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CLASSICAL STRETCH by ESSENTRICS
Celebrating the 12th Season of Classical Stretch with over 300 episodes on Public Television
Classical Stretch by Essentrics
American Public TelevisIon'S longest running fitness TV show
The Classical Stretch television series is created, produced and hosted by Miranda Esmonde-White. The #1 fitness show on Public Television for over 18 years—Classical Stretch has been helping people of all ages and fitness levels rebalance their bodies, increase mobility and keep joints healthy and pain-free. Based on the intelligent fitness technique Essentrics—each 30-minute episode of Classical Stretch features a full-body workout with dynamic strengthening and stretching exercises: all-standing, all-floor or all-barre.
Participants will notice an immediate increase in flexibility and a release of tension in their muscles after each episode–improving their posture and range of motion. Stress is released and aches and pains are soothed through the gradual unlocking of the entire body.
Classical Stretch is distributed by American Public Television and can be viewed locally on public television stations across the nation. Check www.pbs.org for times.
About the Host
miranda Esmonde-White
Miranda Esmonde-White is one of America's greatest advocates and educators of healthy aging. Following her career as a professional ballerina, Miranda developed her own fitness technique, Essentrics®, and became the flexibility trainer to numerous professional and Olympic athletes, celebrities and other notable clients. Her fitness TV show, Classical Stretch has been airing on PBS and public television since 1999, and is rated the #1 fitness show on the network. She has filmed over 300 episodes of Classical Stretch, most of them distributed worldwide on DVD and available on streaming—helping people of all ages and fitness levels rebalance their bodies and keep their joints healthy and pain-free.
Esmonde-White's New York Times bestselling book and award-winning pledge documentary, Aging Backwards, are revolutionizing the way we understand the role that fitness plays in slowing down the aging process while keeping our bodies young, attractive, strong and healthy.
In her latest book and pledge documentary, Forever Painless, Miranda teaches us a new way to look at our body and provides simple exercises that real people have used to end chronic pain with movement.
Based in Montreal, Miranda spends her time developing the technique, writing and training new instructors. She also travels extensively giving lectures, leading teacher training sessions and hosting retreats.
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These old friends stay in touch
While it's been six years since the last High School Musical flick, the cast of the popular Disney franchise is still supporting each other. Case in point? Ashley Tisdale couldn't help but take to Twitter to send Zac Efron some love following the success of his film Neighbors, which had a killer opening weekend at the box office.
"#NeighborsMovie is a must see! So good! I was laughing my ass off. Very proud of Zac :)" she wrote on the social media site early Sunday (Zac retweeted the tweet). While Ashley was lending support to the 26-year-old hottie, her BFF Vanessa Hugensen was busy gushing over her bestie's upcoming bachelorette party as Tisdale is engaged to beau Christopher French.
"Ashley's bachelorette party will be my first one," the 25-year-old beauty told People at the at the Candie's Foundation's National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy event. So will she be planning Ashley's "last fling before the ring"? Nope! "I'm just going for the good times," she said although she couldn't stop gushing over her girl's big day.
"It's so exciting. And, it's so crazy because I just think of us as having fun and being silly and the fact that she is getting married, my mind is kind of exploding," the actress admitted. French popped the question to Tisdale in early August after only eight months of dating, but according to the former High School Musical star, she knew French was "the one" from day one.
"You know, I didn't [think it'd happen that quickly]," she told Ryan Seacrest of the couple's whirlwind engagement. "I think I've obviously been in long relationships in the past, but I think because of knowing what I wanted, I wouldn't have gone into a relationship, if it wasn't what I wanted. And I think from the moment that him and I met, I just knew it."
She continued: "I was like, 'OK, this is the guy.' And he knew the same thing. It was just this feeling that it doesn't get any better. I can't explain it! It's just natural between us. With other relationships, you're trying too much and trying to make it work and then there's just a moment when you find somebody and you're like, 'Holy s--t! This is so natural reports E News.'"

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On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.
Friday, April 02, 2010
The ones who make a brighter day
In the days that followed my meeting with Bud's classmates, every afternoon yielded a new surprise as I unpacked Bud's backpack and unearthed the treasures inside. One day, it was a tube of paper that unfurled into a long purple-based splatter-paint mural that Kallyn, Laurie, Lily, Nora, and Jennifer had made for Bud. Another day, there was a letter to me from The Amazing Platypus, who wrote, "Thank you for coming to our class and helping me understand Bud and how to be a better friend... If Bud hadn't been in my class I would still be viewing him completly differently." (He also thanked me for the blog name.)
Another day, there was a stack of photographs from Pajama Day, which featured Bud in the center of a circle of friends, all of them sprawled on the floor watching a movie at a "slumber party" at school. Another day, there was a picture that Noelle had drawn for Bud. Another day, one from Nora. Another day, Bud came home with a Zoboomafoo video tape that Sean had found at home. Sean didn't watch it anymore, so he brought it in for Bud, who, Sean knew, is a big fan of Zoboo.
That night, Bud wrote Sean a thank you note, letting him know how much he liked the video, and he brought it into school the next day. That afternoon, I got an e-mail from Ms. Walters., who wrote: "Sean was SO pleased to get a note from Bud today - He read it, and turned around and said "Thanks, Bud - you did a great job! I'm glad you like it!" And then Sean turned to me and asked,"Can I keep this?" I smiled, ruffled his hair, and said, "It belongs to you, of course you can keep it!" "COOL!" he shouted, and ran for his backpack to tuck it away, and as he came back to his desk with a huge grin he looked up and said, "That is SO awesome!"
In the same e-mail, Ms. Walker told me that she was sending me a stack of "quick writes" that the children had done in class. She explained that the class was continuing to read the book that started it all: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and that they'd gotten to a section in which an adult said about Joey, the boy with ADHD, "They shouldn't let messed up kids go to school with regular kids!!" Ms. Walker wrote, "There was an audible collective Gasp! as I read that line. They were simply stunned into silence. I told them we'd revisit how they were feeling the next day and the writing is the result."
That afternoon, I opened Bud's backpack to find a stack of "quick writes" that the children had done in response to the writing prompt:
"In Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Maria's dad is angry and yells, "They shouldn't let messed-up kids go to school with regular kids!" What do you think of this? Why? Include some examples from your own life/experiences at home and at school."
The children's responses were beautiful, creative, and heartfelt. Some were written as letters to Maria's dad. Others were written in Joey's voice. Others were just raw, genuine reactions. And they took my breath away.
Dan wrote:
"Mr. Dumbrowski... Sometimes kids like Joey can't control themselves at times... I have a kid like Joey in my class and his name is Bud at times he can't control him self. But hes an asowme kid... You know the old saying don't judge a book by its cover. Well, Joey's the book and your judging him by his cover. So think before you say."
Brandon wrote:
"At my school there is different kids to but we all learn to get along together. In my class we have a chiled with autism and to get to understand him better his mom came in to tell us more about him. We can learn to work together with different poeple. We can also learn to exeped people with autism and with disabililetys. We can learn to treat each other fairly. We are lucky as a class to have a kid with autism because we can learn how children with autism learn, play, speek, and think."
Kallyn wrote:
"We are all people and we are all diffrant. So I don't think anyone should get look down at because thay are diffrant. I think any class with someone who is diffrant is realy lucky... I have a kid in my class named Bud he is diffrent but I whould never look down at him because he is diffrent. but he isn't realy diffrant he is still human to. he still learned all the same stuff just a little diffrent."
Noelle wrote:
"Dear Mr. Dumbrowski, I think this is very mean to yell at kids... We have kids at our school that have autism. We are so lucky as a class because we have a kid that is different from us but we treat him like us... Autism is not something to yell at anyone for having. When someone is born with autism there is know way they are going to lose it."
Travis wrote:
"Dear Mr. Dumbrowski, I think your wrong in so many ways Because I have a Boy in my class whith autism and he isnt messed up he's Just different and so is Joey... So next time you say that think of what I said."
Catherine wrote:
"I think Maria's dad should not of said that... I have had a lot of experience with a Diffrent kid in my class named Bud. He has autism, but I have had a great experience and I love being in his class... I really think Maria's dad should have a experience with a diffrent kind of kids and he might change his mind, but he should not of said that and it really made me mad because it dose not matter what he looks like or How diffrent He is we are all together in one world and no matter what happens we are all the same in some way."
Sean wrote:
"I think he is wrong because someone in our class has dissabilitys, And nobody minds. I think Maria's dad is messed up! This guy should go to jail!... I believe that just because you've got autism or any other dissability doesn't mean he or she has something wrong with him."
Zoe wrote:
"When Ms. Walker read that line It really shocked me. I realy don't like Mr. Dumbrowski for saying that. (My heart sangk.) I thingk are class is lucky. Because people like Bud is abel to partisapat in every speshil and learn the same thing as us but in a different way."
Carla wrote:
"I think Marias dad has mest up thinking. Every one shoud be abal to go to school... My school has lots of kids how are difrint. But every one should have a chance... I think it is good that all kids can go to school, lern, and try to make friends. experiences can be magnifasint and exstrodany and speshal and learn things about each other."
Damian wrote:
"I have a kid in my class who has autism and he is still a supper good speller and is a cool kid to have in my class... P.S. Mr. Dumbrowski you stink."
Kelly wrote:
"Joey is not messed up, he is just differant and everybody is differant in their own special way. Having kids in your class or world are fun, hard, and exciting, you can learn a lot by how others learn. It is very enteresting if you can just listed to them and you can learn a bunch like I did when a kid in my class whose name is Bud he has autism and every day I learn new things."
Kayleigh wrote:
"Life with different kids can be hard, easy, and very fun. Theirs a kid with autism in my class, and he is very nice... It's good for him to be in classes with normal people because everyday we learn new things, And so does he. He is funny, fun, nice, and very smart... We are lucky as a class because he teaches us new things everyday. He always makes us laugh and tells us funny jokes and gives us high fives all the time. He is very fun to have around. He is a very good friend too."
Sam wrote:
"Dear Mr. Dumbrowski, I think you should go to angre manigment because you were harsh on me and I don't realy like that. OK! I'm not trieing to be mean like you were to me. Sinserely, Joey Pigsu."
Laurie wrote:
"Dear Mr. Dumbrowski, I think that kids who have a disabielaty should go to school with kids that don't have a disabeilety... I like having different kids in the classroom. Its nice to learn about how somebody else might learn."
The Amazing Platypus wrote:
"What I think about this is that he is wrong because everybody deserves to show what they can do even if they are different... I have a autistic kid in my class he doesn't do stuff like us but he does math language and other stuff but at a different level... Are you messed up Mr. Dumbrowski?"
Nora wrote:
"Just because people are different doesn't make them "messed up." I think this because I go to school with "different" people and it doesn't affect anything with anyone else in my school. School isn't just about Reading, Science, or Writing. It's about getting everyone what they need so that they can learn. It is an honor to have autistic people in your class because you can really learn from them."
Nathan wrote:
"Dear Mr. Dumbrowski, I think your not nice. Kids should have a chance and... can I get back to you on that? Kids should have an equal and fair chance to learn. Just yous better, easier techneeks of learning. There should be trained teachers that are special for kids like me. P.S. Tell Maria I'm sorry. Pleas. See ya later, Joey"
Jennifer wrote:
"I think thats awful... Just cause there diffrent dosent mean there wrtong... Autism is just where you take medicen. I wonder if you had a kid in your grade? Some are diffrent becauseof there brain. It dosent mean there diffrent."
Molly wrote:
"Our class is so lucky that we have a school that has different kids because we learn from them and they learn from us. I can't wait until I learn even more... I have been in the same class with Bud for four years. I have learned so much about autism and other disabilties. And I think you should learn more before you go around being mean to kids."
Ms. Walker wrote that following these reflection pieces, they had an AMAZING class discussion in which the kids talked with each other about their own disabilities and together discovered the depth of difference in their classroom - a depth that goes far beyond autism alone. She wrote, "Some of the kids took the ultimate risk today when they shared, without any prompting, with their classmates about the meds they take and why, and how they help, and some of things that are hard about taking them, like getting to sleep."
But the kids aren't stopping at the door to their classroom. Ms. Walker wrote, "The magic continues - they want to use our hallway bulletin board to write open letters to the school, and the title for the board would be along the lines of "Different kids make a better world." They're learning "We are the World" in music:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
Theres a choice we're making
We're saving out own lives
its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me"
And then yesterday, April 1, the first day of Autism Awareness Month, another package came home with my name on it. Inside was a stack of thank you letters from the children, decorated with care and filled with words that made me want to reach through the pages and hug every one of them:
Nora's "I think it's really cool how much you get him and how you both understand each other. You're the purplest!"
Catherine's "I feel great to be a part of his community in school. Evry time I hear I'm going to be in his class I always can't wait."
Molly's "Thank you so much for coming in. I learned so much about autism... You are a great mom."
Kallyn's "I learned so much and I think my friendship with Bud has grown. I been able to talk to Bud a little more and been feeling really good with where I am at with Bud and I think that now I know more about Bud I can relate to him better."
Sean's "Even though I went to recess it is because I am a kid who if he doesn't get outdoor time I get really bouncy and over excited. But I learned all about the part about toasters and hairdryers and how our buddy Bud needs movement breaks... Still the purplest!"
Noelle's "That has helped me learn a lot more about Bud. He is very cool to learn about... My life with Bud has been really cool so far."
Brandon's "After you came in I understood Bud and I learned how I can help him play and learn."
Laurie's "I enjoyed your visit SO much. I wish you could come in again."
Simon's "We learn more about autisim every day."
Kelly's "I learned that Bud does not care that he is differant and that he is a hair dryer in a toaster brain world."
Travis's "Thank you so much for coming in to our class. I know I learned a lot... It ment alot to our class."
Lily's "I don't think Bud is really actually different than us. He's a human that just thinks and learns different than us. I've known him ever since first grade and even then I didn't think he was that different."
Kayleigh's "Also, thank you for adding us in your blog... I want to write blogs as good as you when I grow up. You have an amazing talent. You inspired me to write blogs."
Damian's "It is cool to have Bud in my class because he is realy funny."
Max's "I'm still learning about Bud, which is very fun because every time I learn something new I get a laugh from all my classmates as well as me."
Jennifer's "That was AMAZING! I didn't know much about autizm until you explained every one of those stories. It made me think what would it be like to have autizm?"
Carla's "To me it was inportin to find out what Bud had and it was speshal that you did the presentashun about Bud's disability."
Zoe's "The whole time you were talking I felt like I was different... I don't know why, but when you were talking I felt REALLY relaxed and happy! I mean the "whole time" I was relaxed."
Nathan's "Thank you 1,000,000 times for coming! You opened a new door for me to walk through. I learned so much!"
Dan's "I think it's cool that people all over the world are reading about our classroom. Some people are quick to judge Bud. Do you know the old saying don't judge a book by its cover? Bud's the book and people are judging him by his cover. But our class sat down and are reading a never ending book. The book is never ending because you keep learning more every time you read it. P.S. It's a really great book."
And the neatest things about their letters, beyond their remarkable insights and their outstanding artistry? The children signed the letters with the names I'd given them on the blog, with one difference: they all had the same last name - NOS. Sean-NOS. Laurie-NOS. Nora-NOS. And on and on and on.
All different, and yet all the same.
Connected to each other. Connected to Bud and me.
Connected like family.
And at the bottom of the pile of these remarkable letters? A family portrait - a gift to Bud and me - a picture of all of Bud's classmates and both of his teachers, standing under a sign that says "World Autism Awareness Day. We are Bud's Buddies-NOS," each of them holding a sign with their NOS names.
It's a picture I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
As I look at the picture, I keep having the same thought. In response to my posts about my visit to this classroom, I've gotten a lot of encouragement to turn it all into a book. And I'm thinking about it. But, honestly, here is the book I really want to write:
In twenty-five years, I want to meet up with these children again and find out where they are. How many of them will be teachers, creating dynamic inclusive classrooms? How many will be employers of people with disabilities? How many will be parents, raising children as remarkable as them? How many will be finding ways to celebrate difference in their homes and in their neighborhoods? How many will be taking active roles in their local and state governments? How many will be speaking out against injustice and making their thoughts count at the ballot box? And how many of them will look back at this year, at this classroom, at these teachers, at these classmates, and recognize it all as a transformative experience in their lives?
These children are going to change the world.
THAT's the book I want to write. And, as Dan says, "P.S. It's a really great book."
Happy World Autism Awareness Day.
And, oh, I almost forgot. The class sent along something for you, as well:
38 comments:
Wow. That was amazing. If I weren't crying all over my keyboard, I'd write something more intelligent....
- April 03, 2010 12:33 AM
- Fairlington Blade said...
Wow. Just wow.
- April 03, 2010 1:41 AM
- graceunderautism said...
tears and lots of them. what a great experience you and Bud have had.
Just write two books. Parents, teachers, students, inclusion specialists. They need the impact that your question and answer session can provide.
- April 03, 2010 2:36 AM
- abby said...
Tons of tears here, too. That was an amazing post and it gives me so much hope for the future.
Bud's class rocks; his school rocks; and you rock.
What a great tribute to Autism Awareness Day.
- April 03, 2010 4:51 AM
- Dawn said...
Oh, boy. Tears, Idle Tears. What a great bunch of kids and what a fabulous picture. Bud is very lucky they are his classmates. And yes, I, too, think you should write a book!
- April 03, 2010 5:54 AM
- jess said...
i somehow held it together until the photo, then i was done for.
- April 03, 2010 6:35 AM
- Royal Ranch said...
You have done such an amazing, important thing! Very, very touching, thank you.
- April 03, 2010 8:49 AM
- Ana Through The Looking Glass said...
Wow! What a truly amazing thing to read. You must be so proud, of yourself, Bud, his teacher and his classmates.
If only more people, communities and peers were so accepting and willing to learn about, grow with and understand the many differences in each of us. Then the world really would be a kinder place to live in.
- April 03, 2010 9:41 AM
- Kim said...
Honestly... just one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.
- April 03, 2010 10:17 AM
Fantastic group of kids!!!! I am so happy to be able to read such a positive story surrounding autism. You have done a very good thing. Thank you for sharing your story.
- April 03, 2010 10:39 AM
- squillo said...
This is real autism awarness. Thanks!
- April 03, 2010 10:44 AM
- r.b. said...
I was just going to say "WOW", but I think it is your obligation to scatter some seeds in Education by making a book of your year with this amazing, loving teacher and Bud.
I can see it being made into a movie. I can see it being "cool" to be loving instead of belittling to your classmate with autism.
It could happen..............
I'm kind kidding, but I can't help being reminded of the teacher who had the boy voted out of the classroom.
Big difference!
- April 03, 2010 11:38 AM
- Niksmom said...
O.M.G. Like Jess, I held it together until I saw the class photo. Those kids, that class? THEY are the purplest.
- April 03, 2010 11:58 AM
This is so inspiring. Like the previous commenters, I'm in tears! I'm going to make copies of this post and buy the Joey Pigza book to distribute in my IEP meeting next week.
- April 03, 2010 12:28 PM
Thank you so much for sharing. Like everyone else, I have tears streaming down my face. It's truly amazing to read about my little man and the lives he's touched - with the help of an amazing mom. I'm certainly glad to say that both of you have touched mine. XOXO
- April 03, 2010 12:38 PM
- Ange said...
wonderful. just amazing. I hope these kids spread out when they grow up and spread their terrificness. The rest of the country needs it. I hope you have the opportunity to send a letter to the parents to let them know what amazing kids they have.
- April 03, 2010 2:16 PM
- Caitlin Wray said...
TWO books. Definitely.
- April 03, 2010 3:08 PM
- KAL said...
How terrific. What a class, what a teacher, what a mom! I'm with you, I would love to see the impact this will have on these kids as they enter adulthood. But I'd also love to see a book about your experience :) AND, if it's not too much to ask ... could you go on tour and speak to Sam's class? :)
- April 03, 2010 5:47 PM
Yeah...tears of joy and appreciation. My sunshine boy doesn't have quite Bud's amazing class, but he does have a wonderful program and a wonderful teacher and a whole community of people who*know* how fabulous he is. This helped me to: 1) count and appreciate that group and 2) think harder about how to help him feel that support more deeply and more constantly. I know how the magic in Bud's class is making me feel-- I hope you'll write about how it's been making him feel lately, too.
- April 03, 2010 7:26 PM
- MOM-NOS said...
Leila, I got an e-mail from Ms. Walker tonight with a caution about bringing copies of Joey Pigza to your IEP meeting. She says that it's not a book about autism, but is a hilarious and often gross memoir completely aimed at the ten-year-old set (bathroom humor and all). She wrote "The author is Jack Gantos - it's about his life as a kid with ADHD and getting it under control...so, I would hate for someone to buy this book thinking it has "answers" or was a good discussion book for kids and autism. For us as a class, it has phrases that were perfect springboards for amazing conversations, and we relate to what we know, which is time with Bud. We talk about how writers write best about what they know, and they know Bud - and related their writing to their experiences with him vs. the character in the book."
- April 03, 2010 8:54 PM
I wish we had Bud's teacher. Our teacher isn't bad but she doesn't do anything at all to help her students appreciate differences. The result of her assumption that all problems that occur at recess are my child's fault has resulted in him being bullied and there is a parent that has gone to the principal to ask that my child be removed from the school. Reading your story gives me hope and yet makes me feel even sadder about where we are. If you wouldn't have had this AMAZING teacher, how do you think the situation would be different? For those of us who don't have such a great situation, what can be done?
- April 03, 2010 11:37 PM
- Ali said...
RB, I think this would make an awesome movie--and I'm not joking. Tears here, too. It's astounding how amazing these kids are.
- April 04, 2010 1:39 AM
I've just read your whole transcript of your interview with Bud's class. You did such a brilliant job. Combined with such an understanding and open teacher, and kids who have obviously learnt that from her.... absolutely fantastic outcome!! I have two austisic kids, both now a little older than Bud. One is very definately a hairdryer in a toaster world, (the other - she's decided she is a toaster with a fan attachement -tho it took her a few minutes to 'get' what a toaster had to do with a brain :) )...We have had some interesting experiences with schools, sometimes inclusive, sometimes blatantly EX-clusive, (even from a principal). This world isn't perfect, and it will take a long time for autism and other conditions to be universally accepted. But I'm thrilled to see it working in some classrooms and I can't properly express my reactions to Bud's school mates.... Overwelming comes to mind.....
- April 04, 2010 4:56 AM
- Island Mom said...
Truly, it's hard to type when you are blubbering on the keyboard. Can somebody nominate Mrs Nee and Mrs Walker as Teachers of the Year???
I've already sent the HairDryer/Toaster link to the parents in our ASD parent group here, but now with this astounding wrap up, i will be sending the whole post series it to the administrators as well.
I agree with grace and Caitlin, it's two books. We can't wait 25 years.
- April 04, 2010 9:33 AM
- Stimey said...
Wow. Just, really, really wow. I am beyond inspired by these children. As I was reading this, I felt a very real, physical lightness in my chest. I think that feeling is hope. Knowing these children will grow up to be our leaders and our citizens gives me so much hope. Put me down for a pre-order on that book.
And thank the class for their words and their photo. What they are doing is making a difference to a huge number of people.
Thank you, Bud's Buddies-NOS. You matter.
- April 04, 2010 10:30 AM
- pixiemama said...
YES! Buddies-NOS!
Thank you for sharing each step of your experience.
- April 05, 2010 10:04 AM
- Brett said...
I've seen the future that the world needs, and it is in this classroom.
Thanks for sharing.
- April 05, 2010 10:26 AM
- Elizabeth said...
Astounding and uplifting. I did fine reading this until I got to the part where all the kids signed their names with -NOS. Then I lost it (I'm trying to cry because I'm at work). Hugs to all of those GREAT kids who will most assuredly go out and make a difference in the world.
- April 05, 2010 12:17 PM
- Kate said...
Absolutely amazing. I was stunned. Those kids really know what they're talking about. Bud is lucky, and they are lucky to have him. Win win situation. Great writing.
I also did something to mark autism awareness day. I went into the downtown of my city and handed out autism awareness flyers and pins to about thirty people. Tried to make my corner of the world more aware.
You can read about it here if you are interested:
Thanks for the blog!
- April 05, 2010 4:07 PM
Love it, love it, love it!!!!
Bud's classroom is inspiring! As are you...today when my niece asked me why my son was repeating something, I used your analogy of having a song stuck in your head. Worked like a charm...
Great work Mom--NOS!
- April 05, 2010 6:41 PM
- Missy said...
This is absolutely amazing and wonderful. The experience that you and Bud have had within the classroom is so encouraging and inspiring.
We homeschooled my 6yr old this year and we have finally decided to send him to Kindergarten next year. Hearing your story gives me the encouragement that there are teachers and children who are understanding and caring.
I agree with someone else that said those teachers should be nominated for teachers of the year.
- April 05, 2010 11:27 PM
and YOU MOM NOS
and BUD
and TEACHERS NOS
and FRIENDS NOS
Bud has amazing School mates uh NOS
Love IT
(folks on bus don't understand my tears as I catch up on your blog)
Coops mum
- April 06, 2010 8:09 PM
I have autism. Thank you for caring enough about your child to do what you do. My parents didn't.
- April 10, 2010 8:59 PM
- Erin said...
Wow. What an amazing situation! Yes, tears here, too. My son will be starting a new school next year and it hasn't even occurred to me to hope for something of this scale of awesomeness.
- April 15, 2010 3:16 PM
- Apples and Autobots said...
Hi! You and Bud have inspired me for quite a while, though I have never commented before. I'm so happy that's he's had such an awesome year. His class and teachers sound simply amazing. I would like to let you know that I posted a link to you in my "Blogs I Always Enjoy" section. Is that okay? I'm new to blogging, and I don't want to break some unspoken rule that I don't know about.
- April 20, 2010 8:11 PM
- xine said...
I love hearing about your and Bud's experiences in a fully inclusive classroom, and how much easier life gets when everyone's just honest and open with each other about diversity. Your posts are and should be an important resource for parents, teachers, and the general community.
- April 21, 2010 9:27 PM
- Jeremy said...
INCREDIBLE story!!! As a teacher (and person) in training, I hope I can develop and have the courage and remember to do activities like this in school. This turned out to be the best lesson plan I have ever read about...
- February 06, 2011 1:46 PM
- Autism-Daddy said...
I just stumbled across all your posts about your class visit and they are heartwarming! And you are an AMAZING writer.
I have an 8 year old son with autism. He is quite severe and I doubt he'll ever be in an inclusion class but to read how accepting these kids are is truly beautiful.
I have an autism Facebook page (www.facebook.com/autismdaddy & blog (www.autism-daddy.blogspot.com ) and I just posted your whole series on my wall. So expect a few new followers, compliments of Autism Daddy....
- October 22, 2011 12:27 AM


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Visitor Centers
Sandoval County
Visitor Information
and Event Center
264 S. Camino del Pueblo
Bernalillo, New Mexico
Pueblo of Jemez
Walatowa Visitor Center
7413 Highway 4
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Learn more about the area. See what attractions can be found by viewing our Visitors Guide
Take time to enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs. Stay the night in your choice of Local Accomodations
Circling Fenton Lake State Park between Bernalillo, Cuba and Los Alamos, The Jemez Mountain Trail is a beautiful drive full of the courageous history of the Jemez people and surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the southwest.
The Jemez Mountain trail is an intersection of roads that includes Highway 550 and Highway 4. It starts at the Coronado Monument in Bernallilo and encompasses the Jemez State Monument, Valles Caldera Preserve and finishes at Bandelier National Monument. It is filled with many opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, cross-country skiing, or visiting a natural hot springs.


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Police found the dismembered, decapitated bodies of 15 people in two abandoned vehicles in western Mexico Wednesday in an apparent revenge killing between powerful drug gangs.
Police initially counted 12 bodies dumped in the car on a road between Mexico's second city of Guadalajara and the lakeside city of Chapala, known for its North American expatriate community.
An anonymous call alerted police to the abandoned vehicles, and the bodies were taken to forensic services in Guadalajara, a police official said.
Jalisco state attorney general Tomas Coronado Olmos called an urgent meeting with the state governor and said the killings appeared to have been in revenge for 23 killings last Friday in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas.
An arrested woman said that the killings were "the repercussion for what happened in Tamaulipas," Coronado Olmos said.
The woman said she belonged to a local gang called Milenio, linked to the brutal Zetas drug gang.
Police found 23 bodies last Friday in the city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, on the US border, including nine hanging from a bridge and 14 others that had been decapitated.
Suspected drug gang violence has flared in some areas in the past week, with more than 60 deaths in massacres or fighting with security forces.
Authorities blame many of the deaths on clashes between the Zetas -- a gang set up by ex-commandos that deserted in the 1990s -- and groups allied to the Sinaloa Federation of Mexico's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
The latest killings echoed a brutal episode last November when police found 26 bodies dumped inside three vehicles in Guadalajara. Based on messages left behind, authorities believe those killings were an attack by the Zetas on the Sinaloa gang.
Shortly beforehand, police found 17 burned bodies in two cars in Culiacan, capital of northwestern Sinaloa state, fiefdom of the eponymous gang.
More than 50,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon launched a military offensive on the nation's drug gangs on taking office in December 2006.
The Mexican government on Wednesday announced a new deployment of troops and federal police, this time to the central state of Morelia, near the capital.
Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said the eighth such operation was necessary in the area known for the tourist city of Cuernavaca due to "criminal incidents which require stronger attention."
Violence in the state, including attacks on the main highway between Mexico City and the resort city of Acapulco, has risen in recent years.


text: Star Trek and the War on Terror. Jennifer Epps review of "Star Trek Into the Darkness" in "The Political Film Blog" – After the "Zero Dark Thirty" pro-torture "thriller" hunt-for-a-long-dead-bin-Laden psy war myth movie made with CIA as partner, we need some creativity from Hollywood that deals with the ethical questions of the War on Terror. As Epps points out, who better to do that than Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek"? A great read! Let's put the logic and the love together! Let's get back to listening to those who blow the whistle on war crimes and other violations of all standards of truth and justice.


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Twelve million penalty notices are given to motorists each year, according to a new report.
This is the equivalent of one every 2.5 seconds and means up to 30% of Britain's drivers receive a penalty annually, a study for motoring research charity the RAC Foundation found.
It warned that the increasing use of cameras to catch offenders can lead to mistrust among motorists as there is no use of discretion or common sense.
Analysis of official data by Dr Adam Snow, a lecturer in criminology at Liverpool Hope University, revealed that each year British drivers are given:
:: Eight million local authority parking penalties;
:: 2.5 million local authority bus lane and box junction penalties;
:: Half a million late licensing and insurance penalties;
:: One million speeding and red-light penalties.
This does not include the five million parking penalties issued to drivers on private land or the 1.2 million drivers attending speed awareness courses.
In the report, Dr Snow found that reductions in police budgets have been "perhaps the main driver" for the reliance on cameras.
Between 2010 and 2014 the number of dedicated police traffic officers fell by 24%.
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: "To maintain its legitimacy, automatic enforcement must be viewed by the public as proportionate.
"While wrongdoing should be punished and not excused, a decline in front-line policing risks an imbalanced approach to enforcement.
"Millions of motorists are being caught by camera, often for arguably minor misdemeanours, whilst more serious and harmful behaviour goes undetected."
In relation to civil enforcement of bus lane and parking infringements, he claimed authorities should "constantly be asking themselves whether the number of notices issued suggest a different method is needed".
Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's transport spokesman, said: "Effective parking control is one of the most frequent and important demands of local residents from their councils.
"Income raised through on-street parking charges and fines is spent on running parking services and any surplus is only spent on essential transport projects, such as tackling the £12 billion roads repair backlog and creating new parking spaces."


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J410M: Bionic softshell jacket
The Bionic softshell jacket is the latest member of the Russell Europe softshell family. This excellent fitting softshell jacket with its timeless design is highly water and wind-resistant. The Bionic-Finish® Eco enables the jacket to be water-repellent in an ecological way. Perfect for evoking a smart corporate image for those who are searching for a piece of modern outerwear to top off their corporate look.
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Washing Instructions
Suitable 40°C machine wash and tumble dry - do not dry clean and do not use fabric softeners.
Washing Instructions
Suitable 40°C machine wash and tumble dry - do not dry clean and do not use fabric softeners.
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Brad Pitt was allegedly punched in the face by notorious red carpet prankster Vitalii Sediuk at the Los Angeles premiere of Maleficent on Wednesday.
Pitt attended the event with the movie's star, his fiancee Angelina Jolie, and was signing autographs outside El Capitan theatre when the Ukrainian journalist reportedly jumped over the barriers and rushed at the actor, allegedly striking him in the face.
The 25-year-old troublemaker was tackled by security guards and led away. He was later arrested by police, who charged him with misdemeanour battery and kept him in custody on Wednesday night on $20,000 bail.
Jolie was reportedly on another section of the red carpet talking to fans at the time of the incident.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesman Gus Villanueva confirmed Pitt was not badly injured in the alleged attack, while a spokesperson for Disney, the film studio behind Maleficent, tells Variety.com, "This was an unfortunate and inappropriate incident that is being investigated by the LAPD."
Sediuk previously made headlines when he was slapped by Will Smith after trying to kiss the actor, and earlier this month, he was arrested at Cannes Film Festival in France after trying to crawl under America Ferrera's dress.
Photo Credits:
Brian To/WENN.com


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Rare earth magnets are special kinds of magnets, and they behave in a very strange way when exposed to metals — especially copper. The faster they go, the more they slow down. Find out why, and take a look at people trying to force a slow-motion magnet to go fast.
Many people have played around with a magnet, but it's tougher to get your hands on a rare earth magnet. Rare earth magnets are made from rare earth elements. These elements are not rare in and of themselves, but they are so scattered throughout the Earth's crust that it's tough to find large amounts of them in one place. They are prized for their unique qualities. Europium, for example, is the reason why you can see red in your TVs and computer screens. Its job cannot be done by anything else. Rare earth magnets are combinations of these elements, tough to get a hold off, and have both a stronger magnetic field and a lighter weight than most conventional magnets. This combination of lightness and strength allows them to display a strange quality that we don't see in regular magnets.
Moving a magnet around near a coil of wire will induce a current in the wire. Moving current in a wire will create a magnetic field - in other words, an electromagnet. This force opposes the motion of the magnet. This is called Lenz's Law. The faster the magnet goes, the stronger the current it produces. The stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic force. And so, the faster the magnet goes, the more it will be slowed down. Take a look at this, as a falling brick of a rare earth magnet gets slowed down quickly as it picks up speed. (The sudden braking force is also due to the fact that it gets closer to the copper disc.)
The most popular demonstration of this law is with a long, hollow copper tube (see top video). Drop anything else through a copper tube, and nothing much will happen. Drop a rare earth magnet through a copper tube, though, and you will see a long, slightly jerky, slow motion drop. A very weak magnet will stall, mostly, as it picks up speed towards the middle or the end of the tube. A stronger one, like this, will make many little drops as it falls, induces a current, and gets stalled by the electromagnetic force of that induced current. As it stops moving, the current drops away, and it falls again, repeating the cycle over and over.
Top Image of Rare Earth Element Thulium: Alchemist-hp
Via The Naked Scientists and MNN.


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About Us
Our Location
Planning a Funeral
Local Information
Contact Us
This form may be used to send your personal condolence message to the family. You can be assured that your message will remain confidential and will not be posted publicly on-line.
To the Family Of
Helena Oliveira
Smith-LeRoy Funeral Home,
69 Wellington Street North, Woodstock, Ontario N4S 6P7
(519) 537-3611


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I managed to get away for a nice break last week with the usual motley crew, I was supposed to be working in Motherwell originally but that got canned, we'd already made a rough plan so the trip went ahead anyway. We headed for a favourite area we've visited in the past with lots of scope for projects and exploring, the forecast was for strong westerlies and having been in a pickle here a few years ago we decided early to leave the boats at home.
Thursday 18th April
After racing home from work and getting my stuff together, Pete showed up on time and after a quick brew we loaded up my motor and set off north. We made good time arriving at Ibrox to collect Josh just after nine o'clock, it was another couple of hours on empty easy roads before we reached our destination. It was a quiet calm night and the half moon gave good light in the forestry car park, we got loaded up with as much as we could carry, both Pete and I deciding to leave some food in the car for a return trip the day after.
The track was easy to follow without headtorches most of the time, occasionally turning them on for the trickier parts. Progress was good and we reached the half way point in short order, we off loaded the packs and rested by the beaver loch for five minutes. After a short breather we pressed on, coming out of the forestry we got our first look at the sea, lit up by the moon. We followed the track down the hill towards our camp, coming across a number of trees which had blown down and blocked the way, we think this probably happened in the big storms after our last visit.
We reached the area we'd be camping in but things looked a bit different to usual, the site we used the first time we ever visited was a mess of fallen trees, flotsam and detritus , thick knee length grasses and piles of seaweed. The other area we've camped in before was also different now, the ground was more rocky but covered in tufty straw like grasses, we backtracked slightly and eventually found a decent looking camp amongst an area of fairly spindly looking Alder. A couple were already blown down and a few were leaning, but it was about as good as we'd find in torch light so we setup. It was late and we'd all had a long day, Pete and I had a quick brew on my meths stove and called it a night.
Friday 19th April
I woke up expecting to hear howling winds and torrential rain on the tarp, but instead it was quiet calm and the sun was shining. I instantly thought midges but they were not to be seen, just as well as I'd slept with the bug net unzipped on my hammock all night.
First job was to decide where to put the fire and setup a base, we salvaged some washed up polystyrene blocks for seats and Pete knocked a tripod for the fire.
View south west from camp
After some breakfast Pete and I took the walk back to the cars to pick up the food bags, everybody had brought too much food as usual but my food bag alone must have weighed nearly 10kg. The walk back was beautiful in the sun, life just stirring in the forest right now.
Saturday 20th April
Saturday was another bright and dry day, the wind had picked up a notch overnight but we were all secure in our various setups. During the morning I went for a wander up the hill to explore the old forest further down the point, lots of old chestnut and oak trees amongst the interesting rock formations. After a couple of hours I was back at camp, feeling peckish I knocked up a batch of drop scones over the fire which I thought were very tasty.
Pete making stir fry
Josh crafting a bush
The afternoon was spent gathering up firewood and generally exploring the woods and seashore around camp, the occasional light shower came through now and then so we decided to put up the big tarp for a group shelter. In the last few hours of daylight we decided to take a walk up to the beaver loch to see if we could spot any, there was plenty of sign about, much more than last time we visited but still not a glimpse of the goofy furry dudes. The water level looked to be higher in the small loch and building works were continuing on the dam and lodge, there were lots more signs of nibbled and downed trees with various beavery trails disappearing into the undergrowth.
Sunday 21st April
Saturday night was a bit wild, the skinny Alders we'd pitched up in were clattering their top branches against each other, I was also getting bounced in the hammock as my two trees swayed apart occasionally. I laid there listening to the winds coming up the loch and then blowing through the tree tops on the rocky bluff above us, the winds were swirling around and coming from all directions at one point. Rain showers came and went, some more persistent than others.
Waking up Sunday morning it felt like the temperature had dropped slightly, the westerly winds had once again picked up but we were fairly sheltered at our camp. Out on the loch the wind was whipping up white horses, I was glad we'd left the boats at home.
A view of the beach where we'd camped on a previous visit, slimey and not inviting now.
Looking south west down the loch, Eilean Loain and the southern tip of Islay on the horizon.
In the morning Pete and I went off to explore the area a little more, we headed over the fallen forestry remains until we reached the untouched native woodland. I really like the vibe of this place and I hope to come and camp here one day.
After following the faint deer trails around the peninsular we eventually came out into the Faery Isles
There was a pair of Ospreys nesting opposite to where we emerged from the woods, I tried to get a decent picture but they wouldn't cooperate.
The Faery Isles are normally a good place to catch a sight of otters and seals but the wind and waves meant that they were all tucked up somewhere cosy, we saw plenty of Canadian geese and Oyster Catchers doing their low level high speed acrobatics.
As there wasn't much about we climbed back into the woodland and carried on along the point, the deer tracks were becoming fainter now.
I noticed these strange cut marks on the base of a handful of fir trees, not sure what they're for if anyone could enlighten me. Chats amongst friends suggest it's for seasoning the timber with a view to harvesting in the future. That would seem to make sense but the location of the trees was right out on the peninsular and would often get battered by the westerly storms.
Otter feeding station
After standing around in the strong headwind and intermittent showers for ten minutes we turned around and headed back into the woods, we sought some shelter back at the Osprey bay and tried to get some better pictures.
I was messing about with my camera at one point and came across a button I hadn't really used before, just as I zoomed into the nest tree one of the birds came back into shot, although not great hand held with 18x zoom I managed to grab this one.
We continued back along the trail until we got back to the camp site, dodging more showers along the way.
Looking back down to camp
Sunday evening I took the 2.5Km walk back up to the beaver loch, I found out the day before that the beaver dam was the nearest place to camp where I could get any mobile signal. I checked in with Carol and caught up on the gossip from home, still not a sighting of the beavers, again.
Sunday evening was spent around the fire as usual, all of us pretty knackered so nobody made it past midnight before retiring.
During the night we had a lot of rain, it was still showery when I woke up on Monday morning. We tidied up camp, cleared away the fire remains, stacked up the left over fire wood and made our way back to the cars.
Tick Count = 2


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What decade is this? The CEO of IBM is a woman, Virginia Rometty, but she can't be a member of Augusta National, because it's an all male golf club!
From today's Wall Street Journal
The Masters will lull you. To enter Augusta National Golf Club is to step back in time, and the atmosphere amid these pine trees is intoxicating—serene, verdant, immaculate. There's no modern chaos. Even when invaded by thousands of golf tournament "patrons"—a grandiose term for "fans"—tradition rules.
Of course, all that whispery reverence becomes pretty silly. The Masters can feel stoned on mysticism and prestige, to the point where Augusta National becomes a reality distortion field, detached from the outside world. This is not heaven. If it's heaven, it's heaven with a Hooters around the corner, and a brand new champion named Bubba.
But reality takes its time pushing through the gates here, which is why Augusta National is again confronted with a question that gets elevated as a "cultural moment" but really just sounds absurd in 2012: Why aren't there any women members?
The subject has been pushed to the forefront by the appointment of Virginia M. Rometty as the CEO of IBM. IBM is a prominent Masters sponsor, and Augusta National has a history of inviting the company's top executive to join its club. Ms. Rometty is a golfer. She spent late Sunday afternoon at Augusta sitting in a second-row chair behind the 18th green. Her jacket was pink, not green.
To enter Augusta National is to step back in time, and the atmosphere amid these pine trees is intoxicating—serene, verdant, immaculate.
She was right there when fan favorite Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen sank par putts to send the 76th Masters to a playoff. She stayed locked in her seat as the pair rolled up 18 again for the first playoff hole. She stood and applauded when word arrived that the 33-year-old Watson had captured the Masters on the second playoff hole, at the tenth, down the hill from IBM's company cabin. If she's not a golf fan, it's hard to say who is.
For Augusta, welcoming Ms. Rometty to the club should be a no-brainer, a rubber stamp, a tap-in, to use the golfer's term for an easy putt. But it's not.
Defenders of Augusta National always point to the fact that it's a private club, and is permitted to conduct its business the way it wants. And it's true that the club is not breaking any laws.
Beyond the fierce protectors, there's a substantial, soft middle population of patrons and sponsors who may agree that women belong in Augusta, but are too enchanted by the Masters to push. This charming environment of white-painted cabins and $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches makes it easy to turn down the common sense, and resist rocking the boat. That is how exclusion survives.
It's time to take off those stylish green tin foil hats, turn down the reality distortion field, and acknowledge the obvious: Absence of a female member at golf's most prominent club—not just a folksy conclave in the woods, but the sport's best-known stage, a citadel of corporate power, happily monetizing and broadcasting its event to millions—is woefully out-of-date and should embarrass anyone invested in this event.
It feels bizarre to even refer to this as a "debate." This confers far too much respect, as if it's actually a subject worthy of argument. Look at the recent comments from President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney—I'm pretty sure if you put both men in an open field, one of them would tell you it's sunny and the other would tell you there's a raging hailstorm. Both men agree that Augusta should admit women.
But Augusta National abides by its own clock. In an instant-response, social media era in which the slightest provocation and merits a reply, it doesn't react to campaigns or even polite queries. The club can do as it wants, and knows that this majestic tournament has a way of airbrushing uncomfortable truths. Sponsors glide along.
Witness Augusta National chairman Billy Payne's awkward news conference last week, in which he repeatedly dodged questions about female membership. Augusta National has dragged its heels before—it didn't have an African-American member until 1990, and it endured protests about the absence of women in the previous decade. Stubbornness is built into the woodwork here.
This controversy is unlikely to stop the Masters from being a significant event. The shame is that it's preventing it from being a better, more inclusive one. If Augusta can handle a Bubba in a green blazer, it can handle the 21st century. And the 20th.
Watson is a likeable, unpretentious champion—"It's just me. I'm just Bubba," he said when it was over—and Virginia Rometty is not an inconvenience for Augusta National. She's a gift. A female power broker, a golfer, atop one of the world's most prominent companies, where a green jacket has customarily come with the job. It doesn't matter if Ms. Rometty wants to press her case. All the public relations gurus and crisis managers on earth couldn't have given this anachronistic club a better opportunity.
It should be so simple. It's sad that it's not.
Write to Jason Gay at email@example.com
News and views on the world of socially responsible investing in Canada, including original content related to social, environmental, human rights and corporate governance issues. Written and maintained by a Toronto-based financial advisor and an Ottawa-based writer/editor.
Monday, April 9, 2012
glass ceilings everywhere...
Posted by Sucheta Rajagopal at 4:13 PM
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Shinzen Young: Deep Concentration in Formal Meditation and Daily Life (Theory and Practice)
2012November 25 Leave a comment
Google invites authors, researchers and artists — anyone with anything interesting to say, to come to Google to give talks to their employees. Videos are made of these talks and put on youtube on the GoogleTalks channel. In this talk, Shinzen Young, a westerner, a former monk, a scientist and a professional meditation teacher introduces the audience at Google to "concentration".
Young claims that concentration……bringing the mind back to an object after a distraction, is a basic skill at the base of all human endeavors. This is a very clear, down to Earth, accessible talk


text: Her Highness Dr. Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed Al Nahyan has made a special visit to Etihad's Global Business Service Solutions (GBSS) facility in Al Ain. Today's visit was part of Etihad Aviation Group's (EAG) activities to mark International Women's Day, recognised internationally on 8 March each year to celebrate the achievements of women. This year's theme is "Be Bold for Change." H.H. Dr. Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan was taken on a tour of the GBSS centre by Saada Al Taei, Senior Manager – Service Delivery. The visit concluded in a majlis area where Her Highness spoke to some of the staff and met other members of EAG. "The GBSS is a great example of how a company can empower women, said H.H. Dr. Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan. The facility offers a wide range of training and career development opportunities in the community of Al Ain. It was refreshing to see such a high percentage of female staff who have become role models for Emirati women in the workforce. I am proud of the women's contribution to society and their efforts to develop their careers," added H.H. Dr. Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan. The GBSS is a dedicated revenue accounting centre of excellence and was officially opened in March of last year. It was set up to engage the local Emirati workforce, particularly women, who make up 95% of the staff. Hareb Almuhairy, Senior Vice President, Corporate and International Affairs at Etihad Aviation Group, said: "We are honoured that H.H. Dr. Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan has taken the time to visit the GBSS and see first-hand the impressive work of staff. Their contribution is very important to the efficiency of Etihad Airways, our equity partners and right across EAG, while the centre brings long term economic benefits to Al Ain and the wider emirate of Abu Dhabi." A total of 280 women work at the GBSS, which follows existing programmes to attract UAE nationals, such as cadet pilots, engineers, graduate managers and the all-female Al Ain Contact Centre. Amna al Ameri, who joined GBSS as a Business Partner, said she was attracted to Etihad because of the importance it places on empowerment. "Etihad Airways is one of the top aviation companies in the world. Its initiatives to develop employees captured my attention. These opportunities are rare and I find myself very lucky to be working for a global company in my hometown." EAG employs 9,752 women across 126 nationalities, representing 36% of the overall 26,762 staff. UAE nationals represent the largest female group with 1,542 women, followed by 918 women from India, 792 from the Philippines, 587 Romanian and 579 hailing from the UK. Other prominent female nationalities are Moroccans, Serbians, Ukrainians, Australians and Italians. Amongst the women furthest from their home countries are eight Mexicans, 106 Brazilians and one from the tiny South Pacific island of Tonga, 14,938 kilometres from EAG'S home of Abu Dhabi. The vast majority of female employees work for Etihad Airways based in the UAE. However, the women are spread far and wide in terms of departments and locations. Female staff can be found amongst the flight deck crew, cabin crew, at Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Cargo, Etihad Global Loyalty Company and Etihad Airport Services Catering. In their roles, the women are dispersed globally, as far afield as China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Brazil and Canada. EAG's other activities to mark International Woman's Day include a series of inspirational guest speakers and workshops to inspire and motivate staff and encourage conversations on female empowerment. Bize Ulaşın Tam anlamıyla uluslararası bir havayolu olarak, gerçekten küresel bir faaliyet ağına sahibiz. En yakın Etihad ofisi ile nasıl iletişim kuracağınızı öğrenin. İletişim bilgilerini görüntüleyin Geri bildirim Bize yorum, tebrik veya şikayetlerinizi göndermek ya da soru sormak isterseniz, lütfen buraya tıklayın Bizi Beğenin Facebook sayfamızı ziyaret edin! Bizi İzleyin YouTube kanalımızı ziyaret edin Bizi Takip Edin Etihad Havayolları | Etihad Kampanyaları | Etihad Yardım | Etihad Ödülleri


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Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: August 10
This week Morrissey Goodale tracked two domestic deals and two international transactions. This brings the total year-to-date deal count in the United States to 113, up 10% over the 103 domestic deals tracked through the same period in 2011. Including the U.S., the total global deal count is now 205, down marginally from the 207 global deals tracked through the same period last year.
In case you missed it the last few weeks, be sure to click here for Morrissey Goodale's special report Industry M&A 2012 Six Month Review. In it, you will find additional insight, thoughts and major trends observed through the first six months of 2012.
M&A Transactions
International design, consulting, engineering, and management services firm ARCADIS (Arnhem, Netherlands) acquired ETEP Consultoria (ETEP) (Sao Paulo, Brazil), a highly specialized water supply, water treatment and wastewater engineering and consulting firm. At an annual gross revenue of just under $25 million, net revenue of just under $20 million, 300 employees and 10% profit margins, ETEP is the largest water engineering and consultancy firm in Brazil. The firm provides program and project management as well as engineering, consulting and related services and derives 83 percent of its revenue from its specialty of water supply, water treatment and wastewater engineering and consulting. ETEP works for public clients including water companies and municipalities, but also works with private sector clients such as contractors and industrial firms. Link to details
Leading independent provider of energy efficiency services, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions Ameresco (Framingham, MA) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Ameresco Canada acquired FAME Facility Software Solutions (FAME) (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), a leading provider of asset management solutions that help customers assess the condition of their facilities, plan energy management and capital improvements, and refine operations and maintenance strategies. FAME also provides expert consulting and technology resources to assist clients with their facility asset management planning, operations, analysis, reporting, and infrastructure auditing and knowledge management technology. Through the acquisition, Ameresco expands its asset planning consulting and software services offerings for commercial, industrial, K-12 schools, public housing, municipal and government customers. Link to details
Earlier this summer, we note that multi-discipline engineering, planning, surveying, mapping and construction services firm Greenman-Pedersen (GPI) (Babylon, NY) acquired multi-discipline engineering, surveying and environmental services firm Abate Associates Engineers and Surveyors (Buffalo, NY). Link to details
In an interesting transaction, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services firmJacobs Engineering Group (Pasadena, CA) sold its iron ore pelletizing intellectual property and other assets to Metso Corporation (Helsinki, Finland), a 30,000-person global supplier of technology and services to customers in the process industries, including mining, construction, pulp and paper, power, and oil and gas. As part of the transaction, Jacobs sells technology and "know-how" related to their Straight Grate Iron Ore Pelletizing technology to Metso's mining and construction segment. In addition, some key Jacobs technical staff related to the technology become Metso employees as part of the deal. Jacobs and Metso previously shared interests in the straight grate iron ore pelletizing business, with Jacobs providing process engineering and Metso providing machine design. Jacobs and Metso recognized the opportunity to streamline their offerings to customers by consolidating ownership within Metso through this sale. Jacobs plans to continue supporting Metso from its engineering centers in India and Pittsburgh and to continue supporting customers with Balance of Plant (BOP) engineering and construction services for iron ore pelletizing projects. For reference, iron ore pelletizing is used to produce pellets from concentrated iron ore for feed to blast furnace and direct reduced iron plants. Metso anticipates continued growth in this market as more beneficiation and pelletizing plants are needed to maximize the output from lower grade ore bodies. Metso currently offers the Grate Kiln Iron Ore Pelletizing system. With the purchase of the Straight Grate Technology from Jacobs, Metso will become the only supplier in the world of both systems. Metso will be investing in the on-going technical development of both technologies. Link to details
In a noteworthy initiative (though not considered a deal for the purposes of this update), global engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance and project management services firmFluor Corporation (Irving, TX) formed a joint venture with Construcap (Sau Paulo, Brazil), one Brazil's largest construction companies serving the oil and gas, infrastructure, power, mining and metals, automotive and manufacturing, general industrial, commercial and heavy civil markets. The companies will combine to provide structured technology process transfer and human resources to the joint venture (named CFPS Engenharia) to bring improved project performance and predictability to Brazilian clients. The joint venture will include the pursuit of new capital projects for the oil, gas and chemicals markets, new power generation, life sciences, automotive and other manufacturing industries and will span engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) disciplines. Link to details
Content provided by Morrissey Goodale.


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K-12 Chinese Program
UCA CI works with Arkansas Department of Education and Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters to bring Chinese education into Arkansas schools through the Teach Chinese in Arkansas Program. This program provides students with the unique opportunity to learn about the language, customs, and people of China.
Currently in its fifth year, starting in 2008, the Teach Chinese in Arkansas Program reaches students attending school in Batesville, College Station, Conway, Cross County, Fuller, Harrisburg, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, Northeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative, Rodgers, Waldron, and Wynne in addition to those at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and through the Office of Distance Education for the state.


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How to do the Pob Hairstyles - Victoria Beckham's Hairstyle
How to Do The Pob Hairstyles
1. Use a texturizing shampoo and conditioner in the shower.
2. Towel dry your hair and work in a small amount of anti-frizz balm and a dollop of volumizing mousse through your hair.
3. Using your hair dryer and a round brush, smooth hair towards your face, boosting more movement in your hair.
4. To style a cowlick, try blasting the heat on the unruly piece of hair first in one direction, then in the next direction, and after repeating a few times, the hair should sit the way you want.
5. Once dry, use a bit of pomade or wax to spike up the shorter pieces and seperate longer strands.
6. Use a small amount and rub between your hands to get the product soft, warm and pliable.
7. When your hair is styled, finish off with a touch of glossy shine serum and a spritz of finishing spray. Throughout the day you can touch and fluff up your hair.
8. Shorter styles usually require a bit more maintenance than longer ones. You'll need to get regular trims every 4-6 weeks, and keep that color fresh as there is nowhere for roots to hide.
9. You won't need to wash your hair everyday as choppier styles usually hold up well with slightly dirty hair.
Victoria Beckham's Hairstyle Photo :-


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I am looking for a video game reviewer (on video) for my website - NerdcoreMovement.com. Message me if interested.
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My recap of the latest 'Game of Thrones' episode titled 'Oathkeeper' -->
For those few people who still follow along with me please check out my recap to the season finale of The Walking Dead -->


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Using Chemistry to Discover New Medicines and Improve LivesActivity by Katayune Presland | added on Nov 04, 2011 | United Kingdom
Sponsor(s): AstraZeneca, SCI, RSC ChemNet
The talk is a popular science lecture on medicinal chemistry and will describe how new medicines are designed in the modern era on 29th November 2011 at Alderley Park, AstraZeneca.
Astra Zeneca and the Royal Society of Chemistry as part of International year of Chemistry have organised and event to be held on 29th Nov at Alderley Park starting at 1630. This a valuable opportunity for your students to hear of 'cutting edge' research and the applications of Chemistry in Medicine.
The talk is a popular science lecture on medicinal chemistry and will describe how new medicines are designed in the modern era. Starting with a historical perspective, the way drugs interact at a molecular level to bring about a therapeutic effect will be explained using prominent historical examples, going on to describe how this understanding is applied in modern medicinal chemistry to design new medicines. This will be illustrated with notable recent examples from AstraZeneca programmes. The talk will also outline some of the challenges the future holds for the industry. The intention is that the talk will contain sufficient technical content to make it meaningful but will be pitched at a level to make it understandable to those not familiar with the discipline or and with a limited chemistry background. The intended audience is prospective chemistry students wanting to know more about a medicinal chemistry career or those interested in how medicines are discovered and how they work.
|medicinal chemistry, seminar, pharmaceutical chemistry
|a-level, teachers, college students, 16-18 year olds, education, industrial
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Kurt Roberts
Research & Publications
Patient Care
Kurt Roberts, MD, FACS, is a Board Certified General Surgeon who is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery. With extensive experience in laparoscopic bariatric surgery and repair of hernias, he is dedicated to helping individuals with morbid obesity reach healthier weights and take care of patients who are suffering from hernias.
He is also dedicated to improving the lives of individuals suffering from acute and chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as gallstones and biliary dyskinesia, and achalasia and GERD.
Dr. Roberts thinks outside the box and is committed to advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques so that patients have only one or even no external incisions, allowing them to have better aesthetic outcomes with little or no scarring, shorter recovery times, and less post-operative pain than even traditional minimally invasive surgeries. Advanced minimally invasive surgery pioneered by Dr. Roberts includes Single Port Surgery or Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) - the removal of the appendix or gallbladder through only one small incision hidden in the umbilicus (belly button). He also performs scarless surgery (Natural Orifice Transluminal Surgery - NOTES) through natural orifices such as the stomach or vagina for patients with appendicitis or symptomatic gallbladder disease.
He specializes in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery; laparoscopic bariatric surgery; laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and especially laparoscopic gastric banding; laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias and abdominal wall hernias such as incisional hernias, ventral hernias and umbilical; laparoscopic gallbladder surgery; cholecystectomy; laparoscopic surgery for reflux and achalasia (esophagus); laparoscopic colon surgery; endoluminal therapy (a revolutionary approach to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD); laparoscopic surgery for hiatal hernias, and GERD as well as complex abdominal wall reconstruction.
Learn more about one of Yale Bariatric/Gastrointestinal Surgery's surgeons.
Education & Training
- MDUniversity of Innsbruck (1997)
- FellowYale University School of Medicine
- Chief ResidentUniversity of Washington, Seattle, WA
- ResidentUniversity of Washington, Seattle, WA
- ResidentJohns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
- InternThe Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
- Research InstructorInnsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
- Research AssistantUniversity Hospital of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- ResidentInnsbruck Medical University, Austria
- Research AssistantInnsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
- Board CertificationAB of Surgery, Surgery, General (2006, recertified: 2014)


text: Exit Strategies of the Rich and Famous Estate conservation is too important to put off. Do you have a smart exit strategy? Share | Have A Question About This Topic? Name Email Address Question Thank you! Oops! Related Contents When Special Care Is Needed: The Special Needs Trust A special needs trust helps care for a special needs child when you're gone. Financial Strategies in a Post-DOMA World The Supreme Court's declaring DOMA unconstitutional may require some same-sex couples to reconsider their financial strategy. Principles of Preserving Wealth How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.


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SATURDAY, May 15, 2010 (HealthDay News) -- With May designated as UV awareness month, experts are calling on parents to pay special heed to the safety of their children's eyes this summer.
Although eye protection is a concern for people of all ages, Prevent Blindness America, the nation's oldest eye health and safety organization, warns that children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) damage that can accompany sun exposure.
For one, children generally spend more time in the sun, the group noted. In addition, the organization highlights the American Optometric Association's cautionary finding that the lenses of young eyes are more transparent than that of adults, risking retinal exposure to a greater degree of short wavelength light.
"We need to remember to protect our eyes from UV every day of the year," Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America, said in a news release. "UV rays reflecting off the water, sand, pavement and even snow are extremely dangerous. We can encourage our children to wear the proper eye protection by leading by example."
UV exposure has been linked to the onset of cataracts, macular degeneration and a wide array of eye health issues, the experts noted.
Prevent Blindness America advises that everyone who goes out in the sun should wear sunglasses that block out 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation -- noting that sunglasses without such protection can actually cause the pupils to dilate, thereby doing more harm than good.
A wide-brimmed hat or cap also offers some measure of eye protection, the group suggested.
With specific respect to children, Prevent Blindness America further encourages parents to ensure that sunglasses fit their child's face properly and shields the sun's rays from all directions. The group points out that wrap-around sunglasses might be optimal in the later regard, because they additionally protect the skin immediately surrounding a child's eyes.
Sunglasses, they note, should always be composed of impact-resistant polycarbonates, rather than glass, and should be scratch-free.
More information
For more on eyes and sun exposure, visit American Optometric Association.


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The Department of Homeland Security is using 16 military-style, mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles for use during "high-risk warrants," according to an official spokesman.
The MRAP, as it's known in the U.S. military, was fielded in 2007 to counter the threat of devastating roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The MRAPs were transferred to DHS from the Department of Defense, free of charge. But despite recent reports, they have actually been in service since at least 2008.
"The MRAPs we have are not new," Ross Feinstein, a spokesman for DHS, told Business Insider. "We have been using them for years."
The vehicles are modified for use with the DHS Special Response Team — specially trained, fully armored agents dispatched during the most severe and high risk situations, according to WOAI.
"[The vehicle] is used in the execution of high-risk warrants — including drug trafficking, smuggling, and contraband," Feinstein told Business Insider. "We have 16 MRAPs nationwide."
In a video posted to YouTube, a DHS supervisor gives a tour of the vehicle in El Paso, Texas — displaying added skids for agents to ride along the sides, seating for 10-11, firing ports, and enhanced protection from bullets.
"[The glass] has multiple layers in there, and it will stop up to a .50 caliber round," Robert Whittaker, tactical supervisor for El Paso SRT, says in the video. " ... so it provides very good protection for us."
The vehicle is apparently used to protect federal agents from gunfights involving heavily armed criminals.
On May 3, 2012, three ICE agents were shot and injured while serving "high-risk" warrants during an early morning sweep of San Francisco Bay area gang members, according to a report from Yahoo! News.
Update: An earlier version of this post included a figure of over 2,700 vehicles, as cited from the original RT link. This figure likely comes from a press release from Navistar Defense, mentioning delivery of 2,717 to the U.S. Marine Corps. A DHS Spokesman confirmed with Business Insider that they have only 16 nationwide.


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Latest News
Best & worst restaurant meals for kids
Even though children's nutrition has received lots of attention the past few years, you're still more likely to find chicken fingers and fries on kids' menus than wraps and salads.
Ninety-seven percent of major restaurant-chain children's meals were deemed unhealthful in a recent report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer-advocacy group.
"I think what most restaurants have done is just add one or two meals that meet nutrition standards and left the rest of the menu very unhealthy," said Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director for the Washington-based organization. "They're still serving up the same old junk they always have."
With Americans spending nearly half of their food budgets on eating out, restaurants have been under increasing pressure from government and health advocates to make meals more healthful, especially for children. Restaurants say they are making steady progress.
But kids are growing out of these meals earlier, and many parents aren't exactly clamoring for fewer calories, less salt and more vegetables. And that's why many restaurants are making token changes rather than substantial ones, some experts say.
"There's always been this mentality that people don't go out to eat healthy," said Julie Casey, an Orlando consultant who helps restaurants make themselves more child-friendly.
Anna Hancy of Orlando agreed with that last week as her 3-year-old daughter, Henley, ate chicken nuggets and fries at Chick-fil-A.
"It's kind of a splurge," Hancy said. "It's not the most nutritious meal she'll eat this week. She's also 3 and very picky, and it's something she will eat."
Chick-fil-A offers a variety of sides for children, including applesauce and fresh fruit. Last year, it introduced grilled chicken nuggets.
But last week during lunchtime in an Orlando Chick-fil-A, children were eating fried nuggets, not grilled ones, which last year made up just one-half of a percent of the chain's overall sales.
The healthier nuggets were never meant to generate blockbuster sales, spokesman Mark Baldwin said in an email, but "We felt it was our responsibility to offer a grilled version of our nuggets as a healthier alternative for our nutrition-minded customers."
Restaurants "make more money selling junk food," said Marion Nestle, a New York University nutrition and public-health professor and author of "What to Eat," in an email. "Until that problem is addressed, I don't see things changing."
Wootan suggested chains should put more energy into making healthier fare "something more interesting than a plain grilled piece of chicken."
Her group's study looked at every combination of entrees, sides and drinks for America's biggest chains. One was based on how many met the standards established by a panel of nutritionists for the study. Another was based on how many met less-stringent standards in a restaurant-industry program called Kids LiveWell.
CSPI's criteria included having no more than 430 calories, 35 percent of them from fat, and 770 mg of salt. It also docked meal combinations with sugar-sweetened drinks. Kids LiveWell standards are similar but allow 600 calories.
Three percent of restaurants' meals met CSPI's standards. Fewer than one out of 10 met the KidsLive Well Standards.
McDonald's has cut the size of its french fries and now includes apples in all Happy Meals. Still, the report called out the fast-food giant, saying it was one of several chains having no meals that met even the restaurant industry's nutritional criteria.
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants' Olive Garden was in the middle of the pack, though the report noted it offers more healthful whole-grain pasta. One percent of its meals met CSPI's standards, and 11 percent met those of Kids LiveWell.
Darden's Red Lobster was one of the highest-ranking, with only Subway and IHOP having a greater percentage of meals that got a CSPI thumbs-up. All of Subway's meals met the CSPI standards. At IHOP it was 31 percent and at Red Lobster, 28 percent.


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Rachel Hunter of Gouverneur, N.Y. is a new reporter, copy editor, and paginator at Hoch Publishing Company in Marion. She began her employment Monday after making the 1,380-mile trip.
The 22-year-old graduated in December from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, with an emphasis in news editorial.
Hunter grew up on a farm 30 miles south of the Canadian border. She joined 4-H at age 5 and became the club reporter at age 8, a position she held throughout her years in 4-H. She showed poultry, sheep, cattle, and other livestock.
Hunter was homeschooled. After she went to college, she found that journalism was what she enjoyed. She had several internships, including one at The Washington Times in Washington, D.C. While there, she realized that working in a big city was not a good fit. She searched online for a job in community journalism and found this one in Marion.
"I love community journalism. I'm more comfortable working in a small town," she said.


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|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
previous taxon |
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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual to tree
Leaves basal or cauline, alternate to whorled, simple to compound
Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower, 1many, generally arrayed in cymes, generally subtended by ± calyx-like involucre; flowers 1many per head
Flowers bisexual, unisexual, or sterile, ± small, of several types; calyx 0 or modified into pappus of bristles, scales, or awns, which is generally persistent in fruit; corolla radial or bilateral (rarely 0), lobes generally (0)45; stamens 45, anthers generally fused into cylinder around style, often appendaged at tips, bases, or both, filaments generally free, generally attached to corolla near throat; pistil 1, ovary inferior, 1-chambered, 1-seeded, style 1, branches 2, generally hair-tufted at tip, stigmas 2, generally on inside of style branches
Fruit: achene, cylindric to ovoid, generally deciduous with pappus attached
Genera in family: ± 1300 genera, 21,000 species (largest family of dicots): worldwide. Largest family in CA. Also see tribal key to CA genera: Strother 1997 Madroño 44(1):128. See glossary p. 25 for illustrations of general family characteristics.
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: eyelash girdle, from fruits weakly held by phyllaries)
Annual 318 dm, strongly scented
Stem generally 1, erect, much-branched, soft-hairy to bristly, puberulent, ± glandular
Leaves basal and lower cauline 415 cm, crowded; blades linear, entire or serrate, often withering in flower; cauline alternate, generally subtending smaller leaf clusters, base 13 cm wide; clustered leaves < cauline, margins with tack-shaped glands
Inflorescence ± glandular; heads radiate, axillary or terminal, in a narrow to open panicle; bracts generally glandular-ciliate; involucre 57.5 mm, hemispheric; phyllaries 1 per ray flower, elliptic, hairy and often glandular, base closely appressed to ovary, tip free, acute; chaff scales between ray and disk flowers, = phyllaries, flat
Ray flowers 513; corolla 69 mm; ligule 58 mm, white, red-veined
Disk flowers 1035; corolla 45.5 mm, white, throat > tube, lobes 0.5 mm; anthers brown; style branches tapered, short-bristly
Fruit 3.54 mm, club-shaped, 10-ribbed, densely puberulent, ± dark; ray pappus 0 or minute crown, sometimes of narrow, plumose scales < 1 mm; disk pappus 1.53 mm, scales 1520, narrow, plumose, sometimes 0 or reduced to crown
Chromosomes: 2n=28
Ecology: Dry grassy areas
Elevation: < 1100 m.
Bioregional distribution: w San Joaquin Valley, e San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast Ranges.


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Now, it is impossible to have an Independence Day celebration without blueberries. By now everyone knows that on the 4th of July blueberries are more American than apple pie. I have dozens of recipes that use them and I am always on the lookout for one more. I found another last week on the Driscoll's Berry website. It is a keeper of the first magnitude and one that I am happy to share with you. The recipe is straight forward and the bread pudding is absolutely delicious, with or without the sauce. I hope you'll give this recipe a try. I promise you will not regret it. Here's how the pudding is made.
Blueberry Bread Pudding with Spiced Blueberry Sauce...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Driscoll's Berries
Bread Pudding
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1 loaf Italian bread (1 pound)
6 large eggs
5 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups blueberries
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
Spiced Blueberry Sauce
2 cups blueberries, divided
1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
3/4 cups water
Directions for Bread Pudding:
1) Butter six individual 8-ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside.
2) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice bread into 1/2-inch slides and place on a cookie sheet. Toast 10 minutes, turning bread slices over once. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
3) Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter and drizzle over cubes, toss until evenly coated, set aside.
4) Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes and stir until evenly moistened. Stir in blueberries. Spoon mixture into ramekins. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
5) Place ramekins in a large roasting pan. Add boiling water to halfway up sides of ramekins.
Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. (Cover with foil if browning too quickly during baking.) Cool slightly. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with warm Spiced Blueberry Sauce, if desired. Yield: 6 servings.
Directions for Spiced Blueberry Sauce:
1) Purée 1 cup blueberries in a food processor or blender until smooth.
2) Stir sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and cardamom in a small saucepan until blended. Add blueberry puree and water.Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat stir in remaining blueberries and lemon juice. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
One Year Ago Today: Lemon-Glazed Blueberry Cake
Two Years Ago Today: Rhubarb Custard Pie
Three years Ago Today: Deviled Eggs with Curry and Cilantro
Four Years Ago Today: Buttermilk Tarts