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Do not miss visiting the Beirut Design Fair where you'll have the chance to meet several inspiring and leading Lebanese designers that will be featuring their latest inventions in a place where outstanding designs are the result of motivation and innovation.
"A unique and creative design scene, an exciting entrepreneurial spirit, a cosmopolitan crossroad, and a culture of exceptional craftsmanship will be on display during the first edition of #BDF2017 "
The fair will also feature international designers and galleries from the Middle East participating.
Experimenting with materials has been an interest to 392RMEIL393, whether that be fabric, glass, metal, resin or mud. For the past five years 392RMEIL393 has focused its energy on two materials in particular derived from earth, which they developed through mixing, molding and kneading.
This collection at Beirut design fair 2017 is a glimpse of possible forms, colors and textures, as well as opening a window for collaboration with designers architects and the public.
ALBA's design section within the decorative arts school is pleased to present, with Beirut Design Fair, four lightings designed by five first-year Design students: Maria Kahalé, Romy Chaoui, Serge Tchatalian, Rami Baaklini and Aya Melki mentored by 3 teachers, Kareen Andraos, Georges Mohasseb practicing designer and Joe Nacouzi, lighting designer.
Committed, students have given meaning to all of their rich and creative projects.
The "Breek", designed for the Sursock Museum Store is an albi creation. The carefully hand blown borosilicate glass piece sits on a carved Marble or Terrazzo base.The carafe is connected to its cooler via a laser cut, hand polished stainless steel ring, insuring no rusting or any wet slips.
The union of these materials, the frail, the firm and the strong, is a tribute to our history from which the present rises.
Parametric Art Collection is Ambiente's latest bid at defining the contemporary way of life. The concept fuses artistic designs and mathematically driven algorithmic precision, to bring about cutting edge furniture. The abstract forms find their place inside a modern lifestyle through their practicality and comfort. Launching the Parametric Art Collection at the Beirut Design Fair.
In a time when we are more drawn to getting our information and reading stories from screens rather than paper, we look a questioning the usability of the bookcase. The functionality of this object has changed, replacing the book space with objects and memorabilia. For the Beirut Design Fair, Anastasia Nysten reflects on this action.
"Architecture et Mécanismes" vision about product design is characterized by radical, rough, structured and well detailed elements getting together to form small scale units. Their concepts are always inspired from the context in which they are building, and hence Beirut and its chaos have surely injected fuel into their creations.
Beirut Makers is an open collective of designers exploring the role of digital technology in the continuous advancement of design, simulation and fabrication. Makers are a new breed of craftmen/designers/coders which both design and manufacture. Powered by the ubiquity of digital computing and information-driven fabrication technologies, makers operate on the forntiers of democratizing design, sharing knowledge and building public awareness about sustainability and new materials.
The story of Boisseliers du Rif begins a little over 100 years ago, amidst the uncertainty of the First World War. Through their mastery of artisanal techniques, they have customized and developed a diverse body of work ranging from furniture and heirloom gifts, to complete woodwork refurbishments. With experience, unsurpassed craftsmanship and exemplary service, they are committed to preserving the craft, keeping it relevant today and for generations to come.
BRUT reinvent concrete as a decorative material. It is the process of adding texture, colors but most importantly innovative shapes to the basic items of your interior, giving them a unique touch of modern art. Concrete becomes the ultimate material that substitutes other natural products while preserving their soothing aesthetic aspects.
In year 2012, the furniture department took place in D-TAB offices. SLANG is the second collection. Speaking street language, it reveals street art & pop-up designs embracing the movement of contemporary urban art with a special twist in shapes and contents. All skates types are to be used as tables, shelves, trays, hanging art pieces, as well as trendy coasters.
Ahmad Khouja's designs draw inspiration from mathematics and nature as the basis for what is often a geometric game driving each piece. He is constantly experimenting with new and old techniques, and at times re-contextualizing and re-interpreting traditional crafts.
DECO-AID furniture is handmade in Lebanon by the finest Lebanese craftsmen. Material longevity, selection and attention to detail are essential in meeting the standard required for the design.
Elie shares a particular interest for product design. He constantly explores the projects' conceptualization by experimenting with materials and ergonomics. He believes that a project doesn't end at the completion of its construction but continues as the user starts interacting with the product.
Specialists in custom commissions and combining exceptional craftsmanship with contemporary design, Fabraca Studios, Samer Saadeh offer their clients a true bespoke service. Through its use of noble materials and fine engineering techniques Fabraca Studios' is a design-led business for commissioned lighting and furniture pieces where art, craft and design meet.
Fadi Sarieddine Design Studio is a multidisciplinary atelier. Sarieddine on the one hand examines the use of unconventional materials by taking them out of their natural setting and applying them as a new medium thus giving them a new identity. On the other, he cleverly lends functions and compartments to an otherwise basic object.
"Fusion of contrasts" is what defines Fares' approach to Interior Architecture and Design. His creations are the result of a unique and elegant blend of shapes: Linear, curved and parametric. The "A r t i c u l a t i o n" Design collection is what typically reflects this approach, as being a concept inspired by human body articulated parts in their lines, curves and kinetic shapes. Refined into elements with a unique scale and very specific function, "A r t i h a n d" floor lamps and candleholders are the first items of this collection; a hand shaped items with adjustable/articulating parts offering a variety of shapes in one single element. A perfect combination of three main qualities: geometry, uniqueness and practicality.
HAWINI is shedding light on the work of one of its founders, Wissam Moubarak, an architect, designer and photographer. For this new body of work Moubarak drew inspiration from dilapidated cities, with a particular aim on defending their cultural heritage and History. Old houses skeletons were reconceived as low tables an imaginary cities were sketched from the vivid and childhood infused imagination of the artist. Moubarak combined materials, while keeping an astute attention to "Handmade creations", is giving us some food for thought with his new installation.
Ghandour's work is contemporary with a modest reminiscence to the past. His designs are shaped with an impeccable technique and molded with noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and Lapiz Lazuli with a strong sculptural presence. Most of Hicham's pieces are one of a kind or limited editions.
Deeply rooted in the carpet industry since 1926, Iwan Maktabi's name has become synonymous with high end carpets, and continued the family tradition and its commitment to quality, and creativity. Hence the gallery's reputation of market leaders in both antique and contemporary design carpets. Iwan Maktabi is unveiling for Beirut Design Fair, the mosaic collection by Luke Irwin.
Having been a defender of Lebanese design, Joy Mardini, director of the gallery, has found that good design is born out of a thorough understanding of materials, craftsmanship and purpose paired together with sound aesthetic sensibilities.
The gallery will present a curated booth of three contemporary designers, Carla Baz, Charles Kalpakian and david/nicolas, focusing on the intriguing universe that inspires and drives their creative process. Each one encompasses different values, backgrounds and narratives that are weaved together in their designs. The show encourages a closer scrutiny of their journey from inspiration to object, placing great significance on their ingenuity as well as the purely visual aesthetics.
Karina Sukar has a passion for turning the plain into aesthetic and for redesigning vintage objects, mixing materials and finishes in the process and finding inspiration everywhere. Geometrical shapes become a cabinet, rain drops on a pond are a cluster of tables, construction rebars become a wine bar, venetian blinds turn into a lounging chair and Mondrian's composition becomes a mirror… all "proudly made in Lebanon." Karina "Believes in creating objects with sense-appeal. An object must speak to us." Applying this concept to interior architecture, she goes, "Our living environment acts upon us. We need to choose how."
MAD ARCHITECTURE & DESIGNMAD latest project is a new take on the traditional Lebanese stove; Stouff's modern design presents an energy efficient performance, engineered to maximize heating power output while minimizing wood consumption. Stouff's versatility allows it to be connected to your home's central heating system, while maintaining tribute to its traditional roots by featuring a special cooking compartment.
Established in 1862, Maison Tarazi combines a legacy of authentic craftsmanship with innovative techniques. Their creative lab of experts is a constantly evolving think tank. Camille M. Tarazi will be present for his book signing « Vitrine de l'Orient ».
The world of creation has no boundaries and Marie Munier certainly exemplifies the notion. A journey that began with expression through painting, then led to a road captured by the allure of antiquity .This would tempt Marie Munier away from her brushes and toward the world of jewels, creating unique statement jewelry. Over the past four decades Marie s most passionate form of expression has continued to be her jewelry, but today a new passion has emerged. Thus she was drawn to explore graphical motifs reminiscent of her jewels on a larger scale, creating lighting sculptures for stylish homes.
Known for her detailed approach to the crafting of metal products, Marine combines traditional techniques with innovating materials as semi-precious stone or simple metal mesh to create unique pieces and individualization in design for some pieces that will stay uncopied.
Nada Rizk hand built sculptures grow from a multitude of images in the natural and the imaginary worlds. BLOOM is a series of 15 tall ceramic sculpture vessels with hundreds of hand built flowers and organic elements all in bloom as if frozen in time. Each sculpture is unique. The accumulation of hundreds of flowers and organic elements side by side convey a feeling of opulence, sensuality and communicate a sense of power. It aims at redefining our relationship with nature and the environment in which we are living.
Namika Atelier is a pottery studio founded in 2012 By Hala Matta. It is a collaborative platform that showcases works by the founder Hala Matta and artists such as Katya Traboulsi, Vivian Van Blerk, Theodoris Galigalidis and others. The pottery studio defends craftsmanship and promotes ceramics as a mainstream artistic medium.
For this edition of Beirut Design Fair Namika Atelier booth will be presenting ceramic tables by Katya Traboulsi, zoomorphic urnes and pots by Vivian Van Blerk, pots by Hala Matta inspired by the sea and raku / naked raku vases by Theodoris Galigalidis.
Claudia Chahine is a French-Lebanese interior designer who started creating furniture since 2005. She likes to give to her work a strong artistic vision. She is always eager to put craftsmanship right at the heart of insightful furniture pieces. Gilbert Debs is a mix between an artist, alchemist and a philosopher. He is on a perpetual quest to discover new combinations of materials, contesting their ordinary properties and ways of reacting. At Opus Magnum Gallery they both like to play with their invented textures and touch new boundaries. Their latest in 2017 is a surface combining traditional local blown glass to their unique process of casting metals. The result is a glowing hard surface that they use to create sculptured artistic yet functional pieces.
Paola Sakr is an independent designer, photographer and artist based in Beirut that work around storytelling.
Impermanence is a series of vases made of abandoned pieces and material scraps. It represents our attachment to what is ephemeral. This collection is a reminder that everything around us is in perpetual metamorphosis and subject to decay and destruction. A reminder that nothing is permanent but change. The brief cycle of life of the flowers thriving in these vases symbolizes the fleeting existence of our reality.
What started as an unknown hobby playing with resin, an activity that stemmed from Ralph's architectural and interior background, suddenly became an incredible artistic journey for the self-taught artist. His pieces, which have now become a form of escape for him, are made mostly from scratch whereby all materials are picked and put together by hand, making the act of creation a true act of art. The end result is a powerful reflection of the inspiration he gathers from the beauty he sees in the world around him and the majestic shapes of our planet Earth.
Pico is a four hole Ocarina designed for music beginners. Made out of recycled pieces of marble that would have otherwise been discarded. Its design makes it a durable, ergonomic and exclusive product. Each piece is unique thanks to the marble's veins. The included leather pouch will let you take Pico wherever you go. A beginner's instrument, in the palm of your hand!
Ramy Boutros firm's philosophy is to mold its clients' dreams and desires into architecture. His bespoke creations blend luxurious materials with impeccable craftsmanship and are ultimately designed to stimulate and, quite often, provoke. Effortlessly flying over centuries and combining unexpected styles must be one of RB's top signatures. His avid lust for Art and Beauty has allowed him to develop an authentic, eccentric vision that aims to capture the Soul of every client.
Sahar Bizri introduced functional furniture pieces that combine innovative mechanics and contemporary design. Her finesse designs bring together: a contemporary aesthetics marked by clean smooth lines with soft edges merge with unique yet functional mechanical movements.
Designer and woodworker, Sandy designs and makes her own furniture. Reclaimed wood, patchwork and puzzles are a main touch in her work, a combination that makes her work unique. For Beirut Design Fair, Sandy is showcasing a unique dining table, a perfect example of the patchwork technique and style of work that she usually create. The table has elegant and modern legs with a colorful top using more than 5 types of reclaimed wood.
Souraya Haddad Crédoz is a diplomed architect focusing on organic, sustainability, but with her care for poetry and sensitive things. She designs unique pieces.
Founded by Rabih Kayrouz, Tala Hajjar and in collaboration with Solidere, STARCH is a non-profit organization that helps launch Lebanese emerging designers. It is an annual program and a rotation of debut collections where emerging designers and an architect are selected each year. The collections are presented for a period of one year at the STARCH boutique.
Stephanie Sayar & Charbel Gharibeh, have been part of Starch team 2016. Their approach to design encompasses their personal vision of experimental designs with a dash of humor using new materials and forms. They recently opened their studio Sayar & Garibeh, after developing their product design skills and exhibiting their work at a number of international fairs. They will be showcasing Droop lamp, a table lamp that reflects a fusion between different materials to create a minimalist design. A combination of hand blown glass bulb, with a brass base, merged and blended with a geometrical marble block. The lamp is currently part of OTC editions.
"Studio A" by Ahmad Bazazo focuses on the creation of unique spaces and pieces, is highly influenced by the specificity of its locale, at the crossroads where east meets west. It challenges the notions of traditional design by pushing the boundaries of material experimentation and precision in order to create objects of the highest possible quality.
Tarek ElKassouf work is inspired by geometric patterns and is often spliced with futuristic parametric design. His geometric products are considered to be "functional-sculptural pieces".
Toufic Matta is an architect and budding product designerraised in a family of craftmen, Painter mother, Coachbuilder/restorer father, and Shoemaker grandfather, he had a leaning to automotive and industrial design since an early age. Collaborating with Beirut Makers since March 2017, he exhibited with the collaborative in the latest Beirut Design Week. Presented work received a prize from Recycle Beirut.
Walid has a particular interest for furniture design, and throughout his projects he has designed a myriad of unique pieces which rendered the designed interior a particular functional and unique atmosphere.
He has designed pieces that matches all styles of architecture, and is passionate about mixing different materials, to achieve a simple modern, yet creative design with a vintage inspiration.
Bespoke and Unique Pieces of Furniture! YEW specializes in designing and building one-of-one collectible pieces of furniture. The company's vision is to ensure all its creations are distinctive and bespoke, giving value to the owner's individuality. Through their masterly craftsmanship they ensure owners enjoy their unique creations across generations.
This first edition will confirm Beirut as The Design hub of the Middle East.
A fair not to be missed!!
Check out the full detailed program here
and 10 facts you didn't know about Beirut Design Fair 2017 here
Reference: www.beirut-design-fair.com


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Right on cue for that conversation comes the release of a poll by the Associated Press suggesting that racism has actually increased since President Obama was elected.
Racial prejudice has increased slightly since 2008 whether those feelings were measured using questions that explicitly asked respondents about racist attitudes, or through an experimental test that measured implicit views toward race without asking questions about that topic directly.There are people who take this information and assume it is somehow President Obama's fault or that he should have been the one to fix the problem.
In all, 51% of Americans now express explicit anti-black attitudes, compared with 48% in a similar 2008 survey. When measured by an implicit racial attitudes test, the number of Americans with anti-black sentiments jumped to 56%, up from 49% during the last presidential election. In both tests, the share of Americans expressing pro-black attitudes fell.
I don't happen to agree with either of those assumptions. When I read that article, I immediately thought of a blog post by my friend Robinswing titled We Can't Fix Ya! I hope she won't mind if I quote a good bit of it...we need the reminder.
The blackwoman has been thinking it might be time to seek out some solutions for eliminating racism. A more difficult project than I imagined.President Obama is one of those black people who "took what he could get." The fact that in doing so he made some white people uncomfortable is THEIR problem - not his. What he is responsible for is to continue being the president of ALL of America and doing that to the best of his abilities - just as he has done the last 4 years.
Race is a problem for white people to solve. If black people or brown people could have made racism go away it would have long since disappeared back into the nothing-ness from which it came.
Nah, it's on white folks to make the necessary moves to kill and bury, once and for all, the notion of race. I think in a generation or two this just might happen.
For one thing no small part of the fear rising in the hearts of some our finest race-baiting carbon units is the realization that within a generation they will be the minority. This idea causes folk like Pat Buchanan to go to sleep at night clutching at his gonads. He's been ringing the white folks we're about to be outnumbered bell for a really long time. With the election of America's first black president, many of the dull-normals suddenly got it.
In the America they grew up in, such a thing was not possible. A black president was not a notion the mouth-breathers ever considered. It couldn't happen...
Settling the question of race must fall on the shoulders of those who have most benefited by racial divisions. It's called white privilege and if you are white you have enjoyed this privilege whether or not your parents are recent immigrants, held slaves, didn't hold slaves, ancestors fought for the Union or the Rebels...White privilege belongs only to your race and only your race can call back the privilege by extending it through law, institution and practice to everyone. So far there has been no real effort in that direction. We got law. We understood you cannot legislate feelings. Only behavior.
We took what we could get...
White people have to come up with the solution to racism. Some of these folk are family. Some are neighbors. Some are friends. Talk to them. Don't let them get away with the stereotypes. Challenge them on privilege. Point out that as long as this privilege exists, racism has a home.
If all else fails, remind them that they are soon to be the minority and that karma is a bitch.
The people who continue to harbor fear of the imminent loss of their privilege are just going to have to deal with it.

subset: commoncrawl


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I joined the Learning Technologies Design Research (LTDR) program at GMU to enhance my academic and scholarly skills in order to help in improving education in developing countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia. My choice of LTDR as the PhD concentration and Instructional System Design as the specialization ties to my plan to work in Saudi Arabia after graduating and contribute to the development of its educational system. In order to achieve this goal, I find myself at this stage of my academic program focusing on research methodologies and methods and instructional system design skills.
At the beginning of my academic journey, I had difficulties in choosing between various types of educational research courses. However, Mason's PhD program provided me the opportunity to learn a variety of research methods approaches including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and design-based research. While enrolled in EDRS 812 and EDRS 822, qualitative research methods courses, I was introduced to qualitative inquiry and learned how to select among the many options available within the broad range of qualitative methods such as ground theory and field research. In addition, theoretical perspectives and qualitative research applications have been introduced during the study of EDRS 822. I also had the opportunity to design a qualitative study using observational methods. I conducted in-depth open-ended interviews and analyzed qualitative data to generate findings. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the perspectives of English as Second Language (ESL) students on using educational Mobile apps to improve their English language skills at an English language institute in the United States. The use of one-on-one interviews captured students' point of view and beliefs about the use of Mobile apps for improving their English language capacity. Findings showed that ESL students are satisfied with using mobile application for improving their English language capacity. They also indicated that in spite of the challenges ESL students faced when using mobile apps in learning, mobile apps could provide unique educational advantages to ESL students.
Following this further, quantitative methods course EDRS 811 provided me with knowledge of essential steps in developing a research proposal based on quantitative research methods. In this class, I had the opportunity to organize and describe data, design proper samples and experiments for research projects, and applied statistical inferences for drawing conclusion from produced data.
Overall, the studied research methods courses have shown me that research approaches are procedures and plans for research that span the steps form broad assumptions to detailed methods for collecting data, analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion (Creswell, 2013). I believe that choosing a research methods approach for my future research involves many decisions based on the nature of the research problem, my own research experience and skills, and the participants who will be involved in the study. As such, learning and practicing various research methods approaches is essential for me as a researcher and for my academic work at GMU and in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to understanding the different research methods approaches, I am becoming aware of the rapid development taking place in the field of instructional system design. Courses in my specialization (ISD) have given me the opportunity to become familiar with epistemological underpinnings of instructional design and the consequences of the instruction process. I have developed a keen awareness of the theoretical basis, tools, and resources underlying the instructional design process. According to Mergel (1998), instructional designers must understand the strengths and weakness of instructional system paradigms and learning theories in order to produce appropriate instructional design strategies. Enrolling in EDIT 705, Instructional Design, provided me with basic knowledge and skills of instructional design, which helped me to develop a solid foundation in the design process that can be used to craft optimal solutions to instructional and performance challenges. I believe this course will positively impact my future work in Saudi Arabia because it can essentially help me ensure that learning materials serve a necessary purpose, meet the need for students, and are well organized, delivered in an appropriate manner, and continually evaluated (Morrison, Ross, Kalman, & Kemp, 2012). Moreover, the advanced course of Instructional design EDIT 730 addressed the paradigm shift of epistemological approaches in the field of instructional design, starting from objectivism and moving to constructivism with intensive focus on the implication of constructivism for instructional design. Therefore, I am building awareness of the alternative constructivist-based pedagogical models and their implications for the design of problem solving learning environments.
In conclusion, educational research methods courses have provided me with tools to understand and investigate existing educational systems and settings for learning as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to develop research proposals to conduct new and innovative research in the area of learning technologies. In addition, instructional system design courses have prepared me to actually create necessary and new learning artifacts. Therefore, the courses that I have studied so far have provided me with valuable experience to start practicing design research. According to McKenney and Reeves (2014), the underlying philosophy of design research is that a researcher has to understand the innovative forms of education that he or she wants to bring about in order to be able to produce them. This concept started to become more obvious to me when enrolling in EDIT 801, Introduction to Design Research, because the course was the starting point to integrating instructional design work with research in order to develop valuable and well-grounded knowledge, which will allow me to create innovative design and research.
Download Knowledge Discussion Essay
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
McKenney, S., & Reeves, T. C. (2014). Educational design research. In Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (pp. 131-140). Springer New York.
Morrison, G.R., Ross, S.M., Kalman, H.K., & Kemp, J.E. (2012). Designing effective instruction (7th edition). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons


text: The speaker's gavel will soon belong to John Boehner: The GOP won control of the House on Tuesday night. By 1 a.m., the GOP had picked up 55 seats—more than the 54 it won in 1994—and when all the votes are counted, they're expected to have won between 64 and 66 seats, according to Nate Silver. Republicans needed 39 seats to take control of the House. Notable defeats include losses by 14-term Democrat John Spratt and 17-term Rep. Ike Skelton. Meanwhile in the Senate, the GOP won at least six seats, which is fewer than the 10 needed to take control. That includes nail-biting victories for Republicans Pat Toomey and Mark Kirk in Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hung on in Nevada, and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet also fended off Tea Party challenger Ken Buck.


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Further info
Offences and penalties
Failing to have a licence is a criminal offence and subject to an unlimited fine upon conviction. Listed below are details of possible breaches:
- It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property fails to apply for a licence and he/she is liable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine.
- A licence holder who breaches any of the licence conditions is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5.
- Overcrowding* - a landlord committing an offence of overcrowding is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale and to a further fine not exceeding one-tenth of the amount corresponding to that level in respect of every day subsequent to the day on which he is convicted on which the offence continues.
- It is a criminal offence to obstruct the Local Authority in carrying out their functions under Parts 1 to 4 and sections 239 and 240 and is liable upon conviction a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
Definition of overcrowding
*Under s.324 of the Housing Act 1985 a 'dwelling' (home) is overcrowded when the number of persons sleeping in the dwelling is such as to contravene:
- The standard specified in section 325 (the room standard), or
- The standard specified in section 326 (the space standard)
Consequences of non-licensing
The following are some of the consequences of non-licensing:
- a landlord who is required to have a licence but doesn't, loses the right to automatic possession of the rented property under an assured shorthold lease under HA1988, s.21 (as amended s.75)
- tenants may make an application to a Residential Property Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order if the landlord has been convicted of the offence of operating a licensed property without a licence
What constitutes a defence?
There are three defences available to someone who does not have the requisite licence:
- when there is a reasonable excuse for his failure (section 95(1))
- A Notification had been duly given in respect of the house under section 62(1) or 86(1) (Temporary Exemption) or:
- An application for a licence had been duly made in respect of the house under section 63, and that notification or application was still effective.
HMO Register
To find out more, you can download the current HMO register.
Selective Licensing Register
To find out more, you can download the current Selective Licensing register.


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This page is dedicated to our one buzz word – Biophilia.
Our goal is to introduce you to the term biophilia, its meaning, and what it means to us as individuals and communities. Biophilia has been defined as the love of life and all living things, fueling an innate desire to connect with the natural world.
We have a list of links on our Resources page, you can visit to learn even more. We will bring you updates as new data becomes available. Some of our references will be technical, some not so much. You will gain more insight into our inherent need for a connection to the natural world.
What is Biophilia?
A psychologist with many specialties, Erich Fromm, is believed to have first coined the term biophilia. His work, The Heart of Man, is used as a reference for the psychology behind the term. Fromm speaks of a "psychological orientation" that makes us yearn for and draws us "to all that is alive and vital." E. O. Wilson is another champion of biophilia, dedicating a work with the same title on his personal experiences.
And there are many other works that more broadly address this connection, our relationship to the natural world. Richard Louv's work, The Last Child in the Woods, is subtitled "Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder." It's that nature-deficit we are trying to fill, by bringing more of that natural world into our daily lives.
Many have championed the concept of including the natural world in our lives throughout the years. Jens Jensen consistently modeled his landscapes after truly natural settings, and Frederick Law Olmsted demanded settings be park-like for the benefit of those who lived there.
The Benefits of Biophilia
So what happens when we nurture this connection with nature? Some tangible results are rejuvenation and increased attention. Fatigue and stress lessen, while productivity, problem-solving and mastery skills improve. Decision-making and self-discipline improve, and it fosters creativity and personality development. Healing is enhanced while childhood diagnoses are reduced. We strongly encourage you to look at some of the research data we have compiled on our Resources page. You will find the results quite moving.
We also learned that the quality of our environment correlates to our values. So on a grander scale when we include the natural world in our lives we not only improve the ecosystems we improve our community at a fundamental level.
It's this fundamental level we are working on at Keeler Gardens, a 501(c)(3). Start with one plant on a desk, a tree in a parkway, simple efforts that have the potential to make huge changes.
Being Biophilic
We encourage you learn more, visit our our Resources page for research and articles, and ask questions so we can offer you insights. There are so many easy and amazing ways we can improve our lives by inviting other living things in. Let us show you what we have done, what we have to offer, what we hope our community will accomplish, and how we can inspire your community, too.


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Episode 13: The importance of thinking ahead to postpartum with Heather Ash of Happiness Mama/
Today I chat with Heather Ash of the blog Happiness Mama. Heather is mom to two little girls and step mom to one boy. In this episode we chat about the importance of remembering to think about postpartum while you are pregnant, postpartum depression and anxiety awareness, and the beauty of lactation consultant home visits.
Heather was also generous enough to offer podcast listeners her postpartum bliss list - which is 10 conversations to have before (or after) baby comes and her favorite baby and toddler sleep tools and resources. Make sure you go here to get yours!
You can find Heather at her blog Happiness Mama
And on Twitter here.
As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.
While you're on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!
Thanks for listening!


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Day 187:
I'm still mapping the floors. Turns out I've done a lot more digging than I thought. The mapping is going well and seems to be working out okay, and I've even found some ore that I'd missed before.
It's tiring, and I get lost a lot, and that's kind of pathetic… but it's also why I'm making a map.


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Let's chat!
My Process:
- We start with a free introductory call where we discuss where you are and where you are trying to go
- Getting to know each other is important! In our first call we will establish a coaching schedule that works for your needs
- Each session is an opportunity to learn, gain insights, establish desired outcomes and work through roadblocks. We keep the "bigger picture" in mind while we work through what is happening right now
- Homework is often a necessary tool to help continue the momentum outside of our sessions. Often times this consists of a small step you will take between sessions, journaling, acquiring a new resource or simply setting a new boundary
- This should be fun! Consider our time together a safe place for you to explore your big dreams, the ones you often keep buried inside and are too afraid to share!
I know that coaching is a big commitment and not every coach is the right fit for you. That is why I offer a free 45 minute intro session. Fill out the form below and let's get something on the books!
Our Office
Indianapolis, IN
I love remote coaching! Modern day technology gives us plenty of options. Not in Indiana? No problem!


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Your donations keep St. Charles at the forefront of health care innovation and profoundly affect the health of our community.
Meet some of our donors
Our work at the St. Charles Foundation is entirely dependent on the generosity of our donors. Your support directly impacts the lives of St. Charles patients and their families and the overall health of our community. Through naming opportunities, named endowments and impact stories, we recognize donations at all levels. We are deeply grateful for everyone who contributes to the St. Charles Foundation, from those making substantial monetary gifts to event sponsors, participants and volunteers.


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History of Our Church
The first entry in the session minutes of our congregation is dated May 30th, 1857. The congregation was not yet chartered, but services were held and members received. On Saturday, Reverend Conner, the moderator, preached on the verse "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." (Song of Solomon 2:4). Sunday morning the text was "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17). Services continued that afternoon with the celebration of the Lord's Supper. In those days, worship continued with a service on Monday. The passage for this Monday was John 1:47.
On Sunday, June 21st, 1858, fifty-five dedicated residents with diverse social and economic backgrounds gathered to worship the Lord in Ebenezer Steel's barn. It was not uncommon for early barn services to be joined by birds, dogs and other animals. Later arrivers— human ones— sat in hay lofts above the rest of the congregation. Little did any of them know that they were building a foundation for what would become Union Presbyterian Church. Construction for the first Union Church building began in 1858. By 1930, more room was needed, so the congregation purchased a schoolhouse and moved it by trucks to the church property.
In the 1950's, it became increasingly apparent that a new church building would be needed to accommodate the needs of Union's growing congregation. Ground for the new church was broken on May 19th, 1959, on a 23 acre site across Route 380 from the original church. On January 31st, 1960, the church closed it's doors with the observance of communion, just as it had begun one hundred years prior. One week later the new church opened, again with the celebration of communion.
On May 20th, 1990, Union Presbyterian Church celebrated a service of dedication for the newly renovated sanctuary. Beginning in 1989, the chancel was completely updated. Choir was moved to the front of the sanctuary along with a new Allen organ. A beautiful new communion table and pulpit was built by Richard Gardner Jr. Mr. Charles Stauffer, with assistance of Mr. James Love designed and constructed the cross. This bronze cross is a replica of the Scottish cross of St. John. It is the largest known cast bronze cross in the United States.
Union Church has served Washington Township and the Murrysville area for over 150 years, and we look forward to continued service to Jesus Christ and to the people of this community for another 150 years or more, if the Lord is willing. As in the past, we attempt to live out our mission to the best of our ability.
Our mission is to serve Jesus Christ, our Lord, by telling the good news of salvation, by proclaiming the grace of God through faith, and by calling all people to respond to Jesus Christ as our only Savior and Lord. Our common prayer is that our church family will be a living instrument of God's love, welcoming all with caring and understanding. We seek guidance from the Holy Spirit for clarity of our purpose in living out the ever-changing challenge of Christ's Great Commission. We commit ourselves to work together, and we encourage each other to use our diverse gifts as a testimony to the life, death, resurrection and teachings of Jesus Christ.


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Project development for Master thesis ETH Zurich
An interruption in the "common" urban fabric of the site suddenly "blank". We interpret it by deploying 4 superblocks with a very simple geometry. Each of these blocks with their spatial configuration represents a finding of qualities within the inside and the outside. Through 4 different themes for each block the most important references from the context are interpreted and transliterated into architecture. The structuring, the framing of the qualities is done in different aspects : the physical, the social and the programmatic. Within every block there is a loop of public shared spaces which are categorized by proximity, accessibility and involvement. Each of these programs are translated from the inside to the outside of the block creating entangled narratives based on different user groups and different graduation between the public and private space.
Project team : Aleksandra Shekutkovska, Laurence Angelo Angeles


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links for 2009-06-08
June 8, 2009
"WATER company Severn Trent has been told it cannot run a half-mile road through a city woodland beauty spot following major protests from residents.
Birmingham's planning committee agreed with residents, 73 of whom signed a petition against the scheme, that the destruction of a woodland spot could not be allowed for the sake of the occasional maintenance van."
Single issue action works in this instance, could the networks formed by this (or similar) campaigns be harnessed for longer-term work?
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What Exactly is SEO?!
Anyone with a website or blog has heard of SEO. Particularly now as technology continues to rapidly advance, we hear about SEO more and more. But what exactly is SEO? Well for starters, SEO stands for "search engine optimization." This is the process of improving the visibility of your websiteRead More…


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NEWS RELEASE · 29th July 2010
Friends of Wild Salmon
As Enbridge crews clean up a massive pipeline oil spill in Michigan, salmon conservation advocates say a similar spill in northern B.C. would seriously harm wild salmon and water resources.
An Enbridge pipeline carrying oil between Indiana and Ontario broke Monday, spilling 4 million litres of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River.
"Given our salmon resources in northwest B.C., we simply can't risk seeing a major oil pipeline spill happen here," said Friends of Wild Salmon chair Jennifer Rice. "There are many complicating factors that would make an oil cleanup in our northern rivers much more difficult than what crews are facing in Michigan."
Enbridges proposed 1,170-kilometre pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast would cross nearly 1,000 waterways. These include vital salmon spawning streams in the upper Fraser, Skeena, Copper and Kitimat Rivers.
Salmon rivers threatened by an oil spill from the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline include:
- Stewart River (Fraser tributary) Pink, Chinook, sockeye, coho
- Salmon River (Fraser tributary) Pink, Chinook, sockeye, coho
- Morice River (Skeena tributary) Chinook, sockeye, coho, pink, steelhead
- Copper River (Skeena tributary) Chinook, chum, sockeye, pink, steelhead
- Kitimat River Chinook, chum, sockeye, pink, coho, steelhead
Longtime Morice fishing guide Tony Harris says log jams and side channels in rivers such as the Morice River are unique salmon rearing areas and would collect oil as it drifted downstream. The Morice River contributes as much as 30 percent of the Skeena's total chinook and steelhead escapement and would be devastated by an oil spill.
"There is no way to clean up an oil spill on the Morice. Not only would all the log jams have to be removed but the gravel would need to be excavated and that would mean losing important habitat. It would be a no-win situation for fish," said Harris.
"Each time Enbridge has a spill, they tell us they have learned from their mistakes. We won't allow our northern salmon rivers to become the next lesson in this companys trial and error learning process, said Rice."
Comment by
on 3rd August 2010
I hope Mr Endbridge that you and your minions are the smartest pipe line builders in the world, because you say you learn from your mistakes and sir you have had a few. If sir you and your political croonies intend to carry on with this follie, then be prepared to sometime in the future compensate every farmer whose land your pipe goes through and be prepared to all and everyone who makes their living and or just get their pleasure from the seas
There is another way to transport the oil and that is by rail in double lined tanks, that can be lifted off the rail car onto the ships just like containers. The worst that can happen with this method is if the train derails, a few tankers at most would tip and not necessarily split because they are double lined. As for on the ships, if they run aground or start sinking you would have three thousand or so oil containers bobbing around that could be picked up quite easily. Lastly we are the people who live here and we don't send our garbage to you. So don't send yours to us. Thank You Dave Burrows Kitimat BC
Comment by
on 29th July 2010
Given the way our provincial govt. has set aside our old democratic values by thinking we the people actually have a say in what govt. does re: hst ,bc rail etc.> it.s scary to think that in spite of our oppostion to the pipeline, they will go ahead.
The New Democracy being touted now eliminates the need for elections as the ass holes will do what they want anyway.


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SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council on Wednesday night gave first approval to changes governing off-leash dog access to Willard Beach and final approval to a flea market near Buttonwood Street.
Both measures, which were tweaked prior to the council's votes, previously generated opposition from residents.
Willard Beach dog rule discussions have filled the council chambers in the past. But that opposition was not evident Wednesday night, perhaps indicating residents are resigned to the prospect of a citywide referendum on the issue.
Peggy Stewart, a member of the Dog Owners Group, said the group does not support a citizen referendum because it will only further divide the community.
"We're going to do our best to prevail," she said.
Nonetheless, the council will take a final vote Feb. 2 on proposed changes to the ordinance regulating dogs on Willard Beach. If approved, dogs would be allowed on the beach from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May through September, rather than from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Dogs would still be allowed to run off-leash during daylight hours from October through April.
Councilors unanimously supported the rule changes, calling the proposal a compromise and the council's best effort to resolve the ongoing dispute between dog owners and residents who don't want dogs on the beach.
The original proposal before the council would have extended the summer restrictions to include the month of April, when some councilors said they begin receiving complaints about dogs on the beach.
But Councilor Jim Soule suggested keeping the restrictions in place from May to September to allow dog owners more daylight walking time.
"I found out that dog owners would be walking around in the dark at that time," Soule said, "and that would not be beneficial from a safety standpoint."
Councilors Linda Boudreau, Maxine Beecher and Jim Hughes opposed the changes.
"My experience has been that April is not a good month," Boudreau said. "There is conflict in that month."
The proposed changes would establish a three-tiered fine scheduled for ordinance violations – $100 for the first offense and $250 and $500 for the second and third offenses.
It also strengthens the definition of voice command, requiring dog owners to demonstrate immediate control, meaning the dog comes at first calling if requested by the animal control officer, who would issue summonses for noncompliance.
The proposed changes also require dog owners to receive permission before letting their dogs pass within 10 feet of someone else on the beach. If the person being approached appears to be under the age of 12, that permission must come from a parent of guardian.
Dogs are also prohibited from running off-leash in Mill Creek Park, and dog owners are prohibited from disposing of dog feces in the city's storm water system.
"I think the public needs to speak on this issue," Boudreau said of a possible November referendum. "If the public speaks, then future councils will be very reluctant to overturn that vote."
SUBHED-Flea market
The council also approved a proposed flea market proposed by Louis Maietta for the former Yerxa's Lawn Care building on Buttonwood Street, near Broadway.
Maietta convinced the council to loosen proposed restrictions, saying that some vendors have suggested they would not set up shop at his weekend market because of restricted hours.
He originally proposed allowing vendors to set up their wares as early as 6 a.m., but most councilors said that such an early start on the weekend would not be fair to neighbors. Some councilors tried to push that load time to 9 a.m., but they ultimately settled on 7 a.m.
Vendors and operators, with the exception of second-hand dealers already licensed by the city, would have to receive a license from the city to participate in the flea market.
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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center recognizes the importance visitors may have to our patients. The following guidelines were developed to assure that the patient and their visitors would have the maximum benefits from the experience without compromising patient care, confidentiality and security.
Visitors are allowed with the permission of the patient. Patient visitors should visit the main lobby information desk receptionist for patient information. At any time a patient may request to limit or restrict visitors. These requests must be communicated to the patient's care team members.
Patients on 5E, 5W, 5N, the Pediatric Unit (6N) and the Intensive Care Unit have additional criteria for visitors. Please check with staff on the unit for more information.
Please Note: Fresh flowers and plants are not permitted on these units. The unit staff and the Roswell Park Gift Shop personnel may be consulted for alternate gift options that are permissible and will be enjoyed.
Influenza Season Visitor Information
Your loved ones depend on us to take the best possible care we can of them. We need you to do your part, too and put our patients first. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or are suffering from a head cold, we ask you to reconsider your visit. If you need to visit, then we ask you to wear a surgical/isolation mask prior to entering a patient care unit. You can find these masks at all nursing stations.
- All visitors with communicable infectious diseases should refrain from visiting patients. Please let friends and family members know about our policy if they wish to accompany patients during clinic visits or visit hospitalized patients.
- We ask that visitors do NOT come to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center if they have an influenza-like illness, which means a fever greater than or equal to 100°F (37.8°C) with cough and/or sore throat within the last 7 days.
Patient Status
During normal business hours, family and friends may get updates on your status by calling your room or the nurses' station on your floor. They may also call the hospital Information Desk at 716-845-1523 and ask to be transferred to your room or to your nurses' station. After business hours, your family may call your nurses' station directly or Central Access at 716-845-2300.
Visitor Policy
We strongly encourage you to visit with your family member or friend. We have an open visitor policy and family members and friends are welcome to visit anytime.
- Family members are welcome to stay overnight, but will be limited to ONE person in the room. Overnight stays in semi-private patient rooms are at the discretion of the nurse manager.
- On the pediatric unit a parent or designated guardian may stay with the patient at all times.
- We ask that patients have only 2 visitors at any time. Exceptions to this rule may be approved by the nurse manager.
- The units on the 5th floor, the Pediatric Unit (6N), the Intermediate Care Unit and the Intensive Care Unit may have additional criteria for visitors. Please check with your nurse for more information.
Visitor Courtesy
For the benefit of our patients, Roswell Park asks visitors to maintain these courtesies:
- Please do not visit if you are sick or have recently been sick with a cold or flu.
- Please wash or use hand sanitizer before and after entering a patient's room.
- Make your visits brief. Patients need rest to recover.
- Remember, the patient may be in pain. Don't sit on the patient's bed.
- You may be asked to leave the room for nursing or physician examinations.
- If the patient's door is closed, or if a sign is posted, please check at the nurses' station before entering.
Visitor Services
While waiting for a patient in surgery or during visiting hours, visitors may take advantage of these services available within Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center:
- Family lounges are available on each floor of the hospital.
- Free wireless internet is available throughout the hospital.
- The Resource Center for Patients & Families offers cancer information, resources and support; a complimentary wig program for cancer patients; a lending library of laptops, DVDs, and CDs; and printers. The Resource Center staff will deliver any of these services directly to inpatients by request.
- A Pastoral Care Center and Meditation Chapel is located on the 1st floor of the main hospital (on the bridge to the Carlton Building).
- Hospitality & Food
- Gift Shop
- Lodging
Infection Prevention
- We want to protect our patients from infectious diseases that are transmitted easily from person to person (such as viral infections).
- It is important to wash or sanitize your hands before and after entering a patient's room.
- All visitors with communicable infectious diseases should refrain from visiting patients. Please let friends and family members know about our policy if they wish to accompany patients during clinic visits or visit hospitalized patients.
- We ask that visitors do NOT come to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center if they have an influenza-like illness, which means a fever greater than or equal to 100°F (37.8°C) with cough and/or sore throat in the last 7 days.
The Ebola Virus Disease
Inform your Roswell Park physician if you:
- traveled within the past three weeks to an Ebola-affected region*
- had close contact with someone who has traveled to an Ebola-affected region* within the past six weeks, or who has had fever or other flu-like symptoms
- traveled to, or have been in contact with someone who has traveled to, an Ebola-affected region* and you develop fever or other flu-like symptoms. It is very important that you inform your Roswell Park physician before coming to the Institute
If You Experience Symptoms After Recent Travel to an Ebola-affected Region*
If you experience symptoms after recent travel, or after being in contact with a person who has traveled to an Ebola-affected region*, you should do the following:
- Call your Roswell Park physician (or Nurse Practitioner of Physician Assistant) about your symptoms and your recent travel to or contact with a person who has traveled to an Ebola-affected region.*
- If these providers are not available, ask to speak to the covering physician.
- Your Roswell Park physician or another member of our staff will provide you with specific instructions.
- If urgent care is needed, call 911 and inform them about your symptoms and possible Ebola exposure.
Ebola Signs & Symptoms
- Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F).**
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after Ebola exposure, but the average is eight to 10 days.
Facts About Ebola Transmission
- You can't get Ebola through air, water or food.
- You can only get Ebola from:
- Touching the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or who has died from Ebola. Individuals who are not symptomatic are not contagious.
- Touching contaminated objects, like needles.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- New York State Department of Health
- Para obtener más información acerca de la fiebre hemorrágica del Ébola, por favor visite
Download the official notice from the NY State Department of Health, available in eight different languages.
* Ebola-affected areas as of December 2014 include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mali.
**Not all fevers are Ebola related, however it is important to notify your Roswell Park physician as it pertains to your cancer case.


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Why We Need To Stop Telling Kids To Think Outside The Box
Tripping on 'shrooms in Prague once I stopped by an art gallery window and saw it. It was an orange dog; the tiniest of canines. A stain of fluorescent orange paint in the bottom right corner of a sizable painting of some natural scenery. I remember the grass, the trees, and the people in it but in that moment all I could focus on was the strange orange dog.
I was 23, window shopping, and laughing too hard at a silly little orange dog on an otherwise green painting. Later, I was examining people's faces on the metro ride back to the Airbnb-style room I booked. Being aware I'm influenced I felt I could look into anyone's soul and know who they were. It was like a superpower that allowed me to see them for who they really were; if they were good or bad.
And in case the good people in my school district's HR department are reading this occurred 17 years ago, happened before I became a teacher, and was the last time I used psychedelics. It's just that I still remember that dang dog and wonder if my memory would be so vivid had my consciousness not been altered. For some reason, my mind decided it was significant enough to keep and maybe it uses it somehow to this day without me even realizing.
Using More Of The Brain
Steve Jobs, Richard Feynman, Jimi Hendrix, Jean-Paul Sartre, Bill Gates, John Coltrane, and The Beatles have 2 things in-common; they changed the world by being the GOATs (greatest of all time) of their respective crafts and they operated outside of the realm of conditioned and compliant thinking. Oh, and they all used psychedelics, so that would make it three things I suppose.
Why did they partake and was it responsible for their genius?
Did Steve Jobs get the idea for the iPhone after dropping acid? Did Richard Feynman gain a more intimate understanding of physics which he then used to explain its various phenomena in simple terms after chewing on his peanut butter and 'shrooms sandwich? Did Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane reinvent their music genres thanks to the psychedelics they enjoyed?
I have no idea, but I don't believe so. My take is... these individuals discovered an entire, often unexplored world of expanded consciousness that exists inside each person's inner mind through their use of psychedelic drugs. In other words: they were given a key to open and access the part of their mind that allows creating work independent of their own ego and the rules and constraints of the world around them.
They did what we call "thinking outside the box." But more accurately, they escaped the box all of us are indoctrinated into. That artificial mind-conjured box that traps those who believe in its existence. That one conditioned response to the given stimulus promoted by school and society. The kind of mindset limited by and to its impoverished set of pre-programmed allowed beliefs.
But How Does Expanded Consciousness Apply To Education?
Sadly, it's the hokey pokey voodoo we fear. We don't teach it. Except that there's hard science behind it.
Typically, we teach subjects in isolation and want things done in a certain acceptable way. Most traditionally-educated students can be likened to androids in need of code upload before they can produce output. We are putting out mostly individuals who wait for someone to tell them what to do.
The creative ones are the weirdos who don't buy into the standardized way of doing everything. They innovate and succeed despite the school system, which undoubtedly gave them some tools. But the tools that really matter; ones that drive success, were procured when these outliers took on passions that had little to do with school. Their consciousness, or ability to look at problems differently and connect seemingly unconnected pieces of brain-stored information expanded.
This is similar to a brain on psychedelics. Scientific studies link psychedelics to increased neuronal activity. Multiple regions of the brain communicate more and more neural linkages form. The individual high on e.g. LSD experiences greater sense of self and the outside world thus understanding how the two worlds are linked more intimately.
So it seems individuals such as Jobs, Feynman, or Hendrix hacked their mind with psychedelics to form connections between neurons that would otherwise not link up. Then, and this is just my conjecture, they were able to tap into the same kind of mental processing when sober.
There Is No Box
I am NOT saying that we need to start giving students 'shrooms, LSD, or mescaline to get them to start thinking outside the box. I'm pretty sure that'd get us all fired.
What I am saying is we need to not just allow but help them discover the consciousness altering path for themselves so they can innovate. Let's help them change how they view reality. Get them to understand that the box didn't exist until we showed it to them, guided them toward it, and insisted they climb in and comply to all the law of men, science, and otherwise. The algorithm needs to be rewritten.
Mainly, let's stop telling kids to think outside the box. There is no box. Let's stop putting them in the box to begin with; limiting them with our beliefs and preconceptions, telling them they need to follow accepted rules without question and despite the fact that some of them are nonsense, and requiring one-size-fits-all products in our classrooms that stifle imagination and murder creativity.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on. Sit down and don't get up. Comply with all the demands of the teacher. Trust the experts. Turn in a 5-page essay, because 3 pages just don't cut it. Your hypothesis must always be in the "if... then..." format or else you'll lose a point. Take trigonometry because it's required. Take that hat off because that's just not acceptable.
Why?!?! Why do we do that?
We want our students to become leaders but we force compliance. We want them to be creative but we use one-size-fits-all approaches. We want them to think critically but we teach them to think exactly the same way we do and want it done. We want them to be passionate about learning but extort them to take subjects they don't like and cram in content they'll never use.
Look... some of these things might take a long time to change because they are outside of the teachers' control. But, you can change how things are done in your classroom.
You can decide and teach your students to question norms, beliefs, rules, and preconceptions. You can foster creative flexibility, because the book report does not always have to be an essay. It could be a website or a blog or a podcast. You can stimulate sharing of information between multiple brain regions by asking students to explain how Hamlet is similar to Tesla Model S because they're into cars or Call of Duty because kill ratio is where it's at.
But whatever you do stop telling your students to think outside the box. Tell them there is no box. Explain that the world outside and inside their inner mind is their playground. Allow yourself to play. Then show them how to play.
You have the power to change lives. Use it often.
Thanks for reading! I hope you found my article useful. If you did consider signing up for my newsletter below. I send it out on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. If you are looking for a new book that can help you add to your teaching arsenal and help teens learn check out my books on Amazon. Every paperback is $11.97 or below and every Kindle $2.99 until Sunday 12/3. You can take a look here.
Hi! I'm Oskar.
I teach, write, speak, rant to make the world better.
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Home > Engraved Keyrings
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Product Code: UPP554
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The keyfob of these keyrings is a fully functioning torch, making them as practical as they are stylish. The case of the torch has a fine quality silver plated finish, and the keyring also features a circular 'ID' disc that is ideal for engraving. These silver plated torch keyrings are offered with free text and logo engraving along with fixed price UK delivery and bulk order discounts, making them outstanding value as corporate gifts or branded merchandise.
Use the form below to request a quote for this product, or call 0844 330 9978 to request a call back.
UK delivery is a fixed price of £5.95
Single purchase and small orders (less than 9 items) should be with the customer within 3 - 6 working days.
Larger orders (10 or more items) may take longer depending on stock. For such orders please Contact Us first if you have any concerns over delivery deadlines.
International delivery is available but on a quote basis. Please use the Request Quote option above to request a quote for delivery to a location outside of the UK.
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Company registered in Scotland: SC197982
5 Star Member of PROMOTA, the Promotional Merchandise Trade Association
Tel: 0333 800 5313
Uppermost Business Gifts Ltd.Glenwood Business ParkUnit 12 Block D,Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 9UH


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Denise Anderson is the senior portfolio coordinator for the graphic design program at the Robert Busch School of Design (RBSD), where she teaches courses related to graphic design, branding, and identity design. Denise joined the faculty of the RBSD as a full-time professor in 2013, after teaching as an adjunct instructor in the department for fifteen years.
A seasoned graphic designer, brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of the award-winning creative firm DesignDMA, Denise brings to the classroom more than two decades of experience creating branding strategies and corporate identities for global financial services firms and a variety of start-up companies. Prior to establishing DesignDMA, Denise served as the Director of Marketing Services at Pershing, a BNY Mellon company.
In addition to teaching full time, Denise spent last year writing and designing a book that was published by Peachpit Press in January 2016. Stand Out: Design a Personal Brand, Build a Killer Portfolio, and Find a Great Design Job provides a contemporary, step-by-step approach to graphic design portfolio building that students and job seekers in related professions can use to launch a career in the field of design. Her paper, Graphic Design and Entrepreneurialism: The Rise of the Design Entrepreneur, was published in an international peer-reviewed journal, Diseño y Creatividad, for King Juan Carlos University in Madrid, Spain, in 2014. She has also authored numerous articles for a variety of print and online publications that explore how design and creativity promote strategic value within organizations.
In May 2016, Denise chaired the Design Education Summit, a national conference conducted annually by the University & College Designers Association (UCDA) at Kean University, an organization of graphic design educators that provides opportunities for professional participation and development. She served as President of the Art Directors Club of New Jersey (ADCNJ) from 1998-2000, and has served 12 terms as a member of the Club's Board, most recently in 2016. Denise is also a participating member of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA), Art Director's Club (ADC) and the Design Management Institute (DMI).
Denise holds a B.F.A. in Visual Communications from Kean University, and a M.P.S. in Design Management from Pratt Institute where she studied methodologies and processes for bridging the disciplines of design and business management.


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Established in 1866, Reynolds and Reynolds offers the Retail Management System – a complete suite of products and services for automotive dealerships. Reynolds solutions are built as one, to work as one, for all areas of the dealership. While headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, Reynolds has offices all over the world, employing more than 4,300 associates. We offer a variety of opportunities: Energizing projects, high-powered teaming, constant learning, and professional growth.
Reynolds and Reynolds promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing a non-smoking environment.
Reynolds and Reynolds encourages applicants of all ages and experience to apply, as we do not discriminate on the basis of age.


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The Home Stretch
I saw this tweet the other day that said 2016 was wild because it drastically changed everyone who lived through it— that when we all look back to who we were a year ago, it seems like we can barely recognize ourselves. I read it and I was like, dang I think this random person on the Internet is right! At the very least I can see and/or sense that people around me have undergone dramatic transformations in their lives this year. Y'all already know I did— I have been VERY CLEAR about my 2016. I say all the time that I feel like I grew five years in this last one. When I look back on who/where I was last year, the things I thought, even how I chose to spend my New Year's Eve, that girl feels so far away. She feels really young and blissfully ignorant. Not to insinuate that I'm like, totally awake and alert to everything happening inside/outside of me now— that's an ongoing process. But struggling through a broken heart, learning you have trauma, and starting the process of healing through EMDR will wake you the FUCK up to some shit, let me tell you.
While I have very…VERY few nice things to say about 2016… … …
I feel like I must say that it's kind of cool that everyone in the world has felt marked by it. 2016 knocked us all off our asses— maybe in a shitty way by stripping us of pieces of ourselves that we thought formed core parts of our identity, or by devastating us through one the excessive iconic deaths that happened this year (RIP Bowie, Fisher, Michael, Rickman, Ali, Thicke, Prince, Lee, Reynolds, Wilder, etc.) Or maybe you're one of the six people globally whom 2016 affected in a good way, by making space in your life for a dream career, new life partner, or the prospect of welcoming a new baby. In either case, 2016 made her fucking POINT. And now hopefully we get to send her off into the Abyss with dear friends, merriment, and a SHIT TON of champagne.
Here's to 2017 y'all! And the incredibly low bar 2016's set for its greatness! Cheers!
Oh and below I'll show you more of my Christmas presents* because I promised I'd tell you what I got. Thanks to my beautiful friend Delara for snapping the pics!
*Note: "Christmas presents" denote any fun item bought for me either by myself or someone else between November 15and December 25, 2016. I didn't actually get any of this shit on Christmas.
First 'fit Skirt: Topshop | Necklace: Forever 21 | Lipstick: "Too Faced", Sephora
Second 'fit: Jacket: All Saints | Shoes: Steve Madden | Earrings: China, like the actual country


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Writing a birth plan gives midwives, doctors and your birth partner a clear idea of what's important to you during labour, birth and in the first few hours with your baby. We provide everything you need to get your birth plan ready.
What is a birth plan?
A birth plan outlines what you want to happen during the different stages of labour, through to the first hours with your newborn. The aim is to let the team taking care of you know what your ideal birth looks like, so they can work towards it while giving you the care you need. In a recent study, NCT suggested birth plans help midwives to quickly establish rapport with the women they are caring for in a very short period of time.
Whether it's a written guide, or a few principles that you have discussed with your midwife, a birth plan is about feeling prepared for what's to come.
While it might not be the case that everything will go as planned, it's your right to express your preferences and to discuss them with the team taking care of you.
Think of your birth plan as a rough guide that provides an overview of what you would prefer to happen. It's a good idea to include details of what you want to happen if circumstances change. If you plan for a home birth, for example, you might need to be transferred to a labour ward, or if you plan for a vaginal birth you might end up needing a caesarean section.
If you've already considered these outcomes you're likely to feel more prepared as things happen, even if you don't get the birth you had imagined.
Tips for writing your birth plan
Research is the key to a good birth plan. Taking on new information and making important decisions during labour can make things more stressful, so it's better to familiarise yourself with the situations you may be confronted with so that you feel prepared and well informed on the day.
Putting a birth plan together can be as simple as writing up a few key points by hand, or you might want to use an existing birth plan template which can be found online.
The earlier you write your birth plan, the more time you'll have to find out about local services and to speak to midwives about what's important to you, so it's recommended that you think about it throughout your pregnancy.
Some women prefer to go into a lot of detail and others decide to give guidance on a few key aspects that are particularly important to them. It's entirely up to you how detailed your birth plan is.
As a rough guide, aim to fit it onto a sheet of A4 paper, if possible. Remember, your midwife may not have a lot of time to read it.
The most important thing is to communicate all of your preferences clearly, so don't fret if it does span out over a few pages.
What to include in a birth plan
The list below is by no means exhaustive. Cherry-pick what's most important to you, or include other ideas to get everything down that matters to you.
Key people
To start with, list the names of the people who are going to be involved in the birth, and the roles you want them to play. Make sure you include:
- Your name
- Your birth partner's name and their role
- The name of the person overseeing your medical care
- The name of your doula or your other children (if they will be around).
Consider whether you want birth partners, friends and family members to stay with you in the event that a forceps or ventouse delivery is needed, or if you need to have a caesarean section, and include this in your birth plan.
If you need to stay overnight once you've had your baby you might want your partner to be able to stay with you. It's worth knowing that not all units allow partners to stay overnight, so if this would be important to you, look up your local unit in our search to see what its policy is so that you're not disappointed if you have to stay without them.
Where you want to give birth
Choosing where you want to give birth is an important decision. You're likely to have a choice of planning to give birth in a hospital labour ward or at home, and in many areas there's also the option of a birth centre.
Which is best for you will depend on how likely you are to experience complications during labour and on your personal preferences and circumstances.
If you haven't made your decision yet, use our Birth Choice tool, which takes your birth preferences and clinical circumstances into account to recommend the best place for you to give birth.
You can then check out the individual pages for your local units. These contain useful information and birth statistics to help you make an informed decision.
If you decide to plan a home birth or birth in a freestanding birth centre, keep in mind that during labour you may need to be transferred to a labour ward. As a precaution, it's good to make a note of the kind of birth you'd like to have there in case the situation changes on the day.
Watch videos of mums describing what it's like giving birth in different environments to hear how birth at home, in a birth centre and in a labour ward differs.
Pain relief
What pain relief you would like access to, and what you want to avoid, can sometimes determine whether a home birth, birth centre or labour ward is the best fit for you.
It's worth doing some research into which forms of pain relief are available where you have decided to give birth. Gas and air, for example, is always available as it can be brought to a home birth by your midwife, whereas epidurals are only available in a labour ward.
You can find out more about the availability of pain-relief options in our comparison of giving birth in a labour ward, birth centre and at home.
Even if you know which kind of pain relief you want to use, it's good to read up on other options too, as a 2018 survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that four in ten women ended up using a different type of pain relief in labour than they had planned to beforehand.
Creating the right atmosphere
You're likely to have ideas about the kind of atmosphere you want to create in the room you're going to give birth in. Below is a list of things you can often change to get the atmosphere that feels right for you, so look out for these things when researching local units.
- Using a birth pool
- Ability to control music and noise in the room
- Ability to adjust lighting
- Number of guests in the room
- Availability of aromatherapy
- Flexibility for freedom of movement
- Preferred furniture (including mats and birthing balls)
You may have other ideas about ways you can make the environment as comfortable as possible. Be sure to contact the unit in advance to run what you want by them so you aren't disappointed when you arrive. Look up your local unit in the search to see what they offer to help you feel comfortable.
Keeping active during labour
Some people prefer to have the freedom to continue moving around the room during labour. This can help speed up the process and provide some relief from pain.
You can use a birthing ball or chair to stay sitting upright. Swaying or rocking from side to side can be comforting and reassuring and can also help move your baby into the best position for birth. If you feel up to it, standing up and leaning on your partner, or even leaning over the side of the bed can help things move along naturally too.
The types of pain relief you have will impact whether or not you're able to move around during labour. For example, you can't usually move around by yourself if you've had an epidural. How you want your baby to be monitored during labour will also affect the positions available to you.
The 2018 survey by the CQC found that two thirds of women who didn't have a planned c-section were able to move around and get into comfortable positions during labour most of the time.
Foetal monitoring
Foetal monitoring is the process of checking a baby's heart rate during labour.
Your midwife will check your baby's heartbeat for one minute, every quarter of an hour, using a Sonicaid or Pinard stethoscope. This intermittent monitoring is the recommended practice for women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
If health problems are spotted in the run-up to the birth or if your midwife is concerned about your baby's heart rate during labour, they may recommend continuous foetal monitoring. Also known as CTG, continuous foetal monitoring is only available in labour wards (obstetric units) so if you're in a birth centre or at home you will need to be transferred.
You can request continuous monitoring but this isn't usually recommended if you're having a straightforward pregnancy. Discuss it with your midwife and note any specific preferences in your birth plan.
Position during delivery
After considering movement and your preferred positions during labour, think about what kind of position you want to be in when you give birth. Here's a handful of positions to consider:
- Squatting
- Kneeling
- On all fours
- Leaning on a birthing stool/bed
- Lying on your side
- Sitting up.
Practice getting into these positions with the help of your birth partner beforehand to find one that feels right for you.
If your baby is being monitored continuously, or if you have an epidural, this can limit the positions you can get into. If you feel like you need to move, discuss it with your midwife so that they can help you.
While thinking about how you'd like to give birth, also try to prepare yourself mentally for if things don't go quite to plan. In the 2018 CQC survey, around a third of women reported giving birth with their legs in stirrups.
An episiotomy is the process of making a surgical cut in the area between the vagina and your bottom to widen the opening and allow the baby to be born more quickly.
Usually this is done to prevent extensive tearing, though it's worth keeping in mind that the majority of women do tear to some extent when giving birth, and that routine episiotomies are no longer recommended. Sometimes an episiotomy will need to be performed if the baby is in an abnormal position, or in order to speed up delivery if the baby's health is at risk.
It's a good idea to state a general preference such as 'I would prefer to tear naturally unless circumstances dictate otherwise', or 'I would prefer to have an episiotomy if required'.
Placenta delivery
Let the midwives or doctors know whether you have a preference for how you want your placenta (afterbirth) to be delivered.
Choosing a 'physiological third stage' means that the placenta will be delivered naturally, without any assistance or pulling on the cord. The other option is an 'active third stage', where your doctor or midwife will give you a hormone injection and then pull on the cord to help speed up the process.
Most hospitals are likely to opt for active management if you don't give them a preference, as it can help to reduce the loss of blood.
Cutting the umbilical cord
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends clamping the umbilical cord one to three minutes after the birth, which is referred to as delayed clamping.
If you have a preference, describe how long you want to wait before the umbilical cord is clamped and then cut. Many people prefer to wait until it stops pulsing to ensure that their baby receives the maximum amount of oxygen and nutrient rich blood from the placenta.
Another thing to consider and add to your plan is whether you want your partner to be the person to cut the umbilical cord.
Skin-to-skin contact
Having your baby on your bare skin straight after birth can help you and your baby bond. It can also help to naturally encourage breastfeeding.
It can be more difficult to have uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth in certain situations – for example if the baby is delivered by c-section. If you feel very strongly about this, include it in your plan so that those caring for you can make sure you have skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible.
Breastfeeding sometimes occurs quite quickly and naturally after birth, but for many women it's not as easy or straightforward. One thing you can include in your birth plan is whether you want help to start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.
You can also specify requirements around how your baby should be fed, for example whether you're happy for them to receive supplementary formula, bottled water or glucose water. Also think about whether or not you want them to be able to use a dummy immediately after birth.
Hospitals can receive 'baby friendly' accreditation if they provide a high standard of support with breastfeeding. You can see whether a hospital has received this accreditation by looking the hospital up through our Birth Choice tool.
Vitamin K
Doctors recommend that as a precaution vitamin K should be given to babies shortly after birth to reduce the likelihood of a rare bleeding disorder.
If you don't want your baby to have an injection so soon after birth, vitamin K can be provided as an oral supplement. Taking it orally is known to be slightly less effective, so your baby will need additional doses. If you have strong feelings about the use of vitamin K, or how it's administered, discuss this with your doctor or midwife and include your preference in your birth plan.
Having a c-section
It's always good to consider what might happen if things don't go to plan. If you're planning for a vaginal birth, it's still a good idea to write about what you would like to happen if circumstances change and you need to have a caesarean section.
Things to consider include whether you would like your birth partner to stay with you during the surgery, whether you want to be able to see the birth happen, and whether you feel you want to have skin-to-skin contact and start breastfeeding straight away after your c-section.
Who can I talk to for help with my birth plan?
If you have concerns or questions when you're putting your birth plan together, talk to your midwife. They'll be able to explain what you need to include and provide information on any aspects of labour and birth you're interested in or concerned about.
Antenatal classes are another great opportunity to discuss your birth plan. Teachers will often set aside time to discuss it and it can be really useful to ask questions and share ideas with other mums-to-be.
If you have a friend or family member who has given birth recently, ask them about what they included in their plan and whether there was anything they'd have been keen to include in hindsight.
It's good to involve your partner when you're thinking about your birth. Not only is it useful for them to understand your wishes so they can support your decisions confidently during labour and childbirth, but it can also help to get another person's support with research when you're making decisions about what you do and don't want to happen.
Birth plan templates and examples
There are many different templates and sample birth plans you can use to help you get started, like this one from the NHS:
You can either put your answers in online to generate a personalised birth plan before printing it out – or you can print the blank document and fill it in by hand.
More from Which?
- Compare your birth options to see if the labour ward, birth centre or home birth is the best choice for you.
- NCT vs NHS antenatal classes – find out what to expect from paid-for antenatal classes.
- Thinking about requesting a c-section? We guide you through the pros and cons of having a c-section and explain how to arrange the birth you want.
These are the sources of information used in this article:
Care Quality Commission, Maternity services survey 2018 (2018)
Plotkin, L, Support Overdue: Women's experiences of maternity services, National Federation of Women's Institutes/NCT: London (2017)


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Music has been a life long passion and it will continue to be a gift that I love sharing.
As an elementary school student I remember "performing" country songs with my girlfriends on the playground. We had an standing gig every year performing Shania Twain for our teachers in the lunchroom. It didn't pay well, but the memories were worth every second.
Since then, music has been a huge part of my life. I was in the music program from the an early age and continued all through high school. I joined band along with everyone else in 5th grade and began playing flute. I played in band for 5 years including a year of marching and pep band, but vocal music was my true musical passion.
Student Musician
I attended my first honor choirs in elementary and middle school and continued to attend honor choirs including Opus, Iowa State Honor Choir and All State through my high school years. I auditioned for and was selected to join the Concert Choir as a Freshman. At 16 I went on a tour of Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music, performing in 7 countries over 2 weeks. I was involved in musicals all 4 years of high school which included parts as a band member in Guys and Dolls, Maureen in Honk!, Denise in The Baker's Wife, and Mayze in Seussical. I also had a supporting role in the community theatre production of High School Musical. I was involved in Show Choir for the first 2 years of high school and then was in the auditioned Jazz Choir, 5th Street Jazz, as a junior and senior. I competed in Solo and Ensemble Contest all 4 years in numerous groups and solo settings receiving I and II ratings consistently. I was a two-time member of the All State Honor Choir and the Iowa State Honor Choir.
Community Performer
Outside of school, I participated in Community Choir and frequently sang at Church. I did solo and group performances at many locations around the area for varying functions. I participated in the Bill Riley Talent Contest, the Colgate Country Showdown and was a performer at the County Fair. I have sung at weddings, funerals, and other functions.
I have been singing the National Anthem for many years, and I very much enjoy it. I have performed at fairs, rodeos, ball games and auction functions.
Most recently I had the opportunity to audition for the final season of American Idol. I made it to the celebrity round and was featured on an episode of the show. It was a great experience and I appreciate the opportunity to audition.
In 2015 I started performing gigs at local venues in Iowa including the Grape Life in Davenport, Music on Main in Solon and at the Cedar County Fair.
To inquire about hiring Emily to perform at your event or to find out where you can see an upcoming performance, please send her a message through the contact page.


text: Bartzen + Ball Project, James Madison's Montpelier Claude Moore Hall was featured in the Daily progress.Local historians are working to bring Montpelier, James Madison's 18th-century estate, into the digital age.In November, Montpelier will open a $4 million building combining classroom and recording studio space. It will allow staff to record lectures, podcasts and radio programs that could reach a worldwide audience.When it's finished, the 6,300-square-foot Claude Moore Hall will be a combined lecture hall and recording space, providing an opportunity for more exposure for the estate (and the Founding Father) that is sometimes overshadowed by peer institutions."One thing we're trying to do is spread knowledge about James Madison and his role in the founding of the United States," said Sean T. O'Brien, chief operating officer of the Montpelier Foundation. "Not only the United States, but democracy worldwide."Madison is best known as one of the co-authors of the Federalist Papers and the man who introduced the original draft of the Bill of Rights.Not surprisingly, Montpelier's education and outreach programs focus on the Constitution. In 2002, the foundation established the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution, which provides multi-day, immersive classes on constitutional principles for teachers, law enforcement officers, elected officials and other "leverage points" in society, O'Brien said.These classes are conducted in person, but staff members began to realize the importance of reaching out via podcasting, radio broadcasts and internet videos. Current offices couldn't support these activities, so the staff has been splitting time between Richmond, Boston and the Piedmont, said C. Douglas Smith, vice president of the Montpelier Foundation."We'll be able to do all of that in Claude Moore Hall," Smith said. "That doesn't just mean we'll be more efficient — it means we're going to be able to broadcast much more content."The new building is part of a plan to establish a "broader campus of constitutional learning," Smith said, including two studio spaces and additional residences.A law enforcement education program, which brings sworn officers to Montpelier's grounds to learn about constitutional law, could benefit from the increased exposure.Retired Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo was instrumental in founding the program, which covers topics ranging from searches and seizures to the rights of participants in a public demonstration. The curriculum is a combination of practical advice and theoretical framework, going into the history, intended purpose and interpretations of Americans' rights enumerated in the Constitution."Everything they do as law enforcement officers has its basis in the Constitution," Longo said. "While they may not need to be constitutional scholars, they are some of the most important practitioners."The new facilities could allow Montpelier to spread its message to a larger audience, Longo said. Many departments screen informational videos during roll call, for example — which provides an opportunity for the Center for the Constitution."Once we have that capability, we'll do more of it," Longo said. "And I'm excited to be a part of it."Claude Moore Hall is being funded by philanthropic gifts, including a recently approved donation of $200,000 from the Virginia chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution to underwrite a conference room at the new center.Montpelier is often lost in the crowded field of historical attractions in Virginia — Colonial Williamsburg, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon all receive more attention.Part of that is the relative newness of the estate as an attraction. The duPont family purchased the property in the early 20th century. The National Trust for Historic Preservation acquired it in 1983, but not before the duPonts had made extensive alterations to the house and the property.A restoration project completed in 2008 brought the house back to its Madison-era authenticity.O'Brien said he sees Montpelier's emerging status as an opportunity to try new things."Montpelier has been a historic home in a form people would recognize for about 10 years," O'Brien said. "We're really the new kids on the block, and one of the things that allows us to do is think a little outside the box." http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/montpelier-looks-for-new-center-to-shine-light-on-madison/article_acbacec8-576c-11e6-81c5-478a183b3010.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share Comment


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|Sighting Report
|Occurred : 6/29/2012 02:15 (Entered as : 06/29/12 2:15)
Reported: 7/1/2012 7:55:54 PM 19:55
Posted: 7/4/2012
Location: Alexandria, MN
Shape: Triangle
Duration:30 seconds
|6 red non blinking triangle shape lights
Just got back to my sons apartment after a movie. I was looking up in the sky to see the star and any satellites going over. I looked over to the left where I was standing and saw a triangle shaped 6 dim non blinking red lights in the northeast sky. One in front 2 on each sides and 3 in the back. It was moving very quickly and silently to the east word pattern. I looked over to my daughter to see if she saw it also. She did but my son didn't.


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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Participate in the End the Blockade of Gaza postcard action!
More than 1.5 million Palestinian men, women, and children have been trapped in the Gaza Strip for more than three years. In addition to restricting Palestinians' movement from Gaza into Israel, the blockade has also severely undermined Palestinians' right to access clean water, food, medical care and proper education. Help us send at least 10,000 postcards to the White House demanding action to lift the blockade of Gaza!
Posted by Bucks Blogr at 5:27 PM