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The return of junior defensive end C.J. Johnson and additions of sophomore Fadol Brown and freshman Marquis Haynes have changed the face of the defensive line, but freshman All-American Robert Nkemdiche remains front and center.
With a season of experience under his belt, it's been a different experience for the former consensus No. 1 recruit this fall.
"I know the playbook so much better," Nkemdiche said. "I'm so much more chilled out. I'm not freaking out right now. I'm not nervous. My head's on straight, and I'm ready to have a huge game.
"I had a really good camp. I was focused. I'm bringing it every day, 100 percent, no matter what. I'm ready for the season and to have a really dominant season."
Beside Nkemdiche at defensive tackle has been a rotation of senior Bryon Bennett and junior Woodrow Hamilton with junior Issac Gross out due to injury.
"You lose quickness in there," said defensive coordinator Dave Wommack of missing Gross. "But kudos to Bryon Bennett because I have never seen him play as well as he's playing right now, across the board. He has some size, quickness and been super in there for us. I have been really pleased with him, but it affects your depth.
"Woody's issue has been staying out there on the field. When he stays out on the field, he's a really good football player. He's extremely tough to block. He's not just an anchor. He has some quickness and he can move around. He fits our scheme really well."
With the depth and experience on the defensive side of the ball, Wommack looks to rotate more players and be more aggressive this season.
On the defensive line, Wommack said, they would like to play 8-10 players and get back to bringing pressure (five or more players) 35-40 percent of the time after bringing pressure around 27-28 percent this past season.
"This camp, we have shown so much progress in the D-line," Nkemdiche said. "We're getting after the quarterback every day. (Dave Wommack) is so much more comfortable. He's sending us four guys and letting his guys cover."
"We weren't able to do that last year because of the pass rush we didn't have and we lacked the corner play that we needed," Wommack said. "Boise is going to see some things they haven't seen in the last two years."
Haynes, Freshmen Show Out on Defense
Nkemdiche described Haynes as a physical freak.
A former high jumper and 100-meter sprinter in high school, Haynes enrolled in January and broke into the two-deep early in the fall camp and has remained there.
"He has a knack for the football," said Nkemdiche of Haynes. "He's a freak. He gets to the football no matter what. If he has a missed assignment, he's still going to get to the ball either way. I like him. He plays 100 percent every down. That's what I like about Marquis. He's going to be really good in the future."
Wommack noted his raw talent, speed and quickness, adding that he's done a good job learning what they have asked him to do. He might not start in the season opener, Wommack said, but in certain packages, he will certainly be at one defensive end spot.
In addition to Haynes, Wommack raved about a trio of freshmen in defensive back A.J. Moore, linebacker DeMarquis Gates and cornerback Kendarius Webster. With the injuries in the secondary, Moore has stepped up as the team's third Huskie and Webster is in the mix as the team's fourth cornerback.
"Both of those freshmen hit a ceiling and then they came back down," said Wommack of Moore and Gates. "Kendarius Webster, too. They pushed forward and have gotten smarter each and every day, and they're going to play for us this year.
"This freshman class was a hit across the board. From top to bottom, it was better than last year's class, if you want to say that. I know there were some stars in that class the year before, but top to bottom, I don't think we missed on anybody. We have some really good football players. Some of them, if we're not going to use them this year, we absolutely don't want to burn them, and we will make that choice later on."
In individual and team drills open to the media, the first-team offensive line featured sophomore Laremy Tunsil (LT), junior Aaron Morris (LG), junior Ben Still (C), junior Justin Bell (RG) and junior Fahn Cooper (RT). Sophomore Robert Conyers also got some first-team reps at right tackle when Cooper moved from right tackle to left tackle.
When the offense showed sets with two tight ends in team drills, it featured sophomore Evan Engram lined up at a traditional tight end spot and in the slot, with senior Nick Parker also at tight end on the first team.
Sophomore Matt Brown played a role similar to Engram, with sophomore Jeremy Liggins also at tight end on the second team.
Freeze said he's looking for at least one wide receiver to emerge from a group that includes junior Quintavius Burdette, redshirt freshman Trey Bledsoe and freshmen Dayall Harris and Markell Pack.
Johnson, Brown and Haynes all got first-team reps at defensive end, with Nkemdiche and Hamilton at defensive tackle.
Brown, along with sophomore John Youngblood, got second-team reps at defensive end, with Bennett and senior Lavon Hooks at defensive tackle.
Senior Andrew Fletcher, Freeze said, remains in the lead for extra point and field goal duties from 43 yards and in, with redshirt freshman Andy Pappanastos and freshman Gary Wunderlich in competition to handle longer field goals.
In other special teams work, the first-team kickoff returners were junior running back Jaylen Walton and sophomore running back Mark Dodson.
The second-team kickoff returners were sophomore cornerback Kailo Moore and junior safety Trae Elston. Redshirt freshman running back Eugene Brazley and junior running back I'Tavius Mathers also worked with the kickoff returners.
The kickoff return units also included freshman defensive back A.J. Moore on the first team and Gates on the second team.
Other notables on the kickoff return units included junior defensive end Channing Ward, redshirt freshman running back Jordan Wilkins, senior linebacker Keith Lewis and sophomore safety Anthony Alford on the first team.
Hugh Freeze on Robert Conyers: "Robert is very, very valuable to us and will play three positions. He may be one of the most valuable pieces of us offensively because he can grasp all three of them and do them well."
Freeze on the center position battle having named Ben Still the starter: "They're pretty even and knowing that we're going to rotate Robert at all three on various possessions, it gives us a little more flexibility, but they're about equal. Robert probably needs to concentrate on both tackle positions between now and then and it gives the ones more reps with Ben."
Freeze on Fahn Cooper's action at left tackle: "He's athletic. It depends on who you're playing and what the matchups are. It's always about matchups. No matter who we put there, there are guys in this league, sometimes you're going to cringe when you get in too many one-on-one's, if you're not able to run the ball some. If they know you're throwing it, I don't care who we put out there. It's difficult, so you have to be balanced. That's been our whole goal since we have been here."
Freeze on Issac Gross, who missed practice with a neck injury: "Issac had the procedure yesterday to get some kind of shot that we think will help speed up the recovery and hopefully cure. We should know Monday if he will be ready to go for Boise."
Robert Nkemdiche on improvement: "Something that can make me stronger as a player is knowing the playbook a lot better. Last year, I feel like I had all the tangibles to be great, but I didn't know the scheme as well. I was out there about 50 percent. I didn't know what else to do. I was trying to go out there and make plays. This year, knowing the playbook a lot better and being more mature as a player and having an SEC season under my belt helps me because I know what to expect now."
Nkemdiche on returning to Atlanta for the season opener against Boise State: "It's a great feeling going back to the Georgia Dome. I started all four years in high school there, so let's go back and start one. We want to try to finish there too."
Dave Wommack on Mike Hilton practicing at both Huskie and cornerback: "Any time you have to double-train somebody, you lose a little something. You can't get totally focused on one thing, but he's a veteran and been here for two years and knows it better. You couldn't do it with a young guy for sure."
Wommack on the secondary: "I feel better about the secondary than I have in three years. I'm really pleased with the guys. We have some guys who can cover. We have some smart guys and can create different packages with those guys. This is one of better defensive teams that have been around the last couple of years."


text:
Talk:Treasurer - Good Practices
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
| Please familiarize yourself with Help:Talk pages before posting on discussion (a.k.a. talk) pages.
— Use headings, indentations; and please, always sign (~~~~) your posts. (See Help:Talk pages for details.)
— Ask your Scouting/advancement-related questions on our forums... several Scouters will be happy to help you.
Kudos to Philpisch for your efforts regarding Treasurer - Good Practices! —RWSmith (Bureaucrat), 09:45, March 1, 2012 (EST)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Real-Time Innovations
RTI Recorder is a software solution for logging the high-throughput data, events and messages that drive the behavior of distributed real-time applications. Activity recorded by the RTI Recorder can be used for future analysis and debugging, regulatory compliance and replay for testing and simulation purposes. Real-Time Innovations; 408/200-4700; www.rti.com


text:
Richard Russsakoff needed a new button or icon design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 117 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
Bottom Line Up Enterprises
Rich Russakoff is co-founder and President of Bottom Line Up Enterprises. He is an expert in financial management strategies and bank financing for high growth entrepreneurial companies. As an international CEO coach, Rich's current and past clients are top-tier entrepreneurial CEO's including several Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners.
Mary Goodman is co-founder and CEO of Bottom Line Up Enterprises, she is an expert in organizational architecture, process efficacy, and profitability maximization. She helps entrepreneurs build greater personal wealth with less risk, time, and frustration. Mary designs and helps implement structures, systems, and strategies that free the business owner, allowing them to shift their focus from operations to opportunity.
The book will be targeted at small and medium size business owners. The book will be marketed to the target audiences via speaking engagements, social media, online advertising and partnership, and other book marketing strategies.
Book Cover Requirements:
• The book title is Make Banks Compete to Loan You Money: Get the Money You Need to Grow your Business and must be included in the design.
• The book cover should be a clean cover that will really stand out and communicate what the book is about.
• Both authors names must be included.
• The book will most likely be an 8 x 5.1 paperback.
Please take a look at other successful biz books and see what catches your eye


text:
BJDesign $49.95 English PowerPoint SKU16315
About This Product
Alaska US State PowerPoint Map. Includes Interstate Highways, Waterways, Major Cities, Capital, Names, Color, set up in layers for easy editing. Add a star for an office, change colors, edit text. Great for building a directory, highlighting a report, project or website art. Names, color, fully editable with layers, works with Flash. Royalty Free - Use Them Over and Over Again. Once purchased, download instructions will be sent to you via email. (PC and MAC Compatible).
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By purchasing this product I agree to the copyright & liability below:
Products electronically transferred are your acceptance to the terms and conditions of the license and usage as described. This material is for a single user who may present this material provided they do not alter and keep all copyright and other proprietary notices intact (more...). This product may not be re-sold, distributed, stored in a database or retrieval system, downloaded, except by written permission from the publisher. Any infraction or infringement will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
NOTE: To edit this product, add content, your logo, and more, read our FAQ.
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Please send your reviews of this product to firstname.lastname@example.com.
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text:
Grasket App Helps Deployed Troops Share Wish Lists With Loved Ones Overseas
A new online app aims to help deployed troops send wish lists to friends and family overseas.
Grasket describes itself as a "modern-day care package creation tool."
Targeted to deployed soldiers, sailors and airmen, users sign up for the service with their military-linked Facebook accounts or email addresses. They then place items that are sold online from any website into their "grasket," and share the list over Twitter, Facebook or email. To see the process in detail, check out the video above.
"We...make it easy for others to purchase the things that you have earmarked," creator Tim Fisher said in a Q&A.
Fisher, who served in the United States Army, developed Grasket as a way to "give back" to the military.
"I built a tool that I would have found useful when I was deployed overseas," he said. "It is also a great tool for wounded warriors/care givers to connect with supporters and create lists of products they need to aid in the recovery process.
Military personnel, would you use this app while deployed overseas? Tell us in the comments below.


text: Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 194 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. For Fiscal Year 2014 that ended June 28, 2014, the company generated sales of more than $46 billion. For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco


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Gayle Clauson's guide dog is loyal and thorough.
Rocca, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador, has been with Clauson, who is blind, since June. Things have been working out great so far.
But this Saturday in Dana Point, Rocca's otherwise top-notch training might not be the most useful in the Running of the Dogs, which aims to raise funds and awareness for guide dogs.
"She's so cautious, she'll probably make me come in last," Clauson said with a laugh.
Rocca and her master plan to partake in the 2k "six-legged" walk portion of the event at Salt Creek Beach Park. It takes place from about 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and is followed by a 5k run that ends about 10:30.
Running of the Dogs is organized by Tee Off For Dogs, a Dana Point-based nonprofit that supports the visually impaired and guide dog programs.
Last year, the organization sponsored Clauson's training with Rocca. She is Clauson's third guide dog and, so far, the best.
"She's a charm," Clauson said. "My little lady, she keeps me so safe."
Frank Frand, a Dana Point resident who works for the Automobile Club of Southern California in Costa Mesa, founded Tee Off For Dogs, which until this weekend had only organized golf tournaments.
Like Clauson, he too is legally blind and knows the value of guide dogs.
"What they've given me is priceless, virtually," Frand said.
He's hoping for 150 walkers in the six-legged portion and 100 runners for the 5k.
The online registration fee is $25 for the walk and $45 for the run. Registration Saturday morning is $5 more for each.
For more information or to register, visit http://www.teeofffordogs.org.
Twitter: @bradleyzint
If You Go
What: "Running of the Dogs," a fundraising event for guide dogs for the blind
Where: Salt Creek Beach Park, 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point
When: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday
How much: Pre-registration is $25 for the 2k "six-legged" walk for dogs and their masters. The 5k run is $45. Walk-in registration is $5 more for each.


text: Douglas Eadline wrote: > This is indeed the issue. Where to invest time? > > My opinion, and it is only my opinion, is the following. > Please share your own. > > Threaded approaches do not scale across clusters. The memory > architecture of multi-core is making nodes look more like > small clusters i.e. memory is becoming more localized. > As Don Becker mentioned in a recent post, efforts to program > distributed memory like it were shared memory often end > up looking like stylized message passing systems. > > One other thing about messages. The problem of > trying to optimize the compute to communication issue is > easier than trying to optimize the compute to locality > issue. > > Therefore, if I were to start a new parallel project of some sort > or parallelize an existing code, I would use MPI. Although > OpenMP might get me up and running quicker, I would feel more > comfortable with a problem cast in MPI. > > I'm interested in others opinions on this because, I think it > is an important issue for the general programing audience > and not just us cluster geeks. The difference is we have had > a lot more time and experience with this stuff. > > -- > Doug Please note that we are all speaking as developers on clusters. Although this is a valuable niche in the market, it is still only a niche. Even with workstations, systems still only come with a few cores. In this regime, threads are still relevant from a performance standpoint. Furthermore, threads (of whichever flavor) are a first class API in most operating systems. Until Joe Sixpack can buy Windows ZX (or whatever) with the new message passing system preloaded, the old system which is preinstalled will still be the development target of most ISVs. -- Geoffrey D. Jacobs


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The members of the Number2.com team have extensive experience
teaching test prep courses. We're convinced that the service
Number2.com provides is as valuable as that we have rendered in our
classrooms. We even see certain advantages to doing test prep
online. Students can do test prep at their own convenience, don't face
the intimidation that sometimes accompanies group learning, and can
proceed at their own pace. We have a large database of questions for
all level of students and our tutorials and practice sessions provide
you with lots of feedback that guides you to the correct answers. We also
track your progress on each section and help you pinpoint which areas
need improvement.
<<< back


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Although a copy of my dad's military separation document is one of the last items in his OMPF (Official Military Personnel File), I'm posting the scanned original as part four of this series. Curiously, the file doesn't contain documents detailing his training as an aviator cadet, but this form lists the types of instruction he received with the location and duration of each, along with a wealth of other info. (Have you neglected military records in your own 20th-century research? You might be surprised at how much info they contain.) It seemed a logical next post as I discuss Dad's military career chronologically.
Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service (Form NAVPERS 553) for George Constant Hall, 21 Dec. 1945, New Orleans, Louisiana. Digital scan of original privately held by the Hall family, La.
A military separation document can provide a lot of genealogical information. This one form contains:
- my father's full name
- birth date and place
- residence
- date of enlistment
- date of entry into active duty
- date of commission
- date of separation, and
- place of separation.
- "PrepFlight," Natchitoches, La., 13 weeks
- "WTS," Lafayette, La., 14 weeks
- "PreFlight," Athens, Ga., 12 weeks
- "Primary, St. Louis, 12 weeks
- "Basic," "Instruments," and "Advanced," Pensacola, Fla., 27 weeks.
The form states that he served in Fighting Squadron Six (also known as VF-6). Dad was a fighter pilot, and the form tells us that he served aboard the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier stationed out of NAS Hilo, Hawaii.
Also given are dates and details of his previous employment, as a "derrickman (oil)" for the Union Sulphur Co. in Sulphur, La., and his preference (at the time) to work in aviation after leaving the Navy. The form also lists his formal education (high school) and vocational training (3 months of machinist instruction) as of December, 1945.
Oh, and it tells me that Dad's draft board was in Sulphur, La., where the Hall family had lived since the 1930s. For World War II draft records, only the Fourth Registration ("the old man's draft") is currently open to the public due to privacy laws. I can wait for Dad's registration record--I don't expect to find any info I don't already know--but this is a great clue for my "mystery grandpa" Robert Bunyan Hall, who may have qualified for that registration (men who born on or between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 who were not already in the military -- Grandpa's birth year is listed as 1875, 1877 and 1878 on various forms). Currently, Ancestry.com does not have the Louisiana records (some records are online there), but they are available on microfilm. Woo hoo!
While today's military separation forms (detailing release or discharge from active duty) are referred to as "DD Form 214" or "DD-214," the forms had other designations in the past. The National Archives website states: "Before January 1, 1950, several similar forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553." Find out more about requesting military personnel files here.
Copyright 2010 by Liz Hall Morgan. All rights reserved.


text:
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text:
Welcome to June's project for Her Craft Kre8tions. We have been very fortunate to have a wonderful sponsor this month that Scrapbook Society, http://scrapbookstampsociety.com/, has given us this beautiful design, http://scrapbookstampsociety.com/auction_details.php?name=Marie-Let-them-eat-a-Cupcake-Sherri-Baldy-Digi-Stand&auction_id=102614. to showcase our creativity.
Of course there are rules that we implemented that the creativity could finish Marie as they wanted BUT (ok, there is always a BUT!!), it needed to be a journal with an additional image on the inside.
Now, with that being said -- have we got a line-up for you!!!!
- Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
- Janet~ http://www.ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
- Rachelle~ http://www.creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com
- Carolyn - http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/
- Colleen - http://www.cbcscrapbooking.blogspot.com
- Edwina- http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com
- Susan ~~ http://susanascorner.blogspot.com
- Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
- Shawnee ~http://www.quiverofangels.blogspot.com
- Lisa-http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com
Design Team Blog: http://her-craft-kre8tions.blogspot.com/
Didn't I tell you that this is one creative group!!! Oh, yes, we even have some phenomenal blog candy which we were going to have last month BUT (there goes that word again) Miss Lynne had been in the hospital - we are going to have the "kick-off" blog candy for this hop!!!! Thus we have Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge for one lucky winner!!!
Finally, Lynne Kirsch has an altered journal for one lucky winner as seen below!
Now, to be eligible for the blog candy AGAIN, there are rules --- you must stop and comment at each stop along the way which I know you won't mind doing as I know you are going to be having a great time checking out each and every project........
Hope you enjoyed our hop .... and next month we have another challenge that will be presented to our Design Team .... "Like the Wind"!!!


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I eat really healthy and walk about 3-5 miles a day.I am not losing weight. For breakfast I eat 2 pieces of healthy life bread 2 egg whites and a piece of chees.For lunch I have a salad with carrots,brocilli,sugar snap peas,tomatoes,chickpeas,with either chiken or salmon and light olive oil dressing. My dinners are 2 days a week I have salmon, 2 nights I have chicken, 2 nights I have whole wheat pasta. My snacks are pita chips with hummus or popcorn, I drink grren tea,water or vitamin water,v8 juice. Why am I not losing weight, I had my throid checked but it was fine.What would you recommend?
It can be very frustrating to not see the scale move when you are trying very hard! However, since many factors can affect weight change, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact reason why you are not seeing the scale budge. The best way to identify what possible factor(s) are affecting your weight would be to see a dietitian who can determine what your calorie intake and expenditures are, and make individualized recommendations for you. You can find a local dietitian in your area by going to www.eatright.org.
Some general tips you might consider would include:
Monitor your portion sizes to be sure they are consistent with what is recommended for your age. You can use www.mypyramid.gov to determine how many calories you need per day to maintain your weight, how many servings of each type of food you should consume and what the portion size is for that food. It's a good idea to measure your foods occasionally to make sure your portions are what they should be.
Identify possible sources of calories that you may not be aware of. Keeping a food diary is a great way to do this. Sometimes we are not aware of how much we are really nibbling, and how the calories can add up. Don't forget the calories that may be added to food in cooking and seasoning.
Read food labels to identify the calories in the foods you are eating, making sure you are counting calories for the portion that's given on the label.
If possible, try to incorporate different activities into your exercise program, or change your walking program to be a little more strenuous, such as walking a little faster or including hills in your walk.


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February 2018
6 February 2018
Australia Zoo is so loved-up this Valentine's Day we are celebrating all February long!
To get everyone in the spirit of love, we are offering 2-for-1 deals all throughout February including 2-for-1 plush toys, lunch deals and our perfectly wild animal photos.
On Valentine's Day, we will be spreading the love with gourmet picnic baskets, glasses of champagne, soulful tunes from Becc Holdorf and FREE chocolates. We know the way to everyone's heart this Valentine's Day is through your stomach!
Keep an eye out for an opportunity to get up close and personal, and maybe even steal a very special Valentine's Day kiss from one of our gorgeous animals! Our lucky guests will have the opportunity to "kiss-a-critter" for the chance to win an amazing Australia Zoo prize. If you have ever wanted to plant a kiss on our beautiful giraffes, Valentine's Day is your special chance!
We want the romance to continue for only lucky guest! Everyone visiting us on Valentine's Day can enter the major prize draw and WIN a romantic two-night stay in a Villa Treehouse at Kondalilla Eco Resort! What an awesome adventure!
0 Zoo Comments


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I am writing from Vancouver. I arrived last Saturday and am settling in. Settling in because I will be working and blogging from here for the next few months. During this time, I hope to discover, eat and review some interesting food destinations. I was in Vancouver a year ago to visit family and friends. The first thing I did on my last visit--directly after I came into the city from the airport--was to have a pistachio affogato from Mondo Gelato. On this trip it took as long as a day before I had this tasty dessert.
An affogato is a simple Italian dessert: espresso poured over top of gelato. With simple desserts, the quality of the ingredients are often what makes them good. The better the espresso and the gelato, the better the affogato. For people who like espresso and gelato, a good affogato is a must!
I don't drink coffee often: possibly a cup once or twice a year. I love the smell of coffee, but drinking it just makes me hyper and jumpy. For me, being more hyper just results in a melt down. So, it sometimes seems odd to me that I like the combination of espresso and gelato so much.
Over the years I have had many flavours of affogato. My favourite, however, remains pistachio. The rich roasted flavour of pistachio brings back memories of cracking open roasted pistachios as a child. The nuts were always lightly salted, which helped enhance the subtle nutty flavour. The pistachio gelato at Mondo is the best pistachio gelato (or pistachio ice cream, for that matter) that I have had. I have also made pistachio gelato several times, using various recipes, ingredients and techniques, and I still can't make one that tastes as good as theirs. Because I like Mondo's so much, I seem to try pistachio gelato almost everywhere that I travel. I have also been told that their espresso is excellent by those who are more adept in that area.
Mondo Gelato is a chain that has stores in Vancouver, San Francisco, Beijing and Italy. So, if you happen to be in a city with a Mondo Gelato, sit down and try a simple and very satisfying affogato. You might also become hooked.
Technorati Tags: Gelato, Ice Cream, Mondo Gelato, Affogato


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Got stink bugs in soybeans?
Jim Heitholt, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, wants to hear from you. "Stink bugs have shown up in mid-south crops," Heitholt says. "Just how serious are these pests from year-to-year?"
That's what a team of university researchers and Extension specialists are trying to find out and they need to hear from as many soybean producers as possible to build a database.
"You can help by responding to a survey written for the Southern soybean industry," Heitholt says. "The survey takes only about 10 minutes. By participating, you will make a big difference in our collective fight against stinkbugs. Survey results will be made available to everyone late this summer. To take the survey, simply click on:


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Alexandria Potomac Little League: Welcome
Register Online for the 2014 Spring Season at www.apllbaseball.org
Alexandria Potomac Little League Registration Closes - March 8th 2014
March 13th - Parent's Meeting & Positive Coaching Alliance Training @ 7:00 pm @ Belle View ES 6701 Fort Hunt Rd.
March 15th - Practices begin
April 5th - Opening Day
May 10th - Picture Day
May 18th - Youth Baseball & Softball Day @ Nationals Park
APLL is an all volunteer program and we have been extremely fortunate to have some excellent volunteers; however, there are always opportunities to help in the area of concession stand, field maintenance, equipment and uniform organization, and much more!!
If you are interested in coaching please contact Lisa Demmel @ firstname.lastname@example.com
If you are interested in volunteering as an umpire please contact Harold Hancock at firstname.lastname@example.com. APLL will provide training for all volunteers. Questions? Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or write us at:


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Okay, so the ones I got weren't actually backwards, but I'm trying out my new Mac and this is how Photo Booth takes the pics! I consider this progress, the Mac has now officially been used (so what if it's only a giant camera at this point).
Now you, too, can have these shiny, awesome bookplates for your very own copy of THE BODY FINDER. And look how great they'll look in your book:
I know you want one, so here's all you have to do...
Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Kimberly Derting
P.O. Box 7378
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
If you want your bookplate personalized, then include a note (sticky note, scratch paper, gum wrapper, whatever...) with the correct spelling of whoever you want it made out to.
Think about it, wouldn't this make a great gift? A copy of THE BODY FINDER with a shiny, signed bookplate? Perfect for birthdays...the holidays...anniversaries (because what husband doesn't want a YA book for their anniversary? Am I right, ladies???).
And I just have to thank Reggie from The Undercover Book Lover who designed the original bookplates. Reggie, you're the best!!!


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Pink Rose
*Sponsored review*
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Moose Lake School Board considers proposal for land sale for housing
The Moose Lake School Board discussed the potential sale of four or five more acres of school district-owned land to a housing developer, at the monthly meeting of the board on Monday, April 15.
Superintendent Robert Indihar explained to the board that Pat Oman, the city's new administrator and still Carlton County Economic Development Director, brought the proposal from the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership. He added that the non-profit partnership has been searching for the right location, and the school district's property is the only one that meets the partnership's criteria.
The proposal is to build townhomes on several parcels of the school district's property across the drive to the Moose Lake ALCO store that has been set aside for housing. The townhomes will be two- and three-bedroom units for young families with low to moderate income, with a maximum of $37,000 in annual income.
"Although we can get more for commercial property, young families are a benefit to us as well," said Supt. Indihar. "We will talk to the county and see what land is going for. We give the partnership a price, and they can say yes or no."
He added that the partnership needs a decision from the school board by June 1 in order to apply for a grant if the board approves of the proposal.
The road to the ALCO store would have to be extended by the partnership, and the partnership would have to work with the city about extending the water and sewer lines.
If approved, the builder of the town homes will be from out of the area but local subcontractors will be hired, Supt. Indihar said.
The board's Land Committee will meet on Monday, April 22 at 6 p.m. to discuss the proposal and the lots. The board will hold a special meeting on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m. for further discussion.
"With the construction of McDonald's and other businesses and $1 million in housing, that's a lot of progress for this town and this school," said board member Jamie Jungers.
Athletic director hired
Jungers and board member Julie Peterson were the two no votes in approving Anthony Andres as the athletic director effective January 21, 2014. The motion passed with four votes to hire Andres.
Andres, who teaches business, was the only in-house applicant for the position of athletic director. Supt. Indihar explained that Andres had been interviewed by the administration, including the high school and elementary principals, and they recommended that he be hired for the position. The board had indicated earlier that they preferred someone from the school take the position in order to be available to students during the school days.
Jungers said that he wanted the board to talk to Andres before a contract was offered to find out his views. His comments were supported by Peterson.
However, board member Peter Steen, whose comments were supported by board member Scott Benoit, said that it would set a precedent if the board talked to the candidate. He said that the board follows the recommendations of the administration when hiring other candidates.
Board member Lisa Anderson-Reed pointed out that there is a probation period, and that Andres' contract would be approved annually.
Proposal in Legislature
Supt. Indihar said that the proposal in the Legislature that asks for $20 million grants for the Moose Lake and Rushford-Peterson school districts is "hanging by a thread." In his visit to the Capitol on April 9, he said that he was told that the Legislature does not build buildings.
"I won't be surprised if it is dropped," he added.
Land sale
The details for the sale of land to the commercial developer is proceeding, however, a subordinate clause has to be approved by the board for signing. The clause would ensure that the land would revert back to the school district if the developer defaults. Because the developer is going through a bank to finance the project, the bank will want the first chance on the land.
The legal papers were not yet available for signing.
Other business
The board approved Julie Duesler as the child care coordinator for the Mini Moose Lodge, accepted the resignations of Industrial Arts instructor Trevor Howe and counselor Marlee Mollet, effective at the end of the school year, approved summer band lessons, approved an increase of five cents per lunch for both high school and elementary students, approved the referendum election judges resolution and approved the new graduation requirements.
The date for canvassing the election results was set for Tuesday, May 28, at 6 p.m.
The next monthly meeting of the board was set for Monday, May 20, at 6 p.m.


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The eight senators who crafted comprehensive legislation to overhaul the immigration system went to great lengths to balance the competing priorities of dozens of interest groups in an 844-page bill introduced on Wednesday in hopes it would improve the chances for passage of the bill.
The courting of immigrants rights groups, farmers, the Chamber of Commerce, the tech industry and the AFL-CIO labor organization has paid off so far, with many of these players issuing positive initial statements about the bill.
But many of the favorable comments have been accompanied by caveats and "yes, but" statements that illustrate the vulnerability of the bill, which must survive months of legislative scrutiny.
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, for example, praised the legislation in a press release but also promised that he would "work to correct" unspecified details that could cause "unintended, but serious harm to immigrant workers and the broader labor market."
Also praising the bill, with qualifications, was Thomas Donohue, president of the Chamber of Commerce, the business lobby. Donohue called the senators' work a "critical step toward a final law that will work for our economy and for our society" adding that the chamber will continue to push for its own changes to the legislation.
America's Voice, the most prominent advocacy organization backing reform, called the proposal a "breakthrough" but also said it too would seek improvements, including cutting back on border enforcement provisions and granting recognition to same-sex spouses applying for family visas.
The bill, sponsored by four Republicans and four Democrats dubbed the "Gang of Eight," was conceived as a pathway to legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. That is controversial enough, particularly among Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.
But it also creates an entirely new system designed to increase the flow of foreign workers for agriculture, construction and low-skilled jobs and to boost the supply of educated employees for America's tech sector. These provisions are coupled with protections, many objectionable to industry, intended to meet organized labor's concerns about cheap labor competing with U.S. citizens.
The intricate balancing act is as much a vulnerability as a strength. As the various groups and their lobbyists vie for small tweaks to the language, the changes taken together could cause the bill to unravel, as similar measures have in the past.
Lanae Erickson Hatalsky, director of social policy and politics at Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank that supports immigration reform, said her biggest fear is the "death by a thousand cuts" that befell 2007 immigration legislation.
"I'm hopeful that advocates of reform don't want to let the perfect be the enemy of the good this time," she said. "And if the gang can hold together, despite pressure from the right and the left, and stay strong to fend off alterations to the core compromises in the bill, I think they can get this thing across the finish line."
The U.S. Chamber is one of many groups that want to see some fine-tuning of the language, although it did not refer to a specific problem in its statement on Wednesday.
"There is no doubt that there will be additional input and analysis through Senate hearings and amendments, and we look forward to being part of that needed process," Donohue said in the statement.
But changes made to the bill to accommodate Donohue's membership might not necessarily be welcomed by the AFL-CIO, which in March hammered out a deal with the chamber on the guest worker provision that was incorporated into the gang's draft.
While support from tech companies and the chamber will help the bill's prospects, business groups themselves are by no means unified over the bill.
The National Retail Federation, while calling comprehensive immigration reform "long overdue," raised concerns in a statement about "E-verify," the system for verifying the legal status of job applications that would be mandatory under the bill.
The American Civil Liberties Union, a staunch supporter of a pathway to citizenship, also has qualms about "E-verify." A headline on the ACLU's website Wednesday called "mandatory E-verify" a "giant plunge into a national I.D. system." The ACLU is also concerned about the border crackdown envisioned by the bill.
And construction firms are upset over what they see as a disappointingly low number of visas allowed under the bill for their sector, a provision urged by unions.
Geoff Burr, vice president of federal affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association said that while his group supports the senators' goals on immigration reform, it may decide to withhold its backing unless it can get changes.
"To be honest with you, I'm not sure, if this (bill) were the final product, where we would end up," Burr told Reuters.
(Additional reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)


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17 June 2012
ICLEI World Congress 2012 ends with powerful message to Rio+20
Examples presented by cities around the world in the past four days of the ICLEI World Congress 2012 have demonstrated that over the past 20 years, the advances of local governments in implementing sustainable development policies were higher than those observed globally. So, among other reasons, such as the fact that cities are the level of government closest to the citizen and space for change and innovation, the representatives of ICLEI prove that there needs to be recognition that local governments are effective drivers for sustainable development. This is the basic premise of the Message for the Rio +20 Conference, adopted on Sunday, 17 June, at the closing of the ICLEI World Congress 2012.
The Congress, held in Belo Horizonte 14-17 June and the first in Latin America, was considered the largest in the history of ICLEI with more than 1,200 participants. More than 1,200 representatives from 64 countries, including 79 mayors, showed in plenary sessions, workshops and the progress of municipalities in the adoption of effective measures aimed at sustainability. Innovative actions and policies have been reported, including those adopted in Belo Horizonte and several Brazilian cities, which effectively resulted in improved environmental quality and life in the cities, legitimizing the collection, the association, the greater recognition within the United Nations.
A message from the ICLEI World Congress for the Rio +20 will be delivered by the mayor of Belo Horizonte, Marcio Lacerda, to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday, 21 June, during "Global Town Hall - Cities Leadership for the 2030 Urban World" event of the Rio+20 Global Town Hall.
Challenges and recognition Lawmakers also pointed out the major challenges be faced as the Message for Rio +20 is the recognition that local governments are indeed governmental actors in the United Nations (UN) and should be given recognition, voice and direct access to national and international funds for development sustainable, and other considerations.
In the document, the participants proposed that this be recognized as the century of cities and that in the next 40 years, the urban expansion of capacity will be equivalent to that occurred in the past 4,000 years, presenting unprecedented challenges and opportunities to redesign and transform urban life. "We had in Belo Horizonte the biggest event in the history of ICLEI, as the largest mobilization not only of mayors and governors, but also to the public. This is the century of cities, is the century in which, to achieve a green and inclusive urban economy, we need to understand that cities are incubators of change, innovation incubators, where the action is actually the case, the level of governance is more close to the citizen, " said the executive secretary of ICLEI South America, Florence Lalöe.
Florence pointed out as examples of local progress Local Agenda 21 (Agenda 21, a global program for sustainable development was adopted at the Earth 92, Rio de Janeiro, and contains a chapter focused on local governments) deployed in thousands of cities worldwide, the pact in Mexico City, signed by more than 100 cities that have emission inventories of greenhouse gases and are implementing concrete measures reduction of emissions and actions in the area of biodiversity, among many others. "We have several cases already demonstrating this specific case the progress of cities. We did a major study of what happened in the last 20 years at the local level and we have much to show at Rio +20, "he said.
"The completion of the ICLEI World Congress in the capital is a recognition of the international community dealing with issues of sustainability that Belo Horizonte has played an important role in this area. So we have the credibility to dialogue with other countries about the future of development and sustainability, " said Mayor Marcio Lacerda. Lacerda also noted that, to actually achieve the sustainable development of countries and cities social inclusion needs to be increased by taking steps to end poverty and misery.
17 June 2012
World Mayors Council endorses response for strong climate action; elects new chair
Mayors and other elected representatives of local governments from around the world came together on Sunday morning, 17 June 2012, in the Noble Hall of the Municipality of Belo Horizonte for the General Assembly of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.
In addition to approving the ICLEI World Congress message to Rio that will be handed over to representatives of the United Nations (UN) during Rio +20, the participants dealt with other agenda items such as the election of Park Won Soon, Mayor of Seoul, South Korea, as the new chair of the Council. Mayor Park will assume the presidency at the next ICLEI convention in October 2012.
The meeting was held on the last day of the 2012 ICLEI World Congress, held in Belo Horizonte from 14-17 June. The Mayor of Belo Horizonte and host of the event, Marcio Lacerda, opened the Assembly. Other Brazilian leaders including the Mayor of Sao Paulo, Gilberto Kassab and Mayor of Vitória and President of the National Front of Mayors, João Carlos Coser were also present.
After the introduction of themes, the former Executive Secretary of the Club of Rome, Martin Lees, made a brief presentation of a report commissioned by the United Nations (UN) that will be introduced in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
The report took two years to develop and presents, in detail, the types of climate changes that are occurring on the planet, their consequences for human life, what are the causes and effective measures to be taken. At the end of the presentation, Oscar dos Santos, the Mayor of Maldonado, Uruguay and a representative of Mercociudades, addressed the challenges of being a leading city for the environment. Santos appealed to the international community for cities to receive more support and incentives for sustainability projects. The Mayor of Vitória supported the statement and added the difficulties of municipalities to manage all activities for preservation of the environment without the support of other spheres of government.
After discussions, the ICLEI message to Rio was read and approved unanimously by all the authorities present. The document contains suggestions for reducing carbon emissions, requires the support of the international community for the sake of the environment and suggests the creation of a fund for investment in sustainable technologies.
The Mayor of Hiroshima, Japan suggested a document topic on a global disarmament campaign be added. In response, Disarmament for Sustainable Development was added to the document. It is to be delivered by ICLEI Secretary General Konrad Otto-Zimmermann to the United Nations representatives in Rio de Janeiro.
The leaders also participated in an ICLEI conference in Park City through the plenary Local Leadership in Global Governance for Sustainable Development. The Mayor of Sao Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, made a brief presentation of developed sustainable projects and future plans for the city.
The executive secretary of the program emphasized the need to join efforts to fight poverty and climate change. Participants agreed that quick action is needed to reduce carbon emissions, improve the infrastructure of cities, remove people from hazardous areas and preserve the planet's biodiversity.
The main members and participants of the ICLEI Congress will proceed to Rio de Janeiro on Monday, 18 June, to attend the Rio +20 Conference.
Read the Mayoral Resolution from the World Mayors Council meeting at ICLEI World Congress 2012.
16 June 2012
How can cities find a sustainable path without compromising their developmental direction?
The opening section of the conference for Saturday 16 June focused on an urban green economy. In many ways this aspect of the conference is essential, particularly leading toward Rio+20 and addressing the issues related to sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.
There is a paradox in development as the need for poverty eradication cannot be under stressed but it will result in a growing middle class, who will raise their levels of consumption. Without a method to prevent ecological destruction, the addition of more consumers will only extrapolate the dire problems we face today.
Information provided by OECD did well to demonstrate the future context with larger economies, higher consumption and higher demand/stress on the natural resources. In particular, a speaker directly identified the challenges in a developing country, relating the relationship between jobs, economic development and the ability to create and finance sustainable development initiatives. Within this context an important question rises, how can developing countries moderate the historical 'path to development' and find a sustainable way without compromising their developmental direction. More importantly, is there an alternative path, through a green economy that could hasten regional or national development (and I do not mean to use the word 'development' solely in an economic context).
Although it has been mentioned, cities will only become increasingly important as both centers of population growth and areas of high consumption. Unfortunately, in many cities there is a growing disconnect between urban/rural, civil/natural that draws lines of separation and falsely creates the isolation of cities from the environment. This is a dangerous separation that must be overcome to reconnect the people in cities with nature, to infuse and re-naturalize the environment within the city. There was only a brief discussion regarding the role of education.
City actions represent the citizens, and the population need to understand what sustainable development and green economy are (in a specific context) to understand how change can happen and that they can be a part of it. The cities need to reach out to the populace to imbed the programs, and many cities are doing this but it takes time. Such a movement can help to solidify the political will with community support for a more holistic approach. Buried in the challenges ahead is the centralization of cities as a place for change, and in this light, a visible context to address the problems. If cities can act, the results will resonate.
Near the end of the opening conference there were a few words regarding consumption, and I was rather disappointed that there was not more attention on this topic. I would like to continue this conversation as I think it to be an essential issue moving forward. It is easy to suggest that people need to moderate their consumption but the actual strategies, for both developed and developing countries, vary considerably.
(Report by Jonathan Coulis. Jonathan is PhD candidate researching commodity production and consumption relationships in an international development context. In addition, his work focuses on the rise of Brazilian commodity power and South-South Cooperation programs.)
16 June 2012
What problems do cities face as they move to be more biodiverse?
Rather than explaining the simple question "why do we want bio-diverse cities" I will write from the perspective that most people understand the basic value, particularly when we are experiencing widespread and drastic lost in global biodiversity. I do want to stress one aspect to link cities and biodiversity: cities exist in a place, in an environment with its own ecology and natural history. Each city was, and is, an ecosystem and ensuring that the biodiversity survives is essential. Recognizing that each region is ecologically different lends reason to support local initiatives that can respond to local problems and operate within specific cultures.
Turning to the section, the panel approached the idea of city biodiversity on two different levels. The first period focused on the international and institutional developments to address biodiversity, including the integrated efforts of various levels of local government and the changing face of the international bodies. The collective message stressed the overall disappointing response by government bodies to address biodiversity, but that cities are investing significantly more and creating successful examples. Oliver Hillel identified the recent international investments into green energy and asked why there is no market or incentives on biodiversity. Unfortunately, there was not much engagement regarding this very interesting question. One thought that was identified was the changing values of real estate when green or protected areas are created, altering the economic geography of the city. I would very much like to hear opinions regarding how biodiversity could engage in the market.
The second phase focused on specific case studies of cities embracing and implementing the idea of a bio-diverse city. I won't get into the specific discussions, there was a very interesting presentation given by the city government of Suqian, China, but overall the cases demonstrated that each successful city has implemented their program to fit the context. However, there could have been more conversation to identify the differences in cities, particularly regarding their size, their resources, political histories, and the ecological state of their environment when trying to recover or protect biodiversity. Unfortunately there was only a limited engagement regarding the challenges and difficulties for different cities in different situations. To explain a little more, there seem to be mega cities who have the resources to finance and sustain programs (Mexico City), emerging cities who altered their construction at an early age and cement ecological awareness into the foundation of the city (Suqian) and smaller cities, often short on resources and in terrible environmental conditions—these cities and programs face serious challenges and I hope there can be more discussion regarding differences between cities seeking to implement or maintain a program over time
(Report by Jonathan Coulis. Jonathan is PhD candidate researching commodity production and consumption relationships in an international development context. In addition, his work focuses on the rise of Brazilian commodity power and South-South Cooperation programs.)
15 June 2012
ICLEI presents 8 agendas for rapid and radical action
ICLEI is a powerful movement of 12 mega-cities, 100 super-cities, 450 large cities and urban regions as well as 650 small and medium-sized cities and towns in 80 countries.
The pace of global environmental change, the trends of degradation within global ecosystem services and the overshoot of the human footprint on Earth require an acceleration of local efforts. Experts confirm what all of us feel: We must act more rapidly and pursue more radical solutions ICLEI is set to support its Member cities and local governments in working towards sustainability.
ICLEI promotes local action for global sustainability and supports cities to become sustainable, resilient, resource-efficient, biodiverse, low-carbon; to build a smart infrastructure; and to develop an inclusive, green urban economy. The ultimate aim is to achieve healthy and happy communities.
We have developed stable, long-term programs to support local-level sustainability and continue to develop innovative new programs to respond to issues of international concern. ICLEI's work pursues 8 agendas designed to support Member cities and local governments in their efforts towards sustainability.
Resource Efficient Cities
Resource-efficient cities will gain competitive advantage in an era of shrinking global resources coupled with global and urban population growth. However, efficiency gains through urban density are thwarted by billions of people adopting resource-consumptive urban lifestyles. Cities, if wanting to be future-proof, need to go beyond minimizing the use of natural resources and become productive systems.
ICLEI offers:
- Programs such as Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM), Green Growth Cities and networks such as Food Smart Cities
- Capacity building as well as systems – esp. ecoBudget® – and tools for managing local natural resources such as land and soil, water, fauna & flora and biodiversity, food, nutrients, minerals, materials, energy
- ICLEI triennial World Congress and regional conventions
Sustainable City
How cities perform will impact not just the living conditions of the over six billion people who will be living in cities in the year 2050, but also the condition of ecosystems and economy globally. More and more cities are accelerating efforts to becoming a true "eco-city, "green city" or "sustainable city".
ICLEI offers:
- Leadership in the Local Agenda 21 movement for participatory governance
- Networks such as the global Eco-cities Network
- Capacity building
- Systems and tools for sustainability management, e.g. ecoBudget®
- Advocacy on behalf of local governments
- ICLEI triennial World Congress and regional conventions
Green Urban Economy
The way we produce, distribute, purchase, use and consume determines the stability of ecosystems and sustainability of human civilization on Earth. Green, inclusive urban economies based on cradle-to- cradle material cycles and an appreciation of human labor over energy-intensive technology will make a difference. Sustainable procurement will drive the market green, create green jobs, and support future-oriented industries.
ICLEI offers:
- A Green Urban Economy strategy
- Local Action for Employment processes, engaging stakeholders in the development of job creation and green job strategies
- Sustainable Procurement program through ICLEI's Sustainable Procurement Center, regional secretariats and country offices
- EcoProcura© Conferences for exchange and learning
- ICLEI guidance and technical advice on hosting green events
- ICLEI triennial World Congress and regional conventions
Smart Urban Infrastructure
A city's eco-efficient, resilient and low-carbon development requires smart urban infrastructure which, in turn depends on smart systems design. Cities must look beyond single technologies and at the variety of urban infrastructures, identifying possible efficiency gains through linkages between different infrastructures, new operational and business models, as well as financing models.
ICLEI offers:
- ICLEI's Local Renewables Center, regional secretariats and country offices inform Members about regionally specific Local Renewables programs
- Annual, international Local Renewables conference in Freiburg
- In partnership with the Green Building Councils and UNEP, ICLEI offers cities technical advice on green buildings and sustainable construction
- An annual Resilient Building & Construction Forum in Bonn, Germany
- Join the EcoMobility Alliance
- Biennial EcoMobility world congress
- Annual resilient Urban Logistics Forum in Bonn, Germany
Resilient City
Sustainable cities must be low-risk and resilient cities: resilient to disaster, climate change, economic shocks and any unforeseen events. Resilience building involves reducing exposure to risk and vulnerability while increasing resistance and robustness and ensuring emergency preparedness.
ICLEI offers:
- A range of Resilient Cities/Communities or climate adaptation programs tailored to regional conditions
- The annual Resilient Cities global forum on urban resilience and adaptation in Bonn
- Cities are invited to sign the Durban Adaptation Charter expressing their commitment to climate change adaptation action
- The Mayors Adaptation Forum in Bonn convened by the World Mayors Council
- Cities may also join the "Making cities resilient: My city is getting ready" campaign of UN-ISDR with ICLEI and other partners
Low Carbon City
Low-carbon, low-emission or even carbon-neutral cities, are the signposts to sustainability. Cities account for 70-80% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, an effective international climate agreement must include a focus on urban greenhouse gas reduction. Cities and local governments, however, must not wait for an international agreement to be reached but should act ambitiously and rapidly.
ICLEI offers:
- Global Cities Covenant on Climate (Mexico City Pact)
- Bonn Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting (carbonn®) operates the carbonn Cities Climate Registry
- GreenClimateCities program guides cities through a process of analysis, target-setting, programming, identifying finance, implementation, monitoring and reporting
- HEAT+ online tool is available for cities to account for their greenhouse gas emissions
- ICLEI actively advocates local climate action, local governments as partners in global climate governance, bottom-up finance mechanisms and local government access to climate finance
Biodiverse City
Ecosystem-based local planning and management is an increasingly essential component of the future sustainable city. The manifold benefits derived from ecosystem-based goods and services underpin most local economies and provide cost-effective and sustainable essential services and green jobs to municipalities and their communities. ICLEI Members define the cutting edge of ecosystem-based planning and management and become biodiverse cities.
ICLEI offers:
- Cities Biodiversity Center, regional secretariats and country offices enables cities, local and sub-national governments worldwide to commit to biodiversity action
- Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) Pioneer Project, a partnership initiative with IUCN and others, that is the entry level of choice for cities to join over 50 leading cities and local governments on all continents
- URBIS Network and the various BiodiverCities projects run at country and regional
Healthy and Happy Communities
Ultimately cities strive to ensure that their local community enjoys health and happiness and good quality of life. Whether on a modest or more affluent economic footing, local governments must promote community vitality, health, peace, safety, education, culture, and good governance. Local governments can take advantage of 20 years of ICLEI leadership and experience in promoting participatory governance and sustainable development planning for healthy and happy communities.
ICLEI offers:
- ICLEI offers opportunities for Members to develop a local "happiness index" on the route "beyond GDP"
- Members concerned about public health and safety may seek guidance through ICLEI's support Safe & Healthy Communities program
- The Local Agenda for Peace and Security gives support to members in crisis-stricken regions or those with a community suffering from violence who incorporate a just and peaceful community in their sustainable development plans
15 June 2012
From Rio+20 to Rio+30: what actions are needed to reverse global environmental degradation?
The second day of the congress opened with a procession, composed of 1,200 students from schools in the city of Belo Horizonte who welcomed the delegates with the vibrant sound of drums, percussion, and positive messages.
Afterwards, the plenary from Rio to Rio, involving several youth speakers and international experts, highlighted the need to act rapidly to combat environmental conflicts facing the planet. The idea is that these solutions are implemented by the year 2030.
ICLEI Founder Jeb Brugmann, Secretary General Konrad Otto-Zimmermann and Deputy Secretary General Gino Van Begin, were among those present at the session along with the chairman of ICLEI Brazil, Pedro Roberto Jacobi, and Belo Horizonte Mayor Marcio Lacerda.
The experts drew attention to the decisions that need to be taken and applied today. The debate gained even more strength when Martin Lees, Former Secretary General of the Club of Rome and Gino Van Begin explained the environmental situation of the planet with data and statistics from 20 years ago.
Despite some positive aspects in areas such as soil degradation, water resources management and reduction of greenhouse gases in some regions, Van Begin is convinced that there is still a long way to go. "When it comes to environmental issues in global reality is still serious. But with the participation and creativity of all we can find one or more ways, "he said.
One of the members of the table discussions, Simone Ariane Pflaum, a member of the City of Freiburg in Germany, spoke about everyone's responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. The councilor said that one can go further when there is a collaboration. "Right now we are here to propose challenges, but also to share our dreams, on which world we want and how we can make it real," she announced.
According to Pedro Roberto Jacobi all issues raised in the session, such as responsible and sustainable policies need to mobilize and engage all actors.
"We live in an extremely important moment of decision making for future generations. And it's not today that we live with troubling news about the environment. Therefore, the ideas developed here lead us to consider ways to reverse this degradation, "said the president of ICLEI. "This is an ideal time to multiply the experiences successful and sustainable, above all, strengthen the perception that we are only a planet," he added.
15 June 2012
What is the role of cities in sustainable development?
The opening ceremony of the ICLEI world congress swept across many of the core issues facing "development" and our global community today. In a broad sense, the global community has arrived at a crucial juncture. Recent events in the world have reshaped the context and conversation about sustainable development just as Rio+20 is scheduled to occur.
The global community is experiencing a series of far reaching and seemingly repetitious crisis, from extreme weather, rapid ecological degradation, long sustained international conflict, extensive relocation of populations, economic stagnation or recession, revival of civil society activity throughout the world and a growing popular perspective that the current direction cannot continue and our society must change.
The opening ceremony highlighted a number of important themes that will be revisited in the next few days. Principal among these is the focus on sustainable development in the local, city based context. In a broad manner the speakers identified troubling differences between local sustainability and global sustainability.
It is important to recognize that ICLEI has been able to link a vast number of cities, and push through a consistent perspective that focuses on realistic goals contributing sustainable development. The most striking aspect of the opening ceremony was the scope of the international network among cities, stressing that despite the often recognized challenges at the national level the cities can respond and facilitate much needed change through often diverse and innovative approaches.
When considering this web of local actors this approach is refreshingly practical. Any discussion of environment and sustainable development must take place in a local context, and it must engage local actors/communities to be implemented. A focus on the local allows for a specific response that to each context, and one that can address the diverse needs of a city or region, build partnerships in the area and ensure ownership over the results, regardless of the result.
I do not intend to restate the messages of the speakers but it is essential to expand on a theme that was forcefully articulated by keynote speaker Martin Lees. Deservedly, this conference seems to highlight the examples of successful local sustainability, but Lees tempered this perspective by stressing the dangers that the world faces, and the gross failures of most nations to reach modest goals in transforming their economy, consumption, or perspectives, despite his candid call for "deeper considerations."
When faced with the facts regarding climate change, pollution, environmental degradation and the immense scale of the challenge, it becomes abundantly clear that society and cities in particular must drastically commit to reforming toward a sustainable model of existence. I think initiatives at the city level are an affective inroad to alter the landscape, I only hope that the ambitions from the conference can be supported with a new willingness, through all levels of governance, to face the problems with a sincere effort rather than a lip-service and green wash.
Report by Jonathan Coulis. Jonathan is PhD candidate researching commodity production and consumption relationships in an international development context. In addition, my work focuses on the rise of Brazilian commodity power and South-South Cooperation programs.
14 June 2014
Urban Nature Forum official message to the ICLEI World Congress 2012
Over the past two days the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center in partnership and with thanks to the City of Belo Horizonte, SEBRAE and the Secretariat of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has hosted the third Urban Nature Forum here in Belo Horizonte. This has provided a unique science-policy-implementation interface for stimulating discussion, and importantly, leading to positive action on urban biodiversity and ecosystem management. The message from this forum is that:
As more and more of us move into cities we may feel increasingly disconnected from nature. However, biodiversity still underpins our wellbeing, security, and resilience as much as ever: the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the medicine we take, the natural beauty that inspires us, our very existence.
However, our ecological bank account is being pillaged. We are witnessing the largest extinction event since that which ended the reign of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Unsustainable urbanization is undoubtedly part of the problem. Yet, cities offer enormous hope: social organization, resource mobilization, communication, education, efficiency gains, innovation and leadership.
Tools and techniques are available. Many cities are taking action, but we need more, we need to upscale, to implement, to promote learning exchanges, to foster partnerships, to think out the box and ultimately take on the challenge and take responsibility. This is why, today, a broad spectrum of partners convened during the Urban Nature Forum to launch a new global initiative called URBIS which will serve to transcend the science-policy interface.
The Urban Nature Forum sends a challenge to the World Congress to mainstream and integrate biodiversity into addressing and achieving the ICLEI agendas and thus contributing to implementation of the strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The imperative has never been clearer; the impetus has never been stronger. Let's all take responsibility.
14 June 2012
ICLEI World Congress opens today!
More than 1400 participants from 45 countries, half of whom are representing local governments are attending ICLEI's biggest World Congress.
Izabella Teixeira, Brazil's Minister of Environment commented that witnessing local governments take part at the congress is a testament of how they are more than ready to take a bigger role in sustainable development.
"Some 20 years ago, cities were not even present in international or national negotiations, but now you see them telling nations to listen as they show how local action can help transform the world".
Cities will not, and does not wait until national governments act towards sustainability. As the congress unfolds in the next three days, cities will present their stories and experiences in dealing with pressing issues such as unsustainable patterns of consumption, loss of biodiversity, rising sea levels and extreme weather events, drought, lack of access to water and food, and the list goes on.
To further guide cities in reaching their sustainability goals, ICLEI will be presenting its 8 agendas - Biodiverse Cities, Resource-efficient Cities, Low-carbon Cities, Sustainable Cities, Resilient Cities, Green Urban Economy, Smart Urban Infrastructure, and Healthy and Happy Communities.
Closely linked to Rio+20, cities will be sending a strong signal to Rio+20 through a mayoral statement to be delivered in Rio.
Read Belo Horizonte's newsletter (in Portuguese) for more highlights!
15 May 2012
Wanted: Social Reporters!
We want you! Whether you'll be at the congress or not, here's your chance to share your talents, contribute to the stirring discussions, and make top ideas about sustainable cities travel far and wide.
Become a social reporter at the congress!
Our social reporting team will consist of volunteers, participants, congress partners or organizers or just about anyone able and willing. Our goal is to spread the congress' messages through our social media networks, and to actively interact and engage with participants on-site and off-site.
You need not be social media savvy to be a volunteer. The 'oldies' in the group will teach and train 'newbies' on the different social media tools. We will also meet at the venue or online to discuss about the do's and don'ts in reporting and some tips to rock the social reporting scene!
Interested to volunteer? This is an excellent learning opportunity, and a way to share experiences with like-minded people. You could also spend as much and as little time as you wish, so no pressure at all!
Drop me an email at: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Alumnus works as player development coach for NBA champion Miami Heat
Octavio De La Grana, a 1993 graduate of Liberty University's Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), feels fortunate to have worked in the NBA for the past seven seasons as a player development coach and advance scout for the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat.
But he still considers himself a high school coach at heart. After winning 434 games and leading his alma mater, Florida Christian School, to a Class 2A state championship in 1996, he established Coach D's Basketball Camp, a summer outlet for youth in the Miami area. He coached high school for 18 years and served as athletic director for six, while completing his general studies degree from Liberty.
De La Grana's connection with the Heat organization started through coaching the daughter of Miami Heat President Pat Riley at Florida Christian School. He was hired by the Heat in 2006 and spends much of his time training and scouting developmental players.
"Occasionally, I do part of the scouting (of Miami's upcoming opponents). Mostly I work the young guys out. It's not the most glamorous thing, but it's a great opportunity," De La Grana said. "I'm very honored to be involved in the NBA, but by no means have I reinvented the game. I'm a very small part of this big machine. The majority of my involvement is developing guys that don't even dress. My whole life has been in high school, where you have an impact on kids' lives and are able to coach guys on a daily basis."
De La Grana was impressed with the quality of distance education he received through Liberty, with support from current Dean of the School of Education Karen Parker and her husband, education professor Leonard Parker. The Parkers both taught De La Grana when he was a student at Florida Christian.
"They gave me tremendous support, anytime I needed questions answered," De La Grana said. "(Distance learning) was not as high-tech as it is today, but Liberty was the blueprint for it (online education)."
The discipline it took to complete his degree while working as a physical education teacher, coach, and athletic director taught him the importance of being detail-oriented and diligent.
"God's given everybody different talents, different abilities," he said. "To me, it's not the job you have, it's how you do your job."
He said mutual respect has played a large part in Miami's recent success, and that it's not all due to having LeBron James on the floor.
"We have some great leaders from top to bottom," De La Grana said. "From (General Manager) Micky Arison to our coach (Erik Spoelstra), to our trainers, people in the weight room, our strength coaches, our scouts … it's a collective effort.
"You aspire every year for a championship and you do all you can," he added. "Whatever it takes, you do it and you hope you can end it like we have the past couple years. It took a lot of people putting in a lot of work."
Youngest U.S. pro swimmer enrolls in Liberty Online Academy
Michael Andrew, who recently broke one of Michael Phelps' records and is the youngest American swimmer to sign a professional endorsement deal, has joined the more than 2,000 students enrolled in Liberty University Online Academy, which provides online education to students in grades 3-12.
Andrew, a 14-year-old Kansas resident, was featured on swimswam.com and in the June issue of Sports Illustrated after becoming the youngest American swimmer to go pro, signing with South Africa-based P2Life nutritional supplements. He drew immediate comparisons to 18-time Olympic gold medalist Phelps, who turned pro at the age of 16 in 2001.
On Aug. 9, Andrew smashed two National Age Group records on the last night of the USA Swimming Junior National Championships in Irvine, Calif. He slashed nearly a second and a half off Phelps' 200-meter Individual Medley mark, set in 2000. Andrew now holds 12 National Age Group records.
Both Andrew and his younger sister Michaela, who also enrolled in Liberty Online Academy this summer, are seeking to accelerate their home-school education. Studying online enables Michael to pursue his dreams of making the United States team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, affording him time to travel around the world for international meets and train at home.
Already a year ahead of his peers, Michael is entering 10th grade and plans to finish high school by the time he is 16. Additionally, with the program's dual enrollment option, he can start taking college courses as soon as next year.
Liberty Online Academy Dean Jay Spencer said the program's flexibility allows students to manage their time more effectively through independent study.
"Students come in with us and they realize they're now in control of their education," he said, noting a typical school day spans three to five hours. "There's a tremendous amount of freedom in there. That is why an athlete like Michael sees the benefit of the program because he can schedule his schooling around his swim training, rather than the other way around."
For similar reasons, the program has attracted other elite athletes, including 15-year-old triathlete Stone Dyson, who also recently enrolled after competing in last month's Junior National Championships in Ohio, and middle school gymnast Alexis Stokes, as well as budding actors and actresses.
Liberty Online Academy started in 2007 with 35 students. It ended this past academic year with 2,100 enrolled in the United States and abroad.
Graduate injured in Boston Marathon bombing finds hope in midst of tragedy
What began as a fun family trip quickly became a life-changing experience for alumna Gina DiMartino ('07, M.B.A.). DiMartino, of Rochester, N.Y., and several members of her family traveled to Boston to watch her mother run in the Boston Marathon on April 15.
As DiMartino eagerly tracked her mother's progress via a smartphone app, she and three other loved ones were caught in one of two blasts that claimed the lives of three and wounded at least 264 near the finish line.
DiMartino was only 10-15 feet away when the bomb went off, sending her and the other spectators flying through the air. The trauma caused her to teeter in and out of consciousness, so she only remembers the event in pieces: the sound of the explosion, being lifted off the ground, her sister binding a sweatshirt around her bleeding leg, being ushered into an ambulance, and waking up in the hospital a day later.
Her injuries included a large gash near her right knee, resulting in severe nerve damage that caused her to lose feeling from the knee down. Thankfully, she is expected to fully regain feeling in her leg and foot, but the process may take up to 400 days. Her brother, Peter, his girlfriend, and her son were also injured but are all expected to recover sooner.
DiMartino was released from the hospital on May 9, after three weeks in a hospital room and another stint at a rehab center. Now she is living on the first floor of her parents' Rochester home as she recovers. She has limited mobility and goes to physical therapy three days a week.
Through this experience, DiMartino has found strength and encouragement in the Lord. She clings to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "God's power is made perfect in weakness" (paraphrase).
"Laying in the hospital bed, I could feel God's strength," she said. "I knew that I had absolutely no strength to get through all the surgeries and everything that was going on, and dealing with it. I could feel God's strength, and I could feel He was with me."
She said even in her darkest moments, God never fails to bring encouragement, often in the form of a text or email. In addition to tremendous support from family, friends, and her church, she has also received encouragement from a number of people she has never met, many of them fellow believers.
"It is an amazing feeling to be so surrounded and protected by God and prayer and just feeling His promises fulfilled in you," she said. "There have been so many people that have been so encouraging to me, many that I don't even know."
Alumnus serves globally with humanitarian organization
Alumnus John Johnson ('01) serves with Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF), a French organization, on various humanitarian projects. He is currently working in Madagascar but has served in the Sudan and many other third-world locations.
Johnson has been affiliated with Liberty since its inception. His father and mother, John and Paula Johnson, were part of Liberty's first class. His grandfather is the late Doug Oldham, the popular gospel music singer who sang for the Old Time Gospel Hour at Thomas Road Baptist Church and traveled with the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr. to raise money for the new Lynchburg Baptist College in the summer of 1971. Oldham is buried near Liberty's Prayer Chapel.
Johnson earned a B.S. in communication with a specialization in graphic design. However, after going on mission trips to Slovakia and India with Thomas Road Baptist Church, he said he realized the dire need for medical care around the world.
He enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University's accelerated nursing program and graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in Nursing. He finished his M.A. in Adult Primary Care from VCU in 2012.
Even before nursing school, Johnson's dream was to work with MSF. After he was hired by the organization, he spent six months in Nigeria on a nutrition project. While serving there, Johnson and his team would drive to various towns and set up clinics to treat malnourished children. One clinic could see up to 5,000 malnourished children a week.
"It was way more responsibility than I had ever had before, and I learned a lot about being a manager, saying no with a smile, and learning how to motivate people," Johnson said.
Last year, Johnson was in South Sudan with MSF, where he ran a small hospital in a refugee camp. When he arrived, there were only 16 beds in the hospital. Johnson and his team were able to build a new hospital with 100 beds, start a nutrition project, a mobile clinic, a blood bank, and a community education program.
Johnson has been on his latest humanitarian trip in Madagascar with MSF since March, where he is managing the staff at a small hospital. He will be there until early 2014.
"I think my upbringing led me to this line of work," Johnson said. "My parents always taught me not to think about money or a career as important things to pursue, but to think in terms of quality of life and what sort of benefit you add to the world."
Passion for ministry leads graduate to serve as tour guide in Holy Land
Alumnus Cesar Fleitas ('08) has had a desire to minister in Israel for as long as he can remember. Fleitas is a native of Paraguay and grew up in a Jewish community there. He came to the United States to study at Word of Life (WOL) Bible Institute, then completed his B.S. in Religion through Liberty University Online while interning for WOL.
Fleitas is now immersed in ministry in Jerusalem. Through his local church he works with people of all ages; he teaches Bible study and disciples other believers. He also works full time as a tour guide at the Garden Tomb, which many believe is the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who donated his own prepared tomb for Jesus' burial, according to Scripture. Fleitas finds the job rewarding and enjoys the unique opportunity to share the Gospel with people from many nations and faiths.
In May, Fleitas had the opportunity to take a group from Liberty University School of Law through the Garden Tomb on its annual Israel study abroad trip. He said it was a blessing to meet a group from his alma mater.
"Liberty played a huge role in my education … in the ministry that I am doing here in Israel, both at the Garden Tomb and at my local church here in Jerusalem."
As a bilingual speaker, Fleitas' services come in handy. He gives tours in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and is the Garden Tomb's first Spanish-speaking guide. As he continues to serve the Lord in Israel, he hopes to help grow the born-again community in Jerusalem by translating Bible study and discipleship materials into Hebrew.
Liberty pre-med grad supports impoverished children through multimillion-dollar business
Though he grew up working for his dad's janitorial company, Jim Land IV never dreamed he would follow his father's career path.
"I specifically went to college to not do what I'm doing now," said Land, who studied pre-med at Liberty, earning his bachelor's in mathematics and biology with a minor in chemistry.
He also couldn't have envisioned becoming the managing member of a multimillion-dollar company providing custodial services for businesses in major cities across the United States.
Nor would he have expected God to use it as a life-sustaining enterprise for close to 3,000 children — one for every client it serves — sponsored through Christian relief organizations.
But Land has learned that the Lord can work in wondrous ways through His willing servants.
Starting at Liberty in 2001, Land worked his way through school as an optician, waiting tables at O'Charley's, and serving in LU's maintenance department along with his father, Jim Land III, who left his business in Pennsylvania and moved the family to Lynchburg.
He fully intended to go on to medical school after graduating in the spring of 2006. However, he had a change of heart after his father died of a heart attack at the age of 53 that fall. Answering a clear calling from the Lord, Land followed in his father's footsteps and launched a new janitorial services company called Image. The company is now headquartered in Houston, Texas.
"It was an obvious prompting," Land said. "For whatever reason, God was pushing me to do something with the business."
From its inception, Land didn't want to be lured into the worldly mindset of endlessly pursuing monetary gain at the expense of his very soul, asking God, "How do I meld building a business and not fall into the trap of more, more, more?"
"God put a burden on my heart to do child sponsorship and link it to the business," he said.
After setting up his first seven clients, Land prayed about which relief organization to support. At the same time, he was planning to go on a mission trip to Mongolia and seeking to assist two members of his team who were short on funding.
One night at the restaurant, he waited on then-Liberty Chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. and asked him about hosting a fundraising effort for the trip. Falwell agreed to let him set up a station between services the following Sunday at Thomas Road Baptist Church. There, he met the head of another area ministry who offered a helping hand.
"A man came up and asked, 'Did you hit your target?' We had raised close to $1,000, but we needed $4,000, so he said, 'When you're done, see how much you need and I'll write you the check for the difference.' He handed me his card, and it was Vernon Brewer, president of World Help."
Land had never heard of Brewer, who was Liberty's first graduate in 1973, or World Help, based in nearby Forest, Va. But that was a clear sign that it was to be the first organization Land would sponsor through his budding business, which now also supports World Vision and Allow the Children (also based in Forest).
"Since that time, it has grown and grown and grown," Land said. In less than seven years, the company employs more than 400 people in accounts that will generate $20 million in revenues in 2013. Clients include Walgreens, Cracker Barrel, Ace Hardware, Sherwin-Williams, and Tractor Supply Co. in major cities such as Atlanta, Portland, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Orlando, and New York.
Land and his wife, fellow Liberty pre-med graduate Rachel Lam, live in Houston, where she is a pediatrician at Texas Children's Hospital and is preparing to start a neonatology fellowship.
Land gives all of the glory to God, and more than 30 percent of Image's $4 million annual profits to Christian ministries.
"It has very little to do with me," Land said. "It was not my decision. As far as I'm concerned, this is God's directive. Just being able to be involved in something that God is doing is the blessing in and of itself. That's the reality of it."
Doctoral student advises world's largest public high school Bible club
Joe Harmon, who is on track to begin his dissertation next year in Liberty's Doctor of Education program, is the advisor for a Bible club at Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem, Pa., which has gained national attention as the largest of its kind in the world. This public school Bible club has inspired Christian high schoolers across the country to start Bible clubs at their own schools and has been featured on Christian Broadcasting Network twice.
Harmon recently began his 10th year at Redbank and teaches eighth grade civics and 10th grade U.S. history. He said the students are fully responsible for running the club, which regularly attracts about 300-350 of their classmates — more than half the school. The club meets on Mondays during the school's activity period. In his advisory role, Harmon handles any behavior issues and works with the club's leaders to ensure they have enough material to fill the time slot and that the material is appropriate.
The club is now an important aspect of the community, its influence extending beyond the meetings, throughout the school, into the town, and even to other states.
"For the students who are already believers, it shows them that their faith does not need to be checked at the campus door; they can bring God with them into their school," Harmon said. "I witness students praying before they eat lunch, before games … I see kids actively reading their Bibles or devotionals in study halls. I see kids unashamed to be a believer."
Throughout the school and the community, Harmon said the club has created "a culture of acceptance for Christianity and reverence for God."
18-year-old alumna becomes youngest person to pass UK's bar exam
Liberty University alumna Gabrielle Turnquest ('11), age 18, was recently featured in several major media outlets, including Time magazine and The Huffington Post, for becoming the youngest person to pass Britain's bar exam in its 600-year history.
Turnquest graduated from Liberty University Online with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at age 16. She is the youngest individual to obtain that degree from Liberty.
"Liberty's programs allow for a truly comprehensive educational environment, even while online, and even while still in high school," said Turnquest, who enrolled in the Edge, Liberty's online dual enrollment program for high school juniors and seniors. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Liberty and appreciated the fact that I and other students were encouraged to interact as much as possible, even in an online forum."
Since it only takes one year to complete law school in the U.K., Turnquest was able to enroll at The University of Law in York at age 17 and took the bar exam this year.
Turnquest plans to return to the U.S. and study for the multistate bar exam and enroll in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California, where she will study Apparel Industry Management. Her plan is to merge that new knowledge with her law degree to specialize in Intellectual Property Law as it relates to the fashion industry.
"In the future I hope to continue employing lessons from my time at Liberty — fully taking advantage of every opportunity before me — not just in my academic pursuits, but in other areas as well," Turnquest said. "My Liberty degree will continue to underpin my professional pursuits as it provides a strong foundation in the understanding of human behavior."
She also encourages current Liberty students to take advantage of all that the university offers.
"There are always wonderful opportunities to accelerate or supplement education, or even to gain practical experience. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of extra work, but it is definitely worth the extra effort for all that it will give you in the long run," she said.