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Briefcase encounter: An invention to detect fake drugs
A new invention to detect counterfeit drugs is being developed with Wellcome Trust support at King's College London (KCL). I went to meet Professor Kaspar Althoefer and Dr Jamie Barras, who are presenting their work for the first time at a conference in the United States today, to find out more.
The large metal briefcase reminded me of something out of an 80s sci-fi movie. With just two buttons and a small black screen, I was sceptical as to whether this could really work. But Jamie Barras, Research Fellow at KCL, popped in some paracetamol tablets and within a matter of seconds a reading had been taken.
The innovative case can detect whether a drug is the real deal or a fake. There are no chemical tests involved and you don't even have to take the tablets out of their blister packets to take the reading. So how does it work? The detector uses radiofrequency waves to excite the active ingredient of the drug, which then releases energy and produces a spectrum unique to that molecule.
This type of spectroscopy is known as nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). It is similar to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), except NQR doesn't involve an external magnet. In NMR, a magnetic field surrounding the compound is necessary to alter the orientation of the nucleus so that an energy change can take place when radiofrequency waves are applied.
A magnet isn't necessary in NQR because the structure of the crystal surrounding an atom has already changed the orientation of the nucleus. When radiofrequency waves are applied, an energy change takes place. Then, when the nucleus reverts back to normal, the energy change can be measured. This is true of certain atoms in a crystal, such as nitrogen, bromine and chlorine, which are present in about 80 per cent of medicines.
The energy spectrum is compared to that of a genuine sample: if it doesn't match, we know the drug is counterfeit. One particularly useful feature is that the measurements are quantitative: the energy released decreases linearly with the mass of the sample. That means that it is easy to detect a tablet of the right size and weight but with a smaller mass of active ingredient.
One specific example the group tested was an anti-malarial drug, Metakelfin. It was developed as a promising new alternative to existing anti-malarial treatment but, once on the market, large quantities of counterfeits were produced. Fake drugs not only deprive people of the right treatment, they can also increase rates of drug resistance if small, ineffective amounts of medicine are used. Kaspar Althoefer, Head of the Centre for Robotics Research, and his team tested counterfeits against genuine Metakelfin on the prototype of their detector. They found that the counterfeits gave off the correct signal (at the correct frequency) but the size of the peak was smaller. This proved that although the active ingredient was present, there was a smaller mass of it than there should have been for the proper dose.
The group headed by Kaspar began looking into using NQR for testing pharmaceuticals around 20 years ago. But, Jamie explained, it was difficult to convince the scientific community: "There is a lot of inertia in this [pharmaceutical] industry to bringing in a new standard. So we started to look at counterfeit medicines as the market was a lot less crowded." Just six months after they began their research, the EU put out a call for new techniques to detect counterfeit medicines.
At the moment, the most popular and accurate techniques used to detect counterfeit drugs are chemical or optical tests. Both involve at least opening the packet of the drug, and often destroying the sample itself. With NQR the packet can stay intact, so if the counterfeit test is negative, the drugs can go back on the shelf. When compared with the leading chemical test, the results were almost identical, although NQR did have a slightly higher error. But their test takes only 15 seconds compared with what can take hours of testing in a lab.
So is there any downside? The technique only works on solids and suspensions, not solutions or liquids, because it requires a crystal structure. It also won't work through metal packets, only plastic and paper. But Jamie's biggest problem wasn't with the machine itself, it was how he could test it.
Counterfeit drugs are quite hard to find, for obvious reasons, but even getting sufficient quantities of legal medicines is a problem. Jamie has to stop off at every pharmacy on his way to work to avoid raising suspicions about the unusually large quantities of paracetamol he keeps buying. And it looks even stranger when he's buying several bottles of Calpol, a suspension of paracetamol used to treat children. But luckily this problem hasn't held them back too much.
The team hope, now that the prototype is ready to be presented, the technology can go on to be used by governments and non-governmental organisations, reducing the time it takes to test counterfeit medicines and the number of samples that have to be destroyed unnecessarily. It may look like it's a prop from an old sci-fi film but it does work in the real world, and could be the future of how we find the fakes among the genuine medicines.


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Hello and welcome to the 2013 Mtbr.com Sea Otter Classic Live Blog. During this four-day celebration of all things cycling at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, we'll be continually updating this page with photos and beta on all the latest in mountain bike technology. Whether it's new gear or apparel, celebrity sightings, or updates on events, this is the place to stay up to date on all the action. Make sure to check back early and often. The newest updates will always be on the top of the page. Also check out the RoadBikeReview.com 2013 Sea Otter Classic Live Blog here for all the latest road updates.
6:02 pm | by Francis Cebedo
New Reynolds 27.5 All Mountain carbon wheel – features 28h drilling, Reynolds MTN hubs with interchangeable end caps that are all included, outer width 31mm and 23 mm inner, 1600g per set
Available in fall for $1990.00!
4:00 pm | by Gregg Kato
Marin has three new 650b bikes coming soon. The first shown here is the Attack Trail all mountain bike with 150mm of rear travel paired with a 160mm fork in front.
3:56 pm | by Jason Sumner
The 2013 Sea Otter Classic is coming to a close here in California. Thanks to all of you for checking out the Live Blog. Stay tuned for lots more beta on new and cool products.
3:48 pm | by Jason Sumner
Pro racer Leah Davison was one of many folks at Sea Otter sporting T shirts in memory of fallen South African XC racer Burry Stander who was killed in an automobile accident earlier this year.
2:02 pm | by Francis Cebedo
Stand By Me – compact, removable bike stand. Adjustable length $34.99 aluminum. Bikestandbyme.com.
11:05 am | by Jason Sumner
Just stopped by Kenda to check out their soon-to-be released do anything MTB tire, the Honey Badger. Available later this summer in 29 and 27.5.
10:22 am | by Jason Sumner
Living legend Gary Fisher spotted this morning here at Sea Otter. The 62-year-old says he still rides 6 days a week and has fallen in love with using Strava. He also believes the lack of qualified mechanics is one of the biggest problems facing the bike industry. As for wheel size, he's a 29er man, but thinks 27.5 is a great addition to the market, creating bikes for people who enjoy a more playful ride.
8:51 am | by Jason Sumner
Organizers estimate that 50,000 people will pass through the gates of the 2013 Sea Otter Classic. No doubt the crowds on Saturday were huge.

subset: commoncrawl


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Yes it does,
what I like is when you can enjoy
as they do in the book
In Scarlett, she goes and gets some kind of coconut treat so..
of course, I had to get a coconut bar out of the fridge
while I read that part of the book
kind of a co-operative gesture
I think companies could benefit from
some of these things, put a brand in a
book and whoosh perhaps those who read the
book will crave the product.
I think it's possible
Finished Scarlett, now I want to go see Ireland.
Will probably never happen B4 I didn't want to
travel anywhere, now my curiosity has been sparked


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Mini - Deep Cuts : Oxen
Regular price $4.99
Customize the look and feel of your characters and campaign like never before! These highly detailed miniatures feature an enhanced sculpting process.
- Highlights minute elements
- Includes deep cut surface detail
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- Comes in dynamic and exciting poses
- Pre-primed with Acrylicos Vallejo paint
- Ready to go paint out of the box
Products are only available for In Store Pickup at this time. Shipping available soon.


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IKA News:
197 entries at the 2012 Course Racing Worlds
After two days of registration and equipment measurement, racing will finally get underway today with the first official races. 153 men and 42 women will battle on the water for the 2012 racing world title.
In the mens fleet, racing will start with a qualifying series, with three groups of 51 sailors each which will be re-seeded then by the first racing days results before the fleet is split into Gold/Silver/Bronze for the final series day. In the womens fleet, a single opening series will be run over the first three days, followed by a medal race series on Sunday.
Yesterday saw four practice races, with up to 70 sailors on the line each, in perfect sailing conditions.


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The Altman Master Ellipse profile ellipsoidal provides 20-50° zoom optics and is state of the art in function, style, and efficiency. The fixture is designed and engineered with a number of innovative features enhancing versatility and efficiency without sacrificing performance. The specially designed and bright finished metal reflector maximizes light output and is specifically optimized for Ceramic Discharge Metal Halide lamps.
When fitted with a 150 watt HMI bulb (available separately), this 277 volt fixture will provide a beam of 118 footcandles, 5.2' in diameter @ full spot, from a distance of 25'.
From the same distance, it will throw 34 footcandles 15' in diameter @ full flood.
Note: HMI Bulb and Pipe Clamp not included
|150 watts, 277 Volts AC
|Socket (Lampholder)
|Lens (Condenser)
|Crown glass
|Reflector (Mirror)
|Alzak aluminum, Ellipsoidal
|.5" mounting hole on yoke
|Twin flat steel blade, locking knob
|4', 3 conductor with Edison plug
|Lens movement with adjustment knobs
|~6.25 lb (2.8 kg)
|13 x 9.25 x 6.25" (33 x 23 x 16 cm)


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BF2 Resistance! Work on the mod is already finished! In version 3.0 you will find a lot of new weapons, new vehicles, aviation and fast gameplay! As in previous versions, to confront each other will be two teams: the Russian Special Forces and Rebels!
The media you are trying to view has been deleted and is no longer available. This may have occurred at the uploaders request, or it may have occurred because it violated the sites Terms of Use. If this is a mistake and you would like it re-activated, please contact us with the details.
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If you are moving or your child is about to start school, you may want to know which Catholic elementary or high school is in your area. For families located in Simcoe County, we would like to direct you to an interactive map of the area, which makes it quick and easy to find the school located in your neighbourhood.
In order to use the system, you require Internet Explorer 5.0 and above, FireFox 1.01 and above, or Netscape Navigator 7.0 and above.
Here's what you will need to do:
Simply click on County of Simcoe's Interactive Map image below to launch the map tool
Once there, you will use the "Search" text box
Type the desired address in the text box provided
The screen will automatically zoom into your location and highlight the property in green
Click on the property
A "Property Information" window will appear on your screen
Click on the "More Information" button
On the left-hand side, a new box will open.
Below the "Schools" section, you can see the Catholic elementary and secondary school for your area.
If you are located in the Districts of Muskoka or Parry Sound or if you have any additional questions about school boundaries, please contact our Planning Department at 705.722.3555 ext. 250 or 252.
The Geographic Information System map is provided, with thanks, by the County of Simcoe.


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Stocks Overcome Tech Laggards
Stocks churned higher at the market's close, with the exception of technology shares, which lagged after an anemic earnings report from Apple. Jonathan Cheng reports on The News Hub. Photo: AP.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... what about the new sub at the beest live you looking at a live shot of the people that in the Queen today the town is now and that we call the Nasdaq the tech heavy index down five down like ... Apple and the SB five hundred to replace Leon tensed up ... what we have some breaking news to you Micra soft US reporting quickly earnings of seventy six cents a share of the States I was expecting which was seventy five cents ... so they'd be Dome Apple they will light on the revenue they caught twenty one point four six billion dollars in revenue buzz is an expectation of twenty one point five three ... to discuss all of the day's action ... we have ... tons of China's of The will Street tunnel and such ... so for ... the after hours Shaun Wright assault on money and so was the looking down a bit ... aam a lot of things coming to my ... lot going on via Netflix up forty some percent we have Apple really taken hidden Dragon and the Nasdaq as well with the SNP ... what ... the up trend continues he had the DEL continuing ... to set a five-year high and the SNP squeaking out a little bit of the female board seventh straight ... so markets sold debt although we have a reversal ... middleman so now we we we also on hand and new plants unemployment insurance which while aam ... quite quite low based on the last few years forever around about winning thirty thousand ... minus one point I ... was that any Winkelmann mass ... well January is always a season and we just that I knew that the tween whether inbetween new hiring happens at the Indian unit ... of the tree lot of distortions keeper mind last week we have the lowest ... number of jobless claims and I can remember how long couple of years ... so to have those numbers back to back its one of the firms that what ... he saw a lot of people when cold water on the sustained while we're not so sure that we need some are just a bit because if this trend continues down and would be very good it would be consistent with Ashley substantial job growth when did people love more interesting that he dropping traded from fewer don't be destroyed that's right a few people filing for jobless claims presumably they're finding work somewhere or the ... new supper time ... the Dow will be very good so aam we've all so aam adjective we have the Micra soft earnings cuts coming out of the dawn of the revenue wanted the revenue is something that people look every carefully because ... if you feed your earnings estimate a new revenue isn't growing riots in the eyes of February ... well it speaks well to margins as the swell to managing the resources to have but you're right I mean you can't hide revenue earnings ... a lot of tricks he can pull in order to meet one on one little ... all of them legal some of them ... but now I can say that ... revenues you can't do anything about it that's coming don't come in the five pm ... and that's the real proxy for the global economy especially companies like Micra soft but doesn't just tell us that sell ... to China and the Celtics can't sell in Europe and Sullivan to everyone and their Windows eight so what ... what he wants to ... watch him watch thank you


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FERNLEY, NV - Formal charges were filed against Jeremiah Bean Thursday. He faces 19 counts of open murder, arson and burglary. He will be in court for another hearing Tuesday morning in connection with a string of killings over the last week.
The victims are 84-year-old Robert and Dorothy Pape, killed Friday night in their home, plus 67-year-old Angie Duff and 69-year-old Lester Leiber, killed in a nearby home.
52-year-old Eliazar Graham was found dead along a road off Interstate 80 in the Mustang area east of Sparks.
A KOLO 8 News Now investigation into the case against Bean indicates the Papes were killed the night of Friday, May 10th. The bodies weren't found until Monday morning, the 13th.
KOLO 8 News Now has learned the actual timeline indicates Bean broke into Angie Duff's house and shot and stabbed her and her boyfriend, Lester Lieber, Monday morning, and stole Duff's gun.
He's then accused of taking the Papes' truck to Mustang, where he shot Eliazar Graham, then drove back to the Pape's house, which he set on fire before hiding in a neighbor's house before being arrested that same Monday. It was that fire that got emergency crews to the scene, where they found the bodies of the Papes and then of the other couple at a house around the corner.


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Friday, February 3, 2012
On Judging Book Covers
Props to Atticus Books for investing in good cover art and extra props to them for writing me back in less than a day when I asked who their artist was. The books at Atticus Books that really caught my eye are those designed by UK designer Jamie Keenan.
Btw- I've downloaded one of these books and am looking forward to reading it during the semester break. Sadly my reviews don't usually send me a free hard copy of the book, so I'm without cover art (hence the blog post, ha).
What are you reading now? I'm reading a book that's about to get a bad review, so I won't bother sharing the title. However, my book club is meeting in a couple of weeks to discuss Abraham Verghese's 'Cutting for Stone', a book I highly recommend. Incidentally, I held out for the red umbrella version of this book. =)
8 comments :
- Allison said...
Not too much time to much for reading these days, but when I do browse for a book, I do judge a book by it's cover. I'm definitely a visual girl.
I guess the same principle applies to picking out a wine. The label has to look good to make it into my cart.
Shallow? Hmmm...Maybe.
- February 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM
- Monica said...
I love a nice cover too. Have you seen the British children's edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? It is awful and it is the one I ended up with. Of course. I am currently re-reading it and am seriously considering getting one of the other editions.
The covers you posted are gorgeous. I especially love the "The Great Lenore".
- February 3, 2012 at 11:39 AM
- Juliette said...
I had a feeling I wasn't alone! =)
@Allison: I wouldn't say it's shallow; it's discerning, right? ;-)
@Monica: I haven't seen the HP books (can't get into them at all somehow), but I agree w/you about 'The Great Lenore'. I think it's especially well done given the book's summary. 'Kino' is also particularly eye-catching for me. I downloaded both of them and can't decide which to read first!
- February 3, 2012 at 12:02 PM
- Antje said...
my book club will be reading Cutting for Stone next month as well!!!
I absolutely LOVE this book and hope we will have a great discussion.
Thanks for the recommendation.
- February 3, 2012 at 1:34 PM
- likeschocolate said...
I am sad to say that I do judge a book by it's cover at least when it comes to actual books. People are a different thing.
- February 3, 2012 at 3:10 PM
- Carolyn said...
Of course I judge a book by the cover! ha. Actually, browsing the covers at the bookstore is a good way to gather graphic design inspiration.
- February 7, 2012 at 10:45 AM
- Lizzie said...
How about this? http://linocutboy.blogspot.com/2012/01/hitchcocks-vertigo-linocut-book-cover.html
- February 9, 2012 at 8:47 PM
- Juliette said...
@Lizzie - that's the perfect cover for that book!
- February 9, 2012 at 9:42 PM


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As a little kid, my son Henry loved meeting new people, and preschool made him almost dizzy with joy. While we walked back to the car at the end of the first day -- he was doing this little half-bounce, half-skip dance of pleasure -- he kept saying, "Thank you for my new school, Mommy. Thank you for giving me this school."
Henry's natural exuberance was contagious, and everyone loved him. But in third grade, the other boys began to play football every day at recess, a game Henry truly hates, and the whole dynamic started to shift. For a while, he kept playing tag with the girls, even though the boys gave him unending grief about it. But then some of the girls started a private club, and some of the other girls started a rival club, and some of the girls in the original club got mad and started a third, even more exclusive club, and none of the clubs allowed boys.
Henry decided he had to give football a try. But after he got knocked down a few times, he gave up. "I'm sure you're not the only boy who doesn't like football," I said. "What about your friends in chess club? What about the other Cub Scouts?"
"Some of them don't like football, either," he said, "but they play because they don't want to be an outcast." I knew what he was thinking -- "an outcast like me" -- and it broke my heart.
Outside of school, kids will play with whomever they've got to play with -- siblings, children of their parents' friends, next-door neighbors. Any playmate is better than no playmate, so the dynamic is very flexible.
But in school, where there's a wide choice of friends, all bets are off. Children may pair off with a "best friend," join a group that's constantly fighting, feign interests to gain acceptance, even reject other children for no reason. For parents, it's bewildering because it all happens behind closed school doors. That's why Parenting set out to discover what's really going on in that social minefield of shifting alliances and unexpected explosions -- so you can help your child through the inevitable stumbles.
Kids Are Who They Play With
"Kids see their friends as part of their identity," says Kristin Hansen Lagattuta, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis. The older children get, the more they're drawn to kids who share their interests or their sense of humor.
That's what Homewood, AL, mom Wendy Price Murch learned when her 6-year-old daughter was invited to a birthday party. "On the patio, there was loud music and children dancing, but Kellyn made her way to a small play area where a few stragglers were sliding and swinging. I know it's her nature to be more of an introvert, but I so wished she felt comfortable enough to join the laughing, dancing group of kids."
It's natural for a mom in this situation to wonder about her child's social skills, but a kid who's perfectly happy hanging in the background with her best pal isn't a kid you need to be too concerned about, says Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., coauthor of The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends: "Some children genuinely prefer having one or two close friends rather than a passel of acquaintances." There's an easy test to distinguish a generally happy but quiet kid from a socially awkward one: Does she have someone to sit with at lunch every day? "If the answer's yes, parents probably don't need to worry," says Kennedy-Moore.
But that doesn't mean reserved kids can't benefit from a little nudge (see "Helping an Awkward Kid Fit In," below). "There can be a vicious cycle where kids who feel awkward in social situations avoid them, which means they have less practice interacting with peers, which means they are less skilled socially, which means they feel more awkward, which means they avoid social situations more," says Kennedy-Moore. If that might be happening with your child, gently encourage him to go to that birthday party he's not sure about. Kennedy-Moore suggests saying something like "I know you'd rather stay home, but you've always loved going to the play place [or whatever], and I'm confident you'll have fun once you get there." You might also mention the other child's feelings: "Jason will feel hurt if you don't go, and he may think you don't like him. I know you don't love parties, but attending when we're invited is something we do for friends." Offering to hang around for a few minutes or arranging to arrive with a close friend can make the initial contact easier, as well. As long as you respect who your child is and don't push too hard, he'll be grateful for your help.
Girls Play with Girls, and Boys Play with Boys
Opposite-gender children function together quite well when there's an adult in charge. But when it's a matter of personal choice, they relentlessly segregate themselves into same-sex playgroups. This isn't because boys and girls are inherently incompatible, though: In studies of intelligence and personality traits, there's very little difference between individual girls and boys. But groups of boys behave very differently from groups of girls. By second or third grade, both boys and girls become fiercely intolerant of any variation in what they consider acceptable male or female behavior, and they monitor each other constantly for any sign of divergence from the "right" behavior, clothes, toys, or interests. For some children, the pressure can be absolutely agonizing. "My eight-year-old daughter worries herself sick over what clothes she should choose: Is pink too girly-girl? Is my T-shirt too tomboyish?" says Francine Gugliotta of Hicksville, NY.
Eventually, most kids figure out for themselves how to pass the test, even if they have to fake it to make it. "My son Jake, who's eight, still loves everything related to Legos and Star Wars, but the boys at school say those interests are 'stupid,'?" says Nashville mom Lou Anne Wolfson. "He still plays with Legos and watches Star Wars, but only in the privacy of his own home. At school, he talks about shooting air guns and playing Super Smash Brothers on the Wii."
But Not All Girls (and Boys) Play With All Other Girls (and Boys)
Social acceptance is more complicated than simply banding with same-sex friends, of course. Even within gender groups, kids tend to subdivide. Sometimes these subgroups are based on similar interests or personality traits: There may be a group of fashiony girls, or pop-savvy girls, or hippie girls, or academic achievers. But often it's not clear what the defining trait of a particular group is, much less what the rules of membership might be.
"A lot of these social groups are based on hierarchies," explains Lagattuta. One or two extremely popular kids in the group determine who's in and who's out, and everyone else falls in line behind them. The alpha kids tend to be smart (but not nerdy), attractive, athletic, and outgoing, and to have a social confidence that attracts other children. Being embraced by one of these kids is a sure ticket to social acceptance.
But in grade school, social leaders don't always use their power for good, something Sonja Hefta of Mayville, ND, was reminded of last year. "When Ingrid was nine, one girl in her class suddenly decided that the other kids couldn't be friends with her and Ingrid. This girl made people miserable if they tried to be friends with both, and Ingrid went from having many friends to none."
When a powerful child turns on her minions for no discernible reason, it can be terrifying -- not just for kids who are trying desperately to become accepted but also for the children who are already in. "Children know that membership in a social group is a fragile situation," says Lagattuta. "One day someone likes you, and the next day they don't." That's why perfectly nice children often won't defend another child. It's not that they're heartless; it's that the lower down you are on the social ladder, the harder it is to stand up to the group. Plus, it's difficult for kids to understand that doing nothing can actually be hurtful, she says. If your child lets on that she's in this position, Lagattuta suggests asking her to think about how she would feel if she were the target -- how grateful she'd be if someone stood up for her and how upset she'd be if no one did. It may not immediately change things, but there's a good chance it will get her thinking about what makes a good friend.
That said, alpha kids aren't totally insulated from the crowd, either: They can lose or gain status from school year to school year just like everyone else. To help kids weather the ups and downs, encourage them to make a variety of friends in a variety of settings -- by joining school clubs and rec-league sports teams, and inviting different kids to come home for playdates. For those children who are feeling completely rejected, your goal is to help them gradually rediscover their confidence, says Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer, author of the new book Making Friends: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Friendships. "Plenty of happy home time with family, safe friends, and cousins, often helps unsettled kids forget the hurt," she says. To help them handle a tough moment at school, come up with a prepared response they can use, like "Why do you need to say/do this? What's your problem?" Another option: a mantra. "When my daughter Rosanna felt uncertain, she felt stronger when she could repeat to herself, 'I'm a good, kind person. She's the nightmare!'?"
Having Cool Stuff Really Does Matter
It's just a fact: Human beings are social animals, and we influence each other's attitudes and ideas. There's a reason American moms stopped driving station wagons and started buying minivans, and then stopped driving minivans and bought SUVs -- and it's not because we all suddenly needed four-wheel drive. But take this ordinary human tendency to be a copycat, multiply it by an order of magnitude, and what you'll get is the typical American kid.
When her daughter was in sixth grade, Anna Davis of Huntsville, AL, got a crash course in how image-consciousness works: "Julie kept saying, 'I need a North Face jacket and some Wallabees,' and I kept saying, 'Well, maybe for Christmas.' She continued to beg, 'Everybody has them but me!' and I continued to put her off. Then I went to her school's fall festival, and my mouth dropped. It was true: Everybody but Julie was sporting those two items."
Children are highly susceptible to advertising, but ads aren't the only explanation for this kind of groupthink. When a popular kid chooses a certain style of clothing, or adopts an interest in some aspect of popular culture, the other kids give it a closer look. And what they find (surprise!) is they really like it, too. Wearing the right shirt, renting the right movie, downloading the right music, bringing the right snacks to practice -- it all makes kids feel more a part of the crowd.
For parents, the issue is more complicated. We want our kids to fit in and feel comfortable, but this loot can get really expensive. Plus, do we really want them believing they can buy their way into social acceptance? To acknowledge a child's urgent need to belong without breaking the bank or completely backing down from your beliefs, Lagattuta recommends compromising: Buy the "cool" version of frequently worn items -- like shoes and jackets -- but the discount brand of everything else. With older children, Lagattuta suggests giving kids a spending limit for back-to-school shopping: "They can decide whether they want to blow the budget on a few high-priced items, lots of low-priced items, or a mix."
Their Social Lives Affect Us, Too
Years ago, when I was the new kid in school, I was the only girl in third grade who didn't get a party invitation, a snub that was perfectly apparent because the birthday girl handed out those little pink envelopes at school just before the last bell rang. Not only was I being excluded, but all the other kids in the class knew I wasn't invited. Mom was waiting for me in the pick-up line, and I barely made it to the car before I burst into tears. While I was telling the story, Mom teared up with me. Then she called the other girl a brat. Which, according to Hartley-Brewer, wasn't such an awful thing to say: "Children find it reassuring to have parents clearly assert, 'It's the mean kids who have the problem, not you.'?" (Though she cautions against trashing the mean kid if the two are still somewhat friendly.)
I remembered my mother's reaction the day Henry came home upset after his failed attempt to play football. My own impulse was to march down to that school and deliver a lecture on kindness and basic humanity to the entire third-grade class. But then I thought about how it had all turned out for me: I got over it. I was a happy kid, and before long, I made friends at my new school, and I was just fine. And I know Henry's going to get over any of his social setbacks, too. I'm just not totally sure I will.
Margaret Renkl is a contributing editor to Parenting.


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Rovio has confirmed via Twitter and their blog that we should expect a Japanese-themed Angry Birds Seasons Cherry Blossom update on March 7th. That means it's slated to arrive even before Angry Birds Space touches down on March 22nd. This will be the first Japanese-themed episode of Angry Birds and it's set to arrive just before Japan's cherry blossom trees are set to bloom.
A few more details about the forthcoming Cherry Blossom update merged since the original post. This episode will be set in the shadow of Mt. Fuji and include 15 new levels and two bonus levels (presumably one Golden Egg and one surprise level that is unlocked after achieving 3 stars on all levels). The update will be available for iOS, Android, and Symbian^3, and Chrome; although, we're not sure what order — or when — said platforms might receive this update. We also expect other platforms will receive this update within a few days. It's definitely interesting to see Chrome in the list, as it has traditionally not been included in these type of updates.
As always, it will be awesome to see what they do with this update. I've always said, there is nothing like crushing bento boxes with my Sumo birds while sipping on a pipping hot cup of green tea. Okay, I haven't always said that. Anyhow, if I were the Emperor Pig I would be very afraid.
A big thanks to @iamMighty for bringing this to our attention. We'll be sure to update this post as we know more.


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Home › Classroom Resources › Calendar Activities
Calendar Activities See All Calendar Activities
Not your everyday calendar, here you can find important events in literary history, authors' birthdays, and a variety of holidays, all with related activities and resources that make them more relevant to students. View by day, by week, or by month.
April 9, 2018
In 1939, Marian Anderson was denied permission to sing at Constitution Hall.
Students view Eleanor Roosevelt's resignation letter to the DAR in response to Andersen being denied permission to sing. Students write a letter to a newspaper editor about social injustice.
Grades 7 – 12
Types of Calendar Activities
Authors & Texts
Birthdays, publication dates, and more
Historical Figures & Events
Notable people and happenings in history
Holidays & School Celebrations
Special days and how to observe them
Literacy-Related Events
Celebrations that promote and encourage literacy


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National Trails Day was launched by the American Hiking Society in 1993 to help promote exercise, trail development and the outdoors. It has grown to more than 2,000 events around the country.
We're taking part in National Trails Day on June 1, 2013 with events across the state to recognize the excellent hiking opportunities at state parks. So, come out and enjoy more than 250 miles of trails at Kentucky State Parks.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Guided Hike
Barren River Lake State Resort Park is offering a guided interpretive hike on National Trails Day. Meet in the lodge lobby at 6 p.m. to hike along the Connell Nature Trail. This is a 1-mile loop along moderate terrain. Please bring water, wear comfortable hiking shoes and apply bug spray. For more information, contact Jamie Avery at [email protected] or call 1-800-325-0057.
Columbus-Belmont State Park
Living History
Celebrate National Trails Day with a living history program at this Civil War site. There will be guided history hikes, demonstrations, a Civil War encampment and museum tours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Columbus-Belmont. Call 270-677-2327.
John James Audubon State Park
Lantern Hike/National Trails Day
Venture out with our interpretation staff on National Trails Day and hike by lantern light. Some kid-friendly battery-lanterns will be provided. Feel free to bring your own; please no glass lanterns. Dress for the weather, bring a flashlight and meet us at the Audubon Museum. Hike lasts 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Contact Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or [email protected]
Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Trail Work and Hikes
Lake Barkley State Resort Park will again be celebrating National Trails Day. Join the trail care crew at 8 a.m. in the lower parking lot to work on a trail project, or join one of our guided hikes throughout the day. At 10 a.m., meet in the upper lobby for a History of Lake Barkley hike to learn about the unique architecture of the lodge and the creation of Lake Barkley from the Cumberland River. At 3 p.m., join us for a walk and activities based on the seven principles of "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethics. To end the day, meet in the upper lobby at 8 p.m. for a sunset walk on one of our favorite trails. For more information, contact [email protected] or 270-924-1131, ext. 196.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Twilight Trail Trek
Grab your flashlight and walking shoes for a hike to unlock nature's wonders of the night! Join a park naturalist at the nature center June 1 at 8 p.m. for an exciting nighttime trail excursion. All the sights and sounds of the night will come alive as we make our way down scenic Lake Bluff Trail. The 1.5 mile trek includes moderate walking and climbing, but will be conducted at a leisurely pace. Children 12 and under are required to be accompanied by an adult. The hike is free. Call 1-800-325-1709.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
Hook or Hike Day
The park will be celebrating National Trails Day and Free Fishing Weekend starting at 9 a.m. on June 1. Borrow a fishing pole from the marina for free to fish or hike part of our 2 miles of trail. Programs such as "Learn How to Fish," Project Learning Tree, Project Wild and guided walks will be offered throughout the day to interpret history, wildlife, and the ecology of the park. Ideal for scouts, groups or anyone else interested in enjoying the environment. Call 1-800-325-0058.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Trek to Dog Slaughter Falls
Hike along the Cumberland River Gorge to a very unique waterfall with an unusual name. The hike is moderate to strenuous, is 6 miles in length and should last five to six hours. Meet in the great room of the Dupont Lodge at 10 a.m. Bring lunch, water and a camera. Call 1-800-325-0063.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Trail Trek
Natural Bridge State Resort Park will hold its third hike as part of its Trail Trek Series on June 1. This hike will be a 4-mile trek on the Rock Garden trail and the Battleship Rock Trail. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Participants need to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch if desired. Meet at the Hemlock Lodge lobby at 9 a.m. The fee is $5 per person. Minimum age is 10 and ages 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 1-800-325-1710.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Explore Boone's Wilderness Road
Have you ever wondered what it may have been like to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone as he made his way into the unknown "Kaintucke" wilderness? Those hearty adventurers were ordinary, everyday folks that sought to build a better life in a new country. Though they didn't know it, they were really on their way to build a nation. This historical adventure tour will feature a visit to Wilderness Road State Park (Virginia) to begin retracing the steps of Boone and the path of the pioneers. Featured at the site is the Martin's Station Colonial-era fort. At Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (which lies in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia), you'll embark on a moderate, ½-mile hike to historic Cumberland Gap Pass, and delight to breathtaking views from lofty Pinnacle Overlook (2,440 feet). On this tour Colonial, historical and natural photographic opportunities abound. Advanced registration is required; departure time from the park is 8 a.m. The registration fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Van transportation provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a day pack with water, snacks, and lunch. Total field trip time is six hours. Make lodging reservations separately. To register, contact the park's Guest Services Desk at 800-325-1712 or 606-337-3066 and mention the Wilderness Road Tour.
Take A Hike
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It really was a silly task but as long as the Bransens won WHHOHOOOOO! I bet BP is poopin their pants ..with all that gas they'll be buying for the GMC & the Buick Lucerne :smileC:
Well, we know the Weavers are "geography challenged" (Great lakes anyone? The state of Washington DC? After landing in Phoenix, "What state are we in?") so it was great that the final challenges involved geography. I wish we'd seen the Weavers attempt the map at the end, but I suspect they didn't even have to try, the Linz and Bransens must have been over the finish line by the time they got to the map.
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Police In Ferguson Sign Court Agreement Promising Not To Interfere With Media... Then Go Threaten And Arrest Media
from the because-who-cares dept
Parties acknowledge and agree that the media and members of the public have a right to record public events without abridgement unless it obstructs the activity or threatens the safety of others, or physically interferes with the ability of law enforcement officers to perform their duties.This was based on a lawsuit brought by Mustafa Hussein, the reporter for radio station KARG (Argus Radio) who got some attention last night after a police officer yelled at him to "get the fuck out of here or you're going to get shelled with this" while pointing some sort of weapon at him:
And those kinds of activities are continuing today. Here's an Instagram video of a Getty photographer, Scott Olson, being arrested. Olson, if you don't know, is the guy who has photographed many of the most iconic images of what's happening in Ferguson, including this astounding shot. Here are a few more Olson images, courtesy of Getty's recent embedding program:
And here's a video of police threatening CNN's Don Lemon -- which I've now seen, but for reasons that I don't understand, the video seems to disappear at times (as does the embed code).
No matter what, it seems pretty clear that police are continuing to stamp on the rights of just about everyone, including those with cameras and microphones (so you can just imagine how they're handling those without such things). The fact that there's a signed court agreement promising not to do this doesn't seem to matter to anyone.


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set in place, fixed, established. :wink:Originally Posted by NewHope
Student or Learner
What does "set" mean?
It will be difficult for Viagra to live up to expectations raised by all the stories about its effects. Even if it disappoints somewhat, Pfizer's place in health heaven is set for years to come.
(Viagra is the first FDA-approved pill to treat impotence)
set in place, fixed, established. :wink:Originally Posted by NewHope
just a question for New Hope...where do guys find info about Viagra in China? Off the internet? How many people in your country actually know what Viagra is? Can you have it prescribed by a family doctor or a specialist?Originally Posted by NewHope
Just curious. Hope you don't mind my questions. :D
Hi New Hope,
I hope you didn't get offended by my question about Viagra but I did a study on Pfizer once and I simply want to confirm a few facts about China and Viagra.
I suppose it's OK as long as we speak English, right?
Waiting for your response.
You do live in China, right?.....
whatever happened to New Hope?....are you still there????Originally Posted by Natalie27
I hope he will join us real soon for an interesting discussion about Pfeizer's Viagra.
All the best to you buddy :P :P :P
Hi Natalie27,
As far as I know, China's media immediately boomed the magic effect of Viagra when Viagra available in US. Why? Because Chinese people then blindly worshipped everything American, because China just opened its door to the West.
You cannot expect a doctor in China can prescribe you with Viagra. China Health Ministry ruled, soon after Viagra availabe in the US, that Viagra could not be used in China's hospitals, because its side effect and China's hospitals were not ready to deal with the emergency caused by such side effect. Also, selling viagra in China would be cnnsidered as illegal. Nevertheless, Sex shops in China all sneakily sold and sell viagra, and they all claimed and claim what they sold and sell are real viagra that was and is directly imported from the US. I've never used viagra, but asking them by curiosity. Once a seller, looking honest, told me that the viagra he sold is 100% real because the viagra was imported via a big company. But the cat got his tongue immediately when I told him that importing viagra was illegal in China so that that was impossible for the big company to import viagra.
All the best
Wow. Did you know, there's an Asia-Viagra.com? There's also a Chinese herb that's similar to Viagra. 8)Originally Posted by NewHope
I deemed that is an illegal, clandestine site in the view of China govt.
In China, there was a tutor of post-doctors in traditional Chinese medicine field has been busted for producing Viagralike drug with adding something heroinlike into it.
My mother lives in China, daqing. Thank goodness she doesn't need Viagra.Originally Posted by NewHope
Thanks New Hope! I also figured that much by reading things on the internet and I still can't figure out what side effects they are talking about. Side effects that only affect Chinese people while it doesn't seem to bother anyone else ???? Since China seems to be a lot more open to the West, why are they doing this? And I am not talking about people that just want a little kick once in a while but all those who legitimately suffer from all sorts of erectile disorders. That's not fair! I guess it's a way to promote the black market in your country and it's not something you like but you don't have a choice!Originally Posted by NewHope
I find it all very interesting. Thanks!!!!


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Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl returns to regular US Army duty
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S Army has given Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl a desk job, ending the formal phase of his transition from Taliban prisoner to not-quite-ordinary soldier, and setting the stage for Army investigators to question him about his disappearance that led to five years in captivity.
In a brief statement Monday, the Army said Bergdahl has been assigned to a base in Texas.
Bergdahl has been decompressing and recuperating from the effects of captivity since his arrival there from a base in Germany. Since he was handed over to U.S. special forces in Afghanistan on May 31, he has been debriefed for any possible intelligence he might have gleaned in his time with the Taliban. Otherwise, he has been gently coaxed back into a normal routine and a normal life, both physically and psychologically.
Bergdahl's case is one of the most extraordinary of recent times — for the length of his captivity, for his apparent decision to abandon his unit during a combat deployment, and for the controversy triggered by the circumstances of his release May 31.
It's not clear when Bergdahl will face investigators on the disappearance probe, whose findings will help determine whether the 28-year-old is prosecuted for desertion or faces any other disciplinary action. The probe is headed by Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl.
Numerous other questions are lingering, including whether Bergdahl will collect the estimated $300,000 in back pay he has accumulated over the past five years.
Bergdahl walked away from his unit after expressing misgivings about the U.S. military's role — as well as his own — in Afghanistan. He was captured by Taliban members and held by members of the Haqqani network, an insurgent group tied to the Taliban. He was released as part of a deal in which the U.S. gave up five top Taliban commanders imprisoned at the military prisoner at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The terms of the deal sparked a political storm in Washington.
Some former members of Bergdahl's former unit have labeled him a deserter, asserting that he chose to walk away and saying some were wounded or killed looking for him. The Army has not ruled out disciplinary action against Bergdahl, who was promoted twice during captivity, from private first class to sergeant, as a matter of standard procedure.
Bergdahl's exact administrative duties at U.S. Army North were not immediately disclosed, but a Pentagon spokesman, Army Col. Steve Warren, said Bergdahl is not restricted in any way. The Army said that in his assignment to U.S. Army North he "can contribute to the mission," which is focused on homeland defense.
"He is a normal soldier now," Warren said.
At the time of his disappearance, Bergdahl was a member of the 25th Infantry Division. An initial U.S. military investigation in 2009 concluded that Bergdahl deliberately walked away, based on evidence available at the time.
Bergdah arrived at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston on June 13 after nearly two weeks recuperating at a U.S. military hospital in Germany. Warren said he did not believe Bergdahl has seen his parents since his return to the United States. Army officials have refused to discuss the question of Bergdahl's contact with his parents, saying the family requested that it be kept private.
The focus of his recuperation period in Germany and at San Antonio has been to prepare him for returning to normal life — a task made more complicated by the storm of controversy that erupted over the circumstances of his release and allegations that he deserted. He worked daily with health professionals to regain a sense of normalcy and come to grips with his new situation.
Associated Press writer Juan Carlos Llorca in El Paso, Texas, contributed to this report.


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Note that if you have bone soup stock ready (sagolguk), you can add some of this for the broth, as it will make it taste richer. Instead of boiling with 9 cups of water, you can substitute 4-5 cups of bone stock + 4-5 cups of water.
Serving Size: 4
Preparation Time: 45 minutes


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Whilst wading through the GIYUS-style spam which is being posted underneath articles about the lethal act of Israeli piracy earlier this week, I've occasionally bumped into references about how the Israeli blockade doesn't need to be broken anyway
The Friends of Israel who've commented against the necessity of blockade running have informed the casual reader that market stalls in Gaza are literally groaning under the weight of produce on offer.
They've also mentioned that exotic, mouth-watering dishes such as 'steak au poivre' are on offer in Gaza's extensive selection of gourmet restaurants
A quick Google search for 'Fine Dining in Gaza' by myself and the source of this nonsense was quickly established…
"In a bid to stir awareness of anti-Israeli slants in foreign media coverage of Gaza, the Government Press Office sent an e-mail on Wednesday to members of the Foreign Press Association in Israel containing a guide to a luxurious restaurant in the Strip and a recently opened Olympic-sized pool"
Hmmm, fine dining and lovely big swimming pools
Would those swimming pools be even more luxurious than this one?
And would those markets and restaurants be even more overstocked with tasty comestibles than the ones they had in this paradise on earth?
I don't know what the fuck is going on in Gaza. I do know that I've always been able to get a decent meal even in the shittiest places I've been to around the world, provided I had enough money in my pocket. I wouldn't however be so wilfully deceitful as to pretend that this proved the general populations in those shitty places were having it easy
So, no I haven't been to Gaza, but when apologists for what's going on there start quoting from the Auschwitz and Theresienstadt Lonely Planet Guide, c.1944 I certainly start to feel creeped out
And if a goy like myself feels creeped out by references to swimming pools as being proof that life is OK somewhere I would hazard a guess that the better educated mensch behind that press release would have at least some idea of the historical irony they're toying with


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A series of lectures explaining the meanings, implications and applications of the Divine Book.
Embark on the journey of exploring the Book of Allah verse by verse, word by word and discover its gems and pearls!
Presented by the inspiring renowned speaker Mufti Aasim Rashid.
Join the session in person or log in online via details below;
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Please note session times will change according to prayer time and day light savings. Please check here again to confirm any changes in time. All videos are recorded so you can visit the YouTube link to watch anything you missed out on. Forward your questions for Mufti Aasim's Q&A session to email@example.com. Alternatively you're welcome to ask him in person at the musallah.
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Next Episode of Lucky Ladders is
not planed. TV Show was canceled.
Lucky Ladders was a daytime game show hosted by Lennie Bennett. Players were shown a lucky ladder which would have two words revealed on it. The top and bottom word were revealed and players had to work out what the missing words in between were which would link the already revealed words.
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Retailers could be in for a better Christmas period following a jump in consumer confidence amid signs that lower interest rates are finally making their mark.
New tame wages data also kept the door ajar for another rate cut in December, although financial markets expect a reduction will more likely occur early next year.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment index, released on Wednesday, jumped 5.2 per cent in November to 104.3 points, its highest level since April 2011.
An index above 100 points indicates there are more optimists than pessimists.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said the result was encouraging.
"Obviously not every Australian feels like they're on easy street, but it's really good to see that families are feeling the benefit of the lower interest rates they're seeing under the Gillard government," Mr Swan said in a statement.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut the cash rate by 150 basis points in the past year.
The rise in consumer confidence came despite the RBA leaving the cash rate unchanged at 3.25 per cent at last week's monthly board meeting, when most economists had expected a cut.
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said while the November confidence result was "surprisingly strong", the index was still only 0.9 per cent above last November's outcome.
"It would be unfortunate if the (Reserve) Bank becomes over optimistic to the first sign that its policies are gaining traction," Mr Evans said, releasing the data.
"The Australian economy is facing uncertainty around the mining sector, and with contractionary fiscal policy and a punishingly high Australian dollar, we need further rate cuts to help build on these early signs that lower rates are having an impact on households' confidence."
New wages data should ease any concerns the central bank may have about the inflation outlook.
The wage price index - the RBA's preferred measure of wage inflation - rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.7 per cent in the September quarter, slightly below economists' forecasts, and after heftier increases of 0.9 to 1.0 per cent in the three previous quarters.
It kept the annual rate at 3.7 per cent.
In last Friday's quarterly statement on monetary policy, the RBA said some slowing in wage growth would probably be necessary to maintain inflation around its current rate.
RBC Capital Markets head of strategy Su-Lin Ong said the modest wages data outcome was consistent with the RBA's bias to lower interest rates.
"(The data) keeps the door open for a December cut, especially if equities weaken further and uncertainty about the (US) fiscal cliff and Greece intensifies in the coming weeks," she said.
However, she favours a rate reduction in the March quarter of 2013, with the RBA likely to want more compelling evidence of a weaker labour market and economic growth.
Separately, a new survey showed there's growing angst among would-be homebuyers over their job security.
Home loan provider Mortgage Choice's annual survey of first home buyers found that one in five (18 per cent) of people looking to buy a home in the next two years put retaining employment as their biggest concern, compared with 11 per cent a year earlier.
Such worries come as the jobless rate stands at its highest level in two and a half years at 5.4 per cent.


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Sacred Space: A Black Friday Reflection
Across the country, Walmart's own workers are rising up to challenge the behemoth corporation for its poor working conditions and abysmal wages. As Danny Duncan Collum indicates in "Standing Up to Goliath" [4] (January 2013)," the Walmart workforce is making history by organizing strikes against one of the largest employers in the world.
During Black Friday, hundreds of Walmart workers walked off the job, risking arrest and loss of employment. Allies such as Stephanie Kimec, a US-2 missionary for the United Methodist Church, took part in the nationwide day of action. Here she shares her experience of standing in solidarity with the Walmart workers in Paramount, Calif.—From the Editors
As I reflect on my experience of being arrested at the Paramount Walmart on Black Friday, I find myself thinking of sacred space. What a sacred space to be in—to be surrounded by workers, activists, clergy, and supporters as I and eight others sat in the street to speak up against the ways Walmart treats its employees.
When I was asked the week before if I would be willing to risk arrest with a few others, including Walmart workers, I responded that I would pray about it. As I did, I thought about when I first became aware of what kind of a corporation Walmart is. When I was in college I attended a screening of a documentary about Walmart. My older sister worked there for a little while. The whole time I watched the documentary I thought about her, about the discrimination she faced, and the poor wages she was given, along with little opportunity for advancement. It was then that I decided I would try to limit my purchases at Walmart as much as I could.
I am saddened to say my biggest hang-up about being arrested involved concerns of how this would affect my ordination process. After consulting some trusted mentors, I decided it was worth the risk. I have been wrestling a lot this past year with my privilege as a white woman and the power that comes with that. I ultimately decided this was a good way to use my privilege to help shed light on a company which has committed many grievances against its employees, the very people who make Walmart run.
I was willing to take part in this civil disobedience not because this was my way of saying "I know what's best for you poor Walmart employees." Rather, I wanted to affirm that "Yes, I will stand with you as you also risk arrest, as you have decided this is what you want to do to tell Walmart this must stop." What a sacred space to be invited to join with workers as they risk not only a misdemeanor, but losing their jobs and livelihood as well.
What a sacred space to be in a holding cell with two Walmart employees as they shared their experiences. Both have looked for other jobs, but no one will hire them. Both of them had to spend Thanksgiving Day at work, as Walmart decided to stay open through the holiday. One cashier shared how she had to turn angry customers away who tried to buy special sale items before they could be sold. Because Walmart never closed on Thanksgiving Day and night, certain items went on special sales at certain times. She does not create the rules at Walmart, yet must enforce the retailer's policies. She was clearly exhausted and disappointed to not have the opportunity to spend the day with friends or family.
Both women shared that they work with people who remember what it was like to work at Walmart just 15 to 20 years ago, when it was a place that valued its employees. All they want is for Walmart to return to a place where employees matter, earn fair wages, have opportunities to care for and support their families, can receive health benefits, and can work full-time. What a sacred space to be invited into—a space where workers can share their hopes and experiences as they risk so much to bring about real change to Walmart.
I've become more aware of what warehouse workers experience who are contracted to work for Walmart. They work in horrible conditions, receiving little with regards to wages, and threatened if they try to speak out. I was only in jail for a few hours, and it was nothing compared to what my brothers and sisters who work at Walmart endure every day to earn a living.
The handcuffs and misdemeanor are worth it, as a means of telling Walmart to listen to its employees and begin treating them as human beings, people with rights. I pray that Walmart repents and turns back from its ways—that it may become a place that cares for its employees, shares its vast riches with the very people who have allowed it to become so wealthy, and becomes a place that fosters love instead of greed.


text: Hi, I am having an issue installing load balancing methods and I am in need of aid. Let me start with explaining my setup: I have 1 load balance server which will be the the server that will be surfed to. for everything (phpmyadmin, all websites, etc..) and this one will redirect to the others. 2 identical webservers with unison syncing. (2 webservers is not the limit, this is just my testing setup) 1 MySQL server to have a standalone database server. (these are all Ubuntu 12.10) My question is to find a good way to load balance (maybe with a nice webgui? not mandatory) that supports awstats on load balance level (it needs to have statistics for all websites on all servers) or something similar to awstats. I have already succeeded in configuring a load balance method with apache with proxies and balancer clusters. it works, but I cannot combine it with a statistics app, like awstats. I tried Ispconfig 3 but I just cannot figure it out. There aren't many good tutorials to where I want to go to. I only need To use the webservers part, but every tutorial comes with DNS and Postifx and Mail services. I don't need those. I just need to add the websites that are on the webservers and load balance on this servers but I cannot find out how to achieve this. I really hope to find some help here and I thank you for your time to read this and maybe think of a way and share it with me. Thanks, Glitchy


text:
Nestlé Health Science, a fully owned subsidiary of Nestlé, has agreed to acquire the business of Pamlab, a US-based company with an innovative portfolio of medical food products for use under medical supervision in the nutritional management of patients with mild cognitive impairment, depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Strategic fit
The acquisition further strengthens Nestlé Health Science's capacity to deliver personalized healthcare to address chronic medical conditions through nutrition, especially in the areas of metabolic health and brain health.
"The acquisition of the Pamlab business is aligned with our strategic ambition to provide science-based nutritional solutions for people with chronic medical conditions. Pamlab will particularly strengthen our brain health platform and provide us an additional foothold in metabolic health in the US," said Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Health Science President and Chief Executive Officer.
"By leveraging our nutrition heritage and US operations with Pamlab's proven expertise in medical foods and strong sales force capabilities, together we can play a key role in helping to manage certain chronic diseases and improve the quality of patients' lives," he added.
Commercialized products that improve quality of life
Pamlab's portfolio of prescription medical food products for use under medical supervision includes Metanx, one of their key products that is formulated to meet the distinct nutritional requirements of patients with diabetes to help restore the metabolic processes associated with peripheral neuropathy.
This serious condition is common among those with Type 2 Diabetes, where the patient's peripheral blood flow has been compromised and their nerves damaged.
Pamlab also makes Deplin, a medical food specifically formulated to provide necessary nutritional support for certain people on prescribed antidepressant therapy for clinical depression.
Deplin contains l-methylfolate, the active ingredient of folate, to help balance three neurotransmitters associated with mood: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
In addition, the company produces CerefolinNAC, a medical food to help address distinct metabolic nutritional needs associated with mild cognitive impairment.
A common purpose
"We are excited to join forces with Nestlé Health Science, and we share their commitment to personalized nutrition," said Eric Wingerter, Pamlab President and Chief Executive Officer.
"With their support, we will accelerate the development and deployment of our innovative nutritional solutions for people with chronic metabolic and neurologic conditions.
"We are united by a common purpose, and a common culture, founded on our passion for patients to make a difference in people's lives."
Building on ambition towards science-based nutritional solutions
Nestlé Health Science's core business provides nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illness or disease states in the area of ageing medical care, critical care and surgery, and pediatric medical care.
The company is also developing new approaches to chronic diseases in the areas of gastrointestinal (GI) health, metabolic health and brain health.
In 2012 Nestlé Health Science agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture named Nutrition Science Partners, Ltd to develop nutritional and medicinal products derived from botanical plants to address gastrointestinal disorders. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
Other acquisitions and partnerships include: Prometheus Laboratories, a U.S. firm specializing in diagnostics and licensed speciality pharmaceuticals in GI and oncology; Vitaflo, a provider of clinical nutritional solutions for infants, children and adults with genetic disorders that affect how food is processed by the body; and a minority investment in U.S firm Accera, specializing in medical foods intended for the clinical dietary management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Terms of acquisition
The terms of Nestlé Health Science's acquisition of Pamlab are not being disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
Enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future


text:
What do you think of the John W. Warner Parkway?
10 comments
I enjoy the little ride. Living between the two ends of the road, I won't be using it much. As of January 11, the sign at Melbourne Road still said "Meadow Creek Parkway."
I live off of Rio Road and I was very hopeful that people would use it, which would greatly speed up my morning commute. I have to wait quite a while in the morning just to get out onto Rio, and was looking forward to some space where I could pull out. Alas, it seems like people are ignoring it and my trip is taking just as long. I hope that people get more interested in using it as time goes on. On a side note, whatever happened to nice short road names? How do you abbreviate this? I know that Warner made the parkway happen, against all odds, but couldn't we just call it Warner? I'll be calling it "the John Something Warner Parkway" not out of disrespect, but because I think it is funny that the name is so long..
@Jennifer: Just call it the Meadowcreek Parkway.
How about the "JWP" nice and short, now shut up!
I use it every day during the evening rush hr. Having it open has definitely reduced congestion. Of course, it would be a lot better if it went all the way to the intersection of 250/McIntire.
Why no left turn lane onto JWP from eastbound Melbourne?
What Mariflo said. I like the sinuous curves and the trees.....so much better than Rio!
Chuckle. Get out in your car and go enjoy some Nature! And make it fast!
I never realized that it would take away from the natural beauty of that area. Saddening.....
It will not relieve any congestion....there is a traffic signal at both ends.........probably a toll booth in the future- don't say it, they did it in Maryland last month.
Road's great and will be better when four-laned as the grading allows for. Once the interchange is built in the city it will help provide more than one access point to downtown (other than Park St.). The name is stupid. Why do we always have to name things after dead people (yes, I know he's not quite dead, but he soon will be) when we have better local names. Meadow Creek Parkway is a nicer name by far.


text:
|2009-12-15, 03:28
|Link #103
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
but heh astrea really is an idiot ^^ she doesnt know what she says ^^like c30 p35-36 "I have decided.... to fall in love with him too" XD next page.... wait... I only "like" him as friend XD
heh c31 ending was nice too.... Tomoki screams for help from Astrea... yet she says she decided not to help him XD she is funny and nice char... I really like her
anyway tomoki will rather end up with all those angels which will give him all kinds of warfare..... long range=Ikaros ,close-range=Astrea, elekctronic warfare/hacking=Nymph
hehe it would be a killer for the sky-lord if Tomoki converted the 2nd gen who would side with him too XD..... since she wants to know what "love" is s omaybe Tomoki might be able to explain it to her (heh like she will ask what love is..... tomoki will reply too first understand love you have to cut off your own chain xD [in order to sever the conection with the sky-lord... who will yell kill kill XD]
anyway all we got lately (2streight months) are fillers not connected to the real story... hope next chapter will get back to story-rails...
hmmm I was wondering why Sugata wont tell Tomoki about his dream beign connected to Synapse.... its his damn dream he is useing.... maybe Tomoki would understand that he has to help that sky-angel-girl (daidalos).... yet Sugata walks around the synapse thx to Tomokis dream and wont say anything to him (is that what a friend is supposed to be...)
another thing that was bugging me... when tomoki entered the synapse couldnt Deidelos use that ring-warp-space-thing (that she pulled sugata from gamas attack) to pull Tomoki in.... hug him how many time she wants... and slowly explain how can he save her..... yet she constantly trys to use the dream-tomoki to communicate with (that ended up beign hacked by chaos)....... it would be much more convinient if she dragged tomoki to her house explained everything to him on what is going on (they would be save duo the shield on the house... so it would be way more convinient)
|2009-12-15, 14:05
|Link #106
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
|2009-12-16, 13:55
|Link #107
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 30
For some reason, it seems that Chaos DOES have a weakness, to unleash her full power, she needs Ikaros variable wings core. But apparently, if the 3 main Angeloids work together, they can cover up each other's weaknesses.
|2009-12-17, 02:54
|Link #109
Lets be reality
Join Date: May 2007
|2009-12-17, 03:14
|Link #110
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
I'm hoping it ends exactly like Chapter 15 ended. It was a really good ending and it left a lot of open space for the rest of the series to develop. It's just they really watered down the fight scene between Ikaros and Nymph in ep 10 so I don't know if they'll do the Nymph screaming and having her wings ripped off thing. Well I guess they did do her pet bird pretty much same as the manga.
|2009-12-17, 03:45
|Link #111
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Astraea and Chaos play too important a role in Nymph's coming around to Tomoki that its hard how they could somehow pull that off. I don't think it'd be believable at this point.
Plus, why would they, right after breaking her chain and then giving her a new master doesn't really make sense. Only Astraea would be that quick too move on because she's stupid like that. Whereas Nymph was calling the evil dudes as "master" even later on... Nymph still has some kind of emotional attachment to the bad guys even after her chain breaks at first; it just wouldn't be consistent to try to wrap it all up at this point, regardless of whether there's a season 2 or not in the works next year.
|2009-12-17, 09:11
|Link #112
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
|2009-12-17, 09:19
|Link #113
Lets be reality
Join Date: May 2007
If they intended this to be a series that can for the most part standalone than I expect that ending. If the plan was we'll do upto Nymp arc (with lots more Nymph) for s1 and than do s2 if s1 sales than the manga ending should be what we get.
|2009-12-21, 02:16
|Link #116
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
but here is another question.... are the angels like tomoki useing sleep to appear on earth surface as human (like tomoki in sleep he appears at synapse surface).... its like on earth there is a huge illusion based on angels walking around humans in human-body form like that girl that Segata saw....... which said that she likes Tomoki
well Deidalos is kinda useing dream to contact with tomoki when he appears at synapse duo his dream.... like she can choice where to appear.... she seems to connect herself to tomokis dream..... and like we saw 2nd gen can connect to dreams too (by createing nightmares XD)
hmmm I would be glad to see when and how Deidalos got to knew Tomoki.... single human from whole earth (was she responsible for implanting inside tomoki a code that allows him to appear at synapse.... or did he connect by hmself and that's why deidalos pin-pointed him as very important)
|2009-12-21, 09:25
|Link #117
Join Date: Apr 2007
Nymph has no actual weapons besides that super beam she spits out from her mouth.
She's regarded as a electronics warfare angeloid, with high calculational ability/intelligence, but poor actual fighting ability as a result. She's is also the only angeloid that can go invisible.
|2009-12-21, 12:41
|Link #119
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
well sooner or later Deidalus will have to meet Tomoki more like she saved Sugata from Gammas..... since 2nd gen can enter dreams so she wont be able to talk to tomoki throguht them.... now she rather should talk to tomoki more directly (she would have even time to hug tomoki more :P since last time she had no time for this)
anyway all angeloids have different use...
Ikaros: long range attacks
Astrea: close range fighter
Nymph: ultimate hacker unit (electronic warfare)
Nymph was able to over run the security on tomokis dream... but the question is who did those... was it Deidalos... or was it the synapse council since they knew about tomoki visiting synapse but he was low threat so they didnt acted... anyway besides electrinik attacks... she can even hack into human brain :P like she did to tomoki and made tomoki forget how to swim ^^
so even throguht nymph attacks might look weak.... her main objective is not to fight dirrectly but use the surrounding, perform stealth attack... and gain enemy information...
but I wonder if she is now tomokis angeloid... does she care about the synpase codes.... like earlier she couldnt talk about synapse secrets becouse it was against a rule.... but now she is tomokis angeloid she might do orders... so maybe she can speak now about the city...... why the citizen are sleeping and by dreams appearing at earth surface...
but its soo strange... the council wants to kill the downers.... while rest of citizens dreams to be among the downers and act like them (on earth surface)... this is kinda strange.... maybe they act like spy by gathering informations or simply they want to be thre....
like the council wants to kill the downers becouse this will be the only way to stop synapse citizens to dream on beign on eath surface and come back to reality.... like they say "dream world is the best world after all".... dreams are used to be where we want to be and where we feel happy.... mostly synapse citizen wants to be on earth becouse life there is more fun than om synapse where the council rules... (since why the council guy have femalse-pleasure angeloids next to him than some real thing...its strange... maybe he replaced all citizen with angeloids becouse they obey his orders.... while real angels could not agree with his doing and plan a rebelion..... and putting them into dream is to keep them in bay)
time will show how that will play off ^^ anyway cant wait for chapters that will go back to story plot...
but I cant understand why Sugata wont tell about this to tomoki.... like he met deidolos the constructor...... this bastard pisses me off seriously.... he is useing tomokis dream to scout the "new world" yet that bastard wont repy to tomoki by saying what is going on... and that he met deidols there......... maybe tomoki needs to tell how that girl looks... than sugata might start talkign that he met her at synapse.... and so tomoki decides to go to see her in person...
but still if sugata is a friend he shoudl tell tomoki the truth and not use the dream to do whatever he wants without repaying tomoki for this.... and tomoki should take that dream-machine for that time... like he wont give it to sugata if he wont tell him what is going on...
maybe sugata wants to save tomoki the "peace life" and do the dirty work.... but in my eyes he just wants to have the fun for himself... he even told Sohara not to tell tomoki.... damn if she is his friend she shouldnt hide the truth from him.... since tomoki was allways by her side when she was all alone.... yet she hides things that are concerning him dirrectly (tomoki is not aware of anything and so his life is in danger becouse of that.... assasins are the time.... they did not tell tomoki aobut the synapse and day later Astrea fell to the ground in order to kill tomoki.... Sugata and Sohara were visiting and walking aroudn synapse and thx for that assasin was send on earth to kill tomoki..... yeah those are good friends...)
so I hope that tomoki will shut down that "dive-game" dream of his for the time he hears the truth from those two of what is going on....
Last edited by zibi88; 2009-12-21 at 12:53.
|comedy, shounen
|Thread Tools


text:
The first stage of the British Newspaper Archive focuses on runs published before 1900 and will include titles from cities such as Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich, Leeds and York, along with local titles from London boroughs.
Newspapers which aimed for county circulation – from Staffordshire to Sussex – will also feature prominently, providing an unrivalled picture of provincial life spanning the whole of the 19th century and supplementing resources already available online such as the UK census.
The technical workings of the database being created will be superb - see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/archive-examples.php for an example of how a record has been catalogued for searching. One hopes though that if this is a British collection, there may also be representation for Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the the first wave also, despite there being no indication of this on the site as yet.
Nevertheless, with 40 million pages on the way over ten years, there will be something for everyone.


text:
Romancing The Chocolate: Holiday Cookie: Double-Shot Mocha: From Denny: OK, never write a cookie post right before lunch. It all looks so good you want to rush into the kitchen and start baking! :) This cookie recipe is basically a dense brownie with pools of melting chocolate oozing out when you break them open straight out of the hot oven!
There are two cups of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks in this awesome recipe, certainly more than I'm used to baking. It's no wonder you can get your chocolate fix in one small cookie all at once.
If you have the discipline to wait until the cookie cools all those chocolate pools solidify into huge nuggets of gooey goodness. No one ever said these little chocolate gems would last long in your house - or mine!
Enjoy the profound Peace of the Christmas season!