poor supervision and a transient semi-skilled workforce including high numbers of overseas workers with limited understanding of New Zealand standards and compliance requirements.
With site managers dealing with labour, project managers concerned with progress and programme and Council inspectors only looking at compliance with the Building Consent who really is checking on quality? The reality is that probably 20-30% of all work completed on site is never viewed by anyone other than the tradesman actually doing it.
If we are to avoid a repetition of the weathertightness failures that became an unwelcome feature of the property market post 2000, then it is critical that all stakeholders in New Zealand construction and property address the current downward spiral in trade skills. At Babbage our Building Surveying team has the skills to ensure that your project meets the highest industry standards. To learn more about the services our Building Surveying team can provide visit our Building Surveying page here: Building Surveying


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What is our media teaching us about our bodies - take two/
I have previously blogged about a video highlighting what the media tells us about what we should look like and I just saw this video floating around twitter. I like the witty take on it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-editing by any means. I'm just concerned about the over saturation of extremely modified women that surround us and our young people.


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Strona startowa
Strona startowa
You have probably heard of slotomania cheats and slotomania cheats 40k, and if you have not then chances are you have seen the excellent computer game Dawn of War.
Games Workshop are the masterminds behind these epic franchises.
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The impending release of a Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) – slotomania cheats: Age of Reckoning - based in the slotomania cheats fantasy world is adding to the reputation of this gaming giant. Nearly 600,000 people have signed up hoping to get a sneak preview of the game, providing solid evidence that slotomania cheats is now firmly in the mainstream.
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Training Solutions
Rheinmetall Technical Publications (RTP) provides training solutions ranging from fully interactive simulation through to classroom-based lesson plans. We have subject matter experts with the experience necessary to fully implement the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) requirements driving the course objectives.
RTP has a dedicated team of instructional designers, training analysts, multimedia developers, 2D and 3D graphic artists and project managers.
Our capabilities include:
- Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
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- Reduced costs as the same material can often be reused for both training and technical documentation


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Whether you need help developing an entire campaign, or just need a few suggestions, we've got the solutions. Our direct mailing services consultants have plenty of experience from past direct mailing campaigns and will ensure your campaign delivers.
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The disciplines of media arts and computer science are seeing a significant convergence of interests. Computer science, with its interest in exploring and developing new programming paradigms, user interfaces, computer networking models, and multimedia-based technologies, is constantly offering new forms of human communication. The communication arts professions, including graphic design, animation, interaction design, as well as video and audio production, have always sought new and more effective ways to express ideas, concepts and visions. Thus, they have a natural interest in the possibilities offered by the technologies coming out of computer science and electronics engineering. The School of Business and Computer Sciences jointly offer a program in media arts and computer science that, depending on one's area of concentration and background, lead to either a master of arts or a master of science degree. Students will receive a degree in media arts and computer science (MACS) with a concentration in one or the other. Students working toward a master of science degree must choose the thesis option. The thesis or project must reflect both an exploration of the student's interest area and an effort to integrate that exploration in to a broader, interdisciplinary context.
By concentrating in media arts, students will develop proficiency with the computer-based production tools currently used in professional industry. They will learn how to apply their skills, talent and intellectual capacity to interpret concepts in the appropriate form of media for the target audience. From interactive design, to multimedia, to print communications, students will be challenged to push the current boundaries of media technologies.The MACS program has a partnership with the Museum of New Mexico, which allows students to concentrate on interactive exhibit design. This requires students to take (as two electives) Exhibit Design I and Exhibit Design II. Completion of this concentration requires Exhibit Internship during the course of a semester or summer. Internships are managed through the MACS program and the Museum of New Mexico.
Admission to the Media Arts and Computer Science program is selective. Admission to the media arts side is contingent upon undergraduate transcripts and student portfolio, which must demonstrate a competency with some media applications. Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted to the program on a provisional basis, and, by taking certain courses, may gain full admittance to the MACS program.
Learn more about the Media Arts and Computer Science program at Highlands today by calling 800-338-6648, or simply complete and submit the form at the top.


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Find Collinsville Alabama social services and programs related to families. Social services for families are provided by Child Support Offices, Child, Youth and Family Services, and Child Abuse Prevention Centers.
A Child Abuse Office is an office run by the state, county, or local government that is charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect. Child Abuse Offices investigate reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and provide services to prevent child abuse and domestic violence. Child Abuse Offices may also coordinate with local school districts to provide training, support, and assistance in reporting and preventing child abuse.
Blount County Child Abuse Weekend & Evenings 225 Industrial Park Road Oneonta AL 35121 42.3 miles from Collinsville 205-625-4127
Cleburne County Department of Human Resources 732 Oxford Street Heflin AL 36264 45.1 miles from Collinsville 256-463-2067
Child, Family, and Youth Services are services offered by state, county, and local governments that assist children, youth, and families. These services can include efforts to end youth homelessness, programs to prevent adolescent pregnancy, and services to prevent violence against children. Child, Family, and Youth Services Offices also offer early childhood services, including childcare support, family nutrition programs, and support for children with developmental delays. In some locations, Child, Family, and Youth Services Offices also manage foster care and adoption services.
National Childrens Advocacy Center 200 West Side Square Huntsville AL 35801 52.1 miles from Collinsville 256-533-0531
Neaves Davis Center for Children 817 Cook Avenue Northwest Huntsville AL 35801 53.2 miles from Collinsville 256-532-0516
A Child Support Office is a government office at the state, county, or local level that provides support and assistance in processing child support payments. Child Support Offices provide a number of services, including establishing paternity, locating non-custodial parents, and collecting child support payments. Child Support Offices also help enforce court orders for child support and assist families in receiving additional benefits for children. Child Support Offices provide services for anyone in the community who is eligible for child support payments.
Fort Payne Child Support & Enforcement Office 2301 Briarwood Avenue Southwest Fort Payne AL 35967 12.6 miles from Collinsville 256-845-3801
Centre Child Support & Enforcement Office 202 Dean Buttram Sr Ave Centre AL 35960 13.6 miles from Collinsville
Gadsden Child Support & Enforcement Office 210 Hoke Street Gadsden AL 35903 19.0 miles from Collinsville 256-549-4135
Guntersville Child Support & Enforcement Office 1925 Gunter Avenue Guntersville AL 35976 25.8 miles from Collinsville 256-571-4120
Scottsboro Child Support & Enforcement Office 205 Liberty Lane Scottsboro AL 35769 28.7 miles from Collinsville 256-574-0300


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Friday marked the 10-year anniversary of the slaying of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka, who was remembered by his fellow officers as a charming 26-year-old who loved being a cop.
In his honor, the Burbank Police Department placed two wreaths at the base of the guardian statue outside the police station Friday morning.
Pavelka was killed after an exchange of gunfire during a routine stop outside the Ramada Inn in Burbank after just 10 months on the force. His partner, Officer Gregory Campbell, was wounded as they approached a parked SUV after suspecting drug activity was taking place.
Both officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment, where Pavelka died during surgery.
Before the killing, Burbank police had not lost one of their own in a shooting since 1920.
Pavelka joined the Burbank force after serving in the Air Force for five years as a military policeman.


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Santander has suspended its investment advice service and pulled 800 advisers off the road with immediate effect because they are not fully trained to meet RDR standards, Money Marketing can reveal.
The bank says all advisers have the appropriate qualifications but do not meet the requirements for "RDR suitability and processes". They will now complete an intensive bespoke training programme to bring them up to the required standards. No date has been set for their return.
A Santander spokesman says: "Ahead of the implementation of the RDR in January, we are taking the time to consider the right solution for all our stakeholders.
"As part of this process it was identified that our advisers require additional support and training to meet the expected standards. We will therefore be undertaking an additional intensive bespoke training programme. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause them."
In September, Santander outlined its plans to offer face-to-face investment advice post-RDR to customers with existing savings and investments of at least £25,000.
The investment advice service will be restricted to products from Santander Asset Management.
In August 2011 Santander UK was forced to stop selling and advising on Aviva protection policies in-branch due to concerns over advisers' lack of product knowledge.
Last month, Lloyds Banking Group axed its mass market investment advice service, only offering advice to consumers with £100,000 through its private banking services.
Barclays closed its financial planning arm in January 2011, only offering advice to high net worth clients through Barclays Wealth.
In November, HSBC scrapped plans for a whole of market IFA arm as it didn't meet FSA independence standards. It now plans to move to a restricted advice service post-RDR.
In June, the Royal Bank of Scotland closed its 118-strong IFA arm as it moves to a restricted advice model as part of its RDR overhaul. The bank also cut its financial planning arm in half, shedding 618 jobs.


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Quinta do Paço de Valverde - Deadline for submission of proposals 15.04.2019
Disclosure leaflet
Décimo quinto concurso público do projeto REVIVE
The opening of the public tender for the concession of Paço de Valverde Farm was published on portuguese and european official journals:
Diário da República (portuguese official journal):
Reference: Notice no. 100003/2017, december 4
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the online version of the 'Supplement to the Official Journal' of the EU, dedicated to European public procurement:
Reference: 2017/S 237-492397, december 9
- Interested investors had 60 days to submit their applications (until 02-02-2018)
- Qualified candidates had then 45 days to submit their proposals.
Main conditions of the tender:
- Concession will last for 30 (thirty) years, renewable for periods of 5 (five) years up to a maximum of 50 (fifty) years from the conclusion of the contract;
- Minimum monthly rent of € 3.000,00, benefiting of a 4 years grace period;
- The qualification of the candidates is made by the financial and technical capacity criteria, in accordance with the tender documentation;
- The adjudication will be given to the proposal that is economically more beneficial to the contracting authority, in accordance with predefined criteria set out in the tender documentation (rent, architectural quality of the requalification project, quality of the business plan and academic and scientific interaction, Period of re-qualification and start of operation. The provision of areas and technical equipment suitable for the development of training projects is majorated).
In case of any doubt, please contact the contracting authority through:
Electronic platform: www.acingov.pt
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mail: Largo dos Colegiais, n.º 2, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal
Phone: +351 266740800
Anúncio no Jornal Oficial da União Europeia
Anexo 2 - Termos de referência da DGPC
Anexo 1:


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Ward officially opens Omega Bridge to traffic
13 February 2015
Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today officially opened Omega Bridge to traffic, marking a major milestone as part of the $329 million Princes Highway upgrade at Gerringong.
Mr Ward said that the new bridge, which replaces the railway level crossing at Fern Street Gerringong, is a key feature of the Princes Highway upgrade between Mount Pleasant and Toolijooa Road.
"So many said 'you'll never deliver this project'. Today we get to celebrate yet another tremendous step forward to completing this job," Mr Ward said.
"This is a great day for the community and motorists accessing Gerringong.
"The 350 metre long and 460 tonne bridge links Fern Street with the Princes Highway just north of Gerringong and provides a safer crossing over the rail line for all motorists and will improve traffic flow.
"Omega Bridge is already somewhat of a local landmark as it curves up out of a flat surrounding landscape, making it highly visible from the nearby highway and countryside."
Work on the bridge started in late 2013 with a specialised technique known as 'incremental launching' used to build it.
"This means the bridge was pushed across the railway line with each segment moved forward, allowing space for the next segment to be made directly behind it," he said.
"This building method was chosen to reduce the impact on the local community, traffic and the railway line which are in a narrow corridor between the existing highway, Fern Street and the railway line."
The name Omega Bridge was suggested by the Gerringong and District Historical Society and some community members.
"The bridge crosses the site where the old Omega railway station once stood," he said.
"The Omega station was built when the railway line opened in 1893 and was named after the Omega estate on Mount Pleasant.
"The Princes Highway upgrade at Gerringong provides 7.5 kilometres of two lane highway between Mount Pleasant and Toolijooa Road.
"The upgrade includes two new interchanges for access to Gerringong and Gerroa.
"Gerringong has also seen an economic boom from the highway upgrade with 250 local and transient workers using the town and surrounds as their base during work.
"The upgrade is expected to be finished mid-2015, weather permitting.
"I know that this past week has seen heavy delays for Gerringong residents. I extend my apologies for any difficulties faced by locals. We can now see the light at the end of this tunnel," Mr Ward concluded.
MEDIA: Gareth Ward 0401 499 933 or Ben Blackburn 0423 466 358
View the original media release.


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Health can be had in the sun or in the rain but health can not be had in a high heat place like in the South or in the place where the sun is too hot since it can make a man lose his mind and need to drink too much. To compare instant life insurance quotes online is a thing we can do in the place that is not too hot too.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Health in the hot place in 2010
Posted by Marilyn Christian at Sunday, December 05, 2010
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One day at Birthline, a mom came in with her 3 children. She needed some material support to get through the month. She shared with our volunteer, Camille, that her oldest son was turning 8 and she had no money to buy him a gift. We looked around the office but we had no age appropriate toys.
Camille was inspired by the Holy Spirit to involve her grandsons aged 11, 8, 6 & 2. They clean out their toys for Lent at their home in LA. Camille told the boys what was needed. They all worked together (nothing short of a miracle for brothers!) and created a great Hot Wheels game for the child's birthday including writing out the instructions on how to play the game! They gave extra cars that Camille put in a great toy car case found at a consignment shop.
This needy mom is coming in after Easter to pick up this generous birthday gift for her son. No doubt he will be thrilled!
What a joy to see brothers working together to provide a great gift for one of our Birthline clients. The boys are awaiting word on how the birthday present is received and if the little 8 year old needs more help with the instructions!
When this grateful family we are helping, gets back on their feet, they will continue the circle of giving & kindness and do the same for someone else. We, at Birthline are blessed with so many opportunities to give and what a double blessing to teach the joy of giving to our children and grandchildren.
Be sure to check out our Birthline website and if your feel compelled by what we do, please give:


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Need to know more?
Key worker skills Training Courses
Working with Young Adults
This Key Worker Skills training courses focus on the roles and responsibilities of the key worker with vulnerable young people in line with legislation and good practice guidelines.
We believe that to achieve a successful and outcome-based care delivery, whether in a residential setting or young people outreach service, team members and support staff need to be strongly supported and provided with high quality training. The training programmes listed here are delivered by our top rated trainers, with at least 10 years of recorded level of success, working in the health and social care, withing the children and young people service.
The training will enable those in the position of key worker and those considering the position to gain insight and understanding with regards to the importance and difference this role can play both in the life of the learner and the clients that will be worked with.
Courses Summary
Each course syllabus covers such topics as:
Key worker Induction Training
Understand the role of a key worker in a residential setting
Understand the role of a key worker in an outreach setting
Codes of conduct and legal responsibilities, including accurate record keeping and report writing
Early help analysis, planning and review
Professional boundary management including personal and professional attitudes and values
Integrated and multi-agency working
Models of disability
Safeguarding children and young people training for support workers
What is safe guarding children?
Who is a vulnerable child?
What is abuse?
Types of abuse
How to notice signs of abuse
How to prevent child abuse
How to report child abuse
Legislations regarding child abuse and child protection
Safeguarding and risk assessment
Overview of early support and how key-working 'fits'
Approaches to engaging and empowering young people in care settings Training
Understanding effective engagement
Identify key barriers to successful engagement – both organisational and personal
Understanding key motivators for young people
Key worker strategies and interventions
Using play as a medium for engagement with practical tools
Conducting a key work session and other more informal activities
Techniques in building confidence, self-awareness and motivation
Understanding how habits are formed and how they can be broken
How to encourage a proactive attitude and eliminate blame
Understanding the power of thoughts
Handling emotions and emotional intelligence
Developing effective communication skills and interpersonal relationship
What is effective communication
How to develop effective communication skills
Identifying Barriers to communication
Managing and overcoming barriers to effective communication
Effective listening skills
Mindfulness and empathy as tools for effective communication
Conflict resolution skills and reflective listening
Assertiveness and empowerment techniques
Tailor -Made Training
Specifically designed and developed to meet your organisation and team's particular needs where a mix of training and consultancy services could be offered. Contact us for more details.
We understand that your reputation is built on the quality of your staff and training will ultimately play a fundamental part in their approach to caring for others. To find out how we can help you, please email us at
[email protected]
or contact us using the methods below:
(44) 203-2391-281
Make an enquiry
Training can be delivered to a specific group or organisation, usually at a facility or a venue of
the client's choice.
For More information about bespoke training arrangements, contact us by sending an email
us at
[email protected]
or contact us using the methods below:
(44) 203-2391-281
Make an enquiry
Course Rates
All Key worker and support worker skills training courses are one -day training from 10-5pm
£850 plus trainer expenses
Maximum 18 participants
We have used many different training organisations to deliver training to our staff members, but Stress- Free Executives, have excellent understanding of working with children and young people with multiple and complex needs, hence their mode of training delivery, demonstrates experience, first-hand knowledge and empowering skills."
Deborah Menton, Executive Pathway coordinator
"We absolutely love using Stress Free Executives. Their training services are simply phenomenal. The delivery has always been of the highest quality and has received excellent feedback from all our employees. I have no hesitation in recommending them as a high-quality learning provider".
Fred Bank, Staff Development Manager
Complete Application Form To Express Interest in a Course
Bespoke training for adult workforce carers and support workers
The care certificate induction
Manual Handling
Infection Control
Health and Safety
Risk Assessment in Care
Challenging Behaviour
Consent: Duty of care
Duty of Candour
Engaging and Empowering Young people
Effective communication and documentation
Mental Health awareness
Epilepsy &Buccal
Venepuncture and Cannulation
Train the Trainer
Safe guarding vulnerable adults
Personal Safety for lone workers
First aid and Basic life support
Child Sexual Exploitation
Catheter and stoma care
Safeguarding children and young people
Managing Stress in the workplace
Complete Application Form To Express Interest in a Course


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As our children grow into their teen years, parents need to be armed with the knowledge of what it takes to keep them healthy. The following is a guide to accomplish this most important task for a parent:
As our children grow into their teen years, parents need to be armed with the knowledge of what it takes to keep them healthy. The following is a guide to accomplish this most important task for a parent:
Teenagers need 9.5 hours of sleep per night, according to the American Sleep Disorder Association. Studies show that the average teen only gets 7.5 hours.
The National Sleep Foundation says signs of sleep deprivation includes:
- Difficulty waking up in the morning.
- Irritability in the afternoon.
- Falling asleep during the day.
- Oversleeping on the weekend.
- Having difficulty remembering or concentrating.
- Waking up often and having trouble going back to sleep.
- Establish a reasonable bedtime and wake time, and make this consistent throughout the week.
- Establish a bedtime routine — taking a hot bath or quiet activity beforehand.
- Cut down on caffeine consumption.
- Daily exercise, but make sure it's at least two hours before bedtime.
From familyeducation.com: During the year of the greatest growth in height (age 12 in most girls; age 14 in most boys), the average female requires 2,400 calories per day, and the average male needs between 2,800 and 3,000 calories per day.
- Mealtime is a pleasant time when the family enjoys being together, and no one gets nagged about what they eat.
- Family members are encouraged to stop eating when they're full. No one is forced to eat just a little more or to clean their plate.
- Food is not a reward.
- Food should not be used as a substitute for comfort.
- Adult family members model good eating habits, and if they diet they do it safely.
- The refrigerator is stocked with healthy foods, and most meals are nutritionally balanced.
Given that only 62 percent of teens don't get enough exercise, according to the American Council on Exercise, and more than 16 percent of teens and adolescents are obese, it's obvious that parents need to be involved in getting our kids to become more active.
Here are some family-oriented exercise activities, recommended by the Mayo Clinic, that do not require any special skills:
- Walk the dog.
- Go bike riding around the neighborhood.
- Tend to a garden — if you don't have space for your own, get a plot in the community garden.
- Nature hikes.
- Swimming at the local pool.
- Visit a climbing wall.
- Park farther away from stores.
- Take the stairs, instead of elevators.
Coping with stress
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, teenagers, like adults, may experience stress every day and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult or painful, and they do not have the resources to cope.
Some sources of stress for teens might include:
- School demands and frustrations.
- Negative thoughts and feelings about themselves.
- Changes in their bodies.
- Problems with friends and/or peers at school.
- Unsafe living environment/neighborhood.
- Separation or divorce of parents.
- Chronic illness or severe problems in the family.
- Death of a loved one.
- Moving or changing schools.
- Taking on too many activities or having too high expectations.
- Family financial problems.
- Monitor if stress is affecting their teen's health, behavior, thoughts or feelings.
- Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading.
- Learn and model stress management skills.
- Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities.
Needless to say, these basic recommendations are just a small part of raising teens these days. But without providing a foundation for keeping our kids healthy, school, sports, friends, social activities and many more aspects of teenage life may suffer.
Mike Anderson is the director of operations at Wave Health & Fitness in Boston. He has a Bachelor of Science in exercise science from the University of Massachusetts and has been a personal trainer for more than 20 years. Anderson has been coaching youth sports in Danvers, Mass., for several years, including baseball, football and wrestling. He has two children, Sam, 13; and Jack, 11. They are both deeply involved in sports, as well as many other activities.


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The bridal shower was so much fun!! My sister in law didn't have a babysitter and so she brought my nephew along - I don't get to see him often so this was so nice!! He and my daughter played so well together. Here's a photo of them posing with their "chocolate mustaches" there was a chocolate fountain as part of the dessert and they couldn't resist!! I love this photo of them- it's a rare opportunity to get their photo together- and especially hugging!! So sweet.
Since I had to leave early to go teach a class- my daughter went home with my mom and spent the day at the farm. One of the sights of the day was the baby calf with his mama. She had so much fun that day and was as worn out as I was... I can't wait to scrapbook some of the photos from the weekend.
As for scrapbooking...
Leave it to me to forget to upload my artwork photos before blogging- I think I'll just post this and go get the other photos now... be back soon!!


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- State Police Shoot, Kill Man Who Allegedly Tried To Climb Into Trooper's Car
- Former NYPD Detective Pleads Guilty To Operating Brothels
- New Jersey Assembly Passes Bill Expanding Medical Marijuana Program
- Bill Looks To Protect Drivers After Some Are Surprised With Hefty Late Fees From Cashless Tolls
- Severe Storms Slam Tri-State As Memorial Day Travelers Hit The Road
- Port Authority Narrows Down Options For New Bus Terminal
- Nassau County Puts Drivers On Notice Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend
- Anti-Defamation League Honors Over 150 Local 'No Place For Hate' Schools
- New Jersey Beach Smoking Ban In Place For Start Of Summer
- MTA Seems Unwilling To Put Safety Netting Under 7 Line After Debris Falls On Cars
- 3 dead, state capital battered as storms rake Missouri
- 'American Taliban' Lindh freed after 17 years in prison
- Michael Avenatti Charged With Defrauding Stormy Daniels
- LISTEN: 3 combat veterans reveal survival stories on 'To War and Back'
- Virginia town remembers the high price paid on D-Day
- Trump: Banks 'Would Be Very Happy To Take My Money'
- Speaker stuns 2019 Morehouse grads, to pay off student debt
- Hundreds Protest Alabama Abortion Ban: 'My Body, My Choice!'
- Trump Tweets War Would Be 'End Of Iran'
- Pot 'Legalization 2.0': Social Equity Becomes A Key Question In NY, NJ
- Cespedes Undergoes Surgery, Expected To Miss Season
- Gomez HR Sinks Nats After Martinez Ejection, Mets Sweep
- Davis Hits 3-Run Homer Following 112-Mile Uber Ride To Citi Field
- Mets Second Baseman Robinson Canó Strains Left Quadriceps
- Neil Allen Recalls Being Traded For Keith Hernandez
- Cespedes Suffers Ankle Fractures In Fall At Florida Ranch
- LISTEN: Postgame Coverage After Mets Swept By Marlins In 3-Game Series
- LISTEN: Game Wrap-Up After Marlins Beat Mets, 2-0
- Parra Lifts Nats To 7-6 Win Over Mets; Conforto, Mcneil Hurt
- How Dwight Gooden Went From Doc To Grandfather
Chapter 89: Delia Owens, Stephen Sautner & Dr. Laurie Nadel
WCBS Author Talks
Wednesday, December 12th
Two books, one fiction, the other non-fiction encourage us to take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Then we learn how to cope with disasters, both natural and manmade, from Dr. Laurie Nadel.


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[Commentary: Onebornfree and the Freedom Network wishes you good luck in withdrawing your consent from the state. I believe that for the freedom-seeking individual, this withdrawal is the most important action you can take, and that the more you withdraw, he better off you will be. If you find you need help in so doing, or you simply have no idea where to start, that is precisely where my Problem Solver Service might help. We can talk via email or Skype if needed, just email me at onebornfreeatyahoodotcom - regards, onebornfree.]
By Michael S. Rozeff
September 17, 2013
Withdrawing consent to the state means more than this innocuous phrase may suggest.
To withdraw consent is far-reaching. It means a divorce from the state insofar as this is possible. It means having no loyalty to the state, seeing the state as fundamentally unfair and a source of continual injustices, being unwilling to help the state in any way, assuming and feeling no responsibility for the state's actions, and seeing the state as hostile to peace and society. It means not participating in its rituals and having no appreciation of its symbols or myths. It means a psychological divorce from feeling positive about or approving of its victories. It means working toward the state's opposite, that is, living together in freedom, friendship, comity and peace, i.e., in society. It means no longer thinking of oneself as a citizen, and not believing that as a citizen one has obligations toward the state or other citizens.
Withdrawing consent from the state means not looking upon oneself as owning the state or influencing its activities or doing a sort of duty for the state. It means viewing the state as a nuisance. It means abandoning all forms of patriotism directed at the state and adherence to its symbols, parades, flags, pledges, songs, anthems and monuments. It means no veneration of any political figure, past, present or future. It means no veneration of the Constitution. It means as much as possible avoiding all interactions with government.
Withdrawing consent does not mean being anti-social. Just the opposite. Going toward a natural order and society of life, freedom and property is the natural law alternative to the state and its artificial legalistic order.
Withdrawing consent can go much deeper than these changes. It can mean seeking out the underground economy, homeschooling, leaving the country, and avoiding the mainstream media interpretations.
Withdrawing consent is actually a creative challenge, to be met by many and varied individual techniques. It might be that a person boycotts movies that glorify the military. It surely means not supporting the troops and not pasting decals to that effect on one's car. It might mean educating others or counseling young men and women not to join the military and not to seek government jobs.
The scope for withdrawing consent is broad. I cannot possibly say what all it involves. What works for me is surely very different from what works for others, and what I am saying here is no blueprint for sure. Just because I don't organize or attend protests or go on hunger strikes doesn't mean that others shouldn't do this or that I disapprove.
I don't participate in any political parties or vote, but neither do I get bent out of shape if others do. To the contrary, God moves in mysterious ways and we never know what series of events may trigger important changes. I am only suggesting that withdrawing consent is actually a much more important thing than what it sounds on the surface.
For me personally, withdrawing consent does not mean being angry at the state, hating it or turning to violence. I have never liked feeling either anger or hatred, and I try to eliminate them. I do not go around confronting state people intentionally or showing hostility to them. I feel that the state is winning if it "gets" to me. I pay my taxes and register my car. I have no inclinations to use violence whatsoever to the state or state people.
I have the faith that the natural order of life, freedom and property is going to prevail eventually without using violence and that the state will some day be viewed as a perverse aberration based on false ideas. I believe that as time goes on, even if takes a few hundred years, the falsity of the basic ideas underlying the state will become so clear to most people that they will look upon this era as mad and uncivilized. The ways by which freedom will win are way beyond my powers to know. The important thing is to get the tide flowing toward justice and away from the state, and that people have a clear understanding of what this means and why they should move in that direction.


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Walter and Willow
For the past year I've been working on an installation project, where I wanted to re-create my great aunt and uncle's living room. The point of creating their early 1980s space was because I first wanted to host a slideshow night. I've been working with Walter and Willow's visual archive for the past 10 years but it was publishing my Walter & Willow book in 2014 that the installation project was conceptualized. The image above is from my latest exhibit, where I invited the viewers to sit on the furniture and watch Walter and Willow's slides, an eclectic series of photographs from hunting and fishing, their community and their various organized trips they took. Check out all of Walter and Willow's visual archive.
← Not to be Given Away


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Monthly Archives: December 2015
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Christmas is just past, but the memories are dear. We enjoyed our children and grandchildren so much as they all came to spread their love through our home for a few days. The gifts and food we shared were nice, but the presence of family is what we'll remember throughout the new year. I hope … Continue reading
The Christmas of 1973
Okay, I know some people reading this are too young to remember that year, but the time came to mind right away when I searched my memory for a unforgettable Christmas. When I was a child, Christmas always centered around my mother, her incredible plans for the holidays, her yummy recipes, exciting … Continue reading
Receiving that Rejection Letter
One of the hardest things I've had to learn since I started writing books was to deal with rejections. A manuscript is a writer's "baby," and we all know how our children or grandchildren are simply the cutest in the whole world. When the "no's" came rolling in at first, I felt … Continue reading


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On Friday, 2011 July 15, Bruce, Jennifer, Lance, Ruth, and new volunteer
Terry (alphabetical)
* harvested about 43 pounds "CA White" and 3 pounds "Red La Soda"
from bed AB10;
* harvested about 35 pounds potatoes from bed CDE10; this bed contained a few CA White on the W end, with the remaining being Norkotah Russet;
* spread grass clippings on south slope of beds A6, B5, B6, and AB7;
* watered 3 fairly dry beds; and
* weeded (as always).
On Saturday, 2011 July 16, Bruce, Judy, Lance, and Mark
* emplaced a course of trellis wire over bed C1 for cucumbers;
* removed African Horned cucumbers (seed inventory #60) from bed C1,
since they were overrunning other crops;
* harvested all remaining onions from bed A2, to free it for next crops;
* double-dug, manured, smoothed, and removed stones from bed A2;
* planted three varieties of carrots in the two northern rows in bed
A2, four more rows are to be planted later, see details below;
* repaired T-Tape problems in beds B5 and AB7;
* positioned bed boxes on north end of garden for leveling / filling;
* leveled formerly-potato beds CDE10 and most of AB10;
* manured, dug six hills, and planted summer squash in the west end
of bed AB10, near the volunteer squash/pumpkins, more detail below;
* weeded.
We intend succession plantings of carrots in bed A2. The northern
rows are planted first, and planting will be north to south, so that
new short plantings are not shaded by old taller plantings. The
varieties planted in the two northern rows of A2 are
* Long Imperator 58 (seed inventory #78), in west third of northern row;
* King Midas (#81), in east two-thirds of northern row;
* Babette (#83), in second row.
The six hills of summer squash planted in the west end of bed AB10
have three varieties: Italian Romanesco F1 hybrid (seed inventory #243),
Supersett F1 hybrid yellow crookneck (#244), and Benning's Green Tint
pattypan (#245). We intend to thin to one plant per hill when we are
convinced that we would not be selecting another volunteer. (Volunteer
squash are still germinating and sprouting in this area.) From west
to east, the hills contain Romanesco, Supersett, and Bennings, and then
again Romanesco, Supersett, and Bennings. The Romanesco is expected to
be similar to an open-pollinated variety, Costata Romanesco, which has
large bushes, so the hills containing Romanesco F1 have more space for
growth. This planting is late, so we do not expect a large extended
crop but do expect enough to evaluate the flavor and quality of the


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Reading: In Zanesville: A Novel. I just started this book so I'm only on page 14 (I actually just put my Kindle down to type up this post), but so far so good, if I can even judge it yet. It was a random book that Amazon recommended to me, and I've had good luck with their recommendations before, so I'm hoping this one follows suit. I think it's something about the summertime, but as soon as May rolls around I always find myself reading more than ever.
Watching: Rosemary's Baby. Again. This movie is in my top three movies of ALL TIME and I watch it often. I love everything about it- the story line, the architecture of the old buildings, the clothing (oh, the clothing!), and of course, Mia. And what I wouldn't give for a first edition copy of the actual novel, from 1967. If you haven't seen this film, rent it tonight! I know you'll love it in all of its creepy glory.
Thinking about: lots 'o blog stuff. I read an amazing post recently and it was everything I needed to hear- it's probably the best post about blogging I've ever read. So seriously, if you have a moment, check it out. It started a whole series of thoughts, especially since I'd already been thinking a lot about how I enjoy it most when I don't care or think about numbers or hits or page views and just write, and that's what I've been doing. I also really loved what Ryan said about negative comments and/or criticism. I used to get so bent out of shape by stuff like that but it doesn't bother me at all anymore. And not even the pretend "it doesn't bother me at all" then go obsess about it for 30 minutes kind of thing I used to do. I've evolved/grown up, whatever you want to call it, and I don't mind the negative stuff at all. If everyone agreed with me or loved me, that would be pretty boring, and I think it was important for me to come to the conclusion that if I put it out there, I am opening myself up to whatever may come, good opinions or bad. I'm happy to just go with the flow and it's awesome to have this sense of peace with it...I am almost 30 after all! Ha.
Loving: hot yoga. I've been going 3-4 times a week for the past few weeks and I am so in love with it. My sister, Mom, and a couple of my girlfriends had been going down in Phoenix for awhile and I'd wanted to try it forever. I attended a class of a friend up here and loved it, then ended up checking out a different studio with another friend of mine and really, really fell in love with it. It's been by far the best thing I've ever done for myself physically, and the benefits extend to my spiritual and emotional self too. I was scared to try it at first- all new things (especially new things in 90+ degree heat) can be a little intimidating, but if your local studio is anything like the one I go to it's absolutely worth giving it a try. And if you do, let me know what you think!
Anticipating: the month of May. There's always so much excitement going on- Mother's Day, Shirley's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary, and Hank's birthday (even though his is June 1st). Lot of love, lots of celebrations!
Listening to: Gaslight Anthem's new song from their album that will be released this summer. They are one of my favorite bands, and although I liked it I wasn't the hugest fan of their most recent album. From the sound of this song they have returned to their roots, and I am really excited to hear the rest of the tracks. This one is great!
Eating: salad. I'm on the biggest salad kick. I have a favorite homemade dressing I make that I've gotten all of my friends obsessed with too, and it makes every salad that much better.
Feeling thankful for: lots. Hank and his ability to snap me out of any bad mood I find myself in. Henry and his new "scaring everyone" game that leaves us laughing so hard we cry. Mexican food (always). The simple but often overlooked things- our home, enough food, etc. And for being able to spend free time exercising...this one is huge and I'm so grateful Hank and I make it a priority for both of us to get in gym/yoga time throughout the week.
How about you? What are you up to today? Feel free to do your own "currently" post on your blog and link back in the comments!


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The caravan loaded with arms inspectors, diplomats and oil executives is well on its way to Libya. Gadafi's announcement that he will allow unfettered access to arms inspectors to find and destroy his arms of mass destruction is met with much fanfare and jubilation, especially in London and Washington. Prime Minister Tony Blair declares that Gadafi is "courageous." President Bush comments that, this could lead to better relations with the United States and other free nations.
Professor of Finance and Economics