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Posts for: December, 2017
You don't have to be a dental professional to appreciate a beautiful smile. Likewise, you'll also know when something's not quite right with one.
Such can be the case when a tooth fails to erupt properly, causing most or all of the crown to remain below the gum line, a condition known as impaction. Upper canines (or "eyeteeth," for their location in the arch under the eyes) are especially susceptible to impaction: located on either side of the lateral incisors, which are on either side of the central incisors (the two center front teeth).
The upper canines are important both for function and appearance. Working with their lower counterparts they help cut through food as we chew, so you lose some of that efficiency when they don't erupt properly. Impacted teeth are susceptible to abscesses and cysts, and can impinge upon and damage the roots of other teeth. And just as importantly, their absence also disrupts the smile as nearby teeth tend to move or "drift" toward the open space.
Rather than remove the impacted canines as is often done with back teeth, it may be more advantageous for both function and appearance to "coax" them into full eruption. This requires first pinpointing their exact location below the gums using x-rays or cone beam 3-D imaging.
If the teeth are in reasonably good position we must first prepare them for orthodontic treatment by surgically exposing the crown from the gums and bonding a small bracket to it. We then attach a small gold chain to the bracket that extends outside of the gums when we suture them back into place. The chain is attached to orthodontic hardware that exerts pressure on the impacted tooth for several months to "pull" it out into the arch.
This procedure has the best chance of success if undertaken before the end of jaw development in early adulthood. Otherwise, it may be better to remove the impacted canines and replace them with dental implants, followed by orthodontic treatment of other teeth to restore their proper position and bite relationships. In either case, your impacted upper canines don't have to be a problem — we can restore both your mouth function and your smile.
If you would like more information on impacted teeth and treatment options, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Exposing Impacted Canines."
The development of your child's teeth, gums and jaw structure is an amazing process. But while it largely occurs on its own, we can't take it for granted—we'll need to do our part to ensure their mouth stays free from the effects of disease and injury.
That starts first and foremost with early oral hygiene practices. And we do mean early, even before teeth begin to erupt: a simple habit of wiping their gums after feeding with a clean, damp cloth helps reduce the growth of bacteria, the leading cause of dental disease.
Once teeth do appear, you can begin brushing them every day with just a smear of toothpaste. You can increase this to a pea-sized dose around age 2, as well as begin teaching them to brush and later floss for themselves.
Regular dental visits are the next pillar of preventive care. By and large it's best to begin visits around their first birthday. Their primary teeth should be coming in at an even pace by then; and the earlier you begin visits the easier it will be for them to become used to them as a routine part of life.
Dental visits are essential for keeping bacterial plaque under control, as well as monitoring overall dental health. It's also an opportunity to apply other preventive measures such as sealants that discourage tooth decay development on biting surfaces and topical fluoride for strengthening enamel.
Dental visits also provide frequent opportunities to detect bite problems or other situations as they're emerging. Recognizing these early gives us a chance to intervene with less invasive treatments that could prevent or minimize more invasive treatments later.
You also don't want to forget about the other major cause of dental problems—traumatic injuries. You can lessen this risk by limiting your child's exposure to hard, sharp objects like furniture or some toys. And if they become involved with contact sports, it's a good idea to invest in a custom mouthguard to protect their teeth and mouth from blunt force trauma.
As always, we're here to support you and give you advice on other ways to keep your child's dental development on track. Together we'll give your child the best chance possible to enter adulthood with a healthy mouth.
If you would like more information on dental care for your child, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


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Having never sold a cafe before, it seemed like a daunting task, until we met Paul from GSE Business Consultants. He made the process from start to finish simple and informative, with a
successful result at the end
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"Six Steps to Sale" program
to set you up for when you are ready to sell.
Soul Surf
Professional, reliable service.
Paul from GSE is dedicated and relationship focused with on point reporting system putting
this company in the ahead of its competitors and business consultants.
I am pleased with the service and recommend it highly.
Rison Amin
Director of DoubleRis Pty Ltd TA Knock and Tamp
Great service! Paul was very professional and helpful
making the process of selling a business less stressful! Always chasing up leads, finding a buyer for our business was quicker than we expected! Thank you Paul!
Rita Tambellini
Partner of Beco Allambie
I was
beyond impressed
with Paul. From the moment we met (he came to us), I knew he was going to do everything in his power to help us sell our Cafe.
He knows the process like no other, and has a professionalism unsurpassed in the industry. Also, his unique financial modelling allowed us to easily pull all the relevant information together which buyers are looking for. The marketing he and his team put together for us was very impressive, it almost made us consider not selling, he made it sound that appealing :-)
His new system of billing and working is awesome, and it makes it so much easier for small businesses like ours to engage real experts like Paul.
Mate, thanks again for everything you did for us. This was a really high pressure situation, and you made it so easy and effortless. Love your work.
Highly recommended!!!!
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My experience with GSE was reassuring, that businesses can still have a caring approach. My dealings were with Paul Leach, of who i can not speak highly enough. He made a lot of sense and he listened. I wish I did not find that so rare these days. GSE will be the first place I go when next I'm looking for a business.
Stephen Conry
Paul is very professional broker and always on top of everything. He is always available when we need him. Highly recommended.
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PROTECTIVE H2020 Project Begins Second Phase & Pilot
The Email Laundry brings Industry-Leading Threat Intelligence Expertise to Improve Project Data
Kildare, Ireland, September 2018 – The PROTECTIVE H2020 project, which aims to improve cyber awareness, has recently unveiled the second phase of pilot 1 on 17 September in Krakow during the cybercrime research symposium eCrimeEU2018.
Phase 2 marks the beginning of the three National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) – CESNET (Czech Republic), PSNC (Poland) and RoEduNet (Romania) – sharing cybersecurity information. This milestone marks further headway in the project's overall objective, namely improving awareness of cyberattack risks, setting up a cybersecurity-data and information processing and collating system and sharing information between the cybersecurity teams of the various organizations taking part in the project.
Alongside phase 2, the PROTECTIVE 2020 project has begun developing their second pilot. This pilot aims to bring actionable threat intelligence to SMEs and other public bodies across Europe. In order to achieve this goal, The Email Laundry has developed a tool to bring relevant alerts directly to the organization.
Cybersecurity is one of the biggest threats facing business and society today. Combatting these attacks have become a main priority for governments and organizations alike.
For more information on The PROTECTIVE project visit www.protective-h2020.eu. For more information on The Email Laundry visit www.TheEmailLaundry.com
The PROTECTIVE project is designed to improve organizations' ongoing awareness of the risk posed to its business by cybersecurity attacks. The PROTECTIVE consortium is constituted of three National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), three academic and four commercial partners from eight countries so as to maximize the technical and commercial impact of the outputs and the dissemination and uptake of the results. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 700071
The Email Laundry is a SaaS email security cloud-based service that is highly rated on both Gartner Peer Insights and Spiceworks. Using threat intelligence, advanced predictive analytics, and impersonation detection help to protect over 10,000 companies worldwide from Impersonation, Ransomware, CEO Fraud, Phishing, and other malicious email attacks. They supply MSPs and other cybersecurity companies with cyber threat intelligence feeds, email security, email archiving and continuity, phishing awareness training, and email encryption services.


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Dodge Challenger Blends Old-School Cool with Aggressive 21st-Century Performance
Our sales staff at Wells Motor Company in Avon Park invites you to discover the exciting new 2019 Dodge Challenger by visiting our customer-friendly showroom for a test drive. This model pays homage to the American muscle car and is Dodge's popular pony car, blending retro-chic styling and old-school cool with the unmistakable fierceness of 21st-century performance.
Drivers in Lake Wales, Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, and Sebring who like to feel their pulse rate quicken when they get behind the wheel love the Dodge Challenger, with pricing starting at $28,999 for the SXT. Recent performance enhancements include a rear-drive GT model, sport-tuned suspension, plenty of powertrain options, and a simplistic and sleek cabin with interior trim finish with standard cloth seats or your choice of faux-suede or leather seating optional upgrade.
Take your pick among four different 2019 Dodge Challenger models. If you're a thrill seeker not satisfied with the standard V-6 engine, you can upgrade to the optional 485-hp V-8, the most powerful engine in its class. For maximum power, the 6.4-liter V-8 produces 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. Standard features include 20-inch wheels, powerful brakes for making quick stops and rear parking sensors for added safety, along with an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2019 Dodge Challenger is a muscle car you can design with optional packages to suit your needs. Add the Driver Convenience Group Package to include a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert for increased safety, along with high-intensity-discharge headlights for better visibility by other drivers when on the road. The Dynamics Package Dynamics package offers you wider 20-inch black wheels for improved control along with six-piston Brembo front-brake calipers.
The Challenger is a vehicle that delivers rapid acceleration when on the highway, taking just 2.6 seconds to get from 50 mph to 70 mph on the open road. An aggressive raging bull with plenty of hustle is how many owners describe the 2019 Dodge Challenger, yet its simplistic and roomy muscle car interior, inspired by its 1970s ancestors, also makes this a desirable vehicle to enjoy for leisurely rides.
The Dodge Challenger also provides plenty of cargo space in the trunk, with a big center console bin up front for storing smartphones or other small equipment. Every Challenger is covered by a limited 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with powertrain coverage over five years or 60,000 miles. It's the perfect car for drivers enamored of the past but who want 21st-century technology-impressive features for driving into the future.


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Amélie, mother of Louis, Félix, Brune and Inès, has recently moved to Angers after spending 6 years in Tunisia.
Founder of the TOHU BOHU brand, a unique universe. She likes natural colours, beautiful materials and sobriety. Living with her family in Tunisia, allows Amélie, a decoration enthusiast, to discover the talent of local craftsmen. From there, it launches its brand and offers a pretty selection of decorative objects and accessories for the whole family: tipis, sheepskin, basket, sheep.... Drop colors, a mustard stitch and pom-poms as a signature make Amélie's collection elegant and uncluttered. If you want to know more about his background, his inspirations, it's right here.
What is your background?
I have always been immersed in the world of creation. Starting with a Steiner school where expression and creation were just as important as math. I took a Bac S and then entered a Parisian school of graphic design. I then work in art direction at BETC, a large advertising agency. Then comes our departure for Tunis where we spend 6 years. When I discover this country, I am a newlywed, suitcase in hand and pregnant. A year goes by, we settle in and quickly we are expecting our second child.
On the spot, you start decorating, tell us about it?
With two expat friends, we create the "le boudoir" store, a kind of concept store, where we offer both our creations and a library and coffee area. Ex-parisienne a little frustrated in decoration and clothes, I started sewing! A great experience! Tipis work great! These years have certainly helped me to train. When we returned to France a year and a half ago, I was very keen to continue to offer decoration for children and to have my own brand. I found it interesting to show the Tunisian know-how.
How do you start?
I first tested my selection during sales to friends and at the same time I set up my TOHU BOHU project, was looking for a workshop to finally launch the brand in September 2017.
Where does the brand name come from?
TohuBohu means "bazaar". It is also the Hebrew word for the "raw material" necessary for the creation of the universe. And I really like that idea.
What is the spirit of the TOHU BOHU brand?
A brand without fuss that wants to be pretty and stylish, products almost raw, little worked. I offer basic products, natural, raw, poetic, ancestral know-how, beautiful materials, timeless, patina, softness, colorful... Essential pieces, unique or in limited series, manufactured by craftsmen.
Authentic products with a simple design...this is the very essence of tohu bohu. All the creations are finished with "a bourbon stitch", a stitch that has become my signature. It's mustard for now, it mixes well with all the other colours. Sober and authentic but with a clear design line.
How are TOHU BOHU BOHU creations made?
On the one hand, I offer a textile collection, teepees, cushions, nomadic rugs that I design from France. All the manufacturing is then carried out in a Tunisian workshop renowned for the quality of its know-how. Bouthaïna, the workshop manager, and her seamstresses with golden fingers, wash, dye, cut and assemble the fabric pieces by hand. I go to Tunis 5 times a year to choose the colours and prototypes.
On the other hand, Tohu Bohu offers a selection of objects made by craftsmen. These craftsmen work with raw materials such as leather, metal, wood, textiles, glass and reveal their beauty. This selection is also a matter of love at first sight!
What are your favourite subjects?
I love linen, cotton, natural products, wool. Wood when it is not varnished. Our fabric is 100% cotton, it is hand-dyed, which gives it a linen look. We chose the same fabric for the whole collection. It is unbleached, untreated, very thick like jeans 300gr per
Any desires, any projects for TohuBohu?
I have a lot of product ideas in my head! I also want to take TohuBohu to "more responsible". It is important for me, since the beginning of the adventure, to have an ethical and meaningful approach. So I work on it every day to get a little closer and closer.
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- Clothes and Accessories
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- No products


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Caldera OpenLinux 3.1 to Ship June 30, 2001
Mike Angelo -- 25 June 2001 (c)
Caldera International has two new Linux products plus a new Linux-savvy UNIX product, OpenLinux Workstation 3.1, OpenLinux Secure Internet Server, and Open UNIX 8. Along with Mandrake, Red Hat, and SuSE, Caldera is one of the four leading Linux OS distributions
OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 is a Linux desktop operating system (OS) based on the Linux 2.4.2 kernel. It is expected to start shipping on June 30, 2001.
Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 includes both the GNOME and KDE (K Desktop Environment) windows-like desktops plus Sun Microsystems StarOffice 5.2. StarOffice is a download-for-free, cross-platform (XP), office applications suite.
Emphasis on desktop here, folks. Caldera's very first product was the Linux-based Caldera Network Desktop. The latest Caldera OpenLinux products focus on a strong and easy-to-use Linux desktop. Looks as though the Linux desktop is live and well.
We have not checked the OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 release version yet. However, 3.1 installed easily. The OpenLinux 3.1 installation was even easier and smoother than the previous, OpenLinux 2.4 installation.
OpenLinux Secure Internet Server is a Linux kernel 2.4 product, server platform.Open UNIX 8 brings a Linux "personality" to the UnixWare 7 kernel. The idea here is to better enable Linux programs to run on UNIX.
OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 brings a change in Caldera product and Linux distribution licensing practices. OpenLinux Workstation, as a product, is licensed per system and cannot be deployed without limit. Caldera will provide a certificate of license authenticity (COLA) with each unit sold, and Caldera expects each customer to have a COLA for each system that deploys OpenLinux Workstation.
The Linux Kernel and many applications included in OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 are open source software (OSS) and must be distributed at no charge according to the GPL and other open source licenses. However, such licenses usually allow distributors to charge for their costs in distributing the software and to charge for value added to the distribution packages by the package distributors.
Caldera states that it has added its own proprietary software and other Copyrighted material to the OpenLinux Workstation 3.1, Linux-distribution package. Our general understanding of the various open source public licenses is that by adding its own proprietary software and other Copyrighted material to the OpenLinux Workstation 3.1 package, Caldera may impose such per-system licensing practices. Of course that is our understanding, and it is not a legal opinion.
Caldera Web Site
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Most of her life has been spent in front of an open book, first in college while studying foreign languages and literatures; then during her travels around Europe; then in Buffalo, N.Y.; and finally during a quarter century as an educator.Read More »
Home / Tag Archives: Wellesley College
Wellesley College Introduces Italian Language Courses
When: Course 101, June 2- June 27 (Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Course 102, June 30 – July 25 (Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Where: Wellesley College The courses offer an introduction to Italy and its culture and focus on the development of basic language skills through the study of grammar, conversation, viewing of films, listening to songs, reading and writing. Instructor: Serena Grattarola To enroll, contact the Registrar's Office (781-283-2307 or email@example.com For more information, contact Serena Grattarola (413-896-5337).Read More »
Wellesley College's Flavia Laviosa Launches Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies
"The purpose of JICMS is to consider Italy as the unifying geo-cultural site for a contemporary discussion on translocal cinema."Read More »


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Be Well
Sharing all things health, wellness, happiness and clean living. We're chiropractic...and so much more!
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On 11/12/2018
Best Mattresses for Low Back Pain
By Mattress Advisor: According to a study done by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Medicine, 80 percent of the population will experience an episode of low back pain at some point in their lifetime. This fact is quite concerning for more than one reason. One of them being that low back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the U.S. Read More
On 11/01/2018


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Vastavam web: Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking.They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated as a result of the US government's "zero tolerance" policy against migrant families who illegally cross the country's southern border.Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Border Patrol officers on March 17 after crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid USD 6,000.Bueso ended up being deported back to Honduras on April 5 — but his son remained in US custody until he was finally returned to his family on a flight that landed on July 20.
His parents discovered that Johan, who had grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word — "aqua" (water) — while away, had been badly affected by his months of detention."Everything we give him to eat he has problems with. And he gets up and sleepwalks at night," said his mother Adalicia, 21, who is eight months pregnant with another child.She was speaking in their modest home in La Libertad, a village north of the capital Tegucigalpa. Johan had been flown back to the northern city of San Pedro Sula, the main arrival point for deportees from the US.
According to the Honduran government, most Honduran children taken away from their parents inside the US have still not been returned.The foreign ministry said only 146 children had been reunited with their families as of August 10, and 313 were still being held by US authorities.So far this year, again up to August 10, Honduras has accepted 17,573 Hondurans deported from the United States and 27,334 from Mexico.He and his son were caught on his fourth attempt to reach what Central Americans call "the American dream": a land where work is relatively well paid and easy to come by and violent gangs don't rule the neighbourhoods.
Each time, Bueso was deported.Honduran officials admit that many of their citizens risk the voyage into the US with young kids because they believe it enhances their chances of being legally allowed to stay.Bueso's two brothers, who live in the US state of Maryland, had shown that it was possible to make it.In Bueso's case, it was a harsh readjustment. As an assistant on a bus servicing the La Libertad-San Pedro Sula route he can hope to earn USD 8 on a good day.
In the US, as a labourer, he could expect to make USD 10 per hour. The small, concrete-block and tin-roofed home he and his wife live in is owned by one of his brothers who lives in the US, Adrian, who also supplied the USD 6,000 to pay the smuggler.Bueso said he won't try again to reach the US, "but no matter how many walls they put up there are always people who are going to try because they are looking to survive". More than a million Hondurans live in the United States. Most of them lack documents to legally stay, yet they represent a pillar holding up Honduras' economy. Each year USD 4 billion in remittances are sent to Honduras, accounting for 20 per cent of gross domestic product.


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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Meets French Foreign Minister
Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met here today with HE French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, during his visit to France.
Discussions during the meeting dealt with bilateral relations, and ways of enhancing prospects of joint cooperation as well as a number of regional and international issues of common concern .
Source: MINISTRY OF FOREGIN AFFAIRS


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Category: Architecture, Construction Management, Government
Architectural/Engineering Design and Construction Management Services for the Rainbow School Child Care Center, which offers a child care space/pre-school program for the children of Federal employees. The center accommodates 73 children between the ages of three months to five years old.
The design contract consisted of these components: the first component included the design work for the Infants and Toddlers Tenant Improvement project to renovate the interior space, adjacent to the existing school facilities, the second component was to design a new infant/toddler playground (exterior to the new tenant improvement space), and the third component was a feasibility study to relocate the existing play area to the central courtyard of the Federal Building.
This study included a site analysis (including weather and structural implications), as well as a review of the childcare design guide regulations in regards to the suggested playground location.
Completion Date


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JR Rhine, Devin Reynolds, and Naomi Hurley make up southern Maryland horror-rock 3 piece, Brother's Creeper. Playing house shows in Baltimore to performing at cafés, Brother's Creeper is a part of the growing music scene in southern Maryland. Girls Behind the Rock Show had a chance to sit down with bassist, Naomi Hurley, to talk music, veganism and cruelty-free, and the local scene. Make sure to check her out on Instagram and Brother's Creeper on Bandcamp
Please introduce yourself!
I am Naomi Hurley! I play bass in Brother's Creeper. I was born in Baltimore, raised in St. Mary's County [Maryland]. I do a couple of side projects as well; I play bass for my friend, George Adamson and his band, I have a side project with my brother, and we do video game and superhero themed music.
What does being a woman in your local scene mean for you?
So thankfully, the scene that I'm in is just very accepting and I mean from what I've seen. I am one of the only girls you know? There's another band called, Flying Jacob, and they're a female-fronted band and Jordana Nye is a singer-songwriter from Huntingtown [Maryland] and Normal State is fronted by a non-binary human and I love them so much. But as far as this immediate scene, I'm one of the only females you know and I mean, a lot of times I'm playing the show and I'm conscious of the fact that I look around at the bands playing and I'm like "Yeah, I'm the only girl". But thankfully I mean despite being [in] such a conservative area, the scene that I'm a part of is very open and accepting and I have no issues with it. I hope to inspire other girls and other femmes in general to come forward and be open with playing their music. I'm very conscious of the fact that I'm the only girl most of the time but, one of the best parts of playing a show and walking off stage is when I get all these girls come up to me and they're like "you're my hero" "this is awesome! I can't believe you're up there rocking out!" And some people are even like "wow I didn't realize you were in a band", they see me walking around the show and say "I didn't know you were in a band", they don't really expect to see a girl I guess.
How did you get into playing bass?
So I actually come from a very musical family. My dad has played guitar and played in bands and my mom played piano. I actually started playing violin and then I played saxophone played alto and baritone saxophone and I actually got inspired by Cowboy Bebop because of the character that played saxophone.
I was into Pink Floyd growing up because my mom loved Pink Floyd. The whole "Dark Side of the Moon" album has that crazy saxophone on it and I played sax forever. My dad played guitar and my little brother picked up drums and they would jam all the time and said " I want to jam with them too" and I was like "Wow, what's missing? A bass!". So, I got a bass Christmas and I would just jam with my dad and little brother and we would learn some of Led Zeppelin and Beatles covers but then, I met James [drummer, Brother's Creeper] who's now my husband and he played drums in the jazz band in high school and we became friends. But then I was like I'm going to play bass at school in the jazz band so I can hang out with my friends in the rhythm section. When I moved away to Arizona, I kind of fell into this kind of bad cycle with substance abuse and I put down music for a long time.
When I moved back to Maryland, Brother's Creeper was already a band that was just James and our friend Devin. They were like "hey do you want to play bass for us?" because they remembered me playing bass in high school so, I was like "Sure!" I kind of picked it [bass] up for the first time in several years.
At what moment did you say "That's it. I want to go cruelty-free."?
I was really becoming more aware of what that [cruelty-free] means what animal testing is. I really didn't even think about it being a thing. I really didn't get into makeup on the extent I am now until maybe three or four years ago. I just went out and bought makeup I didn't really understand animals or anything like that. It might have honestly been Kat Von D's brand that made me aware of it. She finally made me more aware of it with her advertising like "veganism is cruelty-free" and I was like "what does that mean?". I looked it up and I watched videos and I was like "What they're doing to animals is not what makeup is worth. This is supposed to be a fun thing and I don't need to be supporting any brands or companies that lock bunnies, monkeys, and beagles in cages. It's not worth their lives or even just hurting them in any kind of way. You think they want to live like that? So then I donated all my Mac Cosmetics and everything. I was like "I don't want to do any of that. I don't want to support that anymore" because my main thing was if I'm walking down the street and someone says "I like that lipstick! What is it?" I don't want to say the brand because they're gonna go buy it. From there on out, I was all cruelty-free. All the way.
What do you think artists can do to help women and the LGBTQ+ community?
I think they need to be more accepting and open and take a look at the bill they're putting together and if they notice all the bands are all consisting of white males or gender straight guys like "Hey! Maybe we should ask this band who we know has a girl or this band that we know has somebody of color." You know what I mean, just make it more inclusive and really look at the shows you're putting together and you're thinking "what kind of crowd is this going to draw in if these are all just the same type of people that we're all used to seeing?". If you just make it more inclusive and more open, then more people are going to come to the shows and be inspired and say "Hey! Maybe I can play outside of my bedroom" It's all about using your voice and be inclusive and making sure that you're creating a safe space for all people of all colors and genders. Recently, we had to drop a show we were playing at this bar because of some things that came up regarding not only a sign they had up in the bar but also regarding how the owners were handling the situation and how the bartenders handling situation. So, when I first heard about it I was angry. I was like "I'm going to go there I'm going to make a scene onstage" but then I realize you know that's not going to help anything because people that are at that bar are not going to change their opinion based on that. We're gonna drop the show and we're just going to make a statement about it. It shows people whether they listen to us or whether they're scrolling through social media and they see what happened and know this is what we stand for. We're not going to tolerate that kind of behavior and we're not going to support a venue or people that do have that kind of behavior. If we found out a band had those kind of views we wouldn't play with them. That's just how we are and we want to make sure everybody feels safe and accepted.
So besides cruelty-free, what other things are you an activist for?
I'm a big animal rights activist. It kind of goes hand in hand with cruelty-free makeup I guess but I'm an animal rights activist and ally in regards to LGBT and Black Lives Matter and just everybody in general. I am an advocate for gun safety legislation and the progressive movement in general, changing more governors in the state and again veganism, I'm very passionate about veganism. Also, just everybody being kind to one another and treating each other like human beings.
Any advice for anyone wanting to be in the industry?
Don't be afraid to be yourself. This is even something I'm more recently learning because I mean even just until our last few shows I was still a little self-conscious onstage or just you know even if it's playing house shows, I really didn't feel comfortable until more recently even. And I've been playing in this band now for over a year but just don't be afraid to be yourself and I mean there might be people that don't like you or don't agree with you but at the end of the day, you just have to recognize that you are awesome and you are deserving of love and understanding and respect and it doesn't matter what people say about you. You can go out there and you can kill it and just don't be afraid.
Are there any bands you want to shout out?
So there is a lot of local bands like I said earlier like, I love Normal State, Jordana and Moll Dyer ,we play a lot of shows with them. Deadbeat Holiday, they're really cool. But as far as in general bands I want to shout I love Priests, they're from DC. War on Women, Shawna Potter from War on Women is a huge influence and they're based out of Baltimore. Snail Mail is based out of Baltimore. I really like them a lot. There's just a lot of really good bands that have women in them and it's not like there's more of them than there ever were but they have more of a platform than they ever did before. I mean this year alone, all of these different women that have come forward with albums and I'm like"This is such a good year for music". War on Women released a new album, Anna Burch and Molly Burch, The Internet, No-Name, and Ariana Grande of course. But you know we just had so many good albums dropped by women. Gouge Away another really good one, they're a hardcore band. Yeah it just makes me really happy to see women out there. I am totally conscious when I'm at a show or playing a show if there are women or people of color in the bands and if there are I'm immediately more interested and it's not to say that you know a band made of all white guys can't have good music because I do listen to plenty of bands of all white guys. When I see that inclusion, I'm just more interested and I'm like "Ok, they have a different story to tell and they can add something new to this".


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Anything trigger
The Anything trigger is a special case where you want to respond to anything a user might say or send. This allows you to respond to broad input you cannot train the AI for.
Use cases are open input like asking a user about a complaint. Whenever a user says something it gets put inside a param you can specify the name for.


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Canada's Bed & Breakfast Showcase
The Roses Bed and Breakfast
Reviews and Comments
Date: 9/9/2009 8:08:00 PM
Guest Name: Jane Reynolds
City: Clive, AB
Country: Canada
Email: *** Hidden ***
I was one of a group of 8 ladies from Alberta who were in Port Alberni for a sea kayak trip to the Broken Islands. We had a wonderful trip and Al & Rose were a large part of it. They were so friendly, welcoming, & helpful, not to mention their lovely accommodations & great food. They really know the sea kayaking routine, and helped us get organized, and transported us to the dock. We felt like they were our parents on the dock, waiting for us when we got back from our kayaking adventures. My friends were amazed to find their cars had been washed whilst we were gone. I would love to spend time with them again,and explore the Port Alberni area. This was my first B & B stay, and now I know what IÆve been missing!
Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Date: 1/25/2008 6:45:46 AM
Guest Name: Solveig Albrand
City: Grenoble
Country: France
Email: *** Hidden ***
Comments: I stayed with Al and Rose for 6 days in September 2007.
I could not have been made more welcome; I very much enjoyed my stay in Port Alberni.
Date: 7/27/2005 2:33:05 PM
Guest Name: Gene & Verna Murray
City: Courtenay BC
Country: Canada
Email: *** Hidden ***
Comments: Rose and Albert, you are the greatest and we want to thank you for your hospitality, humour and great food.
On your advice we walked over to Brady's beach opposite Bamfield and it was stunning - we picked and ate thimbleberries as we walked along.
The weather was fabulous all the way - couldn't ask for anything more.
Take care and best wishes from:
Gene and Verna.
Date: 6/14/2005 7:23:25 PM
Guest Name: Susie Gallagher
City: BC
Country: Canada
Email: email@example.com
Comments: If you want to stay in a place and be completely taken care of Al and Rose go the extra mile. They know all that is going on in the area and had many juseful tips for our kayak adventure in the Broken Group. Al even dropped us off at the Quay to catch the Lady Rose and was there to pick us up and what a welcome sight he was. They even washed our car!!You guys are the best and Cindy and I continue to sing your praises. The Roses are ***** Five stars.
Date: 8/11/2004 10:48:23 PM
Guest Name: Aaron, Dan Norman
City: Surrey
Country: Canada
Email: *** Hidden ***
Comments: We had such a relaxing time last year in 2003. They provide the best bang for your buck with the services they offer. If you want to get away for a night or weekend this is the place to be. It was a good time for me and my son to bond as friends in this peaceful environment and for our first time B&B goers it is an experience we wont forget!!! Thanks
Date: 8/20/2002 4:55:20 PM
Guest Name: Sal Tonacchio & Kathleen Tracy
City: Seattle, WA
Country: USA
Email: *** Hidden ***
Comments: Al and Rose certainly spoil you for any other B&B experience. Not only are the accommodations and food first-rate, but they go way beyond other hosts to provide genuine warmth and interseting conversation. Their local knowledge is superb, and they're ready to do whatever it takes to make your stay enjoyable. We hope to be back soon!
Date: 7/18/2002 1:54:31 PM
Guest Name: G÷tz and Telse Põtzold
City: Bremerhaven
Country: Germany
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Comments: The Roses was a wonderful place to stay. The rooms are nice and comfortable. Rosalie made us a
great and tasty breakfast, so we don`t need lunch. Al had lot`s of good tips for planning our days. Thank you very much for your warmth and hearty hospitality. G÷tz and Telse
and also Dieter and Birgit
Date: 1/10/2002 12:24:39 PM
Guest Name: Renate and Hans van Zalen
City: meppel
Country: The Netherlands
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Comments: Our wedding at your place was someting to remember
our whole life. Thank you for that. And thank you for al the good work you have done for us.
Date: 1/25/2001 4:53:37 AM
Guest Name: Martin Niedermeier & Sabine Thoma
City: Munich, Bavaria
Country: Germany
Email: email@example.com
Comments: Finding you and your B&B was the best thing that could have happend to us. Two kayakers who charged their batteries before the trip, relaxed their bodies afterwards and got to know great people, who we like to call friends.
Oh sorry -
you were just looking for a wonderful B&B, where you are pampered as much as you can handle,in a house that makes you feel at home and with hosts that help you anyway they can ?
- well, look no more - this is the place !
Date: 1/14/2001 1:15:34 PM
Guest Name: Van de Peppel
City: Meppel, Drenthe
Country: The Netherlands
Email: email@example.com
Comments: Hi folks,
Great website and a wonderfull location to visit.
Best regards,
Family Van de Peppel


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Wedding Catering Parkdale Vic
8 Insider Tips For Selecting the Right Caterer In Parkdale
When it comes to the things that can make or break an event, few are as essential as the quality, taste and appearance of the food and drinks you serve. A lot is riding on your decision of which caterer to work with, and if you believe this choice really isn't that essential, look at it by doing this, amazing catering can save an event that's on the rocks, but bad catering will generally send guests to the doors.
In addition, because catering is frequently the # 1 or # 2 line-item cost for the majority of events, the caterer you select is also a substantial budgetary choice and can affect just how much money you have left over to invest in other areas depending upon food costs and quantities.
Add in that caterers can differ drastically in their pricing and the types of meals and services they use, and the process of selecting a catering service can figuratively and actually feel like you are comparing apples to oranges.
# 1 Responsiveness And Individual Interest In Your Requirements
Of all the event and catering professionals we talked with, this came up over and over and over again, primarily since how responsive and interested a catering service is throughout your initial discussions is a sign of how they will carry out during the length of their contract with you (and more on contracts later).
A potential catering service ought to be learning as much as they can about you in your very first couple of discussions with them, so you ought to anticipate them to be talking and asking questions about 20% of the time and you offering answers and outlining your requirements about 80% of the time.
# 2 Ability To Handle Your Particular Kind Of Occasion In Parkdale 3195
Not every caterer is best or every kind of event, and numerous caterers themselves honestly admit this.
So when interviewing your Parkdale catering services (and you must speak to at least 3 catering services for any event with a sensible spending plan), you have to specify about the kind of event you are preparing and the type of food and/or presentation you are expecting. Otherwise, you may wind up selecting a catering service who merely isn't an excellent fit for the type or style of your occasion.
Almost every caterer has a basic menu or menus to choose from, and numerous do supply some level of built-in flexibility to adapt these menus to your particular requirements by replacing particular items and/or customizing others.
However, the standout catering services will surpass standardized menu alternatives and want to create amazing fare that matches much more particular style and dietary needs.
# 3 Willingness To Offer Tastings
How will you ever understand what a caterer can do unless you sample their goods? And more particularly, how will you understand what the menu items you are considering will taste like unless you particularly try them?
Some people shy away from asking to sample the specific items they desire for their occasion because it seems like a hassle for the caterer, however it is standard to request a sampling of what you are meaning to order before you sign on the dotted line.
In addition, you can request wine parings for these tastings if they are appropriate for your occasion (again, be prepared to pay a charge, it's a small cost to pay to guarantee you pick the ideal catering service). When you are tasting the food, also address how it exists, as any caterer who makes the effort to effectively show a sample will probably be most likely to make that kind of effort on your occasion day.
Are you an event manager who has to handle catering information, budget plans and assignments?
Or are you a catering service who has to track propositions, invoices, meal choices, stock and other customer details?
# 4 Familiarity With The Location
You may remain in for a surprise if you hire a BARBEQUE take-out joint to cater an official ballroom fundraising event. Or if you select a high-end business occasion catering service to serve a barn wedding. Why? Since these catering services might not be accustomed to preparing and serving food in such a setting.
This can get even more particular depending upon constraints of the venue itself, like when it comes to museums and historical sites.
Even more standard venues can also have limitations that catering services should follow, like certain setup requirements or disposal limitations for waste food and water, so having a catering service that is familiar with a venue's guidelines can possibly save you great deals of inconvenience on occasion day.
# 5 Complete Explanation Of Services/Goods Promised In The Contract
The catering service's contract need to clearly define precisely what food, drinks and services the catering service will be providing on the designated day( s). Furthermore, it should safeguard you from non-performance as much as it safeguards the caterer from non-payment/default, so you may wish to think about having a lawyer} take a look at it before you sign it.
Every detail should be included in the contract, consisted of selected menus, variety of portions and/or people to be served, beverage/bar service information (if applicable) and all pricing and extra services.
No caterer in Parkdale with a shred of self-respect and scruples enters into a contract with plans to bail at the last minute, but you need to make sure there is a cancellation clause in your contract simply in case your catering service has to cancel.
You do not wish to be left without recourse with only days or hours prior to your event, so just make sure cancellation procedures and penalties are in place so you do have a backup plan.
# 6 References You Can Call and Talk To
Obviously you will have to look into the caterers you are considering, and it's always good to begin online and check out sites.
However, don't stop there, as online reviews are not always reputable (and even authentic); for example, an excellent catering service might have had a few nightmare/hater clients who skew their ratings, while a really mediocre catering service might have padded their online reviews. So see if you can track down some past clients of the caterers you are thinking about and reach out to them.
# 7 Insurance
Every catering service we spoke to called insurance protection "an offered" for catering services, and you certainly do not want to lawfully be on the hook for some oversight or accident that was the fault of your catering service.
# 8 A Knowledgeable Chef and Kitchen Area Staff
Remarkably, for how long a catering company in Parkdale has actually been in business may not be as vital in choosing a terrific caterer as you might think.
So make certain to inquire about the chef's bona fides and CV since he or she will probably be the one most responsible for the outcome of the meal and whether your guests enjoy it or not.
Call Us Now Of Fill In The Form To The Right For All Private Catering, Weddings, Birthdays And Barbeque's.


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This post is a way overdue follow up to the National Unplugging Day article I wrote, and my experience unplugging.
According to a study by the World Economic Forum, digital media users often spend more hours online than they sleep, yet only half believe it improves their quality of life. Not only is increased in screen time found to not improve our quality of life significantly, but it is also found to be tightly correlated with stress, vulnerability to addictive behaviors, and a decline in physical activity.
You can read more statistics on digital use and mental wellness from the Happiness Hack book (highly recommended).
These stats, however, are no longer shocking. It is evident our addiction to our screens and technology is costing us our physiological and psychological health. As a response to the invasive and costly nature of digital addiction, various movements have sprung across the globe to motivate us to build a positive relationship with our digital lives.
The National Day of Unplugging is such a movement dedicated to a 24-hour long digital sabbatical to unplug, unwind, relax and do things other than using today's technology, electronics, and social media.
On Friday, March 1st at 7:00pm, I unplugged for the first time in a very very long time by putting away all my electronic devices* for a 24-hour period.
The experience was refreshing and inspiring.
. . .
Friday night was fairly simple since I have been in the habit of practicing a relatively tech-free bedtime routine for some time now. I unplugged, ate dinner, and showered before heading to bed around 8pm with a book and a notepad. I wrote down ideas, made lists, and read until I fell asleep about 3-hours later.
Not much was different.
However, waking up the next morning without an alarm, which is literally the best freaking feeling ever, and without my phone or laptop to scroll through messages, email, and online forums was significantly different.
It felt strange to not be connected and scrolling as soon as my brain regained consciousness.
Without exaggeration, I couldn't remember the last time I woke up and did not check my phone within the next hour or so. Since the first time I got a smartphone back in 2010, my phone and I have been inseparable, an extension of my life barely leaving my sight, touch, or senses. If I did not have my phone for whatever reason, I would have my laptop to plug myself into.
I'm almost always connected to a digital device.
The first thing I noticed was the ticks, the feeling that something was missing that there was something I should be doing, but couldn't figure out what it was. Yet, it still felt empowering to not succumb to feeling antsy and bored. To fight off the boredom, I read. I read A LOT.
Still, the best part of unplugging was the nostalgia disconnecting brought.
*Around noon, I decided to cheat and dug out my old iPod shuffle, my very old yet cherished device, that I haven't used in a really long time. I hooked it to a portable speaker and songs I downloaded in high school, back when I first got my shuffle, started playing, taking me back in time. I re-discovered songs I have completely forgotten about, songs that were illegally downloaded from LimeWire, an ancient method of getting music on your device.
While jamming out to high school nostalgia, and pretending to hit all the notes to Juciest by Alicia Keys, I decided to clear out the paper files I have been meaning to get to.
I was that bored.
In the mass of it, I found a copy of the Art of Living by Epictetus I printed a while back, read a few pages, and put away intending to return to it shortly. In the midst of unlimited online scrolls, I have forgotten about it. I began reading, highlighting, and jotting down notes until I finished the whole thing. Then, I promised myself if I'm ever stranded in a deserted island and can only bring one book to keep me alive, let it be Epictetus's the Art of Living.
"First, say to yourself what you would be;
then do what you have to do."— Epictetus
. . .
Still looking for things to do, I decided to dig out my souvenir box and go through all the notes, cards, pictures, and other miscellaneous items I have been hoarding for the past 8 years or so. There was a lot of tears, laughter, and shrieking with delight (or embarrassment) reliving moments long forgotten, and relishing in the changes and growth that have taken place in that time period.
Once I was done the nostalgic time travels, I decided to leave the house to pick up some stuff. No phone.
It was finally 4pm when I got back.
I had 3 more hours to go entirely unplugged from the world.
I dug out another gem.
In the early stages of our relationship, my boyfriend had given me a copy of our text messages starting from our very first text exchange, about 300 pages. I read about 172 pages of that, getting lost in the many wonderful moments and memories of our honeymoon phase.
When I looked at the time, it was finally 6:30pm. With half an hour to go, I began to feel antsy. Keeping up with the theme of the day, I decided to pass the remaining half an hour of the day reading.
At exactly 6:55pm, I took out my laptop and phone to plug back into the world.
. . .
I did ZERO productive work that day.
There is this inherent association with digital minimalism and productivity, and that is indeed a big part of managing our relationship with our devices.
However, this challenge reminded of something just as important that we have been increasingly becoming disconnected with as we remain plugged to our devices: the ability to simply recall moments of the past.
The more I stay off mindless digital consumption, the more I find myself recalling tiny moments from my life that don't necessarily have any special or specific significance. Like, this one time I was taking the train in Toronto and feeling completely in awe of just being alive, a random day with no other context for the feeling I experienced. Remembering these tiny moments, despite their insignificance, is nature's anti-depressant, a little dose of joy from the past.
One explanation can be that when we constantly overwhelm our brain with information overload, we don't it the time and space needed to just wander and sift through our memory bank. Our brain is so busy processing new memories, it has no time to be slow down and bored. In other words, continuously bombarding ourselves with information is preventing us from indulging in the already available repertoire of great moments from our past.
At least that was my experiences during my digital detox.
The best lesson that came from a day of unplugging is that when you go offline, you will find things to do that are almost always more rewarding than the usual go-to mindless scrolling. By unplugging, we allow ourselves to just be without our digital devices and platforms cluttering our mind.
Who are you without all the noise?
"As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.
No great thing is created suddenly. There must be time.
Give your best and always be kind." — Epictetus


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Tag: Report
NatWest: Sustained drop in UK automotive sector output highlights need for collaboration
NatWest's latest UK Automotive PMI report registered the sharpest downturn in business conditions across the UK automotive sector for six-and-a-half years. At 43.5 in May, the headline seasonally adjusted UK Automobiles & Auto Parts PMI - a single figure measure of developments in manufacturing conditions - registered below the crucial 50.0 no-change threshold for the second month running. The latest figure was down from 48.9 in April.
IGA publishes guide to consumer-facing websites for independent garages
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has published its 2019 report on consumer facing websites seeking to work with independent garages. The 2019 Garage Work Provider Report builds on the detail established in the 2018 report and features significantly more feedback and testimonials from independent garages.
Business travel set to decline by 25 per cent in next five years – Sewells
A significant proportion of companies are actively seeking both to reduce business travel and to cut the number of employees commuting to the workplace, research by Sewells has found. The study of more than 1,000 British business leaders found the changes were being driven by the cost of travel, its environmental impact and its negative impact on staff productivity.
New car buyers still saved £2300 despite squeeze in discounts
New car buyers made savings of over £2300 on average at the end of last year, despite a gradual fall in manufacturer discounts during the last quarter, according to the latest What Car? Target Price Report.
Opposition as shock report calls on ministers to scrap MOT test
The Independent Garage Association and National Franchised Dealers Association have strongly opposed a report published this week from The Adam Smith Institute which recommends the abolishment of the MOT test.
Used car buying survey shows shift away from private sellers
A survey of 1,289 mycarcheck.com customers has revealed a significant shift in where people buy used cars. 27 per cent of those surveyed in February said they preferred to go to a main dealer or car supermarket, up from 13 per cent of those asked the same question a year ago. The trade has taken this market share from private sellers, down to 35 per cent from 48 per cent the previous year, with independent retailers unchanged on 33 per cent.
Automotive cybersecurity market to reach $759M by 2023 – IHS Markit report
With nearly 112 million vehicles now connected around the world, the global market for automotive cybersecurity is expected to grow exponentially – to $759 million in 2023, according to a new report, 'Automotive Cybersecurity and Connected Car', from IHS Automotive, part of business information provider IHS Markit. Connected cars are defined as those that have a connection to the internet, through telematics, an on-board modem or a paired device in the vehicle, such as a mobile phone or other device.
Smithers: carbon black market up 5.4 per cent during last four years
New data produced by Smithers Rapra suggests the carbon black market has grown at an average of 5.4 per cent during the period between 2011 and 2015. As a results demand reached 13 million tons in 2015. To put this figure into context, global demand for carbon black was estimated at 10.7 million tons in 2011 – and this figure is said to represent "a good recovery" from the 15 per cent contraction between 2008 and 2009.
Five ways connected cars 'will change lives' – Ipsos report
A new industry report from global growth strategy consulting company Ipsos Business Consulting presents its vision for how so-called "Connected Cars" will "revolutionise the automotive experience". The report is optimistic in its vision of the future, suggesting that car ownership worries, such as high costs and significant commuting times, could be exchanged for safer, less stressful travel. According to Ipsos, the automotive industry is in the early stages of radical transformation that will see the connected car "become the most advanced computing device that we own."
Indonesia set to become main ASEAN automotive production hub, says report
There is strong evidence Indonesia will eventually replace Thailand as the main automotive production hub in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to Markus Scherer, global automotive sector leader at Ipsos Business Consulting. This could have major implications for automotive manufacturers and suppliers as well as policy planners in both countries, Scherer said.
Electric cars 'will be cheaper than standard cars', report says
A report from Bloomberg predicts that hybrid and electric cars will be cheaper than standard cars within six years, with sales of electric cars reaching 41m by 2040, or a third of the market.
Canadian association releases winter tyre report
The association representing Canada's tyre and rubber sector has released a document addressing many aspects of the winter tyre business. Amongst the issues covered in the 2015 TRAC (Tire and Rubber Association of Canada) Winter Tire Report are statistics on winter tyre use within the country and 2015 winter tyre shipments.
Castrol predicts fall in number of franchised dealers
The Castrol Professional Car Servicing & Repair Trend Tracker report predicts that the number of franchised dealers is set to fall by 10 per cent over the next five years. This decline will come as the number of independent MoT testing stations grows by 5 per cent, the report adds.
Bridgestone releases 2015 environmental report
Bridgestone Corporation has published the English-language version of its Environmental Report 2015. Titled "Looking Ahead to the World in 2050," the 16-page document presents an overview of the company's environmental activities, and provides details of Bridgestone's efforts last year as well as its future plans. The report can be downloaded here.
More British cars with more British components
British cars are being made with more British-sourced components as the UK automotive industry's renaissance continues apace, new research reveals. Figures from a new Automotive Council report show that domestic component makers sold 19 per cent more products to UK vehicle producers last year than in 2013.


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Country superstar, Kenny Chesney, is returning to Arrowhead Stadium July 11, 2020. Almost 2 years to the date of his last appearance there where he played to a crowd of about 55,000 people. With him, Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, and Michael Franti will join the "Chillaxification" tour lineup.
You may remember that Old Dominion opened for Kenny, along with Miranda Lambert, when he was at Arrowhead in 2016. Another Arrowhead fact about Kenny Chesney – his last album, "Live in No Shoes Nation," included a cover photo taken inside Arrowhead where Chesney even wore a Kansas City Football tank top!
Tickets go on sale HERE Friday, October 4th at 10am. We are hooking you up with a radio presale for Thursday! Use THIS LINK and enter the password "CHILL" on October 3rd at 10am.
#noshoesnation, I love playing for you any time, anywhere, but stadium shows are always something so powerful. Come get some CHILLAXIFICATION next summer with @FLAGALine @OldDominion & @michaelfranti. https://t.co/XICuAsmYCj #chillaxificationtour @noshoesnation @BlueChairBayRum pic.twitter.com/zNiF6Btvay
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) September 24, 2019


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|Welcome to Maple UK, you are currently viewing the item:
Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro MD322B/A 15.4 inch Intel Core i7 2.4GHz 750GB 8GB Ram OS X El Capitan 10.11 Laptop.
|In the Box
Refurbished MacBook MD322B/A
Power Charger Adapter, AC wall plug and power cord
Lithium-polymer battery
Each Macbook includes a free 6 month RTB warranty, issued by Maple computers. There is often a possibility that newer Macbook models may still include the Apple care warranty, although they are not strictly sold with this.
The warranty can be extended, please view our warranty pages.
For further details about the warranty and what is included, please visit our warranty information page. There is a link to this at the bottom of the website.
Refurbished - Grade A - Excellent condition, may have slight marks as this has been previously used.
For more information, please view our grading page.
This item is very popular and has limited availability. Buy today before stocks run out.


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Teachers, students and parents protest the plan to close 54 Chicago public schools. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast.)
I've been watching a lot of adolescents cry these days. First it was twelve-year-old Jasmine Murphy, on a media bus tour led by the Chicago Teachers Union to demonstrate the devastation likely to follow from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to close fifty-four schools. She was relating how she felt when the elementary school she loved and in which she had thrived was shuttered in 2011. Then, this week, all over town, Chicago Public School bureaucrats have sat before hearings to hear public comment on each individual school set to close this coming September. In my neighborhood, Hyde Park, I joined seventy-five or so community members who sat—and, angrily, stood—in an auditorium at Kenwood Academy High School, six blocks directly east of Barack Obama's family home, to address the closing of a middle school next door known as Canter Leadership Academy. The whole thing pretty much went down like this. Picture a tough-looking black teenage boy. His name is Shane Ellis. Shane takes the microphone for his allotted two minutes. He begins listing all the schools he's attended in Chicago. He says, "Of all these schools, Canter is the only one that showed it actually cared." He relates a story about the principal telling him that given all the things he's been through in his life and with his family it's a testament to his depth of character that he can carry on at school all.
It is upon that recollection that Shane breaks down. A pal approaches, comforts him; Shane breaks down again, overcome, overwhelmed, beside himself. He can't continue. He leaves the hall, head hung low. That's how much losing his school means to him.
Imagine stories like this happening again and again and again. That was how I spent last Friday evening. An earlier hearing a week ago about the same school drew two hundred community members and was, I'm told even more passionate than this.
The question of whether a school like Canter closes down, as the school board wants, or stays open, as the community overwhelmingly desires, will provide a case study for whether the mayor's school closing plan can truly serve the city's children, parents, teachers in any sort of humane way. It also offers a window into the larger meaning of what the billionaire stats-besotted ideologues driving what our benighted political discourse insists on labeling education "reformers" have in mind for the rest of the country. By the Gradgrindian statistical reckoning of Rahm Emanuel's school board, Canter's closing is an open and shut case: it is a "Level 3" school, the system's lowest rating; if it closes, its students will be spread across two schools all the way across the neighborhood that both rate as Level 2. Which, on paper, looks like an obvious improvement. At the hearing, though, it becomes plain that absolutely none of the stakeholders involved—students, parents, staff, and assorted community members, all of whom unanimously and passionately speak against the closing—see this as an improvement. What they tell is the kind of stories statistics don't know how to register.
Diane Hamm, a theater artist and wife of a Canter teacher, who speaks third, gave an especially articulate summary as to why: a "school is a microcultural environment in itself." Canter being an especially "safe, caring, and vibrant" such environment, closing it "simply creates chaos." Her husband, she says, "has taught in many school environments that were not as supportive," including ones in neighborhoods of great privilege; Canter, by contrast, by hard work and by design, maintains a community and is maintained by a community. Another wife of a Canter teacher provides an illustration as to how: "students who've been randomly dropping by his classroom for twenty-one years because they know where he'll be." Their family runs into families of these kids while walking the family dog, shopping at Hyde Park Produce; all are embedded in "a community that transcends the school environment." This is one thing would be lost.
Here is another. There are other students who do not come from this particular neighborhood, and speak to the school's value yet more eloquently. For they come from much worse neighborhoods, their parents having busted their tails to get their kids into this safe, caring, and vibrant environment (one parent described how she risked homelessness so her kids could get educated there)—where, like Shane, they consistently thrive. The fact that a school like Canter gets a "low" rating seems a paradoxical testament to strength: it is a welcoming school—it welcomes bad students, and makes them better.
I use the word welcoming with irony: "welcoming schools" is the slyly Orwellian phrase used to describe the buildings where kids from closed schools are being shunted off to. But community, a speaker says, that precious, delicate thing, "does not transfer to a welcoming school."
Over and over, students at the hearing attest to the transformations this supposedly "failing" community has worked in their educations. "All my teachers are the best people I've met in my life," says a kid named Elizabeth Johnson, who graduated on to a college preparatory high school. She starts sobbing, then addresses the panel directly: "What type of people are you?" She names her teachers one by one—Mr. Fishbein, Mr. Papczun, Mr. Paranjape, Mr. Windsor (a wizardly math teacher who helped eighteen out of twenty students in his algebra advanced placement class last year test out of high school algebra): "They've changed my life! It's outrageous that you're going against the community and the kids and the teachers! I just don't understand."
Mr. Papczun tells of students relating to him their victimization by gangs at other schools, and how safe they feel at this one: "I think we really save these kids…. And this is going to be lost…. We are not a failing school! We are a great school!" A kid named Jose, a salutatorian and honor roll member, asks of his "better" school, "Would I be valued at that school just like Canter valued me?" (He walks back from the microphone, and Mr. Fishbein gives him a fist-bump.) A student says she never learned anything at her last school because of all the bullying (bullies aren't tolerated at Canter), and because there were forty students in her class ("And I understand that's why you want to close Canter!"—because there aren't forty students in every class). A kid named Darius testifies that he got all F's on his report card at his last school "in all the easiest subjects. But this year, as I came to Canter, it actually changed me. This year, I'm actually working on all the things that are inside me." He concludes, "We really, really love this community. We're all in this together." Can't have that.
A pastor points to a word obsessing the city's black South and West Sides these days: violence. He turns it around, and applies it to the school-closing process itself: "This act seems violent to me. Without warning. It is a violent act." He gets a large measure of applause: "The question is, have you all taken into consideration the violence of this act itself?" A charter school guidance counselor speaks up and gives his name, first and last—despite the fact, he says, "I could lose my job for being here." He says he has to be here: it's about community. A nervous student ("I'm shaking") says, "I'm from East Africa, and I'm from a community where it takes a village to raise a child. And when I got to Canter—"
She stops. Yes, she starts crying. Mr. Fishbein moves to comfort her.
She continues: "When I came here I lost the sense of a village raising me, but when I got to Canter I got the feeling of every teacher…replacing that spot…. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Canter." She then tells the story of a fellow student, who had never been interested in art, being guided to find a gift for it within herself. "And that's all thanks to Canter…. And I can't believe they're closing this school that made me what I am today."
Now the student council vice president comforts her, and leads her back to her seat. It all would have made for dramatic video. City Hall apparently knows this all too well. Before the meeting, when a man in front of me begins setting his camera atop a tripod, a large fellow rushes forth to inform him no video recording is allowed. The man with the camera agrees to comply. I ask the security man the reason for the rule. He says it's a policy of the school board. The man with the camera continues setting it up—and the security guard dashes his way again. The cameraman assures the security man that he's setting the devise on its still-camera setting. Unsatisfied, the security guard asks him to prove it—and peers closely at the machine to make sure.
The arrogance is the most grating part. The big public meeting at school headquarters on the closings is Wednesday. That, one speaker, a social worker at Canter, thunders, is a report card pickup day. "CPS is making us choose: going to the hearing to keep our schools open, or attending report-card pickup and conversing with the parents about our children's progress. Or maybe, just maybe, you don't want community input. Why else did you double-schedule these?" She addresses her last remark at the three bureaucrats before her: "People, tell me how you've allowed this to happen." They sit, stony, unresponsive. As they told the very first speaker, when she asked how they were going to prevent the abandoned Canter building from becoming a neighborhood eyesore, driving down property values, "We're not here to answer questions, we're only here to listen to your questions and take them back to [schools CEO] Barbara Byrd-Bennett."
There are murmurs; the scene is so bizarre as to almost be Kafkaesque. "So what's the purpose?" someone asks. But they can't answer that either; once more they implacably sit, Sphinx-like. And sit, and sit, and sit—as the tenor of the meeting gets angrier and angrier ("People coming in front of you crying … greeted with silence?"). People begin feeling more and more helpless, and citizens start murmuring about how this all will change how they plan to vote. One parent suggests of the ESL interpreter, "It seems like she should turn around and do sign language to you guys." A graduate student says he will address the note-taker instead. Though he actually addresses them—with the school system officials: "If I were in your position I would actually be worried" about the system's "inveterate failure to live up to promises"—such as the promise that another neighborhood school, Kozminski Community Academy, which is on the system's "Track E" schedule, which means it is in session in summer, would get air conditioning and never did.
"Please conclude your remarks," the bureaucrat serving as master of ceremonies, CPS deputy chief of operations Tom Terrell, intones.
He's said that over and over at each speaker's two-minute point, and seems to do so with an especially robotic flatness—an almost ostentatious flatness—precisely during the testimonies that are most impassioned. (It sounds especially unmannerly when he does so to Evan Canter, the son of the community activist after which the school is named.) The only time one of the figures on the stage, CPS "Chief of Networks" Denise Little, showed signs of life was when a witness addressed our little mayor's imperious decision-making style: "What is he, an emperor?" She giggled. It must have been be tough, carrying out this farkakta assignment; I felt for those poor bureaucrats then—felt for them having to follow the dictates of this awful, awful man. (The other figures sitting at the table were Eric Pruitt, deputy chief of elementary schools—and the area's police commander, I guess in case a distraught twelve-year old rushed the stage.)
Rahm Emanuel is supposed to be some sort of political genius. The only thing he seems good at now is manufacturing enemies. ("This is not for the children … you think we're dumb, Emanuel?": sustained applause.) Every week new stories come out completely undermining the system's claims that the school-closing plan will make students better off. Perhaps the most stunning was an investigation by the schools watchdog publication Catalyst Chicago demonstrating that eleven percent of the students whose schools closed between 2001 and 2006 simply disappeared from the system: no one knows where or whether they continued in school at all. Then came this: Chicago Public Radio's Linda Lutton noted that the city is borrowing $329 million to upgrade the receiving schools (despite announcing last year the system was too broke to approve more than a bare-bones capital budget). "A district spokesperson confirmed CPS did not factor in debt service costs when calculating savings to be achieved by closing schools."
This bad faith (the spokesman, noted Lutton, was "authorized to speak to media but not to have reporters print his name") has been politically galvanizing. At a table at the cafe where I write this six mothers busily plot their role in the campaign to save Canter. "You don't really know how a school is until you go to it," I overheard one. Later, an employee at a charter school who hears me talking about the hearing on the phone turns around and tells me about her own work fighting for the neighborhood schools. Meanwhile, through it all, amidst the obvious political collapse in Emanuel's position in the face of all this consternation, well-informed City Hall watchers I know scratch their heads. No one can figure out what the play is. Turn the buildings over to charter schools? But CPS promised that no charters would occupy closed schools. (The system abandons its promises all the time, but this one would be particularly embarrassing to break.) One particularly shrewd Rahm-watcher I know suggests they're doing it to get more federal money; but he's not sure, precisely, how that would work.
Then there is that nagging suspicion of a meta-explanation, one that feels almost too awful to contemplate. Destroying the village in order to save it, all in order to rebuild it on a more overclass-friendly foundation, Republican-style: Since the other ones simply don't add up, you're almost left with no choice but to entertain the idea. That would be, after all, how Rahm Emanuel rolls. Consider Bruce Rauner, the local leveraged-buyout titan who mentored Rahm's move into investment banking after he left the Clinton White House and before he ran for Congress. Since 2006, he's had a charter school named after himself, "Rauner College Prep." Rauner loves charter schools, and hates the Chicago Teachers Union. Rauner recently announced an exploratory committee to run for governor of Illinois as a Republican. The morning of the Canter hearing I noticed a tweet from him: "Thrilled to have FreedomWorks President & CEO Matt Kibbe join my exploratory committee." You know, Matt Kibbe: co-author of Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto. You know FreedomWorks: the right-wing front group that traces its lineage to David Koch, the one that produced the fake Hillary Clinton sex tape, the one in which the Secretary of State had oral sex performed on her by a person in a panda suit.
These are the types Rahm pals around with. Kids like Shane: well, I guess they can just go to hell.
In his previous post, Rick Perlstein looks at another infuriating policy with no apparent logic: The idea that tax cuts "pay for themselves," now debunked by none other than the National Review.


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Travel Management
Elrich Tours & Travels is a Goa based company and provides swift and affordable Car & Coach Rental Services. We offer a wide range of vehicles on low rent such as luxury, premium, compact, economy, compact pickup, MUVs & SUVs, convertible, standard, minivan, etc. Even if you need cars and coaches for marriage purpose, we can provide you our wedding car services at discounted rates. All our vehicles look new and deliver high performance.
You can also test drive and check the cars before attaining our services. We offer our services in Goa and all over India. The vehicles can be procured on rent from us for hours and also for maximum number of days.


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5 beds | 4 full, 1 half bath | 2 living areas | office | $699,000
IDYLLIC RETREAT WITH ROOM TO ROAM If location and apace are important to you, you can't go past this. Just minutes from shopping and restaurants yet have 6 serene acres to yourself! And don't forget to bring your horses. There are a new 4 stall barn and tack room with an auto-watering system along with a 50′ diameter pond in front. The property is fenced and has a gated entry. The large single-story home offers 4 large bedrooms, each with its' own bath, an office, and two living areas. There are wood floors throughout most of the home. There is a nice sitting area with a wet bar/coffee bar outside the master and another bedroom. The remodeled kitchen offers granite counters and stainless appliances. A superbly designed floor plan provides seamless indoor/outdoor living and entertaining. There are a large covered outdoor kitchen and seating areas along with a swimming pool, fire pit and sports court. A perfect escape from the city and busy work life. Come and see for yourself!
For complete information and photos, visit the property website: 4400Covell.com


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FABmums are nurtured too
Making time to nurture yourself is a vital part of your pre and post natal care and here at FABmassage we pride ourselves on creating the right environment and care for your needs. Dan is not only a fully qualified pre and post natal massage therapist he is also the only male foofoo Ambassador in the world which enables him to not only offer the most FABulous pre and post natal massage but also advice on pelvic floor exercises and pre and post natal exercise. We have a specific pre and post natal massage bed and have created a truly tranquil room in which you will feel nurtured and relaxed. Here is what some of our FABmums have to say: … Continue reading
Our Marathon runners cross the finish line
FABmassage helped me to get to the London Marathon in great shape, and achieve a finish time of 4 hours. Dan as a runner, understands my objectives and training plan and the impact of running on my muscles. Massage helped to ensure that I could build up my training whilst remaining injury free, and I would definitely recommend Dan and FABmassage. Sarah Morely May 2013 1 – What made you choose FABmassage? Having previously had numerous sports massages from professionals around the Loughborough area, I heard of FAB massages via my wife Suzette who had attended several sessions with Dan during her London Marathon preparations in 2012. I had also heard positive reports of Dan's work through Barrow Runners … Continue reading
FAB massage gets you up and about……
I was involved in a car accident where someone drove into the back of me. Along with shock I suffered whiplash and concussion, had pain in my lower back, shoulders and one side of my head. When I saw Dan two days after the accident I had a continual headache and was aching especially in my lower back, pelvic area and shoulders. Dan examined me, took a note of where I was experiencing discomfort and what I was most concerned about. When he applied Kinesio tape to my back, shoulders and neck I have to admit I was very sceptical on what the tape could or would do to help me but it has been amazing. The dull headache disappeared, my back, shoulders … Continue reading
Massage helps FABmum move more freely!
I had my first appointment with Dan a couple of weeks ago releasing many knots that have probably been in my shoulders for some 20 years. I am feeling the benefits with greater range of movement in my upper body and improved movement in my neck which I can't remember ever having!


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Taking My Hair Out: A Review
Go on, ask me what I did at the weekend.
Okay, I'll give you a hint, it didn't involve wiping someone else's bottom or pacifying a hysterical toddler after I cut his sandwiches into the wrong shape, which, as any mum worth her salt knows, is a true crime against humanity.
What it did involve was me and my husband going out, spending time together and actually eating a hot meal without having to get up seven times for ketchup, a glass of water, a clean fork, more water…
Yes, that's right, we managed a date night!
Having made the effort through the week to have my nails and hair done, a rarity for me since becoming mum, I was absolutely determined that I would get the good out of it, so to speak.
So, where did we decide to take my new hair-do?
I wanted somewhere fancy enough that I could make a bit of an effort and it would feel like a special occasion, but not so stuffy that I wouldn't be able to relax after a fairly gruelling week.
Our venue of choice was Zen, located at Adelaide Street in Belfast city centre, and I have to say it didn't disappoint.
It was after a visit here more than a decade ago that my husband first told me he loved me, so it brings back memories of a time when I was married to my job and my biggest worry was whether our relationship was going to go the distance.
Anyway, as it was late in the week when we booked, we were only able to get a table at 9pm, which actually suited better as I was able to get the babies to bed and still have enough time to shower and actually put on some make-up.
By the time we arrived, the restaurant was in full-on Saturday night mode – it was loud, it was busy, it was just what the doctor ordered.
I love the décor at Zen – it was ahead of its time when I first went there as a naïve young journalist longer ago than I care to remember, and it's still spot on now.
Downstairs isn't as remarkable as upstairs, but it definitely feels authentic with its dark mahogany wood, and it's somewhere you can unwind and catch up without feeling like everyone else can hear your conversation.
We waited at the bar for our table to become ready and while my chauffeur for the night (the husband) went with the soft option, I threw caution to the wind and ordered a prosecco martini.
It was fabulously refreshing and probably a little too easy to drink for someone who normally doesn't entertain alcohol.
It was also the perfect accompaniment to my meal.
The menu at Zen is comprehensive to say the least, and it would take countless visits to work your way through every dish.
As you would expect fish features heavily – salmon, crab stick, crab roe, eel, octopus, monkfish tail and mackerel all make an appearance in various forms.
And while the restaurant is celebrated for its sushi dishes, I've just never been brave enough to give them a go.
So, on this occasion I went for the Aigamo Maki, Zen's take on the roasted duck pancakes you get at the Chinese, followed by the Sizzling Rib Eye Steak Rolls with Asparagus in Black Pepper Sauce.
Mr S ordered the Kimchi Chicken Skewers for his starter, a dish of chicken soaked in a tangy spiced marinade and served with a homemade satay sauce.
For his main course he had the Sizzling Chicken Tobanyaki with Mushroom, Red Bell Pepper and Asparagus.
Our meals were proof that those in the kitchen know what they're doing.
Meanwhile, the staff front of house were welcoming, efficient and attentive without being too in your face.
There is nothing about Zen that feels like this is a restaurant in Belfast playing at serving up Asian food, but then I suppose there has to be a reason why it remains so popular.
As it turns out, it was just the right choice for us on a very rare Saturday night out together.
You know, there's always the risk that when you go out for a meal with your other half minus the kids, you'll discover you actually have nothing in common.
Fortunately for us, not only was the food fantastic, but we also realised that we do still quite like one another.
And so, we're planning to do it all again quite soon.
Well, before the end of 2019 anyway.


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Orchard Glow mulled apple juice
This is our unique recipe of spiced apple juice, which makes a surprisingly delicious and warming alternative to mulled wine. Basically I developed this recipe towards the end of the last century. I certainly seem to have hit on something good, as it's the trademark many people seem to remember our Market Stall for, especially in cold weather, and quite a few customers make the pilgrimage to the Stall just to get their hands around a hot cup of Orchard Glow. We prepare the Orchard Glow each market day fresh at the Stall, and serve it hot in paper cups.
We also sell bottles of ready-prepared Orchard Glow to customers who wish to enjoy it at home – you simply heat it up to the desired serving temperature. It is delicious on its own, but many people prefer it enhanced with a shot of whiskey. Our bottled Orchard Glow is now also available in selected retail outlets. For details you can contact us and enquire.
Orchard Glow not only tastes good, but its vitamins and spices seem to do good too. Many people have told me it has helped with symptoms of colds or flu, and many swear by it as a cure for a hangover!


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Whether or not you need assessments is a decision that varies according to regional requirements and personal preference. Some states require homeschooled students to participate in standardized testing. Check with your local homeschool association or school district for requirements in your area. When assessment is optional, some homeschoolers decide not to assess at all, while others choose to test their children regularly. Reading assessments can be very useful because they can provide peace of mind, when your child is on track, or narrow down areas of need for struggling children. They can also help parents to choose reading materials for their children at an instructional or independent level.
What Skills Do These Assessments Address?
Each assessment tool is different from the next and a little reflection will be necessary to decide which is the most appropriate. Ask yourself why you are performing the assessment. Is it a state requirement or are you just curious? Do you want something quick to help you choose books your child can understand, or are you looking for more information to guide your curriculum? Reading assessments can provide a quick and dirty reading level or they can provide detailed information about many elements of reading, such as:
- Phonics/Phonemic awareness
- Spelling
- Vocabulary development
- Decoding skills
- Comprehension
It is important to note that the value of reading comprehension is sometimes underestimated and it is important to ensure that students are learning the skills necessary to understand what they are reading, across the curriculum and in everyday life.
Online Reading Assessments
Homeschool parents can find a variety of reading assessments to meet their needs and those of their children. One way parents can begin evaluating the reading progress of their children, is to check their state Department of Education website, for Grade Level Expectations (GREs).
Simple reading assessments, like the Dolch reading lists or the San Diego Reading Inventory can give parents a quick grade level estimate. The Dolch lists rely, mainly, on a child's knowledge of sight words, many of which cannot be sounded out and must be memorized. The Sandiego lists cover grades one through ten.
At Mind Play, second through tenth grade students can do an online assessment and receive a free report that includes a score of average, above average or below average, with information about areas for improvement in phonics, vowels, consonants, word structure and comprehension. Independent and instructional reading levels are provided.
A very comprehensive reading assessment can be found at Let's Go Learn. K-12 students complete the Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment (DORA) on the internet. There is a fee, but the $20 seems worth it, as parents are then sent a very detailed report containing grade levels in several elements of the reading process. A summary of strengths and needs is also provided, along with individualized recommendations and teaching strategies.
Other Reading Assessments
Another useful tool is the Running Record. Basically, a running record is a verbatim log of everything your child says while reading a passage of text. It can help you see what part of the text is causing difficulty and assist in choosing books that are at an appropriate level. You can also download a quick homeschool reading assessment here.
School districts and private assessors often use tools that are longer and more detailed. These tools often provide standardized scores and a great deal of information about students' reading performance but they also tend to be costly and more thorough than the average family will need.
What to Do When Your Child is Struggling?
No matter which method you use, reading assessments can be most valuable in pinpointing areas of need. When you see, for example, that your child is guessing at words based on the first letter, it might be time to increase focus on phonics skills for sounding out words. If he or she is having trouble with comprehension, you can spend more time on vocabulary development, or use graphic organizers to increase understanding. Assessing your child is a great first step in deciding what and how to teach next.
- Let's Go Learn: Online Reading Level Test
- The Teacher's Café: San Diego Quick Reading Assessment
- 321 Learn! How to do a Running Record
- K12 Reader: Dolch Reading Lists
- MindPlay: READS for Families
- State of Washington, Superintendent of Public Instruction: Reading
- Image Credit: Sharilyn Rose