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CalcNote Pro – Math Calculator v2.20.59 (Patched)
- For
- Android 4.1
- Developers burton999 calculator developer
- Category Tools
- Google Play page app
CalcNote is a new generation of calculator designed for the smart phone.
Just type a expression, the answer will be displayed instantly. No need to tap equals.
It works like notepad or your word processor, you can see multiple questions and answers all at once.
It's like a spreadsheet but much easier and simpler.
If you make a mistake, you don't need to start again, you just fix the wrong expression.
Instant calculator & realtime results
CalcNote will instantly evaluate any mathematical expression and display result in real-time.
With a Notepad-style interface you write operations on each line and see results instantly.
You can combine text-lines with calculations.
Multi-line calculations & references
Every line in CalcNote is evaluated so you can write different operations on each.
It even allows referencing lines as in Spreadsheet so you can do multi-line combined calculations (i.e. $2+$3 adds up the results from line 2 and 3).
Different keypads with operations
Swipe right-left to switch between different keypads with multiple operations you can perform.
Regular mathematical operations, logarithmic, trigonometric functions (i.e. sin, cos), permutations/combinations as well as a percentage calculator and unit converter.
Save & Export
In CalcNote you can organize your calculation sheets, save them individually and even export expressions if you want to use them elsewhere (i.e. in Spreadsheet, in a scientific paper, etc.).
Customize appearance
You can customize CalcNote by changing its background/text color, showing/hiding line numbers, fonts, display format, customize the keypad layout and much more.
Detailed Features List
- Regular mathematical operations
- Multi-line calculations
- Supports mix text and numbers in your calculations
- Supports a line reference
- Supports declaring a variable inline
- Percentage calculations
- Modulo operation
- Supports hexadecimal, octal and binary operations
- Square root, Cube root
- Power, Factorial
- Permutations, Combinations
- Trigonometric functions
- Aggregate functions
- Logarithm, Natural logarithm, Natural exponential function
- Customizable display format (European style and Indian style)
- Customizable appearance
- Customizable keypad layout
- Unit conversion (Area, Length, Weight, Speed, Temperature, Time, Volume)
- Currency conversion (Supports 156 currencies and 5 cryptocurrencies)
- Saving a expression
- Exporting a expression
Please refer to online manual for more details
This is a free version of CalcNote, which displays ad at the top of the screen.
If you'd like to remove ads, you can upgrade to Pro.
burton999 makes no warranty as to the accuracy or reliability or suitability of any calculation results or information provided through the CalcNote. burton999 is not also responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, which may occur by the calculation results or information provided through the CalcNote.
If you have any concerns, feedback, or questions email me at email@example.com
I hope this app will be helpful for you.
Many thanks.


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With "American Idol" coming to an end, fans are getting to relive all the fun and glory of the last 15 seasons during the show's grand finale with some of "Idol's" biggest and best highlights. However, it's unlikely any of these less-than-stellar moments will get a mention.
Let's take a different kind of walk down memory lane with a look back at seven of Idol's most infamous scandals.
WATCH: 'American Idol' Finale: 15 Big Reveals From the Series Retrospective
1. Frenchie's Racy Disqualification
Photo: Getty Images
Season two fan favorite Frenchie Davis was disqualified early in Idol's second season after she admitted to taking topless photos early in her career. Four years later, in season six, fans were up in arms over an apparent double standard when contestant Antonella Barba was allowed to remain in the competition when revealing, personal photographs surfaced online. Though producers allowed Barba to continue performing, she was ultimately voted off the show by fans.
Frenchie found her way back to the small screen on the first season of "The Voice," where she competed on Team Christina Aguilera.
2. The Paula Effect
Photo: Getty Images
Two years after he was disqualified from Idol for failing to disclose previous legal troubles, season two contestant Corey Clark claimed to have engaged in a romantic relationship with judge Paula Abdul during his time on the show. Clark appeared on a televised "Primetime Live" special on ABC, alleging that the former pop star took him under her wing by offering professional guidance and, later, the pair engaged in a three-month-long sexual relationship.
Abdul and Idol producers dismissed the claims as lies and speculated that Clark was attempting to drum up publicity for his album. Fox appointed an independent counsel to conduct an internal investigation, which found that Clark's claims regarding a sexual relationship with Abdul were not supported by "any corroborating evidence or witnesses." Abdul did, however, admit to having telephone conversations with Clark while he was a contestant.
WATCH: Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson Spill on Returning For 'American Idol's' Farewell Season
3. 'Dubious Connections' and a Former Deal
Photo: Getty Images
Season eight contender Joanna Pacitti made it all the way to the Top 36 during Hollywood week before she was deemed "ineligible to compete." Speculation had already been swirling regarding whether the singer's previous record deal and moderate success in the music industry should deem her ineligible, though a Billboard report also cited alleged "dubious connections" between Pacitti and staffers at Idol's production company, 19 Entertainment.
4. Ongoing Conspiracy Theories
Photo: Getty Images
Voting controversies have been an all-too-familiar thorn in Idol's side over the years, stemming all the way back to season two's Clay Aiken/Ruben Studdard match-up (spurred by a rare on-air flub from Ryan Seacrest, in which he offered three differing figures on the voting gap between the ultimate winner and runner-up).
The following season, fans attempting to vote in the competition between Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo complained of overloaded phone systems that made it impossible to vote. And in 2009, when Kris Allen upset Adam Lambert for the season nine crown, reports surfaced regarding "Idol" viewing parties in Allen's home state of Arkansas, in which AT&T employees reportedly taught fans how to "power vote" for their hometown hero. The buzzed-about controversy even earned a Jimmy Fallon-coined nickname: "TextGate."
5. An 'Idol' Alum and a Married Star
Photo: Getty Images
Season 11 alumna Brittany Kerr made headlines not for her voice, but for being photographed in a lip-lock with then-married country star Jason Aldean. Kerr later called the moment "a lapse in judgement," while Aldean blamed it on the alcohol.
"The truth is that I screwed up. I had too much to drink, let the party get out of hand and acted inappropriately at a bar," he said in a statement to TMZ. "I ultimately ended up embarrassing my family and myself. ... I left alone and that's the end of the story."
Well, not quite. Aldean and his high school sweetheart-turned-first wife ended up divorcing, while Aldean and Kerr tied the knot on March 21, 2015. The whole saga unfolded well after Kerr's time on the Idol stage, but she has been recognized as a former American Idol contestant in all media coverage of the scandal.
WATCH: Mariah Carey Slams 'American Idol': 'Worst Experience of My Life'
6. The Big Diva Face-Off
Photo: Getty Images
New judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj brought fireworks to Idol's 12th season -- but not exactly in a good way. Leaked footage found its way to TMZ, showing the Idol judges at each other's throats during auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Minaj yelling at Carey: "I'm not going to put up with her f--king highness anymore."
Reporting on "The View," Barbara Walters said that Carey had told her via telephone that Minaj had also said, "If I had a gun, I would shoot [her]." Minaj has called the claim a "fabrication."
Later, in an on-camera interview with Walters, Carey said, "It felt like an unsafe work environment. Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, it's just not appropriate. Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances. So, yeah, I did hire more security."
The duo continued to add fuel to the fire over the course of the season, with Minaj lashing out frequently on Twitter. In one particularly memorable rant, she referred to Carey as "insecure and bitter."
WATCH: From Jennifer Hudson to Adam Lambert: 'American Idol's Most Star-Powered Losers
7. Things Get Litigious
Photo: Getty Images
"Idol" drama turned litigious when season 11 winner Phillip Phillips filed a lawsuit against "Idol's" co-producers, 19 Entertainment, in an effort to escape an "oppressive" contract.
In court documents filed on Jan. 22, 2015, and obtained by ET, Phillips claimed that the producers had "manipulated" him into accepting jobs and entering into other transactions that were actually for the benefit of 19 Entertainment and its affiliates. The singer's multiple complaints included being forced to perform in a live show promoting "Idol" sponsor Jet Blue for free, amongst other similarly questionable gigs, with the production company getting as much as a 40 percent cut of his endorsement deals, and information on important career matters being withheld from him. For example, Phillips claimed that the title of his album, "Behind the Light," was decided without his approval and then announced in the press without him being given any advance notice.
Phillips said he "remains grateful [to 'American Idol'] for the opportunities provided to him to demonstrate to the world and capitalize upon his talent, creativity and diligence." However, "the appreciation does not extend to the oppressive, fatally conflicted 19 Entertainment, Inc."

subset: commoncrawl


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The following resources provide access to industry-related data.
Employer Database
A tool to search for an employer in the State of Iowa (and surrounding states) by employer name, industry, county or city. Information provided includes: firm name, contact information, business and industry description and size. To search this database visit the Employer Database home page.
Industry Forecasts
Long-term industry projections, also known as forecasts, provide information on the expected job growth and decline for a ten-year period for the State and local areas. Short-term, two-year, projections are also available for the State and local areas. Projections/forecast data can be viewed on the Industry Projections home page.
Industry Profiles
Compare wages and employment over several years for the nation, the State and by county. Industry profiles are available for all major sectors of the Iowa economy, created using Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and U.S. Census data. Current industry reports can be accessed on the Industry Profiles home page.
Staffing Patterns
Staffing patterns provide detailed information on which occupations are employed in each industry sector/sub-sector (and the reverse). Data is available for the State of Iowa and by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) region on the Staffing Patterns home page.
Quarterly Employment and Wages (QCEW)
Quarterly data on industry employment, wages and number of business establishments for the State of Iowa and by county. Current and historical data can be accessed through the QCEW home page.


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A cheerful, affectionate dog, the beagle prefers company. This breed can be highly destructive and bark excessively if left alone.
Beagles are very friendly. Don't depend on them to guard your house. They may bark but will do little more if confronted with an intruder.
Weight Range:
Male: 18-30 lbs.
Female: 18-30 lbs.
Height at Withers:
Male: 15 in.
Female: 13 in.
Floppy ears (naturally)
Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Average
Longevity Range: 12-15
Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: High
Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: High
Bred For:
Rabbit, hare hunting
Length: Short
Characteristics: Flat
Colors: Any true hound color
Overall Grooming Needs: Low
Club Recognition:
AKC Classification: Hound
UKC Classification: Scenthounds
Prevalence: Common
Beagles come in two basic sizes.
Some are about 13 inches tall or under and weigh about 18 pounds (eight kilograms); the second size group is from 13 to 15 inches in height and weighs about 20 pounds (nine kilograms).
Beagles are muscular, solid dogs with a slightly domed skull. Their muzzle is squarish and the nose broad. Ears are long and droopy. Their chest is deep, back is straight and they have a moderately long tail that is carried high. The breed's smooth, dense coat is usually black, tan, and white.
Beagles are widely considered to be good with other pets and children. They are cheerful dogs that like affection. They prefer company, however, and if left alone, may howl and be destructive. According to one consumer's guide on dogs, beagles also top the list for excessive barking and can be difficult to housebreak and obedience train.
Living With:
Beagles are active, curious dogs. They are also hound dogs, so it's in their nature to roam. Care must be taken to prevent them from wandering off into harm's way by keeping them contained in a fenced-in yard or on a leash when outside of the house.
Beagles also are friendly little dogs. Don't depend on them to guard your house. They may bark, but are unlikely to do much more than wag their tails if confronted with an intruder.
Their short coat is remarkably easy to care for and requires minimal grooming and only occasional bathing. Once past puppyhood, some beagles seem to easily become overweight, so watch the caloric intake. The beagle's life expectancy is about 12 years.
The beagle breed has existed for hundreds of years and is one of the most familiar breeds in the world. According to one breed historian, beagles were written about as early as the 1400s.
Beagles descend from hounds used in packs by hunters on foot in England, Wales and France. A variety known as "pocket beagles" was used for hunts on horseback because the dogs stood less than 10 inches tall and could be carried in a coat pocket to the start of the hunt. The beagle is best known for rabbit hunting, although the breed also has been used to hunt animals as diverse as jackals and wild pigs.
Although some beagles are still used individually or in packs for hunting, most beagles today are lovable house pets.


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Manny Gonzalez is not an MLB staff umpire, and he had only umped 53 games at the highest level through last season. (He doesn't even have an official profile.) Indeed, he's been bouncing around the minors since the early '90s, and it appears he may never get the permanent call to The Show if he keeps making maddeningly dumb calls like this one, from tonight in Chicago.
Here's a mini-Better Know An Umpire capsule for Gonzalez, since it appears this could be our last good chance to familiarize ourselves with his work.
Name: Manny Gonzalez
Uniform number: 79
Age: 32
Height/weight: 6 feet, 210 pounds
First year as MLB umpire: 2010
Total MLB games worked through 2011: 53 (home plate: 10)
Previous experience: Gulf Coast League, New York-Penn League, South Atlantic League, Florida State League, Texas League, Southern League, Arizona Fall League, International League
Career ejections: One (Ike Davis)
Hated in: New York (Queens)
Notable alleged blown calls: Mets-Cubs, June 26, 2012.
Claim to fame: Making am inconceivable safe call on the Cubs' Steve Clevenger, despite being perfectly positioned.
Scouting report from Major League Umpires' Performance, 2007-2010, by Andy Goldblatt:
[In 2010] Gonzalez became the first Venezuelan to umpire a major league game. ... Gonzalez first gained umpiring experience as a teenager in the Miami area. Among his colleagues: Laz Diaz.
Scouting report from Twitter:


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VANCOUVER – Vancouver poet Shannon Stewart shares a first glimpse of her tabloid inspired poems.
While standing in line at the supermarket many shoppers are intrigued by the eye-catching covers of the Weekly World News. In fact, one special shopper was so inspired by the craft and editorial of the tabloid that she began to write her own poetic "tabloid tales".
With an MFA in Creative Writing, Shannon took her tales to a whole new level and is releasing her latest book Penny Dreadful. "Penny Dreadfuls were popular, cheaply produced 19th century magazines filled with brutal and sensationalist tales. Shannon revisits their grisly spirit through a series of meditations that examine the media's obsession for luridness, be it tabloids or "respectable" newspapers."
"Fable-like, ribald, and packing a powerful anti-puritanical punch, Penny Dreadful furnishes us with unsentimental X-rays of the contemporary world and its terrors." The terrors and breaking headlines from the Weekly World News have truly inspired a remarkable poet. Here is a first glimpse at Shannon's inspired poems.
Stay tuned for more tabloid tales!
What place is this? The sea
around them is dead, served
up on beds of ice. Fish eyes
goggle under fluorescents,
shelled shrimp a mountain
of pink.
Who dreams such iniquity?
Smoked, skewered, shucked,
filets of gutted flesh spread
for viewing. Alone, alive,
the lobsters plot revenge,
surreptitiously pluck
at the blue rubber bands
wrapped around their claws.
Grip and crush, grip and crush,
a plan of action forms in the
saline tank. Swimmerets pummel
shells in anticipation, long stalks
of antenna sniff beyond the glass
for the perfect moment.
They know the weak spots.
Digits, ankles, the toddler
left unattended in aisle 2.
Bibs and finger bowls filled
with lemon are shunned
for the greater muck
of terror. Only blood
will do.
BUY SHANNON'S BOOK, Penny Dreadful:


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Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene of the shooting and told him three people had been shot and that Williams had been killed.
A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that pulled up along its side, said Sonny Jackson, spokesperson for the Denver Police Department.
Three people in the limousine were hit and were taken to area hospitals, where one man was pronounced dead, Jackson said. The other man and woman who were shot were not identified.
Jackson said police were searching for the suspects and interviewing witnesses.
"We have no motive yet," Jackson said. "We're hoping to talk with witnesses to find out where they were coming from, and that might give us some clues."
Saccomano said he spoke with coach Mike Shanahan and others in the organization.
"Complete shock. We're speechless. It takes words away. A terrible tragedy," Saccomano said.
Hours before the shooting, the Broncos lost to San Francisco 26-23 in overtime, eliminating them from the playoff race.
The 24-year-old Williams finished the season with 88 tackles, 78 of them solo, and four interceptions.
On Sunday against the 49ers, he had three tackles and returned two punts for 50 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury late in the second half.
Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2005, made an immediate impact on the Broncos, starting nine times in his rookie season following a stellar career at Oklahoma State, where he totaled 11 interceptions and scored three touchdowns on punt returns.
Players and coaches are off Monday. They were scheduled to meet Tuesday before heading home for the offseason.
It's amazing how quickly life can change. I don't know a whole lot about Darrent Williams, but it's always tragic and sad to see someone that was surely admired by so many come to an end like this.
I'm sure that the Mile High Report will have more on this story as it continues to develop.


text:
What is this programme about?
Selected candidates will be matched based on compatibility to a Member of Parliament or State Assemblyman (ADUN). The candidate will attach on a full-time basis to the MP/ADUN and actively participate in their daily work.
During the programme, candidates will have the opportunity to:
- Assist and contribute to the work of the MP/ADUN
- Gain first-hand experience and insight of being a national leader
- Attend parliamentary sessions or state assembly sessions
- Organize and participate in press conferences, discussions, political events etc.
As part of the programme, candidates are required to:
- Submit a 300-word essay documenting their experience and insight gained
- Contribute a 1000-word proposal on how to improve the office of an MP/ADUN or the operation of DAP Malaysia; OR a research topic of choice on a current issue for MP/ADUN debate during parliamentary or state assembly session
- Initiate and organize a community event to engage sociopolitical awareness
Selection Criteria:
- Youths between age 18-30 (students, fresh grads or young working adults)
- Full-time attachment
- Selection based on assessment of academic results and experience
- Closing date of application: 25th May 2010
- Start date of programme: Anytime after 20th June 2010
- Successful candidates will be informed via email
Application procedures:
Email resume / curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter expressing interest to daprocket(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Include in your application the following:
- Preferred location (ie. which state/city in Malaysia)
- Preferred duration of your attachment
- MP/ADUN of preference
For enquiries, kindly email daprocket(at)rocketmail(dot)com


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ATLANTA, GA – AirTran Airways has sparked controversy over their request to a trio of sisters.
A caged, 2-inch turtle at first sight seems harmless enough. To AirTran Airways, however, it represents a potential for contamination and infection and is not allowed in their cabins. The Helm sisters were obligated to throw their pet away in order to proceed with their flight.
10-year-old Carley's pet turtle, Neytiri, caused a crew to turn around a taxiing plane, take the girl and her sisters off the flight and tell them they couldn't bring their pet along.
Carley was forced to throw Neytiri, along with its cage, in the trash and returned to her seat crying Tuesday after AirTran Airways employees said they couldn't care for the turtle. Two days later, however, Carley was reunited with her 2-inch turtle even though at first the family thought the pet was emptied with the trash.
Carley was heading home to Milwaukee after visiting her father in Atlanta with sisters Annie, 13, and Rebecca, 22. Rebecca seemed stunned when the sisters were told they'd have to throw the turtle away if they wanted to reboard their flight.
"I asked, 'What do you mean get rid of it?' and they said throw it away," Rebecca told the AP. "I was very sad, and I felt bad for my littlest sister because it was her first pet and she was planning to take care of it herself."
AirTran company policy bans animals other than cats, dogs and household birds in the cabin, said spokesman Christopher White. White cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that says the reptiles have been known to carry salmonella bacteria.
The sisters' mother reported what happened to animal rights group PETA, which sent a letter to AirTran demanding an investigation and disciplinary action.
ATLANTA, GA – AirTran Airways has sparked controversy over their request to a trio of sisters.


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Bike World
Welcome to Ocean City's oldest and finest Bike Rental Shop! Founded in 1978 by local bike racer and life time resident Allen Sklar, Bike World features everything you want in a bike rental location; Surreys, Bikes, Funcycles, BMX, Tandems, and Choppers! Not only is our equipment clean and new but Allen and Keith will go out of their way to make your rental experience the best you ever had! To save you money we have discount coupons available in the "Ocean City Visitors Guide" and in the "Killer Coupon Book" if you can't find them just mention you saw it on our web page and we will give you the best deal possible. We also honor all other company's coupons! During June, July, and August we offer an early bird special 1/2 price anytime between 6am and 7am, save MONEY come early!!! We now have a new website! It's address is: http://www.bikeworldoc.comRead More


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Is Elizabeth Wurtzel Breaking the Law By Calling Herself a Lawyer?
As we've noted before, Elizabeth Wurtzel, the Prozac Nation author who graduated from Yale Law School last year, hasn't passed the bar exam yet. But that hasn't stop her from pretending to be a lawyer! Which might be illegal.
Wurtzel granted an interview recently to Bitter Lawyer, talking about how much she loves the law and how awesome it is being a lawyer and working at David Boies' law firm. Except she's not a lawyer! At least not in New York, where it seems to be unlawful to claim to be a lawyer if you haven't passed the bar exam. Which she hasn't.
From the interview:
Did you want to practice law?
I thought I might want to teach. Yale Law is kind of like a mini Ph.D in a lot of ways, so I thought maybe I'd become a professor.
That was close. Wurtzel didn't quite claim to be practicing law in answering that question—she just let it slide. But then:
What's been your best professional moment since graduating law school?
I don't know if there is one that I can really point to. I'm working on the Prop 8 case right now, and I'm very proud of that. But mostly, like a lot of young lawyers, I think I'm just happy when I do something that's valuable to somebody.
Whoops! It sounds to us like you just called yourself a lawyer, Elizabeth. Let's have a look at the law, shall we?
Part 520.1 of the Rules for the Court of Appeals for New York says, "A person shall be admitted to practice law in the courts of the State of New York only by an order of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upon compliance with these rules." Among those rules is this, Part 520.7, which says "no applicant for admission to practice in this State shall be admitted unless the New York State Board of Law Examiners shall have certified to the Appellate Division of the department...that the applicant (1) has passed the written bar examination prescribed in section 520.8."
OK! So that means that you haven't been admitted to practice law in the state of New York unless you've passed the bar. (There are other ways for career attorneys to get admitted that don't involve passing the bar, but they don't apply to you, Elizabeth.) So, have you passed the bar? There have been two New York bar examinations since you graduated last summer: One in July of 2008 and one in February 2009. Your name doesn't appear in the published list of those who passed either test. Nor does it appear in the New York Bar Association's list of members.
So: You haven't passed the New York bar exam. Which means you haven't been admitted to practice law in the state of New York. And according to Section 478 of New York Judiciary Law, that means you can't claim to be a lawyer:
It shall be unlawful for any natural person to practice or appear as an attorney-at-law or as an attorney and counselor-at-law for a person other than himself in a court of record in this state...or to hold himself out to the public as being entitled to practice law as aforesaid, or in any other manner, or to...assume, use, or advertise the title of lawyer, or attorney or...equivalent terms in any language, in such manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law...without having first been duly and regularly licensed and admitted to practice law in the courts of record of this state, and without having taken the constitutional oath.
We're no lawyers, but that sounds like you shouldn't go around giving interviews about how awesome it is being a lawyer until you pass the bar. The next one is next week. Good luck!


text:
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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
versão On-line ISSN 2078-5135
versão impressa ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.99 no.4 Pretoria Abr. 2009
Impact of the international Rugby Board's experimental iaw variations on the incidence and nature of match injuries in southern hemisphere professional rugby union
Colin W FullerI; Martin RafteryII; Clint ReadheadIII; Stephen G R TargettIV; Michael G MolloyV
IPhD. Centre for Sports Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
IIMB. Australian Rugby Union, Sydney, Australia
IIIBSc. South African Rugby Union, Newlands, Cape Town
IVMB. New Zealand Rugby Union, Wellington, New Zealand
VMB. International Rugby Board, Dublin, Ireland
OBJECTIVE: To examine the epidemiology of match injuries in southern hemisphere professional rugby union and assess the impact of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Experimental Law Variations.
SETTING: One-season whole population prospective cohort.
SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven teams (813 players) taking part in the 2008 Super 14 and Vodacom Cup competitions.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, severity, location, type and cause of injury.
RESULTS: The incidence in the Super 14 competition (96.3 injuries/1 000 player-match hours; 95% confidence interval (CI) 69.0 - 111.7) was significantly higher (p=0.003) than that in the Vodacom Cup (71.2; CI 60.0 - 84.5); injury severity was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the Super 14 (mean 13.4 days; median 5) than the Vodacom Cup (mean 21.2; median 12). There were no significant differences between the two competitions in type or location of injury: lower limb muscle/ tendon (Super 14: 27.8%; Vodacom Cup: 25.7%) and joint (non-bone)/ligament (Super 14: 18.8%; Vodacom Cup: 24.3%) were the most common injuries. Injury causation was similar for the two competitions but there were significantly fewer ruck/maul (p=0.001) and more tackled (p=0.010) injuries in Super 14 compared with English Premiership rugby and fewer collision (p=0.002) and more tackling (p<0.001) injuries compared with Rugby World Cup. In the Vodacom Cup, there were significantly more tackling (p<0.001) injuries compared with Rugby World Cup.
CONCLUSION: The incidence, nature and causes of injuries in southern hemisphere professional club rugby played under IRB Experimental Law Variations were similar to those for professional club rugby in the northern hemisphere and Rugby World Cup played under the previous Laws of Rugby.
Rugby union is a contact team sport played throughout the world by adults and children of all ages. The popularity of the sport is due to the physical nature of the game and also its ability to offer roles for athletes of all shapes and sizes (IRB, 2008).1 The sport attracts widespread spectator support, which is due in part to the worldwide media attention afforded to the International Rugby Board's (IRB) Rugby World Cup (RWC) and to professional club competitions staged in northern and southern hemisphere countries. In 2004, the IRB established a Laws Project Group to review the existing Laws of the Game1 with the aim of identifying ways in which the appeal of the game could be enhanced. This review resulted in a range of proposals, referred to as Experimental Law Variations (ELV). The efficacy of these proposals was initially assessed by the IRB during 2007 in a number of minor competitions in northern and southern hemisphere countries. The main technical evaluation of the proposed law changes was conducted during the 2008 Tri-nations, Super 14, Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions in the southern hemisphere.
Additionally, it is essential that the risk of injury to players is also monitored as part of the ELV evaluation process because of the high incidence of match injuries in rugby union. For international rugby, incidence of injury was recorded as 98 missed-match and medical treatment injuries/1 000 playermatch hours at RWC 2003,2 and 84 time-loss injuries/1 000 player-match hours at RWC 2007.3 A northern hemisphere, two-season epidemiological study from 2002 to 2004 of 12 professional teams in the English Premiership4 reported 91 time-loss injuries/1 000 player-match hours. Studies in the southern hemisphere reported 120 time-loss and medical treatment injuries/1 000 player-match hours for one New Zealand Super 12 professional team during the 1997 season,5 and 55 time-loss and medical treatment injuries/1 000 playermatch hours for three South African Super 12 professional teams during the 1999 season.6 These southern hemisphere studies were conducted prior to the publication of the consensus agreement on definitions and procedures for injury surveillance studies in rugby,7 so the first aim of this study was to characterise the incidence, nature and causes of injury in the Super 14 and Vodacom Cup competitions using the consensusrecommended protocols. The second aim was to evaluate the impact on match injuries of the IRB ELVs that were implemented at different levels during these two competitions.
Players from the 14 teams (Australia: 4; New Zealand: 5; South Africa: 5) involved in the 2008 Super 14, and 13 of the 14 teams involved in the 2008 Vodacom Cup in South Africa, took part in the study. In total, 813 players (Super 14: 441; Vodacom Cup: 372) were included. The two competitions took place concurrently over the period February - May 2008; all proposed ELVs were implemented during the Vodacom Cup, and a limited number during the Super 14 competition.8 Some ELVs related to 'administrative' issues, such as the role of the assistant referee and the re-emphasis of existing laws of the game; some related to 'procedural' issues, such as the recategorisation of penalty offences to free-kick offences and the designation of off-side lines; and others related to 'technical' issues, such as defending players not being allowed to pass or carry the ball back behind their 22-metre line before kicking the ball directly to touch, and quick lineout throws that can be thrown towards the defenders' goal line. While these ELVs are unlikely to have a direct impact, they may have an indirect impact on the incidence of injury, as the speed of the game and the ball in play time could be affected. Some changes, however, related to 'player-contact' situations where there could potentially be a direct impact on the risk of injury to players. Proposals falling into this latter category and the competitions in which these changes were implemented, concerned:
no restrictions on the number of players in the lineout (Vodacom Cup)
players may pre-grip and lift lineout jumpers (Super 14 and Vodacom Cup)
players on their feet may play the ball with their hands (Vodacom Cup)
defending players may pull down a maul (Vodacom Cup).
A detailed manual describing the aims, definitions and procedures for the study, and containing injury report forms, was prepared and distributed to the medical staff of each participating team before the start of the two competitions. Definitions and procedures described in the manual were consistent with the consensus statement for injury surveillance studies in rugby union.7 Members of the three national rugby unions involved in the study also acted as local study co-ordinators and liaised with teams from their respective countries. Ethical approval for the study was received from the University of Nottingham Medical School Research Ethics Committee.
Players' baseline information (age in years, free-standing stature in cm, body mass in kg and normal playing position) and consent for data to be included in the study were collected prior to the start of the competitions. An injury was defined as 'any injury sustained during a Super 14 or Vodacom Cup match that prevented the player from taking a full part in all training activities planned for that day and/or match play for more than one day following the day of injury'. Injuries were classified by location, type, Orchard Code9 or diagnosis and number of days' absence from playing/training together with the player's playing position, period in the game and the activity involved at the time of injury. When required, injuries were followed up post-tournament by the national study coordinators to confirm injured players' return to play/training dates. The number of matches that players missed in the tournaments as a result of time-loss injuries was also recorded. Injuries sustained by players during training activities and absences due to illness and non rugby-related medical conditions were not included in the study. Match exposures were calculated on the basis of 15 players (forwards: 8; backs: 7) per team exposed for 80 minutes per team-game. No allowance was made for a player's temporary or permanent removal from the game for foul play or the treatment of bleeding injuries.
Data analysis
A sample size calculation indicated that match exposures of 2 400 player-hours in each competition would be sufficient to identify a 33% difference in the incidence of time-loss injuries between the competitions with 90% power and 95% confidence. Players' baseline data were reported as means (standard deviation); incidences as injuries/1 000 player-match hours (95% confidence interval (CI)); distributions as percentages (95% CI); and severities as mean and median values and grouped within the categories of minimal (2 - 3 days), mild (4 - 7 days), moderate (8 - 28 days) and severe (>28 days), as defined in the rugby consensus statement.7 Differences in values between groups were assessed using the unpaired t-test for anthropometric measurements, z-values for the rate ratio of injury incidence, z-values for difference in proportions, and the Mann-Whitney test for injury severity.10 Because of the large number of comparisons undertaken in this study, significance was established at p<0.01. Wherever possible, data collected in this study were compared with the equivalent results published for the English Premiership4 and the Rugby World Cup 2007,3 as the results in these studies were collected using similar protocols to that in the present study and because they related to a similar elite standard of professional rugby.
Table I shows the mean age, stature and body mass of the players in the two competitions, together with equivalent data for the English Premiership and Rugby World Cup. Super 14 players were significantly older (forwards: p<0.001; backs: p=0.019), taller (forwards: p<0.001; backs: p<0.001) and heavier (forwards: p=0.007; backs: p<0.001) than Vodacom Cup players. Compared with English Premiership players, Super 14 players were younger (p=0.012), taller (p=0.003) and heavier (p=0.003), whereas Vodacom Cup players were younger (p<0.001), shorter (p<0.001) and lighter (p<0.001). Compared with RWC players, Super 14 players were younger (p<0.001) but were similar in stature (p=0.280) and body mass (p=0.889), whereas Vodacom Cup players were significantly (p<0.001) younger, lighter and shorter.
Included in the study were 280 team-games (Super 14: 188; Vodacom Cup: 92), which equated to 5 600 player-match hours (Super 14: 3 760; Vodacom Cup: 1 840). This exposure resulted in 493 time-loss injuries (Super 14: 362; Vodacom Cup: 131) and 179 missed-match injuries (Super 14: 105; Vodacom Cup: 74); no fatal or catastrophic spinal injuries were recorded during either competition. Table II summarises the incidences of injuries for both competitions and the English Premiership and Rugby World Cup. Although the overall incidence of injury in the Super 14 competition was significantly higher (p=0.003) than in the Vodacom Cup, there were no significant differences between the competitions when forwards and backs were compared separately. The incidence of missed-match injuries was lower in the Super 14 competition (27.9 (95% CI: 23.2 -33.8) injuries/1 000 player-match hours) compared with the Vodacom Cup (40.2 (95% CI: 32.0 - 50.5)) but the difference was not significant (p=0.016). There were no significant differences in the incidence of injury for the Super 14 competition compared with the English Premiership and Rugby World Cup; but for the Vodacom Cup, the overall incidence of injury was significantly lower than that observed in the English Premiership, which was the result of the significantly lower incidence of injury observed for forwards in the Vodacom Cup.
There was a significant difference in the severity of injuries between the two competitions (Super 14: mean 13.4, median 5; Vodacom Cup: mean 21.2, median 12; p<0.001). The incidences of injury as a function of grouped severity for the two competitions and the RWC are shown in Table III; equivalent data were not available for the English Premiership. Compared with the RWC, the incidence of minimal injuries was significantly higher in the Super 14 and significantly lower in the Vodacom Cup.
Table IV provides a cross-tabulation of the location and type of injuries for both competitions; there were no significant differences in the nature of the injuries sustained between the two competitions or in comparison with the English Premiership or the RWC. The most common injuries in both competitions were lower limb muscle/tendon (Super 14: 27.8%; Vodacom Cup: 25.7%; p=0.708) and lower limb joint (non-bone)/ligament (Super 14: 18.8%; Vodacom Cup: 24.3%; p=0.285). The five most commonly reported injuries across the two competitions were concussion (9.7%), ankle ligament (8.7%), quadriceps haematoma (5.9%), knee ligament (5.4%) and hamstring muscle strain (4.7%) injuries.
Table V shows the distributions of injuries as a function of the type of contact event causing the injuries in both competitions, the English Premiership and the RWC. There were no significant differences between the two competitions. Compared with the English Premiership, there were significantly fewer ruck/maul (p=0.001) and more tackle (p=0.010) injuries in the Super 14. Compared with the RWC, there were significantly fewer collision (p=0.002) and more tackling (p<0.001) injuries in the Super 14, and more tackling (p<0.001) injuries in the Vodacom Cup.
The Super 14 competition comprises the leading professional club rugby players from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and it represents a similar standard of play to the Premiership in England; the Vodacom Cup involves the second tier of professional players in South Africa. Although there were significant differences in players' anthropometric measurements between the two competitions and compared with the English Premiership and RWC, the differences in absolute terms were small when compared, for example, with the differences between these players and elite 18-year-old South African rugby players11 (stature: 179.2 cm, p<0.001; body mass: 84.9 kg, p<0.001). For the purposes of this study, the players from both competitions were regarded as being of similar stature and body mass to players from the English Premiership and Rugby World Cup.
Previous studies of southern hemisphere professional rugby teams used different definitions of injury from the present study, which followed the recommendations of the rugby consensus statement;7 this made direct comparisons of the present study with these earlier studies difficult or impossible. However, Targett5 reported an incidence of 45 (95% CI: 27 -76) missed match injuries/1 000 player-match hours for one New Zealand Super 12 team, and Holtzhausen et al.6 reported a value of 31 (95% CI: 21 - 47) for three South African Super 12 teams. These values were not significantly different from the results reported here for missed-match injuries in both the Super 14 and Vodacom Cup. The incidence of time-loss injuries reported here for the Super 14 competition was similar to the incidence of time-loss injuries reported previously for English Premiership teams,4 although the incidence in the Vodacom Cup was significantly lower. The results for both the Super 14 and the Vodacom Cup competitions were similar to the results reported for RWC 2007.3
Injuries reported in the Vodacom Cup were significantly more severe than those reported in the Super 14 competition; this was mainly due to the higher incidences of minimal and mild injuries reported by Super 14 teams compared with Vodacom Cup teams. Comparisons of injury severity with previous Super 12 studies were not possible, as mean and median severity values were not published for either study.5,6 The severity values reported in the present study, however, compare closely with the mean values of 18 and 15 days reported for the English Premiership4 and RWC 20073 respectively and the median value of 7 days reported for the RWC 2007.3
There were no significant differences in the nature of injuries sustained in the Super 14 and Vodacom Cup competitions, with the highest proportions of injuries in both competitions being lower limb muscle/tendon and joint (non-bone)/ligament injuries. It was not possible to compare the present results with previous studies of Super 12 competitions, as diagnoses for match and training injuries were grouped together in both the earlier studies. There were, however, no significant differences in the nature of injuries in either competition compared with equivalent results reported for the English Premiership4 and the RWC.3 The five most common injuries in the present study included the three most common injuries reported for English Premiership rugby4 (thigh haematoma, 8.8%; hamstring muscle strain, 6.2%; concussion, 4.8%) and RWC 20073 (ankle ligament, 9.9%; knee ligament, 9.9%; hamstring muscle strain, 9.9%). The tackle was the most common cause of injury in both competitions, which is consistent with previous reports in English professional rugby.12 The major differences in injury causation in the Super 14 were significantly fewer ruck/maul and more tackled injuries compared with the English Premiership, and significantly fewer collision and more tackling injuries compared with RWC. For the Vodacom Cup, there were significantly more tackling injuries compared with the RWC. Overall, the incidence, nature and causes of match injuries in the two southern hemisphere competitions were similar to those reported previously for teams competing in the English Premiership and Rugby World Cup.
The Super 14 and Vodacom Cup competitions covered by the present study were played under the ELVs8 introduced by the IRB. Benchmark data for the incidence and nature of injuries prior to the introduction of the ELVs were not available for either of these competitions. However, analyses of the results from the present study indicated that the risks and causes of injury in both competitions were similar to those experienced in the English Premiership and RWC 2007, which were played under the existing IRB Laws of the Game.1 The 2008 Super 14 competition implemented only one ELV that could be construed as directly affecting the level of physical contact (pre-gripping and lifting players in a lineout) and hence the risk of injury, although other ELVs may indirectly have an impact on the incidence of injury because time in play may increase. The study therefore indicated that the ELVs falling into the 'administrative', 'procedural' and 'technical' categories implemented in this competition did not have an adverse effect on the incidence, nature or causes of injury. The 2008 Vodacom Cup, on the other hand, implemented all of the proposed IRB ELVs, but the incidence of injury recorded in this competition was significantly lower than those recorded in the Super 14, the English Premiership and the Rugby World Cup. While this fact may simply reflect a lower standard of play, most of the difference can be accounted for by the significantly lower incidence of injuries recorded in the minimal injury severity category, as there were no other major differences. There were no indications that more injuries were caused in lineout, ruck/maul or tackled situations as a result of changes made within the ELVs. It is therefore possible to conclude that the IRB ELVs implemented during the 2008 Super 14 and Vodacom Cup did not significantly increase the risk of injury to players. Further studies with even greater statistical power are required, however, to investigate the effect of ELVs on specific injuries and the effect of each individual ELV.
The authors acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by medical staff at all the rugby clubs in recording match injuries during this study.
1. International Rugby Board. Playing Charter and Laws of the Game - Rugby Union. Dublin: International Rugby Board, 2008. [ Links ]
2. Best JP, McIntosh AS, Savage TN. Rugby World Cup 2003 injury surveillance project. Br J Sports Med 2005; 39: 812-817. [ Links ]
3. Fuller CW, Laborde F, Leather RJ, Molloy MG. International Rugby Board Rugby World Cup 2007 injury surveillance study. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42: 452-459. [ Links ]
4. Brooks JHM, Fuller CW, Kemp SPT, Reddin DB. Epidemiology of injuries in English professional rugby union: Part 1 - Match injuries. Br J Sports Med 2005; 39: 757-766. [ Links ]
5. Targett SGR. Injuries in professional rugby union. Clin J Sports Med 1998; 8: 280-285. [ Links ]
6. Holtzhausen LJ, Schwellnus MP, Jakoet I, Pretorius AL. The incidence and nature of injuries in South African rugby players in the rugby Super 12 competition. S Afr Med J 2006; 96: 1260-1265. [ Links ]
7. Fuller CW, Molloy MG, Bagate C, et al. Consensus statement on injury definitions and data collection procedures for studies of injuries in rugby union. Clin J Sports Med 2007a; 17: 177-181. [ Links ]
8. International Rugby Board. Super 14 kicks off latest ELV test. www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2022256.html (accessed 15 September 2008). [ Links ]
9. Orchard J. Orchard Sports Injury Classification System (OSICS). http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/research/OSICS8.pdf. (accessed 3 June 2008). [ Links ]
10. Kirkwood BR, Sterne JAC. Essential Medical Statistics. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2003. [ Links ]
11. Durandt J, du Toit S, Borresen J, et al. Fitness and body composition profiling of elite junior South African rugby players. S Afr J Sports Med 2006; 18: 38-45. [ Links ]
12. Fuller CW, Brooks JHM, Cancea RJ, Hall J, Kemp SPT. Contact events in rugby union and their propensity to cause injury. Br J Sports Med 2007b; 41: 862-867. [ Links ]
Accepted 3 October 2008.
Corresponding author: C Fuller (firstname.lastname@example.com)


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This Thursday's full moon carries the title of "Harvest Moon" for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. But what gives the special moon its name?
The moon officially turns full when it reaches the spot in the sky opposite (180 degrees) from the sun. That moment will occur on Thursday (Sept. 19) at 7:13 a.m. EDT (1113 GMT).
Thursday's full moon is the one nearest to the September equinox this year, making it the Harvest Moon by the usual definition. Other definitions of the Harvest Moon, according to Guy Ottewell's Astronomical Calendar 2013, are the full moon on or after the date of the equinox, or the full moon in October. [The Moon Revealed: 10 Surprising Lunar Facts]
Although we associate the Harvest Moon with autumn, this year's version is actually the last full moon of the summer season. In fact, it's this summer's fourth full moon, an oddity of sorts since most of the time there are only three full moons per season.
On average, an October Harvest Moon happens once about every four years, although this figure can be deceptive. The last October Harvest Moon was in 2009, but the next won't occur until 2017. Conversely, after 2017, we need only wait three years (2020) for the next October Harvest Moon.
Many think that the Harvest Moon remains in the night sky longer than any of the other full moons we see during the year, but that is not so. The Harvest Moon's claim to fame is that instead of rising its normal average of 50 minutes later each day, it rises only a little later each night, providing farmers with extra moonlight to reap their crops.
This unusually small daily lag in the time of moonrise occurs because the moon is traveling along the part of the ecliptic (Aquarius and Pisces) that makes the smallest angle with the eastern horizon as seen from northern latitudes.
The local moonrise times for September 18, 19 and 20 are provided for select American cities in the chart below:
The Harvest Moon effect is greater the farther north you are. Indeed, the difference is less at more northerly locations (at Edmonton, Alberta, located at latitude 53.6 degrees north, the average difference is only 24 minutes).
In contrast, for those living in the Southern Hemisphere, the ecliptic at this time of year appears to stand almost perpendicular to the eastern horizon. As such, the difference for the time of moonrise exceeds the average of 50 minutes per night. In Sydney, Australia, for instance, the night-to-night difference amounts to 64 minutes.
For those who live near the Arctic Circle, the moon does indeed appear to rise at about the same time each night around the time of the Harvest Moon. And for those who live even farther to the north, a paradox: the moon appears to rise earlier.
For instance, on Sept. 16, 17 and 18 in Thule, Greenland, the moon will rise on average about 31 minutes earlier each night.
Editor's note: If you snap an amazing photo of the Harvest Moon full moon or any other night sky target and you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at email@example.com.


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Army and Marine Corps are allowing convicted felons to serve in increasing numbers, newly released Department of Defense statistics show.
A U.S Marine keeps a watchful eye in downtown Baghdad.
Recruits were allowed to enlist after having been convicted of crimes including assault, burglary, drug possession and making terrorist threats.
The statistics were released by Rep. Henry Waxman, a California Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
He has given the Pentagon a month to hand over up-to-date details on the number of waivers granted, reports on how the recruits have performed and information about how the waivers are related to meeting recruitment goals.
Pentagon statistics show the Army granted 511 felony waivers in 2007, just over twice the 249 it granted the year before. The Army aims to recruit more than 80,000 new soldiers a year.
The Marines -- which recruits fewer new service members each year than the Army -- also reported a rise in waivers for felonies, with 350 granted in 2007, compared with 208 in 2006.
"There was a rapid rise in 2007 in the number of waivers the Army and Marine Corps granted to recruits convicted of serious felonies," Waxman said in a letter Monday to David Chu, the under-secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
"I understand that there can be valid reasons for personnel waivers and recognize the importance of providing opportunities to individuals who have served their sentences and rehabilitated themselves.
"At the same time, concerns have been raised that the significant increase in the recruitment of persons with criminal records is a result of the strain put on the military by the Iraq war and may be undermining military readiness," he charged.
The Army defended its use of waivers as a response to a changing American society, arguing that only three in 10 Americans of military age "meet all our stringent medical, moral, aptitude or administrative requirements."
"Today's young men and women are more overweight, have a greater incidence of asthma, and are being charged for offenses that in earlier years wouldn't have been considered a serious offense, and might not have resulted in charges in the first place," John P. Boyce Jr. of Army Public Affairs said in a statement to CNN.
He said the Army never issues waivers for some types of offenses, including sexual violence, alcoholism and drug trafficking.
But the Pentagon statistics showed the Army allowed 106 convicted burglars to enlist in 2007, up from 36 the year before. It also granted waivers to 43 recruits convicted of aggravated assault that year, up from 33 a year before; and to 130 people convicted of possession of drugs other than marijuana, a rise from 71 in 2006.
It also allowed two people convicted of making terrorist or bomb threats to enlist in 2007, up from one the year before.
The Marines did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The Navy reported a slight decline in felony waivers, from 48 in 2006 to 42 in 2007. The Air Force said it granted no felony waivers in either year. E-mail to a friend
All About U.S. Marines Activities • U.S. Army Activities


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We are an association of people who love and enjoy nature and work to preserve it.
Our major education and conservation project for more than 30 years has been the development of Chaplin Nature Center. This 230 acre preserve near Arkansas City features a Visitor's Center staffed by a full time naturalist. Our naturalist conducts programs for school classes from across south central Kansas, as well as civic organizations, youth groups and the general public. The trails through the woods and prairies, leading to the sandbars of the Arkansas river, are open to the public from sunrise to sunset year round. Our members support Chaplin Nature Center with donations of money and time, including fund-raising, maintenance and construction projects, and staffing the Visitor's Center.
From September though May we have monthly programs that inform us and expand our horizons. Throughout the year we take field trips to interesting places near and far. All of our activities are free and open to the public. Our volunteers also participate in park cleanup projects, Christmas bird counts, environmental advocacy, Earth Day projects and a variety of other activities in support of our chapter and its mission:
The Wichita Audubon Society is committed to providing nature education, promoting environmental conservation, and encouraging appreciation of the natural world
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Linwood Park
Wichita, KS
Thursday, Oct 5, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Urban League Of Kansas Inc
Wichita, KS
Friday, Oct 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Wichita Public Library - Rockwell Branch
Wichita, KS


text: Jeff Flowers on July 16, 2013 6 Comments Pouring the perfect beer is a bit of an art, and it's certainly not as simple as it looks. Think of those commercials where the bartender turns and angles the beer glass as he pours. That's exactly what you need to do in order to achieve the perfect pour. If you're currently just holding the glass under the tap as you pour, it is time to learn something new. Here's a brief summary of our three favorite tricks to pouring the perfect beer. 3 Tricks to Pouring the Perfect Beer Start with a clean glass: While this should be common sense, many people don't seem to realize how a dirty glass can actually ruin your your beer. Oil residues, dust or blemishes not only look bad, but they may also impede the flavors within the beer. Hold your glass at a 45° angle: When you turn the tap on, make sure you're holding the glass at a 45° angle. Once you turn the tap on and the beer is flowing, make sure the stream of beer always hits the slope in the middle of your glass. Hold your glass at this position until is is approximately half-full. Slowly tilt your glass to 90°: This is arguably the most important step. After the glass is approximately half-full, slowly tilt it up to a 90° angle as the beer fills the glass. This last motion will create the perfect amount of head. To create the perfect pour, it's essential to have a little bit of a head in every beer. We recommend no more than an inch of foam head. Once you have the basic pour mastered, try adding a few more moves. First, hold the glass about 4-6 inches away from the faucet or tap. Never put the faucet inside the glass as you pour. Second, when you tilt your beer from 45 to 90 degrees, add a quarter-turn twist. This gives your pour an extra bit of finesse. Lastly, to make the beer look more appealing, practice stopping your pour just as the foam reaches the rim of the glass. Why Foam Head is Essential for a Perfect Pour This is a common debate amongst beer lovers – how much foam head should your beer have? The general rule of thumb that we like to follow, is to keep about an inch of foam at the top of each beer. This is for a variety of reasons. Not only does a little bit of foam look better, but it helps circulate plenty of aromatics that allows you to taste the full flavor of the beer, as it was intended to be tasted. Additionally, a small layer of foam will help keep your beer fresh. The oxygen in the air can actually start to breakdown your beer, leaving it tasting somewhat stale. The foam head provides an extra layer of protection against that oxygen, leaving you with a fresher tasting beer. On top of that, the proper amount of foam head will release carbon dioxide. This will leave you without that bloated feeling when you're done with your beer. How Kegerators Help Achieve The Perfect Pour Kegerators have multiple advantages over the plain beer keg. Not only do they keep your beer cool for several months, they also contain a mounted faucet to aid in pouring. If you are familiar with tapping kegs, and then trying to simultaneously hold both the glass and the tap steady, then you will surely appreciate the ease of a kegerator faucet. Getting a perfect pour from a traditional beer keg is possible, it's just significantly more difficult. A kegerator like the EdgeStar kit comes with everything necessary to create the perfect pours, excluding the keg of beer, of course. The faucet is at just the right height to allow you to twist, turn and tilt your glass, without the worry of spilling a drop. If you are pouring from a kegerator, we would advise to go the extra step and use real beer glasses, instead of cheap plastic cups. Learning how to pour the perfect beer takes a bit of practice, but the payoff is well worth the effort. Mastering the art of tilting and maneuvering a beer glass until it fills just to the brim is one of those skills that separate true beer enthusiasts from amateurs. Give your beer pouring a few practice rounds, then invite your friends over and show off your style. Recommended Reading: How to Pour a Guinness (the right way) 4 Ways to Convert a Single Tap Tower to a Double Tap Tips for Buying the Best Kegerator for Someone Else The Pros & Cons of Beer Cans


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Sunday, 24 March 2013
29 comments:
What an awesome picture!ReplyDelete
- Kizzy Bass24 March 2013 at 07:17
Wow, we love snails in our house!ReplyDelete
Desperate to try out new snail house but all live ones hibernating!ReplyDelete
That's a great photo, love the detail of the shell!ReplyDelete
Love snails! Need to get my daughter into nature!ReplyDelete
- Glitzy Gleam24 March 2013 at 09:13
aww brilliant photo xxReplyDelete
Great photo,where did you find some in the end?ReplyDelete
- Jaime Oliver24 March 2013 at 10:09
love this!! it made me giggle!ReplyDelete
- Phiona Richards24 March 2013 at 10:14
I thought it was a paper bead to start with.ReplyDelete
I spy a snail. As part of my Biology course at uni, we went to Devon to do a project on snails! :) xReplyDelete
inspecting the bugs! great shotReplyDelete
- Helpful Mum24 March 2013 at 14:34
Great photo. Looks like fun!ReplyDelete
she wants to be a conservationistReplyDelete
all dead that we found!ReplyDelete
glad you worked it out in the end!ReplyDelete
trying to find live ones and failing ;-)ReplyDelete
it was but oh so cold...ReplyDelete
- coombemill24 March 2013 at 15:16
Looking the part already - did you manage to find any live ones?ReplyDelete
Ah,hence the scarf over the face-like some sort of forensic investigation!ReplyDelete
we have a snail house but no live snails!ReplyDelete
nope she was frozen!ReplyDelete
Aha, unmasked, the secret snail snatcher!ReplyDelete
What a great picture!ReplyDelete
Great photo and I'm so laughing at the tweezers! I'm not fond if touching wildlfe either!ReplyDelete
- pinkoddy24 March 2013 at 23:42
Looks like forensicsReplyDelete
Great depth of field on this photo, very inquisitive eyes too, great shotReplyDelete


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During the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, Parrot wowed show-goers with the AR.Drone quadcopter. Fast forward two years and Parrot has done it again, announcing the company's second-generation mobile-controlled AR.Drone 2.0, featuring upgraded hardware and software for enhanced control. The new drone features a 720p front-facing camera, allowing users to capture their flights in HD. Additionally, Parrot has included a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and an array of new sensor to give the AR.Drone 2.0 increased stability. The drone's new "absolute flight" mode will allow users to steer the device with a single tilt of a smartphone or tablet, however, for a more traditional experience Parrot has designed an Android and iOS app, which can also be used to share flight data with friends. Parrot has provided developers of the Apple and Android communities with a software development kit that would allow for more apps and games accessible to the AR.Drone 2.o. The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 will be available for purchase at select retailers in the second quarter of 2012 for $299. Read on for Parrots full press release.
Parrot 'AR.Drone 2.0': High-Definition Excitement!
–At CES Las Vegas 2012, Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, reveals the AR.Drone 2.0, the new generation of its renowned high-tech quadricopter that can be controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet(1). –With a new high-definition camera, video recording, flight data sharing, new piloting mode, increased stability and brand-new look, the AR.Drone 2.0 offers an experience like no other!
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A flying HD camera
While in flight, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0's front camera transmits real-time what the quadricopter sees onto the pilot's device screen.
For the first time the AR.Drone 2.0 camera, with a 1280×720 resolution, shows a view from the sky in high definition with smooth and unbelievable images.
The pilot enjoys an experience like never before, as if he was on board. For gaming purposes, this camera also can recognize specific shapes and colors to show augmented-reality elements on the smartphone's screen.
Record and share flying experiences
Thanks to the new AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting application, players can record their own HD videos and watch them or share them with the AR.Drone community.
Additionally, with the "travelling" feature, the pilot can film HD video sequences like a professional! Simply select the direction of travel (forward, back, sideways) and the duration, and the AR.Drone 2.0 does the rest.
AR.FreeFlight 2.0, a new piloting and sharing platform
In addition to flying the AR.Drone, new application AR.FreeFlight 2.0 – available to download for free from the AppStore(SM) and Android(TM) Market – offers players a new interface and several options.
FreeFlight: Access to the piloting application. The pilot can record flights, take HD videos or photos and save them in the piloting device. All the flight data (altitude, speed, duration and place) can be saved, checked by the pilot and shared with the community.
Guest Space: Access an overview of the AR.Drone 2.0, the best flight videos and practical information.
Drone Update: Access the AR.Drone 2.0's free software updates.
AR.Drone Academy: Get geolocation data of the best flight zones, watch other pilots' videos and access their shared flight data.
AR.Games: Access applications/games available for the AR.Drone.
Photos/Videos: Directly access your own videos and photos. Watch or upload to YouTube for the community to enjoy.
'Absolute Flight', a revolutionary ultra-intuitive flight mode
After the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 pilot application has been loaded onto an iOS or AndroidTM smartphone or tablet, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 connects to the device via Wi-Fi. After connection, all the on-board instruments appear on screen with a cockpit view.
Press the take off button briefly and the four brushless motors turn on. The AR.Drone 2.0 takes off.
Flying is very simple. With your thumbs placed on either side of the screen, a control button automatically forms beneath:
Press and hold the left button and the AR.Drone 2.0 follows the movement of the pilot's device: it moves forward, backwards or sideways when you tilt the tablet forward, towards you or to the left or right.
Slide your finger over the right button, and the quadricopter rises, descends or rotates right or left.
Thanks to Parrot's patented new 'Absolute Control' mode, the player accesses an even more intuitive piloting system.
With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise orientation with respect to the smartphone, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to care about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0's front camera, which will accurately track the smartphone's motion and tilt.
Experienced players will select 'Relative Flight' mode, the conventional flight mode. This disables Parrot AR.Drone 2.0's magnetometer. The pilot manages the quadricopter's orientation with no assistance.
Surprising stability at any altitude
The heart of the AR.Drone 2.0 contains MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). A 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor give the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 surprising stability, complete with:
2 ultrasound sensors, which analyze flight altitude up to 6 meters. New! A pressure sensor completes the device and provides great vertical stability.
4 blades, specially designed for the AR.Drone 2.0, make it possible to carry out smooth flights.
A second camera, placed beneath the quadricopter and connected to the central inertial unit, measures the craft's speed using an image comparison system.
2 hulls made for both types of flight
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 has 2 hulls with specially designed contours. Made of EPP (a material used in designing car bumpers), they are light, highly resistant and protect the quadricopter.
For outdoor flight, the contoured hull, available in three colors (orange/yellow; orange/green; orange/blue), reduces wind resistance and preserves the AR.Drone 2.0's handling and stability.
When indoor, a second hull protects the blades from any impact. The black-and-white cockpit, underlined with a red stripe, reinforces the quadricopter's mysterious, thrilling appearance.
Finally, light-emitting diodes (green in front, red in rear), positioned on the landing gear, help the pilot track the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0 for easier flying.
An Open Development Platform
In order to expand the use of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 and its compatibility with other operating systems and to develop new flying games and applications, Parrot is providing developers and members of the Apple® and Android(TM) communities with a software development kit.
By logging in at https://projects.ardrone.org and accepting the terms of the license, developers can access the source code used to fly the AR.Drone 2.0. A wiki and a tutorial also are available. A forum is available to discuss new developments and share feedback with Parrot engineers.
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included).
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 will be available for purchase at selected retailers in Q2-2012 in the United States for $299 MSRP


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Rule #1 - Be Patient - Rule #2 - Don't ask when, if you don't contribute - Rule #3 - You have coding skills - LinuxMCE's small brother is available: http://www.agocontrol.com
imho the pages that are maintained by the workgroup must still be editable by other people as well. The workgroup must make sure to do follow-up editing to make sure, the changes that occurred to a page are ok.
Page Statuszwave Approved.x10 Awaiting Review.Telecom Rolled back.
This is a first hack at the first and second levels of the new wiki. The third level would mainly be the articles themselves. I dug all over the wiki hardware and tutorials. I think most of the articles can fit into the following structure...LMCE Installation Instructions (with pictures/videos)LMCE Operation Instructions (with pictures/videos)Core/Hybrid -Built systems (Dianemo, etc) -motherboards -video cards -TV capture -video capture -serial cards -network cards -sound cards -RaidMedia Directors - Built systems - MotherboardsNetwork -modems -routers -NASControl -Remotes -Orbiters (laptops, smart phones, VOIP phones, webpads) -Bluetooth -RS232 -USB -IRMedia -Displays -DVD -MythTV -satellite boxes -cable boxes -Amps/Receivers -squeezboxAutomation (lights, climate, irrigation) -Aeon labs -Insteon -Zwave -X10 -One-wireSecurity -web cams -alarmsTelecom -Analog Telephone Adapters -VOIP phonesScenarios/EventsUser pagesWiki Tutorial (Adding and Administering Content)
one for page type (instructional, overview, hack).I would be interested in your views. One thing I will say - I think there need to be the bare MINIMUM of options for each of these fields
Also not sure we need to differentiate "instructional" from "overview". The top level of each category would actually be the overview, then the instructional wiki articles would be in the second and third levels.
Format looks good to me. However, the "awaiting review" and "confirmed" box brings up a potential issue. Do we have enough people, with enough skill, who are not devs, and who are willing to review all the wiki pages? I think I could volunteer for a chapter or two, if that meant organizing and clarifying the content. I don't think I'm enough of an expert on the system to approve articles.
Lets pretend that I insisted that the Homerun should go under TV, and you insisted that it appear under NAS We could put it in both places, just as current wiki articles can be set up to appear in "tutorials" and "hardware". But I suggest we avoid duplication if possible. ... If we have a 3-level structure, and if the index is always present at the left of the screen, then it is almost impossible to get lost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki:Sidebar - how do we get those sexy little arrows in the side bar like that?
Somewhere on the front page of the wiki, we should have a link called "Wiki Tutorial - Adding and Administering Content"- In the "Adding Content" subheading, we would provide detailed instructions on how to create the perfect wiki article. We would have a link to the template everyone should use. We would give the authors the benefit of the doubt that they followed the rules, so there would be no holding area - a submitted article would immediately go up on the site.- In the "Administering Content" subheading, we would have a table showing who is responsible for administering each major wiki chapter. Their first job would be move existing relevant articles into their chapter of the wiki. Administrators would periodically look at their wiki chapters for new content to make sure people are following the rules. If they found a problem they could fix it on the spot, get the author to fix it, or remove the article. If a particular chapter seems incomplete, an energetic administrator could go to the forums and request articles.
I do like the user identified when it comes to seeing if a particular page works. That way I can track the user down for more info if needed.
To assist the work group and allow them to keep an eye on the wiki pages, can a daily summary of updated pages be emailed to the people that are maintaining that group of pages with a list of pages that need a review?


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A nice beach can make a vacation, and there really doesn't have to be much more to it than soft sand, clean water, and plenty of space to spread a towel. But a truly special beach is harder to come by; it has to have that little something extra that makes it -- and your vacation -- one-of-a-kind. Here are seven beaches around the world that wowed us.
1. Bioluminescent Bay; Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico
A national natural landmark, Bioluminescent Bay (also know, much less prettily, as Mosquito Bay) glows a breathtaking neon blue. A tiny micro-organism that sparkles when disturbed gives the bay its beautiful luminescence, and many tours take kayakers and divers out at night to watch the waters glow.
Where to Stay: W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island
This hotel has the modern, funky feel of the W brand with a tropical twist — it's right on it's own private beach, the lobby and rooms feature bright colors and concrete floors, and the infinity pool overlooking the ocean has a pool bar serving up poolside drinks and meals.
2. Playa del Carmen; Riviera Maya, Mexico
Pricing for Hotel Esencia
The white-sand beaches of Playa del Carmen are popular nesting grounds for turtles, and tourists often go on boating and catamaran trips to swim with them. Some lucky vacationers can even watch turtles hatch and then scuttle out to the ocean.
Where to Stay: Esencia
The former estate of an Italian duchess, the ultra-luxurious Esencia oozes Mediterranean elegance and style. The hotel's white-sand beach, complete with turquoise waters and thatched cabanas, is the nesting grounds for turtles, and hotel staff alerts guests when the eggs are hatching.
3. Pfeiffer Beach; Big Sur, CA
Pricing for Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
Accessed by an unmarked road, Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most beloved beaches in Big Sur, not only for its calm, remote location, but also for its unique purple sand. Pretty rock formations make for gorgeous photographs.
Where to Stay: Ventana Inn & Spa
Situated on more than 200 acres of picturesque oceanfront land, the Ventana Inn & Spa looks like a rustic cabin nestled in the woods — yet it features 62 luxurious, streamlined rooms with wooden accents, refreshing pops of color, and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Pfeiffer Beach.
4. Giant's Causeway; Bushmills, Ireland
Pricing for The Bushmills Inn Hotel
An ancient volcano eruption is to thank for Northern Ireland's eerily beautiful "Giant's Causeway," a collection of basalt columns forming cliffs that plunge down into the chilly waters below.
Where to Stay: Bushmills Inn
The quaint Bushmills Inn in Antrim is quintessentially Irish in every respect: There are fireplaces burning peat or wood throughout the property, a fantastic restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine, Irish music performed certain nights at the Gas Bar, which is lit by traditional gaslight, and 41 cozy, cottage-style rooms. It is also a convenient spot for visiting Giant's Causeway, which is only a 5-minute drive away.
5. Horseshoe Bay Beach; Bermuda
Pricing for Fairmont Southampton - Beach, Spa & Golf Resort
Bermuda is known for its pink-sand beaches, and Horseshoe Bay Beach is perhaps the most stunning. It is ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and is located in Southampton Parish, a gorgeous area with plenty of beaches, golf courses, restaurants, and resorts.
Where to Stay: Fairmont Southampton
Built in the early 1970s, the iconic "Big Pink Lady on the Hill" is easily the most recognizable hotel in Bermuda — and, following a 21st-century renovation, it's still one of the nicest.
6. Manuel Antonio National Park Beach; Costa Rica
Pricing for Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Costa Rica's wildlife can be found freely roaming the beaches in the country's many national parks, including Manuel Antonio. Visitors often spot sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and exotic birds.
Where to Stay: Arenas Del Mar Beach And Nature Resort
This property's lush rainforest, two beautiful white-sand beaches on site — a rarity in the area — and diverse wildlife allow guests to truly connect with the nature that the resort's design so painstakingly preserved.
7. Koki Beach; Maui, HI
Pricing for Travaasa Hana, Maui
Maui has its fair share of gorgeous beaches, but Koki Beach — with its red sand and epic waves — is unique. The sand get its color from a red cinder hill nearby.
Where to Stay: Travaasa Hana
The Travaasa Hana, overlooking Hana Bay, delivers rustic luxury in the middle of Maui's lush, secluded east coast. The hotel does not have direct beach access, but offers a free shuttle service to Koki Beach.
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Shepherd's Gate is the fruit born of a woman named Alice Ann Cantelow and her dream to help the homeless.
Thirty-four years ago, Alice Ann was a naturalist at Sunol Park in Northern California when she began taking the homeless into her own home. She quickly found this wasn't sufficient and with a group of like-minded people, opened the first campus of Shepherd's Gate in Livermore, CA. Since then, a second campus has been added and is located in Brentwood, CA (NorCal). Recently, I sat down with Mary Norcross the director of Shepherd's Gate Brentwood campus to discuss how she became involved with Shepherd's Gate and how the program is designed to help the women who come to them.
Eleven years ago, Shepherd's Gate Brentwood campus was opened. Mary, the Woman's Pastor of one of the community churches got involved in helping get Shepherd's Gate up and running. Mary's first experience with Shepherd's Gate was as a volunteer helping set up the pantry and during this time she didn't have any contact with the women. Mary began to invite the women of Shepherd's Gate to women's events and Bible study at her church. It was during this time Mary had the opportunity to get to know the women and nurture a relationship with them. When Mary's job as the Woman's Pastor at her church ended she was looking for a new job, one she says was, "more in the trenches". A position became available at the Livermore campus and Mary quickly accepted. Within three to four months she was promoted to Director of the Brentwood campus.
"Our goal is that this is their last program."
DESTINATION ONE. The normal process for women to be considered for residency at Shepherd's Gate is to apply online or call the office directly. The women go through a three to four conversation process before they are accepted into the program. Once accepted the program is twelve months and there are three destinations. Destination one is the discovery period that is a forty-five-day short-term "black-out period" During the "black-out" period the staff and women are getting to know each other and building trust.
The staff assesses the women to determine their needs and if the women are ready to live by the structure and guidelines of the program.
At the same time, the women are deciding if Shepherd's Gate is where they need and want to be. Some women go from program to program to program. As Mary says, "Our goal is that this is their last program." The women who are accepted have either suffered financial issues that caused them to become homeless, are suffering from substance abuse or domestic violence. Mary said, "We're not a hidden shelter." The women fleeing severe domestic violence go somewhere else and when it is safe for them they can take the steps to transition to Shepherd's Gate.
DESTINATION TWO. A normal day at Shepherd's Gate is very structured and is where destination two, going deeper, begins to take shape. The women start their day with a 6:00 a.m. wakeup call and a quiet time reading their Bible, doing a devotion or journaling. Breakfast and roll call follow their quiet time. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the women are in classes that run for an hour each. There they are learning life skills, anger management, forgiveness, going deeper into their root issues and learning about safe relationships in their families and with friends. The women with children also attend parenting classes. Shepherd's Gate is very focused on the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of the whole person targeting each part to get to the root issues rather than surface issues, such as addiction.
Mary states, "Addiction is actually a surface issue, something led them to that addiction." In this way, the program helps the women discover these aspects about themselves as a whole.
DESTINATION THREE. As the women progress through the program they are on their way to destination three, the journey upward and out, which helps ready them to live on their own and re-enter the workforce. Shepherd's Gate has a list of housing resources but Mary says, "Although, that is always the largest problem in the Bay Area." Many times, placing the women on the lists for low-income housing happens before they enter into destination three because it can take a long time. Volunteers help the women with their résumé and interview skills as well as how to dress for an interview. Women pursuing a job in administration attend a local job skills school where they learn micro-soft office programs and strengthen their computer skills.
"When they leave our doors they're not just dependent on us but they have a village of support outside of these walls."
There are also people in the community that know the job needs of the women and will offer jobs to them. Mary told me the women are also taught, "The old-fashioned way," of looking for jobs that interest them by applying online directly to the employer or using one of the various online job posting services. Shepherd's Gate also connects some of the women with local colleges to complete classes they started but haven't completed. Mary also said, "We've had a lot of success getting the women plugged into where their heart is and getting them the education they need first and then the job." Shepherd's Gate is also building connections with churches and support groups in the community for the women and as Mary said, "So when they leave our doors they're not just dependent on us but they have a village of support outside of these walls."
Eighty percent of the women who complete the program have a job, housing and have been clean and sober for one to two years.
An Alumni program has recently been established and allows the women to come back and support one another if they're not receiving support that had been previously established when they completed the program.
Once the women complete the program they are celebrated with a graduation ceremony and share their story and their journey. The celebration includes cake and flowers and the women also receive a photo album filled with pictures of them throughout their time as a visual reminder of where they were and how far they've come.
At the end of our time together Mary took me into the living room of the house and showed me these pictures. When the women first come to Shepherd's Gate she shows the women the picture of the bridge and tells them they are standing at the beginning of the bridge and it looks risky and scary but as they journey across and take the risks they end up on the other side by the picture of the trees in the light and love of God, flourishing and healing.
Terese Belme's passion is to come alongside others and encourage them in their identity, authority, and inheritance in Jesus as ambassadors to the kingdom of God. Terese is a contributing author to Inspire Christian Writers "Love" (2017) and "Kindness" (2018) Anthologies. For more about Terese
www.tbelme.wordpress.com, www.pinterest.com/tbelme