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These independent journalists are currently in jail in Cuba:
More on Independent Journalists in Cuba at our page.
More articles from or about journalists from the Cubaverdad archive
Journalist – Cubaverdad
News and Facts about Cuba
07/07/2017 07:40 PM Low wages apparently spurring Manzana Kempinski workers to quit Low wages apparently spurring Manzana Kempinski workers to quit DDC | La Habana | 7 de Julio de 2017 – 11:28 CEST. Some workers at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, Cuba's most luxurious and expensive, earn salaries even lower than the national average, which seems to be prompting them to leave, according to the Uruguayan […] 07/02/2017 05:23 PM A Cuban Fight Against The Demons Of Machismo A Cuban Fight Against The Demons Of Machismo 14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 1 July 2017 — A man looks over my shoulder because I talk about cables and circuits. He grimaces in disgust when he sees my clumsy nails cut short and is annoyed because I reject his "compliments," which I should accept […] 07/02/2017 05:00 PM In Cuba, Growing Numbers Of Bloggers Manage To Operate In A Vulnerable Gray Area In Cuba, Growing Numbers Of Bloggers Manage To Operate In A Vulnerable Gray Area July 2, 20178:26 AM ET CARRIE KAHN In recent years, a growing number of news and political websites have popped up in Cuba. Some are taking advantage of what they say has been a small but vibrant opening afforded them since […] 06/27/2017 09:19 PM Persecution Grows Against Independent Journalism In Cuba Persecution Grows Against Independent Journalism In Cuba 14ymedio, Mario Penton, Miami, 26 June 2017 — Independent communicators in Cuba are victims of an escalating repression, according to a complaint filed Monday by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), based in Madrid. The alarm sounded by the organization coincides with an increase in complaints from […] 06/24/2017 06:59 PM The Cuban Republic: Buried by Official Decree The Cuban Republic: Buried by Official Decree / Iván García Iván García, 24 May 2017 — May 20 of this year with mark the 115th anniversary of the birth of the Republic of Cuba. In the Throne Room of the Palace of the Captains General, a building which now serves as the City Museum, Tomás […] 06/24/2017 05:18 PM Independent journalist detained in eastern Cuba Independent journalist detained in eastern Cuba June 23, 2017 5:12 PM ET New York, June 23, 2017–Cuban authorities should immediately release independent journalist Manuel Alejandro León Velázquez and return his equipment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. State security forces and Interior Ministry officials detained León Velázquez around 4 p.m. yesterday in the eastern […] 06/20/2017 07:50 PM Consensus and Dissent in the Face of Trump's Cuba Policy Consensus and Dissent in the Face of Trump's Cuba Policy 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 19 June 2017 – Over the weekend the official media have repeated ad nauseam the declaration of the government in response to Donald Trump's speech about his policy toward Cuba. The declaration's rhetoric recalls the years before the diplomatic thaw, when […] 06/17/2017 09:25 PM Trump recasts Cuba policy, takes harder line than Obama on military, travel Trump recasts Cuba policy, takes harder line than Obama on military, travel BY PATRICIA MAZZEI AND NORA GÁMEZ TORRES [email protected] In an overhaul of one of his predecessor's signature legacies, President Donald Trump will redraw U.S. policy toward Cuba on Friday, tightening travel restrictions for Americans that had been loosened under President Barack Obama and […] 06/13/2017 08:46 AM Trump's announcement on Cuba could clash with Central American summit Trump's announcement on Cuba could clash with Central American summit BY MIMI WHITEFIELD [email protected] If President Donald Trump outlines his new Cuba policy in Miami on Friday, it could upstage a Central American conference that is bringing regional presidents and Mexican and U.S. Cabinet members to town this week. Sources have told the Miami Herald […] 06/09/2017 06:46 PM The Unqualified Cuban Truth Reinaldo Escobar: The Unqualified Cuban Truth / Somos+ Somos+, Leyla Belo, 23 MACH 2017 — Those who ever speak with Reinaldo cannot deny his innate genius, his sense of humor and gentleness of expression. A matter of decorum, isn't it? That quality which is so scarce among many people nowadays. He does what he considers […] 06/09/2017 03:09 PM Trump Will Reverse Damage Done by Obama's Cuba Policy Trump Will Reverse Damage Done by Obama's Cuba Policy Jun 8th, 2017 3 min read COMMENTARY BY Mike Gonzalez @Gundisalvus Senior Fellow Mike Gonzalez is a senior fellow at the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies. KEY TAKEAWAYS The administration is about to announce it is reinstating the limits on travel and […] 06/06/2017 02:31 PM Cuba then and now: LGBT progress is real Cuba then and now: LGBT progress is real As the country opens its doors even farther, U.S. fundamentalists are looking for influence and to proselytize — not a good omen for LGBT Cubans. Mark Segal, Philadelphia Gay News Jun 5, 2017 It was 20 years ago when I first reported on the state of LGBT […] 06/03/2017 01:38 PM More than 2,000 people in Cuba are 100 years old or older, study finds More than 2,000 people in Cuba are 100 years old or older, study finds Published June 02, 2017 Fox News Cuba is home to some 2,000 people over 100 years old, according to data released by the Ministry of Public Health. In the first quarter of 2017, a total of 2,153 centennials lived in the […] 06/02/2017 07:16 PM Cuba: More Castroism but Without the Castros Cuba: More Castroism but Without the Castros / Iván García Iván García, 17 May 2017 — In front of an old mansion on 17th Street in Vedado that now serves as the headquarters of the Union of Writers and Artists, there is a poster showing hundreds of men dressed in battle fatigues and lined up […] 06/02/2017 06:59 PM State Security Offensive Against ICLEP Citizen Journalists State Security Offensive Against ICLEP Citizen Journalists 14ymedio, Havana, 23 May 2017 — Raúl Velázquez, executive director of the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) was released last Friday after being held for 72 hours in the second unit of the People's Revolutionary Police (PNR) in Santiago de Cuba, as confirmed […] 06/02/2017 06:55 PM Economic Crime, the Pitfall in the Path Economic Crime, the Pitfall in the Path 14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, 22 May 2017 — The saleswoman described her merchandise in a murmur: loggerhead turtle steaks, beef and shrimp. The man salivated, but replied that he could not buy any of those products, the most persecuted in the informal market. Every opponent knows that […] 06/02/2017 06:51 PM A Taxi Cooperative Proposes To Lower Private Transport Prices A Taxi Cooperative Proposes To Lower Private Transport Prices 14ymedio, Havana, 17 May 2017 — In the midst of the morning hustle and bustle, residents of Havana are trying to reach their destinations on time, a challenge because of the inefficient public transport and the sky high prices charged by the private operators of fixed-route […] 06/02/2017 03:21 PM The crisis in Venezuela, according to Cuba's official press The crisis in Venezuela, according to Cuba's official press BORIS GONZÁLEZ ARENAS | La Habana | 2 de Junio de 2017 – 11:20 CEST. On Tuesday, May 23 journalist Irma Shelton Tase, of Cuban Television's daily news broadcast, spotlighted statements made by Carlos Aquino, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of […] 05/22/2017 09:42 PM We Have Survived We Have Survived 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 21 May 2017 — Three years ago this digital daily was just a dream, a project on paper and a desire in the heads of several colleagues. On that 21 May 2014, the mirage took shape on the first cover of a site that robs us of our […] 05/20/2017 07:58 PM Cuba: Forbidden Fruit Cuba: Forbidden Fruit / Iván García Iván García, 11 May 2017 — Scarcely a block away from the majestic Grand Hotel Manzana Kempinski, whose inauguration is expected next June 2nd, next to the Payret cinema, a state-owned cafeteria sells an acidic and insipid hamburger with bread for the equivalent of 50 centavos. Workers in the […] 05/19/2017 05:19 PM 'Experiencing Cuba' while under government surveillance 'Experiencing Cuba' while under government surveillance CAIBARIÉN Cuba — Caibarién is a town on a bay that separates it from Cayo de Santa María, which is located on Cuba's northern coast. It's proximity to the city of Santa Clara, which is less than an hour to the south, provided the perfect place to escape "experiencing […] 05/16/2017 09:59 PM Independent Journalism Seeks to Revive Press Freedom Independent Journalism Seeks to Revive Press Freedom / Iván García Iván García, 3 May 2017 — Let's step back in time. One morning in 1985, Yndamiro Restano Díaz, a thirty-seven-year-old journalist with Radio Rebelde, took out an old Underwood and wrote a clandestine broadsheet entitled "Nueva Cuba." After distributing the single-page, handmade newspaper up and […] 05/16/2017 07:09 PM Cuban activist prevented from meeting U.S. counterparts Cuban activist prevented from meeting U.S. counterparts HAVANA — An independent Cuban LGBT rights advocate claims authorities prevented him from traveling to Havana late last week to meet with a delegation of U.S. advocates. Nelson Gandulla, president of the Cuban Federation for LGBTI Rights, told the Washington Blade he received a summons that ordered him […] 05/16/2017 07:08 PM Protests mark decade of LGBT activism in Cuba Protests mark decade of LGBT activism in Cuba Calling for same-sex marriage, Cubans have chanted "revolution yes, homophobia no" in the streets of Havana. Until the early 1980s, gays and lesbians were routinely rounded up and forced to work in labor camps. Hundreds of Cuban nationals gathered in the streets of central Havana on Saturday […] 05/12/2017 07:03 PM Karla Pérez Arrives In Costa Rica To Continue Her Studies In Journalism Karla Pérez Arrives In Costa Rica To Continue Her Studies In Journalism 14ymedio, Havana, 11 May 2017 — Karla Pérez González, the student expelled from the University of Las Villas for her membership in the dissident organization Somos+, arrived in San José, Costa Rica, this morning after receiving an offer to continue her studies there. […] 05/10/2017 08:55 PM Interview with El Sexto (Danilo Maldonado) in San Francisco Interview with El Sexto (Danilo Maldonado) in San Francisco Danilo "El Sexto" Maldonado is in San Francisco, planning for the opening of his art exhibit, "Angels and Demons," at the Immersive ART LAB, 3255A Third Street, May 11, 6-10pm. His exhibit is sponsored by the Human Rights Foundation as part of its Art in Protest […] 05/04/2017 06:54 PM Cuba: When "Winning" is Losing Cuba: When "Winning" is Losing By Fernando Ravsberg HAVANA TIMES — The violent reaction to the dissident who ran through Revolution Square carrying a US flag on May Day has been the last of a series of failed responses. The guy was beaten up and arrested in the middle of Revolution Square, during the rally […] 05/02/2017 09:41 PM State Security Summons for Ivan Garcia State Security Summons for Ivan Garcia / Ivan Garcia Ivan Garcia, 5 April 2017 — He says his name is Alejandro. A thin, timid mulatto, dressed in light-blue jeans, a pullover sweater with Prussian-blue collar, and low-cut black sneakers. In one hand is a dark briefcase. He speaks quietly and deliberately. He looks like a […] 04/28/2017 05:36 PM 48 Days: Photographer captures 8,000-mile journey from Cuba to the US 48 Days: Photographer captures 8,000-mile journey from Cuba to the US By ALEX SCOTT Apr 27, 2017, 10:14 AM ET Lisette Poole There are currently more than 20 daily flights from the United States to Cuba. The 330-mile trip from Miami takes a little over an hour and helped fill the streets of Cuba with […] 04/26/2017 08:30 PM Independent Journalist Arrested For Investigating The Case Of Karla Pérez González Independent Journalist Arrested For Investigating The Case Of Karla Pérez González 14ymedio, Havana, 25 Havana, 25 April 2017 — The independent magazine El Estornudo (The Sneeze) has denounced Monday's detention of its collaborator Maykel González Vivero. The young journalist was detained at Marta Abreu de las Villas Central University, while reporting on the expulsion of […] 04/26/2017 08:27 PM How Cuban State Security Intimidates Potential Informants How Cuban State Security Intimidates Potential Informants / Iván García Iván García,9 April 2017 — They did not put a Makarov pistol to his head or torture him with electric prods. Let's call him Josué. (The names in his article have been changed). He is a guy who wears American-made jeans, listens to jazz by […] 04/25/2017 08:21 PM Cuban Counterintelligence Plays Hardball with Journalists Cuban Counterintelligence Plays Hardball with Journalists / Iván García Ivan Garcia, 17 April 2017 — Money is no object. When it comes to thwarting, harassing and repressing intellectuals or journalists, there are always enough funds in military's coffers to write a blank check. Solid numbers are hard to come by but, according to conservative estimates, […] 04/21/2017 04:18 PM Is Raul Castro in Hibernation Mode? Is Raul Castro in Hibernation Mode? / Iván García Ivan Garcia, 11 April 2017 — Right now the most closely guarded secret in Cuba is the protocols for succession of the nation's president, army general Raul Castro, after his retirement in February 2018. I will tell you what is rumored among some officials close to […] 04/19/2017 07:50 PM When Your Ally's Beards are on Fire When Your Ally's Beards are on Fire*… / Miriam Celaya Cubanet, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 18 April 2017 — According to an old adage, when you see you neighbor's beard on fire, go soak your own*. The maxim should be applied to the elderly Cuban dictator, especially if we take into account that the erratic performance […] 04/16/2017 03:24 AM In Cuba, a battle against racism persists, activists say In Cuba, a battle against racism persists, activists say BY NORA GÁMEZ TORRES [email protected] CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS More than 30 Cuban activists, writers, academics and entrepreneurs, mostly of African descent, gathered at Harvard University for an unprecedented meeting to celebrate the achievements of the Afro-Cuban movement on the island and set the course for future work. […] 04/13/2017 01:33 AM Cuba after Fidel Castro: Full of life, but it is life on the brink of death Cuba after Fidel Castro: Full of life, but it is life on the brink of death By ANNIKA HERNROTH-ROTHSTEIN • 4/10/17 8:00 PM HAVANA — The young woman sees me watch in amazement as she gets up from her seat and attempts to carry the four bags with her through the aisle of the plane, […] 04/11/2017 09:27 PM "The Politician Of The Week," A Citizens' Initiative "The Politician Of The Week," A Citizens' Initiative 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 10 April 2017 — Facing the times that we live in can be an unpleasant task. And doing it without discrimination based on ideological viewpoints and with immediacy, takes visions of daring. This is the challenge that the Center for the Application of […] 04/11/2017 07:07 PM Castroism unable to explain the censure of 'chavismo' Castroism unable to explain the censure of 'chavismo' ORLANDO FREIRE SANTANA | La Habana | 11 de Abril de 2017 – 13:58 CEST. There is no doubt that Cuban rulers are concerned about the progressive isolation of Nicolás Maduro's chavista (inspired by the legacy of the late Hugo Chávez) government. The official newspaper Juventud Rebelde, […] 04/11/2017 01:58 PM Why Did I Stay in Cuba, Why Didn't I Leave? Why Did I Stay in Cuba, Why Didn't I Leave? April 10, 2017 By Lilibeth Alfonso (La Esquina de Lilith) HAVANA TIMES — Staying in Cuba is reason to be asked one fine day why you didn't leave, and it's asking yourself what would have happened if you had left. This "what if" is the […] 04/06/2017 05:31 PM This Is How Cuba Threatens, Intimidates, Controls and Punishes Its Own Citizens This Is How Cuba Threatens, Intimidates, Controls and Punishes Its Own Citizens To citizen Ivan Garcia Quintero, resident of 12 Carmen Street, Apt 3, between San Lazaro and Calzada 10 de Octubre. Your presence is required at the 10 de October PNR (People's Revolutionary Police) [station] on 2 April 2017 at 10:00 PM with the […]


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In the next chapter of a years-long legal dispute over the controversial Oceano Dunes "dust rule," the California Second District Court of Appeal in Ventura ruled in favor of an appeal by off-highway vehicle advocacy group Friends of Oceano Dunes on April 6.
The decision means that the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) no longer has the power to regulate air pollution emanating from the Oceano Dunes through the permitting process. It reverses an earlier SLO Superior Court decision by Judge Charles Crandall that held the permitting process was legally acceptable.
"We're obviously disappointed by the appellate court's decision, but it's really inconsequential to the dust rule implementation process we currently have in place," said APCD Executive Officer Larry Allen. "Over the past 11 months, we've been working cooperatively with State Parks through the 'consent decree' process, which is completely outside of the permitting process."
APCD attorney Ray Biering told New Times he disagreed with the appellate court decision, but added it was "essentially moot."
"This won't end the dust rule, and this doesn't end the APCD's legal obligation to protect the public from air pollution," Biering said. "The consent decree continues, and we continue to work with State Parks to address the dust issue."
Friends of Oceano Dunes attorney Tom Roth hadn't responded to a request for comment from New Times as of press time.
Going forward, Biering said the APCD Board of Directors is aiming to schedule a special closed session meeting to discuss the court decision and possibly take action sometime next week.
The APCD board could pursue a number of different strategies, including doing nothing and accepting the decision, filing a motion for reconsideration by the appellate court, filing a motion to decertify the court's decision, or filing a petition for review to the California Supreme Court.

subset: commoncrawl


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The "Clark Griswold of Halloween" Lights Up Neighborhood In Spectacular Display
(For those too young [or too old] to remember, the 1989 comedy classic, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, featured Clark Griswold [Chevy Chase] who LOVED Christmas and let the whole neighborhood know it with his spectacular Christmas decorations.)
Tony Zoccoli and family of Gilbert, AZ have made a tradition of creating a spectacular Halloween display in their front yard that attracts thousands of on-lookers each year.
"Our family LOVES Halloween," said Griswo–er, Zoccoli, "We prepare months in advance."
The entire Zoccoli family spent 3 months drawing, cutting, and painting (using Wildfire Luminescent Paint) the characters which would adorn their yard for Halloween.
"Our theme is A Nightmare Before Christmas with a splash of Alice in Wonderland," Zoccoli continued. "My 21 year old autistic daughter loves those films, and we do this every year for her. We tie them all together with my oldest son costumed as a dark Mad Hatter with a splash of Jack Skellington. It has become very big in these years."
Indeed it has. Even we can't help but be impressed by the scope of the display.
"People ask how we do it, and what do we use," added Zoccoli. "We used regular fluorescent paints last year with ChromaDepth glasses that we hand out, but once we found the Wildfire Paints, everything is so much more vivid, both during the day and night."
The display is live all week at 4080 E. Lafayette Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85298.
If you don't live in the Gilbert, AZ area, check out the video below to get an idea of the scope of what the Zoccolis have created…


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Let's talk about product images on eBay!
I have talked a lot about why EVERY eBay business should have their own web hosting account, for various reasons, such as:
- The ability to use your own email@example.com email address. It looks much more professional than a free Gmail or Hotmail email address (IMPORTANT: Read my Hotmail should be BANNED article if you're still using a Hotmail email account for your online business).
- Use of your own domain name and website. Even if you don't have an online shop yet, you still should have your brand name/company name registered as a domain name because when you DO want to start an online shop, you need that domain name in place. Also, even if you're just selling on eBay, you can promote/advertise your website/domain name to your customers and simply re-direct it to your eBay Shop!
- Having full control of your image hosting. If you're using a custom made template, or any template for that matter, you know that you need to host your product images online to be able to include them inside your listing description. Your own hosting account gives you this ability while maintaining 100% flexibility. For example, with your own hosted images you can change special promotions or urgent messages across all listings by simply changing the image file on your hosting account.
The last point is the most important as without an image hosting account of some sort, you really can't create beautiful eBay listings.
However, many people who are just starting out face one of the following problems when considering a hosting account for their business.
- They don't have a brand name yet so don't know what domain name to register.
- They are working on such a small budget that even £6 per month for a hosting account + domain name may be too much for them.
- They're afraid of the technical side of setting up a dedicated hosting account and using it for their business (you shouldn't be though as I have a great, step by step guide published online on how to use your own hosting account for your eBay business).
For whatever reason, if you can't open a hosting account right away, you have to look at other options, and luckily there's a very easy solution:
FREE Image Hosting Services!
YES! There are websites that host images online for free. Well, most of them are businesses of course so they do make money from advertising but that doesn't change the fact that it won't cost you a penny to use these services for your eBay business.
Photobucket is one example of a very popular (free) image hosting solution and there are many more. The problem however with Photobucket and similar services is that they do not give you the direct image URL to use in your listings.
Most of the popular services give you an "embed HTML code" which means that you have no control over exactly how your image looks plus these codes usually come with an ad or backlink to the photo hosting website. Sometimes they can't even be embedded within eBay listings at all due to fancy code being used that eBay doesn't allow.
But as always, there's a solution! 🙂
There are some less popular image hosting services that still provide you with a plain and simple direct URL that you can use in Turbo Lister, eBay itself or any other listing tool that you use. My favourite such service at this time is: PostImage.org
Don't be put off by the simple looks of this website! It actually works to your advantage as it's a very simple two-step process from uploading images to getting your URL.
There are other similar image hosting websites out there, so if for any reason you don't like PostImage.org, you can check out others like:
If you do use another service/website, make sure that:
- It is popular enough (so that the chance of it randomly closing down one day is very slim).
- It provides plain & clean image URLs (and not embed codes).
- Sets no expiry date on your uploaded images.
- eBay use is not classed as prohibited use in their terms & conditions.
PostImage.org qualifies under all these rules so that's why I recommend using it. If you find a better website, please share it with us in the comments section below this post.
Now, let's take a close look at how exactly this works and how you can start using free image hosting for your eBay listings right now.
Step by step guide on using FREE Image Hosting!
Step 1 – preparing your images.
The very first thing you need to do is prepare your product images for upload. And this is CRUCIAL as you don't want to simply take images from your camera or phone and upload them as it is. They will be way too huge in size and will load very slowly in listings plus in most cases they'll destroy your listings frame and formatting as well – so please don't skip this step!
I have covered image editing and re-sizing in my product photography tutorial HERE but just so you know, the most important thing you need to do is re-size your image so it's web friendly. Depending on your template, this means a maximum width of 600-800 pixels at 72 dpi resolution. In some specific cases you'll want to use even smaller sizes, for example, when you need to create a gallery of 3 images side by side.
Also, while you're doing this, I highly recommend you do some basic photo editing too, like perfecting your white background colour, cropping the image so that the product looks nice and centered and of course watermarking your images with your logo. It really does take just a few minutes but makes a huge difference to the end result! Remember, you only have to do this ONCE!
So make sure you do not skip this step as otherwise all your efforts will be wasted. If you have multiple images per product, format and prepare all of them in advance before you move on to the next step which is….
Step 2 – uploading images.
When all images are prepared, you simply go to PostImage.org and click the Browse button to select which images you want to upload from your computer. If you have multiple images to upload, simply hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard to select multiple files in one go.
After that, in the Resize settings – leave DO NOT RESIZE MY IMAGES as the default option.
IMPORTANT!!! If you really struggle with image editing and don't have Photoshop or any other image editing tool, but still want to re-size your images, PostImage.org can actually do that for you. So what you would do is simply take the raw image files from your camera or smartphone, and within the resize setting, select the appropriate size for your eBay listing, which in most cases would be: 640 x 480.
For the image content part, just select Family Safe and hit the Upload button!
Within a few seconds (or longer if you upload raw camera/phone files) your images will be uploaded and you'll see a page like this:
What I like about PostImage.org in particular is the simple way they preset your uploaded images AND how easy it is to get plain URLs for all the images you have uploaded.
All you have to do is:
- Select Codes for All Images
- Select Direct Link
- And that's it! Here you have a clean list of all image URLs you just uploaded, ready to be copied and used in your listings.
How simple is that!?
Just leave postimage.org open or copy all image URLs to a notepad page and you're ready for the next step, which is….
Step 3 – inserting images into your listings.
Of course the last thing you need to do is actually insert your uploaded images into your listing/template. This step will differ slightly depending on what listing tool you use to create your listings.
Turbo Lister
If you're using Turbo Lister to create your listing, this will be very simple. All you have to do is:
1. Click on the location in your listing where you want your image to appear and center it.
2. Click on the Insert Image icon from the main menu.
3. Copy and paste the image link/URL from postimage.org
4. Click on PREVIEW to verify that it is the correct image.
5. Click on INSERT!
BINGO! You have successfully inserted your first image within your listing. Simply repeat this process if you have multiple pictures.
IMPORTANT!!! If you don't see the Insert Image icon in Turbo Lister, click on settings on the left side and make sure that you have selected Self Hosted images there. Otherwise this option won't show up in Turbo Lister.
eBay/Other tools
If you're using eBay or any other listing creation tool that does not support direct image URL inserting, there's an easy work around. It does require a few extra steps but it'll still take you no more than 10 seconds for each image you want to insert.
So here's what you need to do:
1. Find the place in your listing where you want your product image to appear, click it and center if needed.
2. Type in a line of numbers or characters like 111111111111111111 (for 1st image), 222222222222222 (for 2nd etc.). It doesn't matter what you type in here as you're only doing this so that you can easily find this part of your listing in the next step.
3. Switch to HTML mode and find the character line you just typed in (e.g. 111111111111111111)
4. Select all of that and REPLACE it with this code:

But where URL is, you put your actual image URL from postimage.org.
For example, if my image URL on postimage.org is:
The final code would look like this:

As you can see, I simply replaced "URL" text with the actual image URL which I copied from postimage.org.
Then you can switch back to STANDARD mode and preview how your newly added image looks:
Don't worry if this sounds too complicated at first, it really isn't! Just follow this step by step guide and you'll see how incredibly easy this process is. You can't really mess anything up here! Just make sure you copy the full image URL from postimage.org and you can't go wrong.
You'll use the exact same system for any other listing creation tool that does not offer a direct insert image URL function.
You can even follow the same method with Turbo Lister in case you want to stick with eBay's hosted images for gallery images and don't want to switch to the Self Hosted images setting.
Okay, that's it for today – this is a simple and easy to follow, step by step guide on how to use free image hosting for your eBay business. While this works perfectly, I would still recommend that you get your own hosting account asap for your business for the advantages that I covered at this beginning of this post.
Also, when using free image hosting, you should always keep in mind a few risks:
- Your images may be taken down if they use too much bandwidth. These free image hosting sites are not really meant to be used for business purposes, they're more for social use, so that people can share files and images with each other. So if your listing gets very popular and receives hundreds of views per day, there's a chance that the image hosting company will remove your uploads due to excessive bandwidth use.
- There's always the possibility that a free image hosting website could go down without notice and you would lose all of your product images. Obviously, you should keep back-up images for a scenario like this but it still won't be a pleasant job, to edit all your listings and replace all the old URLS if something like this happens.
For the two reasons above, I really only recommend using free image hosting if you're a new seller who absolutely cannot afford the hosting and domain costs. But as soon as you start making steady sales on eBay, you should register your own domain name and set up a hosting account so that you're in complete control of your business.
And here's a final interesting point to finish today's article:
In exactly the same way as you upload product images and insert them into your listings, you can also use free image hosting to include other graphics inside your listing, like:
- Your logo
- Visual bullet points
- Free gift banners
- Delivery/returns icons
- Seasonal messages
- etc.
Of course, unlike with your own hosting account, you won't be able to change these graphics across all listings by simply re-uploading a new image, so it is a little more tedious and time consuming. But nonetheless, it's still a great way of further improving the look of your listings.
If you have ANY questions about this guide, feel free to post them below in the comments section and I will answer your personally.


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MAD Logistics| Fast & direct
We transport biodiesel and diesel in order to optimize rail logistics. M.A.D. Logistics sells transport services from tank farms to tank farms. We have been relying on rail transport to guarantee climate-neutral transport for years. Since January 2019, rail transports have been carried out in cooperation with the young and dynamic BSAS EisenbahnVerkehrs GmbH & Co.KG from Mühlsen, Germany, to increase quantities while delivering just-in-time (http://www.bsas-evg.de/). Our main market area extends over Germany and Austria.
We continue to live up to our promise "modern - alternative – direct": The first of two locomotives which we have bought for boiler transportation makes us largely autonomous. The EURODUAL is manufactured by Stadler and can be powered by both electricity and diesel. Therefore, we can also use routes without an overhead line for the train.


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Audi to use Valeo's stop-start technology in sports coupe, report says
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PARIS/BERLIN -- Luxury carmaker Audi will introduce Valeo's micro-hybrid "stop-and-start" systems in its RS5 sports coupe, sources told Reuters, in a sign that the Paris-based supplier may be tapping new premium demand for the fuel-saving technology.
The contract with Volkswagen's upscale Audi division underlines increased spending by automakers on technology designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, in response to tightening standards and testing regimes.
VW and Valeo both declined to comment.
Unlike a typical alternator, which converts engine torque to electricity to power a vehicle's circuitry and charge its battery, the starter-alternator can also re-start the engine in a fraction of a second.
The Valeo system delivers fuel savings of up to 15 percent by automatically shutting down the engine whenever a car is halted by a red light or traffic, with an in-step reduction of CO2 and pollution emissions in congested cities.
First introduced in 2004, the so-called "i-StARS" technology is a flagship product of Valeo's 4 billion euro ($4.6 billion) propulsion systems division, with 3 million units sold.
But launch customer PSA Group and other volume manufacturers have since dropped it from new models in favor of beefed-up starter motors, a cheaper though less efficient stop-and-start solution.
The i-StARS system is beginning to find new markets, however, Valeo boss Jacques Aschenbroich told Reuters. "Demand for it is continuing to grow significantly," the CEO said, predicting double-digit percentage sales rise.
With the mild-hybrid RS5, which went on sale this month in Germany and in France next week, Audi becomes the first German premium brand to use the technology on its current vehicle lineup.
For a review, photo gallery and more coverage on the A5 from Autoweek, an affiliate of Automotive News, click here.
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Mills Country Market-Hometown Proud!
Visit New York Mills' Only Full-Service Grocery
Folks around New York Mills deserve a full-service grocery right in town that's locally-owned, family-operated, and that stocks its shelves with goods from Minnesota suppliers. Welcome to Mills Country Market, where we are proud to provide locals with fresh produce, dairy products, delicious meats, frozen foods and mouth-watering baked goods from Abby's Bakery; plus, our cheerful employees still bag and carry out groceries to your car.
Are you stuck at home but in need of some groceries? No problem–our in-town delivery service will bring provisions right to your front door. We're open 7 days a week to accommodate the busy schedules of our valued shoppers. Mills Country Market has the grocery items you need at prices you can afford, and you'll love our small-town customer service and family-friendly atmosphere.
You'll never miss a bargain when you read our online weekly grocery flyer for money-saving specials from around the store, including on smart value Hy-Top brand products.
As the new owners of Mills Country Market, we encourage you to stop by today for a memorable grocery shopping experience chocked full of big savings and friendly service! We also carry a wide-selection of tobacco products and sell lottery tickets.
"We've Got It All" 7 Days a Week!
No need to travel out of town for the groceries your family needs. Stop in at Mills Country Market today where "We've got it all!", along with helpful employees and budget-friendly prices.
We are located at 113 Miller Street in New York Mills, and are open 7 days a week with business hours that can be found on our Contact page. If we can be of assistance, please call us today at: (218) 385-2765 or leave us an email now.


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Get your tickets now!
Click here!
Participating Wineries:
Country Winery and Vineyard
Woody Lodge Winery
Bushy Run Winery
Wapiti Ridge Winery
B and L Wine Cellars
University Wine Company
Germantown Winery
Participating Vendors:
Portraits by Marcie
Ruga Rue Beef Jerky
The Soap Box
Soap Hollow Soaps
K8's K9 Creations
Moore Fine Woodworking
Amanda Designs & Tastefully Simple
Origami Owl Custom Jewelry
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Be Wise—Shun Greediness
"KEEP your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses."—Luke 12:15.
What provided the occasion for Jesus Christ to say this? A large crowd was listening to him when a man called out: "Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." (Luke 12:13) There really should have been no basis for such a request, because the Mosaic law stipulated that the firstborn son should get two parts of everything that had belonged to his father. Evidently, therefore, covetousness was involved in the case of the man who wanted Jesus Christ to pass judgment in his favor.
Jesus' words about covetousness, quoted above, were directed to the crowd that had heard the man's request. These words revealed that a person must evaluate things properly to be able to shun covetousness or greed. He should not lose sight of the fact that whatever the object of his wrong desire may be, it can in no way contribute to the preservation of his life. In fact, greed can lead to calamity.
This is well illustrated by what befell Gehazi, the attendant of the Hebrew prophet Elisha. Through Elisha, the Syrian army chief Naaman was healed of loathsome leprosy. Naaman wanted to present Elisha with a gift in appreciation for the miraculous cure. But the prophet refused to take it, not wanting to profit from the office and powers that Jehovah God had given him. Gehazi, however, coveted the gift, reasoning that it was proper to accept it. He ran after Naaman and, in the name of Elisha, requested a talent of silver and two changes of garments, falsely claiming that the prophet had changed his mind in view of the arrival of two young men of the sons of the prophets. Naaman was happy to oblige, presenting greedy Gehazi with, not just one, but two talents of silver and two changes of garments.—2 Ki. 5:15, 16, 20-23.
Gehazi's greed seemingly paid off. But not so in actuality. He lost the privilege of serving as Elisha's attendant. By his greediness, his misuse of his master's name for dishonest gain and his misrepresentation of the prophet, Gehazi brought calamity upon himself and his offspring. Pronouncing God's judgment, Elisha said to Gehazi: "The leprosy of Naaman will stick to you and your offspring to time indefinite." The execution of that judgment did not delay. The account continues: "Immediately he went out from before [Elisha], a leper white as snow."—2 Ki. 5:27.
Certainly Jehovah God does not view lightly those who seek selfish gain from his gifts. This would include the use of one's position of responsibility in the Christian congregation for selfish profit. In fact, a requirement for those appointed to a particular assignment of service in the congregation is that they 'not be greedy of dishonest gain.' (1 Tim. 3:8) Elders are admonished: "Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly."—1 Pet. 5:2.
There is good reason for what the Bible commands. Appointed servants in a congregation, for example, may have to handle funds. This requires that they be exemplary in being free of greediness. Otherwise, if appointed despite having a serious weakness in this area, they might be tempted to misuse what is entrusted to them, appropriating to themselves things to which they are not entitled. As for elders, they, too, must exercise care not to use their position for any kind of profit or gain. Not only would it be wrong for them to seek to get material gain but it would also be wrong to get other personal advantages by reason of their position, authority, prestige or prominence.
Were an elder or another appointed servant in the congregation to fall victim to greediness, he, like Gehazi, would lose his position of trust. More seriously, he might even forfeit his relationship with Jehovah.
This matter of shunning greediness should be of great concern, not just to men having a stewardship in the Christian congregation, but to all true Christians. The Bible includes "greedy persons" among those who 'will not inherit God's kingdom.' (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) Such greediness may manifest itself in a variety of ways. It may be love of money, desire for power or fame, being given to heavy eating or drinking, illicit sex or the like.
To avoid becoming a victim of greed, a person has to watch what he thinks and talks about. (Phil. 4:8; Eph. 5:3) Greediness should have no place among true Christians. It should not exist.
So if you desire to have or to maintain a good relationship with God, shun greediness. Instead of allowing wrong desires to build up in your heart, put forth earnest effort to dwell on good and upbuilding things. This can add much to your enjoyment of life now and can assure you of a secure future. Yes, life comes, not from the object of a person's greediness, but from his resisting any inclination toward greediness and from his maintaining an approved relationship with Jehovah God.


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Exciting things are happening with Volkswagen for the 2018 model year and the Tiguan has been a part of that excitement. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan was been fully redesigned inside and out with additional interior volume for increased cargo space, more seating options and a number of new features. Check out the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan in Brookfield, WI at Hall Volkswagen.
The 2018 Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine with 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion with Active Control all-wheel drive is optional and offers four driver-selectable modes to maximize road handling during various driving conditions.
|2.0-Liter Turbocharged TSI
|VW Digital Cockpit
|New Optional Third-Row
|184 Horsepower
|8-Inch Touchscreen
|40/20/40 Split Rear Seat
|4Motion All-Wheel Drive
|Driver Assistance Features
|57% More Cargo Space
|Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission
|Standard Rearview Camera
|Rhombus Pattern Seat Design
The biggest changes have been brought to the overall design of the Tiguan. Aside from updated styling elements that customers will notice throughout, the 2018 Tiguan is larger than the current model. The 2018 Tiguan is 10.7-inches longer than the current 2017 Tiguan and features up to 57 percent more cargo capacity and it is now offered with the optional third-row seat which expands seating capacity to seven.
New features for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan include the all-new Volkswagen Digital Cockpit which displays key data such as navigation and driver assistance information right in front of the driver for easy viewing. Driver assistance features are now available as well including Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning.
Interested in the updated 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan? Contact us at Hall Volkswagen for more information on how to get a hold of the new 2018 Tiguan in the Milwaukee, Brookfield, Waukesha and surrounding areas.


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Shires Deluxe Fly Mask with Nose Fringe is ideal for sensitive horses. The fine mesh fly mask is lifted away from the face by a combination of reinforced darts and fleecy padding at the seams for enhanced comfort. Airstream fabric protects ears, elastic over the poll improves the fit. Adjustable touch close safety straps allow for a snug fit.
70+% average UV blocking, reducing the risk of sun burn and sun bleaching. Nose fringe deters flies from landing on the muzzle. Minimum rating 60+% for eye mesh.
Effectiveness may diminish over time. Test carried out in accordance to BS EN 13758-I-2002+AI:2006.
Shires Deluxe Fly Mask with Nose Fringe (Purple) features:
- Ideal for sensitive horses
- Reinforced darts lift mask away from the face
- Fleecy padding at the seams
- Airstream fabric protects ears
- Elastic over the poll
- Adjustable touch close safety straps
- 70+% average UV blocking
- Nose fringe
- Minimum rating 60+% for eye mesh


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As I reflect on this past year and prepare for new challenges in 2018, I have been inspired by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Leadership Alliance's 10 guiding principles or simple rules for radical health care redesign. As we move into a new year, it seems appropriate to revisit this simple, yet thought provoking, guidance for quality improvement in health care.
- Create joy in work. Cultivate and mobilize the pride and joy of the healthcare workforce.
- Make it easy. Continually reduce waste and all nonvalue-added requirements and activities for patients, families and clinicians.
- Move knowledge, not people. Exploit all helpful capacities of modern digital care and continually substitute better alternatives for visits and institutional stays. Meet people where they are, literally.
- Collaborate and cooperate. Recognize that the health care system is embedded in a network that extends beyond traditional walls. Eliminate siloes and tear down self-protective institutional or professional boundaries that impede flow and responsiveness.
- Assume abundance. Use all the assets that can help to optimize the social, economic and physical environment, especially those brought by patients, families and communities.
- Return the money. Give the money from health care savings to other public and private purposes.
These goals and guiding principles will help us give power back to the patients. How many times have we relegated our health to our physician or health care team? It is time to empower our patients, our friends, our families and ourselves. Join me in creating radical redesign resolutions for 2018 and Happy New Year!


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Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program Brings Quality to Preschool Education
Educational Program Services
All Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Programs cover five days a week, for at least six hours a day. The goal of the program is to ensure that preschool children develop the skills that they will need for attending kindergarten, including self confidence, physical abilities, increased academic awareness, and social interaction.
This free program is open to children between three and five years old. Pittsburgh School Head Start Programs accept children between three and five, while the Pre – Kindergarten accepts children who are three and four years old. Children must be at least three years old by September 1st of the current school year.
Health Program Services
Children participating in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program have access to a variety of health services to evaluate their health needs and identify problems early on. All students entering the program must provide complete medical records, including immunizations. Follow up care on the health condition of the child is provided.
The Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program recognizes the need for mental and psychological assistance to preschool children in order to develop the emotional and social skills necessary for attending school and being successful in school. Parent and mental health professionals work together to recognize the special needs of each child and prepare special courses of instruction or treatment for those children who require special attention.
Children in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program receive two meals every day. A nutritionist helps prepare the meals as well as help parents design meal programs that suit the needs of their preschool students. Special services are also provided for students with disabilities involving diagnosis, therapy, consultation, referral, and follow up treatment. A minimum of 10% of the children participating in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program must be children with disabilities. Staff and parental counseling is provided to ensure that these children can participate in the program.
Childcare Partnerships
Many working parents can take advantage of subsidies for childcare for children that are eligible for the Head Start program. Pittsburgh Schools have developed partnership agreements with a number of child care and early learning agencies throughout the city. These programs provide learning opportunities for children that are similar to the school based programs in the Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program. These childcare providers have been screened by Pittsburgh Public Schools and been provided with curriculum, materials, and training to match the school based programs.
The Pittsburgh Public School Early Childhood Program Selection Process
All City of Pittsburgh residents who meet the age criteria are eligible to participate in a lottery for places within various classrooms in the Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program. These lotteries will take into account whether children have a sibling who is already attending a Pittsburgh Public School. Children who do have siblings are given priority over those who do not. Many of the special classrooms, such as the one at the Children's Museum will have other conditions to ensure that there is an equal racia


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The Orioles have announced that LHP Troy Patton and DH Jim Thome have been added back to the roster from the disabled list. Thome had been on the DL since July 28th due to a herniated disc in his neck. Patton has been out with a sprained ankle since August 14th.
Thome only played 18 games for the Orioles before going on the DL, and he put up a hitting line of .261/.354/.391. He only had two homers, both of which came in the series against the Indians. Who knows what he'll bring to the plate or if he'll regain any of his past power, but I would personally rather see him in the lineup with Chris Davis in right field instead of Endy Chavez. In related news, I apparently hate good defense.
Patton had been an integral part of the bullpen before his injury and for awhile the lone lefty. Brian Matusz has come on to fill that role nicely of late, but remember the dark days of J.C. Romero? I'm very glad to have him back.
Welcome back, Jim Jam and Troy! Now let's go kick some Red Sox booty.


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Some news a lot of you have been waiting for, the STS ICPRIE system is back up and running. We've ran a few thousand cycles of standard processes to verify the system is up to spec., with things progressing well.
There are some slight changes, as expected; users are asked to verify their processes as the system has gone over a major overhaul (new pump, all seals replaced). Based on qualification tests, the system is processing slightly passivation rich, and may require adjusting. Please refer to teh data sheet to the system as we update the changes made to standard processes.
If there are any questions, please contact Scott or Mike.


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Med Basin FOB prices for cement and clinker rise in August
In the Mediterranean Basin region, the FOB prices for prompt deliveries of bulk ordinary Portland cement expanded when compared to the previous month, according to the CW Research's August update of Mediterranean Basin cement and clinker prompt delivery cargo price assessment.
Export prices for bulk ordinary grade clinker in the region rose again from July to August.
ÔÇ£Med Basin cement and clinker exporters are seeing an improvement in their export pricing. This is a consequence of Turkey's dominion of the regional trade. Clinker export volumes in the region continue to expand faster than cementsÔÇÖ,ÔÇØ said Ana Almeida, Analyst with the CW Group's European team.
CW Research's August update to Mediterranean Basin Cement and Clinker price assessment report covers the latest happenings in the region's trading situation.
Moreover, the monthly report also includes details about shipping indices of dry bulk tendency and its reasons as well as the latest trend in the bunker oil futures.
CW Research's leading role in the global cement and clinker sector forms the underpinning for the monthly price assessment. Price points are based on the analyst team's on-going discussions with cement traders, producers, exporters and other stakeholders in the business and reflect a synthesis of actual traded cargos.


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2010 INTERVIEWS Part 2
Continuing the Interview with Kevin Earle, Founder and Principal Instructor Earle's Academy Ving Chun Kuen.
Sifu Kevin, some have disputed that you were in fact teaching Wing Chun publicly as early as 1972. They claim it was in 1975 or '76, or even later. Can you shed any light on that?
Ha! Well, the recent launching of our new website may help dispel the rumours that I am dead or that I am no longer teaching, and other such nonsense. I am very much alive, still teaching, and amused that some people are bothered with the triviality of attempting to discredit me, or somehow gain from my silence. Friends from as far afield as Hong Kong have contacted me regarding these matters. Those who spread such rumours would be better of attending to their own training. The fact is that at that time (1972, Ed.) I wasn't interested in being the first, or creating an historical record, or having my photo taken with famous people - I was simply interested in studying Wing Chun. I was not concerned with dates.
Yet you are on record as stating that you were the first person to publicly teach a Chinese martial art in New Zealand. When was that?
First let me say that it is not important whether or not I was the first person to teach Chinese martial arts publicly here (in New Zealand, Ed). However to my knowledge, when I began formally teaching Wing Chun in 1972, or thereabouts, no one else was on record as teaching Chinese martial arts. By about 1974-75, following the new wave of martial arts movies resulting in the popularity of Wing Chun exponent Bruce Lee, some Japanese trained Karateka "discovered" their Chinese roots, so then overnight their classes were
being advertised as "Chinese Karate" and "Chinese Kempo". Of course in some cases that is historically correct, however prior to that time they had publicised themselves as being of Japanese tradition - which in fact they were.
So can you tell us when you started teaching?
Well, I fell into teaching by circumstance and as part of the natural progression of my own learning. And by 1976 we were well established in Southland, having been involved in public demonstrations, workshops, and the opening of a branch in Gore.
You had classes in Gore as well?
Yes. Actually, if I remember correctly we opened there in March of 1976, which is perhaps where some confusion comes in. Anyway, on our opening night in Gore some 65 people turned up.
65? In Gore?
Yes. Not bad for a farming township famed for its country & western singing. After a week or so it soon settled down to about thirty or so regular trainees.
Tell us how you got started in Gore.
Sure. A young guy from Gore, Colin Double, had been traveling down to Invercargill to train once or twice a week for a couple of years or so. That's about an hours drive each way. A promising young instructor, he expressed an interest in starting a class in Gore. So he got it organised, and Beau Bouzaid and I traveled up to Gore and helped him get it started.
(Sifu Kevin produced newspaper clippings and two excerpts from the "South Pacific Martial Arts" magazine that left this writer in no doubt that he has been teaching Ving Chun publicly since 1972 or '73. Ed).
Actually, my friend Norman Chin from Dunedin started teaching White Crane Kung-Fu publicly during this period as well, and we had two or three joint training sessions between our students. That was maybe about 1975-'76. So perhaps Norman Chin was the first to teach Chinese martial arts in this country. We never discussed it. It was never an issue. But still, I believe I was the first to teach Wing Chun in New Zealand. However, my Wing Chun cousin Peter Yu also began teaching Wing Chun publicly in Wellington at about that same time - around 1975 I believe. Peter was a student of Tam Hun Fan from Hong Kong. Perhaps they were the first, however it wasn't a race. I am sure that would have been the furtherest thing from our minds....
Thank you for clearing that up. Can you tell us more about your early years teaching?
Well I was teaching perhaps as early as 1969 or '70. After all, I taught myself from day one - since my first contact with Wing Chun while living in Wellington and by 1970 - '71 I was living in Invercargill. Then for a year or so I trained privately with a couple of friends. At that time I was boxing and working part time as a doorman at a hotel, so I was quite well known.
You were working as a bouncer?
I prefer the term Doorman, or, Managers Representative. Anyway, a few young guys kept asking me to teach them how to look after themselves. At first it was quite casual, and I would teach a mixture of western boxing, Wing Chun, and skills I had developed working as a doorman. After a while I would have fifteen or twenty so people arrive at my place on a Saturday afternoon and we would train in the backyard. I recall several occasions when four or five carloads of us would just head out to the beach and find a quiet spot to train and have fun.
It sounds like fun!
It was. We used to have a great time. Anyway, my passion for Wing Chun rubbed of on some of the other guys and by 1972 or '73 we were spending most of our time together focusing just on the Wing Chun, and we started having classes one evening a week, as well as the Saturday. In 1973-74 we formally organised ourselves under the banner "Hsiao Loong Kung Fu Kwoon". Later I adopted the name Earle's Academy, while my student, kung fu brother, Teacher, and friend, Beau Bouzaid, retains the name Hsiao Loong Kung Fu Kwoon.
And you were still training at the beach?
Around that time, maybe 1974, we trained Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the Southern Cross Scout Hall, and some time later we also had a Monday night class in the Georgetown Hall.
Thank you Sifu Kevin for outlining the historical development of Earle's Academy, and Ving Chun Kuen in New Zealand. Some questions have been forwarded concerning your training.
Fire Away!
Thank you. Had you, or have you, studied Karate?
Apart from reading a couple of books, no. I had trained for about three months in Judo when I was younger, however until I immersed myself totally in Wing Chun my main sporting activity was western boxing. I trained boxing in Porirua East with Bob Elley, and then in Invercargill with Bill Enright. Let me just add here, that I studied Wing Chun for its functional practicality, not because of its origins, or historical roots.
Apart from Judo and Boxing, have you studied any other martial arts?
Well, since my hobby is kung-fu, naturally I do study other aspects of martial arts. But no more than reading, observing, and privately practising various methods. Some stickfighting. But not a serious study of another art, no. More an exploration born of my own personal curiosity and development. My real interest is kung-fu, and in that area I have had some experience, some mutual exchanging of ideas with other Masters; Praying Mantis, Hung Kune, White Crane. A little formal Tai Chi instruction. But specifically my interest is Wing Chun Kung-Fu. I have found through experience that I am busy enough trying to perfect my personal skills in Wing Chun and helping others to do the same, without spending valuable time trying to master multiple styles.
Okay. You mentioned stickfighting. Please tell us about your involvement with stickfighting.
Not much to tell really. I had dabbled with sticks, becoming reasonably familiar with basic methods - in fact I used to teach nunchaku - and while in Sydney I was introduced to Master Perry Gamsby, the Australian representative for Corral System Arnis. So I was lucky enough to get to train with Perry on a few ocassions. I say lucky, because Perry was rated by Master Sam Corral, the founder of Corral System Arnis, as one of the best Arnis instructors in the world.
I organised for my eldest son, Clay, and a student, Leigh Jenkins, to live in Sydney and train Wing Chun with Sifu Beau Bouzaid, of the Hsiao Loong Kung Fu Kwoon. Sifu Beau also studied Corral System Arnis as well as Doces Pares Escrima. In fact Beau was a black belt and New South Wales rep for Cacoy Canetes' Doces Pares Escrima. (GrandMaster Ciriaco Cacoy Canete Doces Pares Escrima Pangamont, Ed.). So those boys were introduced to Escrima through Master Beau.
So it was Clay and Leigh who were the stickfighters from Earle's Academy?
Well, what happened was, Sifu Beau introduced Clay and Leigh to Master Vince Palumbo, the Australian representative for Cacoy Canete. When Leigh opened his Wing Chun & Escrima School in Christchurch, he brought Vince over for a workshop and we held the first ever grading of Cacoy Canete Doces Pares Escrima in New Zealand.
When was that?
1996. Prior to that I had also brought Sifu Beau, and on another ocassion Geoff Rudd, one of Master Perry Gamsby's Corral System Arnis instructors, over from Sydney to Christchurch for workshops.
Did you train in Escrima?
I did for a short while, mainly to support my sons and Leigh in encouraging others to train with them. Personally I am too involved with Wing Chun. However my sons were Leighs right-hand men in Escrima when Leigh opened his school in Christchurch. (Leigh Jenkins, NZ Wing Chun Kung Fu and NZ Doce Pares Eskrima. Ed.).
So Leigh Jenkins is the most senior student from Earle's Academy...
No. Leigh's seniors are still with Earle's Academy, or running their own schools. To name a few - Clay Earle, Luke Earle, Awatea Edwin, Dean Davidson, Beau Bouzaid - in fact Leigh was graded to Black Belt ranking by Sifu Beau while training at the Hsiao Loong Kung-fu Kwoon in Sydney, prior to going to Hong Kong, so naturally Beau is Leigh's senior by many years and experience.
That's interesting Sifu Kevin. Moving on - not only did you introduce Wing Chun but really you were in the fore-front, if not directly responsible, for the introduction of Doces Pares Escrima into New Zealand.
Since you put it like that, I would say indirectly that's true. Yes. And when Leigh Jenkins opened his school I encouraged all of my students, including my sons, to train with him if they wished, to help him get established. That gave Leigh the financial base to bring out Vince Palumbo from Australia, thereby benefiting all of the students. His senior instructors Hugh Puttock, Kyle McWilliams, and Edward Benton, were among those Earle's Academy members I encouraged to support Leigh Jenkins.
Do you teach stickfighting?
Escrima? No. Not as a system. Occasionally I may teach methods of using Wing Chun against a stick wielding assailant, but not much beyond that. I am to busy with Wing Chun.
Do you still teach Nunchaku? Isn't the Nunchaku a Japanese weapon?
Japanese? Chinese? Actually, it is just a weapon, a tool, although in point of fact its origins are Chinese. So I do occasionally teach Chinese nunchaku, yes.
Many Wing Chun practitioners gravitate toward stickfighting systems. Is that because they are similar to the Wing Chun Butterfly knives?
Well, sticks are easy to obtain, reasonably safe to train with, and generally speaking the stick fighting systems are practical. However those who think they are the same as the Wing Chun Butterfly Knives are mistaken, although there appears to be some similarity.
Could you explain some of those differences for us?
I could, yes. Wait for my book.
Thank you for your time Sifu Kevin
"21 Years in Wing Chun" - Sifu Red remembers his first contact with Wing Chun.
"Finding Wing Chun" - Sifu Awatea - his beginning in the Art that has taken him into China, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong.
"Invincible Ving Chun" - About the art of Invincibility.
"KungFu History" - Dispelling a myth and recounting some real Kungfu facts & history.
"KungFu Lifestyle" - How can one live a Kungfu lifestyle?
"Legend Of Wing Chun" -Ving Chun is simply defined.
"Little Ideas" .. frequently updated; thoughtful and inspirational ideas from members.
"Memories" ... a Wing Chun Sifu shares his impressions of his training days with Sifu Kevin.
"Schoolboy Interview" ... over 25 years ago a schoolboy interviewed Sifu Kevin.
"Sifu Net" ... Sifu Net And The Wing Chun Riddle. A must read.
"Siu Nim Tao" - Sifu Beau gives this followup to his 2011 workshops in NZ.
"Treasure Lost" ... the remarkable life of Huloo Loo-Chi Hu. 2 videos & articles.
"Wing Chun History" ... A legendary history of Wing Chun Kuen.
"Wing Chun History NZ" ... The real history of Wing Chun in New Zealand
"Wing Chun Master" ...only known interview with Wing Chun GrandMaster Choy Siu Kwong
"Women In Wing Chun" ... The 'First Lady' of Wing Chun - Karen Armstrong


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Chromium which was removed from the beneficial sludge/biosolids use section of part 503. EPA has no limits for
restrictions on the amount of chromium in sludge/biosolids sprayed on farmland or use as a soil amendment.
According to a 1991-93 Canadian Government study (8/97), "Airborne Hexavalent Chromium in Southwestern Ontario",
approximately 20% of the routinely monitored ambient airborne chromium (Cr) was in the hexavalent form." In addition,
the range of carcinogenic health risks attributed to airborne Cr(vi) was determined to be between 1.4 (in 100,000) and
3.0 (in 10,000) for people living in the Winsor area." For people spending all of their time outdoors the range increased
to between 3.6 in 100,000 and 5.5 in 10,000. This estimate was based on potency factors developed by our own EPA,
the California Department of Health Services and the World Health Organization. [23]
If there is that much airborne hexavalent chromium in the air in Canada and it is that dangerous, how much could we
have in our cities or volatilizing off large sludge farm dumpsites? What are these "expert" sludge scientists doing to us?
Apparently they have never done any basic research or they would have found that hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) is
almost exclusively man made. Natural occurring chromium is in the trivalent (Cr-III) form.
Hexavalent chromium has been found in glue, cement, detergents and other materials including chromite ore. It is/was
used in the chrome plating, corrosion inhibitors, dye, graphic art supplies, fungicides, lithography solutions, paper
matches, paint pigment manufacturing, wood preservation and the leather industry.
Hexavalent chromium is produced by three methods, high-lime, low-lime, and lime-free processes. In 1975, most of the
chromite ore came from the Republic of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and the USSR. No chromite ore has been
mined in the United States since 1961.
EPA has suggested that the sewage treatment process changes the carcinogenic nature of hexavalent chromium-VI
used in the leather industry to the non-carcinogenic form chromium-III. The literature suggests that chromium-VI at low
pH (less than 4) can oxidize water to oxygen thereby resulting in chromium-III. However, the literature also suggest that
above ph 4, chromium-III will be oxidized by oxygen into Chromium-VI. Cropland must be maintained at a pH of 6-7 to
prevent other toxic metals from being taken up by plants. In effect, all metals and particularly, chromium compounds are
very sensitive to pH balance and the oxidization process would appear to become extremely effective in transforming
natural occurring chromium-III from the soil into Chromium-VI when the pH is raised to 11 or 12.
Adding lime during the waste treatment process to create Class A sludge raises the pH to 11 or 12. It is used to control
odors and is one of the recommended methods of treating sludge to reduce pathogens--- sludge is mixed with lime, and
the pH is raised above 12, where it must remain for at least 72 hours. In effect, it would appear the EPA's Class A
treatment process is at a minimum reactivating the chromium-VI compounds. As we saw from the Canadian study,
chromium may be one of the most dangerous long-term elements in the sludge products EPA is promoting for
uncontrolled distribution to the public.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health and AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S.EPA, chromium is a cancer
causing agent and a mutagen. "It has been shown to cause lung and throat cancer." Under the New Jersey Department
of Health Right to Know Program, "Chromium (III) and chromium (VI) both have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life; no
data are available on the long-term effects of chromium to plants, birds, or land animals." According to the report, "Some
substances increase in concentration, or bioacummulate in living organisms as they breath contaminated air, drink
contaminated water or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal
organs of animals and humans."
The report notes that, "Acute (short-term) toxic effects [which are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in
contact] may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants." "...chronic (long term)
health effects can occur at some time after exposure to chromium and can last for months or years." "Chronic toxic
effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility and changes in appearance or
"REASON FOR (New Jersey's) CITATION of chromium in the Right to Know Program:
* It is on the (EPA) Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and sited by ACGIH, NTP and ARC.
* This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT and a
* Chromium is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all
contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
The National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lists Chromium as a poison. It is also on the "Special
Health Hazard Substance list, as well as #15 and #72 on the 1995 CERCLA/EPA Priority List of Hazardous substances
found in landfills.
NIOSH first recommended standards for Occupational Exposure to Chromium (VI) in 1975. It was so concerned about
the medical and carcinogenic dangers that "Preplacement X-ray and X-rays for the 5 years preceding termination of
employment and all medical records with pertinent supporting documents shall be retained at least 30 years after the
individual's employment is terminated."
Although government regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA, ACGIH, EPA) recognize that chromium is very dangerous in the
workplace at 8 hour exposure levels, EPA claims farmers and neighbors can't be hurt when they are exposed 24 hours a
day. As an example:
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour work shift. [That is 1
ppm per cubic meter of air]
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. [That is 1/2 ppm per
cubic meter of air]
1.5 How can chromium affect my health?
The health effects resulting from exposure to chromium(III) and chromium(VI) are fairly well described in the literature. In
general, chromium(VI) is more toxic than chromium(III). Breathing in high levels (greater than 2 µg/m³) chromium(VI),
such as in a compound known as chromic acid or chromium(VI) trioxide, can cause irritation to the nose, such as runny
nose, sneezing, itching, nosebleeds, ulcers, and holes in the nasal septum. These effects have primarily occurred in
factory workers who make or use chromium(VI) for several months to many years.
Long-term exposure to chromium has been associated with lung cancer in workers exposed to levels in air that were 100
to 1,000 times higher than those found in the natural environment. Lung cancer may occur long after exposure to
chromium has ended. Chromium(VI) is believed to be primarily responsible for the increased lung cancer rates observed
in workers who were exposed to high levels of chromium in workroom air. Breathing in small amounts of chromium(VI) for
short or long periods does not cause a problem in most people.
However, high levels of chromium in the workplace have caused asthma attacks in people who are allergic to chromium.
Breathing in chromium(III) does not cause irritation to the nose or mouth in most people. In the same way, small amounts
of chromium(VI) that you swallow will not hurt you; however, accidental or intentional swallowing of larger amounts has
caused stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death. The levels of chromium(VI)
that caused these effects were far greater than those that you might be exposed to in food or water. Although
chromium(III) in small amounts is a nutrient needed by the body, swallowing large amounts of chromium(III) may cause
health problems. Workers handling liquids or solids that have chromium(VI) in them have developed skin ulcers. Some
people have been found to be extremely sensitive to chromium(VI) or chromium(III).
Allergic reactions consisting of severe redness and swelling of the skin have been noted. Exposure to chromium(III) is
less likely than exposure to chromium(VI) to cause skin rashes in chromium-sensitive people. The metal, chromium(0), is
less common and does not occur naturally. We do not know much about how it affects your health, but chromium(0) is
not currently believed to cause a serious health risk.
We have no reliable information that any form of chromium has harmful effects on reproduction or causes birth defects
in humans, though it does not seem likely that the amount of chromium that most people are exposed to will result in
reproductive or developmental effects. In animals that breathed high levels of chromium, harmful effects on the
respiratory system and a lower ability to fight disease were noted. However, we do not know if chromium can lower a
person's ability to fight disease. Some of the female mice that were given chromium(VI) by mouth had fewer offspring
and had offspring with birth defects. Some male mice that were given chromium(VI) or chromium(III) by mouth had
decreased numbers of sperm in the testes. The birth defects or the decrease in sperm occurred in mice at levels about
several thousand times higher than the normal daily intake by humans. Some chromium(VI) compounds produced lung
cancer in animals that breathed in the particles or had the particles placed directly in their lungs. In animals that were
injected with some chromium(VI) compounds, tumors formed at the site of injection.
Because some chromium(VI) compounds have been associated with lung cancer in workers and caused cancer in
animals, the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that certain chromium(VI) compounds (calcium
chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate) are known human carcinogens.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that chromium(VI) is carcinogenic to humans,
based on sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of chromium(VI) compounds as found in chromate
production, chromate pigment production, and chromium plating industries. IARC's determination is also based on
sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of calcium chromate, zinc chromate, strontium
chromate, and lead chromate; and limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of chromium trioxide
(chromic acid) and sodium dichromate. IARC has also determined that chromium(0) and chromium(III) compounds are
not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans.
The EPA has determined that chromium(VI) in air is a human carcinogen. The EPA has also determined that there is
insufficient information to determine whether chromium(VI) in water or food and chromium(III) are human carcinogens


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I shave my head a little more frequently than most, and I work in a business that values style in their sales people. I need someone who will cut and advise me on how to style my short but growing hair without giving me a blowout. I don't need to be closer to Heaven with curls, but I need something other than Superman-forehead-curl and pasted-to-my-scalp, which are all I know how to accomplish.


text:
Domestic Weekly Update September 27, 2011
Thankfully, people and organizations such as Sen. Tom Harkin, Rep. Leonard Boswell, The Des Moines Register, RESULTS, and many others, are taking a stand to maintain and even grow Head Start and Early Head Start. The need for these programs is readily identifiable and the resources necessary are available. The political will proportionate to the value we place on our children must now carry the issue forward.
— RESULTS Des Moines volunteer Ivan Lyddon in a September 24 Letter to the Editor in the Des Moines Register
Not only are children going hungry, but they have to hide this from their peers, who might ridicule them. Obviously, many parents have not taught their children that others who are hungry deserve help, not jeers.
— RESULTS Santa Fe volunteer Evelyn Cole in a September 24 Letter to the Editor in the Santa Fe New Mexican
New and Urgent in This Week's Update
- Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Head Start and Child Care Funding Bill (September Action)
- President Announces Deficit Reduction Plan As Super Committee Continues Its Work
Latest from Washington, DC
- Great New Resources Make It Easy to Use Poverty Data in Your Advocacy Work
- RESULTS Volunteers Again Go Above and Beyond
- October Conference Call is Moved to October 15
- Quick News
Organizational Updates
Please note that the RESULTS Washington DC office will be closed this Friday, September 30 through next Monday, October 3 while we move to our new office location. Our DC office phone and fax numbers will be offline during that time. However, many staff will be working remotely Friday and Monday and can still be reached via cell phone or e-mail. See our RESULTS Contact Information section in this update for details.
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Head Start and Child Care Funding Bill (September Action)
Last Tuesday, the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Labor-HHS) met to finalize its FY 2012 appropriations bill. The Labor-HHS appropriation includes funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). The subcommittee approved a $340 million increase for Head Start/Early Head Start, which will maintain the 61,000 Head Start slots created under 2009's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (with this funding, the total Head Start allotment for FY 2012 would be $7.9 billion). Because of this funding, Head Start will be able to serve an estimated 968,000 low-income children and families. The bill also allocates $2.2 billion for CCDBG, including $283.6 million specified for child care quality improvement activities. This amount, while not as much as we requested, will maintain the FY 2011 funding levels through 2012, thus providing child care assistance to an estimated 1.6 million low-income children and their working families. The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved these levels the next day (you can read the bill language on the Senate Appropriations website).
It is because of your repeated actions over the last few months — e-mails, letters, phone calls, meetings, and media — that helped us achieve this first success. You have helped protect these services from substantial cuts in 2011. As a result, early childhood advocates are in a good position as budget negotiations move forward. Thank you!
To help as our efforts continue, use this new letter from Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman telling Congress about the tremendous return on investment early learning programs create. The letter was sent to leaders of the Super Committee working on deficit reduction (see below). In the letter, Heckman states that "Early childhood development deserves more resources, not less. The facts are clear. Birth to age five are the critical years for developing the foundation of health, cognitive and character skills that produce better education, health and economic outcomes throughout life." Use this letter and other resources from Prof. Heckman when urging Congress to protect these programs.
We still have much work to do. The full Senate still must pass the Labor-HHS and the House Labor-HHS subcommittee has yet to even mark up their bill. Therefore, this is an ideal time to reconnect with your local Head Start centers that you visited last spring. If you have not already, contact them again and work to engage staff and parents in the advocacy process by training them to make calls and write letters to Congress about the importance of early childhood funding. Use our new Guide to Reaching Out to Head Start and Child Care Programs to help you.
Take Action: Take the September Action using our updated action sheet. Urge your senators and representatives to support Head Start, Early Head Start and the Child Care Development Block Grant. These services give children the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life, while giving their parents the opportunity to work during the day. Call or write your members of Congress and urge the following:
Senate: Urge senators to support the highest funding levels possible for Head Start and child care funding (our goal is $8.1 billion total for Head Start/Early Head Start and a $1.2 billion increase for the Child Care Development Block Grant in FY 2012) and the final bill must include levels no less than what the Senate Appropriations Committee passed last week.
House: Urge representatives to weigh in with House Labor-HHS Chairman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and urge them to allocate the highest levels possible for Head Start and child care funding (our goal is $8.1 billion total for Head Start/Early Head Start and a $1.2 billion increase for the Child Care Development Block Grant in FY 2012) and to allocate levels no less than what the Senate Appropriations Committee passed last week.
Engage others in this process. Reach out to you networks and the early childhood staff and parents you met with earlier this spring. Use our new guide to reaching out to early learning providers to help you. Also, see this resource from the Early Childhood Consortium to help you in your Head Start and child care advocacy.
President Announces Deficit Reduction Plan As Super Committee Continues Its Work
Last Monday, President Obama released his proposal to reduce the deficit, as the Super Committee delves deeper into its charge to find at least $1.2 trillion in new budget savings. The President's proposal is a mix of budget cuts and new revenues, designed to generate $4 trillion in savings over the next decade. Here are some of the elements of his plan:
- Assumes the passage of the American Jobs Act.
- Cuts $250 billion from Medicare. These savings would primarily come from overpayments to providers (e.g. doctors, pharmaceutical companies) and higher premiums on wealthier individuals.
- Cuts $72 billion from Medicaid, which would come from cuts to payments to states and closing some eligibility loopholes.
- Cuts $250 billion from other mandatory programs like agricultural subsidies, federal pension benefits, as well as selling off unnecessary federal property.
- Create a new tax rate for millionaires, nicknamed the "Buffet Tax" (named for billionaire Warren Buffet). No other details are known at this time.
- Closes tax loopholes for oil companies, investment fund managers, and corporate jet owners.
- Limits the amount high income households can claim as tax deductions.
- Assumes the savings generated from troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Assumes the Bush tax cuts for people making over $250,000 per year will expire on schedule in 2012.
In his announcement, the President also threatened to veto any proposal that cuts entitlement programs but includes no new taxes on the wealthy. This is a welcomed line in the sand he has previously been unwilling to draw.
Meanwhile, the deficit-reduction Super Committee continues its work to formulate a plan by its Thanksgiving deadline. Some members of Congress are urging the Super Committee to include a jobs component in their plan. The president's proposal includes the American Jobs Act and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is recommending that any plan produced by the Super Committee be analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office for its impact on jobs. Along with protecting low-income programs and generating substantial new revenue, jobs must be a top priority for the Super Committee. A plan that only cuts spending while not reviving our economy is a plan doomed to fail. That is why RESULTS and our allies are pushing the Super Committee to create a plan that follows these three principles:
- Any deficit reduction plan must protect low-income Americans and not increase poverty.
- Any deficit reduction agreement must include revenue as part of the solution.
- Use job creation and rebuilding our economy as the guide for any deficit reduction package.
Take Action: Use the media to let members of Congress know it is unconscionable to force middle class and working Americans to bear the burden of deficit reduction while the wealthy and big corporations are asked to sacrifice nothing. Send a letter to the editor to your local paper telling them to get their priorities straight by creating a balanced deficit reduction plan that protects services for low-income families and creates jobs. Use our online action to help submit your letters with just a few clicks.
Also, see our RESULTS Blog post that outlines a set of principles we urge members of the Super Committee to abide by in any deficit reduction deal.
Great New Resources Make It Easy to Use Poverty Data in Your Advocacy Work
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Census released its national poverty data, showing that the number of Americans living in poverty hit an all time high in 2010 — 46 million. This data has helped generate some great new resources advocates can use to better inform lawmakers about the importance of anti-poverty policy. Here are some of them for you to use:
U.S. Census State Level Data Release. Last Thursday, the U.S. Census released the findings from its latest American Community Survey. The release provides a wealth of data on topics such as educational attainment, income, poverty health insurance coverage, occupation, and monthly homeowner costs. You can find state, city and congressional district data using the ACS. You can also find links to specific poverty-related topics at the Coalition on Human Needs website.
New State and Congressional District Poverty Data. The Half in Ten campaign has created an interactive map where you can access poverty rates for each congressional district in your state. Also, the National Women's Law Center also have an interactive map that links you to state facts sheets on poverty and economic issues facing women and families.
Poverty Data PowerPoint from CBPP. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has released a fantastic PowerPoint presentation that analyzes the significance of the new poverty data in visual and easy to grasp slides. Not only look at poverty based on the new Census numbers, it also shows how anti-poverty programs have kept millions out of poverty.
We are grateful to our partners in creating these resources for advocates like you around the country. Please take advantage of these great tools by looking them over, familiarizing yourself with data from your state and congressional district, and then incorporating the information into your advocacy work. If you have any questions about the data or need help in finding specific information, please contact Meredith Dodson or Jos Linn on the RESULTS Domestic staff for assistance.
RESULTS Volunteers Again Go Above and Beyond
RESULTS' success over the years has stemmed from a courageous, compassionate, and create grassroots network — you! Your efforts to put the issue front and center before lawmakers, in the media, and in your communities has resulted billions of dollars invested in anti-poverty efforts that have helped millions of low-income Americans. And once again, you have proven that when it comes to grassroots advocacy, no one does it better than RESULTS volunteers.
In only 9 months, we have already exceeded our goals for the year in some key areas. Specifically, in 2011, RESULTS Domestic volunteers have held 31 face-to-face meetings with U.S. representatives, 16 face-to-face meetings with senators, and have generated 41 media placements. And this doesn't even include the numerous meetings with aides, letters written, calls made, and e-mail sent. Considering how difficult it is to get these kinds of meetings and media placements, this is a significant achievement. Congratulations to you all!
Take Action: We still have 3 months left in the year. Let's not just meet our 2011 goals, let's shatter them. Request a face-to-face meeting with your representatives and senators for the next congressional recess to talk about our priorities. Let's continue to show Congress and our communities that if you want results, look to RESULTS!
October Conference Call Moved to October 15
As you know, RESULTS hosts our monthly U.S. poverty national conference call on the second Saturday of each month at 12:30 pm ET. However, our next conference call on October 8 falls on Yom Kippur. So as to not interfere with religious observances that day, we have decided to move our October call back a week. Our October 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call will now be on Saturday, October 15 at 12:30 pm ET.
Our guest speaker in October will be our great friend and ally Debbie Weinstein of the Coalition on Human Needs, who will talk with us about the recent poverty data and congressional actions around the budget and deficit reduction. We look forward to a great call. Please adjust your schedules accordingly and let your local groups know that the call will now be on October 15. Our November call will return to our regular schedule (November 12). Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.
Quick News
Join the "Make an Impact with Social Media" Webinar. Join "Ounce of Prevention" for a webinar next week on how you can use social media in your advocacy work. Social media provides an innovative way to stay informed, raise awareness, share information and communicate with various stakeholders on early childhood issues. Learn how you can you use social media tools and networks for early learning advocacy. The webinar is Wednesday, October 5 at noon ET. Register today at the Ounce website. For a preview, see the great quick explanation of how to use Facebook and Twitter to more effectively work with legislators from longtime RESULTS volunteer Ireta Gasner at http://youtu.be/jSayrFv0m-0.
RESULTS Faith in Action: Join Prayer Vigils to Protect the Poor. When deficit reduction is attempted primarily through cuts in spending, low-income families are hurt the most. To help push the new Super Committee to protect low-income individuals and families in their deliberations, our friends at Faith Reform and Health Care (FRHC) are helping organize prayer vigils this fall in support of a moral and compassionate approach to deficit reduction. Their September vigil had over 500 RSVPs. To build on that success, FRHC and its partners will also host vigils on October 12 and November 9 at 12:00 pm ET. These 20-minute vigils will take place via conference call where you can join in prayer by phone from your home, office, or community of faith. To learn more and to RSVP for the next vigil (required), visit the Faithful Reform website.
Sign Up for New Activist Orientation. This week we are starting our next New Activist Orientation series. This is a two-session conference call series designed to give people a more in depth overview of RESULTS work. It includes both a more detailed look at our work and training on our advocacy resources. It is perfect for new members of your local RESULTS group or anyone interested in learning more about us. The first call will be this Thursday, September 29 at 9:00pm ET. The second call will be on Thursday, October 13 at 9:00 pm ET. If you or someone you know would like to participate, RSVP to Meredith Dodson at [email protected].
Invite New People to Our RESULTS Introductory Call. If you know someone who would thrive in RESULTS or is passionate about social justice and poverty, please invite them to our new monthly "Meet and Greet" calls. These 30-minute calls are a great place to send new activists in your group, curious friends and family members, acquaintances you meet, and people you'd like to recruit to join our organization. The next call is Wednesday, October 12 at 9:00 pm ET. Anyone interested can RSVP to http://tinyurl.com/RESULTSMeetandGreet.
Upcoming Events
(See a complete calendar)
Thursday, September 29: New Activist Orientation conference call (session 1), 9:00 pm ET (second session on October 13). Please RSVP to Meredith Dodson at [email protected] for details and call-in information.
Friday, September 30 — Monday, October 3: RESULTS DC office closed for office move. New address as of October 4: RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund, 1730 Rhode Island Ave, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.
Wednesday, October 12: RESULTS Introductory "Meet and Greet" call, 9:00 pm ET. RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/RESULTSMeetandGreet. We will also have a Meet and Greet calls on October 12 and 24.
Thursday, October 13: New Activist Orientation conference call (session 2), 9:00 pm ET. Please RSVP to Meredith Dodson at [email protected] for details and call-in information.
Saturday, October 15 (new date!): RESULTS Domestic National Conference Call, 12:30 pm ET. Listen to previous conference calls on the RESULTS website.
Saturday, July 21 — Tuesday, July 24, 2012: RESULTS International Conference, Washington, DC (more details to come).
RESULTS Contact Information
Main Office: (p) (202) 783-7100, (f) (202) 783-2818, 750 First Street NE, Suite 1040, Washington DC 20002 (through October 3). New address as of October 4: 1730 Rhode Island Ave, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. If mailing a donation to our DC office, please address the envelope to the attention of Cynthia Stancil.
Domestic Legislative and Grassroots Support Staff:
- Meredith Dodson, Director of Domestic Campaigns, (202) 783-7100, x116, [email protected] (to reach her on 9/30 and 10/3, please call (202) 263-9108)
- Jos Linn, Domestic Outreach Organizer, (515) 288-3622, [email protected]
- Ann Beltran, Domestic Volunteer Lobbyist, [email protected]
- Cindy Changyit Levin, Grassroots Development Associate, (773) 236-7758, [email protected]
The RESULTS Domestic Update is sent out every Tuesday over e-mail to RESULTS volunteers and allies all over the country. The purpose of these updates is to inform and activate RESULTS activists to take action on our domestic campaigns.


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