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Margarida Jerónimo Barbosa
I'm a PhD student at Architectural School of Lisbon (FA-ULisboa), currently collaborating with ArcHC_3D research group of FA-ULisboa. My PhD thesis deals with BIM applied to the context of Rehabilitation, and is incorporated in a FCT financed project ("ReabOp – Optimization of documentation workflows in the rehabilitation of built structures") where our team (http://archc3d.fa.utl.pt/) is working with an engineering team from IDMEC (http://www.idmec.ist.utl.pt/).
The main objective of this research is to establish a methodology that incorporates all related building data in an information system, based on modeling a pre-existing architectural structure in BIM from the integrated products of 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry.
Peer reviewed publications
Conference proceedings
(2012) MATEUS Luís, FERREIRA Victor, AGUIAR José, BARBOSA Margarida; "TLS and digital photogrammetry as tools for conservation assessment", proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Heritage and Sustainable Development - Heritage 2012. eBook ISBN: 978-989-95671-8-4. Editors Rogério Amoêda, Sérgio Lira, Cristina Pinheiro. Published by Green Lines Institute. http://home.fa.utl.pt/~lmmateus/publicacoes/2012_MFAB_HERITAGE.pdf
(2012) MATEUS Luís, BRITO Nelson, FERREIRA Victor, BARBOSA Margarida, AGUIAR José; "New tools for visual assessment of building deformations", proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, SAHC 2012, 15-17 October 2012, Wrocklaw, Poland. Vol. 3. pp. 2463-2470. ISBN: 978-83-7125-219-8.
(2013) L. Mateus, M. Barbosa, V. Mota Ferreira; "An expeditious methodology to correct the closure error of point clouds registration", in proceedings of the 1stInternational Conference on Algebraic and Symbolic Computation (SymComp2013). 9-10 September, IST: Lisbon, Portugal. ISBN: 978-989-96264-5-4. pp. 422-431
Conference and Seminars Presentations
ISEL Seminar, Maintenance Engineering Master - May 2014
Presented "The use of 3D surveying techniques and BIM for existing buildings intervention"
Rehabilitation Week of Lisbon – RICS - March 2014
Presented "BIM and Rehabilitation" in the "O BIM e a Digitalização da Construção e do Imobiliário" session
SYMCOMP 2013 - International Conference on Algebraic and Symbolic Computation - September 2013
Presented the paper "An expeditious methodology to correct the closure error of point clouds registration"
Ist BIM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE -June 2013
Presented the abstract entitled "BIM and Point Clouds on Architectural Rehabilitation"
Seminário BIM IST- Desafios e Oportunidades (BIM IST Seminar - Challenges and Opportunities) - May 2013
Presented "BIM e o Património" (BIM and Heritage)


text:
Issue #255
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This Week's Best eLearning News and Articles (Issue 255)
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Well, it's certainly been a very long time since i payed any attention to the blog! I won't bore you with the detail of why, lets just say "life happened"! As it does, from time to time. Anyway, life aside, lets get things up and running again!
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Don't call it a come back…Published June 14, 2010 Uncategorized 1 Comment
Tags: BxOxTxC
New BxOxTxC t-shirts available now…Published February 9, 2010 Art , BxOxTxC , derby , fashion , nottingham , skate , Skateboarding , sustainable , t-shirts , Uncategorized , Yokohama 1 Comment
Tags: adam gray, alex johnson, Art, artists, beers on the corner, beersonthecorner, botc, BxOxTxC, cherrybomb, cherrybomb derby, clothing, fashion, New T-shirts, simon true, t shirts on sale, t-shirts
O.K then, as promised many moons ago, here are the new shirt designs featuring art by Alex Johnson, Simon True, and Adam Gray:
Each design is available in Black/Ecru or Sky/Dark blue in sizes S, M, L, and XL. All designs are hand screened by Concede in Derby using waterbased inks on organic cotton T's. We're even so nice that if you drop us a line with any special requests for different colours, sizes or layouts, we'll try and sort you out something custom made to suit your requirements.
Email firstname.lastname@example.com to place an order
or contact Cherrybomb, 8 saddlergate, Derby, DE13NF
01332 601 829
Skullduggery Gallery and Cherrybomb… a look aroundPublished February 9, 2010 Art , art events , BxOxTxC , derby , live , nottingham , skate , Skateboarding , sustainable , t-shirts , Uncategorized 1 Comment
Tags: beers on the corner, beersonthecorner, botc, BxOxTxC, cherrybomb, derby, derby gallery, Saddlergate, Shopping, Skullduggery, skullduggery gallery
To make up for my pear cider induced lack of decent photographs from the opening night, here's a proper look around the gallery and shop space:
An interview with Simon True…Published January 29, 2010 Art , art events , BxOxTxC , derby , fashion , nottingham , skate , Skateboarding , t-shirts , travel , Uncategorized , Yokohama 1 Comment
Tags: Art, artist, B.O.T.C, beers on the corner, beersonthecorner, botc, BxOxTxC, graphics, heroin, Heroin skateboards, illustration, Japan, simon true, Skateboarding, skateboarding in japan, Skullduggery, skullduggery gallery, slam city skates, t-shirts, true, Yokohama
I first heard about Simon True when i was flicking through a skateboard magazine years ago and stumbled across an ad for Heroin Skateboards, featuring a board with some his graphics on it. I noticed the name at the bottom, but didn't recognize it. A few years later the same name cropped up again when i was looking for a t-shirt on E-bay. I found a sick looking one with a cartoon of Bill Cosby on it. I didn't buy the shirt in the end, but once again noted the name. A few more years passed and i found myself living in Yokohama city in Japan. I was looking for a place to display some drawings i was tinkering about with and, as i didn't really know that many people out there at the time, i decided to contact Fos (the owner of Heroin Skateboards, who doesn't know me from adam) via myspace to see if he could help. He couldn't give me the name of anybody to talk to about sticking my pictures on a wall, but told me to look out for someone called "the mighty Simon True" who apparently was living in the same city as me. It turned out he was also working for the same company as me, but our paths had yet to cross. Eventually, of course, they did and i was able to witness the genius of Mr True first hand. A man who skates how he wants, draws what he wants, and is a truly unique character.
So, presenting to you (or reminding you about), Mr Simon True:
BxOxTxC: Name, Age, Shoe size, Occupation?
Simon True: Simon John True, U.S.10.5, Headmistress
I had the dubious pleasure of working for the same company as you in Yokohama. How did you wind up living in Japan?
Started seeing a little Japanese lady while I was living in London. We lived in Camden Town together for a good bit and used to come out to Japan for a visit about once a year.
I couldn't fault the concrete and the weather and the food here so I moved out. The missis stayed on in London for a while and joined me a few months later.
I know this is an obvious and slightly daft question, but can you give people an idea of what living in Japan is like?
There's no central heating.
How would you best describe your art?
Shitty. Self indulging. Inexplainable. Washed up.
I've noticed a lot of optical illusions in your drawings and paintings. What's that all about?
Well there's no central heating here. So I'm always dreaming about radiators.. erm. Oh yeah!, I'm crap at Maths but when I was at school there were lots of MC Escher prints on the wall in the classroom where we did Maths, so I suppose that's it. I used to like the one with the water flowing upwards. I used to have arguments with this nutter because he couldn't see anything wrong or impossible about it.
Recently you seem to be doing a lot of paintings on photographs. Is it for an exhibition? Who takes the photos?
It's for an exhibition in Tokyo this summer, if the gallery stays in business. The photographer is Akira Somekamera from Osaka. He's the only real hardcore artist (Van Gogh lifestyle) I know. His photo's are amazing. It sort of looks like everything he photographs is suspended in formaldahyde or however the hell you spell it.
Why is it that so many people know about your work despite you not having a website or blog like everybody else who's ever drawn a picture?
I reckon Flickr is the best way to show artwork on the web.
I think people know my work from stuff I did with Slam City Skates in the late 90's and the mag coverage of The Side Effects of Urethane and of course Heroin Skateboards. There's probably other random sources but those are the main three I think.
Last one. What artists do you admire?
My friend Nick Lowndes who I went to uni with in Manchester, Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Pablo Picasso, Lee Quinones, Vincent Van Gogh, Neil Blender, Rocky May True, Sue Roy True and Scott Thomas.
Anything you'd like to add?
457,836,485.65 quid and 887,746,357,636.66 quid and put it in my Barclays.
No, really. I don't want this interview to mislead people. The truth is that it sounds like I'm an artist and known and all that shit, but I'm in no way making a living from it. There's no way I could support myself let alone my family on selling my paintings or graphics. I've got a few pikey jobs teaching English in a pikey(but good pikey) Junior High School and in pikey companies teaching business conversation English. That's what I do. I'm not complaining though. I sort of like it because I'm under no pressure at all. I don't have to paint or draw. I've kind of sacked it off anyway. I just feel like skating. Have you seen Stevie Williams' penthouse in LA?
Bet you didn't know he's from Rochdale!
Cheers Simon, It's been a pleasure.
Right then, that's that. My first sketchly thrown together interview with an artist (though he claims he ain't one.). Simon was kind enough to give me a few designs for T-shirts, which will go on sale at the Skullduggery Gallery opening tomorrow night in Derby. Check out the picture below for peep at his design, or google his name for some other rad stuff. If thats not enough, click the link below for his photostream on flickr.
Simon true on flickr
New shirt designs on their way…Published January 20, 2010 Art , BxOxTxC , derby , fashion , nottingham , Skateboarding , t-shirts , Uncategorized , Yokohama Leave a Comment
Tags: adam gray, Art, beers on the corner, beersonthecorner, BxOxTxC, meself, New T-shirts, simon true, t-shirts for sale
Here's a sneaky look at the new BxOxTxC shirt designs, available soon!
Featuring art by Meself, Simon True, and Adam Gray.
And while we're on the subject of Christmas shopping…Published December 15, 2009 Art , art events , derby , fashion , live , music , t-shirts , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: Alternative, Art, Boo, Christmas shopping, City Zen, Community, Craft, derby, Market
City Zen and alternative market.
Friday 18th Decemeber. Bramblebrook Community Centre, Stockbrook St.
Get yourselves down there and support a good thing.
Image from :pictographik
Still a few shirts left…Published December 7, 2009 Art , BxOxTxC , fashion , nottingham , skate , Skateboarding , t-shirts , Uncategorized , Yokohama Leave a Comment
Tags: adam gray, Art, beers on the corner, beersonthecorner, brown t-shirt, BxOxTxC, girls vest, grey t-shirt, illustration, limited edition, mushroom, t-shirts for sale


text:
Once God delivered Israel from the bondage of slavery, He promised many blessings for obedience. One of the greatest blessings was that Israel would become God's peculiar treasure.
"And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:3-6). God first revealed Himself as their deliverer. Their delivery was a gift, but the promises, as we see in verse 5, were conditional.
God continued to explain His laws so that the children of Israel could live in peace and happiness. He continually warned them not to look back or to return to the sins of Egypt, and actually commanded them to stay out of Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16; Jeremiah 44:14), lest they become entangled in idolatry once again.
God regularly reminded the Israelites that it was He who brought them out of the bondage of sin. He also taught them why they were to stay out. In Leviticus 11, we find an example: "Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy " (Leviticus 11:43-45).
With the warning not to fall back into sin, God gives us the encouragement and prod to be holy as He is holy.
Here is another: "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 20:7). We are to be holy because God is holy.
Yet what does it mean to be holy? How can we ensure that we remain holy today? The Bible is filled with exhortations for us to be holy. This is a commandment that requires active participation on our part. We must know what holiness is, or we can't fulfill this requirement of God's. What is this target that we aim for?
To be holy means to be pure, clean, purified, not polluted, to be free from defilement, consecrated—that is, dedicated and devoted to God—to be sanctified, or set apart for use by God, to be uncorrupted by unclean or profane things. These details are just part of the wide spectrum of meaning the word holy implies and covers.
God's Law—Our Mirror
Prior to the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we examine ourselves to see whether sin dwells in us. It is God's law that reveals to us what sin is (Romans 7:7). Holiness is the yardstick by which God measures us. We are to measure ourselves against that standard.
If we fail to measure against a perfect measuring stick, we just compare ourselves to others and always come out on top. But when we judge ourselves by the standard that God has set, His holy law, the standard of holiness, not one of us can stand up to that kind of test without discovering some kind of shortcoming.
God's holy nation, Israel, was to be separate from the world because of the obedience to God's law by their forefathers, the patriarchs. "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. … Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them" (Deuteronomy 7:6-11). Along with the reminder as to why they were a special nation is the admonition to continue keeping God's law, so that the blessings would be passed on from generation to generation.
Today, true Christians are spiritual Israel. The true Church of God consists of the holy people God the Father has personally called out of this world (John 6:44) to be separate and different from everyone else (1 Peter 2:9).
This chosen generation was separated to "shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness." How can we show forth the praises of God? By our obedience to His law (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). We have been called and chosen to be this special people (Revelation 17:14). Our part is to remain faithful, or to desire to be, and remain, holy.
When we were called, we were the weak and despised ones of the world. By our obedience and the grace of God, however, we can climb from that status to be leaders for God. To do so requires that we keep sin out of our lives. We must remain holy!
How can a human being become and stay holy? The Days of Unleavened Bread teach us, by daily reminder, how deeply we have been entrenched in sin. They also teach us that it takes effort to stay away from sin, but that with God's help this is not an impossible task.
Three Steps to Holiness
In order for us to attain holiness, before anything else we have to be forgiven of our past sins. Colossians 1:19-22 remind us how important it is for us to begin right. We have been brought to God and separated from the world by the blood of Jesus Christ. Verse 22 says that we must be unreprovable, or above reproach; above discredit, not needing correction. That can only be if the penalty for our sins was removed first and our sins were washed by the blood of our Savior.
The second step to holiness is to rely on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of our Savior reconciled us to the Father. Without it, we could never be presented holy, blameless or above reproach unto Him. Our sins prevent us from becoming holy and perfect (Isaiah 59:2). Sin also cuts us off from God's revelation, which is needed to spur us on to greater holiness.
The third step toward holiness is our active part. We must let Jesus Christ live in us, every day of our lives.
That is the only path to being presented holy, unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight. After Christ's blood has cleansed us of our past sins, each one of us must go on to perfection and holiness by continuing, increasing and growing in the faith and the gospel that we have heard (Colossians 1:23), toward salvation by grace with works.
Things don't stop with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as many people believe. The Passover shows us that it is only the beginning of God's plan of redemption for all mankind.
Peter, the chief apostle, clearly understood this. In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter warns us to be sober, or to get serious about this. He reminds us that God the Father has called us (verse 15) and that He judges our works (verse 17). He quotes Leviticus 11:44 in verse 16, emphasizing the fact that we are to be holy, not just act holy, and reinforces that point in 1 Peter 2:9. This is about who and what we are!
This greatest sacrifice ever was offered so that you and I could become holy and remain holy. Christ's sacrifice opened the door for us, but our holy conduct then qualifies us to go through that door. Without holy conduct, without the works, our salvation will fail. We cannot just be hearers of the Word; we must be doers (Romans 2:13). We have to prove our holiness to God and show Him that we are sincere about becoming perfect (James 1:21-25).
Josiah's Restoration
In 2 Chronicles 34 and 35 we read how young King Josiah understood that it took sanctification to really keep the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread properly. Josiah took drastic actions to ensure that the people were cleansed from sin. Christ Himself instructed us that it is by God's truth, by the words of the Bible, that we are sanctified (John 17:17). That is how Josiah sanctified the people. He ensured that all people were able to hear the words of God (2 Chronicles 34:29-30). He did this prior to making a covenant with God on behalf of all the people (verses 31-32). He went on to destroy all the abominations in Israel. He knew that if the Israelites would live by the words of God's law, they could keep sin at bay and develop divine holiness—and so can we.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). We cannot be part of this world and still be holy. God tells us to take action to prove that we are a different, peculiar, and holy people.
We have been set apart for God's use. God called His firstfruits out of season to sow the seeds for the latter harvest. It is by our actions that we show God that we are setting ourselves apart, every day of our lives.
In Leviticus 23, God commanded ancient Israel, like He commands us today, to be separate from the world by observing His holy days and His holy convocations. God set these days apart for His use, to instruct us. Obedience to God's commandments concerning the holy days is one of the most obvious signs to the world that God's people are different.
We are reminded weekly of this fact. In Exodus 31:12-17, God discusses how important it is to Him that we keep His holy Sabbath. It is the sign identifying His people, and God pronounced a death penalty for breaking that command. How holy is God's Sabbath to you?
The holy days and weekly Sabbaths are just some of the commands we have been called to observe to develop holiness in us. The world refuses to obey God, and obedience will set anyone apart.
Dare to Stick Out
God wants us to be different from the world. Do you? There should be obvious and dramatic differences between us and the society around us. Are you willing to make a stand for God?
Sometimes we could be embarrassed in a restaurant when we have to call the presence of pork in our food to the attention of the waiter, or because our salad is sprinkled with croutons during the Days of Unleavened Bread, but that's not what our attitude should be.
This time of year is a special reminder of how different we are and ought to be. The world considers us peculiar when our lunch consists of unleavened products day after day. This especially reminds our children of how different they are. Yet God says He separates people in His great plan according to what they do. His firstfruits choose to obey Him no matter how peculiar it makes them look. Holiness is far more than just forsaking sin. It is desiring to do what's right.
Year round, we are reminded that we are different. We deleaven our homes, vehicles and workspaces. We leave work at odd times to keep God's Sabbath holy. We take our children out of school, sometimes just days after their break. All these things set us apart.
God's holy ways are different from man's ways. Because of it, we stick out like a sore thumb at times, and it is our compliance with God's instruction that makes us readily identifiable. We should, nonetheless never be ashamed of our holiness. Not even when we are caught in the spotlight at work, in school or among our neighbors.
Living in a Polluted Land
God told Ezekiel that he lived in a polluted land (Ezekiel 22:24). Ezekiel's message is for our time. "Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them" (verse 26). Our Laodicean brethren have done violence against God's law. They despised being holy, set apart by God. They wanted to be accepted of the world. We must be able to tell the difference and make sure we don't do violence to God's law by incorrectly measuring our holiness. God's standard is perfect and absolute.
We are exposed to so much evil, perversion and violence on a daily basis that it can almost lull us into complacency. Perhaps we are not used to turning away from it anymore. Have you ever turned off the tv when God's name was taken in vain? Yet we are called to see the evil of this world and take a stand for our Father's law.
In the wonderful World Tomorrow, there will not be any of this kind of entertainment, and we'll have to be able to tell people why. Then, the whole world will be called to holiness. All mankind will be purified and cleansed from the influences of Satan's wretched world.
Let's not harden our hearts or dull our minds to the evil that surrounds us. It's so easy to get used to it and say, Well, that's our modern-day society, yet still let it creep into our lives. Does evil have to intensify further for us to be shocked by it?
God is very serious about the things He considers holy. He wants us to be serious about living holy lives, and that is difficult to do while living in this world.
When God spelled out the Ten Commandments, He reminded us of how He had already made the Sabbath holy, but that it's up to us to keep it the way He intended it to be. God has already clearly spelled out for us that which is holy. It is now up to us to be holy and not be or act unholy. Get away from the unholy; flee from the abominations of this world.
Sons of Zadok and the Bride of Christ
"But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God …. And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:15, 23). God is preparing a people today who, despite everyone around them going astray, will keep God's charge. When the time comes for all mankind to understand what it means to be holy, it will be these people, by then changed to immortal spirit beings, teaching the difference between the holy and the profane.
Are you preparing for this task today?
Those who take part in the first resurrection are called holy (Revelation 20:6). We are to strive for greater holiness in our individual lives, but also collectively as the body of Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22). Both individually and collectively, we should seek holiness so that Christ's bride may be presented holy (Ephesians 5:27). Striving for holiness is one way in which each and every one of God's firstfruits can hasten the day of Christ's return.
Once we attain true righteousness, it will be set in our character. We'll always choose to be and do that which is holy unto God (Revelation 22:11-14). We won't be able to be corrupted anymore. Let us develop the holiness of God, so that He will have the servants He needs to teach the whole world to "be holy, for I am holy."


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Cormode & Dickson builds gas stations across Canada. We are gas station construction professionals providing superior value, design, and development from inception to completion. Working with you throughout the entire process, we assist in managing gas station construction cost from design development through to construction. What differentiates Cormode & Dickson from other gas station construction companies in Alberta is our extensive involvement in partnering with you to design the best layout, to secure an optimal location, to develop your business plan, and to manage the overall process in a way that reduces your workload and subsequent stress. We want to make building a gas station an easy and enjoyable experience for you, so we make every effort to streamline the process.
At Cormode & Dickson, our focus is on building value from the ground up. We offer you our extensive experience, resourcefulness, and expertise throughout every phase of gas station construction. As proof of our experience and expertise, take a look at our top five gas station builds in Canada:
- Marine Drive Husky – Vancouver, BC
The Marine Drive Husky project involved the demolition of the existing gas station, and the removal and replacement of two gas storage tanks before we constructed a three-pump island, a 2,500 square foot convenience store, and a touchless car wash. The convenience store's exterior is finished with aluminum composite panels, along with brick and stucco.
- 7/11 – Langford, BC
A single canopy, three island retail facility with underground storage tanks, this 7/11 gas station is 3,000 square feet. The retail convenience store was constructed with structural walls and roof panels, exterior stone, Hardie® siding and cedar shake wall finishes. Fibre-reinforced plastic and paint were used for the interior wall finishes, and the floors were completed with porcelain tile.
- Deer Valley Co-op – Leduc, AB
A winter construction project, the Deer Valley Co-op includes a gas bar, convenience store, and automatic car wash where a significant portion of the construction work was carried out in below -20°C temperatures. The 1,800 square foot twin bay touchless carwash is concrete block, spectra glaze block, and precast construction with a brick cavity wall exterior. Structural steel and steel stud frame with brick and stucco veneer finishes the 2,000 square foot convenience store. A 2,400 square foot five island gas bar, complete with canopy, is serviced by three 100,000 litre below grade tanks.
- Shell – Duncan, BC
The Shell project in Duncan consisted of constructing a new 2,000 square foot convenience store with a stone masonry and stucco exterior, and a metal roof. The gas bar portion has three islands with three gas dispensers and one diesel dispenser, as well as a steel canopy. A complete raze and re-build project, construction included onsite and offsite works, with the turnover date falling within the client's strict timeline requirements.
- Lindenwood Husky – Winnipeg, MB
This Husky 'A' market gas bar includes three blender dispensers, a 2,500 square foot convenience store, and stand-alone car wash building. Construction included the demolition of the existing building, which contained four service bays, a car wash, a convenience store, and gasoline forecourt with canopy.
Because start-up costs for gas station construction can be in excess of one million dollars, ensure that you're getting the best possible value by partnering with Cormode & Dickson.


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A fresh lively nose with strawberry fruits from the Pinot Noir and zesty lemons from the Chardonnay.
The palate is lively with fresh fruits, creaminess from the malolactic fermentation and finishes with crisp acidity.
A slight touch of residual sugar and the persistent and lively CO2 bead make for a beautifully balanced wine that will drink perfectly as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes.


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Conversation with a failed trader
Today I met a chap who is a failed trader. This was a rare opportunity. I had known him for about 3 months just fromRead MoreLearn More
The loser's game
The news has been out from August 2018 that the European Securities and Management Agency (ESMA) has compelled all brokers (subject to its jurisdiction) toRead MoreLearn More
Bitcoin: Investor, trader, gambler or idiot?
In the last few months we've received inquiries from several about Bitcoin and various similar things, often referred to as cryptocurrencies. In essence many ofRead MoreLearn More
Microtrends and risk aversion
Many a trader will have looked at the same chart (say AUDUSD) at different times (let's say 4 hours apart), and had doubts or anRead MoreLearn More
So did you get it right?
Did you get it right? This is an important question for new and seasoned traders to think about – but there is a problem withRead MoreLearn More
New traders conned
This morning I receive yet another email from somebody selling a system for beating the markets, subject to terms and conditions. It's some software thatRead MoreLearn More
This is worth your next million
Lots of new traders are looking for a magic solution to make money. They come into trading as a sort of flirtation – to seeRead MoreLearn More
Sterling causes excitement
Those who were watching Pound Sterling, would have seen some excitement recently. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, called a snap election on 8th June 2017.Read MoreLearn More
Mission Impossible – early notice.
What if there was a way to take money out of the markets (legally of course) without having to figure anything?! That must be theRead MoreLearn More
Nerves of steel – like Formula 1 racing.
Many new traders are unaware that they actually need nerves of steel. Some will argue that 'nerves' are not part of the equation – ifRead MoreLearn More
Dreamers exploited
The more I look around the net on trading courses, the more I come to think that there is a big scam going on. SomeRead MoreLearn More
Tools – not fools!
The tools referred to here are 'physical' things – as against 'psychological'. This is about some of the stuff that could be of use inRead MoreLearn More
A resource for new and seasoned financial traders who are serious about developing their skills.
Newtrader.club supports https://mps-trade.com/
Coping with volatility – the value of experience
This post continues from 'Is volatility your friend?' The emphasis here is on copying with volatility. 'Coping' is a psychological thing. New traders will have emotions and it is no good denying this or avoiding it. The screencast below brings out what tends to happen with new traders when price moves in the 'opposite' direction (full screen view is best). There is no magic formula or advice on how to cope with volatility. This is whereRead More
Is volatility your friend?
Every trader knows that volatility is the thing that is necessary in order for the price to have movement. But there are different kinds of price movements. Some instruments move in fairly neat directions up, then retrace and move up again. We all love these. There are some others that are 'all over the place'. The chart below shows a volatile situation on 15 min time frame. Degrees of volatility seen, depend a lot onRead More
Learning about trends – smelling them
It's often thrown around that 'The trend is your friend'. I had heard or read these words several times in the last three years. I understood the words and the idea behind it. It is not a difficult thing to understand that the prices of instruments in markets move in trends. This is easy to see by watching a moving average (MA) or exponential moving average (EMA). But it is easy to spot a trendRead More
No courses, no horses.
Over the last few months there has been much reflective practice. This is about looking back at what one has done in the past, learning and re-learning from mistakes, and understanding how novices to financial trading approach it. A mistake is usually, in simple language, recognising a genuine error that has happened. Learning from a mistake means doing something differently to avoid it happening again or reducing likelihood of recurrence. Understanding how the uninitiated thinkRead More
Your first or next million?
This is worth your next million
Lots of new traders are looking for a magic solution to make money. They come into trading as a sort of flirtation – to see 'if it works for them'. It doesn't. There are no hard statistics on this but Charlie Burton estimates that about 80% of people who begin trading a live account will leave within 6 months. That's about our estimate as well. There is no single method or trick to making moneyRead More
What is gambling?
Gambling is a bad word and a bad thing for most people. Strangely enough at September 2014, it was estimated that "70 per cent of UK adults, more than 32 million people, play the lottery on a regular basis." This means that 70% of the UK population are gamblers. The percentage of people taking chances on the Lottery have varied from 32% to 70% in 20 years. Concepts So what is gambling? Some say investing in stocks is gambling. OthersRead More
On luck, chance and prediction
In several posts the issue of luck and chance were touched on. There is a need to explore this further, as many who know little about financial trading believe it's largely about luck and chance. Introduction It is important that words like luck and chance are defined here. Luck as a concept is outlined in the infographic below. A chance is a probability that is known or foreseeable. We separate luck and chance, though in many circlesRead More
Sniper attack on Brent Crude
It's been a busy week for some traders. The following is a perfect kill with two shots to the 'head'. The sceptical will argue that this is luck. But the topic of luck and chance will be explored further in another post coming soon. What is not shown in the 4H chart is the daily situation with Oil. See below, where snipers were watching carefully a powerful zone of horizontal resistance on the daily charts. UsingRead More
Sterling causes excitement
Those who were watching Pound Sterling, would have seen some excitement recently. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, called a snap election on 8th June 2017. This caused the fainthearted to dump GBP for about 15 – 30 minutes. Snipers knew this was just a short high breeze. Then GBP rose like a phoenix for the next few hours. The first screenshot shows that if you were positioned to catch the activity, you could have gainedRead More
Turning the corner – what people don't get and why
Well, well… what's this all about now. I'm afraid you'll have to read on. And if your dog needs a bath (and I don't know if you who reads this has a dog and I couldn't care less), then go bathe the dog! If you have time, look below at results of a true change in performance following a change of strategy. Some time ago Newtrader.club said to all new traders that change takesRead More


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Hiya folks!
In a post title that feels somewhat appropriate given my recent absence from this blog, allow me to delve into yet another one of those Middle-earth topics we know very little about … Continue reading
In a post title that feels somewhat appropriate given my recent absence from this blog, allow me to delve into yet another one of those Middle-earth topics we know very little about … Continue reading
[Highly complex illustration follows below]
The Silmarillion contains two obscure references to places or "structures" that seem to be the opposite of each other. Both are fascinating concepts but difficult to grasp given how little information we have access to. Continue reading
Within Tolkien's works there are only two instances in which the Withered Heath is mentioned, and both come from The Hobbit.
The first (and only) time we get to know about this place is from a comment made by Thorin during the 'Unexpected Party'.
"And I know where Mirkwood is, and the Withered Heath where the great dragons bred."
The Hobbit, 'An Unexpected Party'
Whilst my curious reader-appetite has been satisfied, I've always wanted to know more about this particular location in Middle-earth. Continue reading
The fourth and final of the short works that make up The Silmarillion, deals primarily with the events taking place in the Third Age, most of which are recounted in The Lord of the Rings.
It's fascinating to know that Tolkien wanted to include this work along with the others, thereby producing a book that stretched all the way from the beginning of Arda (in the Ainulindalë) right through the end of the Third Age.
As already stated at the beginning of the TTRT series, although the Akallabêth is a separate account from the History of the Silmarils, it is nonetheless part of The Silmarillion as a book: presenting us with the continuation of events at the end of the First Age, with a perspective on the island of Númenor.
It is a fact that from all the works related to Middle-earth, the Second Age is perhaps the least accessible due to the lack of any substantial information.
Our primary sources as to what happens during this 3000-year period consist of a timeline in Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings, a brief account and story in Unfinished Tales, and the 'Akallabêth'.
My view is that the 'Akallabêth' is our most comprehensive account we have available of the Second Age, and is the key to filling up the gap between the events at the end of the 'Quenta Silmarillion' and the earliest histories of the Third Age as recounted in The Lord of the Rings. Continue reading
Welcome to the second week of the TTRT!
There were some very interesting points raised during last week's discussion and I urge you to keep sharing your ideas and comments, even of past chapters.
In this week's post we'll be going through the first two chapters that make up the Quenta Silmarillion (the History of the Silmarils).
If you've done your Foreword and Preface reading, you will have realised that together with the main text of the Quenta Silmarillion, 'The Silmarillion' as a whole book also constitutes of 4 shorter works – the Ainulindalë and Valaquenta (already discussed last week), the Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age (to be tackled later on).
Now, once more unto the breach! Continue reading
– Something else lies "dark" within Arda …
In the early part of the 20th century, Tolkien wrote a short treatise entitled 'Ambarkanta' (found in 'The Shaping of Middle-earth'), relating the shape and layout of the world (Arda) – sketching a map (amongst several) with all the continents within – namely: Aman, Middle-earth, Harad and the Great Sea.
Continue reading


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Aaron Nguyen and Dominick Duncan first met at Oak Hill Elementary School and were both first-graders when they joined the school's Boy Scout troop. Now freshmen at Severna Park and Northeast high schools, respectively, the longtime friends stood together to receive their Eagle Scout pins at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on Benfield Road on February 23 as the newest members of Boy Scout Troop 857 to earn the coveted Eagle Rank.
Scoutmaster Schelly Taylor announced the call to order before more than 100 friends, family members and fellow scouts gathered to honor the teens.
There was likely no one at the ceremony more proud of Aaron's accomplishments in scouting than his father, Vincent Nguyen, who spoke about communistic restrictions against scouting that prohibits similar organizations from assembling in his native Vietnam. Wearing his Troop 857 leader uniform, Vincent beamed with pride when he cloaked his son with the Eagle neckerchief.
"Starting as a Cub Scout, becoming a Boy Scout, completing all of the required merit badges, and ranking up as Eagle Scout, have taught me a lot," said Aaron. "My scout journey has taught me perseverance, hard work, planning, giving back to the community, leadership skills, friendship, trust, courage, how to have fun, and how to prioritize activities. It has helped me build confidence and become a better person."
For his Eagle project, Aaron built and installed a wheelchair-accessible outdoor table for the Cisco Center, which specializes in working with students diagnosed with autism, developmental disabilities, speech or language disorders, and learning disabilities.
Cisco Nochera, executive director and founder of the Cisco Center Foundation Inc., met Aaron as a 3-year-old. "He was always a very sweet and caring child who always looked out for others," Nochera said. "This characteristic has continued to this day. He reached out to me on his own and offered to give back in the form of a wheelchair-accessible picnic table. The table is wonderful and will be put to good use throughout the year, especially in the warmer months."
Aaron said the table will allow children using wheelchairs to join in the outdoor activities. "Now all children will be able to sit together at an activity table," he added.
Dominick shared a story of seeing an elderly man at his church, Magothy United Methodist Church on Mountain Road in Pasadena, who had difficulty walking the campus grounds. For his Eagle project, Dominick built and installed two sitting benches along a pathway to the church's chapel.
"I thought it would be helpful for people who couldn't walk as easily as I can to have a place to sit, relax and just kind of enjoy the outdoors," said Dominick. "With the help of my troop, we were able to build the benches in one day and carry them to their installation spot the next day."
Sitting in the front row, Dominick's great-grandparents dabbed tear-filled eyes for their grandson. "I am the first person in my family to achieve this honor," said Dominick, "so it's pretty special."
For Renee Burton, Dominick's great-grandmother, the recognition followed years of supporting Dominick's scouting goals. "I am just so proud of him. He's overcome so much," said Renee.
Severna Park High School Junior Helps Homeless Veterans
Eagle Scouts Honored At SPUMC
Reid Koutras Gives Back For Eagle Scout Project


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Michelle Williams just gave one of the most moving, heartfelt speeches of her career, accepting her Desert Palm Actor Achievement Award honor at the Palm Springs Film Festival. You can watch it all at www.awardsdaily.com
Now you tell me if that isn't an Oscar acceptance speech?! She was glowing, and intelligent, and touching. And she accepted the award on behalf of herself AND Marilyn Monroe!?! I was sooo moved by that mention!
And interestingly the last Four Desert Palm Achievement Award actor honorees and the last three out of four Best Actress winners went on to win at the Oscars! The Palm Springs Film Festival is becoming an essential Oscar step.
And of course, Michelle thanked Harvey Weinstein, as well she should!
And she thanked her publicist Myra Buxbaum, her personal publicist, more than anyone else. WOW! Who does that?
But I like that. Sometimes (if not all the time) it's the publicists, personal and otherwise, that are doing the heavy-lifting in the Oscar campaigns, and actually, sometimes, always, it's the publicists who are on duty 24/7, Oscar campaigns or not. And they never get the credit they deserve.
And congrats to Myra! Let's give credit where credit is due. And a long-time personal publicist, which is what Myra is to Michelle, sometimes becomes the star's best friend.
Beautiful, beautiful speech! I'm glad Ryan Adams at Awardsdaily.com posted it! Kudos to all!
And that Marilyn mention, at JUST the right minute, at the end of her speech, just NAILED her Oscar win, IMHO.
I've never been to Palm Springs or to its' Film Festival, but it sounds more and more tempting, the more I hear about it. Jeff Wells, for instance, of www.hollywood-elsewhere.com is there and writing about it. Before he takes off for Sundance, as most people do. Me? I stay here.
Maybe next year. I never been to Palm Springs…Hmmm…Well I can dream, can't I?


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The Sympli Narrow Pant Midi is the same most loved silhouette as the signature Narrow Pant but the length is right between the Narrow Pant Long and the Narrow Pant Short! A great length for takeaway and beyond. Slim fitting pant that makes a nice alternative to a legging-- the ankle slits add a nice detail and look beautiful with heels. Mix and match with all of your favorite Sympli basics.
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Posts Tagged 'victims' code'
Reforming the parole board: new announcements
In April 2018 I noted here the fact that the Government was planning to take steps to reform the ways in which the Parole Board goes about its work. In March 2019, the Government has published the conclusions it has reached so far on this work. The principal features of the new approach are:
- The Government will change the Parole Board Rules to create a new reconsideration mechanism so if there is a seriously flawed decision it can be looked at again without the need for judicial review. This is the most important change in the current round of reform proposals.
- The Parole Board will publish new Standard Practice documents which will make more transparent the considerations and approaches to decision making that should normally be followed
- Improved engagement and communication with victims will be delivered through changes to the Victim Contact Scheme, the commitments in the Victims Strategy published on 10 September 2018 (see this blog November 29 2018) and a revised Victims' Code following consultation in 2019.
- The Government will replace the current Prison Service Instruction on the parole process with a new Policy Framework which will make improvements to timeliness and efficiency as well as ensure the published instructions are up-to-date and support the other reforms.
- A new Operational Protocol between the Parole Board and HM Prisons and Probation Service will be published which will clarify and make more open everyone's roles and responsibilities; support better joint working; and reduce duplication.
- Provision will be made in the Rules for prisoners with mental health needs and learning difficulties, who lack mental capacity, to ensure a fair hearing, including the appointment of suitable representation if necessary.
- A Rules Committee will be created to oversee future Rule changes, ensuring the rules keep pace with wider developments, with input from key stakeholders including victim representatives.
- A further Review of the Parole Board will examine the future constitution of the Parole Board and whether more fundamental reform requiring primary legislation is needed.
Further information about these proposed reforms can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/775844/review-of-the-pb-rules-and-rm.pdf
A separate paper sets out in more detail how the proposed reconsideration mechanism will work. This is potentially an important change; its operation will need to be kept under review to ensure that it is an effective means of seeking reconsideration without the need for judicial review proceedings.
For further detail see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reconsideration-of-parole-board-decisions-creating-a-new-and-open-system
The Victims Strategy – 2018
In September 2018, the Government published its cross-government Victims Strategy. It sets out a criminal justice system wide response to improving the support offered to victims of crime and incorporates actions from all criminal justice agencies, including the police, CPS and courts.
It is divided into 5 key sections
- overarching commitments. These include:
- Strengthening the Victims' Code, and consulting on the detail of victim focused legislation, including strengthening the powers of the Victims' Commissioner, and delivering a Victims' Law.
- Holding agencies to account for compliance with the Victims' Code through improved reporting, monitoring and transparency.
- Developing the detail on the role of the Independent Public Advocate for bereaved families who have lost loved ones in extraordinary and tragic events.
- Abolishing the rule which denied compensation for some victims who lived with their attacker prior to 1979 and consulting on further changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
- improving support for all victims of crime, whether or not they report the crime. This includes commitments to:
- Increase spending from £31 million in 2018 to £39 million in 2020/21 to improve services and pathways for survivors and victims of sexual violence and abuse who seek support to and from Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
- Develop a new delivery model for victim support services, coordinating funding across government.
- Expand and extend support available to families bereaved by homicide, including bringing in new funding for advocacy support for families bereaved by domestic homicide.
- Spend £8 million on interventions to ensure support is available to children who witness domestic abuse.
- Pilot the 'Child House' model in London, whereby multiple services are brought together in a child-friendly environment to minimise additional trauma.
- improving victim support after a crime has been reported. This includes commitments to:
- Introduce improved police training, including new guidance on conducting interviews and collecting evidence, and a trial of body worn cameras to take Victim Personal Statements.
- Increase the number of Registered Intermediaries, communication experts helping vulnerable victims and witnesses give their best evidence at police interview and at court, by 25%.
- Increase opportunities for victims to engage in alternative solutions to court.
- Improve overall victim communication, including when explaining decisions not to prosecute and on the right to review Crown Prosecution Service decisions.
- better support for victims during the court process. This includes commitments to:
- Improve the court environment, with new victim-friendly waiting areas and a new court design guide focussing on accessibility for the most vulnerable.
- Free up court time in the magistrates' court by dealing with crimes with no identifiable victim (e.g. fare evasion) outside court hearings.
- Continue to use video links to allow vulnerable victims to provide evidence away from the defendant and courtroom altogether.
- Encourage take up of pre-trial therapy by launching new guidance and a toolkit for prosecutors and therapists.
- making sure victims understand a court's decision, the implications for them, and for the offender. This includes commitments to:
- Review and consider extending the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme so victims and the public can have sentences reconsidered by the Court of Appeal.
- Reform the Victim Contact Scheme, making it easier to opt in, introducing more frequent communication, and greater use of digital contact methods.
- Improve Victim Liaison Officer training, especially in supporting victims during parole hearings and in making a Victim Personal Statement.
- Review and consider whether any improvements need to be made to entitlements for victims of mentally disordered offenders.
This is substantial agenda of what seem to me to be good ideas. Some of them can be implemented quickly. Others will take more time. What is therefore also needed is a committment to publish progress reports which show how these initiatives are developing throughout the country.
Source: Adapted from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-strategy/victims-strategy-html-version where the full text of the strategy statement can be found.
Parole Board – review of procedures
The decision by the Parole Board to release the London Cab Driver John Warboys – who had been convicted of raping a number of his customers – has generated a great deal of publicity. Many of the challenges in that case arose from the fact that Warboys had been sentenced to an Indeterminate Sentence, which meant that he could continue to be detained after the period set by the judge as punishment for his crime, where it was anticipated that his release would be a danger to the public. (The law relating to such sentences was changed by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.)
The Government has now announced that there is to be a review of the practices and procedures of the Parole Board. This is to include a review of how the work of the Board impacts on the victims of the crimes committed by those the Board is considering for release.
The terms of the reference are as follows:
This review will consider the case for changes in law, policy and procedure in relation to Parole Board decision-making. It will include an examination of the transparency of the process and reasons for parole decisions, and how victims are appropriately engaged in that process. It will take account of the interests of justice, public confidence in the system and the impact on victims. The review will draw on the views and experience of victims, practitioners and international best practice.The review will focus on the following areas:1. The law, policy, guidance and practice relating to challenges to Parole Board decision making, specifically whether there should be a mechanism to allow parole decisions to be reconsidered.2. The transparency of Parole Board decision making, including:whether the outcomes of Parole Board decisions should be published or otherwisedisclosed;whether the reasons for those decisions should be published, and if so to what extent; andwhether there are any other changes that should be made in order to contribute to greater transparency.3. Victim involvement in Parole Board hearings:to review the relevant entitlements outlined in the Victims' Code to determine whether improvements should be made to how victims are currently involved in and contribute to Parole Board hearings;what improvements should be made to how their involvement is facilitated.4. Arrangements for communicating with victims:to review whether the current entitlements for victims who qualify under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 for the Victim Contact Scheme are adequate, including in relation to Victim Personal Statements and licence conditions;to review whether improvements can be made to the way that the scheme operates in practice, in particular the process by which victims are notified of their entitlements and of decisions; whilst respecting the victim's preference for how they are contacted;to consider the question of ongoing contact with victims who are eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme but have previously opted out; andwhether there need to be new entitlements or procedures for victims not covered by the statutory scheme.
New Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
In October 2015, a new Code of Practice for Victims was published, replacing one originally published in 2013. It sets out in some detail what victims of crime should expect from the criminal justice system. There are separate sections for adult and young victims. It also sets out the responsibilities the Code places on the key actors in the criminal justice system.
It is relevant to all stage in the criminal justice process: investigation and pre-trial; the trial itself; and post-trial.
The code summarises the entitlements as follows:
You are entitled to:
• A written acknowledgement that you have reported a crime, including the basic details of the offence;
• An enhanced service if you are a victim of serious crime, a persistently targeted victim or a vulnerable or intimidated victim;
• A needs assessment to help work out what support you need;
• Information on what to expect from the criminal justice system;
• Be referred to organisations supporting
victims of crime;
• Be informed about the police investigation, such as if a suspect is arrested and charged and any bail conditions imposed;
• Make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) to explain how the crime affected you;
• Read your VPS aloud or have it read aloud on your behalf, subject to the views of the court, if a defendant is found guilty;
• Be informed if the suspect is to be prosecuted or not or given an out of court disposal;
• Seek a review of the police or CPS's decision not to prosecute in accordance with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and CPS Victims' Right to Review schemes;
Be informed of the time, date and location and outcome of any court hearings;
• Be informed if you need to give evidence in court, what to expect and discuss what help and support you might need with the Witness Care Unit;
• Arrange a court familiarisation visit and enter the court through a different entrance from the suspect and sit in a separate waiting area where possible;
• Meet the CPS advocate and ask him or her questions about the court process where circumstances permit;
• Be informed of any appeal against the offender's conviction or sentence;
• To opt into the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) if the offender is sentenced to 12 months or more for a specified violent or sexual offence;
• If you opt in to the VCS to:
– make a VPS for consideration by the Parole Board if the offender is considered for release or transfer and apply to the Parole Board to read it out at the hearing;
– make representations about the conditions attached to the offender's licence on release and be informed about any licence conditions relating to you;
• Apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme;
• Receive information about Restorative Justice and how you can take part;
• Make a complaint if you do not receive the information and services you are entitled to, and to receive a full response from the relevant service provider.
To see the whole Code, go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-code-of-practice-for-victims-of-crimeThis also gives links to a leaflet about the code and a text of a note that is given to victims.
Reflecting on how measures set out in the Queen's Speech 2015 may impact on the English Legal System
The Queen's Speech sets out each year the bare bones of the proposed legislative programme for the forthcoming 12 months.
I've been looking through the detailed briefing to see whether there are issues which will affect the English Legal System (ELS) that may not be apparent from the speech itself.
Here are my personal comments:
Enterprise Bill.
The headline aim of the new Bill is to reduce red tape and improve the ways in which regulators work. But there are also two specific ELS related issues that may be noted:
- Establishing a Small Business Conciliation Service that will handle business-to-business disputes without the need for court action, tackling in particular, late payment issues;
- Introducing business rates appeals reform, including modifying the Valuation Tribunal powers to consider ratepayer appeals.
Immigration Bill
Among proposed measures to be set out here, there are proposals to change the way in which immigration appeals work. In particular, the Government plans to:
Extend the principle of "deport first, appeal later" from just criminal cases, to all immigration cases. In 2014 thelast government cut the number of appeal rights but other than foreign criminals, migrants retain an in-countryright of appeal against the refusal of a human rights claim. We will now extend the "deport first, appeal later" principle to all cases, except where it will cause serious harm.
To create a presumption that suspects will be released without bail unless it is necessary.The Bill would initially limit pre-charge bail to 28 days, with an extension of up to three months, authorised by a senior police officer.In exceptional circumstances, the police will have to apply to the courts for an extension beyond three months, to be approved by a magistrate.This will introduce judicial oversight of the pre-charge bail process for the first time, increasing accountability and scrutiny in a way that is manageable for the courts.
Victims in the criminal justice system: getting the balance right
Successive governments have attempted to improve the position of the victims of crime in the criminal justice system. But there is clear evidence that there is still room for further improvement.
In January 2015, the Victims' Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, published a report which showed the gap between what was supposed to happen to victims, and what actually happened. The principal recommendation of her report was the adoption of a set of principles, drawn up by her, to which all actors in the criminal justice system should adhere.
The Commissioner stated that all victims should have:
- Clear information from agencies and service providers on how they will support them in raising a concern or making a complaint about the service they have received
- Information on how informal concerns can be submitted and dealt with, in additional to processes for the submitting of formal complaints
- Details on how agencies and service providers will keep victims informed of the progress of their complaint at all stages
- The option to state their preferred method of communication with an agency or service provider when raising a concern or making a complaint
- Clear information to understand what to do if not happy with the response that has been received, including details about the role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the right to complain to them
- Information on how they might be able to be involved in developing, reviewing and improving an agency's or service provider's complaints process.
In addition, she stated that agencies and service providers should ensure they offer to all victims:
- A clear statement about the support they will provide to victims who wish to raise a concern or make a complaint about the service that has been provided
- Processes to deal with concerns swiftly and informally where appropriate, in addition to processes to deal with more formal complaints
- A commitment that they will deliver mandatory training and development plans for all staff who deal with victims' complaints
- A commitment to ensure that all staff who interact with victims, have in place a performance objective reflecting how they will be held accountable for treating victims with empathy, dignity and respect
- Properly defined processes and recording practices which enable victims complaints to be handled proactively and appropriately
- A published statement on whether they will apply the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's Principles of Good Complaint Handling in their complaints processes
In addition, agencies should publish information illustrating how complaints from victims have led to improvements in services.
The Government announced in February 2015 that it accepted these proposals and would work to bring them into practical effect.
The Commissioner's report is at http://victimscommissioner.org.uk/baroness-newlove-victims-still-let-down-by-justice-agencies/
The Government's response is at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/response-to-the-victims-commissioners-review-of-complaints-and-resolution-for-victims-of-crime
In January 2015, the Government has announced that an online service TrackMyCrime, which has been developed by Avon and Somerset police, will start to be rolled out nationally. This is designed to keep victims updated on the progress of their case, allow them to submit details about stolen or damaged property, and find information on support and advice. Crucially, officers and victims can securely exchange messages with one another at any time and police can regularly update victims on the progress of the case. This offers more flexibility for victims and will be more efficient for police officers working shifts.
See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-tracking-service-launched-for-victims-of-crime
And in yet a further development, the Government has announced further support for victims and witnesses in court, through a doubling of the number of Registered Intermediaries – people able to support victims and witnesses as they give evidence in court.
See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/courtroom-communications-experts-to-double
Pre-recorded evidence trial
An issue which has received a lot of public attention in recent months is the way in which some witnesses in criminal trials are required to give their evidence. In a pilot experiment in three courts, including Kingston Crown Court, the most vulnerable victims and witnesses are able to give their evidence and be cross-examined away from the intense atmosphere of a live courtroom, in an attempt to spare them from what could be aggressive questioning in front of jury, judge and their alleged attacker.
People who may find it difficult to give their best possible evidence in a courtroom environment and all child victims will be considered for pre-trial cross-examination. This allows them to give their evidence and be cross-examined by both prosecution and defence barristers ahead of the trial, in front of a judge. The video recording is then shown to the jury as part of the trial. Previously victims could have been subject to lengthy, stressful questioning by multiple barristers in view of jurors and the public gallery.
This initiative follows the recent review of the Victims' Charter.
If the pilot works, the new procedure will be rolled out across the country. This will be particularly relevant to cases involving the abuse of children and victims of rape and other assaults.
See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-victims-spared-harrowing-court-room-under-pre-recorded-evidence-pilot


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Cindy Lewis was interviewed by MPUG on the Microsoft Project Conference 2012 keynote.
You can check out the conference twitter feed she mentions under the #mspc12 hashtag.
[…] can read more about the sessions in a previous blog post. You can also watch a short video of me during the event. The entire team on the breakout session floor between sessions. Quite a challenge to get all of us […]Leave a Comment


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My dad always had scooters and motorcycles when we were growing up. He rode everything: Matchless, AJS, Mustangs, and lots of Harleys, both 45s and 74s. I couldn't wait to get on two wheels, and I learned to ride as soon as I could on his 1952 Cushman Eagle springer.
After school I used to hang around the local Cushman shop where they had a 1958 Iron Eagle demo that wasn't getting any TLC. I talked my dad into financing it for me in 1960, when I was 14 years old, and I rode it to school almost every day. I didn't get into too much trouble. One day after school I rode over to visit the traveling carnival that came to town and proceeded to run into the wire holding up the high-striker bell tower, knocking that down. I was lucky the carnies didn't smash my scooter!
It was pretty reliable too. One time the ignition switch in the flywheel cover came loose and fell in, busting off a bunch of flywheel fins and disabling the scooter—I was going about 50 mph at the time—but that was about it.
I deployed with the Navy Seabees after graduation, and the scooter entered retirement while I was on active duty. My brother gave the motor a top-end rebuild and installed a replacement flywheel while I was gone, but I wasn't much interested when I returned. I was ready to move on to "big iron": Harleys, BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons, and Moto Guzzis.
A few years ago I decided to bring the old scoot out of retirement and give it a tune-up for the Lone Star Bike Rally on Galveston Island. The Cushman is the polar opposite of my regular motorcycle, a Buell Cyclone M2, but just as much fun. I've gone full circle, and nowadays it's my favorite ride. What's old is new again!


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New Study says Profiles Differ Among Age Groups
- Sunday, August 16 2015 @ 08:14 am
- Contributed by: kellyseal
- Views: 1,457
Younger daters are really into dating apps – they helped bring Tinder into the mainstream, and now there are a slew of new dating apps hitting the market, allowing you to do everything from set your Instagram feed to music (Raya) and obtain the dating profile of that girl at the coffee shop you just couldn't bring yourself to talk to (Happn). While younger daters are active on these apps, as it turns out, the fastest-growing group of online daters is 60 and older.
But do younger and older online daters date differently? University of Texas researchers Eden Davis and Karen Fingerman suspected that their were contrasts between their motivations for online dating, but wanted to determine this through the content of their profiles, so they conducted a study published this month about the differences in profile language and motivation each age group has when it comes to dating.
While we know people using dating websites and apps are typically motivated to find a partner and to date, we know little about the differences of what motivates them to use dating sites, what exactly they are looking for, or how they present themselves to different partners. Gathering 4000 online dating profiles from men and women across the United States, the researchers sampled profiles evenly by gender and from four age groups (18 to 29; 30 to 49; 50 to 64; and 65 or over). The final sample ranged in age from 18 to 95.
First, the researchers studied the most common words used in profiles by all age groups, which included: like, love, music, good, enjoy and fun. But they also discovered different age groups used different words in common when crafting their online dating profiles. For younger daters, these most frequently included the words: go, get, work, school, laugh, movies, much, find, think, try and anything.
Older daters seemed to be more focused on building connection. Their profiles most frequently included words like: man, woman, share, relationship, humor, travel, years, honest, important, well, sense, and family.
Eden said in her report: "Notably, older adults used more positive emotion words such as "sweet," "kind," and "nice," more first person plural pronouns such as "we," "us," and "our," and more words in the 'friends' category. These findings suggest that when they present themselves to potential partners, older adults focus on positivity and connectedness to others. Not surprisingly, older adults were also more likely to use health-related words such as "ache," "doctor," and "exercise."
Younger adults tended to enhance their profiles, using mostly first-person singular pronouns like "I" and "me." They also tended to focus on work and achievement.
The researchers concluded that adults of all ages were looking for love and a partner to enjoy life with, but that younger adults focus more on themselves and their own attributes, while older daters focused on positivity and connection to others.


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Fasting and Reliance on the Lord
"It is the Day of Atonement…you shall practice self-denial."[1]
Eating holds a place of importance in Jewish thought. Food is not only for physical survival,[2] insofar as the Holy One, blessed be He, could have created human beings without the need to eat; it is also for worshipping the Lord. On the Day of Atonement we are commanded, "afflict your souls on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall observe this your Sabbath" (Lev. 23:32). The Sages explain that this refers to five ways of self-denial, especially a prohibition against eating and drinking.
The question arises as to the essence of this self-denial on the Day of Atonement, especially since this is the only fast day that the Torah commands us to observe.[3] Specifically, why is the commandment to afflict the soul and not the body, and what is meant by "afflicting the soul"? Another question arises from the Sages' interpretation: "Do we fast on the ninth day? Why, we fast on the tenth! But this teaches you that that if one eats and drinks on the ninth day, Scripture accounts it as if one fasted on the ninth and the tenth."[4] On one hand, the Lord commands us to fast on the tenth, and on the other He commands us to eat on the ninth in order to minimize the feeling of affliction.[5] How is this?
An important principle is that worshipping the Lord requires that we come to feel utter dependence on the Holy One, blessed be He, "like a weaned child with its mother" (Ps. 131:2). In contrast, thoughts that ascribe our sustainment to other things are considered a denial of the faith, as it says (Deut. 8:12-18):
When you have eaten your fill, and have built fine houses to live in, and your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold have increased…beware lest your heart grow haughty…and you say to yourselves, "My own power and the might of my own hand have won this wealth for me." Remember that it is the Lord your G‑d who gives you the power to get wealth.
Since the Lord gives human beings the means of survival—food, clothing, a roof over one's head, a family, and the like—these might make a person think it is they that sustain his existence; therefore the Lord gave us commandments and proscriptions, to instill in us the faith that we rely solely on the Lord.
Now I would like to set forth a theory that all the festivals are directed at achieving this objective. As we know, there is one thing that is forbidden on all holidays and all Sabbaths—a proscription against work that creates something new, since any action by which a human being makes something new gives the person a sense of being a creator, and this is the main thought a person must divest from his or her mind. Therefore, on every festival and Sabbath creative work is forbidden, so that we internalize the idea that the Holy One, blessed be He, is the sole Creator. But every festival also serves to teach another lesson, leading human beings to ascribe their sustainment solely to the Holy One, blessed be He; the Day of Atonement has the greatest concentration of such messages. However, let us begin our review of these didactic elements from the first month of the Jewish year, the month of Nisan.
Man's main food is bread in its leavened form, and having bread makes us feel that our sustainment is secure. Therefore for the duration of the Passover festival we are commanded to put aside all leaven, such that it not even be seen our found in our possession. This idea is also expressed in the verse, "He [the Lord] subjected you to the hardship of hunger and then gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had ever known, in order to teach you that man does not live on bread alone, but that man may live on anything that the Lord decrees" (Deut. 8:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, deprived the people of their usual bread, and this deprivation is defined as a hardship (`inui—same as word used with respect to self-denial on the Day of Atonement), and gave them bread from heaven to make them realize their dependence on the Holy One, blessed be He.[6]
The Feast of Weeks
This is the feast of First Fruits, as it says in Scripture: "On the day of the first fruits, your Feast of Weeks, when you bring an offering of new grain to the Lord" (Num. 28:26). Here we have another lesson regarding what we eat. On this festival the Lord commands us to bring first fruits from the seven varieties to the Temple, to teach us that we should not ascribe our existence to the fruits which we have grown on our soil. Sefer Ha-Hinukh says: "One of the fundamental ideas of the commandment…is that we know that all the blessings in the world come to us from Him, blessed be He,…for the fruits and all other good things come from Him."[7]
Rosh Ha-Shanah
After half a year of lessons teaching us not to ascribe things to ourselves, we receive a lesson whose main point is that the Lord is King, and on Him we are utterly dependent.
The Day of Atonement
After taking in the idea that the Lord is King, we come to the Day of Atonement, the day with the greatest number of lessons:
Eating and Drinking: Thus far we learned not to rely on the bread and fruit that we produce, and on this day we learn not to be dependent on eating and drinking at all.
Washing and anointing: These two prohibitions are tied to the prohibition against drinking, to teach us how utterly comprehensive that prohibition is, so much so that we are even forbidden anything in the least way connected with drinking. The Mishnah says of anointing: "How do we know that anointing is [prohibited just] as drinking on the Day of Atonement?...For it is said: 'And it came into his inward parts like water, and like oil, in his bones' (Ps. 109:18)."[8] Of washing it says: "We have found it now with regard to [abstention from] anointing oneself. Whence do we know it about [abstention from] washing?...Rather, said Rabbi Ashi: [That abstention from] washing [is considered an affliction] is evident from the verse itself, for it is written: 'Neither did I anoint myself at all' (Dan. 10:3)."[9] The prohibition against washing is derived from the extra words "at all." This signifies that the prohibition against anointing and washing is related to the prohibition against drinking.
Wearing leather footwear: Clothing gives a person a sense of security, honor, protection against the ravages of nature, and even define a person's status and function. Clearly clothing builds self-confidence in various respects. The most important item of garb is footwear.[10] Therefore we must abstain from wearing shoes and thus sever ourselves from the security given by shoes.
Sexual intercourse: Family relations are one of the things that give a sense of security. The strongest family tie is that between husband and wife.[11] Therefore one is asked to put aside this closeness, and devote oneself solely to drawing close to the Lord.
Now we can explain the questions about fasting on the Day of Atonement, raised at the outset of this article. The essence of `inui, self-denial, is to remove ourselves from things that we are likely to consider the basis of our existence. Therefore, the self-denial does not have to do with the body, rather with the soul, accustomed as it is to ascribe its security to tangible things; and so, on this day, these things are denied us. The Lord commands us to eat on the ninth day so that we not suffer bodily affliction, rather so that our abstinence from food strengthen our sense of dependence on the Holy One, blessed be He.
The Feast of Tabernacles
One's house, which provides protection against the elements, is another thing that gives a person a sense of security. Therefore, for seven days one must leave one's secure house and dwell in a temporary hut, which certainly provides no natural protection, and thus one is reinforced in the belief that one's only protection is in the Lord.
Shemini Atzeret
Just as the New Year, when we stand fast by the Lord, comes after the two festivals of Passover and the Feast of Weeks, so too comes Shemini Atzeret after another two holidays—the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles—and on this holiday the Lord seeks to be with us alone.[12] The Sages appended Simhat Torah to this festival to teach us that our bond with the Holy One, blessed be He, is by virtue of the Torah alone.
Our thesis can also be applied to holidays originating with the Rabbis. Light is another thing that gives a sense of power and control. In daylight we feel steady and sure, because light, when the Lord created it, "was good." On Hanukkah, when the nights are longer, we kindle lights and again have a sense of stability and security. The Sages instruct us to kindle lights, but caution us not to make use of their light; rather, "only to see them." Thus we practice relying not on the light, but rather on He who said, "Let there be light."
The last of the holidays is Purim. Here we have a challenging point. It is ruled in the Halakhah that on Purim we must get so inebriated that we cannot distinguish between accursed Haman and blessed Mordechai.[13] It is well known that drunkenness is considered extremely reprehensible in Judaism. Indeed, the first request in the Shemoneh Esrei prayer concerns the Lord giving man sense, knowledge. So how could the Sages have commanded that we get drunk to the point of losing our senses? Knowledge, however, can be very powerful, and with it man can accomplish great things. Thus the Sages commanded that we drink to the point of "not knowing," so that we put aside knowing and rely solely on the Lord.
Translated by Rachel Rowen
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Abiola does it againFebruary 15th, 2007 . by Matt
Another great post from Foreign Dispatches, this time a book review of Offspring of Empire, a book detailing the life of capitalists during the colonial period (I have it, but still haven't reviewed it).
Here is a taster –
I recently took delivery of Carter J. Eckert's book Offspring of Empire: The Koch'Ang Kims and the Colonial Origins of Korean Capitalism, 1876-1945, and based on what I've read thus far I can already say that nothing I've read in the last 12 months has been as revelatory as this book has been.
If one were to believe the farcical rubbish preferred by ignorant Korean activists with anti-Japanese axes to grind, the period between 1910 and 1945 was for Koreans one of unrelenting exploitation at the hands of rapacious Japanese imperialists, though long-time readers of this blog will already know better: for Korea the period was actually one of strong growth after a century of stagnation, and the benefits of this growth were shared substantially by Koreans from all walks of life. What makes Eckert's book fascinating is that it not only provides a wealth of information substantiating this assertion, but also goes on to show how closely Korean businessmen worked with their Japanese counterparts and the Japanese government itself to make this growth happen; far from being crushed by heavily discriminatory Japanese colonial policies, from 1920 onwards they were the beneficiaries of what can only be called affirmative action, in that through favorable loans, regulations and outright subsidies the colonial government went out of its way to prop up Korean businesses competing against more efficient Japanese concerns.