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Serenade For Adventure Games
Hello humans, humanoids, and not-so-human beings! I'm your deranged host, as usual. This is an odd timing for an update which I prefer to send on Fridays, so that you have enough time during the weekend to read it. In this case, I wanted to send the update on Thursday, to let you know as soon as possible about the launch of Serena. I couldn't. I tried to sit down and write it yesterday, and still couldn't. Over the past two days my life has been sucked into a vortex of notifications, chats, and non-stop forum discussions. There's dozens of red dots on my phone begging for my attention — hell, even Foursquare is trying to tell me something. Yes, I could have sent a few random words but you deserve more, and I didn't want to babble incoherences (not more than usual, anyway). Let me take you through this curious project Serena, tell you what it means for Asylum, and why it's causing some huge waves on the Internet, far more than our wildest expectations. And be sure to read my special announcement for your backers down below!
A Disturbing Gift For Fans Of Adventure Games
To be clear, Serena was a standalone project with no relation to Asylum. It was put together in under two months, and the reason of such celerity was the incredibly smooth collaboration between dozens of fans and developers of adventure games. It's based on a very old idea of mine that originally was meant to showcase Dagon, but it became much more than that. The whole story is long and has been told in great detail on this article by Kotaku, so it doesn't make sense to repeat it here. Just let me tell you how happy I am about how this project came to be, and that adventure fans are the best. Like, the absolute damn best in the whole game industry.
Essentially a collaborative effort, Serena is meant to be a no-nonsense gift to the adventure game community. It's FREE as in FREE HORROR — no registration, no micropayments, no ads, and certainly no evil curses concealed (at least not last time I checked). Huge props must be given to the entire team:
We couldn't have finished this game without the invaluable work of Jan Kavan, famed creator of J.U.L.I.A. and awesome friend. He essentially programmed Serena all by himself, edited and post-processed well over 500 lines of dialogue in two nights, and created some amazing music for the game. He also gave me a big bottle of Becherovka in last Gamescom, and that's why I love him (in addition to enjoying his surreal sense of humor).
Props to our lead artist Pablo Forsolloza who created the haunting cabin with its dreamy and hazy atmosphere. Serena is a short game, but you could swear that you spend a lifetime stumbling into memories of broken dreams and echoes of a failed relationship inside that cabin. If you liked the graphics, then Pablo has close to one hundred rooms in store for you in Asylum sporting a similar mood and style. Also a shout-out to Juan Caratino, another daring member of the Senscape team, who did some additional work in the graphics, particularly some of the darkest secrets in the game.
The writing team did one hell of a job too. Many are saying that Serena is the most emotional game they've ever played, and that really gives goosebumps to all of us. Simo Sakari Aaltonen deserves the major credit here: this talented fellow and staunch supporter of adventure games wrote letters, an actual poem of equal beauty and despair, and hundreds of comments. The mood of the game owes much to Simo and his sensibility. Then Frederik Olsen and Troels Pleimert offered some lines of dark introspection and raw energy like few games have seen. You might recognize them as notorious fans of Space Quest and SpaceVenture, so check out the Space Quest Historian podcast and Vohaul Strikes Back for another sample of their work. I also did a good chunk of the writing, trying to depict a haunted and damaged man in a very similar style to Asylum.
Speaking of Space Quest, I can't but praise the work of legendary ex-Sierra designer and all-around nice guy Josh Mandel who gave the performance of his lifetime in Serena. That is, until we put him through the most gut-wrenching imaginable situations in Asylum. Poor Josh, he has no idea what's coming... Serena also features a cameo by adventure game darling and Guy from Andromeda Scott Murphy (hi, Scott!). Rumors that I'm secretly in love with Scott are slightly exaggerated. And while we're discussing the acting, massive congratulations (and a big thank you!) to Sarah Wilson (aka Pushing Up Roses) who played Serena. She's a very popular video producer who my favorite Let's Play of Scratches, and this was her first smashing performance. We hope you enjoy her work as much as we did, and please consider supporting her in Patreon.
(panting, panting)
More congratulating is in order to the composers of the highly memorable soundtrack: Brandon Blume who did the opening piece for Serena and previously worked on Himalaya Studios' Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine, Jan Kavan again with his mood piece reminiscent of Dario Argento's Suspiria, as well as the classical and very chilling requiem, and my brother Pablo Cordes for his brooding and tragic tune which is actually a reject from Asylum. Frederik Olsen also created a disturbing mood piece for the game. We're considering releasing the soundtrack separately with liner notes.
Much love to the admirable Jenny "Estirdalin" Pattison from Infamous Quests who created the ever-changing Serena's picture and the Skin Quest magazine which is totally becoming a reality. Jenny's talent is anything but wee, and you can check out a sample of her work on her Facebook page. Mike Morrison from the Prominence team and Lukas Medek who works with Jan contributed with additional artwork for Serena.
Finally, many thanks to Ben Chandler (yes, THAT Ben Chandler) and Laney Berry (yes, THAT Laney Berry) for the seriously disturbing paintings featured in the cabin. The amount of talent in this game is making me feel all dizzy. Another shout-out to over 30 fans, including some of you backers of Asylum, who provided us with book titles and helped testing the game. And one big, heartfelt hug to the real Serena, who essentially made this game happen.
By the slimy appendages of Yog-Sothoth, already over 1000 words and I haven't even told you about the surprise news! Just let me finish by saying that it has been a huge pleasure to work on Serena with so many friends — it's possibly the first project of its kind and seems to be getting industry-wide recognition. The reception has been mind-blowing to say the least, and I couldn't be happier to see such a subtle story, essentially an intimate look into a broken relationship, having such a huge impact on Steam.
Read On
Before you raise your tentacle and accuse me of not working on Asylum, let me say that the vast majority of my time devoted to the project was to iron out some kinks in Dagon and greatly improving the "seamless narrator" technique that we'll be using. Engine-wise, all of the work is extremely useful for Asylum — there were many bugs (we still have some) and a few features needed to be implemented. The release of Serena was quite smooth with no major problems considering that tens of thousands of folks have been playing the game. We do have some issues on MacBooks with retina displays and Windows XP which will be fixed shortly. Linux is working amazingly well too: I spent a week alone studying Steamworks, how to integrate our games with the platform, and especially how to properly distribute Linux builds. All of this has also been immensely useful for Asylum, so I will be uploading an alpha and distributing keys to VIP backers shortly. I don't expect to release Linux builds through any other platform but Steam — honestly, their solution is hands down the best and has saved me a lot of headaches.
I will give you an in-depth look into the seamless narrator technique later. Basically, one of my biggest qualms with adventures is the constant repetition of feedback which spoils the immersion, and at the same time is a missed opportunity for stronger narrative. In Serena, every item has its own storyline and the comments of the protagonist are a faithful reflection of the current mood in the game. Similarly, the "unrequested thoughts" are used to fill in the gaps and provide hints to players. I've been wanting to use this approach since Scratches (it was very rudimentary back then) and it will be a big feature in Asylum. All this time I've been trying to explain how the game will do this and that, but now with Serena I feel like I can say "Asylum will do precisely that".
Quite a bit more of work can be reused, including the approach to language files devised by Jan, but this is already the longest update and I STILL haven't told you the news...
One of the most cool things about Serena is how many fans and friends gave us book titles. My request was simple: it can be a funny, serious, even personal book title that has a meaning to you only, and the results have been terrific. The bookcase in Serena is a joy to read, and it's amazing how one book title can say so much about each personality. Be sure to check out all the shelves and see if you can recognize some celebrities and friends — there's much wit and introspection in that dusty bookcase.
So, I know I'm going to regret this, but here goes: we have a huge library in Asylum and we already worked out the system, so all Permanent Visitors and above ($150+) have earned their spot with a personal book title. Additionally, we will give away another 100 spots for the rest of backers (we'll see how soon). So yeah, that's at least 200 book titles in Asylum as a way to say 'thank you' for your patience and bearing with us while we complete the game. I can't wait to read your fictional books and immortalize them in the shadowy corners of the massive Hanwell library.
Until next time, and be sure to tell us your thoughts about Serena!
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
Right. We're doing everything we can to speed up the development, but this is a game that really can't be rushed. You could say that in terms of Kickstarter timeframes we're still in good shape, but that's no excuse for our delays. Just rest assured that Asylum is alive and kicking, it will be completed, and it will blow your mind as we promised!
Russell Deitch on
@Sharon, stretch goals. The delivery date is only an estimate. Tesla Effect (Tex Murphy) isn't out yet and the estimate for that was December 2012.
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
As I said in the general comments section, I'll be sharing news about Asylum and our latest progress soon! Stay tuned for horror!
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
@Kurt, We will request the book titles when we send the surveys!
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
Yup, uploaded to IndieDB :)
For now Windows and Mac OS X builds, though. Distributing Linux without Steam is a real pain :(
ThomasN on
Ah, http://www.indiedb.com/games/serena works. Thanks, tkaza.
Russell Deitch on
Senscape cares, huh? :)
Korg on
@All of you
Now stop complaining and enjoy the game! (If any of you whine about mega I swear of god I'll send Liam Neeson to you! http://www.youtube.com/watch…)
ThomasN on
For any dev wondering where you can see If you sold me a DRM free game: On the software itself, you don't. That's the whole point. You trust ME to not pirate it.
If that does not suffice, do a serial# check (which is DRM, but OK for online IMHO). I just don't like the Steam/Origin/whatever middleware. It's not needed period.
Cleo on
Thanks for asking about Adamantus. While Agustin is putting the finishing touches on Dagon, I've been working on finishing up the areas in the game. Once the "final" changes are made to Dagon (and it's safe to go back in the water), I'll begin assembling the game again. It's slow going, but it's going.
Myst was my first inspiration to make a game and you're right that I'd like to recreate some of that old style atmosphere in Adamantus. Back in November, I posted a few more pictures of some of the areas on the Senscap forums.
TrentJaspar on
From http://leviathyn.com/pc/2014/02/01/steam-isnt-perfect-important-know/
"When you buy a game on Steam you're actually buying a "limited, terminable, non-exclusive license" to use the game. [...] Valve could remove any game from your library and be perfectly within their right to do so."
There's more, but when I buy from GOG and the HumbleStore, I buy an installer and I can install anywhere/any time I choose. [I'll have to look into the GOG license WRT trade/sale of the installer.] When I buy from Steam, they still own the rights and I'm renting a game until they tell me I can't any more. Now, *I* don't think they're going to take games away from me, and *I* don't fear the Steam Apocalypse, but they *can* and that makes it DRM.
Again, I'm not talking about this in the context of Serena-- it makes sense as a Steam exclusive. And this doesn't matter for Asylum, as Update #9 clearly says that backing Asylum means keys for Steam+GOG+Desura. I'm just objecting to the claim that "Steam is not DRM."
Valeriy on
Please, take notice that we are not doubting Steam benefits. Nor we are protesting against Steam. This service has it's advantages. I'm personally strongly against Steam-ONLY releases. Trust me, I have my reasons not to use Steam and Steam-client which one MUST USE in order to get anything from Steam is the first of them (I simply can't install said client due to it's unreasonably high requirements to broadness and stability of internet connection).
So, your irony about "so bad DRM system" is really out of place (and pisses some people off: we'll see how you update "automatically" all your library using GPRS connection at 64kbit/s).
I didn't use GOG at all (for obvious reasons) but with all my competence and honour I assure you: Humble Store does not require any sort of authorisation or registration. You can purchase stuff there without account or need of special software. You can even send a gift bundle to your friends who didn't even heard about Humble Store before (unlike Steam keys which you can not use without client and account).
P.S. Steam doesn't accept random games either. Have you heard about "Steam Greenlight"?
P.P.S. I will enjoy "this awesome game" when it will have proper release.
Korg on
Some of you are confusing copyright material with an intrusive (or not) digital right management system and like it or not is not the same thing.
Yes steam have a proper DRM system, in some cases very intrusive in others not so much, having to login to their client to download a game is a form of DRM because it is managing digital rights. Is Serena 100% DRM free? technically no, but come on even if it is on gog you need to create and account, log in on their website, add the game to you account (assuming gog accepts the game in the first place..) and download the files of the game, steam is only managing the files.
I see only benefits by hosting the game on steam:
* No bandwidth use for their servers (yes bandwidth cost money!)
* Updates or patches(in case the game needs it but doesnt look like it runs perfect) are automatically applied and managed by again the steam client aka the so bad DRM system...
*Gog doesnt accepts all the games, they only host games as they see they are profitable in some way or another(even if they are free), cant speak for humble store.
*Steam is very well known so the diffusion of the game is much more bigger using it.
And like Agustin said before, if you dont want steam, install the game, copy it into another folder and uninstall later, will only take you a couple of minutes to do it.
Now everyone stop arguing and enjoy this awesome little game!
Valeriy on
@Agustín Cordes
You seem to have a misconception regarding DRM.
DRM isn't about legality of distribution. DRM are TECHNICAL means of preventing "unauthorised" actions of user, such as: moving to another PC (even his/hers own), making archive backups, reinstalling after system crush (this is important under Windows). Such control is achieved via harsh and intrusive TECCNICAL means such as installing 3rd party spy software, validating optical media, mandatory on-line registration with constant internet connection; that's why DRM is hated so much. Humble Store or GOG do not include DRM.
And Steam IS DRM.
P.S. If you letting to play a game for free then you should probably stop care whether it is "reselling" among users or not. After all why anyone should buy a freely available game?
Russell Deitch on
So I checked ... Niamh = Neave: the m has a dot above it in the original.
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
TrentJaspar, with that reasoning, then GOG isn't DRM-free either. You can't resell your games there (and yet everybody agrees that GOG is 100% DRM-free!).
Digital games have changed the landscape of distribution for better or worse. They are very convenient to players and developers, but the downside is losing the ability to sell them. Whether Steam, GOG, or anyone comes with a solution for trading or reselling, that's another question. Ironically, that *would* imply some sort of DRM. After all, how am I going to allow you to resell/trade your game if first I can't tell whether you own it? That's the whole point of DRM after all :)
So anyway, reselling digital games is a very murky issue, and a discussion that may be just as complicated as abandonware. And I don't believe it necessarily has to do with being DRM-free or not.
TrentJaspar on
So, can you buy a game on Steam, install it and play it, then trade it with somebody else (or sell it or give it)? No. That's DRM: Digital Rights Management: your Rights to the Digital materials are being Managed by Valve.
Not using the CEG component of Steamworks doesn't mean that Steam isn't DRM...it just means that it doesn't have runtime license validation, and for some games it might be possible to copy/install the game elsewhere. Other games require an installer to install/run properly, but Steam doesn't provide that.
Don't get me wrong-- I love Steam and buy most of my games on it. It adds a lot of value so I don't mind the DRM.
I'm not worried about Serena-- it's free, after all-- they should do whatever's easiest for them.
Russell Deitch on
That was excellent! It's one way to get yourself immortalised! ;)
One tiny from me - it's impossible to read Gaelic without being taught as it's not pronounced as it's spelt. As far as I know Niamh is pronounced Neem (but I'm not a native Gaelic speaker).
TheChosenOne on
Another person who has no clue what he is talking about...
Steam is not DRM. It is a distribution platform. Games can be fully DRM free without ever the need of using Steam again. Most games don't do that but that is another story and is due to the dev's themselves.
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
Folks, there's truly no technical grounds to claim that Steam implies DRM. It's a distribution platform that requires a software and an account. Yes, the software is bloated, you may like it or not, and just like with most platforms, including Humble Bundle and GOG, it requires some sort of registration.
The software you download may or may not be tied to your account. THAT is DRM: essentially, the need to be logged in to play the games you downloaded. You could right now copy Serena in a USB or CD and keep it forever until the end of times and nobody, not Valve and certainly not us, would raise a finger.
Why Steam? Like I said, it made our lives considerably easier, as well as given exposure we could only dream of to this free adventure. Free is the keyword: there's no budget here, so we can't afford to distribute the game ourselves and didn't have time to discuss about other solutions.
I understand the frustration, so now that the game is out, I will actively seek alternatives to download Serena. To be clear, this doesn't change in any way our plans for Asylum: it will be DRM-free (yes, EVEN on Steam!) and distributed through the aforementioned platforms :)
TrentJaspar on
In Update #9, Cordes clearly writes that every $15+ backer gets three keys for Asylum: Steam, GOG, and Desura. If this is no longer the case, then to me that seems like going back on a KS promise, no? Correct me if I'm wrong.
For a free game, I don't know that it "matters" if Steam is DRM or not. I have no problem with releasing it only through Steam-- it's FREE and was never promised DRM-free or otherwise. But for the actual Asylum game, Steam is absolutely DRM because (at a minimum) you can't trade or sell your license to the game.
FWIW, I have no problem with Steam DRM and have tons of Steam games. But if gamers (and God-forbid developers) start touting Steam as "DRM-free", then we're in trouble.
TrentJaspar on
@Matthew C Last: Steam is DRM for all purchased games, because you cannot trade or sell your license to the game. That's DRM. In some cases, as you say, you can copy and install on other systems even if they don't have the Steam client. That may or may not be in breach of the license you agreed to when you bought the license to the game. Either way, that's a vast minority of games, most of which require the Steam client for installation and license validation.
Matthew C Last on
To those who argue that Steam is DRM, it really depends on the situation. The DOS games that you can buy on it can easily be moved to a computer without steam, and still run. They are not dependent on Steam whatsoever. I just loaded Serena from the Dagon64.exe, and it looks as though Steam itself was not at all invoked. So, in this case it seems as though Agustin is completely correct. How odd that a man involved in the development of a piece of software might have some insight into how it is distributed! And while I would argue that steam is technically DRM, it's incredibly non intrusive even when you categorize it as such.
ThomasN on
As the elephant in the room is already discussed. I just have to add that I'm also disappointed that I have to watch this game on a let's play because I refuse to install and register the steam software. Agustín Cordes: It's great that you put up a version on Steam which you also can start directly (if you know where steam has put the game) even if the internet is gone, but that doesen't change the fact that you can't install the game without having to register on Steam and installing their intrusive (the discussion of this would be too long here, one example is they know how long you play which game) shop software. The fact that nowadays even in the indie scene it's just assumed that everybody has installed Steam makes me sad. And it's always, always come off as party popper even when I simply ask if it has required steam on game forums of games (like this) which would otherwise truly, truly interest me in their artistic value. Thankfully you made that requirement clear, so I wouldn't have had to made this post. TLDR: Game great, steam sucks.
Pogopuschel on
Nice update! And thanks to all who worked on Serena! It really was a pleasant surprise when it suddenly appeared out of nowhere :-)
Valeriy on
@Agustín Cordes:
No, sir! No confusions at all. Steam IS an intrusive software which you HAVE TO install, run and update in order to even GET a game. And you ARE REQUIRED to have Steam account in order to get anything at all. So Steam is pure DRM. Only direct download link is considered DRM-free. For example: sites such as Humble Store or Groupees can provide keypage with links via email without registration. This is not the case with Steam.
aleksandar stossitch on
short not sweet....but very good
Matthew C Last on
Congrats on Serena, my friend! I can't wait to play it. You know.. I may load it up right now!
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
There seems to be a confusion: Steam does NOT equal DRM. In fact, Serena is 100% DRM-free. I decided to use Steam to distribute the game because, quite frankly, it makes our lives much easier. It also gave us a huge deal of exposure.
That said, we're considering options to distribute elsewhere :)
William O'MeallainSuperbackeron
Kudos on Serena, but boo to having to resort to DRM to get it.
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
Crosmando, I'm sure that Imari (the creator of Adamantus) will step up and give us a status on the game. I know the project is doing well :)
Agustín Cordes 2-time creator on
I love when you get lovely-dovey.
Steven "Blackthorne" Alexander on
Love Dagon, Loved Serena (the game), love Serena (the Hero of the AGRM), love you and everyone at Senscape, love to all my friends who helped MAKE Serena.....
Seriously, it made me really get psyched up for Asylum - got a taste, and I want more. Can't wait to play your game.
I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it. (Don't let me have a few beers and post on KS again. I get lovey-dovey.)
Crosmando on
Unrelated question:
Do you guys have any information on when this game will be coming out:
http://www.senscape.net/adamantus/ ???
I know it's not actually being developed by you guys, but I thought you'd know something as it's being hosted on your site and using this new engine. I just love that pre-rendered Myst-style graphics it's using and would love some more information on it.
jorlinn on Linux on
Nice update and thanks for Serena :-), but please be sure to distribute the final version and subsequent patches for the Linux version through a platform that is unencumbered by DRM, such as Humble Store and/ or Desura.
Serena Nelson - Hero of the AGRMSuperbackeron
Very good update. I totally loved reading it. Great job to everyone involved on Serena!
Stiler Orion on
Congrats to everyone who worked on Serena.


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Send Results to This Email:
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After years spent helping entrepreneurs bring their startups to life, Elizabeth Lemmonds has moved on from the organization now known as Start Co. and is working on a venture of her own.
She's a co-founder of Forge, a new entity that will operate in an as-yet undetermined physical space and function as a kind of mashup of art space and fabrication shop.
Its tagline is "connect, collaborate, create," and the idea is to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, engineers and inventors into one space where they're all doing their own thing as well as interacting with and even learning from each other.
It's still in the early stages, but Forge, which Lemmonds is co-founding with Lisa Toro, already is coming together. Discussions are underway about everything from funding to location.
"One of my big passions is connecting dots, looking for places where there can be inspired collaboration," said Lemmonds, whose career has included working as the chief branding officer for LaunchYourCity Inc. and as director of communications and marketing for The Leadership Academy.
What she's envisioning for the form Forge takes includes having a gallery or exhibition space so that exhibitions and events can be hosted, which would bring more people into the space and give it more visibility.
The venture already has a website, www.forgememphis.com, and a Twitter account (@goforge). The idea is for Forge to offer productivity tools and inspiration in a co-working environment, including dedicated office or studio space and a high-tech "playground" with things available like robotic toys, LEGOs, and 3Doodler pens, which are sort of like glue guns used for making 3D creations.
Other features envisioned for the Forge space include a break room, quiet lounge and a conference room with a projector, interactive whiteboard and Web conferencing capability.
Production tools for rapid prototypes, small batch runs and general experimentation would include items like 3D printers, laser cutters and engravers, screen printing equipment and metalworking equipment. There will also be a software lab with access Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, among other things.
The idea is for a diverse group of people to work there and share space there – "interdisciplinary innovation," in Lemmonds' words.
The venture would host events to showcase its residents, including exhibitions and panels with Forge artists and engineers. It also would host pop-up "Forge Fairs," where the opportunity to sell creative work would be available.
"All this would provide resources to people who might not normally have access to resources at this stage," Lemmonds said. "And it would get engineers and artists working together."
Because it's still early, details may yet shift a bit. As it stands now, different membership options would provide tiered levels of benefits and access to the full suite of Forge features and services.
Day passes for access to Forge would be available for some membership levels, and discounted rates would be offered to groups like students and members of the military. Also, a conference room and gallery space would be available to the public for event rentals.
Copyright 1995 -
by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Police make another arrest in biker attack on SUV driver during NYC rally
NEW YORK – Another biker is under arrest in connection with a mob attack on an SUV driver during a motorcycle rally in New York City.
Kaliq Douglas was charged Friday evening with gang assault. Police say the 28-year-old Brooklyn man was among a group of bikers who chased an SUV for miles after a Sept. 29 encounter on a Manhattan highway.
Amateur video shows the bikers forcing the SUV to halt then surrounding it on foot. The driver says he feared for his life and plowed through the crowd, running over and gravely injuring one motorcyclist.
Bikers gave chase, then pulled the driver from the vehicle and beat him.
Several riders have been arrested, including an off-duty police officer.
Douglas was in custody. It wasn't clear if he had a lawyer.


text:
In this adorably gory trailer for THQ's Darksiders II, our hero Death finally runs into a creature he can't take out with a single savage slash. We're going to need a bigger scythe.
Ah springtime, when young men and women's hearts are filled with Death and dismemberment. Darksiders II hits retail on June 26. Shortly after that gamers will face off against whatever the hell the gigantic thing in this video is — some sort of guardian or something.
Will Death survive the fight? Of course he will, it's his game. How? We'll have to wait for part two. Until then enjoy some seemingly unrelated screenshots.


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aquarium plants
My 20 gal. aquarium looks pretty bare, have 6 guppies and a piece of driftwood, 2 plastic plants - can anyone recommend a hearty plant species?Thanks in advance.
If you have a decent light, look for low-light to medium light plants, my amazon swords are flourishing, as is the java fern, you tie it on to the driftwood, it looks natural and does well in low light conditions, also cryptocorne species also do well in low-light conditions. Avoid red-leaved plants as they need more light than 1 bulb can provide. The bulb to use is flora-glo or aqua-life I believe, they are both good for planted tanks. Java moss is another plant that does well and also water onion, these are most of the plants I have in my 25 gal. tank. Plants that I have had no luck with were vallisnera grass, and the hygrophilia that seems to want to be a floater. I also tried a stem plant that looked like anubias but wasn't, it didn't do to well in my tank. Keep the level of iron up or your plants will begin to turn invisible. Once you put plants into your tank you'll find your tank is so much more enjoyable to look at as it looks more natural and the fish really like live plants over plastic ones. Enjoy!!
Fins, Fur or Feathers I gottahavepets!
aquarium plants
Thanks so much for your expertise. Am going to Big Al's this week to purchase your suggestions. One other thing: I presently have 2-25w bulbs, do you think I need the flo-glos or aqua-life bulbs to sustain the plants?
Hi there,
you say you have 2x 25 watt bulbs. I assume you are using either
compact flourescents, or long strip flourescents.
If the lighting is flourescent you are fine.
This gives you 2.5 watts per gallon of light,
which would be consider "medium" light. Most plants will
thrive in this lighting.
You may even consider using a c02 injector, as this will even
boost plant growth more.
There are many types of plants, depending on what you like,
and what you want, and also what type of fish you have.
There are also some tricks to plant a tank.
Start at the back, and using tall, bushy, or thick plants,
fill in the back to cover the aquarium. Use the plants to hide any
type of equipment, filter intakes, heaters, etc.
Then work your way foreward, getting increasingly smaller plants
as you go.
In a 20g tank Amazon Sword is not a very good choice, as this is
a plant that grows to around 30 inches in height, and could quickly become
you whole tank.
Try to aim at plants that mature to 14 inches or less.
A great website for information on all types of plants is:
---this is the worlds leading aquarium plant
nursery, and if anyone knows plants, its tropica.
Some good choices for your tank, that I have found to thrive, and are
easily trimmed to fit in a shorter tank that I could suggest would be:
Background Plants
Asian Ambulia (Limnophilia Aquatica)
Giant Hygrophilia
Wisteria (Hygrophilia Difformis)
Vallisneria Americana (beware this plant can become massively long)
Anubias of almost any type (a beautiful, waxy, thick leaved plant that
thrives in any light)
Java Fern
Midground Plants
Vallisneria Spiralis
Vallisneria Spiralis sp. Corkscrew
Cryptocorne Wendtii Green
Cryptocorne Balansae (could also be a foreground plant)
Banana Plant
Foreground Plants
Cryptocorne Balansae
Anubias Nana sp. "Petite"
Java Moss
Christmas Moss
Taiwan Moss
Marimo Balls
Riccia Fluitans (If you use C02 injections, under 2,5 watts per gallon, this plant would become a carpet along the bottom, and unlike the more difficult
glosso plant, is much easier to grow and propagates with little help)
If you are interested in information on how to "Aquascape" you tank,
check out this website. Takashi Amano- creator of the very famous
"Amano Style" aquascaping, creates amazing tanks that look like peices
of nature plunked into an aquarium.
I know I could never live up to him, but it gives one inspiration:
Heres another great site with beautiful tank set ups:
And of course, heres my own "Amano Style" tanks:
75 Gallon with 1.7 watts per gallon, a wide variety of plants grow
exceptionally well. No C02.
10 Gallon In progress- 4.0 watts per gallon, awaiting c02
OMG! I thought my tank looked pretty good but wow! Those are awesome! I think I should invest in a few more things for my tank like a double bulb hood so I can add better plants and a submersible heater as well. The one I have came with the tank and it does ok, but I think the plants may be getting cold feet since I pulled up the U.G. filter. Sneaky you are a guru for sure, you are wise in the ways of the fish, let me be your padowan(?) Show me more I'm all eyes and ready to learn.
Fins, Fur or Feathers I gottahavepets!
Word of the wise- plants bring in snails!!! I got plants last summer and ended up with a huge snail problem. I bought some for a different tank a couple months ago and washed very well to make sure there were no snails and now.... huge snail problem again!! I would HIGHLY recommend keeping plants in a separate tank for a while to make sure no snails turn up. One day you will see one, next week there will be one hundred.
As for types, generally darker green plants can withstand lower light. Redish plants need higher light.
before setting your plants in your aquarium, soak them for a day or two in salt water, just ordinary table salt, this will kill off any snail eggs/babies that are attached to the plants or roots. make sure you rince them off well before adding them to your aquarium
Hi there,
Salt wont really work for pond snails. They are capable of handling
almost saltwater conditions and are commonly recommended for
brackish water tanks. Also, some plants wont tolerate salt very well
at all, such as ambulia or wisteria.
The best way to prepare plants is to soak in a bucket with some
Alum. This will kill the snails and their eggs, without harming the plants.
2-3 days is usually a good enough soak.
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Atlassian Sourcetree is a free Git and Mercurial client for Windows.
Atlassian Sourcetree is a free Git and Mercurial client for Mac.
Alembic is a new database migrations tool, written by the author of SQLAlchemy. A migrations tool offers the following functionality:
- Can emit ALTER statements to a database in order to change the structure of tables and other constructs
- Provides a system whereby "migration scripts" may be constructed; each script indicates a particular series of steps that can "upgrade" a target database to a new version, and optionally a series of steps that can "downgrade" similarly, doing the same steps in reverse.
- Allows the scripts to execute in some sequential manner.
The goals of Alembic are:
- Very open ended and transparent configuration and operation. A new Alembic environment is generated from a set of templates which is selected among a set of options when setup first occurs. The templates then deposit a series of scripts that define fully how database connectivity is established and how migration scripts are invoked; the migration scripts themselves are generated from a template within that series of scripts. The scripts can then be further customized to define exactly how databases will be interacted with and what structure new migration files should take.
- Full support for transactional DDL. The default scripts ensure that all migrations occur within a transaction - for those databases which support this (Postgresql, Microsoft SQL Server), migrations can be tested with no need to manually undo changes upon failure.
- Minimalist script construction. Basic operations like renaming tables/columns, adding/removing columns, changing column attributes can be performed through one line commands like alter_column(), rename_table(), add_constraint(). There is no need to recreate full SQLAlchemy Table structures for simple operations like these - the functions themselves generate minimalist schema structures behind the scenes to achieve the given DDL sequence.
- "auto generation" of migrations. While real world migrations are far more complex than what can be automatically determined, Alembic can still eliminate the initial grunt work in generating new migration directives from an altered schema. The --autogenerate feature will inspect the current status of a database using SQLAlchemy's schema inspection capabilities, compare it to the current state of the database model as specified in Python, and generate a series of "candidate" migrations, rendering them into a new migration script as Python directives. The developer then edits the new file, adding additional directives and data migrations as needed, to produce a finished migration. Table and column level changes can be detected, with constraints and indexes to follow as well.
- Full support for migrations generated as SQL scripts. Those of us who work in corporate environments know that direct access to DDL commands on a production database is a rare privilege, and DBAs want textual SQL scripts. Alembic's usage model and commands are oriented towards being able to run a series of migrations into a textual output file as easily as it runs them directly to a database. Care must be taken in this mode to not invoke other operations that rely upon in-memory SELECTs of rows - Alembic tries to provide helper constructs like bulk_insert() to help with data-oriented operations that are compatible with script-based DDL.
- Non-linear versioning. Scripts are given UUID identifiers similarly to a DVCS, and the linkage of one script to the next is achieved via markers within the scripts themselves. Through this open-ended mechanism, branches containing other migration scripts can be merged - the linkages can be manually edited within the script files to create the new sequence.
- Provide a library of ALTER constructs that can be used by any SQLAlchemy application. The DDL constructs build upon SQLAlchemy's own DDLElement base and can be used standalone by any application or script.
- Don't break our necks over SQLite's inability to ALTER things. SQLite has almost no support for table or column alteration. This is by design by the SQLite developers, so Alembic foregoes implementing awkward and poorly-functional workarounds for this platform. If you're serious about schema migrations, use a database that's just as serious!
Documentation and status of Alembic is at http://readthedocs.org/docs/alembic/.


text:
Cheyenne Airport Control Tower To Stay Open
The Cheyenne Regional Airport's Air Traffic Control tower will remain open after all. The decision by the federal Aviation Administration(FAA) finalized a list of 149 contract towers across the country that will be closed beginning on April 7th.
Cheyenne Airport General Manager Dave Haring says the Cheyenne Regional airport control tower,which was originally on the closure list, was one of 24 the FAA will keep open because of national security concerns.
There are a lot of impacts here, not only because we have a military squadron here that utilizes the tower for war time or military readiness when it comes to air traffic control operation, but we also serve as a primary diversionary airport for Denver. Which was one of the things they came out and said if you are a smaller airport that serves as a diversionary hub for a larger airport, we have to consider that in our evaluation.
The 149 towers in the nation slated for closure over four weeks starting on April 7th represent over 30% of all of the towers in the nation and represents a 60% cut to the entire federal contract tower program.


text:
DENVER (AP) – Civil unions for same-sex Colorado couples have cleared the state Senate for a third and possibly final time.
The Senate approved civil unions 21-14 without debate. All Democrats voted for the legal recognition for gay partners. Republican Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango joined them. The other 14 Republicans voted no.
Monday's vote is expected to be the curtain call for civil unions in the state Senate. That's because the House is now under Democratic control and is likely to approve the measure, sending it to the governor's desk. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has said he plans to sign civil unions into law.
Civil unions would grant gay couples rights similar to marriage. More than a dozen states allow either civil unions or gay marriage. Colorado's constitution bans gay marriage.


text:
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text:
Serviços Personalizados
Links relacionados
- Citado por Google
- Similares em Google
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology
versão On-line ISSN 2071-0763
versão impressa ISSN 0258-5200
SA j. ind. Psychol. vol.35 no.1 Johannesburg Jan. 2009
Antonovsky's sense of coherence and job satisfaction: meta-analyses of South African data
Deo J.W. StrümpferI; Gideon P. de BruinII
IDepartment of Psychology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
IIDepartment of Human Resource Management, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Data on the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and job satisfaction (JS) were collected from published sources, unpublished theses and unpublished reports. Twenty-four data sets using the SOC long form and 10 sets using the short form were found. Neither the form of SOC nor the type of JS measure moderated the relation. SOC accounted for approximately 18% of the variance in JS. Approximately 10% of the between-study variance was due to real differences in effect size. Correcting for measurement error, SOC accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in JS, and real differences in effect size accounted for less than 1% of the between-study variance.
Keywords: job satisfaction; sense of coherence; meta-analysis; stress management; job performance
In a theory that would describe how people manage stress and stay well, Antonovsky's (1979, 1987) core construct was the sense of coherence (SOC), a dispositional orientation that is presumed to engender, sustain and enhance health, as well as to engender strength at other endpoints, such as work. It is a way-of-seeing-the-world which mitigates life stress by affecting the overall quality of stimuli that impact on the individual. The stimuli are perceived as comprehensible, i.e. making cognitive sense; as being manageable, under the individual's own control, as well as that of legitimate others (e.g. spouse, friends, formal authorities, political leaders, spiritual figures, but also systems such as a labour union, a medical aid programme or a pension fund); and as being motivationally meaningful, i.e. being welcome challenges worthy of engaging with and investing oneself in (Antonovsky, 1987, 1993). To someone with a weak SOC, the world could seem incomprehensible, hostile and absurd. SOC is presumed to be a product of idiosyncratic events in one's life, but also of having grown up in a particular social structure, culture and historical period (Antonovsky, 1987).
A working person with a strong SOC will make cognitive sense of the workplace and will perceive its stimuli as clear, ordered, structured, consistent and predictable information. Such a person will perceive work as holding challenges which she or he can meet by availing both personal resources and those under the control of, for example, managers, co-workers and subordinates. In addition, such a person will make motivational sense of work demands as challenges that are worthy of engaging with and investing personal energy in.
Job satisfaction (JS) remains a popular study area in industrial psychology, possibly because of the theoretical and practical attractiveness of a causal link between happiness on the job and improved job performance. Much research has focused on the relation between job conditions and JS, but recently there has been increased interest in the relations between dispositional variables and JS. Research shows that personality variables may influence JS: persons with stable positive core self-evaluations appear to be more satisfied with their jobs than people with negative core self-evaluations (Judge & Hurst, 2007).
On theoretical grounds it seems likely that an individual with a strong SOC would experience high JS. Individuals high on SOC are likely to see the tasks put to them as challenges, to impose structure on the tasks and to search for appropriate resources (Antonovsky, 1987), which may enable them to find or create fulfilling and challenging job environments and to attract social support. In contrast, individuals low on SOC are more likely to see the tasks put to them as incomprehensible and potential sources of failure, which may lead them to become unmotivated, to gravitate to repetitive and uninspiring job environments, and to become alienated.
However, the relationship between SOC and work is likely to be bi-directional and work experiences could also, over time, strengthen or weaken the SOC, since it is not a fixed quantity. Long-lasting, severe and unpredictable stressors could produce experiences that negate one or more of the components of the SOC. When work experiences seldom call on one's abilities to actualise potential, one is unlikely to have confidence that the world is manageable; and incomprehensible, hostile experiences in a work context could undermine comprehensibility.
Antonovsky (1987) published a 29-item measure, referred to as the SOC-29, under the title of Orientation to Life Questionnaire. A 13-item short form, the SOC-13, was also indicated there. The SOC scale has been used in research in the world of work, mainly in the context of job stress (e.g. Albertsen, Nielsen & Borg, 2001; Feldt, 1997; Feldt, Kinnunen & Mauno, 2000; Kalimo, Pahkin, Mutanen & Toppinen-Tanner, 2003; Kivimäki, Kalimo, & Toppinen, 1998; Shiu, 1998; Söderfeldt, Söderfeldt, Ohlson, Theorell & Jones, 2000).
The theoretical link between SOC and JS has received relatively little research attention. A quantitative synthesis of the results of several completed studies will give a more accurate picture of the relationship than any individual study. Moreover, such a synthesis will allow for the examination of whether the form of the SOC (SOC-29 vs SOC-13) moderates the strength of the relation between the two variables. Against this background we examined the strength of the relation between SOC and JS by performing meta-analyses on South African data. We hypothesised (i) that SOC is positively correlated with JS, (ii) that the form of the SOC (SOC-29 vs SOC-13) moderates the strength of the relation between SOC and JS, and (iii) that the type of JS measure (global vs composite) moderates the strength of this relationship.
Research approach
This study is a quantitative meta-analysis with the aim of synthesising the results of South African research on the relation between SOC and JS.
Research method
The most important sources of data were unpublished honours degree research reports, masters and doctoral theses and dissertations; known South African academics working in the area of SOC were contacted personally in this connection too. The (South African) Journal of Industrial Psychology was searched by hand for articles on SOC and JS, from 1987 (when the SOC scale was published) to date. The South African Journal of Psychology, searched by hand, only produced articles by Strümpfer et al. Sets of unpublished data were also included. A diversity of samples resulted from these sources. Ten sets of data using the SOC-13 and 23 that used the SOC-29 were found. (An appendix containing all the data collected, another listing the sources of data, and a third indicating the classification of JS forms, are available from the second author.)
A diversity of measures of JS appeared in the data pool. For present purposes, the classification was as follows, although the distinction was not always clear-cut. A 'global' measure refers to general satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the job and contained two or a small number of declarative statements; the items were variations in wording of the same idea. A 'global general' measure is a variant where items were single adjectives or short phrases from which a variable number of items could be chosen by a respondent. 'Composite' measures consist of multiple items that provide, to a greater or lesser extent, coverage of various facets of satisfaction with different aspects of the job; in the present case, the number of items per scale varied between five and 100.
Meta-analysis was conducted with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 software (Borenstein, Hedges, Higgins & Rothstein, 2006). Using a random effects model, the overall weighted mean correlation between SOC and JS across the 33 studies - with a total N of 3 643 - was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.38; 0.45). Across the full set of studies the null hypothesis of a homogenous effect size was rejected (QW = 54.54, df = 32, p = 0.008). Real differences in effect sizes accounted for approximately 41% of the variance in the observed correlations. We tested for the potential moderating effect of the long form of the SOC (SOC29; K = 23, N = 2261) versus the short form (SOC-13; K = 10, N = 1382). For this analysis we employed a mixed effects model: a random effects model was used to combine studies within each of the two subgroups (SOC-13 vs SOC-29) and a fixed effects model was used to combine the two subgroups. This analysis revealed the correlation of 0.12 reported by Segaloe (1991) to be an outlier (this study had 197 participants, which makes it the largest study in the SOC-13 set and the third largest in the combined set). Upon removal of this study the weighted mean correlation between SOC and JS for the revised SOC-13 set (K = 9, N = 1185) was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.35; 0.46), whereas the weighted mean correlation for the SOC-29 set was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.40; 0.47). Within neither of the sets of studies could the null hypothesis of a homogenous effect size be rejected (SOC-13: QW = 5.17, df = 8, p = 0.739; and SOC-29: QW = 28.81, df = 22, p = 0.150). Moreover, the hypothesis of a homogenous effect size between groups could also not be rejected (QB = 0.76, df = 1, p = 0.384).
We also tested for the moderating effect of the type of JS questionnaire. Here six studies were coded as using a global measure, whereas 25 were coded as using a composite measure. Two studies that used the Job in General Scale (Ironson, Smith, Brannick, Gibson & Paul, 1989) could not be combined with the global or composite measures and were excluded from the analysis. The weighted mean correlation for the composite measures (K = 25, N = 2629) was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.39; 0.45), whereas the weighted mean correlation for the global measures (K = 6, N = 667) was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.39; 0.52). Within both sets of studies the null hypothesis of a homogenous effect size could not be rejected (composite: QW = 27.114, df = 24, p = 0.298; and global: QW = 4.87, df = 5, p = 0.432). Moreover, the null hypothesis of a homogenous effect size between groups could also not be rejected (QB = 0.73, df = 1, p = 0.392).
Next we computed a weighted mean correlation across the combined set of 32 studies with a total N of 3446 (without the Segaloe [1991] study) (r = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.39; 0.45). Hence, across the range of studies it appears that SOC accounts for approximately 18% of the variance in JS. The between-study variance was very small (τ2 = 0.001), with approximately 10% of the observed variance between studies being due to real differences in effect size.
The meta-analysis was also performed using the psychometric meta-analysis methods of Hunter and Schmidt (2004). After correcting the observed correlations between SOC and JS for measurement error in both variables, less than 1% of the observed variance between studies was due to real differences in effect size. The true correlation between SOC and JS - after correcting for measurement error - was estimated to be 0.50.
The results provide strong support for the hypothesis that SOC is positively related to JS. On average, the meta-analysis shows that scores on the SOC measures accounted for approximately 18% of the variance in JS measures, whereas the theoretical SOC construct accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in the theoretical JS construct. The strength of the relation is somewhat surprising, given that the SOC does not contain any explicit work related items. This result is consistent with previous studies that found that personality variables have an effect on job satisfaction (Judge, Locke, Durham & Kluger, 1998). The results also show that the long and short forms of the SOC relate equivalently to JS. These findings add support to the suggestion that researchers who wish to use a total SOC score may use the short form, which is less than half the length of the long form, without much loss of information or accuracy. Although the type of JS measure did not appear to moderate the strength of the relation between SOC and JS, it was noticeable that the global measures of JS correlated slightly higher than the composite measures.
A large number of potentially interesting moderators of the relationship between SOC and JS were not examined in this study, including job conditions (e.g. workload, autonomy, salary and type of job), personality variables (e.g. conscientiousness, agreeableness and emotional stability) and background variables (e.g. gender, race and culture). These variables could be the focus of further studies.
A question remains: to what extent is the SOC-JS relationship bi-directionally causal or due to the role of third variables? The role of, for instance, involvement in culturally valued enterprises (Antonovsky, 1987), job decision latitude (e.g. Karasek et al., 1998; Karasek & Theorell, 1990) and job security/insecurity (Feldt et al., 2000) could be considered in this context.
Albertsen, K., Nielsen, M.L., & Borg, V. (2001). The Danish psychosocial work environment and symptoms of stress: The main, mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence. Work & Stress, 15(3), 241-253. [ Links ]
Antonovsky, A. (1979). Health, stress, and coping: New perspectives on mental and physical well-being. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. [ Links ]
Antonovsky's sense of coherence and job satisfaction: Meta-analyses of South African data Original Research [ Links ]
Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. [ Links ]
Antonovsky, A. (1993). The structure and properties of the Sense of Coherence Scale. Social Science and Medicine, 36(6), 726-733. [ Links ]
Borenstein, M., Hedges, L., Higgins, J., & Rothstein, H. (2006). Comprehensive meta-analysis Version 2 [Computer software]. Englewood: Biostat. [ Links ]
Feldt, T. (1997). The role of sense of coherence in well-being at work: Analysis of main and moderator effects. Work & Stress, 11(2), 134-147. [ Links ]
Feldt, T., Kinnunen, U., & Mauno, S. (2000). A mediational model of sense of coherence in the work context: A one-year follow-up study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 21(4), 461-476. [ Links ]
Hunter, J.L., & Schmidt, F.L. (2004). Methods of meta-analysis: Correcting error and bias in research findings. Thousand Oaks: Sage. [ Links ]
Ironson, G.H., Smith, P.C., Brannick, M.T., Gibson, W.M., & Paul, K.B. (1989). Construction of a Job in General Scale: A comparison of global, composite, and specific measures. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74(2), 193-200. [ Links ]
Judge, T.A., & Hurst, C. (2007). The benefits and possible costs of positive core self-evaluations: A review and agenda for further research. In D. Nelson & C. Cooper (Eds.), Positive organizational behaviour (pp. 159-174). London: Sage. [ Links ]
Judge, T.A., Locke, E.A., Durham, C.C., & Kluger, A.N. (1998). Dispositional effects of job and life satisfaction: The role of core evaluations. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83(1), 17-34. [ Links ]
Kalimo, R., Pahkin, K., Mutanen, P., & Toppinen-Tanner, S. (2003). Staying well or burning out at work: Work characteristics and personal resources as long-term predictors. Work & Stress, 17(2), 109-122. [ Links ]
Karasek, R., Brisson, C., Kawakami, N., Houtman, I., Bongers, P., & Amick, B. (1998). The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ): An instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychological job characteristics. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 3(4), 322-355. [ Links ]
Karasek, R.A., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy work, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Basic Books. [ Links ]
Kivimäki, M., Kalimo, R., & Toppinen, S. (1998). Sense of coherence as a modifier of occupational stress exposure, stress perception, and experienced strain: A study of industrial managers. Psychological Reports, 83(3 Pt 1), 971-981. [ Links ]
Segaloe, S. (1991). Sense of coherence as a moderator in the relationship between stressors and their work-related consequences among Black public service personnel. Unpublished master's research project, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. [ Links ]
Shiu, A. T.-Y. (1998). The significance of sense of coherence for the perceptions of task characteristics and stress during interruptions amongst a sample of public health nurses in Hong Kong: Implications for nursing management. Public Health Nursing, 15(4), 273-280. [ Links ]
Söderfeldt, M., Söderfeldt, B., Ohlson, C.-G., Theorell, T., & Jones, I. (2000). The impact of sense of coherence and high demand/low-control job environment on self-reported health, burnout and psychophysiological stress indicators. Work & Stress, 14(1), 1-15. [ Links ]
Correspondence to:
Gideon P. de Bruin
Postal address: Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg
Box 254, Auckland Park, Gauteng, 2006
South Africa
e-mail: email@example.com
Received: 17 Nov. 2008
Accepted: 15 July 2009
Published: 11 Sept. 2009
This article is available at: http://www.sajip.co.za
© 2009. The Authors. Licensee: OpenJournals Publishing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.


text:
VERY LAST batch of phone doodles being sent out!
Hi folks
The very final last assortment of phone doodles are being sent out.
These are for people that haven't had anything shipped to them
Not returns.
This is the... Read more
Small surprise
Hi folks,
I have a nice Xmas present for you but it won't be ready 'til early in the new year.
In the meantime I am attaching a folder of... Read more
Kickstarter Return Packages
We had some packages returned to us. Please write to us with your new address.
Thanks everyone! We'll post another update next week.
Jo Anne Werner
Kimberly Eiden
Jesper... Read more
More phone doodles sent out today
Hey everyone,
How's it going?
More and more phone doodles are getting sent out. The pile of "to-do" is looking slim.
We sent most doodles to people in the US,... Read more
BBQ two times in a week is never a bad idea
Hey folks,
Here's another scene Alex did:
Wouldn't you want Uncle George to be feeding you too?
Head Chef could be a new character
Hey folks,
How are you handling the heat?
Check out this scene Gabe and Nick did. They may just become the next greatest animators in the universe.
We're so close... Read more
Here's a funny clip for you
Nick helped me big time with it.
The cartoon is looking pretty good. We'll be finished with animation this summer, but still have to do the backgrounds and finish the... Read more
Rustic sesame bread was a nice substitute
Hey guys
So my shipper came by yesterday and got more prizes. Expect the t-shirt and doodle bundles to go out this week along with membership kit and t-shirt fusion... Read more
Wish I had Oprah's Net Worth
Hey everyone!
I've been working on more phone doodles. Tshirts for the $30 tier got sent out last week. Those that paid for a tshirt and a doodle should expect... Read more
some crappy photos of more doodles
Hi Folks
my lovely assistant is currently away on a tour of Japan, so I am attempting a little update on my own here with my limited technical capacities. I... Read more
Jumbo Spumco Toys are on their way to their new home
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The jumbo Spumco toys have all been signed now. So if you are a $100 or $150 backer get ready!
Phone doodles are still being sent out with... Read more
March 26th- more doodles going out
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Just wanted to update to let you know more doodles have been done. It may take a while to receive yours as I have a lot to draw,... Read more
Same day- more prizes going out
Hi everyone,
Elfette and friends here from sunny Palmdale, California!
While John has given his formal update regarding the cartoon, this is the status of prizes going out and address... Read more
March 19th -still alive
Here is the link to the animatic for the scene I was telling you about:
Expect the other update this afternoon.
Your pal,
John K.
Mail that got kicked back to us
Hi again
some of the doodles we sent early were returned by the post office. I'm checking into them now
so far I have returns for:
Jay Smith
Joshua Resnick... Read more
Quick Update
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It's not that much of an update because we are still negotiating with a TV network to finish the animation, air the pilot and spin off a series. ... Read more
First Batch Of Doodles Going Out
Hi Folks
Thanks for your patience. Getting Cans Without Labels into production has kept a bunch of us severely busy and so that's why I haven't yet had time to... Read more
Getting Started
Hi my Cans family
John Kedzie and I are organizing all the work we did on Cans (4 years ago!) and getting it into a "Progress Board"
which is sort... Read more
I'm gonna give this drawing and the other promo sketches I did to some of you faithful supporters at random. Thanks to all and... Read more
One More Thrilling Bonus Bargain Original Color Poster Of You
Hey folks!
I just realized the $1,000 reward is a original cel, but I thought I could add one of my world famous original market posters of a caricature of... Read more
Watch Me Explain The Toys and Rewards
Just a few hours left folks to nab some of this stuff!
2 Days to go -
Hi Folks
we are almost there. If you still are thinking of extra bonus videos/ cartoons now is the time for the extra push!
If we raise the stretch goals,... Read more
Stretch Goals
Hi folks
now that we have a few days left maybe we can aim for some more stuff to animate. I was thinking of animating a movie trailer preview of... Read more
Weeeee Deeeeed EEEEEEET!
Now I can put some wonderful cartoonists to work on something fun! Like Sandra who inked and colored this baby for us all.
Now the babies can starve happy knowing... Read more
Time To Heave Ho!
Hi everyone
Hey I think I need some more help to make sure we make it over the hump. The pledge rate has slowed in the last few days and... Read more
Hi there
I had to track down the warehouse that stores my toys before I offered more of 'em. They counted 'em up for me and it looks like I... Read more
Hi folks
John K2 has reorganized the rewards so that it is easier for you to see which packages can be combined into bundles, so check it if you feel... Read more
Hi devoted cartoon lovers
(I hope I'm not pestering your email spam)
But you have been so generous and helpful that I thought I'd make a video showing you how... Read more
How about some storyboard drawings?
Hi again all you loyal partners in cartoon production,
you know you might be changing the world by doing this don't you?
If this works I will want to do... Read more
More Rewards and a Video
Hi everybody and in particular - YOU who are reading this email in the privacy of your darkest corner...(I know what you are up to)
I wanna thank you for... Read more
New Cartoon Producer's T Shirt Reward
Hey everyone!
I added another prize. Check out the new Producer's T Shirt that proves to everyone that YOU made CAN WITHOUT LABELS possible!
Your estranged uncle,
John K.
New Bundles Of Reward Prizes
Hi folks!
hey thanks loads for your pledges. A few people have asked me how to get more than one reward and at first I thought you could just pledge... Read more
International Shipping
Hey Folks
I have been getting questions about International shipping. So I will clear this up for everyone.
For the $30 and $50 pledges please add $5
For the... Read more


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Visit our main website at www.StDavids.com
Michael Jubinville, MPH
Thrush is an infection of the mouth. It usually begins on the tongue and inside of the cheeks, and spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, and throat.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Thrush is caused by a fungus. The immune system can normally fight off this fungus but the fungus can grow and spread if the immune system is weakened.
Certain situations can weaken the immune system either in the body or locally in the mouth. A weakened immune system increases your risk for thrush. Factors that can weaken your immune system include:
In some cases, you may not have symptoms. In those that have symptoms, thrush may cause:
Thrush can spread beyond the mouth. Complications include infections that spread to the:
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, including an inspection of your mouth. Diagnosis can usually be made based on your symptoms. Your doctor may take a sample of cells from the affected area to examine under a microscope.
The goal of treatment is to restore the normal balance of bacteria and yeast in the mouth. If any underlying conditions contribute to thrush, they will also be treated.
Treatments include:
Antifungal medications are used to treat thrush. Medications come in the form of tablets, rinses, or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
If you wear dentures, clean and brush them daily. You also need to clean the inside of your mouth and tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Oral hygiene practices may aid in healing. This includes:
To help reduce your chance of thrush:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Foundation for Infectious Disease
Canadian Dental Association
Public Health Agency of Canada
Adults healthy habits. American Dental Association Mouth Healthy website. Available at: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/adults-under-40. Accessed December 9, 2013.
Dentures. American Dental Association Mouth Healthy website. Available at: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/Dentures. Accessed December 9, 2013.
Greenspan D, Greenspan JS. HIV-related oral disease. Lancet. 1996;348(90290:729-733.
Oropharyngeal/esophageal candidiasis (Thrush). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html. Updated May 6, 2013. Accessed December 9, 2013.
Oral candidiasis in children and adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated October 1, 2013. Accessed December 9, 2013.
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of nystatin on the development of oral irritation in patients receiving high-dose intravenous interleukin-2. J Immunother. 2001;24(2):188-192.
Last reviewed December 2014 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved.
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Pro Cool
It's been a long journey for Don Moonshine and his second-gen Camaro. It was 19 years ago that he bought the shell for 200 bucks, and he spent the next six years getting it right in line with his vision. The first engine was a full-roller 13:1 468ci big-block, but five years ago Don decided to add some boost to the equation. The result was a BDS-blown 454. The engine is filled with an Eagle 4340 crank, forged rods, a big cam, and topped off with ported rectangle port heads. The mill exhausts out through a pair of Hooker Super Comp headers and makes in the neighborhood of 700 hp on pump gas. Behind the engine sits a TH400 trans with a manual valve body and a B&M Pro Ratchet shifter. To get the power to the pavement, there's a Ford 9-inch with Strange axles and 4.11 gears. All kinds of good stuff makes up the rest of the car including four-wheel disc brakes, eight-point roll cage, and big sticky Mickey Thompson tires. According to Don, "It's a true street car with future plans to include a full teardown and LS series engine transplant along with upgrades for longer drives."
Third Stage
This sweet '10 has been transformed from stock to standout by Tommy Pike Customs (TPC) in Greenville, South Carolina. For performance, the LS3 received their Stage III kit in the form of a Vortech V-3 Si Trim supercharger and TPC headers along with a custom tune. The suspension was treated to an Eibach Pro lowering kit and a set of their beefier sway bars. In terms of looks, the 2SS/RS received some custom paint and rolls on TPC three-piece 20-inch rally wheels wrapped in Nitto Invo rubber. This white rocket was built for Kenny Mazza and we're sure he's enjoying driving the Camaro as much as we're diggin' looking at it.
Fine Fourth-Gen
Mario Portillo loves his Chevys. He owns a '38 coupe with a 572 big-block, but what really makes him smile is driving his '97 SLS SS Camaro. The LT1 only has 59,000 miles on it and still runs strong. To give it a bit more grunt, Mario added a Blackwing air filter, Granatelli MAF, and an SLP intake elbow. The rear was upgraded with some 3.73 Richmond gears, and a Hurst short-throw shifter helps Mario easily slap through the gears. Eventually Mario wants to convert the LT1 to an LT4, but for now he's just gonna enjoy the ride!
Birthday Bonus
Paul Stratton's fourth-gen is proof that old racecars never die. You see, his ride was stripped down by the original owner in preparation for drag strip duty. But life got in the way and the shell was sold to Paul's friends Steven and Chris Harmon. The brothers slowly pieced the car back together, and since they lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky, they used many of the surplus Holley parts they had laying about. After a trip to the drag strip in Indy, the car came home with a transmission issue. It ran, sort of, but was parked. Several months later, at a 4th of July party, Paul's parents talked to Steven about buying the Camaro for John, who was only 15 at the time. A deal was struck and a couple weeks later, when John turned 16 and got his license, he hit the road. Eventually John, with a lot of help from his dad, pulled the trans and had it completely rebuilt at Lee Myles transmissions. The pair then tuned the suspension and fixed a couple of paint issues. By the time Paul turned 17 the Camaro was running and looking great. Over the years Paul has continued to improve the Camaro by adding a new stereo, ROH Snyper 17-inch wheels, 2.5-inch cowl hood, SS spoiler, TCI converter, and to top it off, a complete repaint. It all makes for one sweet fourth-gen that any of us would be happy to drive.
Third Time's A Charm
Two years ago Bill and Pam Roy bought this first-gen. At the time it was only half complete with a missing drivetrain, unfinished paint, and bad glass. Bill dived right in by tackling the drivetrain. The subframe was dropped and he tossed in a GMPP ZZ502 crate engine and Tremec TKO600 trans accessorized with goodies from March and Hooker. Bill also upgraded the brakes with a four-wheel binder kit from CPP. While all of this mechanical work was being done, the paint was being addressed as well. As Bill told us, "The car had been painted six months earlier, but never finished. We sent it to Advantage Auto Works for 24 hours of color sanding and buffing. Also, the molding was sent out for polishing and new front and rear glass was installed." With that done, the Camaro was strung with kits from American Auto Wire and Auto Meter gauges. Lastly, the interior was redone and a Vintage Air kit installed to beat the Texas summer heat. As for driving this sweet '69, Bill stated, "This is the third first-gen I have done, and the other two have made several legs of the Hot Rod Power Tour. I'm ready for this one to hit the road for its Power Tour test."
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Old Holland has been making artist colors since 1664, as one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the art supply industry. The company is known for uncompromising adherance to its techniques and standards. All color making is done by hand
Color Swatches created using heavy application/medium application/50% tint and were applied on acrylic primed canvas (7 oz) material.
copper phthalocyanine
Phthalo Blues are pure and clean primary blues with superior covering power. They have a very high tinting strength and tend to overwhelm other pigments, but if color strength can be controlled, they make predictable mixed colors. In oil form, blues are very deep and slow drying. When mixed with other colors or if chlorine is added, Phthalo Blue quickly tends towards green. When using alone, mix with some white, as Phthalo Blue can be semi-transparent and almost black on its own. It is among the most compatible of modern colors with mineral colors and is considered more reliable than Prussian Blue, while sharing the same physical and color properties. Phthalo Blue is a good color for glazing.
Phthalo Blues are completely lightfast and stable and are permanent for all paint uses. They are currently used in inks, coatings, and many plastics due to their stability and are considered a standard pigment in printing ink and the packaging industry.
Phthalo Blues have no significant hazards, although those made before 1982 contained some PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
Developed by chemists using the trade name Monastral Blue, the organic blue dyestuff now known as Phthalo Blue was presented as a pigment in November 1935 in London. Its discovery was accidental. The dark color was observed in a kettle where a dye was being made from a British dyestuff plant. The demand for such a pigment came from commercial printers who wanted a cyan to replace Prussian Blue.
Bocour Blue, Cyan Blue, Helio Blue, Heliogen Blue, Intense Blue, Monastral Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Rembrandt Blue, Thalo Blue, Winsor Blue.
polychlorinated copper(II) phthalocyanine
C32H3Cl13CuN8 to C32HCl15CuN8 or C32H16CuN8Cl15 (PG7) or C32Br6Cl10CuN8 (PG36)
Phthalo Green is a transparent, cool, bright, high intensity color used in oil and acrylics. It comes from a Phthalocyanine Blue pigment where most of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced with chlorine, forming highly stable molecules. It has similar pigment properties and permanence to Phthalo Blue. It is slow drying and an excellent base color for mixing a range of bright greens. Phthalo Green is considered a very good alternative to Viridian because it is intense and mixes well and can be used to emphasize mineral colors in various tints. However, its tinting strength is very high, so it can overpower other colors. This pigment most closely resembles the discontinued and toxic Verdigris.
Phthalo Greens are completely lightfast and resistant to alkali, acids, solvents, heat, and ultraviolet radiation. They are currently used in inks, coatings, and many plastics due to their stability and are considered a standard pigment in printing ink and the packaging industry.
Phthalo Green has no significant hazards, but it contained PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) until 1982.
This bright blue-green was developed in 1935 and has been in use since 1938.
Bocour Green, Cyan Green, Intense Green, Monastral Green, Phthalocyanine Green, Rembrandt Green, Thalo Green, Winsor Green.
titanium dioxide
Titanium White is the most brilliant of the white pigments. It is considered an all purpose oil color useful in all techniques and the best all around white. Its masstone is neither warm nor cool, placing it somewhere between Lead White and Zinc White. It is less prone to cracking and yellowing than Lead White, but it still yellows easily. Titanium White dries slowly in oil form, more slowly than Lead White but more quickly than Zinc White. It is opaque in oil and acrylic forms and semi-opaque in watercolor form. This pigment has good chemical stability, and its tinting strength is superior to both Lead White and Zinc White.
Titanium White has excellent permanence and lightfastness.
Titanium dioxide is highly stable and is regarded as completely non-toxic. Animal studies give no indiciation that it is absorbed biologically, even after long periods of exposure. The primary safety concern is with inhalation of fine pigment dust particles. Titanium White, if inhaled in large amounts over the course of several years, may cause a benign pneumoconiosis that is visible on x-rays. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers fine titanium dioxide particles, if inhaled, to be a human carcinogen. The primary concern for artists is to avoid exposure to fine particulate dust from raw pigments.
Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, however mineral deposits that are economical to mine are less common. Titanium dioxide was first discovered in 1821, although it could not be mass produced until 1919. Widespread use of the pigment began in the 1940s. Since that time, it has become the most commonly used white pigment. The name comes from the Latin word Titan, the name for the elder brother of Kronos and ancestor of the Titans, and from the Greek word tito, meaning day or sun.
Zinc White is the coolest white, and it has a cold, clean masstone and a slightly bluish tint. It has less hiding power and is more transparent than other whites. It dries slowly and is good for painting wet into wet and for glazing and scumbling. Zinc White is neither as opaque nor as heavy as Lead White, its covering power is not as good, and it takes much longer to dry. However, it does not blacken when exposed to sulfur in the air as Lead White does. It is very valuable for making tints with other colors. Unmixed Zinc White dries to a brittle and dry paint film that may crack over the years, so it is not good for frescoing. It is more transparent in acrylic form than Titanium White and is the most commonly used white with gouache. Chinese White is a version of Zinc White appropriate for opaque watercolor techniques.
Zinc White has great permanence and lightfastness.
Zinc White is moderately toxic if ingested and slightly toxic if inhaled.
Though historians are divided on who first isolated the element zinc, they agree that it was first suggested as a white pigment in 1782. Zinc White was accepted as a watercolor in 1834 and was called Chinese White due to the popularity of oriental porcelain in Europe at the time. Ten years later, a suitable oil form was produced. By the early 20th century, it had improved to the point where it was an acceptable alternative to Flake White.
Chinese White, French White, Permanent White, Silver White, Snow White, Zinc Oxide.
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Last week, I was catching up on the cocktail blogs–specifically, I was reading one of my new favorites, Cocktailnerd. Gabriel, the author, wrote up a cool piece on the Blinker. Now, the Blinker's a drink to try some time, but I'll have to be careful, because it calls for grapefruit juice, to which Lady Bitters is sadly allergic. (I'll just fix her a Negroni; that covers a number of sins.)
More to the point, though, Gabriel linked out to an interview with Ted Haigh at Modern Drunkard Magazine. I have hazy memories of having read this interview previously, but I've had too many Sazeracs to be sure.
In the interview, Haigh and his interlocutor, Frank Kelly Rich, discuss Haigh's meeting with a Mrs. Walton Smith. It's a delightful exchange between Rich and Haigh, and I won't quote it here so as to urge you to read the whole interview. But Mrs. Smith's husband happened to have been the coauthor of a book called Liquor: The Servant of Man. I became intrigued and ran a Google search for that book.
I immediately found a copy for sale on eBay and snapped it up. (Perhaps I'm unwise in using my real name as my eBay ID, but I'm just a transparent kinda guy.)
I'll read it and report back with a review.


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We are delighted to inform you that this years' SSA Meeting has proven exceptionally popular with more registrations than we had anticipated. This is a fantastic result reflecting the growing interest in stroke care and research as well as the quality of the scientific program. We are now fully subscribed due to space limitations at the venue, which is in fact the largest available in Queenstown and already spans two adjacent hotels. We are unable to take any further registrations at this stage, but are keeping a wait list in case space frees up due to any cancellations. We do hope to see you in Sydney in 2018!
If you are only wanting to attend a pre Meeting workshop please email email@example.com as places are available.
Inclusions for full registrations
- access to scientific programme
- entry to the exhibition
- programme book
- name badge
- daily catering
- one ticket to the Welcome function amongst the exhibition
- one ticket to the Meeting dinner
- eligibility to purchase additional social function tickets
Inclusions for day registrations
- access to scientific programme for one day
- entry to the exhibition for one day
- programme book
- name badge
- daily catering
- eligibility to purchase social function tickets
Edit an existing registration
Should you wish to change your details please contact Emma Redfern at firstname.lastname@example.com or phone +64 3 379 0390.
Registration conditions
Registrations may not be shared.
Early bird registrations that remain unpaid after the close of early bird will be automatically increased to the standard registration rate.
Fees may be paid by direct debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Amex). Please note that registration fees paid by credit card will incur a surcharge levied by the credit card company. Visa and MasterCard 2.6% and Amex 4%.
Cancellation and refund policy
Should you need to cancel your registration, you may reassign your registration to another person. Please notify Emma Redfern (firstname.lastname@example.com) in writing. If you are unable to arrange a replacement, please note our policy below: Before Monday 10 July 2017 you will incur a $150 cancellation fee. From Tuesday 11 July 2017 there will be no refund, except at the discretion of SSA.
Refunds will be notified and processed within one month following the Meeting. Accommodation cancellations within 30 days of the Meeting are non refundable. Prior to Monday 24 July 2017 refunds are subject to individual hotel policies.
All best endeavours will be made to present the program as displayed on this website. The Meeting and its agents reserve the right to alter without prior notice, any of the arrangements, timetables, plans or other items relating to the Meeting, for any cause beyond its reasonable control. SSA and the Meeting Organisers (Conference Innovators Ltd) are not liable for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of such alteration. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, SSA and the Meeting Organisers do not accept responsibility for loss of monies caused by delays. Participants are advised to take out personal travel insurance and to extend their policy to cover personal possessions. The Meeting does not cover individuals against cancellations of bookings or theft or damage to belongings.


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Is your child eating kid-friendly foods that support overall health and wellness?
(BPT) – It's 3 in the morning and your child is awake complaining of aches and pains. You take his temperature, give him some water, and sit with him to encourage rest. Parents commonly experience long nights like these, and it can be tormenting when you can't make your ill child feel better. What's a loving parent to do?
While every child gets sick now and then, the key to limiting illness and keeping kids as healthy as possible is taking a proactive approach. Dr. Heather Manley, a naturopathic doctor who focuses on preventative health for families and is author of the "Human Body Detectives" series of children's books, recommends that parents first look at their kids' diets in order to boost overall health and wellness.
"The digestive system is the gateway to optimally fueling the body plus the first line of immune defense," says Manley. "If the digestive system is not working well, germs can get into the body and foods will not be broken down and absorbed into the body's cells. If nutrients are not absorbed, the body does not get the energy it needs to be healthy – physically and mentally."
* Fruits and vegetables: The fresh facts
"Encouraging kids to try an array of fruits and vegetables is really the key," says Manley. She notes that some kids may have a preference for veggies over fruit, or vice-versa. Try including a mix in their diets. Vegetables typically have more fiber and less sugar, and should be incorporated at every meal. Fruit can serve as a great hydrating snack, especially during the summer months as they help to prevent dehydration or heat exhaustion. Manley suggests munching on blueberries, watermelon, plums, and cherries.
What are some smart ways to add more vegetables to your child's diet? "Broccoli and carrots are the usual kid favorites, but adding local and seasonal vegetables is a clever way to entice a variety of produce into your child's diet," says Manley. She suggests starting a garden or visiting a weekly farmers market so children can be more hands on about choosing their vegetables. She says that asparagus, green beans, snap peas, tomatoes, beets, lettuce varieties, cucumbers, zucchini, and peppers are all vitamin-packed vegetables that are great for preventing illness and boosting health.
* Supplements: The key to filling in nutritional gaps
It's no secret that kids don't always eat what they should. Manley suggests that everyone take three daily supplements: a good multivitamin, probiotics, and omega-3 fish oil.
"With children and teens, the omega-3s found in fish and fish oil are essential for neural (brain) development, skin health, balanced glucose levels, a healthy immune response, a healthy heart, and long-term overall health," stresses Manley. "Nordic Naturals has always been the number-one choice for omega-3 fish oil products. Their standards and quality testing top the competition, ensuring safe and effective products. They now carry a probiotic which supports the digestive and immune systems with the added bonus of not needing refrigeration – perfect for summer travel." Visit www.nordicnaturals.com to learn more.
* Picky eater? No problem with tasty tips and tricks
Not all children are going to pick up a fresh beet and munch away immediately. To encourage healthy eating of a variety of foods, Manley offers these expert tips for parents of picky eaters:
No labeling. Even if you feel your child is a difficult eater, labeling him or her as one will not remedy the situation, nor will it make your child feel good if they overhear you say it.
Be a role model: Always put the same foods that you eat on your child's plate too. If this is done consistently, over time your child will eventually adapt.
"Green Eggs and Ham": This Dr. Seuss classic is a handy book to read regularly. It's a playful approach that encourages kids to try new foods – even just one bite.
Proactive kids: The more kids are involved in grocery shopping, gardening, chopping, and serving food, the more likely they will want to try the foods.
Food history: Kids love a good story and trivia. Ask your kids what country broccoli came from, or how yogurt is made.
Be patient: Changes do not happen overnight, but patient persistence will ultimately lead to healthier eating and fewer arguments.


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Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society, that began in 1918 in United States and now it is located in 8 countries worldwide and boasts 2 million members and 1200 chapters located in all 50 states. These numbers make it the largest honor society in American higher education. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. Phi Theta Kappa means "wisdom", "aspiration" and " purity".
Each candidate for membership must have completed 12 semester hours of credit course work, with a Grade Point Average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in good standing.
Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate, for an exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.
Odessa College has a very strong staff and faculty support system for all members and officers. The Eta Tau chapter is excited to reward academic excellence and to welcome new members aboard every Fall and Spring semester, and we are ready to watch you grow with the chapter over the next year to come!
The benefits for Phi Theta Kappa members include an exclusive access to $37 million in transfer scholarships for members; transfer support and lifetime networking opportunities through alumni associations; an opportunity to wear Honors and Graduation regalia; letters of recommendation to potential employers; special offers from corporate partners in banking, insurance, computers, travel, and much more!


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(Photos by Steve Ladner)
On June 26, The John Byrne Band continued the 65th Pastorius Park Concert Series at the Lower School Auditorium at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Despite the rain, a large crowd came out for a night of music and fun, refusing to let the weather spoil a longstanding community tradition.
The Philadelphia-based blues band, The Dukes of Destiny, carries on the Pastorius Park Concert Series Wednesday, July 3. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the park.
For more information visit chestnuthill.org.