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Ford Windstar Problems
dtrader Posts: 1A while back the battery died on our 2000 Windstar. After recharging, everything seemed fine except now the TRAC OFF and ABS lights stay on. There does not appear to be any obvious problems (noises, leaks, etc) before or after the battery incident. We've been just ignoring the lights.
I hate to take it to Ford if there is instead a way to simply reset the idiot lights. Or should this be something to worry about?
dchalk Posts: 3I can open door manually but not with overhead button or FOB. Once DS sliding door is open, I can close with FOB or overhead button. PS slider works fine.
Any suggestions or cures?0
Our 98 Windstar has about 110+ miles. The problem is when I slow down and stop at a red light...the van just putters out! I have to quickly put it in park then restart. Thank goodness I made it home. I did start putting it in neutral when I had to make a stop, then put it in drive when the traffic started moving. I just kept on giving it a little gas to keep the rpm's up. We just put a new battery in it last month. (We've did a new transmission at 68+) PLEASE if anyone could help troubleshoot it would be great before I take it into be repaired!!!!!!!0
Our 98 Windstar has 110+ miles and we have just started having the same problems with our rear ac too. The front ac is fine. The back blows out hot air, which is fine in the winter...but not now when it's only June and 90!!!!0
rugmankc Posts: 133There is a TSB on this. The computer may need reprogrammed at dealer or the Throttle Positioning Sensor (TSP) replaced. I am pretty sure that is what they did to mine. Not hard to do yourself. Do some research. I can dig through my maintenance papers, if needed, to make sure that it was the TSP.
Good Luck0
dmain37 Posts: 1I have a 1998 Windstar with the same issue. I just replaced (inaccurately!, $25.00 at the DEALER) the Center console switch that sends air to A/C, Vent, Defroster, etc. I did this because I pulled the vacuum plug end loose from the rear of the switch and heard it gurgle, then re connected and suddenly got cool air out of the ceiling vents. Then it went right back to hot air out of the floor. I then pulled the dual vacuum line off of the Right console switch that changes Cool to the left position/ Hot on the right position for the REAR A/C. Only the BLACK line has constant vacuum, the WHITE line does nothing on its own. I opened the switch up to find a small green diaphram type valve with two tiny holes that match up to the tubing openings. It was very gummy and was sort of pinched up onto itself. I lubricated it lightly with PAM to make it elastic again. Unfortunately, I could not make it work. BUT, I did take a small piece of rubber fuel line tubing and held it in a "U" shape, connecting the BLACK and WHITE lines and VOILA, the door shifted in the wall and COLD air started coming out of the ceiling vents. At least I know what needs to be replaced, just not the cost. I do like the last post about zip tying the door in place to force the use of the ceiling vents all of the time. I have not investigated how to get to it, so if you have the info..... :-)0
rmm1717 Posts: 1My passenger side window also doesn't go down. I think we are pretty lucky with our 95 windstar for the most part. We didn't have that gasket problem. We only have 90K on ours, and there are other minor problems too.0
thewoj Posts: 1I have a 1998 Windstar and have the same issue. The inside car lights will not go off (I had to disconnect the bulbs) and also the doors will not lock automatically when the car has been moving.
I have no idea where the mechanism is that detects whether or not the rear gate is open.
Did you ever find an answer to your rear gate problem?0
forddeathstar Posts: 2I have the exact same problem on a 2000 as of 1 hour ago! Someone please help us.0
windstarmarco Posts: 6The rear gate has two switches!
They are located in the lock mechanism at the left and right side of the rear gate.
Just spray WD40 in and open-close-open-close....
Thats really the only way it works.0
mikibee Posts: 1My 1998 Ford windstar Passenger window stopped working about a year ago as well. I'd be interested in this reply too.
lukec Posts: 3I own a 1996 windstar mini van & have the same passenger window problem.
Please let me know how to correct it when you find out?
Luke :mad:0
I have two problems with my windstar, the first is the back power vents do not work. and the second is the cruse control works only when it wants to.
according to the owners book the fuse is the same as the radio for the vents.
and becous the cruse works once and awhile I am not shure what to look at
any help would be appreciated.
(tbar1) :confuse: ">0
I have two problems with my windstar, the first is the back power vents do not work. and the second is the cruse control works only when it wants to.
according to the owners book the fuse is the same as the radio for the vents.
and becous the cruse works once and awhile I am not shure what to look at
any help would be appreciated.
(tbar1) :confuse: [email protected]0
matt633 Posts: 1I have a 96 windstar GL. the problems are as follows # 1 the battery light indicator came on the dashboard/ why and what to do?
#2 the rear windows aren't working, I press the vent buttons but nothing happens.
Why and what to do ? and # 3 my horn stopped working. why and what to do ? .
however these problems did not happen all at once its just that i came across this site, and figuered might as well kill 3 birds with 1 stone if at all possible. i am mechanically inclined so if you tell me what to do , i should be able to get it corrected.0
lakemen Posts: 2To get to the Mechanical lever to the door for switching from vent floor to ceiling vents you have to take off the side panel which the rear fan swicth and head phone jacks located on it, Inside you will see the blower motor and door. simply find the lever to the door and zip tie into the position for the ceiling vents.0
kimjo48 Posts: 1Took my car to have it emissions tested. Never had a problem until they were done. I passed but my car would not start up again. It would turn over but it would not start. It was like you put in bad gas or something. It would keep spitting. After it sat for a while it started up and drove it home with no problems. Happened again a month later on vacation. Tried to get it started for an hour and had to have it towed. It kept spitting again. Would give it gas and it would stall. After they towed it, it started right up. They hooked it up to computer and said all was fine. Checked fuel pump and all was fine. Happened again this month. Took it to Ford and they said it might be fuel pump,maybe needs a new battery and the bill would be 1300.00. Has anyone had this problem before? Thanks - hopeful0
i just bought my 98 windstar 3 mos ago and within a week it did the same thing...the door light stayed on and it ding ding dinged....the next day i sprayed wd40 on all the metal round things on the door jams.....the tail gate may have on too...look for the metal on metal contacts on any door jam...(open the doors and look)....prob cured so far and its been almost 3 mos...what other problems did u have?0
my abs light is on and sometimes it goes off....when it is off and i speed up to 75 to 80 it goes on...what is that...my brakes seem fine.0
my 98 windstar passenger window dont work either....i know two other families with 98 and 99 windstars with the same passenger side windows not working either....its at least a 500 dollar repair job i heard.0
jeffyscott Posts: 3,855my abs light is on and sometimes it goes off....when it is off and i speed up to 75 to 80 it goes on...what is that...my brakes seem fine.
ABS light on our '97 was on one time, the cause was just low brake fluid.0
echo1 Posts: 1Hi,
My van did the same thing and usually in cold weather. Turned out that I had water in my gas and I put some HEAT treatment in with my gas to get the water out of the gas and I don't have that problem.
Hope this helps.
removing excessive carbon is easier than poping the heads off, when the engine is hot take a water spray bottle rev the engine as you spray fine mist of water into the throttle body that will lossen any carbon that is excessive might have to pull the plugs to blow or wipe off carbon flakes if it is missing, most pinging problems are from dirty injectors, good to add injector cleaner now and again.0
I'm wondering what the serial number is on the intakes, sometimes they experiment with different designs and get customer feedback lol complaints
is it just one style of intake for those years? 98, 99, 2000.0
sadxxx Posts: 1Quite interesting. I also have a 96 windstar GL and my horn stopped working yesterday. Also at the same time, the speed control does not work anymore. There are many posts about this particular issue (i.e. horn+speed control). Most of them blame a faulty ground connection , which is common to both but I have yet to see someone confirming that or, at least, point us to the wire that should be checked.
good luck0
LOL boy that was a dumb dealer LOL.
You can check the voltage drain by removing the negative terminal and remove fuses and see if you have small spark when touching the terminal to the post, gives you an idea where the drain is, or you can use a test lite as well between the battery post and the negitive terminal and pull one fuse out at a time.0
is thier a part number for this steel shift piston in the transmission any one have it handy?0
I had the same prob. The ABS lite would come on intermittently. Took to Ford dealer, they ran a $50 diagnostic and THEN checked the brake fluid level and said that was the problem. Why didn't they check that first .. duh...uh! My lesson is to you free ... check the brake fluid level and see if that is you prob.0
My front driver power seat, '97 Windstar, is moving sluggish and seems to be "slipping" when I move forward or backward. I have to "assist" the movement with my body. Up/down, tilt seems OK. Is there a belt or chain I can change and how hard/complicated is this to do to fix the problem. I don't think it is the motor. I have not had the seat out yet to examine.0
ilovemyvan Posts: 1I've just found this great site and have read many of the postings, most do not shine a postive light on the windstar. Now I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who loves their van like I do? And does anyone have high mileage with little problems? Mine just turned 100,000 miles. My family is planning a trip to MI next month. Read the posting on the chimes and pinging. I'll try the wd40 and fuel inj cleaner and let you know if it works for me... :shades:0
This discussion has been closed.


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Learning and Leadership
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Saturday, January 14, 2017
Tools of Engagement
A great site with information about
instructional technologies
and ways to enhance your skills
Discovered during a TLTG FridayLive webinar.
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Beth Dailey
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Saturday, January 07, 2017
Ideas related to facilitating learning in a webinar environment
I have the wonderful opportunity of facilitating web workshops for Lexia Learning and in helping to facilitate learning for the TLT Group. Most recently The question I have been exploring of late is this. Why and how is facilitating learning different in a webinar environment versus in a face to face environment, My first step in answering that question has been to read a book titled "
Great Webinars: How to create interactive learning that is captivating, informative and fun"
by Cynthia Clay. I first read this book when I was working as a Faculty Development Specialist for EDMC.
Below are some of my notes and ideas from the book. This is not yet in any coherent order but what I will say is that reading this book has helped me generate ideas that I have already put into practice. In addition I continue to add to this list as I learn new things along the way.
The beginning
My colleague Lisa Casto shared these adult learning characteristics:
Adults who do not summarize new learning lose it within one hour! -
Bob Garmston
The average adult forgets 25%
within one hour
and forgets 85%
within one week
. It takes 21 attempts at something new for an adult to establish a pattern and 100 times for something to become automatic. (A child – 10 attempts and 85 times to be routine.) - -
Judy Ann-Krupp
Adults formulate their impression of a learning situation within the first 90 seconds. The number one turnoff is, "It's time to begin." - Bob Garmston
All of these factors are worth exploring in depth. The last bullet point is of interest to me especially as it relates to a webinar environment. I am not sure when the clock starts. Is it when the participant enters the room? Is it when we are ready to start? Is it before or after we have participants sign?
Maybe all of those factors contribute to the impression we are creating for the learner. The question I am now wrestling with is this? W
hat kind of impression do I want the learner to have? Here is my thinking so far:
The content will benefit me, will be directly relevant, the trainer is flexible and will adapt to meet my needs.
The trainer is knowledgeable and organized
The trainer is enthusiastic and friendly
I, the learner, anticipate being challenged to learn new things.
The next question is
what can I do to influence that 1st impression in a web workshop environment? For me, this is where paying attention to detail will be important and of course, there will be things that will be out of our control, but what are the things we can control and or influence. I think there are things that we can do in a webinar around these parameters.
Attention to the appearance of the room,
the organization of the day,
the behavior of the presenter is imperative as participants enter the room.
What are the things we can control and/or influence as it relates to "
attention to appearance of the room?" Here is what I have come up with so far:
Be sure there is a screen to project the webinar image.
Work with the onsite person to maximize the webinar window.
Project a welcome message.
Ask site person to post links on the board and assist people in logging in.
Be sure each participant has a computer.
Be sure each participant has a handout.
Have my live image (the facilitator) visible when participants enter.
Understand the type of room: is it a library, a computer lab, a classroom, a cafeteria.
Enter the room 15 minutes ahead of time with on site person so audio and video are ready to go when participants enter.
The ending
I have been disappointed in how I have ended webinars so I have made it a point to improve the ending, No matter how the time and expectations may fluctuate, my goal is to reserve 2-5 minutes for some sort of ending. Ideally I want to have time for a short reflection on next steps, a review of the session goals, thank you and the survey.
One idea that I have not tried yet is to use the white board in WebEx to capture the next steps ideas
generated at the end.
My colleague Susie Evans, shared this tip on March 17th. She has been setting an alarm to go off with 15 minutes until the end. She gauges where things are at and may then give participants some options on how to spend the remaining time. Considerations: Size of group, what transpired earlier,
I have decided to use the phrase "web workshop" versus webinar. I think it implies a more interactive learning environment. The word webinar more reflects a passive environment.
One thing I would like to do more of is to encourage participants to tell their stories.
I would like to improve the type of open ended questions I ask. Such as "Does anyone have an example of a time..."
Remember to breathe and to smile and enjoy the experience. Jane Pfau puts a picture of her daughter by the camera. Matt builds in praise and customization. Chris creates a conversation rather than a one sided presentation.
Lipstick and glasses help the audience focus on the presenter.
The beginning of a webinar involves some housekeeping activities and I plan to start calling it that. For example: getting participants logged into myLexia and TodaysMeet, being sure they have the handouts, talking about how we will communicate, introducing myself, talking about the survey at the end, etc. This is still a work in progress and does change given audience factors.
Pre webinar assignment
I do like the idea of providing a pre web workshop assignment but it would need to be very simple. I am thinking something like this for a launch: log into myLexia, find the training on demand videos, view one and answer one question.
I think we could do more related to a self assessment prior to a data coaching session. This would be fun to develop..
Getting to Know Participants
Getting to know participant names is something else I am working on. For a large group that is more challenging but for a small group, I have been using a bold marker and a large post it note and capturing names from the myLexia site and attaching the post it to the side of the computer screen. In cases of a large group I capture the name of a few key people only.
Short video
Getting to know participants
Ideas for handling slides with dense information
Instead of just presenting the slide related to research on at risk and usage, I have created a question
and asked the group what they think the result might be and then present the slide. The research data slide is very dense with information and asking the question first helps in focusing.
Slide Format
I have added an affective goal. So in addition to the overall goal of implementing Lexia with fidelity, I have added "Get excited about implementing Lexia." I have been thinking about adding a polling question where I ask the participants how excited are you to implement a Lexia. I am still working on this idea. Balancing the getting started tasks with audience technology comfort ability is an important considerate. The poll question could also be something very simple like asking yes or no about experience with Lexia.
You actually need more slides for a webinar and slides in general need more graphics and less words. With that in mind, I have modified the slide I had been using with the 5 keys to implementation fidelity and created 6 separate slides. I also refer participants to the training guide.
I want to develop a slide at the end where I summarize various post webinar support resources such as the Help desk, the training guide, training on demand videos, Twitter, lead is website, onsite experts.
Two of my webinar colleagues
use a cursor that blinks
when the control key is pressed. I plan to check it out. Here is how you activate that function.
Go into your Computer Settings
Select Devices- then choose Mouse and Touchpad
Choose Additional Mouse Options
Go to the Pointer Options tab at the top
Click the box for "Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key"
Check in frequently with participants and in different ways:
Korrie Skibinski shared this activity she called 1-2-3
1 -
In the beginning she asks the group to share one word to describe how they are feeling and then addresses those feelings. For example, if the group says they are feeling overwhelmed, she might say, Lexia has some featured that will help you easily see how yours students are doing.
2 - After the experimentation with the student program she asks the group to share 2 words describing the student program/
3 - At the end of the session she asks for 3 words describing what you have learned today or your next steps.
Kathy Broderick suggested asking specific questions versus always saying "Do you have any questions?" For example, I am looking for 3 people to share what they like about Lexia.
Suzy Evans asks participants in a Data Coaching event to identify 5 students they would like to discover more about and then she takes them through the various reports. At the end she asks them to narrow this down to 3 kids and to identify what steps they plan to take.
There is a way in WebEx to make the chat box disappear for the participants, it's called "clear view mode." You activate it by hitting Crtl, Alt, Shift and H. You bring it back by hitting escape.
Strange Inspiration
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) by
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Beth Dailey
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At Wentworth Tire Service, we take pride in offering the best customer experience to Calumet Park, IL, Chicago, IL, Rockdale, IL, South Holland, IL, and Worth, IL. We strive to provide our customers with the best experience possible each visit.
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Went in to get a flat fixed after AAA said I needed a new tire, Jordan took care of us . Tire was fixed, they even put the spare back for me. Awesome service and people,I won't go anywhere else again.
As I was taking my daughter to school this morning I noticed that my tire had went flat. As I backed up the car in front of my house I scrambled to find a close by Tire shop. It was the first day back from the winter break and my daughter goes to school on the west side of Chicago. We live 5 minutes away from Wentworth tire. There info came up in the Google search. I called them this morning about 7a.m. and Ken was very professional. I brought the car in and was out in about 15 mintues. I just wanted to say a Thank-You Again Wentworth tire for turning my Monday morning stressful day into a very pleasant one.
A few years ago I pulled into Wentworth on 111th in Worth. My tire was going flat and I knew I had a spare in the trunk. A man, I guess it was Tom, said they were sooooo backed up and didn't know if they cud help at that time. When I mentioned I was on my way to work, he said pull over here and I'll do a quick switch with your spare time. I was so appreciative and surprised that they (He/Tom) took the time to help. Now i call on them for car repair.
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Me Myself & I
It's fair to say that I do enjoy my work, and I am pretty focused on keeping my clients as fit and as mobile as possible. During a treatment I work hard to ensure you get every minute of value out of your time and money. I do not operate back to back appointments unlike most "white walled" high street clinics, which means if you book 60 minutes of massage you get 60 minutes of massage.
If you are really interested in getting rid of neck and shoulder tension and are prepared to work at it, then get in contact. If you want to improve your range of motion, or reduce muscle tightness then get in contact.
Be warned though, if you plan to have a treatment with me it will NOT be the Chicken Korma of massage think more Vindaloo. I do not do "skin polishing" I leave that to the lovely ladies at the beauty salons.
Not all Sports Massage Qualifications are the same. Mine thankfully is one of the best and I have and continue to work hard at improving my knowledge base for the benefit of my clients and myself. I studied at the Central YMCA (one of the UKs Leading fitness training Institutions) in Central London, passing my exams with distinction and was in the top 25% of my year. I am qualified and bound by the Sports Massage Association Level 4 Certification. I have since gone on and gained further qualifications in Neuro Muscular Re-Education and other Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques.
Long Distance Triathlon is my first sport, and I compete in races throughout the UK & Europe. The training does take up a fair amount of time, and I'm often riding or running around the local roads of St Agnes and Mount Hawke and beyond. I keep a blog of my training where you can keep up to date of all the highs and some of the lows.
Surfboat Rowing
Spring and summer 2011 saw me try my hand at Surfboat Rowing with Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club. The best way to describe Surfboat Rowing is like flat water rowing but with waves, Really BIG waves. Do not confuse it with Gig Rowing they have it pretty easy compared to this. They also get to wear a load more clothes. Being dumped out of the boat is pretty inevitable and was pile drived by the surf on numerous occasions. It was a great season being part of the Blue Betty crew, by the time we got the final events of the season we were performing as quite a tight unit. Thanks to Kahlil (Sweep) Ian, Billy, & Pete for making that happen.
Canicross is a bizarre sport originating in Central Europe where is was originally part of off season training for sleigh dogs. Since then it has moved on, so think extreme dog walking and you start to get an idea of what CaniCross is all about. Winter 2010 was my rookie season ably assisted by Pernod and Ricard (The Pastis Brothers). Apparently two dogs is not the normal way to do it and most people are happy with just a single dog. Pernod provided the brawn and Ricard providing some much needed to brains to the outfit we have enjoyed a reasonable amount of success bagging numerous Seconds and Thirds. Not bad for our Rookie season. It's a great sport and the perfect opportunity to do something the properly embraces the winter as well as staying in some fantastic locations during in the winter months.


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My previous post was on the inclusion of certain types of plastic pollution in the movie Finding Dory. Basically, the type of plastic that we see as a problem is really a problem for the 80s and 90s. The problem today is microplastics spreading throughout the ocean and the food chain.
This post, I'm going to focus on a more theoretical question about the depiction of plastic in the movie: Does the act of depicting garbage without comment somehow normalize that sight for young children? or to ask it another way, Does Finding Dory succeed in its conservation messaging?
I'm going with a gut instinct here that the makers of the film were making an environmental statement with the inclusion of garbage in the movie. If not, we have a bigger problem because that means the thing I fear will come to pass, i.e. that people have become so used to an ocean full of trash that it seems somehow normal and natural to them, has already happened. That would be bad. So I'm going with the more optimistic belief that we as an audience are supposed to be appalled by this garbage and angry that it's there. But unfortunately, the directors didn't really make the garbage a plot point nor did they give any information about picking up trash or recycling at the beginning or ending of the film so the audience is left to assume their motivations.
So, for those of you that haven't seen the film, maybe take a look at the previous post to watch the Dory preview, but here's a few stills from the movie so that we can get an idea of how trash is being depicted.
In the past, overt environmentalist messages in animated films have been just that: overt.
Fern Gully (1992): The Last Rainforest is one of my personal favorites. I'm old enough to remember Fern Gully when it was new (when I anthropomorphize pollution in my head it sounds just like Tim Curry). Fern Gully was heavy handed and pretty much hit all the high points of environmental concerns- animal testing, native rights, logging, eco feminism. This was a movie for the 80s and 90s crowd raised on the even heavier handed Captain Planet. Our little hearts ate up these messages and we swore to always protect the mythical, magical rain forests of the world. There was no guessing what this movie was about- save rain forests from logging!
Wall-E (2008): Another overt message here. Wall-E is startling because it portrays robots as having more humanity than humans where the environment is concerned. Humans destroyed the earth, left it, got super lazy and fat and it takes a robot to fix it. And when the earth is fixed humans get to come back down to earth and reap the benefits of reconnecting with the land. We get skinny! (ugh) We learn skills! We reclaim our humanity from robots who love Hello Dolly!!
These movies have issues with their environmental message- Fern Gully's reliance on supernatural causes of environmental degradation is labeled by Michelle Smith and Elizabeth Parsons as "antithetical to the environmental movement." Wall-E has some major fat shaming issues that make it basically unwatchable to me (and I won't ever show it to my child for this reason). But it is clear at least that these films are meant to convey an environmental/conservation message. The plot revolves around pollution and the degradation of the Earth and the heroes are those that save the earth. There are more (Bambi, Over the Hedge, Princess Mononoke), but these seem the most prominent in my mind and what is striking is how they differ from Finding Dory.
Finding Dory depicts a trashed ocean without it seemingly impacting the characters. Yes, Dory gets caught in a six-pack ring but it doesn't lead to a story line where she can't find her parents because she is emaciated from being unable to eat- she gets picked up and taken into a marine facility for "rehabilitation" but the audience doesn't get the sense that she needs to be rehabilitated; she doesn't complain of pain or have any seemingly ill effects from the rings. She seems to be completely healthy while in quarantine. We don't even see the scientists cut off the ring or talk about the horrible nature of this type of pollution.
In addition, while searching for her parents, Dory swims through a desert of rusted out automobiles, broken bottles, tin cans, and tires but this is just background. Trash doesn't stop her from seeing her parents' shell directions and it doesn't get her lost in the first place. In fact, during her search she comes across a graveyard of rusted metal containers serving as hiding places for a variety of sea creatures all of whom warn Dory to be quiet or she will wake the squid. Instead of appearing out of place, these cans and containers serve as useful housing for creatures just going about their lives.
At no time in the movie is the case made that the pollution is bad or that it hurts any of the animals in the ocean. Adults recognize trash in the ocean (and therefore in the illustrated ocean) as being bad, but can we rely on subtle messages where children are concerned or does this depiction without comment possibly naturalize garbage in these environments?
In addition, while searching for her parents, Dory swims through a desert of rusted out automobiles, broken bottles, tin cans, and tires but this is just background. Trash doesn't stop her from seeing her parents' shell directions and it doesn't get her lost in the first place. In fact, during her search she comes across a graveyard of rusted metal containers serving as hiding places for a variety of sea creatures all of whom warn Dory to be quiet or she will wake the squid. Instead of appearing out of place, these cans and containers serve as useful housing for creatures just going about their lives.
At no time in the movie is the case made that the pollution is bad or that it hurts any of the animals in the ocean. Adults recognize trash in the ocean (and therefore in the illustrated ocean) as being bad, but can we rely on subtle messages where children are concerned or does this depiction without comment possibly naturalize garbage in these environments?
Dolly Jorgensen has written about the way that seemingly unnatural edifices become commonplace in our perception of the marine environment. Her work highlights the way that oil companies seek to naturalize oil rig structures by sponsoring tanks containing these pieces at public aquariums. When an oil rig is decommissioned, companies are responsible for clean up and disposal of those rigs. A common way that oil companies have sought to minimize clean up costs has been to cut the rig off under the water line and leave it as an artificial reef. As Jorgensen points out, governments have to give permission for this disposal and one way that companies are making sure that people have no objections is to give them the sense that rigs actually belong in the marine environment- that they've always been there. One way that companies naturalize these rigs is to pay for tanks at public aquariums that include rigs as reefs.
Jorgensen uses the example of the rigs to reef tank at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans. The Gulf of Mexico tank is sponsored by 5 oil companies (BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and KerrMcGee) as well as an individual that has worked in that industry. These companies could have sponsored an exhibit without a rig in the tank (it's prominent) but they didn't and their money is going further than to educate children about the underwater environment. It is doing something priceless: naturalizing rigs as reefs in the ocean. After seeing rigs in tanks at aquariums, a place that works to construct the underwater environment for its visitors, who would be surprised when they encounter one in the ocean? The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is not the only one with a rig tank- some are less prominent than others, but when they become commonplace and unnoticeable, so do the rigs.
If this sounds completely off, just bear with me. Do ship wrecks belong in the ocean? Do they seem natural? Are they much of a bother? I ask this because there are a lot of shipwrecks on the ocean floor and it is with these that we see the work of naturalization done so well. Think of the amount of times you have seen a shipwreck depicted in either animated or nature films as part of the underwater landscape. We would be surprised if, in a National Geographic episode our explorers scaled a particularly high mountain and found a plane or tank (it happens but not that much) but we're not at all surprised by the depiction of ships in the furthest reaches of the ocean. In fact, many sunken ships have grown reefs over their structures and have become protected marine areas.
Take for example the Shipwreck Trail in the Florida Keys. Located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, "The nine ships along this Shipwreck Trail have many tales to tell, from the stories of individuals who came before us to why they were here and their difficulties in navigating these waters."
The nine wrecks consist of 6 accidental wrecks, 1 ship purposely sunk to create a reef, and ironically, two ships that were about to be sunk for artificial reefs that broke free from their tugs and went down accidentally.
What is interesting to me is how common images of ship wrecks our in my imagination of the underwater world. So much so that sinking ships to create artificial reefs has become fairly common. Instead of questioning the role of ships in underwater reef building- do these things really belong?- we just keep adding more.
I think one of the largest questions is, why would we be making artificial reefs? The answer is varied. One major reason seems to be that we know that creating a reef will bring divers to that area- you are basically creating a space where you know that people are guaranteed to see the types of organisms that they imagine are in the ocean. In many ways, this is the impact of TV and public aquariums on our understanding of the ocean: most people think that the ocean resembles a tank of fish- full of beautiful corals, multiple types of fishes, and all of these organisms should be visible immediately. The truth, if you've ever dived is that this is just not so. The ocean is big, dark, cold, and generally pretty empty. Unless you're diving on a reef in relatively shallow water. So governments are trying to draw tourists in and give them what they want and artificial reefs do this. Scuttled ships and decommissioned reefs offer structures on which new ecosystems can grow.
In addition, these spaces are being built in places where humans have injured the existing reef structure. In places where reefs have been destroyed or are in decline, humans are using these reefs as band aids for the injuries they've caused.
Finally, there is some evidence that these artificial reefs increase fish stocks. Especially in areas with little diversity or decreasing fish stocks, the rigs seem to offer spaces for fishes to feed and hide. Slate just reported this week that a large amount of BP money from the oil spill is being used to create artificial reefs to increase fish stocks.
There are ongoing debates about these artificial reefs and the possible positive and negative impacts on ecosystems. Studies show that rigs and ships (along with concrete pyramids) are successful in facilitating reef growth. However, the question is, at what cost? Some suggest that, while these spaces increase fish stocks, they also allow poachers and illegal anglers to hone in on fish attracted to these areas easily; instead of large fish being spread around a large area, the reefs concentrate these fishes and make poaching easy. Basically, it gives new meaning to "shooting fish in a barrel". In addition, questions have recently been raised about the impact of these spaces on the spread of invasive species. Some researchers suggest that these wrecks amount to a disturbed ecosystem and allow invasive species to build strong communities that will then increase their numbers and allow them to spread more rapidly though the ocean. Most reports are relatively early on the colonization of these spaces by corals, but most suggest that these spaces grow more slowly than natural reefs and support smaller coral (although some researchers believe this could change over time). Most of these studies are from the last 15 years and many in the last 10, with researchers calling for more expansive research on the impact of disintegrating ships on the health of these ecosystems long term.
What is interesting to me is the way that we take for granted (politicians and the public) that we already know the answers to the questions. Most people don't bat an eye at the idea that there is a ship being sunk to create a reef.
It is this type of naturalization that I fear where rigs and small level pollution are concerned. It is true that we currently recognize sunken cars, rusted cans and broken bottles, and floating plastic, as not belonging in the marine environment. But Finding Dory did something concerning- it normalized that trash by having characters co exist without struggle.
So the question is, would it have been better for conservation goals to draw the ocean without pollution in the hopes that children would imagine it as such (and be startled when it is trashed) or is it better to show it as a site of trash in the hopes that children will want to clean it up.
I'm of the thought that the former is more useful than the latter. I'm open to conversation.


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Today is Day 9 of 11 Days of Action! Get ready to dream big today with Pink Lemonade Stand! Come up with an idea, a cause, a dream or a motto and share it with the world, using #Girlpreneur #IDG2014 #11DaysofAction
Pink Lemonade Stand teaches girls ages 8 through 17 how to:
• to build a legacy
• launch ideas from the heart
• make passion their master
• and allow possibility to feed their soul
Our challenge and action for you today is to use #Girlpreneur to inspire the world with your idea, business, dream or motto! Be sure to use #Girlpreneur #11DaysofAction and #IDG2014 to keep the conversation going.
Get ready to inspire the world, girls!
DAY 8: Code. Inspire. Make the world a better place.
It's Day 8 of 11 Days of Action! So get ready to take action with Girl Scouts.
We live in a digital age in which many of the problems our society faces can be addressed and even fixed with code. And you can be part of the solutions!
You don't need to be a trained programmer or mathematician to make things with code.
In fact, there are tons of fun and creative activities you can try right now to take your first coding step:
click for source
Code: Visit Made With Code, make your own avatar, name it, and share it!
http://www.lavozdeldesierto.com.ar/tymochka/1790 Inspire: Share your avatar on social media using #IDG2014 along with your vision for a better world for girls.
article Make the World a Better Place: Made With Code is about so much more than just fun and games. The coding skills you learn today can be the beginning of YOUR journey to doing something big to make a difference in the world or solve a problem you care deeply about.
Code can help you make:
- Secure databases to record human rights abuses.
- Online petition software that can instantly collect signatures about urgent causes.
- Location devices to keep relief workers and separated families connected during disasters.
- Microfinance websites that help fight poverty by providing loans to low-income people in developing countries.
You see? Coding for a better world all begins with YOU! Start the fun now. And don't forget to share your vision for a better world for girls on social media using #IDG2014.
el hombre es solo otro animal un poco mas complejo #itsaGirlThing
The 7th Day of the 11 Days of Action in support of the International Day of the Girl comes to us from Plan International's Because I am a Girl campaign. Plan has put together a great video focusing on girlhood – the joy and the challenges. It has been made with global Youtube trenders who want to spread the word far and wide, gaining support for girl's issues around the world in the run-up to October 11th.
Watch it.
Now share it. Be sure to use #itsaGirlThing
Take a picture of yourself and post it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any of your favorite social media channels, with #itsaGirlThing, like this:
Website link: http://plan-international.org/itsaGirlThing
http://hivtestkit.ph/?melisa=rencontre-meetic-forum&2a5=5e Why do we need to elect more women?
- It's fair! Women are 51% the U.S. population, but less than 25% of all elected officials.
- It's smart! When we choose leaders, we should pick from the widest pool of possibilities so we make sure to get the best people.
- Women change things up! They bring different backgrounds, different ideas about policies, and different approaches to how to make government work.
If it's such a great idea, why are there so few elected women leaders?
Lots of reasons – but the biggest one is: Not enough women run for office!
Why don't women run?
Again, lots of reasons – but here's a big one: Nobody asked!
One girl who learned about how few women ran for office decided to take action. She wrote a letter to one of her teachers and asked her to run, telling her why she'd be great. Guess what? The teacher thought about it, realized it made sense, ran for her local council – and won!
rencontrer femmes asiatiques So here are TWO actions to take for Day 6 of 11 Days of Action!
- Think about the future you. If you could make a big difference by running for office, what would you like to do? What in your neighborhood, your country or the world would you change? What problem could you help to solve? Make a sign to tell us what you'll run for and what you hope to do:"If I were President, I would___________" or "When I'm the Mayor, I will ______" or "In the Senate, I'll make sure _____________." Share it online with the hashtag #girlslead!
- Do you know a woman who's ready to be a great leader today? Invite her to run! You can write a letter, make a sign, record a video – just reach out to her. Tell her why she should run, why you think she'd do a great job. And make sure to tell her how you'll help – maybe hold a car wash to raise campaign funds or hand out campaign literature. Ask others to chime in too, so she'll know that lots of people want her to run. Then tell us about who you asked and why. Maybe you'll inspire others to ask women they know. This could be the start of something big!Learn more about Teach a Girl to Lead™ by visiting teachagirltolead.org!
Follow us on:
and Instagram
You can also learn more about women and politics at the Center for American Women and Politics
TAKE THE TAKE3 Pledge NOW!
HPV vaccination = cancer prevention.
Plain and simple.
So for Day 5 of the 11 Days of Action, we are calling all teens and all parents of teens to take theTAKE3 Pledge! It's easy! Just follow these steps:
1. Sign the TAKE3 Pledge
2. Post a picture of yourself holding a sign that says #TAKE3, to show you took the TAKE3 Pledge
3. Post your picture on your fave social media using the TAKE3 hashtags: #Itookthepledge #TAKE3 #everykid #IDG2014
4. Invite your friends to also takeTAKE3 Pledge
Thank you, Women and Girls Foundation. for this incredibly important
Day 5 of the 11 Days of Action!
Girls around the world have the right to health, safety, and wellness.
At the Girls Coalition, we think it is crucial to align health and wellness efforts with ending the cycle of violence against women and girls. Don't you agree?
Then take action with us today. Choose a fact or statement below or make up one of your own, to help spread the word, using #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
Together, we can change the world!
kostenlose dating nummer LET'S EDUCATE OURSELVES: Here's How
We can educate ourselves and our communities right now. Check out these issues, listed below, and share a fact with your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or real life communities! Bring these topics up with your friends, family members, and colleagues. Send an email. Share a cup of coffee and chat with a friend. Whatever you do, take action!
http://makse.com/?kremel=definition-of-dating-and-courtship&351=d7 TEEN DATING VIOLENCE: The Facts
•1 in 3 US girls experiences violence from an intimate partner. Girls deserve to feel safe & respected #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• Young women between 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence. Men and boys need to learn to respect women and girls #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
conocer gente de 15 aГ±os SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING: The Facts:
• There are 19.7 million new STIs every year in the U.S. Let's teach teens how to be safe #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• In 2008, there were an estimated 110 million prevalent STIs among women and men in the U.S.. Of these, more than 20% (22.1 million) were among women and men aged 15 to 24 years. Teens need the facts so they can make better choices #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• About half of all new STDs/STIs in 2000 occurred among youth ages 15 to 24. Start a conversation with a teen today about how to stay healthy #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• While the rates of teen pregnancy have declined significantly over the past 20 years, U.S. teen birth rate is higher than that of many other developed countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Let's chat about how to protect from unwanted pregnancy #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
recovery dating website HPV VACCINATION: The Facts
• The HPV vaccine protects against the four most common high-risk types of HPV. One type which causes 70% of cervical pre-cancer and cancer cases. We can protect ourselves from HPV #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• Young women and young men alike can protect themselves from HPV and from contracting a multitude of types of cancers by simply receiving the HPV vaccine. Learn about how HPV can be prevented #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. Let's talk about protecting our teens from a cancer-causing virus #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• About 10,300 women in the U.S. get cervical cancer each year. Let's act to help prevent cervical cancer in our teens #11DaysofAction #GirlsSWPARocks
• American Sexual Health Association
• Planned Parenthood
• Persad Center
• Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC – Adolescent Medicine
• Adagio Health
• Jewish Healthcare Foundation
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute
• Center for Victims – Expect Respect and Coaching Boys Into Men
• Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
• Love is Respect
• Break the Cycle
http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/statistics/ and US Department of Health and Human Services
What makes you powerful?
What do you think girls will be in the future?
Girls at Bella Abzug Leadership Institute and the Alice Paul Institute have inspirational messages for girls around the world! Let them inspire you to take action and add your voices to theirs!
Today's Day of Action is all about these two important questions! Just use #whatmakesmepowerful and #girlsofthefuture and finish these sentences:
#Girlsofthefuture will be___________.
_________ is what #makesmepowerful.
Let's fill Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with images, videos and messages about what makes us powerful! The world is listening! Let's raise our voices!
First Day of Action: Girls everywhere: READY, SET, ENGAGE!
At the Coalition for Adolescent Girls, we want to help girls participate in all of the building blocks that make up the world around them. Whether it's in your school, the state government, an international organization, or International Day of the Girl, we want you to be involved, active, and heard.
Help us kick off the 11 Days of Action 2014 by telling us what you're capable of doing. Complete one of the following sentences onTwitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
"I'm a girl and I can…" OR "I'm a girl and I will…"
Just make sure to use the hashtag#GirlsEngage or mention @CAG_org so we can find your message.
Maybe you can be president. Maybe you can win the science fair. Or maybe you can use your voice to let the world know that girls are powerful, smart, and capable of sparking meaningful, long-lasting change. What can YOU do?
Get involved, get loud, and celebrate the unique power of girls!
This could be the start of something BIG!


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Tesla Powerwall 2 - Intelligent energy
The world's most sought after battery storage system, with extra-large storage capacity. The stunning Tesla Powerwall 2 draws on the same ultra-safe technology used in Tesla's electric vehicles, giving you complete energy security with 24/7 electricity - even in a power outage.
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At just 155mm deep, Tesla Powerwall 2 won't take up valuable space. And its state-of-the-art cooling system means it is completely child and pet friendly with no exposed wires or hot vents.
Because Tesla Powerwall 2 is thermally controlled with liquid heating and cooling it's perfect for NZ conditions from the far North to the deep South.
Control your energy from anywhere.
Tesla Powerwall 2 is controlled with the Tesla App. It's the ultimate energy management tool that keeps you in control, wherever you may be.
Harrisons Ultimate Platinum Package
This large 5kW system, really is the 'best of the best'. Premium brand solar panels, a quality inverter, a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery – as well as our 'real time' monitoring App so you can see how much power you're generating – anytime, from anywhere.


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A Palestinian man cleans up his house as he returned early morning in Gaza City's Shejaiya neighborhood August 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
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An open-ended cease-fire in the Gaza war held Wednesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced strong criticism in Israel over a costly conflict with Palestinian militants.In Israel, sirens warning of incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip fell silent.Palestinian health officials say 2,143 people, most of them civilians, including more than 570 children, have been killed in the enclave since July 8, when Israel launched an offensive with the declared aim of ending rocket salvoes.Israel's death toll stood at 64 soldiers and six civilians.Both Israel and Egypt view Hamas as a security threat and are seeking guarantees that weapons will not enter Gaza, a narrow, densely populated territory of 1.8 million people.Under a second stage of the truce that would begin a month later, Israel and the Palestinians would discuss the construction of a Gaza sea port and Israel's release of Hamas prisoners in the occupied West Bank, possibly in a trade for the remains of two Israeli soldiers believed held by Hamas, the officials said.Israel has in recent weeks said it wants the full demilitarization of Gaza.


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We've just taken Zilla to Baggeridge Park (although we forgot to take pictures) and they're having a Fun Dog Show next Saturday so I thought I'd let you all know.
Saturday 28th September
Baggeridge Country Park
Gospel End
Rosettes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and a prize for each class winner.
Car Park charges £1.50 for an hour
£2.50 for the day.
Bookings start at 10am - limited numbers in each class. Entry fee per class entered - £2.00
11.00am Novice Obedience
11.30am Junior Obedience
12.00pm Best Puppy (Up to 12 months)
12.20pm Best Puppy (12 to 24 months)
12.40pm Best Rescue Dog
1.30pm Prettiest Bitch
1.55pm Most Handsome Dog
2.20pm Waggiest Tail
2.35pm Best Oldie (7 years and over)
2.55pm Best 'Who's Got Talent' Dog
3.15pm The dog that the Judge would most like to take home
Plus an obstacle course for all top dogs to try their skills.
Dogs must be kept on leash at all times and you must clean up after your dog. Owners of uncontrolled dogs will be asked to leave.
In aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People sponsored by Pertemps.
All this info was on a little leaflet we were given as we were looking at the info board.


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As most of you know, I can be a bit of a product snob. Ok, a LOT of a product snob. Which is why I was so totally blown away by one little direct sales product called LipSense. It's revolutionary. It's groundbreaking. And people cant get enough of it. Why? Isn't it just another long-wearing lipstick or stain? Nope. Not even close.
LipSense is an entirely unique way of using a lip color. Applying it with three thin coats not only means you'll get a minimum of 18 hours of wear with zero chapping, drying, or that weird white residue line around the inside of your mouth, but also that your lips can still look shiny and healthy while the color doesn't budge all day. And when I say it doesn't budge, I'm not kidding you. It actually comes with it's own remover, which without you'd be waking up the next day with the same color still there. Don't believe me? Watch this:
But my favorite part is the finish. While I do enjoy a matte lip from time to time, I usually prefer a more natural or glossy finish, and this product can give you that with twice the wear of most long-wearing liquid lipsticks on the market. Want a matte finish? There's a mattifying lip gloss topper for that. Want glitter? You guessed it, there's a gloss topper for that as well. And with the three-layer application process, the color combinations are endless. Well, almost endless, at around 40,000. And did I mention that one tube lasts as long as FOUR tubes of a regular lipstick?
I am SO excited to be able to offer these to my clients now, for every day and your wedding day. Most of you that know me know that I'd never attach myself to anything that isn't totally epic. Call, text, or email me to order yours! You can even use it as an excuse to pop by and see the new studio! Interested in selling them yourself or just want to sign up for the pro discount? Then contact me about that too! They're $55 for your first set and then $25 for each additional color, and trust me when I say you'll want to replace your entire lipstick wardrobe with these. Because if there's one thing I know about this product, it's that they're like Pokemon, you've just gotta have them all!


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Meditation for the Waning Moon
Light fades. It ebbs away under the dim shade of the forest trees. Darkness falls after the last blue glimmer dissolves into the stream, which carries it away. There is a hush, in spite of the rush of water through the stones of the narrow gorge. The watcher by the stones has taken a position with a view through the opening in the trees where the Moon will rise. She is waning and some time will pass after the setting of the Sun before she is visible. The sky is a deep blue-black where stars glitter, the brightness of some of them tracing familiar patterns: Orion, The Plough, The Giant's Chair. The white mist of the Milky Way recedes behind the visible stars and re-appears as a path for the watcher to walk by. When the left-handed crescent rises she appears enamelled silver-white against the sable of the sky.
The way is clear. The Otherworld wraps itself around him. He knows not where he goes, but his path stretches away in the path of the Waning Moon.
Knowing she will haunt the sky until long after the Dawn pales and herself fade in the morning light.
Somewhere between light and dark, between moonlight and sunlight, he sees a vision of a far-off land and knows that he lives there for a fleeting moment of time which is forever.
Returning, he sees the Moon reflected in the stream. The night is cold but only now is he aware of it. He touches the chill waters with his fingertips, then anoints his forehead. All is still. He blesses the night as the night has blessed him.
Posted by Unknown at 20:41 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: Meditation, Night, Waning Moon
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Daniel's COPD story
Daniel Farnsworth COPD, as written by Tracie - unedited
I am attaching some pictures of my Dad, Daniel Farnsworth taken in Dec 2016 and again in February 2017 after only 4 weeks of using your SoeMac Machine. The difference it has made to his quality of life has been beyond all our hopes and expectations. He is sleeping well, less coughing in the mornings, eating properly, out walking again and best of all smiling.
He has cut down on the daily amount of steroids he was taking, he is completely off his anxiety medication that was only making his emphysema worse. When we first received the SoeMac he kept the box, saying that "it will be going back!" Three weeks later he phoned me to tell me "that machine you got me is bloody brilliant!" I have been recommending the SoeMac to everyone I know. Thank you so much.
Please use the above as my review. I believe you will be getting some orders from Malta!
SoeMac testimonial, March 2017.
The photo we've used is the 'after' - what a smile!


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Some British teachers are taking food to give their pupils breakfast every day because they are too hungry and exhausted to learn, says a new report.
A survey of 4000 teachers paints a Dickensian picture of children turning up to school cold and malnourished, wearing unwashed or unsuitable clothes because their families are poor.
It blames increasing poverty, caused by the policies of the Conservative-led Government.
It concluded that the educational opportunities for thousands of children were being blighted by the effect of Government policies.
A separate study found children were dropping arts subjects and missing school trips because parents could not afford them.
The findings follow warnings from the Children's Commissioner for England, Maggie Atkinson, and church leaders that young people are being hit hardest by the Government's austerity programme.
Eight per cent of teachers questioned said they had seen pupils lacking in energy and concentration as a result of eating poorly, the survey by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers found.
Twenty-seven per cent said they brought in food for pupils because they knew the children were too hungry to learn.
And 55 per cent said pupils were missing out on education activities because they had no money to pay for them.
Union president Geoff Branner, a special needs teacher in Oxfordshire, said that his school was having to provide free breakfasts for a growing number of students.
Children were coming to school too tired to concentrate because their bedrooms were so cold they could not sleep.
He said the Government should do more to tackle the rising numbers of children being plunged into poverty.
The report said housing was also a problem with 27 per cent of respondents saying they knew of pupils who had lost their homes and 36 per cent saying they had taught pupils who were living in temporary accommodation.
- Independent


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I'm very happy to now have a permanent (long lease) studio in Marrickville - at Ultimo Project Studios - an artist-run collective of studios in the heart of Sydney, situated in a heritage-listed ex army drill hall.
On Wednesday 11th May, I am presenting a talk at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, about my photograph, "The Voyage", a finalist in the 2016 National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Honoured to be selected as a finalist in the 2016 National Photographic Portrait Prize along with so many talented photographers. Looking forward to the road trip down to Canberra, for the official opening, next Friday 18 March, at the National Portrait Gallery.
Rachael Kohn from The Spirit Of Things (ABC Radio National) speaks with several of the artists and judges in this year's Blake Prize. Guests: Damien Shen; Nasim Nasr; Cigdem Aydemir; Professor Amanda Lawson; Georgia Saxelby; Tina Fiveash; Reverend Tim Costello; Robert Hague.
Listen to podcast (click below):
Had a fabulous night at the opening of the Blake Prize last night. Exhibition continues until 24th April. CLICK HERE for information about the exhibition.
Paradise 5 KM has been selected as a finalist in the The 64th Blake Prize, to be exhibited at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in February 2016.


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Ephrata strikes early, stuns Warwick 6-4
The blows that Ephrata delivered early on Monday weren't knockouts, but they were effective.
They put Warwick on its heels.
In the end, the Warriors were never able to fully recover, as Ephrata capitalized on a pair of three-run rallies to go in front 6-1 after two innings and then pulled off a stunner, winning 6-4 in a Section One-Two crossover in Lititz.
Haley Warden, Jenna Yarger and Danika Weaver had two hits apiece to lead the Mounts, who bounced back from losses to Cocalico (11-8) and ManheimTownship (14-0) at the end of last week. The fact that they did it against a Warwick team that recently defeated reigning L-L League champ Hempfield 8-3 was a huge feather in the cap for the young Ephrata girls (3-3 L-L, 3-4 overall).
"This one is huge," said Ephrata coach Meredith Dombach of her team, which had three freshman in the starting lineup. "This definitely was a total team effort and we had to call on lots of different people to really step up and hold them back so that we could get the win today."
For the Warriors (4-2 L-L, 5-3 overall), they were left to scratch their heads about the defensive lapses and 10 runners left on base which proved costly. Warwick boss Mark Hough couldn't hide his disappointment while talking to a visitor in the dugout at game's end.
"I just told the girls to look at Ephrata out there celebrating on our field," Hough recalled, "and I said, 'They deserve that victory. They played it, they wanted it more.' A lot of credit to them. Really, there wasn't much to say. I think the girls knew what I was thinking and I just looked at them and said, 'It's up to my senior leadership to figure out what we can do to light a fire.'"
A two-out break kept Ephrata's fire burning in the top of the first inning. Warwick starter Lacey Lefever seemed destined to get out of trouble when Yarger lofted a pop fly into shallow left-center field. But the ball fell for a Texas League RBI single and Brittany Ritter scored the game's first run.
"I think we just got knocked on our heels in that first inning," Hough said. "You see a couple of flares that go right over your defense and then you have a fly ball that should be a routine catch. I think both short and center were thinking one was going to get it over the other, but we just weren't calling it out. It's kinda hard to fault either … we've just got to do a better job of playing defense."
The next batter, Weaver, delivered a two-run single to right field to put the Mounts in front 3-0. By the end of the inning, Lefever had thrown a total of 26 pitches.
"That was huge," Dombach said of Weaver's hit. "(Danika) definitely came through for us in a big spot."
Warwick answered in the bottom of that inning on Ashley Royer's leadoff triple and Victoria Byler's RBI ground out to cut Ephrata's lead to 3-1.
But Alexis Lovell's sac fly and Warden's RBI single to left field extended the Mounts' advantage and then Ritter scored on a Warwick throwing error to make it 6-1. Ephrata leadoff batter Lexi Hershberger was on base all four times with three walks and a base hit, while scoring a run.
"We try to get them to be patient and look for their pitch and not strike too early," Dombach said.
In the bottom of the third, Warwick started a comeback, with Lefever reaching on an error and then scoring on Nikole Rottkamp's two-out triple to right field. Rottkamp scored moments later on a wild pitch to make it 6-3, and the Warriors threatened for more when Vanessa Strohm singled to center and Jenny George walked. But Yarger, who scattered eight hits and four walks over 4@-E innings while getting the win, pitched out of trouble. She struck out just one, but got eight ground ball outs.
"I think at times we tried to do too much with the hitting," Hough said. "I think that we may have tried to make the big hit where a base hit extends the inning, maybe gets a run in here and there, as opposed to trying to lift the ball thinking that with the wind blowing out, you might get the big hit."
After leaving two more runners in scoring position in the fourth, Warwick inched a little bit closer as Strohm worked a one-out walk in the fifth and scored on an Ephrata fielding error on George's ground ball, cutting the deficit to 6-4. They went on to load the bases with two outs and Allison Smith was summoned in relief. The strategy worked for the Mounts, when the junior pitcher induced an inning-ending pop out to second from Warwick's hottest hitter Royer.
"I thought if we could throw her off-balance that we had a chance," Dombach said.
Eckman, who pitched 5!-E innings in relief of Lefever, had Ephrata off-balance, allowing just three base runners after the second inning.
"We definitely were holding on," Dombach said. "That's when we count on our defense to pull through for us."
Still trailing by two in their final at-bats, Warwick went down in order against Smith to end the game.
"This was probably the toughest loss this year," Hough said. "I'm just disappointed in so many facets of the way we played today."
The Lady Warriors were also in action last Friday, pounding out 16 hits and capitalizing on six Lebanon errors in a 19-0 drubbing of the Cedars.
Freshman Nicole Mengel was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a grand slam and five RBI's and Ashley Royer (2-for-4) slugger her first homer of the season to lead six players with multiple hits. Victoria Byler (2-for-4), Mack Russell (3-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI's), Tessa Eckman (2-for-3) and Vanessa Strohm (2-for-4, 3 RBI's, 2 runs) also contributed for the Lady Warriors, who scored nine runs in the first and third innings.
Last Thursday, April 10, the Warwick girls suffered their first league loss of the season, dropping a 2-1 nail-biter to Section One rival ManheimTownship in Neffsville.
Kiersten Ketcham's RBI ground out snapped a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth and then the Lady Blue Streaks held on behind pitcher Reilly Gearhart.
Through three innings, Gearhart and Warwick's Eckman were locked in a scoreless pitcher's dual. But MT went up 1-0 in the fourth as Carolyn Kitsock's RBI single drove in Katie Zogorski, who doubled to center field.
In the top of the fifth inning, after Nikole Rottkamp got on base thanks to a Township error, Strohm reached on a fielder's choice. Strohm stole second and third, then scored the tying run when MT catcher Alyssa Perkins' throw sailed into left field.
It remained that way until Ketcham knocked in the winning run in the sixth. Eckman suffered the tough-luck loss, scattering five hits over six innings. She struck out four and didn't walk a batter.
Last Wednesday, April 9, Warwick got the upper hand on Section One rival Hempfield, riding a 2-for-3 game from Rottkamp to an 8-3 win in Landisville.
The Warwick senior hit a home run and finished with three RBI's in support of pitchers Eckman and Lacey Lefever. Eckman pitched four innings for the win and Strohm chipped in with two RBI's, as the Lady Warriors snapped a 2-2 tie with four runs in the top of the fourth inning.


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After years of striving to be known as a global city, Dallas has arrived. Its international airport, renowned Arts District, and other factors have compelled numerous foreign companies to base their North American headquarters here.
And they're not alone. Since 2010, 70 companies—including about 30 from California—have moved their headquarters to the Dallas area, says Mike Rosa, senior vice president of economic development at the Dallas Regional Chamber.
One of the most anticipated relocations is Toyota Motor North America, which is building a 2 million-square-foot campus in the Legacy West development in Plano. The Japanese automaker is relocating its U.S. base from Torrance, California, and plans to employ 4,000 in Plano by 2017.
John Stich has served as Dallas' honorary consul-general of Japan for 11 years, and he has noticed a significant uptick in Japanese companies' interest in North Texas, particularly since Toyota's announcement in 2014. "Toyota is well respected around the world as a strategic company who thinks before they do things," he says. "Companies are taking a look and asking why Toyota is going from California to North Texas."
Stich says more than 150 Japanese companies have operations here, including NEC, Fujitsu Network Communications, ORIX USA, Trend Micro Inc., and a newer entrant, Kubota Tractor Corp.
In May, California-based Kubota announced it was moving its North American headquarters to a $50 million campus in Grapevine, where it's expected to employ more than 400 workers. CBRE brokers Steve Berger and Ann Huntington represented Kubota in their quest for space, which includes a 125,000-square-foot office building and a 68,000-square-foot research and development facility.
"They were focused on keeping their leadership and professional staff close to the major markets they serve, and close to their manufacturing and distribution facilities in Georgia and Kansas," says Berger, first vice president at CBRE. "They wanted to be more centrally located to respond quickly to industry and changing markets, and Dallas-Fort Worth placed them in a better place to do that."
Narrowing down the right North Texas city took about a year, and Berger and Huntington credit the Dallas Regional Chamber, which hosted meetings where Kubota could become more familiar with various communities. "The fact that we have a chamber that provides a level playing field where all the communities in the area can participate was very helpful," Berger says. "The combined effort makes the area look coordinated and was very effective."
International Airport a Priority
Ultimately, proximity to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and access to a skilled labor force were key factors in Kubota's site selection, says Huntington, senior vice president at CBRE.
Stich notes the airport's 18 nonstop flights a week between DFW and Tokyo Narita International Airport are a huge draw for Japanese companies. In September, the two airports announced a partnership to foster close relations and share best practices, allowing for opportunities to "promote increased trade and tourism" between the Dallas region and Japan.
As CEO of DFW Airport, Sean Donohue is focused on making the airport one of the best in the world, another compelling lure for global companies looking to make their North American home here. Over the last four years, DFW Airport has been one of the fastest-growing airports in the international sector. During that period, it has added 29 new international routes, which include 22 new international cities and 11 new airlines, Donohue says. And there's more coming. "We expect some more announcements in terms of international service over the next several months," he says.
According to Donohue, long-haul international flights such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, and Hong Kong generate $150 million to $200 million a year each in economic activity.
A great airport was high on John Rauscher's list when deciding where to locate his artificial intelligence software company, Yseop Inc. The Frenchman considered Chicago, Boston, New York, and the Silicon Valley before meeting with then-Dallas mayor Tom Leppert on a trade mission trip to Paris. After meeting for dinner, Rauscher was convinced. "My No. 1 priority as the CEO of a global company is direct flights to the most important cities of the world," he says, noting good weather, a central time zone, the Dallas International School, and a welcoming city ready to assist in the transition were other factors.
As executive vice president of French American Chamber of Commerce in Dallas, Rauscher is actively promoting the Dallas region to prospective companies. "Dallas is one of best choices to make when you come from Europe," he says.
Ready for New Business
Texas is a leading global destination for foreign direct investment, with Dallas-Fort Worth capturing 24 percent of new businesses between 2009 and 2013, according to a Texas Wide Open for Business report.
KONE, a global elevator and escalator company based in Finland, is centralizing sourcing, engineering, and testing in Allen with the addition of a light manufacturing facility to its operations in North America. Its new 169,000-square-foot facility, which will occupy about a quarter of the 700,000-square-foot AllenPlace office park, is expected to employ 80 and open in the first half of 2016. "Allen's centralized location and proximity to both U.S. and Canadian suppliers and customers made it a perfect location," says Ron Bagwill, vice president of supply operations for KONE Americas.
Swedish telecom firm Ericsson employs about 4,000 at its Plano campus, compared to the 1,100 employees when it opened in 2001. It expanded its North American headquarters in 2013, adding 273,360 square feet of office space. Officials have said the business-friendly climate and access to skilled workers were factors in locating to Plano.
The Dallas area also is home to a number of the top Mexican companies with U.S. operations, including milk processor Grupo Lala; Gruma, owner of Mission Foods Inc.; and Interceramic, a manufacturer and distributor of ceramic tile and natural stone.
Interceramic USA opened its first U.S. base in Carrollton in the early 1980s, and moved to its current location in Garland, which includes corporate offices, a distribution center, and manufacturing facility, in 1994. The company employs 370 here, and operates 13 company-owned Interceramic Tile and Stone stores in three states. It plans to relocate its Forest Lane store location to 50,000 square feet at Mercer Business Park in North Dallas in the second quarter of 2016.
"People from all over the world look at Texas as a healthy economy and they look at Dallas as an ideal, centrally located destination where you can gain a foothold and entry into this market with international connections, access, and easy entry growth potential, which is much higher than other possibly competing areas," says Humberto Maese, the company's president of U.S. operations.
A central location is key for access to major markets across the country, and for proximity to its operations in Chihuahua, Mexico. But access to quality suppliers and professional service providers in the legal, banking, and insurance industries is also a big plus that Maese regularly shares with executives considering locating in the Dallas region. "Anything an international company would require to operate, you can find it here," he says.
The number of relocations is expected to rise as the Dallas Regional Chamber steps up its recruitment efforts in 2016. Companies in locations where DFW Airport offers direct international flights will be one focal point since North Texas has much to offer in a business-friendly environment. "There are companies around the world looking at ways to do better with greater efficiencies," Rosa says. "The critical mass and size that we have, combined with the business-friendly and cost-friendly environment, makes our message very powerful."


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Wee Nam Kee
Singaporean Chicken Rice comes to Tokyo!
Tamachi Granpark Plaza, Shibaura 3-4-1, Minato,
Tokyo 105-0023
Phone: +81 3-5439-9120
Wee Nam Kee is a famous Singaporean restaurant that opened its doors in Tokyo this year. I saw news about the opening on TV and decided to pay them a visit. The restaurant is actually located in an office area, however it is housed in a stand alone building surrounded by greenery that makes this place a hidden oasis.
Above and below are pictures of their entrance and logo.
The lunch menu as you can see in the picture below is relatively cheap with quite a few options.
For appetizer, I tried the fried prawns & fish minced tempura served with mayonnaise sauce.
And the sambal Kang Kong, a chinese vegetable served with prawn paste and chili sauce called "sambal"
I also tried their Golden Prawns, as you can see in the picture below.They are fried with their heads to maintain the flavor.
The main star and the reason for the lines that are still forming at this restaurant is of course the chicken rice. The best so far in Tokyo. Unlike most other places, they did not adjust the taste to make it more "Japanese". Their taste remains authentic.
Normally when eating chicken rice, you have to choose between roasted and steamed chicken, but here you get both in one plate! Such a delightful menu.
I also like the ambiance of the restaurant. It is very spacious and cozy, time just seems to fly by as you sit there and enjoy your meal.
Outdoor seats are also available on their terrace during spring to autumn with nice greenery. It truly is an oasis in the middle of an urban city.
Below is a picture of their terrace.
Overall i would say that Wee Nam Kee is a nice and affordable place and I would go back if I ever crave for chicken rice.


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Archive of past SPIRIT articles! You spoke, we listened ...
And the Emmy Award goes to … Martin Taylor!
20th Anniversary picnic singer advances on "American Idol"
Legislative Update February 2015
Opportunities available to join a Human Centered Design team at CareOregon
Amy Vance makes a difference for our most complex members
Appreciation picnic for the whole family at Oaks Park
Astoria: The story behind the story of the Astoria Column
A New Year's Message from Patrick Curran
A Visit to Kashmir
American Winter Film Viewing at CareOregon
Americorps*VISTA Comes to CareOregon Please welcome Jaclyn Testani
Back to the basics of care: Releasing Time to Care program continues to expand
Becky's Brigade marches on ...
Becky's Brigade receives top fund raising award – again!
Brain Tumor Walk 2014
: Why I support the Portland Brain Tumor Walk, By Ben Roussel
Billiards Tournament: Break Time!
CareOregon Advantage kiosk at Lloyd Center
CareOregon experiences mostly positive state legislative session
CareOregon's flash mob float gets "Happy" for the Starlight Parade
CareOregon MAC Member Appointed by Governor to Serve on Task Force
CareOregon pursues human-centered design
CareOregon seeks to stop bill to remove local control of CCOs
CCO Oregon works to increase understanding and effectiveness of coordinated care organizations
Cell phones to connect members to CareOregon
Changing the World with one act of kindness at a time. 30 Random Acts of Kindness
CHEA holds Valentine's Day open house for members
Children's Institute honors Lynn Lundquist
Columbia Pacific CCO is on the Way to Wellville
Congressional 'freeze' begins to thaw
Earthquake Drill: A reminder
Easing the way for our Medicare members
Embrace Oregon volunteering
Employees send reminders of home to soldiers overseas
Employee volunteers help our community partners
Federal policy update: Another important year for health care
Give2Get program is ready to launch
Giving 'the Gift of Life' is no simple process
, by Peggy Parker, Health Resilience Nurse
Health Resilience Program™ of CareOregon
LinkedIn Employee Group at CareOregon
Medicare sales team knows how to wow customers
Meet Jessica Kotter
Member Advisory Council Float at Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade
Member Advisory Council makes CareOregon better
Members love CareOregon's Medicare Advantage customer service
New help from Washington and Salem for members who lose Medicaid coverage
Oregon's Health CO-OP launched
Oregon's Health CO-OP reaches out to community; invites all to connect on new website
Oregon Legislature addresses budget before closure
Our Medical Directors
Protect yourself, and our members, against fraud and abuse
Rose's Topic of the Week
Salsa Contest Winners 2014!
Salsa Verde, by Stephanie Hayes, Claims
SMART Goal Challenge
SPIRITED Award Winners 2014
Street Roots News: How to approach health care, homelessness and housing ...
United Way Campaign 2014 is a great success!
What did you do this summer? 2014
What did you do this summer? 2013
What does 'Well-Being' mean to you?
What's happening at Columbia Pacific CCO
Where were you when man first landed on the moon? Patrick Curran Commentary
Where were you on July 20, 1969 when man first stepped on the moon?
Who cares about taking a look back at our history?
Yamhill CCO celebrates new headquarters
Yamhill CCO will have a new name
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We've all been there — that moment in an interview when they fire a question your way and you have no idea what the answer is. Job interviews are stressful enough. Your career depends on this moment, so you need to be on your game. But a question you're unsure of can really throw you.… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Career Development
10 Motivational Quotes to Give Your Team a Boost
Motivational quotes can be really powerful. They won't speak to everyone at the same time, but an occasional quote or two will get your team fired up and drive them to power through, overcome obstacles and work to get your company to their long-term goals. Here are ten motivational quotes to give your team a… Read More »


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"He made the trains run on time…"
By Deane Barker on September 18, 2002
There was a saying about Benito Mussolini back in the forties. He made have been a ruthless dictator, but he made the trains run on time. (Actually, this is a myth, but I'm trying to make a point here…) After working with Linux for a few days, this is my feeling about Microsoft. They may be ruthless monopolists, but they have a certain standard for software uniformity and usability that's hard to beat.
One of the big problems I'm having with Linux is that every program has a different interface and functions just differently enough to drive me nuts. With Microsoft, you know that the first three menu items are going to be File, Edit, and View. You know that right-clicking on the workspace is going to give you a context menu with certain commands. You know that CTRL-A will Select All. You know that selecting Help > About will tell you the version number of the program.
None of this is true with Linux. While I appreciate the cowboy, wild-west, open-source attitude as much as the next guy, I also appreciate not having to relearn an interface for every new app. With Linux apps, Lord only knows what the menu commands are going to be. Right-clicking on the workspace may reboot the machine for all you know. CTRL-A works in some apps, not in others. Double-clicking has all sorts of different behaviors as well.
Yes, I have problems with the way Microsoft does business. And yes, I love the idea of a free OS created in the nurturing world of love that is the open-source community. But there's no denying that Microsoft has done more for GUI usability engineering than any other company on the planet (except perhaps Apple), and it shows in the consistency and ease-of-use of their apps. Like I said, they may be domineering, but at least they make the trains run on time.


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Sponsor a straw to help us spread the WAW Movement
Our straws are designed for bars and restaurants, but each one of us can make sure that they are on every table.
By sponsoring a straw, you're helping us to improve its quality, where it comes from, and make it accessible to more restaurants.
And who knows, maybe one day you'll be using your own straw in an establishment near you.
Do not hesitate to make a donation: it is the small gestures that make the big changes for the environment.


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These new 'Tixx' pens are a rather clever hybrid combining gel ink and a fine 1mm ballpoint for smooth, smudge-free writing.
Choose from five fresh, vibrant colours with matching coloured gel ink that dries instantly just like a ballpoint, leaving no mess. Green, Orange, Pink, Purple or Teal. These easy to use, quality disposable Platignum pens are long lasting (the technical term is 'large write out lengths') and are made with a soft grip to ensure comfortable writing.
Why not treat yourself and buy all five colours and get a 7% discount? See related products below.
Please note Lord Dodo procures these pens in boxes of assorted colours and so some colours may occasionally be out of stock. Why not mix and match and create a colourful contrast?
Use of and care for your pen The pen tip should be retracted when not in use. These gel pens are disposable but they are long lasting and produce lovely clear gel coloured ink.
|Product Code


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Michael Vasquez's exhibition, "What Comes With the Territory," which was held at The University of Tennessee's George Ayers Cress Gallery of Art in Chattanooga, TN, is reviewed in the January / February 2011 issue of Art Papers by Denise Stewart-Sanabria.
Click the image above to expand the article.
The John and Diane Marek Visiting Artist Lecture Series
Michael Vasquez : What Comes With the Territory
August 13 - October 12, 2010
Artists' public lecture followed by an opening reception
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 5:30pm – 7:00pm
The artists will be on campus and in the community
September 13-16 for Marek Series Visiting Artist events
Parking and Admission
Admission to the gallery and all gallery activities is free. All receptions and lectures are open to the public. Gallery patrons arriving between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm may obtain a visitor's parking pass from the UTC Parking Services Office located in the lobby of the Administrative Services Building, 600 Palmetto Street. After 5:00 pm Gallery patrons attending Artist's lectures and receptions may park on any level of the Lupton Library parking garage, next to the Fine Arts Center on Vine Street, or in Lot 16 next to the Administrative Services Building, corner of Fortwood and Palmetto Streets. Hanidcap parking and unloading zones are available at the main entrance to the Fine Arts Center on Vine Street.
Gallery hours are 9:30am – 7:00pm Monday-Friday
The Gallery will be open through intermission for all Fine Arts Center Patten Series events.
For more information:
(423) 304-9789
Join the Cress Gallery of Art on Facebook