text:
Seemingly innocuous drop-down menus can be cause for a lot of head-scratching. I grew up in a place called Netherlee. The postcode and telephone number put it in Glasgow, but it isn't. I should technically pay a boundary charge of 33% when I get a black cab home after a night out because its actually in East Renfrewshire, and my parents' house is about 500m over the boundary. So, most of the time I have to render my address online as [City] GLASGOW, [Region] EAST RENFREWSHIRE, which really makes no sense as the town is bigger than the region. It's even more annoying when occasionally confronted with a website that doesn't recognise the almost 20 year old existence of unitary authorities in Scotland, and gives instead only the dreaded LANARKSHIRE. Netherlee, and indeed Glasgow haven't been in Lanarkshire since when William Wallace was a lad, and for the last 300 years Lanark has been in Glasgowshire if anything.
Netherlee isn't the only example – people in Cumbernauld, for example, have a Glasgow postcode despite being in North Lanarkshire Council (HQ in Motherwell, ML 01334) They are represented at Westminster and (more reliably by Jamie Hepburn) at Holyrood by the same people who represent Kilsyth, in the East Dumbartsonshire council area. You see where this is going – Scotland is a mish-mash of health boards, postcodes, Fire Brigades and councils, a rich tapestry. The current devolved Government is getting round to dealing with the worst anomalies, and it doesn't really matter. We get by. Even if no one, from the man on the street to the MEP/MP/MEP they write a complaint to is always entirely sure who does what and why.
I first started to realise that my little hang up about Glasgow not being in Lanarkshire wasn't that daft after all when I lived in France. I lived in the 10th arrondissement of the commune of Marseille, in the département of Bouches du Rhône, in the région of Provences-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur. Each unit was related the others in a way which, for example, East Renfrewshire Council is not linked to Greater Glasgow Health Board. While the last two can quibble over allocation of, say, the care of mental health patients in the community, because the provisions are all wrapped up in an act of parliament (or even worse, they aren't). France gets round all of this by having a constitution which sets out exactly who does what, and who you can make an angry phone call to when they don't. Further, these territorial units have existed pretty much unchanged since 1792 – French governments don't often talk about local government reorganisation.
This may seem a bit facile – we didn't have a revolution, and the Gallic need for bureaucratic order can often create entities that exist only on paper, and stamp all over local and regional identities that our relatively asymmetric system has protected. There is no reason to say that we can't continue to get rid of the worst excesses with devolution, whether it be creating a single Police force, or letting some local councils pool resources to make efficiency savings. And Westminster has allowed Scotland to do as it sees fit in the past in terms of local government (even if that meant cutting two of its largest cities off at the knees through the removal of their respective tax bases).
Except it not really facile. The dogs dinner that is the provision of our local services speaks not only to the death rattle of the British Empire, but to a much deeper problem – that of a deeply centralised British state that (in all of the UK) never seems unduly bothered about a lack of engagement in local democracy, because it knows the prospect of reorganising it would be too gargantuan a task to even consider. I accept that France too is, for different reasons, over centralised, but institutionally there exists the mechanism for power to be moved away from the centre.
Pre-devolution, the passive-aggressive relationship between (Labour and Tory) Scotland Offices and (soft nationalist) Labour councils led to the formation of a local government system that was already fairly different to the one in the rest of the UK. Holyrood came along in 1999 and added 129 politicians often drawn from the ranks of local government, who have succeeded not only in allowing the most cunning and idle of our 72 MPs to fade into half-cut obscurity, but also further confused any idea we had of who did what.
Many people have pointed out that MSPs are doing things that would be much better done at a local level without proposing exactly what could be done about it – so indulge me for a moment: the simplest and most efficient way to stop this happening would be writing down what the jobs of each respective layer of government are on a piece of paper and calling it a constitution. The UK doesn't have anything to do with such things, so if you're like me and get peevish about inconsistent information about Scotland contained online, you're most likely to get it in 2016, after a yes vote.
So, indulge me even further: why don't we make this constitution split Scotland up into 8 regions. (Let's just make them the Scottish Parliament regions for now, that's easiest) Each of these regions would be split up into Burghs (many of which still exist if you know where to look) and then these into Districts. (for which a catchier Scots or Gaelic word must surely exist) The Constitution would deal with which jobs each would have have, and make sure the relations with each were as rational as possible. I could draw a diagram, but I'm sure you get the picture.
Districts would be administered by voluntary, Community Councils, for which there exist some encouraging models; and the Burghs and Regions by directly elected members, who would be paid a bit more than out existing councillors in order to fulfil a dual mandate.
Each would know its relation to the other, and also to the national parliament at Holyrood – real democracy would come closer to the people, and I'd never get annoyed by another drop-down menu again. All from one piece of paper – Quality.
This piece first appeared on the 2016 Wish Tree blog in October 2013


text:
Before those little monsters and scary witches darken your doorstep, get your spook on with these 6 Halloween decor ideas!
6 Halloween Decor Ideas
A spider trail like this doesn't require a call to pest control. All it takes to create your own is to add some magnet strips, or tape, to the backs of plastic spiders. Just be sure your spider trail leads somewhere special, in case your little Harry Potter fans decide to "follow the spiders."
These yarn pumpkins are an adorable way to decorate any nooks and crannies. Once you have your yarn selected, grab some white glue and a balloon to start DIYing your way to pumpkin loveliness.
There's nothing creepy/cool quite like floating candles. Who knew that paper towel tubes, hot glue, and white paint could be so fabulous?!! I'm going to make a bunch of these and practice my levitation charm. Wingardium Leviosa!
A spiderweb vase makes a great decor item for any Halloween gathering. Start by drawing a web with a black Sharpie, then follow your lines with hot glue. Once the glue has dried, spray your vase with a flat black paint. Instant spooktacular decor!
Have you ever had the feeling that someone is staring at you? It might just be an eyeball wreath. How cute are all those eyeballs?!! All you need are ping pong balls, wiggle eyes, and a whole lot of time on your hands.
You don't need to live in a cave to be swarmed by bats this Halloween. Cut bats out of black construction paper and adhere with masking tape on an empty wall. Fabulous Halloween decor for the win!
Let OfficeZilla Help You Decorate This Halloween
There's so many ways to celebrate Halloween this season! And OfficeZilla is here to help you DIY your way to boo-tiful decorations!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
How far along: 15 weeks 0 days Cricket is the size of a navel orange! Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.
Total weight gain/loss: According to the scale - 15 lbs. Fluctuating a bit, but I lost about 3 in the hospital.
Maternity clothes: Yes. Still have some shirts that fit, so that's a mixed bag. But pants are all maternity or stretchy.
Stretch marks: I think the ones on my thighs from puberty are starting to get worse :(
Sleep: Same old, same old. Tired all the time, but can't sleep 8 hours straight. It's a conundrum. I love naps.
Movement: I am totally on movement watch...hoping and overanalyzing...wondering if it's her, but nothing yet :(
Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: I really, really want California rolls constantly. Aversions: Stinky odors, red meat, and whatever doesn't agree with me on any given day.
Gender: at this point, we have decided not to find out...let's see if we hold steadfast to that! DH says boy, I say girl.
Symptoms: open up a pregnancy book and read the list of symptoms, that's me. LOL.
What I miss: Not a thing :)
Well, not tangible things.
What I look forward to: Movement. I can't WAIT!
Moods: Frustrated, mostly.
Milestones: Nothing really this week, just status quo.
Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 75 mg, Zo.fran pump, Com.pazine suppositories 25 mg, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. I feel like a major pill popper.
Weekly Wisdom: Honestly, I got nothin'.
Best moment this week: Got to hear my kiddo 3 times...being sick has its advantages.
Worst moment this week: Hospital, Spike, feeling like a useless lump of flesh, money fears. It's been a really rough week.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4


text:
The Butler, Georgia family, who neighbors told authorities pad-locked their daughter in an outdoor building without food and water, may have also done the same thing over three years ago in another county.
We went to Roberta, Georgia, the town where the family lived 3 years ago. A neighbor told us she had her suspicions about the family when one day, she says, the girl walked over to her house, knocked on the door and said, "Please help me. I haven't eaten in three days."


text:
Dress - New look
Vest - H&M
Scarves - Grandma's old (Not sure of the one around my head, though!)
Oh I am SO excited about The Hobbit as well!!
sounds like you had a really lovely Saturday X
Love the scarves lady!
love all of this!
Nanna Emma - good that i'm not the only one! and thank you, doll, i did:) x
Krysten - thank you, dear! x
Stacy - thanks, hen! x


text:
Dr. Wayne Hickory
Welcome to Embassy Row Orthodontics
Opening Hours : Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
Contact : Call: 202-518-5910
We provide you with innovative orthodontic technology, personalized treatment options, and industry-leading expertise to create beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime.Read More
Trust your smile to the expert. Dr. Hickory has over 25 years of experience in orthodontic practices and is an active consultant and instructor to orthodontists throughout the world.Read More
Dr. Hickory was an early adopter of Invisalign® and is currently a Super Elite Provider—a designation held by less than 1 percent of all orthodontists.Read More
From our private treatment rooms to the latest orthodontic technology throughout the office, we are committed to giving you our undivided attention and the highest quality of care.Read More
No matter the treatment option, Dr. Hickory understands your situation is unique and requires innovative technology, personalized planning, and open communication.View Treatments
Invisalign® clear aligners are a comfortable, flexible alternative to braces to attain the beautiful smile you've always wanted.
From Damon brackets to incognito to clear braces, we can recommend a variety of traditional teeth-moving options to fit your needs.
The perfect complement to straight teeth is professional whitening—a relatively quick, painless, and affordable in-office procedure that can dramatically improve your appearance.
An innovative treatment option for all ages, accelerated orthodontics allows teeth to straighten in months rather than years.
Assistant Manager & New Treatment Coordinator
Clinical Expert
Clinical Expert
Whether you want to whiten your teeth naturally at home, with OTC products, or in our office, you have many…
Stained Teeth: The Culprits Did you know that many of your favorite foods and drinks can stain your teeth? It…
Braces and Invisalign are both orthodontic appliances used by an orthodontist to fix malocclusion. Some fast facts about malocclusion: it…
Dr. Hickory and his staff were absolutely amazing! Parking located in the rear for patients was very helpful from the crowded streets. When I arrived for the first time, I was greeted so nicely! The ambiance in the waiting area was to die for! Fireplace with coffee/hot chocolate were offered with mugs! I quickly got my x-rays done for my teeth, then soon after Dr. Hickory came and examined my teeth all by computer. They discussed rates and gave me the best rate possible. This office is simply amazing with very very flexible payment plans. I can't wait to start my treatment! Thank you Embassy Row!
Dr Wayne Hickory's service was fantastic. I was very concerned about the crowded appearance of my teeth. Dr. Hickory addressed my concern immediately and explained the Invisalign treatment process thoroughly to me, making me feel well-informed. I liked that he was honest and frank through it all. I'm really happy with my results and would not hesitate to recommend him to others. He is certainly one of the best orthodontists I've ever been to. I'm glad with my decision and look forward to returning to his office for future orthodontic treatment.
Great experience and professional service with our 2 children. Was referred by our co-worker for consult and we are pleased with the results. Our daughter had braces and experienced little discomfort. Staff was experienced and handled our kids with care. I would recommend Dr. Hickory to other families.
Very professional, efficient practice. Dr. Hickory and his staff are great. I have recommended them to other people in the area. Very kind, caring, and willing to fit you in for emergencies/urgent concerns even if you are not scheduled that day.
I had a wonderful experience at Embassy Row Orthodontics. All of the individuals that I came in contact with were extremely friendly and knowledgable. This establishment was decorated beautifully, with a modern and Asian inspired flare, and furnished in a way that makes your experience extremely comfortable. I came in for an Invisalign consultation and I am extremely excited for my future installation. I would recommend Embassy Row to all individuals looking for quality customer service and great dental care!


text:
Notts Outlaws bowler Stuart Broad wants to recreate the spirit of '89 in tomorrow's YB40 final against Glamorgan at Lord's.
The 27-year-old has been released by England, along with spin bowler Graeme Swann, for the showpiece domestic final.
Notts haven't won a one-day trophy since 1989, when they triumphed in the the Benson and Hedges Cup against Essex, and it's those memories that Broad plans to harness in their clash with Glamorgan.
"I've been speaking to my dad about it and my mum," said Broad, whose father Chris made six as an opener for Notts on that day.
"Mum talks about how amazing the atmosphere was and how much it meant to everyone.
It's a very special occasion for the whole of Nottinghamshire
"I can tell that myself because I was at (Nottingham) Forest last Saturday and I lost count of the amount of people who said they remember the last time we were there.
"It's amazing for us to have got back there, but I think people remember the winners and it's important we make sure that's us."
Despite not having played in any of Notts' YB40 matches on the road to the final, Broad is determined to make an impact and ensure his side come away with the silverware.
He added: "It's a very special occasion for the whole of Nottinghamshire.
"The guys have worked extremely hard to get there, playing some brilliant white-ball cricket.
"But being a finalist really means nothing, it's all about winning.
"It will be very special."
It will be Broad's third major match at the Home of Cricket this season, having been part of England's two Test victories over New Zealand and Australia earlier this summer.
"I love Lord's as a cricket ground, I really enjoy playing there and it will be great for the guys to experience Lord's on the big stage as well," continued Broad, who belongs to a select group of players on both batting and bowling honours boards at the Home of Cricket.
"It would mean everything to win.
"People remember the winners of trophies and it's up to us to do that.
"We'll need to be right on it to do that because Glamorgan have played some really good stuff to get there.
"We'll need to make sure we're fully switched on and individuals stand up and do their roles, which I'm sure we will do."
Notts Outlaws face Glamorgan at Lord's on Saturday 21 September in the finale of the 2013 season. Tickets are still available to buy online.


text:
This evening, I am posting information on Vindolanda, a Roman military site close to Hadrian's Wall in northern England.
Vindolanda is an extensive site comprising both military fort and civilian settlement (vicus). Archaeological research is ongoing and has revealed a wealth of artifacts and finds including textiles, footwear, human and animal bones, weaponry, coins, leather goods and unique written communications know as the 'Vindolanda Tablets'.
Summary information on the site as follows:
- Original fort established around AD 85, some forty years before commencement of Hadrian's Wall.
- In the early years the fort was constructed of wood and hence was required to be rebuilt at regular intervals. It is likely that the fort had been rebuilt five times by the early years of Hadrian's reign ( 117-138). At each rebuild the old fort was levelled and covered in turf, a process which created perfect anaerobic conditions for preservation of perishable items such as textiles, leather and wood. Overall, the Vindolanda fort could have been rebuilt ten times before the Romans departed in the early fourth century.
- Initially, the fort housed the 1000 strong, Ninth Cohort of Batavians ( from Gaul/France) who departed in AD 105 to fight in the Dacian Wars (Romania). For most of the life of the fort it appears that Vindolanda was the base for the Fourth Cohort of Gauls, a unit possibly half the size of the Ninth Cohort.
- The site today comprises (a) a playing card shaped military stone fort within which were barracks, residence of Commanding Officer and H.Q. Building and (b) a civilian settlement outside the west gate of the fort made up of homes, shops and workshops plus a bath house and granaries.
- The site was well-engineered with water supply system part of which remains extant.
- The physical stonework remaining today mainly dates from the 3rd and 4th centuries.
- Vindolanda is probably best known for the famous 'Vindolanda Tablets', a large number of routine military and private communications written on thin veneers of wood in the mid 120s but unintentionally preserved owing to being discarded in a water-logged pit and then secured in the anaerobic conditions adverted to above. These tablets provide a unique insight into daily life and social conditions including, surprisingly, the presence of women on the frontier.
- The site continued to be occupied into the 5th and 6th centuries, long after the collapse of Roman power in Britain in AD 410. There is evidence of an early Christian Church church on the site dating from the post-Roman period.
The site benefits from a Visitor Centre with shop, museum and refreshment facilities.
Video clip of excavations in process at Vindolanda
Video clip of Vindolanda Roman Site


text:
Stand tall this Fall with the season's top thigh-high boots. This standout sole has gone from a trendy must-have to a wardrobe staple in the last few years. And for good reason: thigh-high boots uplift your ensemble in oh-so-many ways. It's fashion meets function- the tall exterior keeps you cozy, while the leathery texture gives your outfit a kung-fu kick!
MUST READ: Let's Get Distressed: 20 Of Our Favorite Fall Denim Looks
It's getting nippy here in NYC and high time to get started on your boot shopping if you haven't already. And because I love you (winks), I've rounded up my favorite most lust-worthy pairs–all for under $250!
Many well under $200, plus a couple of sale nuggets thrown in. From Guess to Nine West to Asos, they'll be sure to kick up your Fall wardrobe. Enjoy!
(NOTE: WE are experiencing some technical issues with our gallery links. Please copy and paste the link to shop!)
Fab Finds: 20 Thigh High Boots Under $250
Fab Finds: 20 Thigh High Boots Under $250
1. 20 Thigh High Boots Under $2501 of 20
2. Bebe Taryn Boot, $1992 of 20
3. Asos Kingdom Boot, $1513 of 20
4. Aldo Beauchemin Boot, $1904 of 20
5. Aldo Frocyre Boot, $2205 of 20
6. Ann Taylor Cody Boot, $2486 of 20
7. BCBGeneration Whim Boot, $1007 of 20
8. Calvin Klein Boot, $1698 of 20
9. Chinese Laundry Flash Bordeaux Boot, $1299 of 20
10. Guess Revenge Boot, $169 (On Sale!)10 of 20
11. Guess Vale Boot, $22911 of 20
12. Guess Verina Boot, $119 (On Sale!)12 of 20
13. Guess Zonia Boot, $149 (On Sale!)13 of 20
14. Jeffrey Campbell The Kitsap Boot, $20814 of 20
15. Jeffrey Campbell The Kitsap Boot, $20815 of 20
16. Jeffrey Campbell Agrento Boot, $20016 of 20
17. NastyGal Kinki Boot, $19017 of 20
18. Nine West Teggy Boot, $215 (On Sale!)18 of 20
19. Nine West Teggy Boot, $215 (On Sale!)19 of 20
20. Pour la Victoire Pilar Boot, $234 (On Sale!)20 of 20
-Joy Adaeze of JoyLovesFashion.com
Follow Joy's style adventures on Instagram! @joy_adaeze
BAG IT: 20 Sleek 'N Chic Fall Bags To Upgrade Your Wardrobe
Hot Steppin': 20 Boots You Need This Fall
LIKE HelloBeautiful On Facebook To Keep Up With The Latest Style & Beauty Trends
Higher Learning: 20 Thigh-High Boots Under $250 was originally published on hellobeautiful.com


text:
December 12, 2016
Plant-based cheese that's sure to please
Miyoko Schinner creates vegan cheese to rival its dairy-based counterparts
Cheese can be a deal breaker when it comes to going all-in on a plant-based diet. The creamy flavors and complex textures can be tough for some folks to forgo.
That's how it was for Miyoko Schinner, who at 12 years old cut meat from her diet after a couple of vegetarian friends inspired her to think deeper about what she ate. Even as a little girl, Schinner had always found food and the experience of sharing it meaningful. So she studied classic culinary techniques (braising, marinating, sautéing) and began replacing the meat in recipes with other foods like tofu and vegetables.
But the one thing Schinner especially loved was cheese. "I liked the wine and cheese experience, the pairings and parties," she says. After converting to a plant-based diet in her 20s, she went on to own a vegan restaurant and a natural food company. "But there was always this nagging question in my mind, 'Where is that great cheese platter? Why haven't I developed it yet?' "
In the mid-2000s, she started recreating the flavors and textures in dairy cheeses that she missed. "Once I set out on a path, I get very determined," she says. Her repertoire soon included cheddar, brie, gruyere and chèvre, made with ingredients such as nuts, nondairy yogurt, oats, nutritional yeast and butternut squash.
Fans encouraged Schinner to share her recipes. In 2012, her cookbook Artisan Vegan Cheese hit the stands to rave reviews, empowering readers to make their own plant-based cheeses. More requests from her growing fan base inspired the founding of Miyoko's Kitchen, which sells artisan vegan cheeses online and in natural grocers. Folks wanting the convenience of premade products can buy cheeses such as double cream chive, winter truffle and rustic alpine. The company also offers a less expensive select line that includes creamy mozzarella and palm oil-free butter. Soon, it will roll out an everyday line at an even lower price point.
Schinner says that although she didn't initially cut out eggs and dairy for ethical reasons, she's since learned about the animal cruelty rife in those industries. "It's made me more of an activist," she says. In 2010, she founded Rancho Compasión, a farm sanctuary with rescued goats, chickens, ducks and other animals.
Her creamy, delicious, cruelty-free cheeses are another form of advocacy. "One of my favorite things is when someone comes up to me and says, 'Thank you so much. Now I can give up dairy!' "
Low-Fat Chipotle Cheese Sauce
Makes three cups. Recipe by Miyoko Schinner.
1 cup cooked and mashed butternut squash
3/4 cup plain, unsweetened nondairy yogurt
3/4 cup water
1/2 white onion, quartered
5 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup raw cashews
3 tablespoons tapioca flour
1/2 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, plus more if desired
1 teaspoon salt
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Transfer the mixture to a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thick and gooey, 2 to 5 minutes. If spicier cheese is desired, stir in additional minced chipotle.
3. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
PER SERVING (1/4 cup): Calories: 59; fat: 2 g; protein: 3 g; sodium: 182mg.
Read more from this issue
Become a member and get All Animals delivered to your door
Donate $25 or more and receive a year's subscription to All AnimalsDonate
- Sign Up
- Take Action
- Shop


text:
Admin. Asst.:
Reporting Absences
If your child is going to be absent, phone the school and leave a message with your child's name, grade, teacher's name and reason for absence. You must still follow up with a written note or Dr. Note for absences longer than 3 days
School Calendar
Informational Letter to Parents about Soul Shoppe
This letter explains more about the program and the tools that were taught.
Our Reading Incentive Program
The New Standards Are Here
The State of California is part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Virtually all of the USA will be teaching using the same common set of standards. Skyline Elementary staff is prepared for the instructional shift in 2014-2015. Hard copies of these standards are available for viewing in the office.
College/Career Readiness Standards
Next Generation Science Standards


text:
Chefs Emeril Lagasse, Hugh Acheson and John Besh attended a Wednesday (Sept. 25) premiere event for "Top Chef: New Orleans," debuting at 9 p.m. Oct. 2 on Bravo. The event was hosted by the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp. and held at the Civic Theater.
- Check out your pictures and Tweets from the New Orleans Top Chef premiere.
The New Orleans-set season, the show's 11th, filmed in the city and surrounding region from late May through early July. Lagasse and Acheson serve as judges for the season, joining Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and host Padma Lakshmi. Besh makes an appearance as a guest-judge, joining Leah Chase, John Folse, Susan Spicer, Kermit Ruffins, Dr. John and other locals appearing in different episodes.
- Watch three "Top Chef: New Orleans" preview videos.
The regular season of "Top Chef" was preceded by an online cook-off -- "Padma's Picks," hosted by Lakshmi and viewable here -- to fill a final spot in the regular-season lineup of competitors. Lakshmi ultimately picked two local chefs – Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Michael Sichel of Galatoire's – to join the other chefs in the competition. Devillier, Sichel and several of the other "Padma's Picks" chefs attended the Wednesday screening.
At the screening, Lily Yao, director of consumer marketing for Bravo, announced that a "Top Chef" food truck, serving fare from Cafe Du Monde and Domilise's, will promote the upcoming season in several locations around New York City on Tuesday (Oct. 1).
Look for video interviews with screening attendees in the coming days on www.NOLA.com/TV.


text:
When Mediachrome meets new clients for the first time, there are always lots of questions asked and quite a few misunderstandings which need clearing up.
On the Internet, it's common practice to bunch all these questions and misunderstandings together with some answers and call the result a FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions.
Well, here is a kind of FAQ for those of you considering commissioning a web site. Maybe it will help you understand some of the issues involved before writing that cheque, and, just maybe, stop the wool being pulled over your eyes.
next >


text:
My current project is an ASCII game called Cavernoid.
Current extant features:
- Outpost, asteroid belt, and asteroid maps are all viewable
- Can select and move drill, kill, and scout bots
- Drillbots can collect minerals
- Procedurally generated belt and asteroid maps
- Arcade asteroid blaster game – not sure if I should make this something you play as an arcade game in the outpost, or make it require to travel around the belt
This is just a progress log. I'll put up a post soon with more info on Cavernoid's story and concept and art and stuff.


text:
- Other Hair Accessories[1]
- Key Chains[4]
- Other Gifts & Crafts[7]
- Bracelets & Bangles[10]
- Earrings[10]
- Hair Jewelry[10]
- Jewelry Findings & Components[10]
- Jewelry Sets[5]
- Crystal[5]
- Shell[9]
- Necklaces[10]
- Rings[10]
- Pocket Watches[10]
- Contact Person : Ms. Shi Elise
- Company Name : Yiwu Baiding Trade Co., Ltd.
- Tel : 0086-579-81575201
- Fax : 0086-579-81575209
- Address : Zhejiang,Yiwu,Rm.301-305,No.937,GongRen North Road,Yiwu.Zhejiang.China
- Country/Region : China
- Zip : 322000
Related Product Searches:2013 cheap fashion peacock gold hairpin wholesale,High Quality,peacock gold hairpin, cheap hairpins,BDWH-BO20
New arrivel fashion hairpins for you
We provide DHL/FEDEX,china post air mail,HONGKONG Post air mail and other shipping way.
1. China post air mail/Hongkong post air mail,it will need around 20-35days to reach you.Sometimes will delay.
2. DHL/FEDEX,it will need 5-10 work days. If your order is urgent,pls choose this!
♥We will check every pc quality before send out.But if there is any quality problem that caused when you receive the products,pls contact us within 7days!
♥We will try our best to solve that.Your Positive feedback to my email is very helpful for us to give you the best service!
♥For our next cooperation , we would give more discount for our old customer
More designs
Feel free to contact me, if you want to learn more about our goods
2013 cheap fashion peacock gold hairpin wholesale


text:
3 Ways To Stand Out As A Nanny
Posted on: 25 May 2016
Becoming a nanny requires more than just a desire to work with children. You have to take steps to ensure you stand out from other candidates so parents can actually envision you caring for their children. Here are some ways you can make a good impression on potential clients.
Expand Your Skills
Parents need to know that you can care for their children in any situation. The more skills you have, the more confidently parents will view you. The most obvious skills you need are the ability to cook and tutor the children, but you also need lifesaving skills.
For instance, CPR and first-aid certification (from an outlet such as American Heart Association - AED $40 CPR LLC - Certification Training Classes) are a must in this position. During the course, you will learn how to handle medical emergencies, such as choking and burns. Once certified, be sure to renew your certification when it expires. Changes to how CPR and first-aid are administered can occur between certifications and you need to stay current on those updates.
Consider Your Online Presence
Your online presence could make the difference between being hired or skipped over. Parents are not just interested in what you put on your resume, they also want to be sure that you are a decent person who can be trusted with their children.
Your online presence starts with your email address. If you have an email address that could be considered provocative, consider opening an email account with a more appropriate user name.
You also need to look at your social networking accounts. You do not have to necessarily remove questionable postings and pictures. Most social networking sites offer the ability to hide or restrict who can see those postings. Most parents will conduct an online search of potential candidates and they might be hesitant to hire you if your postings do not fit their image of a nanny.
Ask for a Trial
One of the best ways to demonstrate your capabilities and stand out from other candidates is to offer a trial. You can offer to keep the kids for an hour so that the parents can observe your interactions with the children.
During that period, try to act naturally and stay focused on the children. You want the parents to get a real glimpse of how well you respond to the children and how they respond to you. At the end of the trial, you can ask for feedback. Even if you do not get the position, the feedback can help you improve your skills for future positions.Share


text:
Altar Server
It is an extreme privilege to kneel and serve so close to the altar as our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, becomes truly present, body, blood, soul and divinity, at the moment of the consecration. Altar Servers are chosen from among the faithful who display a desire to serve in a more intimate way during the Holy Mass.
An Altar Server at Saint Frances Cabrini can be either a male or female member of the community who assists the priest and deacon during the Eucharist and other liturgical ceremonies so that the liturgy can be conducted with grace and reverence. Altar Servers should be active and full participants in the celebration with the understanding that they are leaders in the community. The Altar Server models the activity of the community and by singing, praying and keeping silence can enhance the worship of the community. In order to serve at the altar of Saint Frances, you must have received first confession, Holy Communion and completed the training class for Altar Servers.
The primary duty of the altar servers is to assist the priests and deacons during Mass. An Altar Server has a solemn responsibility to do the assigned duties with attention, dignity and reverence. As an Altar Server, you are seen by all of the parishioners and the way you conduct yourself is very important. During the training class, the Altar Servers are taught the principal prayers of the Mass and why they are performing certain actions at specific times within the service. All of the actions of the Altar Server are woven from signs and symbols whose meaning is rooted in the works of creation and in human culture, specified by events in the Old Testament and fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is very important that all servers perform their assigned tasks in the prescribed form and manner.
Expectations for Altar Servers (pdf)
Eucharistic Minister
Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion are lay parishioners who assist with the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass or who bring Holy Communion to the sick and home-bound.
Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion must be fully initiated into the Church with the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist, be of sufficient Christian maturity with a definite and continuing relationship to the parish, and with a character and way of life that reflects a serious and well-formed faith and moral commitment. They must be in good standing in the Church.
Ministers of Holy Communion are expected to dress appropriately for their ministry. Shorts are not suitable clothing for either men or women while serving as Eucharistic Ministers. Proper clothes should be worn to show reverence for your service.
Arrive 15 minutes before Mass so that you will have time to get a cross to wear showing you are the Eucharistic Ministers for that mass and have time for prayerful preparation prior to the procession. The Eucharistic Ministers need to remain after Mass to prepare for the next Mass, or if necessary, to put the sacred vessels away.
Expectations of a Eucharistic Minister (pdf)
Qualities of a Eucharistic Minister (pdf)
Guidelines for Eucharistic Ministers (pdf)
Gift Bearer
May Christ teach us to be a gift to others. The role of Gift Bearer is a beautiful way for both individuals and families to participate in the Eucharistic Liturgy. The Gift Bearers represent the parish community returning a portion of God's gifts to Him in the form of Water, Bread, Wine and the community offerings. These gifts are presented as a sign of the community's desire to incorporate itself in the sacrifice of Christ.
Early Christians brought wine and bread to be consumed at Liturgy, and also money and other gifts to be given to the Poor. The bread and wine recall the last supper Jesus shared with His Disciples. They ate bread and drank wine because it was their everyday food. These are the gifts of food, the nourishment necessary for living. So our bread and wine at Mass represent our everyday lives, our everyday selves, and the essence of our lives. These gifts that are brought to the altar, challenge us to give ourselves in thanksgiving for everything that God has given us.
The water symbolizes the human and the divine natures of Christ joined in the Mystery of the Incarnation – God becoming human, when it is mixed with the wine during the Eucharist. The water is also used for the priest to wash his hands as a symbol of internal purification in preparation for the most sacred part of the Mass. In the olden days, it was quite often a real necessity for the Priest to wash his hands after receiving the gifts of the people – which may have included fresh fish and live chickens as well as bread and wine.
Being a Gift Bearer is also a wonderful way to remember a loved one who has passed away, a special birthday, anniversary or a special family occasion. Place your family's name on the Gift Bearer schedule at least one month in advance so that you can be scheduled for that memorable Mass.
Expectations for Gift Bearers (pdf)
Guidelines for Gift Bearers (pdf)
Minister of the Word (Lector)
The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may speak to the weary a word that will rouse them". (Isaiah 50:4) Ministers of the Word are referred to as 'proclaimers' to emphasize that there is more to the ministry than simply reading the scriptures aloud to the liturgical congregation. We know that God's word is special so we want to share the special skill that this ministry deserves.
When an individual answers the call to be a Minister of the Word, they enter a deeper relationship with the word of God as revealed in sacred scripture. They take upon themselves the duty and privilege of bringing the printed word to life – making it flesh, so to speak. This ministry, as a lector or proclaimer, gives voice to God's healing and strengthening word as it goes forth irrevocably to the ends of the earth, achieving the purpose for which God sent it.
The Minister of the Word proclaims the first and second readings at a Sunday Mass. They also lead the "prayers of the Faithful". The Minister of the Word may, when a Cantor is not present, read the Responsorial Psalm.
The Minister of the Word must have an ability to read well and the desire to prayerfully prepare the readings during the week prior to the Mass. The parish provides workbooks to assist with the preparation (such as word pronunciation). The Minister of the Word should be dressed appropriately and arrive 10 minutes prior to Mass to mark the Lectionary and to review the readings and "prayers of the faithful".
The Minister of the Word also meets in the Sacristy prior to Mass to participate in prayers prior to the procession. The Minister of the Word enters with the procession and if the Deacon is not present, the Minister of the Word carries the Gospel and places it on the Altar.
Expectations for Ministers of the Word (pdf)
Guidelines for Ministers of the Word (pdf)
Readings for the Month
Click on the following link to connect you to the web site that includes the readings for the month: www.usccb.org
Music Ministry
Using your musical gifts is a wonderful way to contribute to building up your Church, to give back to God what He has given abundantly to you. Our music volunteers do a wonderful service both to God and to our congregation in helping make our Masses beautiful.
Ways to get involved:
Join our choir! The choir rehearses every Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m., and sings year-round. We have one choir that sings at the Sunday morning 8:00 AM Mass and another choir that sings at the 10:30 AM Sunday morning Mass. Every age and skill level is welcome. We are also looking for cantors to help lead our singing at all of the Masses. This is a very fun way to be involved, and we can help you learn if you haven't done it before. Children, youth, and adults are welcome to help with singing at the Mass.
Play an instrument! Are you a musician? We'd love to have guitar, flute, violin, or any other wind or string instrument. Are you a pianist or an organist? Would you like to play for Masses? We may be able to use you as a substitute.
The Cantor/Song Leader leads the music at all Mass. The Cantor is a regular member of the choir. A Cantor is scheduled to lead the music at every Mass. Their presence is especially important at a Mass when there is no choir. Cantors are a vital and dynamic part of our Parish that lead the music of our Liturgies.
Ushers and Greeters have always been referred to as the "Door Keepers" of the church and once they were referred to as the "doors" giving open access to the warmth of holy fellowship in the Spirit of Jesus. Our Sunday congregation should always have about them something of the warm congeniality of a family reunion. Each arrival needs to experience the feeling of belonging, a sense that "it is good to be here." A mutual acceptance: "I, greeting you, see Christ in you and you see Christ in me, greeting you." The Lord's Day of celebration ought to be a shining moment providing a foretaste and promise of better things to come.
Ushers and Greeters have an adjective to describe them such as warm, friendly, hospitable, courteous, kind, gentle and gracious. All of this should be presented with a smile. They prepare the soil for the seed of God's Word to be planted. Ushers and Greeters are people-oriented and have the ability to put strangers at ease. They need to be certain that visitors always feel welcome. They need to assure that the handicapped need to experience the love of God, the love of the community and realize their importance to us.
Before the parishioner sees the priest or hears the choir, they meet the Ushers/Greeters. The greeting may be brief but brief does not mean superficial.
Expectations for Ushers/Greeters (pdf)
Designed by


text:
Winemaking. Life. The Dirt. Alison Crowe is a Winemaker Based in Napa.
News Vans Gone but Displaced People, Businesses in Napa Still Need Your Help
News choppers no longer disturb the early morning quiet and in their place dozens of colorful hot air balloons soar silently above our back deck. The coffee is on, the kids are still asleep and the paper is on the front stoop . Must be a normal Sunday morning in downtown Napa.
Except the neighbor's electricity is still off, a new rash of red tags has invaded the area and I just noticed a an empty space on the kitchen wall. One of my framed vintage citrus crate labels must have been swept up in the shards of glass and china that covered the kitchen floor this time last week. I guess I just didn't see it had fallen until now. Trivial and minor compared to what some people are missing.
In last week's 6.1 earthquake we lost a lot of glassware, dishes and mirrors. We have neighbors who lost a whole lot more.
Especially now that the news crews are gone, it's important to keep attention on the plight of those worse off than many of us are. Though some think of Napa as a posh playground for the privileged, it takes a lot of regular folks to keep it working, and many of them live right here downtown in the area hardest-hit by the quake. As in so many disasters, it is the least who can afford it that are suffering the most.
Below is a list of ways you can help, even if you don't live in the area.
-Over 95% of Napa Valley businesses, restaurants and wineries are open. Downtown Napa is passable, functional and open for business with any damaged buildings marked off. Your dollars help support the dishwashers, servers, cellar workers and tasting room staff that keep our world-famous wineries and restaurants going. Over 95% of businesses in Napa are open. Here is a list of places still closed- check back frequently!
-Coordination for volunteer labor is being done by the Volunteer Center of Napa, which is operating out of Grace Community Church at 3765 Solano Avenue, Napa CA. Call the center at 707-252-6222.
-Show support for your favorite Napa winery by buying a bottle– or three!
Besides shopping downtown, you can always buy products from local businesses online.
-Lucero Olive Oil suffered much inventory damage during the quake and though they are now re-opened, show some support by buying a bottle online.
-Matthiasson Family "Quake Cuvee" Blend. All after-tax profits from sales of this special blend will be going to the above relief fund. Jill and Steve suffered particularly hard losses in wine inventory, as well as damage to their house, which was red-tagged by the city.
-Napa Valley #PressOn T-Shirt. Wear your hashtag on your sleeve and profits will go to the Community Disaster Relief Fund.
There are many ways to contribute funds that will stay local and will go directly to the community's needs. Additionally, there are some business and individual-specific initiatives that could use your help.
-Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. The Napa Valley Vintners generously contributed $10 Million in seed money to kick off a disaster relief fund. Contribute to it here.
-Napa Chapter of the Red Cross. According to the City, donations made to the local chapter will be kept here.
-Napa County Landmarks, donate here. Many of our historical buildings suffered significant damage and it will take love- and money- to rebuild and retrofit.
-Napa County Humane Society, donate here. Many people have lost pets due to the quake and the Humane Society can use funds for sheltering and feeding recovered pets.
-Napa Food Bank, Senior Nutrition Programs at Community Action Napa Valley, donate here. Call 707-253-6128 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
-13-year old Nicholas Dillon was almost killed when his family's fireplace collapsed on his back, shattering his pelvis. Contribute to his medical care fund at Bank of America: Nicholas Dillon: savings account 1641-0344-2511.
-Jason Moore of Modus Operandi started a "Go Fund Me" site to help feed and support the many Napa Valley volunteers who have been working around the clock to remove broken barrels and debris from area businesses. You can see some cool pictures and video taken by one of my favorite winemaking professors, Dr. Carole Meredith, at the Lagier Meredith Vineyards Facebook page. I encourage you to give them a "like"!
-Sala Salon's "Go Fund Me" site: Sala Salon, Napa's Aveda hair and spa boutique, suffered catastrophic water damage after the quake and is closed. They even imported a fully functional mobile salon from Hollywood in an attempt to stay in business and the city inexplicably red-tagged it so that is shut down too. With bills to pay and employees to support, they are asking for a short term "loan" to help ends meet until insurance kicks in. Once they are back on their feet, all monies raised will be funneled into the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. Click here to help them stay afloat and meanwhile, sign the online petition to remove the red tag from the "Sala Annex" trailer so they can keep serving the community.
Thanks for your help. A lot of people are without jobs and without homes and your assistance will help get them back on their feet. #DrinkNapa and stay #NapaStrong, everyone!
Alison Crowe is a winemaker and author who lives in old downtown Napa with her family. email@example.com @alisoncrowewine
I am not affiliated with any of the above organizations and don't endorse one charity over another. Like you, I hope that donations made are appropriately allocated.
Copyright Alison Crowe 2014
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
FACT: Communication Manager 5.x SYMPTOM: Error: "635" Modem / Tethering CAUSE: This error may be reported if an unexpected error has occurred while connected to a GSM network. Go to link http://www.gruups.com/cingular_internet/ , it will give you the information need to get the internet working. The ACM cannot be the latest need ACM-6.9.115 for it to work
1. Validate the software indicates that wireless service is available. If it does not, troubleshoot data service availability. 2. If problem persist, click the cancel button and wait for Communication Manager to display, "Ready to Connect". 3. Close Communication Manager making sure the application shuts down completely. Verify no icon remains in the system tray. 4. Open Communication Manager and attempt to connect. 5. If Communication Manager displays "Ready to Connect" but is unable to connect, troubleshoot software conflicts and issues. 6. If still unable to connect and receiving error, for further assistance contact AT&T Customer Service for wireless customers.


text:
I've been a massive fan of Gary McMahon for a couple of years so getting the chance to interview him is about as cool as it gets around here. If you haven't read his books before, well, then I pity you, fool. Read this, then read his stuff.
Gary Fry who convinced me that I had something to say. He also encouraged me to start submitting my work again, and leading on directly from that I started to get published.
LW: You write horror that's more than the standard tropes and your characters are occasionally flawed and damaged. Are both those issues deliberate choices?
GM: Deliberate, yes, but I don't think we necessarily get to choose what – or who – we write about. I simply find flawed and damaged characters more interesting than those who are not. Someone once said that happiness writes white on the page, and that's kind of how it is for me. I can empathise with flawed characters because I think we're all flawed – I know I am. For a lot of people life is combative; it's one battle after another. Those are the people I want to write about. The people with real-world problems: troubled souls who are then touched by the supernatural just to make things even worse.
LW: I've noticed setting and location plays an important role in your fiction – particularly in stuff like The Concrete Grove trilogy. You're not afraid to get down into the less pleasant parts of Britain and make those locations into one of the characters. Do you have a goal in mind when you do that or are you going with the 'write what you know' idea?
GM: I generally write about the geography that I know. When I lived in London, I wrote a lot of stories set in that city. I now live in Yorkshire, so most of my recent stuff is set here. I'm originally from the northeast of England, so I also tend to set a lot of my stuff there. It makes the research easier. I don't have to travel far to write a story about that place – I already know it, or it's on my doorstep.
LW: With writing horror set in the real world (rather than a fantastical setting), do you find people expect it to be more cynical and pessimistic rather than the good guys win and everything's fine at the end?
GM: I'm not sure what people expect – I'm not good with judging other people's expectations of my own work. A lot of folk seem to focus on the bleakness in my writing, and I think that's kind of missing the point of what I'm trying to do. Yes, there is bleakness, but there's also a lot of hope. It's just that the hope is fought for and most victories are pyrrhic. I don't like grimness for grimness sake, but I can't tack on a happy ending to sweeten the pill. I just try to get to the truth of the characters and their situations, and that usually involves a lot of darkness before there's even the briefest glimpse of the light. I also believe that a writer should find his own voice and then spend the rest of his or her life trying to perfect it. My work might not be perfect, or to everyone's taste, but my voice is my own. I'm fucking proud of that.
LW: Are there particular books of yours you'd advise people new to you to read first or should they just get stuck in?
GM: Just get stuck in. I think I have enough books out there that people interested enough in the genre will find something to interest them. If not, then my work probably isn't for them. I do think my novels get better with each one, though, so maybe pick up the newest one first.
LW: What's your average writing session like? Do you have set times for it?
GM: I used to sit down and write every night, after work and family commitments, from 8pm until about 1am, or 2am in the morning, but that intense schedule put me in hospital twice. These days I don't feel guilty about not writing for a day, a week, even a month. Because when I'm not sitting down at the computer, I'm writing in my head. It's all part of the process. It took me a long time to realise that. Too long, in fact.
LW: Spinning off that, do you have an average day/weekend off writing where you do real life stuff?
GM: As a rule, I don't tend to write much at weekends. I save that time for family, for doing stuff, for having a life. At one time I let the writing push everything else out of the way. That didn't really get me anywhere, so now I don't let it happen. Writing is important to me, but so is a lot of other stuff. There's room for it all.
LW: I read a blog post of yours in which you mentioned not enjoying writing itself, but having written is more your thing. Has that always been the case?
LW: Writing is obviously a solitary activity. How important do you think it is for a writer to have a life and support outside of making stuff up?
GM: I couldn't write without the life experiences I've had to give me creative fuel. I believe that a writer should live, make mistakes, get into stupid situations…and then write about it all. That's what I've always done. I mine my own life for stories.
LW: Can you sum your fiction up in one sentence?
GM: My stories are usually about broken people and I like to explore the area where the quotidian meets the weird.
Thanks to Gary for taking the time to answer my questions. You can read more about him on his site and check out his books here..


text:
It's not enough to suffer through one episode in a night. No, they gave us two. A whole knee-slappin' hour's worth of airheaded, shallow fun! Episode 2 starts out with what looks to be a very interesting and highly amusing traffic stop. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are pulled over, though they had to be told by the cop actually to do so. What? Were they thinking if they ignored it, it would go away? (Psst, Paris...it didn't work with your little porn debut, and it's not gonna work here.) Paris primps for the officer, and Nicole asks what they can do to get out of a ticket and *gasp* seem almost contrite when told blue lights on a car are illegal! I mean, it's so 'ghetto' and in LA 'ghetto' is too cool to be illegal.
Remember Paris didn't bring her driver's license? Well guess what kiddies?! In the real world that's a big no-no. In their world? "Do you KNOW who I AM?!" were likely the first words out of their mouths, evidenced by the previous episode's massive shopping trip without said ID. Cop checks registration, comes back to pink truck (They do NOT deserve that sweet ride, thank you), and tells them "Aww shucks...here's your warning. Have a nice trip. Did you all'uns git mah good side? I dint knowed we was ohn teevee!." Why do I get the feeling this happens to them a lot.
Crisis averted by production staff, and the poor girls are plum wore out from their brush with 'da law', as well as complaining about hunger or something. (You mean they eat?? Food??? Who knew.) They pull into a trailer park ("Is this like...a REAL trailer park? EWWWWWW") and get the single toothed gent (Ok, maybe he had two...) to help them set up. This guy is far too nice, is all I can say. So I can forgive him lingering around the door a little too long. He warns them about the ducks. (Ducks?) They scoff. He warns them about the black and white ducks (Ohhhh!! Black and WHITE ducks...well that makes all the difference!) They scoff again. He warns them about the ducks and points out they have them little....doggies. They say they've never seen ducks eat dogs. He offers to show them the...ducks...in the morning. They roll their eyes.
Thing 1 and 2 forage for food and Nearly Toothless Nick comments from the door (Yes, he's still hanging around..so weird.) that there's no propane so they can't use the stove. Aha! Microwave! Soup! We're in business. Now just pull out the metal pot, Paris. Yep, that's the one. Go ahead...throw it in the microwave oven. It's perfectly ok.
Ahh if it were just that simple...actually, it was. But just when you thought it was safe to reside in the trailer park.....
Ducks: Quack, quack!Paris: Ooooh! Did we lock the doors from the evil, scary ducks we don't really believe in but are now suddenly terrified of???Nicole: No, go do it so you can shake your a$$ some more...and don't forget to forget to bring in your hairball of a dog.
Morning breaks. Paris is out calling for Tinkerbell (We're treated to footage of aforementioned ducks lolling about in the lake. I don't know about you, but I'm scared now.). Paris almost crinkles her botox'd brow with worry for her dog she couldn't have cared less about last night. Nothing. Ominous music, another shot of the ducks. Distant dog barking.
Hurrah! Tinkerbell has come home! A small rat wearing a blue sweater barks and runs up to Paris and she is elated! But hungry. (again with the eating. Who knew!) After a few shots of blurred-out buttcrack, the girls wander off in search of food to mooch off of anyone else. Comments are made about the (ewwwww) trailer park, and the begging begins. They ask several people if they've got any breakfast. Smart people. They give varying replies ranging from "Go away, skank. You dont fool me.", to, for the tooth impaired, "No". Finally, they're directed to a family of folk who live in the park and make a big breakfast each morning. These nice people (...and they really were nice) have the ingrates...err...girls...join them for a spot of eggs and hashbrowns, some sort of sausage (probably duck) and who knows what else. I don't know about the rest of you, but down here in tha' south, that there...is some good eatin! I have to say at this point that I'm nearly impressed with Paris and Nicole's display of politeness...nearly. They don't openly mock the folks they're feasting with, but eyes are rolled and food is not very discreetly disposed of. After enjoying breakfast with strangers, and learning that said strangers pee in a bucket "right over there" (Did we really need to know that? Did we even need to ask?!?) they return to their own swanky trailer where they proceed to complain about the food.


text:
Last month, in "Information Integration: SSRS and MOSS 2007," I introduced you to the rich information-integration environment available with SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (SSRS) SP2 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 Enterprise Edition. After looking at the technical architecture that takes reporting to new levels, I walked you through installing and configuring the components required to integrate SSRS and MOSS.
This month, in the second article in this two-part series, l show you how to perform familiar SSRS tasks—such as deployment, security setup, and property management—in the new MOSS environment. I also explain how to implement new MOSS-enabled reporting features such as versioning, workflow, alerts, and information management policies as well as how to use information-integration features. Taking advantage of SSRS and MOSS integration will not only let your information workers more easily find, use, and share information across the enterprise, but it will also simplify your report management and security implementation tasks.
Deploying Reports and Data Sources
To deploy resources from Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), you must first install SP2 on each developer's workstation to update the designer tools. These updated tools add the components that the design environment requires to connect to MOSS for report, model, and data source deployment. You'll still be able to deploy items to a native-mode SSRS instance if you're maintaining multiple report server instances.
You can deploy report definitions in MOSS integrated mode in two ways. First, you can use BIDS to deploy them directly to the MOSS libraries by changing your report server project's properties to reflect the target document libraries, as Figure 1 shows. Notice that the folder references are different from nativemode deployment requirements. Even when deploying to the same server, you must specify the server name explicitly in the URLs instead of using localhost. Alternatively, you can deploy reports by opening the document library, clicking Upload, and selecting a report definition file to add to the library.
You can also deploy report data sources from BIDS, but you can't upload them directly to the Data Connections library. If you choose not to use BIDS deployment, your only other option is to manually create the data source—a method some organizations require. For manual creation, navigate to the Data Connections library. On the New menu, select Report Data Source. On the Data Source Properties page, assign a name, provider type, connection string, and credentials. Windows Authentication (Integrated) credentials work only if you've enabled and configured Kerberos in your domain.
MOSS adds all new data sources in Pending mode, which means that only the author and users with Manage Lists permission can use the data source until it is approved. To change the status of the data source, point to the data source name, click the down arrow to open the context menu, and click Approve/Reject. On the Data Connections page, you can set the status as applicable. As long as the data source remains pending, users will get an rsAccessDenied message when executing a report linked to the data source.
To deploy a report model to a library, change the report model project properties, as Figure 2 shows. The report model is accessible for ad hoc reporting when a user with the appropriate permissions opens the applicable document library and selects Report Builder Report on the New menu. When Report Builder opens, it displays a list of report models in the current library, but the user can change to an alternative location to list other available models. Users can save Report Builder Reports to a document library as long as they have permission to do so.
Setting Up Security
When you've deployed your reports and data sources, you're ready to address security. The most straightforward approach to defining security policies for your reports is to use the default SharePoint groups and permission levels. Table 1 describes the default security policies by group and permission level.
SharePoint security starts at the top-level site, with libraries and library contents inheriting security policies for ease of maintenance. Within the site, you map Windows groups or users to a permission level for each library or library item—much like using the role-based security model in native mode. To override the inherited permissions for an entire selected library, open Internet Explorer, navigate to the Reports library on your MOSS site (e.g., http://your_server/ReportsLibrary), click Settings, and then click Document Library Settings. On the Customize Reports Library page, in the Permissions and Management section, click Permissions for this document library. On the Permissions page, you can add or remove users and change permissions. To add a new user, click Actions, click Edit Permissions, and click OK to confirm that you want to override site permissions and create unique permissions for the Reports library. Now, you can add new users by clicking New and providing user or group names. You then either associate the new user or group with an existing SharePoint group so that the user inherits the appropriate permission level, or you can explicitly assign a permission level. To remove a user, on the Permissions page, select the check box to the left of each user you want to remove, and then click Actions, click Remove User Permissions, and click OK to confirm. To edit permissions for a user or group, simply click the user or group name and select the applicable permissions on the Edit Permissions page.
If you need to manage security for each report separately, you can open a report's context menu (by clicking the down arrow to the right of the report name), click Manage Permissions, and edit the permissions to apply item-level security. Simply click Site Actions in the upper right corner, point to Site Settings, and click People and Groups. Select the current name in the page title, select a different group from the list on the left side of the page, and then use the New menu to add new users or groups to the selected group. Of course, you can also create your own SharePoint groups and permission levels. On the Settings menu, click Set Up Groups to create a new group and assign a permission level. To create a custom permission level, click Site Permissions on the left of the Site Settings page, and then from the Settings menu, click Permission Levels. On this page, you can add a new permission level or edit existing permissions levels to apply very granular security policies.
If you're using report models, you already know that you can define model item security in the Model Designer, but now you can also use SharePoint if your login is in a group that's been assigned Full Control. From the report model's context menu, click Manage Model Item Security. In the Model Item Security page, you explicitly add permission at the root node for all Windows groups or users authorized to use the model. Entities and attributes inherit this permission. Then, for any group or user not authorized to view a particular entity or attribute, you can select that item in the model tree and assign permissions to all other groups or users that have authorization. Note that you can't deny access to a user; instead, you must explicitly grant permissions to a user or allow the user to inherit permissions from a parent item.
Managing Report Properties
After you switch the report server to integrated mode, you can no longer use Report Manager or SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to manage report properties. Reports in integrated mode have the same properties you use to manage reports in native mode. A report has a context menu, which Figure 3 shows, to let users with either Contribute or Full Control permission access all report properties. Users with only Read permission have a more limited set of options on this menu.
If you use shared schedules for report snapshot generation or subscription delivery, you need to set up and manage these schedules across the site. Just click Site Actions, point to Site Settings, click Modify All Site Settings, and click Manage Shared Schedules in the Reporting Services section. Here, you can also pause or resume existing shared schedules. You use a report's Subscription Properties or Manage Processing Options page to manage custom schedules, but keep in mind that, unlike with shared schedules, there's no central location for managing all custom schedules.
One of the first new capabilities you should consider implementing in integrated mode is report metadata. With native SSRS, you can store as metadata only the name and description fields. But in integrated mode, you can add more report metadata fields to help users find and use the reports they need. Simply open the Settings menu in the document library, and click Create Column. In the Create Column page, you can define a name, data type, and field length and specify whether the column is required. You can even provide a default value. Note that even if you specify a column as required, reports can be deployed and approved without satisfying this requirement. However, the next time you use the Edit Properties command on a report, you must provide a value for the required column to save any other property changes you make.
MOSS also includes auditing and expiration features. To learn more about implementing these features, see the Web-exclusive sidebar "Enabling Information - Management Policies."
Managing Versions
MOSS integrated mode brings new version-management capabilities to SSRS. Versioning is managed at the library level, so open the applicable document library, and select Document Library Settings from the Settings menu. In the General Settings section, click Versioning Settings. In the Document Library Versioning Settings page, which Figure 4 shows, you can configure several options to control the status and visibility of new content, including whether a newly uploaded report must be approved before it's visible to all users with access to the library. This feature is great for testing the appearance and behavior of a report on the server before making it available to everyone.
The process for approving a report is slightly different than approving a data source because the approval mechanism isn't available from the report's context menu. Instead, an authorized approver must open the context menu, click View Properties, and then change the status to Pending. Only then does the report's context menu include the Approve/Reject command.
You can also specify whether report edits generate a new version and, if so, whether versions should be tracked as major versions or as major and minor versions. To prevent versioning history from spiraling out of control, you can limit the number of versions that can accumulate.
You can also require that a report be checked out before it can be edited. If you enable this requirement, edits become changes to the report's properties that you perform by selecting Edit Properties on the report's context menu. Using Check In and Check Out prevents two people from simultaneously making changes to the same item. Be aware that you can redeploy a report from BIDS without first checking it out, but each deployment of the report updates the versioning history.
You can't render a previous version of a report in MOSS, but you do have access to the report definition language (RDL) for that version if you open the version's context menu and click View. Just copy and paste the RDL into a report's code page in BIDS, and then preview the report in that environment, as long as the data source and queries in the report are still valid. From the version history list, you can use the Restore command on the context menu to replace the current version with a previous version. However, you first need to check out the report before you can revert to a previous version.
Implementing Approval Workflow
Although you can use versioning to require approval of new or updated content, notifying users that approval is required doesn't happen without some additional upfront configuration. First, open the Shared Services Administration page in SharePoint 3.0 Central Administration, add a new shared services provider (SSP) if you haven't already, and restart IIS to implement the session state settings. Open your Reports document library, open the Document Library Settings from the Settings menu, and then in the Permissions and Management section, click Workflow Settings. MOSS provides an Approval workflow template that you can easily implement. Just assign a unique name to the workflow and select one or more triggers, such as the addition of a new report or a change to an existing report.
As part of the workflow configuration, you define whether users work on their assigned task in parallel or sequentially and whether they can reassign their task or request a change before completing the task. You also define which users are designated as approvers and the sequence in which they will receive notification of their task if you've set up a sequential workflow. As an optional setting, you can notify other users about the workflow assignment for informational purposes.
You can define a due date as a specific date if you created a parallel workflow or as a specific number of days or weeks if you created a sequential workflow. Either way, if you've enabled email on the server on the Outgoing E-mail Settings page of Central Administration, users will receive reminders if their assigned task isn't complete by the due date.
When you've configured the workflow for a document library, any subsequent activity that triggers the workflow generates an email to all assigned users for a parallel workflow or to the first user in a sequential workflow. The email contains a link to the report to review and an Edit This Task button to open the task page in MOSS and let the user approve or reject the report.
The workflow is complete when all users have finished their assigned tasks, and you can have the workflow automatically update the status of the report to approved. When circumstances (such as rejection of the report or a change to the report after the workflow started) prevent users from completing their tasks, you can configure the workflow to cancel itself. And you can always manually terminate the workflow by opening the report's context menu, selecting Workflows, and navigating to the workflow you want to cancel.
Workflow notifications let users collaborate on the quality assurance process before making reports available to everyone. But what about users who want to know when a new report is available or when a favorite report has changed? Fortunately, you don't have to set up a notification system for this group of users because MOSS includes a self-service alert system, but you should try out the system so you can show others how it works. For information about setting up alerts, see the Web-exclusive sidebar "Creating Alerts."
Using Dashboards to Integrate Information
The simplest way to get started with information integration is to add a new dashboard page to the Reports document library. You then configure the Web Parts provided by the dashboard template, delete any Web Parts you don't want to use, and add new Web Parts to bring together information from disparate sources, such as SSRS reports, Microsoft Excel workbooks, and other related content and links. You can rearrange the Web Parts on the page to achieve just the right layout for your business information. Let's look at some of the key information-integration features available with MOSS.
SQL Server Reporting Services Report Viewer Web Part. For your SSRS reports, use the SQL Server Reporting Services Report Viewer Web Part. This new Web Part, included in MOSS, features different capabilities than the Web Parts packaged with SSRS for use in previous versions of SharePoint. Like all Web Parts, the Report Viewer Web Part includes an Edit menu that you use to configure settings. Your first task is to select Modify Shared Web Part on the Edit menu to open the tool pane for the Web Part. In the Report Viewer tool pane, you provide the full URL for the report, such as http://your_ server/ReportsLibrary/Your Report.rdl if your report is in the standard Reports document library. You can use a Browse button to navigate through the document libraries in your site and locate the desired report.
You use the View section of the tool pane to control the appearance of SSRS features. For example, you can use the Toolbar drop-down list to display the full toolbar in the report, enable only the navigation features of the toolbar to support moving from page to page, or hide the toolbar altogether. The Prompt Area drop-down list lets you display parameters when the report opens, require the user to open the parameter area of the report, or hide the parameters completely. Similarly, you can use the Document Map drop-down list to display, collapse, or hide a document map for the report.
You can override the report's parameter values in the Web Part by expanding the Parameters section of the tool pane. Click Load Parameters, select Override Report Default, and select a new parameter value. This has no effect on the report's parameter settings in the document library.
The remaining sections of the tool pane are properties common to all Web Parts. In the Appearance section, you can give the Web Part a title and configure its size and chrome (the title and border). The Layout section features properties for changing the Web Part to a different zone on the page and a different sequence within a zone when multiple Web Parts occupy the same zone. Finally, in the Advanced section, you can limit what users can do with the Web Part, such as minimizing or hiding it.
Target Audience. You might also want to implement the target audience property. By using a target audience on Web Parts, you can build one dashboard page with many elements and then enable specific Web Parts only for members of the target audience. You can define the audience as a group in the Global Audience, a distribution/ security group, or a SharePoint group. If a user who has permission to view the page but is not a member of the target audience opens the dashboard, that user doesn't see the targeted Web Part. The visible Web Parts are rearranged to occupy the space of the missing Web Part.
Other Web Parts. When you have one or more SSRS reports in the dashboard, you can start the first stage of information integration by adding related content in additional Web Parts. A popular Web Part is Excel Web Access, which displays selected sections of an Excel 2007 workbook. You can also use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to display graphical indicators based on data from SharePoint lists, Excel, Analysis Services cubes, or manual entry. If you plan to use PerformancePoint Server 2007 (PPS) for scorecards, you'll be able to include a Web Part for displaying the scorecard in your dashboard. You might also want to implement a Business Data Catalog (BDC) application on your MOSS server and use it to search and display line-of-business (LOB) data alongside the summary information captured in reports and workbooks.
Filters. You start the next stage of information integration when you add Filter Web Parts to synchronize the data that selected Web Parts display. You can use filters only with some Web Parts: Excel Web Access, KPI List (for KPIs based on Analysis Services 2005 data only), BDC item or list, Report Viewer, and eventually Scorecard Viewer. You connect these Web Parts to a common Filter Web Part and define the source values for the filter. Depending on how you configure the filter, the user can type a value directly, which I don't recommend, or select from a list of values that you configure. This list of values can be populated from a list that you build manually for the filter, a SharePoint list or profile, an Analysis Services query, a BDC, or a SQL query.
Let's say you want to create a filter that connects to a Report Viewer Web Part and a PivotTable filter in Excel Web Access to change the information displayed to a different year. Both your report and the Excel workbook must have a parameter for year, although the parameters don't need to share the same name. You can create a parameter in the workbook by naming the cell that displays the current report filter. Then, when publishing the workbook to Excel Services, use the Excel Services Options button to access a dialog box that lets you select the named cell as a parameter. After adding the workbook to an Excel Web Access Web Part in the dashboard, click Add a Filter in the Filter Zone on the far left side of the dashboard. Select the Filter Web Part, and then after the Web Part is added to the page, open its Edit menu, and click Modify Shared Web Part to set the values for the filter. Each Filter Web Part has a different way of configuring values for user selection, but it's a very straightforward process to set up.
To connect the filter to other Web Parts, open the filter's Edit menu, point to Connections, point to Send Filter Values To, and then click the Report Viewer Web Part. In the Configure Connection dialog box, select the applicable report parameter, and click Finish. Repeat these steps, but this time, select Excel Web Access. In the Choose Connection dialog box, in the Connection Type drop-down list, select Get Filter Values From, click Configure, confirm that the year parameter is selected, and click Finish. Be sure that the filter values you supply are consistent with the format of the corresponding values in the target Web Part or the filter will fail.
When you're developing a dashboard, only you can view it. You can check it in to change its mode so that users authorized to view drafts can review your dashboard. When you've finished developing the dashboard, you can use the Submit for Approval button to start a workflow or use the Publish button to make it available to users with access to the library.
To verify the filter, open the dashboard, click the Browse button to the right of the filter value, make a new selection, and then click the Apply Filters button. The connected Web Parts receive the same filter value and filter the displayed information accordingly, as Web Figure 1 shows. Notice that a user can set a default parameter value for each Filter Web Part to personalize the page.
Why Wait?
With this guide to installing, configuring, and deploying the SSRS and MOSS integrated architecture and to implementing MOSS's new information-integration features, you're equipped to deliver a reporting environment that supports better information access and integration across your enterprise. Whether you use some or all of MOSS's information-integration features, the valuable integration of SSRS and MOSS will help your business users find what they need, analyze results, and share their insights for better decision-making.