text:
Chicago Public Schools didn't call the heat equivalent of a "snow day" Friday, but said that absences of students due to heat would be considered excused.
With high heat a concern for a second consecutive day, CPS deployed 1,100 fans throughout the system and distributed water to students, staff and faculty, CEO Ron Huberman said Friday during a visit to Carter G. Woodson North Middle School.
He said concerned parents were being allowed to pull their children from hot classrooms, but said CPS decided against calling off classes altogether. The teachers' union had called for classes to be canceled.
"We are very concerned about our students' safety. Even with this heat, we believe the safest place for our place to be on a hot, summer day is in our school buildings, supervised by our hardworking and dedicated teachers in a supervised environment," said Huberman.
Huberman said a "snow day" would have been more strongly considered if the heat trend were to continue.
Window air conditioning units are not permitted in schools due to current building codes, Huberman said, but added that CPS was working with the building department and the commissioner to work through that hurdle.
Portable air conditioning units on wheels are also being considered as an option, he said.
Nearly 100,000 students went back to school at the start of the week under the "Track E" program. Year-round students attend school the same number of days as their traditional fall to summer counterparts. But instead of a long summer vacation, Track E students take a number of two and three week "intercessions" throughout the year.


text:
I could have spent another few days just at The Peninsula itself. Obviously if you are in Hong Kong you should venture out and experience the city, BUT The Peninsula is an experience worthy of having on it's own.
1. Afternoon Tea.
They said people line up to partake in this famous tea, and they weren't lying. There was a line for tea all afternoon. This would be the perfect thing to experience with your best gal pals. A long afternoon tea with the most adorable and delicious cakes and cookies (pictured above).
2. Enjoy services at the spa.
On my first day in Hong Kong, I arrived at 6am after a 15-hour flight, and was told to stay awake as long as possible, even to midnight, to try to beat jet lag. However, with a back-to-back massage and facial, staying awake was impossible. I was able to stay awake for most of it in a scented-oil-filled nirvana. Once she got down on my slightly headachy scalp, I was out. I woke up to the curtains being raised with a night view of the lights of Hong Kong. What a way to end 2 hours of bliss. I highly highly recommend spending half a day in the spa. Get there early to enjoy every part of the experience.
3. Go shopping.
With stores like Chanel and Prada in the building, it's hard to not at least window shop. And they aren't the least bit snobby. If you're ready for that investment bag, what a memorable place to make that investment.
4. Eat at Felix, which was designed by Philippe Starck.
Not only was the food delicious, but the view. The view! And of course, the decor of the place is really something.
5. Enjoy time at the pool.
Seems like a weird recommendation, but this is no regular pool, no. This pool is like something out of a movie (I'm sure it's been in a movie, it's too good not to be). Not only is the pool stunning in itself, but you can order food on the pool deck and enjoy the amazing view of Hong Kong — during the day, or at night. I say both!
Photo by Meg Biram
This post was inspired by my recent trip to China done in collaboration with Cathay Pacific Airways, iambassador, and The Peninsula Hotels. MegBiram.com retains all editorial control of what is published. All opinions are my own — and you know, I tell it like it is. Check out #CXploreAsia on twitter and Instagram to see my, Matt & Rachelle's travel experiences throughout Asia.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
For many years, Waldorf education was locked in the private school domain with tuitions exceeding $17,000 a year, beyond the reach of many middle and working class families. Over the last decade, many pioneering parents, familiar with the benefits of Waldorf curriculum, sought access to Waldorf education through the charter movement. As parents living in Sonoma County, we are the beneficiaries of the hard work and planning these early public Waldorf parents and educators invested.
Live Oak is a public Waldorf charter school, funded in part by state, federal, and local funds. Though LOCS is grateful for the resources provided by public agencies, these funds are not enough on their own to fund a complete Waldorf program. The expense of providing a Waldorf inspired program is not currently met by the $6,300 per student that public funding provides. Live Oak's current expenses are more than $7,500 per student. We make up this gap in state and federal funding through the generosity and commitment of our Live Oak community; in particular through our Pledge Program and community fundraising efforts conducted by Friends of Live Oak, our supporting foundation. Live Oak relies upon its community of families and supporters to maintain its rich Waldorf inspired educational program through community giving, grants, and capital campaigns.
For more information on the Friends of Live Oak Charter Foundation, please visit the FOLOCS website here.
Though state funded schools have suffered deep cuts in recent years, Live Oak has been able to maintain its programs because our families are so committed to assuring their child's receives the best education possible. The Live Oak community has organized volunteer and financial support to fill the pieces missing from state funding. It is through this community effort that Live Oak Charter continues to provide a rich Waldorf program.
The rich educational program at Live Oak is only possible through the generosity of our community.
Community Giving
Subpages (3): Campus Improvement Project 2012 Foundation Volunteer


text:
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Share |
Related Content
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
Don't Be Your Own Worst Enemy
Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here's a few to be mindful of.
Keys to Investing for Retirement
There are some key concepts to understand when investing for retirement.


text: We brought you similar spy shots of the McLaren P11 supercar undergoing cold weather testing a few days ago, but now we have our own high-res shots to share. Though the clean sheet redesign of McLaren's Ferrari fighter is obscured by camo and cladding, the basic shape and some design elements are clearly visible. You can browse the high-res gallery below yourself and pick out what cues the P11 may be borrowing from other supercars. The car's designer, Frank Stephenson, is also rumored to be baking roadster and racing variants into the car's new design. Another thing that the P11 will borrow is its engine, which is rumored to be a version of the 6.2L V8 used by Mercedes-Benz in its high performance AMG cars. Power is expected to be in the 550-600 range, with the car's overall curb weight rumored to be less than 3,000 lbs. McLaren is nearing the end of its commitment with Mercedes for the McLaren SLR, a car that is most assuredly fast but still not allowed in the super car club. The P11 will be more like a spiritual successor to the famous F1 that still reigns as one of the greatest super cars of all time. Whether or not the P11 can fill those shoes remains to be seen, but based on these spy shots, it will most definitely look the part.


text:
This high quality 3d model for 3ds Max, Cinema 4D and Game Ready
Item included file scene with all light setups and materials. Just click the render button and you'll get image like preview images.
File formats:
-.3ds(multi format)
-.fbx (multi format)
-.obj (multi format)
-.c4d(Cinema 4D R15 and above)
-.max(3ds Max 2014 and above)
-.mb (Maya 2015 and above)
– 3d model is completely ready for detailed and beautiful rendering and animation.
– High-poly and low poly
– Game Ready
– The model have clean topology
– All objects are separated and named
– Suitable for close-up rendering
– You can easily change or aply new materials, color and other.
All parts of this model have been modelled separately to achieve as much realism as possible. It can be used as a production model without any requirement of additional modeling and texturing.
If you have any questions about this 3d model and not only, then ask them in the "Contact US" section at the bottom of the page or write to the e-mail – [email protected]


text:
FREE SHIPPING on ALL Orders!
Resinall E Tabs contain proteolytic enzymes which have been shown in clinical studies to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation associated with injuries as well as surgeries. It also may be effective for other inflammatory conditions, particularly for flare-ups of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.


text:
The album that keeps on giving: it's been damn near two months since Beyoncé's visual album was released, and it's still entertaining us. Filled with about a billion ready-made sing-along memes, like watermelon, good good, Yoncé, woke up like dis, flawless, and the Beyoncé meme of all Beyoncé memes, surfboardt, thanks to an enterprising fan, you can now fill your hours by making music out of all of them: behold the Beyoncé Soundboart, an unofficial clickable mixing board composed of all of our favorite visual album moments. Go play and may Bey be with you.
Make Music with the Beyoncé Surfboardt Soundboardt
Use all of the best moments from Beyoncé's visual album to make your own jams.
February 24, 2014


text:
To the untrained eye, this dime looks like any other. But this is not just any old dime. This particular coin that went to auction Thursday night in Tampa sold for just under $2 million ($1,997,500). The 1894-S Barber dime, which belonged to a private owner, was struck at the …Read More »
'Daredevil' season 2 premiere date announced, teaser revealed
Marvel and Daredevil fans, get pumped! Netflix has announced a premiere date for season 2 of its comic-turned-TV series Marvel's Daredevil: March 18. This announcement put away rumors that the show's return would share a premiere date with Warner Bros. movie Batman v Superman on March 25, according to Variety. It wouldn't be Marvel if …Read More »
Psychonauts 2 in Development
Psychonauts was a video game that came out in 2005 for older consoles and PC. Late Thursday night, Psychonauts 2 was revealed during the Video Game Awards show hosted by Geoff Keighley. This time, the game will be crowd funded to support development costs. Tim Schafer's studio Double Fine is …Read More »
Box Office: 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part 2' beats out 'Good Dinosaur' and 'Creed'
It looks like no movie could beat out The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part 2 this Thanksgiving weekend! The movie series finale led ticket sales for the second weekend in a row, topping Creed's and The Good Dinosaur's debuts. Lionsgate's Mockingjay–Part 2 earned about $75.8 million in the U.S. and Canada over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday. Although Part 2 is …Read More »
'Zoolander 2' trailer sets new record
The official trailer for the upcoming comedy sequel Zoolander 2 has set a record for the number of view its racked up since its release on November 18. Since its debut 10 days ago, the trailer has gained more than 13.8 million views on YouTube, where it was uploaded by Paramount Pictures, …Read More »
User-Friendly Drone 'Bebop 2' released For Consumer Use
This past Tuesday, the Company Parrot demonstrated the Bebop 2 drone, which will be released in December. This drone has new features that make it more accessible and user friendly than its predecessor the Bebop. During the Tuesday press conference in San Francisco, California, Parrot did a demonstration of the …Read More »
Inside look into 'The Hunger Games: The Mocking Jay – Part 2'
The last installment of The Hunger Games is inching closer. In just three weeks, The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay – Part 2 will be hitting theaters (November 20th). As the finale approaches, the hype is gaining momentum. Fans are ready to see Katniss, Gale, Peeta and the rest of the …Read More »
Avatar 2 Might Not Come Out Until 2017 – Future Plans for the Franchise
Up until now, the common rumour surrounding James Cameron's follow up to Avatar was that we'd be getting it sometime in 2016. It was also announced that there might even be another sequel after it, as Cameron is interested in turning the franchise into a trilogy, if not more. However, new …Read More »
Lexus Shows off Hoverboard Prototype
Lexus released a cool new test ride video at a specially designed "hoverpark" for the prototype of its hoverboard. Shot in Barcelona, the video shows various test riders sliding down rails, ripping across water, and falling more than a few times. Professional skater Ross McGouran, who was one of the lucky test …Read More »
Long-Awaited Trailer Drops for Zoolander 2
14 years after the hit comedy Zoolander, Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller are set to reprise their roles as dim-witted male models in the upcoming sequel. The trailer was just revealed for 2oolander Zoolander 2, and the internet is already ecstatic, captivated, and nervous. The trailer thankfully doesn't give away …Read More »


text:
Vintage Alain Toussaint Red Horse Print Button down Dress
Vintage Alain Toussaint Red Horse Print Button down Dress
We'll make you an offer you can't refuse with this horse head pattern all over this drop waist classic country dress. Shoulder-pads attached but can be easily removed.
DIMENSIONS: Collar to hem: 47" // Armpit to Armpit: 21" (Doubled to 42") // Shoulder Seam to Wrist: 22.5 // Shoulder to Shoulder: 18"(Doubled to 36")
ESTIMATED SIZE: Medium / Large
LABEL: Alain Toussant
MATERIAL: Cotton
CONDITION: Very good vintage condition.


text:
Treat your guests with a stunning vintage sweet cart, available for hire in Nottingham, Derby and surrounding areas!
Welcome to Sweet Trolley Hire, a family-run business passionate about making your special day that little bit sweeter with our stunning sweet cart and a wide selection of your favourite sweets.
Our vintage style sweet trolley is a unique, hand-made cart that offers an extra dimension to your event, and with over 200 different types of sweet treats to choose from, there's sure to be something for everyone.
We're based in Nottingham and cover the whole of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and surrounding East Midlands areas.
For a limited time, we are offering up to £50 off the cost of your hire. You'll need to be quick though, we're already taking bookings for next year!
Wedding Favours
If you're struggling for wedding favour ideas, a retro pick and mix is guaranteed to leave all your guests with a smile on their faces. Whether it's Fizzy Cola Bottle's, Prawn Shrimps, Double Lollies, or Parma Violets you're guaranteed to reconnect your guests with their youth as they enjoy their favourite retro sweets.
Colour Scheme
Our sweet cart has been neutrally decorated to ensure that it fits in with the theme of your wedding. If you have a specific colour scheme you would like the cart to be decorated in, just let us know and we can find some bunting and decorations to make it fit in even more.
We'll Take Care of Everything
We will deliver the Sweet Cart to your reception venue in plenty of time before your guests arrive. We provide the sweet bags, decorate the cart and make sure all the sweets are ready to go and will collect the same night too. You won't have to worry about anything!
Pick Your Favourite Sweets
We work with you and allow you to pick your sweets to make sure you're getting exactly what you want from your sweet cart. Our selection currently has over 200 different varieties of sweets, but if you can't see your favourites on the list, just let us know and we can see if we can get hold of them for you.
The sweets will all come in clear glass jars so you know exactly what's inside. If you prefer we can leave the lids on to keep them nice and fresh and you can just take the lids off when ready.
We want your day to be worry-free, so to do our bit we will be as flexible as we can. If you have any unusual requests, just get in touch and we'll do what we can.


text:
Diminish Risk. Expand Peace of Mind.
Founded in 1997, Volunteer Technology Systems, LLC provides top-notch design, sales, installation, service, and inspections on all types of life safety, security, and communications systems along with great customer support – a combination that can't be beat!
Read More
"Our company has worked with Volunteer for the past several years on a variety of different projects. They provide excellent sales, tech and service support... I can and would recommend them for any project big or small."
Ken Broadway, General ManagerBroadway Electric
Volunteer Technology Systems Inc. // 125 Miller Ave Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 660-8878 // firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Type a word or phrase in the search field below. If you are unable
to find the information you are looking for, please contact us.
Records the dollars received from audits compared to dollars spent on audits.
City of Centennial
13133 East Arapahoe Road
Centennial, CO 80112
(303) 325-8000 - 24-Hour Citizen Response Center
(720) 488-0933 - Fax Number
ADA Notice
Contact Us


text:
An energetic professional Software Delivery Manager with over 20+ years experience spanning the insurance, education, government, banking, defence, energy and manufacturing industries. Experience in Change, Programme and Project Management using both traditional and Agile methods, including hybrid applications. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) and highly experienced in establishing the vision and strategy for organizations and then delivering both the business change and IT programmes to meet this goal. Skilled in the implementation of policy, process and procedure to aid and control software delivery.
A hands-on problem solver with a high rate of achievement, driven by an appetite for new challenges and strong desire to be successful in all endeavours. A motivational and inspirational leader of multi-skilled teams who thrives in highly pressurized and challenging working environments.
Specialties: Offering outstanding talent in Agile implementation & coaching, Programme and Project Management, SAP Customisation and Implementation, Process reengineering (inc. implementation, continuous improvement, cost reduction and efficiency gain), Risk Management, Knowledge Management, Governance and Audit.
Used Version One, Rally, Mingle, Scrum for Team System, Jira, AgileZen, MS Project, IBM Rational Portfolio Manager, Cruise Control, Clarity, Quality centre, TFS2010 and visual information radiators .
v Agile implementation, Agile coaching v Test Driven development, Behavior driven development v User story workshops / product backlog preparation v Programme and Project Management, v Process reengineering, Process implementation, v Continuous improvement, cost reduction and efficiency gain, v Risk Management, v Knowledge Management, v Governance and Audit Agile Transformation Consultant /Agile Coach Sopra Steria, London, UK (May 2014 – Apr 2015) • Introduced and implemented Agile practices in three accounts (Ministry of Justice, Toyota and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Agency). • Worked closely with the GDS (Government Digital Services) team to ensure GDS guidelines are followed. • Experienced in OpenSource development, BDD, TDD, test automation and continuous integration. Agile Transformation Consultant Morrison's, West Yorkshire, UK (Oct 2013 – Mar 2014) • Responsible for implementing agile project management and delivery of business intelligence project using the OBIEE. • Introduced and implemented Agile practices in a Business Intelligence change programme and successfully set up and trained scrum teams members, business owners and directors. Agile Consultant Bupa International, West Sussex, UK (May 2012 – Aug 2013) • Led, coordinated, planned, managed a £5 million Online Business Intelligence change, to ensure compliance with all EU & UK policies (Solvency II Compliance Programme). • Responsible for production of business case, defining and communicating the relevant project processes, documentation, reporting, resourcing, implementation and change management control for the successful completion in a timely, cost-effective manner. • Introduced and implemented Agile practices in a Business Intelligence change programme and successfully set up and trained scrum teams members. • Worked closely with the Strategy, Development & Commissioning team for improving efficiency and work flow management using 'Kanban' methodology.
v Managed multiple complex projects v Managed teams in multiple locations v Managed expectations of high profile users(Ministers and Directors) v Managed expectations of people with disabilities v Resolved Asset Management Problem v Set up new Datacenters in two locations (Doxford and Washington) and support services v Managed UK wide rollout v Managed external suppliers like BT, Microsoft, Energis, NeoProducts, HP, Fujitsu and Dell. v Managed and supported the release management of 78 Crown Courts across UK. v Responsible for Change Management
v Analyzing the software requirement v Managed the complete Software development life cycle. v Managing project in two location( India & UK) v Understanding the immigration and work permit process
v Delivered ERP and e-commerce systems v Managed team of 7 developers and testers v Business Analysis and Project Management
v Successfully delivered an £18 million National Diploma Programme and Online coursework and standardisation programme. Managed a portfolio of complex corporate transformation and challenging projects. v Delivered Programmes within structured environments using RUP and Agile methods with aggressive or fixed timescales against key measures of success. v Piloted Scrum with a small project and delivered it successfully, later rolling it out to other projects within the programme. v Worked closely with external Agile consultants and gained valuable experience in pair programming, Scrum, Kanban, Scrumban, Feature Injection, Test Driven Development and Continuous Integration. v Managed transition from traditional software delivery methods to agile delivery method and implemented good Agile practices. v Experienced in various programme governance processes and implemented quality and audit process reviews to improve consistency across delivery teams. v Managed programme life cycles from initiation, mandate to implementation including delivery of benefits and management of risks & issues improving productivity and efficiency. v Led international virtual and matrix teams within rapidly changing environments, in a number of locations including EMEA, USA and Australia, building relationships to ensure delivery of common goals. v Demonstrated solid understanding of business processes and responsible for change management, bid preparation, producing business case, seeking budget approval, planning, and execution. v Built close trusting relationships with executives and stakeholders, managing conflicting priorities and expectations. v Negotiated and managed third-party offshore relationships to agreed performance targets and service levels, renegotiating existing contracts to reduce cost ensuring return on investment.
v As a Chief Engineering Officer I was responsible for various engineering activities in a forward Airbase. v Lead team of circa 400 airmen v Acted as Battery Commander of a Missile unit


text:
Standing up to high-impact traffic, while providing effective insulation and remaining attractive, is the reason for the popularity of the heavy-duty Apex SR 9000 traffic door. Designed and manufactured locally by Apex Strip Curtains & Doors, the Apex SR 9000 doors boasts remarkable stability.
This is because of its patented honeycomb framework and flexible urethane foam insulation. The high density urethane core also ensures good sound-proofing qualities, and renders it lightweight in relation to its strength.
To absorb impacts the door is fitted with high bumpers. This also reduces stress on hardware and mount assemblies. Bull-nosed perimeter edges on the door panels have at least an 8mm radius, which helps prevent excessive wear on the edges.
Much of the door's visual appeal comes from its rugged 3mm ABS outer facing, which is available in a range of colours. Despite its good looks the surface is tough as nails, resisting attack from various substances including acid, petroleum products, salt solutions and animal fats. It will simply not chip dent, peel, pit or corrode.
It can retain its physical properties in temperatures as low as minus 40º C. Apex Strip Curtains & Doors manufactures all its products in accordance with international standards, using materials that comply with stringent hygiene and safety criteria.
This includes ensuring that the urethane core in the door's hollow shell does not contain carbon-fibre reinforced carbon (CFRC), a substance that is difficult to recycle.


text:
Monday, 28 April 2014
Season to Indulge
Not only that, the beginning of this month is invariably marked by an excessive display of emotions and drama as various religious experts come to loggerheads on which day this holy month is actually supposed to start as they try to make sightings of the appearance of the elusive new moon, convinced it seems that the slightest mistake in calculation would result in the reduction of their heavenly rewards, much to the amusement and bemusement of the public and the Netizens.
It is also the time for verbal superfluity as we are inundated with a deluge of messages mass broadcast via every available electronic devices from people known and unknown asking for forgiveness for wrongs done whether deliberate or not, and words that may have hurt whether intentional or not, in a language so florid and poetic, though with as much sincerity as a cut and pasted text could muster. This exercise in asking for forgiveness will be repeated later on at a much larger scale towards the end of the fasting month, creating a bonanza for the telecom providers.
But this is also a good month to earn divine merits and excel in good behaviour. Those who wish to ensure a favored place in the afterlife can use this holy month to devote themselves to extra prayers, reading the Koran, restraining their tempers, feeding the orphans, giving alms to the poor and taking a break from their porn browsing. As one of the biggest surfers of web porn, it would be interesting to see if there is a marked reduction in accessing porn in Indonesia during this month. However, keeping one's mind pure shouldn't be too difficult as all the TV stations compete in serving righteous programming, while the thugs are quite ready to put you back on the strait and narrow should you find yourself succumbing to the devil's temptations of alcohol and massage parlours.
This is also the season when shopping malls go all out to entice the faithful to part with their hard-earned money so they would succumb to the wordly desire for conspicious consumption, whether in the shape of fine clothes or restaurants and eating places that offer a smorgasbord of irresistible foods to soothe and delight the deprived palates.
Businesses make the most money at this time of the year as new clothings and footwear are a must to celebrate the end of the fasting month, the Idul Fitri.
For the millions who make a modest living in the city, the fasting month is when they prepare themselves to make their annual trip back to their home villages, blowing their savings on new motorbikes or train tickets, bearing gifts and money for the folk at home, not only to share their wealth and also to show that they have made something of themselves in the big city.
While for the better-off, the breaking of the fast moment, at sundown, is an opportunity to eat out with families and friends, hang out and entertain clients over food in ways they can't do during normal days. That is to say, with a lof of people, a lot of food and for a lot of days. I know a friend whose social calendar is full for the month as every evening is taken up with a breaking of the fast event somewhere. Because on a fasting day, every evening's 'buka puasa' is a feast that is looked forward to with great anticipation.
But let's get back to the sweet indulgence of the fasting month. Yes, it is the time for picky eaters like me to let down my hair and really revel in the cornucopia of sweets, puddings and all types of desserts that are cloying, sticky and preferably drowned in a pool of liquid palm sugar and a generous swirl of coconut milk. Come sundown, regardless whether I'm fasting or not, my sweet tooth become vampiric fangs and I join the hunt with the more devout devotees for a glass or bowl of 'tajil', the dessert consumed to break the fast as a sugar kick before moving on to the main meal.
My favorites are the 'cendol', the green jelly drink with slices of jack fruit served in a tall glass of palm syrup and coconut milk; 'bubur sumsum,' a sort of white pudding that you spoon in dollops and serve with palm syrup and coconut milk; the 'candil', sweet potato balls swimming in a bowl of, you've guessed it, liquid palm sugar and served with a spoonfull of what else if not coconut milk; black glutinous rice and mung bean porridge plus a whole bunch of desserts whose tastes are made the more divine with a good helping of palm syrup and coconut milk.. Never mind the afterlife, a bowl of any one of these sweets, puts me in heaven already.
(Desi Anwar: First Published in The Jakarta Globe)
1 comment:
Vampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a Vampire is not what it seems like. It's a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It's not what you are that counts, But how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity? contact the Vampires Lord on his Email: email@example.com
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Subscribe To Modern Warfare 2 Has Two-Player Special Ops Mode Updates
I've already subscribed
Call of Duty: World at War allowed players to progress through the campaign in four-player cooperative mode. You'll be going it alone in Modern Warfare 2's campaign, though.
"We don't do co-op in our story because we're crafting a very specific experience and we don't want to ruin that by cramming co-op into it," Infinity Ward community manager Ryan Bowling told Videogamer. "We take the moments that work really well with co-op, we bring them out and we put them in Special Ops."
The Special Ops mode allows you to play alongside one other player. It sounds sort of like the competitive co-op from World at War in that you're being challenged not only to complete a level but to complete it well. "There (in Special Ops) it's all about fun. It's about playing over and over again, getting a better time – you'll have a time at the end of it – it's about challenging a friend going in on co-op and trying to beat it on veteran."
"Two player seemed to be the magic number for co-op," Bowling said when asked why the game didn't have four-player co-op like WaW. "That's when it stayed really fun and intense without becoming a clusterf**k of things. We just found that two-players was the most fun."
Fair enough. As noted in our WaW review, four-player co-op did get a bit too easy at times. Judging by the sales for that game, though, it seems like lots of people didn't have a problem with it.
Modern Warfare 2 will be released worldwide on November 10th.


text:
Do people with intersecting identities report more high-risk alcohol use and lifetime substance use?
- 659 Downloads
- Citations
We examined protective and non-protective effects of disadvantaged social identities and their intersections on lifetime substance use and risky alcohol consumption.
Data from 90,941 participants of the Global Drug Survey 2015 were analysed. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for lifetime use of nine psychoactive substances, as well as high-risk/harmful alcohol use. Disadvantaged identities from three categories (ethnicity, sexual identity, gender), and interactions between these were compared.
Findings indicate that participants with disadvantaged ethnic and sexual minority identities are more likely to use psychoactive substances compared to their counterparts. The intersecting identity 'disadvantaged ethnic identity and sexual minority' appears to be protective compared to those with just one of these identities. While female gender appears to be highly protective in general, it is not protective among females with disadvantaged social identities.
Stark disparities in substance use between different social identities and their intersections emphasise the importance of intersectionality theories in public health research intervention design. Future research on health equity, particularly substance use, should target individuals with intersecting identities.
KeywordsSubstance use Alcohol use Intersectionality Health inequality Minority health
Global Drug Survey is a self-funded organisation; its media partners did not have any role in the design, interpretation or write-up of this paper. ARW is the founder and managing director of Global Drug Survey. All authors have contributed to the design, interpretation and write-up of the manuscript. We would like to thank the participants who gave so generously their time to complete the GDS. We are grateful for the promotion of GDS by a long list of world media partners, see Barratt et al. (2017). We are also indebted to Stuart Newman for his programming skills, advice and patience and Chris Parsons for his hard work in managing the translation site for the survey.
The authors received no specific financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this study. MJB and JAF were supported by fellowships from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1070140, APP1089395). The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and the National Drug Research Institute were supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund. We also acknowledge the contribution of the Victorian Operational Infrastructure Support Program received by the Burnet Institute.
Compliance with ethical standards
Ethical statement
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
- Agaku IT, King BA et al (2014) Tobacco product use among adults—United States, 2012–2013. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 63:542–547Google Scholar
- Babor T, Higgins-Biddle J, Saunders J, Monteiro M (2001) AUDIT—the alcohol use disorders identification test (guidelines for use in primary care). World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/67205/1/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf
- Barratt MJ, Ferris J et al (2017) Moving on from representativeness: testing the utility of the Global Drug Survey. Subst Abuse 11:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221817716391 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Bauer GR (2014) Incorporating intersectionality theory into population health research methodology: challenges and the potential to advance health equity. Soc Sci Med 110:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.03.0221 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Blosnich J, Jarrett T, Horn K (2011) Racial and ethnic differences in current use of cigarettes, cigars, and hookahs among lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Nicotine Tob Res 13:487–491. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntq261 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Bowleg L (2012) The problem with the phrase women and minorities: intersectionality—an important theoretical framework for public health. Am J Public Health 102:1267–1273. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2012.300750 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Carliner H, Delker E, Fink DS, Keyes KM, Hasin DS (2016) Racial discrimination, socioeconomic position, and illicit drug use among US Blacks. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 51:551–560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1174-y CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Chow EN-L, Segal MT, Lin T, Demos VP, Segal MT (2011) Analyzing gender, intersectionality, and multiple inequalities: global-transnational and local contexts. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, BingleyCrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Clark C, Matthew D, Burns V (2018) Power, privilege and justice: intersectionality as human rights? Int J Hum Rights 22:108–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2017.1390333 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Constance-Huggins M (2018) Intersection of race, gender, and nationality in teaching about race and racism. Reflect Pract 19:81–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2017.1361918 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Cook MC, Morisky DE, Williams JK, Ford CL, Gee GC (2016) Sexual risk behaviors and substance use among men sexually victimized by women. Am J Public Health 106:1263–1269. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2016.303136 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Creswell LM (2014) A critical black feminist ethnography of treatment for women with co-occurring disorders in the psychiatric hospital. J Behav Health Serv Res 41:167–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9344-0 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Daeppen JB, Yersin B, Landry U, Pecoud A, Decrey H (2000) Reliability and validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) imbedded within a general health risk screening questionnaire: results of a survey in 332 primary care patients. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:659–665. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02037.x CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Degenhardt L, Hall W (2001) The relationship between tobacco use, substance-use disorders and mental health: results from the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. Nicotine Tob Res 3:225–234. https://doi.org/10.1080/14622200110050457 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Degenhardt L, Hall W, Gartner C (2015) The epidemiology of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use and their contribution to the burden of disease. In: Haber P, Day C, Farrell M (eds) Addiction medicine: principles and practice. IP Communications, Melbourne, pp 8–21Google Scholar
- Esposito J, Edwards EB (2018) When black girls fight: interrogating, interrupting, and (Re) imagining dangerous scripts of femininity in urban classrooms. Educ Urban Soc 50:87–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013124517729206 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Etherington N (2015) Race, gender, and the resources that matter: an investigation of intersectionality and health. Women Health 55:754–777. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2015.1050544 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Frost DM, Meyer IH (2009) Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. J Couns Psychol 56:97–109. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012844 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Gibbons FX, O'Hara RE, Stock ML, Gerrard M, Weng C-Y, Wills TA (2012) The erosive effects of racism: reduced self-control mediates the relation between perceived racial discrimination and substance use in African American adolescents. J Pers Soc Psychol 102:1089–1104. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027404 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Hankivsky O et al (2014) An intersectionality-based policy analysis framework: critical reflections on a methodology for advancing equity. Int J Equity Health 13:119. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-014-0119-x CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Hatzenbuehler ML, Keyes KM, Hamilton A, Hasin DS (2014) State-level tobacco environments and sexual orientation disparities in tobacco use and dependence in the USA. Tob Control 23:e127–e132. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051279 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Marshal MP et al (2008) Sexual orientation and adolescent substance use: a meta-analysis and methodological review. Addiction 103:546–556. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02149.x CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Mereish EH, Bradford JB (2014) Intersecting identities and substance use problems: sexual orientation, gender, race, and lifetime substance use problems. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 75:179–188. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2014.75.179 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Merline AC, O'Malley PM, Schulenberg JE, Bachman JG, Johnston LD (2004) Substance use among adults 35 years of age: prevalence, adulthood predictors, and impact of adolescent substance use. Am J Public Health 94:96–102. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.94.1.96 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Meyer IH (2003) Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychol Bull 129:674–697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Molina KM, Jackson B, Rivera-Olmedo N (2016) Discrimination, racial/ethnic identity, and substance use among Latina/os: are they gendered? Ann Behav Med 50:119–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9738-8 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- Nölke A-I (2018) Making diversity conform? An intersectional, longitudinal analysis of LGBT-specific mainstream media advertisements. J Homosex 65:224–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1314163 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- O'Brien RB (2016) Intersectionality and adolescent domestic violence and abuse: addressing "classed sexism" and improving service provision. Int J Human Rights Healthc 9:161–173. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-08-2015-0026 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Pollock JA et al (2012) Alcohol use among young men who have sex with men. Subst Use Misuse 47:12–21. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2011.618963 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Priest N, Paradies Y, Trenerry B, Truong M, Karlsen S, Kelly Y (2013) A systematic review of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and wellbeing for children and young people. Soc Sci Med 95:115–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.11.031 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Read JG, Eagle DE (2011) Intersecting identities as a source of religious incongruence. J Sci Study Relig 50:116–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468.5906.2010.01555.x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Rogers J, Kelly UA (2011) Feminist intersectionality: bringing social justice to health disparities research. Nurs Ethics 18:397–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733011398094 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Stuber J, Meyer I, Link B (2008) Stigma, prejudice, discrimination and health. Soc Sci Med 67:351–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.03.023 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2015) World drug report 2015. New YorkGoogle Scholar
- Vardeman-Winter J, Jiang H, Tindall NTJ (2013) Information-seeking outcomes of representational, structural, and political intersectionality among health media. J Appl Commun Res 41:389–411. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2013.828360 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Viruell-Fuentes EA, Miranda PY, Abdulrahim S (2012) More than culture: structural racism, intersectionality theory, and immigrant health. Soc Sci Med 75:2099–2106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.037 CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Walby S, Armstrong J, Strid S (2012) Intersectionality: multiple inequalities in social theory. Sociology 46:224–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511416164 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Watt SK (2007) Difficult dialogues, privilege and social justice: uses of the privileged identity exploration (PIE) model in student affairs practice. Coll Stud Aff J 26:114Google Scholar
- Weiss ML, Bosia MJ (2013) Global homophobia: States, movements, and the politics of oppression. University of Illinois Press, IllinoisGoogle Scholar


text:
Judge: Kirsty Logan
1st prize £5000 (approx US$ 6329 / €5527)
2ndprize £1000 (approx US$ 1265 / €1105)
3rdprize £500 (approx US$ 633 / €552)
10 highly commended prizes of £100 each
The winning and highly commended stories, poems and flash fiction will be published in the Bridport Prize anthology each year.
The winning stories and shortlist will be read by leading London literary agents A.M. Heath with a view to representing writers
The top thirteen eligible stories are submitted to the BBC National Short Story Award (£15,000) and The Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award (£30,000)
Remember to delete any identfying marks on your submission before uploading your short story. No amendments or corrections can be made once work has been submitted, nor can entries be substituted. If you later realise you have made a mistake, you may withdraw your submission and re-enter. A further fee would be payable.
Remember that the file name of your uploaded entry MUST BE the title of your short story. If it is untitled, use the first line of your short story
You will be able to upload your short story entry when you go to checkout
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates


text:
VIENNA, April 18 (Reuters) - The chief executive of Austrian property group S Immo favours consolidation in his home market and believes rival Immofinanz's deal to acquire 29 percent of his company might be positive, he said on Wednesday after the deal was announced.
"I have never made a secret of the fact that I view consolidation in the Austrian market favourably. Perhaps a step in the right direction has been taken here," Chief Executive Ernst Vejdovszky said in a statement. (Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich, Writing by Francois Murphy; Editing by Michael Shields)


text:
Matowrote a review of Petzl Fuse Dry Climbing Rope - 9.4mm on October 4, 2011
decent enough
I've been using this rope for about 2 seasons on rock and one in the winter. It has held up pretty well. I like the size for all around climbing, it is skinny enough that its not too heavy, feeds through belay devices well, and doesn't feel like a ball and chain holding you down on lead.
The dry treatment was pretty well shot by the end of the first full season. The ropes durability is OK but not great, I have not been impressed with the durability of petzl ropes in general. I will end up retiring this rope with about 100 days of leading on it and a couple of falls.
I think there are better ropes for the money.


text:
Anna rejects Team appeal to end fast
"He has fever, let us request him to stop his fast. Anna can continue his dharna," Bedi said addressing supporters at the MMRDA ground where Hazare was sitting on fast. The 74-year-old activist was suffering from viral infection and his personal assistant Suresh Pathare had been insisting that Hazare was well and he will be sitting on fast.
"Anna is unwell. Will you request Anna to withdraw his fast?" Bedi asked the crowd, which responded with a loud "Yes". However, Hazare, looking quite under the weather, waved his hand in a gesture of "No". Kejriwal and another close aide Manish Sisodia also requested Hazare to end his fast.
Hazare, who has been suffering from cold and mild fever for the past three days, reached the grounds at around 12:30 PM after a rally from the guest house where he was staying to the ground which took over two-and-half hours.
"He is a little weak as of now, but will be fit to fast from tomorrow. His blood pressure and other vital parameters are normal. He has got a little cough and cold but he is getting better," his doctor D G Pote had said on Monday. The activist has been under medication for the past three days, he said.


text:
Listed on this menu are results for competitions entered by Cambs County Ladies' Teams.
To save the results file to your computer, right-mouse-click over the name of the file and select "Save Link As". You can then locate the folder you wish to save the file in on your computer.


text:
When selling your home and buying a new one, it is wise to hire a real estate lawyer. Obviously, there are legal matters in this sale (or sales) but there are many other reasons you might want to hire a DUIMtl.com real estate lawyer to handle these affairs.
Lawyers Read Everything
You are busy. You have work, and kids, and bills. And now you want to sell your house and buy another one. Well, have fun reading all of the documents that go along with this. Or you could simply hire a lawyer; they are used to reading this stuff anyway so they already know what to look for, and they'll know what to do if there is a problem.
Better Navigation of the Real Estate World
First and foremost, they can help you navigate the ins and outs—the stress—of both buying and selling a home at the same time. While your real estate agent can also help you with these things, hiring a real estate lawyer will also afford you other classifications of advice that your realtor probably won't have access to. Similarly, if you do hit a snag—and you probably will—you will save a lot of time not having to brief the lawyer later on as they will already be quite abreast of the situation.
Draft, Review, and Edit Amendments
During the process of purchasing a home, amendments are quite common. In a contingency purchase, for example, the sale of your home could get postponed by a month or more. This, of course, affects the closing of the purchase of your new home. When this occurs, you need to have more discussions about the purchase price and timeline and any time there is a change, your real estate lawyer can handle the amendments to the contracts.
Matters of Tenancy and Eviction
For many home buyers, a property with a rental unit is highly attractive. Obviously, being able to rent out part of the property to a tenant helps generate an income. But when buying a property that comes along with a tenant already renting, things can also get complicated. Having a real estate lawyer on retainer, then, is a great idea because not only they are able to explain all the intricacies of rental unit contingencies, but they might also have a strategy for using these complicated situations to your advantage.


text:
In March, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel to explore a partnership opportunity with Ashkelon College, a fast-growing university located in Baltimore's sister city of Ashkelon, Israel. The trip, funded in part by the Maryland Israel Development Center, gave me insights into the phenomenon of the entrepreneurship-driven Israeli economy. As chronicled in the book Start-Up Nation by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, this country with a population of only 7.1 million—a nation in a constant state of war and with no natural resources—has carved out a lucrative niche in high-tech. Indeed, Israel is operating on a par in both scale and caliber with America's top IT companies. How do they do it?
First, a key fact: Israel spends more on research and development as a percentage of their economy than any other country in the world. It knows how to make that money relevant to young companies. In short, it has actively cultivated a culture of entrepreneurship and leadership.
Entrepreneurship involves more than creating a business. It is about seeking opportunities, taking risks, and having the tenacity to push an idea through to reality. The economic and social influence of entrepreneurs have been shown to make immensely disproportionate contributions to job creation, innovation, and economic renewal, compared with the contributions made by the 500 or so largest companies. Entrepreneurship is the essential mechanism by which countries achieve economic growth and accelerate national competitiveness, whether it's China, Iceland, India, Israel, Thailand or—the United States.
An economy's entrepreneurial capacity requires people with the ability and motivation to start businesses. Today, many early-stage entrepreneurs are younger than 34. This means as many as 5.6 million Americans are actively trying to start a business. From where I sit as dean— that looks and sounds like—a lot of positive energy that needs to be captured and leveraged.
Given this upsurge in interest in being a self-starter, it is important to focus on the role of education in developing future entrepreneurs. Yes: entrepreneurship can be taught. For example, the Israelis cultivate entrepreneurship in their schools and in the military. Peter Drucker, recognized as one of the leading management thinkers of our time, has said, "The entrepreneurial mystique? It's not magic, it's not mysterious, and it has nothing to do with genes. It's a discipline…and it can be learned."
I'm not the first to say that our nation is at a crossroads, and research has shown that populations that embrace innovation will have higher level of entrepreneurial activity. Thus, if we are to continue to lead a global economic revolution and remain secure as a nation, we must recognize how much of our future depends on innovation and cross-border entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurship is going global—in some countries, 40 percent of early-stage entrepreneurs expect 25 percent or more of their customers to come from outside the country. Is it even possible to overstate the importance of students having a well-developed global perspective as part of their entrepreneurial and business education? I don't think so.
American students face competition from places they've never been, people they've never met. Their skills are challenged, and that challenge is not going to melt away like a conquered foe. Right now, new processes, new standards of best practices, and, of course, new kinds of businesses are being created all around the world. It's essential that we support the teaching and learning of not only the technical aspects of competitiveness, but also the socioeconomic and political conditions that exist in other countries. That's a knowledge base—a foundation for developing the capacity to build partnerships and collaborations across borders, and, in turn, an expanded cultural awareness and sensitivity that can help ensure a successful future.
Where does this knowledge go? Everywhere—in international trade, partnered manufacturing, new markets, new ideas, new ways of meeting the horizon. It's no longer about labels like Third World or First World. The labels matter less than the world's capacity for working together. Even nations that are struggling to meet basic needs are still open for business.
Consider our Edward Attman and Mildred Cohen Attman Enterprise Hatchery, which provides fertile ground for emerging entrepreneurs to kick-start their business, or the Leonard and Phyllis Attman Competitive Business Prize, which provides seed money for high-potential start-ups. Soon, you'll get to know our new certificate in technology commercialization and innovation management, specifically designed for those companies with a stake in high-tech. We take the subject of entrepreneurship very seriously, because it's serious business.
At the heart of it all, it's about partnerships. Whether it's in Peru, Ethiopia or Israel, our students, working with entrepreneurial partners, are the future of American capitalism and American know-how. Let's support this mindset, and don't look back.
With UB Pride,
Darlene Brannigan Smith, Ph.D.Dean, Merrick School of BusinessAlumnae, B.S. '78, M.B.A. '80


text:
The only book available on the market explaining whole IFS Food version 6 standard, requirement by requirement. Ideal guide for implementation of the standard. Practical approach with large number of non conformities and deviations examples based on experiences from real IFS Food certification audits across Europe.
What is Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and how individual standards are approved against GFSI`s Guidance document? Which standards are approved by GFSI for certification in food industry?
How to prepare for the audit? How to select the right certification body? How the audit price is set based on the audit duration and how to calculate the audit duration? What is the audit scope? Is pre-audit required? When and how to apply for certification?
Which individual standards belong to the International Featured Standards (IFS) family? Where they may be applied?
How the audit is performed on site? What are individual steps of the audit? How to communicate with auditors? May consultant be present during the audit and under which conditions?
What are individual IFS Food Standard requirements and how to implement them in practice? What are commonly found deviations and non-conformities during the audits?
What types of findings auditor rise during the audit? What are deviations, major non-conformity or K.O. non-conformity? What are next steps to handle deviations and non-conformities? When the follow-up audit is required? When the whole audit needs to be repeated? How to fill the action plan before the certificate is issued?
What is IFS Food portal and which information are available for retailers? How to get login details? How to unlock detailed information? How to manage certification body change on the IFS portal?
Phasellus vehicula ligula neque, a facilisis libero amet facilisis vitae. Aliquam erat volutpat. Suspendisse quis consequat urna. Nulla mollis lacus sit amet mauris.
Phasellus vehicula ligula neque, a facilisis libero amet facilisis vitae. Aliquam erat volutpat. Suspendisse quis consequat urna. Nulla mollis lacus sit amet mauris.
Following sample pages are first parts of the individual selected chapters of the book.
The food industry and especially systems used to ensure food safety, quality and legality are certainly approached by the general public with raised sentiments. Eating safe and healthy food is important for everyone. For that reason the retailers, especially considering their own brand food (private labels), seek to provide maximum protection against potential issues connected with food harmful to human health and the related media interest.
Private labels first sold in Europe, especially in Great Britain, where the first retailer owned standards were issued, under the now unified the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. Later on the private labels were introduced in all developed countries. The situation in Europe is shown by the picture taken from the web site of the Private Label Manufacturer Association (PLMA). The picture shows that private labels perform a significant role (above 20% of all sales) in most of the European countries. The share of private labels range around 50% of all food sold and in even higher in Great Britain, Switzerland and Spain.
In the beginning British retailers audited their suppliers according to their own standards. This was demanding both for the retailers and for their suppliers, who had to undergo even 10 to 20 audits a year and often found it hard to meet the requirements of different auditors and different standards, which obviously differed in many areas. That is why the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) was established as association of major retailers and food manufacturers. Major world retailers and food manufacturers have their representatives in GFSI. The supreme body of GFSI is Board of Directors consisting of 25 representatives of retailers and 25 representatives of food manufacturers.
GFSI keep a document defining requirements to standards on the basis of which the certification companies audit and certify food manufacturers and other parts of the food chain (GFSI Guidance Document).The GFSI Guidance Document is not used as standard for these certifications.
The standard approved by GFSI is accepted by most retailers. GFSI approved standards for food manufacture include IFS Food, BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, and the recent development, FSSC22000 plus some other, in Europe not so frequently used standards.
In comparison to ISO standards the GFSI approved standards place increased emphasis on a unified approach of different certification authorities and competency of auditors. In the case of ISO standards these areas are only checked independently by the accreditation body. In the case of standards such as IFS or BRC the certification bodies are under strict control of the standard owners, to whom they must prove competency to each auditor before his/her approval. This process is completed according to the IFS standard. The standard owner organises and assesses the compulsory examination (written and oral) of auditor. Similarly for the new version 6 of BRC Global Standard for Food Safety each auditor must sit for a test assessed by the British Retailer Consortium. Furthermore owners of IFS and BRC standards perform random checks of the audit reports and a number of other indicators, independent audits of certification bodies and their customers, food manufacturers. If results are unsatisfactory, a certification body audit or control audit by BRC or IFS the owner of the standard always assesses validity of the issued certificates. Therefore to avoid problems with later unrecognized validity of a certificate we strongly recommend careful selection of the certification body. As always the cheapest doesn't always mean the best.
GFSI approved standards have also been issued for the primary agricultural production (the best-known example of this category is the GlobalGAP standard) and other areas are currently under scrutiny, such as packaging material manufacture, logistics, feed manufacture etc. where some standards already exist such as BRC Packaging, FSSC22000 using PAS 223 document for packaging material manufacturers, IFS Logistics and BRC Storage&Distribution for food storage and distribution, IFS Broker for sales offices and IFS Cash&Carry/Wholesale for store operators. These above mentioned standards are expected to be among the first GFSI approved standards for these areas.
As follows from the name of the standard, it was developed by the organisation called British Retail Consortium (BRC) with offices in London.
The standard was originally issued in 1998 and has been periodically updated since to reflect the newest views and knowledge in the area of food safety. At present the currently valid version of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is no 6 issued in July 2011 (BRC Food). The standard is also available several language versions and can be obtained from the British standard dealer The Stationary Office Limited.
The BRC Food standard stipulates requirements for food manufacture. The certification only applies to food products produced in the audited factory. The standard does not apply to wholesale, import and distribution of food not manufactured by the audited plant. The standard also does not apply to primary agricultural production.
There is a whole group of BRC standards. In addition to BRC Food for food production they include BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution and BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products. Except the latter, applicable to household and personnel care products, all BRC standards are linked to food manufacture and are mutually applicable to allow for certification of all parts of the chain from food production and packaging, to storage of packaged food and their transport to stores. There is no BRC standard for primary agricultural production. The Globalgap is the most popular of the numerous standards in this area.
Certification according to BRC Food is mainly required by retailers with central offices in Great Britain and some other countries, e.g. Scandinavia, USA, some countries in Asia, etc.
BRC Food audits are performed every 6 - 12 months, depending on the result of the previous audit. The certification body is required to proof of the implementation of corrective actions for all identified non-conformities before the BRC certificate is issued. This is rather difficult for the certificated organisation as they have relatively little time. Delivery of the proof to the certification body or a revisit of the auditor on the site for the corrective actions assessment must be completed in 28 days from completion of the audit. This is where the BRC standard differs from the other GFSI approved standards or certification schemes (such as IFS Food or FSSC22000), where the certificate is issued on the basis of the respective action plan in case of absence of major non-conformities. The proposed corrective actions may then be implemented by the audited organisation in the course of the current year until the next audit in the context of which the auditor checks them on site.
Since January 2012 the applicable version of BRC Food standard is no 6 of July 2011.
Certification according to IFS Food is required mostly by retailers with central offices in Germany, Austria, France and Italy but the standard is used globally. IFS Food audits are performed every 12 months.
Details about IFS Food standard are specified in the following chapters hereof.
Since 1 July 2012 all audits pursuant to IFS Food have been performed according to release 6 of January 2012.
The certification scheme FSSC22000 (sometimes abbreviated to FX22000) is operated by the Dutch Foundation for Food Safety Certification. The normative document used for FSSC22000 certifications is represented by the combination of ISO 22000 and a document specifying detailed requirements for the so called "necessary prerequisites" in the certified area. For the purpose of food production this was the British Public Specification PAS 220, later replaced by ISO/TS 22002-1. For package manufacture this is PAS 223, and for feedstuff production PAS 222. further extensions are assumed for activities such as catering, agricultural production etc. In the course of time further PAS documents will be replaced by ISO/TS 22002-x standards.
Unlike BRC and IFS standards the FSSC2200 certification scheme has not been supported by commercial chains. PAS documents have been created by the European Confederation of Food and Drink Industries (CIAA) and supra-national food producers such as Danone, Kraft, Nestlé or Unilever.
The advantages of the FSSC22000 certification scheme is its accessibility: All documents for the certified organisations and the certification authorities are available for free download on the web site of the scheme owner (www.fssc22000.com) with a list of contracted certification authorities authorised to perform FSSC22000 certification and a list of the certified entities.
Another advantage of FSSC22000 is the use of the international standard ISO 22000, with its unified structure with standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other, allowing for mutual integration in organisations needing certification according to more than one standard or organisations transferred from ISO 9001 or ISO22000 to FSSC22000.
Unlike BRC and IFS, FSC22000 allows for higher flexibility in many areas and supports application of hazard analysis and takes into consideration of the specifics of the given operation for the decision about the way to introduce the standard requirements.
FSSC22000 is also the only GFSI approved certification scheme for food manufacturers. Accreditation may be obtained from the Czech Institute for Accreditation, while BRC and IFS require accreditation by a foreign accreditation authority.
Therefore for the purpose of food production, in addition to the requirements of ISO 22000 requirements of ISO/TS 22002-1 (the standard is also available in the Czech version of November 2010) must also be introduced and maintained.
SQF 2000 for food production and a similar standard, SQF 1000 for basic agricultural production, are American standards owned by the SQF Institute. These standards are mainly used in the U.S.A., and, to a smaller extent, in Australia and certain other countries. Use in Europe is negligible. When the period when this book was written, i.e. in July 2012, no organisation with valid SQF 2000 or SQF 1000 certificate was registered in the SQF database for the Czech and Slovak Republics.
The Global Red Meat Scheme (GRMS) is a Danish scheme owned by the Danish Agriculture &Meat Council and existing since 2006 with limited spread and coverage (transport, stabling, stunning, slaughter, meat cutting and meat and meat product handling).
Like FSSC22000 Synergy 22000 is based on ISO 22000 standard extended with stipulation of requirements for the necessary assumptions. Synergy 22000 is a Swiss certification scheme owned by Synergy Global Standardisation Services. The nature of the scheme is similar to FSSC22000 with the only difference in limited support by supra-national manufacturers and some commercial chains in comparison to FSSC22000, therefore occurrence of Synergy 22000 in the global framework is not likely.
PrimusGFS is a Mexican certification scheme owned by Azzule Systems and designed for food production and primary agricultural production. Like Synergy 22000 and SQF 2000/1000 or GMRS this scheme has not been applied globally in wider scale.
Two of the above certification schemes also include basic agricultural production: SQF 1000 and PrimusGFS. Other GFSI approved standards for basic agricultural production also include the CanadaGAP (Canadian Horticultural Council on Farm Food Safety Program), the Global Agriculture Alliance Seafood Processing Standard and Globalgap. The most frequently globally used certification scheme is the German Globalgap.
IFS Food is a standard for supplier audit of manufacturers of food products and only concerns companies processing food or packing bulk food products. IFS Food standard should be applied to product processing and/or if there is a risk of product contamination in the course of primary packaging.
IFS Logistics is a standard for audit of companies whose business activity includes logistics of food and non-food products such as transport, storage, distribution, loading/unloading etc. The standard applies to all kinds of activities: road, railway or boat delivery, frozen/cooled food as well as products stable in ambient atmosphere.
IFS Logistics standard therefore applies to logistic activities where contact exists only with primary food packaging (transport, packing of food products in primary packages, storage and/or distribution, transport and storage of pallets, big bags, etc.). This standard also applies to special unpacked goods such as meat in the form of carcasses, or bulk transport/in cisterns, (glucose syrup, milk, grains etc.).
If a food-processing company has its own logistics and/or transport department/activities (storage and distribution) then it will be included under the IFS standard under the special subchapter on transport and storage.
IFS Broker is a standard for audits of companies such as commercial agencies, procurers or other companies not accepting products for physical handling, therefore not operating their own transport and storage facilities.
This standard applies to food products and products for household and personal care.
IFS Cash&Carry/Wholesale is a variant of IFS Food standard for certification of retail, wholesale and cash & carry type stores. The currently valid version of the standard is No. 1 which exactly copies requirements of IFS Food Version 5 and only adapts the protocol and auditor requirements. In the course of 2013 a revision and issue of version 2 are scheduled.
IFS HPC (Household and Personal Care Products) is a standard whose title shows that its goal is certification of non-food products, such as cosmetics, toilet paper, baking foils for households etc.
3.4.1 The company shall provide staff facilities, which shall be proportional in size, equipped for the number of personnel and designed and operated so as to minimise food safety risks. Such facilities shall be kept in clean and good condition.
3.4.2 The risk of product contamination by foreign material from staff facilities shall be evaluated and minimised. Consideration shall also be given to food brought to work by personnel and personal belongings.
3.4.3 There shall be in place rules and facilities to ensure the correct management for personnel belongings and for food brought to work by personnel, food coming from dining room and from vending machines. The food shall only be stored and/ or used in designated areas.
3.4.4. The company shall provide suitable changing rooms for personnel, contractors and visitors. Where necessary, outdoor clothing and protective clothing shall be stored separately.
3.4.5. Toilets shall not have direct access to an area where food products are handled. The toilets shall be equipped with adequate hand washing facilities. Sanitary facilities shall have adequate natural or mechanical ventilation. Mechanical airflow from a contaminated area to a clean area shall be avoided.
3.4.6. Adequate hand hygiene facilities shall be provided at access points to and within production areas, as well as at staff facilities. Based on hazard analysis and assessment of associated risks, further areas (e.g. packaging area) shall be similarly equipped.
3.4.7.Hand washing facilities shall provide as a minimum:
3.4.8 Where highly perishable food products are handled, the following additional requirements regarding hand hygiene shall also be provided:
3.4.9. Based on hazard analysis and assessment of associated risks, there shall be a program to control effectiveness of hand hygiene.
3.4.10. Changing rooms shall be situated so that they allow direct access to the areas where food products are handled. Based on hazard analysis and assessment of associated risks, exceptions shall be justified and managed.
3.4.11. Where the hazard analysis and assessment of associated risks show the necessity, cleaning facilities shall be available and used for boots, shoes and further protective clothing.
Part 3.4 summarises requirements for changing rooms, toilets, rest rooms, canteens and similar staff rooms. The size of these rooms must correspond to the company staff number. The rooms must be located and equipped as to prevent risk of contamination for the processed food. For the same reasons keep the staff rooms clean and tidy.
The situation of IFS standard is easier than of BRC where the individual zones are defined (open product, low risk, high care, high risk) with corresponding requirements for work clothes and staff facilities. IFS Food standard leaves plant zoning to the company. Analyses, knowledge and experience help the company to decide, whether to establish separate changing rooms for certain parts of the plant operations, if timing of employee access to the dining room should be introduced, or if any other solutions are required.
The changing rooms need direct access to the manufacturing areas without passing through any exterior areas. If the situation is different there should be a logical justification. Equip the changing rooms for separate storage of work clothing and personal clothing of the employees. Provide external contractors and visitors changing rooms and work clothing.
Equip entrances to the manufacturing areas from changing rooms and suitable places in the manufacturing areas (especially where the employees touch food or primary packaging) with wash basins running with hot water, liquid soap and a suitable hand dryer (such as disposable towels). When manufacturing food that is microbiologically sensitive, equip the wash basins with a hands free operated taps (with sensor or mechanical foot pedal), disinfection and a pictograms noting the reason for washing hands and showing the correct way of hand washin. These areas should not include waste baskets opened by hand near the wash basins.
At the entrances to the manufacturing areas and in other suitable places (such as at the points of transfers between parts of manufacture with different risk levels - clean and unclean section, different parts of slaughter etc.) install equipment for shoe washing and disinfection (including washing of rubber aprons if used). The standard expects the company to analyse the need for this equipment and decide their use based on hazard analysis and related risk assessment. Tourniquets are widely used for these purposes providing for simultaneous washing and disinfection of shoes and hands while only allowing the employee pass after putting his/her hands to the space for automatic dosing of the hand disinfectant. This solution minimises potential human error.
Introduce checks of effectiveness of hand washing and disinfection. There are again several ways of doing that. The line managers, usually shift leaders, routinely monitor hygienic behaviour of their workers: hand washing after contact with a contaminated surface, secondary packaging, floor, after use of the toilet, after break etc. Perform a similar control needed along with record in the form of documented internal inspections with set frequency, additionally, use more exact way less frequently, usually once in a couple of months, by swabbing hands of randomly selected employees for microbial analysis. Another way is to press hands into prepared microbial media available commercially. The company then reacts to unfavourable results of the analyses in an appropriate manner for example by additional employee training, increasing frequency of checks and repeating analysis.
There cannot be any direct access from the manufacturing area to the toilets. Also equip toilets with a suitable wash basins. The standard newly addresses ventilation, which may be either natural or mechanical. Make certain that no airflow from the toilets flows into the clean manufacturing areas. So do not have an air suction ventilator of the clean manufacture near the toilet exhaust ventilator, or an air exhaust from the toilets to the manufacturing areas.
Like changing rooms, suitably locate rest rooms and canteens. If not directly in the manufacturing building take then measures to prevent work clothing contamination on the way to the canteen or rest room and back, e.g. by changing clothes, use of shoe slips etc.
It is important to establish rules defining, where to eat, drink and smoke, and under what conditions. Prohibit bringing food and other potentially risk objects (cups, glasses, plates, cutlery etc.) to the manufacturing areas and their storage areas must be reserved (refrigerators with regularly controlled temperature and contents). The reason is to prevent cross contamination between employees, e.g. by an opened package of a salad with mayonnaise left for 6 months in a refrigerator by an employee not working with the company any longer. Temperature checks also apply to vending machines with chilled food. Their location in a suitable place, such as the rest room or the canteen. Also prevent their installation in the manufacturing area.
Employee catering is connected with the allergen issue. Some companies do not allow their employees to bring food from home containing peanuts and other nuts. For this reason it is also necessary to insist on prohibiting bring foreign food to the manufacturing area and its storage (for example not in the locker with work clothes). Also consider addressing employees' clothing in the canteen or rest room where food is consumed. This is mostly resolved by taking off overalls.
Examples of deviations and non-conformities:
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Curabitur condimentum massa egestas quam tempus fermentum. Donec pretium leo et nibh pretium, id scelerisque turpis dictum.
Author, Miroslav Šuška, is experienced IFS Food and BRC Food auditor who have been working for several international certification bodies and managed own DAkkS accredited certification body focused on IFS certifications. He was working number of years as Quality Manager at internationally operated food producer and later on run own consulting company where he was helping to implement quality and food safety standards to the companies as Nestlé, Yoplait, Nutrucia and many others. He performed IFS Food and others audits across Europe.
Miroslav is CEO/founder of QUALIFOOD s.r.o., the consulting company active exclusively in food sector. QUALIFOOD is publisher of Food Quality Magazine available free of charge to food safety professionals with Czech printed version circulated based on subscription in Czech Republic and Slovakia.
QUALIFOOD provides online trainings and e-books through its portal QUALIFOOD Academy.