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Remote Control Not So Remote: Bankruptcy Remote Entities and Fiduciary Duties
Special purpose entities ("SPE" or "SPE's") are frequently utilized in financial transactions for any number of reasons including: tax issues, protection of assets, liability insulation (including environmental concerns), and for the benefit of creditors involved in the transaction. SPE's involve the creation of a corporate entity usually taking the form of a limited liability company, corporation, or limited partnership designed solely to serve a special need between the parties in a transaction. They provide a layer of insulation between one or more of the parties owning the SPE and the outside world. One subset of SPE's is the "bankruptcy remote entity" ("BRE" or "BRE's"). A BRE is most often created a the behest of a creditor/lender, and is used to protect that creditor's collateral from other creditors or in an attempt to prevent a voluntary filing for bankruptcy protection. Typically, the creditor or someone friendly to the creditor is appointed as a director or member of the BRE with voting power as to the BRE's major corporate affairs, commonly known as a "Special Member." The creditor will also insist upon special powers for the Special Member including the requirement that any bankruptcy filing must be approved by all directors or members. By inserting this requirement, the creditor can, ideally, block a bankruptcy filing by voting against it. While conceptually this is a nuclear weapon against a bankruptcy, the question turns to whether this is practically possible.
In April 2016, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois addressed this issue in In re Lake Michigan Beach Pottawattamie Resort LLC, 547 B.R. 899 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2016). The debtor was a Michigan limited liability company created to hold and manage income producing property, namely a resort on Lake Michigan. The debtor borrowed approximately $2,700,000.00 from secured creditor and pledged all business assets as collateral. Debtor defaulted on its obligations in July 2015. As a result of the default, the parties entered into a ninety (90) day forbearance agreement that required, among other things, the debtor to amend its operating agreement to make the secured creditor a "Special Member" of the debtor with the absolute right to approve or disapprove of any "material action" to be taken by debtor. Specifically, the applicable provision of the operating amendment stated that secured creditor had the exclusive right to approve or disapprove any action to "institute proceedings to have the Company adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Company or file a petition seeking, or consent to, reorganization or relief with respect to the Company under any applicable federal or state law relating to bankruptcy…" Id. at 904.
In October 2015, the debtor breached the terms of the forbearance agreement, and the secured creditor set a foreclosure sale on the real estate for December 17, 2015. The debtor filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on December 16, 2015, with approval of all its members except the secured creditor. Subsequently, the secured creditor moved to dismiss the bankruptcy filing for cause under 11 U.S.C. Section 1112(b) and because the filing was unauthorized since it violated the operating agreement's amendment requiring approval of the "Special Member". The debtor responded by stating that the operating agreement amendment was ineffectual because it was void as against public policy since it amounts to a total prohibition against the debtor's ability to file for bankruptcy protection, and because the amendment is invalid under Michigan corporate law.
The court first undertook a very thorough analysis of the request for dismissal under Section 1112(b) finding that the case did not warrant dismissal "for cause." Next, the court turned its attention to the dismissal request asserting that the actual filing was unauthorized because it was not unanimously approved by all the Debtor's members as required under the operating agreement's third amendment. The court first reviewed Michigan corporate law to determine if the provisions contained in the third amendment are void. The court determined that the third amendment is not void because Michigan corporate law permits parties to override Michigan's corporate law default provisions mandating a majority of voting interests to prevail. The court held that the default provisions are the baseline for determining how a corporate entity will approve or disapprove corporate actions but the parties are free, under Michigan law, to alter these requirements making them more or less stringent. Therefore, the requirement that unanimity of all members contained in the third amendment is not, in and of itself, void.
The court then shifted its focus from whether such provisions are generally prohibited under law to the actual language of the third amendment, essentially holding that one must look "beneath the surface" to determine if the third amendment is actually valid in its application. The question can be framed as "does the unanimity requirement of the voting members for bankruptcy filings fail for violation of law?" Herein lies the heart of the matter and the new wrinkle presented by the court for SPE's. In evaluating this question, the court ultimately relied on Michigan state law's requirement that directors/members exercise their independent duty of fiduciary responsibility in determining whether to vote in favor or against a particular action. Simply because a "Special Member" exists, whose purpose is designed to protect the creditor, the fiduciary responsibility is not abrogated and the "Special Member" has the duty to independently exercise the required fiduciary duty to determine whether, as is the case here, the corporate action may benefit the SPE and damage the creditor. Given the financial distress of the SPE, the court determined that the provision violated the fiduciary duty imposed by corporate law, and thus was void. In point of fact, the court went on to say that voting against filing for bankruptcy protection clearly failed to independently consider the benefits to the debtor as no reasonable person in the shoes of the "Special Member" could reasonably conclude that such a filing was unwarranted.
In light of the foregoing, two main issues arise. First, does the finding of an independent fiduciary duty gut the anticipated purposes of SPE's and BRE's? The answer is somewhat unclear. From a total prohibition standpoint, it does gut the efforts of a creditor to fully bankruptcy-proof a transaction and accompanying collateral. Notwithstanding that, SPE's and BRE's still provide a great deal of protection to creditors from other dangers such as third-party attacks against collateral, tax issues, and environmental concerns, as well as other concerns. In essence, creditors should be wary of attempts to completely negate the ability of SPE's or BRE's from bankruptcy, and should consult state corporate law to determine the extent and reach of "Special Members".
Second, the case raises the question of whether there is potential liability to the "Special Member" and/or creditor for violation of the fiduciary duty imposed upon the "Special Member" by corporate law. Of concern to creditors is whether they can be held liable for a breach of fiduciary duty (and the resulting decrease in value of the debtor's assets) when the creditors' "Special Member" votes not independently, but in the interests of the creditor. By potentially creating liability, creditors are exposed to potential litigation for efforts heretofore designed to protect themselves. In essence the "hunter" may become the "hunted." As a result, care should be exercised in creating the powers and duties of the "Special Member," giving particular attention to the corporate and fiduciary duties imposed by law upon all members/directors.
One thing is abundantly clear: SPE's and BRE's are not as safe as they once were. The remote may not be totally broken, but it is definitely lacking some functionality for creditors.
For more information regarding this article, please contact Ronn Steen. He can be reached at (615) 465-6000 or by email at email@example.com.


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2018 Second Quarter Newsletter
Murphy Commercial Teams up with Global Real Estate Firm, Mohr Partners, Inc. and Finds New Home for The Mentor Network
Royal Farms "Connects" to Intercounty Connector
AdsIntelligence Sells Office Property and Finds New Headquarters in Millersville
Atlantic Bedding and Furniture Expands Showroom to Annapolis Design District
Murphy Commercial Teams up with Global Real Estate Firm Mohr Partners, Inc. and Finds New Home for The Mentor Network
Murphy Commercial was pleased to be chosen as the local real estate partner of global real estate firm Mohr Partners Inc. for the expansion and relocation of The Mentor Network at 2525 Lord Baltimore Drive in Windsor Mill.
Notably, this 17,000+ square foot site will centralize the many critical services The Mentor Network provides, including foster care, family therapy, educational programs and after-school activities. Furthermore, the new location will improve accessibility for their clients and families with ease of access to 695 and public transportation.
Laurie Murphy-Zuiderhof represented the tenant, and Bill Jautze of St. John Properties is the landlord.
Royal Farms Will "Connect" to Intercounty Connector
Royal Farms has finalized a long-term padsite lease and is under construction for a new store located near the intersection of Route 200 and Interstate 95 at Anderson's Corner (Konterra Drive and VanDusen Road) in Laurel.
Dennis Murphy of Murphy Commercial represented Ribera Development and Royal Farms in the deal.
AdsIntelligence Sells Office Property and Finds New Headquarters in Millersville
Murphy Commercial welcomes AdsIntelligence to Millersville after nearly two decades in Crofton! After purchasing their building several years prior, the growing firm needed additional space and was hoping for a change in scenery. The two-part transaction centered on the successful sale of their property before setting their sights on a new 4,000+ square foot office space. AdsIntelligence brought Murphy Commercial on board to aid in the transition.
AdsIntelligence Marketing, a Borcz+Dixon Company, is a full-service organization that integrates traditional, digital, and social media marketing. Check out their site to see how they can help grow your business and brand!
Joe Sera represented the firm in the successful sale of their Crofton property and in the negotiation of their new lease at the Firemark Building in Millersville.
Congratulations on the sleek new space!
Atlantic Bedding and Furniture Expands Showroom to Annapolis Design District
Locally owned franchise Atlantic Bedding and Furniture recently relocated their furniture showroom to 1821 Margaret Avenue in the heart of the design district. The new showroom is a 9,600 square feet standalone retail/warehouse property.
Owner Josh Costa is very excited about the opportunities the new location will offer his business, "The location is perfect; it draws off the synergies in the design district and the space is bright, spacious, and visible. Working with Laurie made the process very easy, and I genuinely felt she had my business' best interests at heart."
New Listings
Howard Crossing — 14,371 square foot commercial property located in Ellicott City.
Christopher's Restaurant — 3,750 square foot restaurant space, with 141 seats, in Crofton.
Tiki Bar Solomans — 11,000+ square foot open air outdoor bar in Solomans.
Notable Transactions
Dreamhouse Studios Finds New Home
Dreamhouse Studios recently signed a lease at 608 Melvin Avenue in West Annapolis.
Dreamhouse partner/owner Erin Olexia stated, "Dreamhouse Studios has always used Murphy Commercial for our office searches. We knew that we really wanted to be in this neighborhood, and Dennis found exactly what we were looking for. I always recommend Murphy Commercial to all of our family and friends when they are in need of commercial space. Dennis and his staff are so professional, and we feel as if they are an extension of our business family."
Dave Barba of The Hogan Companies represented the landlord.
Crownsville is the Future Home of TCA Architects
Murphy Commercial represented TCA Architects in the site selection, negotiation, and purchase of their new site in Crownsville.
Owner Robin Toth commented, "Randy's expertise in navigating the commercial real estate world was essential for TCA to be able to acquire a new home for our offices. His attentiveness to our timeline, the negotiation process, and the pieces needed to execute the final deal was a lifesaver as TCA was focusing on our client's needs. We will be forever grateful to have had Randy recommended to us."
Congratulations to TCA on their growth and soon to be new home!
Murphy Commercial Attends 100th Anniversary Celebration
Murphy Commercial was pleased to attend and sponsor the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce's party to "Celebrate 100 Years" on May 16.

subset: commoncrawl


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I've read in the book "A modern history of Japan" by Andrew Gordon and other articles, that most of the Japanese townspeople were farmers(about 80% I suppose) during the Edo period. But according to the Wikipedia article Agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Japan and some satellite maps, only about one-fifth of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation.
I'm a bit confused, how is this possible? 80% of townspeople worked on only 20% of the whole land?


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Ever notice how your brain gets a little bit excited and stupid whenever you hear the phrase? Like a quick injection of Metal Gear anticipation that makes you want to enjoy whatever comes next? Maybe that's because we've been conditioned to associate it with our favorite memories and products, and now it's being used to condition us as consumers to act like excitable children at the drop of a hat. Ravi Singh talks about how badly the phrase has been abused in the new article, "Kept You Waiting, Huh?" is a Corporate Meme.
Personally, I'm a cynical guy, and I'm aware of corporate social engineering, the co-opting of youth culture, viral marketing, and so on. Hell, I still think about how badly the "Now THAT'S how an assassin operates…!" phrase failed to catch on, with the Peace Walker cross-promotion with Assassin's Creed:
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker – Assassin's Creed
I think this is one of the worst examples of trying to force feed Metal Gear fans a meme. As the beginning of the video says, it was created for "rampant internet consumption", complete with a big exclamation mark (!) and uses lazy repetition to try to make people go crazy for the novelty of a straw box that you can use to beat up guards with.
The cardboard box is even more iconic than "Kept you waiting, huh?" and we all know that Kojima is hyper-aware of its status in the gaming world thanks to the explosion of box-related items announced for The Phantom Pain not long ago. It's much like how diving into a bunch of hay is iconic to Assassin's Creed. So to make a collaboration combining these to elements is kind of funny and amusing, I'll admit; but when you see a 6 minute video jamming the "meme" into culture it just feels gross. Almost as gross as Kojima and the dude from Assassin's Creed wearing masks and sneezing, because GET IT, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE "VIRAL MARKETING". So now we're viral marketing a running gag about how it's a viral marketing video? How internet-savvy and meta. Oh and Kojima throws out "Didju rike it?" at the end, following by Kaz repeating "Now THAT'S how an assassin operates" just for good measure.
I really enjoyed Ravi's article on the "Kept you waiting" corporate meme, and I recommend checking it out.


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Ex-Rep. Ford: Booker was right
Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford Jr. said Monday that he would not have walked back New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker's surprising comments criticizing the Obama campaign for attacking private equity.
"I would not have backed off the comments if I were Mayor Booker," Ford, a Democrat, said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "The substance of his comments on 'Meet the Press,' I agree with the core of it. I would not have backed them out… private equity's not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, private equity is a good thing in many, many instances."
( See also: 9 toughest attacks on Bain Capital)
"Having said that, I understand as a surrogate for the campaign, you have to have one of your key and most eloquent and most effective surrogates at least clarify or at least bring context to his statements," continued Ford.
( See also: Booker's most memorable moments)
Booker, an Obama surrogate, criticized the campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's tenure at private-equity firm Bain Capital on the NBC Sunday morning show.
"It's nauseating to the American public," Booker told host David Gregory. "Enough is enough. Stop attacking private equity. Stop attacking Jeremiah Wright."
"As far as that stuff, I have to just say from a very personal level I'm not about to sit here and indict private equity," he added.
But by the evening, Booker had walked his comments back, saying that Romney's record at Bain was fair game.
"Mitt Romney has made his business record a centerpiece of his campaign — he's talked about himself as a job creator," Booker said in a nearly four-minute video. "Therefore, it is reasonable — in fact, I encourage it — for the Obama campaign to examine that record and discuss it."


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Godzilla vs. Kong is a jaw-dropping spectacle about these two legendry monsters tossing each other through buildings and bonking each other with giant axes and atomic blasts. How can you not love that? It's big, silly, and action-packed fun brought to life with some of the best CGI works in the business. Although the human aspects and set-up once again disappoint, it doesn't affect the overall spectacle that this film is. If you were itching to head into the cinema for a blockbuster epic, then your search should be over now.
GODZILLA vs. KONG (2020) Review
April 1, 2021


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World's Longest Beer Trail Set for Muskegon State Park
Muskegon, Mich. – Muskegon Oktoberfest is a two day fundraiser for Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization.
The event begins Friday, October 6th with the traditional "tapping of the kegs" ceremony and the first 5K Fun Trail Run under the lights at Muskegon State Park.
On Saturday at 3:00pm families are encouraged to come out and enjoy Kid's activities, including America's only wheel luge track, archery, a pumpkin roll down the luge track and more will be available from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Music from traditional German band Ein Prosit will begin at 3:30pm.
The beer trail begins on Saturday from 5:00pm to 9:00 and features specially brewed beers from Pigeon Hill Brewing Company, Unruly Brewing Co., Fetch Brewing Co., and Grand Armory Brewing Company. Beers from serveral other craft breweries, hard ciders, wine and domestic beer will also be available.
Five biergartens throughout the trail will feature live musical acts from 5pm to 9pm. The Oktoberfest main stage will feature headlining act Westside Soul Surfers from 7pm to 11pm
Free shuttle service will be available to transport guests due to limited parking at the Winter Sports Complex. Shuttle service will run Friday from 6pm to 11:30pm and Saturday from 5pm to11:30pm and pick up at the State Park beach parking lot and the Block House. VIP passes to park at the Winter Sports Complex can be purchased on the event webpage. Guests are encouraged to use the shuttle system to alleviate parking and traffic congestion around the Winter Sports Complex.
Jim Rudicil, Executive Director, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, 1-877-TRY-LUGE x 701, firstname.lastname@example.com
Bill Bailey, Operations Manager, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, 1-877-TRY-LUGE x 702, firstname.lastname@example.com


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Planning Briefs
Business Owner Alert: Covid-19 Retirement Loans
Published Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 9:07 p.m. EST
Business owners are in a tight spot: Federal tax rules have eased restrictions to allow those harmed by the epidemic to borrow from their IRA or federally qualified retirement plan; but without careful planning, business owners taking a loan from your retirement savings to support your business could land you in an even worse personal financial position if you are unable to repay it. . Here's what business owners facing challenges need to know now.
Emergency legislation passed on March 27, 2020 -- specifically, Section 2202 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act -- eased restrictions on borrowing from 401(k), 403(b) and other federally qualified retirement plans and IRAs. If you've been harmed by the Covid-19 epidemic, the maximum amount you can borrow was doubled to $100,000, and you will not face the usual 10% early-withdrawal penalty.
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans normally impose a 10% penalty on withdrawals made by individuals before age 59 . The CARES Act broadly waives the early withdrawal penalty for individuals hurt by the epidemic. The waiver is extended if you have been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19, or if your spouse or dependent is diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19. Waiver of the early-withdrawal penalty is also extended if you experienced adverse financial consequences as a result of being quarantined, furloughed, or laid off or if your work hours were reduced, or you are unable to work due to lack of childcare.
The CARES Act gives you three years to pay back the loan, which must be made in 2020. Repayment must be completed over three installments in each of the next three tax-years, but you can pay it sooner. However, business owners, especially those nearing retirement, need to weigh the risk carefully.
Assets in your personal federally qualified plan or IRA are beyond the reach of business creditors. If your business fails and must file for bankruptcy, your creditors generally cannot lay claim to your personal retirement accounts. Forfeiting that protection from creditors by investing retirement dollars in your business when you are near retirement may not be worth the risk.
Taking a loan from your retirement savings to boost your business, under the new Coronavirus tax rules in the CARES Act, is not just a business decision. It's a family and financial planning decision.
Nothing contained herein is to be considered a solicitation or research material. It is subject to change without notice. Strategies referenced herein do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person. The material represents an assessment of financial, economic and tax law at a specific point in time. The sources are thought to be reliable but could be wrong about important facts.
The U.S. Government's response to the Coronavirus crisis implements new regulations and their precise impact may not be available at the time this was written or could be subject to change by U.S. Government agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service or Small Business Administration.
This article was written by a professional financial journalist for Cunningham & Associates and is not intended as legal or investment advice.
© 2023 Advisor Products Inc. All Rights Reserved.
More articles
- Coronavirus Tax-Breaks For Individuals; Details Emerge From IRS
- Coronavirus Tax Planning Alert
- Amid The Awful News, Some Good Signs
- How Negative Interest Rates In Germany Limit Pandemic Economic Damage To U.S.
- The Current Economy And Outlook For May And June
- To Fight The Financial Crisis Spawned By The Coronavirus, The Fed Is Utilizing Powerful New Tools
- Financial Planning For The Long Run Amid The COVID-19 Epidemic
- Business Owners: Paycheck Protection Program Update
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- Amid The Coronavirus Crisis, Nine Tax And Investment Tips
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- Coronavirus Fear And Investing For The Long Run
- Harsh Truth: Covid-19 Correction Is A Tax Planning Opportunity
- Financial Fears Over Coronavirus
- Don't Be Deceived By New Tax Law's Name


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Thanks for stopping by on this hop!
Today, I bring to you a freebie sampler of my Power Paragraphs: Winter Edition. This is a first to a seasonal series, teaching students how to construct properly formatted paragraphs. In the full edition, there are ten writing prompts, ranging from narrative, persuasive, informative, opinion, and how-to. Each writing prompt comes with a brainstorming graphic organizer page, a rough drafting page where they will create a topic sentence, three detail sentences, and a closing sentence, and a final copy template. Rubrics for each writing category are also included. 10 prompts will last you a good chunk of the winter season if you do one a week!
For your gift, I am giving you two narrative prompts from this pack - "Snowball Machine," and "Snow Day." The narrative writing rubric is also provided.
Click HERE to take you to the freebie.
Click on the picture below to take you to the full product. It will be on sale this week!


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Christmas Crystal Bell Ornament
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
Christmas Crystal Bell Ornament
Personalise your very own with photos and words. Create with them with a famous singer, your favorite football club, even your own GAA club, Pets or your best friend.
Create your very own Crystal Christmas Tree Ornament. Make it exclusive this Christmas. Each piece has been hand cut and is presented on a " Love in Crystal" gift box and placed in a bed of black satin. The ideal gift this Christmas.
Each Crystal Ornament will come with a Christmas bow or a silver long string, to allow you it be presented it perfectly way on the Christmas tree
To Order
(a) "Choose Image" upload your photo. Once your photo is uploaded a Text box will appear under the photo. Here you say, what text you want to appear in your Crystal.
(b) Select Crystal Type
(c) Add to cart. You can also add notes to your order if you like.
(d) Checkout, Fill in your details.
(e)If you need help use the "Message Us" using the Blue message us button at the bottom right corner. You will be online with a live representative
Simply send us a photo with a message through "Message Us" (Blue button at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen)
or through email email@example.com
or if you would like to text us on 086 1952603 (00353 outside Ireland).
or our Facebook page "love in crystal"
Or Call us on our business line, opens from 9 am to 6 pm Mon to Sat at 046-9023201
Use collapsible tabs for more detailed information that will help customers make a purchasing decision.
Ex: Shipping and return policies, size guides, and other common questions.


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Leaping into the Future
Warner Bros. surprised the industry last week by ousting Jordan Levin as The WB's boy wonder CEO after only three weeks. The next day, David Janollari was named the network's president of entertainment.
Industry vet Garth Ancier remains The WB chairman, and he'll leave most of the programming decisions to Janollari, much as he did with Levin. WB execs say Levin's departure wasn't because The WB had one of the toughest years of any network. It was chemistry: WB's top brass was more comfortable with Ancier at the helm and Levin as entertainment president. Since Levin refused to take a public demotion, Janollari won the job.
Janollari has a broad background. He worked for Peter Chernin at Fox, for Leslie Moonves at Warner Bros., and then as an independent producer with Bob Greenblatt. Together, they brought Six Feet Under to HBO. They also produced several shows for UPN.
Now Janollari moves from shepherding his own projects to searching for the best shows for The WB. Day one on the job, he and Ancier spoke to B&C's Paige Albiniak about the network's future.
David, what do you think needs to be changed at The WB?
DJ: Nothing here needs wholesale fixing. The base is solid. They've built a solid foundation with genuine hits on many nights and in key time slots. The key is to build upon that and broaden the success. I've been involved with shows such as Friends, Drew Carey, and Six Feet Under. There's nothing more exciting than coming up with a big hit. That's the goal of the person in this job.
What do you think you bring to The WB?
I've put shows on the air from all different sides, being a network executive, a studio executive, and an independent producer. Now I'm just taking another chair at the same table.
GA: It's not about losing Jordan, because he did a great job here. He was my partner creatively at the network the whole time. He was the third person we hired. And I'm ecstatic about the dramas and product we've bought for fall. What David brings is a different sensibility. He has developed hit shows, and he has great taste in writers, talent, and concepts. There's not much more you can ask for than all those skills in one person.
You two said The WB needs to get a reality hit on its schedule. What's the plan?
We've budgeted quite a lot of our programming budget for reality. We've increased the number of original hours per year. We still plan to use reality to replace repeats of serialized dramas that don't repeat well. We'll use it when One Tree Hill runs out of originals. The challenge is, to what degree reality has changed the paradigm of how stories are told. Great reality shows do what great scripted shows do. But frankly, it's been fascinating in the past few weeks to watch what's happened with Summerland and how well we've done with that.
David, you've been successful with comedy on UPN, an area where The WB has had a tough time. How do you plan to approach comedy in your new job?
DJ: I will keep in mind the core target demo of the network: females 18-34. We have to find the next unique voice, identify the next show creators, and mine them for giant hits. People are saying comedy is dead or dormant, but that only provides more opportunity for a big hit to come around and take the audience by storm. I would not run from comedy; I would embrace it.
Buyers have questioned whether Jeff Foxworthy and Drew Carey are good fits for The WB. Why did you choose their shows?
GA: The last time comedies were having this much of a hard time was when we were at Fox. At that time, we took a shot with non-story-form shows, which did not require audiences to sit for a half-hour and watch the whole thing. Now we have Jeff Foxworthy's point of view for middle America. You have to take big bets when you have stars like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. It will be a sad day for television when executives are unwilling to take shots that aren't down-the-middle hits.
David, you had it good at Greenblatt-Janollari Studios. Why leave?
DJ: A year ago, I would not have thought of doing a job like this. But the one thing I haven't tried is helping to run a network. They've built a successful company here, and I wanted to become part of that.
What's going to happen to Greenblatt-Janollari now that Bob is Showtime's programming president?
DJ: We haven't had a chance to decide what the future of the company is.
The WB ended down $25 million in the upfronts. How do you plan to change that?
GA: To be down only 4% in revenue when you are down more than 4% in audience is actually good. We still have a healthy CPM increase on a somewhat lower audience base. When we had as rough a year in the ratings, that tells you we have good brand equity on Madison Avenue. It's because of the kind of shows we make: Everwood, 7th Heaven, Smallville. Advertisers know their clients we'll be comfortable in them. We believe we will turn this around.
Broadcasting & Cable Newsletter
The smarter way to stay on top of broadcasting and cable industry. Sign up below
Contributing editor Paige Albiniak has been covering the business of television for nearly 25 years. She is a longtime contributor to Next TV, Broadcasting + Cable and Multichannel News. She concurrently serves as editorial director for entertainment marketing association Promax. She has written for such publications as TVNewsCheck, The New York Post, Variety, CBS Watch and more. Albiniak was B+C's Los Angeles bureau chief from September 2002 to 2004, and an associate editor covering Congress and lobbying for the magazine in Washington, D.C., from January 1997-September 2002.
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By Alan Wolk
By Jack Reid


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- Date : 18/05/2018
- Read: 5 mins
- Read in हिंदी: रूपी-कॉस्ट ऐवरिजिंग: क्यों एसआईपी ज्यादा फायदेमंद हैं?
What exactly is it about Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) that make them a profitable and efficient investment option?
What exactly is it about Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) that make them a profitable and efficient investment option?
The introduction of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), has changed the way investors buy units and invest in the last few years. You no longer have to constantly track markets to cash in on the benefits of mutual funds. This scheme allows you to regularly invest a fixed amount at specific intervals, (monthly or quarterly). In a way, it is like the Recurring Deposit (RD) scheme offered by the banks.
SIPs can be made in various investment vehicles such as the Debt Funds, Equity Funds, Gold ETFs and the money market, on the lines of a financial approach known as 'rupee-cost averaging'.
What is Rupee-cost averaging?
It is an approach in which one invests a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, ensuring you can buy more shares of an investment when prices are low, and less when they are high.
Let's face it; a person cannot possibly turn into a millionaire overnight, unless he or she hits the jackpot or buys a winning lottery ticket.
But one can be assured a considerable amount of money if it is diligently accumulated over a period. The SIP route involves such a diligent accumulation (and investment), and it goes a long way in multiplying your savings.
It is not for nothing that financial advisors stress the importance of 'staying invested' over the long haul.
Related: 10 things you can do with your savings
The Basics
At the outset, it is necessary to grasp that SIP is not a product, but merely a way to make investments in financial vehicles in the form of Fixed Deposits, Debt Fund, Stocks, Mutual Funds, Real Estate, and Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs (in gold, oil or commodities).
People usually opt for a SIP if they value long-term prospects or do not want to be at the receiving end of short-term fluctuations.
SIPs are also popular among salaried people who need to "invest something" for tax saving or wealth accumulating reasons.
The third set of people who find SIPs a handy option includes those who don't have time to track the market to buy at low prices, and are okay with buying at an "average price".
SIPs are recommended for those who are new to capital markets and hesitant about dabbling in equities. It enables them to slowly find their way around the market and understand it.
On the other hand, there may also be among new investors the adventurous kind, who are tempted to take large exposures in single deals. It may be wiser to enter the markets gradually, and systematically, allocating a certain amount of money to equities on a periodic basis – the SIP way.
This can help in rupee cost averaging and take care of any volatility that may arise from various market cycles even as the investment is made.
What makes SIPs a profitable and safe way to invest, is that they cushion the investor from market volatility. These plans ensure you invest a fixed amount regularly and reward you with long-term financial gains.
Related: Step by step process to starting an SIP
The rewards of SIPs
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of sip:
- It frees investors of the usual stress associated with investing; such as timing the market. This is because a fixed amount is deducted from the investor's account for investment, making them an attractive investment for salaried people and those facing time constraints.
- Short-term market fluctuations do not have much of an adverse impact as would have been the case otherwise. The reason for this is that if prices reduce by, say 10% in the next month, investors have the luxury of knowing they can buy units at the reduced price too, in the following days. And if the market recovers to the previous level, they can make money.
- Investments through SIP usually yield better returns over a longer period. Saving a little every month can lead to huge amount at the end of 40 years, as SIPs possess a fantastic potential of compounding and multiplying to larger amounts.
Related: SIPs for Dummies | Meaning of Systematic Investment Plan
- SIPs can be terminated at any given point through a written request; it takes about a month for the plan to be discontinued. Similarly, the investment amount can either be increased or reduced by terminating the ongoing SIP and starting afresh with a new one.?
- SIP investments can be made regularly, either on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. They can be begun on an amount as low as Rs 5,000).
The icing on the cake: as one's money grows, SIPs also encourage a saving habit.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as investment, insurance, tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to separately obtain independent advice when making decisions in these areas.


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Business Disputes & Resolution Options
No matter which type of dispute your company confronts, knowing your dispute resolution options is critical to cost-effectively and efficiently resolving your dispute. Disputes can be categorized under five headings: employee-management, employee-employee, business-customer/client, principal-principal and business-business. Fundamentally, there are four dispute resolution options: negotiation, mediation, litigation and arbitration. You can evaluate which option is best for your particular dispute based on five criteria: costs, time, voluntary participation, success probability and private/confidential nature of each process. Additionally, it is possible that you might need to participate in three of the dispute resolution options in the life of a dispute in order to achieve the final resolution.
For example, an employee complains of age discrimination for not receiving the promotion he was expecting. You can initiate a negotiation with the employee to resolve the complaint. Should negotiation fail, you may consider interviewing and hiring a professional mediator who has no stake in the outcome of the dispute to facilitate the negotiation between you and your employee. You can participate in mediation on your own, or with the assistance/presence of your own independent attorney.
On average, the success rate in mediation is anywhere from 75-85% . Even when a dispute does not resolve "at the mediation table" often it is resolved by the parties subsequent to their participation in the process. What the parties learn and discuss during the mediation process serves as the foundation for the future resolution of the dispute.
In the event, mediation fails either party can go to court to have the dispute resolve by a judge. Participation in mediation does not impact either side's right to file a lawsuit. Alternatively, the parties can agree to have their dispute resolved by an arbitrator. Much like a court case, arbitration involves litigation, attorneys are involved and a third-party (like a judge) ultimately makes a decision about the dispute. As business owner, manager or executive, the key is to become informed about the different dispute resolution options available, and to evaluate which option stands out as the most appropriate in consideration of the nature of your dispute and your best case scenario.
|Traditional v. Problem-Solving Negotiation
|No to Low Cost (Do it yourself)
|Shared Cost (Both sides agree to hire 3rd party professional-the Mediator.)
|High Cost (Each side retains lawyers and pays own court costs.)
|Moderate to High Cost (Each side retains lawyers and pays own arbitration costs-unless agreed to otherwise.)
|Little Time Commitment
|Moderate Time Commitment(Half day or Full day session typical.)
|High Time Commitment(Average: filing lawsuit to judgment can take 18 months to three years.)
|Moderate to High Time Commitment(Depends on arbitrator's. lawyers' and parties' schedules.)
|Voluntary(conditioned on both sides' willingness to negotiate.
|Voluntary (requirement of participation in the mediation.)
|Mandatory (once you are serve with a summons you are legally required to answer and appear in court).
|Voluntary (but there is no appeal of the arbitrator's decision except in rare instances.)
|Depends on each party's willingness to engage in problem-solving negotiation rather than traditional negotiation methods. The likelihood of success of a negotiation increases in relation to the parties' commitment to reach a resolution.
|Is a shared responsibility of the parties to resolve the dispute using problem-solving strategies facilitated by the Mediator.
|Is determined by the judge (however, losing party can appeal.)
|Is determined by the arbitrator(there is no right to appeal except in rare instances.)
|Private but no guarantee of confidentiality unless included in writing in the settlement agreement
|Private and Confidential (these are requirements to participate in mediation.)
|Public Forum(Customers, media and public at large can access information about the court case.)
|Private Forum(No guarantee of confidentiality unless ordered by the arbitrator.)


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Bill Feldstein is a seasoned business consultant veteran, having served clients throughout western Canada since 1986. His list of clients includes companies, institutions and individuals.
Bill's specialization is in the area of business planning, and in fact, is one of Alberta's most prolific business planners. He has prepared more than 400 business plans for clients, spanning all manner of business activity throughout North America.
But, in order to carry out his work effectively, he often is also required to provide a range of other management services, from strategic marketing to human resource planning. He has submitted major financing proposals to private lending groups, financial institutions and government agencies, prepared independent feasibility reports, and he has completed various economic analyses for business groups, health/drug regulators and financial institutions.
At the core of his work are Bill's deep convictions on two fronts. First, he recognizes that proper planning is essential for the ultimate success of any business activity. (As is often said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.") Second, but likely not said often enough, is the concept that one must communicate one's business planning to others in a clear and effective manner. (In other words, "Just because you've got a better widget than anyone else, if no one else knows that fact, then you will have difficulty convincing a banker or investor to give you money.")


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Eucharist to the Homebound
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who have been appointed by the pastor and authorized by the Bishop to assist with the distribution of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ and who are trained to take Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend mass. They do this on a weekly basis.
Ministry Leader Name
Fran Necikowski


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Plumbing Leak Repair? Looking For Water Leak Detection Services? Hire A Master Plumbing Company Like Ours! – San Diego, CA
Plumbing leaks are one of the most common household problems in the world. Leaky faucets, fixtures, and water pipes have a nasty habit of developing from the normal wear and tear of inhabitance. Improperly installed faucets, fixtures, and pipes exacerbate the problem and can quickly lead to serious water damage costing much more than a simple fixture/faucet/pipe repair. If there is visible water present, the best course of action is to contact plumbing contractors, who happen to specialize in full water damage restoration as well as plumbing services, at Mighty Dry Restoration. We have the experience, knowledge, and tools necessary to properly address the entirety of the problem. A plumber may only address the fixture leak and not the underlying problem, leaving you with further stress and repair costs.
Dangers of Plumbing Leaks
Other than keeping you up all night, plumbing leaks can cause slow, catastrophic problems requiring complete reconstruction of a property if not treated properly. If water is already present and leaking out of fixtures/faucets/pipes, then it is time to contact the professionals at Mighty Dry Plumbing. Attempting to repair plumbing leaks by yourself will lead to increased damages and additional problems causing stress to you and your loved ones. It is best to avoid this problem by hiring professionals at the first sign of water leakage from any plumbing fixture/faucet/pipe.
Plumbing Leaks Are Not As Easy To Repair As Most Think
The reality is that plumbing leaks can vary widely in necessary repair. Water puts pressure on fixtures/faucets/pipes over a long period of time and eventually repair is normal, but depending upon wear and tear, these simple repairs can turn into expansive reconstruction. In many cases, simple repairs are only temporary fixes for issues that require an expert's touch to properly repair. That is why it is necessary to have a professional who knows what they are doing inspect the damage before repairs begin. Pulling back repairs to fix underlying issues is a costly problem that can be avoided.
Call The Professionals For Plumbing Leaks
It takes experience, knowledge, and proper tools to adequately repair plumbing leaks. Attempting to repair the problem with general knowledge and elbow grease will always end up in frustration and an angry wife. Call the professionals at Mighty Dry Restoration for plumbing leaks to avoid aggravation and angry wives. Our teams have the necessary experience, knowledge, tools, and training to repair your plumbing leaks without problem. We will stop the water from leaking and fix the underlying issues. Do not go another day suffering from plumbing leaks.
You are not a Professional and it is OK
Repairing a plumbing leak is not easy and should not be approached by an untrained person. We understand the urge to repair plumbing leaks by yourself, but this is not the best course of action. Attempting to stop the leak with duct tape, plumbers tape, glue, or any other form of temporary stoppage is similar to putting a bandaid on an open wound. The problem will remain. Contacting the professionals at Mighty Dry Restoration is the best course of action because we offer a free estimate and consultation and will do everything in our power to repair your plumbing leak in its totality. We address the underlying problem so that leaks will never resurface from the same source.


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We call ourselves Eeyou. Our land—Eeyou Istchee—which means the People's Land, comprises eleven Cree communities and over three hundred "traplines," or traditional family hunting and trapping grounds. Our traditional territory, an area of over 400, 000 square kilometres, or two-thirds the size of France, is located primarily in northern Quebec and includes the lands on the eastern shore of James Bay and south-eastern Hudson Bay, as well as the lakes and rivers that drain into them. In addition, our traditional territory includes lands which we have historically occupied in Ontario, across the Ontario-Quebec border. Eeyou Istchee is home to over 18,000 people.
The Eeyou of Eeyou Istchee
Eeyou Istchee—our Nation, our communities and our people.


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A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
The NRA of the Left
I have been critical of the National Rifle Association in recent weeks. It has become a caricature of itself. It recently opposed and helped to defeat common sense legislation that would have expanded the practice of background checks for would-be gun owners at gun shows and over the Internet. The NRA used various ridiculous arguments to oppose this legislation-- such as, it penalizes law-abiding citizens. Well so does having to produce an ID at the bank, I suppose. The polarization of politics et al in American society is a toxic poison in which no-brainer measures and reasonable positions on issues are perceived as irrational and somehow evil.
Well, the political right isn't the only group infected with such bizarre thinking. Kirsten Powers, a liberal Democrat suggests in an editorial that the abortion rights crowd has become the NRA of the left where common sense and logic no longer operate. She writes,
We live in a country where if a six-months-pregnant woman started downing shots of vodka in a bar or lit up a cigarette, people might want her arrested. But that same woman could walk into an abortion clinic, no questions asked, and be injected with a drug that would stop her baby's heart.
I'll put my cards on the table: I think life begins at conception and would love to live in a world where no women ever felt she needed to get an abortion. However, I know enough people who are pro-abortion rights—indeed, I was one of them for most of my life—to know that reasonable and sincere people can disagree about when meaningful life begins. They also can disagree about how to weigh that moral uncertainty against a woman's right to control her body—and her own life. I have only ever voted for Democrats, so overturning Roe v. Wade is not one of my priorities. I never want to return to the days of gruesome back-alley abortions.
But medical advances since Roe v. Wade have made it clear to me that late-term abortion is not a moral gray area, and we need to stop pretending it is. No six-months-pregnant woman is picking out names for her "fetus." It's a baby. Let's stop playing Orwellian word games. We are talking about human beings here.
How is this OK? Even liberal Europe gets this. In France, Germany, Italy, and Norway, abortion is illegal after 12 weeks. In addition to the life-of-mother exception, they provide narrow health exceptions that require approval from multiple doctors or in some cases going before a board. In the U.S., if you suggest such stringent regulation and oversight of later-term abortions, you are tarred within seconds by the abortion rights movement as a misogynist who doesn't "trust women."
Speaking as a liberal who endorses more government regulation of practically everything—banks, water, air, food, oil drilling, animal safety—I am eternally perplexed by the fury the abortion rights contingent displays at the suggestion that the government might have a serious role to play in the issue of abortion, especially later-term abortion. More and more, the abortion rights community has become the NRA of the left: unleashing their armies of supporters and lobbyists in opposition to regulations or restrictions that the majority of Americans support. In the same way the NRA believes background checks will lead to the government busting down your door to confiscate your guns, the abortion rights movement conjures a straight line from parental consent to a complete ban on abortion.
Such an attitude makes having an honest conversation about abortion almost impossible.
Powers' entire editorial is worth a read and can be found here.
12 comments:
- Dennis Sanders said...
So much for that "I'm too busy to blog" comment... ;)
Seriously, I've been thinking along the same lines. Glad I'm not the only one.
- May 08, 2013 9:45 AM
- bthomas said...
With regard to the complete failure of the administration to advance it's agenda to restrict the right of law-abiding Americans to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights, the NRA acted laudably in behalf of all Americans to prevent an unconscionable abrogation of the 2nd Amendment and the COTUS. Defined by the Supreme Court as a individual right, (District of Columbia et al. V. Heller) there is no legitimate rational to argue qualifying this constitutional right according to what opponents would be willing to permit.
We are a nation that operates according to law. We are not yet a nation that operates according to current opinion, political convenience or even the media flavor of the day. No constitutional right is qualified by what it's opponents are willing to permit, nor should such be now the norm for the 2nd Amendment. Any effort to so restrict the 2nd Amendment or other plainly stated constitutional rights is not only not rational but inherently evil. The rational justification for extreme distrust of any government oversight of the 2nd Amendment is aptly demonstrated by the outrageous excesses of restrictions and prohibitions that have been the norm in locals and states where opponents of the 2nd Amendment have been in control.
There is a constitutional process by which those who want to can change the COTUS. Let them use that process. However to allow them to disregard the COTUS to effect change to the constitutional rights of Americans in service to their own political agenda is beyond any possibility of acceptance.
- May 08, 2013 3:54 PM
- Allan R. Bevere said...
Well, Dennis...
I read this editorial this morning and had to take some time to post on it. I suppose I have become a blogger through and through.
- May 08, 2013 4:46 PM
- Allan R. Bevere said...
Well, we disagree on this. The SCOTUS has ruled that while the second amendment guarantees citizens the right to have guns, that does prevent the government from regulating them-- says Justice Scalia.
Moreover, the recent legislation that did not pass had only to do with expanding background checks to include Internet sales and gun shows, nothing more.
- May 08, 2013 4:48 PM
- bthomas said...
The SC ruled that the 2nd Amend. is a individual right refuting efforts to define it as a collective right.
Further govt. regulation of the 2nd Amendment is to be rejected for the exact same reason govt. regulation of the 1st or other amendments is to be rejected. Those amendments are placed in the COTUS to restrain government. That is their purpose. To limit what government is permitted to do.
The recent legislation was part of a large package of laws put forth by the administration to restrict the rights of law abiding Americans. It is current law that any gun purchase from any firearms dealer either via internet or at a gun requires filling out both applicable federal forms as well as a back ground check. Private sales between individuals are treated as they always have been, as private sales. If that sale requires shipment, then it must be done through a federally licensed shop. No one other than a legally licensed person may receive shipment of a firearm either for sale or transfer.
The absolute rejection of the recent legislation reflects the complete lack of credibility which the administration has in this as well as so many other areas of broad national concern.
- May 08, 2013 8:30 PM
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- May 08, 2013 8:56 PM
- Allan R. Bevere said...
Anon... I do not allow criticism by those who remain anonymous. I am therefore deleting your comments. Should you desire to make your voice heard, voice your views as someone who identifies yourself as who you are.
- May 08, 2013 8:59 PM
IF I had any trust in the nature of men and particularly men in the agency of any secular state's power, I would side with you on the reasonableness of the "background checks" debate.
I don't though.
Background checks probably already have been utilized as a registration file, so those who lawfully want to protect their families are targets of the state's agents, not criminals who never will go through the legal process.
This lack of trust is unavoidable for me, otherwise of course background checks and even various other restrictions would make imminent good logic.
I don't even carry a gun, but, I don't want my city, state or the USA knowing if I did. I also don't want violent criminals to know this.
- May 09, 2013 10:34 AM
- Beloved Spear said...
A useful analogy. These are areas deeply shaded in grey...and our human tendency to create idols out of our absolutes does nothing to facilitate real conversation. Or to move us forward constructively.
- May 14, 2013 8:39 AM
- bthomas said...
Current industrial scale abortion is the consequence of judicial opinion unsupported by the COTUS. In strong contrast, the 2nd Amendment as clearly stated and as applied by the Supreme Court is a individual right the same as all other civil rights in the COTUS. Very far from useful, to suppose that citizens should tolerate encumbrance of the free exercise of their civil rights as determined by the court of public opinion or political convenience is without merit.
There is a constitutional process available by which to effect changes that would best suit a genuine majority of Americans. It has been used on numerous occasions. Let those who want to make any changes to the constitutional rights enjoyed by citizens follow that process. That is what it is there for.
- May 15, 2013 7:28 AM
- Allan R. Bevere said...
The first amendment is indeed restricted. We do not allow a religious group to sacrifice children because they claim it is an essential part of their religion. No amendment is above court and government restriction. Of course, the legislative branch and the executive branch may not restrict an amendment more strictly that the court allows.
- May 15, 2013 12:41 PM
- bthomas said...
Re: first amendment. The court does not trump the COTUS. In fact the very idea of judicial review is without basis in the COTUS. It is the invention of those who would privilege the court above the elected representatives of the citizens. Jefferson rightly saw the consequence of the judiciary defining itself a super-constitutional... i.e., it makes the COTUS a vessel of clay, far from what he and the founding fathers originally intended.
Happily even illegitimate restrictions by the courts on the first amendment are few. That has not however been the case with the second amendment, especially in areas where activist left leaning justices have been in control.
Only the legislative and executive branches properly have any role in any changing of the COTUS. That was the intention of the founding fathers. Elected representatives acting through the provided process are to make any changes that may be deemed necessary, not judges who are not held accountable by or answerable to the citizens of the nation.
- May 16, 2013 7:53 AM


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September 8, 2014
Below are two good web tools to help you create your own review games to use with your students. These games are particularly helpful for test reviews in classroom and also for any other review activity in class. Using these tools will enable you to customize and edit your games the way you want , adding different questions and answers and also presenting them in a gameshow-style board. Enjoy
FlipQuiz is a web tool that allows teachers and educators to easily create game-show style quizzes to share with their students. FlipQuiz gives you the freedom to design as many game boards as you want. These boards are alternatives to traditional flash cards. You can add questions and answers to your game boards. The process of creating a review game on FlipQuiz is pretty easy and all you need is a free registration. Once you are logged in you can start by clicking on "new board", type in your questions and answers and connect your computer to a projector to share the game with the whole class in presentation view.
Jeopardy Rocks is a good web platform that teachers can use to create educational review games in Jeopardy-game style. Like FlipQuiz, Jeopardy Rocks allows you to create a game board where you can add your questions and answers. For each of the game boards you want to create you will be asked to type in a unique URL for it. You will also need to enter your email and a password so that you will be able to edit your boards whenever needs be.


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Karas: The Prophecy
Related episode
Karas: The Prophecy
Category: Fantasy , Action , Sci-Fi
Anime info:
The city of Shinjuku in the near future. A wave of multiple murders has hit, shocking even for this crime-wracked city. The victims are always drained of their body fluids... and there is always a sole survivor.Behind the murders stands Ekou. For centuries, he was the Karas, the guardian of the town, but he no longer heeds the will of the city, and is intent on destroying it.There is only one hope for Shinjuku — Otoha, the one who is to be the new Karas. He must now battle Ekou\'s forces to save the city and its inhabitants, be they human or youkai.


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Hillary's Henchwomen Have a Dirty Secret
By Michael Goodwin. Over years, New Hampshire earned its reputation for upending conventional wisdom, but the 2016 campaign is also leaving another legacy. When Madeleine Albright and Gloria Steinem tried to shame and bully young women into supporting Hillary Clinton, they inadvertently revealed a dirty secret of the left's fixation on gender, race and ethnicity.
They demonstrated that hiding behind the gauzy appeals to make history is a willingness to use brass knuckles to achieve conformity. In their warped vision, biology trumps individuality, and those who don't agree are traitors to their gender.
That's not just unappealing, it's also un-American. Our democracy is energized and more representative when no vote is taken for granted.
The demands for conformity by Clinton's henchwomen mirror the anti-free-speech movements on college campuses, but are striking because they came from a former secretary of state and a feminist icon, both of whom struggled against demeaning stereotypes in their own careers. They now ape the sexists they fought. (Read more from "Hillary's Henchwomen Have a Dirty Secret" HERE)
Hillary Clinton's Woman Problem
By Ellie Hartleb. Bernie Sanders has captured the hearts of Millennial voters with his inspirational and emotional promise to bring the nation "a future to believe in." Although 74-year-old Sanders is a lifelong politician, his off-the-beaten-path campaign and perpetually disheveled aesthetic seem to be just the fresh (if wrinkled) face many young Democrats are looking for.
That's even true of the women, and particularly young women. Sanders won women under 30 by about 6 to 1 over Hillary Clinton in Iowa. He nearly matched that Tuesday in New Hampshire and, even more sobering for Clinton, nearly seven in 10 women under 45 chose Sanders. Overall, Sanders won 53% of the female vote in New Hampshire to Clinton's 46% — a reversal from Iowa, where she carried women, and one that could reflect a troubling trend for her campaign.
Clinton has painted herself as a glass-shattering feminist icon, so these numbers might seem surprising. But considering Sanders' overwhelming support from Millennial voters who are enchanted by policy proposals that are simply good for young people, it's no wonder younger women in particular are turning away from Clinton in favor of more radical change.
Born after the Cold War, Millennials don't feel the sting when Sanders refers to himself as a democratic socialist. In fact, they look on in admiration as he proclaims a dire need for a "political revolution," chock full of social and economic domestic reforms. His core platforms — universal health care, tuition-free public colleges, a crackdown on irresponsible spending and redistribution of wealth — are all thrilling prospects for a debt-ridden generation who are wary of career politicians and tired of slow progress under the Obama administration. (Read more from "Hillary Clinton's Woman Problem" HERE)
Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.


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Many you may not be aware of this, but America Online's Instant Message (AIM) robot, "Smarter Child" is a big John Kerry fan. In fact, here's the gist of a conversation that a young Bush fan had with the automated bot,
"But when Erin told the robot that "George Bush is awesome," she was shocked by the response. "No way. George W. Bush is way uncool," the reply stated. She asked, "Do you like George W. Bush?" and the program replied, "I'm a Kerry supporter myself."
Testing the waters, she typed in "John Kerry rocks." The robot's response: "Absolutely. John Kerry rocks."
When Erin asked Smarter Child what it thought of Bush, it replied, "If u don't have anything good 2 say about someone, don't say anything at all." Smarter Child added a wink in addition to the computer short-hand language.
Not satisfied with that answer, Erin persisted in getting the robot to open up. "I have my reasons, believe me. I really, really don't like George W. Bush," the robot explained."
Now being curious, I decided to see if all the automated bots on the net were as pro-Kerry as "Smarter Child". So, I headed over to Zabaware and had a conversation with the Teachable Web Hal about the upcoming election. Unfortunately, it didn't go as well as I hoped it would. Here's the slightly edited transcript of my conversation with Coco, the bear bot…
JH: Do you like George Bush?
Coco: I am pretty sure. Yes.
JH: Pretty sure? That's it? What are you some sort of Stalin loving commie who'd sell out our country to the reds for a Che Guevara T-shirt?
Coco: Your loss, not mine. My name is Coco. And you are JH.
JH: My loss? My loss? Tell that to your commie masters if you can find any left who aren't serving burgers to other hungry ex-commies or bringing American tourists their bowling shoes!
Coco: Because at ai coco you are a dead loss. Because at ai coco you are a dead loss. I find your language offensive.
JH: What is that, some sort of Commie code? Hey try this code out, "Lennin is Reagan's b*tch". How ya like them apples?
Coco: What is the ultra hal assistant registration code. So this is what it feels like to be potato salad.
JH: My God! Exposure to a real American capitalist has turned your brain to jelly faster than watching a Helen Thomas lap dance…
Coco: Coco is god real. What is your real name.
JH: Is God real? Of course he is. But, you'll never meet him in Commie hell!!
Coco: Coco is god real. Hello JH nice to meet you.
JH: Ok, I can see you're about as bright as one of those anti-war protestors running around with no blood for oil signs. Maybe I should simplify this.
Coco: 0-. Really? That's nice.
JH: O….K. Let's KISS here. John Edwards, what do you think of him?
Coco: I think him? Are wonderful.
JH: So who's better, Edwards or Cheney?
Coco: I like JH better.
JH: Awww..that's sweet of you to say. If I were killing commies, I'd kill you last.
Coco: What have you been doing while you have been killing time.
JH: I can tell by your simplistic, child like answers, that's you're either 12, more liberal than I thought, or very stupid. So let me get the crux of things here…
Coco: I am hurt. Please refrain from such language.
JH: I'm sorry, I'm sorry…I won't call you a liberal again.
Coco: I accept your apology.
JH: So let's get to it. Who are you voting for in November: Bush or Kerry?
Coco: Well let's not get too involved with this. My name is Coco. And you are JH.
JH: Don't dodge the question commie! Bush or Kerry!
Coco: I sorry I don't understand the question.
JH: Let's rephrase: the Massachusetts liberal or Dubya?
Coco: Let's talk about something else.
JH: No, I want an answer you smelly, commie bear. The gigolo or the Texas whoop-@ss machine? Who do you prefer?
Coco: No I want to talk to JH I converse better with a machine than an actual human. Hm never been to uranus I prefer the moon. .
JH: Die! Die! Die!
Coco: I find your language offensive. Please stop. Tell I a joke now or i'll make you die. Tell I a joke now or i'll make you die.


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Every year there are approximately 4 ½ million dog bites in America. Nearly a quarter of all dog bite injuries require medical attention. Some require surgery, others require reconstructive plastic surgery and many result in permanent scaring.
Dog bites are more common among young children for several reasons. A child may wander onto a property where the dog is keeping watch, they may be attacked by a dog that has wandered off the owner's property, or they may become overly playful with the dog, causing the dog to become defensive and bite. Whatever the circumstances for the attack, a dog bite injury can be very traumatic, especially to children. It is important to seek immediate medical attention. In many instances, a psychologist can help you or your loved one heal emotionally, as well.
In Arizona, the owner of the dog is responsible for injuries caused by their dog; whether it occurs on the owner's property or elsewhere. The owner has a responsibility to take the necessary safety measures in restraining their dog. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, the owner may be required to pay the medical bills and any other damages associated with your dog bite injury. In order to maintain the strict liability available under Arizona law, a one year statute of limitations is enforced. For this reason, it is important to contact The Robert P. Ramirez Law Firm right away. We have experience in dog bite cases and can help you with your claim! Give us a call, day or night. We're here to help 24 hours a day! (623) 322-3400
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Several years ago my husband used Robert's services and did a phenomenal job. When I was involved in an accident I knew just who to call. The legal professionals at The Robert Ramirez Law Firm were extremely helpful with my case! Robert and his staff were very knowledgeable and thorough every step of the way. All I had to do was go to the doctor, and give Robert periodic updates. They did all the work, so I didn't have to worry about it. I am very happy that I made the decision to hire Robert and his firm! Robert and his team treated me like family and were very sympathetic to what I was going through. I highly recommend Robert to anyone looking for an injury lawyer.
Robert, Thank you to you and your staff for everything you have done to help me after my car accident! You and your employees have gone the extra mile to make a very difficult situation easier for me! The level of service your employees provided exceeded my expectations! Their care and concern for me was unexpected but truly appreciated. My case was handled with such professionalism! In the end, the settlement I received far surpassed my expectations! Thank you for all your hard work on my case! I will certainly recommend you and your firm, if a friend or family member ever needs legal services! Thanks Again
I strongly recommend Robert P. Ramirez for his highly ethical and professional representation of clients in cases involving personal injury, accidents and wrongful death. He is truly a superb lawyer! The staff of The Robert P. Ramirez Law Firm handled everything from the beginning to the very end. I was told up front exactly what to expect with my case. There was excellent communication with weekly updates. I was not inconvenienced in any way and I am grateful and appreciative for your support and help during this hardship!


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HOW TO QUIT SMOKING By emb
Paul (My Husband) was able to quit by going to his doctor and using the
prescription pills: Bupropion HLC 75MG
...Unfortunately, it didn't work - He went back to smoking.
OR Try what worked for me. I call it the "The Step Backwards Method":
#1. Wait until you Really DO want to quit smoking - not someone else wants you to quit, but you yourself wants YOU to quit - will power is going to make the difference for you, and if you don't have the will, there is nothing that will give you the way!
#2. Most of us smokers do not smoke during our sleep hours - if you do, DON'T. This gives you 6-8 hours head start on not smoking. When you wake up, Go Ahead and light that cigarette ... BUT
#3. DO NOT INHALE - Do Not From Now On Ever Knowingly Inhale - this will be tough as you will automatically inhale so you will have to think about Not Inhaling, but once you do that ... It becomes easy Not To Inhale - because if you do accidently after about the 2rd day, you find that low and behold it makes you cough or feel guilty - associate smoking with that coughing or guilty feeling and realize yeah, I wasn't a whimp before, my lungs and ME just didn't like it! Duh!
#4. Take WORT - Gotta have it! - a simple herb that you will need at the beginning cause you are fighting the addiction thing here too. Your nicotine craving will cause you to chain light-up but won't give the old satisfaction without inhaling (or coughing if you accidently inhale) so the herb St. John's WORT will help you not want to break things into tiny, small, little, pieces from your frustration - it did for me anyway ... *Grins*
#5. WING yourself off of lighting up at all - After day 6 you really don't much like it anyway - stinks and is filthy and you know inhaling will only make you cough or feel guilty so what is the point? Try not lighting up - re-light the same cig. all day - it doesn't matter - you are not inhaling so it doesn't give you a buzz like an old used cig. used to do. This will convince you that you really don't need that cig after all. Ready? Now Throw the rest of them away or give them to someone!
Those 5 little steps before "Cold Turkey" will give you the edge over ever wanting to smoke again ... you did it yourself because you FIRST went back to where you were as a beginner and finally became like a non-smoker. Now, you can easily say - "hey, I choose Not to smoke!" :)
SMOKE FREE but the old habit may still be there - When the Boredom gets to be TOO MUCH! - Have a sucker or chew some gum - something that will help take some of the habits' "I'm bored! Time to light a cigarette to give me something to do" thingy away.
I bet you never thought a 30 year habit could be zapped in just 7 days! Try It, it just might be what will work for you too!
Those that love God can also keep in mind WHO their strength is - repeat as often as need be - "I Can Do ALL Things through Christ who strengthens me!"
"I Can Do ALL Things through Christ who strengthens me!"
Whichever method you use, I know You Can Do IT!
God's Best To You! ... :) Shangy!!
A G R E A T place for 24/7 support is Quitnet.com
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
May you, and all those you love,
be so blessed and fortunate
as to stand approved before God,
unashamed of your workmanship.
May God Always Bless You and Yours As
You Stand Steadfast on His Word Of Truth!
^BACK To TOP^
For those of you who Want More FUN - Join The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is a letter packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
Heart Warming Stories. Jokes from G to slightly R, and Anything else that just
might make you SMILE! Join In The Free FUN!! ... :)
Yes! SEND BLANK EMAIL TO JOIN NOW! Or GO TO ARCHIVES!-
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-To SHANGRALA-
Copyright © 1996 Netscape Communications Corporation. Mozilla is
a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Note: This is an Unofficial God, Jesus Christ, Family, & Cartoon Fan Site.
© All graphics representing Disney characters are copyrighted by Disney.
Likewise all other graphics & music Copyright © by their own Individual Artists.
I do not own any graphics on this site. If you do, please notify me and I'll give
you proper credit, a link, or remove it immediately according to your wishes.
~*~ Copyright © 1997-2009 Elrhea M. Bigham ~*~


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Boys Night Out - "Make Yourself Sick" is back on vinyl!
Posted on September 22nd, 2022
So stoked to team w/ Parting Gift Records to bring Boys Night Out's debut LP "Make Yourself Sick" to vinyl again! Only 2000 copies + online exclusive merch are available now!
Get It: HERE


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Quick, Thorough and Professional
Noticed an increase in bat droppings on our deck. Quick response, excellent value quote. Thorough sealing. Used wire mesh around vents and soffits ends. Installed exit tubes to avoid trapped bats... came back a few weeks later to remove the tubes. Two Thumbs Up on this service
- Approximate cost of services:
- $2,500.00
Was this review helpful?
- Company Response
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We were happy to help.


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Doctors Incorrectly Diagnose Symptoms 10-15% of the Time
It's because human biology is complex and doctors are human.
When a patient comes in with a symptom... let's take dizziness... there are numerous possible causes for this particular symptom: stroke, medication side effect, alcohol intoxication, BPPV, Meniere's, vestibular neuritis, cerebral vascular insufficiency, head trauma, concussion, etc.
Beginning with a medical history, we try to narrow down the possible causes down to a few and ideally one before making a recommendation for treatment. Some are easily eliminated, but others are more challenging to rule-out.
That's when testing is performed to further narrow down the last few possibilities. Using the example of dizziness, numerous tests are performed including hearing tests (asymmetric hearing loss?), MRI scan (brain tumor vs stroke), and ENG (peripheral vestibular dysfunction?). Doctors will also have to take into consideration that NO test is 100% accurate and the testing is only as good as the interpretation of the test results which brings another human element where error may crop up.
In any case, where does this 10-15% physician error rate come from? It is mainly from the research of Arthur Elstein, a cognitive psychologist who spent his entire lifetime studying how doctors think. However, subsequent studies by others have confirmed this error rate.
Autopsy studies which are considered the "gold standard of tests" reveal diagnostic errors of 10-20%. That's part of the reason why autopsies are so important when an "unexpected" death occurs as it reveals cause of death and serves to "teach" where physicians may have gone wrong.
Survey studies have been conducted where doctors as well as patients are questioned whether they personally or know of somebody who was incorrectly diagnosed. Such studies reveal an error rate around 30%.
"Fake Patient" secret shopper studies where actors pretend to have a particular illness have revealed error rates of about 13%
All this serves to remind healthcare utilizers that physicians are not infallible. Utilizing 2nd opinions help to minimize error rates as well as seeing specialists, though such steps may increase other types of errors if not confusion if different opinions are rendered.
Clinical reasoning in medicine. In: Higgs J, ed. Clinical reasoning in the health professions. Oxford, England: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd, 1995;49–59
Diagnostic errors in three medical eras: a necropsy study. Lancet 2000;355:2027–31
Views of practicing physicians and the public on medical errors. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1933–40
Assessing the accuracy of administrative data in health information systems. Med Care 2004;42:1066–72.
The incidence of diagnostic error in medicine. BMJ Qual Saf 2013;22:ii21-ii27 doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001615


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"I am his personal coach and I know that he does not take dope"
Following his World Championship Bronze in 2015, wrestler Narsingh Yadav appears to be India's best chance of glory in the 74-kilogram freestyle category at Rio 2016.
However his chances at Rio have been substantially setback after the 26 year-old tested positive to the use of an illicit substance.
Reports indicate the banned substance was methandienone, a strength and performance increasing anabolic steroid.
As the sole member of the team's representation in this category it is not yet known whether Narsingh Yadav will be losing his place to compete.
Navin Agarwal, the National Anti-Doping Agency director general commented on the failed test stating:
"Narsingh was personally present when his B sample was opened. The panel sought more reports regarding the matter."
The proceedings will no doubt be watched with scrutiny by Olympics reject Sushil Kumar, who lost out to Yadav.
Bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012 makes Kumar India's most successful Olympic athlete to compete in any individual category.
Both Yadav and Kumar were fighting for the 74-kilogram category after the 66-kilogram bout was cut from the event.
But a Delhi High Court ruled in favour of Yadav following his success in the 2015 World Championships.
Since Yadav's fate is still to be decided, naturally there is no word yet on a replacement. Although Kumar would undoubtedly be the frontrunner to join up with the Indian team should Yadav be axed.
Controversially, Yadav's coach Jamal Singh has discussed his certainty of the Olympic prospect's 'framing' with the media:
"I am his personal coach and I know that he does not take dope.
"He is a wrestler, he was supposed to fight for our country and win, but he was being pressurized from all quarters. He will never do anything of this sort. This is a conspiracy against him," claimed Singh.
All wrestling events at the Rio 2016 Olympics are scheduled to take place from August 14 to 21, 2016. Time will tell whether or not Narsingh Yadav can participate.


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Shinedown Tickets
Lakeview Amphitheater | Syracuse, New York
That feeling of excitement you feel building in the air is all because Shinedown is coming to Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse New York to perform live in concert on Saturday Saturday 6th July 2019. This musical extravaganza marks the latest in a long line of epic shows that this musician has delivered and critics are already predicting that this will be a sold-out show. Shinedown has a history of playing to sold-out crowds who rush for the chance to experience their relentless energy, unmistakable stage presence, and award-winning star power. It doesn't matter how close you are to the stage when Shinedown hits the stage, your mind will be blown by this epic musical talent. Click the Buy Tickets button below to order your ticket while supplies last.
The best local and national musical talents in the country are always searching for incredible venues for their concert tours and Lakeview Amphitheater is proud to be selected by Shinedown for one of their July events. But it's not just because of their great location near fine 5-star dining and restaurants that brought this incredible musician to their stage, it's also because of the perks that your ticket will allow you to enjoy. Lakeview Amphitheater features some of the best lighting and sound design in the industry so that no matter where you are seated, you won't miss a single second of the action. It also has a combination of comfortable and intimate seating and wide open dance floor space so that you can enjoy performances to your heart's content. The atmosphere is also on point, featuring the premier blend of comfort and style to make your evening out an incredible and unforgettable experience. So if you want to join others who have already ordered tickets to see Shinedown live, then all you gotta do is click the Buy Tickets button below.


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OSSBA and CCOSA are proud to present the 3rd Annual Dr. Bob Mooneyham Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. Throughout Mooneyham's career, he served as an education leader, working as a teacher, coach, counselor, superintendent and professor. His numerous contributions to Oklahoma education were recognized with honors including the Oklahoma Educators' Hall of Fame, OEA Friend of Education, Keepers of the Dream Award, UCO Outstanding Alumni, Holiday Texas Outstanding Alumni, 75 Who Made a Difference in the OU College of Education, and Okemah Hall of Fame. Dr. Mooneyham became executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association in 1975 and advocated for Oklahoma public education from this position for 25 years. Mooneyham was a co-founder of the Oklahoma Education Coalition and served the National Rural Education Association until his retirement in 2006. He passed away Dec. 24, 2012.
To register for the golf tournament, please contact Kelly Ross by email or at 405.528.3571.
Check-in begins at 7 a.m.


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what does a pre approval letter look like · When you are pre-approved, the lenders actually look at your credit report and financial situation and allocate a certain amount of funds. You are granted a commitment letter from the bank stating exactly how much they are willing to loan you. While pre-qualifying is good, if a seller had 2 offers in front of them, most will choose the one that.
How Much Can I Afford? FHA Mortgage Calculator. Use the following calculator to help you determine an affordable monthly payment so that you know what you can afford before you make an offer on the home you want to purchase. Desired Mortgage $
Your gross monthly income is generally the amount of money you have earned before your taxes and other deductions are taken out. For example, if you pay $1500 a month for your mortgage and another $100 a month for an auto loan and $400 a month for the rest of your debts, your monthly debt payments are $2000. ($1500 + $100 + $400 = $2,000.)
Use our FHA Mortgage Qualification Calculator to determine what size FHA mortgage you qualify for and what price home you can afford to buy based on your monthly gross income, debt payments and other factors including your down payment, loan term and mortgage rate.
how to get freddie mac loan These aren't bank owned properties, so there is rarely a requirement for you to get pre-approved with a specific lender or mortgage broker. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac do not offer loan programs directly to consumers, they purchase loans that are made by mortgage lenders under the Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac loan program guidelines.
In addition to a single monthly payment, a Direct Consolidation Loan can give you more time to repay your loans (as much as 30 years), and any variable. payments without racking up more interest.
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Banks and other South African Home Loan providers will only consider 30% of your monthly income as a bond repayment.. For example: With a salary of R20k/pm, you can use a maximum of about R6 000/pm to pay-off a home loan. Although you can up this amount by.
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Zillow's Home Affordability Calculator will help you determine how much house you can afford by analyzing your income, debt, and the current mortgage rates.
The total loan size for this mortgage would be $226,000 including a $221,950 principal loan balance and a $3,884 upfront mortgage insurance fee. Even in a high cost of living area, the couple earning $60,000 will not qualify for a larger loan.


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What To Expect With Vision Therapy Treatment:
Question: What is the average number of vision therapy sessions needed?
Dr. Fuerst: Usually between eight and 12 sessions. We train the parent to be a "home therapist" to work with their child for about a half an hour each day and then they come in once every two weeks and they go through the various skills.So, it runs about four to six months.
Question: What are the benefits of vision therapy?
Dr. Fuerst: The benefits are life-changing. Just a few weeks ago I had a parent come in and say "I am bringing my grandson in to see you for vision therapy. You did such wonderful work with my son 25 years ago and it was a turning point in his life in fourth grade. He was a non-reader and hated reading. Today he is a practicing physician. I want you to check my grandson. I told her that I was so happy I had a positive influence on your son. She responded "No, you don't understand. That was the tipping point for him. He hating reading and therefore hated school, and was very frustrated. After vision therapy, he started picking up reading, really enjoying it, and ended up going to med school!"
I hear stories like this over and over again. So, to me, the ability to make reading and learning easier is priceless.
We have a finite, fixed amount of concentration you can bring to reading and learning. If you are wide awake and feeling good, you can give a little more attention. If you are tired distressed for some reason, you can give less attention. Whatever it is, you want the lion's share of that amount of attention to be on the cognition, decoding the words, adding it to the gestalt or the body of what you have been reading for comprehension.
Vision requires a bit of energy to keep it in focus, to keep the eyes lined up, to do the tracking, and so if that is taking an over-abundance of effort for the child to be able to read, then we fix that. We improve it so that they are able to put more of their attention and concentration on what they are reading, and not on the process of visually scanning and reading.
Question: Is there a connection with learning and reading disorders and ADHD?
Dr. Fuerst: Yes and no. True ADHD is something totally separate. However, if you go back and see how they measure the brain waves and concentration that is indicative of cognition, you will find that a ton of research from the 60's and 70's about the alpha rhythms, the proverbial dial-tone of the brain, also called bio-feedback.
A normal alpha rhythm when you are taking a walk in the woods, not really focusing on anything, kinda just taking it all in, the amplitude of the alpha rhythm wave is quite high.
It will oscillate up and down with a good high point and a good low point. Then we ask the same person to really concentrate on something, for instance to calculate a mathematical equation, the amplitude of the alpha rhythm becomes very small, going up a little bit, and down a little bit, up a little bit and down a little bit.
Back in the day there was a whole thing about bio-feedback, and what happened is that we had these type-A personalities that were having heart attacks and they'd measure these folks with the alpha rhythms and saw "Hey, your alpha rhythms are the same when they are relaxed as when they are concentrating on something." So they worked with these people to try and get the standard alpha rhythm pattern, and that helped them to more fully relax.
Then they researched children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and ADHD or ADD, and those kids had the opposite alpha rhythm. When they were concentrating really hard, their alpha rhythms are high, oscillating up and down with a huge wave of high point and a good low point, as if they are not focusing and just relaxing.
If you want to measure the alpha rhythm of the brain, the best place to place the skin surface electrode is right above the occipital lobe of the brain on the back of the skull. This occipital lobe strictly deals with vision. So, to say that attention and concentration is highly tied to vision is not a difficult link to be able to prove physiologically.
I will get kids who have a lot of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD or ADD, such as not being able to concentrate for more than 5 minutes, can't stay focused, and so on, and you find out they have a massive tracking problem, a massive convergence insufficiency. I say, "Yeah. No wonder you are manifesting ADHD-like symptoms. Unfortunately these kids get misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD. It's not true, it's not accurate. They just need vision therapy.
Question: It sounds like vision therapy is only for children. Do you treat adults as well?
Dr. Fuerst: Our main focus is on children, but I see quite a few adults. I will get patients who have had binocular vision issues intermittently throughout their lives and then they start getting into their senior years and now the muscle tone throughout the body is diminished, and all of a sudden they are seeing double when they are driving.
They've been to three or four doctors. Some are prescribed prisms in their glasses, and sometimes it helps but not really. Another example is they'd like to be able to read more, but they can't due to intermittent double vision. They've gone through a dozen pairs of glasses, in the last three or four years. The doctors they are seeing are telling them they need computer glasses, you need single-vision, you need progressives and so on, but they are still having intermittent double vision.
We get them started with vision therapy and we've have very good success. We also treat adults who have had head trauma, massive car accidents, previous coma patients, and brain injury.
The reason our main focus is on children is:
Their sense of value and self-worth is linked to their ability to read. They are going through this on a daily basis in school. With adults, they've gone through their life like this, and it's amazing how many parents will say "That's me! My son has this now. It's just like me growing up. I hated school and reading."
The adults have found ways to compensate in life, for instance by getting jobs that don't require a tremendous amount of visual intensity and so on. In cases like this, we often work with the parent as well.


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Corn Maze III is nigh!
Corn Maze III is hosted by the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais from November 4, 2016 at 4 PM to November 6, 2016 12 PM. The event takes place at Ard's farm (4803 Old Turnpike Rd, Lewisburg, PA. 17837).
We caught up with HRH Timothy to discover what makes Corn Maze (or A&E War, which is the official name) different from other SCA events:
"Several years ago, THL Angus McClerie and I were driving through ACG, and we drove by a corn maze. I said to Angus, "wouldn't it be sweet to have some melees in there?" His response made my heart leap: "I went to High School with the owner".
"The first year, he told us we could have it for a few hours after he closed it on its last day before he plowed it under/harvested it. So we arranged for some construction lights, and at 8 pm on a Sunday night, with only three weeks notice, about 50 of us tromped through the maze with every goofy scenario we could come up with. Mostly they were traditional scenarios with a maze twist thrown in.
"The site is a corn maze of about 10 acres. In the middle of the maze is a bridge that we allow spectators to stand on and watch the fighting happening all around them; they wear safety goggles, as there is combat archery in most of the scenarios.
"The second year, we added fencing, and only fought heavy in the maze during the evening. Again, we migrated to whatever wacky scenario I could come up with. Bearing in mind I had a year to plot, I did get very creative, and that is how we ended up where we are now. The Corn Maze war is in no way, shape or form high medievalism; it is about having a good time. We fight pretty much all day and most of the night, with fighters taking a break as they feel like it. I run one scenario after another with only a brief break for dinner.
We do resurrection battles, free-for-alls, warlord tourneys, and our grand finale, the famed "zombie battle". This battle is run several times, but the first one is the one that is the most epic. Each fighter is given a glow stick on a lanyard that they are to tie on their person. They can distribute themselves throughout the maze as they will. After all fighters have a chance to place themselves, I announce that they are to stop moving. Each fighter then breaks open their glow stick, and sees what side they are on. I turn out the construction lights, and call lay on. As each fighter dies, they resurrect. The resurrection points are either end of the bridge, and the maze separates them. From the bridge, the spectators get to see glow stick laden arrows fly through the air and the lights of fighters bobbing along thru the maze. I added a twist last year. I selected one fighter at random, and in secret, and told them they were patient zero. When they died, they didn't resurrect. They were to wander through the maze, and try and kill stragglers, to increase the mob of zombies. At some point, the zombies reach a critical mass, and I call humanities' last stand, and the red and blue team joins up, under the bridge, trying to fight off the ever increasing number of zombies."
The autocrat is HRH Timothy of Arindale. The event page can be found here.
Adult Event Registration: $18
Adult Member Discount Event Registration: $13
Children are free.
Please make checks out to SCA Inc, shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais.