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The Bar and Grill Pt. 03byRehnquist©
AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is part 3 of 4. The final installment is now done, and it will be posted as soon as I have some time for some final editing.
Thanks to everyone for their comments, both good and bad, on the first two parts. I know this is different from what's normally posted here, but you can't say you weren't forewarned.
As always, I really would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this installment and how you think it's coming along.
Two weeks after Nicole introduced me--and Lonnie Mackie--to the joys of Thai grilled chicken skins, my life took a dramatic and unexpected turn.
It all started out innocently enough on a Wednesday night at seven thirty. I was leaving after another long night, and I spied Nicole at a table in the dining room, taking an order from her parents while stroking the blonde hair of a little boy in a high chair.
Curious, I decided to butt in on the proceedings, so I ambled over to the table to say my hellos.
"Gertie, Willie," I said, nodding to Nicole's parents.
"Hey, Tim," they said almost in unison.
"And is this the famous Alistair?" I said.
Nicole nodded, her face on her son.
"He's a handsome little fella," I offered.
"He is that," Gertie said.
"He's a Sanderson through and through," Willie said, staking his family's claim to the boy's genetic benefits.
"He has his father's eyes, though," Nicole whispered, still smiling and looking at her son.
I was surprised and more than a little curious. I'd never seen this side of Nicole. The only time I'd ever heard about her husband, the boy's father, she'd turned to ice. Yet, she looked at her son fondly while speaking about him. I realized I still knew almost nothing about this sphinx of an employee. Was she divorced? Widowed? What did she like other than cooking and, obviously, her son?
And that's when I said it, not even thinking before the words were out of my mouth.
"Y'know, I'd like to maybe all get together for dinner sometime if that's okay with all of you."
"Sure," Willie and Gertie chimed.
Nicole's face looked troubled, though, as if she was torn between the joy of stroking her son's hair and the fear of socializing. Was it socializing in general, or just socializing with me? I decided to press on before she could refuse.
"Have you tried the appetizer Nicole came up with?" A little misdirection to get the ball rolling.
"Which one is that, dear?" Gertie said to Nicole.
"You probably wouldn't like it," Nicole mumbled.
"Maybe, maybe not," I said. "I think you should try it, though. On the house. See what your little girl can do."
Willie was intrigued. His stocky frame indicated he liked food, but his ordering history leaned heavily on meat and potatoes. Still, the notion--maybe even fatherly pride of some sort--that his little girl had developed a real restaurant menu was breaking down his natural inhibitions to try something beyond meat loaf, fried chicken, or pot roast.
"Let's give it a shot," Gertie urged, and Willie nodded.
"Yeah, let's."
"So what's this about dinner?" Gertie chirped, getting the conversation back on track. God bless her.
Nicole shot me a don't-you-dare look, the first I'd seen from her in months. I smiled back at her before turning to Gertie.
"Why don't you all come over to my place Saturday. I'll get Jack to cover for me, and I don't think Nicole is working. Nicole and I will plan a menu, and we'll all just eat and drink and have a relaxing evening. Bring whoever you want. Barry's still at home, right?"
Gertie nodded, smiling brightly.
"Hell," I went on. "Go ahead and invite Clara and Leon and the boys, too. Matter of fact, I'll invite her in just a minute."
Gertie was bubbling with enthusiasm of a family meal she wouldn't have to cook.
"Nothing too weird, right?" Willie ventured.
I shook my head and laughed. "Whatever we make, you'll like it. I promise. Right, Nicole?"
I turned and looked at the mask that had, once again, descended over her face. She held my eyes for a minute, her lips tight, then turned and strode to the kitchen to place her parents' order.
"What's wrong with her?" I asked, turning to Gertie and Willie.
Gertie pooh poohed the reaction.
"She's like that a lot," Gertie said.
Willie's eyes had followed her, and I don't think he even realized speaking.
"'Specially since Alistair was killed."
Seeing a piece fit into the puzzle, I decided not to waste the opportunity.
"How was he killed?"
"Murdered," Gertie whispered.
"They never caught him," Willie added, looking sadly at Alistair as he spoke.
I felt like an incredible asshole. Here they are, trying to enjoy their dinner in my restaurant, spend some time with their grandson and Nicole when she can snatch a few moments with them between tables, and I'm dumb enough to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong.
Gertie stopped my shame from overwhelming me, though.
"So," she chirped up, "what time on Saturday?"
"Five okay?"
Gertie looked at Willie, who nodded, then back to me. "And Nicole? If she's helping you, she'll probably need to be there earlier."
I shot a look at the kitchen door, then back to Gertie. "Maybe I should-- "
"Nope," Gertie interrupted. "You try to work it out with her, she won't even be there. You tell me what time, and I'll get her along so you two can whip us up something really nice, okay?"
"Two o'clock?" I offered.
Gertie nodded. "Two it is."
"And she should bring Alistair with her," I rushed in.
Gertie just smiled and shook her head. "Smack dab in the middle of nap time."
I nodded.
"But nothing too fancy, right?" Willie said.
I laughed. "Sold."
I left them to their dinner and moved to the bar, where I invited Clara and her clan. She was surprised, but quickly accepted for just her and Leon. The boys had a dance or some such thing.
I thought back on my conversation with Gertie and Willie. Sure, having your husband murdered is going to scar the hell out of any woman, so it went a long way toward explaining Nicole's behavior, particularly what had to be her first boyfriend after that took to beating on her. It all fell into place now, and the mystery that was Nicole was clearing up.
Then I thought about Gertie at the end of the conversation. Let's get something straight here, folks: I'm not completely stupid. Gertie was clearly pleased about Nicole and I spending time alone in my house cooking dinner. I wasn't sure whether she was pleased to just be getting Nicole out of her shell or whether it was romantic plans for the two of us. It seemed she wouldn't have minded it either way.
And that led to my final thought. Namely, I was now looking at Nicole as something different than an employee and fellow lover of the culinary arts. For the first time ever, I was looking upon Nicole as more than just eye candy to glance at occasionally in the kitchen. No, now I was seeing a beautiful woman that I'd--maybe--like to become more involved with, spend time getting to know as more than just an employee.
Then the doubts started creeping in. Was Jenny right? Was I looking at Nicole like this because I wanted to play the knight in shining armor and make it all better for her?
That, of course, made me think of Jenny.
Oh, that and the fact that Jenny just happened to stroll in with Jammer as I was finishing my beer and getting ready to go home and feed Ernie.
We were seated around a tall pub table in the bar area, taking the first sips of our beers.
"You haven't called me back," I started.
Jenny smiled. "Warned you," she said. Seeing my hurt expression, she softened and went on. "Really, Tim, I've been busier than hell all week. Only reason I'm here right now is because Jammer was driving past as I got off the train and dragged me up for a drink."
I nodded. She did, after all, work in the city. That meant an hour plus commute each way. And with her job, there was no doubt she worked twelve hour days. She'd barely had enough energy to screw me unconscious the past two Saturday nights we'd spent together. Still, it wasn't a boyfriend-girlfriend thing going, and I was beginning to want more.
"Chill, dude," Jammer said.
I smiled at him.
"You moving in on her?" I teased.
He sipped his beer. "What makes you think I haven't done so already?"
"Boys, boys," Jenny chided. "Settle down here, willya?"
She turned to me and put her hand on my forearm. "If it makes you feel better, Tim, he's never gotten past second base with me. Ever. And that was in high school. I'm not seeing him behind your back, okay?"
My startled expression turned to laughter at Jammer's hurt feelings.
"Jenny, you're ruining my reputation here," he protested.
"And if you ever want to get past first base again," Jenny continued, ignoring Jammer, "you won't tell him what base you reached."
"Oh, I know what base he reached," Jammer proclaimed. "He's got a whole new spring in his step lately."
We chatted about old times for a while, about people we'd gone to school with and who had kids and who else had divorced and so on.
Our conversation was interrupted when appetizers materialized on the table in front of us.
"I thought you all could use something to eat," Nicole said, briefly smiling before turning away.
"Nicole," Jammer called after her, "come back here, honey."
I saw her back tense at his voice, and she stuttered her step. But she kept walking back to the kitchen.
"That girl," Jammer said, turning to me. "Nicole. What's the story with her?"
"Helluva cook," I said, pushing the chicken skins in front of him. "Try for yourself."
"I know she's a helluva cook, Timmer. Everyone at the party complimented her stuff," Jammer said, picking up a skewer and taking a bite. "You're right. Good."
"She came up with it," I said.
"So why won't she give me the time of day?" Jammer asked. He turned to Jenny. "You're a woman. What's her problem?"
I turned to Jenny to hear her answer and saw her staring at Nicole across the room on her way to the kitchen.
"Jenny," Jammer insisted, breaking her reverie.
"You're a pig," Jenny said, "and she's looking for something else right now."
"That hurts," Jammer said as I laughed. "What's so funny?"
"That's what she called you," I told him. "Monday after the party."
Jammer got flustered at this. "It was late," he whined. "I was drunk. Hell, Timmer, you know I didn't mean anything by it."
"You're not what she needs," Jenny insisted. "She looks like she's been through a lot. She doesn't need a quick roll in the hay with someone."
Jenny turned to me with a weird look on her face.
"What?" I said.
"It's you," Jenny said.
"Me what?"
"That she wants," Jenny said, turning back to look as Nicole strode from the kitchen to the bar to get drinks.
"If I didn't know any better," Jenny continued, her eyes still on Nicole, "I'd say she has a crush on you. Or at least is curious about you."
I tried to laugh it off, and Jenny said nothing. Jammer, though, wasn't one to hesitate putting in his two cents.
"What the hell is it about him lately?" he asked Jenny. "Some chick dumps him, divorces him, and he's waist high in more premium trim than I can get on my best day."
"He's not a dickhead," Jenny said, smiling at Jammer.
"You think I'm a dickhead?"
She laughed. "No, Jammer, you're not a dickhead. I was just teasing."
He seemed relieved.
"We've already agreed you're a pig, okay?"
His sheepish grin turned to fake pout. Say this for Jammer, he could take as well as he got. Frankly, if I was a chick, I'd find him cute and endearing and funny and all of those things that women seemed to want in men. And he's definitely better looking than me, so I found it hard to stomach Jenny's assessment.
Jenny seemed to be reading my mind, though. Maybe staring at Jammer with a pondering look gave it away.
"Listen, boys," she said. "Neither of you really has a clue what a woman wants. You both have a general idea what women want, but not what an individual, specific woman wants, okay?"
Jammer seemed game, and I was willing to play along with it, so we waved her on.
"It's like this," she said, leaning over the table and talking lower. "You, Jammer, you're like the little boy that women want to play mommy with. You're petulant, funny, you can take a joke and laugh at yourself, and you don't take things all too seriously. You need someone--and I mean if you're thinking long term here--you need someone who's like you. Someone who needs to keep things light and fun and spontaneous. Anyone who says opposites attract is full of shit. Opposites attract initially, but end up getting on each other's nerves after awhile. So that's the type of woman you need."
Jammer seemed to actually give this some thought for a moment.
"So you're saying," he started, "you're saying . . . . If she's really smart and intense and ducks in a row on everything, she's not going to find me attractive?"
Jenny shook her head. "Oh no," she responded. "She'll find you attractive, all right. Hell, you're a good lookin' guy. A lot like Tom Brady without the dimpled chin. Big, handsome, great smile, dark hair. The whole package."
Jammer preened like a prize swan at this, but her next statement shot him right down.
"But she'll be the one to dump you. Not the other way around. You'll keep going to the well so long as you get laid, but she'll dump you regardless of how good the sex is."
Now the fawning chest puffery was gone. Jammer actually thought about this, then shrugged.
"And if I don't want to find someone and settle down? If I don't care if it's long term?"
"Then you need to decide, on those nights when there is no warm body next to you in that big old house of yours, whether you're lonely or alone. Some people don't mind being alone. Some people, though, get lonely when there's no one else to tell about their day."
"Jesus," he said, gulping his beer. "I didn't drag you here tonight to think about all this serious shit."
Jenny and I grinned at his discomfort.
"But as long as we are," Jammer said, taking the last gulp of his beer, "why don't you tell me what type of woman is perfect for our little Timmy here."
I held my hands up defensively.
"Whoa, fellas," I said.
But Jenny's eyes had fixed on me.
"Someone who cares about him as much as he cares about her," she said.
"A bit trite, don't you think?" Jammer challenged. "Why don't we start with his looks. If I'm Tom Brady, who's Tim? Barney Fife?"
Jenny shook her head. "Jackson Browne."
"The singer?" Jammer said. "Folk dude from the seventies?"
She nodded. "He looks a lot like him. Hair's shorter, but the build and face are about the same. But it's more."
"How so?" I asked.
"He's more introspective. The silent watcher type. Enjoys company, but doesn't need to be--doesn't want to be--the center of attention."
Jenny took a sip of her beer, looking at me as she spoke. Her eyes seemed troubled, like she didn't much like what she was describing in me.
"He's the kind of man a woman--the right woman--doesn't want to baby or mother. She just wants to hold him in front of the fire on cold winter nights. To just enjoy being with him. To cook dinner with him and laugh together about their day."
Jammer and I were silent when she finished. Her telling of it was so sad, somehow, and I knew why. I'm pretty sure Jammer picked up on it, too.
Jenny was an achiever. She loved her job, the stress, the long hours, solving all of the problems in the office. Sure, she could screw like a minx on a Saturday night, but that was only after putting in another six or seven hours at the office. And she had taken off early on the three Sundays we'd been together, which meant she'd probably gone home and prepared for the shitstorm her week was bringing.
In other words, she'd never be the kind of person for me. Maybe not for Jammer, for that matter.
"Cheer up, Tim," she said, putting her hand atop mine. "I was honest from day one. Now that I know you a little better, I'm pretty sure I've hit the hammer on the head, right?"
I nodded. She was right, and I saw that.
"So Saturday night is off?"
She nodded. "It'll only make it harder for you if we keep up, don't you think?"
Jammer decided now was the time to introduce some levity.
"So that means you'll give me a shot?" he trumpeted, slapping his hand on the table. "It's about goddamned time."
I smiled. Jenny, of course, was right. I could already feel myself becoming too attached. I'd been disappointed we never talked or spent any time together doing anything but screwing. Jammer could do that; he could just have casual sex with someone and not need more. I now realized, for the first time, that I just wasn't wired that way. Sex is awesome, particularly with Jenny, but it left me wanting more.
The real problem was whether I'd ever change to become more patient. Every time I got a blowjob, did the donor have to get an engagement ring? Was sex enough to just hook me into thinking I was in love?
"So what d'ya say, Jen?" Jammer continued. "Saturday night?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"No, Jammer," she said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm gonna need a lot more time than that to recover from my bouts with Tim here."
I flashed Jammer a grin at this one.
"Still friends?" Jenny said to me.
"Forever," I said, squeezing her hand now. "And thanks."
"Don't mention it," she said. "Though I can tell you, I'm definitely going to miss-- "
"Oh no," Jammer whispered, interrupting her.
We looked at him, then followed his eyes to the door.
Jenny said, "Is that-- "
"Nina," I confirmed.
And she had seen us and was walking straight at our table.
I felt Jenny's hand squeeze mine again, then start to disentangle. But I held onto her hand, not letting it go. I wasn't sure I could do this alone.
But then another thought occurred to me, one that I decided to act on.
I stood, letting go of Jenny's hand and turning to both of them.
"Night now," I said, and started walking toward Nina.
As I approached, her smile got brighter and she raised her hand to wave. I couldn't help but notice that there was no wedding ring on her finger, which surprised me. I knew she and Steve had married within weeks of the divorce.
"Hey, Nina," I said, approaching her.
"Hi, Tim," she responded.
And I just walked right on past. Before she could react, I was disappearing through the kitchen, out the back door, and into my Jeep.
There you go, Nina. Take that.
How's it feel to have someone you supposedly love blow you off with nary a care?
Sucks, huh?
Nicole was even more quiet than normal the next morning. All efforts to get her to talk were met with monosyllabic responses and grunts. By the time afternoon clean up arrived, I was tired of it.
"Fine," I said to her back as she loaded the dishwasher. "I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have gotten you roped into a dinner party without asking you first. I just thought, you know, it would be fun to just get together and cook for some family."
Her shoulders slumped as she went still.
"C'mon, Nicole," I continued, pleading. "I'll do it however you want. You want to cancel the whole thing, no problem. You want just me to do the cooking? That's fine, too. I just thought . . . . Well, I don't really know what I thought. I just don't need you all pissed off about it though, okay?"
She turned, her face nervous, and leaned back against the counter, her hands on each side of her ass.
We stared at each other for a few moments, her mouth starting to say something several times before she managed to speak.
"I've never cooked any French food," she finally said.
I smiled. "You got anything particular in mind?"
"Beef bourguignon?"
I nodded, running through the timeline in my mind.


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Intruder Alert
What would you say if someone told you that 7 years from now you will have left your native land with nothing but a backpack, explored the world, entered the industry of your dreams and that your travels would eventually lead you to the beautiful city of Montreal to work with some of the most talented and ambitious game developers in the world, on some of the hottest IPs of the decade?
Well it's this exact, surreal situation that I've managed to find myself in... Wow.
My name is Adam, and it is with an extraordinary sense of excitement and enthusiasm that I'd like to introduce myself as Eidos Montreal's new Online Community Manager. Some of you might remember me as the Prototype 2 Community Manager for Radical Entertainment, some of you will get to know me in person at game industry trade shows or exhibitions and some of you might simply know me as "hey there – you in the bushes!" Either way, let me tell you a little more about myself.
Originally from sunny Queensland Australia, I've spent the majority of my adult life abroad exploring the world and trying to make a career out of what others do for fun. I'm a hardcore gamer, a technophile, a semi-professional casual dresser and an extra-large coffee mug appreciator. With a combination of determination, hard work and a few heavy dashes of good luck I've had the chance to work at several AAA studios on some truly fantastic games with some amazing people, and I can honestly say that it has been the time of my life.
Some of my fondest memories of growing up are of playing both Eidos and Square Enix games, so it's quite incredible to find myself having the opportunity to work with everything Deus Ex, Thief and Eidos Montreal. My day-to-day duties, among other things, include maintaining our social networking sites (if you haven't followed us on Facebook or Twitter yet, now is the time!), working with our dedicated moderators maintaining the community forums as well as planning any number of community events and activities for everyone to enjoy. I'll be here to participate in discussions, keep you abreast of community developments, share information and to answer your questions wherever I can (although like the launches of all modern games, I won't be able to discuss anything ahead of schedule on fear of death - please don't take it personally!) Other times, I'll just be here to hand out high fives and let you know that you're awesome - all in a day's work.
As this is your community, I'm also excited to hear your thoughts, ideas or feedback as well. In fact, if you have a great idea for the community, why not fire me a tweet @EidosMontreal and tell me about it? I've got 15 spare Steam keys for the complete Thief Collection to award to the best tweets on Monday, November 5th 2012 – so get tweeting! I'm really looking forward to getting to know everybody here and I have a lot planned for the Eidos Montreal community in the coming months. I can't wait to make this great community even greater!
Game on.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Christian school in Texas has fired an unmarried science teacher because it claimed she was not a good "Christian role model" — even after she offered to get married.
Cathy Samford, who is now 39 weeks pregnant, told ABC News that she was "totally shocked" when Heritage Christian Academy in Rockwall, Texas fired her from her job as a science teacher and volleyball coach after they discovered she was pregnant late last year.
"I'm not just some teacher that went out to a bar and got pregnant and went back to school saying it's okay," Samford explained. "I was in a committed relationship the whole time and probably would have been married if things had gone differently and this would be a non-situation."
"I didn't think I would lose my job," she said. "I was in shock and devastated and that's when I said, 'If this is the problem, I'm willing, and so is my fiancé, to go ahead and get married.' That wasn't the issue. We were going to get married regardless."
Heritage Christian Academy headmaster Dr. Ron Taylor insisted to ABC News that he "had the feeling" the kids already knew she was pregnant so her marriage "wouldn't have changed anything."
"It doesn't change that her behavior was out of wedlock," Taylor said. "It's not that she's pregnant. The issue here is being an unmarried mother. … Everything that we stand for says that we want our teachers, who we consider to be in the ministry, to model what a Christian man or woman should be."
With the help of her attorney, Colin Walsh, Samford has filed charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for gender and pregnancy discrimination. They are also prepared to sue the school.
"It's against the law to fire someone for them taking a pregnancy leave and you can't preventatively fire someone," Walsh said. "You can't contract around anti-discrimination laws. … "Just being generally religious or upholding Christian values is not enough to evoke the ministerial exception."
"If anyone can say they're a Christian organization and therefore not subject to federal and state decisions, then there's no point in having those laws," Walsh added.
Samford's baby is due April 9th and she still doesn't have a job.
"I'm very worried about money. I'm just hoping to make it through this month. I've had lots of medical bills. My insurance was dropped so everything I've had to pay is out of pocket," she remarked. "I'm using my tax return just to live on. It's a big concern. I don't know what next month holds for me."
Update (11:45 p.m. ET): A Center for Disease Control (CDC) study recently found that that one in four children were born to unmarried couples who were living together.
Watch the video below from ABC News, broadcast April 11, 2012.


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Sullivan was held earlier this month with managing director Karren Brady on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting before being released on bail, but the pair have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and now Sullivan has accused the police of acting in an underhand way.
He told BBC´s Inside Sport: "While they were questioning me, they sneakily sent teams here with search warrants to turn my house upside down. It makes you feel like you have been invaded."
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2008, All Rights Reserved.
Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: https://www.givemesport.com/writeforgms


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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green was injured this past Friday against Calgary, and the hit by Flames right winger Josh Jooris has put Green on the shelf for 2-3 weeks. Green, 30, signed a three-year, $18-million contract with Detroit in the off-season and has scored two points in seven games.
The Detroit Red Wings faceoff against the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday night, but they'll do so without the services of off-season acquisition Mike Green.
Green, 30, was injured this past Friday against Calgary when Flames winger Josh Jooris crunched the Red Wings blueliner with a solid jolt behind the Detroit net. Green finished his shift, but as soon as he left the ice, he headed to the dressing room and did not return. Green didn't play Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks and Monday the Red Wings confirmed the defenseman would be out for up to three weeks.
In the off-season, the Red Wings inked Green to a three-year, $18-million deal, which made him the highest paid defenseman on the roster. Without Green, Detroit is missing their most offensively gifted defenseman and have lost an entire pairing thanks to a subsequent injury to Kyle Quincey, Green's primary defense partner this season, later in Friday's game.
Detroit GM Ken Holland has not gotten into specifics about Green's injury, but it has been reported the injury may be Green's right shoulder. News that the blueliner could miss three weeks — up to another 10 games — is about as bad as things could have gotten for Detroit.
Green had the third-highest average ice time of any blueliner through seven games this season and was able to lighten the load put on top-pairing blueliner Niklas Kronwall, who is entering his 11th season with Detroit. Without Green, though, the onus has been put back on Kronwall to be the team's clear-cut No. 1 defenseman and take all the big minutes. It was evident in Saturday's contest against Vancouver that Detroit coach Jeff Blashill's plan is to ride Kronwall hard during Green's absence.
Leading into Saturday's game, Kronwall's season-high ice time was 24:35, which came the evening Green went down injured. Before Friday, there had been games in which Kronwall played less than 20 minutes and even had one sub-19-minute contest to start the year. Saturday, however, Blashill trotted Kronwall out for more than 27 minutes.
The issue for Detroit is their current lack of defensive depth, which is why the Green injury is so impactful. After Kronwall and Green, the Red Wings' top option is Danny DeKeyser, who himself returned from injury just four games ago and looked Saturday as if he was still getting his legs. Quincey was a solid fourth option, but he'll be out at least a week as per concussion protocol following a hit from Flames rookie Sam Bennett.
Detroit is now relying on a blueline that is utilizing Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson as the top pairing, DeKeyser and Alexey Marchenko as the second unit and the seldom-used duo of Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl to round out the D-corps. That's not ideal for a Red Wings team that has struggled early on. And the longer Green remains on the sidelines, the more important it may become for Blashill to mix his third-pairing into games. If they can't handle the increased minutes, Blashill and GM Ken Holland may have to dig deeper into AHL Grand Rapids to find a fill-in for Green.


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6 Life Lessons from the Peanuts Gang | Wise Words from Cancer Survivors | How to Write a Devotional: The Definitive Guide
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DANBURY, Conn. — Two Danbury residents have been charged with stealing nearly $700,000 worth of toy trains while running an auction house for antique toys, police said.
Danbury police detectives began an investigation into the case back in November with the state Department of Consumer Protection and the Connecticut attorney general's office after receiving complaints.
There were over 60 victims with close to $700,000 in losses, police said.
Donald Karagianes, 54, and Naomi Karagianes, 52, were each arrested on multiple charges. They operated the Nette Auction out of 45 West St. in Danbury — short for the New England Toy Train Exchange.
Bothe were charged with 12 counts of first-degree larceny and one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit larceny, police said.
Each was released on written promise to appear in court May 5, police said. (No photo was available of Naomi Karagianes, police said.)
Nette Auctions bought and sold antique toys, with an emphasis on toy trains. Here is how the company described partially itself on its Facebook page, which has not been updated recently:
"Here at NETTE Auctions we are a premier, full-service antiques and collectibles auction gallery. With our experience, we know how to reach the people seeking what you have to offer. We provide a fully experienced staff with the knowledge to properly handle all your most valued items."
A man identified only as John G. posted on the Standard Gauge Toy Train Forum on Facebook in November about the closing of Nette Auctions.
"Needless to say they have left many clients unpaid from previous auctions, including a friend's widow who auctioned his collection with them and never received payment," John G. wrote. "To say I was upset when she called and told me she hadn't been paid was the understatement of the year."
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text:
|Education Bill
Mrs. Laing: I am grateful to the Minister for his concise explanation of the clause. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendments made: No. 375, in page 82, line 22, leave out
No. 376, in page 83, line 1, leave out
(a) a school maintained by a local education authority, or
(b) a special school not so maintained.''[Mr. Timms.]
Clause 137, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
|©Parliamentary copyright 2002
|Prepared 17 January 2002


text:
By Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - After the historic runner-up finish of the Philippine under-14 girls team in the AFC Championship for the Asean region, the challenge for the Philippine Football Federation will be to sustain the momentum in youth development and aspire for something bigger.
"I think the challenge right now is 2016, the time the girls will try to compete in the AFC U-16 championship. If they get in the Top 3 of the AFC competition, they can play in the (next) Fifa world U-17 championship," said PFF technical director Aris Caslib.
"Hopefully, that will be the motivation for our girls, even for their parents. These are the great ambition and great challenges you have to look for. We'll be calling for a meeting with the coaching staff soon and probably we can outline a two-year plan for that strategy," he added.
The U-14 girls made history by reaching the finals of the AFC tourney in Vietnam, spiking their feat with a milestone 1-0 reversal of 2013 champ and host Vietnamese in the group stages. They lost to Thailand, 1-2, in the finals to cop silver and were also handed with the Fair Play award while Davao's Joyce Semacio took MVP honors.
"They showed character the entire tournament. Once they entered the field, they went all out. And they really showed us a high level of intensity all throughout," said coach Let Dimzon.
The team's achievement followed up the Azkals' second place standing in the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives two weeks ago and a creditable performance by the boys' U-14 side in another international meet.
"It goes to show that we're already leveling up and we just need to continue with our grassroots program," said Dimzon, whose team had 60 percent of its players coming from the provinces.
According to Caslib, the structure for scouting for talents in the regions are already in place, through the PFF's Festival of Football, and coaches are being provided with "continuous education."
The idea now, he said, is to make sure mainstays and other candidates for the U-16 will get together whenever possible.
"We can do pocket training camps. For example, if there's a sem-break, we can gather them; in December, we can gather them again for camps. Then we can organize U-14 competitions. And next year, we can bring them outside for camps, international friendlies, or competitions," he said.


text:
A Taste of Japan: Teaching Assistant Jessica Spier (MET'12, SAR'17) (from left) assists Clare Tourtellotte, 9, Grace Tourtellotte, 11, and Riley Joseph, 11, as they prepare matcha (green tea) mochi cupcakes as part of the BU's Cooking Up Culture: Summer Program for Kids. The program teaches young cooks basic kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, and culinary techniques while introducing them to cuisine from around the world. Photo by Cydney Scott
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Boston University
© 2017 Boston University


text:
Sit ups are the most effective workout that needs people to lift their torso entirely in a semi seated posture. There are several fitness benefits one can gain through sit ups. Some of the benefits of sit ups have been mentioned below.
- No need of a gym or equipment
Sit ups have many benefits but the main benefit is the cost. It does not cost more than just your effort and time. There is no need to enroll at a gym as you can perform sit ups anywhere in your home. It can be done before, after or during working hours besides doing it when you are travelling. There is no investment involved as far fitness equipment is concerned. If you have time constraint and no time to go to a gym to do workouts, sit ups is the best solution.
- Maximum muscle workout
If you are trying hard to obtain six pack abs, you should learn how to perform a sit up correctly. When you perform it in the right manner, it takes the abs exercise one step ahead. Sit ups need more range of movement as well as lifting motion. When you perform sit ups, it not only trains your abs but also your hip flexors, core muscles and leg muscles to get a good workout. In addition, sits up generally need more movements and extra muscles. The workout helps in burning maximum calories than regular crunches. Hence, if you are looking for a complete body workout, you can definitely take out some time to do sit ups regularly.
- Improves your health and fitness
Sit ups help in getting you fitter as it burns calories and rips your abs. Also, you can strengthen your core muscles and stabilize them as well. As a result, it protects your spine to a great extent. Sit ups increase the range of motion and flexibility. These benefits help people to decrease the risk of back pain or injury and have a good posture.
- Sits ups can be modified
Sit ups when performed regularly can be modified to kill boredom. When you modify the workouts, it becomes more challenging as well. For instance, you can sit on the inclining machine for better gravity and try grabbing a weight or medicine ball against your chest when you do sit ups. It helps in adding more intensity.
Thus, these are some of the best benefits of doing sit ups. It can be done regularly within the comfort of your home. In addition to regular sit ups, one has to switch to a healthy diet so as to obtain best of outcomes. If you are leading a hectic work life and have little or no time to spare, sit ups is the best workout that yields good results. If you want to save money in buying those bulky fitness equipments, and have less space to accommodate them, you can add sits ups in your schedule on a regular basis. You will notice the difference of sit ups within a few days.


text:
Oh man. Oh man. Oh man.
Two days && then it is HUNTING SEASON!
Two days && then it is HUNTING SEASON!
I am beyond excited. I love hunting season. I am so excited to get in my camo, put my binoculars on, pack on my back, watch the sunrise and fall sitting next to my husband, with a gun in my lap. I am so ready to get out of the city, and have some fresh air and alone time with Mr. Man.
I really think that in a few days I am going to have a full-blown sickness. I am stuffed up, runny nose, tickly throat, itchy ears…really not that good. Justin has strep and he does not feel good at all. It sucks. I do not need to be sick. I cannot get sick. I have to work, and go to school.
This week is going to be so long. I have school tonight until 10:40. Uh. I do not want to go to school that long. I was to just go to the time when I had before. Hopefully everything works out, and I am able to just get through it. I think that it is going to put a strain on us, because once again, we will not have time to really spend with each other. But a perk is that I have every single weekend off in October, and some Monday's. So I am going to spend as much time with him as possible. J
I am so ready for this weekend. Wow. I am going to go to bed so early. J
First night of Second Term, I am nervous, three of the hardest classes all in one term. Hopefully starting a new job soon.


text:
The TMH Eat Clean Challenge has been tried and tested by hundreds of people with some outstanding results.
Natalie Ryan " I loved the plan, as a single mum with 3 kids I found meals we could all enjoy and it's changed my habits for the best. After a break I'm back on the plan again tomorrow. Loved it!
Michelle Snaith "I can really recommend this plan. Recipes are easy to follow and delicious! Ingredients aren't too complicated and are easy to get hold of. Even my husband has been enjoying his new healthy eating plan. Jemma has been really great both encouragement, advice and answering any questions "
Kate Strachan ' I have really enjoyed taking part in the TMH 28 day challenge. The meal plans are a great guide and all the recipes are absolutely delicious and very easy to follow. I haven't come across anything my family don't like. The curries are a favourite with my husband!! I have been eating clean for most of the year but it's been fab to get some new ideas and the cookbook is the one I pick up the most during the week now as they are so tasty and quick to make. Jemma has been so lovely, always on hand to answer any questions and give words of encouragement when needed. I really recommend the challenge! "


text: Hello and thanks for also making the 64bit version of 3.4.3 installable. Here are some of my results: 1) There is a new regression with member servers and passwd expiry. The trust relationship (net join) only lasts for an hour. For one hour member server authentication works (with another regression, see point 2) and after that period it fails. The relevant information is not stored in LDAP - tweaking entries there does not help. 2) while smbclient automatically causes the smb member server to send the domain name, this is not true any longer for cifs mounts. In other words: smbclient works and mount.cifs fails - the member server only sends the user name to the master and leaves the domain empty. It is possible to add domain=xxxx to the mount options as a work around. 3) Somehow network browsing now breaks lenny's kde 3.5.10 konqueror. I can see the following console message: Could not get name of local/domain master browser for server XXX. This must be client side, with Ubuntu 9/10 and Samba 3.4.0 browsing works. smbtree also works (lenny and ubuntu). 4) Ubuntu 9/10 with Samba 3.4.0 also does not work as a member server. 5) My windows 7 logon problem (samba server reports timeouts and only after 30s windows and samba find a protocol that both sides can handle) has no been solved with 3.4.3 My setup: - server is lenny+bpo udates, amd64. - clients mostly lenny+bpo updates, amd64 and i386 - one client runs ubuntu 9/10 with samba 3.4.0 - server and clients (as needed) use open-ldap for authentication So long, Jürgen


text:
Browse Store
Browse Store
- Home
- Books & Maps
- Camping & Hiking
- Pocket Guide To Emergency First Aid
Product Description
The Pocket Guide To Emergency First Aid is an absolute must for everyone. Whether you're hiking, boating, skiing, traveling, or fishing, you need to be prepared for that emergency. This fully illustrated guide will fit in your pocket, and when you need to open it in that critical moment, the spiral bound guide will stay open, not shut like so many other emergency medical books. The key issues are there: Basic Victim Assessment, How to deal with Bleeding, Eye Injuries, Bites, Hypothermia, Frostbite, Heat Exhaustion, Strokes, Cramps, Heart Attack, CPR, Head Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Fainting, Seizures, Sprains, Fractures, Dislocations, Splinting, Poisoning, Shock and more. The contents of an Emergency First Aid Kit are also set forth. Be prepared! You just never know when this guide may be critical to your well being.


text:
Allen Company Remington Twin Mesa Day pack
Allen Company Remington Twin Mesa Day pack
$64.26 $51.52
In Stock Add to Cart
Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Information (more info)
Manufacturer Description
Allen Co makes quality outside and sports gear for all kinds of situation. Whether you remain in a fight extensive environment, or if you are a leisure user, Allen Co will certainly fit the way of life of lots of. Quality tested and Performance driven, make use of Allen.
Product Features
Quality tested and ensured for maximum durability Designed with only the toughest, roughest users in mind Comfort and Performance come hand in hand with Allen Co 1,853 cubic inch capacity cool-mesh lined for comfort Densly padded hip belt and shoulder straps Five outside pockets, mesh interior pockets integrated long-gun carry system


text:
Offered in 3 sizes:
Short - 15" x 24"
Medium - 15" x 26"
Standard - 15" x 28"
Ideal for Saltwater or Fresh water. Use in your skiff, drift boat or from the jetty. No need to reel in each time you change locations, just set your rod in The Bucket" and you are ready at the next stop.
If you have questions about the products that we offer in our online store please feel free to drop us an email or give us a call (508)977-0700.


text:
28 May 2003
total value of priority items from the Oil-for-Food Programmes
humanitarian pipeline that can be shipped to Iraq for emergency
needs has reached $1.1 billion. Most of these supplies are in the
food ($515 million), electricity ($261 million), agriculture ($182
million) and health ($128 million) sectors.
The UN agencies
and programmes actively involved in the review of the Oil-for-Food
pipeline - FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP are currently looking at
additional contracts worth some $330 million, and the volume of
these items destined for Iraq is expected to accelerate with a six
month extension of the Programme to 21 November, adopted under
Security Council resolution 1483 on 22 May.
Resolution 1483
(2003) lifted civilian sanctions; gave the Secretary-General
authority to appoint a Special Representative to work with the
occupying forces in rebuilding Iraq; opened the way for the
resumption of oil exports, with revenues deposited in a Development
Fund for Iraq held by the Central Bank; and provided for the
termination of the Oil-for-Food Programme within six months,
transferring responsibility for the administration of any remaining
Programme activities to the Authority representing the
occupying powers. The Council has called on the United Nations to
assist the Iraqi people, in coordination with the Authority,
in a wide range of areas, including humanitarian relief,
reconstruction, infrastructure rehabilitation, legal and judicial
reforms, human rights and the return of refugees, and also to assist
with civilian police.
In its
phasedown prior to closure on 22 November, the Office of the
Iraq Programme and UN agencies and programmes will continue to
identify and ship approved and funded priority items in a pipeline
of humanitarian goods and supplies valued at some $10 billion.
Additional information is available from the website
of the Office of the Iraq Programme. For further information
please contact Ian Steele email: email@example.com


text:
Sahin undergoes knee surgery
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and will be out for around two months.
The Turkey international was initially ruled out for three weeks after it was revealed he suffered tendon damage in training.
Sahin is now set for a longer spell on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on his left knee.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin has had surgery on Wednesday in the Isar Clinic in Platt Park Ling.
"Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Eichhorn removed during surgery inflamed tissue from Sahin's left knee. Borussia Dortmund team doctor Markus Braun based an approximately two-month rehabilitation period for the Turkish national player."
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has had to contend with a lengthy injury list at the start of the season, with Jakub Blaszczykowski and Ilkay Gundogan among his other absentees.


text:
Tagged as a popular occupation nowadays, phlebotomy continues to be the target of numerous employers concerning vacant positions in several medical facilities. Because of this great news, a growing number of students are showing fascination in pursuing a job in this field. If you're curious about someone involved in this area, he is known as a phlebotomy technician or phlebotomist whose major function is to obtain liquid blood samples from individuals and deliver them to the laboratory for analysis. Because of the potential risks involved, every technician is expected to conduct the procedure in the most exact and safest possible way. Lives of people are on the line whenever a tiny amount of blood is drawn from them, therefore only those with the proper phlebotomy training should be allowed to handle the job in order to meet the greatest safety standards available.
No matter how hard it is, every phlebotomy training curriculum aims to train and develop students into becoming sought-after phlebotomists in a position to conduct safe and precise procedures by way of proper application of all the practical knowledge they have gained knowledge in class. Before enrolling in a course, know your own personal purpose first whether it's for certification or for a degree. It's good to note that there are lots of schools to choose from offering programs which include in-class lectures and hands-on exercises; the required tools needed in order to get certified and be among the lineup of highly-capable phlebotomists. There are actually certifying bodies in place requiring the target training hours, and in Martin, it typically is between 12 to 50 weeks. Upon completion, you will then be eligible to take the licensing test in which you'll have the chance of becoming a certified phlebotomy technician.
Degree programs are at place for those thinking of spending 24 months of unparalleled phlebotomy education focusing on advanced blood collection methods and touching other medical fields. Training may take long to complete, but all campaigns will soon pay off because this will lead to better job opportunities. With this, you will be awarded with higher pay and excellent positions in the medical establishment.
You can get this phlebotomy classes through various institutions just like community colleges, vocational schools, and private training centers. You can even get courses offered online. Schools need to be accredited by a certifying body before being able to prepare you for certification. These certifying bodies include but are limited to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), and Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (APT). Training worth 12 weeks is normally at $1,000 in Martin which is already including training books and clinical fees.
For the practice of the phlebotomy occupation, getting certified is not a requirement of most states. However, Tennessee is among those who stringently require their technicians to be certified before being eligible to land the job. It is for the purpose of bringing only excellent services to patients in need. Martin is known to be the home of various job openings relating to phlebotomy; therefore in order to be on a strong hunt for the spot, certification is greatly needed. This is proof of how you have worked very hard in order to become the skilled person that you are right now, and this is good enough reason for companies to employ you.


text:
CBA waits on approval for Chinese investment
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will have to wait at least one to two months to find out whether its recent $100 million investment in a Chinese bank will receive regulatory approval.
Australia's second biggest retail bank made its biggest move into China yet when it last week entered into an agreement to buy a 19.9 per cent stake in the Hangzhou City Commercial Bank - the maximum allowed under Chinese law.
The bank's foray into mainland China started in November when it purchased an 11 per cent stake in another city commercial bank in Jinan, as part of CBA's widely-flagged strategy to expand its presence and capitalise on the nation's booming economy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Hong Kong yesterday, CBA chief executive David Murray said the Chinese regulators were committed to provide a response within 90 days, but they could also respond within 30 to 60 days.
Mr Murray said it was very important for the bank to work according to the letter and spirit of the regulation in China.
Mr Murray said the bank would invest in China according to the regulatory framework and invest where they identified high growth potential.
"The two banks that we have dealt with are both in strong provinces, with large populations," he said.
"The possibilities for these banks, if the regulators are happy with their progress, is they have expansion potential beyond their existing markets."


text:
Discover a elegant design little girl's single size bed frame expertly crafted with a carved head and footboard. Create that bit of magic for a petite princess giving her a bedroom where to sleep is now fun.
The Victorian is a eclectic slightly off white bedroom furniture collection that is modern in design but with a hint of characture that harks back unashamedly to a past time. Notice the vintage charm and characteristics of the carpentry on the carved head and foot boards.White Chic Furniture is a wonderful decorating and furnishing option, it can fit well in a old or a new home as well being fun and easy to incorporate.
The bed frame has a solid paneling all round that provides adequate support to the mattress and is delivered in sections and requires some self assembly. Accepts standard size single mattress.Home assembly is required.
Key Features
For more information, See Our Victorian Shabby Chic Bedroom Furniture Collection Page.
For more information about website, See Our Azura Furniture Site Map


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text:
By-Law 15
APTN BY-LAWS #15 dated December 8, 2009 ( Letters Patent included)
Aboriginal Language and Broadcasting
An overview and recommendations to the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures
Broadcast Licence Renewed for a Full Seven Year Term
August 31, 2005 – APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) is pleased to announce the CRTC's (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) decision to renew the network's licence for a full seven-year term. The CRTC has also granted APTN an additional subscriber fee increase of $0.10 per month for a total of $0.25 a month.
CRTC Decision 2004-2005
The Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the satellite-to-cable programming undertaking known as the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network from 1 September 2005 to 31 August 2012. The Commission also approves the licensee's request to increase its wholesale rate by $0.10 to a maximum of $0.25 per subscriber per month.


text:
This report by Buzzacott LLP has been prepared having regard to the requirements of the Statutory Auditors (Transparency) Instrument 2008 ("the transparency regulations") for the year ended 30 September 2015. Buzzacott LLP has not made a report on a public interest entity during the year and therefore this report is not required by law. However, in the interests of transparency our report is presented here.
1. Legal structure and ownership
Buzzacott LLP ("Buzzacott" or "the Firm") is a limited liability partnership, incorporated in Great Britain and is owned by its members. As at 30 September 2015 there were 22 individuals who were members (who are referred to as 'Equity Partners'). The Firm operates from a single office based in London.
2. PrimeGlobal
The Firm is a member of PrimeGlobal, an association of independent accounting firms, comprised of approximately 300 independent public accounting firms in 90 countries.
PrimeGlobal provides its independent member firms with tools and resources to help them furnish superior accounting, auditing, tax and management services to clients around the globe. Through PrimeGlobal connections, independent member firms offer the strength and capabilities of a large, worldwide organisation with technical depth and geographic reach impossible for a local firm alone.
There is no common control, ownership or strategy across the PrimeGlobal member firms, and PrimeGlobal is not aimed at cost or profit sharing across its members. Therefore PrimeGlobal is not a 'network' as defined in the Statutory Auditors (Transparency) Instrument 2008.
3. Governance structure
The leadership of the Firm is the responsibility of the Managing Partner. The governance and committee structure of the Firm is as follows:
Governance and Committee Structure
Terms of Reference for key governance committees
4. Internal quality control systems
In respect to its audit services, Buzzacott has implemented a number of internal quality control systems to ensure that our high standards are maintained.
Audit compliance
The Firm's Audit Compliance Partner (for the purposes of complying with Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) regulations) is required to ensure that the Firm has complied, and will continue to comply, with Audit Regulations. He is also the first point of contact with the ICAEW.
The Firm maintains an Audit Compliance Manual which sets out in detail the audit procedures which must be followed. This manual is available to all staff involved in audit assignments and regular training is provided to ensure compliance.
File reviews
All audit files are reviewed by a manager and the Senior Statutory Auditor (SSA)/Responsible Individual (RI) at both the planning and the completion stages.
The firm's Audit Compliance Manual sets out requirements for an Engagement Quality Control Review ('EQCR') for certain assignments, including audits of public interest entities and audits where such a review is required by laws or regulations.
The manual also sets out the requirements for a second SSA 'hot review' on high risk assignments and of audits of financial statements on which a qualified audit opinion is proposed and/or with complex issues.
EQCR reviews and hot reviews must be completed before approval of the audit report.
Details of the precise criteria which require the performance of an EQCR review or hot review are established by the Firm's Audit & Assurance Technical Committee.
Cold file reviews of the Firm's higher risk clients are performed on a comprehensive basis, together with cold reviews of a random sample of other clients, ensuring each SSA/RI's work is reviewed at least annually. These cold file reviews are performed independently by representatives of the Firm's external compliance consultants (SWATuk). Detailed reports are provided to the Audit & Assurance Technical Committee and remedial and follow-up action is taken if necessary.
Statement on the effectiveness of the internal quality control system
The Firm's management considers that the internal quality control system is functioning at a suitable level of effectiveness to enable us to maintain our internal quality standards and comply with our professional and legal requirements.
5. External monitoring
The Firm is subject to regular external monitoring by the Quality Assurance Department (QAD) of the ICAEW. The Firm's last audit QAD review took place in March 2012. A Practice Assurance review was performed by the QAD in February 2015.
6. Independence procedures
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) publishes Ethical Standards which provide regulations and guidance on possible threats to integrity, objectivity and independence in the conduct of audit engagements as well as on potential safeguards which may be instituted to counteract those threats.
In respect of its responsibility as regulatory body for auditors and, with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, the ICAEW publishes rules under which auditors will be regulated; the Audit Regulations.
The Firm's policies are consistent with these requirements and, in respect of audit services, are contained in the Firm's Audit Compliance Manual which all audit staff must follow.
Within Buzzacott
Within the Firm, overall responsibility for compliance with the Audit Regulations rests with a partner designated as Audit Compliance Partner as described above. In accordance with the Ethical Standards, an Ethics Partner has also been appointed.
Members of staff are made aware of ethical considerations on commencement of their employment and on regular courses which are provided both internally and by SWATuk.
All partners and staff complete an annual declaration of their independence and must notify the Firm of any circumstances which may affect their independence, or of any potential or actual conflicts of interest.
Acceptance of clients and engagements
Before accepting a new appointment, the SSA/RI must consider and justify the decision to accept the appointment. In doing so the SSA/RI will consider (amongst other areas) independence, ethics and risk issues, the Firm's expertise, values and resources, its ability to carry out the work and the Firm's anti-money laundering procedures.
An internal review of independence practices is included in the Annual Compliance Review which is conducted by SWATuk. Buzzacott LLP confirms that the Annual Compliance Review has been conducted in the year under review.
A formal report is made to the Firm's Audit & Assurance Technical Committee and any points arising are the subject of action points.
7. Continuing professional development
All SSA/RIs in the Firm are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). All members must undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure that they continue to maintain their skills and knowledge.
Close monitoring of Continuing Professional Development is performed by the Firm for all qualified members of staff. This ensures that all persons in the Firm eligible to be appointed as an SSA/RI continue to maintain their theoretical knowledge, professional skills and values at a sufficiently high level.
8. Financial information
The transparency regulations require financial information to be provided which shows the importance of statutory audit work to the Firm.
The Firm's revenues from non-audit services to audit clients include accounts preparation work for unlisted clients, corporation tax work, tax planning, payroll services and general business advice.
9. Partner remuneration
Each partner is subject to a performance review with the Managing Partner and partners are remunerated according to a number of factors including those arising from this review.
The Firm considers that no partner remuneration is contingent upon any basis that would compromise the independence of any audit, including the sale of non-audit services.
Buzzacott LLP
Approved on: 22 December 2015
Appendix 1
Public interest entities
The Firm did not issue an audit report for a public interest entity in the year ended 30 September 2015.
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text:
Sidi J. Mahtrow
A Chicken Is Not A Bird - Poem by Sidi J. Mahtrow
A chkn na be a byrd
Acord'n folk lvn in flori da
Kep'n and own'n be difernt
If be a tigr or sknk kept
An' a' th hair cutn shp r paloor for trm
Word is one's pets is one's own prblm
So be it, tha list of crtures kept, grws lngr by da
Cept'n when are feral, as n dog and ct stray
Thn becms nuher mat'r
For nebors blathr.
Whn pkins gd, thn no problm
But whn pks in yr flwr bd, much to be mad then.
Frm tm to tm thngs gt out of hnd 'n
Complnts 'n words for cert n.
So Gvrmnt coms to soln
Of problms b'for problms xst for som.
But na be a ckn a byrd?
Cuse if it be a byrd,
Thn it lv in a byrd sanctry free
An can na hunt, na hrt, na molst byrdees
So wa to du?
Mybe pas law that sy to you,
'Chkn na be byrd'
Thn ok to hv fer Sundy Dnr n vite Prechr for Holy wrd.
N hisn wfe cuse good Chrstn man and wom'
Enjy, chkn in fryn pan.
So law pasd that say chkn not a bryd so
They mst sty a' home an' na go.
Howsome evr, bryds (an chkns also) cnt rde
An thy kpt do n wh' brds an chkns do bst to feed.
Which be to go whr God low such,
Which fr mst prt is nxt dr's grdn and frnt prch.
So Bartow Flor da hird a chkn ktchr
To gathr up dose brds and tk to the cntry sid, u betchr.
Tha's nic but brds (scuse me – ckns) got oth id
An flew coup, so to say, or fle.
An those toke out side cit lmts make it home just
Lk homn pgns and r thr for supr like norml ckns cum to rost.
Yu ake how solve mstry of chkns?
Smpl. Persons who compln'd aked to lv town
Now Bartow got pln't chkns an gud ppl all rnd.
Well, maybe Robert Burns writing in his Scottish dialect, might have considering the plight of the good folk of Bartow, Florida. Maybe not, but Benjamin Franklin thought we had too many ltrs in the alphabet and suggested the number could be reduced to seventeen or so.
Comments about A Chicken Is Not A Bird by Sidi J. Mahtrow
Bri Edwards (6/9/2014 12:26:00 AM)
So be it, tha list of crtures kept, grws lngr by da.....did you mean....da day?
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Howsome evr, bryds (an chkns also) cnt rde.....is a chicken writing this? if so, the chicken msspelled byrds. ha ha
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An thy kpt do n wh' brds an chkns do bst to feed.....the chicken writing this is not consistent! send it back to the farm! :)
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.... might have considering... ................i cn't elp meself. i mus pint aut ers i fine. ope u don mine.
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well, i think i understood most of this 'unique' poem. ye, florda is kinda gon tuh thu byrds. thanks for sharing. bri :)
p.s. i believe hebrew is written without vowels, but i don't know how many consonants are in the hebrew alphabet.
p.p.s. i found the first two comments posted here to be quite funny. (Report) Reply
Mehta Hasmukh Amathalal (12/1/2011 7:35:00 AM)
So law pasd that say chkn not a bryd so
They mst sty a' home an' na go... nice observation.. good poem...10 (Report) Reply
Adeline Foster (10/5/2011 5:51:00 PM)
Ashraful Musaddeq (9/16/2008 7:40:00 AM)
O Anna Niemus (6/3/2008 8:01:00 AM)
the butchers want us to believe chickens are not birds though when
they are free they fly to the lowlying branches of trees (Report) Reply
Elysabeth Faslund (7/4/2007 5:17:00 PM)
I raise chickens and well do I know the garden problem. Stripped my bell pepper plants and started on the tomatos. That's when I put the fence up. And the neighbors can put their windows down at night, if they can't sleep cause the rooster's crowing. Homestyle fried chicken, oh yeah. This poem is funny! Witty and quite to the point! Do another! ! xxElysabeth (Report) Reply
Chris Mendros (4/20/2007 9:30:00 AM)
'tws a chre t' gt thru, t'be sh'r, bt wrth th' effrt.
Okay, enough of that. In the manner of Robt. Burns is no mean feat, but you pulled it off.
Maybe we do have too many letters... (Report) Reply
David Harris (2/24/2007 10:26:00 AM)
Sidi, sorry I can't say much on this. The writing in dialect threw me on this. For as much as I could decipher it sounded humours.
David (Report) Reply
Cecil (cj) Krieger (9/15/2006 8:06:00 AM)
A chkn na be a byrd
But in booklyn da chikens make sum gud eatin!
GREAT poem Sid… fine humor! A 10! (Report) Reply
James Papastamos (7/9/2006 1:50:00 PM)
Where did you learn how to write? A poultry farm?
Interesting concept (Report) Reply
Michael Gale (5/6/2006 11:16:00 AM)
The typo's in this poem is very atrocious and sloppily done.I liked Archy The Flying Cockroach, but could not make heads or tails of this gibberish gobbleeygook. An investment of a dictionary of the English language would be your next move so you could make all the numerous spelling corrections.
There have not been any comments on this poem probably because other readers probably could not decipher this coded scramblage. God bless and best regards-Mike Gale. (Report) Reply
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Sidi J. Mahtrow's Other Poems
Famous Poems
Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou
Still I Rise
Maya Angelou
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost
If You Forget Me
Pablo Neruda
Langston Hughes
Annabel Lee
Edgar Allan Poe
Caged Bird
Maya Angelou
Rudyard Kipling
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Mary Elizabeth Frye


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Quick Reference
The scientific study of the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe; also known as exobiology. Astrobiology embraces branches of biology (for example microbiology, biochemistry, and ecology) in addition to astronomy. Considerations include assessment of the likely conditions required for the origin and development of life, and the means of detecting such life. Investigations such as the study of life in hostile environments on Earth, the search for water on Mars and sampling of the soil, the study of organic molecules in meteorites and comets, the synthesis of prebiotic compounds, and the various SETI programmes based on radio astronomy can be considered part of astrobiology.
From: astrobiology in A Dictionary of Astronomy »
Subjects: Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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UK web-based primary care services are being suspended by the national regulator
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the UK has recently suspended and warned a number of healthcare service providers after discovering that the providers were endangering patients with sub-par service. The primary issues involved failures to confirm patient identities before prescribing medications, not connecting with patients' usual GPs, among other things. One provider did not spend sufficient time assessing patients before making a diagnosis, with some patient questionnaires taking only Read


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The Icelandic twins Erna and Hrefna are like Yin & Yang
For photographer Ariko Inaoka the Icelandic twins Erna and Hrefna are like 'Yin & Yang, like the light and the shade, like birth and death, like man and woman, like the sun and moon, like the beginning and the end…'. They are 16 years old identical twins and live in Reykjavik. 'I met them when they were 6 years old through a friend,' Ariko Inaoka told P3 when interviewed. 'When they were 8 I made an 8mm short film. I only began photographing them for this project when they were nine'. Ariko has visited them every summer since. This year, she revealed, will be her last visit and this will mark the end of the project which she aims to exhibit and make into a photobook in the future. 'I tried to photograph other twins when I started the project, but I only felt a significant bond with Erna and Hrefna. They are harmonious when together and mutually respect and love each other. Whilst, at the same time, they are very different from one another. They are modest, confident and mature. They take ballet very seriously and are excellent ballerinas. It has been incredible to document their lives'. The photographer wanted to capture and share this beautiful bond which exists between the two sisters and observe the changes in their relationship as twins but what really motivated her was the mystery of the transition from infancy to adolescence. 'Even though I have lived through these ages, I don't recall what I felt or thought during that period. However, it is a very influential period as is made me the person I am today,' she said. Ariko only has the summer to dedicate to herself to photography as she manages the family bakery which has been in the family since 1465. Ana Marques Maia.


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I spent a wonderful and simple day at Johor Bahru yesterday with a Friend. Our old fogey bodies were aching and in need of some professional squeezing (lol). But daunted by the high cost of a massage session in Singapore, we decided a day trip to Johor Bahru was the only way to set things right.
Obviously, this isn't my first trip to Johor Bahru. But I've always gone with either locals or people who knew what they were doing. I've never ventured into JB by myself despite the close proximity because a solo female trip to the city was frowned upon by everyone around me. That is until this year where I was encouraged by circumstances to step foot into the city alone.
Anyway, I decided to blog about this day trip even thought it's a well-trodden path to give people who are new to Johor Bahru a bit of assurance (if I can do it, so can you!) and travel inspiration.
We ended church sometime after 12 noon and hailed a cab straight to the Woodlands Checkpoint.
If you intend to take a bus, you can either catch 950 in Woodlands interchange or 170 at Kranji MRT Station. I personally prefer 170 as the frequency of the buses are better. The bus stop is just beside the cake shop at level 1 of the MRT station. Turn right when you exit the station gantry.
Getting across the Singapore customs with our biometric passport was efficient and stressless. The estimated duration to get across was probably 10 minutes, dependent on the queue.
After we were done, we went down to the Bus Interchange underneath the Singapore Checkpoint and jumped onto whichever bus that came our way. The buses in the tiny interchange can be classified into two types; Singapore or Malaysian buses. The Singapore buses included SBS bus 950 and 170. I'm not aware if there are any other service lines (or buses ) as these two services are all I remember.
The next one would be Malaysian buses. They come in a range of assortment; from old to new and from air-conditioned to non-air-conditioned. Despite the difference, the ticket price remains consistent at $2RM and you usually pay when you alight. Prepare some loose ringgit on hand if you're taking this option to minimize money changing problem while paying. You can also pay with $1 SGD if you don't have any ringgit. The bus driver will gladly accommodate =)
I always choose the Malaysian buses if I can as the queue, though chaotic are usually not as crazily long as the queues for the Singaporean Buses. Not to mention the frequency of Malaysian buses also far excels the Singaporean SBS buses. Some of the Malaysian buses are even luxurious coach buses with spacious cushion seats and air-conditioning .
We managed to get a comfortable seat on our way over. Praise the Lord!
Unfortunately, the traffic was slow - as it always is on a Saturday afternoon when what seemed like the entire Singaporean population gathers to enter.
Following the crowd, we alighted at the Malaysian checkpoint where we were greeted by snaking queues.
|the Malaysian Checkpoint. Photo taken on a separate day
The queue on that Saturday was so long it probably took us an hour to get through. After getting through, we stopped at the money changer to change some ringgit and off we went to City Square!
|Lavender the Bakery at City Square
We bought bubble tea, checked out the winter wear at Uniqlo, bought some accessories and decided to make our way to the famous Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory.
Along the way, we walked passed a bazaar with tents selling all sorts of goodies. We were drooling over the awesome looking snacks and traditional goodies but restrained ourselves since we didn't want to lug the loot around so early in the trip. We walked around with the help of Google Maps =)
Tip alert! If you don't want to activate your roaming data for a day trip, you can just download the area map offline on onto your phone.
Tip alert! If you don't want to activate your roaming data for a day trip, you can just download the area map offline on onto your phone.
It took us roughly 20 minutes to reach and locate the traditional bake. We bypassed it the first time and walked too far down because we couldn't recognise it hahaha.
|The road further down from Hiap Joo
And here is the famous Hiap Joo Bakery! The store front is claustrophobically small but thankfully, everything ran like clockwork. Customers line up politely, tell the staff what they want and promptly leaves after paying.
By the time we arrived at 4:10pm, only Banana Cake was left. I bought two big trays while Evonne bought a small one to share.
Don't expect anything more from the shop though as the decoration is simplistic and traditional. There are no display racks to display the pastries and definitely no fancy menu. The cakes are lined neatly in packets on the long table inside the shop while a firewood furnace burns in the background.
The variety of pastries and cakes sold were pretty limited but they are all very affordably priced. 10 slice of banana cakes only cost $9.60rm.
I've never been a fan of bananas so I can't say I was that excited about the cakes. But the cakes were indeed soft, fluffy and fragrant. This is a fun side trip for people who go Bananas over Bananas or someone who just wants affordable pastries xD
I've never been a fan of bananas so I can't say I was that excited about the cakes. But the cakes were indeed soft, fluffy and fragrant. This is a fun side trip for people who go Bananas over Bananas or someone who just wants affordable pastries xD
The shop is just on the right of the big red gate structure.
Pretty wall art in the area.
We spotted a milkshake cafe that was filled to the brim with customers. We didn't bother going in but it seemed to be doing something right given the amount of customer it attracts. Maybe we will try it next time!
We took a cab to Holiday Plaza after having our fill of Banana cakes and it cost us $8.25rm. Journey was maybe 15 minutes.
You can also take a bus from the Bus interchange near the JB Checkpoint.
The bus interchange is simple but well lit and well labeled. The only problem I've had was not knowing how Long I had to wait for the bus. I've only ever taken the bus once but I believe it's entirely do-able
The bus mostly seemed to be air-conditioned and cost roughly $1.50 RM.
|photo from internet
Holiday Plaza is probably my most favourite mall to shop in Johor Bahru. It doesn't have the scale and variety of bigger and newer Malls like KSL or even City Square.
But things are reasonably priced and they provide plenty of services like body massage, Nail services and hair salons- which in my opinion, are the most worthwhile things to spend your cash on when you're in JB. Too many of the Malls have their prices hiked up to cloud to leverage on the singaporean crowd. Which then defeats the purpose of going over the causeway for cheap buys because they are not cheap anymore!
If if you are new to JB, remember to check out their Oloiya Bakwa (barbecued meat)! Their intense flavouring and soft texture place them on my top bakwa chart! I have observed, however, that the texture fluctuates occasionally though the flavour remains immensely delicious x3.
Anyway, the main highlight of the trip was to relieve our sore bodies so massage it is! I usually go to Thong Thai Massage Parlor but it was full that day so we just walked into a random massage parlor a level under and got ourselves sorted out.
The Massage parlour we went to had a very ... simple looking storefront.
The Massage parlour we went to had a very ... simple looking storefront.
We went for the Totality package that included 40 minutes on the feet and 60 minutes on the body for just $80RM! I was apprehensive about the place initially but everything turned out very well and the masseurs were all skilled at their job.
We ventured out of the mall in seek of dinner since most of the shops were closed by the time we ended massage. Not to mention that there wasn't a lot of places to eat in Holiday Plaza sans the fast food chains.
We found this ZhiChar restaurant roughly 5 minutes away and had a hearty meal.This place was on the side of the candy store called "World Sweet House" .
Restoran Seafood Shang Kee: https://goo.gl/maps/aGtyZdajhs12
The meal consisted of a small plate of salted egg yolk fried sotong, a small plate of vegetables, soup for two and Hokkien mee for two. The bill came up to just $48RM. The meal was pretty yummy though we were too full to finish everything.
We went for ice cream and drinks at World Sweet House afterward. World Sweet House is a standalone store directly opposite Holiday Plaza that sells snacks and candies to tourists; the prices were tourist price too.
After dinner, we decided it was time to return so we hailed a cab that brought us to JB Central for $15RM.
We took yet another coach ride from the Malaysia Customs to Singapore.
And then took SBS 170 from the little interchange underneath the Singapore customs checkpoint to reach Kranji MRT Station.
Thank God for the smooth traffic as we arrived in Kranji MRT Station just 10 minutes later.
Thus ended my rather simple day trip to Johor Bahru. I didn't do anything outrageous but it was fun and relaxing.
I hope my post motivates fellow female travelers to try this trip for themselves. Both my Friend and I were female and we felt completely safe in JB despite the warnings. I'm not saying there are no risks, risk is everywhere and you should be vigilant regardless of where you are. The usual advice such as staying out of dark alleys, staying within the crowd, keep your valuables out of sight still remains..
But there's no need to be fearful. Hopefully my trip will provide some insights and inspiration!
But there's no need to be fearful. Hopefully my trip will provide some insights and inspiration!


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This tells the story of a little boy who discovers an aeroplane in his wardrobe & decides to head for the moon, but finds himself stranded there. A martian helps him return home again, & the boy returns the favor when the Martian finds he's stranded too. Fun illustrations and a nice tale about imagination & co-operation.
This is a favourite from my childhood. The rhythmical, rhyming text & bright illustrations make it a memorable book & a tale which is easy to recall with, or without the book.
Mouse decides it's time to look for a new home after she finds an enormous apple which just doesn't fit inside her burrow! She heads off to find a bigger home & possible housemates, nibbling her apple as she goes. As the book unfolds she discovers there's no place like home! Bold, colourful illustrations with cutaway holes in the pages allow children to see outside & inside the burrows. A magical read with lots of opportunity for discussion.
What happens when a family who normally enjoy summer holidays at home, decide to reply to an advert in the paper for a pirate house swap? A summer with a difference that's for sure! They eventually manage to run the ship & all seems ok, until they return home to see what changes the pirates have made to their home. This humours story is set alongside wonderfully creative illustrations. There are lift-up-flaps which reveal what's happening in the other home, & playful mice to spot hidden on each page. A great holiday book to explore!
'Friends for Keeps' is a great series of books for pre-schoolers which focuses around 3 friends; Panda who is bossy, Sheep who is shy, & Owl who is funny (without always meaning to be). In this book Owl suggests he & his friends make a house, but Panda is too big & Owl gets squashed in the process. Then Panda suggests all they need is a little make believe & anything is possible. Great for exploring imagination & friendship.
I wonder what homes/houses/tents we'll create as we share these books together?
Shared with


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Built in 1896, this building was once the headquarters of the La Prensa newspaper but now belongs to the city government. Its French feel goes beyond the façades: the impressive Salón Dorado, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, hosts chamber music concerts each Friday at 7pm.
Area Microcentro
Transport Subte A, Perú or D, Catedral or E, Bolívar
Telephone 011 4323 9669
Open Feb-Dec 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; by tour Sat, Sun. Closed Jan
Admission free


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According to the team, the Texans' average ticket price in 2012 will be $78.66 per ticket, which is up 8.5 percent from the 2011 average ticket price.
It's the first price increase in the last two years for the Texans, and the team expects those prices to be among the lower ticket prices in the league.
"Our fans have created one of the best home field advantages in the NFL, as anyone who saw the Wild Card game can attest," said John Schriever, Texans Senior Vice President of Ticketing and Event Management in a press release. "We want to continue to make our games accessible to a broad audience while still pricing in a manner that reflects the strong demand for our tickets. Fielding a championship caliber team and delivering a world class experience for our fans requires us to generate revenues that keep pace with our competition."
The Texans have sold out 101 straight games at Reliant Stadium, and next season, the Texans have games against the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens along with division rivals Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Tennessee. The Texans will also host Miami, Buffalo and Minnesota in regular-season action.


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Let's talk Weeds, shall we?
The Botwins, er, Newmans have reached Seattle, hoping that their new identities will shield them from discovery by Esteban and his band of Merry Mexican Mafiosos. They need money and decide to cross a hotel workers' picket line for certain employment as scabs. Such a lovely word.
Experience means little when you have brand new identities, so Andy/Randy, Silas/Mike and Nancy/Nathalie, who want to become chef, bartender and manager, respectively, become dishwasher, bellhop and maid.
Shane/Shawn's new job is Newman Nanny for baby Stevie/Avi, leading to the episode's best line from Silas: "Do you really think it's a good idea, leaving Pebbles with Bam-Bam?"
The hotel jobs, as expected, do not go well. Nancy's is the most disgusting, as you can imagine if you've ever trashed a hotel room. She encounters a large, naked guy with a hairy butt handcuffed to the bed with the golden dampness of his previous night's paid pleasure in evidence. No wonder the strikers want more money.
Silas finds a lucrative, if uncomfortable, way to increase his tips by stripping to his underwear (and bellhop hat) and reading aloud to a male guest from a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book for $50 a page. I really think the music editor missed an opportunity by not playing "You Can Leave Your Hat On" here — heck, it's even Randy Newman.
Silas is concerned that the activity is gay, but Andy assures him, "Not if he pays you. Or if it's under water." (I really don't want to know.) This bit is obviously just an excuse to show Hunter Parrish shirtless, but I doubt that anybody with even the tiniest inkling of man love minds. The boy has a beautiful body.
Andy's frustrations are minor in comparison, as the head chef won't let him help with the cooking and he has to wash dishes — as most dishwashers do.
As the Newmans commiserate over their terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, Andy notices the bar piano player and asks if he knows where to get some weed. Unfortunately, Nigel the valet is the hotel source and he is on strike — and won't sell to scabs.
Nancy's face lights up. The brand new Newmans are about to be back in the same old pot biz — which, finally, leads to our meeting Surly Linda (Linda Hamilton) and her GF Fiona.
In my vast experience with drug culture, I somehow missed knowing how hashish is made, so seeing Nancy wash and strain the trimmings was quite educational.
Nancy is as proud as punch of her first batch of hash. And when Silas asks what happened to being "normal," she speaks more truth than she has in weeks: "For us, this is normal."
This was the best episode in a long time, IMO. It was funny, strange and slightly uncomfortable — which is exactly what we want from Weeds.
How did you like this ep?


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With much focus being directed on school safety and security, I'd like to let parents know all of the strategies we are applying to keep their children and our staff safe.
1. First and foremost, is the presence of our school resource officers from the City of Mission Police Department. Our officers have many years of school safety experience. They know our students and staff, and they are very familiar with our campus. I have my own child here at school and I feel like they would do everything to ensure he is always safe, including putting themselves in harm's way to protect him. I know they would do it for all 1800 of us who are here every day. The City of Mission holds regular training sessions with them and they are certified in multiple ways with this training.
2. We have 5 security officers who are always visible and present in school and along the entrances. If you have come to school during the day, you have had to go through multiple checks to access your children. Inside the school they enforce hall passes, check restrooms, check parking lots and make sure no unauthorized individuals are on campus without permission. Ask your children if they are frequently checked for passes when they are outside the rooms during instructional time.
3. We are lucky to have one full time video monitoring staff member assigned to only watch Pioneer H.S. They are connected to us by direct contact on our main radio channel. We frequently communicate with him throughout the day and he lets us know when he sees something that we may not. We are able to have video clips sent to us for a variety of reasons and the camera coverage is very good. We are purchasing new cameras every year for additional coverage.
4. Our staff has been trained to look for unauthorized visitors in our schools and on grounds. Our system to check all visitors is very good. Everyone has to be checked for their ability to be on school grounds through the DPS data base. If you have had meetings with staff, you have been checked by Raptor and worn the tag. Our substitute teachers also have tags identifying them as subs.
5. We have drug and firearm sniffing dogs on campus for random sweeps, two times weekly. We check classrooms, locker rooms, vehicles in the parking lots, and classroom spaces, even gyms and the theatre.
6. We have a fantastic administrative team. There aren't better investigators anywhere then what we have right here in the AP office. They listen to students, staff, parents, and community members for tips and other information as it comes in from various sources. They have a fantastic ability to filter information as it comes in and they can determine what's real and what's noise. They take every tip serious until we can prove otherwise.
7. We have lockdown drills twice yearly, evacuation drills monthly, and shelter in place drills frequently. Our students know what to do in each classroom they are in.
8. …and finally and most importantly, we have a fantastic student body that isn't afraid to say something. Social media has changed our world. It will continue to evolve and we must evolve with it. Students must continue to speak up when they see something that they know is wrong or threatening. We will take care of business once the information comes in.
How can parents help:
1. Continue to encourage your children to speak up when they see or hear something. Not to their friends or on social media but to you or directly with us. Students are connected to the world like never before. It's not going away and we need to find ways to take advantage of it.
2. Monitor your child's social media presence. If you haven't, you're probably going to be surprised by what you see. I see things frequently that I can't believe and I've been doing this for 34 years.
3. Notify my admin team when you have concerns or have seen/heard something that you believe we need to know. Email them if you can't speak to them by phone. Leave messages in their office or with their secretary. All of the contact information is readily available.
4. Continue to work with us on our campus entry security measures. They are put in place to ensure safety for all. It may take a little longer then you think it should to get in or to drop something off but in the end, there's a reason why we do it. We certainly don't want to inconvenience you but we are making sure we follow protocol for campus access.
The bottom line is that we cannot 100% guarantee that something will not happen that's out of our control. We are doing everything we know how to do and are allowed to do. We will continue to seek out best practices and research based solutions. Together, we can continue to ensure Pioneer H.S. has a fantastic learning environment that is also safe and secure.
Thank You,
James D. Heath
Pioneer High School