text:
U.S Department of State
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
Background Briefing
January 19, 2018
Via Teleconference
MODERATOR: Good morning. Thank you, sir. Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us for today's background call on U.S. policy on Syria, and specifically the implications of the Secretary's speech that took place in California earlier this week.
We're joined today by [Senior State Department Official], who will be referred to as Senior State Department Official. As a reminder, today's call is on background and will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. With that, I'm happy to turn it over to our senior State Department official for some brief opening remarks, and then we'll open it up for your questions. If you could please try to keep your questions to one a time so we can get around to as many journalists as possible. Thank you.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Thank you, [Moderator]. I'd like to open with a recapitulation of key themes on Syria policy, all of which were touched upon by the Secretary in his remarks. But I'll go over them again and perhaps cast them in a slightly different way, and then you all can ask your questions on these and we'll try to answer.
And I want to talk about an issue which has prompted, I think, the most comment after the Secretary's speech, and that's our military presence in Syria. And I'll start with the point that the Secretary has underlined, because it is the fundamental piece of policy here. Our military presence, the activities of our military, support policy in Syria overall by ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS. What do we mean by this? ISIS is still present. The military campaign against the so-called caliphate in the Euphrates Valley is not over. There is heavy fighting; it's going on as we speak. But beyond the Euphrates, ISIS elements in northern Syria, also in northern Iraq, have chosen not to fight and die but have moved out of the combat area, regrouping. They're still a lethal force. They still have the potential to disrupt and more than disrupt any attempts at stabilization, much less political transformation and transition in Syria. And so the enduring defeat of this malignant presence is an absolute requirement in Syria, as in Iraq, for any future progress.
Now, what is that future progress? We talk about political transition, a political process under UN auspices in Geneva in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Why is that important? Is it a hopeless goal? Well, it's important because without a transformation or transition in the models of governance in Syria, Syria becomes predictably a source of generation of future radicalism, future threat, future challenge. Whether under the name of ISIS or some other movement, it will be back to being what it was in 2012 and in the sad years since – a source of violence, extremism, radicalization. It threatens Syria's neighbors, it threatens Europe, it threatens the homeland. It's why a political transformation is essential.
Now, we look to the UN to guide this process, but the UN doesn't stand alone. The UN has our active support. It has the support of other key parties in the region and the international community. And that's not a rhetorical or a theoretical concept; it's very real. We are working with key partners now. We are working with the UN and the UN special representative on how we can constructively engage through and with the United Nations – we hope with Russia as a constructive partner. That's a challenge of its own, but we hope with Russia as a positive element in helping move the Syrian regime to serious engagement in Geneva with the Syrian opposition to see a political transition take place. A very hard challenge, but one that is absolutely essential to see advanced.
On the military side, as we work to defeat ISIS in an enduring fashion, as we work to support the United Nations on a political transition, we're also well aware of the need for basic stabilization. This is not Iraq in 2003. This is not nation-building. This is basic demining, removal of explosive devices, basic restoration of essential services that allow populations to return to their homes. That's a critical element of any stabilization or political transition, getting displaced persons within and outside Syria to come back safely to their homes. That, we're working on. And our military presence in the north and northeast helps sustain that basic stabilization.
And finally, another concern. And that is Iran's malign activities in and through Syria. By "through Syria" I mean the qualitative enablement of Iranian and Hizballah threats and threat presence in Lebanon. We're concerned about Iran's malign activities in the region as a whole. We are particularly concerned with their presence and activities in Syria. They're playing a destructive role there. They claim to be a guarantor of ceasefires. They are no such thing. They support this regime. They continue to engage in activities which we believe present an enduring challenge beyond this fight, beyond ISIS, to regional states – to Israel, to Jordan – to U.S. interest, to the interest of all our friends and allies, and to the interest of the international community. And we need to have a cogent approach to that threat.
Now finally, we're not alone in looking at allies, friends, and support. And I want to turn here to the northeast. The Secretary has made clear; the Department of Defense has made clear that language about a border security force was a misstatement. We are working, Department of Defense is working on providing assistance, development, and training to internal security forces, internal security elements drawn from all of the ethnic populations of the north and northeast of Syria to better allow security for the stabilization efforts I referred to, hopefully to provide a stable platform in the north for positive engagement by all ethnic groups – Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, and others in the political process the UN is leading in Geneva.
There is no desire, no strategic intent to go beyond that purpose, and there is certainly no threat against Turkey in this development and training of internal security elements. And the Secretary has explained this to his Turkish counterpart. We will continue to engage with the Turkish Government on this. We fully understand Turkish concerns about the PKK. It's a terrorist organization. We appreciate that. But we need to stabilize the north, and we very much hope that Turkey works with us and the international community in ways that we think advance Turkish interests. That would be a goal that serves regional stability and security in the broadest sense, and it's a goal certainly that this administration would support.
And with those opening remarks, I am happy to take your questions.
MODERATOR: All right, sir, thank you. First question, please.
OPERATOR: It comes from the line of —
MODERATOR: Josh, go right ahead.
OPERATOR: Josh, your line is open for us.
QUESTION: Hey, thank you guys for doing the call. I'm wondering about the – this box that you have backed yourselves into where you actually now need a continuing threat from ISIS in one form or another to justify everything else you're doing in Syria, both from a policy perspective but especially from a legal one. I mean, we're talking on this call about stabilizing a country that's still in a civil war, limiting Iran's influence, keeping the country sort of going until some type of election many years down the line. But how do you – does that then require you to continue to say that there's a threat from ISIS even once the group is essentially defeated in order to be able to do the rest of those things, and is there any discussion about trying to actually get some type of a new authorization for us to be there to do all of these things that seem on their face to go quite a bit beyond fighting a terrorist group? Thanks.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: When did you stop beating your wife? Look, we are not seeking a pretext or a justification to remain in Syria, and we are not constructing any false reality involving ISIS. The fact is the fight against ISIS continues. It is real. It is not contrived or imaginary. Whether you look at the Middle Euphrates Valley and the remaining elements – territorial elements of the so-called caliphate, it is a brutal fight on both sides of the river. We're continuing in that.
The presence outside the Euphrates Valley of coherent ISIS elements, who have repeatedly reemerged as a military threat is genuine, not imagined. So the 2001-2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force are absolutely real and absolutely germane; they're not constructs. And I am certainly not going to speculate on a hypothetical of where we might be, what authorities might exist were ISIS truly to no longer exist. The fact is they do; the fight continues. The authorizations are absolutely germane to what we are doing.
MODERATOR: Okay, thank you. Next question, please. Nick Wadhams from Bloomberg.
QUESTION: Hi, thank you. I'd like to ask about the Jerusalem embassy decision. Have you conducted any sort of security posture review to prepare for a possible response to this decision, and also are you concerned that the decision to use the existing consular facility would essentially prejudge negotiations? Because as far as I understand, it essentially straddles the green line. Thanks very much.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Let me deconstruct the issue and your question first. What the President decided and articulated was two things: Recognition of Jerusalem as the capital state of Israel and determination to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. That was the President's decision. The Secretary of State, in the context of the President's decision, said that the department was working on executing the President's intent with respect to an embassy move. Now an embassy move has two dimensions to it anywhere in the world, and we have moved embassies from one physical location to another in the past. It's not new and it's not unique to this situation.
The two dimensions are this: one is the construction of an appropriate, permanent embassy. That is a process that takes, anywhere in the world, time. Time for appropriate design, time for execution. It is a matter of years and not weeks or months, and the Secretary has spoken to this on several occasions in terms of the general timeframe for a complete construction of a permanent facility in Jerusalem. If he were talking about any other state in the world, he'd be looking at the same timeframe. But the other aspect of this is, is it possible to have an interim facility which meets all of the overseas security and functionality requirements – safety, security, function – for our personnel? Can that be done on a shorter timeframe than a permanent construction project?
And the decisions with respect to that second course – the interim facility – are with the Secretary, have not yet been taken. So what you have been seeing, reading, talking about is speculation on decisions still pending, but there was never – and I want to be very clear on this point – there was never any policy intent to slow-roll the issue of an embassy move. At all times – the Secretary has made this clear – the focus is on executing the President's decision in a manner which assures the safety, security, functionality of any premises occupied by U.S. personnel and those locally employed staff working with us in Jerusalem, as with any other diplomatic mission in the world. Full stop.
MODERATOR: Okay, next question, please. Dave Clark from AFP.
QUESTION: Oh, hi. Yeah, on the Syria point, the Secretary also mentioned that it would help Assad if the troops were to leave too early. Could you envision any situation in which the U.S. troops would leave with Assad still in power? And the U.S. troops in Iraq – there were more than 140,000 of them for eight years and when they left, al-Qaida in Iraq transformed pretty quickly into ISIS and we ended up where we are. Why would 3,000 troops in eastern Syria make any difference in terms of the long-term defeat of ISIS?
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Let me take your first question, which is: Is the departure of Assad, as I read your question, a condition for departure of U.S. forces? We have talked about our goal of supporting the United Nations effort to see the initiation of a credible political process in Syria. Now, that's a process that we believe at its end – and it's a long-term affair, not short-term – should produce a free and fair election under UN auspices, which we don't believe Assad can win. From a policy standpoint, we don't think he should be there at the end of the game. We don't think he merits in terms of his and his regime's behaviors staying in power. So that's one question: What's the goal of the political process; what are we doing to help the UN work with Russia, work with other parties to see that move ahead?
To tie the outcome of that process to our physical presence, military presence in Syria is a different matter altogether, and that is not something which the Secretary or the Secretary of Defense have spoken to at all. We are there to defeat ISIS in an enduring fashion. And your challenge of comparing the Iraq situation in 2011 when U.S. forces left – a decision, by the way, which we have been extremely critical of and have desired not to repeat in the case of Syria – that precipitate removal of forces – isn't apposite to the situation in Syria. In fact, the back of ISIS is broken. The territorial so-called "caliphate" is a fragment, a fraction, of what it was even six months, eight months ago.
What we're after now is the enduring remnants of ISIS as well as the bits and pieces of that territorial entity still present in the Euphrates Valley. This is a fight which they are going to lose and we are going to win. It is a very different circumstance than prevailed in Iraq in that period between 2011 and the sweeping emergence of ISIS in the spring and summer of 2014. It is a military campaign already highly, highly successful, but it isn't over yet. And we will not leave until we are convinced that that enduring defeat, which we see as a very achievable goal, has been accomplished.
But I would like to take a moment to talk about Iraq since you have raised it. The defects in the structure of the Iraqi Security Forces that were manifest in 2014 – hollowness, lack of commitment, lack of will – by dint of U.S. efforts, the efforts of our coalition partners, the Iraqi Government itself, in the period after the disastrous events of 2014, early 2015, have been addressed and addressed in highly successful fashion. The Iraqi Security Forces of today are not what they were in 2014. It is a far better, far more motivated force and that has produced the victories in Iraq that parallel the successes that we have achieved and hope to continue to achieve in Syria.
MODERATOR: Okay. Next question. Carol Morello from The Washington Post.
QUESTION: Hi. I've been seeing some early reports of a – of the Turks starting to advance against in the Afrin area, and that was something that the Secretary specifically said he was urging restraint on. So clearly it's not working too well, working with getting Syria to get on the same page as you are. I was wondering how that's going to hurt what you're trying to do there.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Like you, I have just seen summaries of these same reports, and frankly, I do not have any details of what is going on. But I can speak echoing the Secretary's own comments about the broad issue. We do not believe that a military operation, whether in Afrin or directed against the self-defense – or rather, the Syrian Democratic Forces, the SDF in the north and northeast of Syria, serves the cause of regional stability, Syrian stability, or indeed Turkish concerns about the security of their border. And I really can't comment further beyond those general points in the absence of more specific information on what is actually going on.
But both we and our other partners in the international community have been quite consistent in our messaging to the highest levels of the Turkish Government. We support them in their concerns about a safe and secure Turkish-Syrian border. We support them in their concerns regarding PKK terror in Turkey, no question. But the kind of threats or activities which these initial reports may be referring to we don't think advance any of these issues. They are destabilizing.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Next question, Kylie Atwood from CBS News.
QUESTION: Hi, thank you so much. I just have two quick questions for you.
The first is: I'd like to know kind of what the U.S. has been doing over the past week or so to encourage the integral players to get to the table next week in Vienna for the meetings hosted by de Mistura and who the U.S. will be sending.
And then my second question is: The Department of Defense says that in the event of a shutdown, DOD will still carry out its operations against al-Qaida and ISIS, and I wonder if that's the same for the State Department employees who are now on the ground in Syria, if they will carry on despite a government shutdown. Thank you.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: With respect to the last part of your question, I am going to have to punt on this. That is a management decision and it assumes a shutdown takes place. I really can't comment one way or the other, save only from my own experience in the past in combat zones where, if the U.S. military continues to function, those U.S. civilian elements, whether from Department of State or other agencies, continue to perform their functions alongside them. We don't walk away.
First part of your question, though, we have been – and the "we" here is the Secretary of State, other senior officials in this department, elsewhere in the U.S. Government have been working quite closely, a day-by-day basis, with the UN, with UN Special Representative Staffan de Mistura, with other parties in the region and outside engaged in backing the UN to see to it that whatever course the UN embarks upon in trying to engage Russian support, in trying to engage the Syrian regime in credible political discussions in Geneva succeed.
This has been a matter of highest priority and importance for the Secretary personally, it's been of importance to all of us here in the building, and we will remain engaged literally day by day with the United Nations to assure that we are doing everything to give them practical support.
MODERATOR: Okay. Next question, Nick Schifrin from PBS.
QUESTION: Thank you very much, [Senior State Department Official], for doing this and thanks, [Moderator], for organizing this. I just want to go back to Carol's question and ask not specifically about what we're seeing Turkey do across the border, but the larger question: You said that the words "border force" were a misstatement, so let's call it "internal security," but the SDF itself is saying the force will be 30,000 people, they'll be trained as border guards, and they'll essentially be a restructured version of the Kurdish force that overthrew Raqqa. I mean, Turkey has seen this in the area, as you know, and seen both sides of the border as Kurds getting more autonomous and sees that as a threat. So do you think that it's just Turkey misunderstanding what your intention is? And therefore, how do you convince Turkey that this force, no matter what it's called, is not a threat? Thanks.
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: We have made at senior levels as clear as possible to the Turkish Government that nothing we are doing with respect to security elements in northeast northern Syria should be viewed as a threat or a challenge to Turkey or to its border. Rather, these are elements drawn from all of the ethnic communities in northern Syria, not just the Kurds, to achieve, to help facilitate basic local security which is a key element of stabilization. That stabilization is in turn a very positive element in any long term security arrangements for the north, which ultimately serve Turkish purposes. We will continue to explain what we are actually doing, what our intentions are, what's happening on the ground to Ankara. We believe what we are doing shouldn't be seen as challenging or threatening. It is not a reconstruction or a sustainment of those heavy forces required to fight house by house in Raqqa. That fight's over. And the whole nature of our military relationship with provision of military support to arms to the SDF has changed as the nature of security and security needs in northern and northeastern Syria have changed now to local and internal purposes.
MODERATOR: Okay, last question. Jonathan Landay from Reuters. Jonathan, I'm sorry I missed you earlier. Go right ahead.
QUESTION: No worries. Can you hear me?
MODERATOR: Yes, go right ahead.
QUESTION: Great, thank you. So the Secretary made it clear that not only is there no longer – is there an open-ended commitment now of our deployment now of U.S. forces in Syria until – northeastern Syria – until the defeat of ISIS, but also appears to have taken any time limit off Mr. Assad's continued – continuation in power. And I'm wondering what U.S. policy is now, because we've seen a diminution in that period beginning when the last administration – that he had to go almost right away and then it was six months, and now there appears to be no time period whatsoever. So can you talk about the U.S. vision of how long in – Mr. Assad would remain in power? And what role would he play, if any, in the political transition?
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Let me talk first to the statement you made at the beginning of your question, because I think it deserves another clarification. Secretary in his speech reiterated what Secretary Mattis, DOD spokespersons announced in December: The U.S. military presence in Syria will be conditions-based, not calendar-based. It will combat ISIS, it will prevent the resurgence of ISIS – that's what we call enduring defeat – it will facilitate stabilization and it will try to make easier the challenges before the UN in Geneva in supporting a political process. We do not want a vacuum to exist from which ISIS or other radical groups will reemerge. That's the purpose of why we're there. And it's very different from using terms like "open-ended presence" or "Forever War," very popular slogans, but that's not what we're talking about here.
Now, the question of Assad and whether Assad's departure from power was or should be a precondition for political talks, rather than the desired or necessary outcome of political talks. Last fall, the Secretary in New York discussing with the like-minded community of nations on Syria, and with the support of that like-minded group, reflected where U.S. policy, where international like-minded policy, in a consensus fashion had moved on Syria. And he stated recognition of reality to insist, given the changes on the ground in Syria over the course of the year or two years that preceded summer, fall of 2016, that Assad had to go before you could have a political discussion was simply not practical or realistic. And we could open up questions, which I will not do, of whether the previous administration's declarations on this were or were not realistic. But this administration is focused on what can actually be done on the ground.
And so with full support from the like-minded community, what we've articulated is the need for a credible political process – critical – credible means, UN lead, accordance with UN Resolution 2254, supported by the Syrian people within and outside Syria, that lead to free and fair elections under UN supervision. That process ought to lead to the departure of this regime. That's our policy view. We don't see how a free and fair election can produce any other outcome. But that's an end state; it is not a precondition for the political process. And that is a policy which the Secretary and others in the administration have been articulating now for quite a long while. It is not in any way something new, unless you want to go back to the previous administration, which is now some time in the past.
MODERATOR: Okay, thank you everyone. Sir, thank you so much for your time. The call has ended, the embargo has now been lifted. And as a reminder please, references to him as senior State Department official. Have a great weekend


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Most Californians oppose higher gas taxes or vehicle registration fees, even when they are told that the state faces a $59 billion backlog of road repair projects, according to a new poll released today by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS).
A proposal pending in the Legislature would raise both the gas tax and vehicle registration fees to pay for road improvements, but the IGS poll found that overwhelming majorities of Republicans and independents oppose such increases, while Democrats narrowly favor the gas tax increase but oppose higher registration fees. Overall, the survey found that respondents opposed a gas tax increase 63-37 percent, and higher vehicle registration fees 74-26 percent.
The online poll, which surveyed 1,062 respondents from Aug. 11-26, also asked about three other tax and economic issues, with the following results:
- Most respondents supported increasing the minimum wage.
- There were mixed results on continuing the higher sales and income taxes that voters approved by passing Proposition 30 three years ago.
- A majority opposed a frequently discussed reform to lower the sales tax rate but broaden it to cover services as well as goods.
Gas tax, vehicle registration fees
The findings on the gas tax and vehicle registration fees come as the Legislature struggles with those issues. In his inaugural address in January, Gov. Jerry Brown cited $59 billion in needed road repair projects, and challenged lawmakers to act.
In response, legislative Democrats are advancing a plan to raise the gas tax 12 cents a gallon and raise vehicle registration fees. In an unusual alliance, business groups are lending their support to the plan for higher taxes to generate revenue for road repair, which they see as critical to economic growth.
But the IGS poll found that Californians disagree, even when told about the state's need for road maintenance. Half of the respondents were told about the cost of needed road repairs, and half were not. When people were told about the $59 billion cost, support for higher gas taxes rose slightly — from 35 to 38 percent — but remained a minority viewpoint.
"Voters usually don't like to pay more in taxes, especially a levy that is paid by nearly everyone, such as the gas tax," said IGS director Jack Citrin. "These results show that even when told about a pressing need, Californians do not want to pay more for registering their cars or driving them."
Democrats were more in favor of higher taxes than Republicans, but not overwhelmingly so. Asked about a higher gas tax, 73 percent of Republicans and 70 percent of independents were opposed. Among Democrats, 54 percent favored the increase, and 46 percent opposed it. The poll asked about a 10-cent per gallon increase, rather than 12 cents, because the question was finalized before the pending proposal was amended to include the higher amount.
Higher vehicle registration fees were opposed across party lines, with 61 percent of Democrats joining even larger majorities of Republicans and independents in opposition.
Resistance to a gas tax increase was heaviest among those surveyed who earn less than $100,000 a year. Among those earning more than $100,000 a year, opinion was about evenly split. Strong opposition to higher vehicle registration fees crossed all income levels.
Proposition 30 tax rates
Respondents were also asked about continuing the Prop. 30 tax increases. With the state facing huge budget shortfalls in 2012, Prop. 30 temporarily increased the sales tax and income taxes on high-income earners. Those higher tax rates are scheduled to end.
In the new survey, half the respondents were simply asked if they would support extending the higher taxes. Among that group, support for continuing the Prop. 30 tax rates was strong, 65 percent in favor compared to 35 percent opposed.
However, the other half of the respondents were also told that state forecasters predict that because of strong economic growth, state revenue will probably increase even if the higher Prop. 30 rates are allowed to expire. Among the second group, support for continuing the Prop. 30 tax rates dropped so sharply that a narrow majority opposed an extension, 51-49 percent.
"These findings suggest that in the abstract, Californians are willing to support the extension of the Prop. 30 tax rates, but that support falls away sharply when voters are told about the state's improved economic fortunes," Citrin said.
Sharp partisan differences were evident on the Prop. 30 question. Democrats strongly supported extending the higher rates, and Republicans strongly opposed doing so. Independent voters favored the extension by a fairly close margin, 54-46 percent.
Except for those earning more than $150,000 per year, majorities among all income groups supported the extension. Among people over that threshold, most respondents opposed the extension; members of that income group are the ones who would pay the higher tax rates.
Minimum wage, sales tax
Supporters are now gathering signatures for a ballot measure that would raise the statewide minimum from its current rate of $9 an hour to $15 an hour by 2021, after which it would be adjusted for inflation. A strong majority (68 percent) favored the initiative, although partisan differences were strong. Democrats overwhelmingly favored the idea (82 percent), 68 percent of independents favored it, and 60 percent of Republicans opposed it.
Support for the minimum wage increase was strongest among those making less than $25,000 a year (78 percent) and 18-29 year olds (72 percent), but the initiative was supported by majorities in all income and age groups.
Tax reformers have frequently suggested that California broaden its statewide sales tax base by reducing the rate of taxation, but expanding the tax to cover services as well as goods. Some 59 percent of respondents opposed that idea. Democrats were less opposed than Republicans or independents, but even among Democrats, 53 percent of respondents opposed the sales tax reform.
"On balance, the public is unwilling to raise or expand the scope of taxes, but is generally accepting of the status quo produced by Proposition 30, perhaps because the higher income taxes are paid by the wealthy," said Citrin. "On the other hand, raising the minimum wage continues to be popular, although there are clear partisan differences on that issue."
The polling data can be viewed on the IGS website.

subset: commoncrawl


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The EcSELL Institute welcomes FONA International as the newest member to the EcSELL community. FONA International is a unique place of intelligence, innovation, and technology. From the beginning, Joe Slawek envisioned a culture that challenges conventional assumptions. Recruiting some of the world's leading experts in flavor development and applied food scienc, FONA is a place focused on new flavor ideas and consumer-preferred product solutions. Add to that a bedrock commitment to the highest standards of personal integrity, exceptional service as well as mutual respect, and you have a culture that stands apart.
FONA believes great solutions are forged of strong minds, optimism, expertise, and hones exchange. Whether in Chicago, London, Guadalajara or Toronto, it's not unusual to walk by a conference room and see world-class technologists, flavorists, and marketers wrestling with a unique client problem.
It is from this environment that FONA has given birth to extraordinary innovations from microencapsulated flavor solutions to nutraceutical flavor masking, from Flavor University® to FONATECH®.
We applaud FONA International for joining a growing segment of Sales Managers committed to enhancing their sales leadership, improving their management acumen, and staying current with trends and proven best practices through membership to the EcSELL Institute.


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Yesterday, I had the opportunity to hear a professor/practitioner of family medicine share how to address errors in the medical profession. Yes, the university hospital provides a unique environment for research, student-faculty-staff relationships, and connection with the world beyond the campus which it serves, but all members of the university community make mistakes (even sin). Gasp!
As you journey through Lent, join me in meditating upon living out the Greatest Commandment by taking some time to
- consider how loving your neighbor fits in relationship to being/following Jesus the Christ in one's vocation/discipline.
- acknowledge, confess, and release when/where/how you have fallen short … Note: we are not perfect. We will err at times in our inter-personal interactions, spelling, presentations, research, articles, web posts/comments, patient care, advice, etc. But when we purposefully hide mistakes to our own benefit, point fingers at others to avoid the consequences, or turn frustration with our self into agitation with others, we encounter sin and the evil one coming forth to destroy all it can.
- seek reconciliation in broken relationships.
- be intentional about blessing those whom you've been called to serve through the resurrection power of Jesus the Christ.
Would enjoy reading some comments from those outside of the Medical profession as to how you might translate these thoughts from a Medical professor to your place in higher education (Note: the below section is just an excerpt from a larger presentation which included much more material). Also would you have any resources to recommend in addressing mistakes and/or offering apologies? From those within the Medical profession, any points to add?
When we are at risk of committing errors
- Tired: know your limits
- Under the influence (eg., alcohol, drugs, over the counter drugs)
- Competing demands
- Work stresses
- Family stresses (Note to those married: open communication between family members is very important)
- Practicing outside the usual scope of practice/expertise or attempting a procedure after it's been awhile since one's regular practice of it
Personal feelings associated with errors
- Guilt
- Shame
- Fear of loss of reputation
- Vulnerability
- Fear of criticism
These events can leave emotional scars. How to deal with a mistake
- Acknowledge a mistake has been made
- Find an open heart/mind to discuss the situation in confidence (e.g., mentor, attending physician, colleague, administrator, pastor, counselor)
Steps to address an error/mistake
- Acknowledge
- Explain
- Express Remorse
- Pray for patient and their family
- Ask Forgiveness
- Reparation
Minimizing our risks for errors
- Pray each day for wisdom, understanding, and caring as we serve our patients.
- Avoid situations that will degrade our performance
- Lack of sleep
- Alcohol, drugs, over the counter drugs
- Don't work when impaired with illness
- Don't be afraid to ask for help, assistance, advise
- The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask.
- Be wary — we are human, and will err.
Resources for those in the Medical community:
- Apology in Medical Practice: An Emerging Clinical Skill, Aaron Lazare, JAMA, 9/20/2006, Vol. 296, No. 11, 1401. Note: Extract, i.e., first 150 words, available free at the above link.
- The Art of Apology: When and How to Seek Forgiveness, Family Practice Management, July/August 2007, 44-49. Note: Text available free at the above link.
- Medical Mistakes: A Workshop on Personal Perspectives, The Oncologist, Vol. 6, No. 1, 92-99, February 2001. Note: PDF available free at the above link.


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Emergency Procedures
Medical Emergency Numbers
AUC New Cairo Campus (Working 24/7)
From AUC landline, dial ext. 4000
From mobile phone, dial 20.2.2615.4000 If no answer, please call 123 (Egyptian Ambulance).
- Ambulance services provided for critical cases on the New Cairo campus ONLY
AUC Tahrir Campus
Clinic working hours 8:30 am to 11:00 pm from Sunday through Thursday and from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday.
From AUC landline, dial ext. 5000
From mobile phone, dial 20.2.2797.5000 If no answer, please call 123 (Egyptian Ambulance)
- Give the exact location of the patient and description of the injury or the state of the patient.
- If the patient is unable to move, inform the medical emergency to the AUC clinic or the nearest security personnel (if you are on campus) and a wheelchair, golf car or stretcher will be sent to you.
If an emergency occurs during non-working hours, contact the following physicians on their cell phones:
Physician cell phone, 012.8000.1039
Dr. Mohamed Amin, 012.2100.5947
Dr. Bassem Gamil, 010.0141.9098
For Other Emergency Situations:
Dial 0 (zero), AUC operator, from an AUC phone on either campus.
If not on campus, dial 19282.
Immediately tell the operator that you have an emergency and you will be connected with the AUC clinic, security or the proper authority. The AUC operator will translate for you if necessary.
These numbers are available 24/7. The operators speak both Arabic and English and are specifically trained to respond quickly and reliably to emergency situations.
An on-call physician may be reached after working hours by calling 012.8000.1039
Ambulance (New Cairo Only):
AUC has acquired its own on-site fully equipped ambulance for AUC New Cairo. The clinic physicians and nurses on campus have been trained on how to utilize and operate all the imported emergency equipment including a life support system, oxygen unit, cardiac monitors, and a spinal immobilization and transport device.
The AUC ambulance service is intended for the transport of critical cases on the New Cairo campus only. If any member of the AUC community faces an emergency off campus, he or she should contact the nearest hospital or public ambulance (by dialing 123). In cases where an off-campus emergency is directly reported to the AUC medical services office, the aforementioned procedure will still be followed. The Office of Medical Services will follow up on all reported emergency cases to ensure that they are receiving proper healthcare.


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It discovered an evidence of ice sheets in the East Siberian Sea for the first time in the world.
Scientists obtained an important clue for understanding climate change in the Glacial Age.
The ice-breaking scientific research ship, 'Araon', of Korea found an important clue for understanding climate change in the Glacial Age in the Arctic Ocean for the first time in the world.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said on August 12 that the Araon ship discovered an evidence of ice sheets existed in the East Siberian Sea during the Fourth Glacial Age after conducting exploration and research project.
The discovery showed that the entire Arctic Ocean coasts were covered by huge ice sheets during the Glacial Age.
Particularly, the distribution of ice sheets is expected to be used as important data for understanding patterns of future climate change by exactly modeling climate in the Arctic Ocean during the Glacial Age.
According to the MOF, it is believed that glacial period and interglacial period repeated several times during the Fourth Glacial Age, and ice sheets that covered continents around the Arctic Ocean were expanded to edges of the Arctic Ocean.
Evidences that support these climate changes were found on coasts of North America, Greenland and northwestern part of Russia so far, but such evidences were not found in the East Siberian Sea, the northeastern region of Russia.
Rather, some scientists argued that there were no ice sheets in the East Siberian Sea, arousing curiosity of scientists.
But the latest research found for the first time that the entire Arctic Ocean coasts were covered by huge ice sheets during the Glacial Age.
The discovery is an outcome of an international joint exploration project.
In Korea, the international joint exploration project was taken part by the research team led by Dr. Hong Jong-guk and Dr. Nam Seung-il at Korea Polar Research Institute affiliated to Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) who are conducting the Project of Research on Understanding and Use of Climate Change in Polar and Arctic Oceans (K-PORT)'.
In Germany, the research team led by Dr. Frank Niessen at Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) took part in the joint exploration project as part of the 'Research on Precision Reconstruction of Paleoenvironmental Changes in Northwind-Mendelef Oceanic Ridges to Identify Warming in Western Arctic Ocean (K-Polar).
The result of the joint research where Dr. Hong Jong-guk participated as a corresponding author was published on August 11 in the online edition of the Nature Geoscience, a world-prominent journal.
Since he selected regions for close survey based on preparatory shallow seismic wave exploration data obtained in the East Siberian Sea jointly with Dr. Frank Niessen in 2008 using German ice breaker, 'Plarstern', Dr. Nam Seung-il conducted a survey on submarine topography in August 2012 using the ice breaker, Araon.
As a result, they discovered mega-scale glacial lineations formed when ice sheets scratched the sea-bed. The newly found ice sheets are thicker (1,200 meters) than those (800~1,000 meters) found in other areas of the Arctic Ocean in the past, and they are identified to have been formed in several times.
An official at the MOF said, "While it needs to play greater role in scientific research on the North Pole after it became an observer of the Arctic Council in this year, publication of results of research conducted through the ice breaker, Araon, in the world's prominent journal will enhance Korea's status."
Source : greenpostkorea


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|Me having lots of fun with a client yesterday
I'm always looking for fun new ways to keep children engaged and having fun while learning language, so when I was introduced to parachute play earlier this summer it became one of my top therapy tools. It is great fun for all ages, and can be used for individual sessions and with groups. With its bright colors and the ease with which it moves the parachute is an amazing sensory experience, particularly for those children on the spectrum.
If you don't know what parachute play is see here
My first parachute play experience occurred during my summer camp. I saw this lady's page being advertised on Facebook, and this was one of her party activities. I invited her in to do some of these activities with my little ones and I fell in love. She pulled out this huge parachute which she spread across the lawn and everyone was instructed to hold the many handles. We worked together to lift the parachute "up and down" "fast and slow" "shake shake shake" from side to side, listen for "stop and go," shake to the beat of a drum. Needless to say I was over the moon. She had me at 'shake shake shake.' She had lots of little songs to go with the activities which I was scribbling down quickly as we went along. There was one in particular about a little bunny, where she put the bunny puppet in the middle and everyone had to keep the parachute very still because he was sleeping, but then the bell went Ding-a-ling-a-ling and it was time for the bunny to WAKE UP, so everyone had to shake the parachute up and down to wake the bunny.
Another activity was one where she put some toy animals in the middle under the parachute, then she made an animal sound and a child had to dash under the parachute and pick up the correct animal. How cool is that!
My favorite was the popcorn game where she put some pretend popcorn in the middle (I think she got this from Lakeshore, later I recreated this with styrofoam chips), and went through the popcorn story where the parachute was a BIGGGG pot, you had to pourrrrrrr in the oil, shake shake shake the salt etc. then stir and stir and stir, then it starts to get reaaalllyyyyy hot (don't touch), then the popcorn starts to pop pop pop and you shake the parachute up and down to make it pop. This was a big favorite with the little ones.
There were a few other ones that I liked, including everyone running under the parachute on a signal, and one with putting body parts over and under.
What amazed me was the level of engagement from children across a range of capabilities. Children who I would consider the most difficult to engage in sessions were taken up in the the activities and so fascinated by the parachute. Therefore you know what I did next.....I went here:
So now I have my own parachute. Which I have started to use a lot in individual sessions, mainly with the toddlers to start, for peek a boo and other engagement games and playing 'up up up...down.' I find the 10' is a good size for both individual and group sessions. We've been having a great time with it and I'd recommend it to any therapist looking for new tricks to keep children engaged :)


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This is the first time I've ever tried cooking this, so it attests to how fail proof and good this recipe is. So you don't have to worry about over cooking an expensive cut of meat, and you'll have restaurant quality prime rib.
For seasoning, its pretty much whatever you'd like to do. I opted for rubbing some balsamic vinegar all over the steak, just enough to moisten the outside, and packing on lots of coarse sea salt on the meat (not the fat parts). The original poster of this made an Herbs de Provence spiced butter, smeared that all over and then covered with salt. It all depends on your personal preference.
calculate the amount of time you will be roasting the prime rib roast by taking the weight in lbs and multiplying by 5 minutes. I had a 2.5 lb roast, so I roasted it for 13 minutes. this method of cooking delivers a medium rare prime rib (I think the best way to eat it )
it works best if with newer ovens, as older ovens may not tell you when your oven has reached the desired temperature as well as not being being able to retain the heat inside as long as modern ovens.
- leave prime rib roast out for at least 6 hours so it can reach room temperature
- preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.
- while your oven is preheating, season your meat
- once preheating is done, place your roast bone side down in a deep roasting pan and put into the oven for the precalculated amount of time
- turn off the oven and leave it for 2 hours. DON'T OPEN THE OVEN AT ALL COSTS! otherwise the heat that was generated from the roasting will escape and the roast will not finish cooking.
- remove, slice off the rib bones (I kept mine, the meat around the bone are the best in tenderness and flavor!) and serve onto a heated plate.
a crunchy black crust had developed and the meat was tender and moist. arnie mortons at home anyone?
credits to http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/ for the ingenious recipe.


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Do you want to charge your Apple watch on the go? The Apple watch battery extenders are the cases which can charge your Apple watch. This facility comforts people in better way. In this Article, we have provided a list of Apple watch battery extender / smart bands with their features. Read more about them here in this post.
Apple watch battery life is from 18 hours up to 24 hours in normal use. If you go for work out battery life will stay only for 6.5 hours, for music play then the battery life is for 6.5 hours and also if you use it voice call then the battery life will stay only for 3 hours practically, after that we have to charge it again for further use and also at the same time it is difficult in our daily busy schedule to take charger, dock and other things with us where ever we go. At the same time it is not comfort. So expert worked on this to determine solution for it and they finally found this Apple watch battery extender to charge watch while wearing on your wrist itself [You can also read tricks to increase Apple watch battery life].
This Strap looks very stylish with its unique design. The size of the wrist can be adjusted by the holes in the strap and it is made in silicon. They give 30 additional hours for the apple watch to be in active. The width of the band is 25mm and it having LED charge indicator power button. It suits for both 38mm and 42mm Apple watch and also it is water resistant. The batteries are inbuilt within the band. You can charge the strap and Apple watch at the same time by using the micro USB charging ports. The strap come in white, black and grey colors.
Once your watch shows to charge the Watch just press the power on button then it will get charged automatically. Power the watch for nearly 1 hour after that press the same button to off charging and save the remaining power in Reserve strap itself to use it once again. LED indicator that present in the strap shows remaining charge left in the strap. The installation of the strap is easy and the strap is same as the Apple watch strap. This is the first designed Charging strap.
The Wipower has 250 mAh power embedded in it. So it is easy to charge the watch when we need. It is made from silicon polymer with plastic and it also shield the watch in backside so we get double benefit here. They give 32-48 additional hours for the apple watch to be in active. Wipower is easy to install. The look and feel is less comfort. Inductive charging system is used here to charge the watch. This band suits for both 38 mm and 42 mm Apple watch. This model has four color types straps black, blue, pink and orange. I prefer black for you.
Features Comparison of both Reserve strap and Wipower strap
|Reserve Strap
|Wipower strap
|Additional charging
|30 hours
|40 to 48 hours
|Black, White, Grey
|Black, Blue, Pink, Orange
|Wrist adjustment
|charge indicator
|Shield protector
Both products are good and also have good features too. Choose the best of your choice according to you need.


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Mission and Vision
At Tyler Elementary we engage, educate, and empower all learners.
Our Promises
At Tyler, we promise ourselves and our students to:
- give a fresh start each day
- be responsible for all children
- promote and model positivity
- have a Growth Mindset
- communicate honestly and transparently
- believe in our students more than they believe in themselves
Tyler C.A.R.E.S.
Consistency Accountability Relationships Engagement Service
These five words drive our instructional practices each and every day.


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Big changes have arrived at one of the busiest corridors in San Francisco.
Lane configuration began Friday night and will set the stage for the Van Ness Improvement Project, which is slated to run through 2019. Changes begin at the left turns on Broadway and Van Ness Avenue, officials said.
Once the $316 million project has been completed, buses will be able to roll down the center of the street. The hope is that traffic and safety will improve, but in the interim, drivers can expect delays.
"The Van Ness Improvement Project goes with the Bus Rapid Transit, which puts the buses in the middle of the roadway," said Paul Rose with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority.
But for the next three years, people are concerned about the additional construction in an area where there is already too much construction.
"We make do, but it's really rough doing deliveries," said Dusty Hamlin.
When Hamlin saw the flashing sign about the improvement project on Friday, he was forced to take a deep breath.
"I was like, 'Man, another construction zone!'" he said.
In the coming week, the median will be removed, lanes will be reduced and some left turns will be restricted, with the goal of making Van Ness Avenue safer.
"A lot of the collisions that do take place in San Francisco are due to left turns between car and pedestrians," Rose said.
San Francisco resident Sam Anderson isn't too fond of that specific traffic change.
"It's just going to be a real inconvenience (Sunday) morning when I need to drive and make a left," he said.
For the next three years, the SFMTA is urging drivers to use alternate routes.
Matt Miller, who was hit by a car 13 years ago, said he supports the imminent changes.
"If something in this city can be invested in for pedestrians, people with disabilities who rely on these services, then it is worth a little inconvenience," he said.


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Six Scottish Border Collies aged 5 months to 6 years, not exposed to Ixodes ricinus, were injected s/c with 0.5 ml louping ill vaccine twice at an interval of 3 weeks. No reaction was seen until 3 days after the second injection when the 2 oldest dogs, aged 5 and 6 years, developed a painless...
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Anything noteworthy happen this weekend?
You guys had more questions than usual, so I guess the Raiders did something big in the last couple days. Cant put my finger on it.
Anyway, six days stand between Tuesday and the regular season opener against the Rams on Monday Night Football. The time is almost here, even if the Raiders are without their (former) best player.
Lets get to some of your questions.
@Rollicking_R8R: Curious other than the 4 mil was Seth Roberts actually better to keep than Marcel Ateman. And how foolish do we look wasting a 3rd on Martavis Bryant?
Roberts guaranteed money aside, he probably still is better than Marcell Ateman. Roberts has been with Derek Carr since their rookie year in 2014, and has made some big plays over his career. Ateman flashed some things in camp, but hes still a rookie. And besides, Roberts isnt eligible for the practice squad while Ateman is. The Raiders got what they wanted in Ateman clearing waivers, and now he gets to develop on the practice squad until hes ready. And on the Martavis Bryant scenario? Very, very, very, very foolish.
@Masoninho: What player did we get in return for Mack? I heard it was 2 1sts, a 3rd and a player?
No players, just a 2019 first, 2019 sixth, 2020 first and 2020 third in exchange for Mack, a 2020 second and a conditional 2020 fifth.
@armenta9411: Best and worst matchups vs Rams?
Best matchup for the Raiders I have to be honest, I dont see one the Raiders have a clear advantage in. Worst Todd Gurley running against the Raiders front seven.
@chanceler_young: Is Bruce Irvin taking leadership/ captain role now that Mack is gone?
Absolutely. Hes been the defensive leader all throughout Macks absence, and that role only intensifies now that he knows Mack isnt returning.
@xAlwaysWinBabyx: If our 3 defensive rookies can ball out and Conley can stay healthy in Paul Gs system, top 10 defense?
I dont know about top 10, but itll be better than last year. I can guarantee that. I think Conley has star potential at cornerback. If Arden Key, Mo Hurst and P.J. Hall can step it up on the defensive line, the hurt from Macks trade will subside in due time. All three can rush the quarterback, a major area of weakness even when the Raiders had Mack last season.
@BMoonan: If the Raiders turn the Mack trade into a pro bowl player and 3 solid starters through picks and cap space, is the trade a win?
Nah, because by the time all those things pan out, Mack might be past his prime anyway. Its really hard to imagine a realistic scenario in which the Raiders win this trade. They just gave up their best player and a second-round pick. The consensus seems to be the Raiders are big-time losers in a move that is more likely to haunt them than not.
@JimMcCreery: Do you think we honestly have a shot this week?
Of course the Raiders have a shot. Do I think theyll win? No, but if Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson dont get shut down by Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, and the Raiders dominant interior O-line doesnt let Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh take over, they might have a chance. Might.
@kevinckeiser: Whos the nickle corner without Worley?
Worley was only playing outside, so his suspension wont affect the nickel corner spot much. Leon Hall saw the most reps there during camp, so Id assume its still him.
@raidergrewal1: Understanding that Gruden has a ten year contract, did he essentially tell everyone Dont judge me by the results of 2018 and 2019? Instead judge me by the 2020 season when all of my draft picks have come in?
Well, Gruden has told fans in Oakland hell win for them now. The move certainly seems like a play for the future, but who knows what Chucky has up his sleeve for 2018. He thinks they can still win now, even if it doesnt seem like it at the moment.
@breshlo:I believe your prediction was 9-7 a week ago with Mack. What is it now? Will the Raiders be able to put up enough points against the Rams to make this a shootout? With limited quality talent left on the market & some Cap space now do you think the Raiders will make a trade?
Ill go 7-9 now. Like I said above, if Cooper and Nelson can create some separation, I think the Raiders can score in the 20s. The question is whether the Raiders can stop Gurley, a 2018 MVP candidate. And nice job squeezing a third question in there you really never know with Gruden. Us beat writers are getting crucified for saying Mack wouldnt get traded, so Im staying out of the trade prediction business for now.
@Babz850: What is Derrick Johnson role going to be? Is he going to be a 1st-2nd down LB and surrender 3rd to Lee? Will they both play?
Yeah, theyll both play, but I see Lee taking over starting duties at some point this season. Johnson turns 36 in November. I could see your scenario happening of the playing time split, at least to start the season.
@AcunaErnie: Next draft do you see the Raiders drafting at top and bottom of board? Or next to each other on the top of the board?
I think both first-round picks will be in the teens. I think the Raiders are in the low teens and the think a much-improved Bears team (whose first-round pick the Raiders obviously have) is in the high teens.


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Manipal University Online Entrance Test 2016
MU OET which is the acronym for Manipal University Online Entrance Test is an annual Test organized in order to select candidates for admission into various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered at Manipal University. Manipal University is a very well-known educational Institution providing world class infrastructure and education to Indian students.
Manipal has designed its own admission and selection criteria in order to select only eligible and deserving students for admission into the courses available at various campuses of Manipal University.
Manipal's Application and admission process has some unique features like it allows students to select their exam center and exam date as per their own wish. Using Manipal's Online Test Booking System, students can select their desired slot at the center which they selected and in case slots are not available at that center, students should select slot at alternate center.
MU OET also allows candidates to make a second attempt in case he/she is not satisfied by their performance in the test. After appearing in the examination once, if candidate is not satisfied by their performance in that case they can appear in the examination again by paying the application fee once again. The best of the two attempts will be considered for the purpose of merit list.
We will have a quick look at some of the important points related to Manipal University Inline Entrance Test:
Requirements for booking slot through OTBS:
Students should keep with them the printout of completed application form with online test booking password.
Students should log in to their account of the official website and make selection of the date and slot in which they would like to appear in the examination.
Once the slot has been booked students will get confirmation mail on the registered email id.
MU OET Admit Card:
Once the slot booking has been done, the admit card will be automatically generated after 24 hours.
The admit card will have information related to e-hall ticket number, name of the programme for which candidate applied, Exam Center's address and the schedule of the test.
In case there is some mistake in the admit card, students should contact concerned authorities immediately and get the error rectified as soon as possible.
Admit card is an important document and student should preserve it until the admission process is complete.
The score of the candidate will be displayed immediately after the test is over on the computer screen of the candidate.
The candidates are required to acknowledge the score and take a printout of the same in front of the invigilator.
For details related to MU OET and other similar entrance examinations, students can visit www.motachashma.com


text: Offer valid from 20th December 2019 until 31st March 2020 at participating dealers only and subject to vehicle availability. To be eligible, vehicles must be ordered and registered by 31st March 2020. Finance provided by Nissan Finance, Rivers Office Park, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, WD3 9YS. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Channel Islands). NISSAN DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION OF £500 IS ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN TAKEN ON 4.99% APR Representative PCP NISSAN FINANCE PRODUCT AND IS AVAILABLE ON ALL GRADES EXCLUDING VISIA. Offer based on 10,000 miles pa, excess mileage 8p per mile. Offers not available in conjunction with any schemes or other offers. Vehicle price includes first registration fee and 12 months' road fund licence. Nissan reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at any time without prior notice. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to your local authorised Nissan dealer for further information and exact specifications.


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4550 Highpoint Blvd
Eight Mile,
You may ask for Mrs. Petro, Principal or Ms. Hetzman, Library Media Specialist
The Mobile County Public School System is committed to ensuring that the content on this website is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities and users of assistive technology. For more information, see our Section 504 Grievance Procedures.
Copyright © 2020 Indian Springs Elementary School


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402 Spadina Ave. (College & Spadina)
Green Room Society (Green Room) is between College & Dundas, and can be reached via TTC streetcars. Located on Spadina, on the outskirts of Kensington Market means it's located right in Toronto's dispensary core. This is great for a day trip downtown to check out the local dispensaries. If you can't make it to Kensington Market you can try either of their two other locations in Toronto.
The Green Room Dispensary (Spadina) Menu


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79-Year-Old Cook Has Stayed on Job Since 1956
Never sick, he perfected omelet-making for Marriott
Courtesy Skydive BuzzAstrid Riecken/Getty Images
The nearly 80-year-old cook at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Va., has been working for Marriott since 1956, when he was 19 and the company consisted of a couple of root beer stands known as Hot Shoppes. And then, because he is a creature of routine and because, unlike most corporations these days, Marriott has no mandatory retirement age policies, Exum just stayed — graduating over the years from dishwasher to soda jerk to his current position as the creator of some of the best breakfast omelets ever made.
The only person who can approach his longevity is J.W. "Bill" Marriott, who also started at the company in 1956. But Marriott retired as CEO a few years ago. Exum is still on the job, although he admits these days he is starting to think about retirement — especially when his arthritic knee hurts.
Even so, "pretty soon, I'm making eggs, I'm socializing, and I realize my pain has gone away," he told the Washington Post.
Over the years, as the root beer stand grew into a global hotel company with $17 billion in annual revenue, Cecil has never called in sick. Day after day, he shows up — a living link to the company's humble beginnings.
"We are so proud that Cecil is part of the Marriott family," Marriott said. "And I can testify he makes wonderful omelets."
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Hello Readers!
Opium Evolution's latest theatrical production is about to come to life and I have the honor of getting to blog a few looks from it! Here is your first sneak peek from the creative and talented Wicca Merlin.
outfit> Enobaria (top & leggings for Slink High Feet) by Wicca's Wardrobe
skin> 7 Deadly s{K}ins – DC Dawn V1
shape> 7Deadly s[K]ins Wrath (modified)
hair> adoness : areto : naturally by Cruella Pennell
pose> Glitterati
There will be two runs of this amazing production. The first run will begin August 1st @ 6pm slt, then show again on Saturday, August 2nd @ 4pm slt, and once more on Sunday, August 3rd @ 1am slt. For more information, please visit Opium's homepage.
See you there!
"You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope."
― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games


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Marcus Hutchinson. Image copyright Artemis Offshore Academy
by Marcus Hutchinson
Probably the most complex part of the Solitaire du Figaro for just about everyone is getting out of the Gironde Estuary. This might sound straight forward, but I wouldn't like to bet on it being easy. I have just sailed a boat up the river and I now look at the estuary, all 35 miles of it in three stages. The first is the simple round the cans windward leeward component, which will be sailed just before highwater. The second will be sailing down the middle reaches of the estuary through a narrow channel with land on one side and islands on the other side in a building ebb tide or favourable current. The third will be the corner at the top near Royan and the transition from fluvial sailing in lots of current to offshore sailing clear of the land and finally, really on their way to Porto.
It is a 35-mile stretch, the wind will be shifty regardless of strength and direction, the current will also be either stronger or weaker than the 'average' mentioned in tidal atlases, quite simply because this is a river estuary with two of France's largest and most prolific rivers pouring their contents down hill to the Atlantic. The leg across the Bay of Biscay may be seriously straightforward after this and the order coming out of the river, I believe, will be nearly reflected in the finishing order some 500 miles later, just off the estuary of another of Europe's great rivers, Porto's Duaro.
For sure there is Cape Finisterre to tackle on the way and who knows at this range what the weather will be like and whether there will be fronts or ridges to tackle or thermal winds around the cliffs of Galicia. But watch for the gaps between boats to be large at the BXA buoy, the last mark before the open ocean.
Three days isn't much of a stopover after a real Figaro leg, one that will last at least three days and three nights. The teams that can get back in the saddle and push hard again straight into leg two and the coastal speed test back up to Cape Finisterre will surely be able to maintain their positions once away from Spain to the ODAS buoy and then back to Gijon. This is going to be a speed leg I believe, and speed means steering without a pilot for as long as possible. That of course means as little sleep as possible. But then the skippers will have to balance burning themselves out for potentially little gain against the reality of only two days stopover in Gijon before Leg three, a leg where there could be huge gaps opening up in the favour of the sharpest and most lucid skippers. But more on the final two legs later in the week.
Artemis Offshore Academy
Solitaire du Figaro


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Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It's all about love of lists, love of literature and bringing bookish people together.
This week it's all about books that we're eagerly anticipating! I like these lists, although I know this week my TBR will grow. Argh! Oh well, it's worth it! 😉
As ever, book images go to Goodreads!
I am intrigued by this book. I liked The Accident Season and I'm intrigued to read this story.
I love a good mystery and this one sounds like it could be good!
I don't often read this kind of book anymore, but I do like K.A Tucker's writing, so I'm interested in this one.
I enjoy a lot off the authors that are featured in this anthology. I'm looking forward to it.
As you can tell, I like to vary my reading and this one sounds like a great piece of historical fiction.
This book sounds like it could be very powerful. It's about a character that is HIV positive.
I'm all about diverse reads and this one looks like a decent YA read!
I can't resist a bit of Kasie West's writing! It's perfect for a light read.
I am so intrigued by this one. I'm wondering where it could go!
This book sounds SO good.


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Source of Boy's Mysterious Lead Poisoning Was in an Unlikely Place
Posted by quantem labs
By Bahar Gholipour, http://www.livescience.com
An 8-year-old boy in Australia had high levels of lead, a toxic metal, in his blood for more than two years for unexplained reasons, until doctors found lead pellets in his body, trapped in an unlikely place, according to a new report of his case.
Doctors had tested the boy for toxins in looking for the cause of his unusually hyperactive behavior. They found levels of lead in his blood ranging from 17.4 to 27.4 microgram per deciliter, much higher than the level of 5 micrograms considered normal. But the source remained mysterious — doctors couldn't find what the boy might have been touching, inhaling or eating, to have such high lead levels for months.
When the boy started to have a stomachache and was admitted to the hospital, the doctors did an x-ray, which revealed large numbers of small round objects in the boy's abdomen, according to the researchers, who published a case report in Aug. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The metallic-looking objects were in the lower right side of the boy's abdomen, appearing to be inside the digestive tract. The doctors immediately gave the boy a bowel washout, which should have cleared any object within his digestive tract, but a second x-ray showed the objects had not moved.
The doctors suspected the unlikely scenario – the objects had to be in the boy's appendix.
In surgery, the doctors removed the boy's appendix and cut it open, revealing 57 lead pellets trapped inside.
"It's one of those things you only see once in a life time," said Dr. Ibrahim Zardawi, the pathologist who examined the appendix. "I've been in medicine for almost 40 years now, and had never seen anything like this."
The boy's appendix weighed 5 times heavier than normal when containing the pellets, but other than few tissue scars, it was normal and wasn't inflamed.
Related articles
- Lead Poisoning's Impact: Kids Suspended More at School (sci-tech-today.com)
About quantem labsEnvironmental and Food testing services and information. Serving the Oklahoma City area and beyond. Call to find out how we can help you with your samples 1-800-822-1650
Posted on August 15, 2013, in Environmental, Lead and tagged Australia, Case report, Lead, Lead poisoning, New England Journal of Medicine, Toxic metal. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.


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Hello there. I'm trying to set up Need For Speed Most Wanted for the DS version on this emulator but I can't get it to work properly. I managed to play with some settings but the result was this: https://imgur.com/CKaQ2I0 . Also don't know if the sound shoud be distorted. If someone could find a solution and help me out would be key. Thanks
Problem solved using an older version of Desmume: 0.9.7 64bit. which also runs a lot better, without any lag.
Or you could have used a newer version of desmume.
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They sound like they might also be ideal for the touring cyclist; particularly if they are a tight but durable fit.
As a framer, I use a lot of different pairs of gloves. 20C down to -25c. I find that in warm weather, a pair of leather palmed bike gloves is quite sufficient. The ones with the cotton backing are best, and are really light. For cold weather, I'm absolutely in love with Watson's Deerskin gloves. They're insulated with 40g of thinsulate, and yet have kept my hands warm down to -25C. I don't really like Nitrile, as they never fit, don't tend to be warm, and aren't durable. You could also give a shot with the Marmot Work Gloves. Lined with driclime, and they look like driving gloves, which makes me feel bad about wearing them. Bottom line, I think, is that pretty much everything is better than Nitrile in my mind, and I've used pretty much all the different gloves.


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See what activites are coming up here!
These are unprecedented times, and the CPBI Team is reaching out to let you know that we are all in this together.
This week we are celebrating the National Volunteer Week
Click here to read this newsletter in pdf.
Connect with us on Twitter and Linked In!
The 7th annual CPBI Saskatchewan regional conference "Path to Greatness" will be held on April 25, 26, & 27, 2017, at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
Follow the Path to Greatness for investment strategies, disability management solutions, leadership skills, retirement trends, present and future benefit plan challenges, customer interaction, communication, and more!
Featured Sessions
Emotional Intelligence - The Leadership Way
Scott Wright, PhD, Senior Vice-President, Food Safety, Human Resources, and Innovation, Star Group of Companies
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a potent combination of self-management and relationship skills that govern our interactions with others. Studies strongly suggest that EI plays a far greater role than IQ in determining leaders' and organizations' success.
In this session, Scott will explore EI – what it is and isn't; the skills, competencies, and abilities that make up our emotional intellect; how our own EI stacks up; and more importantly, what steps we can take to be better at it.
The Power of Hope Vision Action
Frank O'Dea, Innovative Entrepreneur and Humanitarian
With hope – all things become possible. With hope, one has the courage to change the present into a very different future. With hope, dreams are possible; with hope one has the persistence to follow the dream and with hope one can – and will – become much more than you ever dreamed possible. Frank demonstrates this power of hope by using his own story and experiences of hope, courage, change, and persistence. Humble yet powerful, Frank relates how he went from the bowery, panhandling for nickels and dimes not so many years ago, to the successes he has achieved today. This is truly a motivational story. Audiences from all walks of life identify with this very real story of achievement, and Frank's warm style convinces his audiences that he is speaking directly to them.
Customer Centricity is the Path to Greatness
William H. Murphy, PhD, Associate Professor of Management & Marketing, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan
To become customer centric is to seek superior value for your customers. There are tough questions that should be asked of every department and you must be sure to focus on each and every customer touch point. From this presentation, you will take away "rules you can bank on".
Millennials and the Future of Work
Lauren Friese, Expert on the Future Workplace & Founder of TalentEgg.ca
Millennials are currently making career decisions in large numbers, and by 2020 they will represent almost half our workforce. This presentation tackles the challenging task of understanding millennials – how they think and act, what they look for in employers, how to motivate them on the job, and more. Lauren will share lessons and strategies in effectively recruiting, managing, and retaining millennials.
Ignite the Leader Within
Rachelle Brockman, Principal, Eureka Experience
"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality!" - Bennis
• Why should we consider ourselves leaders in the various areas of our lives?
• What does it take to get and stay ignited as a leader?
• And how do we inspire others to take action with us?
During this eureka experience, we will interactively explore these questions and more in order to ignite the leader within!
Conference Sponsors
Thank you to our conference sponsors for their generous support of the CPBI Saskatchewan 2017 Regional Conference!
Saskatchewan Blue Cross
Franklin Templeton Institutional
Sun Life
The Co-operators
Homewood Health
Fidelity Investments
Lawson Lundell LLP
Desjardins Insurance
Morneau Shepell
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
iA Financial Group
Benefits and Pensions Monitor
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at TCU Place in Saskatoon
6:00 p.m. Cocktails
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Putting Humour to Work for Less Stress and More Success
Michael Kerr, "The Workplace Energizer"
The cost for this event is included in your Conference Registration Fee.
Dinner tickets are available for guests not attending the conference, at a rate of $75.00 per person or $400.00 per corporate table of 6 (six).
Click here for complete details or to register!
CPBI Saskatchewan held a Member Appreciation Reception on December 6, 2016, at Crave Kitchen + Wine Bar in Regina. On a cold winter's eve, the blazing fireplace in the elegant room contributed to a spirit of warmth and camaraderie. Guests enjoyed a variety of delicious hors d'oeuvres and good cheer!
Watch for our next Member Appreciation Reception to be held in Saskatoon!
Photo Credit: Karen Lovelace
Two Perspectives on the Role of Biosimilar Drugs
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 – Luncheon at Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Thursday, February 16, 2017 – Breakfast at Double Tree by Hilton in Regina
Join us for a joint presentation that will discuss two perspectives on biosimilar drugs:
• Richard York, Associate Director of Private Drug Plans at Merck Canada Inc., will discuss perspectives on the role of biosimilar drugs in addressing healthcare sustainability; how biosimilar drugs are different from generic drugs, and global and Canadian perspectives on biosimilar drugs.
• Durhane Wong-Rieger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, will discuss the findings from a survey with 300 Canadian patients about their perspectives on biosimilars, including safety, availability, use, monitoring, and support issues. She will also provide an overview of discussions with patients representing various diseases that indicate some of the factors that influence acceptance and confidence.
When Spousal Relationships Break Down
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – Luncheon at Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Thursday, March 16, 2017 – Luncheon at Double Tree by Hilton in Regina
How One Organization is Moving the Bar on Employee Engagement
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – Luncheon at Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Thursday, May 18, 2017 – Luncheon at Double Tree by Hilton in Regina
Kelley Orban is the Senior Director of Stakeholder Relations at the Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan.
The Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan (SHEPP) is a jointly trusteed defined benefit pension plan serving over 54,000 members across Saskatchewan. Creating a culture that supports, encourages and empowers employees to do their best work is very important not only for the leadership team at SHEPP but for the Board of Trustees as well. The underlying belief at the heart of SHEPP's corporate culture is the understanding that employees are the source of the organization's success. One of the ways SHEPP measures its ability to support its employees is through employee engagement surveys. In the last six years, SHEPP has participated in three engagement surveys. This presentation will provide high level engagement results and outline how SHEPP has developed and implemented people practices that not only support employee engagement but have increased it through a variety of organizational changes.
March 1 & 2, 2017 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Regina
Join us for a full program addressing in-depth aspects of Group Benefits Plans, current trends and emerging issues. This 2-day seminar will provide a comprehensive framework that will enhance your understanding of benefits, act as a primer for the CEBS program, and offer valuable continuing education credits for the Insurance Council of Saskatchewan. This is also an excellent opportunity to network with fellow participants and event speakers. Attendees will receive a binder of presentation material and certificate of completion.
Click Here for complete details or to register!
Humber College is currently undergoing a transition. The Director of the Centre for Employee Benefits retired at the end of December. The business school plans to continue to operate the Centre. They are melding it into their Professional and Continuing Education portfolio under the direction of Michael McDougall, their new Director. At the time of this writing, Humber College had advised they are confident they will be able to offer courses this Spring.
As part of the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council's commitment to providing ongoing educational opportunities for our membership, the following courses through Humber College are being planned for this Spring:
These courses can be taken in any order; there are no pre-requisites.
CPBI Saskatchewan members receive a 10% discount on the registration fees for Humber College programs organized by CPBI Saskatchewan.
Watch for updates!
CPBI FORUM 2017 Thriving in a Climate of Change
June 5-7 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Click here for details or to register.
Do you or someone you know have knowledge and/or experience in the benefits, pension or investment field? We are looking for individuals with knowledge or experience within the benefits, finance, event planning, investment, and legal realms to volunteer their time and expertise to help with Council activities.
The CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council is inviting members who are interested in serving on the regional council or one of its committees to submit their interest in writing. This year there are three vacancies to fill on Council. Kindly complete the Application and Skills Matrix and return them to the CPBI Saskatchewan Region office by March 24th, 2017.
CPBI's Saskatchewan Regional Council meets bi-monthly except in the summer. It oversees the work of committees in a number of key areas, including communication, professional development, conference planning, sponsorship & membership, finance, and governance. Committees meet as frequently as required. The above application includes a summary of the committees and their mandates.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our office at 306-757-1013 or via email at [email protected] and a member of Council will be happy to respond to your questions.
As a CPBI member, you have access to discounted events, free webinars, our resource library, our member directory, and more! Membership Advantages »»
Chair: Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, 3sHealth
Vice-Chair: Dara Sewell-Zumstien, Public Employees Benefits Agency
Treasurer: Glenda Schlosser, Möbius Benefit Administrators Inc.
Secretary: Kelley Orban, Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan
National Board Representative: Doug Volk, Teachers' Superannuation Commission
Council Members:
Narinder Kempa, The Co-operators
Don Rowell, CUMIS Group Ltd.
Sylvia Rempel, University of Saskatchewan
Sheryl Armstrong, Hundseth Power Line
Dan Bolan, Great-West Life
Nikki-Lynn McKeague, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation
John Salmond, Group Medical Services
Troy Shanks, Blackstone Insurance, Benefits & Bonding Inc.
Andrea Johnson, Miller Thomson LLP
Update on the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and its impact on CPBI events
Why should employees become familiar with their benefits package, review claims that are being submitted on their behalf, and be on the lookout for deals that seem just too good to be true?


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English language school in the heart of the Japanese Alps, and English language learners sharing their experiences online. Teachers post regular items about teaching, learning tools, events in the school, their day to day experiences living & working in a foreign country. Students post on whatever takes their fancy - book reports, festivals in home towns, postcards from business trips etc. A little Brit of England in the guts of Japan!
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Postcard from...Hong Kong
Greetings from Hong Kong, Macau & Lamma Island.
You can speak English with everyone, as well as Cantonese, and in Macao, Portuguese.
From the guy in the red boiler suit who totally made the BBQ a massive success last month with his Green Egg but is not Jim's brother nor in the Red Devils skydiving team, and neither is he very quick over 4 metres, let alone 400m... Michael Johnson
Labels: BBQ, Green Egg, Hong Kong, Lamma Island, Louis Vuitton, love, Macau, Michael Johnson
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(First published September 13, 2013)
"If someone you really trusted evaluated your ministry, how would they say you are doing? What would they suggest you work on?"
That was a question a group of colleagues faced this week. It was a good question. It pushed us to think about our work from the perspective of a friend, someone who we respect, someone who cares about us and for us.
"Not as bad as I think I am," was one partially flippant response. But it's way more true than we think. Those that we trust can see what we are doing with a benevolent perspective, looking for our good and the good of our work. They aren't trying to live up or down to the flawed expectations we often have. They have a view of our behaviors without all the doubts and rationales and excuses we bring.
Often, the ones I trust agree about how I am doing and what I need to work on. They do this without talking to each other. Often, I confess, I am convinced that they are all delusional. That I know better. But you know what? I bet that often they are right. Often they can see what I need to work on … and what I don't.
King David wrote a poem that invited evaluation from someone he trusted. I read it the same day we wrestled with the question about evaluation, the same day trusted friends gave clear feedback, the day I decided again that listening to the counsel of people looking for your good, is good.
David wrote,
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way
A good request, perhaps, for midweek reflection.


text: In late March, 2007, with the last snowstorm close at hand I knew that the end was near for me. I was too thin, too weak and too hurt to try surviving anymore. I didn't want to die on the road so I pulled myself up onto the front step of the nearest house. A … more


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by David Erickson, courtesy of The Missoulian
Golden shovels pierced the first few chunks of dirt Wednesday on a plot of land in downtown Missoula (MT) that will be home to a new, $36.7-million Missoula Public Library and museum complex. The four-story, 105,000-square-foot facility is expected to be open by 2020.
Missoula's library is the busiest in the state, with over 1,000 people visiting each day. A nearly decade-long effort to plan, fund and build a new one culminated in the groundbreaking ceremony on Main Street that drew a large crowd in the hot afternoon.
Rita Henkel, a member of the library board of trustees, kicked off the ceremony with a speech. "Eight years ago we commissioned an assessment of our current library," she said. "The results proved our library was too small and our antiquated amenities would not be enough to keep up with our rapidly growing community."
She said it's been a laborious and challenging eight years. "In fact, I had brown hair when this started,'' she joked. "But today is the start of a new chapter, one filled with learning resources, information access and public engagement for generations to come. "It is about more than bricks and mortar, books and shelves. This is about a gathering space for ideas that can and will inspire positive social change for Missoula and beyond."
Henkel said none of it would be possible without the magnanimous support and encouragement from the community. "All of them share a passion and commitment to creating a community hub that will bond our community together with lifelong access to knowledge and skills," Henkel continued. "In 2020, when the doors open to the new Missoula Public Library, every member of our community — rich, poor, old, young —everyone can fully engage their curiosity, imagination and learning objectives. Intellectual freedom will be given to all who gather to explore our expanded resources for reading, science, technology, media, culture and family support."
The library is being funded by a $30 million, 20-year general obligation bond approved by Missoula County voters, as well as a $5.85 million capital campaign and $850,000 from various other sources.
Karl Olson, the director of the Foundation for Missoula Public Library, said that construction costs for commercial projects have increased sharply across the U.S. since the new library was given the green light in 2016. However, he said the impact on the library building budget is small.
The foundation is committed to raising an additional $700,000 in private funds to ensure the vision for the library that was presented to voters becomes a reality. The team of engineers and contractors on the project have finally determined a Guaranteed Maximum Price, so the price of the library can't go up any further.
Frank Scariano, the chair of the foundation and the head of the capital campaign, said he believes there are supporters who have yet to be asked to contribute but who will pitch in. "We will be having another community-minded campaign down the road," he said. "There is no doubt our community is invested in a new library. Missoula is not immune to cost increases. Fortunately the impact on our project is really, really small and we have no doubt that we'll be able to meet that additional need."
He said the private funds that have been raised so far have come from 300 individual donors, including several businesses and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency.
Linda McCarthy, the executive director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, said she wanted to recognize that a capital campaign of that size was no easy task but it will ultimately benefit the entire county. "This project is very important to our business community," she said. "It's a place where we gather to learn, engage, create and explore. It serves as a community center for folks of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It serves as a showcase of our community backgrounds and our community principals."
McCarthy said she believes that education and exploration are vital to the culture and economy in Missoula. "The library serves as an economic engine and contributes to our community's vibrancy and our city center's vibrancy," she said. "It helps showcase our history through preservation of archives and the stories of our community and what makes us Missoula."
The new facility will also house Missoula Community Access Television (now called Missoula Community Media Resource), the SpectrUM Discovery Area (a public science museum for kids geared towards technology, engineering and math) and the Family's First Children's Museum, along with a café. The fourth floor will have a large public meeting room with expansive views to the south, along with an outdoor patio.
The new building will be built directly to the east of the current building at 301 E. Main St., and the current library will remain open during construction. There have not been any announcements about what local businessman Terry Payne will do with the old building once the new one opens. Mayor John Engen noted there is significant construction going on in downtown Missoula, especially along Front Street, and the library will be an asset for generations to come.
Rita Henkel of the library board quoted one of the world's greatest minds as she closed out her speech. "Albert Einstein once said, 'The one thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library'," she told the crowd. "Well Missoula, here we are."


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Bao Bao's Snow Frolic Will Melt Your Heart!
Bao Bao is the Smithsonian's own sixteen-month-old panda, and when snow falls in Washington D.C. she gets ready to roll! After battling with an errant log, Bao Bao pounces on her mother Mei Xiang to spread the fun.
Watch the video and have a look at this adorable panda as she enjoys the winter's first snow.
A Guinea Pig Escaped From His Home And Got Stuck In A Sewer Pipe: Click "Next" below!
Matthew M. Sullivan holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from Grand Valley State University, with emphases in fiction and nonfiction. He lives smack-dab between some railroad tracks and Grand Rapids Michigan's third-busiest road, and spends his time studying film and literary fiction.


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The Artistic Director Resource Center offers resources, tips and templates for a variety of topics relevant to artistic directors. Many Artistic Directors within the GALA network also are responsible for plenty of administrative and organization tasks. Be sure to check out the other sections of the GALA Resource Center and especially the sections for Chorus Managers (paid or volunteer) and Board Members.
Contains information on singer recruitment, auditions and singer retention.
Includes programming tips and tools from highly experienced GALA conductors as well as information on guest artists.
Contains repertoire suggestions and links to repertoire databases.
Rehearsal Tools
Deals with everything from score preparation to rehearsal recordings, memorization, rehearsal, technology and warm-ups.
Includes tips on commissioning, selecting a composer, templates and contracts, funding for commissions and links to existing GALA commissions.
Arranging Music
Includes tips and resources for arranging choral music.
Copyright & Licensing
Contains detailed guidance on print music, performance rights, recording music, permission to arrange, music on the web and staged performances.
Provides tips, tools and templates for recording projects.
artisticadvisor [at] galachoruses.org (Ask the Artistic Directors 411 Advisor)Joe Nadeau serves as the GALA Choruses 411 Advisor for Artistic Directors. Joe has been actively involved in GALA Choruses for over twenty-two years. In addition to his work with men's choruses, Joe has also served as conductor for Kansas City Women's Chorus, and two LGBT youth performing ensembles: PerformOut KC and Outside Voices (Los Angeles). GALA member choruses can request a complimentary consultation by filling out the 411 Advisor Request form.


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A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Coloura is a different kind of puzzle game. Mix adjacent tiles to fill the board with a color. Solve increasingly difficult problems ranging from easy to very hard. Download Coloura and puzzle yourself.
WARNING: This game's music is LOUD. Disable it with the button on the bottom.
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Coloura 523 kB
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.


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World Bank Appoints CBA for First Blockchain Bond Deal
The World Bank appoints Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to deliver the first blockchain bond.
Today, Commonwealth Bank of Australia announced the news on the initial blockchain bond via a news release on their official site.
The first bond transaction in the world is solely implemented using blockchain. World Bank assigns the deal to CBA for settling a pioneer bond issue to implement using blockchain. Their aim is to streamline the capital raising and trading as well. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will arrange the first ever blockchain bond.
Australia issues Kangaroo bond which refers to the foreign bonds in the local currency. This bond has been given a name as "bond-I". The acronym for Bondi stands for Blockchain Offering New Debt Instrument. However, this also resembles the Bondi Beach which is an iconic spot in Sydney.
The distributive ledger technology is responsible to create and manage Bondi. However, the technology which underpins cryptocurrency like bitcoin cites to the distributed ledger technology (DLT). This protects and records every transaction accomplished on the chain.
The CBA says; "The bond issuance will use the private Ethereum blockchain".
The Bank states; currently, Ethereum has the largest and active development community, offering the features they require. However, other Blockchains are rapidly developing and CBA will keep open to other options in the future.
Look out for PR service? Send us the mail today at email@example.com
This bond comes under AAA rated, and will focus to raise the capital for the Reconstruction and Development division of the World Bank. Also, the CBA spokesperson says that the bond is expected to raise in between $50-$100 million.
The Head of Blockchain at CBA, Sophie Gilder says:
We know blockchain has the potential to revolutionize financial services and markets, and this transaction is a significant step towards that future state. However, by working collaboratively with the World Bank, we were able to find solutions to technical legal considerations to make this groundbreaking transaction a reality.
Meanwhile, the World Bank is looking to launch the transaction together with CBA after more consultation with the investors.
The World Bank Treasurer, Arunma Oteh quotes:
After a year of working with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, we are in a position to launch our first blockchain bond transaction. Also, our sincere appreciations to our pioneer blockchain bond investors, who are partnering on this transaction to strengthen market enabling more robust issuance processes.
Finally, CBA has figured the solutions for technical and legal issues that can help make the transaction work. In addition to this, there was a news on CBA saying that they have completed the cross-border shipment utilizing blockchain to streamline shipping logistics and trace goods. However, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is targeting to solve issues incorporating Blockchain technology.
What do you think about this Blockchain bond deal? Will CBA be able to solve the major issues? Share your feedback with us on Twitter and Telegram.
You can also connect with us by subscribing to our newsletter.