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Following a massive expansion and transformation post the discovery of oil in 1960s, Dubai has over the years welcomed expats from different parts of the world for employment purposes. Dubai has expats in substantial numbers not only from Asia but also from America, Europe, and Australia. Unsurprisingly, it is a cultural melting pot with 85% of its population being expats.
This cosmopolitan culture of the emirate has brought it at par with the various global cities of the world. What is more praiseworthy is its remarkably lenient administration which allows expats to practice their own culture, tradition, and religions. Needless to say, Dubai is renowned all over the world for its exceptional hospitality and warmth, making it a perfect vacation spot for all types of visitors, from couples, families, and honeymooners to adventurous travelers.
Rooted and devoted to the Islamic culture, Dubai, however, observes Arabic traditions in the everyday life.
Although the overall percent of local Emiratis is limited to just 15%, the culture of Dubai has a huge reflection of the Arabian philosophy. You can easily spot traditionally dressed gulf Arabs chattering in Arabian language and smoking Shisha which comes quite as a cultural shock to the foreigners and intrigues them. For a passionate traveler who is interested to know more about the city, observing the culture is a great way to peep into the region's history.
Hospitality too, is deep rooted in the Emirati culture. People understand that a major part of their livelihood comes from the tourists, and therefore, they are extremely gracious while maintaining their limits. If you understand the boundaries of the Islamic culture and adhere to them, you're surely going to make lots of new friends in the city and get to know a lot more about it.
Dubai uses the Emirati currency called Dirhams (Dhs). The country's economic focus has shifted from oil export to tourism in the last 10 years and rightly so, the emirate earns its 80%GDP from tourism and less than 20% from natural gas and petroleum. A city that emerged as a business center in Middle East post the oil boom, Dubai transformed itself into a tourist hub with conscious efforts. The aim was to create larger than life and unimaginable attractions that will make the city unique and irresistible for the travelers all across the world. The introduction of the Dubai Shopping Festival further added to the city's vision and since its inception in the 1990s, the festival has been a huge success. Attracting millions of tourists from all over the world, Dubai has positioned itself as a family destination and lived up to it. For a city that lives on tourism, no wonder, its hospitality is unmatched and the visitors are treated with royalty.
The introduction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2004 has allowed the city to develop itself as a finance and IT hub along with promoting various other service industries. The 2nd wealthiest emirate of UAE after Abu Dhabi, Dubai has long back moved its dependency from the oil export to the tourism. Today only a small amount of oil income makes a part of the city's GDP as against the 90% in the 1990s. tourism has given overall boost to the services sector as well. With millions of tourists visiting the city every year, there are now plethora of hotels, restaurants and various other business establishments that has tremendously helped in making Dubai's economy a thriving one.
Dubai came into existence when around 800 men and women from the Bani Yas tribe led by the leaders of Maktoum's family settled near the creek that proved to be a natural harbor for trade and business for them. By the start of the 20th century Dubai became a successful trading port. In 1966, the discovery of oil changed the fate of Dubai and resulted in enormous revenues. Further, the vision of the government of Dubai intelligently channelized those revenues and built the basic necessities like hospitals, schools and roads along with contemporary communications network. The government did not stop at this. There was a continuous exploration of ways to make this revenue generation of Dubai permanent as they knew that the oil boom won't last forever.
The year of 1971 too was one of the landmark years for the UAE. The rulers of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai realized their dream of creating a federation of the emirates in the region with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah came together to form UAE. But the government knew that oil won't give them forever stability, and it was in the year 1980s that the emirate decided to invest their resources in making Dubai a world class tourist destination. What started as a dedicated effort to make Dubai visible on the map of Dubai turned the fate of the country with magnanimous attractions inviting millions of visitors from all over the world came into existence. But amidst developing the city in to a tourism hub, Dubai also preserved its rich history and the rare artifacts of not only the era before the oil boom but also the period when Dubai was nothing but a small Bedouin fishing village.
Boasting of the tallest, largest, and various superlatives of magnificent; Dubai attractions should not be missed. The city is constantly working towards creating more innovative attractions that surpasses the imagination. The most recent additions in the list of best things to see in Dubai are Dubai Parks and resorts and the Dubai Opera house that is garnering all the world attention. From Burj Khalifa- the tallest manmade structure in the world to the Dubai Miracle Garden, the serenity of Dubai creek to the adventure of the Desert Safari, no matter what you choose, rest assured of a super fun getaway at the crowned jewel of the Middle East.
Few of the numerous incredible facts about Dubai, good enough to persuade you for your next trip is as follows:
Dubai is by all means 'hot'. There's no other weather in the desert city. The weather is hot and humid most of the year and it becomes a bit pleasant during the months of November till March. No matter which month are you planning to visit the city of Dubai, don't forget to carry a good sunscreen.
Yes, it does rains in the Desert. Starting the November and December months of every year, Dubai experiences rainfalls which increases vastly in the months of January and February, thereby, making them the wettest months of the year for the city. However, the temperature doesn't drastically decrease and maintains a steady range of 20 to 28 degrees approximately.
Dubai experiences winters from the months of January to March. Don't expect winters to be the winters you experience in the other parts of the world. Dubai winters are pleasant but the temperatures still don't go less than 15 degrees even at night. However, the sun is less punishing and it is one of the best time to visit the city.
The Best way to reach Dubai from any part of the world is by Air. The National airline carrier of Dubai is the Emirates Airlines. Visitors can also land at Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports and take a cab till Dubai. Dubai can also be reached through waterway via cruise.
The city transportation of Dubai is very well organized ranging from the most economical metro trains and buses to the ultimate luxurious helicopter rides. The transportation of Dubai is primarily based on metro rail, local buses, and taxis. While taxis are a bit costlier affair, local buses are pretty cheap and since all the buses in Dubai are air conditioned, travelling in them even during afternoon hours is not a problem. But Traffic during the peak hours may not be cooperative if you plan to reach at a destination on time, and that is why metro train network of Dubai is the best transport to ride on in the most economical way.
For the ones looking for unparalleled luxury, there's no limit to what Dubai can do to spoil and pamper you. From luxurious limousine rides to the helicopter trips to your destination, Dubai has it all planned for you. The vast Arabian sea of Dubai is home to some of the best cruises and sea voyages too.
We make your visa processing extremely easy and hassle-free. Our exclusively designed 3 step visa process ensure you stand a better chance of approval and your application is processed super-fast. Dubai visa regulations are lenient and are easily available within 3-4 working days. Visit our page to see the list of countries that do not need a visa to enter Dubai.
Entering Dubai becomes extremely easy if the applicant is from any of the following 32 countries of the world. The nationals of these countries can anytime enter and leave Dubai. The cities are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, and Vatican City. These countries do NOT need any prior visa approval.
For countries which are a part of the list of no prior visa arrangements necessary to visit UAE, those countries get their Visa at the UAE airports immigration counter. All you have to do is simply carry your passport and show it to the authorities at the time of immigration. The authorities will grant you a 30-day VISA free of charge. In case you want to extend your stay, pay an additional charge and you can extend your Visa for another 30 days.
Dubai visa policies for tourists is subjected to frequent changes. It is always better to check the latest guidelines before planning the trip.
Dubai has plethora of attractions that are so interesting, you wouldn't want to leave the city ever. The surrounding emirates of Dubai too are irresistible and a must visit by one and all. That is exactly why most of the tourists take some time out and prefer visiting other emirates during their visit to Dubai itself. These places around the city are within a distance of just a few hours are worth every bit of your time and money. Here are some of the best options for you to explore.
Abu Dhabi (155kms): The capital city of UAE is rich in culture and history and offers some of the world's best attractions for its visitors like the world's largest handloom carpet, Ferrari world, and a lot more. Visit the city for a relaxed paced lifestyle and some more of the jaw dropping attractions that are hard to fathom.
Ras Al Khaimah (112kms): Known as the 'headland of small huts', Ras Al Khaimah is your getaway for the most beautiful beaches in UAE. The place is full of luxury spas and resorts and home to best of adventure watersports. The emirate is famous for its adventure water sports and exceptional sea cruises.
Sharjah (41kms): Declared as the cultural capital of the UAE by UNESCO, Sharjah is your best bet if you're interested to know about the Islamic culture, Arabian history, and traditions of UAE. The city is full of museums and cultural architecture to give you some great insights. Sharjah is also the best place to understand the religious beliefs culture, and the traditions of the Emiratis. This conventional emirate is visited by many tourists every year.
Dubai is a foodie's paradise. You think of a cuisine and in all probabilities you'll get at least 10 restaurants across all budget range in Dubai. From the best of 7-star dining to the sumptuous street food, Dubai offers an impeccable variety of delicious cuisines. It is a mix of world indulgence including the Thai, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Japanese, Lebanese, European, Chinese, and its traditional Emirati cuisine. The hospitality industry of Dubai is so precise in ensuring the authenticity of the taste of their food that best of the chefs are flown from the country of origin to offer authentic dishes to the customers.
Food in Dubai is available across all pocket ranges. From the most expensive meal in Dubai to the most sumptuous but pocket friendly street food. The cosmopolitan nature of the city makes the food a must try. The vibrancy of the menus and colorful eateries makes it impossible to fall in love with the food scene of Dubai.
Drinking is prohibited in Islamic culture but since Dubai is cosmopolitan city and a tourist hub, they allow drinks inside big restaurants and pubs. But to buy drinks from liquor shops, you need to have a license for it. Even the Emirati citizens need to own a license to buy liquor, even if it is meant to be consumed inside their own houses. During the months of Ramzan, the city observes strict rules related to food and drinks. If you're a foodie, Dubai is definitely your place to be, just ensure you're not there during the month of Ramzan and if you are, then you must know all the rules to be followed during the month.
Dubai is a hub of world events. A favorite city of celebrities around the world, Dubai is always beaming in the electrifying energy of some or the other event. Whether it is the annual Dubai Shopping festival or the Dubai music festival, there's always some great event to attend in Dubai.
The city has an ever packed calendar of events happening at all places. Bars, nightclubs, music and art festivals, shopping extravaganzas and much more. Some of the best known events are new year and Christmas celebrations that is attended by millions of tourists from all over the world. Offering you a treat of one of the best fireworks of your lifetime, Dubai woos you at the Burj Khalifa, the Palm islands, the Dubai festival city, and the Global Village to name a few. During the new year celebrations, various events around the city adds to its glitz and glamour including the special desert safari celebrations and the exquisite Dhow cruise.
While you're there, Rayna travels will help you stay informed on every happening event in the city, and if you want, we'll help you be a part of it too. The restaurants too serve you special celebratory menus and almost the entire city offers the best of deals and discounts. If you ever have the chance of going to Dubai around the New year, don't miss it.
The nightlife of Dubai is full of excitement, grace and panache. Home to some of the best night clubs in all of UAE, the city has some or the other vibrant celebrations going on with world renowned Djs and artists. From the sensational nights, the Fridays to the social rooms, all night carnivals to the infamous Sunday; Dubai's nightlife is too good to not be experienced. From the best of beachside parties, see- to- be- seen parties, and high-end hangouts, Dubai night scene and hip and happening. Dubai is a regular for most of the world renowned celebrities. One of the biggest claim to fame of Dubai is its vibrant nightlife and therefore, it cannot be ignored. Nightclubs like Club 360, Trilogy, barsati, Mahiki, Indulge and more lift up the nightlife clubbing of Dubai to a whole new level.
The interesting thing about clubbing in Dubai is the fact that most of the best known clubs organize special ladies' night out parties to attract even the conventional ladies out of their zone and enjoy.
Dubai Shopping festival, the most famous souks of the world, the best of world malls and almost all the known international brands of the world; Dubai is a world of shopping delights that can turn even the most cold- hearted into a shopaholic. Every street of Dubai has something or the other that will entice you to shell money out of your pocket. No amount is enough when it comes to shopping in Dubai. Tourists from all over the world come here in million numbers every year to enjoy a plethora of shopping options and some of the world's most amazing deals on the best of international brands. It's not just the exceptional prices or the items, the whole shopping experience is what makes shopping in Dubai a favorite for all tourists.
Home to some of the best and the biggest malls in the world, Dubai boasts of the finest international brand showrooms and franchises that are hard to find anywhere else. The top known shopping names in Dubai are the Dubai mall, Mall of the Emirates, Festival city mall, Diera mall, Ibn Battuta mall and many more. Dubai also boasts of the traditional souks that are trading since early times but still maintain the tourists interest in them. Amongst these souks gold, spice, perfume and textile souks score the most popularity. On a regular day, the Gold souq boasts of over 10 tons of gold ready to be traded.
Dubai Miracle Garden- the world's largest natural flower garden with 45 million flowers adorned in beautiful shapes and designs.
Burj Khalifa- the tallest manmade structures in the world bosting of 164 stories and has various offices, hotels and residential flats too.
Bastakiya Quarter- Dubai's oldest neighborhood that gives you best peep into the life of the Bedouin people before the oil boon. It has the wind towers that aptly performed the work of air conditioners during that era.
Desert Safari- they say no trip to Dubai is complete without experiencing the calming Dubai desert and enjoying the amazing adventure of Desert safari.
Global Village- touted as the world's biggest leisure and entertainment project, Global Village is your chance to see worlds inside a world.
Dubai Fountain- the world's largest themed fountain that shoots water up to a height of approximately a 50 storey building.
Mall of Emirates- one of the biggest malls in the world, Mall of Emirates house the Ski Dubai (Middle East's first indoor ski rink with world's first ever black run) and the best of world brands.
Dubai Mall- one of the best known and the largest mall in the world, it has more footfalls in a year than the total number of tourist footfalls in the entire New York city.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo- Dubai aquarium is the world's largest suspended acrylic aquarium of the world with over 33000 marine species inside it including sharks and rays,
Sheikh Zayed Mosque- one of the best known mosques of the city, it is a beautiful sight to visit and to get insightful information about the Islamic religion.
Jumeirah beach- the best free beach of the city with a breathtaking backdrop of the Burj Al Arab, the Jumeirah beach is a must visit for absolute relaxation.
Rayna tours offer you the best of Dubai across all budget and time range. Whether it is a 24-hour layover or a week long luxury vacation, whatever is your itinerary, we have a package for you. Our tours give cover the entire city and beyond and take you through all the attractions of the city like a local. From the off beaten paths to the hidden gems, we promise to take you everywhere. Unlike the regular operators we don't give you only the pre-designed packages but allow you the benefit of absolute customization as per your itinerary. So what if you're in Dubai only on a 24-hour layover, we ensure you get to see the best of the city even in that short duration. From your stay, your food preferences, your sightseeing, and your comfort, we take care of everything so that you enjoy a memorable time with your loved ones.
What's more, you can also avail special tailor- made tours to your favorite destinations for your desired time with us, at the most affordable rates. We have various packages that offer solutions that fit everyone's pocket without compromising on their comfort and security. What makes Rayna one of the most sought after tour operators in Dubai is the exceptional professionalism and warm hospitality that we extend to our guests. The happy testimonials are an example of the happiness of our guests. Our priority is to give you the best of our services and in turn see the happy and satisfied feedback from our guests.
No matter whichever month you visit Dubai, it's going to be hotter than you imagined. The desert city is hot and humid all year round with bearable exceptions of a few months. However, this doesn't stop tourists from visiting the city all throughout the year. The daytime temperature on an average is around 25 °C (77 °F), with an average sea temperature of 22 °C (72 °F).
Dubai is visited by tourists all year round, but if you can't bear the very hot months, then the best time to visit Dubai would be during the months of November to March. The temperatures are fairly better that time and the city experiences little rain showers as well.


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A while back we reviewed Lifetime's Coco Chanel made-for-tv movie, and it was clear from our readers and from our search engine results, that the ladies love Olivier Sitruk, the French actor who played Coco Chanel's amour, Boy Capel. When we saw how much the ladies liked Mr. Sitruk, we did a small story on him. Little did we know that it would be our most popular story ever, with women from all over the country making M.I.S.S. the unofficial spot to get together and share their Olivier Sitruk discoveries. This got us thinking, why don't we contact him and see if he'll do an interview? To our surprise and delight, not only did Olivier get back to us, he gave us the honor of interviewing him. After several emails and weeks, we are happy and excited to present our interview with Olivier Sitruk. . .
How did you get your start in acting?
I got my start in acting by studying! In NICE, the place where I was born, and after in PARIS. Of course I was not already paid for acting but my passion and destiny start at this time. I start on stage, I work in prison or with handicap people and make my first movie in 1992. In this movie, I was dying after 5 minutes, in the second one after 30 . . . now I die at the end!
Did you know about the man 'Boy Capel' before you auditioned for his part?
No, and not a lot about COCO CHANEL also, but there is so many book about her!
Read the rest of the interview after the jump!
Your English accent was very convincing! Was it difficult playing an English man?
I'm sorry to say that my voice in English, it's not mine, the character was English, and, I have a French accent when I speak . . . but we shoot the movie in English, even for the French TV. I had to dub it in French!
Do you have any upcoming U.S. projects? If not, do you have any plans to do more work in the U.S.?
For now, I have no project in US. But it will be a dream to come make my job in US. Like all my generation, I grow up with American movie, and a lot off my favorite directors are from America.
Are there any actors, actresses or directors that you would like to work with?
Kate WINSLET !!! In US ? So many! Paul Thomas ANDERSON, the COEN brothers, Sean PENN, of course SCORCESE but also Abel FERARA or AFANORVSKY, Chris NOLAN or Brian SINGER. In France, Jacques AUDIARD, BLIER or CORNEAU, and in the world, Emir KUSTURICA!
If you weren't an actor, what would you be doing?
A journalist, or an cabinetmaker …
Ok, I have to ask because all of our readers are dying to know . . . Are you single? What qualities do you find attractive in women?
I'm married since 5 years but we are together since 15 years. The qualities I find attractive in women, like in all the men, is the soul and humor . . . And look like KATE WINSLET . . .
The ladies want to know where to keep up with your latest projects and work. Do you have a fan site? A Myspace page?
I have one official site and they work on it to translate it in English. Every body was asking for Myspace, so I open one but it's the beginning!
Are the women in France as crazy for you as the women in the U.S.? Is it difficult to leave your house?
Do I have to respond? I like to be discreet, I'm never in front or inside the people magazine, and I have a simple life with a lot of love and work. So no fan in front of my house!
What is your idea of a romantic evening out?
In Paris, walk on the street late in the night after a good restaurant and rebuilding the world. In dream, make a dinner on the moon!
What's your astrological sign?
I was born the 25th December so I'm Capricorn.
What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies, interests?
Work and dream! I like canvas painting, make racing Kart and play tennis with my son, watch movies and American series ( DR House, Damages, West Wing, or the Sopranos).
What are you favorites? Favorite color, book, movie, food, travel destination?
- Color : black and red
- Book: the books of Albert COHEN or Pat CONROY, ZOLA or Paul AUSTER, and Detective fiction (CONELLY, ELLROY, COBEN, LEHANNE)
- Movies: I like all the movies of the director I talk at the top.
-Food: About the food, I'm sorry to say that we are close to the perfection in France . . . but the Italian are closer . . .
- Travel Destination: The Place where I answer this interview . . . BALI
Many thanks to Olivier Sitruk and the wonderful team at Starface. We hope to see more of Olivier Sitruk's work in the states!

subset: commoncrawl


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Darien forecast: A clear & cold holiday
This will be a cold and blustery President's Day holiday in southwestern Connecticut, according to the National Weather Service.
Even though skies will be sunny, the daytime high temperature will reach only about 30 degrees and it could feel as cold as minus-2 degrees, with wind-chill factors driven down by a west wind 15 to 18 mph, and gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low temperature about 24 degrees and a southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Showers are expected tomorrow, mainly after noon, as the temperature rises to the mid-40s. There will be a south wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent, according to the NWS.
Rain is also likely tomorrow night, with low temperatures registering in the mid-20s. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
Wednesday is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near temperature in the mid-30s. Clouds move in at night, with temperatures about 20 degrees.
Thursday also should be mostly sunny, with a high temperature in the mid-30s. Nighttime should be clear, with a low temperature about 20 degrees.
The outlook for Friday, according to the weather service, is partly sunny with temperatures in the 30s.


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Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a national men's music fraternity which, since its founding in 1898, has grown to be the largest music fraternity in the world. Members of Phi Mu Alpha, known as "Sinfonians," share a love of music that unites them as brothers with a common interest. The Fraternity teaches men to develop themselves and their art, not for the sake of art itself, but as a means of enriching the lives of others.
Phi MU Alpha Sinfonia's collegiate chapters participate in a broad range of activities emphasizing brotherhood, service, and performance in music.
by Sinfonian October 13, 2009
Phi Mu Alpha is a fraternity dedicted to men who strive to advance the cause of Music in America. It was founded at the New England Conservatory of Music in 1898. These are genuinly caring guys who try to share there passion for music. Also threw some of the best parties on Campus.
Famous Sinfonians(Phi Mu Alphas): Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Andy Griffith, Luciano Pavoratti, Ruban Studdard, and the band Chicago
by srh209 April 19, 2006
An unparalled assortment of muscianly men held by a moral code surpassing that of any other greek organization. You know that when you are with a sinfonian you are with a gentleman and a man of strong moral fiber. There is a higher calling and Phi Mu Alpha has answered it.
Person 1: Hey i heard that Phi Mu Alpha was for gays!
Sinfonian: If you consider not drugging girls' drinks and treating people with respect gay then perhaps you should go pledge any other greek house.
Sinfonian: If you consider not drugging girls' drinks and treating people with respect gay then perhaps you should go pledge any other greek house.
by R&BFL April 14, 2006
One of the most respectable Fraternities on any campus. Dedicated to spreading music and upholding high moral standards the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha are the most chivalrous group of men you will encounter. Oh yeah, and they will drink you under the table.
by R&BFL April 30, 2006
A badass group of dudes who get mad pussy for being the best musicians in the business. Founded in 1898 by our father, Ossian Everett Mills at the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. The most badass of all chapters is Gamma Rho at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. We average about 50 members and are in Province 14, the Louisiana's Mafia and Hellraisers Assoc. We have IM football and basketball teams and eat crawfish and drink beer. That about sums us up besides the whole being the best musicians anywhere.
John Petrucci of Dream Theatre-Phi Mu Alpha
Gene Simmons of Kiss-Phi Mu Alpha
Matt Darby-Phi Mu Alpha
Gene Simmons of Kiss-Phi Mu Alpha
Matt Darby-Phi Mu Alpha
by Matthew Darby April 21, 2006
A once highly respected music fraternity that redefined professional standards. Now Phi Mu Alpha is a group of degenerates who go around disrespecting women. By using the word "splay" and making consistently vulgar references to vaginas, Phi Mu Alpha has again redefined itself as another classless, moral deprived fraternity.
"Hey it's splay week for Phi Mu Alpha , lets go to conference and fuck some dumb bitches!"
by Briansinfonian1 February 16, 2009
Bunch of band geeks who think they're a real fraternity, but really just get together and suck each other's dicks.
Person 1: Are you going to the Phi Mu Alpha party at the Ravine?
Person 2: Fuck no, I'd rather eat a bag full of asses than go near those fags.
Person 2: Fuck no, I'd rather eat a bag full of asses than go near those fags.
by theTruth February 15, 2005
Trending RN - December 11, 2019
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5/8 yard binding
1 1/4 yard outer border
1/4 yard extra of your favorite red from the line
1 yard Country Red Moda Solid for setting triangles
6 yards backing
Sew the 7" strips to the remaining sides. Press to the outside 1 ½" strips. Repeat to make a total of 64 blocks.
2. Using a set of 4 light 2" squares, place each square on a corner of the block, right sides together. Sew diagonally across the 2" square. Repeat to cover each corner. Trim one quarter of an inch from the outside of the seam.
Press to the corner triangle.
Continue on each of the 64 blocks.
Jo and Kelly Kramer


text: Find this wine Find this wine Honoro Vera Garnacha 2011 Pin It Tweet 6 years ago by Mfzg More posts Honoro Vera 2013 Garnacha Whole foods $8.99 Delisch!!! 4 years ago by Kla N Shaw Honoro Vera Garnacha 2012 Spanish. $7 bottle? At Randy's. Dan says very nice. 4 years ago by Schester Honoro Vera Bottle Honora Vera 2012 Garnacha 5 years ago by Emsimms Honoro Vera Garnacha 2012 $9@ Dul Fine Wine. Dried and stewed red fruit. Soft, easy, and accessible. Promiscuous. Short finish. 84 points. 5 years ago by Lafwino1 Honoro Vera 2012 Garnacha Bottle Homori Vera 2012 Garnacha 5 years ago by Gwennettabutler


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Find in this ring sites commemorating the lives, mourning the deaths and celebrating the memories of our beloved pets of the past, be they dogs, cats, horses, rabbits or less common companions. They were part of our lives, part of our families, part of our being. Pictured on this page: the gravestone of Sideways, reading:
"Mar. 1, 1945 Aug. 14, 1947SIDEWAYSEVER FAITHFUL AND TRUECOMPANION TO STUDENT BODY OF GA. TECH."
On the NavBar: "Grave of the lovely horse of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I. Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Ludwigslust," circa 1815, photographed in 2008 by Ruchöft-Plau.


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The secret to these macaroons' texture is the Italian meringue, composed of egg whites and a boiling sugar syrup. When baking these for Passover, dust the sheets with matzo cake meal; you can use flour at other times.
- Yield
- Makes about 60 cookies
- Total Time
- Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr
- Matzo cake meal for dusting
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 large egg whites at room temperature
- 3 cups finely grated unsweetened (desiccated) coconut (8 oz)
- Special Equipment
- a standing electric mixer, a candy thermometer
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 2 baking sheets and dust with cake meal, knocking off any excess.
- Make meringue:
- Cook sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, until it reaches soft-ball stage (or registers 238°F on a candy thermometer).
- While syrup boils, beat whites in standing mixer on low speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually pour hot syrup in a thin stream down side of bowl into whites, beating constantly on high speed. (Be careful not to let syrup touch beaters when pouring, or it will spatter and harden.) Continue to beat until meringue is room temperature.
- Stir in coconut and spoon rounded teaspoons of meringue into mounds about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Shape mounds into pyramids with wet fingertips.
- Bake macaroons 1 sheet at a time in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until just firm enough to be removed from baking sheet without losing their shape. Carefully transfer to a rack to cool. (Macaroons will harden as they cool.)
Cooks' note:
·Macaroons keep in an airtight container 1 week.
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Nutritional Info
- Calories31
- Carbohydrates5 g(2%)
- Fat1 g(2%)
- Protein0 g(1%)
- Saturated Fat1 g(6%)
- Sodium4 mg(0%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat0 g
- Fiber0 g(1%)
- Monounsaturated Fat0 g


text: robinheid 0 #1 October 2, 2012 There have been repeated assertions made by various individuals that if USPA does not adopt a "standardized wingsuit training" program and associated "wingsuit instructor rating" that insurance companies will stop insuring skydiving aircraft. These repeated assertions are based on an interpretation of one paragraph from an email sent last month to drop zone operators by Jeff Norris, whose company underwrites aircraft insurance for essentially all parachute centers using turbine aircraft. That paragraph read: Quote"I know there is a lot of activity already with respect to standardizing and regulating wing suit jumping and there is also a lot of resistance to it's regulation. I have heard the argument that USPA does not regulate freeflying or Crew activities so why regulate wing suit jumping? I would argue that those two activities are not causing the same problem that the wing suit jumpers are causing with aircraft collisions. Let's not wait to do something until someone brings down a whole airplane as a result of wing suit jumper ripping the horizontal stabilizer right off the fuselage." From that paragraph, the primary proponent of "standardized wingsuit training via USPA" has created a sales pitch that starts out thusly: QuoteFirst and foremost, it's been demonstrated that insurance companies and DZOs want/need to see standardization of wingsuit training in order to best protect their interests in their aircraft. Throughout mutliple threads on this subject, others have made a similar argument, all based on the above paragraph from the Norris email. I too read that paragraph to mean that Jeff and/or the insurers seemed to be advocating a USPA-mandated wingsuit training course because the words he used seemd to be straight out of the primary proponent's own writings on the subject. So I called Jeff and we had a very interesting conversation about this subject (and some others, too: He's an old-time skydiver and flight instructor for many years, so he goes way beyond just being an insurance underwriter in terms of appreciating and understanding sport parachuting). Anyway, after our conversation, he sent me the following email, herre reproduced in its entirety per his request: Quote ________________________________________ From: AIR, Inc. [mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 4:11 PM To: "robin heid" Subject: Wing Suit e-mail to my Aircraft Operators (Robin, please use this e-mail for it's only intended and ultimate agenda; wing suit safety. I would rather you quote it in its entirety than take bits and pieces out of it to fit any other purpose than it's overall intent.) It was very good speaking with you Robin and thank you for alerting me to how some wing suit jumpers were interpreting my e-mail I sent out to all my aircraft operators that I insure regarding the wing suit jumper tail strike frequency problem. My e-mail was really only intended for those aircraft operators and its intent was to alert the aircraft operators to the very significant wing suit tail strike problem. I know that wing suit jumpers are a significant profit center for many of my clients and I wanted that income to continue for them plus, obviously, none of us wants to see jumpers injured or killed, and no one wants to read about a skydiving aircraft crash caused by a wing suit jumper and aircraft tail collision. Apparently my e-mail reached some it was not intended for, which is fine, and you and some wing suit jumpers interpreted one paragraph of my e-mail as the insurance company advocating USPA regulation of wing suit jumping. To be clear, the insurance company is not advocating anything. All they told me is, if wing suit claims continue to be a problem, they will consider excluding that activity from my aircraft operators insurance policy. I suggested, as one possible solution, USPA regulation, to help promote wing suit safety. Please tell everyone not to concentrate on my word "regulation" but on my words "wing suit safety". If it can be regulated better and quicker some way else than through USPA formal regulation....Wonderful! Many of my aircraft clients who received my e-mail have been very pro-active and have already instituted risk management protocols to help manage this risk. This was the whole intent of my e-mail to my aircraft operators; to save wing suit jumper lives, aircraft, and income. Things are already safer for wing suit jumpers at many drop zones across the country. My main agenda, with the help of all my aircraft operators, is to see the next 10 years go by without a single wing suit tail strike injury or death. What is the wing suit community doing about regulating the problem, other that arguing about whether or not it should be regulated by the USPA? I think discussion is great but in my opinion, (now it is my opinion again) the wing suit community needs to redirect its discussion back onto the path of how to stop all tail strikes today! Let's make the last tail strike the last tail strike. Great talking to you. Jeff Norris 44 edited at poster's requestSCR-6933 / SCS-3463 / D-5533 / BASE 44 / CCS-37 / 82d Airborne (Ret.) "The beginning of wisdom is to first call things by their right names." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Page One
Japan's Reactors Lose Power: Spent Fuel Pools at Risk
Fukushima 1 Was Bad Enough: Are We Ready for Fukushima 2? (News Analysis)
On March 11, 2011, an earthquake-tsunami double-punch delivered a knockout blow to Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor complex. Electric power was lost, causing a failure of the emergency cooling systems which, in turn, left three reactor cores to overheat and explode, sending clouds of radiation across land, sea and air. The atmospheric contamination was detected across the US, in Stockholm and below the Equator.
History may be repeating itself. On the morning of March 18, 2013, the damaged Fukushima facility once again lost outside electrical power.
In the early hours of the blackout, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) assured the press that the site's reactors were "unaffected and no other abnormalities were found." (Of course, these reactors are still suffering from the "abnormality" of having exploded and experienced meltdowns — with molten fuel, in at least one case, escaping the metal reactor vessel and spilling onto the floor of the containment room.)
The Spent Fuel Pool Risk
But the damaged reactors are not the only issue. The fate of the spent fuel pools (SFPs) that line the coastal facility are also a matter of grave concern. A dispatch from Mochizuki, an anti-nuclear blogger who posts at Fukushima Diary, reports: "The coolant system of the spent fuel pools of reactor1, 3 and 4 has been out of operation for over 3 hours already. Seismic isolation building has lost power, too. Tepco is still investigating the reason. It is currently the top Japanese news story." (The Fukushima Diary website also posted a computer animation, attributed to the meteorological agency of Switzerland, that projects "the emission from Fukushima would reach Tokyo area by wind after 15:00 of 3/19/2013.")
The Kyodo news service reported the power failure occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Monday disabling three of the site's seven SFPs. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority was quoted as saying "the incident so far has not affected the ongoing water injection to the Nos. 1 to 3 reactors, which suffered core meltdowns in the early days of the March 2011 nuclear crisis." However, the Kyodo news service also noted, "as of 1:45 a.m., TEPCO has not been able to work out steps to ensure bringing the system back online." Adding to the problems, a severe weather system was bearing down on Japan.
TEPCO Mystified by Power Failure
TEPCO has confirmed that three of the site's SFPs were without emergency cooling and assured the public the stored nuclear wastes would remain safe "for at least four days without fresh cooling water." Takeo Iwamoto, a TEPCO spokesman, promised the utility planned to restore the SFP cooling power "as soon as [TEPCO] can determine the cause of the failure."
Why is this is a cause for alarm? Because, if the thousands of densely packed uranium-filled fuel assembly rods become too hot — especially if water is lost to evaporation as the pools begin to steam and boil — they could ignite. Takeo Iwamoto, a TEPCO spokesman, promised the utility plans to restore SFP cooling power "as soon as [TEPCO] can determine the cause of the failure."
Ever since the devastating quake struck, workers at the plant have been relying on "makeshift" systems to control radiation leaks and temperature increases. But these makeshift systems rely on electric power. Without emergency cooling, the fuel in the SFPs — mounted 100 feet above the ground on the building rooftops with no enhanced containment structures — could overheat and create a new disaster that some nuclear watchdogs have warned could eclipse the fallout that rained down after the fire and explosion at Russia's Chernobyl plant.
What Happens When Fuel Pools Overheat?
A 2006 study by the National Research Council of the National Academies detailed what can happen if SFP water levels drop enough to expose the tops of the fuel assemblies. Quickly rising temperatures would accelerate the oxidation of the exposed zirconium alloy that encases the uranium fuel pellets. Exposure to air and steam further increases temperatures while generating explosive hydrogen gas. This can lead to a self-sustaining "runaway" fire, with a moving "burn front" that crackles like a fireworks sparkler.
As temperatures rise further, the captive fuel begins to expand until it forces the cladding to bulge and burst, releasing superheated isotopes into the air. At 3,300°F (1,816°C), the contents and the containment merge to form a growing molten mass of zirconium-uranium-oxide. At this point, the exposed fuel rods continue to reignite like "trick birthday candles," posing the risk of a chain-reaction fire, jumping from one assembly to the next. Nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen has calls the prospect of a runaway combustion of fuel assemblies "Chernobyl on steroids."
In March of 2011, fear of a spent fuel fire was so intense, the Japanese government began secret preparations to order the evacuation of Tokyo's 13 million residents. In the end, the plans were not revealed in order "to avoid panic." As one senior government official told the Japan Times, "The content [of the emergency response plan] was so shocking that we decided to treat it as if it didn't exist."
This isn't the first time Fukushima's SFPs have posed a threat. In mid-October 2011, after hydrogen gas was reported to be accumulating in the pipes at Unit 1, TEPCO admitted that the spent fuel pools at the three reactors had been damaged, releasing incredibly high levels of cesium-137 and cesium-134.
The Damage from Fukushima 1 Could Be Exceeded by a Fukushima 2
The consequences of the 2011 fallout cloud were dramatically apparent. Some 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes and1.5 million were affected by dangerous fallout levels well beyond the official 12.5-mile evacuation zone. One-third of Fukushima Prefecture — an area the size of Rhode Island — was contaminated. The region's $3.2-billion-a-year agricultural sector was wiped out. By July 2011, it was clear the radiation had entered the human food chain.
Then, as now, the fate of the Unit 4 reactor remains a major concern. The building was severely damaged by the quake and left tilting dangerously. The 1,535 nuclear fuel rods stored in the SFP 100 feet above the ground pose a grave hazard. If Unit 4's 460 tons of spent fuel were to fall to earth, it could crash into the 6,375 fuel rods in a nearby "common pool." Together, Fukushima's 11,138 spent fuel assemblies contain 134 million curies of cesium-137. The US National Council on Radiation Protection estimates this is roughly 85 times the amount of cesium-137 released at the Chernobyl accident.
Japan's former Ambassador to Switzerland, Mitsuhei Murata, has warned the United Nations that a collapse at Unit 4 could "destroy the world environment and our civilization…. The fate of Japan and the whole world depends on the No. 4 reactor."
Nuclear critics have pointed out that nuclear accidents can have long-lasting effects. The cleanup of the March 2011 Fukushima meltdowns is expected to last 40 years and cost $240 billion. If the disabled emergency cooling systems are not restarted in a timely manner, the world could face Fukushima 2 — a catastrophe even more horrific and devastating than the original disaster.
Gar Smith is the author of Nuclear Roulette: The Truth about the Most Dangerous Energy Source on Earth (Chelsea Green). Nuclear Roulette was recently nominated for two national book awards.


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1) I've been getting unusual shitloads of comment spam in the last few days — and marking it all as spam — which means there's a good chance that the pendulum will swing fairly soon, and good comments will start getting caught in the spam filter. I love that this filter is a very quick learner, but every time I report a bunch of spam it hasn't caught, it overcompensates with false positives for a few days. So if your comments don't show up, don't panic. I'm not deleting you, and the problem will fix itself soon.
2) I have a painful wisdom tooth right now and am coming to terms with the fact that I might actually have to have it yanked. (It's not infected — it just moved and is creating loads of pressure, a la having braces tightened.) This has happened before and righted itself within a few days, but it's never been quite this brutal, so I might have to stop being a big baby and just get it taken out. Which will probably be on short notice, because only severe pain will be enough to make me stop being a big baby about the thought of extraction. So if I disappear for a bit, that's probably why.
As you were.


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You will be able to view the renowned peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau before passing over the Aletsch glacier into the Canton of Valais. Your pilot will fly you to the peak of the Matterhorn, where you might even see climbers approaching the summit.
Season: Available year round
Departure: Airport in Reichenbach (Skydive drop zone)
Duration: approx. 60 minutes flight time
What to bring: Camera, jacket, sunglasses
Price: CHF 295.00 per person / require min. of 3 people (max. 7 people per load) / Optional glacier landing for additional CHF 105.00 per person – landing only available January – May (depending on snow conditions)
Please contact us for available dates and times


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GENTLE EXFOLIATING GEL Reviews
Avène GENTLE EXFOLIATING GEL is a face scrub that combines chemical and mechanical exfoliation to reveal soft skin. The eco-friendly, biodegradable formula contains cellulose beads and jojoba wax to eliminate impurities and refine skin texture. Sodium salicylate and niacinamide combine to promote the elimination of dead skin cells, while avene thermal spring water acts as a soothing, anti-irritant base. Ideal for sensitive skin.
Reviews reflect the honest opinions of beautyheaven members. As part of the beautyheaven rewards program, all members receive 5 points for each review they submit.
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Avène Contact Details
Brightens and softens the skin
Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque is a good working facial mask. It contains cranberry and turmeric which is great for the skin.
Hydrates the skin
Simple Reviving Under-Eye Hydrogel Mask is a really good product. It applies under the eyes and offers hydration for the eyes. It contains minerals and plant extracts that are good for the skin.
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Dornwood Surname Ancestry Results
Our indexes 1000-1999 include entries for the spelling 'dornwood'. In the period you have requested, we have the following 1 record (displaying 1 to 1):
Try these...
dornfield dornford dornham dornhorst dornhurst dornie dornin dorning dornish dornithorne dornoch dornom dornon dornowe dornsbusch dornsey dornthorp dornton dornville dornwell dorny dornye dornyk dorock dorocoff dorogue doroh dorold doromes doromit doroms doron doronis doroque dorordeshull doros dorosensko doross dorothea dorothwaite
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Unlocking the Mind
An eight-year-old informing someone he's afraid to get on a horse isn't necessarily extraordinary. But when it happened during a therapy program for children with autism, speech-language pathologist Tina Caswell considered it a breakthrough.
"Like many children with autism, the boy was primarily nonverbal," said Caswell, a clinical instructor in the speech-language pathology and audiology department. "But by using an iPad with a speech-generating application, he was able to touch pictures on the screen to activate a voice that said, 'Don't let me fall.' When we assured him we wouldn't let that happen, he pressed more pictures on the screen. 'I will be brave,' said the voice [from the iPad], and he stayed on the horse."
It was a breakthrough, said Caswell, because the boy did more than convey a want; he interacted.
"It was his first access to self-expression, and he used it to go beyond asking for a toy or a drink of water. For the first time, he was sharing his feelings. His parents later told me it was the first time they'd seen their kid have a conversation."
Caswell cites a lot of firsts inspired by the Strides© program, a series of six- to eight-week equine sessions. Designed and developed through a grant awarded to Southern Tier Alternative Therapies, Strides© combines the assistive technology of an iPad app with horseback riding.
"Often, it's the first time the children have ridden a horse," Caswell said. "It's the first time many of them have used the speech software, and more important, it's their first time expressing themselves."
One child communicated his understanding of addition, and his parents were completely unaware that he knew his numbers at all.
"Our son is nonverbal, so everything is a challenge," said Stacy Horton, mother of eight-year-old Luke. "There's a lot going on inside his head, and it would be great to hear what that is instead of what we think it is. Since Luke's been in Strides©, he's using the iPad to do more than just generate individual words. He's putting together sentences and telling stories. Socialization is a big problem for him, and the program pushes him to interact with Tina and her grad students. But because he's having a great time on the horse, he doesn't know he's being pushed."
"Kids with autism not only have real difficulties developing natural speech; compulsive, repetitive movements like rocking are also common," said Maritsa Sherenian '11, M.S. '13, who, as a graduate student, spent a semester assisting Caswell with Strides©. "But the horse's gentle gait calms them."
An additional element of horseback riding is the upright posture needed to sit on a horse. This position helps the children breathe deeply, giving them more potential to vocalize. But perhaps the most interesting part about being on a horse is the sense of adventure the experience offers.
"What we want to do is motivate the children and get them to enjoy communicating with others," Caswell said. "If they're enjoying themselves, they're more likely to be engaged, which makes them more likely to use the iPad as a conversational tool. Some have even vocalized."
Assistive technology isn't a new therapy approach for children with autism. Nor is equine therapy. Rarely, though, have they been used in tandem.
"Traditional assisted-speaking devices can weigh over five pounds," Caswell said. "They can be cumbersome, and children get bored with them. But iPads loaded with speech-generating apps only weigh about a pound. Each family in Strides© is given an iPad and is trained by the grad clinicians, so the kids and their families can take what they learn at the sessions and use it at home."
"Since Luke has been in the program, I've found out he has a sly sense of humor," said Stacy Horton. "Getting to know our son like that — I can't tell you what that means to my husband and me. Because what we really want for him is to be as much of a normal kid as he can. If Luke can use the iPad to tell us what's going on inside that head of his, the sky could be the limit for him."
"Seeing parents watch their kids be like every other child — that was eye-opening," Sherenian said. "I'd always pictured speech therapy as sitting in a small room at a table with a client."
Lexi Runyan
Sherenian experienced more eye-opening moments working under Caswell's supervision as a graduate clinician in IC's Sir Alexander Ewing Speech and Hearing Clinic, which offers professional therapy services to area residents. In February 2012, two of those residents, Suzie and Jeff Runyan, brought in their 12-year-old daughter Lexi. Afflicted with Rett syndrome, Lexi had never crawled, had never walked, had never run — and had never spoken.
"Rett is a rare form of autism that very early on robs children of their muscle control and therefore their ability to move and speak," said Caswell. "Sometimes people assume children with this disorder have cognitive problems, but the real issue is their physical inability to produce speech."
Lexi's symptoms began showing up during her first year of life.
"While most children could walk, sit, and stand, Lexi's development was in reverse," said Suzie Runyan. "She used to be able to hold toys and eat her favorite foods, but as she grew older, those abilities lessened while other children's her age improved."
By the time she was 18 months old, Lexi had lost both fine and gross motor control. But she could move her eyes, and that's how her parents reached her.
"She'll look right at what she wants and hold that gaze, and then move her head to see if you understand what she wants," Suzie said.
Before coming to the clinic, the Runyans used two laminated cards, one reading "yes" and the other "no." Jeff and Suzie would ask Lexi if she wanted a drink of water or to watch a movie, and Lexi would answer by looking at the appropriate card. The system worked well enough for basic wants, but what about communication on a deeper level?
"I know there's so much going on in there," Suzie said. "You can tell by her eyes."
When Lexi came to the clinic, she was a week away from her 13th birthday. Caswell introduced her to the Tobii Eye Gaze System.
"It's a keyboard displayed on a computer screen," Caswell said. "To select a key, Lexi looks at it. An infrared camera reads the light from her eyes and forms a dot on that key. To 'press' the key, Lexi blinks. Using her eyes, she composes messages that accurately express what she wants and who she is."
"In the two semesters I worked with her, I learned Lexi was a 13-year-old girl who liked to talk about clothes, jewelry, and country music," said Sherenian. "It turned out, she was a girly-girl like me. We both love to play dress up, and we both like Carrie Underwood. The world had always seen her as some tiny little girl, but she's a teenager, and she knows exactly what's going on around her."
"That was our goal," Caswell said. "To bring Lexi to the point where she'll be able to communicate socially with her family and friends and generally improve the quality of her life."
Getting to that goal, though, is a work in progress because Lexi is still building her vocabulary.
"If we teach her the meanings of more words and how to spell them, she'll have more options, and that will make her more independent," Sherenian said.
"When the diagnosis was given, there was a whole lot of dire," said Jeff Runyan. "It was handed to you as, 'From now on it's just going to get worse.' And I'm sure there are cases when it does, but the eye-gaze is opening doors for Lex. We'd like her to be able to have a conversation with anyone who walks into the room. We want her to be able to take a test at school. Lex now has a chance to do those typical things, to be something other than just a girl with Rett."
"I can't wait until we can show everybody there's a voice in there," said Suzie Runyan. "The more it comes out, the more we can try to make as normal a life as we can."
Oliver Chatterjee
Meghan Kennedy and Shami Chatterjee are also searching for their child's voice. Five and a half years ago, their newborn son, Oliver, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder that impairs muscle control. The effects vary greatly. In Oliver's case, he's able to smile and stroke his baby sister's hair, but he can't walk or wiggle his fingers. Nor can he speak.
"Oliver can't use his throat muscles and his lips and his tongue to shape sounds voluntarily," said Chatterjee. "That's why we're trying different technology options. The clinic at Ithaca College has been really useful for that."
Oliver was two when his parents first brought him to the clinic in 2010. At that time, they used a whiteboard to communicate.
"We had one above his changing table, and we'd write words and letters on it," Chatterjee said. "Every time we'd change him, we'd play a word game with him. Eventually, we had whiteboards all over the house."
"We discovered he was attracted to big words, like paleontologist," added Kennedy. "Oliver liked hearing the rhythm of them."
Oliver has used a number of devices since his first session. Recently, one of them was a sheet of foam-core displaying letters and numbers. That previous weekend, at a science fair, he'd been told that dry ice is solid carbon monoxide that can turn into a gas without having to pass through a liquid stage. When Kennedy and graduate clinician Lauren Vollmin '11, M.S. '13, put the board within Oliver's reach and asked him to name that chemical process, he pointed, in sequence, to the letters S-U-B-L-IM- A-T-H-O-N. A correction to the third letter from the end made him smile.
"In Oliver's case, it's not a question of intelligence or lack of engagement with the world," Chatterjee said. "It's about finding the access that allows him to express what's going on inside him."
Caswell agrees. "We're trying to find ways for Ollie to overcome the limits of his body and efficiently express what he wants to say. Because his family started communicating with him early in his life, we've been able to experiment to see which assistive technology works best."
That includes a range of devices. Some are as high tech as a speech-generating, touch-screen system programmed with word games, activities, and science lessons. Others are as basic as a typewriter keyboard displayed on foam-core.
"He's motivated," Kennedy said. "He wants to communicate, but it's getting more frustrating for him as he gets older. He has all those thoughts that he's struggling to get out."
For example, after Oliver is asked a question, six possible answers appear on a touch screen. "He knows which one is right," said Chatterjee. "But on the way to it, his finger accidentally brushes one of the wrong choices or overshoots the right one."
Kennedy and Chatterjee have their eyes open to the fact that treatments are always changing, and what's right for Oliver today may not be right three years from now. But they're keeping their hearts open as well.
"I know one day he'll be able to get those thoughts out of his head," Kennedy said. "He's going to teach his baby sister her numbers and her letters and how to spell. It's going to be really exciting to know what my son is thinking and what he wants to say."
Oliver, Lexi, and the children in the Strides© program are just a handful of the children who have benefited from the services of the speech pathology program at Ithaca College and the Sir Alexander Ewing Speech and Hearing Clinic, which offers hands-on experience to undergraduate and graduate students.
Benefiting from Caswell's expert knowledge of assistive technology, graduate students in the speech-language pathology and audiology program acquire the clinical skills needed to be effective speech-language pathologists. They also discover there's more to a successful treatment than mastering switch controls and touch screens.
"I learned that every moment someone speaks with you is a moment to be cherished, not taken for granted, because not everyone has a voice," said Sherenian.
To learn more about STRIDES©, visit http://www.statinc.org/about.html
View a photo gallery here.
For more information on the program, visit ithaca.edu/horsesandipads


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Making Business Continuity Work
If you manage disruptions and emergencies well, they may do little lasting harm and might even strengthen your organisation. Mishandling small disruptions can be costly both in terms of money and reputation. Business continuity works best when:
You have a good understanding of the risks that your business faces and the consequences if these events come about.
Your business continuity arrangements match your business – when they fit in with what you do, the scale of your organisation and the resources you have, where you work and the way you do business.
The top management in your business understand the benefits of business continuity and show their support for it.
You have a system in place to keep your business continuity arrangements up to date to take account of changes in your business, such as new staff, different processes or changing risks.
Everyone gets involved – when all your key staff buy-in to the idea of business continuity and see its relevance to them; and when you have thought about how a disruption would affect those outside your organisation too.
You practise your business continuity skills – when you hold exercises to test how you'd respond to a disruption or an emergency and learn lessons to make your business even stronger.
Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and the media, as well as with your own staff and other responders.
Manage your resources if the disruption takes longer to fix than you anticipated.
Keep your staff safe, your operations legal, and enable you to defend your actions if you ever need to.
Get back to normal business, recover and learn lessons.