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Laura Hanly, a writer specializing in content marketing for online businesses joins me today to drop some incredible value for business owners struggling to nail down their content strategy. Through her business, Laura Hanly Content Marketing Agency, she helps online businesses hone their competitive edge with powerful content marketing processes. Great news for us all, Laura is also writing a book entitled, Content That Converts: A Profitable and Predictable B2B Content Marketing Strategy. You can follow Laura's progress, get early chapters, and loads of free advice on writing in her private Facebook Group.
Laura has been in the industry of content promotion for a long time. She worked in the major Australian publishing houses for several years, promoting and reviewing books, before starting her own online business. When she moved online and started working with e-commerce and B2B companies, she found that most of those businesses had a really incomplete approach to their content marketing.
When Laura is onboarding a new client and getting familiar with their needs, she has three key questions that get at the basis of any sound marketing strategy:
- Who are your customers?
- What are you offering them?
- How are you delivering that?
It's all about understanding who your audience is, getting really clear about who you're actually communicating with, what your offer is, and, finally, figuring out your messaging.
Her introductory questions ensure that her clients are really clear about those three elements, and then helps to determine a guiding principle, a north star, for their content marketing strategy. This is how Laura is able to hone in on someone's voice, whether to assist her in ghost writing the content for them, or to help them be more consistent in their messaging.
"You have to start with a really broad view and get to know the business and the people running the business, before you can get down to those nitty-gritty bits."
There are a couple areas that many entrepreneurs are struggling with:
Many entrepreneurs don't have a complete strategy around their content.
"It's really not enough to just pump out blog posts or podcasts. They really have to be part of the ecosystem."
- You want to make sure you have an opt-in offer, or a lead magnet, that's going to capture all of the traffic that comes to your site
- You want to have email funnels that educate people and move them towards taking action with you
- Regular sales offers and goodwill campaigns that make money and keep the list healthy
People struggle to produce content regularly.
"A lot of entrepreneurs have these amazing skills and really are experts in really interesting fields, but it's a struggle for them to communicate their expertise. My big focus is helping them put systems in place that are really going to enable them to communicate their expertise in a way that's not overly-draining or time-consuming for them."
The most important high-leverage system that Laura has implemented for her clients is a quarterly content plan filled out with content themes. Pick three or four things that you really want to be known for in your industry, and put those into a quarterly content plan that maps out exactly what each piece of content will be each week, along with three or four key points you want to touch on for those posts. If you fill out this plan, you will know what to do whenever you sit down to produce content.
How and when you deliver your content will vary based on industry. High-end consulting and coaching businesses will want to create a luxury or catered experience. B2B will want to be consistent and less frequent than B2C, where you have more flexibility. However, every business in every industry is different, so you will need to test any content distribution methods to find what is most effective for you and your industry.
Deciding the right email-marketing client to use can be daunting. Laura uses ActiveCampaign because of their segmenting capabilities, and because their workflows create effective funnels. Drip has similar capabilities, and is a little more visually appealing. If you are looking for something enterprise-level, InfusionSoft and ONTRAPORT are amazing tools if you have a complex offering, a business with a lot of moving parts, or your business is already established. It's important to be aware of your company's needs, your current budget, and not to sign on with a platform that is so overwhelmingly techy that it prevents you from getting started.
Laura often encounters resistance to delegating content production responsibilities, when she is working with entrepreneurs who have a defined personal brand. "Everyone who is the face of their brand, or whose reputation is connected to their business, is just terrified of outsourcing their content." It's totally understandable, but it also puts hard limits on what an entrepreneur can achieve with their content.
"This is where the quarterly planning spreadsheet comes into play, because it's an opportunity for you to map out exactly what you want to be communicated to your audience, the language you want used, the positioning and everything. Planning all of that out with a writer you really trust gives you the opportunity to communicate all of that, while only spending a very small amount of your own time."
If you aren't working with a content marketing team or specialist, then the quarterly planning spreadsheet can still help. After you have your content schedule, plan days to write and finish batches of content. Batching can be a more approachable way of getting that work done, and it can help you make sure each piece of content relate to each other.
If your business is a little bit newer and you are looking to grow your list, web summits are performing really well for list growth. A web summit is a collection of people within an industry who, usually over the course of a couple days, will talk about a variety of topics within an industry.
"If you can get together with a few other people in your industry, and do a bunch of interviews and make it really valuable for people who are interested in your particular expertise, then that's a great way to cross pollinate with other people in your area who have complementary businesses. It's also a great way, down the line, to establish affiliate relationships."
Lately, Laura has also been helping people produce books for their business by ghost writing. "I think books are one of the biggest opportunities for businesses online at the moment." Producing a book is a great way to differentiate yourself from your market, particularly if you have a lot of aggressive competitors.
Writing a book shows that you are a serious player in the industry, and you can use a book to create multiple revenue streams. There are the sales of the book, but you can also send the book to prospective clients. "When you have a really high price-point offering … it's a great way to show that you're really going to be worth it."
Laura packed this interview full of value and helpful tips about content production, email marketing and writing books for The Bold Life Movement. I highly suggest heading over to the Content That Converts Facebook Group to check out updates on the book.
Subscribe in iTunes, Listen on Sticher Radio, or Click Here to download.
- What was the transition like when Laura decided to double down on her writing skills and create a content marketing agency?
- When Laura is onboarding someone, what are some of the typical questions that you will go over with them?
- What is one thing that entrepreneurs seem to be struggling with the most?
- What are content production systems that entrepreneurs should have in place?
- How does someone know which email client they should use for content marketing?
- What are some ways that people can repurpose old content, and not feel like they are starting anew every quarter?
- Tips for growing and nurturing a baby list?
- How to plan a complete approach to content marketing
- The three questions that can help any business draft a sound content marketing strategy
- The areas that entrepreneurs struggle with most in content marketing
- The importance of a quarterly content plan
- How to decide the right email-marketing client
- Plus much more…
- Connect with Laura Hanly: Website
- Content That Converts Facebook Group
- The Bold Life Movement (Book) Facebook Group
- Bold Life Business School - Group Program Coming September 2016
- ActiveCampaign
- Drip
- InfusionSoft


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Went here on Friday night with some friends from the gym and it has to be said we weren't that impressed. The food and drink we had was distinctly underwelming. The starters and dumplings were a bit like bad wedding canapes, our crispy duck was dry and tasteless, the mains were OK but not nearly as good as from one of the noodle shops in Soho. If fell very much into the Ping Pong category of mass produced oriental food. The wines were particularly bad, we tried both the Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurtz which seemed inspired by Blue Nun, the Shiraz we also had was pretty poor. Service was fine though we were stuck at a table upstairs so it lacked any atmosphere. Would not be in a hurry to go back there.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Serves me right for going out after the gym

subset: commoncrawl


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- JotForm UI DeveloperberilAnswered on August 11, 2016 at 10:46 AM
You can also see that option as you see below:
If you have any question or issues, please do not hesitate contacting us. We will be glad to assist you.
- PeterTingayAnswered on August 12, 2016 at 06:58 AM
Thank you


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Wick German Stoneware Beer Stein Musician/Zither Player 1/2 Liter
Quantity available: 1
German beer stein decorated with orange luster trim, multicolored incised designs. Depicts a zither player and his romantic interest. Marked "Made in Germany"/"18" and the mark for Wick Works AG of Grenzhausen. Circa mid-1900's stoneware. Holds .5 liter, 6.75"h, no lid. Rim has a few repaired chips, glaze crazed overall. Sold as is. Inglenook Antiques...Established 1989.
Inglenook Antiques & Collectibles
Lake Wales, Florida
Dealer accepts: PayPal
Shipping: $10.00


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We are now reserving Fall Portraits Mini Sessions!
Your 30-min session includes:
·Seven professionally edited and retouched images
· Full, password protected digital gallery
· Complimentary 8x10 print
Valued at $180
Competitors will often give you 5 images and no prints for rates over $200
Save over $105, reserve now for $75!
Limited availability for Saturday dates in October & November. Call now.
P.S. For anyone that you refer to us, you will receive a $25 credit towards any photography session valid for a year.
Please let us know if you have any questions! We look forward to photographing you!


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The How I Organize series, which gives us a peek at how others organize their homes, is back! I've got some fabulous participants lined up. First up is my friend and Seattle-based interior decorator, Maggie of Maggie Rose Interiors (who just launched a new e-book!). She shares with us today how she organizes her bathroom cabinet:
Our apartment has no under-sink storage, but it came with a generously sized cupboard in the corner near the door. It's not the prettiest thing to look at, but it holds a LOT of stuff! It's nice to have everything at eye-level instead of getting down on your knees on the bathroom floor to dig stuff out from under the sink.
The top shelf (out of my reach!) holds infrequently used items like beach towels, a small tub for soaking, and back-up bulk kleenex. The next shelf holds back-up toilet paper (we keep 3 rolls in a glass vase near the toilet so guests don't have to scrounge), once-in-a-while beauty and health products, travel supplies in a shoebox, and our first aid kit (blue bin on the right). The third shelf from the top holds towels (holds up to four plus our two in rotation), hand towels, cleaner, and the heavy kitty litter box - I wish there was a better place to stash that, but the litter box is in the bathroom, so it makes sense. The bottom shelf is the most frequently used and easiest to reach. I have a basket for everyday items (hairdryer, etc), occasional items (feminine products, curling iron), and the basket on the right holds all the washcloths. It's not uber-glamorous but it IS uber-functional and I can find everything quickly. Maybe someday I'll get around to painting or wall-papering the inside, but for now, it does its job!


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Splorers are a Mindful Tribe of Party Animals — people who know how to have a damn good time while respecting the environment and our Splore family. Thanks to you we create a party like no other: based on kindness, doing good, feeling great and having a whole lot of fun. When we all come together, Splorers create magic.
We practice what we preach, and work closely with Tapapakanga's iwi, Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Whanaunga, to honour this beautiful land. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, from eliminating single–use plastic cups and water bottles, to keeping campsites clean and sorted with the help of our Camp Kaitiaki.
Splore is a trailblazer in the world of sustainable events. We're a member of the Sustainable Business Network and we're proud to be the first festival in Aotearoa to win the international A Greener Festival Award for our sustainability initiatives.
The big picture stuff: vibe, culture, and protecting the environment.
We're proud to have honest,
in–depth, creative waste minimisation strategies, and we keep building on them year after year.
Sustainability starts at home. What you put in your bag makes a big difference.
Get the dirty on our systems, strategies, and statistics.
Ko Papatuanuku te whaea o te whenua
It's a privilege to party on this sacred whenua, Tapapakanga. We are very thankful to the iwi who have mana whenua over this site, Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Whanaunga, and to their ancestors. They give us their blessing to be here. Please be kaitiaki (caregivers) of this place and take pride in being here as part of the Splore community.
Waste is just a resource in the wrong place
We're working hard to achieve Zero Waste, meaning that we choose to see any leftover stuff as valuable resources needing a new home, rather than as unwanted waste to throw away. Throwing something away just means you've passed on responsibility for your trash to someone else, and this mythical away is usually a landfill. We're keen to change that reality.
Culture is not a costume
Cultural appropriation happens when a culturally important garment or sacred symbol is worn as a costume or fashion trend and is stripped of its significance and context, especially when items from a minority culture are worn by someone from a colonial culture. We ask Splorers to be mindful of their costume choices, and to be understanding when people ask for sensitivity around garments that hold a place of honour in their cultural heritage. There's a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and it's an ongoing conversation we can have together as a community. While some people might call it politically correct, we just call it showing respect and love for your fellow humans!
There are plenty of ways to explore this year's theme Celebration without crossing any cultural boundaries. Channel your powerful inner spirit: be bold, be subtle, be unexpected!
Our guardians of the vibe
Keep your eyes peeled for our roving Camp Kaitiaki, modern–day campsite power rangers who will be your new best pals. Working alongside Camp HQ and the Zero Waste team, Camp Kaitiaki play an important role in keeping the campsites running smoothly. They'll sort you out with some bags for your resources (one for recycling and one for compostables) and give you a hand with anything else you might need. With many a trick up their sleeves, chat to the Camp Kaitiaki if you've got any questions or dramas.
It's easy to sort out your compost and recycling at your campsite and take it to our Zero Waste Hubs. Think ahead and try to get most of your rubbish sorted and dropped off early, so we can avoid sorting through panic piles of mixed resources on Sunday. Our sorting truck will be making its way through the campsites on Saturday morning and afternoon, so keep an eye out for this convenient tent–side pickup service. And if you see something on the ground, please pick it up and help it find its way into the right bin.
Good neighbours build good communities, no matter how temporary. Got messy neighbours? Spotted a campsite in desperate need of a clean? Work together to help them to get sorted, or let one of our team members know and we'll come and help them. There are plenty of composting, recycling and landfill bins on site, and if you need a hand, our Zero Waste volunteers and Camp Kaitiaki will happily help you figure things out.
Help us walk our sustainability talk
The compostable packaging conundrum returns to Splore 2019. Our food vendors only sell food in compostable serveware, in an effort to minimise the amount of plastic waste we send to the recyclers. Sounds good? The sneaky problem is, all of these compostable dishes and cups and cutlery are still single–use and eat up valuable resources from our planet. And compostable serveware is still a plastic: a plant based plastic that has to be commercially composted to break down properly. This means heating it above 60°C at 90% humidity for over two weeks. We make sure all of Splore's compostable waste goes to a commercial composting facility in Tuakau, and gets the treatment it needs before it goes back to the earth.
But we know that the magical place we call Splore is a bubble, and most people in New Zealand don't have access to a commercial composting facility. So the compostable or biodegradable packaging we feel good for using in our everyday lives most likely still ends up in landfill. It's confusing and wasteful, and it distracts us from our real aim: eliminating all single–use products.
We are dreaming and scheming up a solution to the compostable conundrum, and it looks like this: Splore's first ever reusable, washable food dishes trial. Selected vendors will be selling their food on reusable, washable plates and bowls, which can be returned to the Globelet tent when you have finished your meal. They'll be washed and recirculated. It's our best answer right now to a tricky situation, and we hope to roll it out Splore–wide in future years.
The breakdown on commercial composting
Since 2014, Splorers have prevented more than 250,000 single use plastic drink cups being sent to landfill by using reusable Globelet cups. Globelets are made of washable, reusable, recyclable plastic. At Splore 2019, we'll primarily be using Globelets from previous Splores. Bring your own vintage Globelet to Splore and show it how we party in 2019 – as always you'll be able to swap your used Globelet for a clean Globelet on site, and receive a $1 refund when you return your Globelet to the Globelet tent at the end of the festival.
A revolution in reusable cups
We're bringing the popular composting toilets back to Splore 2019. These bio loos turn human waste into safe, handy humanure – and provide a more pleasant festival bathroom experience!
But we can't get enough! We're keen for more composting toilets at Splore. If you can help us in our mission, drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.com
Ones and twos can really add up
Want not, waste not
The maths is pretty simple: less rubbish is less rubbish! Smart recycling starts at the shops. Avoid buying things wrapped in plastic and excess packaging, or take it one step further by peeling away all the unnecessary bits and leaving them at the store. Bring your essentials in reusable containers instead, and make a powerful statement about the kind of world you want to live in.
Make planet–friendly choices when you sparkle and glow
Don't let the gleam of glitter blind you from a huge tiny shiny problem. Micro–plastics are messing with marine life, and glitter is no exception. Our mates at BodyFX will be stocking compostable dissolvable degradable super cool bio–glitter at Splore, so you can shine responsibly. Or, raid your local op–shop for vintage sequins and sparkles.
Glow sticks and bracelets are single–use plastic tubes filled with nasty chemicals. It's a lot of toxic waste to make for just one night of shine. Instead, maybe try adding UV body paint or solar–powered fairy lights to your Splore looks.
Quench your thirst without the waste
You won't find us selling any single–use plastic water bottles. We think anything that takes a long time to break down should have a properly useful life first. One hour of hydration shouldn't cost the environment a thousand years of slow–degrading plastic. We'll have reusable bottles for sale, but it's even better to bring your own. Pop it in your backpack, strap it to your belt, turn it into a necklace — and putting your phone number on your bottle helps keep it out of lost and found. There's free fresh water available all over the site, so whatever you do, make sure you BYOB.
Cheap gear can have a hidden cost
Cheap often means disposable. Having a fully–kitted–out campsite can be fun, but will that gazebo be in the rubbish heap at the end of the Splore? If you don't have what you need, try borrowing from a friend or buying quality second hand. If you do need to buy new gear, it's actually cheaper in the long run to buy something high quality that will go the distance. And less is more! All you need to have a great Splore is a sturdy place to sleep and a good attitude. We provide the rest!
We run Splore on a Zero Waste philosophy, where 'waste' is viewed as a resource which can be recovered, rather than unwanted material to throw away. Where possible, we find a good home for all our resources, so they can continue to have a useful life. To achieve our Zero Waste goals and continually reduce what goes to landfill, we separate our resources into recyclables (cans, plastic, glass, cardboard, paper, metal, wood), compostable resources (food, and the compostable cutlery and serveware our vendors use) and waste to landfill. We have been working with our waste contractor Clean Event since 2014, and together we've developed sophisticated systems to minimise our collective environmental footprint.
You can't manage what you don't measure! Every year we run an audit of the resource streams on site. In 2017, each Splorer created 3.5kg of wasted resources. Last year this figure was reduced to 2.8kg. 74% of these resources were diverted from landfill using our Splore resource recovery processes, well above the UK festival average of 32%. This year, we're aiming to divert 85% of resources from landfill.
And from our 10 composting toilets at Splore 2018, we diverted 250kg of fertiliser to a native plant nursery, and 1200L of urea as agricultural fertiliser. Plus we saved over 1500L of fresh drinking water from being wasted through toilet processing systems.


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I can now let the cat out of the bag. I'm so excited! I'm honored to be chosen as one of the Guest Designers of the month over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.
Pop on over to check out the announcement. You'll see my creations throughout this month. It's going to be tons of fun!
Monday, March 7, 2011
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Davos, CH - Gathered together for the World Economic Forum in Davos, leaders from business, policy, civil society and international governance met to discuss the urgent need for transformation of food and land use systems to secure a brighter future for people and planet – and their relative roles in driving this. The collaborative and action-oriented conversation was convened by the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) Chair, Paul Polman, who both initiated and concluded the discussions.
Participants noted that food and land use systems are vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. However, issues of food and land use are not receiving the attention they deserve and as a result, decision-makers may not appreciate how serious the challenge and large the opportunity is. The community of food and land use actors can learn from the 'climate' movement – of which many were a part.
Attendees agreed that rapid, coordinated action will need to underpin the required transformation. National governments may lead the transitions through close engagement with other governments, local and international businesses, scientific groups and civil society. The private sector is key, not least due to their connection to both farmers and consumers. Companies can work with other stakeholders to support the transition through changes to their business strategy and practice. Financial leaders should seek to develop financial vehicles and mechanisms to encourage investment in sustainable food and land use projects. In addition, attendees discussed the value of at times adopting transformation strategies that come with some risk.
Additionally, further developing the evidence base will equip decision-makers with pathways for action and help to get investments flowing in the right direction. By supporting countries to use science-based analytical tools, decision-makers will be better informed of the long-term consequences of policy decisions like subsidy reform.
Attendees discussed the Coalition's role in supporting the transformation. Several participants referred to the Coalition's comprehensive approach and the substantial progress made in the last year. The Coalition was described by some as a clear leader, with the ability to bring multiple actors together in pursuit of people-centred transformation and the agility to move fast.
What next? The Food and Land Use Coalition needs to support fast, coordinated action. The Coalition needs to raise the profile of our messages, purpose and achievements to bring the conversation into the mainstream. And in moving forward, decision-makers need to keep the interests and emotions of people and their specific, local concerns in mind at all times.
Paul Polman concluded the session by recognising the momentum in the room: "The FOLU Coalition is a very strong platform. Let's get it to action"
Our sincere thanks to Yara International for their generous support in hosting the event.
Businesses and organisations involved in the event included: African Development Bank, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Cargill Incorporated, Chatham House, the EAT Foundation, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Government of Colombia, the Government of Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative, the Government of the Netherlands, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Nestle, New Climate Economy, Rabobank, Royal DSM NV, Scaling Up Nutrition, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), SYSTEMIQ, UN World Food Programme, Unilever, the World Economic Forum, the World Bank Group, the World Resources Institute, WWF International and Yara International.


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I am a qualified and skilled child life therapist/ play specialist, counsellor. I have worked for 20 years in educational, community, and medical settings.
Life Spirals offers emotional and mental health support to children, adolescents and adults effected by behavioural disturbances, life changes, loss and grief, stress and trauma, illness, medical interventions, and hospitalisation. My approach uses body based expressive, artistic and holistic therapies. My aim is to facilitate in the process of people strengthening their inner resources, and to empower themselves.
Based in Melbourne.
Why the Spiral?
The name Life Spirals was chosen as spirals symbolise the journey to the centre, turning, and return. This is a pattern repeated again and again throughout our lives. The unfurling of a spiral fern leaf in nature shows us the possibilities of new life, new beginnings, new growth and life's desire for itself. Spirals depict the lifecycles of birth, growth, death and rebirth. They are found all around us in shells, animal horns, plant growth patterns, snails, hurricanes, galaxies, and the double helix of our DNA. As a symbol for healing work I believe the spiral honours this continual ebb and flow in our lives. For my own personal meaning the spiral is also a symbol of Hope.
Current Working With Children Check
Graduate Diploma in Play Specialty
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art)
Diploma in Holistic Counselling
Certificate in Nature Pedagogy
Certificate in Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work
Certificate in Initiatic Art Therapy
Certificate in Clay Field Therapy
Mandala Magic- Train the Trainer
Reiki Level I & II
Professional Memberships
Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Association of Child Life Therapist Australia (ACLTA)
Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH)


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Fridays are for Fish Frys & Old Fashioneds Hat
Same day shipping Monday - Friday excluding Holidays
Fan Favorite!!! Our exclusive "Fridays are for Fish Frys & Old Fashioneds" collection now offers a super cute black baseball cap with a grey mesh back. This style is unisex; great for both men and women!
Model profile: Height 5'6', bust 34", waist 28", hips 36"


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Karen & Xavier Sunset Beach Shoot | Long Island Photographer
Totally randomly, Karen messaged me on Instagram about possibly doing a shoot with her. She recently had moved to Long Island, her boyfriend, Xavier, from back home was coming to visit, and they wanted to get pictures together, She wanted to take the pictures at the beach, which I was pretty excited about because I had been dying to do a beach shoot!
Karen and Xavier wound up hitting some traffic on the way to the shoot, so we really only had about 20 minutes to get some amazing shots in. Despite that, I'm so freakin' excited with how these pictures came out! Plus, Karen and Xavier were absolutely the sweetest and nicest people ever! I can't wait to be able to work with them again.
Get ready for some sunset beach goodness!


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On a sunny morning, Beaver Lake is the place to be in late June. This lily-choked lake provides homes for marsh wren, chestnut-backed chickadees, willow flycatchers and many others that may have already raised two or more broods of offspring.
Participation by donation.
Become a member today and get a free Discovery Walk (valid for up to 2 people) and member benefits while helping wildlife and nature flourish in Stanley Park .


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Crêpe jumpsuit
Find in store
The item is not available in any nearby stores. But you can always try it out by buying it online.
The requested information is not available at the moment. Please try again later.
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This item is also available in other sizes
Ankle-length jumpsuit in a crêpe weave with notch lapels, a wrapover top with a concealed press-stud, and a concealed zip at the back. Seam and detachable tie belt at the waist, side pockets and straight, wide legs.
- Polyester 97%, Elastane 3%
- Pocket lining: Polyester 100%
- Lining: Polyester 52%, Viscose 48%
Member get free shipping for orders over 199 RMB.
Delivery: Shipping is available to residential address or other address in Mainland China, in accordance with your selected delivery option. Unfortunately we are unable to deliver to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. Payment: We accept card payments via MasterCard and Visa. You can also select to pay by Alipay, Bank transfer, China Union Pay via Online or Telephone or H&M giftcard.
- Polyester 97%, Elastane 3%
- Pocket lining: Polyester 100%
- Lining: Polyester 52%, Viscose 48%
Care instructions
- Machine wash at 40°
- Black
- Floral
Art. nr.
- 0501325003


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It's out tomorrow and I already saw it...! MAGGGGIIIC!
How do I not spoil it for you guys? Grab your popcorn, get your fizzy drinks and relax in your seats, it's going to be Hollywoody entertaining.
There's a lot to talk about when I think of this movie. There's a lot of unrealistic, absolutely absurd scenarios, there's fun moments, there's appalling moments and there is that human behaviour factor that I always look out for.
Jonah Hill is fat. And I mean since The Wolf of Wall Street he's gotten fatter. He's overwhelmingly charming and charismatic nonetheless. By the way if you like that movie, you'll like the War Dogs.
Okay, to the important stuff now. What struck me, and again, no spoilers intended, was that greed in a human being is bigger than the human being. When do things start to become messy in a business? When we need MORE MONEY. When a lot is not enough and we need more. Can I relate that to my business? Yeah, maybe sometimes I've lost some awesome bookings just because money was a priority for me at that point in time. And sometimes I didn't charge enough for the amount of work that I've done. It is really hard though when your needs and demands grow, to stay away from the subject of charging more, of getting a bigger slice of the cake. It then clouds our judgment, crushes our dreams and devalues our purpose of being a creative.
The subject of greed is so new to me as I'm still learning how to put an appropriate value on my work at an appropriate time. It comes with learning how to read people and how to read business opportunities while still focusing on your art.


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Opti®-metal products are both classical and fashionable, but above all reliable. Metal members are accurately attached to a woven tape and then further processed to give a strong and durable zip fastener.
Manufactured in three different sizes and available as standard or special types Opti metal zips are suitable for a variety of high quality products in the textile and clothing industry. For example, jeans and working apparel, leather clothing or fashion shoes.


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Gaming Is More Than Competition
According to one gaming blogger "the whole gaming scene is competition". Yeah. That's what I thought to. I'm not going to link back to the article this quote came from because I don't wish to give this individual the oxygen of publicity. I believe that the prism through which they view the world is cracked, giving them a skewed, spurious and erroneous outlook on pretty much everything they write about. They also appear to lack any ability for self-contemplation and the possibility that they may be wrong. So rather than getting side tracked by them personally, I thought I'd simply focus on their fallacious statement. Competition is simply one of many facets of the gaming scene. For some it is the only thing that counts but there are many other gamers for whom competition never even crosses their mind. Gaming as a pastime offers a wealth of other benefits and opportunities, other than competing against players.
For me, I find setting goals and working towards achievements, are integral to my gaming experience. It is often applicable to multiple genres of games. I can work towards obtaining specific set of gear in Shadow of War or I focus on meeting all the requirements for a specific build in Star Trek Online. Furthermore, I will often pursue such achievements at a pace that suits me. Then there is the prospect of collaboration in multiplayer games which can be very rewarding, be it with friends or strangers. The raids I've played through in LOTRO have always been cordial affairs, as the groups have often been mature players who are focused on the experience, not the reward. It is through mutual help and not competition that a lot of knowledge and experience is shared. Often goals and collaboration go hand in hand, as there can be guild related achievements that benefit all. I frequently find that in-game progression based upon mutual trust, rather than competition, fosters a better atmosphere and a superior experience overall.
Then there's perhaps the most fundamental aspect of gaming culture that our mystery blogger hubristically dismisses out of hand. People play for fun. Yes, you can have fun playing competitively but isn't that dependent on winning? From what I've seen online, I think the concept of "the fun is in taking part" is dead in competitive circles. Putting competition aside, there many players who take their pleasures in the most innocuous aspects of gaming. Exploring an open world, creating a new outfit, collecting and meta deeds. The list goes on and on. Life is difficult and problematic enough as it is. Not everyone wants to jump on yet another acrimonious, pressure driven, competitive treadmill when it comes to their precious leisure time. I find it curious that some people view "fun" as a problem. As if it's childish and somehow ear marks you as lazy or ineffective. Ask any psychologist and they'll point out that an absence of it in your life is bad for you. I wonder if there's any link between the anti-fun brigade and those people who lack a sense of humour?
Things change over time and we live in an era of accelerated change. Back in the eighties, coin-op gaming was based upon competitive behaviour. It's how the industry financed itself. But to dogmatically cling to this definition nearly forty years on is a mistake, as competition is not the foundation of gaming anymore. And before the usual suspects trot out that tired argument that life is all about competition, there's a lot of data out there to prove that it is not the only effective model to live by. Many modern businesses have horizontal management structures. Collaboration, mutual delegation and non-hierarchical systems are common place. As for competition in education that too is a highly debated field and a separate post. Competition does have a part to play but it is not the be all and end of things and certainly is not the only way to perceive gaming. Frankly I wonder if this competitive zealotry is simply a way to bolster a fragile ego? Who can say. But like most binary arguments, it lacks nuance and falls wide of the mark.


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Posted On: November 20th, 2017
Filed Under: Gas fireplace, Insulation, Tips to save money, Fireplace
1 Comment on Gas Fireplaces and Winter: A Match Made in Heating Heaven
Today's gas fireplace inserts from Archgard allow you to zone-heat your home, providing warmth to the room your family frequents the most. This helps you save on your energy bills because you don't have to continuously run your furnace or heat pump throughout your whole home.
The inserts themselves also boast impressive energy efficient stats. In fact, all Archgard models offer at least an 80 AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). AFUE represents the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. This percentage is especially impressive when you consider that these models offer both radiant and blown heat.
Wood burning fireplaces can pose serious health risks to your family. Smoke contains microscopic particles that get into your eyes, and worse, your respiratory system and bloodstream. At best, it might cause you to cough or have watery eyes. At worst, it can permanently damage your lungs.
Gas fireplace inserts remove this concern by providing the same look and feel like a real fire, without the safety hazards. No floating particles, no smoky rooms. Just you, a clean fire, and a safe home.
Gone are the days of limited gas fireplace options. For a traditional look, opt for decorative grates and surrounds. Or go sleek and simple for a contemporary decor. Whatever your preference, there are dozens of options for surround style, backgrounds, logs, and stones.
In terms of convenience, gas fireplace inserts really couldn't be simpler. With the push of a remote control button, you have an energy efficient heat with no logs, matches, or ash.
Finally, gas fireplaces provide a cozy warmth that you just don't get with other heating systems. Models from Washington Energy Services feature a blower to efficiently heat a room, and radiant heat for a cozy, sipping-hot-chocolate-on-Christmas-Eve feeling.
There's no better time than winter to install a gas fireplace to upgrade the style, efficiency, and warmth of your home. Contact Washington Energy Services for a free in-home estimate from one of our skilled technicians.
Tags: HVAC, home value, Heating Control, holiday, fireplace, home buyer
Posted On: August 6th, 2015
Filed Under: Siding, Home energy audit, Plumbing
No Comments on The hidden costs of your new home
Perhaps you're ready to sit back and enjoy the granite counter tops and open layout. Maybe you purchased a fixer upper and you're ready to roll up your sleeves and make it the home of your dreams. In any case, purchasing a home is filled with anticipation, excitement… and unforeseen expenses.
Particularly for prior renters, the extra responsibilities and costs associated with home ownership can come as a surprise. Lawn care, appliance purchases and maintenance, property taxes, and home furnishings add up quickly. This is in addition to the tweaks that make the house uniquely yours—fresh paint, new fixtures, hardware updates, and more.
Finally, there are the costs that haven't happened yet, such as energy inefficiencies, plumbing issues, and safety failures that can arise in any home. Washington Energy Services can help curb these potential costs before they start with a Home Energy Audit or Plumbing Inspection.
The home inspection you received when you purchased your home only told part of the story. The Home Energy Audit from Washington Energy Services tells you the rest. You'll learn where energy is being wasted, how much it's really costing you, and what you can do to improve the performance of your home to save money. In fact, we've saved our customers an average of 21% in energy usage following Home Energy Audits!
Here's an at-a-glance look at what's included in Home Energy Audit:
After the three-hour audit, you'll receive a comprehensive 16-page report, which we'll review with you in-person so you fully understand the findings and get your questions answered.
Plumbing issues are messy, frustrating, and costly. A thorough plumbing inspection by a certified, licensed plumber can make all the difference. Unlike a standard home inspection, which typically includes a simple visual check of the fixtures and water heater, a plumbing inspection from Washington Energy Services provides a video inspection of the entire plumbing system to spot major issues—potentially saving thousands of dollars down the road.
Keep an eye on the "little things" like furnace filters, too. A dirty filter causes your system to work harder and could cause it to fail prematurely.
Managing water is important here in the Northwest. Siding protects your home's exterior while gutters help move all that rainwater from of your roof and away from your foundation. Old leaky and drafty windows also put a strain on your home's systems. If you think your home is in need of new windows, one of our home specialists would be happy to evaluate your current situation. New windows now can mean energy savings in the long run and potentially preventing costly water damage should there be an existing leak.
But you don't have to talk all of this alone! Sit back, enjoy those granite counter tops, and contact us. We'll boost your home's performance and energy savings so you can use that money for something awesome—like those new appliances you've been eyeing.
Tags: home energy audit, plumbing, furnace filters, new home, home buyer
Posted On: May 26th, 2015
Filed Under: Windows, Tank water heaters, Tankless water heaters, Insulation
No Comments on Love it, leave it or fix it
Whether you love it or hate it – one thing is certain, home improvements and repairs come with the territory. Homeowners in Western Washington revealed what made their lists in 2015 in our Northwest Energy Survey.

Please include attribution to https://www.washingtonenergy.com with this graphic.

Tags: home improvement repair, home inspection, home buyer
Posted On: July 11th, 2013
Filed Under: Heating, Cooling, Plumbing
No Comments on Check these 7 things before you buy a new home
A good home inspector is going to cover all of the basics; including making sure the faucets work, checking the electrical panel, and we hope, looking at the age and condition of your water heater. But you'd be surprised at how light most inspections are.
They don't go deep in several major home systems like plumbing, heating and cooling because the inspectors are a) only there for a short time, b) not licensed or trained in those systems or c) because they would need specialized equipment. Unfortunately, a failed heating system or side sewer pipe can cost thousands of dollars later. So, if your inspector doesn't cover these (and most don't), we recommend that you do.
Water may run easily inside the house but between you and the street may lie tree roots, collapsed or rotted pipe and potential for huge costly re-piping projects. A plumber can video inspect your sewer line to ensure you know what's out there. The main drain may also need periodic cleaning, and if the seller hasn't done it in a while, they can check and perform that too.
Inspectors typically turn on taps and let them run while doing other reporting. Have a look at the first faucet or tub opened after it's been sitting a while. If the water comes out with any rust, coloration or smell, that could indicate your pipes are bad.
Or more accurately see if they open or have been painted shut, are stuck or have broken parts.
Ask if they have had recent maintenance. Make sure they blow hot or cold in addition to just turning on. Look at how old that system is. Heating systems last about 15 years. If it's that age, consider that you may need the funds to replace it soon.
Check for mold and mildew and look at the condition of the floor below. Mold is a serious health concern and goes beyond the mere cost of replacing carpet.
So much inspection effort focuses on the inside of the house. If there is a deck, look for rusted nails and screws that may be weakened, and look at the wood itself for cracked boards and rot.
Especially if you have a wood burning fireplace, a chimney inspection can save lives, not only from fires but carbon monoxide. Your general inspector may measure moisture around the chimney, which is good for finding cracks, but a professional chimney contractor can do a more thorough review of the overall condition and safety.
Don't be shy in asking sellers to provide specialized inspections, plumbing or maintenances before closing on the sale. This is very common. And if they won't you certainly can yourself. Sadly, some realtors may try to push you into not doing this because it can add negotiations.
When I purchased my Seattle home, I negotiated a furnace maintenance and chimney inspection into the purchase agreement as a condition of the sale. That gave me peace of mind. But even with that, my water heater tank burst within a week of moving in and the main drain backed up into the basement within 3 months. I didn't have this list!
If you need plumbing or heating system inspection, Washington Energy Services provides these services, and we can fix or replace what you uncover, including plumbing and drain cleaning, re-piping and heating systems. Just call 800-398-4663.
Tags: home maintenance, home performance, new home, home buyer


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Assistant Stage / Transport Manager
Together with the Stage / Transport Manager, the Assistant Stage / Transport Manager is responsible for the supervision and delivery of the Orchestra's transport function, and for coordinating and managing the technical, stage management and instrument transportation requirements of the Orchestra. The post-holder is a member of the Concerts Department.
Closing date: 25 February 2019, 09:30
Contact: Recuritment Philharmonia ([email protected])
Download Job Description: Assistant Stage-transport Manager Job Description Feb 2019.pdf
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eAppendix. Risk analysis index
Customize your JAMA Network experience by selecting one or more topics from the list below.
Ernst KF, Hall DE, Schmid KK, et al. Surgical Palliative Care Consultations Over Time in Relationship to Systemwide Frailty Screening. JAMA Surg. 2014;149(11):1121–1126. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2014.1393
© 2019
The need for integrating palliative care into surgical services has been established within the surgical literature. The ability to effectively screen, obtain an appropriately timed consultation, and determine the effect of consultation remains problematic.
To examine surgical palliative care consultations over time and their relationship to the initiation and implementation of a systemwide frailty-screening program.
Design, Setting, and Participants
We reviewed all surgical palliative care consultations performed between January 1, 2006, and August 31, 2013, and abstracted the referring service (medicine/surgery), date of surgery (if any), date of death (if any), and all variables required to calculate a frailty score using the risk analysis index. We examined changes in mortality and referral patterns before and after implementation of the frailty-screening program using multivariable logistic regression.
Surgical palliative care consultations, including frailty screening.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The primary study outcomes were 30-, 180-, and 360-day mortality.
From 2006 to 2013, a total of 310 palliative care consultations were ordered for surgical patients: 160 before initiation of frailty screening (January 1, 2011) and 150 after initiation of the program. The groups had similar demographics, comorbidities, and frailty scores. After initiation, we observed dramatically decreased mortality at 30, 180, and 360 days (21.3% vs 31.9%, 44.0% vs 70.6%, and 66.0% vs 78.8%, respectively; all P < .05). This coincided with an increased rate of palliative care consultations from 32 per year to 56 per year. After initiation of the program, consultations were more likely to be requested by surgeons (56.7% vs 24.4%; P < .05) and were more likely to occur before the index operation (52.0% vs 26.3%; P < .05). Implementation of the screening program was associated with a 33% reduction in 180-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22-0.62; P < .001) even after controlling for age, frailty, and whether the patients had surgery. Modeled mortality was also reduced when the palliative care consultation was ordered by a surgeon (OR, 0.50; CI, 0.30-0.83; P = .007) or ordered before the operation (OR, 0.52; CI, 0.30-0.90; P = .02).
Conclusions and Relevance
Our data suggest that a systematic frailty-screening program effectively identifies at-risk surgical patients and is associated with a significant reduction in mortality for patients undergoing palliative care consultation. Analysis also suggests that preoperative palliative care consultations ordered by surgeons are associated with reduced mortality rates.
During the past 15 years, there has been increasing awareness of the benefits of palliative care for all patients facing severe illness.1,2 In 2005, the American College of Surgeons affirmed that palliative care is a significant and required component of quality surgical care and that it should be offered to a broad range of patients—not just those at the end of their life.3 Data have demonstrated1 that, through emotional support, pain management, and other interventions, palliative care improves the quality of life and satisfaction with care for patients and their caregivers, especially if initiated early in the disease process. However, there is no consensus about how to effectively screen for or obtain an appropriately timed consultation in surgical patients.
Frailty is a validated concept established in the geriatric literature that identifies patients (regardless of age) at increased risk of dying within 6 months to 5 years.4 In essence, diagnosing frailty is to diagnose dying.5 Half of veterans older than 65 years seeking colorectal or cardiac surgery are frail or prefrail, doubling the costs of care6 as well as the risks for postoperative mortality and complications.7 Based on similar findings in other populations,8 there is consensus that this increased risk should inform shared decision making and that it may be a useful concept for identifying patients for palliative care consultation.
Despite some controversy about how best to measure frailty, we recently implemented a quality improvement initiative to screen patients scheduled for elective surgery for frailty to identify patients at high risk for postoperative mortality and morbidity. More than 8000 patients scheduled for elective surgery have been screened since 2011 and, as a part of this program, we have actively encouraged preoperative palliative care consultation in frail patients. We designed the present study to examine the effect of our frailty-screening program on palliative care consultation and patient mortality.
The procedures reported on were determined to be operation activities associated with quality improvement. Thus, ethical oversight and approval were provided by the hospital administrator pursuant to provisions set forth by the Veterans Affairs Office of Research Oversight in VHA Handbook 1058.05.9
As part of a quality improvement initiative, we implemented a formal screening process to identify frail patients considering elective surgery. We developed a brief screening tool for use in surgical patients called the risk analysis index (RAI) (eAppendix in the Supplement) and validated its ability to discriminate frail patients from nonfrail patients using data from the National Surgery Quality Improvement Project and local administrative databases.10 Beginning January 1, 2011, we initiated a program to screen patients scheduled for elective surgery for frailty. Screening began in patients with a hip fracture, but after confirming the feasibility of the RAI in this population, on July 1, 2011, we started screening all patients presenting to the surgical evaluation unit for elective surgery. Because this method captured only 65% of the elective operations, on February 1, 2012, we started screening patients presenting to the individual surgical clinics and thereby recorded a frailty score on 90% of all electively scheduled operations. Starting July 1, 2012, we required a frailty score for all patients with electively scheduled surgery, thereby capturing frailty scores on all but emergent procedures.
Approximately 10% of all patients scheduled for elective surgery were identified as frail (RAI score, ≥21). The chief of surgery or designee reviewed the medical record of each frail patient to confirm surgical planning and examine the potential for system intervention. Given the increased risk for mortality and morbidity, frail patients were strongly encouraged by the surgical services to undergo preoperative palliative care consultation. No requirement was made for palliative care consultation. If the patient, family, or surgical team chose not to accept the recommendation for palliative care consultation, the operation proceeded as planned. The palliative care team consisting of a palliative care physician and midlevel providers performed all consultations. A template consultation note was completed addressing end-of-life care issues including do not resuscitate, power of attorney, and goals of care.
For the present analysis, we obtained all palliative care consultations ordered at the Nebraska Western Iowa Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 1, 2006, to August 31, 2006. A single analyst (K.F.E.) reviewed the electronic medical record of each patient to confirm the nature of the consultation. Palliative care consultations were defined as surgical if (1) they had been ordered by a surgeon, (2) the patient had undergone a surgical procedure within 30 days before the consultation, or (3) the reason for the consultation was directly connected to an operation performed in the previous 6 months. The analyst then abstracted the ordering service (medicine vs surgery), the date of the order for palliative care consultation, and the date of the associated surgical procedure (if any). The sample thus included patients receiving a surgical palliative care consultation but not undergoing the associated surgical procedure. The analyst also abstracted the data needed to calculate a frailty score using the RAI and the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project (VASQIP) postoperative risk calculators for each specialty type. For patients undergoing procedures after the implementation of frailty screening, the RAI score was calculated prospectively based on patient interviews at the time of the preoperative evaluation collected by a member of the health care team (attending, resident, case manager, medical student, or medical assistant). For patients undergoing procedures before implementation of the screening, frailty scores were calculated retrospectively based on preoperative data available in the medical record.
All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, version 21.0 (IBM Corp). Using the raw data, we calculated several variables to represent outcomes and predictors of interest. From the date of the index operation and death, we calculated overall survival as well as 30-, 180-, and 360-day mortality. For patients who had a palliative care consultation but no operation, these variables were calculated from the date of the palliative care consultation to the date of death. Mortality data were confirmed on March 31, 2014, and the overall length of survival was calculated up to this date. If the date of the palliative care consultation preceded the index operation, the consultation was coded as transpiring before the operation. Consultations that were ordered for patients who never underwent an associated operation, regardless of whether one was contemplated, were considered as transpiring before the "operation."
Descriptive statistics and plots were constructed and examined for each variable. Continuous variables were summarized with means (SDs), and differences between groups were assessed using 2-tailed t tests. Categorical variables were summarized with frequencies and proportions, and differences between groups were assessed using z tests. All pairwise comparisons were performed using the Bonferroni correction. Multistep, multivariable logistic regression estimated patient mortality according to several independent predictor and control variables. Differences at P < .05 were considered statistically significant.
From January 2006 to August 2013, there were 310 surgical palliative care consultations, with 160 occurring before the initiation and implementation of the screening program and 150 occurring after implementation (Table 1). We observed similar demographic and comorbidity profiles before and after frailty screening, including similar RAI scores and VASQIP-predicted 30-day mortality. The only exception was that after program initiation and implementation, the patients were slightly older than before (71.3 vs 68.3 years; P < .05).
After implementation of the screening program, we observed significant decreases in 30-day, 180-day, 360-day, and overall mortality, although the mean total days of survival did not differ significantly (Table 2). There were also significant changes in the pattern of palliative care consultation, with the mean annual consultation rate increasing from 32 (20) to 56 (8) consultations per year (P < .05). After frailty screening was initiated, palliative care consultations were more frequently ordered by surgeons (56.7% vs 24.4%; P < .05), and they were more likely to transpire before the index operation (52.0% vs 26.3%; P < .05). Analysis of all patients identified as having a palliative care consultation and not undergoing surgical intervention demonstrated that after implementation of the screening program, a greater proportion of patients did not have the associated surgical procedure (19.3% after implementation vs 5.6% before implementation; P < .05). Further detailed analysis of patients not undergoing surgical intervention revealed clinical contexts in which the benefit of the proposed surgery was equivocal (eg, resection of locally advanced cancer for symptom control in the setting of disseminated metastases).
Implementation of the screening program was associated with a significantly reduced odds of death (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22-0.62; P < .001) (Table 3), even after controlling for age, frailty, surgery status (had surgery or did not have surgery), timing of consultation (before or after surgery), and ordering service (medicine or surgery). Given the 70.6% mortality at 180 days before implementation of the frailty-screening program, this corresponds to a 33% reduction in the relative risk of dying, and the number needed to screen to prevent 1 death at 180 days was 4.24.
Modeled mortality was also reduced when the palliative care consultation was ordered by a surgeon (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30-0.83; P = .007) or ordered before the operation (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.90; P = .02) even after controlling for age, frailty, and surgery status (data not shown). Finally, we found a strong statistical interaction between the referring service and the timing of the palliative care consultation: preoperative palliative care consultations ordered by a surgeon were associated with the greatest reduction in mortality (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.68; P = .006) (Table 4) even after controlling for age, frailty, surgery status, and implementation of the screening program.
This report describes a quality improvement program consisting of palliative care consultation based on initiation and implementation of a formal preoperative frailty assessment. We found that the number of palliative care consultations ordered at our institution increased significantly from 2006 to 2013, coinciding with the introduction and development of our frailty-screening program. After introduction of the program, the proportion of consultations ordered by surgeons increased and the consultations were more likely to be made preoperatively, although most were still ordered during the postoperative period. These data demonstrate that a frailty-screening program altered the pattern and timing of palliative care consultation at our institution.
Although our analysis was limited to patients for whom palliative care consultation was ordered, we found that implementation of the screening program was associated with a dramatic decrease in mortality. Given the high risk of dying in this frail cohort (70.6% at 180 days), our models suggest that, for every 4 patients screened, we prevented (or delayed) 1 death at 180 days. Furthermore, we found that, independent of the screening program, the strongest association with reduced mortality was when surgeons (not internists) ordered a preoperative palliative care consultation (OR, 0.27), suggesting that 1 death was prevented for every 3 surgeon-ordered preoperative consultations.
The significance of these survival advantages is even more dramatic when considering that the findings were controlled for age, frailty (RAI score), and whether the patient received the surgical procedure associated with the palliative care consultation. Although our sampling frame prevents inferences about the effect of the screening program among all patients with electively scheduled surgery, these data should reassure the health care professionals who fear that palliative care consultation might increase patient mortality by steering patients away from beneficial surgical treatment.
Although many operations are performed for palliative purposes, the precise role of the palliative care consultation in surgical populations remains unclear, largely because it is difficult to identify which surgical patients might benefit. The 2011 report from the Center to Advance Palliative Care11 noted that palliative care consultation in surgical patients should focus on patients with serious or potentially life-threatening conditions and that there are typically 2 models (integrative and consultative) for initiating palliative care consultation (Table 5). The consultative model uses a set of criteria that screen intensive care unit (ICU) patients for palliative care needs. Once the criteria are met, those patients are referred to a team of palliative care specialists.10 However, these criteria were developed in the context of the medical ICU; when applied to the surgical ICU, comparatively few patients meet the criteria for palliative care consultation, leading to undertreatment.12,13 Furthermore, patients meeting trigger criteria in the present study were so far into their course of illness and close to death that they did not receive all of the potential benefits of palliative care consultation.
The second approach, the integrative or bundled model, provides palliative care assessments to every patient within 24 hours of admission to the ICU, and family meetings as well as comprehensive palliative care plans are completed within 72 hours of admission. This approach applies palliative care consultation to surgical ICU care regardless of the patient's prognosis and may not be appropriate for many patients with strong physiologic reserves undergoing curative surgical therapy. In addition, the success of this model depends on a high level of knowledge and commitment from the clinicians who are involved.14 A precomparison and postcomparison study10 of this method in a medical ICU showed that mortality remained stable and discussions of symptom management and goals of care increased after implementation. To our knowledge, the effects of such a method in the surgical ICU are yet to be evaluated.
Both the integrative and consultative models are limited by their focus on the ICU that delays consultation to the acute setting of critical illness, thus perpetuating the false notion that palliative care is purely end-of-life care.6 Late consultation also undermines the goal setting and symptom management of anticipated surgical complications that constitute the focus of high-quality palliative care. As such, there is a growing consensus that the most appropriate time to obtain palliative care consultation on a surgical patient is before the procedure. Data15 demonstrate that earlier consultations are associated with better family perceptions of care owing to the increased communication and emotional support.
Although there is no consensus regarding the best way to identify the surgical patient who is most likely to benefit from palliative care, we opted to pursue a new approach to frailty screening by using a questionnaire-based mortality risk calculator and modifying it for a surgical population. This approach was chosen because the administrative burden of existing risk calculators (eg, the VASQIP) can be problematic in a busy surgical clinic, often requiring time-intensive review of medical records or functional testing. Our tool, the RAI, was aimed at minimizing the resources required for screening while still effectively identifying patients who might benefit from palliative care consultation. The RAI is a bedside tool that relies on patient (or surrogate) responses to simple questions and it can be completed in only 2 to 3 minutes. This objective tool reliably identifies patients with an increased risk of postoperative death and disability, thus allowing surgeons to engage in a shared decision-making process with the patient that more accurately identifies expected outcomes and, through palliative care consultation, clarifies postoperative expectations.
Implementation of the RAI at our institution demonstrated the ability to actively initiate a surgical risk-screening system that meets Center to Advance Palliative Care recommendations for patients who would benefit from a palliative care consultation on hospital admission. Patients in our system were identified as being at high risk for postoperative mortality and morbidity and underwent further review and discussions during which potential palliative care needs were addressed. The systematic approach to identification and discussion was initially met with skepticism by clinicians on both the medical and surgical services. However, as individual cases were addressed, clinicians readily accepted the usefulness of the RAI tool to such an extent that preoperative palliative care screening has become part of our standardized preoperative protocol, with the score listed on our surgical scheduling package. As more systems such as ours are put into practice and palliative care use increases in end-of-life patients undergoing surgical procedures, an increased need for already scarce palliative care specialists will become even greater.16,17
Our findings are limited in several ways. First, our sample included only patients with formally ordered palliative care consultations, which probably reflects a bias toward the sickest and most frail of all patients with electively scheduled surgery. Second, as a quality improvement project, our findings cannot be generalized beyond the setting of our institution. Third, our design compares prospectively measured frailty (RAI questionnaires) with RAI scores derived retrospectively from administrative data. An experimental design would lead to more reliable inferences. Finally, we analyzed only formal palliative care consultations ordered in the medical record; thus, we cannot account for any increase in the informal palliative care offered by the physicians (medical or surgical) at the Nebraska Western Iowa Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
We observed a significant change in the patterns of palliative care consultation after implementing a frailty-screening program. The rate of consultation increased after implementation of the program, and consultations were more likely to be ordered by surgeons before the operation. These changes in the patterns of palliative care consultation were associated with dramatic reductions in postoperative mortality, suggesting that systematic frailty screening provides an objective basis for appropriate surgical palliative care consultation that in turn led to reduced postoperative mortality in frail patients.
Accepted for Publication: June 2, 2014.
Corresponding Author: Jason Michael Johanning, MD, MS, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, NE 68105 (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Published Online: September 10, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2014.1393.
Author Contributions: Dr Johanning had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Study concept and design: Ernst, Lavedan, Lynch, Johanning.
Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Ernst, Hall, Schmid, Seever, Johanning.
Drafting of the manuscript: Ernst, Hall, Schmid, Seever, Johanning.
Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Ernst, Schmid, Lavedan, Lynch, Johanning.
Statistical analysis: Ernst, Hall, Schmid, Johanning.
Obtained funding: Hall.
Administrative, technical, or material support: Seever, Lavedan, Johanning.
Study supervision: Hall, Johanning.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.
Funding/Support: This research was supported in part by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, and Health Services Research and Development (CDA 08-281).
Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funder assisted with the design and conduct of the study; management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, and approval of the manuscript. The funder had no role in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the US government.
Previous Presentation: The study was presented at the 38th Annual Surgical Symposium of the Association of VA Surgeons; April 6, 2014; New Haven, Connecticut.
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Is My Son's Hair Too Girly For You?
This was originally posted on my site a couple of months ago but seeing as how its going through a major overhaul, I thought this would be more suited for our site here. Enjoy!
Last week, IG had its panties in a bunch because Tia Mowry had posted a photo of her son that showed him with a style that would "traditionally" be deemed one fit for a girl.
I personally saw nothing wrong with this and caught a few good feels because I happen to style my son's hair in a similar fashion on an at least once a week basis.
He's a very active 2 soon to be 3 year old so a well defined twist out (yes he wears them too thank you very much) or wild fro isn't always an option.
This was after a fun filled afternoon with pa pa. His hair didn't stand a chance!
There have been a few occasions I've found leaves and grass bits mingling with his curls. As busy moms, we want to preserve and care for the hair on our children's head. I love my son's curls and can't imagine him without them. They suit him. I treat his hair just as I do my own. Being natural, at least for the both of us, means protective styling in anyway I see fit, be it flat twists, free flowing twists, buns or a top knot.
All styles others have found to be attractive. Well most anyway. I've experienced a few instances of mistaken identity whenever his hair is in one of those styles but nothing malicious in behavior. But there was one member at my job who tried to "suggest" that it was time to cut his hair because he mistook him for a girl. Boy bye! Your thoughts on when it is an appropriate time to cut my son's hair really isn't any of your business. These often biased, societal views on what "traditional" visual effects define males and females have hit a new low when they are directed towards children. If anyone has paid attention in the last few years, the "traditional" male and female roles have changed or rather evolved. While there was once the notion of men are the breadwinners and women were the homemakers, women were silent in the church, pink was little girls and blue for boys. It has now given way to more stay at home dads (shout out to Benjamin Floyd and his wife/baby mama, and a leader in the natural hair community at Natural Hair Rules!!), women who pastor over a flock (different view points here but that's not the issue) and little boys AND men sport every color of the rainbow sporting wardrobes enviable by many.
My son's hair does not define him. He is just this sweet individual who is learning the world around him, the good and thankfully not the bad (at least not yet). How she, I or any parent for that matter chooses to style their child's hair or dress them for that matter (yes I've seen this too) is really no one's business except the person or people raising that child. End of story. Haters, your opinion has been noted and discarded.


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The European Commission co-finances information measures relating to the common agricultural policy (CAP) that aim, in particular, at:
Boosting jobs, growth and investment in rural areas and the maintenance of viable rural communities throughout the EU;
Fostering knowledge, innovation and digitisation in the agricultural sector;
Enhancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience;
Strengthening generational renewal and the socioeconomic fabric of rural areas;
Ensuring a fair return to farmers from the agri-food chain to maintain the viability of European agricultural production and the future of the family farm model;
Encouraging healthy eating habits for children and adults with the consumption of safe and sustainably-produced quality food and the distribution of agricultural products in the EU school scheme, as an important contribution to the Commission's healthy living initiative.
Support will go to actions which should include several of the following types of measures:
production and distribution of multimedia or audiovisual material,
production and distribution of printed material (pub lications, posters, etc.),
setting up online and social network tools,
media events,
conferences, seminars, workshops (preferably web streamed) and studies on CAP related issues,
events type "city farm" nature which help to explain the importance of agriculture to the urban population,
events type "open farm" nature aiming at showing to the citizens the role of agriculture (eg best practices, innovation projects),
static or mobile exhibitions or information points.
The measures have to be implemented from 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019.
The maximum duration of information measures is 12 months.
The priority theme for this call is the reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)and the challenges ahead.
For citizens, the priority themes will deal with general topics about the CAP and should focus on its three core elements: food safety, sustainable management of the natural resources and the development of the rural areas. The objective of these actions is to inform a large number of people about the basic issues of the reformed CAP.
For rural actors, actions should focus on the implementation of new measures introduced by the CAP reform and on specific issues related to policy initiatives initiated after the reform of the CAP, such as 'organic farming'.
Target groups:
rural communities, agricultural stakeholders, farmers and other potential beneficiaries of rural development measures;
general public (with particular attention to young people in urban areas)
More specifically:
- school children, teachers and university students: novel approaches should be used to engage with young people and raise their awareness of the CAP and the contribution that it makes in many areas such as the climate change challenge, food, healthy and high quality eating as a lifestyle choice, in relation also with the new EU School Scheme for Milk, Fruit and Vegetables which entered into force as from 1 August 2017.
- general public: the focus of information on the CAP would put greater emphasis on addressing the (mis-) perceptions of European agriculture and the role of farming in society instead of the policy content. There needs to be also greater understanding of the enormous contribution the EU agri-food sector provides to the wider EU economy.
- stakeholders: it should be ensured that there is greater awareness of the contribution that the CAP makes to the support of economic growth of rural areas, especially SMEs. The contribution that is made through the Rural Development programmes should be promoted, through which the EU is investing almost EUR 100 billion in the period 2014-2020 for the development of European rural areas. It will also be emphasised the support provided for sustainable production practices and other measures that will help to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Budget: total budget earmarked for the co-financing of activities is estimated at EUR 4 000 000. The maximum grant will be EUR 500 000.
Applicants: any organisation legally established in an EU Member State can apply: farmers' or rural development organisations, European associations, non-governmental organisations, public authorities of the Member States, medias companies, educational institutions, universities and research centers.
Deadline to submit applications: 15 December 2017.
Find out more: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/grants-for-information-measures


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I don't look at life as a battle or as a fight. I don't think I'm scrappy. I'm accepting. I say 'living with' or 'working through' Parkinson's. Acceptance doesn't mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there's got to be a way through it. I look at it like I'm a fluid that's finding the fissures and cracks and flowing through.
It's hard to explain why this amazing woman would want to stay. People say, 'Tracy's a rock.' She always laughs at that and says, 'I'm not a rock.' And she's not. She's a living, reactive person. We've been very blessed and haven't had a lot of big challenges other than Parkinson's. Tracy knows she can count on me when there are issues we face. We still love each other and make each other laugh, which is probably the most important thing. She still thinks I'm smart and funny and sexy.


text: Martin J. Wimmer (Marty) is an award-winning composer and teacher - as well as a veteran classical music radio host. His choral work, Peace, recently won first prize in the Vincent Brown Silliman 2010 Choral Anthem Competition. It was also a finalist in the 2007 Ithaca College Choral Composition Contest.


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Files with .mid extension will not be played on common music players, as the support of this format now is limited. This is an extension of MIDI format that doesn't contain audio stream information. It stores instruction codes for music synthesizers for recreating the encoded music. If you need to extract the music from MIDI file and listen to it with the help of common playback devices, you can convert MID to MP3 with the help of Total Audio Converter. The program will correctly render MIDI codes to a new format, widely supported by modern software and hardware players.
This MID converter features clear user interface, where each conversion step follows the previous one. So all you need to do is to click on a few buttons to
Source file list is formed by checking off required MID tracks from the content list. If there are files of different formats, it will be reasonable to filter MID files by applying *.mid mask. After this you will see all MID files from the chosen folder listed in order. Check off the ones you need to convert and press MP3 in 'Convert to:' bar.
You will see the settings list appeared. This MID MP3 software for converting audio tracks offers a big set of adjustable audio parameters, so you are able to get the required quality of sounding for MP3 copies. Choose specific samplerate and bitrate, sound channels. When converting a few files, you can combine them in one MP3 track by checking 'Combine album' option. You can use only the settings you need, skipping the rest. Also you are able to convert files with settings offered in this audio converter by default.
Make MP3 copies of your MID files right now for free, using trial version of Total Audio Converter. Get it here.


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Delta lawmakers ratify suspension of female council chairman
Delta State lawmakers yesterday in Asaba ratified the three month suspension placed on the Executive Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Council, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah by the Councillors.
For allegedly refusing to render the income and expenditure of the Local Government resources since she was sworn in November 2014, the legislative arm of the council, had on March 4 recommended the suspension Mrs. Nkechi Chukwura to the State House of Assembly.
Coming on the heels of the recent suspension of the Chairman of Uvwie Local Council, Mr. Henry Baro, the Leader of the legislative arm, Mr. Matthew Uzoka had explained that 11 out of the 15 Councillors who supported the move had since sent a copy of the resolution of their sitting of March 4 wherein the council Chairman was suspended to the State House of Assembly for ratification.
The motion for the suspension was moved by the chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy matters Mr. Azuka Azaka and seconded by the minority leader and member representing Ika South
Mr. Festus Okoh.
Azaka said the suspension order became imperative to enable the committee investigate an impeachment notice against the executive chairman sent to the house by some councilors.
Mrs. Chukwurah said she had left everything in the hands of God adding that "I don't know what to do, as a woman I have done my best.
However she expressed shock that after the committee heard from her and the councilors on Wednesday she was suspended yesterday.
Already the acting chairman Okonta has allegedly setup a ten man advisory committee to enable the council move forward.
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by Aik Kim Heng
The spring season is finally upon us; homeowners who pride themselves on their lush lawn and garden are ready to put their green thumbs to work after the long winter break. Gardening can be an extremely enjoyable pastime except if you've been dealing with a lot of back or hip pain! Between all the raking, seeding, weeding, and other yard care activities, it can take a toll on your back if you're not careful.
Back pain is not just for gardeners! Pregnant women are also susceptible to back pain, especially as their pregnancy progresses.
Hip pain commonly occurs when the sacroiliac (SI) ligament in the pelvic region have been stressed, strained or even torn. The SI joint lies next to the bottom of the spine, below the lumbar spine and above the tailbone (coccyx). It connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) with the pelvis (iliac crest). The joint is reinforced by SI ligaments that surrounds it, transmits all the forces of the upper body to the pelvis (hips) and legs, and acts as a shock-absorbing structure.
A SI ligament injury causes instability in the pelvis and hip, which results in pain, discomfort and limits mobility; pain can radiate into the lower back or even as far away as the neck and legs.
Hip pain or back pain may be a sign that it is time to get a back support. There is a unique product in the market called the Serola Sacroiliac (SI) Belt which is designed to act as an external ligament holding the SI joint in normal range of motion. The stabilized joint allows muscles that are constantly tightened to relax and the pain being caused by constant muscle contraction be significantly reduced.
The SI Belt minimizes re-injury to the joint and its ligaments during rehabilitation, allowing the ligaments to heal. When the joint re-opens, the belt will hold the sacrum to the ilia with the proper tension so that as you bring the ilia backward, it carries the sacrum with it.
In my practice, I have found this belt to be the best back support for returning muscle function and effective strength in your back, hips, and legs. The stability the Serola Sacroiliac Belt gives to the base of your spine and the subsequent increase in strength throughout your back, hips, and legs mean your chances of injury are lessened considerably during work or play.
Book your appointment today so you can get back to gardening pain free!
Happy Spring!


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A woman in Wuhu, Anhui province who was pinned beneath a car was pulled out safely thanks to the help of passersby who joined forces to save her.
The unnamed woman was riding her bicycle when she was struck by a sports car, causing her to get pinned underneath the vehicle. Immediately, 20 residents who witnessed the accident rushed to the street and lifted the car to get her out.
The woman suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital.
In November, a group of Good Samaritans likewise teamed up to save a middle-aged woman who was knocked down and pinned beneath a van while riding her bike.
[Images via NetEase]
By Tanto Chen


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Dynamite Entertainment has announced that a new Red Sonja series will be coming this September, Red Sonja: The Black Tower. The series is described as "a decades spanning, mind-blowing tale that could spell the end for our favorite She-Devil with a Sword."
Frank Tieri will be writing the series with Cezar Razek handling interior art and Amanda Conner drawing the covers. Tieri had this to say of the series:
"Simply put, THE BLACK TOWER is an old fashioned mystery-and as we all know, everybody loves a mystery. In fact, I'd say at times, this story is more in line with a Stephen King story than your typical Sonja tale. The Tower just appears out of nowhere one day-nobody knows why, nobody knows how. People are scared, they're confused-and they start turning on each other. That's when Red Sonja enters the picture. And what she finds is mystery that will span decades, which will pit people against each other, that will cost many lives… including her own. Now, I think that's a story fans will want to see how it turns out, don't you? I like that she's this total bad ass-that she's the WOLVERINE of her world, that she's The Man With No Name– but she's also a woman. Because you don't often see that. You don't often see it being a woman that walks into a bar and everybody tenses up, everybody pees their pants. And in Sonja's case, if you underestimate her, if you just dismiss her as 'just a woman'-she's going to make you pay for it. And then some."
You can find Red Sonja: The Black Tower #1 in stores and digitally this September.


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Sunday 20th May
Nick K and I really needed a break. In between moving house, travel abroad for work, stress of work commitments and exit cleaning the old house we had been burning the candle at both edges! All work and no play, whoever thought that was a good idea?
What better way to relax than cruising around in the sea I thought.We headed out to Moreton Bay in Rob A's boat The Malibu. We went to Flinders reef for our first dive. It had been forever since I had dived this site so I was keen to see if I was missing anything, and Humpback whales had been spotted here last weekend putting on quite the display! I was just happy to be out on the water, and pleased Rob had still opted to go after having some last minute cancellations.
We did a 55 minute dive with a bottom depth of 22m and averaged about 20m. VIS was about 20m/25m and no current so it was a lovely easy dive. There were some nice rock formations and small caves at the site we had picked across from the commercial boat operators. Nick managed to find a cave with a great big Green turtle fast asleep in it, a Wobbegong and glaring out of the pancake stacked rocks, about a dozen nice bug fat crayfish with feelers that stretched a mile! That was probably the highlight of the dive.
The thing about Flinders, just like the Great Barrier Reef, is that it is spread out. So unless you're looking for Macro species it's hit and miss whether you see anything like Octopus, Moray eels, Pelagics, you know the larger "stuff". Unfortunately none of which we did see. However, we still enjoyed the dive, and sometimes it is nice just to cruise around. Problem is we get spoiled diving sites like Julian Rocks and diving with Lionfish on advanced remote sites where there is something magical to see and shoot every 5 minutes! and we probably take that for granted.
We enjoyed some morning tea with Rob and he had a dive too. Then we headed around to Marietta Dahl wreck which is by Smith's Rock. A favorite site of Nick and mine, we were pleased with the 30m VIS and again no current. I went looking for the Coral Banded shrimp again but couldn't find them. We saw a huge school of Sawtail fish, the biggest yet and I managed to sneak up and plonk myself in the middle of them having a drift by feeding frenzy which was fun!
We played inside the wreck compartments and overhangs. There was a lot of macro and I didn't have the patience to bother with Macro photos so I just played around and took some scenic shots for those people who haven't been here before. We saw a school of Barracuda, beautiful bright orange Gorgonian fans, bright lime green wavy weeds, sponges and corals littered in between the scattered parts of the wreck.
I found a miniature crab of sorts floating around and took it to show nick but when I opened my hand it was gone, and Nick was trying to decipher some kind of dive code out of me having a closed fist…laughs
Here we completed an hour dive, and whilst we could have stayed down longer still have 100 bar left in my twins, I didn't want Rob to be waiting for us for lunch forever! Our maximum depth here was only 11m so it's a great shallow easy dive that suits a last dive of the day.
Winter is most certainly here. I felt freezing in between dives in my 5mm wetsuit and have decided I will definitely need to invest in a dry suit when I get back from the Phillipines.
Enjoyed lunch with Nick and Rob and cruised on home whilst the sun thankfully popped it's head out and we dozed in the sun watching dolphins jump and play on the horizon.
Just what I needed, a lovely relaxing day with great company. Thanks to Rob for your kind hospitality.


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Self Managed Super Funds
Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF's) are not only the fastest growing type of fund, they are also the superannuation sector with the most funds under management in Australia!
SMSF Structures
Financial security is the largest concern for people aged 45+ who are planning to retire. The majority of retirees will be relying on their superannuation fund as the main source of income for their retirement, particularly with current concerns surrounding the sustainability of the age pension system into the future.
The potential benefits of having a SMSF are wide ranging, however, it also requires time, effort and discipline, and incurs additional ongoing fees, including annual audit fees. It is important to speak to us about your suitability for a SMSF based on your particular circumstances, and you should also compare against the costs you are currently paying through your existing superannuation provider in the form of management and administration fees.
The primary benefit of a SMSF is the absolute control and flexibility the structure provides in allowing you to invest and manage your own retirement money. This includes the ability to invest directly in residential and/or commercial properties within your fund. MBA Business Solutions is well placed to assist clients with this complex area.
MBA Business Solutions can offer valuable assistance in establishing and administering a SMSF, enabling you to better understand how to govern your own financial destiny. We cover the entire formation, ongoing compliance, and administration process of SMSF's in accordance with the relevant regulations, offering you greater peace of mind when planning for a future you can enjoy.
SMSF Loans
It is now possible for a SMSF to borrow in limited circumstances to acquire fund assets which is a major shift in the landscape under previous rules where SMSF's were prohibited from borrowing. This is possible through what is known as a "limited recourse borrowing arrangement" which effectively quarantines the security for the loan to the specific asset that is purchased.
SMSF Loans can be a particularly complex area that are strictly regulated by legislation so they require a specialist like MBA Business Solutions that understands these laws and can assess your circumstances to determine whether this suits you.
There are a number of ways in which a SMSF Loan can be structured and it depends very much on the specific facts of each case as to what would suit you best. It can be a very effective way though to acquire properties within a fund where there is insufficient cash reserves to purchase outright, particularly if the property to be acquired is a commercial premises from which your own business is operated.
Integration with Financial Services
SMSF's are an area that typically overlaps between Accounting and Financial Planning. Our financial planning partners at Paris Financial work closely with us in ensuring the financial futures of our clients are appropriately looked after. They provide a "fee for advice" based service which means you can seek advice without necessarily having to also take on recommended products as part of a package.
This provides you with the flexibility to be able to have a plan prepared to set out some goals and targets moving towards retirement without the fear of being pushed into product areas you don't feel comfortable with. Of course, if you do need assistance selecting investments and/or insurances then our financial planners are more than happy to assist.
For more information, browse through the Paris Financial website or contact MBA for an initial discussion.


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Linguistic Anthropology
|Anthropology » What is Anthropology? » Linguistic Anthropology
Linguistic Anthropology
Linguistic anthropology examines the relationship between language and nonlinguistic aspects of culture, focusing on the social and cognitive processes by which language affects and is affected by human behavior. Language is the means by which culture is learned and the means by which ethnographers acquire knowledge of culture, and so the systematic examination of language is crucial to students in cultural, medical, and business anthropology. The written forms of language, no less significant than spoken ones, are highly relevant to our understanding of the past, and so linguistic anthropology is vital to archaeologists as well. The evolved capacity for language and the relationship between language and brain function are important subjects of study in biological anthropology.
Stephen Chrisomalis, who is also a member of the Linguistics Program on campus, leads the linguistic anthropology core. Dr. Chrisomalis' research focuses on the anthropology of number and mathematics, and on the cross-cultural and cognitive analysis of language and thought. Dr. Chrisomalis also does research and supervises projects on written language and literacy, bilingualism and language ideology in Canada, psychological and developmental anthropology, and the prehistory and evolution of language. Other faculty in cultural anthropology who have special knowledge, skills and interest in linguistic anthropology include Guerin Montilus and Barry Lyons.
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