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Dr. Amy Cole graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's degree in political science and art history. She earned her medical degree at Cornell University. After medical school, she completed her residency in dermatology at St. Louis University. Dr. Cole has been working in private practice in the Washington, D.C., area since 2002 and has been with DermAssociates since 2005. Dr. Cole practices at our Rockville location.
Dr. Amy Cole is a board-certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
She has been recognized as one of the Washingtonian's top dermatologists.
Actinic Keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a scaly or crusty lesion on the skin that develops slowly and indicates the presence of sun damage. It is most commonly found on parts of the body frequently exposed to the sun including the bald scalp, face, ears, lips, backs of the hands or forearms, neck, and shoulders.
Actinic keratoses are considered precancerous and can develop into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. In fact, some 40 to 60 percent of squamous cell skin cancers begin as untreated actinic keratoses.
Because of this, your doctor should be diligent in diagnosing, treating and monitoring actinic keratosis.
Annual Skin Examinations are yearly scheduled skin exams with a dermatologist. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.? In fact, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sun damage to the skin is cumulative over a person's lifetime, so the average risk of skin cancer also increases as our life expectancy gets longer.
Just as you schedule your annual physical or trip to the dentist, it is important to conduct a self-examination of your skin each month and schedule a professional annual skin examination once a year. Skin cancer is a treatable condition, but early detection is key.
Basal Cell Carcinoma, also known as basalioma or basal cell cancer, is the most common type of skin cancer and carries the least amount of risk, though it still requires attention. If caught and treated early, basal cell carcinomas are not likely to be life-threatening, but they do have the potential to cause disfigurement of the skin tissue.
Almost one million new cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the U.S., and up to 30% of Caucasians may develop basal cell carcinomas in their lifetime.
Skin cancer is considered low risk when the affected cells remain clustered in a single group. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are rarely life-threatening. Though it is unlikely to spread to other parts of your body, if left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can move into nearby bone or other tissue.
Basal cell carcinoma typically begins as a small, shiny bump on the face, although it can occur on any part of the body.
Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, only accounts for about 4 percent of all skin cancer cases, but causes about 79 percent of skin cancer deaths.
Melanoma is a cancer of the skin that begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells that produce the pigment melanin. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women 25 to 30 years old and the second leading cause of cancer death in women 30 to 35 years old.
In some cases, melanoma occurs in melanocytes throughout the body, even if those parts have never been exposed to the sun.
Skin cancer is a common concern in the U.S. Estimates reported by the American Academy of Dermatology suggest one in five people in the U.S. will develop some form of skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma is among the rarest forms of skin cancer, wherein estimates by the Skin Cancer Foundation suggest that only one in 130,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma. Like melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with a high mortality rate. As with most potentially aggressive malignancies, early detection is the best way to decrease the risk of death associated with Merkel cell carcinoma. You can learn more about diagnosis and treatment options for Merkel cell carcinoma on this page.
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of skin cancer that arises from Merkel cells, cells that reside deeper in the skin and function to send 'touch' signals from outside the skin to the inside of the body. The diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma is ultimately made by an assessment under the microscope after a skin biopsy has been performed. Skin biopsies are interpreted by dermatopathologists, doctors who specialize in evaluating skin under the microscope. Dermatopathologists are well equipped to make this diagnosis accurately when skin tissue is submitted in a biopsy specimen. Unfortunately, when Merkel cells become cancerous, they also become aggressive. Merkel cell carcinoma can metastasize (spread) quickly, making it one of the most aggressive types of cancer. While treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma may be successful, even with treatment Merkel cell carcinoma may evade what appears to be disease remission, and recur.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year.
Skin cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells that takes place when skin cells suffer DNA damage and then mutate, causing them to multiply rapidly and form malignant (cancerous) tumors. Most skin cancers develop on the visible outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), particularly on sun-exposed areas such as the face, head, hands, arms and legs. They are usually easy to detect with a skin examination, which increases the chances of early diagnosis.
There are different types of skin cancer, each named for the type of skin cell from which they originate. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. Almost one million new cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Most skin cancers fall into one of three categories:
There are often warning signs that cancer is developing. The most common are pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses that often develop on sun-exposed areas. These tumors replace normal surrounding tissue and generally do not spread to other areas.
Skin cancer is considered low risk when the affected cells remain clustered in a single group. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are rarely life-threatening.
Skin cancer is considered a high risk when cells have invaded surrounding tissues. The third most common skin cancer, malignant melanoma, can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
If skin cancer is detected before it has spread to surrounding tissues, the chances of a complete recovery and cure are excellent. High-risk forms of cancer like melanoma require more aggressive treatments.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. Although it is usually not life-threatening, it can be aggressive in some cases.
If left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition that causes the skin to become discolored in the creases and folds of your body. This dark colored skin sometimes becomes thickened and often shows up in the armpits, groin and the folds of the neck.
If you've struggled with moderate to severe acne, including cystic or nodular acne, you know that many common acne treatments aren't effective for everyone. Fortunately, the physicians at U.S. Dermatology Partners commonly prescribe Accutane (isotretinoin) for the treatment of those patients with acne that is unresponsive to other therapeutic options.
Acne is a dermatological condition caused by inflammation and mild infection in clogged pores. If not properly treated, acne can cause emotional distress, low self-esteem, and depression. In severe cases, it can even lead to permanent scarring.
While not a serious physical health threat, acne is an embarrassing skin problem that can be life-altering for many patients. Though it is most common among teenagers, acne can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and can be mild, moderate or severe.
Alopecia Areata, also known as spot baldness, is a type of hair loss in which your immune system attacks hair follicles. This leads to areas of baldness on the scalp and body. In severe cases, a person with alopecia may even lose the hair of their eyebrows and eyelashes.
Athlete's Foot earned its name because this contagious fungal infection is commonly seen in athletes, who may wear sweaty socks for long periods of activity. It affects the skin on the feet and, left untreated, can spread to toenails and even to your hands.
Related: 5 Common Foot Rashes
Cold sores, which are also called fever blisters, are groups of blisters that appear on the lip and around the mouth. The blisters may break open and leak a clear fluid and then scab over. They may take up to two weeks to heal. They are caused by the herpes (HSV) virus.
Cysts are pockets of tissue (sacs) that may become filled with pus, fluids, skin cells, and even air.
They are fairly common on the skin and can appear anywhere on the body. Cysts may feel like a pea under the surface of the skin, but without removal, they can grow significantly larger over time. In most cases, cysts are not painful, and they grow slowly. There are different types of cysts as we'll discuss in the next section, and the vast majority of these skin growths are benign (not cancerous). Not all cysts will require treatment, but it is vitally important to have any lump under the skin evaluated and diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist because some soft tissue malignancies (growths that are cancerous) can present like a cyst. Before recommending removal or other cyst treatments, your dermatologist will examine the growth to determine whether it is likely to cause you pain, become infected, or otherwise lead to skin health issues.
Dandruff is a condition of the scalp which causes flaking and itching of the skin. It is more common in people with the skin conditions seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema, and also can be a reaction to hair or skin products.
Dermatitis, also sometimes referred to as eczema, is a common condition characterized by an itchy rash and inflamed skin. There are many different types of dermatitis and symptoms can range in severity from mild itching and redness to severe blistering and cracked skin.
Eczema, also sometimes referred to as dermatitis, is a common condition characterized by a certain type of inflammation in the skin. There are many different types of eczema and symptoms can range from mild itching and redness to severe blistering and cracked skin. Whether you're newly diagnosed with eczema or you've struggled with this chronic skin condition for years, you know that finding a treatment that works for you isn't just important – it's essential. Without proper and effective interventions, people with eczema can experience significant discomfort, itching, and inflammation.
At U.S. Dermatology Partners, our knowledgeable dermatologists partner with their patients to develop and maintain an effective eczema maintenance plan and provide advanced treatments for serious flareups. Learn more on this page or contact U.S. Dermatology Partners to get started working with us today.
A fungal infection is an inflammatory condition that is caused by fungus. Fungal infections can appear in many parts of the body and include athlete's foot, yeast infections, skin and nail infections and more.
Related: 5 Common Foot Rashes
You might ask, what does hair loss have to do with skin?
Hair is actually a protein filament that grows from follicles deep in the skin up through the top layer of your skin. Your hair helps to regulate body temperature and also serves to protect your scalp. Almost everyone experiences some degree of hair loss at some point in life.
Head lice is a common condition, especially among children. While it may sound creepy or embarrassing to have small mites (or nits) in your hair, it's actually a very manageable condition that is typically easy to treat right at home. On this page, you can learn more about how to get rid of lice from your head and your home.
Herpes simplex virus, often referred to simply as HSV, is an extremely common viral infection impacting millions of people in the U.S. alone. While there's no known cure for HSV, some treatments have proven effective in minimizing the number and severity of flare-ups. You can learn more about HSV, its symptoms, and treatment options on this page. You can also work with one of the knowledgeable professionals at U.S. Dermatology Partners to create a treatment plan. To get started, simply complete our online scheduling request form. One of our team members will be in touch soon to finalize the details of your treatment plan.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is rare skin condition in which small, painful lumps develop under the skin, usually in areas where the skin rubs together (armpits, groin, between the buttocks, under the breasts, etc.) or in areas near hair follicles where many oil and sweat glands are present. Sometimes, the lumps may break open and smell, or they may create tunnels under the skin.
It can continue for many years, may worsen over time and can have serious effects on your daily life and emotional well-being, particularly during outbreaks.
If you're dealing with the itchy, inflamed, painful skin condition called hives, it may be time to call U.S. Dermatology Partners for help. Hives can be very uncomfortable, but recognizing the warning signs and taking appropriate actions to care for your skin can be important to quickly relieve these symptoms and get back to feeling your best. Keep reading to learn more about what causes hives and how your dermatologist can treat this condition.
Melasma is a fairly common skin condition that creates the appearance of brown to gray-brown patches of skin, usually on the face. It can also occur on the neck and forearms and is the result of the body producing too much melanin, that natural substance that colors our hair, skin, and eyes.
If you're dealing with dark spots or patches on your skin from the chronic condition melasma, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can help you to improve the appearance of these spots and minimize the risk for future flare-ups of the condition. Read the page below to learn more or reach out to the U.S. Dermatology Partners location nearest you for more information.
Atypical moles, also known as dysplastic nevi, are unusual-looking benign (noncancerous) moles.
A dysplastic mole is one that, when viewed on a cellular level, has features unlike those of a healthy, benign mole. A benign mole will have a regular pattern of coloration and pigment, even borders, symmetry, and a tan or pink color. Dysplastic moles can be asymmetric, have indistinct borders, or contain multiple colors or very dark pigment.
Dysplastic moles are often spotted as the "ugly duckling" on a patient's skin. Any departure from the typical mole a person's skin makes may be dysplastic. They can appear anywhere on the body, but in most cases are found on the back, chest, buttocks, breasts, or scalp.
Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious skin disease that appears as pink or flesh-colored bumps on the skin. It is caused by skin-to-skin contact as well as from sharing towels, clothing or touching infected surfaces. It can also be acquired through sexual contact.
For adults, bumps are most often found on the face, neck, armpits, arms and hands. They may also appear on the genitals, abdomen and inner thighs.
Once you are infected with the virus, it can spread to other parts the body, especially if you pick or scratch at the bumps or touch other parts of your skin after touching the bumps. (This is called self-re-infection.)
A fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails typically looks like white or yellowed nails that may also be thick and brittle. The infection could affect one nail or part of a nail, or it could affect multiple nails. If left untreated, fungal infections can lead to permanent nail damage.
When your child develops a persistent rash or other skin condition, your goal is to find the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible to keep them comfortable and healthy. Pediatric dermatology is designed to meet the special needs of children with such conditions as birthmarks, psoriasis, warts, eczema and other skin disorders.
Photodynamic Therapy, often referred to simply as PDT, is a medical treatment that uses photosensitizing agents and light exposure to treat a range of conditions, including skin cancers, acne, and actinic keratosis ("pre-cancers"). You can learn more about photodynamic therapy on this page, and the U.S. Dermatology Partners team would love to hear from you if you're interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss photodynamic therapy. Simply use our online request form to schedule a consultation visit at the U.S. Dermatology Partners office closest to you.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition that causes patches of skin to become red, inflamed, and bumpy. This disease affects more than 8 million people in the U.S.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes skin cells for a virus or other infection and responds by producing more skin cell growth. This can be triggered by stress, anxiety, injuries to the skin, infections and hormonal changes.
Rosacea is a fairly common skin condition that causes redness in your face. In some cases, it may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. Typically these signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then diminish for a while.
Rosacea may sometimes be mistaken for acne, an allergic reaction or other skin problems. It is believed to be caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
Learn more: 4 Types of Rosacea
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign bump on the skin that forms as a result of over-productive oil glands. When oil glands are damaged, they can become enlarged and clogged, leading to this condition. It is primarily a cosmetic concern rather than a medical problem.
Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common noncancerous skin growths found in older adults. It most commonly appears as a brown, black or light tan growth on the face, chest, shoulders or back. Although they are not cancerous, they can look like skin cancer.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash that occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates.
Typically, shingles appears on a small area on one side of the face or body. The rash is often painful because it travels up nerve roots (which supply sensation to your skin) to the area of skin supplied by those specific nerve roots.
Skin tags are small, soft skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds and under the breasts. They are harmless but they can be annoying, particularly if they are in an area where they are rubbed on by clothing. They may be flesh-colored, pink or may darken.
The sun can age and burn your skin, and it can also cause damage on the cellular level, leading to skin cancer. The good news is, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can help you formulate a plan to prevent sun damage and repair the effects of the sun's UV rays so that you can go out and enjoy a sunny day. Learn more on this page or contact U.S. Dermatology Partners to schedule an appointment with us.
Individuals who are prone to sunburn are thought to be genetically predisposed to skin cancer. Risk is also increased when exposure to UV rays is excessive. Sunscreen helps prevent the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, including skin aging and skin cancer like melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Sunscreens are rated and labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) that measures the fraction of sunburn-producing UV rays that reach the skin. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which white patches of skin appear on different areas of the body. This happens when melanocytes, the cells that make pigment in the skin, are destroyed. In addition to the skin, it can affect the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose as well as the eyes. Its cause is not known.
Warts are benign, non-cancerous growths that appear on the skin as the result of a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. They are contagious and are spread by contact – either with the wart or something that touched the wart. Cut or damaged skin is more vulnerable to warts.
Related: How to Identify a Wart
Belotero Balance, often called simply Belotero, is the brand name of an injectable dermal filler that helps smooth lines and wrinkles in the face. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a natural element found in skin that binds to water, which makes it effective for minimizing facial folds and wrinkles. It is most often used in people with moderate to severe lines, and it works quickly to remove facial wrinkles.
Botox, the commercial brand name for botulinum toxin (BTX), is an injectable cosmetic dermatology treatment that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Unlike injectable wrinkle fillers, which work by filling a crease in your skin with another substance, Botox actually relaxes targeted muscles to reduce the look of lines in the face. This results in smoother skin with a more youthful appearance.
Each Botox injection relaxes key facial areas by temporarily paralyzing specific muscles. This temporarily removes wrinkles and improves the look of laugh and frown lines, skin bands on the neck, crow's feet, forehead creases and more.
Although it was originally developed to treat eye muscle disorders, Botox has become popular cosmetically and this is now its primary use. In fact, Botox injections are now the most common cosmetic treatment in the U.S., with 6.3 million procedures done in 2013. Because Botox inhibits the release of certain neurotransmitters, it is also sometimes used to treat chronic migraines.
When it comes to dermatological treatments that will help people reclaim a youthful glow, create an even skin tone, and minimize the appearance of scars, chemical peels offer a conservative solution that addresses all of these concerns. Chemical peels are versatile treatments that help to improve the health and appearance of the skin, and just about every patient could benefit from the procedure. If you're interested in learning more, continue reading below or get in touch with a U.S. Dermatology Partners location near you to schedule your visit.
Looking to improve and recover your skin's youthful appearance?
As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. At the same time, repetitive movements and expressions can create facial wrinkles. In addition to comprehensive medical procedures, dermatologists also provide a wide range of minimally-invasive, low impact treatments designed to address a number of aesthetic desires to help you look and feel your best.
While many conditions from unwanted hair and tattoos to wrinkles and rosacea may not be physically harmful, they can be uncomfortable and even cause emotional distress. Cosmetic dermatology offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical services focused on giving you the results you want without the pain, worry, and downtime.
Loss of facial fullness and volume is one of the many age-related changes that people want to address with their dermatologist. From store-bought topical treatments to advanced dermatologic and surgical procedures, there are numerous cosmetic dermatology treatments available to help restore youthful volume. However, dermal and soft tissue fillers are often the most conservative and impactful solutions to restore volume without undergoing more invasive treatments. There are many different types of dermal and soft tissue fillers, and each one is formulated to address a specific area or issue related to volume loss. You can learn more on this page.
At U.S. Dermatology Partners we offer premier dermatology services for patients of all ages. Book your appointment today to find the best facial filler treatment for you and your skin, using our simple, online scheduling request form.
Jeuveau (pronounced Jū vō) is a new way of tackling frown lines between the eyebrows that tell the stories of your years of smiling, squinting, concentrating, and yes, even frowning. The story of our lives may be written on our faces in the form of fine lines and wrinkles, but it doesn't have to stay that way thanks to Jeuveau. If you're ready to look and feel your very best, it's time to sit down for a consultation with one of our knowledgeable dermatology professionals. Our teams are dedicated to offering the latest and most effective treatment options for any dermatological need to ensure your skin's health and vitality for life.
Juvederm is a group of injectable dermal filler gels made from hyaluronic acid and used to correct for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds or to provide contour. Different types of Juvederm are:
Keloids are raised, red scars created by excessive healing of skin wounds, such as burns, cuts and acne. They are the result of an overproduction of collagen as the skin tries to repair itself. Keloids also can occur after piercings, tattoos or surgery and often times are itchy and painful. They can grow for years and sometimes show up three months or longer after the injury occurred.
Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition characterized by small, hard bumps that may make your skin feel like sandpaper. Most often they appear on your upper arms, thighs and buttocks, and sometimes are accompanied by redness or swelling. In some cases they may appear on your face.
It is caused by a buildup of keratin, a protein that protects skin from infections. When a buildup forms, it blocks the opening of a hair follicle and creates the bumps, but doctors don't know what triggers the buildup.
Laser rosacea therapy is a way to treat a rosacea complexion. One of the most common and effective treatments is the pulsed dye laser (PDL), which targets visible blood vessels and can reduce redness and flushing by destroying the lining of the inflamed blood vessels.
Latisse is a product designed to help grow eyelashes and has been on the market since earning FDA approval in December 2008. It is designed to help grow longer, lusher eyelashes and is available only by prescription.
Restylane is an injectable dermal filler gel made from hyaluronic acid to produce volume and fullness in the skin. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles and can also create fullness in the lips.
Sculptra is an FDA-approved synthetic injectable used to correct shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds. It is also a collagen stimulator that helps revitalize your body's own collagen production.
Skin lightening is a process used for people who want to lighten certain areas of skin that are affected by such things as melasma, age spots or even freckles.


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By Admin1 (admin) (ppp-70-245-26-66.dsl.okcyok.swbell.net - 18.104.22.168) on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 7:06 am: Edit Post |
2004: Cecilia Fly served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa in Faleula beginning in 2004
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Cecilia Fly can be contacted at flybynite359ayahoodcom
Country of Service: Samoa
Training Group: 73
Cities you served in: Faleula
Arrival Year: 2004
Departure Year: 2006
Work Description:
ICT Teacher at a trade school
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
in Atlanta
Originally posted: January 10, 2007
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Leave a message above where it says "Create New Conversation."
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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL. |
Help document the History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online containing over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps. Help: Do you have copies of in-country newsletters from your Country of Service. Mail copies to "Ask Not" - Box 1960 - Ponca City, OK 74601. If you can, send them on a CD in jpeg format; if not, send us hard copies. |
Related Links:
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Mr. President, 2 years ago, the United States Helsinki Commission, which I co-chair, held its third hearing on the human rights problems faced by Roma. At that time, we gave particular attention to the barriers Roma face in the field of education. As the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities said in his very helpful report on Roma in OSCE region, "exclusion of Roma extends to every sphere of social life, perhaps nowhere with more far-reaching and harmful effect than in respect of schooling." In other words, ensuring equal access for Roma in the fields of education is an essential element for their integration in other areas of life. The World Bank and United Nations Development Program have also emphasized, in their reports, that integration in education is an essential ingredient for improving the overall conditions in which Roma live.
Last month, as our own country was commemorating the Supreme Court's historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the European Roma Rights Center issued a report entitled "Stigmata: Segregated Schooling of Roma in Central and Eastern Europe." This report evaluates practices and policies in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia and describes the most common ways of segregating Romani children from non-Roma: channeling Roma into so-called "special schools" for children with developmental disabilities; the de facto segregation that goes hand-in-hand with Romani ghettos; having mixed population schools where Romani children are segregated into all-Romani classes; and the refusal of some local authorities to enroll Romani children in mainstream schools. The European Roma Rights Center report concludes that, unfortunately, "with the exception of Hungary, concrete government action aimed at desegregating the school system has not been initiated to date." It is surely not a coincidence that Hungary is also the only country in Europe where the mainstream political parties have started to compete for the Romani vote–both developments which reflect meaningful steps towards the real integration of Roma in that country.
As the European Roma Rights Center notes, segregated schooling is the result of many factors which conspire together–not the least of which is the pernicious stereotype that Romani culture is somehow incompatible with education. This fiction continues to be widely held and disseminated by the media, by government officials and public leaders, and sometimes even by the representatives of respected international organizations. Frankly, this myth needs to be debunked. In reality, before World War II, there was no country in Europe that allowed Roma to attend school and maintain their language and cultural identity at the same time. Formal schooling, by definition, meant forced assimilation.
It is amazing testimony to the strength of Romani culture that–after centuries as a dispersed people in Europe, after slavery in Romania and Moldova, after forced assimilation campaigns, and after the Holocaust–Romani identity has survived. For most Roma in Europe, concentrated in countries that fell behind the Iron Curtain, it is only the context of a post-communist world, a Europe which has now recognized the rights of ethnic and linguistic minorities, that the theoretical opportunity to be educated without having to hide or surrender one's Romani identity is within grasp. Kids like Elvis Hajdar, the Romani-Macedonian computer whiz-kid the Christian Science Monitor profiled in April, embrace this opportunity. For many other Roma, however, educational opportunities remain only distant and only theoretical. And, contrary to popular mythology, it is not Romani culture that holds them back, but crushing poverty and entrenched racism. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and it is no surprise that Romani organizations across Europe have made access to education one of their principle demands.
Moreover, the "Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area," adopted at the Maastricht Ministerial last December, the OSCE participating states outlined a variety of concrete measures states might undertake to achieve this goal. But desegregation will not just happen on its own. It will take leadership and political will and–as we know from our own experiences after the Brown decision–it may still take many years. The time to get started is now.


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I was just a few months into my hotel management training program in Doha, when the first Gulf War started. Fresh out of high school, A' levels completed and the prospect of going to university and doing my practical training at the Doha Sheraton was what was driving me at the time.
My dad and I had to move into the hotel for safety reasons. As my dad was one of the Department Heads he had the extra "frill" of being allowed to move his family into the hotel "just in case". The hotel had it's own bunker!
The first year of my training was filled with Front Office regulations, Food & Beverage know- how, Sales and Marketing insights and evacuation drills! As the American Air Force fighters lifted off in sorties headed to Kuwait and Iraq, I was trying to learn the tricks of a trade I spent my whole life in, pretending the world outside was OK.
One of my stops in my two year training was the kitchen. On the said day, I was at the hotel's patisserie at the time learning all about the different sweet treat specialties. My actual project was to make a Sacher Torte. It was looking good, albeit my crisp, clean white kitchen uniform covered in splotches of chocolate and my hands were dripping in the brown fluid. Right at that moment the sirens went off.
By this time I had become kind of aloof and a little unresponsive to the sirens. I was never sure if it was a drill or the real thing. Being consumed in the cake I did not realize that I was the last one in the pastry kitchen, until the pastry chef called out "Meeta, ma petite, lets go!" in his charming Swiss accent. I was rather peeved off to say the least – Saddam ruining my go at a Sacher torte – how dare he!
This week I was in the kitchen again with a few of the feelings from back then. It was my kitchen at home and I was making this month's Daring Bakers challenge. My thoughts went back to that very day, when the sirens went off and I was so disappointed at not being able to complete my cake. This time however, I was actually hoping to hear some kind of sirens, somewhere, somehow - to take me away from having to make this cake!
It was to be yet another layer cake - given a very exquisite Dobos Torte, but still it was a layer cake. As we've had quite a few layer cakes in past challenges I was not too sure if I should be excited or lulled. It was a Dobos Torte after all – a classic and as it was Soeren's birthday it would make a nice birthday cake.
The August 2009 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Angela of A Spoonful of Sugar and Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella. They chose the spectacular Dobos Torte based on a recipe from Rick Rodgers' cookbook Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Caffés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.
I paired up with my dear blog buddy Hilda of Saffron & Blueberry and her interpretation of the Dobos Torte looks amazing. We'd paired up once before back in 2007 for the Bûche de Noël and we had a ball. This time I knew it would be no different. So in between (virtual) martinis, gossip and cursing we managed to produce a halfway acceptable challenge this month.
I started with the sponge layer a day earlier and while I found the batter to be lovely and fluffy was slightly disappointed that they were not as puffy as the other sponge cakes I make.
Soeren had wished for chocolate and as the Dobos traditionally is a chocolate cake it worked well. I was just not keen on buttercream. As we were allowed to modify this aspect of the challenge, I gladly took the option and decided to make a lighter chocolate mousse filling using quark. I would have loved to use fruit in this too – but Soeren said "no fruit and no nuts", knowing too well I tend to be sneaky and add some where ever I can. He loves fruit but for his birthday he just wanted chocolate!
Finally my downfall came with the caramel layer. I am not sure if it was the effect of the virtual martinis or the fact that I just wanted to be done with the cake, my concentration eluded me. The caramel was a perfect deep amber. I skipped the lemon because lemon and caramel does not appeal to me. Instead I added a bit of butter and all was well. Now here is where I screwed up – I decided I would be done quicker if I put the last layer on top of the cake and then pour a very thin layer on the cake. I had cut the wedges and place them nicely on the last mousse layer and carefully poured a bit of the caramel on the cake. It was not to be – my mousse became runny (obviously due to the hot caramel) and I had to quickly take the layer off, burning my finger on the hot caramel and ruining my last sponge layer in the process! Booo!
Hilda poured me a few more martinis!
But I do not give up that easily and decided to make another sponge layer and have another go at the caramel. I was pretty exhausted by now! This time I did not take a shortcut and went by the book. Placed the caramel layer on top of the cake and bunged the monster into the fridge. I was done! However, after taking a few pictures (taken in between baking muffins and brownies for the birthday party) I decided to do away with the caramel layer. It was a sticky mess and not adequate for a birthday party. Instead I decorated the last mousse layer together with Soeren with colorful sprinkles and shavings of dark chocolate.
Dobos Torte with a Quark Chocolate Mousse
[Printable version of recipe here]
Sponge Cake Layers
Quark Chocolate Mousse
- 6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups (162g) confectioner's (icing) sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 95g plain flour + 17g cornflour (cornstarch) sifted together
- pinch of salt
- 200g dark chocolate, I used one with 75% cocoa solids, roughly chopped
- 150g quark, hung overnight
- 100g heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
- 1 tablespoon honey
Caramel topping
Directions for the sponge layers:
- 1 cup (200g) caster (superfine or ultrafine white) sugar
- 12 tablespoons (180 ml) water
- 4 teaspoons soft butter
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (e.g. grapeseed, rice bran, sunflower)
- Hazelnuts (optional)
The sponge layers can be prepared in advance and stored interleaved with parchment and well-wrapped in the fridge overnight.
Directions of Quark Chocolate Mousse filling:
- Position the racks in the top and centre thirds of the oven and heat to 400F (200C).
- Cut six pieces of parchment paper to fit the baking sheets. Using the bottom of a 9" (23cm) springform tin as a template and a dark pencil or a pen, trace a circle on each of the papers, and turn them over (the circle should be visible from the other side, so that the graphite or ink doesn't touch the cake batter).
- Beat the egg yolks, 2/3 cup (81g) of the confectioner's (icing) sugar, and the vanilla in a medium bowl with a mixer on high speed until the mixture is thick, pale yellow and forms a thick ribbon when the beaters are lifted a few inches above the batter, about 3 minutes. (You can do this step with a balloon whisk if you don't have a mixer.)
- In another bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 2/3 cup (81g) of confectioner's (icing)sugar until the whites form stiff, shiny peaks. Using a large rubber spatula, stir about 1/4 of the beaten whites into the egg yolk mixture, then fold in the remainder, leaving a few wisps of white visible.
- Combine the flour and salt. Sift half the flour over the eggs, and fold in; repeat with the remaining flour.
- Line one of the baking sheets with a circle-marked paper. Using a small offset spatula, spread about 3/4cup of the batter in an even layer, filling in the traced circle on one baking sheet. Bake on the top rack for 5 minutes, until the cake springs back when pressed gently in the centre and the edges are lightly browned. While this cake bakes, repeat the process on the other baking sheet, placing it on the centre rack.
- When the first cake is done, move the second cake to the top rack. Invert the first cake onto a flat surface and carefully peel off the paper. Slide the cake layer back onto the paper and let stand until cool. Rinse the baking sheet under cold running water to cool, and dry it before lining with another parchment. Continue with the remaining papers and batter to make a total of six layers. Completely cool the layers. Using an 8" springform pan bottom or plate as a template, trim each cake layer into a neat round. (A small serrated knife is best for this task).
Directions for the caramel topping:
- Melt the chocolate and honey together over a water bath.
- Whisk in the quark and mix energetically until well incorporated.
- Using a rubber spatula gently fold in the whipped cream then place in the fridge for 2 hours to thicken.
Cut, rather than score the cake layer into wedges before covering in caramel (reform them into a round). If you have an 8" silicon round form, place the wedges in that for easy removal later. It also ensures that the caramel stays on the cake layer. Once set, use a very sharp knife to separate the wedges.
- Choose the best-looking cake layer for the caramel top. To make the caramel topping: Line a jellyroll pan with parchment paper and butter the paper. Place the reserved cake layer on the paper. Score the cake into equal wedges (I got 8 wedges). Lightly oil a thin, sharp knife and an offset metal spatula.
- Stir the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over a medium heat, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved into a smooth syrup, turn the heat up to high and boil without stirring, swirling the pan by the handle occasionally and washing down any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan with a wet brush until the syrup has turned into an amber-colored caramel. Take off heat and add butter. Swirl the saucepan gently to incorporate the butter.
- The top layer is perhaps the hardest part of the whole cake so make sure you have a oiled, hot offset spatula ready. It also helps if the cake layer has not just been taken out of the refrigerator if you made them ahead of time. The cake layer will be cold and the toffee might set very quickly, which may make it difficult to spread.
Immediately pour all of the hot caramel over the cake layer. Using the offset spatula, quickly spread the caramel evenly to the edge of the cake layer. Let cool until beginning to set, about 30 seconds. Using the tip of the hot oiled knife (keep re-oiling this with a pastry brush between cutting), cut through the scored marks to divide the caramel layer into equal wedges.
- Cool another minute or so, then use the edge of the knife to completely cut and separate the wedges using one firm slice movement (rather than rocking back and forth which may produce toffee strands). Cool completely.
Assembling the Dobos
- Divide the mousse into six equal parts.
- Place a dab of the mousse on the middle of a 7 1/2" cardboard round and top with one cake layer. Spread the layer with one part of the chocolate mousse. Repeat with 4 more cake layers. Spread the remaining mousse on the sides of the cake.
- Propping a hazelnut under each wedge so that it sits at an angle, arrange the wedges on top of the cake in a spoke pattern. As an alternative you can just place the wedges flat on the cake and decorate.
- Refrigerate the cake under a cake dome until the icing is set, about 3 hours, preferably overnight. Let slices come to room temperature for the best possible flavor.
As the mousse needs to be kept cool for perfect texture and quality it is best to keep in the fridge, covered in the glass dome. It should keep for 2-3 days.
The sponge layers did not particularly have much flavor. There was something missing there. However the chocolate quark mousse was fluffy, airy and just too good. It really made the cake a huge hit with the kids and disappeared very quickly. Tom managed to grab the last piece and also found the the mousse was just perfect in this.
Would I make this again?
No – not in it's original form and not using this sponge recipe. I have a wonderful German recipe for sponge cakes and it works every time, producing wonderful fluffy and moist sponge layers. I would definitely make the cake with this filling again though. In combination with a fluffier and more flavorful sponge this cake would work extremely well.
What did I learn from this challenge?
Patience. Even if you want to be done with a challenge it is better to keep the countenance and take no shortcuts. And … sirens cannot always rescue you!
Thank you to both Angela and Lorraine for selecting a classic cake!
Monthly Mingle
This month my lovely guest hosts are the truly wonderful dynamic duo at Jugalbandi. They've come up with a really sensational theme this month and are pairing this event with their photography event Click.
Heirloom recipes are what you are required to create for this month's challenge. Old vintage recipes that have endured the test of time. Head on over to Jugalbandi and get all the details. They're even giving away a prize!
Deadline is September 20th.
You might like these Daring Bakers layer cakes from WFLH:
Chocolate Crepe Cake | The Perfect Party Cake | Opera Cake |
Daily Tiffin Reading Tip
Back to School with Healthier Lunch Boxes written by Meeta
All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2009 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First


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The Spinal Muscles and Ligaments
Spinal muscles and ligaments attach to the vertebrae, ribs, and pelvis to permit and manage various trunkal motions including – forward and backward bending, side to side bending, and rotation or twisting. When a spinal motion occurs in excess or a muscle is worked beyond its capacity whether suddenly or gradually over time, injury occurs.
Sprains and strains of the muscles or ligaments upset the normal balance of the spine. Spinal structural alignment and biomechanics can be significantly altered. These alterations make the spinal components (discs, facets, vertebrae, nerves, etc.) increasingly prone to injury and degenerative processes.
Doctors of chiropractic rehabilitate spinal muscles and ligaments to prevent spinal imbalances. Proper spinal alignment and spinal biomechanics can only occur with healthy muscles and ligaments.


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(Most recent update: 7:24 p.m. ET.)
The three young women who were missing for about a decade before being rescued Monday from a home in Cleveland where they say they were chained, tortured and sexually assaulted, have given police similar accounts about how their long nightmares began.
In a police report that NPR has been shown, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight are quoted as saying that suspect Ariel Castro's approach was simple. On Morning Edition, NPR's Cheryl Corley said it's alleged that:
"Nearly 10 years ago, [Castro] told then 14-year-old DeJesus he'd drop her off at his house so she could meet with his daughter. ... He lured Amanda Berry [in 2003] by telling her his son worked at the same restaurant she did. He offered Michelle Knight a ride home [in 2002]."
As Cheryl adds, all three — according to their accounts — "would end up chained in the basement of the house before living later on the second floor. They were allegedly forced to have sex with Castro. One victim told police she became pregnant several times but Castro punched her in the stomach so she would miscarry. Amanda Berry give birth to a daughter who is now six. Authorities will give the child a paternity test to confirm Castro is the father."
The women say they were almost never allowed outside. Martin Flask, Cleveland's public safety director, said Wednesday that "in the last decade, they've only known themselves to be outside of the home on two separate occasions, and that was only briefly."
Cleveland'sPlain Dealer says the police report also states "that Berry's 6-year-old daughter was born in a small inflatable swimming pool during the time the three women were held in captivity, [a Cleveland police] source said. The initial report says Castro forced Knight to deliver Berry's baby. He threatened to kill Knight if the baby did not survive the birth, the source said."
As we reported Wednesday, prosecutors say Castro is being charged with four counts of kidnapping (one for each of the three women and another for Berry's daughter) and three counts of rape. Castro, 52, is due in court later today.
The suspect's brothers Pedro and Onil, who were taken into custody with him on Monday, will not face any criminal charges, as WCPN reports. According to the Plain Dealer, "Victor Perez, the chief assistant city prosecutor, said there was no evidence linking Onil and Pedro Castro to the [alleged] torture that took place at their brother's home."
Berry and DeJesus are now at relatives' homes in Cleveland. Knight remains in a hospital, where she's said to be in good condition.
We'll watch for more news and update as warranted.
Update at 7:24 p.m. ET: Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty:
The Associated Press reports that Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty says his office will decide whether to bring aggravated murder charges against Castro for allegedly starving and punching one of his captive until she miscarried.
"Capital punishment must be reserved for those crimes that are truly the worst examples of human conduct," McGinty was quoted by the AP as saying. "The reality is we still have brutal criminals in our midst who have no respect for the rule of law or human life."
Update at 4:15 p.m. ET. "Victims Need A Chance To Heal":
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Cuyahoga Co. Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said it would take time for details of the investigation to come out because the victims "need a chance to heal" before authorities question them further.
McGinty said Berry, DeJesus and Knight "don't need to be interviewed 50 times" right now, he said.
"The victims in this case have gone through a traumatic, decade-long ordeal that few of us can comprehend," he said.
McGinty declined to answer any questions from the gathered media, but asked instead that reporters submit them by email.
Update at 12:45 p.m. ET. Castro's Mother Apologizes "On Behalf Of Her Son":
"The mother of the three Castro brothers — including Ariel Castro, who today was officially accused of holding three women captive and being held on $8 million bond — tearfully apologized to reporters today on behalf of her son," the Plain Dealer writes. "I am a mother in a lot of pain," Lillian Rodriguez said to reporters. "I am sorry for what my son has done."
Update at 8:40 a.m. ET. Castro Arraigned, Bond Set At $8 Million:
Ariel Castro, the 52-year-old former bus driver accused of holding three women captive in his home for about a decade, just stood silent and with his head bowed as Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Lauren C. Moore set his bond at $2 million per case against him. He's accused of kidnapping and raping the three women, and kidnapping the child that one of them bore while in captivity. It appeared Moore was saying the total for the bonds was $8 million, given that Castro is accused of crimes against four individuals.
Castro's brothers Onil and Pedro, who were taken into custody along with him on Monday, also appeared in court. Authorities have said they now do not think the brothers were involved in the alleged kidnappings, rapes and captivity. Both brothers had outstanding misdemeanor charges (for drinking in public from open containers), however, and were assessed small fines.
Update at 8:25 a.m. ET. Arraignment About To Begin:
Ariel Castro's arraignment is about to get started. Cleveland's NewsNet5 is among the stations streaming the hearing.
Related NPR posts and stories:
-- Another Neighbor Of Rescued Cleveland Women Says He Helped
-- Specially Trained FBI Agents Will Help Kidnapped Women Heal
-- The Missing Women Were Seemingly In Plain Sight
Note: As happens when stories such as this are developing, there will likely be reports that turn out to be mistaken. We will focus on news being reported by NPR, other news outlets with expertise, and statements from authorities who are in a position to know what's going on. And if some of that information turns out to be wrong, we'll explain.
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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American College of Rheumatology
2200 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
This site has fact sheets about various arthritic conditions, information on recent research, and upcoming conferences. There are also descriptions of the roles played by various healthcare team members. You can access a listing of members by geographic area.
Arthritis Foundation
1355 Peachtree Street NE
6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30309
Look here for a wealth of information about various types of arthritis, information on various treatments, support group information, and lots of tips for living with arthritis. You can read the latest issue of their magazine Arthritis Today and join a group called "Connect and Control," which will help devise an exercise plan for you. In addition, the site features message boards and essays from people meeting the challenges of living with arthritis. Details on recent research studies are also available, as well as a link to the office of the Arthritis Foundation in your community to get referrals to specialists.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Building 31
31 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
This website offers detailed information about rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. You'll also find news releases, recent research findings, and information on research initiatives and on studies that are accepting patients as subjects.


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Buying Your First Home in Bozeman, MT
Owning a home may be your dream! To make the purchase a happy and satisfying experience, ensure you are financially and mentally prepared for the responsibilities.
Some people think homeownership is like renting but with the power to have pets and paint the walls. While these privileges are available, they come with the responsibilities of a mortgage, taxes, and home maintenance. Prepare by taking stock of your finances; connect with your banker before looking at homes online.
Contact a buying specialist.
Questions For First-Time Homeowners
Are you ready to buy?
Owning your own home is about more than just being able to decorate any way you like. It's about being prepared to maintain your home over the years, realizing that part of your income and time will go towards repairs and maintenance. It's about being willing to take the risks of home ownership with a realistic expectation of the rewards.
How much can you afford?
It can be discouraging to find that your salary won't stretch as far as the home you want to own. However, sacrificing a huge part of your income just to pay the mortgage can very quickly make home ownership a burden rather than a point of pride. It's better to buy a modest home now and look at purchasing your 'dream home' in a few years.
What is your debt-to-income ratio?
This is something that lenders take very seriously. Your overall debt should not be more than 40% of your income, and your housing debt should not be more than 32%. What 32% of your income will buy depends on where you want to live. In rural or downtrodden areas, for example, it can buy a very comfortable residence and ample acreage. In highly sought-after urban areas, however, it may not even buy a 400-square-foot bachelor suite.
What are your priorities in owning a home?
Do you like the idea of cleaning your own gutters? Do you shudder at the thought of lawn care? Would you rather just pay a fee every month and have everything done for you? Would obeying rules about when you can have your garbage cans out bother you, or do you want to live in a neighborhood where everything is 'just so'? The answers to these questions can help you narrow down the search for the right type of property for you.
You need a good agent.
Our real estate team is dedicated to helping you find the right home at the best price. We want you to find a home that will make you happy and successful in real estate ownership.
Keep your objectives in mind when visiting a home.
Sometimes the idea of owning a home can overwhelm your practical sense, so keep your feelings in check. Keep a list handy of the features that you need and want in a home, and judge each home by the list instead of by details that could distract you from your goal. When you're alone with your agent, you can go over the pros and cons of each home. We can help you stay on track while still keeping our eyes out for a great property.
Make the offer.
This can be a maze of "buyer", "seller", "chattels", "deposit", and "completion." We'll be happy to prepare the paperwork and go through it with you before submitting it. Remember, the seller may reject or counter your offer, so even at this late date, avoid setting your heart on the home you hope to own. You'll probably have to write a deposit check to the seller's broker that proves the seriousness of your offer.
Get all the necessary inspections done.
A home inspector will check for signs of harmful materials like asbestos, lead paint, and mold. They'll also check for evidence of pests, faulty wiring, and leaks. This is a crucial part of the home purchase. Not getting an inspection done means that you could be stuck in a home with a bad case of black mold and no recourse other than to pay for its removal. Inspections will cost a few hundred dollars. But again, this is more than worth it in the end. There are several licensed and certified home inspectors in the area that we'd be happy to recommend.
Do a final walk-through before closing the deal.
We'd be happy to do this with you to make sure that everything agreed upon is completed before the final signing.
From the first interview that determines your requirements to the moment that you receive the keys, we can help you with the complicated process of buying a home. Don't hesitate to contact us to learn more about how we can make the home-buying process easier!
Who you work with matters. See what our clients are saying:


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And yet...
Thaaat's right: Check the expiration on all your prescription meds.
Look at this next Wreck long enough, and you'll begin to ask yourself some interesting questions:
Questions like, "Which way is up? Which way is down? Is that green circle supposed to be the string? And if so, why aren't the balloons attached to it? Hey, am I being Punk'd here? Is that show even ON anymore? And where did my friends go? Do I seem strange, standing here alone in this bakery, questioning a cookie? Answer me, random old woman walking by! ANSWER ME!!
"Oh. Sorry. Well, I didn't know you were called Dennis, now did I?"


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Century Tire And Auto proudly serves the Peabody, MA community. Century Tire And Auto is a leader in offering name brand tires, wheels, auto repair/car repair including alignments, brakes, flat tire repair, oil changes, tire rotations and much more for customers located in and around the Peabody, MA area. Customer Service is number one with Century Tire And Auto. Our well-trained staff specializes in the sale and installation of all tires, including passenger car, performance, light truck or SUV tires. Are you ready for a fresh new look for your vehicle? Custom wheels and rims are also available at Century Tire And Auto. We also offer complete auto repair/car repair including under-car services, such as oil changes, brakes, shocks, struts, alignment, and transmission fluid flush. Century Tire And Auto provides these services for both foreign and domestic vehicles in the Peabody, MA area and offers them at competitive prices.
Are you looking for tires in Peabody, MA? Century Tire And Auto is the perfect place to shop. Century Tire And Auto offers name brand tires at affordable prices for your car. Our Peabody, MA locations offers brands such as Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear and many others. Century Tire And Auto also specializes in a full line auto repair and car repair services for your automobile, such as brakes, alignments, oil changes, tune ups and much, much more.
Please give our Peabody, MAlocation a call today at 978-531-5689 to schedule an appointment.


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Welcome to Course 3 – Models & Frameworks to Support Sales Planning – In this course, you'll go through a conceptual approach to selling models and frameworks.
As a primary learning outcome of this course, we emphasize the improvement in the analytical competencies and skills to develop sales planning and management. And the learning process goes through the application of the models and frameworks that contribute to supporting these processes.
This course is aimed at professionals who seek improvement in conceptual support to the sales planning process, especially with an emphasis on applying selling models and frameworks methodology.
At this point of the Strategic Sales Management specialization, you have an excellent understanding of the integration of sales planning to the strategy of the company. You also have a vision of major prescriptions and recommendations to support this integration, and proceed to strategic sales planning by applying intelligence analysis.
Now, in this course, selling models and frameworks will be discussed, from a conceptual standpoint to add methodological structure into the sales planning process. Therefore, throughout the modules of this course, the subjects discussed will include topics of sales management (module 1), the selling models and frameworks (module 2) that support sales planning, which relates to the hard skills that may be applied.
In the third module of this course, soft skills are brought to the discussion, since they comprise an essential component because sales functions include many aspects of the human interactions.
Please follow the steps of the course, and for academic objectives, we would recommend you to do it in the sequence of modules proposed, though you may take them in a different order.
We look forward to having you during the course modules and lessons.
Price: Enroll For Free!
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Models & Frameworks to Support Sales Planning – Fundação Instituto de Administração
TUN Helps Students!
Copyright, 2024 – TUN, Inc


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Notice: This Wiki is now read only and edits are no longer possible. Please see: https://gitlab.eclipse.org/eclipsefdn/helpdesk/-/wikis/Wiki-shutdown-plan for the plan.
Talk:Main Page
This talk page is for discussion relating to Main Page only. This is not the place to ask questions regarding Eclipse or its usage. For such queries, you should try a newsgroup on Eclipse.org, or a forum site like EclipseZone. |
Index View
Is there any way we can get rid of the whole index paradigm for the front page? That's why the search function exists: to let people find pages. It's a little 'un-wiki' to have everything indexed on the front page. Anyone else agree? -051006 djspiewak [at] gmail
I'm going to start working on a way to change the front page up a bit so that it's more wiki. This has really been driving me nuts. :-) Obviously you can roll things back if you dissagree. Djspiewak.gmail.com 13:40, 23 May 2006 (EDT)
Go for it. --Denis.roy.eclipse.org 10:34, 16 June 2006 (EDT)
Well, I was going to go for it... :-) I just ran out of time to try. Djspiewak.gmail.com 19:51, 24 July 2006 (EDT)
Alright, I've forked the main page to Main Page In Development. I'll be doing all experimentation over there (so as not to screw up the production main page). I probably won't have much time to devote to the effort. Anyone with any ideas is welcome to contribute! Djspiewak.gmail.com 13:03, 30 October 2006 (EST)
Ok, I've got some preliminary ideas going on Main Page In Development. For the moment, I'll procede with where I'm going. If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, insults, I'd appreciate the feedback. Djspiewak.gmail.com 04:10, 15 December 2006 (EST)
I like the ideas you're putting together on the development page - makes a better use of space! --Denis.roy.eclipse.org 08:24, 18 December 2006 (EST)
Any idea when the development page will become the main page? --Denis.roy.eclipse.org 06:34, 12 January 2007 (EST)
Well, I had been doing it in my spare time, not really too interested in it. But since I know you care... :-) What I need to do is tag all of the pages with category information. There's a lot of pages so I figure it will take me a while, but that's what needs to be done. Once I do that, I'll link the categories from the development page, make sure everything is in sync, and then switch it over to production. Djspiewak.gmail.com 11:40, 12 January 2007 (EST)
Well, I've moved it into production (as you can see). Feel free to revert if you don't like it. The old index is still linked pending all the pages getting categorized - which is frankly far to large of a task for me to undertake alone in my spare time. Djspiewak.gmail.com 19:57, 20 April 2007 (EDT)
Love it! We don't really need a long index of each project anyway. The spirit of Wiki is to simply use the search. Good work, thanks for doing this. --Denis.roy.eclipse.org 20:45, 20 April 2007 (EDT)
MediaWiki Extensions Link
It's interesting stuff, but I don't think it's all that relevant to most people who visit this page. I think we should either remove the link outright or find a better place for it. Thoughts? Djspiewak.gmail.com 14:01, 15 April 2008 (EDT)
New Homepage Look
The eclipse.org homepage has changed its overall LAF to be significantly less colorful and far more subdued. The colors on this page need to be updated accordingly, along with potentially some feel enhancements (rounded corners anyone?). I'll take a crack at it as soon as time allows. Djspiewak.gmail.com 21:39, 20 January 2009 (UTC)
Ok, the basics are in place. I've changed the colors to be a bit less garish, blended things together a bit and added rounded corners everywhere. I think it looks a lot better than what we've currently got, but who am I to judge? Have a look. Djspiewak.gmail.com 23:44, 20 January 2009 (UTC)
New look has been pushed out. Feel free to add complaints here! Djspiewak.gmail.com 16:15, 21 January 2009 (UTC)
Where's Indigo?
I was hoping to see some link to Indigo (as a work in progress) on the main page but there's no such a link. How about adding it?
- It's a wiki. You add it ;-) -- Wayne
Lock this page
From time to time, some users make inappropriate edits to this page. Changes to the home page are bad because it makes the whole wiki look silly and it causes notifications to be sent to users that have it on their watchlist. On Wikipedia they prevent this kind of abuse (intentional or accidental) by locking the page. I think the same should be done here. If locking the page seems extreme, there are Mediawiki extensions that disable edits by users that aren't in certain authorization groups, haven't contributed enough valid edits, or haven't been a member for a minimum amount of time. --Lance E Sloan 14:52, 14 October 2011 (UTC)
-1. We monitor this page pretty closely and clean up the graffiti pretty quickly. I'd rather not sacrifice community access for occasional inconvenience. -- Wayne


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This post was updated at 5:50 p.m. ET.
NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports that Nigeria's defense ministry has retracted its earlier claim that they missing schoolgirls were free.
"[A] report was filed in from the field indicating that a major breakthrough had been recorded in the search," the ministry said in a statement.
"There was no reason to doubt this official channel, hence the information was released to the public immediately," it said. "Surprisingly however, the school principal, one of the sources quoted in the report has denied all that was attributed to her for whatever reasons. This is an unfortunate development indeed, yet the Defence Headquarters would not want to join issues with anyone."
Ofeibea says the retraction is "Cold comfort to the town of Chibok which has deployed all able-bodied men to the dangerous Sambisa Forest hoping to finding the schoolgirls the military claimed to have freed."
Here is our original post:
A Nigerian school principal says searchers are still looking for about 100 girls and young women abducted by Islamist extremists, even though the nation's military has said all but eight of the victims are now safe and accounted for.
"We are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students ... the security people, especially the vigilantes and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them," Principal Asabe Kwambura told The Associated Press on Thursday. The girls were taken by force from her school on Monday.
There was word from authorities late Wednesday, as we reported, that all but eight of the girls had either escaped or been rescued. But Kwambura says only 14 girls have returned to their homes or school in the town of Chibok.
Nigerian authorities suspect the radical Islamist group Boko Haram is behind the abductions. It objects to Western culture, and in particular Western schools.
Boko Haram also is being blamed for a deadly attack Monday near Nigeria's capital, Abuja. More than 70 people were killed and dozens more injured when a bomb went off at a bus station. The explosion set off other blasts as vehicles in the vicinity burned.
We have posted about Boko Haram many times in the past two years. Among previous attacks blamed on that group:
-- February 2014. More Than Two Dozen Boys Killed In Attack On Nigerian School.
-- September 2013. Militants Kill Students In Dorms At Nigerian College.
-- June 2012. Church Bombings And Reprisal Killings In Nigeria.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Silk Metallic Tissue
Silk Tissue is an Organza type of fabric from India. It has an open weave with coloured silk woven in one direction and metallic thread in the other.
This gives a shot effect when used flat, but Silk Tissue can be totally transformed by scrunching a piece in water.
Showing all 4 results


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|Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville Service Center - Toyota Oil Change
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Hearing Impairment: Kristin's Story
When I was 18 months old, I was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss. In layman's terms, I am partially deaf in both ears. I've lived for 17 years as a person with hearing aids in a mainstream world. However, it has been a long journey to get to where I am today.
School, Friendships, and Feeling Self-Conscious
When I was 2½, I went off to my first day of preschool on a little yellow school bus. Most kids my age were happily watching Sesame Street at home. But because I had a hearing impairment, my parents felt that early intervention was the smartest option. So I went to a school for the deaf for the first few years of my childhood.
I did so well that the teachers decided to give me a new challenge: several classes a day in a regular public elementary school. I thrived there as well, and my parents and teachers felt that I was ready to mainstream (attend a regular school at my own grade level).
My parents decided a private school might be best for me and they spent a lot of time interviewing different schools, looking for things that most parents wouldn't think twice about. For example, it was important that a school had carpeting rather than a tile floor so that sounds wouldn't echo and confuse me.
I can still recall the day I met my new teacher. She had big glasses and a shiny white smile and welcomed me with open arms. She told me how excited she was for me to be in her class. At 4½, I started kindergarten.
I didn't really know I had a disability until I was at my new school and I saw all these kids without hearing aids and FM sets. It was the first time I felt ashamed of my hearing impairment because I wasn't like everyone else.
Whenever a classmate asked me about "the thing in my ear," I would get upset and run away. My mother realized that I was having difficulty explaining this to the other kids and decided to do something about it. She arranged to have a speaker come to my class and talk to the kids about hearing impairment. I know that this helped kids understand because I eventually started making friends. I think that they were just scared to talk to me because they were clueless about what a hearing aid was. Maybe they thought I was an alien or something!
It turned out my FM set helped the other kids, too. The device, which I wore around my waist attached to two ear-mold cords, was linked to a wireless microphone my teachers wore. One of my teachers would forget to turn her microphone off when she left the classroom. Of course, we were rowdy when she left, but because I could still hear her, I was able to warn everyone when she was coming back. She'd find us all sitting in our chairs with our hands politely folded. That's probably why we were the only class that had an unusually high number of gold stars on the good behavior chart. Not only that, I could hear everything the teacher said in the faculty lounge on the other side of school! I don't think that I told her about that minor detail until the end of the school year.
Once I started middle school, I started feeling more and more self-conscious about having a hearing impairment. My FM set was no longer cool, and having speech-therapy sessions three times a week wasn't fun. Because I had cleft palate when I was born, it was extra work to develop my speech skills. I really felt that my classmates thought I was mentally impaired. I didn't like feeling different from them so I threw temper tantrums in front of my mom and dad until they finally let me wear only hearing aids and stop the speech-therapy sessions. I was so relieved that the speech therapy I'd been having my whole life was finally over.
Surgery, Surgery, and More Surgery
I've always been prone to ear infections and I got a really bad one in fourth grade. The infection was bad enough to require hospitalization, but my parents felt that going to the hospital would be detrimental to my schooling. So they had all the hospital supplies shipped to my house and my mom acted as my nurse.
Because I needed intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection, I had an IV needle put in my arm at the hospital. It was attached to a monitor that I wore around my waist. It was about the size of a fanny pack and I absolutely despised it. On top of feeling self-conscious in general, I now had to walk around with all this bulky equipment on my body. I was fortunate that my teachers and some of my classmates were sympathetic about my situation, otherwise I'd have had a really tough time emotionally.
I've had about 15 operations on my ears since I was born, most of which have been tube replacements to help drain my ears. It is kind of funny how close I am to some of the doctors and nurses in the surgical department at the hospital. It's similar to how people who play sports feel a bond with their coaches — in my case, it's the doctors and nurses who are giving me tips and rallying me on.
My most recent surgery was a tympanoplasty, which is a procedure to patch a hole in the tympanic membrane (eardrum). My doctor patched the eardrum by taking a skin graft of the inside portion of my ear. The moment I woke up from anesthesia I could hear my parents and the nurses without my hearing aid; it was a very joyous moment. I can imagine that the happiness expressed on my face after the surgery was a truly rewarding sight for my doctor.
Ironically, one of the side effects for me when I wake up from anesthesia is to cry. After the tympanoplasty, my new hearing ability made it one of the strangest cries I ever had. Later that day at the dinner table, my dad took a napkin and covered his lips (so that I wouldn't read them) and said something. I repeated it with confidence.
The surgery also allowed me to go into water (shower, bath, and a pool) for the first time ever without earplugs. Earplugs were a problem for me, too, because I didn't like people staring at me whenever I was at the pool.
Watch What You Say — I Can See It!
Although I could hear better without my hearing aid after the tympanoplasty, the increase in volume was just enough for me to hear louder voices, but not whispers or quieter tones. So I still rely on two other forms of communication: a hearing aid and lipreading.
My hearing aid allows me to distinguish sounds from one another more clearly. And I've become really good at reading people's lips! It's a technique that I adopted at a very early age and will use for the rest of my life, regardless of my hearing capabilities. My friends can't get over how I can pretty much watch people have conversations across the room and absorb what they're saying.
When I need to hear sounds other than conversations or be sure I hear every word that's said, I rely on my hearing aid. If I can't make a word out right away, I will go over the words that sound similar until something fits the context of the conversation. I do this first before I ask the person to repeat what they say. Otherwise it'd be really frustrating to have a conversation with me. People often ask why I don't use two hearing aids and I honestly believe that my one hearing aid has enough power to compensate for the ear without the hearing aid.
With new technology constantly evolving, I had an opportunity 3 years ago to replace my analog hearing aid with a digital one. It was tricky learning to adjust to the new hearing aid because of the way my old hearing aid magnified every sound. The digital hearing aid is quieter and required a whole month for me to get used to, but I absolutely love it.
With my digital hearing aid, I have better quality sounds processing through my brain. Once I was at a rock concert and my mom told me something in a loud voice and I replied back in my normal voice. I forgot that others can't hear the way I can! Of course my mom asked me to speak up about three times until she could hear me decently.
The Future
I'm going to attend James Madison University in the fall, which is an exciting thing for me. I'll have a chance to be in an environment where I don't know everyone. This also means that I will have to explain my deafness to everyone that I meet, including my roommates.
When I know I'll be in a new environment, I like to wear my hair down so that it covers my hearing aid. This way I know that people will treat me like any other person and not judge me before they talk to me. Don't get me wrong, I have much more confidence than when I was in middle school. I don't have any problems talking about my hearing impairment, and in fact, I would much rather have people ask me questions than talk about it behind my back.
I've already started to prepare for college by getting an alarm clock that vibrates under my pillow. This way I'll be respectful of my roommates, but I still worry about what I'll do in some situations, like when a roommate forgets her room key. Will I hear her knock? It's all a matter of adjusting independently to a new way of life.
I often wonder about the things that the future will bring and if there will be a time in my lifetime where I will be able to hear normally. In the meantime, I live every day to its fullest and take nothing for granted.
Reviewed by: Robert C. O'Reilly, MD
Date reviewed: March 2012
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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