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This year's graduation speaker was Edward "Smitty" Smith. Below is Class of 2015 Mirsab Rose's introduction of Smitty, followed by Smitty's remarks.
Mirsab Rose: It is my honor to introduce our speaker today. Edward "Smitty" Smith is a friend of our graduating class and a friend of Philadelphia, where he spent a great deal of time working during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Smitty - oh, by the way, he wants everyone to call him Smitty - worked with us twice this year. Once here at TPS – when he came to speak to us about issues related to our study of the Constitution, about his decision to follow a path of public service, and about his recent loss in the primary race for Attorney General of Washington, DC.
We also met with Smitty in April in Washington, where he hosted a discussion for us at City Hall about the constitutional issues and sustainability issues we studied this year.
Smitty is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School. He is a member of Mayor Muriel Bowser's cabinet, where he focuses on both victims' rights and juvenile diversion programs.
Please join me in welcoming Edward "Smitty" Smith.
Smitty's remarks to the Class of 2015:
For several years, at the request of my "adoptive" mom, Lois West, my friend Mike Block (TPS Class of 1995) and I have hosted panel discussions for the 8th grade class as part of their annual trip to Washington, DC. We talk about all sorts of subjects, including technology, public policy, law, ethics, economics, and politics.
Since I've got the microphone and no one can disprove this, I'm going to go ahead and say that it's definitely the best part of the whole trip. I mean, guys how many paintings and marble statues do you really need to see to understand that our founding fathers were important, did some impressive stuff, and had terrible fashion sense?
However, when we meet, we talk about the serious issues that you care about today… except for Wiz Khalifa.
Now, I'm going to admit something to you that I have never admitted to any other class. I am always excited to talk with you, but I'm also always a little terrified.
Over the course of my career, I've had to "duke it out" with lawyers, city council members, even congressmen. But I am never more nervous than when talking with you. Why do you think that is?
Here's what I think.
I'm excited because I know that I am going to hear creative new ideas and be energized by what you have to say. You have the most wonderful perspectives.
Unlike us "old folks", you don't assume that something is "impossible" just because you haven't seen it yet. That is an incredible strength and in our discussions you speak with the boundlessness of possibility and show me something new every time.
But, I'm also terrified because you guys are really smart, so when we talk, I always have to bring my A game. We discuss subjects like police brutality, Islamophobia, children's rights, Internet privacy, and the role of race in the legal system. These are issues that confound and intimidate our greatest scholars, judges, and politicians. And yet you refuse to be intimidated, you refuse to be silent. You challenge convention, you challenge each other, and you challenge me. Don't ever stop challenging.
Intellectual curiosity, fearlessness, a hunger for knowledge, an unwillingness to accept the answers you are given, and the courage to find your own answers; these will be your most valuable tools as you take the next leaps to high school, college, and beyond. These things make you terrifying and powerful.
I do not know exactly how each of you got here, but I do know that you have everything you need to keep succeeding. You have families that love and support you, the drive to work hard for your goals (ref performances), and a great school community with friends and teachers who will be looking out for you long after you graduate.
The Philadelphia School is a remarkable place, but what makes it remarkable is not the buildings, or the books, it is the people. Each and every one of you are pieces of why we love this school, from the smallest Kindergartner to the biggest 8th grader, the teachers, the parents and all.
So, 8th graders, as you prepare to move on, and as each of the classes behind you take one step forward to try to fill those big shoes of yours, I want to share a few little suggestions:
1) None of you know what "cool" actually looks like, and it's definitely not on TV, so don't spend too much time trying to be or look cool. Whatever you think it looks like now will seem completely ridiculous in ten years.
2) Don't make fun of the "nerdy" kid… that kid already knows what will be cool in ten years, just watch.
3) Put down your smartphone. The answers to the world's problems, or really any problems, are not on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Nothing of value is measured in "likes," and you cannot retweet the secret to happiness.
4) Do not be afraid to ask for help. No one has ever achieved anything of great significance without help and anyone who claims they did just finished stealing something.
And, finally,
5) Do not be afraid to lead. You may be young, but you can still be leaders. Do not assume that leadership is reserved for old people. If old people are so great, then why are there so many problems left in the world for young people to fix? We are waiting for you to lead, hoping that you will, terrified of your strength, but excited because your youth and new perspectives may be exactly what we need to solve the problem.
So stand up, step forward, and be fearless in fulfilling your potential. Focus on making yourselves proud, because we're already proud of you, and congratulations!


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Visit to the Union Station in Washington D.C.. I have been at the Union Station many years ago and was very interested to see what has changed since. Back in the 1980's I didn't have a camera with me, but this time I was taking my time to explore and document one off the most featured train station in the United State. All Pictures have been taken with a Pentax K-7 and Pentax 70-200mm, fisheye lens. Photo editing was done using Gimp 2.8-Linux.
My intent was to take these images "MetroArt" and to reduce this interior to its simplest forms—a space that is normally regarded as utilitarian, becomes a work of art. All images shouldn't look like a train station at all. The lack of people elevates my understanding of this place. It begins to look like a futuristic amphitheater or the inside of a space station. These images transforms a set of escalators into a pair of sculptural monoliths. Enjoy these pictures that fully transform our understanding of these objects and interiors. This form of architectural design is called brutalism.
"New York City Architecture", Spend a week visiting New York City to capture the New York City architectural around the corner neighborhood places. I had not a real plan, but just explored and let myself look behind or up some of the most common places to go. I wanted to show everyday views, everyday people see.

subset: commoncrawl


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Instead of being grumpy and bringing the people I share an office with down, I decided to intentionally find things today I'm thankful for. This ties back to my posts on gratitude here and here. While I haven't been posting daily the things I'm thankful for, I have been keeping a journal. I'm forced to be a little more creative with each day to find those things I'm thankful for and to be authentic with what I choose to highlight.
Today proved no different. I could write a list of the things I'm not thankful for without even thinking. This wasn't going to help my mood so I went to the office kitchen, made a cup of green tea and let myself sink into thought.
Here is what I came up with:
- I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a professional through projects as large and complex as the one I'm working on now. Without these opportunities I think I would sit back on my accomplishments and stagnate.
- I'm thankful for people who have my back and are willing to let me know when I missed something or have made an error - before I go too far down a path that would lead to sticky results.
- I'm thankful for authors who write about the redeeming power of love and show me through story that at the end of the day it is love that saves all.
- I'm thankful my muse isn't fighting with me anymore and that I'm making progress on my stories even if my plotting is still my weakest link. I can fix plotting. I can't fix a blank page.
- I'm thankful laughter is contagious.
Hmm, maybe there's something to this gratitude stuff after all.


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The relentless parade of entrances and exits in the design offices of major fashion labels of late — which has given the industry the whiplash pace of a Benny Hill chase — shows no sign of abating. On Thursday, Salvatore Ferragamo announced that Massimiliano Giornetti, its creative director, has left the brand.
Mr. Giornetti, 44, was a longtime Ferragamo hand. He joined the company as part of its men's wear design team in 2000, and was promoted to creative director, overseeing the men's and women's collections, in 2011.
Like many designers taking on historic labels, he was tasked with invigorating a longstanding legacy and balancing Ferragamo's footwear heritage with new fashion interest.
"He knows Ferragamo so well that he is able to bring new ideas, while every season is about working on the DNA of the brand," James Ferragamo, Mr. Ferragamo's grandson, said in an interview in 2011.
Those new ideas sometimes landed — as with his maximalist, houndstooth collection for fall 2011, which briefly made tony Ferragamo the stuff of street-style photographs and outré Lady Gaga appearances — and sometimes foundered.
When his collections were well received, Mr. Giornetti was often praised for polish and poise, but this could be a double-edged sword. Guy Trebay, the men's wear fashion critic for The New York Times, reviewing Mr. Giornetti's most recent men's wear collection in January, faulted it for "an excess of correctness."
Mr. Giornetti is only the latest designer to leave an accustomed perch, a trend that is especially pronounced in men's wear.
In February, three designers left their respective positions: Stefano Pilati departed Ermenegildo Zegna Couture, where he had been head of design since 2012; Alessandro Sartori from Berluti, where he had been artistic director since 2011; and Brendan Mullane from Brioni, where he had been creative director since 2012.
Mr. Sartori was subsequently named artistic director of all Ermenegildo Zegna brands. Yesterday, Brioni announced that Justin O'Shea, a lavishly tattooed Australian retailer, formerly of the e-commerce site MyTheresa.com, would be its new creative director.
Ferragamo seems to be in no hurry to appoint a successor to Mr. Giornetti, preferring instead to rely on an internal design team.
"We will take this opportunity to revisit our creative approach," Michele Norsa, the group chief executive of Salvatore Ferragamo, said in a statement. "Over time the company has nurtured and sponsored many young designers and is fortunate to be able to count on an excellent in-house team."


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Afternoon Tea Spa Day For Two
Pure Indulgence…
The Afternoon Tea provided by Tiffins Tea Emporium consists of an array of sandwiches, scones, cake, possets and mousses! This can be enjoyed in our beautiful seating area inside or our stunning courtyard to laze the day away.
This package includes:
- Welcome drink on arrival (herbal tea, water, coffee or tea)
- 4 hours use of the facilities (pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, gym, relaxation lounge)
- A Mud Serail for two (approx 45mins)
- Robe, towel and slipper hire for the day
- A delicious Afternoon Tea
All of this for just £115 per couple! (£57.50 per person)
Upgrade option - Instead of the Mud Serail for two, choose any 30 minute treatment of your choice each - for an additional £17.50 per person. This luxurious package is available Monday to Sunday
Friday- Sunday bookings are an additional £10.00 per person
*Afternoon Tea food choices must be selected at least 48 hours before.
Call 01787 279009 and quote Afternoon Tea
Can be used on Monday to Sundays. Must pay 50% deposit upon booking. 20% off additional treatments is only valid upon booking Afternoon Tea food choices must be chosen at least 48hrs before.
Afternoon Tea at Gainsborough Spa
Selection of three dainty rolls;
- Free range egg & cress
- Gammon Ham & wholegrain Mustard
- Mature Cheddar with apple & Walnut Chutney
- Selection of two Tiffin's home made cakes
- Tiffin's sweet treats
- Mini scone with clotted cream & Tiffin's strawberry jam
Tea or Coffee
- Choose from a variety of loose leaf tea's or coffee
Want to have a look around our club and spa, or have a question? Complete the form and we will be in touch.


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Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
ClickFunnels is utterly the absolute best computer software on the marketplace with regard to setting up your internet-based small business…
Therefore it is very simple to notice precisely why you are wanting more advice.
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- Various related information with respect to Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels (that is at the moment being worked with).
- How to save the best and most amount of money on ClickFunnels (and even for existing customers).
- The greatest critique concerning this software program (together with just how it can truly help you in the end).
And so much more.
Cheers for stopping by this specific article.
Let us progress along right now.
Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
Now I will have to be forthright with you.
I did not actually think that you would get here so ahead of time to the event…
As I am still working with coming up with a video for the sake of this special issue.
So I ask pardon regarding that.
Nevertheless, I am going to be upping to date this blog right after the video footage is concluded.
But in the meantime?
I encourage that you at minimum go over the next section listed here.
The Hush-hush ClickFunnels Promotion
Why do I refer to it a secret? Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
Well it is not a secret whatsoever.
It has turned up much again…
But very few customers have indeed linked the dots in terms of the price savings.
Permit me to carry out that for you.
So listed below are the procedures in which you may want to take (and you have 2 choices).
Lattermost you will be offered the potential to buy Funnel Hacks.
Or even you can take the shortcut:
Exactly why is this such a great bargain?
Well first and foremost you are going to be receiving total access to the Funnel Hacks system…
Alongside numerous incentives (which you can find when you click on the web link right just above).
But other than that? Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
You start saving right up to $785, and here is the reason why.
The Etison Suite (on its own) is really $297 a month…
Therefore if you were going to use that for 6 months then it would charge you $1,782.
Meanwhile, Funnel Hacks for 6 months is actually an investment of $997 …
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So allow me to ask you an inquiry:
Would you rather pay out $997 or $1,782 for 6 months of use?
Very simple answer correct?
If you went with the right answer which is $997 for 6 months of utilization…
If you are presently working with ClickFunnels …
Then this step will only take you a minute or so.
And absolutely! Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
This works even if you had not started using ClickFunnels as well.
Thus if you are simply wanting to save a ton of cash when it relates to utilizing this software program…
Then I genuinely endorse that you consider this approach.
Now onto the upcoming portion.
The Significant ClickFunnels Critique
I really feel that this is such an efficient review for a few justifications.
Very first. Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
Is due to the fact that even though you are presently utilizing this tool…
Then there is a great chance that it will certainly provoke an approach pertaining to you can absolutely incorporate it a lot better.
Is simply because if you have actually not started off making use of this particular software yet…
Subsequently there is at the same time a good chance that this will certainly be the tipping point with respect to you kicking off today.
Along with if you need to get going without delay:
So permit me to share with you relating to why I prefer ClickFunnels too much…
In addition to the major income maximizers.
- The Custom Purchasing Cart Page
Exactly what I enjoy about the secure shopping cart webpage (which you have the ability to absolutely personalize)…
Is certainly that it permits you to incorporate an order bump. Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
This is one of the easiest techniques to raise your income and profits.
All someone else has to do is checkoff a box and the extra special offer gets added to their purchase.
It absolutely is as practical as it appears to be.
And coming from my evaluating?
A tremendous 33% of individuals took this specific offer.
Speak about an effortless way to bring in more revenue to your
Listed here is without a doubt an additional great way to do that.
- 1 Click Upsell And Downsell Pages
I do not forget when I was traditionally just using PayPal…
And I was looking out for a method to allow credit cards too.
That is just what first switched me so as to ClickFunnels.
The opportunity to implement just one click upsell (and downsells) is an additional wonderful technique to raise profit.
Your customers do not need to re-enter their: Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
- Name.
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- Or almost anything else.
In order for them to acquire one of your enhance offers?
All they need to perform is actually click on the add to cart button once.
Just how mind-blowing is that?
And also this particular software does not merely assist creating products.
ClickFunnels will definitely additionally assist:
- Lawyer or attorneys.
- Guiding.
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- Personal trainers.
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- Affiliate marketing.
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- Offline firms.
- As well as yes, also you too.
As long as you possess a product, special offer, or message (despite the fact that it is someone elses)…
Then ClickFunnels definitely will work for you.
But what else can it do? Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
Well the options are endless.
Listed here are simply a handful of instances of what anyone are able to produce using this software.
- Lead Capture Pages
Normally referred to as squeeze pages or perhaps optin pages.
These permit you to round up leads and put together a huge pinpoint e-mail list.
There really are many templates to select from as well…
Thus creating them is definitely fast and easy even if you are not a technological champion.
- Sales Letters
Which goes along with numerous types of sales letters templates.
And allows you to create video sales letter too.
Short or long. Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
It is entirely up to you.
- Webinar Funnels
You can do both the automated or live webinars.
Therefore you can terminate your other recurring webinar program.
And only for the record?
Webinar funnels are suitable of producing some big money.
- Member Funnels
These are really terrific when it comes to collecting a persisting income…
And you can also gate and shut out specific material (so that individuals do not walk off with it from you).
Permit me to explain that the elements regarding this software application occur similar to a Santa Clause shopping list.
Thus if you would like to discover a little bit beyond concerning ClickFunnels and their pricing…
Just simply click the play button view the youtube video beneath:
I believe you delighted in that video.
So let us move on to the final part of this post even before it proceeds forever.
Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
Does a bear go poop in the woodens?
Without a doubt this specific software application is worth it and so much more.
In fact. Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels
Most people (also including myself) have certainly saved money by transferring to this particular software program…
Purely considering that you are able to abolish a lot of other softwares that you will not be needing anymore.
Merge that with the simple fact that you can save on a lot with the secret discount rate?
Then it is merely amongst the greatest selections that you will make this entire yr.
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Or even you can click on that giant button shown below for the identical result.
And if you intend to get the faster way and swoop right in to this particular software…
All while conserving probably the most amount of dollars as well:
That really should be all right now.
I intend to say thanks for expressing curiosity in Affiliate Links You Can Use On Clickfunnels.
And of course stumbling across this article.
Maybe you identified accurately what you were looking out for and maybe you did not.
But I really hope at least one area of this post may possibly be beneficial to you and a minimum of save you hard earned cash.
Cheers again.
And I wish you take pleasure in this software application as much as I do.


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Tuition and Assistance
Serving the Entire Parish
As the Education Ministry of the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, the St. Francis pre-school and The Franciscan School are the parish schools for St. Francis of Assisi parish. We make a strong commitment to being able to serve all those in our parish who are seeking an education in a Catholic Environment with a Franciscan dedication to serving others. To meet this commitment, the parish and TFS provide significant need-based financial aid for families to be able to attend our school. We do this in the desire to assure that there are no parish students not afforded this Catholic educational opportunity because of limited financial means. Indeed, TFS was founded in 2000 with a commitment to making a Franciscan School education available to all students regardless of family financial means. In the 2018-19 academic year, over $370,000.00 in financial aid was awarded. These tuition assistance resources come from three sources: a dedicated St. Francis of Assisi parish tithe, from endowed funds set up at the School's founding solely for this purpose, and the Diocese of Raleigh's God's Work our Challenge endeavor. We are grateful for this commitment that allowed us to respond to each request.
Should tuition costs, changing family circumstances, or the enrollment of a second or third child at TFS strain the monthly budget beyond its limit, parents are strongly encouraged to reach out to our Coordinator of Admissions, Lura Tysiac at email@example.com, or the TFS Bookkeeper, Donna Sincock at firstname.lastname@example.com, for FACTS information that will guide them through an online tuition assistance application process. The TFS need-based tuition assistance application process is straightforward and uncomplicated, and we are happy to help with that process.
In addition to our funds for tuition assistance, we encourage families to access Scholarship & Tuition Assistance available through the Diocese and outside agencies as well. Some of these can be found here:
- North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship and Disabilities Grant Programs: The Franciscan School is a participant in these programs. For more information regarding these programs, please visit Opportunity Scholarships. The Opportunity Scholarship Program expands school choice in North Carolina through scholarship grants for eligible children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This program provides funding of up to $4,200 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating nonpublic school.The open application period for the Opportunity Scholarship is February 1st through March 1st. The open application period guidelines are strictly adhered to, so any applications received outside of the open application period will not be considered.
- The Diocese of Raleigh Office of African Ancestry Ministry & Evangelization (AAMEN) and Native American Catholic Community: Over the years, the AAMEN office has provided funds to the Catholic Schools of the Diocese. The funds for the awards come from the Black & Indian Missions grant awarded to the AAMEN office. For more information on how to apply, please visit Diocese of Raleigh. Choose the item "Tuition Assistance Application for K-12 Catholic Schools". Contact Mrs. Lauren Green at email@example.com for further information on the African American scholarship. The open application period for the scholarship is January 28 – March 18.
The Franciscan School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, or gender. It does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, or gender in the administration of its admissions, employment, or educational programs or policies. The Catholic Schools Office, in compliance with federal law, annually publishes notice of nondiscrimination in the NC Catholic.
Tuition Rates
All families agree to pay the Full Cost Tuition Rate per child unless notified of eligibility for the Steward Rate as approved by the Pastor.
- Full Cost: A family who is non-Catholic.
- Catholic Participating Member of a Parish (other than St. Francis) in the Diocese of Raleigh: A Catholic family registered in a Catholic parish, who has submitted a Pastor Recommendation Form, signed by their pastor.
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish Steward Rate: The Parish Steward Rate is offered to Catholic registered parishioners who support our parish community with their time, talent, and with identifiable financial contributions at a level commensurate with their means through a parish tithe. This discount is determined after a review by the pastor of the annual Family Stewardship Form.
The Family Stewardship Form can be accessed and submitted on the parish website at: www.stfrancisraleigh.org/stewardship-form
Sibling Discounts
For families with more than one child enrolled at The Franciscan School, each child receives a $200 sibling tuition discount, including the first child.
2019-20 Tuition Rates (2% Increase)
Steward RateKindergarten
One child $7,143
Out of Parish Catholic RateKindergarten
One child $7,745
Full Tuition RateKindergarten
One child $9,758
Steward RateGrades 1-8
One child $8,143
Out of Parish Catholic RateGrades 1-8
One child $8,745
Full Tuition RateGrades 1-8
One child $10,758


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If you are free on Sunday 10 June, why not come on our 'Charmy Down and Splendours of St Catherines Walk'.
This 11 miles walk winds through some wonderful undulating countryside to sleepy St Catherine's Valley. The walk takes 5 hours and starts in the village of Marshfield.
You can book now via this website or the Pound Arts Centre.


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Art's Way Scientific wins Modular Honor
Having last reported on Art's Way Scientific May 1, 2012 when it was providing 24 modular buildings for scientific animal research, MHProNews has learned Art's Way has been awarded a 2015 Award of Distinction by the Modular Building Institute (MBI) for its modular transgenic swine facility. Built for Iowa State University's Zumwalt Station Farm in Ames, IA., transgenic refers to engineered organisms scientists produce by transferring genes between species.
The two 16′ 6" X 88′ modules include 2,178 square feet of animal housing space to protect a closed herd of special swine used in research. The buildings also include changing room and shower facilities for personnel involved in the research.
Using modular methods, the client realized a 50 percent time savings over traditional construction. In addition, according to marketwatch, foundation and infrastructure costs were 60-70 percent less than that of a site-built structure.
Dan Palmer, president of Arts Way Scientific says, "This project combines the features of our laboratory animal research experience and our longstanding history of agricultural swine production buildings into a complex for transgenic animals. This building is one of a kind. We are pleased that it has been chosen for this prestigious award."
Art's Way Scientific provides modular buildings for scientific research as well as for calf care and all stages of hog production. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Art's Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of specialized agricultural equipment located in Armstrong, Iowa. ##
(Image credit: Art's Way Scientific-modular research buildings)
Article submitted by Matthew J. Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.
Matthew Silver - Reporter at Large
Soheyla Kovach - Support Services
L.A. 'Tony' Kovach - Publisher, Editor and Marketing Director. To submit a news tip, please click here: firstname.lastname@example.com


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$326,990 - $342,990
Community Details
- Welcome to Innovation Manors at Storey Park - Lennar Orlando's first solar community! Built in beautiful Orlando, Florida, this solar-powered community's proximity to major highways gives residents easy access to famous Central Florida attractions. Storey Park also offers exceptional amenities both inside and outside your home to bring luxury and convenience to your life. This collection of Everything's Included homes feature multiple floorplans, making it easy to pick out the home of your dreams. Innovation at Storey Park puts a new spin on eco-friendly living and allows you to make your home the center of your family's story.
- Nearby Elementary Schools: Moss Park Elementary School
- Nearby Middle Schools: Lake Nona Middle School
- Nearby High Schools: Lake Nona High School
- Services: Florida Mall, HOA, Publix Market, Waterford Lakes Town Center
- Subdivision Amenities: Playground, Pool, Lake, Pond, WaterfrontLots, Clubhouse, Greenbelt, Park, Trails
- Utilities: Duke Energy, Orange County Solid Waste Division, Spectrum
- Local Area Amenities: Florida Mall, Publix Market, Waterford Lakes Town Center
- Promo: Local heroes that serve our community are able to receive up to $2, 500 in closing costs.


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Are you aware of or part of an organization that makes every problem a project? Does that turn into an endless series of meetings where the problem is discussed, data integrity and sources are questioned, and after 6 months or more, no solution has been implemented? Some even use a Lean approach in these sessions and still fail to implement solutions. Lots of organizations, including those in healthcare, have fallen victim to this situation. I see many clients who think that once a project is completed, gains will automatically be sustained. Most are surprised and disappointed when performance reverts back.
What is missing? An effective management system. For those of use that are Lean practitioners, we call it a Lean Management System. What does that mean?
Lean management is an approach to running an organization that supports the concept of continuous improvement, a long-term approach to work that systematically seeks to achieve small, incremental changes in processes in order to improve efficiency and quality. It is the mechanism to develop, sustain, and improve these changes over time.
In deploying a lean management system, leaders in an organization must first understand it is their responsibility to enable front line staff to identify and solve their own problems without interference. They must provide a non-punitive environment for staff to expose and work on problems, be present to coach and mentor staff, and remove barriers to implementing solutions. Leaders must engage staff in discussing the measurements of success and course correcting in real time when performance does not meet goal.
Once a Lean Management System is implemented, I have personally seen a client's Emergency Department achieve door-to-doc time under 30 minutes and left without being seen less than 1%. I have also witnessed a client struggling with length of stay above 5 days drive it down to 3.8 days.
By implementing a Lean Management System, you are, in effect, creating an army of problem solvers who improve processes as a part of their daily work. This method is a different way of leading, but in the end, the organization will be able to achieve performance once thought impossible.
Today's blog was written by Dan Littlefield, Consulting Director.
Dan has 30 years of healthcare experience in many clinical and leadership roles. He leads Lean transformation and process improvement consulting engagements for Vizient. His prior experience includes serving as a senior consultant and pharmacy services leader for ValuMetrix Services deploying Lean in hospitals across numerous healthcare disciplines including Imaging, Laboratory, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physician Offices, successfully delivering process improvements and bottom-line results.
He began his healthcare career in retail pharmacy. As a nuclear pharmacist, he was responsible for providing radiopharmaceuticals and consulting services to physicians and hospitals. He advanced to pharmacy manager and then to director of operations, responsible for 13 facilities and 300 employees as well as financial performance. He also enjoys teaching lean concepts and has been a featured speaker at a variety of healthcare industry events. Dan holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Louisiana and a Specialty Certification in Nuclear Pharmacy from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.


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Step by step secrets to successful networking and hand in hand co-op partnerships
The art of networking is just that an art and I am going to tell you exactly how we get a shop to say yes. First off work one partnership at a time and be consistent. When Bo and I want to work with a new boutique or spa we start by visiting the shop and … Continue reading


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An erection is going up on trial … erection of a monument, that is. Since 1971, there has been a Ten Commandments monument in a public park in Utah. Now a small religious sect, calling itself Summum, wants to erect a monument commemorating their religion next to the existing Decalogue.
They are, of course, meeting with some opposition and are fighting it in the courts. And they are not approaching the issue as a church/state separation issue, but rather a free speech issue.
The original Ten Commandments monument, a clear homage to the Hebrew religious belief system, was allowed to be constructed on public land because the sponsors, The Fraternal Order of Eagles, claimed that it had historic value (even though the people erecting it were most likely of Anglo-Saxon, not Jewish, decent. Therefore their only connection to the 10 Commandments would bea religious one, not a historic one).
Interesting thing about the Ten Commandments. They are mentioned a couple of times in the Bible, and they are different each time. They are first mentioned in Exodus 20 when Chuck Heston brings them down the hill then smashes then before anyone can see them (you would think that tablets that were carved by Yahweh himself would deserve more respect). Then they are mentioned again in Exodus 36, and this in the first time they are actually referred to as the Ten Commandments. The commandments are ordered to re-made exactly the same as the originals, but they seem to make a few changes in them. See if you can spot them.
First Set, Exodus 20 (destroyed by Moses in a fit of rage)
1) I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.
2) You shall not make for yourself a graven image. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.
3) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5) Honor your father and your mother.
6) You shall not kill.
7) You shall not commit adultery.
8 ) You shall not steal.
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10) You shall not covet.
Second Set, Exodus 34
1) Thou shalt worship no other god (For the Lord is a jealous god).
2) Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
3) The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep in the month when the ear is on the corn.
4) All the first-born are mine.
5) Six days shalt thou work, but on the seventh thou shalt rest.
6) Thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, even of the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
7) Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread.
8 ) The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.
9) The first of the first fruits of thy ground thou shalt bring unto the house of the Lord thy God.
10) Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk.
I've always thought that #4 implies child sacrifice and that the Abraham and Isaac story was a means of telling folks not to do that anymore.
Link to some 10 Commandments info


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:: Mini Bombs
This morning's it's two foot but the waves are packing plenty of punch. The swell's swung around to the East and there's some peaky mini-bombs breaking hard on the shallow banks. With all this sand movement, high-tide is the new low-tide! The weekend ahead is looking wet and windy with a chance of waves. The onshore winds and an East Coast Low just north of us should whip up a decent ENE swell by Sunday. It'll be windy but keep you're eye out for glassy windows and open with heavy rain and swirling wind.
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:: Murray


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Sermon notes, feel free to share you own.
As shared by Jo Powell:
Last weeks recap: Jonah and the whale - If you want to be vomited out of your bondage
thanksgiving is a good place to start.
Video from conference: Like minded people in the same room
Thanksgiving -Ten Lepers Luke 17:1-19
God's goodness is not limited by
The faithful and the faithless receive goodness from God. Samaritan and Gallileans alike.
No one is outside the equation of God's grace.
We're all lost without a savior, we're all dying of sin. God loves us all the same.
The faithless become faithful through thanksgiving.
Jonah got released from his bondage when he started
The lepers went to the priest (through faith) and on the way
The leper who went back to thank Jesus. the healing begins.
All received healing but only one became whole.
Why not: Jesus could have healed them any way he wanted but He
chose to have them walk the walk of faith to come to that place of
whole ness. It didn't happen instantaneously. Sometimes it takes
What if your blessings come through raindrops what if your healing
comes through tears what if a thousand sleepless nights is what it
takes to know you're near.... What if trials of this life are your
mercies in disguise.


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Hollywood Reporter Welcomes Joe Bel Bruno
Joe Bel Bruno will be joining The Hollywood Reporter as news director, overseeing breaking industry news and business coverage, at the end of December 2015. Bel Bruno is currently the editor at Company Town covering the entertainment industry for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to that, he was a deputy business editor at Los Angeles Times since September 2012. For more entertainment news, follow The Hollywood Reporter on Twitter.
About Cision StaffCision's research staff makes over 20,000 media updates to Cision's Media Database each day! For more updates and other thought leadership in the industry, follow @Media_Moves.
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Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.
The best part of my job is its spontaneity. Stories can come from anywhere at any time, even, as I recently found out, from a seemingly small detail in a different story.
Two weeks ago, I wrote a column detailing Cardinal Mooney senior wrestler Dillon O'Neill's path to the state championships (He ended up winning his weight class). As part of that piece, I mentioned O'Neill's frequent visits to Hydr8, at 1539 2nd St., where he received cryotherapy treatment for a shoulder injury. O'Neill said it helped him deal with inflammation and swelling.
After that story ran, Hydr8's CEO, Fernando Vega, MHCM, contacted me and offered to let me try cryotherapy.
I am not one to turn down such an offer.
Vega told me the results of cryotherapy are akin to a 20-minute ice bath, only in three minutes. Hydr8 purchased its cryosauna from Impact Cryotherapy in Atlanta after Vega heard of numerous athletes, including LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Floyd Mayweather, using the machines daily in their homes. The cryosaunas engulf users in liquid nitrogen vapors from neck to toe. All users enter the machine wearing gloves, socks and protective shoes. Male users are required to wear underwear.
Since purchasing the cryosauna, Vega said NFL players have come to Hydr8 to use it, though Vega cited confidentiality rules and couldn't give me specific names. He also told me the machine could help patients with migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, eczema and psoriasis, and arthritis, plus improve users' energy, mood and melatonin levels, among other things. One patient in particular, who came in with arthritis pain, Vega will never forget.
"She came out of the machine and started crying," Vega said. "I thought something was wrong. She told me she could not feel any pain."
She then hugged Vega.
My turn in the machine had come. There are three levels to the cryosauna for beginners: minus 90 degrees (Celsius), minus 110 degrees, and minus 135 degrees. Veterans of the machine, like O'Neill, go colder. Vega said prior to my treatment that by the time it reached minus 135 degrees, or the "get me out of here" level, it would be time to exit.
In my experience, he was mostly right.
Cryotherapy is a cold unlike any I had previously felt, and I don't mean just in temperature. It was a dry cold. There's not the stinging wind accompanying the temperature drop like there is when you step out of a Missouri apartment in early February. In fact, nothing stings. You feel the cold for while, and then you don't. You know it's there, because your body won't stop shaking and remembering to push the "breathe" button in your brain takes effort. I guess that is to be expected in those temperatures, though.
Vega was talking to me during my session, but honestly, I could not tell you what he said. Every 15 seconds, you rotate to ensure frostbite doesn't get its grip on any ligaments. By the time three minutes had passed, I was more than ready to throw on Hydr8's complimentary robe.
Stepping out of the machine after three minutes was not unlike drinking a glass of red wine and feeling it slip down your throat and into your stomach, leaving a trail of warmth. The key difference is leaving the cryosauna brought warmth to my entire body, not just one area, though it didn't convince me dancing to John Mayer's new album was a good idea, so wine gets the edge there.
After my session, I felt better than expected. I was alert, and that alertness turned into productivity. I slept great that night, and my feelings from the day before remained in effect. I did not have any injuries, so I cannot speak to the treatment in that regard.
Cryotherapy was certainly a new experience, one that I'm glad I did. As it spreads through the sports world and other people get into it (TV personality Chelsea Handler used it on her Netflix show, "Chelsea"), I imagine you will hear about it more and more. Vega told me he's in the business of helping people, not making money, and I believe him. An introductory session is $25, with different plans available after that.


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Posted by steve bewlay on October 19, 2000 at 08:48:53:
In Reply to: Tubin concerto posted by Rob Dobson on October 17, 2000 at 02:56:36:
I beleive I have it lying around. I played the piece and might be able to find it if my accomanist did not take it.
: I am a student at Ohio State playing the Tubin concerto for double bass on my next jury and am looking for the piano part. Does anyone know where I might be able to find this? My local music shop insists that it is out of print.
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup


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FYI--Adventure Classic Gaming has just posted my review of The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft. I know we've been talking a lot about the Nancy Drew games lately, so I thought you might enjoy reading my review of that other brand of teen detective novels. In short, I didn't like it as much as the Nancy Drew games, but it's not bad and the franchise has great potential. What shocked me, though, was that Xpec didn't integrate more action segments, which would seem indispensable for any game based on the Hardy Boys!
If it weren't for you I wouldn't know neither Nance Drew nor The Hardy Boys. I guess they are relatively unknown in Germany.
Funnily, my German childhood heroes came mostly from foreign authors: Mark Twain (Tom Sawyer and the cooler Huckleberry Finn), Astrid Lindgren, the famous Swedish children's book author (the "Kalle Blomquist" series - also a young amateur detective - is called "Bill Bergson" in the US) and most importantly the "The Three Investigators" series (called in Germany "The Three Question Marks" - fantastic translation!):
The Three Investigators is still immensely popular in Germany and a multi-million Euro expensive movie was made two years ago (filmed in South Africa, completely in English and with American child actors - sounds a bit like "Stupid German Movie Money" but it actually was a German studio located in my hometown Hamburg, which produced the movie).
A sequel is apparently in the works at the moment.
take care,
Wow, I used to love the three investigators as a kid! I even remember the Alfred Hitchcock association.
I wonder if they'll ever do anything like that for the US market?
Vintage Games book!
Xbox 360: billlog | Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
The movies seem to be produced for the international market so I think they'll pop up sooner or later on DVD in the US and elsewhere.
A family sunday afternoon in front of the TV set may be a good excuse... ;-)
take care,
I've never heard of the 3 investigators.
I grew up reading Hardy Boys as a kid. It was always a treat, but of course you outgrow those pretty quickly. I moved on pretty early to "real" novels, though some of the teen stuff I read was actually so good my whole family (including grandparents) read them. My favorite of all time is Firebrats, which is about two teenagers who survive a nuclear holocaust and have to deal with the aftermath. I'm like --- WTF --- haven't these been made into movies or games? My whole family would wait anxiously for the next novel, then devour them in days. :)
If you get a chance, check them out! You won't be disappointed, that's for sure.


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LEXINGTON, Mass., March 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALDX) (Aldeyra), a biotechnology company focused on the development of products to treat diseases related to aldehydes, today announced that Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Aldeyra, will present at the Cowen and Company 36th Annual Health Care Conference on March 9, 2016 at The Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts.
During the presentation, Dr. Brady will discuss additional data from Aldeyra's recently completed Phase IIa clinical trial of its lead product, NS2, in allergic conjunctivitis. This randomized, parallel-group, single-center, double-masked, vehicle-controlled clinical trial of topical ocular NS2 in subjects with induced allergic conjunctivitis demonstrated statistically significant activity of NS2 over vehicle in reducing ocular itching and tearing.
Event: Cowen and Company 36th Annual Health Care Conference
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Time: 8:00-8:30 a.m. ET
An audio webcast of Aldeyra's presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Aldeyra Therapeutics website at www.aldeyra.com. A replay of the presentation will be available for 90 days.
About Aldeyra Therapeutics
Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused primarily on the development of products to treat diseases thought to be related to endogenous aldehydes, a naturally occurring class of toxic molecules. The company has developed NS2, a product candidate designed to trap aldehydes. Aldeyra has completed Phase IIa testing of NS2 in subjects with induced allergic conjunctivitis, and has initiated clinical testing of NS2 for the treatment of Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome and noninfectious anterior uveitis. NS2 has not been approved for sale in the U.S. or elsewhere. www.aldeyra.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Aldeyra's plans for its product candidates and its financial guidance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "might," "will," "objective," "intend," "should," "could," "can," "would," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "target," "design," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "aim," "plan" or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Aldeyra is at an early stage of development and may not ever have any products that generate significant revenue. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Aldeyra's forward-looking statements include, among others, the timing of enrollment, commencement and completion of Aldeyra's clinical trials, the timing and success of preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by Aldeyra and its development partners; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials and to commercialize Aldeyra's product candidates, and the labeling for any approved products; the scope, progress, expansion, and costs of developing and commercializing Aldeyra's product candidates; the size and growth of the potential markets for Aldeyra's product candidates and the ability to serve those markets; Aldeyra's expectations regarding Aldeyra's expenses and revenue, the sufficiency of Aldeyra's cash resources and needs for additional financing; the rate and degree of market acceptance of any of Aldeyra's product candidates; Aldeyra's expectations regarding competition; Aldeyra's anticipated growth strategies; Aldeyra's ability to attract or retain key personnel; Aldeyra's ability to establish and maintain development partnerships; Aldeyra's expectations regarding federal, state and foreign regulatory requirements; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Aldeyra's ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; the anticipated trends and challenges in Aldeyra's business and the market in which it operates; and other factors that are described in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Aldeyra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Aldeyra's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Additional factors may be described in those sections of Aldeyra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, to be filed with the SEC in the first quarter of 2016. In addition to the risks described above and in Aldeyra's other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Aldeyra's results.
In addition to the risks described above and in Aldeyra's other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Aldeyra's results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Aldeyra undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Corporate Contact: Stephen Tulipano Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. Tel: +1 781-761-4904 Ext. 205 firstname.lastname@example.com Investor Contact: David Burke The Ruth Group Tel: +1 646-536-7009 email@example.com
Aldeyra Therapeutics
Burlington, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES
Corporate Contact: Stephen Tulipano Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. Tel: +1 781-761-4904 Ext. 205 firstname.lastname@example.com Investor Contact: David Burke The Ruth Group Tel: +1 646-536-7009 email@example.com


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Righto people lets kick things off with an All Sports Challenge. The aim of the game is to convert $25 into $1000 using careful selection and minimal risk. Lets see how we go.
Bet 1 (Soccer): Paksi Se vs Pecsi MFC
Alternative Asian Goal Line – under 4.0,4.5
To follow the excitement of the challenges, all you need is a Bet365 account. They easily have the best selection of additional lines that are crucial for the challenges. Join here


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- Client Name:
- Six Flags
- Business:
- Services Used:
- Direct Mail, Advanced Data and Analytics
- Industry Type:
- Entertainment, Amusement Park
This amusement park giant is BKV's longest tenured client. Six Flags – the world's largest amusement park corporation – has been on our roster since our doors opened 30+ years ago, so they're practically family. BKV has been tasked with helping Six Flags parks secure robust sales for their group business segment, primarily through direct mail. But in order to beat our own results year after year, we had to get creative.
To this day, we start with the basics and employ proven direct mail tactics that have worked previously for the park. Even so, BKV continues to optimize; list strategies, database segmentation, drop schedules and even formats are constantly tested and monitored. As we continually refine our approach, no two seasons look alike. But year after year, BKV does one thing consistently: deliver results to keep Six Flags coming back.
BKV has successfully built the Six Flags group sales and season pass program year over year – since 1981.


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By now, I believe the world has seen the above video of the officiant that asked the photographers to leave the vantage point where they were shooting. In review, I agree with the officiant. Here's why:
As wedding photographers, we MUST respect your event as an event that is serious and precious to you.
We must not become a distraction nor attraction. We must be somewhat of a ghost during your ceremony to not take away from the emotions and traditions of your event. The reason most photographers wear black at weddings is to attempt to fade into the background (proverbially).
As Wedding Photographers, we must be equipped with the right tools for the job. Looking at the above video (outdoors wedding), there are probably several other locations the photographer could of been rather than clicking away right behind the head of the officiant. The officiant also has a job to do and I personally do not like anyone standing over me while I shoot an event. The same thing applies here.
As Wedding Photographers, we plan. When you don't plan, you are not prepared. Discussions should of been discussed with the client on what the "restrictions" were. There are multiple opportunities before the wedding day to iron out these types of things.
As always, we're here to help and discuss and this was one I didn't want to let go. Ensure you have the best possible CERTIFIED professionals managing media on your most important days.
Johnny West, CPP
Director of Photography
ArtsGroup Photography and Cinema


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Today Blogger Query receives its answers from Bookworm Blues' Sarah Chorn. Sarah and I started blogging around the same time, though hers is the elder blog by a few months. I love reading Sarah's reviews for their utter candour. If Sarah doesn't like a book she'll always say so, but she manages this without ever becoming purposely hurtful or rude. In addition, Sarah also has my utter respect on a personal level; her grace and (sometimes gallows) humour, which she has shown in her struggle with cancer in the past year, are something to admire. What's more, she's funny and kind and is always up for a chat on Twitter.
At the moment, Sarah is running Special Needs in Strange Worlds on her blog. This is a series of posts on disabilities in SFF, inspired by a guest post by Elspeth Cooper. It's been a very interesting read, with thought-provoking and touching posts. If you haven't checked the series out yet, I highly recommend you do so, as it's well worth the read.
But let's find out who the talented blogger behind this series is…
Let's start off with the basics. Who is Sarah Chorn?
Oh, I'm just a thrilling person to learn all about. Let me tell you, between changing diapers and acting out books for my daughter I put on my superhero costume and go save the world!
In all reality, I'm quite boring and there really isn't much to know about me. I am a recent college graduate with a degree in health promotion and nutrition. Before I had my daughter I traveled all over the world quite frequently and I am very into grassroots charity work to the point where I might be a bit obsessed with it. I've functioned as a United States coordinator for a charity based in Uganda, sponsored numerous children so they could get an education, and planned and organized a book drive to get books in African schools where I acquired over 1,000 books and over $1,000 to ship them all.
Everyone deserves an education. Period.
Now cancer and a severe back injury has sidelined much of what I use to do and dramatically changed my life. These days I'm very boring. I read a lot, blog and take care of a baby. My spare time is usually spent in one doctor's office or another or gardening. Right now I'm growing a ton of herbs so I can make my own tea. Life has changed, big time.
What got you into blogging?
I organized my college classes in such a way that the semester before I graduated I took a ton of fluff classes because I knew my brain would be completely dead by that point. It was that semester that I started reading something besides health and nutrition books. I got back into fantasy and I suddenly realized that I get really excited about what I read – and nobody in my life cares at all. Suddenly I had all this free time and all this excitement and no outlet for any of it. I started my blog as a hobby. It was a place for me to be excited and pretend like someone out there cared. Trust me, I never expected anyone to actually read my blog. Never. That wasn't what I was after at first, but out of some insane desire to share my excitement with the world, Bookworm Blues was born.
Why Bookworm Blues?
I think it's a true tragedy that today's kids and adults are more prone to picking up a DVD or video game than a book. I really think that this electronic era is wonderful in some ways, but we are also witnessing the death of imagination and "once upon a time" and that's absolutely tragic. The name of my blog was chosen to reflect that. It's depressing that I'm the only person I know who actually reads books. It's depressing that electronic devices and video games are chosen over reading. I feel very alone with my book love – hence the Bookworm Blues.
What is your unique selling point? Interviews, humour, news coverage?
I read this question to my husband and kind of laughed because I don't have an answer. I don't know if I have a unique selling point. I just do what I like to do. I try to write quality, in depth reviews and I try not to worry about being unique or standing out. I figure people will either read me or not, regardless of what I try to do.
What are your goals for your blog?
I've started doing author interviews. That was a huge goal of mine because I always wanted to do it but I was too intimidated. I'd like to continue doing that, and otherwise my only goal is to keep improving on what I'm currently doing. Nothing's perfect, but I can sure try to get it there.
Of course, if some publisher wanted to scoop me up and say, "hey, Sarah, why don't you work for us doing (insert name of job here)?" I'd jump at it – but I'm not holding my breath.
One of the eternal book reviewer debates is to rate or not to rate? Where do you stand on the issue?
I have some conflicting perspectives here. First of all, I don't really take ratings very seriously. Reading is a very subjective experience and I'm not sure if attaching a number to it makes any sort of logical sense. I mean, how would you rate a Mozart piece on a scale of 1 – 5? How about a painting by Monet?
On the other hand, I tend to pay more attention to reviews that have ratings, and I use them on my own. So many websites use ratings that I think it kind of keeps everything together when I use ratings as well. When I read reviews, I tend to read the rating first and then the review because usually the rating will make me more interested in the review.
That really makes no sense coming from someone who really doesn't think ratings are that important….
Negative reviews, yay or nay? And why?
Yeah, I'll write negative reviews if I need to, but I've reached a point where I'm so busy and my backlog of books to review is so large that I've stopped reading books that I don't enjoy. I just don't have time and while one will sneak in every now and again, when I really look at my limited time, I'd rather spend it reading books I enjoy.
The past year has been tumultuous for you to say the least. How have your experiences dealing with cancer and becoming a mum affected your reading? Do you pay attention to different things in books now? Do certain things affect or bother you more?
Part of the reason I started the Special Needs in Strange Worlds event on my blog is because of my own feelings right now. I feel rather disabled in some ways. I'm very bitter. I spent a vast amount of time and money to get a degree I absolutely loved, just to be diagnosed with cancer a month after I graduated. Over a year later, my degree is basically useless. I can't use it unless I go back to school to get a master's. No one wants me, so if I work, it's going to be a part time job at a book store or something. That really burns me inside. On top of that, due to the back injury I suffered while pregnant, I walk with a limp and it's been over a year since I've had full function and feeling in my right leg. My doctor said that my nerves have been compacted for so long he doubts I'll ever have fully functioning right leg again. So here I am, not even 30, with a useless degree and a leg that doesn't work right. Yeah, I'm pissed. I'm bitter and upset. Has this factored into my reading? Of course. I tend to gravitate toward books with disabled people in them now. I can relate and it helps me to see how these literary characters have taken something which would probably piss them off as much as I'm pissed right now, and turned it into a strength. It helps me realize that, yeah, some things suck, but I have a beautiful daughter because of all of it if that character could overcome it, so can I.
Having a daughter also changes things. I never read young adult books before but now I find myself liking them. I kind of make mental lists of the books I want to read with Fiona when she's old enough. That's really fun for me, and it's given me a respect of young adult that I never had before.
How important are blogs to your reading choices?
I have a few certain bloggers who I admire and usually if they recommend a book I'll try to start reading said book ASAP. There are others whose reviewing style I enjoy and try to use their reviews as examples on how to improve my own.
How do you think blogs and reviewers fit in the book business?
This is another topic where I have complex feelings. Book reviewers can be a huge, important resource for the publishing industry. We really can serve to get the word out there for a book and that's some very important advertising. There are a few authors who have recently said that they really credit book blogs for how popular their books have become. That gives us quite a bit of power, if you think about it. I think, with the importance of the internet, book bloggers are just going to get more important rather than less.
What is your current read and what book are you most eagerly awaiting?
Right now I'm finishing up Miserere by Teresa Frohock. I am also reading From Blue Skies and Pain by Stina Leicht and I plan on starting The Company Man by Robert Jackson Bennett within a few days. I've been reading (off and on) The Weird short story collection by the VanderMeers. As for what I'm anticipating – nothing really. I usually have a list as long as my arm of books I'm eagerly waiting for but not right now. I've been so busy with cancer stuff recently that I've completely lost track of who is releasing what, when.
Is there something else you're obssessed with other than books?
My baby girl, Fiona and photography. I'm hugely obsessed with photography. When life sucks you will always either find me with a book or my camera.
Finally, I have to stay true to my roots and ask a librarian question to finish off with: Do you shelve your books alphabetically, by genre or do you have an ingenious system?
My personal shelving system will make your skin crawl. The top book on my bookshelf is reserved for books I read over and over again. Under that I shelve them by size and "personal interest level" – so all the books roughly the same size are on the same shelves. Series are always together (unless they are different sizes. That drives me crazy), and most read books are higher on the bookshelf unless they are doorstoppers. Doorstoppers go on the bottom shelf, regardless. They are too heavy for Fiona to move so they function as a good deterrent against my books being damaged by baby slobber or whatever else.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Sarah. And I can assure everyone that having seen the pictures, it's not strange that Sarah is also obsessed with Fiona, because that is one cute baby! If you haven't been following Bookworm Blues, why not? You can do so over at Bookworm Blues. You can also follow Sarah on Twitter and Goodreads.


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The Dynamics of Free
A good article just posted at the Wharton site about the dynamics of free (pricing) and what it does to markets. This is becoming a hot topic at the moment, and this article summarizes some of the issues nicely.
Indeed, the appeal of "free" has been shown to be so extraordinary that it bends the demand curve. "The demand you get at a price of zero is many times higher than the demand you get at a very low price," says Kartik Hosanagar, a Wharton professor of operations and information management who studies pricing and technology. "Suddenly demand shoots up in a nonlinear fashion." Josh Kopelman, a venture investor and entrepreneur who founded Half.com, has written about what he dubbed "the penny gap." Even charging one cent for something dramatically lessens the demand [generated at] zero cents.
Consumers' sense of entitlement to free content online "has had catastrophic effects — meaning both large and quick — that I don't think anyone would have predicted," says Hoch. "It's had a yet unknown catastrophic effect on the news. It's had a catastrophic effect on music. Clearly the concept that you can make it up in volume is bogus, because you can't. Music CD sales have gone from $13 billion in the U.S. to about $7 billion since 2001 while legal digital downloads generated about $1.5 billion in sales."


text: People sometimes think Bega is just for beautiful farms and a whole lot of Cheese!! We got a secret tip about a natural rock jump and slide so we met up with Matt and Elise from Salt Veins and went on a trek to find this magical place. Our brother Andrew was also along for a taste of van life! Just a short drive out of Bega into heavenly countryside we took a turn on a dirt road and ventured on. Our Mercedes Vito Van did well trying to keep up with Salt Veins Range Rover cruising this way and that through the forest. Upon reaching the car park we jumped in our wet suits for ultimate speed and warmth of course. Walking up stream we were in awe, just surrounded by nature at it's best. We had reached Mumbulla Falls, New South Wales, Australia. We got to the run, jump and slide, we had one of the most special afternoons ever. Sliding and laughing, daring each other to go harder, it was a natural high. We are realising it really pays off to ask locals and fellow campers some of their favourite spots.


text:
I don't really have a whole lot to add to my previous LSU-Notre Dame entry.
In the only match-up subsequent to that blog, the play of the game was a missed call (sustained after replay review) where LSU had a touchdown. This was the best picture I saw, but there were also better angles of the plane of the goal line where you could tell the ball was over before the knee touched.
Notre Dame would win on a field goal in the fourth quarter; but obviously if the Tigers had another 7 points on the board, no last-minute score by the Irish would have mattered.
This was a good summary of the circumstances surrounding the game and also made mention of the touchdown that wasn't.
LSU will look to even the all-time series at six wins apiece today.


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I finally got some time to have a play with the new Letraset Flexmarkers the other night, I've been dying to try these out!
One of the great things about them was that I noticed the effect of building up shading with just one pen was much easier to achieve, I don't know if thats just the increased flow of ink, but I only had to go over the areas one additional time to get good results, but the thing I loved most about these are the new very pale colours, they are just gorgeous!
One thing I will mention about the pale colours, don't get disheartened with them when you first use them, I started colouring Alice's face and it went grey and I thought 'oh, great, I've got zombie Alice!' and I got very frustrated and put it to one side thinking it had messed it up, but given a few minutes the colour develops into what it should look like - it's just where the alcohol wetting the paper is darker than the colour, once the alcohol evaporates the colour is gorgeous.
This weekend I'll definitely be doing some more practiscing with these (and making a card from this image I've coloured!), if you're used to using Promarkers as I am, it will take a few times to get perfect results but the new colours alone make it worth persevering!
Have a lovely weekend!
Sarah x
p.s. if you're looking for the DT call please see below...
New Letraset Flexmarkers
5 comments:
I've received mine today and they flow beautifully, they feel more like a paint brush at times and a little goes a long way ! :)ReplyDelete
these look really interesting, Sarah!!ReplyDelete
Ooo I love those colours Sarah especially that green. I hope you have a wonderful 'colouring in' weekend. :)ReplyDelete
They look fab Sarah, I may have to invest in a few of those.ReplyDelete
Ooo Fabby! Thanks for the info Sarah, so nice to be able to see them in action! KimReplyDelete
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While the end of the year is usually all about the good, we here at Comic Bastards like to also remember... well the worst of year as well. That's right, we've given you the best and handed out our cuts, but now we're handing out golden eggs to our worst picks of 2014. Why a golden egg? Well take a look at the big ass eagle logo on the side and you can put the pieces together. Now let's dive into our next category: What Are You Not Looking Forward to From 2015?
Andre - The return of Steve Rogers as Captain America
David - Comics Getting More Expensive
You saw it start this year. Marvel getting rid of all of its $2.99 main universe titles and replacing them with $3.99 ones. Yup, that's only the beginning. As Marvel move towards the $4.99 price point, I can only hope that DC continues to keep the $2.99 price tag alive. If not, my pull list is going to suffer.
Dustin - Hearing About Marvel and DC
Fun fact, I've read ten Marvel and or DC comics this past year and that was far too many. I just can't be bothered. They're not doing anything I care about and frankly there are too many other great comics out there to waste my time on. So I'm not looking forward to telling people I read comics and then only hearing about Marvel and DC... just like this year... and the last. Comics aren't dead or dying they're just waiting for you to spend your money on something better.
James - Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
I really would hope this will be good. But it just feels like it wants to bomb especially with DC's crappy record with movies (minus the Nolan Batmans). Green Lantern all over again but with more black, blue, and red. .
Jeff - Wait, there are things to look forward to?
2015 looks like a shit-caked copy of this year save for a few movies I'm casually looking forward to. If it weren't for Scott Snyder and Grant Morrison I would be proud to say I'm not reading any of the desperate crap the Big Two are shoveling. And movies? I'm looking forward to 'Avengers 2' but not on pins and needles or anything. *sigh* Remember when this was fun?
Kevin - Comic Books Movies
I hate to say it but I think that we've seen all we need to see. We're pissing in the shallow end of the talent pool. Somewhere between here and they're they just stopped being fun. Wake me everyone gets rebooted.
Neil - DC Convergence
Can you say cluster F#!%
Nick - The four more weekly series DC will no doubt announce soon
Nina - Ant-Man Movie
Please don't do this to us.
Samantha - Whatever they do with Spider-Man
Just stop. Please.
Steve - Batman
Books, movies, shows, this unbeatable dickface is everywhere, and will be more than ever, one would think, in the New Year. Ugh.


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So today I ran a little thing called a marathon. You may have heard of it - it's something crazy people do when they want to punish themselves for ... well, anything really. It's sort of the modern socially acceptable version of a hair shirt. Ok, that's not really what I think. Look at how happy I was once the second I crossed the finish line.
Anyway. I feel exercised and tired and exhausted and like tomorrow I am going to the sorest woman ever.
Sorest. Ever.
A friend of mine recently posted about training to run the San Francisco marathon, and his very wise girlfriend provided him with this quote: "IF YOU RAN WITHOUT SACRIFICE, CONGRATULATIONS. YOU JUST JOGGED. Running hurts. It always has. Woolly mammoths didn't just roll over onto a plate and serve themselves up to prehistoric man with fries and a shake. They had to be caught – and running down woolly mammoths was a bitch. Guess what? Running is still a bitch. But one with a purpose. It teaches us that good things do not come easy. It teaches us that hard work will be rewarded and laziness will be punished. Don't expect to learn those life lessons from running's shiftless stepchild; jogging. Next time you suffer on the roads or trails, suffer proudly. It means you run like an animal." (You can read the whole post here.)
So either I'm an animal or deep in atonement. Either way, I accomplished something today. Fuck yeah. Now, I'm going to bed.


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It's the height of the flu season and a local organization and volunteers will soon be hitting school hallways and classrooms of Guthrie Public Schools with disinfectant wipes as part of Love Week. Now, you can be a part of the action.
"We are on a MISSION to wipe down every school in the district on February 17," Gregory "Heady" Coleman said.
Heady says GuthrieAmerica will be needing 10 or more people at each school building. Yes, kids can help out too.
"We are wiping down desks, keyboards, door knobs, etc. to help keep our students healthy," Heady said.
Each person can fill out a form and select which school they would like to help.
Everyone will meet at the school at 9 a.m. and do as much as possible until 11 a.m.
"We are doing this for what we call LOVE WEEK. Partnering with a local non-profit during the week of Valentine. We can do this," Heady said.
Sign up by going to OPERATIONWIPEDOWN.ORG


text:
For some reason Philips Hue cannot get an ip-address it seems. So the system is basicly useless. I have tried several reboots of the router, the Hue thing etc. Nothing has helped so har.
I suspect an error because my Android phone wants the same IP. However if I turn off the phone and boot from rock bottom there is only light in two LEDs.
31 August, 2016
30 August, 2016
Synchroniz Tomboy Notes
If you have more than one computer: save the notes on Dropbox. Then synchronize your systems with that folder. It works like a charm.
26 August, 2016
Docx - cannot print properly from Linux
Skyprinting from Linux or Windows does not give the same result. I'm not printing from Libre Office. I just upload the file from the directory. My conclusion: .docx is not an open format at all. You have to print from Windows.
15 August, 2016
Latex and Your Organization
As a researcher and author it's obvious to write in the Latex format. But when you hand in your work, you often have to downscale to some MS Word .docx template. I can do it. But I don't love .docx.
13 August, 2016
Lyx Debugging
Getting an error in Lyx is pretty normal. That is when you try to compile to .dvi or .pdf. But how can you edit an error in myfile.lyx in line 666? From inside Lyx it's not possible to edit the source. As far as I know, that is.
So, the quick a dirty solution is:
So, the quick a dirty solution is:
- Get out of the file in Lyx.
- Open the file in your favorite editor (vi, nano, gedit ... etc.)
- Go to the line with an error.
- Fix or remove whatever seems wrong.
- Save and open the file in Lyx again.
- Compile ... and hope for the best.
06 August, 2016
Lyx header for a Paper
Latex header sample.
- Colored table cells
- Author / year bibliography
- Somewhat scalable tables
The Latex header:
\usepackage{comment} \begin{comment} TABELLER FARVER OG MULTICOLUMN Formatterer farvede tabeller. Husk: man kan definere farvekoder. \end{comment} \usepackage{multirow} \usepackage[table]{xcolor} \usepackage{graphicx} \begin{comment} HEADER OG FOOTER Indsæt herunder \end{comment} \lhead{"Et in arcadea ego"} \rhead{Per Thykjær Jensen} \chead{2016} \bibliographystyle{plainnat} \usepackage{graphicx}
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text:
Hallowe'en week at the nursery kicked off with an invasion of pumpkins! There were pumpkin costumes (which looked very fetching), and the children were able to explore the real thing - they used spoons and forks to dig into the flesh and scoop out the slippery seeds. They also used our magnifying bug jars to examine the different textures of the pumpkin more closely.
There were more fantastic costumes from staff and children today (including a visit from ET!). In keeping with our spooky theme, the children were playing with sensory slime bags filled with creepy crawlies and googly eyes. These are simple to make - mix water, cornflower and paint, then pour the mixture into a plastic sandwich bag and seal securely. The children love squishing them between their hands, and there's no mess to clean up afterwards! Elsewhere in the nursery, the children had another fantastic small world set-up, with toy animals in a landscape of grass, plants, bark and water.
We are celebrating Diwali all this week - in an activity inspired by henna-decorated hands, the children have been drawing around their own hands and decorating them with glitter, sequins and stickers. We also learned more about the festival of Diwali at story time. Outside, it was time for more gruesome messy play, as the children enjoyed the sensation of cooked spaghetti "worms" slithering through their fingers.
We made the most of the mild weather today, with a water-play activity outside. Playing with water is a great way for the children to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through actions like pouring, squirting, stirring and squeezing. It increases the children's ability to concentrate on one activity when presented as a tranquil and repetitive activity (scooping, pouring and running their hands through the water). Gentle water play also allows them to unwind, order their thoughts and relax.
We had a music and movement day at nursery, with the children enjoying a game of sleeping lions as well as a good old fashioned boogie. The week's Hallowe'en theme continued with the children making play dough monsters (there were some truly terrifying creations!) and watching a 'Room on the Broom' puppet show. We've had a lot of fun this week at nursery, and we hope your children have enjoyed all the spooky activities. Have a fantastic half term holiday and we'll see you soon!