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Arimaa/Introduction to Strategy/Rabbit Advancement< Arimaa | Introduction to Strategy
The timing of rabbit advances is the most difficult strategic issue in Arimaa. While other pieces can retreat homeward, rabbits can only move forward, left, or right. The inability of rabbits to backtrack can cause a lot of problems for one who is quick to advance them. Even in the opening, however, advanced rabbits can help stronger pieces to gain control of enemy territory. In this game, Gold advanced several rabbits effectively even while the board was full. The pros and cons of rabbit advancement must be weighed on a case-by-case basis.
Exposed to captureEdit
Apart from the elephant, any piece which crosses the midline is in danger of capture. Rabbits, however, are particularly vulnerable. Even a cat can push, pull, and freeze a rabbit, so it hardly taxes the defender's resources to hold a rabbit hostage. Moreover, not even the friendly elephant can rescue a rabbit hostage, because rabbits can't go home even if liberated. Friendly pieces can at best contest control of an opposing trap to prevent a hostage rabbit from being captured.
When nothing more important is happening in the position, advanced rabbits are a marker of strategic disadvantage. In this game, diagrammed at right, Silver to move has no way to protect all three advanced silver rabbits. Worse yet, Silver has no way to threaten a goal. Therefore, although material is still even, Silver is clearly losing.
It is extremely rare for the board to empty out enough that rabbits may advance unaided. Advancing a rabbit almost always entails a willingness to contest an opposing trap for the remainder of the game, or a willingness to abandon the advanced rabbit to be captured later on.
Weaken goal defenseEdit
Even when one intentionally advances a few rabbits, to threaten goal or for some other purpose, it can be dangerous to move all the rabbits off the back row. In the diagram at left (from this game), it is Silver's turn to move, but he is helpless to stop Gold's a6-rabbit from reaching goal in two turns. If even one silver rabbit remained on the home rank, it could slide over to unfreeze the dog on c8, which could then block the a6-rabbit. Instead, Silver is lost.
Contrast Silver's predicament to Gold's situation with four rabbits still at home. The three advanced gold rabbits indirectly threaten goal right, left, and center, yet the four gold rabbits at home ensure that Silver would have to fight through more than one line of defense to score a goal.
There is some merit to advancing two rabbits on the same wing. Two rabbits advancing one in front of the other are a greater goal threat than one rabbit advancing alone. The back rabbit prevents the front one from being pushed backwards, and also prevents the front rabbit from being frozen. However, advancing all four rabbits on one wing hardly increases the threat of goal, whereas it does strip the defense. The majority of rabbits should be kept at home for defense unless exchanges have denuded the board and a breakthrough is imminent, or one side wishes to cement a deadlock on an opposing trap.
Blockade friendly elephantEdit
The ideal pieces for blockading an elephant are rabbits of the same color. An elephant can push away an opposing piece as long as there is an open square to push it into, but an elephant can't push away a friendly piece under any circumstance. Since rabbits can't retreat, they often can't get out of the way of friendly pieces even if they are not frozen.
In the position at right (from this game), Silver is utterly lost strategically. Silver's own rabbits hem in the silver elephant on e3 and horse on g2. If the silver elephant pushes to e2, it will only allow an even more efficient blockade. Because Silver can do nothing in the mean time, Gold can take several moves to rotate the gold camel out and up the a-file while bringing across another gold rabbit to seal the blockade. Once the gold camel makes it behind Silver's front line, it can rampage unimpeded, and in particular free from fear of the silver elephant.
The advanced silver rabbits don't threaten goal; they are actually worse than useless. Silver would gladly remove a rabbit or two as part of his move in order to regain mobility, but disappear is not among the moves available to rabbits, at least not Arimaa rabbits.
Threaten goalEdit
Once a significant amount of material has been traded, or several traps have been contested across the board, holes start to appear in each player's defenses. The emptier and more ragged the board becomes, the more an advanced rabbit is a direct threat to win the game. In the diagram at left, from this game, Gold to move is at an enormous material disadvantage, but the presence of an advanced gold rabbit on each wing generates significant winning chances, particularly with the gold elephant assisting and the silver elephant temporarily out of position. Indeed, with perfect play by both sides, Gold has a forced win in five moves, although the tactics are complex.
When the board is empty and ragged, the latent threat of an advanced rabbit to reach goal can be a strategic asset, even if there is no direct win available. However, in order to have a long-term impact the advanced rabbit must be as little exposed to capture as possible. Ideally it should be on the edge of the board on either the fourth or the seventh rank. A rabbit on the edge of the fourth rank forces opposing pieces to decentralize themselves in order to keep it off the seventh rank, but is still far enough from any trap that the opponent may not have time to capture it. A rabbit on the edge of the seventh rank is in greater danger, but is also a greater threat because a strong friendly piece may come usher it home at any time. The value of such a rabbit depends on the position being so sharp the opponent can't spare two moves to capture the intruder.
In live games advanced rabbits also place great psychological pressure on the opponent. Even when a correct defense exists, a blunder by the defender loses the game, whereas a blunder by the attacker only loses a rabbit.
Unfreeze friendsEdit
It is often preferable to advance a rabbit rather than endure the risk that a stronger piece will be dragged into enemy territory and cut off from hope of rescue.
In the diagram to the right, the silver elephant could step left to b4, then return to c4 while pulling the gold camel onto b4. In reply, Gold could return the camel to b3 after unfreezing it by advancing the a1-rabbit three squares. In the following move, Silver may decide to pull the gold rabbit further along the a-file in the hopes of eventually capturing it on the c6 trap.
Notice that neither player is making a mistake in the sequence of events described above. Gold knows perfectly well that the advanced rabbit will be vulnerable to capture, but prefers to expose it rather than give up a camel hostage. Silver, on the other hand, was correct to attack the exposed camel even though it could be freed, because Silver gained a rabbit as a target in the process. Even if it had been Silver's intention all along to pull the a1-rabbit to c6, directly attacking the a1-rabbit would have been much less effective than encouraging it to take three steps forward voluntarily.
Blockade opposing elephantEdit
If a defending elephant becomes decentralized while holding a hostage near a home trap, there may be an opportunity for the attacking side to blockade it with a swarm of weak pieces, i.e. rabbits, cats, and dogs. In this 2005 Arimaa Challenge game at left, Silver has exploited the computer's susceptibility to elephant blockades.
Notice that the immobilized gold cat has become part of the blockade holding in the gold elephant. While it appears that the gold elephant can escape by pushing the a3-horse south and then using its newly mobilized cat to push the b4-rabbit south, the escape attempt would not succeed. Silver would have at least two methods of re-establishing the blockade, this time without any possibility for movement by the gold elephant. Silver has the pleasant option of continuing the blockade or, as in the actual game, capturing the cat.
Often in such situations the gold elephant is not absolutely blockaded, because it may still escape to the center of the board via the first two ranks. Even if the gold elephant could so escape, however, the blockading silver pieces would surge forward in its wake, ensuring long-term trap control of c3 for Silver, and consequent indirect goal threats.
Silver has stripped his goal defense by advancing so many rabbits, but this is of little consequence as long as no gold pieces can advance in the west. With the west fully blockaded, the center and east are dominated by the silver elephant and camel, which will make it very difficult for Gold to organize an effective goal attack. If the gold elephant had sidestepped the blockade and retained mobility, Silver's thin goal defense might be more of an issue.
Cement deadlockEdit
The two diagrams at right illustrate the effect of rabbit advancement on a deadlocked trap. It is important to recall that, as long as both players commit an elephant to the trap at c6, neither player will ever be able to capture anything in c6. The advanced rabbits are not in immediate danger; they have only a strategic effect on the mobility of both elephants.
In the first diagram, the gold elephant does not want to abandon c6, because Silver would capture the b7-horse. Likewise the silver elephant does not want to abandon c6, because Gold would start capturing a series of small silver pieces in c6. This is the essence of an elephant deadlock: either side will suffer for leaving.
In the second diagram, the gold elephant does not want to abandon c6, because Silver would capture not only the b7-horse, but also all the advanced gold rabbits. The advanced gold rabbits make it harder for the gold elephant to leave than it was before. On the other hand, the silver elephant is even more reluctant to abandon c6, because Gold would not only capture a few small silver pieces, Gold would also very soon have an unstoppable goal threat. Thus the advanced gold rabbits make it catastrophic for the silver elephant to leave. Since both elephants will suffer for leaving even more than they would have before, the deadlock has been considerably tightened.
Generally the player advancing rabbits gains from cementing the deadlock, because the threat of eventually scoring a goal weighs more heavily than the threat of eventually losing a few more rabbits. Also, advanced rabbits can threaten to accumulate into a blockade, as above. Nevertheless, one should not unthinkingly push rabbits forward into any deadlock, because it also robs the advancing player of the option of retreating. If the rest of the board were such that Gold might profit from abandoning c6, or indeed might be forced to abandon c6, then advancing rabbits amounts to senselessly sacrificing them.
Endgame trap controlEdit
After a few pieces have been exchanged, rabbits often need to participate actively in contesting trap control, simply because there might not be enough pieces remaining to do the job without rabbits. In the diagram at left, from this game, Silver has just advanced his dog and rabbit to contest control of the c3 trap.
The silver rabbit on b3 is not only a threat to reach goal, it is a critical asset in the fight for control of the southwest. It prevents the gold elephant from immediately capturing the c4-dog, and will delay the capture of the dog should the gold camel switch quadrants. The b3-rabbit also allows the c4-dog to threaten the c2-cat with capture through the trap. Finally, the b3-rabbit prevents a gold rabbit from occupying b3, i.e. it frustrates Gold's simplest plan to make the gold cat temporarily safe.
Gold had correctly advanced rabbits to defend the f3 trap. Had there been a Gold rabbit on b3 as well, it would have forestalled the myriad of threats listed above, and at a minimum delayed Silver in gaining control of c3. Taking rabbits off the back rank to fight for trap control does weaken one's goal defense somewhat, but in an endgame the additional power in contesting traps is usually worth it.


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Adventurer, Aviator
Born Munich, Germany
February 8, 1886January 28, 1931
Gunther Plüschow was born on February the 8th, 1886 in Munich, Germany. In January 1896, at the age of 10, he entered the Military School and in 1901 he joined the German Marines as a naval cadet. Through discipline and conscious effort, he stood out in his studies. During his training, Plüschow came across a postcard of a steamship anchored off the coast of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). This awoke his lifelong interest in exploring the southernmost tip of South America and would be the main motive for his subsequent achievements.
Gunther Plüschow outside the walls of Tsingtao (see comments below), China with the Etrich Rumpler Taube he flew early in WW I.
In 1905, Gunther Plüschow now a marine in the Imperial German Army, made his first cruise aboard the ship Luitpolt Prince and then the S-87 where he stood out in both duty assignments. His buried daring and restless spirit drove him to enter the Rumpler Aviation School. Upon graduation, he was posted to Tsingtao, China, (at that time a German Possession on a 99-year lease similar to Hong Kong) as a Marine Reconnaissance Aviator.
Tsingtao came under siege shortly after the outbreak of World War I in August, 1914. Heavily outmanned 13 to 1 and outgunned, Gunther flew reconnaissance missions in his Etrich Rumpler Taube around Tsingtao. As the war escalated, Japan's militarism was awakened and sent forces to join the British against the Germans. Plüschow, now a Lieutenant, flew his aircraft against 9 Japanese Army and Naval aircraft and was unofficially credited with shooting down a Maurice Farman aircraft (an aviation first). He was given the name Dragon Master due to the dragon tattoo found on his left arm.
As conditions deteriorated during November, 1914, Plüschow was ordered to escape in what was to become a nine month odyssey. After escaping, he was interned by the Chinese and escaped while making his way through Peking to Shanghai (see comments below). Gunther caught a ship to San Francisco, made it overland across the United States, boarded another vessel to cross the North Atlantic where he was captured and again interned, this time by the British in Gibraltar. Plüschow once again miraculously escaped and became a stowaway to London. He made his way across the English Channel to Holland and then by train back to his homeland, Germany, in 1915. Gunther was almost arrested again upon his arrival, this time as a spy. Once the story of his perilous journey home became known, he was recognized as a hero by his people. Gunther was the only person to successfully escape from besieged Tsingtao.
Plüschow in his Taube, the world's first fighter, prior to leaving on a solo reconnaissance mission around Tsingtao.
In November, 1927, Gunther Plüschow returned to his dream. He set out from the port of Busum for Tierra del Fuego aboard his sailing vessel, Feuerland. On his voyage, he passed through Tenerife, Bahía, Río de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. After almost a year of vicissitudes, hardships, and adventures where he continually had to fall back on his wit and never-ending willpower, he arrived at the Straits of Magellan. Along the way he wrote articles for the press, took photographs, and did a great deal of cinematography.
During December, 1928, Plüschow became the first man to fly over Tierra del Fuego in his BMW-powered Heinkel HD-24 which he had named the 'Silver Condor'. When he landed on Ushuaia Bay, he was welcomed as a hero by the local inhabitants. Word of Gunther's exploits spread and he became admired world-wide.
Gunther continued his risky exploration of the region until 1931, flying over the Paine Region and the Perito Moreno Glacier. He documented his explorations of this, then untouched region of the world in words, photos, and movies. He wrote of the beauty and hypnotic attraction of the landscapes, as well as the warmth and cooperation of the people, who, in a devoid region, gave him all the help they could.
On January 28, 1931, Gunther Plüschow made a forced landing on a lake boxed-in by glaciers where he broke a float [on one of his landing gear]. Under extremely cold conditions and without the proper tools, he and his assistant Ernest Dreblow attempted to repair the aircraft. During the next three days they made many futile attempts to depart. Finally they made it out and on the way back to their base encampment a wing failed. Plüschow jumped with a parachute, but it did not open and he perished. Dreblow fell into Rico Lake near the Perito Moreno Glacier and somehow managed to swim ashore. Unfortunately, the cold had been too much [for him to bear] and he also passed away a few hours later. Plüschow's flight diary survived to document their troubled efforts.
The Heinkle HD-24 'Silver Condor' at Bahía Sarmiento, near the Paine Mountains in Patagonia.
Plüschow and his mechanic Dreblow during the reassembly of the Heinkle after its journey from Germany.
Gunther Plüschow's flights in Tsingtao and his subsequent escape make for heroic reading today. Surely though, Gunther's main legacy, more evident nowadays than ever, is the emotion and the love with which he described Tierra del Fuego and the Patagonia. Tourbooks today quote Plüschow to describe these near untouched parts of the world:
The First Flight In The Land Of Fire
"The westernmost part of our country is a difficult region; the hard
geographical and climatic conditions have converted it into a practically uninhabitable
region. However, its enormous and savage beauty has converted it into a perennial
attraction for the most adventurous. Proof of it is this story that corresponds to
the first pilot that saw Tierra del Fuego from the air:
... we rose in spite of the enormous load that we took, and quickly we became lost in the vista of the Earth under our feet. As soon as we arrived at the altitude of 2,000 meters, I look[ed] around and downwards: Incredible and savage beauty!
Now we are here, flying above Tierra del Fuego (Land of the Fire), over the center of the Darwin Mountain Range, almost never visible. We are contemplating what has not been seen by the human eye! That delicious, sensational experience when first feasting your eyes on which, from the creation of the world, had always remained mystery, always covered, and always forbidden to the human view."
From the diary of Captain Gunther Plüschow,
Provided by Roberto Litvachkes.
Plane and company in the Land of Fire - Tierra del Fuego.
Exploring the Agostini Glacier, Tierra del Fuego.
Litvachkes, Roberto. Private correspondences. Roberto has also provided the images for this page.
Whittaker, Robert. Review of his book referenced below, found at http://www.amazon.com/.
Further Reading:
Pluschow, Gunther. Die Abenteuer des Fliegers von Tsingtau. Berlin: Ullstein, 1916. 236 p. Personal narrative of his escape and evasion.
Pluschow, Gunther. SILBERKONDOR ÜBER FEUERLAND: Mit Segelkutter und Flugzeug ins Reich meiner Träume. Ullstein. Berlin. (1929). 2nd impression. 12mo. pp241 + a double page map & plates.
Whittaker, Robert E. DRAGON MASTER - THE KAISER'S ONE-MAN AIR FORCE IN TSINGTAU, CHINA, 1914. 1994, 252 pp, many illus. A detailed study of one of the first uses of air power in WW I. The story of Lt. Gunther Pluschow of the Imperial German Navy, who flew a Rumpler Taube aircraft against 9 Japanese aircraft during the combined Japanese-British siege of the German fortified port of Tsingtao on China's coast, Aug. to Nov. of 1914. Pluschow eventually escaped and made his way back to Germany.
A visitor to our site provided the following information:
Dear Sirs,
I have read in the internet your report on the German airman Gunther Plueschow, who in the autumn of 1914 during the siege of Tsingtao by the Japanese flew a Rumpler-Taube. There are two slight mistakes. For the photo 7 you write: Plueschow's plane in front of the city wall of Tsingtao. Tsingtao had been until 1897 nothing else but a small village, never had a wall, and the village was erased in 1899. The photo 7 shows Plueschow in front of the city wall of Haizhou in the province of Jiangsu, on November 6, 1914. On that day he had escaped the besieged Tsingtao by his plane, and after a flight of ca. 200 km to the southwest, landed at Haizhou, because the plane had no fuel anymore.-
Secondly you write, that from Haizhou he went to Peking, which is wrong. Peking lies hundreds of miles to the north, why should he have gone there? His aim was, to get to the International Settlement of Shanghai, because there he could not be interned by the Chinese government. So from Haizhou he went by boat via rivers and canals to Nanking, and from there by train to Shanghai.
Plueschow's book: "Der Flieger von Tsingtau" appeared in 1916. The complete text was translated into English and appeared as book in London 1922, with the title: "My escape from Donington Hall, preceded by an account of the siege of Kiao-chow in 1915 (sic!)", by Kapitaenleutnant Gunther Plueschow, of the German Air Service, translated by Pauline De Chary. - You don't cite this translation in your references, which would be of help for English speaking people.
In Tsingtao there was a German businessman, called Franz Oster, who in 1911 went to Germany in order to learn how to fly, then he bought a Rumpler Taube and brought it to Tsingtao in 1912. On July 9 th 1913, he made the first flight of an airplane in Tsingtao, and managed to make several flights in and around Tsingtao until August 1914. So he was the first "Flieger von Tsingtau" (airpilot of Tsingtao) - not Plueschow. Plueschow and Whittaker in their books on Tsingtao don't mention Oster at all, which is unfair. I have written a biography of Franz Oster, it is only in typewritten manuscript, 11 pages. I also have a photo of Oster and his plane.
(I was born in Tsingtao and grew up there, therefore I am an expert on the history of Tsingtao.)
Sincerely Yours,
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Matzat in Bonn, Germany.
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Updated: 31 July, 2006


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They're the unsung heroes of Manteca's youth.
The ones behind the scenes. The ones with the pulse on what is really going on.
And while they might not always get the credit, the Manteca Youth Advisory Commission – a group of 12 young men and women selected by the Manteca City Council as community advocates for teens – is responsible for a number of city events geared at giving youth safe events they can enjoy such as the middle school dances at Golden West School.
On Saturday the group will host its second Battle of the Bands, with the help of GK Music, at the Manteca Senior Center – an event that advisor Brandy Clark said was solely conceived by the commission last year as an event to bring a day of music to the youth of the community.
"They came up with it, have been working on it, publicizing and selling tickets for it," Clark said. "It's truly an event that they came up with on their own."
Seeing the group blossom into the leaders they eventually become, Clark said, is one of the perks of her job – one that she's held for nearly a decade.
She has seen students go through ethics training to get a better understanding how municipal government truly works, and watched teenagers learn the ins-and-outs of the Brown Act – California's open meeting law that has been the focal point of lawsuits and debate for decades.
Through that period, Clark said, they grow into well-rounded young men and women that have a true grasp of their community and what goes on in it.
"They really come in with no knowledge of the city or the programs or how things run," she said. "They learn how to become involved in their community. A lot of these kids have attended one of these events before with their parents but didn't know much about it other than that.
"Now they're putting them together. They're putting them on. They're not just serving on a committee."
Take, for example, Alex Orr.
The Sierra High School senior put in his application to serve with the group as a freshman and has been a regular staple ever since – now serving as the commission's chairman.
A self-described "shy person," Orr said that his involvement has helped him learn how to take initiative and come out of his shell and has given him a much deeper understanding of his community and what goes on in it.
"It's really taught me how to get active in my community and how to exercise leadership," he said. "It can be difficult for me because I'm a shy person and that makes things kind of challenging. But the more than I've done it the more I've gotten used to it and it's given me a different perspective on Manteca and where I live."
The 2nd annual Manteca Youth Advisory Commission Battle of the Bands, which will be held on Saturday, March 2, will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. For more information call (209) 456-8623.


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Some possible pitfalls of parametric inference (in Russian)
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References listed on IDEAS
- Labeaga, Jose M., 1999. "A double-hurdle rational addiction model with heterogeneity: Estimating the demand for tobacco," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 93(1), pages 49-72, November.
- John A. Tauras & Patrick M. O'Malley & Lloyd D. Johnston, 2001. "Effects of Price and Access Laws on Teenage Smoking Initiation: A National Longitudinal Analysis," NBER Working Papers 8331, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- John A. Tauras, 1999. "The Transition to Smoking Cessation: Evidence from Multiple Failure Duration Analysis," NBER Working Papers 7412, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Suranovic, Steven M. & Goldfarb, Robert S. & Leonard, Thomas C., 1999. "An economic theory of cigarette addiction," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 1-29, January.
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- Agatha M. Poroshina, 2014. "Credit Risk Modeling Of Residential Mortgage Lending In Russia," HSE Working papers WP BRP 30/FE/2014, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
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Doddingston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Doddingston surname lived in Doddington, a place name found at many locations throughout England. The name is made up of the Old English personal name Dodda, an Old English word that meant "enclosure," or "farm" and tun, which meant "town." Thus the original meaning of this place name was Dodda's farm or Dodda's town. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Early Origins of the Doddingston family
Somerset at Doddington, which predates the Norman Conquest dating back to c. 975 when it was first listed as Dundingtune. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the village was known as Dodington. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) There are other places similarly named in the Domesday Book but this is the only pre-Conquest village making it of Saxon origin. In early days, some of the family were found much further north in Cumberland at Kirk-Oswald where "the estates [of Kirk-Oswald] were granted by Elizabeth to the Dodding family." [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Alternatively, the family could have originated in the parish of Duddington in Northamptonshire. The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Dodintone [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Further to the north, Duddingston is a former village in the east of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was first recorded in lands granted to the Abbot of Kelso Abbey by David I of Scotland between 1136-1147. Duddingston Loch is a loch located in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, below Arthur's Seat. It is the only natural loch in Edinburgh.
Early History of the Doddingston family
Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1662, 1720, 1715, 1720, 1715, 1720, 1705, 1707, 1707, 1708, 1707, 1713, 1708 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Doddingston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Doddingston Spelling Variations
hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Doddingston are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Doddingston include: Dodington, Doddington, Doddingston and others.
Early Notables of the Doddingston family (pre 1700)
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doddingston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Doddingston family to Ireland
Some of the Doddingston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Doddingston family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Doddingston or a variant listed above: John Doddington arrived in Georgia in 1773.
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Eau Claire, Wis. (WEAU) -- Some women in the area met up Monday night to support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
It is called the "Wisconsin Mother's Drive the Economy Phone Bank."
They were making phone calls from the Eau Claire County Republican Headquarters.
They say in Eau Claire every Monday night is women's night, meaning they have female callers and emphasize issues important to women.
One volunteer told us why she believes Romney is the right choice for her family.
"It appeals to me that he is going to free up energy development to lower the price of gas that is really hurting not just our gas bill every month, but our grocery bill every month," said Emily Power.
Republicans have been making a strong pro-mother, pro-women push on the campaign trail, trying to reject the democratic notion that Republicans are waging a war on women.


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ELIZABETHTOWN — Following the fireworks generated by the tax auction earlier this year, lawmakers and county officials are working to ensure a smooth takeoff for the auction slated for this fall.
The players: County Clerk Joe Provoncha, County Attorney Dan Manning, Treasurer Mike Diskin and a handful of town supervisors.
"I know the county doesn't do an excellent job with the owners who are delinquent who are about to lose their properties," Crown Point Supervisor Charles Harrington told officials last month. "We also need to know that the county isn't going to get themselves in a situation like in the past."
Harrington said it's costly for the county to let delinquent properties stack up. Revenue can't be generated and neighboring property values plummet.
"The value goes on a downward spiral," he said. "I want the three agencies involved with the sales to be aware of the timeline that has been established. They all have a goal to meet the timeline."
Earlier this year, officials said they hoped to hammer out auctions on a regular schedule. Officials say they are on track for the next to be held in mid-October.
Harrington said the board needs to ensure smooth communication within the three departments that facilitate the sales.
"If there are any glitches in the system, and if assistance is needed, then we need to deal with that. We can't allow ourselves to put ourselves in a pit again."
While Harrington couldn't give an exact figure on how many tax-delinquent properties there were in Crown Point, Diskin said the town had just a single property slated for sale this fall. Nine were auctioned off at the last sale on April 30.
"I totally agree," said Provoncha. "We do need to work together."
The clerk said the agencies have a smooth relationship and have wrapped up work on the 2009 properties. They are almost finished with 2010 and starting on the 2011s.
Provoncha reminded lawmakers on Monday that the process starts when Manning, acting on behalf on the treasurer, files a delinquent tax list and starts a civil action that tells parties what properties are in jeopardy of being foreclosed upon.
Tax sale searches will determine if there are liens or judgements against the property. Deeds are examined and the subsequent info is digitized and zipped off of the other offices, who will then notify the owners of the situation.
"It's the law that they need to be aware that their interest in that property will be extinguished if they don't pay their taxes," said Provoncha.
"We're done with 2009 and ready to go," said Diskin. After getting an order, his office anticipates an early-fall auction date.
Currently, about approximately 90 parcels on the block.
A minimum of 90 days is needed for the process, said Diskin, which puts 2010 out of the realm of this year.
After that, his office will turn the list of properties over to an auction company.
Owners have the opportunity to repurchase up to 14 days before the sale.
April's auction dispensed of 105 lots worth $1,465,618.69. The bids received on the parcels clocked in at $988,990, which resulted in a net negative of $476,628.69, according to Haroff, the firm that brokered the auction.
Several other parcels, including two in Schroon, were removed for easement purposes. Four others were removed from owners who hadn't paid back taxes. The county is the process of contacting the back-up bidders to see if they're still interested, said Diskin.
On Monday, he gave lawmakers a list of the 90 properties scheduled for sale.
"If you see something that strikes your fancy, pick one out and let us know before we turn them over to the auctioneer," he said.
Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said he was upset that the county didn't have a way to prevent bidders who already owe taxes from bidding on more properties.
Diskin said the last auction was the first time in 20 years that the county asked a participant to pay up, but they refused.
Four people who owed taxes offered winning bids at the last sale: two paid, two did not, a total amounting to $48,000.
"This is the first instance I can remember where a person or persons did not pay taxes they owed if they bought a foreclosure parcel at the auction," said Diskin.
"When someone registers, can you find someone who owes taxes?" Scozzafava asked Diskin. "I can pull up a [list] right now."
"Can you do it at the next auction?" asked Diskin.
"Why can't you just stop it?" Scozzafava shot back. "A lot of those properties were in my town. The people came in and they had no right."
Diskin said the only way to prevent such bidders from bidding on the auction would be to write the clause into the terms and conditions. But even then, he said, there are ways to game the system.
Bidders could register under different names or form new limited liability corporations that would make tracking difficult. Co-owners often fly below the radar and don't show up in searches. Furthermore, he said, screening the bidders, who don't register until the day of the auction, would be difficult.
"We would have to be there with laptop and look each person up," he said.
Board Chairman Randy Douglas said if it was determined that the first bidder owed taxes, the property should be kicked over to the runner-up.
"Make them sign something," said Scozzafava. Without giving a name, he cited an area resident who owes a "significant amount of taxes" and was allowed to bid at the last auction.
"What do we do with them?" he asked.
"Put them in jail," cracked North Elba Supervisor Roby Politi, grinning from the sidelines.
Scozzafava scowled.
"I agree with Scozzafava on this," said Douglas.
"They're going to figure it out, file under another name," said Diskin. "You're never going to stop them."
Manning, who treated lawmakers earlier to a detailed explanation of the law that saw their eyes glaze over, urged patience:
"We're on track," he said.
Shortly afterwards, he called for an executive session to discuss litigation related to Frontier Town, the former theme park that was put on the block at the last auction but remains in limbo.
Lawmakers were behind closed doors for 20 minutes without making a decision.


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Brussels opens two new inquiries into Microsoft
The European commission put renewed pressure on Microsoft yesterday by opening two new inquiries into suspected abuse by the software group of its dominant market position. Its move, the first since Europe's second-highest court, the CFI, threw out Microsoft's appeal against record fines four months ago, follows complaints from ECIS, a lobby of Microsoft's rivals, and Opera, a web browser firm. ECIS says Microsoft still restricts competition, notably by withholding interoperability data about its Office suite. Opera says it illegally ties Internet Explorer into Windows.
David Gow in Brussels
Ted Baker spurns the trend for gloom
Ted Baker yesterday became one of the few retailers to defy the high street gloom, announcing it expected a successful outcome for the full year. The designer brand said sales in its retail division rose 12.5% from November 1 to December 24, and gross margins were in line with expectations. Ray Kelvin, founder and chief executive of the company, said: "We look forward to a successful outcome for the full year." Analysts at Panmure Gordon said Ted Baker looked well placed to weather the UK retail storm, "given its global growth prospects and unique brand".
Marianne Barriaux
Carbon Trust supports EU attack on emissions
The Carbon Trust yesterday dismissed fears that the European Union's emissions trading scheme is a threat to industrial competitiveness. It said more carbon permits could be auctioned, rather than given away, without undermining Europe's ability to take on international rivals. But it noted that there was cause for concern in a small number of sectors such as steel, cement, fertilisers, pulp and paper and suggested the pace of reform should be slower there than in other sectors. It played down the impact of "carbon leakage" through production being shifted to other regions.
Mark Milner
Thomson and Reuters to merge by second quarter
The news groups Thomson and Reuters expect to complete their £8.7bn tie-up early in the second quarter, they said yesterday. The two firms, whose plan to merge and form a financial news giant emerged last spring, also said they had held productive talks with regulators. They said: "Given the highly complementary nature of their businesses, the two companies have a high degree of confidence that the acquisition will receive clearance on an expedited timetable." The US justice department and the European commission are expected to synchronise their regulatory rulings.
Katie Allen


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Lumos Networks Corp. (NASDAQ: LMOS) announced today that the Company will report financial results for the second quarter 2012 on August 2, 2012, after the close of the Nasdaq Stock Market. A conference call and simultaneous webcast to review second quarter 2012 financial and operational results will be held at 5:00 P.M. (ET) on August 2, 2012, following the release of earnings. The call will be hosted by Timothy G. Biltz, CEO, Harold L. Covert, CFO, and Joseph E. McCourt, CRO. The webcast may be accessed via the Internet at http://ir.lumosnetworks.com/ and the live call ("Lumos Networks Second Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call") may be accessed with the following numbers: Domestic: 1-877-317-6789International: 1-412-317-6789Canada: 1-866-605-3852 The conference call will be archived and available for replay through August 15, 2012 before 9:00 a.m. (ET) and may be accessed with the following numbers: Domestic: 1-877-344-7529International: 1-412-317-0088Replay pass codes: Conference ID: 10016981 The webcast will also be archived and the replay may be accessed at http://ir.lumosnetworks.com/. About Lumos Networks Lumos Networks is a fiber-based service provider in the Mid-Atlantic region serving carrier, business and residential customers over a dense fiber network offering data, voice and IP services. With headquarters in Waynesboro, VA, Lumos Networks serves Virginia, West Virginia and portions of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, and Maryland over a 5,800 route-mile fiber network. Detailed information about Lumos Networks is available at www.lumosnetworks.com.
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Marvel Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game that lets you build a team of some of the greatest, most well known superheroes in comic book history and use them to pound the evil out of Dr. Doom and his legions of evil.
Obviously one of the main attractions of this game is the fact that you can take your favourite superhero - or heroine for that matter - and basically save the world...not that we haven't heard that before. For those keeping a running tally of the combatants, the heroes announced so far are Iceman, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thor, Thing, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Wolverine, Electra, Ghost Rider, Dr. Strange, the Silver Surfer, Captain America, and Spider-Man. The heroes feature their own unique moves and abilities that, if used with the right combo of heroes, can wind up being excellent complements to one another.
Although this is, at its core, X-Men Legends with a larger pool of playable characters, the move to the new generation of consoles allows them to do some things that previous hardware might not have been capable of. Raven software has dropped cell shading in favour of a more realistic visual style that incorporates bump mapping to give those super hero outfits an extra kick of texture.
One other interesting new twist is being able to grab weapons from the environment. Sometimes it's a crowbar or even a plank of wood, and other times you can rip a huge pipe out of a wall and bash people with it. If neither of these options present themselves, the villain's underlings can "forcefully donate" their weapons to you.
MUA is on track for an early November release on every current console and handheld, as well as being released for the Wii and PS3 when they hit New Zealand shores. We'll be sure to bring you any news that comes to hand as soon as we hear it!
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2012-03-01 / Sports
Coaches vs. Cancer raises over $2,800
On the court last Friday night, Houghton Lake and Roscommon battled in both boys and girls basketball games. Off the court, the teams battled something different: cancer.
In the four years the Coaches vs. Cancer game has been played, the two schools have raised over $9,300.
"That is something that both communities can be proud of and I hope that this fundraiser can continue to grow in future years," Roscommon boys Coach M.J. Ewald said.
This year, Houghton Lake raised $1,731.25 while Roscommon raised $1,100 for a total of $2,831.25 -- the highest combined total so far. The money will be donated to the Relay for Life Roscommon County and to the American Cancer Society.


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Thread: Survey page with servlets
- 01-05-2013, 01:51 AM #1Member
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Survey page with servlets
Hello everyone,
I'm new to j2ee and I want to use servlets to create a page with a radio button in it and a next button for going to another page with another radio button, a submit button that closes the session and a previous button for going back to the previous page.
Could anyone provide any idea of sample code please?
Do I have to create first the two html with the radio button questions or can I do everything into the servlet?
Thanks in advance.
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text: A few specifics: 1. factory made 2. between 8'6" and 9' ft. 3. with case/sock 4. 5wt I am open to ideas, but I generally like older Sages...love the SLT, DS2, SP, XP, etc. I also like Winston's probably on average better than other brands. So I'm open to ideas/proposals but I'm partial to Sage and Winston just being honest....any ideas?


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Chris Rhoads campaign supporter
Drone Operators Don't Deserve Medals Higher than the Purple Heart
Most important to preserve for what so many have died.
Supporters are now helping to
Campaign closed
Learn more about Agenda 21, the umbrella term used to describe the intentions of the UN and ICLEI, a panel of foreigners who manage and write by-laws. Agenda 21 has already become ingrained into societies without being honest about their intentions. View the video above to see how masterfully diverse groups of people agree to exactly what a steering committee wants using the Delphi method.
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Joey Culver is a serious badass. After making it (semi) big with a major record deal, he flipped his label the bird and went back out on his own.
This week, Culver's playing two final shows in Southeast Texas before he moves on to record a new album in Mississippi. But his going away party at Dylan's is promising to be quite the occasion.
Culver — who covers everything from The Cure to Jeff Buckley to Lucero — will play, but Lee Pelly, Bill Bloss of Knuckle Deep, some folks from Angel Siren and Norma Hopson of The Pinups will also be on hand. You can grab dinner at Dylan's, smoke inside, throw a few bones Culver's way and the whole night is devoid of cover charge. Go wish him well and enjoy the show.
When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Dylan's, 8601 9th Ave., Port Arthur
Cost: Free


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A few years ago, Smokey D"s was contacted by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, to help develop a pork burger that potentially would be featured at Soldier Field during the Chicago Bears" games. We thought this would be a cool opportunity to be involved.
This was near the beginning of the planning process, before the special pork burger even had a name. We were sent ground pork from the companies IPPA was considering and from there, we went to work.
Shad and I tried several different variations, one of which was a half-pound pork burger with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Another was a half-pound pork burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onions and barbecue sauce.
We were pleased when these two suggestions were chosen to be presented to the chefs at Soldier Field (in addition to a couple other favorites). The chefs loved the pork burgers and in 2011, DaBurger was born! For you younger readers, "Saturday Night Live" used to do a sketch of "DaBears," featuring a group of locals with a stereotypical Chicagoan look, accent and passion for the home football team. What better way to play off of that success than to name the new pork burger DaBurger?
Everyone wondered if the season would go forward that year because of the players" strike, but when the first home game kicked off, DaBurger was there. It was met with great enthusiasm and expanded to the United Center (where the Bulls and Blackhawks play) and also to the Chicago White Sox" U.S. Cellular Field for a time. Learn more at DaBurger"s Facebook page and if you"re in Chicago to watch the Bears play this fall, be sure to give DaBurger a try (or better yet, make some of them at home).


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Covering 8,500 square feet, Lend Me Your Ears was The Sprout Fund's largest community mural. The original design only included the side facing 5900 Penn Avenue, but when the community group learned that an adjacent building was to be torn down and that the mural would become the new gateway for the community, they raised the funds to extend the mural, covering both sides of the building. The mural stood as an icon in the East Liberty neighborhood for more than a decade.
In addition to a massive canvas, artist Jordan Monahan, age 19 at the time, was given great freedom in designing the mural. With direction from the community group, Monahan chose a small number of highly spirited images to create a striking and vibrant gateway for East Liberty. The children depicted were from the community, and segments of the old marquee signs from the Enright and Regent theaters were placed where the two walls came together. Rather than utilizing the traditional dove image, Monahan used pigeons as a symbol of peace because of the plethora of pigeons coasting through the sky over East Liberty. The diversity of the community was expressed through the many colors of the television test pattern running through the mural. By limiting explicit references and letting the images do the work, Monahan created a graphic landmark for East Liberty, incorporating the attitude and identity of this neighborhood into an engaging piece of public art.
Dedicated in September 2004, Monahan was assisted on the commission by Alison Zapata. The Sprout Fund's community partners on the project were Novum Pharmaceutical Research Services, East Liberty Development Inc., the East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce, the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Whole Foods Market Pittsburgh, and 720 Records.
Future Plans for the Mural Site
Alphabet City Development is collaborating with the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and other community partners to commission new art for 5900 as well as additional public art works in the East Liberty business district. Further details on the new commission can be found at kelly-strayhorn.org.
For more information about the building development, please visit eastlibertynow.com.
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The Importance of Community
Annandale, Minnesota has a little over 3,000 residents and it is a tight-knit community. RehabVisions has been the contract therapy provider for Annandale Care Center for more than 10 years now, and that strong sense of community has been marbled into the foundation of our partnership.
Of course, every community has its own personality and unique needs. That's why RehabVisions and the regional clinical manager for Annandale Care Center, Jolene Denn, SLP, embrace a community-centered approach.
Addressing Community Wellness with PT
Almost half of Americans suffer from chronic illness with one in four suffering from multiple chronic conditions. In healthcare costs, that group absorbs 65 percent of total dollars spent; when considering Medicare alone, the number climbs to 95 percent. Those numbers can be shocking, but it's important to remember that these statistics represent individuals. Individuals that, if given a roadmap for success, may jump at the opportunity to improve their health.
One patient, Michael, retired two years ago. He left behind a career where he spent most of his time sitting at a desk, working on his computer, and making phone calls. He was only 68 years old
Sensory Room Provides Respite
Omaha, Nebraska houses the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, a skilled nursing facility founded in 1982 and partner of RehabVisions since 1986. Our therapists recently helped Rose Blumkin install a sensory room, a space designed to abate the symptoms of dementia and other cognitive disorders. Occupational Therapist Rosie Gneym chose the sensory room as her passion project, an initiative she pursued during her doctorate program's professional rotation at Rose Blumkin. The room required extensive design and conceptual research.
Smooth Transition in New Mexico
In November 2016, RehabVisions acquired an outpatient clinic in Española, New Mexico—Española Sports Medicine.
The first half-year of RehabVisions' ownership of this outpatient clinic has proven a success. We were able to hire all existing staff of the clinic and promote their long-time employee, Clair Bradbury, PT to rehab director. "We saw in Clair the skills we look for to lead our therapy departments," Director of Operations Steve Kinkead, SLP said.
Building Caseloads
Developing and building caseloads are not always responsibilities we anticipate while students. We become licensed therapists and treat patients that come our way, right? The reality in many rural practices is that we must continually educate, market and communicate to others about our services.
Start with Therapy
Sometimes, we need to start with the very closest to us and develop strong grassroots.
RV Partnership Generated Rehab Growth and New Programs
In March of 2014, RehabVisions developed a new partnership with a critical access hospital in a town of 2,800 people. From the outset, we recognized there was great potential to expand their therapy services.
Our operations team established preliminary goals for this new challenge:
- Increase patient visits to meet full-time staff needs
- Provide patients with sufficient time required for quality patient care
- Establish protocols that address the adequate level of treatment for patient success
- Examine billing practices to ensure we are capturing proper reimbursement
Hospital Contracts: Focus on Partnership and Growth
In July of 2016, RehabVisions began a new contract at a critical access hospital, expanding into California for the first time. We're happy to say that this partnership came by way of an ongoing relationship with Hospital CEO Steve Stark.
The hospital's rehab department had become stagnant and, having worked with RehabVisions at two other locations, Steve believed the best way to overcome their obstacles was to find a strong partner. "I had experienced similar issues in a couple of other places in the past, and I was confident that RehabVisions could come in and take over in a very good, community-focused way."
The Importance of Documentation
Brenda Kemling, PT
If you haven't heard, time and time and time again, our therapy documentation is of the utmost importance. Why, you ask? Well, you don't go out to dinner or buy groceries without receiving a line-item receipt with costs associated. And I'm pretty certain you will not blindly provide your credit card number to a vendor without knowing what will be charged and what you will receive in return. The same principle is true for health care. We are obligated to provide a receipt to our payors and customers for services performed—and it must be a very detailed receipt.
Building Relationships with Medical Providers
Assistant Manager Cory Ash, PT is a great example of someone who has built strong relationships with medical providers in his community. Cory, who has been with RehabVisions Outpatient Clinic in Dickinson, North Dakota for 11 years, said the relationships he's built are consistently strengthened because of good patient results.
"I think a lot of trust comes from just taking really good care of patients," he said.
Cory's genuine care for his patients is obvious but he has also taken other steps to cultivate relationships with physicians and other referral sources. He attends continuing education opportunities put on by local physician groups and takes advantage of the social time to get to know doctors more personally.
Bundled Payments
The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model (CJR) is a new bundled payment model being tested for episodes of care related to total knee and total hip replacements under Medicare. The model is being tested in 67 metropolitan statistical areas for 5 years and began April 1, 2016. Programs under the model will be administered by hospitals in the participating areas, and therapy practices will be impacted in those areas.
RehabVisions provides patient outcomes in a cost-effective way for our hospital partners. We are focused on providing the best clinical practices so that referrers will continue to choose our services.
New Quality Measures Coming to SNFs
By the year 2018, Quality Measures will help determine how skilled nursing facilities are compensated based on the quality of services provided. This shift in reimbursement methodology continues a commitment to move Medicare payments from volume to value. CMS has set measurable goals and a timeline to move the Medicare program, and the health care system at large, toward paying providers based on the quality, rather than the quantity of care they provide to patients.
You may be familiar with the Five-Star Quality Rating System. CMS created it to help consumers, their families and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. There is one overall five-star rating for each nursing home and
Finding Value in Medically Oriented Gyms
Value has always been a core metric at RehabVisions. As the therapy industry moves from pushing volume to proving value, we continue to feel confident in our suggestions of programs that both add value to a practice and prove value to patient populations.
Steve Finn, PT and rehab director in Iowa is a proponent for the medically oriented gym (MOG), saying "When you think about future medical payment models, the MOG fits in well with what is coming down the pipeline."
Contract Therapy Services
Outsourcing rehabilitation therapy is a sensitive subject for hospitals. Many facilities still have an institutional memory of the early 1990s (before the Balanced Budget Act) when it was almost impossible to find a physical therapist and if you attracted one you had better hang on.
In the intervening two decades much has changed, as it has in virtually every area of healthcare, and while therapists are still sometimes hard to find, the bigger challenge is ensuring the compliance and performance of your therapy service.
Washington PT Appreciative of Smooth Sale
The acquisition of Ernie Geiger's PT practice and clinic in South Bend, Washington was complete in February of this year. He and his wife, Diane, who had run the business for 30 years, intended to take a week off after the closing before Ernie would return to doing home health therapy in the area. They ended up taking a month because they were enjoying themselves so much.
"It was a huge relief once everything was complete," Ernie said. "We felt really good about everything."
Get Your Patients Back to Golf
The diverse regions of our country offer unique opportunities for rehab clinics to develop programs that will most benefit their surrounding communities. In the retirement-friendly resort area of central Missouri, golf is a popular recreational sport. We asked Courtney Hulett, PT about BACKtoGOLF, a leading fitness program recognized by GOLF magazine.
RehabVisions Results
Employee Testing Program . . . How to Get Started
Every business looks for that edge that allows them to have the most qualified and most capable employees. The key to creating this environment is to hire only those who are able to perform the job specific tasks required of them. Rehab departments can help local businesses achieve this goal, decrease the risk of injury, and decrease costs associated with worker's compensation premiums by offering post-offer employment testing and fit-for-duty testing.
With some effort, functional employment testing programs can be built in almost any market.
An appreciation for compassion
Contract Therapy Snap Shot
5 Things Your Rehab Department Should Be Doing – #5 Think Image
Is your rehab department maximizing its potential? This post is the fifth and final in a series. It's based on some items RehabVisions focuses on when we manage therapy departments, but it's also a conversation starter about things you could be doing differently.
#5 Think About Your Image
Remember Andre Agassi in those old Canon camera commercials in which he professed, "Image is everything"? Well, right or wrong, what he said is ultimately true. People base a large portion of their perceptions on what they see. The image your rehab department is showing may be the deciding factor in whether a patient chooses you as their rehab provider.
RehabVisions SNF Leaders Come Together
RehabVisions welcomed its rehab directors and team leads from our skilled nursing communities last week. The group of 18 gathered in Omaha to join their peers in leadership development, clinical and compliance training.
The meeting kicked off with a welcome video introducing staff at the home office. It was the first of several as each rehab director/team lead was asked to introduce their community and staff through a short video submitted before the meeting. The videos served as icebreakers and entertainment between presentations.
5 Things Your Rehab Department Should Be Doing – #4 Have Quality Measurements
Is your rehab department maximizing its potential? This post is the fourth in a series. It's based on some items RehabVisions focuses on when we manage therapy departments, but it's also a conversation starter about things you could be doing differently.
#4 Have Quality Measurements and Document Outcomes
Clinical excellence should be a priority of your department and should be developed to ensure a patient's needs and goals are met.
5 Things Your Rehab Department Should Be Doing – #3 Retain Your Superstars
Is your rehab department maximizing its potential? This post is the third in a series. It's based on some items RehabVisions focuses on when we manage therapy departments, but it's also a conversation starter about things you could be doing differently.
You probably already know that it costs a great deal more to hire a new employee than it does to retain an existing one. So why are you not focusing more on employee retention? Retaining your star employees is imperative to the success of your rehab department. So, how do you do that?
RehabVisions' Stand-out Employees
Debbie Lacey
Our Second Quarter CERCIE awards have been announced, and we're thrilled to share the stories of these exemplary employees and their contributions to RehabVisions and their home facilities. CERCIE stands for Commitment, Excellence, Respect, Compassion, Integrity and Enthusiasm. We ask employees to submit CERCIE certificates to recognize their peers on a quarterly basis.
Five Things Your Rehab Department Should Be Doing – #2 Specializing
Is your rehab department maximizing its potential? This post is the second in a series. It's based on some items RehabVisions focuses on when we manage therapy departments, but it's also a conversation starter about some things you could be doing differently.
Whether your department is in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or is an outpatient clinic, we're betting you can take something away from this series. Enjoy!
Rehab Department Thrives in Boom Town
Perhaps you have heard about the oil boom going on in North Dakota these days. Williston, North Dakota, in the northwest corner of the state, is more than having its 15 minutes of fame in the media with stories about the influx of population on the town and its effects on traffic, real estate and the job market.
In the midst of all of that, life goes on for the residents of Williston. They still have needs, and sometimes that gets lost in the "news" stories of this town.
Five Things Your Rehab Department Should Be Doing
Is your rehab department maximizing its potential? This post is the first in a series. It's based on some items RehabVisions focuses on when we manage therapy departments, but it's also a conversation starter about some things you could be doing differently.
Whether your department is in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or is an outpatient clinic, we're betting you can take something away from this series. Enjoy!
Healthcare Reform – A Therapy Perspective
It is a widely held tenant of planning that as organizations we generally overestimate the amount of change that will occur within the next four years, and we underestimate the amount of change in our business/industry over the next 10. When evaluating significant changes like the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Healthcare Reform, I try to keep this maxim in the back of mind and focus on the secular changes rather than the rhetoric.
Why Contract Your Therapy?
Ol' Switcheroo Works Out for Two Employees
One of the many benefits of working for RehabVisions is the ability to transfer to other RehabVisions' contracted locations to better meet your career goals or family needs. I personally experienced this opportunity early in my career when I moved from the SNF setting in the greater Omaha area to a hospital setting in Harlan, Iowa. Then later I relocated back to Omaha to pursue a management opportunity at the Home Office. The ability to change my clinical setting and geography at that point in my career is one of the dominant factors in why I have remained with this company for over two decades.
A Community of Compliance
Brenda Kemling, PT
RehabVisions has established our commitment to compliance by not only protecting patients' rights but also protecting and supporting our employees. It is within our well-established culture of providing quality health care that we have developed a community that places value in compliance. Whether it be adhering to the various Medicare rules and regulations, updating HIPAA policies and procedures, performing charts audits (the list goes on and on), we strive to provide exceptional support to our employees. Our compliance program is living and breathing, expanding and ever evolving; it is an important part of our business and one of the many ways we respect our patients.
RV Welcomes Compliance Manager
RehabVisions added a new position to our Operations Department recently to to stay on top of regulatory points and provide expertise to our hospital clients.
Brenda Kemling, PT started in her role as Hospital Compliance Manager in June. So far, she has been training RehabVisions' hospital staff on Functional Limitation Reporting (G-codes with severity modifiers), completing chart audits, and assisting in the establishment of electronic medical records in all of our facilities.
PT's Role in Wound Care
Amy Robinson, PT
Most people don't realize that physical therapists can play a huge role in wound care healing. It's actually become a large part of my practice. Wound care can be very challenging, yet it's rewarding when you see quick results and good response from patients.
A wound care program can be run through the nursing or therapy department and delivered through inpatient or outpatient services. Advantages of running it through the therapy department are varied. Therapists can perform selective debridement of devitalized tissue, and wound care often ties to other therapy-related programs including Lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy and mobility issues. Working with a department that addresses all of these functional limitations allows the patient to receive more complete care more efficiently.
Our Reputation Precedes Us
An administrator from one of our long-time hospital contracts recently told a story about running into a young family friend who was talking about her travel OT career and that she really liked the company she was working for. It was small and family-owned. She said the company was Cariant Health Partners (our travel division) but the administrator didn't recognize the name as a RehabVisions company. When he then mentioned his happiness with RehabVisions as his hospital contract therapy provider, he said, "Her eyes got really big, and she said, "That's the same company I work for!"
Darrell's Rural Rant
Our National Account Executive was on the road today returning from a Rural Hospital conference. We didn't have a booth at this particular show so Todd spent the majority of his time going to the educational sessions along with the hospital personnel that were in attendance. I called him to catch up on anything that had happened at the show and to hopefully break up the 8 hour car ride.
His synopsis of the show was that the majority of the speakers were portending hard times coming to rural healthcare.
Professional Development – What Are Your Plans?
Not all therapists realize that professional development is an individual responsibility. Only you know what you aspire to be and what goals you have set for yourself.
The first step is to conduct a self-assessment of your clinical skills, attitudes and professional practice, ethics and overall job duties.
Happy Anniversary, RehabVisions
May marks the 30th year that RehabVisions has been in business. To commemorate this important event, we put together this video about how we started, where we've been, and what the future holds for us as a company. Enjoy!
I Love The SNF Setting and Here's Why
Just as I was starting to think our jobs in therapy were getting consumed with Medicare rules and regulations, a patient encounter reminded me otherwise.
In visiting one of our skilled nursing facilities recently, I was sitting in the therapy department when a gentleman in jeans and a plaid shirt approached and asked for one of the therapists. He was told that she was with a patient so he reached in his pocket and pulled out a note. "I have that recipe for her," he said. On the paper was a carefully typewritten (from his computer) recipe for what are reportedly the world's best Ginger Snap Cookies.
Customer Values RV's Integrity
When Bethany Lutheran Home CEO Mike Van Sickle went looking for a new therapy provider, integrity was number one on his list.
Bethany Lutheran had been caught up in a costly, multi-year Corporate Integrity Agreement from the Office of the Inspector General relating to their previous therapy provider. They were investigated for their billing practices. "We didn't have the sophistication or the experience to know it was happening," Mike said.
RV Partners with Oklahoma Practice
Doug Larmore
As part of our acquisition effort, RehabVisions and Total Rehab have formed a partnership to provide management and support to Total Rehab's two existing Outpatient Clinics this past May. Total Rehab, with locations in McAlester and Antlers, Oklahoma, was founded by Margaret Bates, OT and Michele Cox, PT.
Communication Is Always Key
It's true! Communication is key, but the way we communicate is a huge part of it. I came across this blog post from Compliance Chat by Tom Ambury on communication and thought it was interesting, especially in thinking about our therapy departments – how we communicate to them from the home office, how they communicate among each other and to their patients.
Set Some Rehab Resolutions For 2013
The Election Is Over. What's Next For Therapy?
With the election past us, budgets being completed and the impending "fresh start" of a new year, it seems like a good time to take stock and figure out "where we are." With all the rhetoric about Obamacare, fiscal cliffs and the drum beat of impending doom, amazingly enough, people are still getting sick and injured and requiring healthcare services.
Recent Ruling Ensures Dementia Patients Access To Rehab
Patients with dementia diagnosis frequently present with the need for therapy services in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics and home health agencies. Sometimes therapists are concerned with treating patients with this diagnosis because therapy may not "rehabilitate or restore lost function." However, if you refer to the Medicare benefit policy manual, it states that therapy can work with persons who have chronic, progressive diseases – such as Alzheimer's and related dementias – and even terminal diseases, to help "maintain function."
Take Credit for the Little Things
Often times I think we, as clinicians, sell ourselves short. We take for granted the education and training we have as if it were common sense.
I hear clinicians say things like, "what I provided there, anyone could have done. The patient didn't need my services. That wasn't skilled care," after we've done something like taught an exercise, adjusted walker height, or other "simple" therapy tasks.
The Power of Perception
Deb Kirchhoff, SLP
Check out this article about patient experience from Hospital Impact. It speaks to how very important perception is within our jobs in healthcare.
Exploring Partnerships: Majority or Minority Ownership?
The following article, written by CFO Darrell Metcalf, first appeared in Impact Magazine. It is reposted here with permission by the Private Practice Section, APTA.
Every day the financial news highlights stories about one company buying another for some unfathomable amount of money. While those big money deals grab headlines, significantly more transactions are occurring at the small business end of the scale. However the dynamics of these transactions are rarely explored.
Contracting With RV Makes CEO's Life Easier
Nancy Groff Named Home Health Therapist of the Year
Home Care and Hospice Association of Washington voted Nancy Groff, PT the Therapist of the Year this past April. Nancy, a 23-year RehabVisions' employee, works in Prosser, Washington.
In her acceptance speech, Nancy said that the award was "probably the highlight of my 47-year career" and thanked RehabVisions for "the support, freedom and confidence in the past 23 years to be the best I can be."
Toot Your Own Horn. It's Good For Business.
Jean Herauf, SLP
Top-of-mind awareness is a vital marketing term. Its definition is obvious – when people think about therapy, we want them to think about our rehab departments and staff. This happens when people see and hear your name again and again. Jean Herauf, SLP, an area manager for RehabVisions in North Dakota, is especially good at keeping her clinic name and therapists in the news and in front of important referral sources.
Home Office Celebrates National Walk at Lunch Day
Personal "Branding" is Important in Job Search
Deb Kirchhoff, SLP
Regardless of what you may think about social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, the fact is that they are here to stay. Sure, they'll evolve over the years and will likely look very different than they do today, but ultimately they'll still exist. Why? Because a lot of people love them and because recruiters and potential employers scan networking sites for evidence of your character.
Comparing Therapy Staffing Models in SNFs
I've had numerous discussions over the years, with not only administrators but also family and friends, explaining what I do and what RehabVisions does as a company. It always leads to a discussion about why a skilled nursing facility would utilize a contract services company for their therapy.
Assisted Living Therapy is a Win-Win
Jennifer Caskey, PT
Are Assisted Living Residents getting the therapy they should? Some fall through the cracks because they don't qualify for home health services and others may not have transportation. Our therapists in Des Moines travel into these assisted living communities to reach patients who do not have easy access to PT, OT and ST services.
Involvement is Key
Brandon Labertew, PT
What Is The AlterG?
Steve Finn, PT, DPT, OCS
The AlterG is a revolutionary Anti-Gravity Treadmill. The concept of unweighing to facilitate a faster, more effective, recovery of rehab patients has been around for many years. Many of us have been fortunate enough to work in facilities that offer aquatic rehab or advanced harness unweighing capabilities.
A Patient's Poem
Managing Your Holiday Stress
Jacque Sedlacek, PTA
As the holidays quickly approach, with sometimes overwhelming demands, it is important to remember one's health. Weather, seasonal company, time management and money issues are just a few of the contributing factors that may turn holiday cheer into holiday horror. Stress not only takes a toll on your health, but can also lead to problems in the workplace and with relationships.
The Job Search – Where Do I Start?
I recently spoke to a group of speech pathology students at the Nebraska Speech, Language and Hearing Association's annual convention. I tried to provide a perspective about resume development and the job search process knowing that is an important topic weighing on the minds of these students.
I list the nuts and bolts but most importantly I tried to give them food for thought in considering their first position as a professional. The process I outline below is geared toward ours as a contract therapy services provider but is applicable across most settings.
What Lymphedema Treatment Is Really About
Customer Service Is Always Key… Even In Therapy
Rick Larmore
Too often in healthcare, we tend to forget that our patients (customers) have choices in where they can receive their care. This may seem obvious in metropolitan areas but frankly, it's also true in rural America even where local competition doesn't seem to exist. After all, it may only be a 20 to 40-minute drive to the next nearest community with a rehab clinic. As professionals within the rehab profession, I think we all need to remember that many times in a patient's mind, not much separates one rehab clinic from the next. Oh sure, we can fall back on the mantra that if the referring physician tells a patient to go for treatment, that's where the patient will likely go. But what about those instances when the decision is left up to the patient and that patient has to choose between two, three or even four options? How do we stand out above the rest? Well, why leave it to chance?
What Keeps a CFO Awake At Night?
Improving Dining Room Acoustics for Older Adults with Hearing Loss
Take a look at this article. It makes some great points that we need to remember when dealing with hearing-impaired patients.
Here is the link to the story from The ASHA Leader.
RV Hosts Social Skills Camp
Shayna Doerr, SLP
RehabVisions in Dickinson, North Dakota recently held a social skills camp for selected children with disabilities, who are currently attending or have had therapy at the outpatient clinic. Most of the campers who attended were on the Autism spectrum, but there were a few with other disabilities affecting their social skills.
As Therapists, We Must Be Our Own Advocates
ACOs – We Already Have Them – It's Called Your Local Critical Access Hospital
Goodbye To A Friend
Rick Larmore
RehabVisions has been around now for over 28 years. While we have many long-standing employees, there are some who have come and gone who helped to build this company to what it is today. That is certainly true of Janel Foote, a former RehabVisions employee, who died in late March at the age of 60.
Home Health – More Than Flexible Scheduling
Ah, the Home Health conundrum – do I give up valuable time and productivity to drive to a less than ideal therapy work environment to see a patient I'm not sure is truly "home bound" or do I suffer the wrath of the Home Health Director describing how the lack of therapy visits is making the Home Health Department unprofitable?
Do Clinical Doctorates Make Sense In Light of Lower Reimbursements?
Healthcare cost, Healthcare cost, Healthcare cost… the rhetoric seems almost endless regarding what benefits should be cut, what payments are unnecessary and how much fraud is occurring. I have been pondering the healthcare cost question for some time and have expressed my views to a few colleagues. It seems to me that the government wants to constantly focus on the symptoms of the problem (i.e. we are paying too much) without ever focusing on the root causes of the problem. While the problems are certainly multi-dimensional, I postulate that a base cause is the expectations that are created by our educational system.
Therapy Department Grows with Therapists' Interests
During a recent site visit to one of our contracted hospital locations, I marveled at the transformation that had occurred in this rehab department over the past 18 years of our partnership. It was erupting with activity between patients and therapists. When I worked as the OT at this location 17 years ago, we thought we were rocking with four therapists and now they have 12 clinicians!


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Do you remember when you became a Mets fan? Was it because the Brooklyn Dodgers up and left town, leaving you with no option other than to root for the hated Yankees? Was it that miracle run in 1969? Was it the power house Mets teams of the 1980s? Maybe it was something else. Whatever it was that drew you to the blue and orange, everyone has their own special reason to attribute their fandom to. Something keeps us rooting, even during the times when it seems as if there is no hope left in the season.
For me, it was my grandparents that passed on the love of the Mets. I grew up in the Bronx where half of my family (on my mother's side), were die hard Yankees fans. The other half of my family (father's side), represented the blue and orange. One day I would be at Yankee Stadium, and a few days later I might be taking in a game at Shea Stadium.
It was a confusing time for me as a child, with the two factions pulling and tugging for my loyalty to their favorite teams. It was like a game of tennis, and I was the tennis ball. One year the back of my little league baseball card read that Don Mattingly was my favorite player, and the next year it read Gary Carter. Each faction represented the case for their team very well, and the back and forth gave me a healthy respect for both teams, but it was the Mets that ultimately won over my loyalty.
I can see my grandmother now, sitting at the kitchen table of her apartment, the smell of Winston cigarettes and Folgers instant coffee in the air, as she watched her "Metties" on her little twelve inch, black and white television. It seemed like she never got up out of that chair. My grandfather would pick me up on hot summer afternoons, and take me out to Shea on the orange bus (we called the bus that took you out of the Bronx the orange bus because it was orange).
I remember going to those games like it was yesterday, even though I was just a young boy. One of the proudest memories I will ever have is getting to repay my grandfather for all those games he took me to in my youth, by playing one of my college conference championship games at Shea Stadium, and getting him the chance to stand on the field after the game. My grandmother wasn't around to see that, but I'm sure that opportunity would have definitely gotten her out of her favorite chair.
People wonder why fans stay loyal when their favorite teams aren't doing great. Why do we put ourselves through all the strife? Well, I'm sure many fans have stories similar to mine, which always keep us connected to certain teams whether they are doing well or not. It's really easy to root for a team when they are doing well, but let's see what happens when a team starts to spiral downward. That separates the true fan from the "fair-weather" fan.
It's said that we all have to experience failure, or disappointment, in order to truly appreciate success. Mets fans will agree that it's not always easy being a Mets fan due to all the disappointment that comes with the territory. It may be easier to jump ship, especially when the team across town is the Yankees, but we stand strong knowing that the all the pain we experience as fans will just make winning feel that much better. Losing to the Yankees in the 2000 World Series stung a bit, but we'll get another crack at it again one day.
So is being a Mets fan a gift or a curse? People looking from the outside in, and at the current state of the Mets, would say it's a curse. But for me, it is definitely a gift. A gift that was passed down to me that I will always remember – a gift that I will continue to pass down to my children, and my children's children.
Let's Go Mets!