text:
Fire and Shadow by Susan J. McLeod FREE December 22-24/
Fire and Shadow by Susan J. McLeod
Artist and Egyptologist Lily Evans struggles with her newly discovered psychic talents, while trying to get her life back to normal now that her mother is in a mental institution and the man Lily loves is far away in England. But "normal" is the last thing she finds.
When her best friend Katy takes her to a Celtic Faire, Lily meets a druid fortune-teller, who warns her that she can "never escape the Other." Frightened and angry, Lily ignores his dire warning and stumbles across an eerie old portrait of a beautiful woman, who has something to tell her.
With the help of the enigmatic druid and his gifted friends, Lily embarks on a dangerous journey to unravel the mysteries of the portrait, the tarot card reader, an ancient book and whispers of witchcraft. She must discover the truth behind them all…or risk losing her very soul.
Book Details:
FREE Kindle edition - December 22-24
Editorial Reviews:
"A unique fantasy read, engaging and hard to put down." —Robert Kerr, bestselling author of Completely Restored
"BEWITCHING! A witch is betrayed. Hunted down for her power, she uses her final moments to cast a lasting spell. A flickering shadow embedded in a portrait holding the key, the Lily Evans saga continues in big way. Susan McLeod has again crafted a hauntingly beautiful tale that delivers all the mystery and mystique her fans have been expecting, and more! If you loved Soul and Shadow, you must read this!" —Wendy Potocki, author of Adduné: The Vampire's Game
"The characters are interesting and I was kept wondering who would turn out to be the bad one…The book is short and fast-paced…An enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion. Susan McLeod has done a fine job in reintroducing us to the heroine of her first novel, Soul and Shadow." —L.C. Evans, author of Talented Horsewoman
"Another haunting, lyrical story from Susan McLeod. Lily Evans continues on her path toward the truth, unlocking mysteries that will leave you breathless and spellbound. A must-read!" —Adriana Ryan, author of Her Heart's Desire
"The plot of this fast moving novel is plausible and exciting, delving into the psychic, dark magic, and white magic. Lily Evans stays true to her own soul and power and the ending of the book brings more excitement and one cannot wait for the next Lily Evans novel. Susan Jane McLeod is a talent that gracefully paints the pictures from page to mind's eye with great ease and I recommend both Susan Jane's books heartily. Not only that, I cannot wait for the next Lily Evans Novel!!! A great read!" —Ellen George, author of Thirst
Available at:


text:
|GIL .. BIOSCI/Bionet News .. Biosequences .. Software .. FTP
In article <1995Mar24.161103 at ebi.ac.uk> omond at ebi.ac.uk (Roy Omond) writes: > In article <3ks4t2$sj1 at due.uninett.no>, inge at lind.ii.uib.no (Inge Jonassen) > writes: > > The program has been implemnted in ANSI C. It has been compiled and > > run on different UNIX workstations, DEC Alpha, Sun, Silicon Graphics. > > Since it's been written in ANSI C (thanks, Inge !), it will also run > perfectly well on VMS using DEC C. Wouldn't it be nice if all software > developers would actually use standards like ANSI C ? Those of use who combine ANSI C with FORTRAN 77 still seem to have problems persuading our applications to build on VMS after developing on Unix. (Yes, I know FORTRAN 77 is no longer the standard, but we are talking VAXen here and they won't get f90 :-) Not to mention all those applications from VMS that don't build on Unix because of mixed case file names, dependence on multiple file versions, and so on. No Roy!!! Don't!!! I asked you "not to mention..." -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peter Rice | Informatics Division E-mail: pmr at sanger.ac.uk | The Sanger Centre Tel: (44) 1223 494967 | Hinxton Hall, Hinxton, Fax: (44) 1223 494919 | Cambs, CB10 1RQ URL: http://www.sanger.ac.uk/~pmr/ | England

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We are five days away from the 2013 Blogathon over at GraphiContent where I and 15 other writers will discuss a wide range of topics over the course of 24 straight hours with new posts every 30 minutes. Like the 2011 Blogathon, my charity of choice this time is the Hero Initiative. Last year, we raised over $500 dollars for the Hero Initiative and, so far, we've gotten $144 in sponsorship for this year's Blogathon. If you would like to donate, there are several ways:
* Direct donations to the Hero Initiative (click on the Pay Pal link* Purchasing products from their site, including annual memberships* Purchasing products from their eBay store* Donating funds to Peter David and his family through the Hero Initiative
I have added the Peter David link, because he and his family could use the support -- and because it is a perfect example of what the Hero Initiative does. Most of us are aware that the organisation exists and have an idea of what it's intended to do, but we don't necessarily get a glimpse of what the Hero Initiative actually does. Well, this is one of those things. Peter David suffered a stroke over the holidays and the Hero Initiative is helping to provide funds to him and his family as he recovers. It's a very direct and easy to see demonstration of what your money will be doing if you choose to donate and sponsor us in the Blogathon.
If you do choose to do so, drop me an e-mail at chevett13[AT]yahoo[DOT]ca so I can record you contribution.
This year's Blogathon is going to be a bit different than my four previous Blogathons. Instead of simply writing by myself all day, I have enlisted 15 talented writers to join me. We have selected topics and they will each provide a post on their specific topic with me writing two bookend posts -- the second one being a response of some kind to what they wrote (and to keep things lively and fresh, I won't be reading any of the other posts until I post them). The stellar line-up is:
Tim Callahan (he will kick things off and conclude things, writing two posts on two different topics), Tucker Stone, David Brothers, Alec Berry, Brian Cronin, Graeme McMillan, Jeff Lester, Tim O'Neil, Ryan K. Lindsay, Adam Langton, Matt Brady, Ales Kot, Shawn Starr, Kaitlin Tremblay, and Augie de Blieck, Jr. Some of the topics being discussed: Kirby's '70s work, the idea of keeping up with other critics, Dreadstar #1-12, when the best time to have given up superhero comics was, Identity Crisis, and favourite Peter David Star Trek novels.
In addition to that part of the Blogathon, I will also be writing 16 posts here on Comics Should be Good during the same half-hour period when the other writers' posts go up here. I will be counting down my top 10 comics of 2012, my top five comics from before 2012 that I read in 2012, and some other 'best of 2012' post that I haven't quite figured out yet.
The whole thing begins on Saturday January 26 at 9am EST. I hope you will drop by and, hopefully, donate some money to a worthy cause, the Hero Initiative.
Thank you


text:
Prosecutors complete case against George Zimmerman
Defense continues Monday
The state completed its case against George Zimmerman Friday. WESH 2 News' legal analyst said Zimmerman's own words -- played from taped interviews and written on statements -- could help prove the state's case.
The state called a criminal law professor who taught Zimmerman about self-defense law to highlight that he lied about not knowing about the stand-your-ground law during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The star witness for the state was Rachel Jeantel. After an opening day of testimony that included her scowling at defense attorney Don West and making off-hand remarks, Jeantel stuck to her story that Zimmerman approached Trayvon Martin.
Not every witness told the story the way the state has argued the fight played out, however. John Good said he saw Martin atop Zimmerman.
Each witness saw and testified to something different. The state closed with the medical examiner, Dr. Shiping Bao, who described how Martin died.
The state introduced two pieces of evidence before it rested: a timeline with the phone conversations and a weather report from the night of the shooting. Zimmerman's defense will continue Monday.


text: For over 3 decade's Kevin Kal Kallaugher has entertained and enraged a global audience with his sharp cartoons and witty covers for The Economist magazine and the Baltimore Sun. In his illustrated presentation, Kal will share some of his award-winning works from his portfolio of more than 8000 cartoons and 140 covers plus share stories and anecdotes of the challenges facing a contemporary cartoonist. As an added bonus, Kal will sketch some of his favorite politicians and culminate with an audience lesson on how to draw Barack Obama.


text:
Valentine's Day can put a lot of pressure on a guy (or girl). Red roses and chocolates have practically become a February 14 requirement. And if you forget them, watch out!
And the day of love isn't for everyone! Some think… I love my significant other every day of the year, why all the pressure to show it on this one day? or I'm not wasting my money on impractical things like flowers and chocolate. It's thinking like this that led many of our Facebook fans to receive the worst Valentine's Day gift ever. So, if you've ever been disappointed on February 14, know you're not alone.
We asked our fans and employees to share their stories and here's what they had to say…
Lisa P.F. "A flashlight. And get this, my sister got one from her husband the same year. (maybe they shopped together?) LOL"
Kevin S. "I got a sweatshirt that was way too small and too itchy. It was like one of those ugly christmas sweaters but for valentine's day. It was terrible. I tried to donate it to the local thrift shop but even they wouldn't take it!"
Laurie B. "Yellow Roses. The symbol of friendship, really? (he also got me a wedding band when he proposed, thinking the diamond came at the wedding, really!?!)"
Danielle M. "A canary yellow sweatshirt that was 2 sizes too small"
For others, anything would have been better than what they ended up with…
Kimberly L.K. "Receiving nothing at all while I bought my husband a gift."
Christy S.F. "Getting nothing on my anniversary/valentines day when I spend weeks gathering items for gift bags for my children a husband"
And sometimes your gift can turn into a flop even if you had the best intentions…
Christine N. "I had received a box of melted chocolates before. It was a sad messy surprise."
Helen F. "Dead flowers. Well they weren't supposed to be dead, but they arrived DOA"
Are you worried you're going to end up on next year's list of worst gifts ever? When in doubt, just stick to the basics. Here's how you can save on tried and true Valentine's gifts.
1800Flowers: Save 20% on Valentine's Day Flowers & Gifts
ProFlowers: Save 50% on 12 Rainbow Roses, only $19.99
Teleflora: Save 25% off all products and add-ons
Save 10% off $50+ Personalized Valentine's Day M&M's
Shari's Berries: Save 15% off $29+
Fannie May Candies: Save 30% off $30+
Amazon: Save 30% off select jewelry
Kay Jewelers: Save $30 off Diamond Heart Necklace
Zales: Save 10% off your online purchase
Victoria's Secret: Save $15 off 100+, $30 off $150+ or $75 off $250+


text:
Shipping to:
Track your order
Online services
By selecting this box, having read the privacy information ex art. 13 GDPR and reached the age of 16 years old, I hereby give my consent, that is optional and can be withdrawn at any time, to my data being processed by KIKO S.p.A for the direct marketing purposes mentioned in the Privacy Information: sending business / promotional communications via e-mail on Company products/services, events, customer satisfaction surveys, market research and statistical analyse. Privacy information
Cart is empty
Don't miss these…
Check out the special offers for all your beauty needs here!
Discover all our new makeup products, skincare items and accessories online
Have an event coming up and need some outfit inspiration?
Discover some hints and tips for makeup application
Track your order
Online services
KIKOMake UpLimited Editions
Keep up with all the new trends with the KIKO MILANO limited editions: discover all the collections, this season's new arrivals, special products and new classics, the results of the collaborations with an ever-changing array of designers and artists.
Sicilian Notes
Highlighting antioxidant face serum
Pop Revolution
Perfecting face primer
Waterflower Special Offer
New Green Me Special Offer
Tinted natural finish moisturising cream
New Green Me
Sicilian Notes Special Offer
Moisturising foundation with medium-high coverage
Unique gift boxes for only an additional €3.90
Register and take advantage of the website membership benefits
Customer service available
Secure payments
© KIKO S.p.A. Sede legale via Giorgio e Guido Paglia 1/D 24122 Bergamo P.IVA 02817030162


text:
Date(s) - 11/30/2019
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Historic Earle Theatre and Old-Time Music Heritage Hall
Admission : $6
Contact Person :
Phone : 336-786-7998
Email : [email protected]
Contact Person :
Website www.surryarts.org
Weekly WPAQ Merry-Go-Round live radio broadcast, featuring local bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and/or country bands – every Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Historic Earle Theatre in Downtown Mount Airy at 11 a.m., followed by a bluegrass/old-time jam session. The cost is $6 per person. This is the second-longest-running live radio broadcast in the entire nation, next to the Grand Old Opry. Admission price includes admission to the Andy Griffith Museum (keep your writstband on!).


text:
pdforeme wrote:Having failed on a hot day.....my 2 bits.... i had tons of water, but in our descent (we obviously survived), I needed a bit of shade far more than water. I know its unrealistic, but i would put huge value of any form of shade. (on our descent into >100F we got into a logical hiccup in that it was hotter as we descended, but would be far worse had we stayed put (at 3000 feet). I guess I should have packed an opaque tarp.
Did rescue 1 exist at that time? Seems like the space blanket inside would work as a way of providing shade, if you could rig it up as a tarp. Lying under the picnic tables would also provide shade, although I imagine once someone had gotten that low, there would be a strong psychological urge to finishing hiking out.
For someone who's really in trouble on the trail, I imagine a good plan would be to retreat to shade and water at rescue 1, rescue 2, or the picnic tables, and call 911 on a cell phone..?


text:
Sleepless nights have become a common thing for Redlands citrus grower Beth Sanders.
"We've been on frost alert for at least a week," Sanders said.
As temperatures dip, so does her hand into her wallet. That's because she has to run a giant fan to warm her crops.
"It costs hundreds of dollars a night to run," she said.
She sets her alarm for every two hours so she can check the thermometer. If it gets below 30 degrees, she has to turn on the machine.
"We're a little sleep deprived," Sanders said.
But if she can keep this up, she knows it will be worth it, since some cold weather can actually be good for oranges.
"Brings up the color and the sugar," she said. "This is our best crop, we think, if we can make it through the next couple of weeks."
Sanders estimates she spends between $15,000 and $20,000 to keep up with her crop each year, not to mention the hundreds of hours of labor.


text:
Get a Free Estimate
(832) 532-4925
or fill out the form below
We would appreciate an opportunity to clean your home. To book a free in-home consultation and estimate, complete the form below or call us at (832) 532-4925. We'll set up a convenient appointment time with one of our professional estimators to discuss your home cleaning needs.
Learn about being a franchisee and submit an inquiry form.


text:
English Teacher
I don't suppose you have ----------- money to lend me, do you?
The answer is "any". However, I have my doubt about it. Can't we say 'some'? As far as I remember we can use some in questions that we expect a 'yes answer'. I know it's not a question but it seems like a request. Like 'have you got some money to lend me?'.
If I'm not right, could you please let me know the reason why we use 'any' here?
Thanks a lot.
Being a non-native teacher, I'm so thrilled being in such a superb forum.
The use of "I don't suppose" shows that you expect a "no" answer.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.


text:
On The Table: Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Join Corie Rachel and Rebecca for the last podcast of 2018 as they chat about their Christmas plans!
Home of Quick Study Television with Rod Hembree | 24/7 Streaming | New Media Christian Network
Bible Discovery is a broadcast studio and new-media network for international ministries. From social issues and apologetics to history and science, our ambition is to provide a multimedia platform to educate, edify and encourage the believer to think. As an international ministry and media resource centre we are called to embolden the exploration of truth through the production and publication of definitive resources in television, radio, digital and print material.
Quick Study is our daily flagship television, radio and online program designed to guide you through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in one year. Hosted by the Hembree family, join Rod, Janice, Ryan and Corie in this thirty-minute daily devotional show that will change the way you see and read the Bible.
Bible Discovery: Watch. Listen. Read. Learn.
"Who has the right to take life?" is a loaded question. With the rise of medical science and technology, the line that divides life from non-life has become blurred for a lot of people, sec … Read More »
It's pretty household nowadays, as tea is to luncheon or spaghetti is to meatballs, to compare the Judeo-Christian God to a fable, fairytale, daydream or psychological disorder. Come to t … Read More »
It seems like more and more people are catching themselves between a rock and a hard place – the rock being the Church and that hard place being their head. It is in one sense displaced s … Read More »
Curious about our ministry? Stay up to date with Pastor Rod!
See More »
Stay connected with Bible Discovery. Receive the latest news and updates about the ministry.
Bible Discovery is a subsidiary of Life Lesson From The Bible (Canada) & Good Friends inc. (U.S.A)
The Discovery Guide is a monthly study companion designed to encourage and supplement the reading of the Bible in one year. Each monthly Guide is broken into daily devotionals with monthly study articles for individuals, groups and churches. Read More »
The Bible Timelines are quick reference bookmarks that will help keep things in chronological context for your next Bible study. Timelines are broken into three sets: Kings & Old Testament Timeline, Prophets Timeline & Chronology of Bible Books and the Emperors & New Testament Timeline. Read More »


text:
Shell Tellus – Hydraulic Fluid
To meet the challenges of a wide range of hydraulic equipment and applications, Shell has designed a portfolio of fluids that enables you to choose a product to best match your needs. It includes extra-long-life synthetic technologies capable of up to four times standard life*, through to cost-effective, reliable products for less-demanding applications.
*compared with other oils in the Shell range.
CNHTC, China
By replacing their hydraulic pump oil with Shell Tellus S2 M 46, CNHTC doubled their oil-drain intervals saving US$15,644.Download the CNHTC case study
Automotive Component Manufacturer, Thailand
Changing to Shell Tellus S2 M hydraulic oil reduced unscheduled maintenance on Yarnapund's pipe-bending machine saving over US$71,300 a year.Download the Yarnapund case study
Omni Plastics, China
By changing to Shell Tellus S2 M 46, Omni Plastics doubled the oil-drain interval of their hydraulic systems saving a reported US$60,000 annually.Download the Omni Plastics case study
more in lubricants for businesses
Lubricants for businesses
Find out about the expert advice, support and case studies we provide through our lubricant-related services that are helping companies like yours every day.
Service for Customers
Our suite of lubricant-related services offers you expert advice and support along with practical tools and training.


text:
by AirForce
From AirgunArena
Things I liked: If you want power and accuracy with a military type look then look no further,this is the air rifle you want,this thing is all that and well made too.I like the option of being able to use co2 or air on it also.I have several paintball tanks so I opted to go with the Talon co2 package in .22.Going with this package was also less money and I can purchase the Airforce air tank later.I have used co2 but I am presently using a 1000 psi paintball air tank.With .22 caliber premiers I am getting an avg. of about 725 fps.With lighter ammo over 750 fps.I can put a hole thru both sides of a spray paint can from 50 ft.Co2 tanks are around 800 or 850 psi and shoot in the mid 600s.I scoped mine with a Leapers 4-16 scope and it works great. buy this gun.I did a lot of research before purchasing a Talon and I am sure I made the right choice.
Things I would have changed: There is not anything I would change on my Talon that I can think of.It has worked flawlessly since day 1.Some have complained about the trigger or grip being cheaply made but I find no fault in them,they look and work fine on mine.
What others should know: I went with the std Talon instead of the SS because it has the 18 inch barrel instead of the 12 on the SS.This gives you more fps.The SS is quieter because of the barrel shroud but you can purchase after market shrouds or build 1 yourself like I did.It is less expensive this way and you get more power.Also if you scope yours get a high mount that will get your scope up higher because of the air tank.There are all kinds of upgrades and accessories made for Airforce airguns which is another good reason to buy one and they are made in the USA.Also I bought mine here at Pyramyd Air as well as other items and they have always been great to me.
Overall rating:
Value for money:
(first | last) View (previous 5) (next 5) (20 | 50 | 100 | 250 | 500)


text:
Opinion: Bringing Berlusconi Back
WSJ Europe editorial page editor Brian Carney on former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's comeback. Photo: Associated Press
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... joining me now ... is Brian Carney ... will Wall Street earlier its well paid better over there who was in London ... to talk about Italian politics and the fact that Italian Prime Minister ... Mario Monti recently announced that he was stepping down welcome Brian ... Hi Jason are you I'm good I'm good so as soon as Monti announced he was stepping down former Prime Minister Silvio ... Berlusconi said he would consider running for ... his old job ... ALM so Brian Taylor taught you about backed development frankly because ... Berlusconi has already won three times I'm that they have ... another chance or can he do it again ... well I hide would never count the guy now he's he's down big in the polls his party's support has fallen to about fifteen percent and in a he's down anywhere from fifteen to twenty points against the ... the center left coalition that ... look like the frontrunners to to take power in the in the election that we expect to happen in February but ... Ambrose gun is very rich and very flamboyant and he's Seno ... promising people a lot of cotton this guy if if he wins another spend a lot of tax hikes and ... austerity and it's been a kind of Korean government under Monty and ... temper this gun is kind of offering an opportunity go back to the good days for the voters ... can believe him anymore after ... the success of runs an office that's another question I think it's got a credibility problem this ... why why does he have the promise that the scandals crime as it is he hasn't delivered on the reforms is promise ... I think it's actually more the reforms in the scandals has always been plagued by scandals to some recent stories about him ... is a set of ... quality in Italy I think a lot of people are prepared to look past that but ... he's also promised a lot that he has never delivered in his three stint as prime minister ... a promise to give taxes down to some of ... you know American levels of thirty something percent of the top marginal rate ... he never did it right you never should ... deliver the Thatcher right reforms that he talked about when his run for office in the past he's ... talked about Martin Thatcher and Ronald Reagan this is great heroes that ... are in office has been kind of a trimmer it's been a moderate and ... I think that's undermined its credibility more ... than ... RM rotten Time wretched quickly mention that ... one of the other candidates running for Prime Minister an ongoing Wollam pulls of the Sany Pier Luigi ... the Sany and he says will respect those EU ... of commitments whether I'll be comes under pressure to not respect those moments of another ... is another of of of of question should he should he become the next prime minister ... thank you Brian for time ... thank you ...


text:
Discussion of 'Outlander' 303 "All Debts Paid"
In this episode, we share listener feedback and discuss 'Outlander' Episode 303, "All Debts Paid."
Join our exclusive Facebook community! (http://outlanderpod.com/group)
Join us in Scotland! (http://www.podabroad.com)
Support us on Patreon! (https://www.outlanderpod.com/patreon)
Follow us on Twitter! (https://www.outlanderpod.com/twitter)
Connect with us on Facebook! (https://www.outlanderpod.com/facebook)
Help us spread the word!
If this episode tickled your 'Outlander' fancy, head over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review, and subscribe!
· Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outlander-podcast/id707360955?mt=2)
· RSS (https://audioboom.com/channels/1689437.rss)
· Stitcher (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-outlander-podcast?refid=stpr)
· Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3ca8w2I8rlQyr7K5iEeGV8)
· Google Play (https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0&gclid=CPqUmY3tmc8CFQbrfgodSOsMCw&gclsrc=ds#/ps/Irr5s2ri372mj5fgmte23z6dghe)
· iHeartRadio (https://www.iheart.com/show/270-the-outlander-podc/)
You can ask questions and comment below and leave us voice feedback via our Listener Line at 916-587-0POD.


text:
Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil
Background of the park
Chapada Diamantina National Park is located in the northeast of Brazil, an area that is of global importance for biodiversity conservation. The landscape, characterized by mountains and canyons, is of rare beauty. Several waterfalls contribute to this beauty, including one of the biggest of Brazil, the Smoke Fall, which is approximately 340 m high. The park contains many water sources that belong to the Paraguaçu watershed, which contributes to the water supply of several communities and cities such as Salvador, the capital of the Bahia State, which is sometimes called "Brazil's capital of happiness", due to its countless outdoor celebrations.
The park was created in 1985 and is managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for the Conservation of Biodiversity, the Brazilian agency responsible for protected areas, created in 2007. It has been recognized as a national park according to Category II of the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories.
View images of the park
Size and location
The park covers an area of 152.000 hectares and is located in the Bahia State, northeast Brazil, approximately 400 km from the city of Salvador, the capital.
Flora and Fauna
Chapada Diamantina National Park is composed of many different ecosystems, including rainforest, deciduous forest, dry forest, savannas, grasslands on rocks and wetlands. The grasslands on rocks cover approximately 65% of the area and have a large diversity of plants, many of them endemic, such as Vellozia sincorana, locally known as "candombá", the amaryllis Hippeastrum solandrifoliu, the bromeliads Alcantarea nahoumii, Cryptanthus diamantinense, Orthophythum amoenum, the orchids Sophronitis bahiensis, Sophronitis sincorana, Adamantinia miltonioides and Thelychista ghyllanyi.
The park's rich fauna includes not only Brazil's most iconic big cat, the jaguar (Panthera onca), but also many species that are not yet well known. Fifty-eight species of mammals have been found, as well as 132 species of birds, among them the hummingbird Augastes lumachellus, which was discovered in the park. Furthermore, the area is home to 88 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 45 species of fish, 12 of which were new to science.
One of the main difficulties faced by the park staff is dealing with various conflicts between nature and humans, aggravated by people that still live in the park illegally. There are approximately five of these communities, totalizing more than 300 persons, that cause different kinds of damages to the biodiversity and other natural resources such as water.
The illegal practices developed by communities that live in the park or in the buffer zone include hunting, diamond and other precious rocks mining, and the extraction of plants, trees and parts of them. The tree Couma rigida and the pipewort Syngonanthus mucugensis, for example, have become rare because of overexploitation. Cattle grazing in the grasslands and savannas and the opening of trails for tourism, which occurs often and without control of the park administration, are additional problems linked to people settling in the park.
Another severe concern are invasive plant and animal species, such as the molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora), pine trees (Pinus sp.), the bee Apis mellifera scutellata, the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), and 2 species of fish (Cichla temensis and Tilapia sp.).
Fire is frequently put to the area for various reasons, such as retaliation for environmental restrictions, to renovate the grassland for the cattle, to facilitate hunting and mining or to prepare areas for agriculture. One of the worst years in that context was 2008, when more than 60.000 hectares were burned, according to information collected and processed by the park staff.
All of these issues are difficult to be solved or managed because of different factors, namely the lack of political commitment for nature conservation. As is the case for many of Brazil's protected areas, Chapada Diamantina National Park does not have enough people and financial resources to ensure adequate management. According to the management plan of the area, in 2006 the team was composed of only 10 people with a budget of not more than US$ 24.000,00. However, there is increased support during the dry season, i.e. six months each year, thanks to a fire management programme by IBAMA, a Brazilian environmental institute that provides training on prevention and combat of fires to locals. In 2007, IBAMA contracted 42 people, and many residents from outside the park also volunteered in combating fires.
Several institutions work in the park to conduct scientific research, improve practices for the development in the buffer zone or explore opportunities for tourism. The park has a council formed by people that represent different local interests, as requested by the Brazilian Federal Law on Protected Areas.


text:
A Stellar Performer
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
September Hedge Funds: Best, Worst, Biggest
Aeronautical engineering got Hanif Mamdani's blood flowing when he was an undergrad at Cal Tech. He interned with professors who were working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "I love complex mathematical problem-solving, and space offered some awesome challenges," says Nairobi, Kenya-born Mamdani. He went on to earn a master's degree in mathematics and applied science at Harvard in 1988.
But another universe, Wall Street, offered its own mathematics problems—along with the prospect of a better paycheck than most academics can only dream of. On graduation, Mamdani put his skills to work, first for Salomon Brothers and later Credit Suisse, devising ways for companies to make better use of their capital structures.
After a decade, though, Mamdani was eager to switch to money management because he felt it would give him "greater control" of his "own destiny." He also wanted to be closer to his mother, who lived in Vancouver, where he had grown up. So he took an offer from Phillips, Hager & North, one of Canada's oldest independent investment firms, and moved back across the continent to Vancouver to run PHN's corporate-bond operations. As he says, it has proved to be a "good fit."
By the time Royal Bank of Canada bought the firm in 2008, Mamdani was one of its biggest shareholders, head of investments, and manager of the strongly performing PHN Absolute Return fund. RBC Global Asset Management made him head of alternative investments, and he still oversees the fund, which today has 735 million Canadian dollars (US$736 million) in assets.
Mamdani, now 46, has posted a stellar record among multistrategy hedge funds. His 10-year annualized return through September was 14.85% in Canadian dollars. Because of the local currency's strong gains, the fund is up an average of 20.49% a year in U.S. dollars. That's more than 13.5 percentage points higher than the average hedge-fund return tracked by research firm BarclayHedge.
And Absolute Return has generated these gains without bouncing all over the place. Mamdani's trailing one-year return was 12.8% in Canadian dollars, and his three- and five-year annualized gains hit 15.4%. On a monthly basis, Absolute has been up more than 80% of the time, helping explain why he feels he's reached its capacity and has closed it to investors.
The fund is notable for other reasons. In a market known for its avarice, Absolute Return doesn't charge the standard "2 + 20" fees (2% of assets and 20% of gains). Instead, it has a 1.45% management fee. It also features daily pricing and 30-day redemptions for its very conservative investor base. As he says, "Charging a management fee motivates us to perform for the long-term rather than swing for the fences."
MAMDANI STILL RUNS two big bond funds, and that expertise informs all his work. He likes securities, purchased at a good price, that produce a steady payout, which he believes is the most reliable source of absolute returns and a buffer in tough times. In addition, Absolute Return keeps an ongoing stake in various market-neutral strategies, playing price anomalies among convertible bonds, stocks, other sorts of debt, commodities, and merger situations. Mamdani isn't afraid to take sizable positions in unique situations, which can involve elements of long, distressed, and event-driven investing. His goal is to move "adeptly across asset classes" to find the best risk-adjusted returns.
One example of the fund's approach came a year ago when the credit markets took a hit. Mamdani's team, which includes analysts Emil Khimji and Justin Jacobsen, discovered a Goldman Sachs ' (ticker: GS) subordinated bond denominated in Canadian dollars that was due in 2017 and trading at 650 basis points (a basis point is a one-hundredth of a percentage point) above Canadian government bonds. That was nearly as wide a spread as the Goldman bond had during the financial crisis, even though "there's been dramatic improvement in the bank's credit quality since," says Mamdani.
Mamdani put 4% of his portfolio into the Goldman bonds at an average price of 88 cents on the dollar. The bonds have since rallied to 98.5 cents, and the spread has narrowed to 420 basis points. Mamdani hasn't sold, betting he'll be able to add to what's already an 18% return.
Absolute Return waited almost four years for one of its other opportunities to emerge. In October 2007, Loral Space & Communications (LORL) and one of Canada's largest pension funds did a leveraged buyout of Telesat, a global satellite service operator that was a part of BCE (BCE), Canada's largest telecom. But by the spring of 2011, Telesat was recording strong revenue growth and improved margins, delivering Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) gains of 50% over 2007 levels. Leverage as measured by the multiple of its debt to Ebitda had been cut nearly in half, to 4.5, or about half its peers' average.
Mamdani believed Telesat would retire its expensive debt as quickly as possible. The first call date for C$693 million of junk-rated 11% senior bonds due in 2015 was in May 2012. So he bought C$87 million of the bonds, even though they were trading C$2.30 above their call price of C$105.50.
As he expected, Telesat called the bonds. The investment itself returned 6.7% (interest of 8.8% minus a capital loss of 2.1%) and the leverage he employed bumped up the net gain to 9.8%.
The fund complements these core income positions with market-neutral trades that arbitrage price differences among a wide variety of assets. They can compromise 10% to 30% of the fund. But they, too, sometimes require patience.
In the middle of last year, Cogeco Cable (CCA.Canada), a Quebec-focused cable company with a market value of C$1.8 billion, said it was going to buy a U.S. cable company for C$1.3 billion. Cogeco didn't have a great track record in these sorts of purchases, and the market drove the shares down from C$44.50 to C$37.90 on the day of the announcement. Mamdani shared investors' concerns but believed knocking 15% off the market valuation of an undervalued stock was too much. The acquisition would be earnings accretive in the first year, and was priced in line with other recent cable acquisitions. So he bought a C$35 million position at an average cost of less than C$39, and hedged it by shorting Canada's two largest operators— Rogers Communications (RCIB.Canada) and Shaw Communications (SJRB.Canada).
Both sides of this trade, however, have moved against Absolute Return so far.
Mamdani responded by doubling down; Cogeco now represents nearly 9% of the fund. Today it trades at a 2013 enterprise value/Ebitda multiple of just 4.9, versus rivals' roughly seven times. Its forward price-earnings ratio is very low: 9.1 against peers' ratios that run from 12 to 21. "This may make the company the cheapest cable stock in North America," says Mamdani. He adds, "Despite being our biggest trading loss of the year, the stock remains our favorite."
Up to 10% of Mamdani's portfolio is devoted to opportunistic plays like Canada's Yellow Media (YLO.Canada). In the middle of 2011, senior bonds of the Canadian Yellow Pages publisher sold off after Standard & Poor's downgraded its senior debt from BBB- to BB+, or junk-bond status, due to deteriorating operating performance and a costly bank-loan renegotiation. As Mamdani notes, "When managers can no longer hold a bond because it has become sub-investment grade, it often sets up buying opportunities, since such selling pressure tends to push prices well below their fair value." Various pieces of Yellow Media's debt dropped by half, to 40 Canadian cents on the dollar, and he started buying. The company, he notes, had C$70 million in cash, projected 2012 Ebitda of C$650 million, and C$200 million in free cash flow.
The market ultimately agreed with Mamdani. He realized a total return of 35%.
The manager concedes that such opportunities are harder to come by these days. "The easy trade for corporate bonds is over now that this is a universally loved asset class. One has to be more selective to find the odd gem in the corporate-bond universe," he says.
While Mamdani believes central banks will likely keep interest rates low over the next several years, he's concerned that an eventual interest-rate rise will more than wipe out gains from high-grade bonds.
Will he venture to Greece or Spain for higher yields? No. "I am a staunch advocate of Warren Buffett's principle that you stay within one's circle of competence," says Mamdani. So he'll keep exploring among U.S. and Canadian assets for the best returns.
E-mail: email@example.com


text:
- home
- news
- blogs
- calendar
- enewsletters
- podcasts
Contractor heads east for $33M Hannah Lofts
A Grand Rapids-based general contractor will manage its third project in a trilogy of major housing developments.
This one is being built in Meridian Township, which is just east of Lansing.
The Wolverine Building Group will join development firm Capstone Companies to break ground any day now on Hannah Lofts, a $33 million, high end mixed-use development.
Construction is set to begin early this month and be completed next July.
Hannah Lofts
Hannah Lofts consists of five buildings that total 592,000 square feet and 282 residential units with 688 beds.
Three of the structures will feature townhomes on the first three floors and flats will go in on the fourth levels.
The fourth building will have 7,545 square feet of retail space and a clubhouse for the residents, which will offer a 24-hour fitness space with free workout classes.
Hannah Loft residents will have access to tanning beds, a steam room, a swimming pool and a hot tub.
The project will be capped by a two story, 595-space parking deck that will be built in the courtyard, and won't be visible from the street.
Hannah Lofts is the companion piece to the two Lodges of East Lansing that Capstone Companies developed and Wolverine built. Hannah Lofts, though, is the largest of the trio.
Dungan Nequette Architects designed all three buildings. Hannah Lofts has a contemporary design and offers high-quality furnishings.
Largest multi-family project
"Hannah Lofts is the largest multi-family project that Wolverine has completed in the past ten years, and it's also the most complex project we've completed in such a short time frame. The fact that it's so well designed and fully amenitized is just icing on the cake," said Curt Mulder, Wolverine Building Group vice president.
More information on Hannah Lofts is at its Facebook page.


text:
CHARLOTTE � A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Bobcats have reached an agreement in principle with Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing to become their new associate head coach.
The person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the hire has not yet been made official.
The 50-year-old Ewing was a teammate of Bobcats owner Michael Jordan on the 1992 USA Olympic �Dream Team� that won gold at the Barcelona Games.
Ewing also spent five years as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic working alongside Steve Clifford, who was hired as the Bobcats head coach last month.
Ewing has nine years of experience as an NBA assistant coach.
Ewing interviewed for the Bobcats head coaching position in 2012, but Jordan hired Mike Dunlap instead.


text:
I always ask my clients what their biggest priority is. More times then not they want their guests to have fun and the dance floor to be crowded! To get the ushers whipping their bow ties around their heads like a helicopter blade, and the elderly guests doing the two step shuffle, then careful attention must be put into your evening reception. See my top wedding planning tips below for a fun and unique evening that has your guests asking when your next party is.
Top wedding planning tips for a fabulous evening reception
1) Hire the best possible band or DJ for your budget. Music is no place to cut corners so you should splurge on a reliable and talented band/DJ to get the dance floor moving and bring the atmosphere to life. Bad vocals and bad music equate a disaster and your guests will head home early. Music truly is the soul of the event.
2) Place the bar in the same room as the dance floor. Guests tend to linger around the bar so if the two are together your guests will remain in the same room. If they are apart, the group will be separated.
3) Hire a lighting company to transform the room. Coloured lighting instantly changes the atmosphere and will take your guests into a whole new world. Top Tip: Use a different colour to the one used for the dinner. Give your guests a complete transformation from day to night.
4) Have your first dance at the beginning of the band's first set (or when the DJ starts), so all guests are in the room and can join you for the following songs.
5) Hire a beautiful dance floor to complement your colour scheme and design. Guests love dancing on beautiful/unique dance floors rather than the traditional wooden floors. They look great in pictures too!
6) Consider hiring a live band and a DJ. Band's are great at getting the dance floor filled but if you want to move over to today's hottest hits, or even music that's not on the band's repertoire then a DJ is a perfect fit. If this isn't possible, pop in a iPod and dance the night away to your favourite tunes.


text:
I have a fresh install of Ubuntu 10.04 Server on nodes of a computational cluster, and I access the nodes via ssh. I configured a X server, which I start with the command
startx -- -ac. The server is running fine on port :0. Then, I set the environment variable DISPLAY to :0. Now, when I run a GTK application on the node, it fails with the following error:
Error: Unable to initialize gtk, is DISPLAY set properly?
Now, my question is, is there any runtime library that I need for running GTK applications on top of a X server? I'm probably missing something obvious here, but I can't tell what :P


text:
Physical Examination and Health Assessment
Saunders, Dec 1, 1999 - Nursing assessment - 308 pages
Physical Examination and Health Assessment provides all the information necessary to conduct a holistic health assessment across the life span. The physical examination unit is organized by body system, pedagogically and clinically the most logical and efficient way to learn and perform health assessment. Each chapter has five major sections: (1) Structure and Function (A&P); (2) Subjective Data (history); (3) Objective Data (skills, expected findings, and common variations for healthy people and selected abnormal findings); (4) Abnormal Findings (illustrations of related disorders and conditions in atlas format); and (5) Application and Documentation (sample charting, clinical case studies, nursing diagnoses, and critical thinking questions tied to the Saunders video series).
From inside the book
13 pages matching ophthalmoscope in this book
Where's the rest of this book?
Results 1-3 of 13
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Common terms and phrases
abdomen abnormal adult Analysis ANNOTATED LEARNING OBJECTIVES Application to Clinical artery assessment Assign students auscultation behavior blood pressure body bowel breast breath cancer cardiac cervix changes chapter the student chest child client Cognitive Level complete Comprehension Correct Answer cranial nerve CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES cultural decreased Describe disease edema enlarged exam feel function genitalia glands health care provider health history heart sounds Homan's sign identify increased individual infant infection Inspect intercostal space interview lesions lung lymph nodes lymphatic male medications mental status mental status examination muscle neck neurologic nose nursing diagnosis nutritional nutritional assessment Obtain occurs ophthalmoscope otoscope pain palpation patient percussion PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST peripheral person physical examination posterior practitioner pregnancy problems prostate pulse Rationale rectal rectum reflex respiratory risk sclera sensory skin stethoscope symptoms THINKING EXERCISES Application tion tissue transcultural considerations vaginal venous vital signs Yes No Comments


text:
Cisco Unified Data Center IQ Contest – Time to Participate !
Think you know Cisco's Unified Data Center? Like to friendly compete with others ? Well , well ! It's about time to prove it! There are at least two ways to do that: the serious and the fun.
The Serious Way: You deploy an Unified Data Center at Work – Can it be risky? – Not really ..but check out this video anyway:
Disclosure : The numbers displayed in this video are extracted from a real case study
The Fun Way: Participate to the Unified IQ Contest!
Starting on October 1st, we give you the opportunity to test your knowledge .
A fun and easy way to play and compete with an immediate reward. During 6 weeks , we will propose every week a set of questions with multiple choices created by our genius and facetious bloggers. We will cover topics such as Unified Computing Systems, Unified Fabric, Unified Management, Desktop Virtualization, Cloud, Open Network Environment. You got the picture! The whole Cisco Unified Data Center portfolio !
Each week, you can put your knowledge to the test and earn a chance to win.. a brand new iPad! Collect points reflecting your Unified IQ! Along the way, we will add bonus questions, an opportunity to gain additional points or to catch up if you missed a week. At the end of the 6 weeks, the highest Unified Data Center IQ will be awarded a grand prize.
Wow ! What a commercial It seems that we are ready for the next superbowl !
Ok! time to action ! Go now to http:// www.facebook.com/CiscoDC to check the contest tab for terms, conditions and more information and discover when the first set of questions will be available. And by the way .. two little hints for you to be ready
-The first set of questions will be about Unified Fabric.. and more precisely about a recent announcement –
– I will send you on Monday and Tuesday a couple of tweets (@drombaut and @ciscodc) to help you – So it is time to follow these Twitter accounts!
So… are you up to the challenge ?
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


text:
Growing Shows creates live theatre, music and cultural events for Madison, Wisconsin as well as recorded video and audio programs for the wide world.
A production company decides to do a show, then finds talented people to fill positions. Growing Shows finds talented people and creates performances which uniquely and brilliantly highlights their talent.
What do you do well?


text:
© 2016 - Summit Entertainment
Running Time: 107 min.
Release Date: September 30, 2016
DVD: January 10, 2017
Blu-ray: January 10, 2017
Current rating:
based on 282 votes and 64 reviews
Rate Movie | Read all user reviews
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Dylan O'Brien, Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez
Inspiration: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
April showers bring May flowers, right? We are stoked for all the new content that...
With another big win under its belt, there's no doubt now that The Jungle Book is...
From a math genius/criminal accountant to a brave hero and a hilarious 5'3" comedian,...
Not only did The Accountant dominate the box office over the weekend, but the...


text:
Thank you for your business!
(By Paying this invoice, you are agreeing to the guidelines below)
*All media copyrights are reserved by Reel Tour Media. The media purchased may be used for the extent of the listing.
Any resale, or transfer of the images to additional agents is not prohibited. Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com for any additional information.


text:
On most nights, when Margy Agar finally falls asleep, she's curled up with her daughter's blanket. She wears her daughter's gym clothes as pajamas and her Army dog tags as a necklace.
Sometimes, when Margy wakes up, she has dreamt of her daughter's death. She thanks God it was only a dream.
Then she remembers.
War can destroy some of the nation's most promising young people -- and not always on the battlefield. Sgt. Kim Agar was a Texas beauty queen, a talented singer and a soldier who was awarded several medals. But she also was a 25-year-old woman who struggled with a traumatic brain injury, which can have lingering and even deadly effects with little outward signs of trauma.
Her experience in the war seemed to exacerbate emotional issues she'd had since adolescence. She hid her suffering from those closest to her until last October, when she took her own life.Military suicide has soared since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011, Kim was one of about 300 military suicides, according to the Department of Defense. The Pentagon has made suicide prevention a top priority, but so far has struggled to curb the problem.
Many families are left not only mourning, but also seeking to understand how and why their loved ones died. Margy, 57, has spent the last year consumed by her daughter's death.
At her Bedford apartment, Margy keeps Kim's pageant crowns on a corner table in the living room. Her formal Army dress blues hang on the door to her brother's room. Margy has plastered a large photo of her and her daughter on the divider to the kitchen.
But among the photos, scrapbooks and Army artifacts, there is another object in "Kimi's Corner" of the apartment: a thick white binder containing hundreds of pages marked with yellow highlighter.
When Margy looks at that binder, other feelings stir beneath the sorrow: Anger. Frustration. Confusion.
Her need for answers awakens a strength she didn't know she had.
Crowns for helmets
Throughout her childhood, Kim sang anywhere she could -- from nursing homes and malls to Rangers Ballpark and the White House. Her voice also opened the door for her to compete in beauty pageants.
In high school, Kim won Miss Teen Burleson, Miss Teen Parker County and Miss Teen Northeast Tarrant County. She placed 17th in the Miss Teen Texas competition.
Rebecca Robinson, who won Miss Texas in 2008, said Kim's sincerity set her apart from other girls in the pageant system. "She always had an open heart. Very, very sweet," Robinson said. "There was never a moment when she was not supportive."
But during that period, Kim's parents split up, which Margy said affected Kim for years afterward. At 16, Kim slit her wrists in front of her mother because of the divorce, Margy said. Army records indicate Kim overdosed on drugs and alcohol at 17, but Margy said she wasn't aware of this.
Kim went to Birdville High School, where she received a letter jacket for community service. After graduating in 2004, Kim attended community college. But Kim had attention deficit disorder and dyslexia, and Margy said college didn't work out for her. She worked as a waitress and a lifeguard. At 20, she was charged with a DWI, but the charges were dropped, according to the Army.
When her older brother, Stephen, joined the Air Force, Kim was inspired. In 2006, she surprised her family and friends and enlisted in the Army. She was stationed with the 104th Transportation Co. at Fort Benning in Georgia.
IED attack
In the summer of 2007, Kim was deployed to Iraq. She drove equipment across the country. Just a few months into combat, an improvised explosive device, or IED, hit Kim's truck.
Margy was told a large mushroom cloud of dust surrounded the truck. The blast broke the truck's windshield. Insurgents fired at Kim and the driver, who did the only thing they could. They kept driving through the ambush.
After the attack, Kim was diagnosed with a concussion, hearing loss and insomnia, according to Margy and Army records. "They were very lucky they didn't die," Margy said. "But I look back and think it was a slow death."
While Kim was overseas, Margy lived for short, middle-of-the-night phone calls. The pair also chatted on Facebook. Margy knew her daughter was in a military mood when she called her "Mom" and a girly mood when she called her "Mama." She knew she'd made her daughter laugh when Kim called her a "dork."
But Margy didn't know that her daughter was struggling, and didn't find out about her daughter's injuries until Kim returned from Iraq in the fall of 2008. "I felt like if she wanted to say anything about the war, she would say it," she said. "I didn't want to ask her."
Dream to nightmare
By 2011, Kim was deployed to Germany. There, she decided to audition for the U.S. Army Europe Band & Chorus. On the final night of a 30-day audition, Margy paced around her apartment at 3 a.m. When Kim called to say she had made it, they both screamed for joy. Kim danced around her room. Margy cried happy tears.
As part of the chorus, Kim traveled across Europe. She sang for dignitaries like the British royal family. Kim said she was living her dream.
But she was also dealing with lingering effects from the IED attack. She suffered from headaches that nauseated her. Her ears rang constantly. Her high school years became a blur. She told her mom she felt like she was losing her mind.
Margy urged her to see a doctor. In May 2011, Kim was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, a signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Margy says the brain injury affected Kim's ability to hear music and sing on key. Margy believes some members of the chorus made fun of Kim because of it -- she even uses the term "bullying." Army records indicate that Kim had a conflict with a colleague.
"Somewhere along the way," Margy said, "her dream [turned] into a nightmare."
The knock on the door
Once Kim had left the combat zone, Margy thought she had been saved from something she feared the most -- hearing the knock on the door.
But for several years, Kim had been battling mental health issues, including depression and adjustment disorder, an extreme or excessive response to a particular event.
In Iraq, Kim had cut herself to help deal with the stress of combat. At the time, Kim explained that she used drugs and alcohol, and cut herself, as coping mechanisms, according to Army records.But after she left Iraq, Kim no longer reported depression or anxiety, according to the Army. As late as July 2011, her records showed no symptoms. Then, in August 2011, while still living in Germany, Kim slipped into a particularly difficult bout with depression.
On Sept. 6, 2011, a member of the chorus criticized Kim's singing. Kim had previously used criticism as motivation for improvement, but this time, she feared she would be removed from the chorus, Army records state. Kim texted a friend, saying, "I screwed up today." That night, Kim was found in her room with cuts on her arm, towels on the floor and sad music playing. She was taken to the hospital to recover.
About a week later, Kim was released with orders to attend therapy. Her Army supervisors put her on a 48-hour suicide watch and she was not left alone during that time, Army records state. When she returned to the chorus, Kim asked to be moved into a new room in her barracks, where Margy says she did not have a roommate and was on an isolated floor.
For the next two weeks, band members and leaders checked on Kim regularly. Kim also went to counseling. The Army says she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, marked by unstable self-image and relationships, impulsivity and suicidal behavior. Margy believes a more accurate diagnosis would have been post-traumatic stress disorder.
It's unclear whether Kim was supposed to be on a 24/7 suicide watch during this period in late September. Based on a criminal investigation report on Kim's death, Margy believes that Kim's doctor recommended a continuous watch because he feared she might relapse.
But in an interview last week, a U.S. Army Europe spokesman said Kim was under no suicide watch beyond the initial 48 hours.
Other Army records make a reference to allegations that a caseworker took Kim off suicide watch without her doctor's consent. The caseworker retired immediately after Kim's death, and the investigator could not find her to interview her. But based on other interviews, the investigator concluded that she had not violated medical orders, the Army spokesman said.
By the last weekend of September 2011, Kim was no longer on a suicide watch and her colleagues were no longer checking on her regularly.
On Friday, Sept. 30, the female soldiers in the chorus got into an argument about one of their colleagues, who was not there at the time. A sergeant decided to resolve it after the weekend. On Monday, Oct. 3, Kim did not report for formation or show up to her scheduled therapy appointment. She was found dead in her room.
That same day, thousands of miles away in the United States, Margy was at a friend's house when her son Chris called her to say there were two soldiers at their door. Once on the road, she called Chris back. He told her one of the soldiers was wearing a chaplain's collar. In hysterics, she pulled over. Police drove her home.
Her ex-husband and two sons were waiting for her. The soldiers took the parents upstairs and broke the news. "I just knew," Margy said. "I knew what the first words were: 'On behalf ...' "
Five days later, on Chris' 21st birthday, Kim came home in a flag-draped casket.
Sitting on her couch, Margy pores over the thick, white binder that contains the Army's investigation into Kim's death. Her short, gray hair is curled. She wears a pin for Gold Star Moms, mothers who have lost a child in the military.
Margy used to be a teacher and later handled claims in personal auto insurance. Now, she suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She lives on disability payments for her depression, as well as problems with her knees, back and neck.
She tucks her knees into her chest and wraps her arms close to her. Small and fragile, she cannot talk about Kim for long without crying.
She's still learning how to talk about Kim's death.
"To say, 'My daughter died from suicide,' is hard because of the stigma," Margy said. "It's hard for me. It's hard for any member of my family to say how she died."
But Margy is also drawing strength from her pain and becoming an advocate for military families.
"Once my children became soldiers," she said, "all soldiers became my children."
She wants to combat the stigma of suicide and support other families left behind. She hopes raising awareness about military suicide will be Kim's legacy.
Military suicides nearly doubled from 2001 to 2011. The average number of suicides has been 300 per year since 2009. That spike can be attributed almost entirely to a soaring suicide rate in the Army, which is the largest service branch. In 2001, Army suicides made up about a third of the military's total. By 2011, they made up more than half. Rates in other branches have remained relatively stable or even decreased since the beginning of the wars, according to Department of Defense statistics.
And traumatic brain injury diagnoses have increased threefold since the beginning of the wars. People with traumatic brain injuries are 1.5 times more likely than healthy people to die from suicide, according to a report by the Center for a New American Security, an independent nonprofit that develops national security and defense policies.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Defense said the Pentagon increased behavioral health care providers by 35 percent over the past three years, and undertook the largest study of mental health risk conducted by military personnel. It has also worked to improve early detection of traumatic brain injuries, but it has struggled to find an effective treatment for mild cases, which often go undetected.
But some, like Margy, wonder whether the military is doing enough to help its soldiers. She has questions. Lots of questions. And she asks them to anyone in the military who will listen.Why did the Army allow Kim to move to a single room after her Sept. 6 suicide attempt? Why didn't the Army notify Margy of that attempt? Why was Kim allegedly taken off suicide watch? Why didn't the Army medically discharge her? What happened on that Friday to make Kim dread going to work on Monday?
"Most people, when they're laid in the ground, everything is laid to rest," Margy said. "When she was laid to the ground, everything blew up."
The U.S. Army Europe spokesman said the investigating officer found that while Kim's death was "aggravated" by her military service, the band "exercised due diligence" in caring for her after her Sept. 6 suicide attempt. The Dallas Morning News' request for interviews with senior leaders in the U.S. Army Europe Band & Chorus was denied.
Margy believes the Army could have done more to prevent Kim's death. Sometimes, she also questions her culpability. "My heart is telling me I didn't protect her," she said.
Channeling her grief
In "Kimi's Corner" of the apartment, Margy looks at the Purple Heart and sees everything her daughter accomplished. She feels proud.
But the medal also represents all Margy has done to honor Kim in the last year. Margy worked to reinstate Kim's combat action badge, which she says was revoked because of paperwork thrown away. She raised money to create a Miss Texas community service award in Kim's name.
She also made sure Kim was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for her injuries from the IED attack. Just last year, the Department of Defense clarified that brain injuries must be caused in combat and severe enough to require medical treatment to be eligible for the award.
On July 4, when the Purple Heart was presented at the Miss Texas pageant in Allen, Margy had achieved everything she had promised Kim.
Margy walked on stage with Kim's father. She wore a plastic button with photos of Kim, pinned to her floor-length gown. The crowd gave the parents a standing ovation.
A sergeant presented them with the medal, as well as a Purple Heart pin. The crowd fell silent.As Margy stood in her daughter's place, she held back her tears.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: a 24/7 tragedy assistance service that provides immediate and long-term help to those grieving the loss of a loved one in the military. For more information, visit www.taps.org or call 1-800-959-8277.
American Gold Star Mothers: an organization of mothers who have lost children in the military. For more information, visit www.goldstarmoms.com or call 202-265-0991.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Veterans Crisis Line. 1-800-273-8255.
America's Mighty Warriors: an organization founded by a Gold Star Mom that is accepting donations to help and comfort military families, especially those who have lost loved ones in the wars. For more information or to donate, go to www.americasmightywarriors.org
'Private Battles' for your eReader
Our ebook, Private Battles, offers insight into real families and how they survive wartime and its repercussions. Available for $2.99 for Kindle, Nook and other eReaders.


text:
The Sunday, October 29th Podcast HR 1 of HomeShow Radio and Early Edition with Charlie Moger and Tom Tynan. If you would like to listen again, just click on the player. Tom takes your questions & gives his best advice. You may also listen 24/7 on your smart phone. Click on the LISTEN tab then Tom's picture.
Podcast: Play in new window


text:
I happened upon this recipe in an Eatingwell.com email. The original recipe calls for dried cherries, but I didn't have any so I subbed dried cranberries instead. This recipe screamed "Christmas cookie" to me, so I knew that I had to include it in my "Cookie-A-Day" series. This recipe is full of healthy ingredients – almonds, canola oil, dried fruit. So, you can feel good about treating yourself to one of these cookies and these cookies ROCK! I was so pleasantly surprised when I tasted these. Jon was adamant about not trying them because he doesn't like dried fruit. Well, they smelled so good he asked to try one. He ended up eating three & saying he loved them! They are really good warm. I couldn't convert Hannah, but that is okay, this only made 20 cookies, so more for us! 😉
Almond Cranberry Bites
- 1/3 cup whole almonds (I used Trader Joe's raw almonds
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
- 2/3 cup gluten-free flour mix (I used Carol's sorghum mix)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 large egg white
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or finely chopped dark and/or white chocolate, for decoration (optional- I opted not to add this)
1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Grind raw almonds & sugar in a food processor until you have the desired texture; the finer the texture, the more intense the almond flavor & less crunch from the almond. Be careful not to turn the almonds into paste. Transfer mix to large bowl & mix in flour & cranberries.
3. Add egg white, oil, vanilla & almond extracts. Mix until well incorporated.
4. Shape dough into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottom is slightly brown; the tops will not brown.
5. Transfer to a wire rack & cool completely.
6. Optional- melt chocolate & drizzle over cookies with a fork. Let stand until chocolate sets.
1. This is another mix where a GF flour mix without baking soda, baking powder & xanthan gum are not needed. I am not sure how the cookies would turn out if you were to use a mix with those added in.
2. The chocolate melted on top is not necessary, in my opinion and you all know how much I love my chocolate.
These are now going to become a holiday staple in our house. You can freeze these for up to 3 months. They have about 75 calories per cookie (recipe made 20 cookies).
In case you missed this: College Inn has recalled some chicken broth for undeclared wheat. You can read more about it here.
Filed under: Family, Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free Recipes |


text:
35x65 Sq ft Plot #315, C-Block, Wapda town Islamabad. Located at the picturesque view. Best Returns on investment. Ripe time for massive investment.Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries or would like an inspection
Read More...
Sajjad Khan
Business Name:
Property Address:
Wapda Town, Islamabad
Office Address:
Wapda Town Block A, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
|Property ID: 1774
|Type: Plot
|Status: Sell


text:
One of those Chinese loan sharks — who collectively hold at least $470 billion — was operating a massize ponzi scheme worth up to $1 billion, according to Caixin Century Magazine (via @chinahearsay).
The lender, a Mongolian woman named Tuya, had worked with three clerks at Bank of China. She would solicit deposits for the bank, and in exchange they would let her use the money for speculative investments in property and mines.
Their scheme unraveled when the bank noticed money missing from over 40 savings accounts and promptly fired the three clerks.
Tuya and the clerks responded by kidnapping the wife of the local branch chief and demanding $31 million plus the reinstatement of the clerks.
When police rescued the wife, everything came undone.
This all took place near the famous Chinese ghost city of Ordos, which is presumably the kind of thing Tuya was investing in. How much of the underground banking system is this shady?


text:
Salut, and a very warm welcome to our expat community here in Lille in the north of France! InterNations is a network for expatriates around the globe to share tips and advice on living and working abroad, and to meet new people. Members of our Lille Community will be happy to help you with any questions you might have, whether you're considering making a move or are already living and working in the city and need some other advice. You may be wondering "how can I get covered for health insurance if I'm living in France without an EU passport?" or "what is the cost of living in Lille compared to Paris?". Whatever you need to know, our members are always happy to help, so you'll find yourself getting settled and starting your new life in France in no time.
With InterNations, you never stand alone. Whether you move to another city or go on a business trip somewhere — our communities are there to make you feel at home wherever you are in the world. Feel free to also check out our other vibrant InterNations Communities like the ones in Khobar (Eastern Prov.) or Jeddah.
Attend our monthly events and activities for Lille expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Get trustworthy advice and local insights from fellow members in our Lille expat forums.
Lille may not be one of the best-known of France's major cities, but there's no question that it can rival the best of anything Bordeaux, Marseille or even Paris have to offer. Post-industrial regeneration, along with superb transport links thanks to the Eurostar, has given a once-bleak town a new lease of life. Visitors can now expect to find stunning cuisine, great museums and galleries, and all of the best that France has to offer without the inconvenience of life in the south or the expense of Paris. A vibrant and transforming economy has helped attract expatriates from all over the world, who are coming for plenty of reasons besides just work.
InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities across the globe. Get to know fellow internationals in your city, before you're moving, or when traveling somewhere and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.
As well as being knowledgeable and experienced, our members have gone through an approval process first to give you the best experience possible when interacting with the group or asking for advice. Once you've joined and made a few posts in our forum, had some of your questions answered, and connected with people online, you can also take things a step further — our members organize a wide range of offline activities and are always delighted to meet new members, whether it's sporting activities or something a little more cerebral you're after. Our larger, official events in Lille always attract huge interest, too, so be careful you don't miss them!


text:
UCLA alumnus Barry Saywitz played host to the Orange County Bruin Bash at his Newport Beach home on Saturday, helping his alma mater raise more than $54,000 for the Wooden Athletic Fund.
The fund generates financial support to help more than 700 student-athletes at UCLA.
Special guests at the fundraiser included former UCLA standouts, Rafer Johnson, a gold medalist in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Keith Erickson, who won two NCAA men's basketball titles under Coach John Wooden and went on to play in the NBA, DeShaun Foster, a former NFL running back, Toby Bailey and Tyus Edney, members of UCLA's last NCAA championship basketball team in 1995, Lisa Longaker, a three-time All-American softball player, who led the Bruins to three straight NCAA titles, Sinjin Smith, who led the UCLA men's volleyball team to two NCAA titles, Nellie Spicer, a member of the U.S women's national volleyball team, Kiki Vandeweghe, a former NBA player and general manager, and Jamaal Wilkes, who won four NBA titles, three with the Los Angeles Lakers.
UCLA coaches also attended the event, including men's basketball coach Ben Howland, who led the Bruins to three straight Final Four appearances from 2006-08, women's basketball coach Cori Close, head women's golf coach Carrie Forsythe, and football defensive coordinator Lou Spanos.
— From staff reports


text:
Coherent's PowerLine structured light laser is a line generator developed for demanding industrial machine vision and scientific applications.
Bridging the power gap between the popular SNF and Magnum series lasers, this thermoelectrically cooled device is able to emit uniform laser lines at high powers. With exceptional beam pointing and focusing stabilities, the PowerLine laser can be operated in extreme environments ranging from -20°C to +55°C. The laser beam can be modulated by an external signal through a DB-9 connector on the back panel and all models can operate in either CW or external modulation mode. The laser is protected against over-voltage, reverse polarity of the power supply, over-temperature, and ESD.
Please Read Before Continuing
Risk factors: Except for the historical information contained here, many of the matters discussed in this Web site are forward-looking statements, based on expectations at the time they were made, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks are detailed in the "Factors That May Affect Future Results" section of our latest 10-K or 10-Q filing. Coherent assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
I have read the terms and conditions


text:
How to Setup iTunes for iPad
iTunes comes on your iPad, and it helps organize media — music, movies, audiobooks, podcasts, and such. Install iTunes on your computer, and use it to sync (transfer) downloaded content to your iPad. You can also use iTunes to sync your contact data, appointments, e-mail messages, notes, photos, bookmarks, and computer apps on your computer with your iPad.
Setup the iTunes app on your computer so that it syncs only the stuff you want transferred from your computer to your iPad.
1Open your iTunes software.
On a Windows computer, choose Start→All Programs→iTunes; on a Mac, click the iTunes icon in the Dock. iTunes opens and your iPad is listed in the Devices section of the Source List on the left.
2Click on your iPad in the Devices list on the left.
A series of tabs displays. The settings on each tab allow you to select the kind of content you want to download and whether you want to download it automatically (when you sync) or manually.
3Click each tab and make your selections from the settings options that appear.
On the Summary tab, you can select when updates to the iPad software occur, and set general syncing options. On the Info tab, select whether to sync Contacts, Calendars, E-mail, Bookmarks, or Notes. On the Apps tab, select which computer applications want synched to your iPad.
The Music tab controls which music is synched. The Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, and Books tabs work similarly. On the Photos tab, you can specify which photo folders are synched to your iPad.
4After making selections, click the Sync button.
You'll find the Sync button in the bottom right corner of the window. When you click it, the specified files are synched (transferred) from your computer to the iPad.


text:
Where's the Fun in Cruising?by Kuki, CruiseMates Cruise Director
When Mrs. Kuki and I first got married I promised her a cruise after our first 10 years of wonderful wedded bliss. When our 10th wedding anniversary finally arrived she hinted about going someplace she had never been before. I said "how about the kitchen?" Well, I found out my sick sense of humor would only get me so far.
"What about that cruise you promised me after we'd been happily married for 10 years?" she asked me. "The key word in that question is 'happily'," I said, and yes, I got slapped.
And it was all just an excuse, a typical avoidance technique by someone who had never cruised and was afraid to "take the plunge," so to speak. What was I worried about? I'll tell you. I thought I would be bored silly!
And I couldn't have been more wrong. On today's cruise ships there are activities to keep you happy from waking to waning. You can begin your day with a work out in a fully equipped gym, or you can take a few turns around the jogging track. Okay, I normally begin with a jog around the breakfast buffet, but I do load extra food into my shorts to add a degree of difficulty.
The key to enjoying your shipboard activities is to plan ahead. The very first time you enter your cabin, on the first day of your cruise, there will be a ship's newsletter waiting for you. These are delivered to your cabin daily, and they list all the activities scheduled for that particular day.
Depending on your ship, the choice of activities can vary from scuba off the swim platform on the Seabourn Spirit to rock climbing or ice skating on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. Many ships feature guest lecturers (usually on such itineraries as Alaska, the Panama Canal or Europe) to fill you in on the areas you're visiting. Most ships have a library, and many ships offer full-screen movies in a theater. There are many ships with Internet cafes and computers on board where you can take computer classes.
Here are some of the shipboard options the major cruise lines use to fill your days at sea.
- Common to all of the major cruise lines is a nightly showroom entertainment featuring "Vegas style" production shows, some headline entertainers, comedians, magicians etc.
- Casino gaming is standard on most ships, other than those too small to dedicate an area to them (the exception being Disney Cruise Lines and those that only sail in waters where gambling is illegal -- American Hawaii). Ship casinos typically offer table games such as Blackjack, lots of slot machines, and usually one craps table and one roulette wheel.
- Daily Bingo games are available everywhere, with some of the cruise lines featuring snow ball jackpots which build until the last night of the cruise -- I've seen people win as much as $8000. On Carnival ships the grand prize for the final night of bingo is usually a free seven-day cruise for two.
- Art auctions can be found on most ships. I see a lot of people attending these auctions, so they must be pretty popular, though it's not my personal cup of tea. I've often thought if I could get the list of people who actually purchase art at these auctions I could probably sell them a lot of other useless stuff.
- Some ships present passenger talent shows. Auditions are held to choose the participants, and the show is generally pretty well attended. I've seen some wonderful talent at these shows and I've witnessed some acts that should have stayed in the shower, behind closed doors.
Each cruise line has its version of different passenger participation games. One of everyone's top favorites seems to be the Newly Wed/ Not so Newly Game. Here the Cruise Director will get four volunteer couples from the audience, ask them semi-embarrassing questions, and let the laughs fall where they may.
Carnival's first night's "Welcome Aboard Show" features their signature "Bed Time Story" where the Cruise Staff works hard to get passengers involved. On sea days they also feature many different poolside games which run the gamut from odd relay races, to "hairy legs" and "belly flop" contests.
Royal Caribbean has their signature evening game for passengers, "Novel Quest" which draws huge crowds when it's held. And why not? It's fun to watch people willingly embarrass themselves in front of a crowd. I really enjoy myself, as I seem to fit in anywhere people are acting like fools.
Horseracing is another fairly common activity on cruise ships. No, no one actually has horses running around the ship. They use small cutouts of horses, normally placed on a pole or stand, and the movement of the horses is decided with throws of the dice. The races feature paramutual wagering, in most cases just a dollar or two per bet, so they're really just for fun.
On Caribbean cruises Royal Caribbean takes horse racing a step further. They auction off the horses near the beginning of the cruise, and let things build towards the owner's race near the end of the cruise. I've seen horses sell for everywhere between $15 to $600. The money raised at the auction goes to the "owners" of the horse who wins the Owner's Derby. Passengers are encouraged to form consortiums to purchase the horses, and then they are given possession of the ponies for the remainder of the week. They name and decorate their ponies, and parade them around the ship during the cruise. I've always found this to be great fun, and highly recommend making a purchase on your next RCI cruise. I know many loyal RCI cruisers who have their horse decorating packages ready for their next cruise along with their cruise wear. I'm one of them. I have my Kuki-moose antlers ready.
These are just a few samples of shipboard activities. There are also trivia contests, bridge tournaments, golf tournaments, pool games like basketball and volleyball, sing along piano bars... the list goes on and on! So, if you have never taken a cruise all I can say is "Follow your dream!" unless it's the one where you're sitting in your office in your underwear. Bored? NO WAY! Trust Kuki. It ain't going to happen!


text:
Par Animation6b le 7 Juillet 2016 à 14:46
Today, it will be possible for animation artists to pickup the skills of these trade without going to a special school to examine animation. There are several great books that teach animation techniques for example Richard William's The Animator's Survival Kit. By using the instructions of these books, you'll be able to conceivably teach yourself the actual process of animated film making. Using home instruction idea even one step further, some books have become designed with CDs and DVDs.
The very best talents in animation realize that almost always there is more to understand. In a healthy career, we do not reach a place when we throw our books or our tools away. We need them too much. Our journeys are no longer once we stop, not whenever we think we've learned all there is to know.
So, if books play this important part in our learning and development, why the necessity to sign up for an animation school? Why should one put in the time and expense needed to get yourself a degree in animation from one of the fine schools? It might be hard to make a filed when a degree means under it will from the animation industry. In terms of locating a job, talent, enthusiasm and relationship all take precedence over that you got your degree.
Why should you go To college?
Yet, prior to the institution recruiters faint in shock, I'd like to make the case for planning to school. While so there are several great books teaching ale animation, a book cannot critique your projects. It does not take trained eye which will help advance your skill by leaps and bounds. With all the structure furnished by teachers, assignments and grades, the availability of equipment, as well as the inspiration offered by peers, you've got the best shot at understanding the animation arts.
Learning the animation arts is a discipline. It's not always fun. At school (or while at work), we aren't always drawing what we're comfortable drawing. Were pushed to look beyond that which you could or would be doing if left to own devices.
Perhaps, above all, animation schools employ teachers which can be doing work in their field. Although this does not automatically make them great teachers, it can help students have the opportunity to make those first vital connections they'll need if they are to get rid of in to the industry.
I really hope you've enjoyed this article and learned something from that.
5 commentaires
Suivre le flux RSS des articles de cette rubrique
Suivre le flux RSS des commentaires de cette rubrique


text:
Schooled: Chanuncy Billups Does An Inbound Pass Off Kobe Bryant's Back!
Chauncey Billups inbound pass off Kobe's back to get a layup *Lakers vs Nuggets Game 2 NBA *Tie 1-1
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Spreading the Health: Robin Sidman Organ 95
Robin Sidman Organ '95 is creating healthy learning environments for children, one school at a time. by Khrista Trerotola '07
"What's she's creating now," says Linda Salamone, "will be with people forever — and she's just on the tip of the iceberg."
Salamone is talking about Robin Sidman Organ '95, and what Robin is creating is healthier learning environments for Boston-area students and teachers. Salamone, a nurse and health educator with Robin's newly founded nonprofit organization, Greenschools, is helping her accomplish that.
In June 2002, after teaching English, drama, and public speaking since graduation and having two children with her husband, Greg Organ, Robin found herself becoming hypersensitive to almost everything — pets, trees, mold, dust, many foods and chemicals, even her own bed. And her two young daughters were suffering from similar problems. After numerous rounds of testing — skin tests, blood tests, and food intake monitoring — Robin and her daughters identified their allergies. "Now we have answers," says Robin, "and know how to keep our immune systems strong."
Robin decided to educate others and help create healthy places for all children. "She could have stopped after creating a healthy environment for her own family," Salamone points out, "and it would have been much easier. But she didn't. She's educating people to save their lives."
At first Robin started a local TPED (the Project to End Disease) chapter in her Boston suburb, educating people to take control of their own health. TPED teaches the concept of "two causes of one disease," as explained in Never Be Sick Again, a book by Raymond Francis with Kester Cotton. Robin wanted to involve children more, but TPED said it would be unable to focus on children for a few years. So last July, Robin took it upon herself — and started Greenschools.
A big chunk of children's lives is spent in school, and school environments can have a huge impact on kids' health. Greenschools aims to make schools less toxic and more conducive to good health. "Robin's an advocate for our little guys who have no say about the environment they're in," Salamone says.
The program looks not only at the physical space, but also at individuals' bodies as environments to be cared for. Greenschools specifically addresses issues relating to indoor air quality, healthy food habits and nutrition, reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling. Going green and creating a healthy environment simply go together. Harsh cleaning chemicals get into our water and then into our bodies. And those chemicals cause allergic reactions. So why use them?
Creating a healthy school, says Robin, is looking at "all aspects that touch the lives of the kids and adults in the building — indoor air quality, cleaning, eliminating waste. Rather than having separate initiatives, like recycling and nutrition, we make the connection."
Greenschools provides initial consultations, and then will create a plan — sometimes over the course of two or three years — catering to the school's specific goals. Services include educating staff on healthier cleaning products, teaching kids how to pack a waste-free lunch, speaking at PTA meetings about creating a healthy home, presenting to an auditorium of students about healthy and green choices, and helping high schoolers create an eco-friendly fashion show.
"To make it an initiative," Robin says, "you have to touch everyone" — not just administrators, but faculty, students, and parents as well. "One-time public speaking just doesn't do it."
"I never thought I would draw this much on my Ithaca background," says Robin, who majored in speech communication and teacher education and minored in English. "What I'm doing now is 100 percent based on my experience there. Ithaca gave me confidence, public speaking skills, and communication and education training. And I've always had this environmentally-conscious drive."
Speech communication professors Laurie Arliss and Bruce Henderson stand out in her mind. Henderson pushed her to perform out of her comfort zone. And as adviser, mentor, and professor, Arliss showed Robin how her dual majors, combined with electives such as drama and public speaking, would serve well in reaching her goal of teaching English.
"Greenschools," says Robin, "is the culmination of [my training in] speech communication and education, directing plays, getting sick, and being a parent of two young children who have suffered."
Other Ithaca alumni play a role in Greenschools: Chris Temper '95 assists with the nonprofit's video production as a freelancer; and for its first fund-raising gala, Caryn Sowa '88, a regular volunteer with Greenschools, helped Robin plan the event, Chris Simpson '96 deejayed, and Jen Mastafiak Caron '95 created and donated pottery for an auction.
Greenschools is currently establishing chapters across the nation. The organization is obviously filling a need: "It took off faster than we were expecting," Robin says.
"Robin has a true passion for teaching others about the environment and how it can severely affect one's health," says Christine Mader, vice president of Greenschools. "There's a tremendous need to make the public aware of what's in the food we eat and air we breathe, and the ways we are adding to the destruction of our planet. Robin's mission needs to be embraced for the benefit of all."
"The more people she reaches, the more energy she seems to have," Salamone adds. "It just fuels her. Even when she's wiped out."


text:
WASHINGTON — Security at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was bolstered and some staff members were being moved out of Iraq's capital city as it was threatened by the advance of an al-Qaida inspired insurgency, a State Department spokeswoman said Sunday.
WASHINGTON — Security at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was bolstered and some staff members were being moved out of Iraq's capital city as it was threatened by the advance of an al-Qaida inspired insurgency, a State Department spokeswoman said Sunday.
Jen Psaki said in a statement that much of U.S. embassy staff will stay in place even as parts of the country experience instability and violence. She did not say the number of personnel affected. The embassy is within Baghdad's Green Zone. It has about 5,000 personnel, making it the largest U.S. diplomatic post in the world.
"Overall, a substantial majority of the U.S. Embassy presence in Iraq will remain in place and the embassy will be fully equipped to carry out its national security mission," she said.
Some embassy staff members have been temporarily moved elsewhere to more stable places at consulates in Basra in the Shiite-dominated south of Iraq and Irbil in the Kurdish semi-autonomous region in northeastern Iraq and to Jordan, she said.
U.S. travelers in the country were encouraged to avoid all by essential travel and exercise great caution.
The State Department issued a travel warning for Iraq Sunday night that cautioned U.S. citizens to avoid "all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation."
"U.S. citizens in Iraq remain at high risk for kidnapping and terrorist violence," the travel warning said. The warning said that certain areas of Iraq are more dangerous than others, such as areas north of Baghdad and near the Syrian, Turkish or Iranian borders. Violence in many regions of the country is as intense as it's been since 2007, the warning said.
It warned of the dangers of a variety of improvised explosive devices, mines placed on or concealed near roads, mortars and rockets, and shootings using various direct-fire weapons. The attacks "often occur in public gathering places," the warning said.
Psaki said the movement of embassy personnel will cause the embassy to be "restricted in its ability to offer all consular services; but emergency services are always available to U.S. citizens in need at any embassy or consulate anywhere in the world."
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement that a "small number" of military personnel are helping to keep State Department facilities safe in Baghdad. He said embassy personnel are being moved by commercial, charter and State Department aircraft. But, Kirby says, the U.S. military has "airlift assets at the ready" should the State Department request them. A U.S. military official said about 100 Marines and Army soldiers have been sent to Baghdad to help with embassy security.
The State Department acted as the Iraqi government sought to bolster its defenses in Baghdad on Sunday. Despite the added security, a string of explosions killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 30 in the city, police and hospital officials said. And, an Islamic militant group behind the strife. the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL, posted graphic photos that appeared to show its fighters massacring dozens of captured Iraqi soldiers.
U.S. State Department spokesman Jen Psaki said the ISIL militants' claim of killing the Iraqi troops "is horrifying and a true depiction of the bloodlust that those terrorists represent."
She added that a claim that 1,700 were killed could not be confirmed by the U.S.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama on Sunday was briefed on the situation by National Security Adviser Susan Rice as he was spending Father's Day in Rancho Mirage, California.
Secretary of State John Kerry made calls to foreign ministers in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to discuss the threat and the need for Iraqi leaders to work together.
Earlier Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki cannot keep his country together, and a U.S. alliance with Iran might be needed to do so.
Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said a U.S. partnership with longtime foe Iran makes him uncomfortable but likened it to the United States working with Josef Stalin in World War II against Adolf Hitler. He says the United States has to do what it can to keep Baghdad from falling to insurgents.
An al-Qaida splinter group surprised Western intelligence organizations last week and took control at least two major Iraqi cities. Iran says it has no interest in a destabilized Iraq as its neighbor.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the USS George H.W. Bush from the northern Arabian Sea and it has arrived in the Persian Gulf as President Barack Obama considers possible military options for Iraq — although he has ruled out the possibility of putting American troops on the ground in Iraq. Kirby has said the move will give Obama additional flexibility if military action were required to protect American citizens and interests in Iraq.
Graham spoke to CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS' "Face the Nation."
Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Rancho Mirage, California, Lolita Baldor and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.