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INFORSE Presentation
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Sustainable Energy News
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COP 3 in November in Brazil
INFORSE Input
The INFORSE Secretariat continues to follow activities concerning the relationship between sustainable energy development and desertification, in close co-operation with Enda-tm and in accordance with the revised INFORSE Action Plan for 1999. The Secretariat and Enda-tm are preparing documentation and dissemination plans for 'Experiences with Sustainable Energy to Combat Desertification' which is expected to be presented during the Conference of Parties, COP 3, in November 15-27, in Brazil. Other INFORSE input will be distributed as an English/French section in the next issue of Sustainable Energy News, which will be distributed at the event as well.
More Northern NGOs
One of the clear messages from the Southern NGOs participating in COP 2 of the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was that more Northern NGOs should get involved in the UNCCD effort.
The representative from the INFORSE Secretariat, Susanne Backer, participated in COP 2 with a mandate from the so-called '92-group, a network of Danish NGOs that has been following the implementation of the three environment conventions since the RIO meeting in 1992. One of the members of the '92-group, CARE Denmark, has now volunteered to become the Danish National Focal Point for the network of NGOs working with the UNCCD, RIOD. By this, the relationship between Danish NGOs and RIOD has been formalised.
RIOD (Le Reseau Internationale des ONGs sur la Desertification) will conduct its first Global Meeting in Dakar, Senegal, on 23-29 October, 1999. The aim of this general meeting is to create an effective global RIOD structure for the full implementation of UNCCD. The RIOD network was established in Burkina Faso in 1994, by some 50 NGOs from all over the world. RIOD aims to enable "CBOs and NGOs to share information and to coordinate their actions globally in the fight against desertification". The network's overall goal is to put in place a structure that ensures full involvement of community-based organizations and NGOs in the preparation, implementation, and review of national action programmes, in compliance with provisions of the UNCCD.
For more information about COP3 and the RIOD meeting, please contact:
Enda-Energy, INFORSE Western Africa Regional Coordinator
See address at the Coordinator's list
More information about CARE Denmark:
att.: Katrine Danielsen, CARE, Norrebrogade 68 B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
Fax: +45 3536 887, e-mail: email@example.com.
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INFORSE Secretariat
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License Server Administrator High-Availability
In order to use the High-Availability feature, you'll need to install the License Server Administrator on two different servers. It isn't required both License Servers to be on the same network. If they aren't, you'll need to ensure the License Server Administrator port is open (by default it's 7443).
Contact us to get the installer License Server Administrator link.
One of the servers will act as the Primary License Server and the other as Backup. You configure each role in the "Communications" tab of the License Server Administrator manager.
Primary Server:
The configuration for this is pretty simple. You just need to select the "Server role" to "Primary":
Backup Server:
In the "Communication" tab, change "Server role" to "Backup". The next step would be entering the 'Primary server URL' and linking this to Back Up Server address.
Bear in mind, it isn't required to have a public address. If everything runs locally, you can just enter the local IP address in the URL.
Finally, you have to configure Thinfinity VirtualUI to load the license from a License Server. In order to do so, you just need to configure both License Server URLs in its manager.
If this is the first time you install VirtualUI on a server, you will be prompt to register the license right after you start the manager. Select 'Activate a Serial Number online' and click next.
In the following screen you'll have to fill the E-mail, Serial and both License Server URLs, Primary and Backup:
If the VirtualUI server is already licensed, just go to the 'Licenses' tab, enable 'Use Licensing Server' and fill the Licensing Servers URLs.
Once you configure this and apply the changes, you might need to restart the services.
Bear in mind also, if you have multiple VirtualUI servers connecting to a license server, you must configure the same "Network ID" on each of them. You will find this option in the 'General' tab:
The "Network ID" doesn't have to follow any special format, you can put anything in there, for instance, "test".
If you have any questions regarding this blog entry, you can leave a comment below or emails us to [email protected]
Have any questions? Contact us at [email protected] or leave a message on this same post.

subset: commoncrawl


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Neighbors square off against mushroom company in Franklin Township
05/12/2015 10:54AM ● By J. ChamblessThis April 2015 photo shows the 'yucky goo' found in the Indian Run Stream.
About 50 neighbors of a proposed expansion of the Gourmet's Delight mushroom company on the border of London Grove Township and Franklin Township are fighting a proposed expansion that they say will affect their quality of life.
Gourmet's Delight sits on the township line on Garden Station Road. In 2003, the company asked Franklin Township officials if they could build a mushroom house on the Benmark Farm property, which is in Franklin Township, contiguous with their existing operation in London Grove. The Zoning Officer at the time agreed, saying that mushroom growing was allowed, according to township zoning rules.
Then the disagreements began.
In March 2005, Gourmet's Delight asked neighbors if they would agree to overturn the deed restriction on the Benmark Farm property that forbid mushroom houses. No neighbors agreed to eliminate the restriction. At the time, the company said they would use the property as a "buffer," with public walking trails and no buildings.
In September of that year, Richard Pia, the owner of Gourmet's Delight, bought the Benmark Farm. In December of 2008, the company asked the township if they could build a composting-only operation, with no mushroom growing. In February 2009, the township ruled that composting is not allowed in the district. By state law, Gourmet's Delight had 30 days from the zoning officer's decision to appeal to the zoning board. The company did not appeal.
In May 2014, Gourmet's Delight appealed the 2009 decision. In July 2014, the township restated their position, saying that composting is not allowed at the site. In August 2014, Gourmet's Delight submited a plan for a major composting operation in Franklin Township. Through their attorney, Joe Riper, they also filed an ACRE challenge with the state Attorney General, saying they were seeking a mushroom growing and composting facility on the site. The ACRE law is intended to protect farmers from having municipalities pass restrictive laws against them.
Gourmet's Delight appealed to the Franklin Zoning Hearind Board in October of 2014, outlining their updated plan. In their appeal, they claimed that none of the township composting or mushroom growing restrictions were legal.
At an April 28 public meeting with the Zoning Hearing Board, Gabe Valentino, the general manager of Gourmet's Delight, told residents that the company is proposing a facility that will include three phases of mushroom production -- composting, growing and harvesting. Valentino said the composting would be done under a roof with minimal odor. He said that "growing rooms" would be part of the expansion, as opposed to traditional mushroom houses.
John Auerbach, the chairman of the board of supervisors in Franklin Township, spoke to the Chester County Press last week, but declined to comment on the record because the Gourmet situation is a pending legal matter.
Paul Overton, a former Franklin Township supervisor, lives near the proposed plant expansion and has been closely following the case.
"I was a supervisor when Gourmet proposed their latest expansion into Franklin Township, the proposal currently under consideration," Overton wrote to the Chester County Press last week. "I remain interested because I am a neighbor who lives directly downstream of the Gourmet mushroom outfall (Indian Run Stream) and I am tired of my children telling me the stream in our yard smells yucky, or has yucky goo floating in it.
"I am 100 percent in support of the mushroom industry and have no sympathy for people who build McMansions next to a mushroom company and then complain about the smell," Overton continued. "However, I do not agree that mushroom companies have some special right to pollute -- more specifically, pollute the White Clay Creek. I do not support a mushroom company moving into a long-established residential neighborhood and building a monstrosity that will lower everyone's quality of life and property value -- especially the convoluted, underhanded way the expansion is being proposed."
Overton pointed to the discrepancies in the plans submitted by Gourmet's Delight over the years.
"Notice the plans submitted are different," he wrote. "This means the Planning Commission is reviewing one plan for composting only, and the Attorney General and Zoning Hearing Board are reviewing a different plan with mushroom growing and composting."
Overton said that at the April 2015 Zoning Hearing Board meeting,, Gourmet's Delight representatives testified that "they acknowledge a deed restriction against mushroom houses, but state their proposed mushroom growing operation is somehow different than a mushroom house and therefore allowed," he wrote. "No explanation given. When asked why the different plans have been submitted, they again give no explanation What asked when the mushroom portion will be built, they won't reply. It is clear they don't know because they have no intention of building it. They want to win the right to build through the ACRE suit under the claim of mushroom 'farming,' but then only build the composting portion. This is underhanded, a bait-and-switch tactic."
In a March 2014 letter to the township, Gourmet's Delight laid out their plans for the proposed composing facility. In his letter to township manager Joan McVaugh that accompanied the company's outline of the project, Gabe Valentino wrote, "odors from the proposed composting process on Gourmet's Benmark property in Franklin Township will be significantly reduced in the indoor aerated composting process. ... It is our view that we have demonstrated our commitment to a low-impact, state-of-the-art composting facility that will be a major upgrade to the traditional composting processes that are associated with mushroom growing in Chester County."
In the outline provided to the township, the company wrote, "Gourmet currently produces the mushroom compost needed for the existing 34 mushroom growing rooms on the farm in London Grove Township. Approximately 50 percent of the existing mushroom compost production is on an outside, uncovered wharf with no aeration and 50 percent is done in an enclosed (three sides and roof) building with aeration through slots in the floor. ... Presently hay and straw are stored on the Benmark Farm in Franklin Township, and the remainder of the raw materials is stored on the existing farm in London Grove Township.
"In order to add the 12 mushroom growing rooms that have been approved by London Grove Township, Gourmet must remove and replace the outdoor mushroom compost area," the letter continues. "Gourmet is proposing to do this on the Benmark Farm (24 acre). The first phase of construction would include the construction of a state-of-the-art, enclosed, aerated mushroom compost facility on the Banmark Farm to replace the outdoor compost area on the existing farm, plus some capacity for the additional growing rooms. Once that facility is operational, the outdoor composting on the existing farm would be decommissioned and the additional 12 mushroom growing rooms would be constructed in the same footprint as the decommissioned outdoor compost operation. It is anticipated that this conversion would occur in the three- to five-year time frame."
The company admitted that the outdoor composting and "nutrient enriched water" runoff at the existing farm can "generate potential odor and water pollution," but maintaned that their proposed new facility would greatly reduce that potential pollution. "Oftentimes outdoor, non-aerated compost piles go anaerobic and generate offensive odors," the company wrote to the township. "The sheer volume of nutrient enriched water generated by runoff from the outdoor compost operation oftentimes creates conditions that generate odors in the storage, treatment and reuse or reclamation of the nutrient enriched water. ... The new enclosed compost facility would significantly reduce these sources."
Patrick Talwin, a neighbor of the proposed expansion, is leading a group of homeowners who are opposing the plan. In an editorial sent to local media last week, Talwin wrote, "Gourmet's Delight is a $20 million to $50 million, vertically-integrated operation including composting facilities, mushroom houses, packing and repacking, storage and distribution facilities. This is a huge industrial operation hiding behind the ACRE law, which was meant to protect true farming operations. [The company is] challenging Franklin's zoning ordinances, subdivision and land development ordinances, traffic impact fees and storm water management regulations."
Talwin outlined the proposed expansion as, "an industrial-size composting plant -- a two-story building covering five acres, accompanied by a lagoon and filtration pond of equal size, right within a residential neighborhood that has been in existence since the late 1960s.
"We have played the good neighbor card for years, not complaining (until recently) about the odors, truck traffic and noise from diesel generators," Talwin wrote. "Our reward was an attempt by Gourmet a few years ago to dupe residents into signing off on their deed restriction. Many neighbors did visit Gourmet's facilities and spoke with the general manager about their plans, only to find that their plans keep changing, becoming larger and more ambitious as time goes on.
"Franklin Township and its residents did not ask for this fight, but we intend to support Franklin Township's Board of Supervisors in their effort to defend us, our township ordinances and our way of life," Talwin concluded.
The next hearing regarding the proposed Gourmet's Delight expansion will be held on June 30. Details and a background of the issue are posted on the township's website, www.franklintownship.us.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail [email protected].


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'Think before you print' has become a well-recognised email signature message – but do your employees really think before they print?
With companies of all shapes and sizes looking for ways to reduce cost and waste – it's no wonder printing has come under the spotlight. Most companies don't know they spend about 3 percent of revenues* on running their print, copy and scan assets and IDC estimates that 60 trillion pages a year are printed worldwide and that the average business wastes 88 million sheets.
To help you improve your business' printing processes– here are some questions to help you think about how you print…
- Do you monitor how much you print? Without detailed insight into who is printing what – it can be difficult to know where to begin to cut down printing costs.
- Do you always collect all your documents from the printers? It is often too easy to just press the print button. In many organisations when you reach the printer there is a pile of uncollected print-outs. Not only is this wasteful – it can lead to information and governance concerns as anyone can pick up the document.
- Are you using electronic forms? Streamling your document management processes to reduce paper intensive processes
- Do you have a print policy in place? Communication policies are quite common now in organisations, but it often does not cover printing.
- Do you know the environment impact your printing is having? Energy consumption, toner and paper waste impact the environment. To be more sustainable new innovative technologies such as energy saver and solid ink printers, and a better understanding of each employees' true 'footprint' i.e. volume of prints will allow you to improve your green credentials.
If you answered no to any of the above questions then managed print services might be the solution for you and help you get back in control of your printing and document solutions. Be smart about your printing and reduce the impact on the environment.
To find out more about the solutions available to your business contact our friendly team today to book your FREE no obligation print assessment.
* Based on IDC and InfoTrends analysis from August 2009


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running in the morning is more beneficial for your body
If you're planning on to take up operating in the weight reduction or perhaps exercise routine, attempt running very first thing in the morning. This features a couple of obvious benefits: To start with, the oxygen articles within the ambiance is generally larger early in the day, along with the oxygen is frequently also less dirty. It is then more advantageous chaussure de foot pas cher for your body. Next, you'll get "more hammer for your buck" advertising media are each morning, because you will often increase your metabolic rate for the complete day time with a exercise routine each morning.
Running or even sprinting is actually without a doubt the most effective ways for any person to lose weight and also improve their physical fitness. It's also one of the most affordable types of workout : in the end, you simply need merely a set of two installing running footwear and proper attire.
Many find it difficult to maintain the practice of jogging often as soon as they start off. Below are great tips you can use to remain within the behavior.
#1. Possess a schedule along with follow it
Using a working plan is among the most critical things to have. As an example, you may decide to manage 3 times weekly * on Monday, Fridays along with Fridays. When you have selected the schedule, budget for time for you to it as well as address it like an appointment with your diary. Be sure you budget for enough time that you should warm-up, cool down and also rinse up right after your training session way too!
In the event the time for jogging occurs, place goal for the exercise routine decrease anything else that might seem to be able to crop up. Pick-up the athletic shoes and setting off! Commit yourself not to skip one particular session – since the behave involving excusing oneself once as well as missing any session truly opens up the actual floodgates of potential excuses and much more skipped times.
#2. File how you are progressing
Exactly where feasible, report the operating improvement. Whether it's just a indicate around the diary, or precisely the pace or even use of your current operate, make sure to track how you're progressing. In that way, you can observe your advancement you have made over the months knowning that offers you more determination to remain with your determination.
#3. Maintain strolling gear ready
Never allow things like devoid of prepared dress prevent you jogging. Knowing which you wash your laundry washing only once or twice a week, yet have to work Thrice weekly, just obtain 3 groups of running attire!
#4. Possess a strolling buddy
Have a pal who's of about the identical level of fitness chaussure de foot mercurial as a jogging good friend! This may not merely assist you to retain one another's responsibilities to maintain jogging, and also to begin as well as finish your workout on time.
Adhere to these kinds of Several ideas and you're on your journey to a consistent early morning running plan and much better physical fitness!
In addition maintain running shoes prepared for you to use on a regular basis. You mustn't ought to search your current sneaker case 5 minutes to obtain your footwear – that just will give you added time for you to "think as well much" and also delay doing things just before every work out.


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Study Notes
Internal and External Influences on Marketing Objectives
- Level:
- AS, A-Level
- Board:
- AQA, Edexcel, OCR, IB
Last updated 22 Mar 2021
There are many potential internal and external influences which shape and influence the marketing objectives of a business.
Internal Influences on Marketing Objectives
Corporate objectives
As with all the functional areas, corporate objectives are the most important internal influence. A marketing objective should not conflict with a corporate objective
The financial position of the business (profitability, cash flow, liquidity) directly affects the scope and scale or marketing activities.
Human resources
For a services business in particular, the quality and capacity of the workforce is a key factor in affecting marketing objectives. A motivated and well-trained workforce can deliver market-leading customer service and productivity to create a competitive marketing advantage
Operational issues
Operations has a key role to play in enabling the business to compete on cost (efficiency / productivity) and quality. Effective capacity management also plays a part in determining whether a business can achieve its revenue objectives
Business culture
E.g. a marketing-orientated business is constantly looking for ways to meet customer needs. A production-orientated culture may result in management setting unrealistic or irrelevant marketing objectives.
External Influences on Marketing Objectives
Economic environment
The key factor in determining demand. E.g. many marketing objectives have been thwarted or changed as a result of the recession. Factors such as exchange rates would also impact objectives concerned with international marketing.
Competitor actions
Marketing objectives have to take account of likely / possible competitor response. E.g. an objective of increasing market share by definition means that competitor response will not be effective
Market dynamics
The key market dynamics are market size, growth and segmentation. Changes in any of these undoubtedly influence marketing objectives. A market whose growth slows is less likely to support an objective of significant revenue growth or new product development
Technological change
Consumer and other markets are now affected by rapid technological change, shortening product life cycles and creating great opportunities for innovation. These have to be taken into account when setting marketing objectives.
Social & political change
Changes to legislation may create or prevent marketing opportunities. Change in the structure and attitudes of society also have major implications for many markets.
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Iron Cycle or Transformation
Iron Cycle or Transformation
Iron exists in nature either as ferrous (Fe++) or ferric (Fe+++) ions. Ferrous iron is oxidized spontaneously to ferric state, forming highly insoluble ferric hydroxide. Plants as well as microorganisms require traces of iron, manganese copper, zinc, molybdenum, calcium boron, cobalt etc. Iron is always abundant in terrestrial habitats, and it is oftenly in an unavailable form for utilization by plants and leads to the serious deficiency in] plants.
Soil microorganisms play important role in the transformations of iron in al number of distinctly different ways such as:
Certain bacteria oxidize ferrous iron to ferric state which precipitate as ferric hydroxide around cells
Many heterotrophic species attack on in soluble organic iron salts and convert into inorganic salts
Oxidation-reduction potential decreases with microbial growth and which leads to the formation of more soluble ferrous iron from highly insoluble ferric ions
Number of bacteria and fungi produce acids such as carbonic, nitric, Sulphuric and organic acids which brings iron into solution
Under anaerobic conditions, the sulfides formed from sulphate and organic sulphur compounds remove the iron from solution as ferrous sulfide
As microbes liberate organic acids and other carbonaceous products of metabolism which results in the formation of soluble organic iron complex. Thus, iron may be precipitated in nature and immobilized by iron oxidizing bacteria under alkaline soil reaction and on the other hand solubilization of iron may occur through acid] formation.
Some bacteria are capable of reducing ferric iron to ferrous which lowers the oxidation-reduction potential of the environment (eg. Bacillus, Clostridium, Klebsiella etc). However, some chemoautotrophic iron and sulphur bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferroxldans and Ferrobacitlus ferrooxidans can oxidize ferrous iron to ferric hydroxide which accumulates around the cells.
Most of the aerobic microorganisms live in an environment where iron exists in the oxidized, insoluble ferric hydroxide form. They produce iron-binding compounds in order to take up ferric iron. The iron-binding or chelating compounds / ligands produced by microorganisms are called "Siderophores". Bacterial siderophores may act as virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria and thus, bacteria that secrete siderophores are more virulent than non- siderophores producers. Therefore, siderophore producing bacteria can be used as biocontrol agents eg. Fluorescent pseudomonads used to control Pythium, causing damping-off diseases in seedlings. Recently Vascular – Arbusecular – Mycorrhiza (VAM) has been reported to increase uptake of iron.


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Congressional budget office(CBO)'s take on a Single-Payer System
Summarized by Tashrique Rahman, PharmD, MBA, Daniel Salas, PharmD, Thomas Cook PhD, RPh, Mamta Karani PharmD, BCPS, MPH
Congressional Budget Office's (CBO's) Single-Payer Health Care Systems Team. How CBO analyzes the costs of proposals for single-payer health care systems that are based on Medicare's fee-for-service program. Washington (DC): CBO; 2020 Dec. https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2020-12/56811-Single-Payer.pdf
Published December 2020. Accessed March 9, 2021
In December 2020, CBO released a paper in which it analyzed the federal budgetary costs of proposals for single-payer health care systems that are based on the Medicare fee-for-service(FFS) program. CBO developed scenarios such as payment rates (higher and lower), cost sharing (higher and lower) and Long term services and supports(LTSS) coverage and combined these features to produce the following five options:
Option 1. Higher payment rates, higher cost sharing, no LTSS
Option 2. Lower payment rates, higher cost sharing, no LTSS
Option 3. Lower payment rates, lower cost sharing, no LTSS
Option 4. Higher payment rates, lower cost sharing, no LTSS
Option 5. Higher payment rates, lower cost sharing, coverage of LTSS
All U.S. residents would be enrolled in the single-payer system under each of the options. The single payer system would cover all of the services currently covered by Medicare, including hospital services, physician and clinical services, prescription drugs, and other services not typically used by Medicare beneficiaries (i.e. prenatal care and infant care). Additional services such as dental, vision, and hearing care and school health services will also be included. Option 5 includes an LTSS benefit under the illustrative single-payer system replacing Medicaid
What would the payment rates look like for providers in a single-payer system?
Providers would be paid on the basis of a single national rate for a given service, with adjustment factors applied similar to those used in the Medicare FFS program
Specialists are projected to be paid much more than general practitioners.
In the scenario with higher payment rates, the average payment rates for health care providers under the single-payer system would be close to the average of the rates that CBO projects for all payers (including government programs and private insurers) in 2030 under current law.
In the lower scenario, average payment rates for providers would be lower than the average of the rates that CBO projects for all payers in 2030 under current law.
What would prescription drug prices look like in a single-payer system?
Prices for retail prescription drugs would equal the average of Medicare and Medicaid projected drug prices under current law in 2025 and they would grow more slowly thereafter
With a single-payer system in 2030, prescription drug prices would be lower than the prices that Medicare would pay in 2030 under current law, and lower than the average prices that private insurers would pay.
What would cost sharing look like in a single-payer system?
In the higher cost-sharing scenario, people with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level would pay nothing out of pocket for covered medical services or retail prescription drugs. Everyone else would pay 7.5 percent of the total amount spent on those services, on average—with the exception that certain preventive services would be exempt from cost sharing.
Out-of-pocket payments would cover about 5 percent of total spending on covered services and retail prescription drugs in the higher scenario, on average.
In the lower scenario, no one would pay out of pocket for covered medical services. Low-income people would also pay nothing out of pocket for prescription drugs, whereas other people would pay about 3 percent of drug costs
Out-of-pocket payments would cover about 2 percent of total spending on retail prescription drugs in the lower scenario, on average.
What about Long term services and supports?
In the option that includes LTSS, benefits would be much broader than the benefits provided under current law through Medicaid or private insurers
What would it mean for employer-sponsored health insurance?
As employer-sponsored health insurance will cease to exist, employers will no longer partially compensate some workers by providing them with health insurance, so compensation for those workers would shift toward higher wages.
Eliminating the link between employment and health insurance will let people make decisions about work without feeling constrained to stay with a particular employer to maintain health insurance coverage.
Ending the link between employment and health insurance will also encourage entrepreneurship and could boost productivity. People would be less concerned about paying for future medical expenses.
How will the single-payer system save on expenses?
The single-payer system would spend less on administration than the total amount that all payers would spend on administration under current law
The Medicare FFS program does not face the fragmentation, complexity, and duplication that stem from complying with different state regulations, providing different employment-based benefits, and negotiating different payment rates with many groups of providers.
Administering a single benefit package using a common process for setting payment rates nationwide is much simpler than a system in which many private insurers set their own payment rates and use their own processes.
It does not pay state taxes and regulatory fees, incur costs for salespeople and brokers, or earn profits. In addition, a smaller percentage of its spending is devoted to activities such as utilization management.
It experiences greater economies of scale than most private insurers from spreading the fixed costs of information technology across a larger total amount of spending and from being able to specialize more in its claims processing.
Will a single-payer system lead to a decrease in the supply of care?
With fewer restrictions on patients' use of health care and on billing—such as fewer requirements for prior approval before patients could receive intensive procedures or for a referral before patients could see specialists—providers would tend to furnish a greater volume and intensity of care. That increase would stem mainly from providers' recommending greater use of care, providing more-intensive services, and coding services as more intensive, in CBO's assessment.
Providers would spend less money and time on administrative activities, which would free up resources to provide more care.
In response to the upsurge in demand under a single-payer system, manufacturers would increase the supply of prescription drugs they produced, and providers would increase the amount of care they supplied (within constraints on their labor and other capacities).
What will it mean for access to healthcare?
Total amount of health care that people use would rise under all of the options, and in that sense, overall access to care would increase.
Access would increase for some of the people who would have been uninsured or had high cost sharing under current law
Access would decline for some of the people who would have had private insurance with low cost sharing under current law


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FRANKLIN, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Resource Label Group, LLC ("Resource Label") a full-service provider of pressure sensitive label, shrink sleeve and RFID/NFC technology for the packaging industry has announced the completion of the acquisition of StickerGiant.com ("StickerGiant") on October 1, 2021 after regulatory approval was concluded.
StickerGiant.com will continue to operate under the same brand name and manufacturing operations will remain in Longmont, Colorado. As the leading e-commerce sticker and label manufacturer in North America, StickerGiant focuses on quick turn custom digital label printing for a variety of industries in the U.S. and Canada.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
About Resource Label Group
Resource Label Group, LLC is a leading pressure sensitive label, shrink sleeve and RFID/NFC manufacturer with diverse product offerings for the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. With twenty-one manufacturing locations across the U.S. and Canada, Resource Label Group, LLC provides national leadership and scale to deliver capabilities, technologies, systems, and creative solutions that customers require. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Resource Label Group, LLC employs over 1600 associates in the U.S. and Canada. Resource Label Group is a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation. For additional information, visit www.resourcelabel.com.
Resource Label Group
Marsha Frydrychowski, (224) 315-4851


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When you can't be home to care for your cat yourself, who do you trust?
Friends and family might be willing to stop in while you're gone, but wouldn't you rather leave your cat in the hands of someone who will give him the personalized and focused attention he deserves?
Give your cat a vacation of his own by sending him to a cat hotel. We've rounded up some of the best options around the country, so check them out below!
#1 Best Friends Pet Care
Location: Windsor, NJ
Address: 1379 Route 130 Windsor, New Jersey 08561
This cat hotel offers boarding for your pet in luxurious comfort with lots of tender loving care. It's located in a quiet neighborhood, yet convenient to the New Jersey Turnpike.
A private sanctuary is provided for cats and the facility is manned by long-term staff members who know each and every client. Kim, the center manager, is a certified master groomer and licensed veterinary technician.
#2 Cats-Luv-Us Boarding Hotel
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Address: 27601 Forbes Road number 25 Laguna Niguel, California 92677
This boarding hotel is exclusively for cats and it offers superior care and personalized attention. Short- and long-term boarding is available and your pet will receive loving care from professional staff.
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, this family-owned and operated cat hotel offers the best pet care. New customers receive their first night of boarding free.
#3 Kountry Pet Resort and Training Center
Location: Elgin, IL
Address: 12N911 US Highway 20 Elgin, Illinois 60124
Between 2012 and 2016, this cat hotel received the Readers' Choice awards for Best Pet Boarding, Best Pet Grooming, Best Pet Food Supply, Best Pet Trainer and Best Pet Pampering.
The establishment has more than forty years of experience in the industry, and it provides a true luxury day spa experience for cats. It is a family-owned business that claims they don't board or kennel pets – they pamper them.
#4 American Pet Spa and Resort
Location: Argyle, TX
Address: 8827 Highway 377 Argyle, Texas
At the American Pet Spa and Resort, the facility is designed for your cat's fun, comfort, and safety. Your cat will be provided with daily activities including exercise breaks for an enjoyable time.
Pet owners are allowed to choose their cat's activities, which are tailored to its needs, and individual condos are provided for all cats. This ranch-style facility is like a country club for pets and the staff is dedicated to delivering the utmost care to every pet that comes through its doors.
#5 A Country Cat House, Inc.
Location: Miami, FL
Address: 12006 SW 64 Street, Miami Florida 33183
Located in a little equestrian community called Kendall's Horse Country, this cat hotel provides a feeling of well-being as soon as you enter the facility. Lush tropical gardens provide a feeling of serenity, and this is a fully accredited facility that offers spacious individual coops for each cat.
A Country Cat House is a family-owned, PCSA (Pet Care Services Association) Accredited cat care facility that has been serving the needs of South Florida pet owners for over two decades.
#6 Barkingham Palace
Location: Rockledge, FL
Address: 4210 South US Highway 1 Rockledge Florida 32955
This cat hotel's mission is to treat your pet royally by providing the most comfortable accommodations. Clean and comfortable enclosures will make your cat feel like it is still at home. If you miss your pet, this premier cat hotel in Florida provides a webcam so that you can watch your pet online when you're feeling lonely.
Staff is available 24 hours a day and they are trained in the proper care of dogs and cats to ensure your cat gets the personalized care and attention he deserves.
#7 PetSmart PetsHotel
Location: Nationwide
Address: Various
PetSmart is one of the biggest pet store chains in the country that offers pet boarding where your cat will feel at home with around-the-clock care from pet-loving staff.
This is the ultimate vacation destination for your pet, and it offers full-service accommodation and certified specialists. Pets will enjoy the comfort of a clean, temperature-controlled environment with plenty of playtime.
#8 Westlake Animal Inn
Location: Tarpon Springs, FL
Address: 39564 US Highway 19 North, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689
This cat hotel is run by a dedicated team of professional staff and it is conveniently located next to an animal hospital. Your cat will get the best accommodation in climate-controlled surroundings where food, water, and bedding are all provided.
Cats enjoy a comfortable stay in the inn's luxury cat room which is kept separate from the kennel and all cats have access to large kitty castles and have plenty of time during the day for sunbathing and exercise.
#9 Luxe Pet Hotels
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Address: 3480 Cavaretta County, Las Vegas Nevada 89103
This cat hotel promises to treat your cat like royalty and it's dedicated to offering the best care and amenities for your pet. You will be mightily impressed by the clean and stunning facilities where your cat will be well taken care of by caring staff members.
The experience at Luxe Pet Hotels is a true vacation. The staff pays attention to every little detail so your cat can enjoy a comfortable, stress-free stay.
#10 Happy Cat Hotel
Location: Windsor, CT
Address: 446 Broad Street, Windsor, Connecticut 06095
This cat hotel offers individually themed premium rooms where your pet gets room service and plenty of socialization all day long. There are daytime lounge areas and lounge beds for your pet, as well as climbing trees, wall climbing systems, hammocks, and couches.
With two locations in Windsor and East Granby, this cat hotel is conveniently located. Your cat will enjoy a full-spectrum customer-cat experience in this custom-built cat-only boarding oasis.
#11 Pet Resorts of America
Location: Nashville, TN
Address: 7200 Charlotte Pike Nashville, Tennessee 37209
This locally owned pet resort offers kitty condos and townhouses in a climate-controlled environment, providing your cat with a relaxing stay.
The cattery is located adjacent to the reception away from dog kennels, allowing the feline guests to enjoy a peaceful and quiet stay. It's a wonderful facility that has won several awards, including excellence in customer satisfaction.
#12 Pet Lodge USA of Boardman
Location: Boardman, OH
Address: 8063 Market St, Boardman, OH 44512
This establishment offers comfortable overnight stays for your precious cat, or you can get daycare service. Accommodations are comprised of private suites, each equipped with a television to distract your pet.
Cats will interact with humans throughout the day, getting the kind of attention they enjoy at home. Pet Lodge USA has been a family-run business for a dozen years, owned by a veterinary/minority couple that specializes in loving and caring for pets.
#13 PawHootz Pet Resort
Location: Hurst, TX
Address: 80 Grapevine Highway Hurst, Texas 76054
The cat hotel offers spacious, temperature-controlled overnight boarding where each suite features raised accommodation for maximum comfort. Your cat will be handled by a trained professional caregiver with play and exercise sessions being provided.
Every cat gets a private litter box with high-quality, all-natural kibble provided at no extra charge. During the day, your cat will enjoy access to large, multiple cat family runs and can settle down into cozy bedding at night.
#14 Meeow Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Address: 1765 N. Elston Ave, Suite #104, Chicago, IL 60642
Treat your cat to luxury accommodations at Meeow Chicago where he'll enjoy suits 6 times larger, equipped with cat walks, cat shelves, privacy boxes, and more.
If you're looking to upgrade your cat's experience, City Kitty suites are double the size and can accommodate up to 5 cats. Meeow Chicago also offers full-service grooming along with luxury cat bedding, fresh water fountains, and flatscreen TVs. You'll also be able to check in with your cat via a private webcam.
#15 Hubbard Pet Resort and Spa
Location: Hubbard, OH
Address: 23370 Mercantile Road Beachwood, Ohio 44122
This cat hotel has several locations in Ohio, including Avon, Beachwood, Boardman, Howland, and Hubbard. The Hubbard Pet Resort and Spa franchise offer boarding and daycare for cats, which are housed in multi-chambered condominiums.
Your cat can enjoy TV while residing there along with ample playtime and opportunities to explore the spacious catio. This cat hotel offers temperature-controlled accommodations for your cat's comfort and they clean with only biodegradable, pet-friendly products.
#16 Petville Pet Hotel
Location: San Marcos, CA
Address: 1049 E. Mission Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069
It's a cat hotel where pets come to play and stay. It provides boarding, daycare, grooming and training where cats are housed in living quarters similar to their own homes.
The cattery is climate-controlled to ensure the most comfortable environment and cats are provided with soft bedding and toys to play with.
The business is staffed by knowledgeable, gentle, animal-loving professionals who will provide your cat with the utmost personalized care.
#17 Colorado Cats
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Address: 8620 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
If you're looking for a cat hotel that cats ONLY to cats, this is the one. Colorado Cats offers secure, outdoor, individual catios with private windows in each condo for viewing of the Black Forest.
Your cat will enjoy watching birds and squirrels up close from the comfort of his private cat condo featuring floor-to-ceiling shelves. The owners of Colorado Cats live on the premises and have been in business for over 20 years, so you can trust them to provide the special care your cat deserves.
#18 Ruby & Jack's Doggy Shack – Permanently Closed
Location: New York, NY
Address: 1146 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10065
This cat hotel offers the finest daycare and salon stylists for pets. The facility features climate-controlled accommodation with air exchanged every 20 minutes. A custom sanitation system has been installed and pet owners will have unrestricted access to webcams after leaving their pets behind.
At Ruby & Jack's, your precious pussycat will enjoy every comfort in a low-stress environment where loving around-the-clock staff is dedicated to providing for his every need from food to medication to belly rubs.
#19 Captain Kitts Luxury Cat Boarding
Location: Clinton, CT
Address: 46 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, Connecticut 06413
According youraquariumplace.com to this cat hotel features large aquariums, a parakeet cage, and iPad game apps for lots of entertainment. Your cat will be given playtime outside the suite as well as personal time with a sitter.
Plus, there's a happy hour when cats receive treats and a catnip nightcap. The facility is run by a couple who reside on the premises, offering full-time pet care and plenty of personalized attention for your cat.
#20 PawSpa Resort
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Address: 1701 Saw Mill Run Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Whether you're heading out of town for a few days or a few weeks, your kitty will be in good hands with the experienced vet techs who run the PawSpa Resort. They do it all from mealtime to playtime and everything in between – the care and comfort of your pet are their top priority.
Cats will enjoy their own private, spacious cat condo equipped with all the amenities including toys, comfortable bedding, cat trees, food and water dispensers, and litter boxes.


text:
Kanye West Suing for $10Million
Kanye West is suing insurance firm Lloyd's of London...
Kanye West is suing insurance firm Lloyd's of London for $10m over his cancelled tour.
He cancelled the final 21 dates of his Saint Pablo Tour last November and was admitted to hospital.
Lloyd's is hinting it'll refuse to pay out because of a medical condition, caused by marijuana use, that led to dates being called off
According to legal papers, Kayne spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" on insurance with Lloyd's to cover the costs of a cancellation but hasn't received any payment yet.
Kanye's Saint Pablo Tour was set to run until end of December but was called off after the rapper spent eight days in a neuropsychiatric centre at UCLA in Los Angeles.


text:
Email & SMS Marketing
If you're not getting over 30% of your revenue from emails, and at least 10% of your revenue from SMS, we must talk.
With over a billion emails sent for 300+ brands, we analyze data, design, and messaging on a granular level, to improve performance for every ad dollar spent.
Influencer Discovery Platform
Our team works diligently to find influencers that actually HAVE influence. Not followers, not engagement, but real influence.
The strategy is rooted in finding content creators that align in value with your brand, driving long term partnership potential
Search Engine Optimization
Most DTC eCommerce brands neglect the power of content, and by extension SEO, when they first start.
Times are changing. The power of conversion by spending ad dollars is no longer in the hands of Facebook and Instagram.
Take back control of your marketing with systems that are essential for a strong foundation of your eCommerce brand.
Conversion Rate Optimization
Successful eCommerce businesses are not built on the foundation of paid traffic. It's what they are able to do with this traffic is what matters in the end.
Just a jump of 1% in your conversion rate, from 2 to 3 percent can boost your revenue by 33%.


text:
git clone 'git://github.com/pavpanchekha/dropbox.el.git'
, A Dropbox Client for EmacsIt's often joked that Emacs is an operating system; well, it might as well have a Dropbox client.
provides a partial Dropbox client for Emacs. You can log in to Dropbox and read and write your files. Since it implements handlers for all of the normal Emacs file operations, dropbox.el
can also be considered a Dropbox API client in Emacs Lisp.
is available in the Marmalade repository, under the name "dropbox
The first step is to get dropbox.el
; the easiest way is to use the Marmalade repository, but you can also just download the dropbox.el
file from this very project. However, before you use it, you'll need to set up a few configuration variables. customize-group
, with group dropbox
, will take you to a configuration screen.
The key step is to set up the "Consumer Key" and "Consumer Secret" variables. Unfortunately, Dropbox uses OAuth 1.0, which isn't particularly friendly to open source applications since it requires keeping a key secret. Instead, you'll have to create your own, private application key and secret, and tell dropbox.el
to use these.
To do this, navigate over to the Dropbox developers console. You'll want to create an application for the "Core" API. Any name at all works for the application name, and you want to give it access to your full Dropbox.
Click "Create App", and you'll be taken to a page that includes the "App key" and "App secret". You'll want to enter these into the corresponding fields in the Customize window, and save the buffer. You are, of course, free to ignore Customize and just stick the necessary settings into your init.el
Once you have a consumer key and secret set up (and don't worry, you only need to do this once), you can run dropbox-connect
to get a special token from Dropbox and begin using the API. The token is stored, by default, in ~/.emacs.d/dropbox-token
, but you can change this with the dropbox-token-file
variable. dropbox-connect
will cause you to browse to a web page asking you to allow the application to use your Dropbox; allow it to, and you're done.
Once connected, you can use dropbox.el
by simply attempting to open a file in any folder beginning with /db:
. In particular, if you browse to /db:
, you'll get a Dired window open onto the root of your Dropbox folder. You can use many of the usual Dired commands from here; you can also open files and read and write them.
supports much of the functionality you'd expect from an Emacs Dropbox client. A few otherwise-reasonable features aren't yet supported.
or process-file
variants are supported, though it might be possible to implement them by downloading local copies.


text:
Yes I know that most of you are watching the Super Bowl XLV at the moment but there's always a little time to enter a competition to win something cool.
Tell us who you think is going to win this years Super Bowl and win yourself a video game. (Could be on XBOX, PS3, Wii or PC)
Who's got what it takes .. The Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers !!
Leave a comment below .. we'll pick the best comment and award that person a prize.


text:
The Eagle Valley Middle School LEGO Robotics team is hosting a fundraiser to help send it to the North American Championship for First LEGO League.
The robotics team consists of 14 middle schoolers, split into two teams, who have been working all year to build a robot and create a research presentation to find a solution to the question: Find something that needs to be learned, and how to teach it.
One team came up with a solution for teens to deal with stress, while the other worked out an app that would save cyber bullying statements to the cloud. They will be presenting that, along with a robot at the championship.
Both teams from EVMS were invited to attend after winning first and second place at the Northern Nevada Championships at the University of Nevada-Reno in January. Fourteen kids will be competing in the championship at LEGOLAND in California from May 15-17. They will face teams from around the world to win the tournament.
"This allows them to compete on an international stage that they wouldn't get the chance to do in Carson City," Lisa Stocke-Koop, coach of the EVMS LEGO team said. "It helps teach them 21st century skills such as presentation, and they will get to meet new people from all over."
They have held two other fundraisers to get the money to send the kids to California, but they are still short about $2,000 of the $8,000 they need. Stocke-Koop said they are within their goals and if they can raise more than planned they will be able to put the money toward buying a newer robot, that many other schools already have, to compete with.
Their last event is a breakfast fundraiser Saturday from 8-10 a.m., at the Carson City Applebee's. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 and are good for one breakfast consisting of three pancakes, two pieces of bacon, breakfast potatoes, and a coffee, orange juice or soda.
The kids also will have their robot and presentations at the restaurant for the community to see.
For more information or questions, contact Lisa Stocke-Koop at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.


text:
Courtney Ngai, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT)
Colorado State University
Dr. Courtney Ngai (she/her/hers) is a Research Scientist within The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) at Colorado State University and a consultant for Empowered Consulting.
Dr. Ngai's previous research focused on student thinking when solving problems using chemistry, and she collaborated with K-12 teachers and university researchers on the Chemical Thinking Learning Progression project. Dr. Ngai's current work focuses on organizational change in higher education as part of the Departmental Action Team project. She has facilitated six departmental teams working to improve their undergraduate programs and is investigating how to best support and sustain change in higher education. As a consultant, Dr. Ngai supports teams and education-focused projects through research, facilitation, and program evaluations. Her work is guided by principles around equity, communication, and data.


text:
[pullquote]Author: Janine Lano, third-year[/pullquote]
October 19, 2016
Dear Diary,
One of the biggest differences I've experienced between high school and college is the stress of midterm season. At my high school, midterms weren't given, but in college, I learned they can either make or break your grade. When they roll around, my life becomes centered around studying for the exam, leaving me no time to catch up with friends or even catch a bite to eat. I knew this wasn't healthy, so I had to test out a few study methods to ensure that I'd get a good grade and not let my personal health fall down the drain.
Following high school, my normal form of studying was to cram the night before. I found out very quickly that this was not the method I should be using. Not only did my grades suffer, but I was extremely exhausted and didn't have any motivation to improve my grade. So I needed a change. I took notice of my friend's study habits. She would study vigorously a week or two before the exam and, come the night before the big test, she would simply take that night off. She would do activities that she enjoyed and read over notes she took while studying beforehand. I decided to give this a try and to my surprise, I found it was the method for me.
This form of study was the best way I dealt with the stress of midterm season. I knew there was no escaping midterms. Therefore I had to find a way to not let them take over my whole college experience. I started working on study notes every night during the week leading up the exam. This way, I didn't get anxiety about not studying enough and I had more time to attend to extra curricular activities and not neglect the work of my other classes. The night before, I relaxed, and sometimes, I even went out. Once, I went to go watch a movie and another, I attended a Silent DiscGlow dance party hosted by ASPB. The stress I accumulated when cramming the night before was no longer. I've stuck to this routine ever since.
From midterm season, I've learned that there is a fine line between pushing myself, and overworking myself. I knew stress went hand in hand with midterms, but I refused to let it take over my life. Midterms still bring fear and worry, but as each year passes by, I've gotten into the mindset where I just attack it head on. I've made sure that I take the test, and not let the test take me.
Janine Lano
[pullquote]Author: Erika Rico, second-year[/pullquote]
November 14, 2015
Dear Diary,
Well, I'm on the fifth season of "Gilmore Girls" and still haven't studied for the midterms that are on Monday and Tuesday. So, everything is fine. Totally fine. Just kidding, I'm panicking and crying inside (somewhat true).
I've known about these midterms for weeks (syllabi are great, but horrible reminders of what is to come) and yet, I'm coloring a page out of a typical "de-stressing" book, trying to pretend I'm not wasting my time. I should be studying, but the anxiety of failing keeps popping up in my head. I shouldn't be worried though, right? I can go over my notes and the brilliant Google Doc a good Samaritan started and be fine.
Or, I can sit here and color while enjoying Stars Hollow and ignoring my responsibilities. I can't. I want a job after four years of being here, or a somewhat stable job. I'll go study and update in a bit.
Okay, well, that was a somewhat successful 45 minutes. I couldn't read the Doc without having noise, so I played some music and had a mini karaoke session with Spotify. The music did help me concentrate more, which makes sense since pure silence makes the testing anxiety peak more for me.
Maybe I should think about what makes me comfortable when I study. Unlike others, I love noise because back at home (nearly three hours from Riverside!) my house was filled with it being one of five children. All through high school I studied while helping my younger brothers with homework and was able to understand the material. Instead of silence, I should try to mimic the comfort of home to make me less stressed about the test.
I should probably Skype my boyfriend and talk about the subject. I realize when I talk about the topics of the midterm, I remember things better. Plus, I need to bother him with random knowledge.
Alright, I feel slightly better about this. I just need to relax and not act like my future is ending because of one midterm. Although they are terrifying, I know I can do this. I made it to college. That's something that seemed difficult. All I need to do is relax with some tea and music and not pack everything into the night before. Which reminds me, I should go study to lessen my load.
After this episode of course.
Erika Rico
[pullquote]Author: Martha Delgado, second-year[/pullquote]
October 19, 2016
Dear Diary,
It still feels like we are in the first week of school. It also doesn't help that I have been procrastinating terribly.
The quarter system will always be scary. The first day of class is going over the syllabus, but then a midterm comes up in what feels like a week after. Another midterm also comes up if I have a class that takes two midterms! Next thing I know, I am picking my classes for the next quarter. Then, boom: Finals week. Finally, I am done with classes, and those 10 weeks — and test scores, and participation and all that stuff — will decide if I passed the class.
But the procrastination is not always my fault. For my humanities midterm paper, the class did not get an example until the day before the paper was due. Yeah, talk about stress!
Contrary to popular belief, midterms are not always so scary after a while. Even though I stayed up late to work on my poetry midterm, it was still kind of fun. Of course, this was mostly because the assignment itself was fun — make a visual interpretation of a collection of poems.
But I can't just keep on taking poetry classes, so when my biology midterm came along, I was terrified. However, going to office hours did make that midterm feel less scary. Yes, I felt silly asking the professor to explain all his clicker questions and the answers, but most of those clicker questions were the same exact ones on the midterm! In addition with a week's worth of studying, I ended up finishing the midterm in about 30 minutes and passing it. Sadly, going to office hours is not always an option when you have no idea when your professor's office hours are.
So when my professor told the class that our political science midterm was right around the corner, I was — yet again — terrified because I didn't understand the readings at all. Hence, all I did was review my notes from lecture. Then, when we got the midterm the next day, guess what? The test was about things we learned and discussed in lecture! My notes were great! Knowing I passed that midterm helped pump up my energy for the next midterm I would be having that day. But all that energy doesn't last long.
Having two midterms in one day can really drain your energy and throw you off your schedule. Usually, on Fridays I tell myself that I will start on my homework as soon as classes are over — and I somewhat do — but after completing a biology and political science midterm in one morning, I felt like I could do nothing else for the rest of the day. Additionally, I couldn't bring myself up to return to my weekend homework schedule. And now, I am paying the price by staying up late and trying to catch up on homework. Soon, I'll get back on my regular schedule, and then finals week will happen . . .
[pullquote]Author: Edward Dave, third-year[/pullquote]
October 21, 2016
Dear Diary,
Midterms have always been a perilous time for me. They're filled with uncertainty and make me harbor intense feelings for the quarter system because it feels like testing occurs too soon after we've barely had time to retain the material. Every time midterms begin I try to go in with an optimistically cautious view. Even though they truly are a drag, they are still imperative to our overall grades. Because of this, I treat them as I would any final.
During midterm season, it's funny to see how everyone reacts. I personally am usually casual about it because I like my exterior to always show some sort of positivity and ease. Inside however, is always a different story. Inside I'm literally berating myself every hour to allot an efficient amount of time throughout the day to study. The temptation to procrastinate seems even more pressing during midterms week because everything seems so overwhelming. Usually my coping mechanism to deal with midterm season is to set up a reward system that includes incentives for me to study. For example, after reading a large amount I'll treat myself to a snack or a music break. These little incentives work for me because they give me a mental boost to work through the mundane readings I'm tasked with. If I didn't set this system up I'd literally binge Netflix all day or sleep until I became a corpse. There's literally no in-between. That's why I always try to use incentives when dealing with studying.
I also think it's helpful, at least in my case, to get tons of sleep. I see so many of my peers pull all-nighters and exert themselves. This is definitely not something I can do because my body doesn't operate that way. I think it's a disservice to one's body and mental health to force yourself to stay up and cram. I find that I retain more knowledge and remember the intricate details of things when I'm well-rested and have had a decent six hours of sleep. It really does make all the difference. Plus, when I get adequate sleep, I don't find myself dozing off in the midst of a test because my mind has received sufficient rest. Although it varies for each person, sleep is fundamentally the healthier way to go and it's the option I employ when going into midterms or any test.
Half the battle of midterms is not knowing what the structure is going to be like, especially when it's the first one of the quarter. To remedy this I typically try asking TAs and professors the structure of the test to get a tentative template of what to expect. This definitely makes sure I don't go into any tests blindsided.
Even though midterm season is stressful, I like to take each day as it comes. I don't like to overwhelm myself by thinking holistically about all my midterms at once because that's an instant recipe for disaster. The biggest advice I'm always adamant about giving myself is that it's okay to NOT feel completely overwhelmed because that allows me to tackle material clearly and retain more information. Midterms are stressful, but they don't always have to signal the end of the world.
Edward Dave


text:
Seddon Housing Partnerships were appointed by Halton Housing to design and build 31 units on Poole Lane, Winterley.
The 31 timber-frame units will provide 11 affordable rent and 20 shared ownership homes. The homes will be available for rent and shared ownership and will be complete in Autumn 2021. This scheme is on-gong and due to complete in Autumn this year.
All works to the road (including tarmacing) and drainage are now complete and we are now halfway through the 60-week build programme, with 13 of the timber-frames erected and another nine starting in the week commencing 22 March.
All the brickwork will be completed on the first 13 plots by the end of March and scaffolding will come down immediately after.
We are now at 1st fix stage for joinery, plumbing and electrical works to the show houses and the plastering will start shortly after.
Despite the weather over the winter months, we are still on programme with 13 of the 31 timber-frames erected.
Over the next couple of months the brickwork will be starting, alongside the window and door installations and first fix of joinery, electrical and plumbing works to the internals of the houses.
The first show home is on programme to be open by June 2021.


text:
Why Out of Sight Really Is Out of Mind
Research supports an underrated path to achieving your goals.
Posted October 28, 2014
At the mad tea party in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Hatter says indignantly to Alice, "You might just as well say that 'I see what I eat' is the same thing as 'I eat what I see.'"
Clearly the Hatter has not read Brian Wansink's astute observations on human behavior. Wansink is the John Dyson Professor of Consumer Behavior at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and director of its Food and Brand Lab. For many years, he and his colleagues have designed ingenious studies exploring the connection between human nature and our eating environment. He is best known for his 2006 best-selling book Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think.
Wansink's team has discovered that people will eat fewer chicken wings if the plates of half-eaten wings are left piled on the table rather than removed by a waitress. He also designed the "bottomless soup bowl" experiment, in which he found that people seem to keep eating, regardless of how full they may be or how much they have actually eaten, if the soup bowl, for example, never empties. In other words, many people still take quite literally the "clean your plate" dictum from childhood. Wansink has seen that people will eat more M and M candies if they are labeled "fat-free," even though there really is no such product, and they will eat fewer candies if the pieces are placed farther away, preferably out of sight in a drawer (and even covered by opaque foil wrapping or a lid.) We do very clearly tend to eat what is conveniently available—and what we can see. Further, because portions tend to be so much larger today than in the past—even the recent edition of The Joy of Cooking supersized its portion sizes—we all tend to suffer from "portion distortion" and lose track of what are called "consumption norms," i.e., what is an appropriate serving size.
Wansink has now written the intelligent and eminently practical manual, Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life. Wansink's thesis is that everyone is capable of so-called "mindless eating," given the right environment. Since we may make hundreds of food choices every day, including whether to finish a particular dish, take soup or salad, or have dessert, he believes we need to work with human nature, not against it.
"Becoming slim by design," he writes, "works better than trying to become slim by willpower." In other words, "It's easier to change your eating environment than to change your mind." Systematically, Wansink focuses on the many often subliminal eating decisions we all confront—in our own kitchens, at work, at restaurants and at supermarkets—plus the schools that our children attend. Wansink has been called the "Sherlock Holmes of food." He and his colleagues, often doing their detective work under cover, keenly observe how people behave in their natural habitats and, particularly, how slim people behave differently from those who are not.
For example, Wansink found that slim people approach an "all you can eat" buffet by "scouting out" what is available—"getting the lay of the land," as it were—before they grab their plates and pile on food. They are also more like to sit facing away from, and to choose a table farther away from a buffet; more likely to choose small plates; and, if eating Chinese food, eat with chopsticks. "None of these behaviors has anything to do with counting calories or choosing bean sprouts over Peking Duck," he writes.
Wansink has been a consultant to numerous companies, organizations—even the Pentagon—and restaurants nationwide, and notes that supermarkets, grocery stores, and restaurants don't have the goal of making us fat—they have the goal of making money. He offers many practical suggestions, such as how healthy items (rather than candy and chips) can be placed on a check-out line to avoid impulsive junk food purchases or can be enticingly described on a menu (e.g. crisp summer salad with shrimp, pineapple and avocado) that not only get us to choose more wholesome options but leads to increased revenue for these businesses. Further, he suggests that we write to our favorite haunts to get them to change their practices to make it easier to choose healthier alternatives by default. He also offers recommendations for reorganizing our own kitchens—he found that the size of our plates, the color of both our plates and our walls, and even what foods we have set out on our counters can all have an impact on our weight.
Bottom line: Unfortunately, most of us have difficulty in exerting our willpower consistently, particularly when confronted with the sight of hundreds of appealing food items, whether at home, at work, in school, or at restaurants or supermarkets. Rather than changing human nature, we have a better chance of succeeding at controlling what we eat by modifying our food environments. Wansink's Slim by Design offers up hundreds of empirical strategies to alter our behavior.


text: Assistant judge Hatsyar Wshyar faces up to seven years in prison as new charges have been brought against him, over the same social media posts for which he was sentenced and effectively served a full year prison term sentence. Instead of releasing him after his sentence, he remains detained and at risk of being tried again over the same tweets. The authorities must release Hatsyar Wshyar immediately and unconditionally and drop all charges against him.


text:
After this weekend, the Quakers will still seek to win their first Ivy series of the year.
Despite losing or tying every Ivy series thus far, Penn baseball always manages to scrape out one win in each three-game set.
The Quakers bused up to Cambridge, Massachusetts for a typical Ivy Saturday doubleheader against the Harvard Crimson. Reminiscent of their Ivy League opener against Brown, the Quakers dropped both Saturday games by the scores of 5-2 and 14-5.
In game one, sophomore Chris Adams was able to steal home, giving the Quakers (8-17-1, 3-5-1 Ivy) their only lead of the day.
Senior Gabe Kleiman started out on the mound and finished the game with eight strikeouts. Despite allowing only six hits and three walks, Kleiman surrendered five runs, as the Crimson (12-14, 3-3) capitalized on every imperfection.
In the eighth inning, Penn junior Matt McGeagh was able to hit a single, allowing junior Sean Phelan to score.
Kleiman had the superior pitching game, compared to Harvard's Noah Zavolas, who allowed seven hits and six strikeouts. However, the Quakers offense was unable to convert their hits into runs, leaving the score of game one 5-2 in Harvard's favor.
Sophomore Mitchell Holcomb started in game two but struggled to put away Harvard batters.
The bottom of the second went poorly for Holcomb and the Quakers, as the first Harvard batter was walked, the second hit by a pitch, and the third able to hit a triple off of a fielding error.
In total, Holcomb let up five runs before being relieved by freshman Cole Sichley. Sichley allowed two more hits before ending Harvard's second inning eight-run burst.
Led by senior Andrew Murnane, Penn was able to respond with three runs. The Harvard pitcher, Simon Rosenblum-Larson, hit Adams, Phelan, and McGeagh to give the Quakers some life.
Over the next six innings, the Red and Blue were only able to string together two more runs. Meanwhile, Harvard put the nail in the coffin and ended the game with a total of 14.
Freshman pitcher Robby Cerulle took over the game in the fourth inning, before being relieved by senior Jordan Della Valle in the seventh. Five of the Crimson players scored with Cerulle on the mound, and one with Della Valle.
Sunday proved to be more favorable for Penn, as the Quakers used an eighth-inning rally to win 6-5. Sophomore Christian Scafidi started the day, allowing seven hits and the Crimson's only five runs of the game.
The Quakers brought in four other pitchers to end the game, and they were able to prevent Harvard from adding to its run tally. Junior John Alan Kendrick was credited with the win, playing three innings and posting a solid four strikeouts.
On the offensive side, the Quakers were able to convert all game long. Fourth-inning singles by freshman Christian Walton, freshman Eduardo Malinowski, and Phelan brought Penn up to four, and in the eighth, McGeagh was able to score Malinowski and junior Matt Tola.
After another disappointing series loss, the Quakers have now lost two Ivy series and have tied one.
On April 14, they will seek to bolster their Ivy standing in New Jersey against their rivals, the Princeton Tigers.


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It sounds like Garcon has an entire fleet of angels working on his behalf 🙂
6 thoughts on "Mon Petit Garcon, a Corillon-Adopted"
I love his smile! What a sweetie!
He's doing great and is sweet and even tempered! He is loving having toys and plays so well with the boys. Shows he is house-trained and very much a gentlemen, when asking to go out.
Took him by vet the other day (just to ask a few questions) and was calm the whole time. He showed no interest in cats that were there, never even sniffed a cage.
Vet said he looks CORGI/PAPILLON to her as well.
He's really a good boy and wants a family to call his own
Wow thank you so much for the update! We check daily! 🙂 My family originally rescued him and we are praying for a wonderful home for him. Give him a hug from us!
I come back here everyday to take a look at his pics. He is such a sweetie! If I didn't have a doggie with other dog issues, I might make a trip to FL. 🙂
WOW! just read Holly's post on the facebook page that a wonderful family was talking with her about Garcon.. I am so excited. My family loves him even though he was never ours :)… we rescued him and he was so fortunate to come to Dog Liberator (thanks to Karen Gaston and Gisele and Holly!). If we did not live near the family who owned him, we would have kept him without a doubt… he has the sweetest spirit- to be so loving after the sad life he had… just such an incredible heart to still be so incredibly good with people, children etc. He just seems the absolute perfect dog and though we will always be a little sad that he could not be part of our family, I will be so thrilled when he has his own loving family who will treat him with kindness and give him the life he never had. Thank you Dog Liberator and Laura especially for helping him to see that life can be so different than what he had just a few months ago. I hope his forever family comes soon to get him and cherishes his sweet spirit and has many happy years ahead with him.Sorry to post long message here… for some reason I cannot get request through to facebook page or I would have responded there 🙂 Just had to say thanks to everyone who is working to find him the best home and knowing it will happen soon… he is just such an incredible and loving dog. Hugs to Garcon from our family!
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Varun Chaturvedi
Britain's Labour Party MP Rupa Huq clearly has made promise to herself in somehow causing damage to Bangladesh and stopping the country from emerging into an economic giant in Asia. On January 10, 2019, Rupa Huq in a tweet said, "Do not have Bangla language skills to decipher this but have heard many concerns about this election [December 30, 2018 general election in Bangladesh] and result blatantly so crushingly flattering for the opposition that you couldn't make it up! APPG for Bangladesh @StAlbansMP have requested meeting with @MarkFieldUK [Minister of State for Asia and Pacific and MP for the Cities of London and Westminster] to discuss."
Rupa Huq is the Ealing Central and Action's Labour MP since 2015. She also is a regular contributor of The Guardian newspaper.
This is most definitely not the only announcement Rupa Huq has within her knowledge. In fact she is not just waiting for the meeting between the MP from St Albans and Mark Field, Minister of State for Asia and Pacific and MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, rather she is doing more.
Right after the December 30 general election, a group of individuals, in addition of those from BNP and Jamaat, are actively trying to put the government of Sheikh Hasina under international pressure. From UK, Jamaat leader Barrister Abdur Razzak is not leaving any stone unturned in forcing Awami League in holding another "fresh election" soon. He has been spending lavishly towards lobbyists and PR agencies in the UK and US in particular as well as some of the EU nations. Razzak already has reportedly found an effective ally in Germany, who is tuning the policymakers and media personnel against Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government.
In the US, one of the top allies of Jamaat e Islami, former chief justice of Bangladesh, S K Sinha is taking preparations of sending a letter to the key figures in the Department of Justice as well as the Supreme Court detailing "irregularities" in the general election and "unconstitutional" activities of the ruling party in Bangladesh. Sinha maintains regular connections with a number of Bangladeshi journalists, who have taken "political asylum" in the US showing the grounds of being persecuted by Awami League and "life risks." Sitting in the US, these journalists are working under the directives of BNP's self-exiled acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London and Barrister Abdur Razzak, and running several channels on the YouTube, filled with fabricated and instigative contents against the Bangladesh government. Majority of these journalists in the career had been notoriously anti-US and pro-Islamist. It is a matter of great surprise, as to how the United States authorities are giving refuge to these journalists, whose agendas are returning Islamist forces into power in Bangladesh by ousting the secularist and anti-Islamist government of Sheikh Hasina.
In Bangladesh, British MP Rupa Huq has indirect connection with a photographer named Shahidul Alam as well as the editor of an English daily. Besides, she has acquaintance with Shafik Rehman, a Bangladesh-born British national and pro-BNP journalist.
Another anti-government individual in Bangladesh is the boss of a rights groups named ODHIKAR, Barrister Adilur Rahman Khan, who is giving fabricated information to several international rights groups including the Human Rights Watch, ENFREL etc. Barrister Khan is an activist of BNP and was amongst the top-most patrons of a pro-Caliphate group named Hefazat e Islam.
While conspiracies against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government are continuing in multiple fields, unfortunately her key-allies such as India, China and Russia are not initiating any effective steps in helping Hasina in fighting such challenges posed by BNP, Jamaat and Pakistan. While attempts of discrediting the December 30 general election are continuing in full swing, silence of Sheikh Hasina's key-allies certainly is worrying.


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My brother and I never really saw eye to eye with anything. We were notoriously known as the "fighting siblings", always arguing, bickering, and never getting along. Over the course of the past few years, we have grown to have a close bond that I am so grateful for. When I was younger, I used to ask him to leave the house while I had friends over, because I didn't want to argue or cause a scene in front of my friends. Now, though, I invite him to whatever group hangout I have while home. I think it's grown this way, because we have grown up, but also because I no longer live at home.
We are so close in age, but I will always look at him as a baby because he's my baby brother. In a few short weeks, he'll be preparing for the next chapter of his life, that I never could imagine: college, in another state than me. For the first time in my life, I am going to be at a school that isn't the same school as him or within a 10 mile radius of him and let me tell you, I am extremely sad. I don't know how to feel about it, because who wants their little brother to grow up? Definitely not me.
I want to teach you a few lessons, though, to save you the headache, the heartbreak, and the sanity. So, pull up a seat and get comfy, my little dude, and please, for once in your life, listen to what I'm about to say.
To my not-so-little brother,
Watching you grow up has truly been a crazy experience, but I am so glad that our friendship has grown into what it is, and I hope it continues to grow. As you leave for college in a few short months, I thought I could shed a little bit of light on the crazy rollercoaster that is freshman year of college. For starters, don't take the easy way out of things. I know you might want to skip a class, because for once in your life you don't have someone telling you what to do, but please don't if you don't have a valid reason to. It'll get you into a bad groove and make you unmotivated, so don't skip, no matter how hungover you may be, or how little sleep you got the night before. You'll thank yourself later that you went.
Second, go out, as much as you can, without missing exams or homework assignments. I kind of regret not going out as much after midterms hit, because I missed out on a lot of fun memories that my friends would talk about, and I felt left out.
Third, get involved, whether it be in Greek life, a club or organization, or even by keeping yourself busy with working out or sports. It helps keep you busy and makes you learn time management skills that I wish I would have learned sooner.
Fourth, make your grades a priority, but failing a couple of exams is not the end of the world.
Fifth, don't stress anything, and just go with the flow of college. If it won't matter in 5 years, don't stress over it now, whether it is a failed test, a stressful situation, anything, just don't stress out.
Sixth, take pictures and videos every day you do something interesting or fun. It helps save the memory of those nights, and you can also look back on the memories when you start to forget.
Lastly, I know you don't see it now, but thank Mom and Dad for everything.
They truly have raised us to be strong-willed, determined kids, and you will miss them so much once you leave, trust me. I call them just about every day, and you will never really realize how much your parents do for you until you're on your own. So give them a hug and say thank you, but most importantly, overuse the privilege of Mom still doing your laundry and making meals for you while you still can, because eating ramen while doing your laundry and cramming for an exam at 3 a.m. would be much less stressful if she could do my laundry just one more time.
I know it might seem like you're not prepared for college mentally, but you are. This is about to be the biggest step in your teenage life, and it will be a good one. Enjoy college while you can, because now your days of going out with your school friends and partying it up are numbered, and trust me, if you think high school went by fast, just wait. Hopefully, you learn some better time management skills than I did but stay focused and stay strong-headed. You're a smart, talented kid with a (somewhat) good sense of humor, but most of all you are one hell of a brother.
College is going to be a wild ride, but I am extremely sad that we'll be so far away from each other so soon. I hope you come visit me and I hope to do the same, but life is about to get real different real fast, and I just want you to know that I am so incredibly proud of you and the person you have grown into. I am so happy to have a brother as cool as you. I can't wait to see how well you succeed in college, but I am going to miss you so much.
Now, I'm going to leave you with the famous words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Slow down and enjoy the memories, kid. I am so proud of you, congrats, you are about to embark on a crazy journey, just don't lose sight of who you are and where you came from. Love ya kiddo.


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I'm not buying it. First, there was an attempt to persecute 20-year-old Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas when she didn't place her hand over her heart while the national anthem played. She wasn't politically motivated; she simply chose to stand at attention during the song. This led to "outrage." And by outrage, I do mean the American interpretation of outrage which is a thinly veiled mask for racism, sexism and hate in general. The public harshly criticized every move she made from that point on…you know after she did the most patriotic thing an American citizen can do, second to military service, which is REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY AT THE OLYMPICS AND BRING HOME MULTIPLE GOLD MEDALS. Though it was completely unnecessary, as it is HER RIGHT to demonstrate her patriotism however she chooses, Gabby made a public apology saying, "I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone." Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this country founded on principles that allowed for the freedoms such as choosing whether you wanted to participate in rituals? More importantly it should be noted that the "hand over the heart" was a part of the Pledge of Allegiance tradition, not necessarily the National Anthem. So…honestly, truly…why is anyone giving Gabby Douglas grief? It's important to note that Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte embarrassed himself and in turn embarrassed the country after lying about an altercation he and his teammates had with Brazilian police officers after defacing property in Rio. He lost a couple of endorsements and has been the butt of a few late night show jokes…but for the most part, he's been forgiven and handled with the typical "boys will be boys" attitude. He is not a boy; he is a 32-year-old man. That is something to be outraged about but I digress.
Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, in a completely politically motivated move has decided to not stand while the national anthem is played. Kaepernick explained, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." This important move that he made has been met with a firestorm of contradictory and hypocritical opinions that I'm just not here for. I heard multiple radio personalities on the Houston sports talk airways share a similar opinion of acknowledging that what he was protesting was "an issue," (even making light of it in some instances), but his method of protest was "misguided." To anyone who shares that opinion, please tell me how? How is it misguided for him to demand more from his country and take a stand (well…a sit) over a song that has a history of celebrating slavery? How? There was a suggestion of him finding another way of tackling the issue by donating money to an organization. There was a supremely erroneous suggestion of him switching his focus from police brutality to "Black on Black" violence which was absurd and disappointing considering the person who made this remark was a Black host. Those are two very separate conversations and mixing the two further perpetuates this idea that the injustices Black people face at the hands of a prejudiced justice system is somehow the fault of the victims. In a move just as disturbing, former Patriots safety, Rodney Harrison, went on air in Houston and said, "I'm a Black man and Colin Kaepernick … he's NOT BLACK." Are you kidding me? Harrison actually believes that you can measure blackness and because Kaepernick's biological mother is white he is not black enough. As if ethnicity has anything to do with championing a cause for those who don't have a voice. Let the multiple face-palms commence. I believe the "outrage" is a convenient way to ignore the message. To everyone who is saying Colin is "not the right guy" to deliver this message or use his platform in this way (which is the biggest platform because Football is king in America), you might want to explore what you are so angry about in the first place. Real freedom and equality requires EVERYONE'S participation. So as I said before, I'm not buying any of this back handed critique of how Colin chooses to perform his patriotism or exercise his rights. I attend hundreds of professional sports games over the course of a year and no one is criticized on how they behave during the anthem. Some stand at attention, some have their hands over their hearts, some are occupied on their phones, some remain seated, some sing along, and some continue their conversations. The National Anthem has long been a space for protest for athletes in particular. Kaepernick is not the first and he won't be the last. In his 1972 autobiography, Jackie Robinson wrote, "As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a Black man in a White world. In 1972, in 1947, at my birth in 1919, I know that I never had it made." Though their experiences differ, the sentiment is the same. I believe Colin is doing exactly what he set out to do and that is peel back another layer to further expose the festering wound that we have in America; race. His actions have added fuel to this conversation that needs to happen. For those of you who aren't familiar with the history of the "Star Spangled Banner," know that it was written during slavery by Francis Scott Key who was a proud owner of slaves and saw Black people as "a distinct and inferior race of people, which all experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community." Meaning that the "land of the free" lyric he penned certainly did not apply to slaves. So yes, we have a long way to go before all people of color can experience true freedom but until then I will leave you with the chilling lyrics found in the third verse of the National anthem.
"No refuge could save the hireling and slave.
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Forward Times Publishing Co.


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Black tears rain down my face
Black as night shedding colors from the day Light dims and the shadow rises, like a foolish dreamer Stars twinkle so far away My reach is not long enough Black tears rain on my cheeks Reminding me of a lost way Families fall Night takes over Love is hard to hold Black tears rise from the early morning mist Grey takes over the land Coarse contact preys on the body Black tears run down my face asking to meet Above the tree line where the sky touches the snow Distraction has no room to dance Space holds silence Silence holds stillness Stillness holds reconciliation Love becomes one By Karen Barbarick-Collins Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKaren Barbarick-Collins is a Certified Ayurvedic Technician and Wellness Coach, an Accredited Neuro Linguistic Programming Coach and a Registered Yoga Alliance Teacher. She is the founder of Bending Blade Healing Arts. Archives
September 2023