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Today is World Refugee Day and, as the first country to see the new day, New Zealand should look more at the refugee quota and less at asylum seeker issues that often dominate headlines.
Much of the talk about potential asylum seekers misses the fact that our refugee quota has not increased once in its 27 years of existence.
The quota is important because it provides a safe, certain and structured passage to residency. We also take 750 quota refugees per year, in contrast to 100 asylum seekers.
If World Refugee Day, among all the other annual days, still gives us cause to wonder, then a good proportion of that wondering should be about the fairness of our present quota.
'Are we doing our bit?' we might ask. And what is a fair standard for 'our bit' anyway?
If New Zealanders really want to know where we sit in terms of international contributions to refugee intakes - as opposed to fears, fantasies and fictions - we need to consider two things: what we're doing compared to what we've done in the past, and what we are doing compared to what other countries are doing now.
First, the total number of refugees accepted into the country is made of accepted asylum seekers plus the refugee quota. But ever since the Twin Towers fell in 2001, New Zealand, like all other countries, has become a lot more cautious about who can fly here. As aeroplanes are the only way asylum seekers make it to New Zealand, the number of asylum applications and acceptances has plummeted. Fifteen years ago we accepted around 350 accepted asylum seekers coming to New Zealand every year. Today we accept about 100.
The Minister of Immigration says that we shouldn't be 'punished' for so few asylum seekers being able to get here. I say that doing our bit for a very small proportion of those people who are born into violence and intolerance isn't a punishment: it's hospitality. I say that when we close the door on asylum seekers, we should open a window. That window is an increase our refugee quota. If we add another 250 places to the quota we're taking the same total number of refugees as we were 15 years ago. This would have us at 1000 quota places.
Second, New Zealand has not increased our refugee quota since it was implemented in 1987. That was the year of the first Rugby World Cup and the year Lotto began: winning the first division in 1987 would have netted you $359,808.
Luckily for the nation's gamblers, the first division prize has slowly grown since then. Not so the country's refugee quota. In fact, it has only moved once: down by 50 places in 1997. Imagine how many people would be satisfied with Lotto if the first division prize pool had not only not grown, but had actually dropped.
If New Zealand's refugee quota had increased for our population growth since 1987, we'd be taking another 250 refugees. These first two statistics show that to be doing the same as we have in the past, we'd be offering 1250 places in our quota.
Third, we need to look at what the rest of the world does in comparison to us. This is not pretty. In the last year the UN ranked New Zealand as 88th in the world for hosting refugees per capita.
The Minister of Immigration likes to highlight that we are 6th in the world at accepting people through the quota per capita. But the simple fact is that that excludes asylum seekers and is only a small part of the measure of total refugees hosted.
Doubling the quota to 1500 places will not make us Sweden. The Swedes, as well as other Scandinavian countries, host more than 20 times the amount of refugees as New Zealand per capita.
Doubling the quota won't even put us on a par with Australia, who doubled their quota under the Labor government, then cut it back under the Liberals. With Abbott's lower aim they will still take more than three times as many as New Zealand per capita.
It is a great feeling when New Zealand punches above its weight on international affairs. And it's tempting to assume that the diversity of people in New Zealand means that we are a world leader at hosting refugees. But the facts and the evidence show that this is not true.
Doubling the refugee quota and the associated funding won't make us world leaders. It will not make us Sweden or the USA, Denmark or Australia. We'll still be doing less than all of those countries if we progressively and sensibly worked towards a quota of 1500.
Will we doing our bit then? Not really, though it gets murkier. What is absolutely conclusive, however, is that we're not doing our bit now.
* Murdoch Stephens is co-ordinator for Doing Our Bit a campaign to double New Zealand's refugee quota and funding.


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GSOC Annual Holiday Party and field trip slideshow is scheduled for Friday December 2, at 614 NE 114th Ave., Portland. GSOC Board Members will provide main dishes with protein of various sorts. Other members please bring vegetable, side dishes or desserts for 6 to share, plus beverage of their choice. Live music will be led by Dawn Juliano and Barbara Smoody.
Schedule of activities
4:00 pm: Board Meeting
6:00 pm: Set-up for party
6:30 pm: Dinner buffet
7:15 pm: Welcome presentation.
Nominations for GSOC Board members for the 2016-2017 year will be open.
7:30 pm: Dessert and musical entertainment
8:30 pm: This year's GSOC field trip leaders with present the "Year in Review" program with brief slide show summaries of their trips.
- Bo Nonn: "Oregon Coast and Caves - Accreted Terranes," Sept. 6-11
- Paul Edison-Lahm: "Ancient Walls 2016, Exploring South and North Portland Downtown Buildings' Geology," June 25 and October 22
- Dave Olcott: "New Insights Into the Geologic Evolution of the West - Central Columbia Plateau," June 11-12
9:30 pm: Clean-up
Donations will be accepted for party supplies. Send donations to Dawn Juliano c/o GSOC, P.O. Box 907, Portland, OR 97207, or give them to her in person at the event.


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When you and your BFF's team up, you always have so much fun! Whether you're shopping for rockin' outfits, preparing for the coolest fashion show, or getting your picture taken at a fashion magazine cover shoot, your girl friends are always there to make your day extra awesome!
> Be part of the coolest girl squad around! You'll love hanging out with your new BFF's!
> Shop 'til you drop at the mall, and dress you and your squad up in awesome outfits! Score awesome prizes as you shop with your friends!
> From hip hop street style, to sporty chic or sparkly star, you've got so many looks to choose from!
> Have the time of your life at the FASHION SHOW!!! Choose from fab catwalk themes like movie premieres, spring break, and more!
> Strut your stuff down the runway and strike a pose, in the hottest trendy designer clothes!
> Will you win the runway contest? Impress the judges and vote for other girls!
> Get killer makeovers with your BFF's! You'll rock your new makeup and hairstyle!
> Spa day with the girls! What could be more fun than a day at the spa with your best friends?!
> OMG! You've been invited to a cover shoot at Style Star Magazine! You guys will look great on the cover! Add adorably fun stickers to your photos!
> Get beautiful manicures with your friends! Every squad needs stylish nails!
ABOUT Coco Play
Coco Play Limited is China-based developer of creative and unique apps for kids. Founded in 2013, Coco Play provides rich 3D simulation-based games for the whole family. Coco Play is a subsidiary of TabTale, a leading, global creator of innovative games, interactive books and educational apps.
Visit us: http://www.tabtale.com/
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Let us know what you think! Questions? Suggestions? Technical Support? Contact us 24/7 at [email protected]
* This App is free to play but certain in-game items may require payment. You may restrict in-app purchases by disabling them on your device.
* By downloading this App you agree to TabTale's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use at http://tabtale.com/privacy-policy/ and at http://tabtale.com/terms-of-use/.
Please consider that this App may include third parties services for limited legally permissible purposes.
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The easiest way to connect a VCR, DVD player or Blu-ray device to a television is to connect it directly with composite, High-Definition Multimedia Interface or component cabling. Another option is to attach the device to one already connected to the television.
Connecting a media player to a television is easiest if both support the same cabling. HDMI cabling provides the best picture, since it relies on digital technology; it also supports sound, making it a convenient option. To access the device, press the Input or Source button on the television's remote control to select the correct HDMI input source.
Composite cables are also common, although they don't support high-definition video and don't produce the same sharp picture as digital options. Composite cables rely on three cables; the red and white cables transfer the stereo audio channels, while the yellow cable transfers the video. This makes it easier to connect the sound output to a receiver or other device. Component cables support high-definition video and are similar to composite cables. Instead of delivering video through a single cable, however, they rely on three video cables.
Media players might also support S-Video cabling. S-Video is an analog signal but generally produces a better picture than composite cables. Since S-Video doesn't support audio, most media players use composite cabling to send the sound channels.


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Legends Of The Dark King: A Fist Of The North Star Story - Episode 13 - I Walk the Path of the Heavens!
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Many talk about the rise and rise of consciousness in the
world today and this can be a huge undertaking to understand or even to engage with. Teacher, author, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh has been making consciousness so simple for us to understand.
Recently he has suffered a major stroke and has been in recovery for the last 4 months. His teachings however continue to grow through his community and huge global following.
His Dharma or teachings translate for us the mystery of consciousness,
so that we may feel good, happy and alive. Simple. Yet under all of the lightness, the
mastery of his teachings continues to awaken us on a deep level. Awakening us into the
discipline of living a mindful and compassionate life. This is a big ask for any of us.
For Thich Nhat Hanh, mindfulness is "the energy of being
aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of
touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be
truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are
doing." And so through living mindfully, we embrace inner and global peace.
Thay (teacher), as he is affectionately known, is one of the
greatest living examples of Zen in the modern world. Active on Oprah, Twitter,
you might find him in the offices of Google or Facebook or running retreats
from his home, the celebrated Plum Village in rural France –
a monastery for monks and nuns in a Buddhist practice centre for lay people
where thousands gather every year to learn from his wisdom. He delivers the true
modern conscious message and continues to inspire us.
A film about a Buddhist community whose search for happiness
takes them on the road with Thich Nhat Hanh is being released in 2015. We will
be talking with Film Director and Producer Marc J. Francis, one of the creators
of 'Walk With Me – On The Road With Thich Nhat Hanh', later this
year, so stay tuned.
is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The
next Buddha may take the form of a community – a community practicing
understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful
living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of
the Earth." – Thich
Nhat Hanh


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Tax Credit Scholarship Information
Tax Credit Scholarships
This legislation represents a major step forward that will help create more equity in school funding throughout Illinois, and for the first time provide real school choice for students and their families.
New Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 7pm
Empower Illinois scholarship applications will now be made available to students and families at 7pm on Tuesday February 27, 2018 though EmpowerIllinois.org. This is a one week change from our previously discussed launch date.
Below are web links for the Tax Credit Scholarship Donate and Apply for Application pages.
You can click here to watch a video on everything you need to know on donating to Illinois Tax Credit Scholarships.
Below are the downloadable documents for:
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact your parish or school.
Upcoming School Webinars
These one-hour informational sessions will cover how to use and access the Empower Illinois website, the donation process, the upcoming student application process and school portal. The format of each webinar will be a 30 minute overview, with a 30 minute Q&A session. The webinar will be repeated six times during the week, and will also be recorded so that schools may review at their convenience.
January 8th, January 10th, January 12th
7-8am & 3:15-4:15pm
Click here to RSVP
Thanks to everyone who completed the Participant Enrollment Form. This ensures that schools' affiliations (for donor designations) are accurately captured within our soon-to-be-released donation mechanism.
In early January, all schools participating with Empower Illinois will need to complete a School Participation Agreement. This form will include a basic list of assurances (made by the school to Empower Illinois) and will ensure that scholarships can flow to the school. This will also allow access to an online portal with additional information for your school. Stay tuned for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tax credit scholarships?
Tax credit scholarships provide an Illinois state income tax credit (not just a deduction, like with other charitable contributions) to individuals and corporations that contribute money to a non-profit Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). That SGO then awards scholarships to eligible students from low-income families.
What is a Scholarship Granting Organization?
A Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is responsible for the following, among other things:
• Receiving donations from individuals and corporations;
• Receiving and processing scholarship applications from students/families; and
• Distributing scholarships to eligible students/families in accordance with the law.
SGOs must determine whether students meet the income eligibility requirements to receive a scholarship and must distribute scholarships to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis. SGOs must honor restrictions placed on donations from individuals, if any.
When are the scholarships available?
Donors may make contributions starting January 2, 2018 and families can apply for scholarships beginning January 24, 2018. The initial scholarships will apply to the 2018/19 school year, and the program will continue for at least five years (based on the current law).
Who is eligible to receive a scholarship?
Students from families with limited financial resources are eligible to receive a tax credit scholarship.
Questions regarding household income documentation for the student application process.
- 2016 or 2017 documents will be allowed.
- The federal 1040 form is the preferred document.
- If the family did not file a 2016 or 2017 tax return, the family may submit a 1099, W-2 or pay stub showing that their annualized income is either below the minimum required to file a federal tax return, or would be low enough to qualify the student when accounting for the (federal) standard deduction.
To be considered for a scholarship, students must be from a household with income below 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($73,800 for family of four).
However, prior to April 1, 2018 priority will be given to:
- Students from households that are below 185 percent of the federal poverty level ($45,510 for family of four).
- Students who reside in a "focus district" (explained below).
- Siblings of scholarship students.
Beginning in 2019, priority will also be given to renewals of previous year scholarship recipients.
What age students are eligible for tax credit scholarships?
Scholarships are available for eligible students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
What is a "focus district?"
Focus districts are public school districts which have a school that: (1) has one or more subgroups in which the average student performance is at or below the state average for the lowest 10 percent of student performance in that subgroup or (2) has an average graduation rate of less than 60 percent and has not been identified for priority. A list of focus districts can be found here.
Application Process and Scholarship Details
When can students apply for a tax credit scholarship?
Students can apply for scholarships beginning January 24, 2018. There has been no deadline established for application, but families should apply as early as possible since scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
How do students/families apply for tax credit scholarships?
Students/families must submit an application for scholarship directly to an SGO. There will be an application process established by each SGO after it receives Department of Revenue approval and is operational. There will likely be several SGOs operating in the state. We will share more information and details as soon as they are available.
How will schools assist students/families with the application process?
Once the Department of Revenue publishes a list of approved SGOs, school staff will help connect students/families with the SGOs and assist them with the application process. The Diocese will also provide schools, students and families with support and assistance.
Will the SGOs' application materials be available in Spanish?
We anticipate that applications will be available in Spanish, however the entire process is still being finalized. We will share more information and details as soon as they are available.
Will paper applications be available?
We believe that the application process is likely to be conducted online only, but the application process is still being finalized. If the online requirement poses a problem for some families, support will likely be provided through local schools. Again, we will share more information and details as soon as they are available.
What type of expenses are covered through tax credit scholarships?
Tuition and eligible fees for any non-pubic school in Illinois are covered through tax credit scholarships.
How much money can students receive through a tax credit scholarship?
Scholarship amounts will vary based on the student's household income and be limited to the lower of actual tuition and fees for the student's school, or the statewide average expense per student among public schools (currently $12,280). Students from households that are lower than 185 percent of the federal poverty level receive 100 percent of tuition and eligible fees.
Students from households that are 185 percent to 250 percent of the federal poverty level will receive 75 percent of tuition and eligible fees through the scholarships.
Students from households that are 250 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level will receive 50 percent of tuition and eligible fees through the scholarships.
When will students/families be notified if they have been granted a scholarship?
SGOs will be responsible for notifying families. The law presently requires SGOs to process applications received before April 1 within ten business days of receipt. The law does not impose an application processing deadline for applications received after April 1. However, we would anticipate that the processing timelines will be similar for all applications.
How is a scholarship payment made?
The SGOs will manage scholarship payments. The law presently requires SGOs to distribute scholarship payments directly to the qualified school where the student is enrolled. We will share more information on this process as soon as it is available.
Do students need to be accepted to a school before they can apply for a scholarship?
This is still being determined, but we expect that the process will require earlier application to schools than has been the practice in the past. We will share more information as soon as it is available.
What if a student is already receiving a scholarship from a school or another scholarship program, should the student be encouraged to apply for a tax credit scholarship?
Yes. We encourage any student/family who thinks they may be eligible for tax credit scholarship to apply.
Are these scholarships only for Catholic schools?
No. The scholarships can be used to cover the tuition and eligible fees for any non-public school in Illinois.
If a student does not receive a tax credit scholarship, what should the family do?
The family should work with their local school to determine what other scholarships that may be available to them.
How much of a tax credit do individuals and/or corporations receive?
Individuals and corporations that donate to SGOs may receive a credit off their Illinois state taxes equal to 75 percent of the donation.
How much money can be donated to an SGO for tax credit scholarships?
Tax credits are capped at $1 million per taxpayer per year. Total tax credits are capped at $75 million per year statewide, which equates to $100 million in donations and scholarships.
Can donations be directed to a certain school or individual?
Individuals may direct donations to a particular school or subset of schools, but NOT to an individual student or group of students. Corporate donors cannot restrict their donations at all.
How do individuals direct their donations to a certain school or subset of schools?
The process for reserving tax credits and designating a particular school or subset of schools is still being finalized by the Illinois Department of Revenue and the SGOs. Further information will be made available when these processes have been published.
What is the process for making a donation?
Beginning January 2, 2018, donors can indicate the amount they want to donate and reserve the corresponding tax credits through the Illinois Department of Revenue's website. The Department of Revenue will grant tax credits on a first come first served basis. Donating individuals and corporations then have 60 days from the date they receive the credit authorization certificate to donate that indicated amount to the SGO of their choice.
After donating, the individual or corporation receives a receipt from the SGO, indicating the donation was made, which then generates the corresponding tax credit. If a donor fails to make all or a portion of a donation payment to the SGO by the deadline, they shall not be entitled to a certificate of receipt for that portion of the donation not made.
Do I need to do anything to receive my tax credit?
All tax credit scholarship donors need to have an account on mytax.illinois.gov before applying for a tax credit. This process can take up to 10 days and involves a mailed pin number. We encourage anyone considering making a donation to sign up at mytax.illinois.gov as soon as possible.
Who can I contact if I am interested in making a donation or learning more about donations?
For more information on making a donation or if you have any questions regarding the donation process, please contact Mike Gibbons or Tom Posnanski.
Scholarship Granting Organizations
Is the Diocese Of Belleville an SGO?
No. The Diocese of Belleville is not an SGO. The Diocese is not able to be an SGO as we operate schools that participate in the tax credit scholarship program.
What are the SGOs in Illinois? Are there any in place?
The SGOs in Illinois are still being established. There will likely be several SGOs, all of which may operate independently. The Diocese of Belleville has made the decision to participate with the other Arch/Dioceses in the State in an SGO named Empower Illinois. We will share more information on this SGO and others in Illinois in the coming weeks.
How many SGOs are there in Illinois?
The SGOs in Illinois are still being established. There will likely be several SGOs, all of which may operate independently. We will share more information on the SGOs in Illinois in the coming weeks.
Tax Credit Scholarship Eligibility
Please review the tables for additional information regarding tax credit scholarship eligibility and the potential tax credit scholarship amount students can receive based on their household income level.
Prior to April 1, 2018 priority will be given to:
- Students from households that are below 185 percent of the federal poverty level ($45,510 for family of four).
- Students who reside in a "focus district."
- Siblings of scholarship students.
Beginning in 2019, priority will also be given to renewals of previous year scholarship recipients.
Click here to see pdf Tables (33 KB)
Empower Illinois S.G.O. Board Rules
Empower Illinois (EI) staff has put together a list of rules that will guide how the SGO operates once the program begins.
Click here for PDF
to find a description of the issue that EI is addressing.
Final Department of Revenue Emergency Regulations
Please click here to see pdf Final Emergency Rules (200 KB)


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I don't get smoothies often, but when I do, the one of the last things I would expect to have included would be bread. But that's just what happens when comedian Gerry Dee takes over a local Juice Bar and tries to convince people that adding a slice of bread to their healthy drink would be good idea.
The stunt was orchestrated by Cundari Advertising, and looks to remind people that Dempster's Whole Grains bread contains the same vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables.
The campaign is supported by sandwich recipes at NaturallyDempsters.ca and features a contest on the Dempster's Facebook page, where viewers of the video can enter to win $3000 worth of groceries. The brand will also be hosting a Dempsters #BreadJuicer Twitter Party on Thursday, January 24th at 9:00pm.
[via Great Ads]


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- Home
- About
- Visit
- Blog
- Events
- Transportation
- Real Estate
- Georgetown BID
Welcome to charming, bustling Georgetown. A nationally-designated historic district, Georgetown was founded in 1751, nearly half a century before the District of Columbia, as a bustling port city on the banks of the Potomac. Today Georgetown is a neighborhood with a vibrant business district, an active residential community, and a popular recreational waterfront. It is D.C.'s premier destination and 'playground' for shopping, dining, history, fitness, and family fun.
Georgetown offers a variety of 450+ shopping, dining and entertainment options in a beautiful, historic setting. M Street, Georgetown's main avenue, is recognized as one of the best shopping streets in the country. The intersection of M and Wisconsin Avenue is the heart of Georgetown, with boutique-lined streets extending in all four directions. Known for its quaint cobblestone streets and 18th and 19th century architecture, the neighborhood is a delightful mix of past and present that sets it apart from the rest of Washington, D.C.
Centered on the 1600 block of Wisconsin Avenue and named for nearby Book Hill Park, this area is home to a cluster of commercial fine art galleries—the Georgetown Galleries—and locally-owned boutiques and antique shops. Those interested in local history shouldn't miss the Peabody Room at the Georgetown branch of the DC Public Library.
The area south of M Street is dominated by two waterways – the Potomac River and the historic C&O Canal. In Georgetown's early years both waterways were key elements in the area's economy and industry. Some buildings from this era remain, giving this lower section of a Georgetown a distinct industrial feel.
Washington Harbour on K Street offers waterfront dining and an outdoor skating rink in the winter; this center is adjacent to Georgetown Waterfront Park, with its sweeping vistas of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Theodore Roosevelt Island and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Nearby is the architecturally beautiful and LEED certified House of Sweden. In the summer months, rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard from Key Bridge Boathouse.
Cady's Alley is Georgetown's "design district," with more than 20 home furnishing showrooms, fashion and specialty boutiques nestled in a cluster of historic industrial buildings. Enter at 3300 M Street, or access the area's cobblestone walkway from M and 33rd or 34th Street. Enjoy a pick-me-up at the authentic European bistro, Leopold's Kafe. Visit www.georgetowndc.com/georgetowndesigndistrict for more.
These quiet, tree-lined streets north of M Street on either side of Wisconsin Avenue are filled with homes dating back as early as the 18th century and ranging from modest row houses to large estates. Georgetown has been home to many famous and influential people, from politicians and presidents to journalists and socialites. Many small parks are tucked away into the residential neighborhood, as well as three historic houses/museums - Tudor Place, Dumbarton House, and Dumbarton Oaks.
Georgetown's commercial center is walking distance to Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic university in the United States.


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A memory box can be made by a child or adult who wants to hold onto memories of their special person.
A person may also wish to make one if they have treasured memories to pass onto loved ones, such as their children, after they have died.
A memory box contains meaningful items to help remember a particular time in someone's life, or their special person; someone who is either poorly or who has died.
Contact us today on 01702 220350 or email us


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We turn away from the coast and cross an invisible line between green and orange. The UK government advises against all but essential travel here. We are about halfway into our seven-hour-drive from Alexandria to Siwa, an oasis in the Sahara Desert. Every so often we are stopped at a checkpoint and our passports are examined by soldier. Turrets with guns overlook us, a trifle menacing, but the soldiers are friendly enough.
The landscape changes subtly as we drive, scrubby bushes getting thinner and scarcer. The desert is a flat rocky floor, stretching until the curve of the earth hides it from view. Near Siwa, a few trees appear, then fields of palm trees. The sand coloured dessert is broken by blue lakes. Closer, we can see the salt that edges the lake like ice.
My excitement grows as we turn into our lodge, the Talist Ecolodge and Farm. The colour of the buildings matches the wind-carved sandstone hills behind it. A still pool mirrors the landscape. The tranquility is somewhat marred by the persistence of flies, and we retreat to the screened-in porch.
Within minutes of our arrival, the kids are all off exploring. Our son, Oscar, and the two children of Lou and Andy, our travelling companions. They find caves, sand hills, and petrified shells from when this desert was a sea bed. They proudly take me on a tour of the caves. I'm told their names, first cave, second cave, third cave and fourth cave. Evidently they are saving their imagination for role-playing games involving dragons and other fantasies. Jemima shows me a magic trick where she disappears into one crack and appears out of another.
Our hut is simple but comfortable. There is no electricity so we go to bed soon after nightfall. At night I can hear the wind in the trees and feel the cool breeze on my skin and I'm feel like we are camping.
Breakfast on the second day is felafel and foul, eggs and bread, and a cheese and tomato mixture. Before our afternoon desert tour, we head into Siwa town. There are many men and children, but not many women. The women are at home. The few we do see are fully covered. Their faces are hidden by loose black cloth and they are hooded and draped in more fabric. Their garb is vaguely sinister, reminiscent of the wraiths from Lord of the Rings. My eyes slide off them uneasily, I feel like they don't want to be seen. It's hard to imagine that the hidden figures are regular women.
Most of the people we come across are friendly, we are greeted with smiles. "Mumkin soura, low samaht," I ask. Can I take a photo please. Aywa, yes. I'm given a good luck scarab at a shop where I perused without making a purchase. Life is unhurried here, tourists welcome.
We drive through town again on our way to the desert with our tour guide Ibrahim and his son. On our way to the desert, Ibrahim waves at most of the people we pass. Young boys in pairs or groups drive donkey-drawn wagons down the streets. Down an alley we see a small boy hit a smaller girl with a stick. "La! La!" Ibrahim shout out the window. No, No. I think this is a small town where everyone look out for each other, where the adults are parents to all the children.
At the edge of the desert Ibrahim's son takes some air out of the tires. Soon we are speeding along the sand, revelling in the slip and slide of the vehicle. We go up a steep dune and pause on the the narrow edge. Then we are plunging down, fast. The vehicles fills with gasps, laughs, screams and low exclamations. I laugh, maniacally, a huge grin splitting my face.
We come to a stop and the kids are out, running. They climb a dune and run back down, laughing and falling. I marvel at the smooth wavy line where the sides of sand meet. This is the desert of movies and adventures. I can imagine slow, laborious steps along the peak with the sun beating down, lips cracking and dry mouth craving water. But today it is fun, we run around and expend energy freely. There is water in the vehicle and tea and biscuits for later.
The next stop is for sand boarding. Andy jumps on a board and pushes off. He is always first, says Lou. The guides encourage us to sit on the boards like a sled, but we are mad English people and one mad Canadian. We strap in our feet and sail down the sand like we are snowboarding, or surfing.
I try it only once. I sail down the hill, picking up speed, and bump over car tracks until one finally spills me. I fall into soft sand, unhurt, laughing. The climb up the sandy slope is another matter. The sand slips beneath my feet with each step until I make it to the top, gasping. After that I am content to watch the others play, and photograph the landscape as it changes with the light.
We stop at a hot spring pool on the way back. I would jump in with the others, but there are only men and children in the pool, the woman here are mostly veiled, so I dip my toes in the spring and wander the small oasis.
Back in the 4X4, we crest another steep hill, this time in the dimming light, and then stop and watch the sunset with small glass cups of tea and biscuits. Then it's back to roads and slow driving and a dinner in the town. Next to our restaurant, crowds of Egyptians spill into the street watching the football match of Egypt versus Morocco. The crowd erupts into cheers and shouts when Egypt scores. I cheer along with them.
The third day we explore Shali, the old part of Siwa. The broken finger of the old town ruins reach up, as if a stone giant is reaching from inside the earth to grasp Siwa. We climb up stairs and winding paths and wonder what it was like when these were rooms and people lived here. Was this a well? Could this have been a dwelling? Now, it is hard to tell.
We walk further into the other side of town. Here, the old ruins are patched up inhabited. There are no women here, no girls. A group of boys hang out on a wagon. "La, la," they says as I lift my camera. A man sits on a stoop and his eyes follow us as we pass. A few children chase us. "Take, take," it sounds like one boy shouts. Take a photo? Or is it Arabic? "Ana mish fahma," I say. I don't understand.
The homes here edge the street and we walk softly, as if we are treading in people's backyards. This is not a touristy area. I feel like I don't belong here. I feel like it's real. Then the street opens up into souvenir stalls and I am half relieved and half disappointed.
On the fourth morning I wake up with the sunrise and take my camera to the salt shelf of the lake, stalking a patch of still water where the flat-topped hill will be reflected. I find my photo and stop, gazing at the sand and water in the silence. I feel completely at peace and am in no rush to leave. I feel like I've found a place with no time. A noisy truck approaches and the spell is broken.
After lunch we leave on another tour. We go to the Temple of the Oracle, a temple where Alexander the Great was told his father was the god Zeus. Next is the Temple of Amun. It looks like a pile of rubble. At some point it was blown up in search of treasure. We elect to just drive past. At the spring of Cleopatra, the men and children jump into the deep circular pool. Lou shops and I take photos. The bathing suit I brought is modest by Canadian standards, but it would be scandalous here. I'm told I will be able to swim ash the next stop, a salt lake.
We drive out into the desert. Jonah and Oscar are deeply involved in a discussion about Plants vs Zombies. They have been inseparable for most of the trip. My eyes are usually glued to the window. We drive beside another large lake and on the other side are salt mines. Empty trucks drive in, and trucks piled high with salt drive out. Every once and a while there is a rectangular pool of water.
"Maybe this is the Salt Lake," jokes Andy.
It was the Salt Lake.
Andy is in first, of course, and immediately bobs up. The others join him. Two of the children are soon out again, the salt stings their cuts. I pour water over Oscar's scrapes and jump in once he has recovered. I float effortlessly in the dense, salty water. I could easily have a nap. But today, frolicking is far too much fun. Soon the children are all out, playing in the piles of salt, and the adults bob in the pool. Is this what it is like to float in space?
We discover that while the salt is pleasant in the water, once it dries it becomes progressively more painful. Ibrahim takes us to another hot spring. This one is behind a gate and full of foreigners, so I have no doubts about plunging into the deep hot pool. The stinging salt is washed away and replaced with a soothing warmth as the setting sun casts everything in a warm glow.
Back at the lodge we enjoy another lovely meal. The main dish features the unlikely combination of eggplant and ground beef and raisins. Nevertheless it is delicious. The kids go to bed, exhausted. The adults stay up late, talking about politics and books, drinking wine and rum we brought from home.
The next day we decide to stay and enjoy the Talist Lodge. Oscar and I climb the "mountains" of sandstone, swim in the pool and enjoy leisurely meals. We watch the sun dip low in the cloudless sky. It throws out a blanket of warm light before it disappears, leaving behind a pale pink glow. It is Samhain and the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is thin. That night we chat by the fire while the kids make robots out of bottles and mud.
The drive home is mostly uneventful. Soldiers do the same cursory check of the trunk at each checkpoint. There is a bit of excitement when we pass through a desert storm. The driver slows, uncertain. The storm passes and we are on our way again, careening down the desert road at 140 km/hr, bouncing jauntily. The empty desert is replaced with buildings and light, the silence with cars honking and engines revving, and we know we are back in the city, home.


text:
Valid Remarks by Shanell Roberts
Music Lyrics Innovations
The Valid Remark of the Week
Hoping is wanting but Believing is HAVING!!
This is a New Year with New beginnings. Don't let life or anyone else get in the way of your goals. Keep your head up and press through...even when the mission seems impossible because eventually things will come together (;
"Your mission is usually a solo misson so don't count on others to do your job"
"When you are ready, pick up where you left off"
"Make BIG dreams, have HIGH hopes, & STRONG willpower and you can ACCOMPLISH anything!"
Don't be afraid to show your true COLORS!!!!!...Be True Be You
Work Hard, Fight Easy!
Start each day with a smile (:
Good choices bring good fortune.
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Copyright 2013, 2014, 2015 Valid Remarks, LLC


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Friday, July 14, 2006
Legends from the Leader: Steve Bartman
Our first entry concerns the clip below, in which Dan Patrick was set for an exclusive interview with headphones aficionado Steve Bartman. Unfortunately things did not go exactly as planned.
That morning started like many before it. There is a 10am meeting to go over any news that happened late the night before, and set up the show for the day. This consists of the news editor rattling off what news is expected to happen that day and what games are happening that night that might be worth previewing that day. Also, since it's ESPN, this is the meeting where on a daily basis, somebody suggests some stupid feature involving the Yankees or Red Sox. Anyway, the meeting came and went like it had many days before. With the 6pm SportsCenter, there's always a feeling that something big could break during the day - a coach getting fired, a big trade; something that makes you bust your ass behind the scenes to get the story told well on a quick turnaround. This day was no different.
At 1pm the graphics and font crew arrived. These are the people who not only write and research the scores and facts that appear on screen, but also design all graphics, including that nifty fullscreen mugshot of the interview subject that appeared during SportsCenter. After a quick meeting going through an initial rundown of the show we went about our business of making Golf Leader boards, some ID fonts for athletes and speakers in the features we run, and just general full screens which are the elements used out of features to enhance the message with statistical backup. Around 2pm a call comes into the fonting room (mind you this phone is like the Batphone - whenever it rings its for more work). On the other end, an excited producer we'll call Mark Eaton says that we have an exclusive with Steve Bartman. He'll be calling in live at 6pm to answer questions.
Obviously the place is now buzzing. It should be noted that at this point the Bartman call was being kept under wraps - only the 6pm SC crew knew about it. Of course like any good secret, it got out. People started coming up to the font room to see if the rumors were true. One by one however the same question came up - how the hell did he know the number for ESPN? I mean here at the WorldWide Leader you have thousands of people who wanted to work for ESPN their whole lives and who upon graduating college searched high and low for contact info to get into ESPN (its kind of like Fort Knox - you can drive to see it, there's an address and a general telephone number - but you can't actually talk to anyone or get in unless you work there or know someone who does) and here some guy was able to get directly through to the assignment desk no less?
Now after the fact, it's easy to ask why this whole charade wasn't checked out better before putting the caller on live TV. But a few things need to be understood. First off, no more than a handful of people actually talked to the caller in the pre-screening process. Secondly, this is a pretty anonymous subject we're dealing with. Any information we knew about Steve Bartman came from news reports or publications, so every answer of his checked out. ESPN has contacts all over the world to triple-check sources for athletes, but there wasn't any source to ask about this guy that nobody had ever heard of a few days prior. Even his story about why he wasn't calling from a Chicago area code made sense at the time. His number was traced to a hotel in Pittsburgh and he said he was afraid to be in Chicago. Again, with the circumstances of the event, it seemed to make sense. The producers were justifiably skeptical, but after a few hours of trying to check things out using the few resources that were available, the powers that be were satisfied. All the pieces were in order for the exclusive interview.
As the segment was about to start there was a nervous energy. No exaggeration, every big wig at ESPN was watching this - and for Mark Eaton this was his moment. In a way, I think he pushed this through even with the shallow background check because it was one of those moments that can make a career. All throughout the day he was hearing higher ups and Dan Patrick himself question the authenticity of the call, I think in the back of his head Mark Eaton thought his 6th sense on being right about this would not only produce some great TV but an acknowledgement from his peers for having a great feel for television.
Of course as you saw from the clip - it didn't quite go over as big Mark would have liked. The McCurdy (for those who have never seen one - it's an internal communication system with a baseboard and an adjustable headset microphone that enables everyone to communicate with each other during the show. You can always tell who's new on the job when they make the obligatory "Welcome to McDonald's, can I take your order" joke) was eerily quiet during the first few questions. Usually you can hear the producer and director, but on this day everyone was just listening to the conversation - probably a first in studio television history. The fake caller was actually smart by answering the first few questions in a calm and believable manner - with each passing question you could feel the tension lifted. Of course just when everyone was beginning to relax - "Do you like Howard Stern's butt cheese?"
The control room exploded. The yelling and cursing was just sailor-esque. Mark Eaton at this point is so pissed he's cursing at everyone - from tape machine operators to prompters - obviously just directing his anger at himself towards everyone else. The director, Randy Wittman, was so flustered that he cut to a frozen piece of video tape in a panic before just going to black and being bailed out by a Tom Emanski commercial. The producer - Danny Ferry - was actually cool about it. Eaton and he had worked together for a long time, so he took the road of "He's probably being harder on himself right now then I could ever be on him." While he no doubt had some words later on, at the time he took the high road and tried to get the show back on track. Dan Patrick of course had to weigh in during the break on how foolish he felt. It should be noted that while Dan Patrick was cool under pressure and is generally a nice guy, he does have an air of "cooler than the room" to him. In his opinion this incident was not a reflection of ESPN as a whole, but rather a knock on his journalistic integrity. Meanwhile he was doing a story on jock itch 2 weeks later but that's neither here nor there.
For the rest of the show Mark Eaton didn't say a word. Since this call was at the beginning, being the exclusive and all, there were still 50 minutes left of television. Ferry pretty much took over and guided everyone through a pretty clean, if not already marred show. As a fonter, your performance is measured by how many mistakes you make during the show. Usually there are 1 or 2 minor spelling or statistical errors you hear about it after the show. If there is a big one, you definitely hear about it after the show (and repeatedly after that as well.) In that particular show I had 2 more errors and when I went down to the post show meeting Mark Eaton couldn't even bring himself to give me crap for it - he just said nice job and keep an extra eye out on Top 10 fonts.
Amazingly, nobody was fired for the debacle, although I'm sure that Mark Eaton was in the doghouse with the bigwigs for a while afterward. The buzz around campus was palpable the rest of the day. Immediately after the show, the bigwigs launched a full-scale mission to destroy all copies of the show tape. I remember being in the screening department (a large room filled with monitors where we watch and record every game, show, and news feed that comes in to ESPN) and watching PA's frantically rewind and replay the tape before it was confiscated by one of the powers that be. It was one of those days where as a lower-echelon employee, we all found it to be hilarious, but had to look over our shoulder and make sure no higher-ups were around when we laughed it off. There was a lot of walking on egg shells around coordinating producers for the rest of the day. It also changed the way ESPN screens phone calls, and you'll probably never see a live telephone interview anymore unless it's with one of ESPN's own reporters. To this day, the whole mess is a very touchy subjects, and is the elephant in the newsroom that is never spoken about in any official setting.
More stories to come shortly in our continuing "Legends from the Leader" AKA "You're with me, Bristol" series. Stay tuned.
23 comments:
Great stuff, thanks for the write up. :)
- Captain Caveman said...
Nice work. Even though Howard Stern is about as enjoyable as an episode of Entourage, I always enjoy a good corporate freak-out.
And a big Baba Booey to you all!!!
Amazing the whole thing wasn't just laughed off as the prank it was. Ok, you got burned- good one. Move on. To wring your hands over it and fume about it seems pointless.
- We Must Protect This Hoff! said...
Simply awesome! I guess I shouldn't hold my breath for the exclusive with Barbaro?
- boobs said...
Effing awesome story. Thanks a lot.
- Pawtucket Pat said...
Well done. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
The eastern accent on that caller was recognizable to me when he said "caught," and then again on several other words. Any "lifelong Cub fan born and raised in Chicago" such as Bartman would certainly have sounded different than that guy. I'm guessing ESPN's fact checkers were east coasters who had no idea everyone doesn't speak like they do, or just morons who weren't paying attention (although they probably were both.....)
Brilliant! Big ups, Dirk. Hugs and hand pounds. I think you've touched upon gold here with this series. Looking forward to more scathing reports from your days at the Leader.
Great story! I guess no one on the espn staff ever listened to Howard Stern. As soon as you hear that voice come on, you know it is Captain Janks. I'm sure other Stern fans watching felt the same way. And this is far from the first time Capn struck a major network, so his voice is pretty recognizable (although he sometimes tries to disguise it). But without ever hearing Bartman's voice, I guess you'd have to believe the caller. Moral of the story -- stop listening to Mike and Mike every morning.
- Bish said...
Patrick later appeared on Stern and seemed pretty good natured about it. Janks got on the phone, explained how he got through, and they all seemed to laugh it off.
I will bookmark this blog for future entries - you're with me, bad idea blue jeans!
- Steve O said...
First of all, great work, well written, and a good commentary on life on the inside of the Worldwide Leader in Sports. HOWEVER......this SPORTS! This is inconsequential, this is supposed to be fun, this is "the Candy Store of journalism." Nobody's life is changed, nobody dies, and a "billion Chinese" have no idea what this is about or could care less. The whole ESPN world should have leaned back and laughed their butts off at being had.
- CliffX said...
Very interesting story, thanks!
- Alex Fritz said...
Good stuff.
I like how they tried to destroy all of the copies of it. They then probably showed the "blooper reel" of Charlie Steiner laughing 2,973 times later that week to show how off the cuff and free spirited ESPN is.
- Awkward Pictures said...
Oh man this is awesome! I'm not a big Stern fan, but this is great. I hope this inspires everyone to do the same thing. My favorite part is that Dan Patrick clearly thought it was funny and was trying very hard not to laugh.
Nice work.
A friend of mine interviewed up at ESPN on the dotcom side and said it sucked up there. She torched them in a running commentary on her site. It starts slow but it gets funny:
My bad on the URL above:
espn interview blog
- Poisso3 said...
I saw this interview live and laughed my ass off. Like someone else said, you could tell that the caller wasn't from Chicago by the accent, and for ESPN to blindly take the dude's word that he was the real deal is deserving to be burned. It's like CBS when Dan Rather was talking to who he thought was an EMT at the WTC site and it was actually another Howard Stern goon...
Also, I wonder if there are any stories about why teams like the Astros not getting squat for air time, and what was said when Rich left to start the NFL Network...
I'm still waiting to find out if Dan Patrick does or does not like Howard Stern's butt cheese.
That's a great story.
Inside stuff is always great.
(Remember the live OJ-Stern-Call-In prank?)
- artie fufkin said...
how are you guys not posting about the Harold Reynolds story?
- Dirk Calloway said...
We did post the HR story - check the front page, potzer.
You know what, he never answered the question. I wonder what they think of Howard Stern's Butt Cheese. Inquiring minds want to know
Bonnie Pingler


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1 T'zi - 13 I'q (Wed June 4th - Mon June 16th)
In the week of 1 T'zi (Wed June 4th), here the initiation now begins to take form into our relationships with Life, our relationships with ourselves, our relationship with each other, our relationship to the Original Instructions. How are we behaving, and how are we carrying the Law of the Land, the Spiritual Law? Because here is where we are looking at the completion of this cycle in the relationship to 13 I'q, the 13 breaths (Mon June 16th). Here are the 13 forces of Spiritual Law. And so, in this journey, in this initiation, we are going to find that in the middle is 7 Ajmak (Tues June 10th). That which was before- the place in which we had to decide what to carry as our ancestors' gift, now it becomes our acts, our way that we are in relationship to life. And so the next day comes in, 8 Noj (Wed June 11th)- the completion of acting on the wisdom that we now know. Not just knowledge to make things happen, but the wisdom, so that on the next day on 9 Tijax (Thurs June 12th) we can communicate it. And we can use that force to liberate anything that is limiting the 1 T'zi – the human slavery, the destruction of the earth, the pollution of the earth. Here comes this revolutionary, this force to change the things that are not right. And so Tijax becomes these warriors, becomes these guardians of Earth in activation. Because the 1 T'zi says "oh, just a minute! Here, the violations are against nature, against the Creator, against Life." And we need the 13 Spirits (I'q), we need to endure through our mind (12 Imux- Sun June 15th) to find the solutions so that we can communicate it, we can protect it, and we can cut off all those things that are not needed with the energy of Tijax.
So this week here, this initiation, is about global transformation, global evolution. And it can go the other way where we have the wars, the bickering, the fighting, the jealousies, the envies- the 1 T'zi can become a very messy cycle. But we are looking at the relationships to life, to be in the activation and the manifestation of the ancestors' gift. And so here, the ancestors look at us and they say "oh good, they learned it well." And the children are looking at it and saying "oh yes, they are a good example for me to live by."


text:
Majestic Journey
Keyboard soundscapes that will take you on a majestic journey.
This CD is a musical journey to many beautiful places...places of peace, joy, love and serenity. The synth and string sounds will lift your spirit and carry you along to new heights and depths of musical experience.
A432 is a special tuning, purported to be a harmonic of light. "Majestic Journey" was recorded in that tuning. It is said that music tuned to A432 feels better to the body and mind and is more natural to listen to. Hope you will greatly enjoy!
- Majestic Journey
Buy it from here!


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Joy-Ann Reid
Our state's sick healthcare system
If a novel were written about Florida's administration of its healthcare for the working poor, an appropriate title might be: "Don't get sick, and God help you if you do."
It could also be called "How to kill a hospital."
Florida has tied the ultimate Gordian knot around its healthcare providers: refusing to accept the federal expansion of Medicaid, despite a 100-percent federal match for the first few years, meaning that the state's estimated 3.8 million uninsured — that's one in four Floridians under age 65 — have little hope of getting insured if they fall in the no-man's land between the federal poverty line and a job with insurance.
And the hospitals that treat the indigent can thank the Legislature for ensuring that they will do so — presuming they can still afford to — at the risk of their solvency.
To add to the pressure on particularly large, urban hospitals, the Legislature passed a law that will essentially rob big-county hospital systems of part of their federal aid, and send the money north to the rural part of the state. Under that law, Miami-Dade hospitals will cede $218 million in Medicaid matching funds for its low-income treatment pools (including $140 million for just the Jackson Health System in Miami) and that money will be redistributed to the disproportionately powerful, smaller counties that can't be bothered to fund their Medicaid programs with local tax dollars.
And now comes the unkindest cut of all: The state run by a former hospital executive whose company helped him get rich on the back of extravagant Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare fraud, has elected to limit Medicaid patients to six hospital visits a year, which is not only cruel, but also an illegal perversion of the program. The federal government has already begun levying the fines.
It's a novel way to deal with the fact that the Legislature has held at arm's length low-income Floridians like a cruel game of keep-away, the E.R. becomes the primary-care provider for an inordinate share of the working poor.
So rather than help those people get Medicaid via the federal expansion, or at least stopping the state's serial obstruction of the navigators administering the federal exchange under the Affordable Care Act (the Legislature even stripped the insurance commissioner of the power to regulate insurance premiums) Florida's uncompassionate conservatives decided to treat the potential hospital crisis as a demand-side problem.
As a result of this one-two-three punch, if you are poor in the Sunshine State, but you work a full-time job, or even two, but don't get healthcare — and your employer, or employers — don't pay you enough to afford to buy insurance on the federal exchange, you're out of luck.
So if you're a waitress, working a second job at the car wash or cleaning hotel rooms to make ends meet, but neither of your jobs, for which you stand on your feet all day and take the long bus ride home every night, pays you health insurance; and you don't make quite enough money to qualify for the state-hobbled federal exchange; and because there's no Medicaid expansion you can't get insurance through Obamacare either — then the best advice to you is try really, really hard not to get sick.
Of course, if you get sick once, you can go to the emergency room. Under federal law, they have to treat you. In fact, you're allowed to get really sick just five more times. God help you if your condition is chronic, because the seventh time, you're just plain out of luck.
Because after six visits, your governor and your lawmakers say you simply aren't entitled to more care. You've drained the well of their already thin gruel of compassion.
Maybe one of the Solantic clinics in Rick Scott's "blind" trust will treat you, after they get done drug-testing the state employees in the waiting room next to you. And if you can't afford their fee?
Well, I did say: Don't get sick.


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Raining on the Parades: A Community Division Overblown
By Ben Whedon '18
Last year, the citizens of Lexington were shocked by the distribution of white-supremacist informational pamphlets by individuals affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan. A testament to the values of the community we hold dear, local officials were quick to denounce the leaflets and their distributors. The outcry culminated in the formation of the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative or CARE. Comprised mostly of University professors and students, the group sought to raise awareness about issues of discrimination in Lexington.
Over the year, the organization grew stronger, attracting more members and support from around the community. Emboldened by their early successes, the group resolved to sponsor a parade for the birthday of the very Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., a previously unseen occurrence on main street. This plan would soon face a roadblock in the form of the annual Lee-Jackson Day festivities sponsored by the Son of Confederate Veterans.
The internment of both Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan Jackson in Lexington has fostered a thriving local veneration of the state holiday. For decades now, the local SCV chapter has organized the weekend-long events which typically include demonstrations in town, history lectures, and a parade down Main street. Historically, this parade has been held on the Saturday following Lee-Jackson Day with the official holiday set on the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The birthdays of all three figures occur within the span of a week which gives rise to the unfortunate scheduling conflict. Rev. King was born on January 15th while Generals Lee and Jackson were born on the 19th and 21st respectively.
Aware that the Lee-Jackson Day parade would occur on its usual Saturday, the CARE leaders sought to displace the local demonstrations by petitioning the city council to award the parade slot to them in advance before the SCV officially claimed its traditional booking. The group found its backing in the form of the then-sitting Lexington Mayor, Mimi Elrod, wife of the late former President of W&L. With her support, the CARE leaders were able to successfully secure the Saturday parade slot, displacing the longstanding SCV event. Well aware of the likely conflicts with Lee-Jackson Day, the CARE officials had ample time to devise an alternative plan be it choosing a different day (MLK day might be nice), negotiating for an additional parade slot, or some other form of compromise. Rather, the decision to stage the MLK parade on Saturday in the place the old Confederate one was deliberate and made with symbolic intentions.
The headlines alone would have sent a strong statement as a southern town shed its rebel heritage to embrace a celebration of tolerance and diversity. It certainly would have fit well with the modern narrative and given the CARE organization a tremendous PR boost. Sadly, it simply wasn't the case. The local community remained largely divided on the subject. When Academic activists work to change a community, it is rarely done in a way that encourages bi-partisan agreement to work together for common good. This instance was no different. A group of activists from W&L, in conjunction with a city government closely linked to the University, worked together in an effort to eliminate an "offensive" custom from society and replace it with a more acceptable one.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm quite thrilled that Lexington at last made a sincere effort to recognize the value of Rev. King's message to the community. Considering Lexington's involvement in the Civil War and the institutions of the Jim Crow South, Rev. King's message could go a long way towards bringing the various groups of this city together. I merely assert that the CARE leaders had an ulterior, if secondary, motive in securing the same parade slot traditionally held by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. This might seem an unwarranted or even unfounded accusation if it weren't for the developments that followed.
Public announcements of the new parade included several references to the Sons of the Confederate Veterans organization as "neo-Confederate," with some even going as far as to label them as a "hate group." The SCV is neither. It neither advocates for the secession of the Southern States, nor for discrimination of any kind. It is a historical society dedicated to preserving the heritage of a small part of America's diverse history. Prompted by these accusations, the local SCV chapter issued a statement requesting to meet with the leaders of CARE to discuss the dispute. The press release highlighted the efforts of the SCV to promote the contributions of black soldiers to the Confederate cause and even offers to join CARE in their efforts to denounce racial hatred and bigotry. The full statement issued by the Sons of Confederate Veterans leadership can be found here.
However, no meeting between the two parties ever took place, with the CARE leaders declining even to address the friendly overtures made by the local SCV chapter. It seems odd that an activist group with the aim of fostering community unity would decline to cooperate or even to engage in a dialogue with a long-standing and influential local organization. Then again, if one considers the possibility of an ulterior motive, it makes far more sense. That the objectives of the CARE initiative were not entirely altruistic in nature is further evidenced by the fact that many of those who marched on that Saturday were clearly at the wrong parade. Apart from a few relevant signs pertaining to the Rev. Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement, the majority of the signage present related to political causes either unrelated, inconsistent, or antithetical to the nominal theme of the parade. Among the messages displayed were pickets demand climate legislation, some leftovers from the presidential campaign including "lovetrumpshate" as well as a great plethora of rainbow flags. To an outside viewer unaware of the situation's context, things looked more like a rally for the local Democratic party than any particular display of town unity.
This entire controversy was decidedly overblown. The Sons of Confederate Veterans were ultimately able to secure the town's permission to hold their traditional parade on the Sunday of the same weekend. Ironically, this had the effect of placing the Confederate parade closer to MLK Day while the CARE parade occurred closer to the actual Lee-Jackson Day. It seems the efforts of the activists to displace the backward local tradition backfired. This odd turn of events, strangely enough, afforded me the opportunity to attend both events. I'm happy to say that neither event was plagued by any sort of protest or disruption. The marches of both the CARE and SCV demonstrations were well-attended and well-manned with everyone in attendance seeming to enjoy the events. It made me wonder why there had to be so much tension and animosity if they could have simply scheduled two parades in the first place.


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Chair, Department of English and Modern Languages
Lamar University
03D Maes Building
P.O. Box 10023
(409) 880-8559
Sanderson has previously published about eighty short stories, essays, or scholarly articles. He won the 2012 Kay Cattarulla Award from the Texas Institute of Letters for best short story by a Texan or about a Texan for his short story "Bankers," published by Descant. Sanderson has a Ph.D. in fiction writing from Oklahoma State University. For a living, he teaches fiction writing and American literature and film at Lamar University, and after serving as Writing
Jim Sanderson was born in San Antonio. Much of his work is set in Texas, particularly West Texas and border. Currently, Sanderson is a Professor of English at Lamar University in Beaumont.
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Nick Saban on fun side of Alabama football
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So this is something that's been on my mind a lot lately. I've made a lot of spontaneous decisions in my life- including moving to Minneapolis and California. The decision to move to MN literally happened in about 15 seconds. I was young, and didn't have a lot to lose and it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life. CA wasn't AS spontaneous, but it was for love, so I just dove right in head first. You only live once, right?
That's pretty much the way my life has gone- professionally and personally. It's been a fairly organic process. Yes, especially when it comes to my career I've worked my ass off at times, but I've never been a "set goals" type of person. Until recently. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, who knows. But I've come to realize that I've had a lot of "wishes" for what I want without taking action. It's lulled me into thinking that I did have goals, and then left me confounded when my goals aren't reached. So I've started taking action. This is the point I begin to turn my wishes into realities. I'll let you know how it goes.


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Big-Bang Disruption
by Paul Nunes, Larry Downes
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Release Date: January 2014
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Book Description
In recent years a new—disquieting—form of disruptive innovation has emerged, one that beats incumbents on both price and quality right from the start and quickly sweeps through every customer segment. This kind of "big bang" disruption can devastate entire product lines virtually overnight. Look at the effect that free navigation apps, preloaded on smartphones, had on the market for devices made by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan.
Big-bang disruptions often come out of the blue from people who aren't your traditional competitors. Frequently, they're developed by inventors who are just doing low-cost experiments with existing technologies to see what new products they can dream up. Once launched, these innovations don't adhere to conventional strategic paths or normal patterns of market adoption. That makes them incredibly hard to combat.
Though technology- and information-intensive firms are most vulnerable to big bangs, mature industries face this threat, too. Credit cards, automobiles, and education, for instance, are all experiencing early warning signs. But in every industry, big-bang disruption will be keeping executives in a cold sweat for a long time to come.
This article, which originally appeared in
Harvard Business Review
, offers some strategic principles to help businesses survive big bangs.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Big-Bang Disruption
Idea in Brief
A Difference in Kind
Three Devastating Features
Unencumbered development.
Unconstrained growth.
Undisciplined strategy.
Surviving Big-Bang Disruption
See it coming.
Slow the disruptive innovation long enough to better it.
Get closer to the exits, and be ready for a fast escape.
Try a new kind of diversification.
Your Business Is Already Being Disrupted
Author Biographies


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A new Clean Air Act should include measures supporting the role of buildings as 'safe havens' from pollution, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
Environmental campaigners, health bodies and industry groups have launched a campaign to force the government to take "urgent action" on air pollution by creating new legislation, 60 years after the original Act was created to tackle urban smog.
British Lung Foundation chief executive Dr Penny Woods said air pollution was now a "public health crisis" contributing up to 40,000 early deaths a year across the UK.
"Toxic air is a risk to everyone, but hits those with a lung condition, children and the elderly hardest," she said. "We need a new, fair and ambitious Clean Air Act, with targets to slash pollution levels across the country and to remove the most polluting vehicles from our towns and cities."
However, while tackling emissions from transport is vital, BESA believes much could also be achieved in a shorter time frame by focussing on how building occupants can be protected from rising external pollution.
"People spend more than 80% of their time indoors and there is still a lot more we can do to improve indoor air quality (IAQ)," said chief executive Paul McLaughlin. "A series of low-cost maintenance measures to ensure ventilation systems work properly and incoming air is filtered and cleaned would make a major difference to the health and well-being of building occupants.
"Reducing toxic emissions from vehicles and industrial processes is vital, but will take many years to produce results and involve major long-term investment. Improving building ventilation is a quick and relatively painless process that can be tackled today to help protect people in the meantime. Building owners also have a duty of care to protect the health of their tenants and employees."
BESA commissioned a YouGov survey last year that found almost 70% of office workers believed poor air quality in their place of work was having a negative impact on their day-to-day productivity and well-being. A third were also concerned that poor IAQ was damaging their health.
"A well-sealed building envelope combined with effective filtration of incoming supply air can reduce particle penetration by 78%," said Mr McLaughlin. "Considerable investment has already been made in improving the airtightness of buildings to reduce energy consumption and that same process can be used to manage air quality.
"The general public already understands the impact temperature has on healthy and productive conditions inside buildings – we now need to stress that the same principle should apply to air quality," said Mr McLaughlin. "When it is too hot or cold outside, people now expect to be able to enjoy comfortable temperatures inside. They should also expect similar protection from rising air pollution."
BESA's own 'Guide to Good Practice – Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems' (TR/19) includes step-by-step guidance and references UK and international standards. Detailed service and maintenance schedules can also be set up by using the Association's widely adopted SFG20 online tool, which includes specific tasks related to air quality in all building types.


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A dairy farm combined three RDP supported operations to increase and modernise milk production and secure one full-time job.
Projects & Practice
An organic mountain farm uses indigenous breeds to produce high-quality meat, while preserving the local environment and genetic resources.
RDP support financed a series of restoration and basic works on a historic monument church in rural Romania.
A Technical Assistance project about empowering local and regional actors to work more effectively with rural communities in order to revitalise these areas.
A project to allow small businesses in the agricultural and forestry sectors to incorporate innovation more efficiently.
The future-proof peat meadow polder 'Lange Weide', is unique bottom-up initiative and the largest submerged drainage project in the Netherlands.
A farm employing people with special needs set up a process line and an experimental kitchen, where non-commercial agricultural produce can be turned into new products.
Tularù is an organic and multi-functional closed-cycle farm born that began life as a centre for sustainable production. It offers an alternative approach to solving current environmental, social and economic issues for farms.
RDP support helped a family farm to generate added value by applying a sustainable model of production through biodynamic agriculture.
A land consolidation project helped restore the functionality of vineyard terraces and thus maintained a landscape which is a habitat of rare species.


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"Technology for Migrant Workers" Interview in Agenda Magazine
I had a lovely time chatting with Abby McBride from Agenda Magazine.
Here's the article: Tracking Technology Among China's Non-Elite [pdf download].
I shared my thoughts on what Digital Urbanism 2.0 will look like when 3G smartphone use will be more pervasive and affordable. We also talked about the kinds of inequalities migrants face, what kind of dreams they have, and how they make do tough situations.
By the end of the interview, I admitted that the Chinese internet is absolutely overwhelming. There are so many new products, ideas, and practices emerging everyday that it's impossible to keep up. Luckily I have a great team of research assistants. If you're curious about what my research assistants are reading, check out our open tumblr blog. And for the latest info from my fieldwork, my reseach blog is Bytes of China.
The best part about chatting with Agenda Magazine was receiving the actual magazine and learning about all the other people who were interviewed and doing amazing work and creating really cool stuff.
- Ai Ching Goh from Piktochart tells us that we call can be info visualists!
- Fritz Demopolous, co-founder of the largest Chinese travel website, Qunar, talked about his experiences from the early days of the Chinese internet.
- Josh Ong talks about how his top agent role as an Apple Insider reporter.
- Frank Yu shares what inspired him to co-found Kwestr.
What struck me in all of these interviews were each of their undestanding of the "social."
*Thanks Jennifer Thome and Abby McBride! :)


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Nikki is a qualified RYA Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore, available for coaching, deliveries, corporate events and training.
Nikki also works with a number of private yacht owners, giving 1-to-1 training, giving advice both on team work, as well as specialised knowledge in solo and shorthanded sailing. Providing guidance on not just sailing, but project management and suitable event preparation.
Nikki is always looking for new coaching opportunities so if you would like more information on how she can help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.


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Different categories of crab meat can serve different culinary purposes. Some grades work well as an elegant main ingredient, while others are perfect for blending into complex dishes.
Video of the Day
Crab Meat
There are four main grades or types of crab meat. While jumbo lump, backfin and white crab meat all share similar coloring and flavor, the darker-colored claw meat has a bolder, more pronounced crab flavor than the other grades.
There are two different kinds of lump crab meat: jumbo lump and backfin lump. The latter sometimes goes by the catch-all name of "lump."
White crab meat comes from the front part of the crab's body and tends to flake on removal instead of keeping its form.
Lump crab meat offers both fine flavor and attractive visual appeal, making it a good central ingredient in dishes. White crab meat's flakier texture and more affordable price make it a good choice when mixing crab meat into dishes with other ingredients.
Category Variations
Sometimes, crab meat is categorized into six different grades instead of four, with the majority of crab meat defined as "white" meat except for the claw meat. Under this classification system, the crab meat types include lump, backfin, jumbo lump, special (the equivalent of "white" in the four-category system), claw meat and culinary jumbo.


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Jesus - "What Can I do For You?"
Back from a great day off, celebrating my wife's birthday. Chicago is truly a beautiful corner of the world. Reading this morning an incredible story from the Gospel of Mark, and though it's only 6 verses long in most English translations. It has deep implications for you and I. I'm copying it in it's entirety so you can see the whole thing together.
As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
This passage is powerful for two reasons - one, Jesus' response to Bartimaeus is exactly the same as the response He gives to James and John in Mark 10:36. "What do you want me to do for you?"
It's an arresting thought. Jesus, the savior of the world and one capable of raising the dead, asks a blind man "what do you want me to do for you?"
The crowd tried to silence Bartimaeus. It's hard to tell why but it could be because this wasn't the first they'd heard of his cries for mercy and hope. Blind people couldn't work, obviously, and in that culture if you didn't work you didn't eat except whatever charity may be handed down to him. He's a beggar because of his blindness, not because of laziness or any other reason.
The crowd speaks sternly to him - shut up, Jesus is coming! Jesus of Nazareth heard Bartimaeus, "stood still" and called Bartimaeus to him.
Called Bartimaeus to him. Then said, "What can I do for you?"
Likely you've been in a situation of crying out to God.
Times of pain. Times of stress. Times of confusion.
Likely in those times you've felt God was distant, unsympathetic and ineffective in your situation. But what if...
What if at the moment when we are crying out Jesus is calling us to Him, more than ever before? What if at that moment where life and death hang in the balance, the greatest need we have is to draw near to Jesus and hear Him whisper, "What do you want me to do for you?" What if the key to our rescue is crying out, drawing near, and speaking our desires into the ear of the Almighty-with-flesh-on?
I pray your week closes with you embracing the Jesus who says, "What would you like me to do for you?" and that you may hear Him calling to you above the din of pain and assumed distance.


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I was saddened to hear of Patricia Neal's passing. Back in the 80s I went to Martha's Vineyard to interview her. She was charming and gracious and very, very sharp … in spite of the challenges brought on by her strokes. We talked at length about movies and her life.
She was reluctant to be terribly forthcoming because she had written a book that was to be published within the next months. But she did talk about her love for Gary Cooper and her heartbreak around the affair and the "back street" abortion she had of their child.
In 1949, while filming The Hasty Heart in London with Ronald Reagan, they were both suffering from loves lost: Neal's with Cooper and Reagan's with Jane Wyman. They spent so much time together commiserating with each other in their hotel rooms that rumors abounded that they were having an affair. Not at all, Ms. Neal told me; there was no affair. They just needed someone to talk to.
Her talent and her positive outlook on life will be missed.


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UK II: cliffside living
Stop 2: Tintagel.
Don't worry, I'm still in rural England. Fortunately, Tintagel has cliffside views of the sea. Unfortunately, we're only here for two days.
We start out with a hike down to Merlin's Cave, which is on the beach. I take the opportunity to climb rocks and take photo ops. I feel like it's a landscape straight out of The Little Mermaid.
Cliff-climbing is always fun, especially when your friends are down below and ready to take pictures of you.
We walk through the ruins of Tintagel Castle, where King Arthur was said to have been born. The professors leave us to wander, and we use that as a chance to take more photos.
Honestly, I didn't mind that this was a tiny town. All I need is the sea.


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John's Market, located in Portland's Multnomah Village neighborhood, has one of the city's widest selection of beer and wine. With over 800 different bottled beers, 400 different wines and a wide array of Portland kegs, this is a one-stop-shop to find drinks for a large party or sample that local beer you keep hearing about.
Location - 3535 S.W. Multnomah Blvd., Portland, OR 97219
Neighborhood - SW Portland


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Our Mission
Carolina Thrift is a community-oriented sustainability initiative that works to reduce needless waste in Chapel Hill. The project's purpose is to extend the lifespan of items that are usually disposed of by conducting collections of used items at the end of the school year and hosting a large-scale discount sale in August. Carolina Thrift's mission is to encourage socially responsible consumerism, provide the UNC-Chapel Hill area financial relief, and build Carolina's community.
Our Origins
Carolina Thrift was founded when members of UNC's Greek Sustainability Council, Epsilon Eta and Student Government's Environmental Affairs Committee were brought together over their shared interest in creating an off-campus collection system in Chapel Hill's community. A donation practice has been in place for students who live on campus, but nothing existed for students living off campus before Carolina Thrift. Our strategy was developed as we grew to a team of 14 directors in the Spring of 2018.