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Mike Lee's extraordinarily obtuse article in the Herald this week ignores the importance of rugby in Kiwi culture and the fight for gay rights. John Forde explains why the time is perfect for rugby to come out of the closet
New Zealand's struggle for gay rights has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years. Ten years ago, gay rights were of interest only to the gay and lesbian "minority" who were directly affected. Now, issues like marriage equality and homophobic bullying appear to have caught the national imagination. The first reading of the country's gay marriage bill passed by a healthy majority, and criticism of John Key's "gay red top" comment was so strong that it launched a national campaign to shame him into eating his badly chosen words. Not bad for a country where homosexual sex was only legalised in 1986.
Now, what's most encouraging is that gay rights are being seen for what they truly are – human rights, which don't just affect gays and lesbians but which say something about the kind of tolerant pluralist society that most New Zealanders want to live in.
Personally, I'm delighted that the nation's media are joining in the punditry so enthusiastically, and that it's becoming a truly national dialogue – even if the extension of the conversation leads to spectacularly obtuse and ill-informed articles like Mike Lee's opinion piece in this week's Herald, "Naming gay All Blacks marks sexuality, not talent."
Lee's article follows on the heels of a recent appeal by Rainbow Wellington for a gay All Black to lend his public support to the gay marriage campaign. Lee's article queries the link between rugby and homosexuality, and attempts to sever the connection, arguing that rugby players should be marketed as good players, not gay libbers. The All Blacks' sponsorship appeal is, he states, about their reputation as good players, "not that they're heterosexual or homosexual in their private lives." He also argues that a gay All Black would smack of tokenism, carrying unreasonable expectations for that player to over-perform "to avoid accusations of reverse discrimination."
I'm not sure whether Lee's concern is, as his job title suggests, about the purity of brand promotion, or just old-school homophobia carefully disguised as a no-special-rights libertarian piece. Either way, it's muddle-headed and almost wilfully ignorant about the importance of rugby to New Zealand culture, and the potential for positive change that a gay All Black would effect.
My friend Dean Knight, law lecturer and co-founder of the Krazy Knights, New Zealand's first gay rugby team, has already responded to Lee's article with his own opinion piece in the Herald. To which I would like to add my thoughts to why, in opposition to Lee, the time is absolutely right for an openly gay All Black.
Lee's article seems to ignore the obvious that rugby is a massively important part of New Zealand culture, and a cornerstone of how masculinity is defined and applied in our popular culture. The All Blacks aren't just sportsmen: they're role models, icons, sex symbols and highly profitable marketing products. Modern All Blacks are seldom, if ever, private about their heterosexuality. Their girlfriends, marriages, families and interests outside the rugby field are reported on extensively, mostly as part of a carefully controlled Faustian pact between the NZFU and the media. When an All Black gets married, women's magazine editors are invited to the wedding and it makes newspaper headlines and gets national television coverage.
Off-field, All Blacks regularly support various charitable causes. Anton Oliver has spoken about alcohol abuse and environmental conservation, Norm Hewitt on domestic violence, John Kirwan has spoken candidly about his struggles with depression, and David Kirk withdrew from a 1986 tour of South Africa on moral grounds. In each case, the country has sat up, listened and paid attention.
While not everyone might hold up the All Blacks as personal role models, it's indisputable that their lives and personalities carry weight. So with that in mind, it's completely reasonable for gay activists to ask them to engage publicly with the marriage campaign. It's also reasonable to conclude that an All Black making a public declaration of support for gay marriage (or, even better, stating that he was gay and that he wanted to marry his boyfriend), would have massive influence in New Zealand, perhaps on a par with US President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage last year.
Which brings us to the uncomfortable truth that Lee seems quite happy to wave away: to date, there's been resounding silence from All Blacks on the subject of gay marriage, and there are still no openly gay professional rugby players. It would be far better to ask why that silence endures, rather than shrugging our shoulders like Lee does and dissolving into sterile arguments about sport sponsorship companies acquiring "a gay player or two to tap into niche markets".
The other uncomfortable truth that Lee seems either oblivious to or anxious to avoid, is that there is a connection between homosexuality, homophobia and rugby. The absence of an openly gay All Black or even a straight All Black who's willing to back the gay marriage campaign, is evidence that this connection is as strong and troubling as ever.
For generations, rugby has been the arena where Kiwi men have learned what it is to be a real man. For better or for worse, the All Blacks have long been vanguards of Kiwi masculinity. The quintessential All Black will always, I think, be Colin Meads, who seemed to typify the approved qualities of New Zealand masculinity: stoic, plain-spoken, unpretentious, thoroughly assured of his place in history and his relationship to the land, indisputably straight, a family man, and avowedly free of any feminising habits like perming his hair or applying moisturiser. Though he's been superseded in recent years by the new brand of media-friendly, gym-pumped and highly sexualised athletes of today's post-feminist, post-Internet culture (more on them in a minute), there is a part of the popular imagination that misses Meads and his ilk limping valiantly and bloody-faced off a field and grunting: "At the end of the day, rugby was the winner".
Like most men of my age, I was co-opted into playing rugby at school, and I hated it. The game itself terrified me. As an unsporty, skinny, spectacle-wearing Mummy's boy with an aversion to mud, playing rugby was a kind of never-ending torture in which I existed in continual fear. More important than my horror of the game, though, were the lessons that were dealt out in every practice and every game by a series of psychotic Phys Ed teachers. Playing rugby was about being a real man, and doing manly things: being aggressive, fighting, getting dirty and proving that you weren't a girl, or – worse still – a poof. If the Phys Ed teacher wasn't around to hammer home these lessons, there were always my fellow players to remind me – usually by hurling me in the mud when I wasn't sufficiently dirty, hiding my kit or hurling abuse at me in the changing rooms. They're lessons I've never forgotten: to be a man, you have to play rugby, preferably be a thug, and definitely not be a poof.
Times have changed, as has The Game, and we're no longer in Neanderthal country. The NZFU have done a lot to clean up violence on and off the field, and thanks to Oliver's and others efforts, there's more awareness about the explosive connections between rugby fandom, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. The semiotics of rugby players themselves have changed – they're now highly sexualised products, regularly stripped down to their smalls to show off their gym-honed pecs and deltoid-flattering tribal tattoos. Witness the nationwide hysteria when Sonny Bill Williams suffered a wardrobe malfunction midway through the World Cup and was stripped shirtless on television. In that moment, the rugby playing metrosexual was born. (Although the New Zealand media didn't admit it at the time, there were as many men looking on admiringly as there were women). And thanks to Dean and other rugby playing poofs, it's also ok for gay men to play rugby. The Bingham Cup, an international rugby tournament named in honour of the gay rugby-playing hero of one of the 9/11 plane hijackings, attracted over 1,000 players in Manchester in 2012, and will be hosted in Australia in 2014.
And yet, the pernicious effects of homophobia in sports culture, in New Zealand and abroad, continue. To date, there are only a handful of professional gay and lesbian sportspeople. In professional rugby, the out players can be counted on one finger – Australian rugby league player Ian Roberts, and more recently Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who came out towards the end of his career, after spending most of his professional life in the closet. It seems that the spectre of Justin Fashanu, the British football player who came out in 1990 to severe criticism and abuse, only to kill himself eight years later, still hangs over the game. English celebrity publicist Max Clifford has stated that he's advised several high-ranking sportsmen not to come out for fear of damaging their careers. Fear of criticism, fear of abuse by fans, fear of being disemboweled by the scandal-hungry tabloid press: these all appear to keep professional sportspeople in the closet.
Which brings us back to the All Blacks. Statistically, it's inevitable that there's been a gay or bisexual All Black. There have been rumours on the grapevine for years about All Blacks having affairs with men but choosing to stay in the closet – one rumour now corroborated by radio DJ Steve Gray. As Dean points out in his article, these rumours aren't helpful, as they only contribute to a salacious atmosphere of secrets and lies that make coming out deeply unappealing. But what they do demonstrate that lies are being told and that there's a public desire for the truth to be known.
I share Lee's hope that "in 100 years' time, being gay or straight won't be nearly the issue it is today in all walks of life". Unfortunately, we're not 100 years in the future. Homosexuality in sport continues to be "an issue", and it's unlikely to change until our cultural bastions of compulsory heterosexuality, including the All Blacks, change.
Lee is wrong to suggest that a gay All Black would undermine the brand or that an All Black's sexuality doesn't matter. It does matter. All Blacks can't be role models if they're not open about who they are. And as compelling as the "safety" of the closet sometimes is, living in the closet is incompatible with being a role model. We still need our gay hairdressers, florists, artists and repertory theatre directors, but it's time now for a gay rugby player to match them in bravery and honesty.
Having a gay All Black would make an immeasurable difference to the lives of young gay and lesbian kids, who, as we know, suffer unacceptably high levels of bullying and mental health problems. It would also send a great message to straight people everywhere that it's ok to be gay.
I can't wait to see the first gay All Black, when he does decide to reveal himself. And I hope to God that he does a naked calendar.

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WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- A ruling last month by a federal judge in San Francisco for the moment has removed one of the FBI's most effective tools against terrorism, or upheld the Constitution's protections against unchecked government power, depending on your point of view.
Authorized by the revised USA Patriot Act, the national security letter program allows the FBI, on its own authority, to demand information on individuals from a variety of "electronic communication providers," including Internet companies, banks, credit card companies, libraries and other entities in the name of national security.
The recipients of such letters, such as Microsoft, are by law not allowed to make the requests public.
What's surprising about the program is how many national security letters demanding information are sent out by the FBI each year -- tens of thousands, by court count, and 97 percent are under gag orders preventing them from being made public.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the NSLs have reached 40,000 to 50,000 in some years.
In addition, the law allowing the executive branch intrusion makes sure any judicial supervision of the program is loose-reined.
In a suit filed by San Francisco's Electronic Frontier Foundation -- the nation's premier advocate of electronic communications freedom -- in May 2011, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston declared the NSL program unconstitutional. Illston, a Clinton appointee to the bench, said last month the prior restraint gag order violated the First Amendment, and the law's attempts to keep the courts at arm's length violated the First Amendment and the constitutional separation of powers.
She ordered the FBI to stop issuing the letters, but stayed her order for 90 days to allow the Obama administration to appeal. No word yet on whether there will be one, but an appeal is almost certain.
In response to an earlier challenge to the NSL program, the FBI said in 2008, "National security letters remain indispensable tools for national security investigations and permit the FBI to gather the basic building blocks for our counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence investigations."
Working against the administration and the FBI in a continuation of the case: Any appeal would go to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the country's most liberal federal appeals court.
Working for the administration and the FBI: The narrow conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court frequently relishes reversing the Ninth Circuit -- but in a First Amendment case, all bets may be off.
Also last month, Microsoft and Google said in separate announcements their customers had been the targets of NSLs, but did not name the customers or even the specific number of letters received.
In a 2012 Law Enforcement Requests Report, Microsoft said, "This data covers law enforcement requests and/or court orders Microsoft received in calendar year 2012 related to our online and cloud services -- including, for example, Hotmail/Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Account, Messenger and Office 365. Skype data is included, but reported separately, since prior to being acquired by Microsoft in late 2011, Skype collected data in a different format and because Skype continues to operate under Luxembourg law. Skype reporting policies and practices have now been brought in line with Microsoft reporting policies and going forward all data will be provided in a consistent format."
The report said in 2012 "Microsoft and Skype received 75,378 law enforcement requests. Those requests potentially impacted 137,424 accounts. While it is not possible to directly compare the number of requests to the number of users affected, it is likely that less than 0.02 percent of active users were affected. The data show that, after a careful review of each request by our compliance teams, 18 percent of law enforcement requests to Microsoft resulted in the disclosure of no customer data. Approximately 79.8 percent of requests to Microsoft resulted in the disclosure of only non-content information, and only a small number of law enforcement requests [2.2 percent] resulted in the disclosure of customer content."
Only a small percentage of the law enforcement requests were NSLs.
Google, on its transparency report page, revealed only a range of requests: up to 999 national security letters each year from 2009 to 2012, affecting 1,000 to 1,999 user accounts in 2009; affecting 2,000-2,999 users or accounts in 2010; and 1,000-1,900 each in 2011 and 2012.
Microsoft reported similar numbers for 2012.
Earlier this month, Google asked a federal court to block its latest NSL, though neither the court nor the company released details.
Judge Illston's order last month in San Francisco was festooned with Supreme Court cites, but focused on parallel action in a separate earlier challenge to NSLs before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York.
Illston said two provisions of the U.S. Code "provide that a wire or electronic communication provider shall comply with a request for specified categories of subscriber information if the director of the FBI or his designee certifies that the records sought are relevant to an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
"[One section] provides that if the director of the FBI or his designee certifies that 'there may result in a danger to the national security of the United States, interference with a criminal, counter-terrorism or counter-intelligence investigation, interference with diplomatic relations or danger to the life or physical safety of any person,' the recipient of the NSL shall not disclose to anyone [other than to an attorney to obtain legal advice or legal assistance with respect to the request] that the FBI has sought or obtained access to information or records of the NSL."
A federal judge could set aside the non-disclosure requirement or the NSL itself, but only if the certification "was made in bad faith."
In the separate New York challenge, a federal judge ruled the law restricted judicial review.
But the Second Circuit appellate court, in John Doe vs. Mukasey, accepted concessions from the government to save the law. As summed up by Illston, the appeals court "accepted the government's position -- offered in litigation -- that the [law's] non-disclosure requirement applies only if the FBI certifies that an enumerated harm related to an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine activity may occur. Second, the [appeals] court accepted the government's litigation position that [the law's] requirement that a court may alter or modify the non-disclosure agreement only if there is 'some reasonable likelihood' that the enumerated harm will occur." And third and finally, the appeals court "accepted the government's agreement that it would bear the burden of proof to persuade a district court -- through evidence submitted in camera as necessary -- that there is a good reason to believe that disclosure may risk one of the enumerated harms; and the the district court must find that such good reason exists."
But Illston was not completely buying the concessions.
"In the pleadings in the present [San Francisco] case, the government did not state whether it was complying with the narrowing constructions and the procedural requirements imposed on the NSL non-disclosure by the Second Circuit. However, at the hearing before this court, the government asserted it was following the mandates imposed by the Second Circuit in the John Doe vs. Mukasey decision for all NSLs being issued, since it would be impracticable to attempt to comply with that decision only in the Second Circuit."
But, Illston said, "Even if the FBI is in fact complying with both the procedural and substantive requirements imposed by the Second Circuit for all NSLs issued, the fact that the statute is facially deficient ... presents too great a risk of potential infringement of First Amendment rights to allow the FBI to sidestep constitutional review by relying on its voluntary, nationwide compliance with the Second Circuit's limitations," citing the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000's Friends of the Earth vs. Laidlaw.
"Another significant factor weighs in favor of this court resolving the facial challenge: Despite evidence demonstrating that tens of thousands of NSLs are issued each year -- and by the government's own estimate, 97 percent of them may come with a non-disclosure order -- only a handful of challenges to the NSL provisions have been brought," the judge said.
Illston concluded the NSL provisions "suffer from significant constitutional infirmities" which can't be severed to save part of the law.
"The court concludes that the non-disclosure provision of [one part of the section] violates the First Amendment and [the second part] violates the First Amendment and the separation of powers principles," Illston said in her order. "The government is therefore enjoined from issuing NSLs under section 2709 or from enforcing the non-disclosure provision in this or any other case. However, given the significant constitutional and national security issues at stake, enforcement of the court's judgment will be stayed pending appeal, or if no appeal is filed, for 90 days."
The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed its suit on behalf of an unnamed telecommunications company. After Illston's ruling, the EFF claimed victory.
"The First Amendment prevents the government from silencing people and stopping them from criticizing its use of executive surveillance power," EFF Legal Director Cindy Cohn said in a statement posted online. "The NSL statute has long been a concern of many Americans, and this small step should help restore balance between liberty and security."
But the legal battle is probably far from over. The seriousness of the dispute, both in terms of national security and constitutional issues, makes it likely that it will end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.


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By Reisa Feigenbaum To celebrate Earth Month and show appreciation for our precious (and delicate) planet year-round, we've put together a list of all-natural, eco-conscious products free from chemicals and chock-full of good-for-you ingredients from some of our favorite environmentally minded beauty brands. Happy Earth Day!
1. KIEHL'S Limited-Edition Label Art Series Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, $23
Remove dirt, toxins and dry, dead skin cells with this complexion-smoothing masque. It's made with Amazonian white clay, which is known for its skin-detoxifying properties. For the month of April, 100% of net profits (up to $50,000) will benefit Recycle Across America, which is dedicated to stimulating the environmental economy.
2. KISS MY FACE After Play Air Power Crème, $12
While many SPF products contain chemical additives harmful to marine life, Kiss My Face offers sun care that is free of parabens and artificial fragrances, and rich in sustainable plant-based ingredients. This protective spray is full of antioxidants like green tea, goji berry extract and vitamin C, which work as hydrating defenders against harmful UV rays.
3. ORIGINS Limited-Edition Earth Week Tote, free with $65 minimum purchase
Look and feel good with the ultimate eco-friendly tote, which features Origins' "Do Good" philosophy in eight languages. From April 17 to 26, Origins is gifting the tote with any purchase of $65 or more. Plus, Origins will plant a tree that will help to bring forestation to areas in need.
4. ALBA BOTANICA Good & Healthy Range, $10 each (Anti-Oil Weightless Moisture, Oil-Free Radiance Cream, Tinted Perfector, SPF 15 Moisturizer and Spots Be Gone Corrector)
The name says it all: Alba Botanica's new line of Good & Healthy facial moisturizers is just what the environment ordered. Powered by extracts from leafy greens like kale, spinach and Swiss chard, this certified organic range will rejuvenate your complexion, no matter what your skin type.
5. KORRES White Grape Body Butter, $29
This apothecary-inspired body cream has softening shea butter and hydrating quince extract plus sunflower, almond and avocado oils to nourish and restore the skin's elasticity. Plus, the company's plant operates entirely on renewable energy, and 99% of its packaging is recyclable.
6. AVEDA Light The Way Candle, $12 According to Aveda, every scent matters. The company is donating 100% of the proceeds from the sweet and spicy candle to Global Greengrants Fund, a nonprofit that channels high-impact grants to solve environmental problems.


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Anger is an interesting thing. Not an emotion in and of itself, it is a response to other emotions, such as fear or betrayal. It can be repressed or overt; expressed loudly through physical action or quietly through words; destructive or beneficial.
To the editor:
After reading the article on the mail carrier that failed to deliver mail facing a possible five-year prison sentence plus $250,000 fine.
I understand that this is a serious offense, messing with the government and the U.S. mail. Yes, she should be punished. I think that's a bit harsh of a sentence for not delivering mail when people can get away with starving, neglecting and abusing horses, pets and children with sometimes no convictions.
As Grand Knight for The Knights of Columbus at Holy Family Church Council 11784, I would like to thank the editor of the Pioneer, Carolyn Risner. She was very gracious in handling the Knights and writing an article concerning our activities and service in the community.
I love losing myself in a good conspiracy theory, and there is no better place to indulge this weakness than on one of the many Webs ites that cater to this type of material. These theories range from government complicity in bringing about a New World Order to the "faking" of the Apollo moon landings. Most of the theorists accuse our government and/or other governments of being the driving force behind a certain travesty in order to advance some sort of evil agenda.
Maybe I have no right to tell people about how they should drive their car. After all, I am only 17. My name is Erika Drummond. On a daily basis my route may take me on unoccupied back roads to the woods or to the river, through the basic small town traffic of Chiefland, or possibly the congested highways to Gainesville and Tallahassee.
Scripture passage: Daniel 1:1-21
When adversity marches into your life, how do you react? When trials and tribulations begin to take hold, where do you go for help? If anyone in the Bible knew about adversity, it was the prophet Daniel. Taken from his homeland to serve in a pagan king's court and later thrown into a hungry lion's den, Daniel knew that life could throw you a curveball. Many Christians would have fallen apart in such conditions, but not Daniel. He remained unshakable in his commitment to God.
I want to wish "Cracker" Johnson well, as he serves Levy County as the District-1 Commissioner. As a former Commission Candidate in the 2008 election, I campaigned along side of Mr. Blitch and Mr. Macri. and thought the governor would have appointed these two gentlemen.
These two candidates walked a lot of miles on the campaign trail and spent a lot of money to run. They also garnered a lot of votes.
Americans love their computers. In fact, a recent study shows that the number of Americans who use the Internet has more than doubled over the past 10 years, reaching nearly three quarters of the U.S. population. Nearly half of all Americans have a high-speed Internet connection at home, compared to only five percent at the start of the decade. The study indicates that Internet use is even beginning to outpace traditional media. Younger Americans spend more time online than in front of a television.
I have been living in rural Levy County for nearly four years, and I know precious little about farms and farming, but I am rather fond of eating. As a result I tend to follow issues that affect our food supply and support a number of groups that work toward making the food we eat safer for everyone. One area of major concern to me is the problem our country is facing with regard to genetically modified foods.
An open letter to Levy County residents
To the editor:
Hello, it's me again-the short, fat, hairy legged guy with the big hat.
Words will never express the gratitude my family and I have for you. We must say thank you again to the 8,818 voters last November. We were humbled and blessed then and continue to be today by those who have fought for almost nine more months for my appointment.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. Thank you for your continued communications with Tallahassee.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Levy County Commissioner Marsha Drew's July 2 Williston Pioneer article in which she exhorted the local populace to participate in the decision making process for the upcoming 2009/2010 county budget. I took Commissioner Drew's message to heart and made plans to attend the county budget hearing held at the Bronson courthouse on July 7 at 1 p.m. I even took a little time to look at her website which is where my confusion began.
Someone should have had a clicker to count the thousands of people who came out Friday night to Horseman's Park as the city of Williston threw America one heckuva of a birthday party.
It was an evening that would have made Andy, Barney and Aunt Bee proud as a strong sense of community and pride swept over the crowd.
Children played, neighbors caught up with one another and laughter resonated across the fields.
G.A. of Williston asks: I lost my job and got behind on my payments. Now I've been sued over a credit card debt and I can't pay it. What should I do?
G.A., since almost 10 percent of the country is out of work at the present time, you are not alone. There are millions of people in the same predicament you are. Until you find a job and have a source of income, it's likely that you can't make any payments until you do. Here's the best advice I can give you:
There wasn't an unsympathetic person in the room when Frances LaSalle told members of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce she needed over $1,400 to buy software to keep students safe at Joyce Bullock Elementary.
In fact, most everyone was willing to whip out their checkbooks and make a donation on the spot.
That's when Dr. Bill Bennett said he had an idea.
This week, that idea manifested itself in the form of Jeff Ference, a Newberry businessman with strong Levy County ties who wanted to give back to the community that's been so good to him.
So just as the police and sheriffs are telling me there is a surge in economic crimes in the county, our office gets hit with a credit card scam.
Advertisers are calling and coming into the office after being contacted by someone - with a blocked phone number - saying they are from the "Chiefland Bulletin" and they need credit card information to update their records.
An open letter to the county commissioners
Dear Sirs and Madams:
My name is Donald Gene Gilreath Jr. and I live on the southwest corner of the proposed, let's call it what it will be, rock pit. I currently own my place and cannot afford to move away to escape this possible impending disruption to all the residents of Montbrook, and perhaps the residents of Williston as well, once the blasting starts.
It was a lovely April morning, having finished some chores, I took my usual stroll around my yard to see what was up. I happened to be standing near one of the two bird hopping around some shrubs. I first thought it was a Carolina Chickadee, a regular visitor at my feeders.
We are "the shining city on the hill." The world looks up to us. However, President Obama's programs for spending trillions of dollars are putting us into devastating debt.
This is starting to move our shining city down into a dark valley where the rain (Taxes) will drown it.
Wake up, America. It is no t too late to stop the spending. Congress can stop him and we have the power to have Congress do this.
The summer driving season is underway and Floridians will have to grapple with higher gas and energy prices in the months to come. Unfortunately for them, the Leadership in Congress is poised to make matters even worse by establishing a new national energy tax to be paid by all Americans who drive a car, buy anything made in America, or turn on a light.
So a move is afoot in Levy County to place a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the county courthouse.
The county commission last week OK'd guidelines for monuments on the courthouse lawns.
We have one at the Chiefland City Hall. It's a huge black and white monolith. It's there because the Chiefland Commission expressed the need for more prayer in the community.
I pass it at least once a day during the week.
I often use the sighting as a mental test to see if I can still remember all 10 directions.
Copyright © 2019
The Williston Pioneer is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Williston, Fl, and the surrounding area.


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The Stop Payment Rider provides coverage for:
Sample Rider
Coverage Summaries of Bond Riders
A bank receives a stop payment request from a customer; however, the paperwork is not properly executed by an employee and the check is wrongfully paid by the bank.
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Looking for events to grow your business? You've come to the right place. The following Guide to Small Business Events lists over 50 conferences, seminars and webinars:
Small Business High Speed Growth May 9, 2011
Are you ready to position your business for rapid growth? Join the Small Business High Speed Growth sessions to get face-to-face with leading mentors in marketing, finance and business development.
Becoming the Obvious Choice for Your Customer Regardless of Price May 9, 2011, Online
Focus.com Roundtable teleconference at 11am PT/2pm ET with Niall Devitt, Craig Elias, Melinda Emerson, Susan Payton, Ramon Ray, Deborah Shane, and Ivana Taylor discussing today's most successful strategies and tactics that will help you find your ideal customer and get them choose you, every time, regardless of price. Topics include:
- How to find and identify your best customer - Best practices for building solid customer relationships - Strategies and technical tools you can use to analyze your sales and marketing - How consumers' buying habits have changed - The mindset of a successful entrepreneur - How to use communications (blogs, articles, etc) to find customers
Leverage Virtual Workers in Your Real Business Taste of Technology Business Series May 11, 2011, New York City
The economy has put your traditional hiring in a tizzy. You're nervous about hiring employees - but you need smart staff now. Hiring consultants and temporary workers can help. Hiring experts who work from home might be even better.
But how do you actually find these experts? What types of work can be outsourced effectively? How do you make it all work smoothly? This Taste of Technology will discuss the tools and strategies you can use to hire, manage and communicate with your new, virtual work force.
Workshop: Secrets of LinkedIn: Insider Tips That Work May 11, 2011, Garden City, NY
So you've built a decent network of connections through LinkedIn. Now what? LinkedIn is a powerful business networking site that reaches over 100+ million users, but how can you truly utilize it to connect with new prospects, strategic partners, and first-rate employees to get meaningful results? In this workshop internet marketing guru Jerry Allocca will work with you 1:1 to show you exactly how to turn your LinkedIn profile into profits, how to connect with the right people, show you the best groups to join, and provide you with a ton of proven insider tips.
Online Marketing & Social Media Crash Course Multiple Cities & Dates
Discover how you can harness the power of the Internet to get your business found online (in an affordable way), engage new customers with your brand and keep old ones coming back. Deluxe for Business and Sprint are proudly sponsoring these free small business events across six cities in 2011, with the help of host Entrepreneur EXPO and keynote speaker Starr Hall.
May 11 - Chicago June 15 - Atlanta July 14 - New York City August 16 - Los Angeles September 13 - Miami
12th Annual U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Conference & Expo May 10-12, 2011, Kansas City, MO
This event will feature plenaries, educational workshops, an Exhibit Hall with over 200 exhibitors/sponsors, as well as business matchmaking sessions. Over 1,600 attendees will represent all levels of federal, state and local government agencies, the small business community, large/prime contractors, minority educational institutions and many more.
The largest civilian contracting agency within the federal government, DOE spent over $25 billion in contracts in FY 2010.
The Receivables Exchange Cash Flow Forum May 11, 2011, Los Angeles May 12, 2011, San Francisco
For one day only, a panel of experts and business owners will discuss strategies for managing working capital in the changing economy, and share tips you can use to accelerate your business growth.
The new credit reality requires new strategies for growing businesses. At this one-time event, hear from experts and business owners who have survived - and thrived - in a tight credit market, and learn how they did it.
unGeeked Elite May 12 -14, 2011, Chicago
unGeeked Elite will cover social media, marketing and branding. This three-day Retreat's unique format:
* No keynote speakers: unGeeked levels the playing field by presenting you with an influential list of international, national and regionally recognized consultants and authors. * No Presenters: unGeeked is where you participate in open discussions with "discussion leaders" regarding leveraging your corporate and personal brand. * Fewer Powerpoints or Prezi's: Really? Don't like them. However, if the speaker needs to use one of these tools, they are limited to only five slides. * More speaker and attendee interaction.
Limited to 125 participants. Note: Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends, will be speaking at this event.
BizTech [Mobile Apps] May 12, 2011, San Francisco
Discover the coolest and latest mobile apps. Connect with everyone who cares about the mobile industry and learn what's going on in the mobile technology world today.
Additional upcoming event: BizTech [Event Technology] - July 12, 2011
Looking Up in a Down Economy - Secrets of the Inc. 5000 May 12, 2011, Boston
Join Inc. magazine and Salem Five for an inspirational evening of thought-provoking discussion with Inc. 5000 CEOs from the Boston area and Jim Schleckser, CEO of the Inc. CEO Project. Network with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, hear how these extraordinary entrepreneurs grew their businesses in the teeth of the economic downturn, and gain inspiration for growing your own company.
Panelists: Rich Doyle, Co-Founder & CEO, Harpoon Brewery Joe Albanese, President & CEO, Commodore Builders Lewis Schiff, Executive Director, Inc. Business Owners Council
Ultra Light Startups - Sales for Startups May 12, 2011, New York, Boston, Toronto
This event will help you develop and implement a sales strategy for your startup. Panelists include: Sean Black (@SeanBlack) Founder and CEO at SalesCrunch Kelley Boyd (@msksboyd) Principal at Think Experience Joe Chin (@JoeJChin) Founder and CEO at SourcePad Ben Kartzman (@benkartzman) Co-Founder and CEO at Spongecell
Monetize Your Expertise May 12-14, Philadelphia, PA
Networking expert, business coach, and author Liz Lynch, is hosting this 3-day event in Philadelphia, PA on May 12-14 where she will take you through her 5-step system for maximizing your income by learning how to more effectively position, package and promote your expertise. If you're a consultant, coach, entrepreneur, author, or speaker, you don't want to miss this opportunity to work with Liz on your business growth goals and challenges.
2011 Business Growth Conference May 16-19, Pasco County, FL
At the SBDC at USF's second annual Growth Conference you'll learn the strategies and gain the tools necessary to grow your business. The FREE, one-day conference series will tour the 10-county area as part of National Small Business Week. Included in the schedule are town hall meetings with legislative and congressional representatives. This open forum offers you an opportunity to discuss issues impacting your business.
May 16 Hillsborough and Polk May 17 Pinellas and Highlands May 18 Pasco and Desoto May 19 Hernando May 20 Hardee, Sarasota and Manatee
Constant Contact Get Down to Business May 17-19, 2011. New York City
Join Constant Contact and Wendi Caplan-Carroll for three days of free events on May 17th, 18th, and 19th! Small Business Week: New York Goes Social. Come learn how to harness the power of digital marketing tools to grow relationships and revenue.
May 17th - 6:00pm - 8:00pm: Let's Get Down to Business! NY Goes Social Cocktail Networking Party May 18th - 8:00am - 5:00pm: Social Media Marketing Bootcamp. You'll hear from the experts with multiple workshops and panels plus one on one coaching from SCORE-NYC. May 19th - 8:00am - 12:30pm: Constant Contact Social Media Summit. Final day wraps up with three keynote speakers providing you with invaluable insight and information on how to take your Social Media Marketing to the next level.
Mobile Marketing for Small Business: Fact vs. Fiction May 17, 2011, Online
Discover how to tap into the mobile market and create a presence for your small business on mobile phones. Panelists include Rieva Lesonsky, founder and CEO of GrowBiz Media, Ramon Ray, journalist, technology evangelist, editor of Smallbiztechnology.com, Jennifer Shaheen, President, Technology Therapist, Tim Gorin, Yelp's Small Business Advisory Council and Navin Ganeshan, Principal Product Strategist, Network Solutions.
How to Use Media to Effectively Connect with Business Owners May 17, 2011, Online
Getting leads of business owners is no easy task with the constant bombardment of day-to-day advertising clutter. Connecting with business owners now requires a mix of communication channels that surround and engage them through action-inducing media and content. In this webinar, attendees will learn:• How to combine a mix of communication channels to connect with the business owner• The strategic approach to building awareness for effective lead generation• Specific examples of marketing programs and creative that get results
Birmingham Business Alliance Small Business Summit and Expo May 17, 2011, Birmingham, AL
The event will kick off with a breakfast and keynote speech from Kevin Schmeigel, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, followed by the announcement of three Recognition Award winners. Then attendees will enjoy morning breakout sessions, a roundtable boxed lunch and afternoon breakout sessions. The day's events will wrap up with a "Wine'd Down" reception.
Using Segmentation to Grow Your Business & Keep Customers Happy May 18, 2011, Online
Are you marketing to your customers as individuals? Or do you treat your email list as one big lump of addresses? You could be missing huge opportunities to grow your business AND to create lifetime loyalty with your customers. This webinar will explore the importance of segmenting customers. Guest expert Pamela O'Hara, President of Batchblue Software, will discuss:
Why you must segment your customers How to get started with segmentation What are some best practices Examples of what has worked for other companies How to segment in an online world Where social media fits in
Mahoning Valley Small Business Conference & Expo 2011 May 18, 2011, Youngstown, OH
Created for both the novice and the experienced small business owner, the Mahoning Valley Small Business Conference & Expo 2011 will cover the latest trends in small business assistance and minority and women business owners. Any small business owner and entrepreneur, whether just starting to write his or her business plan or very experienced, would benefit from the instructional workshops. Certified small business, MBE, DBE and EDGE businesses will have the opportunity to meet buyers from companies committed to increasing their supplier diversity.
Prepping to Pitch May 18, June 22, June 30, 2011, New York City
NYC Business Solutions Lower Manhattan Center is proud to announce an upcoming workshop series titled "Prepping to Pitch." This free series is designed to help business owners prepare to obtain equity financing and will feature workshops teaching entrepreneurs how to pitch investors, understand and negotiate private equity agreements, and find potential investors.
Session 1: Advice for Pitching Investors- Taught by Yao Huang of The Hatchery Session 2: Understanding Angel Funding- Taught by David Lifson of Postling Session 3: Negotiating Private Equity Agreements- Taught by Shahmoon & Ellisen LLP
Expect the Unexpected: The Importance of Being Nimble May 18, 2011, Los Angeles
Disasters can strike at any moment. In business today, it goes unsaid that you should be prepared for anything so that your company can outlast the unexpected. Join Inc. and CDW for an interactive, invitation-only gathering where you'll hear from Inc. Editor-at-Large, Bo Burlingham and a panel of leaders from some of the fastest growing companies in America. They'll share their experiences on rebounding after a disaster: what worked, what they wish they'd done differently, and how technology helped.
Empowered Woman Success Summit May 19-20, 2011, Miami, FL
The Empowered Woman Success Summit "is not your typical 'women's' conference… no rah-rah useless mumbo jumbo. This is about getting practical tools and strategies for building your brand, raising your profile and generating profitable opportunities for the long haul," says founder Michelle Villalobos. This year's theme is "Elevate Yourself," designed to help all professional, ambitious women (entrepreneurs, freelancers, corporate execs, solopreneurs, career-switchers & more) elevate themselves beyond where they are today. The last summit drew over 700 smart, savvy women.
Small Business Trends CEO Anita Campbell will be speaking, on audience-attracting secrets.
Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference & Expo May 22-25, Atlanta
Rethink your business today at the 2011 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo. Hundreds of deal makers are expected to attend all looking to build networks and explore new growth opportunities. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you'll need to know about to stay ahead of the curve. You can't afford to miss this one-of-a-kind power conference.
Monday, May 23 - Washington, DC/America's Small Business Summit Thursday, June 9 - Austin, TX Thursday, September 15 - Chicago Wednesday October 5 - New York City/World Business Forum
Join Wall Street Journal Small Business Editor Colleen DeBaise as she moderates an esteemed panel of top entrepreneurs for dynamic discussions in your area. Gain firsthand wisdom from these entrepreneurial gurus as they delve into their journeys of launching successful businesses.
America's Small Business Summit 2011 May 23-25, 2011, Washington, DC
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's annual event — America's Small Business Summit — unites small business owners, managers and entrepreneurs from across the country to learn, network and discuss common legislative and management concerns. Help influence our nation's economic and political agenda by advocating for pro-business policies through the Rally on the Hill portion of the program. Register before April 1st for early bird pricing.
Keeping the Promise - California Disabled Veterans Alliance Business Matchmaking May 23-24, 2011, Los Angeles
The 19th Annual "Keeping the Promise" (KTP2011) Conference, Exposition and Matchmaking Event provides a unique opportunity to meet with disabled and veteran entrepreneurs, May 23-24, 2011 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott in Los Angeles, CA. Business Matchmaking will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
BlogWorld Expo May 24-26, 2011, New York City
BlogWorld is the world's largest blogging and social media conference, and it's known worldwide for presenting internet luminaries and entrepreneurs, the most popular and knowledgeable bloggers, podcasters and social media marketing thought leaders. This year's event will feature great educational content, so new media content creators and businesses of all kinds will learn the best tips, technologies and methods for growing their brands, audiences and businesses online.
In addition to learning new ways to hone your content skills and promote your content and brand. Get 20% off registration with discount code SBTVIP20.
Faster, Better, Smarter: How Great Small Businesses are Using Technology to Drive Growth May 24, 2011, Atlanta
At this roundtable discussion, a panel of leaders from some of the fastest growing companies in ATL will discuss how they've embraced the latest technologies to get closer to their customers, make the most of their time and scarce resources, differentiate themselves from the competition, and develop innovative strategies that set the stage for growth.
The Art of Angel Investing: What Investors Look for, and Look Out for, When Investing in Startups May 24, 2011, New York City
This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in learning more about pitching business ideas, venture capital/angel investing and starting their own business. And for those who are Fordham students or alumni, come cheer on your peers in the final round of the Fordham Business Plan Competition!
Brand Camp NYC May 24, 2011
Brand Camp: Personal Branding 2.0 Conference is an experiential gathering of business thought leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals from around the world. Brand Camp University mixes together new media, genius and passion to explore the ideas behind personal branding and how it affects students, entrepreneurs, professionals, organizations and corporations. The Brand Camp conference is a hand-picked roster of change agents and innovative thought leaders who share their stories and strategies. Brand camp is more than a conference it is an experience that will change the way you think about your profession, your life and challenge you to passionately pursue your dreams.
How small business can benefit from collaboration, Openness and Sharing May 25, 2011, Online
How small business can benefit and learn from the principles of Wikinomics—collaboration, openness, sharing, interdependence and integrity.
New England XPO for Business May 25, 2011, Boston
Connect, collaborate and communicate with over 10,000 business owners and professionals from across New England at the 3rd Annual New England XPO for Business. This event is the largest and most profitable B2B networking conference in the Northeast, featuring 36+ educational seminars and over 300 exhibits packed with hundreds of business products and services.
The Art of Angel Investing: What Investors Look For, and Look Out for, When Investing in Startups May 26, 2011, New York City
Featuring: Top NYC Angel Investors Are Pitched By Several Startups & Award up to $40,000* in Prizes including $10,000 cash prizes and $30,000 of in-kind services. This event is a must attend for anyone interested in learning more about pitching business ideas, venture capital/angel investing, and starting their own business.
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Procurement Conference June 2, 2011, Warrensburg, MO
More than 1,200 government agencies and prime contractors have been invited to discuss their contracting opportunities with interested businesses.
The conference is sponsored by Missouri's senior Sen. McCaskill, Missouri PTAC, the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development at the University of Central Missouri.
12th Annual Enterprise Council on Small Business Summit June 6-8, 2011, New Orleans
This year's ECSB Summit will examine the "silent majority" of satisfied small business customers whose positive experiences don't translate into vocal endorsements. By identifying these potential advocates, studying what motivates them to communicate to others, and mapping the networks where referrals occur, participants will uncover the best practices needed to drive active advocacy among small business customers.
Marketing Boot Camp: Getting the Right Message to the Right People at the Right Time June 7, 2011, Itasca, IL
Tough times call for tough tactics, and an intelligent, targeted marketing program - plus the commitment to implement it - is necessary for any business to survive. Fortunately, good marketing doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to work. So where do you begin?
Lee Zoldan, president of The Simons Group, a marketing and communications firm that provides full-spectrum marketing communications, will give a crash course in marketing fundamentals and share smart, real-world strategies that you will be able to use immediately.
Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition June 14-17, San Diego
This year's event theme is "E-Commerce Shifts Into Overdrive—the Race Is On," and the event is specifically designed to give e-retailers practical information they need to compete in today's faster-paced e-commerce market. The speaker roster for the 2011 Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition represents the largest group of expert speakers ever assembled in online retailing, including: Christopher Payne, VP & GM, North American Marketplaces, eBay; Arianna Huffington; Sona Chawla, President, E-Commerce, Walgreen Co. and more.
Inc. Leadership Conference June 15-17, 2011, Dallas
The event begins June 15 with a pre-conference reception. The next morning opens on the main stage with a presentation revealing the tangible tools for creating competitive cultures. The day culminates with an awards dinner recognizing this year's Winning Workplaces honorees — leaders recognized for having created exceptional companies. The final day of the conference will offer additional main stage presentations and more intimate sessions with opportunities for greater networking and education.
140 Characters Conference June 15-16, 2011, New York City
This event is expected to be the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and "we" the people. It seems like everyone is talking about Facebook and Twitter, but so what? Why do they really matter?
#140conf exposes you to the power the Internet has to disrupt businesses, change lives and create serendipity. You will leave with a fresh outlook on how the real-time Web can be used in your business or personal life to actually do something meaningful.
The New York Venture Summit July 20-21, 2011, New York City
The New York Venture Summit, presented by youngStartup Ventures is the premier industry gathering where cutting-edge startups meet top venture capitalists, angel investors, Corporate VCs and investment bankers.
Whether you are an investor seeking new deals, or an emerging company seeking capital and exposure, the The New York Venture Summit, is one event you won't want to miss.
Vertical Response 2011 Take Action User Seminar Series Multiple Cities & Dates
June 23, 2011 - Chicago September 30, 2011 - Denver
The Vertical Response 2011 Take Action User Seminar is designed to educate you about email marketing in the age of social media. Complement your attendance with a one-on-one email consultation and get the chance to take what you learn and immediately put it into action. Join Smallbiztechnology's Ramon Ray in New York City and get $10 off early bird registration at this link.
2011 Creative Freelancer Conference June 23-24, 2011, Chicago
The Creative Freelancer Conference, presented by HOW magazine and Marketing Mentor, is the only business conference for creative solopreneurs, from designers and writers to illustrators and photographers. Whether you're a veteran or just starting out, you'll get the specific tools you need to launch, build and grow a successful freelance business. You'll also get plenty of time to connect with, learn from and share solutions with your fellow freelancers.Register by the early bird deadline of April 1 and save $30.
Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium June 27-30, Reno, NV
Do you run a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business (VOSB/SDVOSB) and want to work with the government? Or do you want to team with a veteran-owned company but aren't sure how? The National Veterans Small Business Coalition has created the Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium (VETS) to help you accomplish your small business goals.
Unlike other small business conferences, VETS connects thriving veteran business owners with emerging veteran entrepreneurs to expose the knowledge needed to acquire government contracts and teaming opportunities. While attending, also expect to network with government agencies, large companies, and potential clients and customers.
FAA Small Business Opportunities Training Conference and Trade Show June 28-July 1, 2011, Oklahoma City, OK
The FAA will host its Annual National Small Business Procurement Opportunities Training Conference and Trade Show on June 28 - July 1, 2010. The conference provides a forum for small businesses (including service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses and 8[a] certified firms) to participate in technical and procurement opportunities workshops. Sessions will link small businesses with program managers, address business issues and concerns, and provide information that will benefit small businesses seeking to do business with the agency.
National Veteran Small Business Conference August 15-18, 2011, New Orleans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting this event. The largest nationwide conference of its kind, the National Veteran Small Business Conference provides veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs and SDVOSBs) an opportunity to learn, network and market their businesses.
4,000 leaders from various VOSBs, SDVOSBs, large contractors and federal agencies as well as veterans from the New Orleans area are expected to participate.
Biz 2 Beach August 19, 2011, Santa Monica, CA
Biz2Beach is an inaugural networking conference of thought leaders, innovators, and trendsetters for an exciting day of exchanging ideas. The "unconference" format of Biz2Beach is unlike most events. Our featured speakers who range in business expertise, will lead four intimate breakout discussions. B2B is presented by CallFire, who will unveil the latest iteration of its suite of telecom services.
NAWBO Women's Business Conference 2011 August 31 - September 1, 2011, San Diego
The NAWBO Women's Business Conference is the only event of its kind focused on connecting women entrepreneurs to real business opportunities that deliver bottom-line results. The conference brings together businesses of all sizes from various industries to provide women entrepreneurs with both personal and professional tools and resources to take their businesses to the next level of success.
Affiliate Summit East 2011 August 21-23, 2011, New York City
Affiliate Summit East 2011, the premier affiliate marketing conference, is taking place August 21-23, 2011, in New York City. This three-day conference includes an exhibit hall with affiliate merchants, vendors and networks, and multiple tracks of educational sessions covering the latest trends and information from affiliate marketing experts.
25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, Women's Business & Buyers Mart September 14, 2011, Chicago
The oldest conference and business opportunities fair for women in business in the country, this is the premier event for women business owners in the Midwest.
This year's conference offers women business owners solutions to the current problems they are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts and other women business owners.
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards September 21, 2011, New York City
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards is the annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of the 500,000+ small businesses throughout the tri-state area. In its sixth year, the Awards Gala-which sold out in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010-attracts more than 400 business owners and executives and is often referred to as "the networking event of the year." Don't miss the chance to do business with the "who's who" of the New York small business community.
Inc. 500/5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony September 22-24, 2011, National Harbor, MD
The Inc. 500 | 5000 Conference and Awards Ceremony celebrates the revered Inc. ranking of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America. The momentous event brings together current Inc. 5000 honorees and alumni of the list, along with the greater business community, to recognize the remarkable achievements of these companies and the great contributions they have made to the global economy.
The Summit for Women in Business October 6-9, 2011, Pigeon Forge, TN
The Summit For Women in Business is providing and showing you how to implement the needed strategies and tools to remain competitive and current within today's evolving business climate. Created by women business owners for women business owners, this Summit is designed for SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) entrepreneurs, independent and self-employed professionals.
Western Mass Business Expo October 18, 2011, Springfield, MA
As the region's business publication, The Business Journal of Western Massachusetts believes the businesses and communities that comprise Western Massachusetts should be represented at a region-wide trade show to better promote buying and doing business locally. The day begins with breakfast at 7:30 followed by the Expo's official opening at 9 a.m. and will feature seminars, speakers, lunch and a high-energy, end-of-day networking event featuring music, food and drink.
To find more small business events, contests and awards, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.
If you are putting on a small business event or contest, and want to get the word out, please submit it through our Events & Contests Submission Form (it's free). Only events of interest to small business people, freelancers and entrepreneurs will be included.
Brought to you as a community service by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com.
From Small Business Trends Guide to 50+ Small Business Events
Read more posts on Small Business Trends »


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In the June issue of Red magazine, cover star Reese Witherspoon reveals the impact baby Tennessee has had on her life, how wonderful it is to have great girlfriends, and the need to celebrate every success.
The Hollywood star is candid about the stresses and strains of running a large family, "Ever since I had the baby, I can't remember anything. Serious, this child stole my brain. I'm losing friendships over forgetting to get back to people. But you can't keep up with everything. I've got a 13 year old, a nine year old and a baby. It's like CNN ticker tape running through my mind at all times [puts on robotic voice]: 'Where is Ava? She's okay. Good. Where is Deacon? He's okay. Good. Where is Tennessee? Is he okay? Yes. Great. Back to Ava...' It doesn't stop."
Speaking of friendships Witherspoon counts Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore as her true bosom buddies, "They're just as charismatic and fun as you would imagine. It's nice to hang with Drew because we both just had babies and we can support each other. And Cameron is such a funny, bright gal. She's an incredibly sharp business-minded woman, but she disguises that side of herself. It's her secret alter ego."
As for her career successes, the actress is relaxed enough about her achievements to place her academy award in the living room. "Because Lord knows every day is not a success, every year is not a success. You have to celebrate the good." Here, here. Witherspoon's recent lapse of judgement has been widely documented but we look forward to reading the full interview in the June issue on sale May 1. You go girl. (Red)
Photo: Courtesy of Red magazine


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Bloomberg Markets Editor Ronald Henkoff '76 to Present Carleton Convocation
Submitted by Jessica Paxton on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 3:30pm
Jan 11 2013 10:50 am
Location:Skinner Memorial Chapel, Carleton College
Ronald Henkoff '76, editor of the award-winning monthly magazine Bloomberg Markets and an executive editor at Bloomberg News, will present Carleton College's weekly convocation on Friday, Jan. 11. Henkoff's presentation, entitled "Money, Power and Trust," will look at how the economy has been affected by scandals within financial institutions. Convocation is held from 10:50-11:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel, and is free and open to the public. Convocations are also streamed live and can be viewed online at http://apps.carleton.edu/events/convocations/.
Henkoff, who has edited Bloomberg Markets since 1999, has over three decades of experience in business journalism. Before coming to Bloomberg in 1998 (then as global features editor at Bloomberg News), Henkoff worked at Fortune magazine for ten years as Chicago bureau chief and a member of the editorial board. He had previously worked for Newsweek from New York, Houston and London and served as the magazine's European economics editor from 1984 to 1988. A 1976 graduate of Carleton College, Henkoff holds master's degrees from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Bloomberg Markets(founded in 1992 as Bloomberg) bills itself as the world's leading financial magazine, with 375,000 readers in 150 countries, and covers financial news and markets as part of the Bloomberg mass media corporation. Henkoff has worked to bolster Bloomberg Markets' long-form feature writing, which the magazine had not previously emphasized. During Henkoff's tenure as editor, Bloomberg Markets has won numerous journalism awards, including the George Polk Award, the Overseas Press Club of America award, the Gerald Loeb Award, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers' award and the Foreign Press Association award. In 2011 Bloomberg Markets was also a finalist for a National Magazine Award for General Excellence, and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in the National Reporting category for coverage of life insurance companies that retained death benefits owed to families of military veterans and other Americans, leading to government investigations and remedial changes. Henkoff himself has won the Minard Prize for excellence in editing and has received two awards from the Overseas Press Club of America for his reporting from abroad.
For more information about this event, including disability accommodations, contact the Carleton College Office of College Relations at (507) 222-4308. The Skinner Memorial Chapel is located on First Street between College and Winona Streets in Northfield.


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Citizens who want to watch meetings of their local city or county council ought to be able to do so from the comfort of their own homes.
Now, many people are able to, thanks to a growing movement to broadcast city and county council meetings.
There are a couple of ways local governments can give citizens at home access to these important discussions. Some counties, such as Charleston, broadcast their meetings on cable television. Others, such as Horry, live-stream them on the Internet.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Lancaster News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
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Olie burton
Nickname: "Vern"
Height: 5-8
Weight: 127 lbs.
Coach: Patrice Remarck
High School: Gwynn Park (Brandywine, Md.)
World Ranking as of 9/1/12: T-130th (-63kg)
-2010 Chris Canning Award of Excellence Winner
-2009 U.S. Open Best Male Junior Athlete
Hobbies include hanging out with family and friends, video games, playing the piano, watching TV and training with his teammates...favorite foods are spaghetti, brisket and chicken...eats brownies before a competition...favorite athlete is Patrice Remarck...favorite movie is Million Dollar Baby...listens to hip hop, R&B and go-go...plays the piano
Competition Record:
2013 U.S. Open (Bantam): SILVER
2013 U.S. National Team Member (Bantam)
2013 U.S. National Team Trials (Bantam): 1st
2013 WTF World Taekwondo Championships (Bantam): Round of 64
-lost to Belgium's Jaouad Achab (BEL), 7-2, in Round of 64
2012 U.S. National Team Member (Bantam)
2012 U.S. National Team Trials (Bantam): 1st
2011 Pan Am Games (Flyweight -58kg): Round of 16
-lost to Jhonnatan Josue Mejia (GUA), 15-11, in Round of 16
2011 Pan Am Games Team Member (Fin/Fly)
2011 Pan Am Games Qualifier (Fin/Fly): Qualified
-def. Ras Nigel (ARU) 6-1
-def. Christhian Aliaga (PER) 12-0
2011 U.S. National Team Trials (Fly): 2nd
2010 Pan Am Games Team Trials (Fin/Flyweight): 1st
2010 USAT National Championships (Sr. Fly): 2nd
2010 USAT York National Qualifier (Sr. Fly): 1st
2010 Youth Olympic Games Qualification Team Member (48-55kg)
2009 Pan Am Junior Championships (Jr. Bantam): 1st
2009 Youth Olympic Games Team Trials (48-55kg): 1st
2009 USAT Junior National Team Member (Jr. Bantam)
2009 USAT Junior National Team Trials (Jr. Bantam): 1st
2009 Junior Olympics (Jr. Bantam): 1st
2009 Dutch Open (Jr. Bantam): 1st
2009 U.S. Open (Jr. Bantam): 1st
2008 Toronto Open (Junior Feather): 2nd
2008 U.S. Junior National Team Member (Jr. Fin)
2008 Junior Olympics (Jr. Fin): 1st
2008 World Jr. Championships (Jr. Fin): BRONZE
2008 Junior Team Trials (Jr. Fin): 1st
2008 German Open: 1st
2008 World Jr. Championships Open (Jr. Fin): 2nd
2008 AAU National Team Member (Jr. Fin)
2007 AAU Junior Team Trials (Fin): 1st
2007 USAT Junior Team Trials (Fin): 3rd
2007 USAT Junior Olympics (Fin): 3rd
2007 AAU Junior Nationals (Fin): 1st
2006 USAT Jr. Black Belt Festival (14-17 Fin): 2nd
2006 Chicago Open International (12-13): 1st


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Boffin unveils facial expression-controlled iPod
Total winker?
A cute girl winking at you on the bus may soon, unfortunately, no longer be a sign that she's hot for you. Why? Because she might just be controlling her iPod.
That's because Kazuhiro Taniguchi, from the Osaka University in Tokyo, has designed a gadget able to control an MP3 player using pre-defined facial expressions.
Ear Switch: control your MP3 player using expressions
The Ear Switch looks like a normal set of headphones, according to an Agence France Press report, but includes a set of sensors that allows its on-board computer to measure tiny ear-canal movements.
The result, Taniguchi claimed, is that "an iPod can start or stop music when the wearer sticks his or her tongue out".
He added that the user can also skip to the next track by widely opening their eyes or skip back by winking. Other facial expressions could also be programmed to control other features.
Taniguchi has also eyed-up several other potential uses for Ear Switch, including mounting the technology into a device that could tell, somehow, if the wearer's eating regularly or sneezing frequently.
It could also be used by disabled people to control everything from cameras and computers to air conditioners and washing machines.
"If [Ear Switch] believes they are not well, it could send a warning message to relatives," Taniguchi added.
Taniguchi is currently planning to patent Ear Switch, but hopes to have a retail version available within two to three years. ®


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Hi everyone, I have nearly finished stitching the Winter freebie......
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Santa's Village Cross Stitch nearly finished and new mini cat design!
Hi everyone, I just thought I would show you my latest progress on Santa's Village that I started a couple of years ago......
Posted by Lynn B at 22:01 25 comments
Labels: cross stitch
Monday, 7 December 2015
Free winter mini cross stitch pattern and mini cat updates for 2016
Hi everyone, I know I said I was having a blogging break but I was in the mood for designing a free cross stitch pattern for you all, hope you like it!
Posted by Lynn B at 16:53 18 comments
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The ExoMars Rover Instrument Suite
Looking for signatures of life on Mars
An accurate visual and spectral characterisation of the surface of Mars is fundamental to establish the geological context at the sites that the Rover will visit. This can be complemented by electromagnetic and neutron subsurface investigations, which will further contribute to understand the depositional environment (e.g. sedimentary, volcanic, Aeolic). Knowledge of the geological history of past water environments constitutes a necessary step in the search for traces of past or present signatures of life on Mars.
Data from the novel suite of instruments on-board the ExoMars rover will help scientists to conduct a step-by-step exploration of Mars, beginning at panoramic (metre) scales and progressively converging to smaller (sub-millimetre) studies, concluding with the molecular identification of organic compounds.
Instruments in brief
Last Update: 25 August 2017


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Yeah, I know, that's not a quality that any self-respecting food blogger should be admitting to, but what can I say? I'm also brutally honest 🙂
Of course once in a rare moon (read once or twice a year) I love to stand over the stove for a whole day carefully preparing a delicious meal-of-a-lifetime that everyone who eats it will remember forever and ever (or at least I hope!). You know, the kind that, if I don't have a single tiny ingredient, I'd run to the grocery store to get it — or better, send Desi to get it?
But for the rest of the time, I like meals that I can slap together in under an hour or even half an hour, with anything that's available (and still recognizable) in the fridge, while ensuring that everything is delicious and nutritious at the same time.
This Lima Bean Stew with Swiss Chard is just my kind of dish, then, and one I would make any night when time is short and the temptation to order out is really strong but completely unnecessary.
The stew is really easy to make, wonderful with some plain boiled rice or some crusty bread, and heaven for the palate and for my health and my family's. Since the stew has both vegetables and beans, I don't feel bad at all if I don't have time to make a separate subzi or vegetable side-dish when I cook this up.
I love swiss chard because of how easily and quickly it cooks up and because it's easy to find beautiful, fresh bunches of this delicious green in the summer. But if you don't get it where you live, spinach– another quick-cooking green– would be perfect too. In fact, you might want to even experiment with greens that are tougher, since I pressure cook the greens which makes them nice and tender in a short time.
The small lima beans I used in this recipe are wonderful because they hold their shape even after the cooking has reduced them to a creamily soft texture. But again, feel free to experiment with other beans– black beans or even chickpeas would be great because both have great flavor.
On, then, to the recipe. I need to sit back and revel in the wonderful feeling of doing nothing, at least for the next five minutes.
Enjoy, all.
And for more delicious lima bean recipes, check out these Greek Style Baked Lima Beans, or this Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Lima Bean Stew.
Lima Bean Stew with Swiss Chard
1 cup small lima beans, soaked for a few hours, then drained
1 bunch swiss chard, washed and chopped into shreds
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
Salt to taste
Put all the ingredients into a pressure cooker or a large pot, add four cups of water, and cook until the lima beans are tender.
In a small skillet, heat:
1 tsp canola or other vegetable oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper or red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric (optional)
(You want to make sure you have your vent fan going full-speed since this will bring the tears to your eyes)
Stir for about 10 seconds, then add to the rest of the stew.
Bring the stew to a boil, adding some water if it's too thick. Check for salt, turn off the heat, and serve hot with boiled rice or crusty bread.


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More +
|Director of Athletics
• FOXSports Interview (9/27/18)
• KUSI Spirit Night Preview (2/8/18)
• Ask the AD
• Mighty 1090 Scott & BR Show (12/21/17)
• XTRA 1360 FOX Sports SD Interview (10/28/17)
• Mighty 1090 Interview (10/27/17)
• Big West/Division I Union-Tribune Feature (11/27/17)
• Mighty 1090 Interview (5/31/17)
• ABC 10 Interview (5/13/17)
• Trending Now w/Kevin Acee (6/27/16)
• Mighty 1090 Interview (1/28/16)
Earl W. Edwards accepted the position of Director of Athletics at UC San Diego in March of 2000. Since his arrival, UCSD Athletics has consistently been recognized at the national level for its academic and athletic achievements.
Under his guidance, the 23-sport program has made a very successful transition from the NCAA Division III ranks to Division II. In fact, UC San Diego has surpassed all expectations at the DII level, capturing women's soccer national championships in both 2000 and 2001 and the softball national title in 2011.
Since moving to Division II for the 2000-01 academic year, UC San Diego has been ranked among the top seven programs in the country in the annual Learfield Directors' Cup standings on 12 different occasions. In 2004 and again in 2007, UCSD was the national runner up. The Tritons have achieved three consecutive top-10 finishes over the last three years, having placed third in 2015-16, fourth in 2016-17 and 10th in 2017-18.
UC San Diego has also won seven California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Commissioners' Cup titles, an award that recognizes the best overall athletics program in the prestigious conference. The Tritons are currently on a two-year run, winning in 2016 and 2017.
Additionally, UCSD has been ranked first among all Division II institutions in the last eight National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) Collegiate Power Rankings, which comprehensively measure student-athlete graduation rates, academic strength and athletic prowess. Listed in the NCSA's rankings for the 10th consecutive year in 2014 (the last year of the rankings), UC San Diego placed 12th of all schools in the country. In 2007, UCSD garnered its highest national ranking, coming in at No. 4.
Edwards has built several new facilities and enhanced others during his tenure, including a softball stadium, a baseball stadium and clubhouse and a strength and conditioning center. Triton Track and Field Stadium was updated with a video scoreboard and pole vault terraces.
In 2016, UC San Diego's undergraduate student body voted overwhelmingly in favor to move the institution's athletics program to NCAA Division I. On November 27, 2017, UC San Diego officially accepted an invitation to join the Big West Conference and will begin a four-year Division I reclassification period in 2020. Read the full press release here.
In March of 2017, Edwards was named one of 28 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Directors of the Year. In 2007, Edwards was named the West Region Athletics Director of the Year by NACDA.
Edwards has served on many national and regional committees and organizations throughout his career, including the NACDA Division II Board of Directors and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) Board of Directors. Edwards is also an ex-officio board member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) and has served as the organization's president. In addition, he is a member of the CCAA's Executive Council.
Edwards was on NACDA's Executive Committee from 2003-07 and has been part of the Division II Management Council, the Division II Championships and Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee, the Walter Byers Scholarship Committee and the Committee for Women's Athletics.
Edwards has published several articles in Athletic Management and was featured on the cover of the June 2007 issue.
In the San Diego community, Edwards serves on the board of directors for San Diego Bowl Games, San Diego Sports Innovators and La Jolla Rotary and is a member of the Sports Alliance Executive Committee.
In addition to working as Athletics Director at East Stroudsburg University and UC San Diego, he has athletics administration experience at the University of Massachusetts, UC Davis, the University of Michigan and Drexel University.
A 1972 graduate of East Stroudsburg, Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education. He went on to receive a master's in Sports Administration from the University of Massachusetts in 1973.
Earl Edwards was named a 2017 NACDA Athletic
Director of the Year (Robb Cohen Photography & Video)