text:
Here is a frightening article written by S Kirley in the Post Media news that "Fatty 'comfort' foods might actually make people depressed!!! Can you imagine the devastating impact of the millions of hamburgers, french fries, chicken nuggets, fry chicken and hot dogs being sold every hour around this world? We know of the impact of high fat foods on our hearts, livers, and arteries and how they contribute to early untimely deaths. Now we are finding out that these foods also have an impact on our mental health too – not only depression but anxiety too!
Here is the article:
Universite de Montreal researchers are reporting that high fat foods increase anxiety and depressive-like behaviours in mice — a finding that a leading Canadian obesity expert said runs counter to almost everything we have been told about fat-dense foods.
High-fat foods are comforting, said the University of Calgary's Dr. David Lau. Brain scans even show it: they tend to light up different parts of the brain. That suggests fat-rich foods are so "feel good" they could become addictive and explain why obese people tend to gravitate toward them.
But the authors of the new study found the opposite: mice fed highly palatable, high fat foods displayed behaviours that were more in keeping, in the animal world, with depression and anxiety.
According to lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Fulton, "fat rich foods can actually cause chemical reactions in the brain in a similar way to illicit drugs, ultimately leading to depression as the 'comedowns' take their toll."
Recent studies increasingly suggest that obesity is linked to a higher risk of depression, said Fulton, but exactly why that might be true — what the underlying biological mechanisms are linking the two — remains obscure.
Fulton and her co-author, Sandeep Sharma, wondered whether a high-fat diet might affect the brain's emotion and reward circuits.
For their study — which appears in the International Journal of Obesity — the researchers studied a strain of mice prone to obesity. One group was fed a diet high in fat, particularly saturated fat, the other low-fat chow.
After 12 weeks, the animals were put through a series of behavioural tests, including "anxiety" tests measuring how rodents respond to a new environment. Stressed animals tend to freeze, or scurry off to a corner, rather than explore.
Mice exposed to the high-fat diet were considerably less active, explored less and avoided open areas.
In a swim test used to measure "behavioural despair" — a test also widely used by drug companies to screen new anti-depressants — mice were forced to swim in a glass cylinder filled with water for six minutes.
"Animals that give up quickly — they stop swimming and just float and stop trying to pull themselves out of the beaker — that's (a sign of) self-helplessness," Fulton said.
Mice on the high-fat diet "actually gave up" and attempted fewer escapes, she said.
When the researchers looked at the animals' brains, they found higher levels of the stress hormone, corticosterone. They also saw changes in the expression of proteins that help control signalling between neurons in areas of the brain regulating emotions and reward.
Fulton said the type of fat might make a difference. Other research has shown that food high in saturated fat — such as hamburgers, bacon, pork sausages, cheese, butter, ice cream — cause inflammation throughout the body, including the brain, and that this inflammation may be causing changes that can lead to "negative mood states." But Fulton's lab has found some evidence that animals consuming the same total amount of fat, but "good fat, like olive oil," experience less anxiety.
The researchers can't rule out the possibility that the extra fat gained by the mice on the high-fat chow affected their performance and "increased immobility times" in the swim test.
They also said it's not clear how to reconcile their results with what others have found. Other teams have reported that rats fed high-fat diets are less anxious and more docile.
But that's only the case in the short-term, Fulton said. Animals, including humans, exposed to a stressful situation — or even long-term, moderate stress — "will have a reduced physiological stress response" — meaning they'll feel a sense of relief — "when given the opportunity to eat high-fat food," said Fulton, a principal investigator at the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal and a member of the Montreal Diabetes Research Centre.
"In the short-term high-fat food feels comforting, but in the long-term, and with increasing adiposity (fat mass) it is having negative effects on mood.
"We know that diet is a large contributor to the obesity epidemic throughout the world," Fulton added. Foods high in saturated fats and sugar are particularly abundant, she said.
In addition to obesity's well-known associations with high blood pressure, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes, "we really need to consider mental disorders," she said.
Lau, editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes and chair of the diabetes and endocrine research group at U of Calgary, said the story is much more complex.
"We still don't understand why obese people are more depressed — is it related to body image (or other issues)?" he asked.
"Basically what they saw was some association," he said — not cause-and-effect.
It's an interesting hypothesis-generating observation, he said, "but it needs a lot more work. More research is needed, especially in humans, to better understand how nutrient signals affect the hedonic brain pathways."


text:
HBO agrees to allow Universal, Fox movies on Apple's iCloud
Last week, Apple began offering users the ability to re-download movies that were previously purchased on iTunes via its iCloud service. But major studios Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox were noticeably absent because of a prior arrangement with HBO.
HBO, however, has agreed to loosen its agreements with Universal and Fox, which will allow their movies to become available on iCloud, according to The Wall Street Journal. The cable network has already revised its terms with Warner Bros., and its content is already available for users on iCloud.
Though it will allow the content to be re-downloaded through iCloud, HBO will not give up its exclusive rights to broadcast movies during a "window" after the film is released. The window is typically about six months after a movie is released on DVD, and lasts about a year.
Under the current terms, if Universal and Fox were to allow an iCloud user who purchased a movie through iTunes to re-download and watch it on a device like an iPhone or iPad, it would be in violation of HBO's exclusive rights.
But a spokesman for HBO confirmed that HBO will agree to allow users of iCloud, as well as other services, to download movies they already own on other devices. With iCloud, a user can re-download a movie, TV show or song to a device like an iPhone or iPad without re-syncing it to a Mac or PC and transferring the copyrighted file that was originally downloaded.
"Fox expects to resolve the issue as soon as within weeks, said a person familiar with the situation," the Journal reported. "Another person is familiar with the matter said Universal is near a resolution."
The iTunes in the Cloud functionality within iCloud originally only applied to music, books and applications purchased through the iTunes Store. Now, users can access both movies and TV shows as well. The service even applies to the iTunes Digital Copy format, which gives users the ability to download a digital version of a film when they buy a DVD or Blu-ray disc.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Enjoy greater freedom of movement with a 1.5m long coiled cable. The coil also reduces the strain on parts caused by pulling, while providing the extra length without the mess of entangled cables.
Made to give you the best experience on the go, the DJ monitoring style headphones can be folded away for perfect portability and easy storage. Clever design and careful selection of components, like the well-built hinges, allow the headphone parts to be maneuvered with ease. The SHL3100 can be folded flat, while the higher end SHL3200 and 3300 can be folded into more compact forms.
Designed with the professional DJ in mind, the earpieces on these headphones can each rotate 165° – for convenient one-ear listening while track mixing. The swivel can also be put to good use even in more casual listening, when temporary attention has to be paid to outside sounds.
Neodymium drivers boast of an outstanding frequency response that imparts crisp high tones, and bass that is effortlessly extended and defined. Sound separation is also remarkably clear, letting you hear each note at precisely the right moment – for a professional touch to track mixing, or for immersive enjoyment of favorites on the go.
Indulge in great sound no matter where you are. The 95mm diameter soft cushions create perfect sealing between your ears and the environment, providing excellent noise isolation and enhancing bass notes. Whether you are mixing tracks at a lively party, or simply enjoying favorites on your commute, the earshell cushions ensure you get the best out of your music.
Everything about these headphones spells comfort – from the ergonomic design to the lightweight construction and use of superior materials. Even in extended use, the exceptional comfort lets you enjoy your music to the fullest.
Engineered for robustness and performance, these headphones promise sound experiences that wouldn't let you down. Cable systems are developed to withstand strong tugging and repeated bending – stresses beyond those encountered in daily use. To ensure this, all cable designs undergo a rigorous test of 8,000 bends.
High power handling hands you high performance – no matter what the volume, no matter what the source. Listen to all your music from MP3 players, smartphones, home audio devices and mixing boards. Even at high volumes, or with high audio input power, delivery is clear and distortion-free.
Packaging dimensions
Outer Carton
Our site can best be viewed with the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox.


text:
A private spaceship mission to the International Space Station is on track for a planned April 30 launch, which will mark a historic first for the orbiting laboratory, NASA officials announced today (April 16).
The launch will kick off a pivotal demonstration flight for the unmanned Dragon capsule built by the company Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif. During the mission, the gumdrop-shaped spacecraft will rendezvous with the space station, be captured by astronauts operating a robotic arm and offload some cargo.
If successful, it will be the first time a commercial American robotic spacecraft has ever flown to the International Space Station.
NASA space station managers and SpaceX officials met earlier today to review the Dragon spacecraft's readiness for its debut trip to the orbiting lab. They said the capsule is on track to blast off in two weeks, but only if a few remaining issues are resolved.
"Everything looks good as we head towards the April 30 launch date, but I would caution us all that there's still quite a bit of work that needs to be done," Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, told reporters today. More software validation tests for the Dragon spacecraft, for example, are among the items remaining to be completed.
"We'll continue to work through this stuff over the next week or so," he added. "On the 23rd of April, we'll get back together again and just kind of assess where we are overall to see how things are moving forward." [Dragon, SpaceX's Private Spaceship (Photos)]
Making history
SpaceX aims to become the first company to launch a spacecraft toward the orbiting lab under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, which seeks to spur the development of American private vehicles to take over the duties of the agency's retired space shuttle fleet.
The firm holds a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to make 12 robotic supply missions to the space station. But the scheduled April 30 flight is not one of the 12; rather, it's a demonstration to show that Dragon and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket have the right stuff.
On April 30, the pair is slated to lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Dragon will carry food, supplies and scientific experiments up to the space station, where astronauts will grab and grapple it using a huge robotic arm. If all goes well, Dragon could start making regular cargo runs for NASA later this year, SpaceX officials have said.
SpaceX and the Dragon capsule have already made history once. In December 2010, SpaceX became the first private company to send a spacecraft into orbit and retrieve it successfully; it fished Dragon out of the Pacific Ocean after the capsule made two loops around our planet. [Video: Space X's Quest For Rocketry's Holy Grail]
While the rocket and capsule have shown their mettle in space to an extent, the software designed to get Dragon within inches of the fast-moving station has not. So SpaceX is especially keen to see how those systems perform on April 30.
"The thing that's really being tested on this flight is proximity operations and the berthing system," SpaceX CEO and chief designer Elon Musk said today, adding that perfecting this software was perhaps the trickiest part of preparing for the mission, which has been delayed several times.
The original plan called for the station-bound Dragon to launch Feb. 7, but in January SpaceX pushed that back to March 20, saying it needed more time to prepare the vehicle. The target date later slipped again, to April 30.
The billionaire Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 and also currently heads the Tesla electric car company. Since its founding, SpaceX has launched two different rockets, the Dragon-toting Falcon 9 and its smaller cousin the Falcon 1.
NASA's private spaceship needs
NASA grounded its space shuttle fleet in July 2011 after 30 years of service. Since then, the U.S. space agency has relied on international partners like Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency to launch cargo and crew to the space station.
While Dragon will transport solely cargo initially, SpaceX is also working on a crewed version of the capsule that it hopes will carry astronauts to the space station and, eventually, Mars. Other U.S. companies are also developing their own private crewed spacecraft, some (like SpaceX) with NASA funding. The agency has said it wants the first private astronaut taxis to be ready by 2017.
And SpaceX is not the only company vying to fill NASA's cargo-carrying void.
Orbital Sciences Corp., for example, is developing its own cargo freighter under a $1.9 billion NASA contract. The company, based in Dulles, Va., is building its Cygnus spacecraft to carry supplies to the orbital outpost, with the first test flight expected later this year.
You can follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter: @michaeldwall. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.


text:
In today's polluting environment hair gets damaged and need more nourishment and coloring.
Natural hair demands a helping hand in the form of coloring. we are the leading Hair Coloring Service Providers in Bahadurgarh.
Our hair and beauty salon knew for its good results of hair color services and experience. Among many other beauty salons, we offer the Best Hair Coloring Services in Bahadurgarh as our hair artists are expert in this field and specialized in delivering attractive colors that are gentle on both the scalp and hairs.
We also offer a range of conditioning products to protect your scalp and hairs.
If you want to give an attractive color to your hairs then get in touch with us. Give us a call. If you are looking for Hair Coloring Services in Bahadurgarh, so our place is the right option for you.


text:
Fewer young, highly educated people have completed technical studies compared to ten years ago. Among these engineering graduates, the number of men is four times as high as the number of women. According to Statistics Netherlands, nearly 30 percent of female and almost half of male engineering graduates start working in technical occupations.Read publication
Nearly half of the 15-year-olds in the Netherlands are attending a form of pre-vocationalsecondary education (vmbo) in the academic year 2014/'15. The share is particularly large in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. The number of vmbo students provides an indication of the educational level of young people in a municipality.Read publication
The school dropout rate in the Netherlands was reduced in recent years to 8.8 percent in 2012. The rate across the EU was also gradually reduced. The reduction of school dropouts is high on the national and international policy agenda.Read publication


text:
Serving live video from a network camera
Pagado a la entrega
The objective is to get live video from an IQeye3 network camera (described at [url removed, login to view]) onto a Microsoft IIS web server page using an intermediate FTP server (on same Windows 2000 machine). Step one is to write a Perl script to deliver motion jpeg images from the web server; step two is to push the images to the client with java applet or servlet. Finally, a web page with HTML code to display the stream. We need the solution to accomodate multiple users as well as multiple streams.
The company that manufactures the IQeye3 network camera has an existing Perl script and java servlet for Apache and Linux servers, so it may be easiest to simply modify this software. It can be downloaded at:
[url removed, login to view]
A competing maker of network cameras has a detailed description of the solution for their camera, using an IIS server, which might be informative:
[url removed, login to view]
Nº del proyecto: #34
Sobre el proyecto
4 freelancers están ofertando un promedio de $1125 por este trabajo
I would have to host this to make this work. I also would want to talk to you about the project. To give you a real bid. Michaeldtcom
We are very much interested to do this project for you. We have a good team with us with Perl and Java expertisation. We can assure you quality works with low investment. Please contact us very soon, we will help you.


text:
- This event has passed.
Bushcraft & Survival Day (Woodend, Niagara)
June 3 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
This introduction to survival skills and preparedness is a must for anyone, such as hikers, canoeists, hunters, fisher persons and outdoor leads/camp staffs, who ventures into the great outdoors.
The format and duration of the program will vary based on the site or vendor.
Families welcome, kids over 7 years.
- Proper gear/clothing/footwear
- Shelter-building and fire-building
- Signalling for help
- Setting snares and foraging for food
- Map and compass basics
- Being prepared at home and cottage
- The "what if?" priority survival skills
*NOTE: Be sure to select "1" ticket when buying with PayPal*


text:
Many airlines offer flexible change policies
Traveling From
Origin Airport IATA Code
Lowest Flight Price
Brazil's biggest city, San Paulo is probably not the most visually pleasing at first sight, but give it time and you will soon discover a city heaving with art house cinemas, galleries, music venues and some outstanding eateries. Two San Paulo airports serve Brazil's domestic and international flight routes: Guarulhos and Congonhas.
Airports in San Paulo Brazil --SP might appear chaotic at first, but bear with us and you'll soon know enough to easily get to your destination. Always allow more than enough time for your journey though. The most efficient way to travel to and from either of the airports in San Paolo is by taxi. Reasonably priced, they offer a safe way of getting about. International travellers arrive at the Guarulhos Airport . From here the Airport Bus Service (costing the equivalent of £12) connects the airport with the city. But despite San Paulo being only 16 miles away, the bus journey might take one or two hours, depending on traffic. Domestic Congonhas Airport is even closer - just seven miles from the city, it is also best reached by taxi.
If you need more tips and information on travelling around San Paulo or Brazil, have a look around our site. With plenty of useful information on most global destinations, planning and booking your trip with ebookers couldn't be easier.
Fare, taxes & fees: Fares were found on ebookers.com and are updated daily. They include all taxes and fees, except baggage fees.
Refunds/changes/cancellations: Itinerary changes, if permitted for the fare, will have a £25.00 / 45.00 Euro service fee charged by ebookers, plus any airline fare and tax increase that may be applicable.
Other conditions: Schedules, fares and rules are subject to change without notice. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights/dates or in all markets. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly/partially unused ticket. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Fare rules are provided for the selected itinerary before booking.


text:
A 23andMe study of consumers' reactions to genetic testing found that even when the tests revealed high-risk mutations in individuals, those individuals had few negative reactions to the news. Instead of inducing serious anxiety, the test results prompted people to take positive steps, including follow-up visits with a doctor and discussions with family members who could also be at risk.
The study, titled "Dealing with the unexpected: Consumer responses to direct-access BRCA mutation testing" published today as part of the launch of PeerJ, a new peer reviewed open access journal in which all articles are freely available to everyone.
"The paper addresses one of the most urgent questions in the field of genetics and genomics, namely the impact of receiving unexpected information about high genetic risk for a life-threatening disease," said the lead author of the paper and 23andMe's Senior Medical Director Dr. Uta Francke.
Those who acquired the potentially life-saving information not only took appropriate actions on their own behalf, but also notified relatives who might share that risk. In what the study described as a "cascade effect," a number of relatives who were subsequently tested discovered they too had one of the mutations.
The findings are important given that a frequent concern regarding direct-to-consumer testing is based on the assumption that it causes either serious emotional distress or triggers deleterious actions on the part of consumers. Individuals who learned they had the mutation said they did not suffer serious emotional distress, and did not take inappropriate actions. All but one of the 32 mutation-positive participants appreciated learning their BRCA mutation status. None of the 31 mutation-negative individuals misinterpreted their result to think they are free from all risks and safe to abandon routine cancer screening.
The study provides important preliminary data that suggest some of the bioethical concerns may be overstated, at least for the self-selected pool of individuals who seek DTC personal genomics information. The authors suggested that broader screening of Ashkenazi Jewish women for these three BRCA mutations should be considered."
Source: Eurekalert


text:
This track is a melodic pop track intended for corporate or advertising projects. The lead melody is played by glockenspiel and piano with both electric and acoustic guitars providing a repetitive background riff. The music is very happy and positive with a happy-go-lucky feel to it.
If you are interested in using this track in your Videohive project please include a link to my track and email your project link to firstname.lastname@example.com so I can include it on my profile page.


text:
402-250-2791 email@example.com
Mark Loscutoff is an OPPD Rater Partner
and a RESNET Certified Home Energy Rater (HERS Rater).
Thermal image from a home that had foam insulation injected in the walls. The foam does not fill the wall cavities properly.
"Mark Loscutoff's high level of knowledge about energy efficiency combined with his extreme thoroughness were what led to the good results achieved at my house. I am so glad he was involved with my project." -Susan S., Omaha
Source: www.energystar.gov
"Your dedication to and concern for quality is exemplified by the work you have recently completed at my house." -T.R., Omaha
E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com or call (402) 250-2791 for a free phone consultation or to schedule an appointment.
Got ice dam-age? Very few people know what really causes ice dams. Click here for how to prevent them (EPA article).
Click here to learn about an investment that pays dividends in comfort and safety.
View a sample walk-through audit report here.
O-HEAT is approved by the City of Omaha to test duct systems for leakage, to comply with code. We can advise you on how to achieve the required tightness. Call Mark today for a quote.
(402) 250-2791
Make your homes stand out from the crowd with ENERGY STAR, a nationally recognized symbol of quality that will help you meet the growing consumer demand for energy-efficient homes.
BENEFITS of building with ENERGY STAR include:
E-mail email@example.com or call (402) 250-2791 for a free phone consultation.


text:
You are here
Self-injury (Cutting, Self-Harm or Self-Mutilation)
Self-injury, also known as self-harm, self-mutilation, or self-abuse occurs when someone intentionally and repeatedly harms herself/himself in a way that is impulsive and not intended to be lethal.
The most common methods are:
- Skin cutting (70-90%),
- Head banging or hitting (21%-44%), and
- Burning (15%-35%).
Other forms of self-injury include excessive scratching to the point of drawing blood, punching self or objects, infecting oneself, inserting objects into body openings, drinking something harmful (like bleach or detergent), and breaking bones purposefully. [1] Most individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) hurt themselves in more than one way.
How Common is Self-Injury?
Research indicates that self-injury occurs in approximately as many as 4% of adults in the United States. Rates are higher among adolescents, who seem to be at an increased risk for self-injury, with approximately 15% of teens reporting some form of self-injury. Studies show an even higher risk for self-injury among college students, with rates ranging from 17%-35%. [2]
Why Do People Self-Injure?
People who self-injure commonly report they feel empty inside, over or under stimulated, unable to express their feelings, lonely, not understood by others and fearful of intimate relationships and adult responsibilities. Self-injury is their way to cope with or relieve painful or hard-to-express feelings, and is generally not a suicide attempt. But relief is temporary, and a self-destructive cycle often develops without proper treatment.Self-inury can also be a way to have control over your body when you can't control anything else in your life. A lot of people who cut themselves also have an eating disorder.
By engaging in self-injury, a person intends to:
Obtain relief from a negative feeling or mental state
Resolve an interpersonal difficulty, like a disagreement with a friend or loved one
Deal with an intrapersonal problem, like boredom
Induce a positive feeling state [3]
Warning Signs
Warning signs that someone may be injuring themselves include:
Unexplained frequent injuries including cuts and burns,
Low self-esteem,
Difficulty handling feelings,
Relationship problems or avoidance of relationships, and
Poor functioning at work, school or home.
People who self-injure may attempt to conceal their marks, such as bruises, scabs or scars with clothing, and you may notice them wearing inappropriate clothing like long sleeves and pants in hot weather. If discovered, a person who self-injures may often make excuses as to how an injury happened (for instance, "I fell" or "The cat scratched me").
The diagnosis for someone who self-injures can only be determined by a licensed psychiatric professional. Self-injury behaviors can be a symptom other mental illnesses such as: personality disorders (esp. borderline personality disorder); bipolar disorder (manic depression); major depression; anxiety disorders (esp. obsessive-compulsive disorder); and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
Criteria for a Diagnosis of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury [3]
Intentional self-inflicted damage to the surface of the body with expectation of physical harm, but without suicidal intent for 5 or more days within the past year;
Person injures themself for at least one of the following reasons:
To seek relief from negative thoughts or feelings
To resolve an interpersonal difficulty, or
To bring about positive feelings.
Before the behavior, a person experiences one of the following:
Interpersonal difficulty or negative feelings and thoughts (including depression, anxiety),
Preoccupation about self-injury that is hard to resist
Frequent urges to self injure
The behavior is not accepted by society (body piercing,tattooing, scab picking and nail biting do not qualify for the diagnosis)
The person is significantly distressed by the behavior
The behavior can't be explained by another mental, developmental or other medical condition.
Self-Injury and Suicide
The relationship between suicide and self-injury is complicated. While people with non-suicidal self injury do not intend to completed suicide, they may cause more harm than intended, which could result in medical complications or death. In severe or prolonged cases of self-injury, a person may become desperate about their lack of control over the behavior and its addictive nature, which may lead them to true suicide attempts.
If someone displays the signs and symptoms of self-injury, a mental health professional with self-injury expertise should be consulted. An evaluation or assessment is the first step, followed by a recommended course of treatment to prevent the self-destructive cycle from continuing.
Self-injury treatment options include outpatient therapy, partial-inpatient (6-12 hours a day) and inpatient hospitalization. When the behaviors interfere with daily living, such as employment and relationships, and are health or life-threatening, a specialized self-injury hospital program with an experienced staff is recommended.
Effective treatment of self-injury is most often a combination of medication, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy, supplemented by other treatment services as needed.
Medication is often useful in the management of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and the racing thoughts that may accompany self-injury.
Cognitive/behavioral therapy helps individuals understand and manage their destructive thoughts and behaviors. Contracts, journals, and behavior logs are useful tools for regaining self-control.
Interpersonal therapy assists individuals in gaining insight and skills for the development and maintenance of relationships.
Services for eating disorders, alcohol/substance abuse, trauma, abuse, and family therapy should be readily available and integrated into treatment, depending on individual needs.
Successful courses of treatment are marked by:
An individual's active involvement and committment to their treatment,
Aftercare plans with support for the individual's new self-management skills and behaviors, and
Collaboration between all involved professionals (medical and otherwise).
Also on mentalhealthamerica.net
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Excoriation Disorder (Skin picking or Dermatillomania)
Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling)
Additional Resources
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)
Information Line: 1-800-DONT-CUT or 1-800-366-8288
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
[1] Selby, E. A., Kranzler, A., Fehling, K. B., & Panza, E. (2015). Nonsuicidal self-injury disorder: The path to diagnostic validity and final obstacles. Clinical Psychology Review, 3879-91. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.03.003
[2] Kerr, P. L., Muehlenkamp, J. J., & Turner, J. M. (2010). Nonsuicidal self-injury: A review of current research for family medicine and primary care physicians. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 23(2), 240-259. http://www.jabfm.org/content/23/2/240.full
[3] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Publishing. ISBN 978-0890425558.


text:
Expected Reactions
Because cytarabine is a bone marrow suppressant, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastosis and reduced reticulocytes can be expected as a result of administration with Cytarabine Injection. The severity of these reactions are dose and schedule dependent. Cellular changes in the morphology of bone marrow and peripheral smears can be expected.
Following 5-day constant infusions or acute injections of 50 mg/m2 to 600 mg/m2, white cell depression follows a biphasic course. Regardless of initial count, dosage level, or schedule, there is an initial fall starting the first 24 hours with a nadir at days 7–9. This is followed by a brief rise which peaks around the twelfth day. A second and deeper fall reaches nadir at days 15–24. Then there is a rapid rise to above baseline in the next 10 days. Platelet depression is noticeable at 5 days with a peak depression occurring between days 12–15. Thereupon, a rapid rise to above baseline occurs in the next 10 days.
Infectious Complications
Viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or saprophytic infections, in any location in the body may be associated with the use of Cytarabine Injection alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents following immunosuppressant doses that affect cellular or humoral immunity. These infections may be mild, but can be severe and at times fatal.
The Cytarabine (Ara-C) Syndrome
A cytarabine syndrome has been described by Castleberry. It is characterized by fever, myalgia, bone pain, occasionally chest pain, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis and malaise. It usually occurs 6–12 hours following drug administration. Corticosteroids have been shown to be beneficial in treating or preventing this syndrome. If the symptoms of the syndrome are deemed treatable, corticosteroids should be contemplated as well as continuation of therapy with Cytarabine Injection.
Most Frequent Adverse Reactions
oral and anal inflammation
or ulceration
hepatic dysfunction
bleeding (all sites)
Nausea and vomiting are most frequent following rapid intravenous injection.
Less Frequent Adverse Reactions
sore throat
conjunctivitis (may occur with rash)
esophageal ulceration
cellulitis at injection site
skin ulceration
chest pain
anaphylaxis (see WARNINGS)
urinary retention
allergic edema
renal dysfunction
bowel necrosis
abdominal pain
shortness of breath
neural toxicity
sinus bradycardia
Experimental Doses
Severe and at times fatal CNS, GI and pulmonary toxicity (different from that seen with conventional therapy regimens of Cytarabine Injection) has been reported following some experimental dose schedules of Cytarabine Injection. These reactions include reversible corneal toxicity and hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, which may be prevented or diminished by prophylaxis with a local corticosteroid eye drop; cerebral and cerebellar dysfunction, including personality changes, somnolence and coma, usually reversible; severe gastrointestinal ulceration, including pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis leading to peritonitis; sepsis and liver abscess; pulmonary edema, liver damage with increased hyperbilirubinemia; bowel necrosis; and necrotizing colitis. Rarely, severe skin rash, leading to desquamation has been reported. Complete alopecia is more commonly seen with experimental high dose therapy than with standard treatment programs using cytarabine. If experimental high dose therapy is used, do not use a preparation containing benzyl alcohol.
Cases of cardiomyopathy with subsequent death have been reported following experimental high dose therapy with cytarabine in combination with cyclophosphamide when used for bone marrow transplant preparation. This cardiac toxicity may be schedule dependent.
A syndrome of sudden respiratory distress, rapidly progressing to pulmonary edema and radiographically pronounced cardiomegaly has been reported following experimental high dose therapy with cytarabine used for the treatment of relapsed leukemia from one institution in 16/72 patients. The outcome of this syndrome can be fatal.
Two patients with adult acute non-lymphocytic leukemia developed peripheral motor and sensory neuropathies after consolidation with high-dose cytarabine, daunorubicin, and asparaginase. Patients treated with high-dose cytarabine should be observed for neuropathy since dose schedule alterations may be needed to avoid irreversible neurologic disorders.
Ten patients treated with experimental intermediate doses of cytarabine (1 g/m2) with and without other chemotherapeutic agents (meta-AMSA, daunorubicin, etoposide) at various dose regimes developed a diffuse interstitial pneumonitis without clear cause that may have been related to the cytarabine.
Two cases of pancreatitis have been reported following experimental doses of Cytarabine Injection and numerous other drugs. Cytarabine Injection could have been the causative agent.


text:
Edie Rhoads attended University of Virginia and earned an MFA in poetry from New York University, where she was a New York Times Teaching Fellow working with middle schoolers on the Lower East Side. Now she lives in Vermont, where she studies expressive and narrative therapies and the fine art of child rearing. Rhoads's poems have appeared in such publications as Post Road, Blackbird, the Salon, and Indiana Review. Her first book, The Day Bat, published by Honeybee Press, was made possible in part by a grant from the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
"How many Vermonters does it take to change a light bulb? Three. One to change the bulb and two to sit around discussing how they liked the old one better." –Vermont folk saying
Though I'm from down-country, I have always been a Vermonter at heart. During the summers when I was a kid, I would visit my grandmother in the village of Landgrove and wile away the hours blowing bubbles, picking black-eyed Susans, and counting out her pocket change for penny candy at the country store. I moved to the Green Mountain State in 2006, uprooting from Brooklyn, New York, where I was teaching preschool, shortly after having finished my MFA degree in poetry at New York University. While living in Brooklyn, I usually spent all of my free time in Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I wanted a dog, I wanted a backyard, I wanted mountains to hike and woods to get lost in. So I packed my cats and my books and headed north to tiny Saxton's River, Vermont, for a few months of complete solitude in a log cabin where I polished my first poetry manuscript, The Day Bat, and began a short story collection. At daybreak I'd go for a four-mile run down into the village, and when I summited Hartley Hill Road at the end of my route I'd pick raspberries directly off the bushes and go for a skinny dip in the icy spring-fed pond. Then the leaves turned gold and red and the roads got quieter. The first snow fell. A writer needs mountains and deep snow, I had concluded, but a writer also needs other artists with whom to drink oatmeal stouts and eat artisanal cheeses. I had visited Burlington in summer first and was taken by the afternoon thunderstorms, genial Church Street's brick alleys and cozy cafés, and Lake Champlain with its wooded isles and beaches of gnarled pine and smooth pebbles. On the bike path along the waterfront are stone cairns, lions and angels carved into marble slabs, and loons and cormorants. And there are people too—minstrels, puppeteers, ice sculptors, and wood carvers—with whom to potluck and picnic. Burlington took me in, and began to shape me.
In my first year of Vermont life I learned how to split firewood, acquired a significant other who was in the midst of building a decadent treehouse large enough to sleep sixteen, hiked Camel's Hump, camped atop Mount Mansfield (in six feet of snow! in May!), and learned how to press apples for cider. In my second year I got my dog (Zana the Wonderpooch) and my green ten-speed (Cricket), and started my own beautiful garden in a community plot. Since then I've worked as an elementary school lunch lady, bartender, and winter camping advocate. I've joined a fiction-writing group, the Barn Owl Poetry Collective, and toured the West Coast in a Green Mountain indie-folk-rock outfit as a trombonist—time away makes coming home to Vermont that much sweeter.
Just this year I finally had my first book published, by local Honeybee Press, and gave birth to a beautiful daughter who will be able to boast (unlike many of us who love Vermont so dearly) that she is a true Vermonter. I know from experience that this state is magical—with its phenomenal natural beauty and entirely original, organic humans creating a life-poem that continues to light my days.
New York City had me jaded; I felt that everything had already been written. It's easy to find things to write about here that are as new and fresh as the seasons each time they arrive. The hard part is finding time to put pen to paper. Biking, skiing, swimming, hiking, kayaking, gardening, harvesting, baking, grilling, knitting, contra dancing—so much calls out to be done! The mountains beckon too, in their quiet green way. And the shimmering lake, and the full gold moon, and the moon's reflection in the lake reflects like a fist of pearls…
It's 7:30 AM on a June Tuesday, and my eight-month-old daughter and I push back the curtain to check on our neighbor's chickens and see what the sky looks like—blue, cloud-dappled; the sun shines on the apple tree. This is what my grandmother would call a "typical Vermont day." I love to wake up on the early side for coffee and pastries and get in a day's page count during Amina's morning nap at one of the atmospheric coffee shops in our neighborhood, Burlington's historic Old North End. Barrio Bakery (197 North Winooski Avenue), formerly Panadero, has the best light. The sun pours through two wall-sized windows all morning while I enjoy a mocha topped with foam and a buttery raspberry scone as I write. For a heartier bite, I go for a bacon quickie at the Chubby Muffin (88 Oak Street), where the friendly counter guy knows how I like my eggs and where my canine sidekick likes to be tickled (behind her left ear especially).
Irish and Lithuanian Jewish immigrants settled this part of the city in the late 1800s due to low housing costs and proximity to the waterfront, and waves of new Americans keep the neighborhood fresh and lively. On our way home, we pass a string of locally owned international markets on North Street, the Himalayan Market, 99 Asian Market, and the Halal Store, where one can buy anything from fresh goat meat samosas to bubble tea, Tibetan Prayer flags to brocaded hijabs.
Once we get home, Amina and I take advantage of my caffeine buzz to have a dance-party-housecleaning fest with a local-band soundtrack (Swale, then the Toes, Kat Wright and her Indomitable Soul Band, then an EP of the Cush) before another session at the desk. After I've worked through a first revision of this morning's best poem, it's time for a long bike ride. Amina's going for a walk with her Auntie 'Lyssa, so I hop on Cricket and swoop down Depot Street to the waterfront where Lake Champlain sparkles all the way out to New York State. If I have the time, I ride past the skate park and the kayak and sailboat rental, across the Winooski River Bridge to the Causeway, a former railroad line connecting Burlington to the Champlain Islands. This is writer's paradise. I stash my bike, shake out my towel, and lie down on a warm slab of rock with the lake surrounding me and the Adirondacks piling up into the clouds in the distance. And if (when) I hit writer's block, I dive off a piling into the cold refreshing tumble. After a few dips and some gentle freewriting, I dry off in the sun. Watching a loon fish for her brunch, I realize its time for Amina's next nursing session and bike back into town.
After our reunion, I buckle Amina into her cozy baby carrier and head downtown. It's the Discover Jazz Festival in early June, so free music fills Church Street and we want to take it in. We swing by Junktiques Collective (324 North Winooski Avenue) to check on a consigned typewriter and pick up an inspirational knick-knack if one appeals. On my previous visit I spotted a vintage, well-loved E.T. doll, a 1940s gas mask, and a collection of Ukrainian cufflinks. Today we walk out with a clear bouncy ball that contains a colorful glittering butterfly. At the top of Church Street on the Fountain Stage we dance to an Afrobeat act from New York City and a few local high school jazz combos. Burlington is the kind of town where you go to the food co-op in your pajamas for cream cheese and see twelve people you know, so while we are dancing we wind up surrounded by friends and acquaintances enjoying the free music. Then the weather takes a sudden turn. As the saying goes, if you don't like the weather in Vermont, wait five minutes. The humidity shoots up and then plummets, and a heavy cloud gathers in from the lake. We are in for a brief monsoon. Fortunately, my favorite bookshop is right up the street. Crow Bookshop (14 Church Street), with its excellent selection of new and used books and a special set of shelves dedicated to Vermont authors. Amina and I plunk down on the couch with a picture book about a bear that has lost his hat and wants it back and read as raindrops slide down the windowpanes.
We wait for the storm to pass, but it is taking its sweet time. Eventually we dash out into wind and rain to seek shelter down the block at Dobrá Tea (80 Church Street), where we can take off our shoes and curl up on a pile of cushions surrounded by old photographs and artifacts from China, Taiwan, and India. The menu is as long and absorbing as an oriental travelogue from the 1820s. I order a hotcha, grassy green tea and almond milk whisked into a froth. This is one of my favorite places in town to write and read. The atmosphere is always hushed and peaceful. And if I happen to be in the mood for conversation, the gracious "devoteas" who serve here are knowledgeable on Japanese greens, Jungian psychoanalysis, martial arts and acupuncture, among other things.
When the rain finally lets up, we hop a local bus (fueled with natural gas of course) and pop down the South End Art District and hop off at Four Corners of the Earth Delicatessen (310 Pine Street) for a delicious lunch. I am not the only local who is certain that owner Latso makes the best sandwiches in the world. Jamaican avocado is my steady favorite. The interior of the small restaurant is enchanting—folk art and folios from Soviet Russia to leaf through while you munch. Latso is also a skilled poet and translator, so we may chat over sandwich and demitasse about the upcoming release of the Salon, a biannual journal published by Honeybee Press featuring excellent poetry and fiction from emerging and established Vermont writers, published with funding from Burlington City Arts Council, or the next letterpressed edition of the Barn Owl Poetry Extra, self-published by a group of young Burlington writers who hold sporadic workshops in Latso's antique-filled barn on Pine Street. Other notable local publications include Johnson State College's Green Mountains Review (pick up this year's twenty-fifth Anniversary Poetry Retrospective), Vermont College of Fine Arts' print and online journal Hunger Mountain, Onion River Review edited by students at St. Michael's College, and the glossy new literature, art, and culture review Thread Magazine, which recently featured Raychel Severance's glorious portraits of colorful Burlington artists and writers with their bicycles. From here, Amina and I cross the street to Barge Canal Antique Market (377 Pine Street) in search of a coffee table that will double as a writer's desk. No table meets my specs, but I end up walking out with a hand-blown glass candy dish to fill with tamari almonds and a ceramic zebra lamp—fuel for the muse…and light for the wee hours when inspiration strikes and Amina is snoozing. At Speaking Volumes (377 Pine Street), the neighboring used-book and vinyl treasure trove, I find a Winnie the Pooh 45 for my daughter and a copy of Eugene Montale's selected poems with some translations by my all-time favorite teacher, Charles Wright. I studied with him at UVA when I was a measly undergrad—he once shared the keen insight that if the best adjective I could come up with for a rolled joint was "lumpy" then "darling, there's something wrong with the way you're rolling those joints."
Up the road I peek in at consignment mecca Battery Street Jeans (Seven Marble Avenue) for a sweet lace vest I put on layaway last month, and Amina takes a ride on the giraffe rocking horse (not for sale, I've asked). Then we head over to the Green Door Studio (Four Howard Street) where my friend and Honeybee Press founding editor Ben Aleshire is hosting an impromptu letterpress and signature-sewing party to prepare for this Saturday's Art Market. Every weekend Honeybee has a table in the arts section at the Burlington Farmer's Market (City Hall Park), which takes place every Saturday from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, where we traffic copies of the Salon, my book The Day Bat (hand-sewn with a letterpressed cover made of pulped Egyptian cotton hotel sheets), and other local literary endeavors. There's also a typewriter—Honeybee Press hosts a revolving poet-in-residence who will type out an extemporaneous composition for you while you shop for rainbow chard and chevre from local farmers.
But back to the Green Door. Today, the doors are rolled back in the used-to-be autobody shop that now houses our Vandercook letterpress and type cabinets. The atmosphere here is always light but determined, wine bottles and mason jars scatter the scarred butcher-block counter and local poets and artists can often be found working together to press a broadside or print a woodblock. Before Honeybee set up camp here in 2011, the Green Door Studio housed Combat Paper, a cooperative of Iraqi War veterans who processed old uniforms into handmade paper and collected war poems from returned soldiers to print. The studio is open for those who are interested in seeing a working letterpress, learning about bookbinding, or just talking shop over a jar of malbec.
I sew a few signatures while Amina naps, and when she wakes we grab a bus back downtown. I'm hungry again with the ferocious intensity of a nursing mother, so a stop at Duino Duende (Ten North Winooski Avenue) is in order. This opium-den-speakeasy-saloon is one of Burlington's best kept secrets, with its garnet and ochre interior and geode-encrusted mirrored bar. I used to wait tables here and bartend at the attached café, the Radio Bean (Eight North Winooski Avenue). Amina and I still visit frequently to chat with the artists, dancers, and writers who roost here and indulge in our mutual passion: avocados. I order a reasonably priced rice and beans plate with local kale salad, housemade salsa, fresh guacamole, and famously fabulous Vermont cheddar melted atop all. The scrape of the clave and timbales' cascara next door has Amina bobbing up and down on my lap and smiling with glee. Gua Gua, with their blend of Latin rhythms and jazz improvisations, may be her favorite local band. Harry Belafonte is certainly her favorite solo artist…but I digress.
After dinner, we head home to turn into pumpkins, but if this was your visit to Burlington I would encourage you to stay for Honky Tonk night, or if school is in session head up to the University of Vermont for some higher-brow academe culture. The fabulous Painted Word Poetry Series, hosted by UVM's Fleming Museum (61 Colchester Avenue), draws world-class talent to our little city. Curated by poet Major Jackson, recent readers have included Tina Chang, Nicole Sealey, Reginald Dwayne Betts, and South African poet laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile. If you are lucky enough to plan a visit for late September, you can take in the free and glorious Burlington Book Festival. Last year Marie Howe, C. D. Wright, and poet laureate Philip Levine read, among others. I was lucky enough to study with Phil at NYU and eager to hear him read again. He was as engaging and irreverent as I remembered, and I even managed to get him to buy a copy of my book! As its press release states Book Fest "features literary luminaries from around the world—and just around the corner." This year, I hope to catch readings by former Vermont governor Madeline Kunin, outstanding local poets Daniel Lusk, Reuben James, and Robert McKay, environmentalist Bill McKibben, and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy K. Smith. There will also be a Vermont Women Writers Panel, an Emergent Media forum, and a "Jane Austen afternoon" complete with a lecture on period clothing and a light tea. And if you visit in spring and love all things local, as we Burlingtonites do, check out the Small Press & Comic Fair in neighboring Winooski, Vermont. You will find Honeybee Press represented, as well as an impressive (pun intended) array of other local publishers, zines, journals, and booksellers.
Summer is only one of Vermont's literary moods, dramatic and lovely as it may be with its glut of thunderstorms, strawberry festivals, and waterfall skinny dips. In autumn there are cider donuts to munch and leaves to peep, in winter you can write verse by the woodstove over a hot toddy after a brisk snowshoe expedition, and in spring you can take your pen and pad to a sugar shack to watch vats of maple syrup thicken to amber. If you do make it up-country for a visit, I guarantee Burlington will capture your imagination. So many folks who intend on passing through end up staying. And if you need to slow down a little, the pace here might suit. We Vermonters believe in sharing what we love the old fashioned way, and visitors are welcomed.


text:
HWI News
Hayley's new album 'Paradiso' released NZ 18 April 2011
UPDATED June 16
Hayley's new album Paradiso has been released so far in New Zealand (April 18), Japan (June 8) and Australia (June 10). The next few known releases will be in the United Kingdom (29 August) and USA (4 October).
Further information can be found in the two media articles below and you can join the discussions about this album here in the HWI forum.
Preview of Hayley Westenra's new album Paradiso
|Track no
Track Listing (New Zealand release)
1. Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream) lyrics by Hayley Westenra - 4m 27s
2. Cinema Paradiso: Profumo Di Limone lyrics by Ennio Morricone - 3m 10s
3. La Califfa lyrics by Ennio Morricone & Hayley Westenra - 4m 12s
4. Once Upon A Time In The West lyrics by Ennio Morricone - 4m 00s
5. Metti Una Sera A Cena lyrics by Ennio Morricone - 4m 29s
6. Cinema Paradiso: Would He Even Know Me Now? lyrics by Don Black - 4m 11s
7. Per Natale (L'Esprit de Noël) lyrics by Josephine Drai - 2m 53s
8. I Knew I Loved You (Deborah's Theme) lyrics by Ennio Morricone,
Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman - 3m 39s
9. Lezione Di Musica lyrics by Ennio Morricone - 2m 33s
10. Da Quel Sorriso Che Non Ride Piu lyrics by Ennio Morricone - 7m 13s
11. The Edge Of Love lyrics by Tim Rice - 3m 44s
12. Amalia Por Amor lyrics by Joao Mendonca - 6m 06s
13. Here's To You lyrics by Joan Baez - 3m 40s
14. Malena lyrics by Hayley Westenra - 4m 06s
Total playing time - 58m 23s
Music composed, arranged, produced and conducted by Ennio Morricone.
Lyricists as shown.
For the song LYRICS and translations - click here
Online sales (where to buy): Marbecks, SmokeCDs, Amplifier.
Hayley Westenra Teams Up With Ennio Morricone
Hayley Westenra teams up with Italian composer
4th April 2011
NZ Musician
Hayley Westenra will release her fifth studio album, 'Paradiso' in April.
The album is a collaboration with influential Italian composer and Academy Award recipient Ennio Morricone, best known for his iconic film scores including The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West. 'Paradiso' was recorded at the Forum studio in Rome with Morricone's own 120-piece orchestra - Sinfonietta di Roma, and is also the first composition the 83 year-old has added a vocal line to.
Oscar winning lyricist Don Black and Sir Tim Rice and Marilyn and Alan Bergman also contributed lyrics to the album.
'Paradiso' will be available online and in stores April 18.
We will publish the release dates for other Countries as soon as they are announced. So far, we know:
New Zealand - 18 April 2011
Japan - 8 June 2011
Australia - 10 June 2011
Canada - 29 August 2011
United Kingdom - 29 August 2011
Taiwan - 31 August 2011
United States - 4 October 2011


text:
The Gore complaint
Portland's Oregonian today printed a police report echoing a National Enquirer story that a masseuse accused Al Gore of sexual harassment in 2006.
The woman did not wind up pursuing her complaint, for reasons unclear. It's also worth noting that the Portland Tribune had the story two years ago, and writes that it "chose at that time not to publish a story."
UPDATE: Portland Tribune executive editor Mark Garber declined to discuss the story in detail, but did shed a bit more light on why his paper had chosen not to run with it, based on what he called "many of the test points that we would normally have to determine whether there was sufficient evidence that something inappropriate had occurred."
"We weren't able to meet our own test," he said.
The paper also quoted a Gore spokeswoman, Kalee Krieder, saying, "Not only has there not been a settlement, we haven't been approached about one nor can we imagine any basis for one."
Portland Police Bureau 2009 investigative report on Al Gore incident


text:
Jackson is adding to our Med/Surg team and needs Registered Nurses experienced at caring for adult patients with general medical conditions or who have undergone surgical procedures to fill 13 week contracts at state-of-the-art area hospitals.
You'll enjoy a supportive, ambitious culture at Jackson where we make sure talented nurses like you can do your best work in the most positive work environments possible since 2006.
Minimum Requirements:
Benefits & Perks
We deeply value your commitment to improving the lives of patients, that's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package starting your first day.
Apply now and you'll be contacted by a recruiter who will give you more information on this or other RN vacancies in the settings and locations that matter most to you.
EEO Statement Jackson Healthcare and its family of companies are an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.


text:
Storing a Wrecked car can Cost a Fortune
Before you even get to the hassle of repairs after a collision, you have to deal with towing and storage fees.
If you're not careful, they can add up to a small fortune.
The issue comes up repeatedly with clients who have been in serious accidents, says personal injury attorney S. David Rosenthal of Rosenthal Law in Roseville, Calif. Often delays occur in working with the other driver's insurer, even when you're certain the other guy caused the wreck.
"It can take 10 days to two weeks to get a police report, or sometimes there can be a dispute over who was at fault for the accident," Rosenthal says.
Meanwhile, the car sits there in a lot, accruing storage fees. Typically those are about $50 a day in California, he says. Even if the other driver's insurer eventually takes responsibility for the car's repair, the carrier might refuse to pay the whole storage tab.
"The insurer will say, 'You should have gotten the car out of there and mitigated the damages,'" Rosenthal says.
He's seen cases where the towing and storage bill totaled $1,500.
"If somebody doesn't have $1,500, what are they going to do?" Rosenthal says.
Even worse, if a car sits too long on a storage lot, the towing and storage company can sell it at auction, as long as the company abides by laws and gives proper notice to the owner.
Why the storage sticker shock?
Storage fees can spiral for a couple of reasons. Sometimes it's a matter of the fees simply adding up when a car sits on a towing company's storage lot for a long time.
But occasionally the high cost is due to price gouging and deceptive practices by rogue tow companies. Insurers are quick to note that most tow operators are honest business people who provide a critical service. But a few scoundrels drive up costs by charging outrageous fees or making it difficult for people to retrieve their cars, they say.
In an August 2012 report, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) estimated that abusive towing and storage practices cost consumers and insurers $570 million a year.
The average crash-related towing and storage fee in 2010 was $412 per car insurance claim -- $228 for towing and $185 for storage, the report says. PCI says the average should be closer to about $150 a vehicle, according to what is the "usual and customary" tow and storage fee per vehicle after an accident.
In a 2011 survey of insurance claims adjusters, the trade group gathered anecdotes from claims adjusters around the country.
Among their tales:
- Some Virginia towing companies charged $350 in administrative fees for sending letters to let owners know their cars had been towed to a storage facility.
- A Washington, D.C., storage facility charged $400 a day for large vehicles.
- A Chicago towing company charged a woman $915 to tow her car after a minor accident and then $100 a day for storage, refusing to release the vehicle without an in-person cash payment from her. (See "Beware of fake tow trucks and bogus car accident help.")
"We don't want to paint the towing industry with a broad brush. The vast majority of tow operators are honest," says Bob Passmore, PCI's senior director of personal lines.
But problems with the relatively few bad operators are an ongoing issue.
"I've been in the insurance business for 28 years, and there have been problems like this ever since I started," he says. (See PCI's consumer tips about towing.)
Consumer groups and insurers have lobbied states and cities to pass laws to prevent abusive practices. But a federal provision pre-empts states and local governments from regulating rates, except for non-consensual tows. Those include tows for illegally parked or abandoned cars. Vehicles taken from accident scenes are generally considered consensual tows. Consumer protections are better in some places than others.
"Towing regulation is generally a patchwork of state and local laws," Passmore says.
Don't get taken for a ride
So how do you avoid ending up on the hook for huge towing and storage costs?
First, carry collision insurance. Collision insurance covers the cost to repair your car and the costs of towing and storage after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. Although towing and storage fees are covered under collision insurance, they typically aren't factored into the formula to determine whether your car should be declared a total loss, Passmore says.
Second, call your insurance carrier right away after an accident. In some cities, the police will assign a tow truck to take your car if you can't drive it. If not, ask your insurer which tow company to call, or let the insurer place the call, says Frank Scafidi, spokesman for the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Even if you think the other guy was at fault and his insurance should pay for the accident, get in touch with your insurer immediately. Your collision insurance will pay the towing, storage and repair costs, minus the deductible. An adjuster from your insurer will get your car moved as quickly as possible to a repair shop. Once the accident has been investigated and fault determined, your carrier then can go after the other driver's insurer to pay the tab and reimburse you for the collision deductible.
If you don't have collision coverage, Rosenthal recommends that you take the initiative to get your car out of storage as quickly as possible to minimize costs while you work with the other driver's insurer. (See "Car accidents: What you need to know.")
The original article can be found at CarInsurance.com:Wrecked! And then slammed by fees


text:
This is one of the best stories I've read in awhile. Thanks for sharing it. :)
Something I have often heard from teachers, mentors and my own parents is the following phrase: "Be the best at what you do, whatever you do." It's a lesson I have tried to live up to most of my life. But the following story, well, it really illustrates the point.
Most of us try and be good at what we do. In our daily jobs, we try and be a great employee. In family life, we try and be a good husband, wife, father or mother. But how many of us strive to be the best that we do, regardless of the task?
That brings us to Joe (not his real name), a man who was born with Down Syndrome and has more reason than most to feel sorry for himself. Of course, Joe isn't like that. His condition makes most jobs out of his reach, but that didn't stop him from getting a position at the local grocery store as a bagger.
A bagger is not a particularly glamorous job. It's dull, repetitive work and the pay isn't exactly wonderful. Joe didn't see it that way. He wanted to be the best bagger in the store, if not, the city. So, he had an idea.
He went home and, with the help of his father, typed up inspirational sayings and quotes. Then, he cut them out and took them to work. Every time he put groceries in a bag, he would add one of the little inspirational quotes. It made Joe happy to spread a little joy, and the customers loved it, too.
In fact, they really loved it. So much so that pretty soon, people were lining up to get their groceries bagged by Joe. It didn't matter if another checkout was open, people would stand in line to meet Joe and get one of his inspirational sayings with their weekly shop.
From a mundane job, Joe created something extraordinary. He got tips, too, which was not the goal but certainly helped him out. He did something remarkable and genuine, and everyone around him felt inspired. That is the embodiment of being the best at what you do.
Take that story to heart and let it sink in. What could you do better in your daily routine? It doesn't need to take a lot of time or money, but just a little thought. Put your ideas to work and who knows what the outcome may be. It could turn an ordinary business into an overnight success. It could turn an average day at work into something exciting. "Be the best at what you do, whatever you do" are words to live by.
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I heard it when I was driving, I pulled over to keep listening. Then I came straight back home to write it down.
I saw a web-video with an account of this story and it was very moving. In fact, I shared it with my boss and several co-workers and they were equally moved. It just goes to show you that service from the heart it worth far more than all the marketing dollars a company can throw at a marketing plan.
Thanks for sharing this story. You made my day! I will be thinking about this for a long time...
Great story, Paul. Thanks for sharing. I bet the Good News Network would like to hear about this guy.
Please note, however, it's Down syndrome, not Downs.
That's the British English spelling of Down Syndrome. But that still doesn't excuse me, as I missed out the apostrophe. A lesson learned...I won't cut and paste from online dictionaries anymore! (I would change the title, but it may have been linked to from other blogs...sorry).
This is the video I think everyone is mentioning. Its something Ive watched a few times when I feel overwhelmed by my own customer service job. It makes me realize that every call I take at my own job is an oppurtunity to make a difference. Cheesy yeah, but it seems to help


text:
Charlotte Pipe has been a preferred supplier to wholesalers for over a century. Plus, as the only manufacturer of cast iron and plastic plumbing systems, we are in a unique position to assist our customers when deciding whether cast iron or plastic products should be used for an application.
For more information on our products and services, please visit the pages below.
One of the added benefits of using Charlotte Pipe is the many resources we provide. Our Customer Service and Technical Support associates are available to answer your product, technical and/or installation questions.


text:
Enhance efficiency and optimize the employee experience with Dell management solutionsIntel Innovation Built-in
Dell Client Command Suite
Dell Client Command Suite is a comprehensive collection of system management tools that automate and streamline client device image setup, configuration, monitoring and updates. IT can ensure systems stay secure and up-to-date over the course of the PC lifecycle with less time, effort and resources using Dell Client Command Suite.
Customized driver packs make it faster and easier to get the right driver set for your Dell systems. Reducing time, effort and guesswork by taking this part of the process down from 3 days to 3 minutes.
Remove the need to touch every box manually, and remotely automate and custom configure BIOS settings, like BIOS password and TPM settings, to fit your needs. Operates seamlessly with SCCM and self-integrates with LANDesk and KACE.
Monitor hardware for inventory or health state, like battery life or hard drive failure so you can stay ahead of issues. Configure hardware remotely and stay organized with information is collected in a central location.
Identifies, locates and installs the latest system-specific updates (driver, firmware or BIOS) , so everything runs smoothly while seamlessly delivering updates to end-users.
Anytime, anywhere automated support and intelligent, modern management with VMware Workspace ONE
Modernize client deployment and management giving users smooth app access across any device, while reducing IT burden and complexity.
Analyze and automates IT provisioning and management tasks
Virtualizes and manages business-critical applications from one place
Integrates with Dell management solutions and collaboration tools
Reduces IT cost, improves security, and optimizes employee experience with intelligent insights
VMware Workspace ONE provides a digital workspace to simplify IT operations, harden security and deliver ready-to-work experiences across every application and endpoint- physical or virtual.
Workspace ONE securely delivers and manages any application on any device from the cloud or on-premises, offering an intelligence-driven digital workspace that easily integrates with Dell Client Command Suite.
Workspace ONE enables cloud-native, modern management for Windows 10 devices. Managed systems can be factory provisioned by Dell so you can accelerate the deployment process by delivering ready-to-work PCs directly to your end users.
VMware recently ranked #1 in enterprise PC management, compliance-driven management and role-based device management by Gartner in their Critical Capabilities for UEM Tools report.
We're here to help.From offering expert advice to solving complex problems, we've got you covered.
*Based on Dell internal analysis, May 2018. Geographic limitations apply: Do not use in China, Chile, Hong K ong, Korea, Malaysia, South Africa, Ukraine, Venezuela, Russia, Vietnam or Taiwan. §Dell's preliminary internal testing results in vPro provisioning in under one hour. ** Zero-Touch Provisioning from Dell & VMware helps you reduce Windows 10 deployment costs on PCs, by an average of 93%. Source: IDC whitepaper sponsored by Dell EMC, "The Business Value of Optimized PC Deployment," May 2017 comparing the costs of traditional deployment versus zero-touch provisioning. Actual costs may vary.
Based on Principled Technologies Report commissioned by Dell, "Lighten the administrative load with Dell Client Command Suite", May 2018, comparing time to complete management tasks on Dell OptiPlex 7050 Micro Desktops with Dell Client Command Suite and without it. Results extrapolated to management of 100 systems. Actual results will vary. Full report: http://facts.pt/def2rk
Based on Principled Technologies reports commissioned by Dell comparing time to complete management tasks on Dell OptiPlex 7050 Micro Desktop with Dell Client Command Suite vs. HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini via Intel AMT only and vs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M910q via Intel AMT only, May 2018. Test results extrapolated to management of 100 systems. Actual results will vary. Full reports: http://facts.pt/Xxk7sv, http://facts.pt/CLcHNX


text:
MH Building and Roofing
07731 828 823
0121 574 4230
Loft conversions
House extensions
Garage conversions
Kitchen extensions
Design and planning
Our customers
Where we work
West Bromwich
Great Barr
Sutton Coldfield
Loft Conversion - Wednesbury
privacy & cookie policy
Loft Conversion - Wednesbury
Find out more about:
Loft Conversions
What our customers say...
Martin and the team were fab start to finish, work progressed whatever the weather. Nothing was to much trouble and the work ethic and standard of work can not be faulted. I couldn't be happier with the two bedroom and bathroom conversion.
Louise Oakley
WOW!!!! what a team Martin and dad Martin and team are a very friendly professional team ,very punctual ,very polite and very clean and tidy when working. We were so impressed and would not hesitate to contact them again if ever we needed more building work done. THEY ARE SECOND TO NONE even neighbourhood was impressed at how slick the team worked WOULD HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS COMPANY THANK YOU FOR OUR NEW ROOF
Pauline and Graham
Reliable, Trustworthy and produce Excellent Workmanship, that's something that Martin and ihus guys are. They have just finished an ensuite in my loft and I am over the moon. They are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Hardly any disruption to the normal family day to day. Would highly recommend....come and take a look at mine if you want proof. Thanks guys
Sharon Whitehouse
Martin's Team were great they replaced our old roof with new roof tiles, membrane, new lathes, also replaced the guttering, downpipes, soffits, new tiles above bay window.Additionally boarded the loft for storage. Overall was impressed with Martin from initial quotation stage to the works being completed. His professionalism and friendliness helped him win the work. His team of lads cracked on with the work and overall impressed with their work. Would highly recommend them to friends and...
From the moment we met Martin we knew we'd found the right builder for us. He was genuine from the beginning, going out of his way to offer solutions to turning our 3 bedroom house into the 5 bed that our family desperately needed. 5 skips, scaffolding that resembled a spaceship landing pad and an 'extra work' list that was never ending and we finally have our dream home in just 8 weeks. The team were patient with any extra jobs we asked them to do, always arrived on time, cleaned up after...
Jemma & Steve
After months of going through ways of achieving more space in our home we found the most practical and cost effective way to acheive it was to to go up in to our loft, then came the daunting task of who do we get to do it.. Being in the construction industry myself working for 27 years as a plumber I suppose helped in what to look for in worming out any cowboys and in our hunt my partner came across MH Building and Roofing on Facebook.. so i cast my eagle eyes over the numerous pictures and...
Mark Jones
So happy with the loft conversion we had completed by Martin, and the team. Was a quick process from start to finish, taking 6 weeks , minimal disruption and all mess tidied at the end of the day. Have a reassuring nature, all members of the team friendly, no question or query was any bother, would recommend to any one . We now have a much better utilised space, without loosing any room from the downstairs, ideal solution. Thank you so much!
Rachael Allden
Excellent work, complete repairs to flue and cowls which were causing a lot of noise when it was windy. Professional service, would highly recommend.
Dave Dickson
Martin and his team completed several jobs 5 years ago, Roof, Kitchen, Conservatory and built a utility room for us.
Today , in 1 day , they put in 2 new windows, replaced glass, put in an additional radiator, fitted new sills to existing and new windows and did a few odd little repairs!
They arrived on time , completed all of the work to a high standard .
Spent a lovely day with them. A brilliant team of lads, friendly, yet very professional and hard working! See you in the...
Yvonne Blakemore
We were looking for someone to do replacement windows and doors when Martin was recommended I knew they did building but didn't think for just windows. After messaging Martin he popped round took a look at the job and gave us a very competitive price . After agreeing and sorting our house out we were ready to have the work started.
I messaged Martin who came round with Martin and got all windows and doors measured and discussed window openers and door designs. After deciding what to...
Jess Jones
Recently had a conservatory built by this team and are extremely pleased with the finished project . Changed my mind on several things and nothing was to much trouble for these guys to oblige. Workmanship is first class and would highly recommend them for any home improvements. Finished on time, no hidden costs and all work guaranteed . Very pleasant and professional lads and no inconvenience caused to our daily routine.
Lynn Steptoe
Very pleased with our loft conversion - Martin and the team achieved an amazing amount of living space which you wouldn't think possible.
We were supported excellently throughout the whole process - communication and listening/ response were first class as was attention to detail. All the lads on the job were approachable, polite and easy to work with. The disruption was minimal as the work was expertly planned and schedules adhered to despite some difficult weather....
Rob and Jane Walker
The work was of excellent standard , the team did over and above to make sure everything was right for my dad. They even used one of his wheelchairs to ensure he was able to get into the room, have room to move around and have everything he needs at the right height!
They also fixed other stuff to make life easier for him at no charge. I 100% recommend their work and will not hesitate in using them in the future.
Ruth Conover
The 2 Martins saw the drawings I had drawn up and gave us even more space upstairs in the loft conversion than the architect had. These guys have a great eye for the job they do. They have done a great job in our roof space, they were very proficient in all the jobs they did with safety to us and themselves paramount. The electrician and plasterers they had in to finish off the job were awesome aswell.
They did any alterations that we required with better alternatives offered to...
I have known Martin Harvey for a number of years. He was first recommended to me by a fastidious Clerk of Works when I was looking for a contractor to undertake some major roofing works and loft conversion at my home address. Subsequently, Martin undertook a full renovation of a rental property. Some of the works that MH Building & Roofing have undertaken for me include: • Full slate roof replacement • Flat roof repair and leadwork • Loft conversion • Demolition • Roof repairs guttering and...
Mark Evetts
We had a rear ground floor extension done by Martin and his team. We were very impressed by his professionalism and his workmanship. The completed out extension on budget and quicker than planned. Since the completion we have recommended Martin to numerous friends and also family members. Excellent work from Martin and his team.
Fantastic experience using these builders. Competitive price and completed on time. Very tidy and professional. Our extension has created a huge family room now across the back of our house, were we now spend all our time. Many of our friends have now gone on to use them too.
Kate Williams
Martin and his team have just completed the following work on our house:- a new roof, tailored to our wishes, and new fascias, soffits and guttering.
From start to finish , including all of the helpful advice and guidance regarding the different styles of roof and products on the market, our experience has been fantastic .
These chaps are highly skilled, disciplined , and some of the most polite people you could ever wish to meet. Even on the most miserable of days, (and...
Steve Wakeman
A great experience after initially being apprehensive about having building work done.
The team were reliable, hard working and trustworthy and extremely co-operative . They excelled in making the experience an easy one for us and their standard of work is excellent .
They tidied up after themselves daily which was a massive bonus to a working couple with 3 children !
Their knowledge of building and regulations is outstanding and they have...
Dave & Becky Stewardson
We really wanted to make our 4 by 3 conservatory bigger and so started to get some quotes.
We almost gave up on the idea having had 4 or 5 builders come and aswell as their prices being far too high. They also said we had to have our conservatory knocked down to start again from scratch, as they couldn't work out how to tie the new roof in with the old.
We then come across a advert in the local paper for MH Building and got them to come out. Straight away I could tell how switched...
Lee Hazlehurst
See all reviews
For more information...
Please enter your name.
Please enter your email address.
postcode or location


text:
Most striking in the comments for the Plate to Pixel giveaway was how apologetic most were. Almost everyone mentioned a desire to upgrade, or general unhappiness with their camera phone, point-and-shoot, or dSLR. Such is the nature of the beast, as technology continues to advance and improve, but not all cameras regress into obsolescence at the same rate as, say, laptop computers. Don't write off your "rinky dink" equipment just yet… But before I get too far into that subject, down to business.
As chosen by everyone's favorite random number generator, the winner is…
Christopher Nguyen! Shooting with a point-and-shoot, this is a great example of making the best of what you have. Don't sell yourself short because of that! Which brings me back to the point: Should you trash you crappy old camera and funnel a couple hundred dollars into a shiny new dSLR?
Please note, this is not my treasure chest of camera bodies and lenses, but Lou Manna's that I stole a quick snapshot of.
I know that you won't want to hear this, but the answer is complicated, and it depends. In defense of the entry level point-and-shoot, I want to mention that I did in fact photograph all of My Sweet Vegan using one- The Canon PowerShot A75, to be exact; An extinct dinosaur of a machine that's anything but cutting edge now. Though a dSLR will give you much more control, higher quality for making prints and large reproductions, and more creative tools to carry out your vision, there's much that can be done with a point-and-shoot as well. It's as much the equipment as it's the photographer behind it.
For most bloggers, I would advise you not to feel pressured to get an expensive camera because you're not happy with your photos. The principles behind it are the same, so first master what you have, learn composition, use that macro feature like your life depended on it, and then ask yourself if you want to take the next step up.
If you're very serious about the art and craft of photography, want to possibly become a photographer as more than just a hobbyist, then yes, let's not beat around the bush here: You NEED a dSLR. Sign up for classes, learn about those f-stops, and get out there! I would advise those on that long and winding path, however, to save some money by purchasing just the camera body of your choice, forgoing the kit lens, and instead funneling that cash into a nice lens. The lenses do end up being a bigger investment than the camera much of the time, but a really nice macro or telephoto lens makes all the difference in quality food photos. My most frequently used lenses are the 50mm f/1.2 L USM and the 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, for reference.
Now, on the question of Nikon vs. Canon… Well, I happen to be a Canon person, so I think you know what I would say.


text:
Kong: Skull Island
DVD Review by Kam Williams
Reboot of Much Beloved Monster Franchise Arrives on Home Video
The beloved classic King Kong (1933), starring Fay Wray, revolved around an expedition to an uncharted island in the Indian Ocean inhabited by an array of prodigious prehistoric creatures. The explorers proceed to capture and cage a gigantic ape with plans to put him on exhibition in New York as the 8th Wonder of the World.
He eventually escapes and wreaks havoc around the city before scaling the face of the Empire State Building during one of the most iconic climaxes in the annals of cinema. A spin-off, Son of Kong, was released later that year, thereby launching an enduring franchise which would serve over the intervening decades as a wellspring for a profusion of scintillating sequels and remakes.
Kong: Skull Island is a refreshing reboot of the original co-starring Samuel L.Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly and Tom Hiddleston. The film features a large ensemble cast in accordance with the demands of a typical horror flick with a high body count. It was directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts who made an impressive debut in 2013 with the coming-of-age comedy The Kings of Summer.
A riveting origins tale, this special f/x-driven adventure unfolds in the Seventies, near the end of the Vietnam conflict. At the point of departure, we find thrill seeker Bill Randa (Goodman) pressuring a U.S. senator (Richard Jenkins) to underwrite a perilous trek to a godforsaken Pacific island permanently surrounded by treacherous storms blamed for the mysterious disappearance of countless boats and airplanes.
Once the ill-advised caravan is approved, Randa hastily assembles a ragtag crew composed of an intrepid photographer (Larson), a nerdy geologist (Corey Hawkins), a brainy biologist (Jing Tian) and a cowardly bureaucrat (John Ortiz). The team is escorted on its appointed mission by a squadron of Vietnam veterans led by salty Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Jackson).
As the convoy of choppers approaches Skull Island, the screen is cluttered with more characters than you could possibly keep track of. Not to worry. Soon enough, they start getting picked off in creative fashion by an army of gargantuan, primordial beasts.
It's man versus monsters in a struggle to survive an anachronistic hellhole that time forgot. Stick around all the way till the very end of the credits and you'll be rewarded with an extended postscript setting up Godzilla vs. Kong, a sequel already slated for release in the spring of 2020.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for action, intense violence and brief profanity
Running time: 118 minutes
Distributor: Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Group
To see a trailer for Kong: Skull Island, visit: https://youtu.be/44LdLqgOpjo


text:
The Palo Alto Unified School district's mishandling of a middle-school student's long struggle against bullying violated federal anti-discrimination laws and requires remedial actions, a government investigation has concluded.
Failure to control the bullying, which was related to the student's disability, created a "hostile environment," rising above a social or discipline problem to become a civil-rights issue, investigators from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights concluded.
Avoiding possible legal enforcement action by the government, Superintendent Kevin Skelly entered into a "resolution agreement" in December that admitted no violations of law but pledged to undertake trainings, adopt new policies and procedures, modify handbooks and communicate with students, parents and staff between now and June as specified in detail by the Office for Civil Rights.
"We want to do the best job we can with our students, and the Office for Civil Rights has given us some suggestions around that and these are things we'll do," Skelly said this week.
"There are some conversations with students we need to have, some communications with parents and administrative training that we'll do."
In a written statement, the student's family said, "We are very thankful that the Office for Civil Rights agreed to investigate the case," which followed a complaint made by the student's family.
"We had so many mixed feelings when we read the report: happiness because the truth came out, sadness, frustration and pain because it was like living the experience again.
"The reason for making this public is because there might be many more students going through the same thing but might not be able to ask for help, or if they do, they might not be listened to. These children will also get benefit from the result of this investigation and agreement."
The bullied student was in special education with a speech-and-language impairment that affected the student's social skills and ability to interpret social cues, according to a school resource specialist quoted in the report.
The student and family persistently complained that the student was called "stupid," "slow," "annoying" "gross" and "retarded," teased and felt physically in danger. The student also developed mental health issues.
The situation became so serious that the family eventually decided to keep the student home after a doctor advised against going to school as long as the bullying was continuing.
Rather than conducting an organized and far-reaching investigation into the ongoing bullying, the school handled the complaints on a piecemeal basis, which was "not effective in stopping the harassment," said federal investigators, who interviewed students, teachers, school counselors and administrators.
When difficulties occurred, the student and peers would be brought to the counselor for conflict resolution, typically ending in an agreement that the "students should avoid each other or leave each other alone," the report said.
The school also offered social-skills counseling to the student who was being harassed.
While the school cannot be held responsible for the bullying itself, the report said the district's inadequate response to it after repeated complaints amounted to a violation of the student's civil rights.
Among the conclusions of the report:
Despite repeated, detailed and persistent appeals by the student and the family, the school district "did not conduct any organized inquiry into the reports of harassment."
The district "did not conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the incidents. It did not take any disciplinary action towards students who engaged in the harassment."
"None of the teaching staff at the school could definitively recall having been asked by the district or school administrators if they knew anything about the student being bullied or told about the bullying reports they had received from the family or from the Superintendent's Office."
The district "failed to respond promptly and effectively to notice that the student was being subjected to peer harassment based on disability. The response was not reasonably calculated to end the harassment, prevent it from recurring or eliminate the effects of the hostile environment on the student."
The district's special-education office told the school principal that it would not furnish an aide for the student during lunch (when bullying occurred), stating that this was the school's responsibility and outside the scope of the student's individual-education plan.
School officials showed "a lack of understanding that harassment of a student based on behaviors that are the product of a disability is a matter of discrimination, and a lack of understanding of what constitutes a hostile environment."
The report said each school staff member "was left to her own devices as to how best to respond to the information each received.
"There was no single staff member or administrator designated to investigate and gather information. No structured approach was taken to interviewing students. Records were not kept of interviews with the student or the other students accused of harassment."
Investigators faulted school officials for failing to interview "other students who were witnesses of the harassment or compile the information about the reports of harassment over the period of several months."
In their own interviews, investigators said many of the students reported having attended "social kindness" or cyberbullying trainings offered by the school. None of the students reported having had any training about interacting with or relating to students with disabilities," the report said.
While several students said students with disabilities were treated like "normal" students, others said students with disabilities were "weird," talked to themselves and were perceived as disruptive in class.
"Others in the group highlighted students with disabilities who read slowly, saying that those students were wasting class time," the report stated.
In the settlement agreement with the Office for Civil Rights, Skelly pledged to review the complaining student's individualized-educational program and to establish reporting protocols for possible future harassment as well as to overhaul the district's training programs regarding complaints of discrimination based on disability.
This spring, the Office for Civil Rights will provide the first session of "mandatory training on disability-based harassment to all school site administrators."
Principals will then train teachers, as well as distribute memos explaining aspects of disability-based harassment.
The Office for Civil Rights report assumes particular relevance at a time when Palo Alto schools have embarked on ambitious "inclusion" programs on many campuses, in which special-education students are increasingly integrated into regular classrooms. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 both prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.
The principal of the middle school where the bullying took place told the Weekly that the school has an array of programs that focus on "inclusion and maintaining a socially kind climate." Among them was a school-wide "disability awareness assembly" featuring adults and students with various physical and learning disabilities.
Palo Alto schools annually observe "Not in Our Schools Week," coming up in March, involving lunchtime activities "acceptance of everyone, despite our differences, or rather, celebrating our differences," the principal said.
The week includes a "mix-it-up lunch," in which kids sit with people with whom they don't normally hang out.
"Lessons on anti-bullying, cyberbullying, harassment and how to be an 'upstander' instead of a bystander are given during advisory periods, and we plan to follow up with small-group discussions this year," the principal said.
Board of Education President Dana Tom said the issues raised by the Office for Civil Rights were attributable to flawed implementation of already-existing school board policies and administrative regulations.
"I'm sorry the student experienced harassment and wish we had been able to more squarely address it," Tom said.
"Our district learned from what happened with this student and is committed to improving on behalf of every student," he said.
"Tightening up of our handling of students harassing another student with disabilities and expanding our instruction to students on social kindness to include students with disabilities will improve our district. I'm confident that our staff can and will do that."
The Weekly was provided a copy of the report and the settlement agreement by the family and confirmed its authenticity with the district. A copy, redacted to remove information that could expose the identity of the child, and the agreement, are posted at www.PaloAltoOnline.com/pivot/?CivilRightsReport and www.PaloAltoOnline.com/pivot/?CivilRightsAgreement.
Related material:
Editorial: Bullying case reveals systemic problems in school district


text:
Found 5 results in 7 milliseconds.
Maame will be joining the MSc & MBA in Food & Agribusiness Management. Discover the programme The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme was established by the French Ministry for Europe and
With a turnover in 2017 of over 9 billion euros, including over 4 billion in exports, French excellence in spirits production is world-renowned. The Charente region's Spirits
Meet us
The Go France guide was created by Audencia´ s Career Center and Alumni Team as a resource for internationals considering a career in France after their studies. The launch event of the 6 Februa
From 5 to 7 June, Audencia will yet again be an integral part of this year's Web2day Festival, the gathering place for all things digital which is being held in Nantes. Undergraduates on the Aud
iAdvize, a pioneer start-up company in human resourcing commerce based in Nantes welcomed IMM students following "Entrepreneurship and Innovation" elective run by Claire Champenois. Studen