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jjj8 Resurrection Mary.
This is a true ghost story. There was a taxi driver who whilst driving out of town one day, noticed a beautiful girl walking outwards on the right hand side of the road. So he, being a gentleman and hopeful of a fare(and a beautiful woman), pulled up alongside of her – and asked if she needed a lift – no charge. Being poor she stopped – and hopped into the back seat. The taxi driver drove off. Where to? Just to the local cemetry. Strange place for a young woman to go at midnight thought the taxi driver, but dutifully he drew up alongside the cemetery gates, and the woman got out. "Wait for me!" She cried, and shot off towards the cemetery gate. To the taxi driver's horror and surprise she went THROUGH the metal railings(matter through matter) – and soon vanished from sight into the gloomy distance. "My goodness, I picked up a ghost – and now she is returning home!". Terrified he spun the taxi around – and shot off back towards town. NO WAY he thought, am I waiting for A GHOST!!
Resurrection Mary arrived at her tombstone, dived down into her grave, and merged with her corpse. She then willed the atoms of her corpse to fill up her ghost form. Soon she was full, and shot back up through the sod(De-materializing first.). She walked back down to the cemetery gate, de-materialized her materialized form again, and passed back through the railings. However, the taxi was not there. So she went back to "bed" for the night.(She wanted to get driven home, so she could resume normal life! But would her mother have appreciated it?)
Death, is simply the shedding of the physical envelope, the outermost skin or shell.(We have seven.)(Including the original physical.) While it is much lighter walking around in one's etheric or astral form, for normal living purposes, one needs a physical body. All that Mary had done was re-absorb her physical components back into her astral form.(Which the taxi driver had mistaken for her physical body.)
Many humans are angry at God for not letting them live on. Not realizing that it is possible to re-absorb the corpse back into the astral,etc.(Besides one simply re-incarnates indefinitely after each interregnum(in-between-life in the spirit world) So it is Man's oversight, not God's lack of provision – that is to blame.(Anyway, WHO wants to live on in a decrepit probably diseased physical body?!))
We live for ever, and already have, growing and improving as we go along.(The Ancient Egyptians used to pickle the vital organs and wrap up the corpse(mummifying it) – to preserve it for the spirit to re-possess! As we pass up throught the mineral, plant,animal and human kingdoms.(I don't know how the spirit managed to absorb the pickled vital organs too. But maybe they broke open the jars – and absorbed each organ back in turn.)
Modern humans are smart, and having observed that corpses simply rot slowly, decided to speed things up – via cremation and another process(I forget its name), where you put the corpse into a tank of acid – for it to be dissolved.
Earlier cultures were wiser than us, not more foolish. So. Do not destroy the corpse! Bury it – or keep it accessible to the departed spirit – for it to re-absorb! NO cremation. NO dissolving in a tank of acid!!
Burial(in a box)(e.g. in a coffin), a proper one, is thus VERY important. That the physical body may be easily accessed AND RE-ABSORBED.(Though it cannot again walk around,at least not normally, it CAN get RE-ABSORBED!!)(Do you follow reader? PRESERVE the dead physical body! DON'T destroy it! So that the spirit may re-possess it!!(If it wants to.)(Not to re-animate the corpse, but to RE-ABSORB it(the physical body) into The Astral form!)
Not everyone does this(re-possess their corpses), but they have the option IF the living humans don't destroy the corpse!
Apparently few humans avail themselves of THEIR corpse re-possession, judging by the number of corpses that remain in their coffins!
Now I understand why the departed get angry when they have not had a proper burial.(It seems that the old garment has its uses after all!!)
Please inform all and sundry of this VERY important fact. DO NOT DESTROY THE CORPSE. Nor damage it AT ALL!!!!
Now WHY would one, or anyone, want to re-possess their corpse? That they might CONTINUE their PHYSICAL life!(Evidently few pull this off. Otherwise we would hear more about the strange return of the dead!)(In their old physical bodies!)(Does anyone have the answer to this??)(Let me know please:
The reason WHY one leaves one's physical body – is because it is no longer habitable! So I fail to see the advantage of getting it to stand upright again!(Even if one could do so!)(Apparently the matter of one's corpse is the matter most easily absorbed back into the astral. Otherwise one could use ANY physical matter.(The departed spirit can revert to any age. So perhaps it can – get young again AND THEN re-absorb matter. But how often do we hear of someone dying, and then see them again physically alive AS THEY WERE in the prime of life?! Or younger than they were when they died.)(Answers, anyone??)
Myself, I would have thought that it did not matter once you had vacated your physical body! You have shed the dense heavy stuff. And are now on a plane of lighter matter. Hence ghosts. Even if one could revert to a younger healthier time IN THE PHYSICAL, I do not see why it would be preferable to life in the astral!
It is Christmas Eve as I write this. Memories of Scrooge, as in A Christmas Carol, so appropriate.
It is like wearing a great heavy coat WHEN ONE NEED NOT!!
Given a choice of reverting to an earlier PHYSICAL condition, – or living in The Astral, – WHICH would YOU choose??!!
It is also possible to pass out through the apex of the great pyramid – and shoot for Sirius or Orion. OR, dive through A (space and time)PORTAL or vortex – and enter some different time period and/or place, by diving through one of the great rings we can see sometimes in space! Maybe this was only the latest pharoah's option. There are no pharoahs today, but if we can dive through a space vortex portal(presumably alien) – then we can perhaps travel instantly ANYWHERE in the cosmos.(I don't know. Just surmising.)
I would like to inform THE ENTIRE WORLD, but can only reach a handful or two. So ASK YOU to pass this one – to as many as possible, that MORE may know!!


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Rotary International Foundation
The Rotary Foundation was established by then RI President Arch C. Klumph in 1917. There were negligible contributions and donations until the death of the founder of Rotary International, Paul Harris. Then the money started to roll in.
In 1947 the Rotary Foundation initiated a programme, now named RF Ambassadorial Scholarships, one of the largest Post Graduate programmes in the world today. This programme has produced world leaders in all fields of endeavour.
In 1988, a project that became known as Polio Eradication Programme began. RF joined forces with the World Health Organisation, UNESCO and the US Dept of Infectious Diseases. Since that time, there has been a decrease of 99% of incidents of Polio. There are only four countries; India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, that are still polio endemic. This battle continues and thanks to Bill Gates and his immense support of the Rotary Foundation Polio Eradication project, we are able to raise large sums of money to bring this battle to a successful conclusion.
The following is a brief indication of Rotary Foundation Grants in the areas of focus – a five-year profile (2004–2009). The amounts shown are in US$.
|Maternal and Child Health Grants
|Water and Sanitation Grants
|Disease Prevention and Treatment
|$34,189,400 (not including polio)
|Basic Education and Literacy
|Economic and Community Development
|Peace and Conflict Resolution Fellowships
Rotary Foundation projects and programs
Centurion Program
This is a very easy way of getting into the habit of making a personal contribution to The Rotary Foundation. The commitment you are asked to make is simply to contribute A$100 per year as long as you are able to. In this case, the money is paid into the Australian Rotary Trust Fund making your contribution tax deductible. The initial commitment is recognised by the presentation of a certificate and the 'Centurion' lapel badge and each year our District sends out renewal notices asking all participants to continue their support.
Paul Harris Society – The Paul Harris Society is named after the founder of Rotary International. The society recognises friends of The Rotary Foundation who annually contribute US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus and other approved Foundation grant activities. Society contributions may count toward Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member, Paul Harris Fellow, Multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor recognition. For more information about Paul Harris and our Club's Paul Harris Fellow recipients, click here.
Download a Paul Harris Fellow Society application form here.
Foundation Alumni
Each year, thousands participate in Rotary's educational and youth programs, all known for fostering international understanding and friendship. But the experience doesn't have to end when the program is over. Participants choose Rotary because of its commitment to world understanding. As Alumni, they have an extended network of people who share a common bond. They'll always be part of the family of Rotary. For more information about Rotary Alumni and how to connect through various social media channels, click here.
Polio Plus
After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions. Your contribution will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million will directly support immunisation campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families. As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high. For more information, click here.
Matching Grants
Through Matching Grants, The Rotary Foundation matches contributions raised for international service projects by Rotary Clubs and districts in two or more countries. The Foundation provides a one-to-one match for District Designated Fund (DDF)/SHARE contributions and a US$0.50 match for every new $1 cash contribution. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $200,000. For more information, click here.
District Simplified Grants
District Simplified Grants are a tool for Rotary districts to support short-term humanitarian projects that benefit the community. Districts can request up to 20 percent of their District Designated Fund (DDF) for a grant to support multiple projects locally or internationally. For more information, click here.
Group Study Exchange
The Rotary Foundation's Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. The Rotary Club of Ryde has a long history of supporting this program. For more information, click here.
Ambassadorial Scholarships
Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide a flat grant of US$27,000 for one academic year of study in another country. These awards are intended to help defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, tuition and other fees, room and board, and some educational supplies. For more information, click here.
Peace Fellows
Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. Fellows can earn either a master's degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution. For more information, click here.
The Rotary Club of Ryde's Foundation Director for 2013–14 is John Mazlin.
Each year, at Club Changeover, the chairs of each avenue of service provide an annual report. These are published in the annual Changeover Program. Go to our downloads page, and you will find all available Changeover Reports listed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dates :Tuesday September 03rd, 2019 - Friday September 06th, 2019
Location :Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre
Mässans Gata/Korsvägen
SE-412 94 Gothenburg, Sweden
Type :Conference & Seminar - International audience
Accreditation :--
Further information
We invite all experts in the field of Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction to visit Gothenburg for the 49th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society (ICS 2019) that will take place on 3-6 September 2019.
The ICS Annual Meeting brings together the most renowned international experts in the research and the treatment of LUTS, incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. The meeting is multidisciplinary and welcomes urologists, gynaecologists, neurologists, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives and basic scientists.
Sweden has a long scientific tradition in continence research and many prominent scientists have been engaged in the ICS and its important work.
Gothenburg is located on the west coast, at the outlet of the Göta river. Sweden's second largest city, once the centre of the Swedish ship-building industry, has turned into a diverse and lively city full of Swedish design, food and culture. Gothenburg has an international airport which is accessible from many destinations and is only 25 min. away from the city centre and the meeting venue.
See you at ICS 2019 in Gothenburg – where innovation meets culture and nature!
Keep up to date at www.ics.org/2019
Important dates for your calendar:
Workshop submission deadline: 3 January 2019
Abstract submission deadline: 1 April 2019
Early bird registration deadline: 25 June 2019
Website https://go.evvnt.com/296557-0?pid=4319
Facebook https://go.evvnt.com/296557-2?pid=4319
Twitter https://go.evvnt.com/296557-3?pid=4319
Speakers: Ian Milsom (Meeting Chairman), Kari Bo (Annual Meeting Scientific Co-Chair), Adrian Wagg (Annual Meeting Scientific Co-Chair), Karl-Erik Andersson, Anders Mattiasson, Ralph Peeker, Maria E Gyhagen, Magnus Fall, Eva Samuelsson, Anna-Lena Hellstrom
Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre
Mässans Gata/Korsvägen
SE-412 94 Gothenburg
Map and directions
Further information
For more information on ICS 2019: 49th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, plsase contactr Kenes Group
To display announcer website, obtain a letter of invitation, you must be logged


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We spend the night at a campsite overlooking the Nolichucky River right downstream (as in walking distance) from where Davy Crockett grew up.
In the morning we visit his birthplace site, and the small museum next to it. And it can't be helped, I'm singing or humming Disney's,"Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier" the rest of the day, and picturing Fess Parker, although I know better. Davy Crockett's still one of those larger than life American folk heroes to me. We've visited where he died on previous trips (Remember the Alamo!) so it feels kind of comforting to see where he was born and hopefully spent simpler, happy boyhood days.


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28 Dec 2007
|Casablanca is more of a service stop than a visited destination, I came here to try to get myself immunised for Yellow Fever and possibly pick up a couple of visas into the bargain. I was also intending to spend New years eve here but after one day I thought better of that and booked a bus to Essaouira. I managed to find the place to get the injection, Institut Pasteur, but the woman I spoke to there said that she couldn't do it then but could do it tomorrow. Having already bought the ticket out I will have to return in the new year. The visas will require a stay in Rabat.
Casa is a very big working city with no real time for tourists, it's one attraction is the Hassan II mosque, 3rd biggest in the world, I doubt the quote that St Peters would fit inside it. I'm not biased to any religion, I refused to pay to go inside, as mosques go I didn't find it very impressive but I don't think the Moroccans have the same financial resourses as say Brunei.


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Must Love Pekes is a blog for those who love Pekingese, their looks, their antics, their personalities. It is written by me, Linda, and I have been rescuing Pekingese for over 15 years. Lots of them have gone through our home. We have loved them all.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Dear Miss Jeanne, I was once all alone in the world, scared, hurting and hungry. You took me in and loved me, made sure I got medical care and today, because of you, I have a furever home and a family who loves me so much. We are praying for you and sending you all our love, sincerely, Albert"
16 comments:
- LadyJicky said...
Oh Linda ..... I am sending such Great Prayers for Jeanne!!
What a wonderful lady she is!!!!!!!!
- August 30, 2016 at 4:42 AM
- Doris Sturm said...
I'm just so devastated and wish someone would post her Jeanne's page to let her FB friends know how she is doing. Been worried sick about her and praying all night - hoping God will protect her. She's got so many friends and such an important mission in life.... she simply has to get better!!!
- August 30, 2016 at 11:47 AM
- Unknown said...
Sending prayers and sloppy peke kisses!
- August 30, 2016 at 12:03 PM
- EWJ said...
Prayers and healing light!
- August 30, 2016 at 12:05 PM
- Unknown said...
Prayers and healing thoughts to such an angel in our reduce community.
- August 30, 2016 at 1:26 PM
- Anna Saar said...
Sending much love to Jeanne -- she has done so very much to save so many!! <3 <3 <3
- August 30, 2016 at 1:51 PM
- Unknown said...
Praying that you will recover from this real quick. I pray for God to give you the strength and endurance to give this monster a good kicking in the butt. God bless you my friend! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤
- August 30, 2016 at 3:42 PM
- Unknown said...
Prayers for you jeanne.so many pekes saved by you a guardian angel is right beside you to help you overcome this.prayers going up
- August 30, 2016 at 7:28 PM
- Unknown said...
You have my prayers lady!! But I know your work is not done here on earth so God will take care of you well!!! You got this!! You will be kicking butt and taking names again soon!! Until then, we love you!!!
- August 30, 2016 at 8:17 PM
- Jamie said...
My prayers and thoughts are with you all. When I heard she had been admitted I knew something else was happening. I went through this exact scene nearly 20 yrs ago with my mom. I know that only God knows how this will play out, but with the power of the pekes and her friends our prayers have to help him decide what is best for her. Dear Lord please guide all of us as we come together to support Jeanne and her family at this time.
- August 30, 2016 at 10:35 PM
- Unknown said...
Please let me know if you need any help as I mentioned. You are in my thought and in many other's. You've got a lot of people and doggies pulling for you.
- August 30, 2016 at 11:30 PM
- Unknown said...
Prayers for you Jeanne... Pekes and all of us need guardian angels like you here in this world... So come on, you are a fighter... Hugs
- August 31, 2016 at 12:29 AM
- Unknown said...
Prayers for you Jeanne... Pekes and all of us need guardian angels like you here in this world... So come on, you are a fighter... Hugs
- August 31, 2016 at 12:29 AM
- rio said...
Prayer for going out to you.
From me and my rescue, Sushi.
- August 31, 2016 at 3:06 AM
- Unknown said...
Oh such sad news. I will be thinking about her.
- August 31, 2016 at 10:25 AM
- Unknown said...
Sending prayers to you from our family including our Potomac Peke rescue Oluve. The angels have to be watching over such an angel!
- September 2, 2016 at 7:48 AM


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Who we are
Putting Your Brand At The Center
With each client, we identify the ideal intersection of marketing strategy, creative solutions and public relations fire-power. That's how we propel your brand forward. If you go to an ad agency, every answer looks like an ad; if you go to a PR firm, every answer looks like press coverage. Working with Marketwave is different. We view your business challenges and opportunities through the lens of the branding you have and how you want to build on that for the future. And, we recommend strategies that dial in the right levels and areas of the marketing mix to support your business goals.
A Conscious Capitalism Company
Lead with purpose
Live your values. That's our philosophy and that's why Marketwave CEO, Tina Young, is a founding member of the Dallas Chapter of Conscious Capitalism, a community of purpose-driven leaders in support of the national business movement that was built on these four tenets:
Purpose – knowing why you're in business and fulfilling that higher purpose each day
Culture – based on shared values and a focus on the continued growth of the individual as well as the business
Leadership – often described as servant leadership, the conscious approach is people-centered and is built on developing and inspiring others to leverage their strengths in alignment with company goals
Stakeholder integration model – using innovation and entrepreneurship to make all key stakeholders better off – seeing them in an ecosystem vs. one being more important than the next
Conscious Growth
Conscious companies out-pace their competitors because they don't just know what they do to add value to the market, but why they do it – a higher purpose that drives them and inspires them to excellence. Marketwave and other companies that have joined this business movement have a culture of caring and accountability, and are focused on making a positive impact on all stakeholders. Started by Whole Foods co-CEO, John Mackey, along with academic and business author, Raj Sisodia, in 2013, the movement today is international in scope and growing through a network of local chapters in major business centers. You can learn more about the movement at www.consciouscapitalism.org or in Dallas at www.consciouscapitalismdallas.org.
The Company We Keep
Conscious Capitalism is embraced by business leaders such as Scott Miller, CEO of Insterstate Batteries; Kip Tindell, Chairman of The Container Store; Bob Jordan, COO of Southwest Airlines, as well as many small- to mid-size businesses that have recognized a better way to build sustainable companies and create thriving cultures. Across the U.S. and now in parts of Europe and Asia, this movement is spreading as companies experience the long-term growth benefits of operating with these core tenets in mind.
Our values
The values we share at Marketwave define our culture and fuel our purpose. They guide our decisions and help us be at our best for each other, for our clients and for our community.
employees first
Belief in the value of our employees, the strengths each of us brings to the team, and mutual respect.
trust factor
Expectation of honest and open communication.
Service mindset
Every interaction is an opportunity
to shine and show our value.
Daily intensity
Attack each day with the right priorities and results in mind and show passion for the work we do.
Praise for accomplishments, great ideas and results.
Giving back
Paying it forward by leveraging our success and service mindset to help others in the community.


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Laura Di Ianni, BA Hons, Med.
Trainer in Restorative Practices
Why is empathy critically important to teach and how can it be taught?
There is "that kid" at my daughter's school. That kid who, in the most subtle and damaging of ways, asserts herself over others. In the young years of kindergarten, this kid has figured out how to create alliances, form groups, and isolate other girls. She brings my daughter to her knees; she exhausts my daughter; she hurts my daughter. My response? Teach her how to use her voice, teach her how to stand up for yourself (in the most ethical of ways), advocate for her at school, but also ask her to consider what makes "that kid" behave the way she does. Why?
First is because a lesson in empathy is critical for self-regulation-the ability to stay calm, focused and alert (self-reg.ca). Empathy lies in what Stuart Shanker calls the prosocial domain. This domain includes:
Empathy is not just putting yourself in the shoes of another however. It includes caring about someone else's emotions, trying to help others deal with their emotions, and distinguishing between your own emotions and someone else's (Shanker, 2013, p. 95). This is an incredibly important lesson for my daughter, in particular, who will, with great intensity, take on the emotions of the person in front of her. When someone is angry, she becomes angry. When someone is sad, she becomes sad. When someone is happy, she becomes happy. And, aren't we all like that to different degrees? Thus, what I need to do is help her find peace. Stay regulated. Yet, real internal peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Real peace means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. So when anger knocks at her door, it is incredibly important to help her distinguish between her own and someone else's emotions. This is what will allow her to remain in peace. Remain regulated.
This is even more important for her learning as a "lack of skills in the prosocial domain can set off a wave of dysregulating effects across the biological, emotional, cognitive, and social domains in [the] five-domain model of self-regulation" (Shanker, 2013, p. 94). In other words, a student's ability to maintain a sense of peace (to stay regulated) while being immersed in a group of people, is incredibly important to their physical well-being, their emotional well-being, their ability to communicate well with others, and to their learning. Therefore, empathy in the age of generation me (especially as many are immersed in the very non-connected, impulsive worlds of social media) must be addressed. But, how? The answer is through restorative practices.
In a reactionary way (when there is an incident), the use of restorative questions and restorative conferences (iirp.org) challenges students to address the facts of the situation (separating the deed from the doer-allowing all to maintain their dignity); challenges them to distinguish their feelings from someone else's; and challenges them to not only care about another, but to also help the other in making things right.
When my daughter is hurt by "this kid," I want the school to have both of them answer these questions and have them meet to discuss their answers (provided the other student is taking accountability or else there is further victimization). This is a learning in and of empathy in the pro-social domain. At home, if my two daughters come to fist-a-cuffs, I use these questions for these very reasons.
As a teacher, to teach empathy in a more preventative way, I teach in circles. I call them instructional circles. This is one way how I am rewriting the irrp model of restorative practices from being solely a tool for behavior to just plain good teaching pedagogy. There are times when everyone speaks and there are times when only volunteers speak (it depends on the difficulty and nature of the question). The questions invite connection and social-emotional learning. But, they also ask each and every student to connect with literature and respond to literature in a way that analyzes the qualities and importance of empathy.
Teaching empathy must also be done by example though. Being restorative means exactly that. It is in your being. For this reason, I have also included, in redefining what it means to restorative in education, the inclusion of listening and language. With my own kids and with the students who I teach, I listen for their feelings and I speak in a way that demonstrates my care for their emotions, my desire to help others with their emotions, whilst distinguishing between their and my emotions. For example, if a student is quite obviously frustrated (as noted in his body language and tone) and refusing to complete the day's writing task, I may say, "I sense that you might be frustrated with the writing task? As your teacher, I am here to help you. So instead, of my getting frustrated too, let's see if I can help." I did this last week with an angry young man who told me he "hated school" and yesterday and today he wrote. He wrote a lot. He smiled a lot today. And, when he was leaving class he said "Good bye Mrs. Di Ianni, I hope you have a really good weekend. Thank you". Alas, the importance of connection, well-being, and self-regulation to learning. Empathy has quite a bit of muscle. Even with generation me.
So in honour of Ms. Harper Lee, please consider the importance of empathy and consider how we might teach the power of empathy in our homes and in our schools. It is so critically important to the promotion of peace.
**Shanker, Stuart. Calm, Alert, and Learning. Copyright 2013 Pearson Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario.
**International Institute of Restorative Practices. iirp.org
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply.
Laura Di Ianni. Mom of 3. Teacher. Restorative Practices Trainer. MEd. PhD Candidate. Advocating for RP in education. I run, practice yoga, read, and write to maintain my own peace and restorative nature.


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Pansoft offering for Oracle Cloud Implementation, Training, Upgrade and Support for a Monthly Subscription Price
The Oracle Cloud Managed Service Provider Program recognizes partners with the skills and expertise to build, deploy, run, and manage both Oracle and non-Oracle workloads on the Oracle Cloud Platform.
Pansoft offers end-to-end Oracle Cloud platform solutions, including global consulting, full service cloud and post production support services.
Pansoft deliver Oracle PaaS and IaaS combined with Pansoft managed services as a single complete solution to customers. Pansoft met the Oracle qualifying criteria: capacity to manage customers' cloud infrastructure, and/or end-user systems, and provide services including cloud advisory, service migration, provisioning and orchestration, monitoring, 24×7 monitoring, incident and change management, and cloud optimization, among many others.


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- Expected program value, including options, of approximately US$200 million over next eight years
- CAE to build company-owned and operated training center at Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama
- Turnkey training program will include academic, simulator, and live flying training on both U.S. Army and CAE-owned aircraft
CAE today announced that CAE USA has been awarded a United States Army contract to provide comprehensive initial and recurrent training for more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing pilots annually. Under terms of the contract, which was awarded as a firm-fixed-price contract for over US$29 million for the base period and six one-year options through September 30, 2023, CAE USA will provide turnkey training services at a new company-owned, company-operated training center to be built at Dothan Regional Airport in Alabama, close to the U.S. Army's Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) at Fort Rucker.
The total value of the contract over the next eight years is expected to be approximately US$200 million.
The Army Fixed-Wing training program is responsible for providing all the training required for experienced Army rotary wing aviators transitioning to fly the Army's fleet of more than 350 fixed-wing aircraft. The Army and CAE will also be implementing a new initial-entry fixed-wing (IEFW) training program so that entry-level Army students can begin their career track to fixed-wing aircraft much sooner. The Army Fixed-Wing training program also serves as the formal training unit for Army C-12/RC-12 King Air recurrent training, as well as providing annual training to U.S. Air Force C-12 King Air pilots.
"We are honoured and proud that the U.S. Army has selected CAE as its training systems integration partner of choice for fixed-wing training," said Gene Colabatistto, Group President, Defense & Security, CAE. "We will be bringing together live, virtual and constructive training by providing the U.S. Army with a modern and flexible training program that will help ensure safe, high-quality training for Army fixed-wing aviators. This is another great example of CAE leveraging its training systems integration expertise to provide a comprehensive, turnkey training solution."
CAE will begin construction immediately on a new training center at Dothan Regional Airport featuring state-of-the-art classrooms; training system integrated learning environment and other modern facilities. CAE is leveraging existing designs and is currently manufacturing a suite of training devices, including two CAE 7000XR Series C-12 King Air full-flight simulators (FFSs) and two reconfigurable CAE Simfinity C-12 King Air integrated procedures trainers (IPTs). In addition, CAE will be developing two other CAE 7000XR Series FFSs, referred to as motherships, featuring CAE's revolutionary roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cockpit design, which will enable cockpits representing various aircraft types to be used in the full-flight simulator. CAE will develop four RORO cockpits representing various configurations of the C-12 King Air aircraft used by the Army and U.S. Air Force. When two of the cockpits are installed on the full-flight simulator mothership, the other two can be connected to a docking station and be used as Level 6-equivalent flight training devices.
The comprehensive Army Fixed-Wing training program will also feature live-flying training provided by CAE. The transition of Army rotary-wing aviators and training of Army initial-entry fixed-wing students will use six new Grob G120TP aircraft that will be acquired by CAE. In addition, CAE will design and manufacture two Grob G120 TP flight training devices and a suite of desktop trainers and courseware to support the training program. A fleet of 10 C-12U King Air aircraft owned and maintained by the U.S. Army will also be operated by CAE instructors to deliver live flying C-12 King Air training.
"The Army Fixed-Wing training program we are developing will be a truly world-class military training program that balances ground-based training with live flying," said Ray Duquette, President and General Manager, CAE USA. "We will be leveraging our latest training capabilities, such as upset recovery training and CAE Flightscape brief/debrief systems, to deliver scenario-based training specific to the Army's fixed-wing requirements. This will also enable us to grow our offering of providing a comprehensive, military-specific ab-initio training program that other U.S. government agencies as well as international militaries will be able to use."
About CAE
CAE is a global leader in the delivery of training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets. We design and integrate the industry's most comprehensive training solutions, anchored by the knowledge and expertise of our 8,000 employees, our world-leading simulation technologies and a track record of service and technology innovation spanning seven decades. Our global presence is the broadest in the industry, with 160 sites and training locations in 35 countries, including our joint venture operations, and the world's largest installed base of flight simulators. Each year, we train more than 120,000 civil and defense crewmembers, as well as thousands of healthcare professionals. www.cae.com
Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc
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CAE contacts:
Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications,
+1-514-340-5536, [email protected]
Trade media:
Chris Stellwag, Director, Marketing Communications - Defence and Security,
+1-813-887-1242, [email protected]
Investor relations:
Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Strategy and Investor Relations,
+1-514-734-5760, [email protected]


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Ontario, CA -- Huck Finn Jubilee, California's jam and bluegrass festival, will sport three days of music this Father's Day weekend, showcasing some of the top names in the industry including The String Cheese Incident, The Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent, Sam Bush, The Gibson Brothers and the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley, who will make his final West Coast performance at Huck Finn as a part of his farewell tour.
Nashville, TN -- Rhonda Vincent and Daryle Singletary are set to present "An Evening of Traditional Country Music" on June 5th at the Nashville Palace (2611 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214). Saddle up, because this is one ride that you won't want to miss! The show will begin at 8:00pm, so make sure you're not late! Tickets are just $20, and are available at the door, or you can buy them right now at NashvillePalace.Net.
Ontario, CA -- Huck Finn Jubilee, the West Coast's ultimate jam and bluegrass festival, has released a schedule of events jam-packed with three days of top headliner performers, workshops and activities this Father's Day weekend. This year's music lineup includes some of the biggest names in the industry, including The String Cheese Incident (Friday and Saturday nights), The Del McCoury Band (Friday), Rhonda Vincent (Friday), Sam Bush (Friday), Keller Williams with the Travelin' McCourys (Saturday), Dailey & Vincent (Sunday), Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (Sunday), and the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley (Saturday), who will make his final West Coast performance at Huck Finn as a part of his farewell tour.
Sam Bush
This Wednesday March 12th, at Music City Roots - Live from Loveless Cafe Barn, the featured artists will include Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Wild Ponies, Cabinet, Don duprie and Teea Goans. The program is hosted by Jim Lauderdale. The last time Rhonda Vincent played Roots, it was on her run of duo shows with the mighty-voiced legend Gene Watson. It was great. Soaring and blue. Deeply country. But it did leave me craving a set of her audaciously clear and powerful bluegrass music. She is, after all, a seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year and one of the most beloved artists in the world of classic bluegrass. But this Wednesday, after years of waiting, we'll feature Rhonda and her band The Rage amid a diverse night at Roots. The season is winding down, but there's nothing wound down about Vincent's approach to roots music.
Nashville, TN -- Country's Family Reunion (the DVD/Television series that brings America's most-treasured artists together to reunite and reminisce) will premiere episodes of its latest offering "Country's Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass" beginning Friday, March 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on RFD-TV and FamilyNet. Hosted by Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Anderson and 14-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs, this reunion features a cross-section of award-winning and legendary Bluegrass artists, from "finger-pickers," to "purists," to "New-Grass" contemporaries.
Nashville, TN -- Queen of Bluegrass Rhonda Vincent holds #1 chart position for 2nd week. The Billboard Bluegrass Chart is based solely on actual sales reported through Sound Scan, and is the only realistic representation of the sale of bluegrass CDs.
Nashville, TN -- Rhonda Vincent's new album, Only Me, debuts at #1 on Billboard Bluegrass Album chart, ending a 4-month reign by Alan Jackson. In addition, the critically acclaimed album, debuts on four other Billboard charts including: #10 Heatseekers, #36 Top Current Country Albums, #55 Top Country Albums, #60 Indie Albums. "The New Queen of Bluegrass" as dubbed by the Wall Street Journal now takes her throne at the top of the weekly chart!
Nashville, TN -- Rhonda Vincent - the fiery vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter dubbed "the new queen of bluegrass" by the Wall Street Journal - is set to release her new two-disc album Only Me on January 28, 2014. In addition to receiving an unprecedented seven consecutive "Female Vocalist of the Year" awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), being named IBMA's 2001 "Entertainer of the Year," and being the co-author of the 2004 IBMA "Song of the Year," Vincent was nominated for a 2006 Grammy® award for "Best Bluegrass Album" for Ragin' Live, as well as a double nomination in 2007 for "Best Bluegrass Album" for All American Bluegrass Girl, along with "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" for Midnight Angel featuring Bobby Osborne.
Nashville, TN -- Rhonda Vincent – the fiery vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter dubbed "the new queen of bluegrass" by the Wall Street Journal – is set to release her new two-disc album Only Me on January 28, 2014. In addition to receiving an unprecedented seven consecutive "Female Vocalist of the Year" awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), being named IBMA's 2001 "Entertainer of the Year," and being the co-author of the 2004 IBMA "Song of the Year," Vincent was nominated for a 2006 Grammy® award for "Best Bluegrass Album" for Ragin' Live, as well as a double nomination in 2007 for "Best Bluegrass Album" for All American Bluegrass Girl, along with "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" for Midnight Angel featuring Bobby Osborne.
If there was ever any doubt about the ties between Bluegrass and Country music, Only Me, the latest Rhonda Vincent project, shows that there are bonds and they are real bonds. The dual album - Bluegrass and Country showcases Vincent's comfort level in both domains. Vincent's early career was in Country music and her migration to Bluegrass was a natural for the mandolin-vocalist. This album ties her early Country roots to her current Bluegrass stardom as the Queen of Bluegrass.
Nashville, TN -- Five-time Grammy nominee Rhonda Vincent, the New Queen of Bluegrass as deemed by the Wall Street Journal, is clearing the lane for her upcoming 2-Disc combination release that includes six-songs each of Bluegrass and Country. The project, appropriately titled Only Me, serves as a reminder why Rhonda Vincent & The Rage is the most awarded band in bluegrass music. Only Me will be released on Upper Management Music, and available where all music is sold on January 28, 2014.
Nashville, TN -- In a recent Huffington Post poll, the "new queen of bluegrass" as named by the Wall Street Journal, Rhonda Vincent joins some of the biggest names in music for having the "Best Album" of all-time with the "Worst Album Art." Ranked at number three in their list was A Dream Come True.
Franklin, TN -- The brand new single, "More Life," from 2013 Emerging Artist of the Year nominee Darrell Webb and Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent, was released yesterday. Webb's upcoming 2014 release features an all-star lineup of some of the industry's biggest names including Vincent, Blue Highway, Daily & Vincent, The Grascals, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Lonesome River Band and Wild Fire and produced by ground-breaking musician and bluegrass producer Jim VanCleve, from Mountain Heart fame.
Rhonda Vincent was chosen by Best-Selling Author Nancy B. Brewer to create a companion CD for her newest book The House with the Red Light. The CD is a unique concept of 6 original songs penned by Nancy B. Brewer & Rhonda Vincent, and combined with 6 hymns that follow the story of the book.
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In the UK, sports lighting is a necessity due to the vast number of people who wish to participate in sport both indoor and outdoors. Sports halls and outdoor sports pitches all require the right level of lighting to provide participants with the best chance to play to the best of their abilities.
For indoor applications, a full range of sports hall lighting products are available to suit the needs of virtually all indoor sports. These are premium units, all British made fittings of the highest quality. They utilise PLL and T5 technology to remain as energy efficient as possible.
Low glare and good quality of light distribution is vital and this was one of the main considerations when the designs of these fittings were drawn up. Many units were developed with the sports council to ensure the fitting provides the highest quality of light and the best colour rendering is achieved as is possible.
Where the height of the ceiling is a problem, using a shallow bodied fitting will ensure that the fitting will not get in the way of any balls/shuttlecocks and not spoil the games being played. Some fittings will also allow uplighting too, adding extra light to the room. The various control gear in these fittings allows numerous levels of lighting, allowing the light to be adapted to the game being played. Steel grills are also present to prevent smashing of the tubes should the fitting be hit by a ball.
For outdoor sports lighting purposes, metal halide sports floodlights are ideal, producing a crisp source of light to enable games and sports to be played at night. These range from 250 watts up to 2000 watts depending on the size of the pitch which needs to be illuminated.
For training matches and for areas where fixed lighting is not required or not feasible, the portable NightSearcher Megastar is ideal for frequent usage in this area. Six of these fittings would cover the size of a standard football/sports pitch (60x40 metres) and if you are using on grass, the Megastar can be secured into the turf using the ground peg accessories. A carry case can also be purchased for the Megastar, allowing easy transportation from storage to the training pitch.
Fluorescent tubes are used in the Megastar to produce an impressive 11,600 lumen output which would be equivalent to that of a 1000 watt halogen lamp, offering both cool lighting along with glare free operation.


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Helping Hands Soldering Aid
Part Number: HP-SOLDERAID
The Hyperion Helping Hands Soldering Aid is perfect for hobbyists, electricians and everyday users while painting or soldering and working with small parts. The 5 clips are on bendable arms and therefore can be adjusted to any angle you desire.
- 5 Alligator clips on bendable arms
- Handy magnetic base


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http://sr7a.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/sr7a_logo_2018.png 0 0 admin http://sr7a.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/sr7a_logo_2018.png admin2016-04-14 14:20:412016-04-14 14:20:41Southern Region Chief to attend Conclave 2016 at Camp Powhatan
Southern Region Chief to attend Conclave 2016 at Camp Powhatan
Joining National Chief Hunter Jones at Conclave will be Southern Region Chief Jeff Sedlacek! Jeff is from the Old Hickory Council in Winston-Salem, NC. He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of Wahissa Lodge. He has served previously as the section chief of SR-7B and twice as lodge vice chief, once for activities and once for program. He is a recipient of the Founder's Award. Jeff attends Surry Community College where he wants to major in political science or public administration. In his free time, Jeff enjoys playing disc golf, backpacking, and camping.


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Maybe this is why we're threatened with a lying, white-male solipsist as a Supreme?
I wonder how 2 percent more got the "checks and balances" right than could name the branches of government? Oh well...
Only 59 percent of Florida adults surveyed by Harris Interactive for the Florida Bar could name the three branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial). Other popular answers included local, state and federal (18 percent), and republican, democrat and independent (16 percent).
Questions about the meaning of the terms "separation of powers" and "checks and balances" also yielded low percentages of correct answers, 46 percent and 61 percent, respectively, the Bar said. Yahoo.
Civic ignorance certainly isn't confined to Florida. Most people are not engaged with the Alito nomination because they either don't understand what the Supreme Court does or they fear that they'll feel stupid if they try to understand what the nomination means. The one certain thing most folks learn from schooling is to fear humiliation for not knowing the answer.
If enough people are kept ignorant or choose to rest in ignorance, democracy is impossible. Obviously that is in the interests of those who already hold power.
Hat tip to Facing South.


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2018 GE GIB: Maximising Return on Innovation (ROI) in Malaysia
Innovation is the catalyst for global growth and is critical in ensuring that nations and industries continue to succeed. With insights from 80 innovation business executives across the country, it is evident that Malaysia is a leading player when it comes to measuring return on innovation.
Discover more about the findings in the infographic below or click here for the full country report.


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I can't make my regular class. Can I attend a different one this week?
Yes, in fact we encourage you to try different groups. We request that you fill in the class cancellation form located on the website and in the pinned post of the tribe groups to let the coaches know which class you will be attending for them to prepare.
Do I need to let you know if I can't make class?
We request that you fill in the class cancellation form located on the website and in the pinned post of the tribe groups to let the coaches know which class you will be attending for them to prepare.
How can I catch up?
Keep an eye out in the tribe group for the catch up audios/vids to ensure you don't miss any content. Please note that you will only be able to take assessments if your attendance is high- if you missed class but submitted your work via the catch up, that still counts as ATTENDED. To practice your scripts/improv with other actors, you may join in on our virtual classes (see tribe group for details of the next one).
I have a friend who wants to join.
Great! Please send us their contact details and we will contact them. Thank you so much for the recommendation. If they join, we'll give you a choice of a hoodie, a t.shirt or a 1:1 coaching session!
Why are some people progressing faster than me?
You will get out what you put in. There is work that you can be doing with our support every single day- if you only come to class and forget about it for the rest of the week, you will not progress as quick. If you feel others are getting more help than you, it may be that they are on a different membership that includes more- if you would like to talk about upgrading, please e-mail email@example.com.
I feel like I need more of a challenge.
Great, you may be ready for the mastermind program. Please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
I can't log in.
Please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com and we will help you find the problem.
I'm lost with where to go on the site.
The best place to start, is by making your way through The Launchpad program which will guide you through everything you need to know to launch your acting career in a way that is easy to follow.
What do I do with my tasks from the online program?
Please post in the group with #yourname #title or if you don't feel comfortable, e-mail it to email@example.com
I sent a message over social media but didn't get a reply.
We ask that you please e-mail through the correct channels, or use the groups for support or if you have any questions. Due to volume we are unable to guarantee a response over PM.
I've been trying to call but couldn't get through.
Please check you have the correct phone number 0330 838 2559. This number is manned 24/7, but we have recently changed our number. If you can't get through, the likelihood is that you are using the old number.
I've e-mailed and didn't get a reply.
We aim to respond to all e-mails within 48 hours Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Any e-mails sent on a weekend will be responded to on the Monday. We do respond to every single e-mail from the tribe, if you haven't received a reply, please can you send again as it's likely it was not received.
How can I contact a specific person?
If you have a question that only a specific person can answer, please use the group or if personal, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com using the subject line FAO (the person you would like your question to be directed to). Please do not contact acting coaches directly outside of class.
I am struggling. What can I do?
You can post in the group for support from the tribe- we do however ask that if you post in the group, you follow the following formula:
1. What is the problem?
2. What are the positives you can take away from it?
3. What change in actions are you going to make as a result?
The reason for this is because:
A. We want the energy in the group to remain high. We aim for everybody who enters the group to feel lifted, motivated and inspired.
B. We want you to get into the habit of trying to work things out on your own first, to build your confidence and to help you to become empowered.
With anything personal, or anything that involves another tribe member please contact support@northernstaracting.
Why do we all have to be on the Stripe system?
This is due to a large number of overdue and non payments costing us a lot of time that could be used producing valuable content for you, and money which could be used to produce more films.
Can I pay by cash, cheque or bank transfer?
No, we only take payments over Stripe. If you owe back payments, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com to arrange payment.
I'm having trouble paying.
E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com to discuss your options. If you owe money, you will not be permitted to attend classes until you are up to date.
My payments weren't taken but I have money in my account!
Please remember that payments go from your card not directly from your account. If you have money in your account and it hasn't been taken, please check that your card is still in date and remember to inform us if you need to change your card at any point.
Two payments were taken this week!
If you have insufficient funds when your payment is due, our system will automatically keep trying until there are funds available. This means that if you were owing from a previous payment, two payments may well be taken close together.
How can I cancel?
If you would like to cancel your membership, please e-mail email@example.com with 4 weeks notice.
Please note, that if you leave and then come back, you will be on the new membership which may include a price change and joining fee. You will also need to re-apply for entry.
I'm not going to be able to make classes for a while. Can I put my membership on hold?
No, we do not put memberships on hold but don't worry- you can still take the time off you need you'll be able to catch up with everything you have missed, in your own time when you come back. You will not need to miss any content as we have so many options for you to catch up.
I only came to x classes last month, but I've still been charged for the full month.
There are no refunds for missed classes- please see agreement.
How can I get on the agency?
We are in association with Clic agency. Clic is run by Helen Pritchard who, in her 20+ years of experience as an agent, has a wealth of knowledge and lots of contacts in the industry.
To join the agency and go forward for professional work, you must:
- Have good quality professional headshots.
- Be on Spotlight.
We recommend that you also have a showreel, to hugely increase your chances of being called for auditions.
To apply, e-mail email@example.com and include the following;
- Who you are.
- That you are from NSA.
- That you would like to apply for the agency.
- What credits/experience you have.
- Your Spotlight link.
- Inclusion of headshots and showreel (if you have one).
- A self tape of your chosen monologue, uploaded to You Tube with an unlisted link.
If your application is not accepted the first time, contact us for advice on what you need to work on, and then try again.
Should I still be applying for my own roles?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
Apply for all suitable roles that you have access to. don't worry about double submissions as the roles we get in are different to the ones you are able to apply for yourself.
I'm not getting much work.
Being on the agency does not mean you will suddenly receive offers. Please remember that you are new actors going for the same roles as established and even named actors.
To maximise your chances:
Check your marketing materials are up to date and professional. We can submit you for roles but it's your responsibility to make sure that you are seen in the best possible light.
If you don't have a showreel, it will be harder for you to be seen. We would strongly advise you invest in a showreel and high quality marketing materials. E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com if you would like information on what we offer in the way of marketing materials.
Parents of Child Actors
I don't know anything about the industry.
Work your way through the Monsters Launchpad program along with your child, and this will take you step by step through everything you need to know.
What about school if they are booked for a role?
As long as the school agrees (and they normally do unless attendance is poor) the production company will be able to apply for a child licence which will grant them permission to take time of school to work.
How do I get a child license?
Licenses are now only granted on a 'per job' basis. If they are offered a role which requires licensing, we will arrange this on your behalf. We do ask that you are prompt with responses to any questions we may have as more often than not, it's a race against time to get the license ready and a delay of one day could be the difference between it being granted and not.
How can I best support them?
Allow them freedom and independence to make they own choices and to take responsibility for their own careers as soon as they are mature enough- but please monitor everything they do until they are 18 years old for safety reasons.
Let them know that you believe in them and don't lose faith if things don't happen as quick as you would like, or if they don't pick things up as fast as you think they should. Allow them to develop at their own pace.
Encourage them to practice regularly. You can even read in for the other characters!
Talk to them about their future and what they want out of acting.
Motivate them and encourage them on days where they don't feel like it. Becoming a professional actor takes dedication and commitment.
Let them know that knock backs don't matter, that they are all part of the process and celebrate every small win.
Go through the online content with them and take an interest in what they are working on.
I've been contacted about a role. Should I accept?
It depends on the role, the details and the production company. Always do your research on the company, always ask to see the script in advance, always make sure all details are clear and trust your instinct. Please feel free to send anything you are not sure of to email@example.com for advice.
What can I get involved in outside of regular classes?
Keep an eye out for details of any filming we do- castings for our professional films first go out in the tribe group.
There are always project going on within the tribe too with our actors collaborating to create their own work. I advise you post in the group to see if there's anything you can get involved in.
There are also regular workshops with casting directors and established actors, and Actor's Bootcamps in Portugal and Hollywood. If you would like further information on either of those, please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.


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We used to call IoC "Emergent Behavior". The system isn't designed from top-down to fill specific use cases. Instead, the system is designed so that the interaction of various objects will fill the use cases. Overall control does not reside in one place.
An Agile project is the same phenomenon. We're not going to plan the entire effort. Instead, we're going to do some things that -- in the long run -- will lead to more useful software.
Agile Question 1
"Why focus on a few use cases up front? If we do that, then new requirements will arrive as we develop, leading to endless rework. Why can't we enumerate all use cases now?"
Right and Wrong. Right: we will do endless rework. Wrong: we will deliver something that works before starting the rework cycle.
For some reason, focus on a use case is really hard. Some people feel that they can't build "just enough" software, but must completely understand every nuance before they can do anything.
I think this is a paralyzing fear of failure, coupled with bad experiences from management that equated all rework with failure.
The Agile approach of "build something now" is trumped by their personal failure/rework issues, leading to bizarre designs that include lots of things that aren't in the use case under construction. It leads to lots of "why are you doing this?" conversations with lots of "it might be needed in the future."
It isn't needed now. Let it go. Merely having thought of it, and leaving a stub in the design, is enough for now. When faced with "attribute vs. property vs. method" questions, those future considerations can help steer you to one or the other. But don't give in to designing and building the future. Just leave space for it.
An Agile approach is about an emergent behavior. It's built from the edges in. There's an inversion of control here.
Agile Question 2
"Can't you just add a button that says X? You're supposed to be Agile, why can't you just add this button to the page?"
First, we're not done with what you asked for two weeks ago. Until that's done and approved, we're not on speaking terms.
But, more importantly, "adding a button" isn't part of any existing use case. You're not changing priorities with this request, you're making stuff up.
Making stuff up isn't bad, per se. Making up a random piece of behavior, with no actor, no goal, and no business value is bad. Who will click that button? What will the business purpose be? What result will help that person make a decision and take action?
"It's just to show a customer." Good start. What's the customer's role? What do they do? Are we showing the customer's sales folks how they use this application? Are we showing the customer's finance folks how they use this application? Are we showing the operational folks? Are we showing the underwriting folks? In short, "who's the actor?"
An Agile approach is about building software someone can use. Without a use case, we're just building software haphazardly. A use case isn't an elaborate document, it's just an actor with a goal who interacts with the system to create something of value. Four simple clauses.
From the use case, we can work out an implementation. There is no "inversion of control" when moving from requirements to design. The requirements do not emerge from the design.


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StudentsFirstNY has thrown lots of its weight behind
The Wall Street Journal reports that StudentsFirstNY has teamed up with the high-rolling Real Estate Board of NY, because children really want a more robust, free-wheeling and profitable real estate market. They have also hired Bradley Tusk ("Mayor Bloomberg's Secret Weapon") whose profession seems to be exerting power and making money. Because children want to be secure in the knowledge that hedge fund guys can afford as many nice cars as they want.
DeBlasio's office is aware.
A spokesman for Mr. de Blasio's campaign said: "When Bradley Tusk says he wants to team up with hedge funds and real-estate developers to defeat Democrats and stop progressive ideas, believe him."
Meanwhile, WSJ reports that Democrats shooting for the state capital prefer that DeBlasio just go sit quietly in the corner. I'm sure none of this has to do with New York Governor (theoretically not the mayor) Andrew Cuomo (theoretically a Democrat, but the evidence is pretty thin). In the meantime, StudentsFirstNY appears to be dropping all pretense of being even sort of concerned about actual education issues, but is simply one more batch of folks with big bank accounts trying to game the NY political system so that they can get even more money and power.
Trying to work this stuff out by paying attention to actual party labels is rather a challenge these days. I would love to see someone make sense of it. Not for me, mind you. It's just that the children are asking.


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Since 2005, the Office of the Indiana Attorney General has represented state and appellate court judges in 118 federal cases. Most of those were allegations of deprivation of rights often brought by pro se litigants and were usually dismissed.
However, two judges and a magistrate judge in Dearborn County appear headed to trial in federal court on a discrimination claim arising from their decision not to provide a sign language interpreter for a courtroom spectator.
"I think this case is really important in all respects," said the plaintiffs' attorney Mary Vargas, attorney at Stein & Vargas LLP in Maryland. "This case is about access to the court. Everybody has a fundamental right to full and equal access."
The plaintiffs, Steven Prakel and his mother, Carolyn Prakel, allege the state and county courts violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by denying Steven Prakel, who is deaf, a sign language interpreter while he observed his mother's probation revocation hearings.
They named as defendants in their complaint the state of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration, the chief justice and three county judges. In a ruling issued March 30, Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana dismissed the claims against the state defendants.
But Barker did leave for a jury to decide whether the remaining defendants – Dearborn Circuit Judge James Humphrey, Magistrate Judge Kimberly Schmaltz and Superior Judge Jonathan Cleary – exhibited deliberate indifference to Steven Prakel's requests for someone to sign the court proceedings involving his mother.
Bryan Corbin, spokesman for the Indiana attorney general's office, said the question of whether the Dearborn County judges "discriminated against" Steven Prakel will be determined in later legal proceedings.
In April 2012, the Prakels filed their initial complaint, Steven Prakel and Carolyn Prakel v. State of Indiana, et al., 4:12-CV-00045. Prior to Barker's ruling, the parties had been in settlement conferences but were not able to reach an agreement. Vargas declined to discuss the talks, but both she and her co-counsel, Matthew Lorch, said the next step will be a trial.
The Prakels are also being represented by the National Association of the Deaf.
Two-pronged test
The Dearborn County defendants argued they were protected from the discrimination suit because of judicial immunity and immunity under the 11th Amendment.
Barker rejected both those arguments. She found judicial immunity is meant to cover personal defenses so the protection did not apply in this dispute because the court officers were acting in their official capacity.
As for the 11th Amendment, the defendants reiterated their earlier contention that Steven Prakel as a spectator was not covered by Title II of the ADA and therefore his claim was barred by the amendment. Barker, pointing to Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509 (2004), held Title II as well as Indiana law provides the right to access criminal proceedings for all members of the public.
The District Court concluded the defendants failed to provide a sign language interpreter and did not present any evidence that supplying the assistance for Steven Prakel would have altered the proceedings or placed an undue burden on the county courts. Therefore, the Dearborn officials denied him the ability to participate in the state courts' services.
For Steven Prakel to recover compensatory damages, Barker noted he must prove intentional discrimination. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has not set a deliberate indifference standard so Barker applied the majority approach established in Durrell v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 729 F.3d 248, 262-64 (3rd Cir. 2013).
She found Steven Prakel passed the first prong of the indifference test by proving the Dearborn defendants knew he needed an interpreter and that not providing him one would violate his federal rights.
Barker ruled the test's second prong of whether the defendants deliberately failed in their duty to accommodate him was a question for a "reasonable jury" to decide.
Corbin said the attorney general's office does not plan to seek an interlocutory appeal of any part of Barker's ruling.
State dismissed
The Prakels' claims against the state defendants were dismissed for lack of standing. The District Court found the plaintiffs did not show a causal connection between their injuries and the state's conduct.
Moreover, Barker maintained Indiana does not have a unified court system. Even though the Indiana Supreme Court has promulgated a trial rule regarding compliance with the ADA, she held the state does not have any direct oversight over county courts. The Dearborn courts were the ones who failed to provide the interpreter.
The plaintiffs will take a closer look at that part of the ruling after trial and decide then whether to appeal, Vargas said.
Kent Hull, disability attorney with Indiana Legal Services Inc., found the dismissal to be "questionable."
He countered that Indiana does have a unified system because the rules and administrative orders issued by the state Supreme Court apply throughout Indiana's judicial system.
"Very clearly the Supreme Court of Indiana and its associated administrative office, I think, does have statewide authority," Hull said.
Separately, the plaintiffs' attorneys are expressing outrage over an affidavit submitted by the defendants that was provided by Carolyn Prakel's former defense attorney, Timothy Day. In the three-page document, Day discussed a phone conversation with Humphrey over the need for an interpreter and, according to the Prakels' lawyers, the affidavit purports to disclose confidential attorney-client communications.
Calling Day's actions "highly improper," Vargas said Day, now a Decatur Circuit judge, did not ask Carolyn Prakel's permission to reveal privileged communications.
In addition, the plaintiffs' counsel challenge the defendants' argument that Carolyn Prakel did not tell the court her son needed an interpreter. She maintains that she repeatedly requested her attorney ask the court to provide the sign language assistance but Day instructed her not to speak in the courtroom unless specifically directed to do so.
Getting access
Overall, Hull characterized Barker's ruling as going against the tide.
Since the ADA was passed in 1990, opinions from the Supreme Court of the United States have cut back on the law's reach by making it difficult to establish that a plaintiff is disabled, Hull said. In response to what Congress saw as the courts wrongly interpreting the law, Capitol Hill overwhelmingly passed an amendment to clarify the ADA in 2008.
But the court decisions made after the amendment have been mixed, Hull said, which indicates the federal courts still have not gotten Congress' message.
"Frankly, I don't think a lot of judges take the ADA seriously," Hull said.
Here, Barker applied the disabilities law and found the plaintiffs have the right to sue. This case is now going to trial, Hull said, and that is important.
Barker did not allow the plaintiffs' request for declaratory relief since that was not part of the original complaint. She agreed with the defendants that expanding the scope to require all state courts provide services for all deaf spectators would fundamentally change the litigation.
Deciding to file a complaint against the judges was a difficult decision for the Prakels, Vargas said. The plaintiffs have the "upmost respect" for the judicial system and part of that respect is making sure the courts are accessible.
"The goal of all of this is to gain access to the courts," Vargas said. "My hope is certainly that after reading the decision from Judge Barker, the courts in Indiana will take to heart their obligation to provide access."•


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When using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to facilitate wound healing, podiatrists may opt to use a new foam dressing kit.
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The company says the PHI™ technology uses natural cations such as potassium, zinc, calcium and rubidium in order to encourage healing in stalled wounds. 3M maintains the resulting moist wound environment is not harmful to the skin and will not affect tissue integrity or cause maceration.
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Santé Active says the Protective Barrier Cream was specially designed to keep feet soft while preventing blisters. The company notes the Exfoliating Cream breaks down calluses and exfoliates the dead skin on feet. The Intense Hydrating Cream was designed to moisturize dry and cracked feet, according to the company.
The company says the three-piece set will be effective in healing damaged and dry feet.
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Alpha Orthotics recently released Bunion Aid™, a splint which offers pain relief and correction of "mild to moderate malpositioning of the big toe."
The company notes that Bunion Aid is made of a medical-grade plastic splint and Velcro-fastening metatarsal and toe straps. Alpha Orthotics says the product facilitates three-point correction of a bunion deformity "throughout the gait cycle" and promotes optimal stabilization of the metatarsal arch.
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Today was a real farmer's field day! We got up early in the morning and met with the President of YMCA Nicaragua, Marvin Granera S. and the other Marvin with family name Prado, member of the National Board.
Marvin Granera, the President
Together with Carlos we took off to the countryside to visit two faraway programmes, located in one of the poorest districts of Nicaragua. People are living in extreme poverty.
The first programme is called Feed the Next Generation, and is about food security and development of an agricultural community. After a long drive over very poor roads we arrived at the local school centre where we met 20 young people and their project leaders from the YMCA.
We sat down to listen to their stories, and that became a fascinating session. The majority of them were farmers nearby, and they had learnt a number of new and modern methodologies to avoid chemical fertilizers, to increase effectiveness in their work and to increase production and quality of their products.
This was not all. They have had education in sexual health issues, training in business administration and childcare and environmental friendly practices like three planting and soil improvement.
I was deeply impressed with their testimonies, they radiated faith in the project, ownership to the project and a deep commitment to change and to the fellowship amongst themselves. After a couple of years as beneficiaries they became co- teachers themselves, bringing the education and new knowledge further on to neighbors and friends. Several of them were participants in Bible study groups included in the project.
It was a really holistic approach to the local challenges, the project was fully developed inside Nicaragua by Carlos and his staff team and volunteers, and it was obvious to us that the project was meeting local needs in a way everybody could understand and identify with. The funding for this 4-years project came from Y-Care International and the big lottery in UK.
Also included in the project was drilling for clean water for consumption, to help the women who normally would have to walk long distances every day to find water. Now they were given access to clean water in wells close to where they lived. The wells were regulated by local committees and had strong rules for maintenance and hygiene.
Sergei, the Project leader and Marvin 2
We left the project to visit the next agricultural programme, called Banco de Tierra, the Land Bank programme. To illustrate the programme, we visited a nice family on their farm. Six years ago this family was included as participants in the programme. That meant that they were given a piece of land to develop.
Within ten years they would have to pay for the land. For this money new land would be bought and new members would be included. At the same time the project included a pilot farm for experimental farming, a place for the participants in the project to study and learn new methodologies and then to practice such new knowledge on their own farms.
The family we visited, had managed to pay back after only six years and they had built their own home on the land and three children were growing up amongst corn fields, bananas, water melons, tomatoes, green pepper, coffee and fruits of all kinds. We walked around the whole farm with a very proud farmer.
At the end of the day we had walked through and around three farms in very high temperatures and humidity, and felt well educated, enlightened and extremely sweaty and exhausted! But the feelings of being deeply impressed were the strongest. This was so relevant and so successful development approaches to extreme poverty, and it was all inside the YMCA.
Marvin and Marvin and Carlos and Ingunn and Romulo and Nathanael, the agricultural technician of 22 years of age, were all sitting together on Nathanael's terrace on the YMCA farm and debriefed and evaluated the day's impressions and experiences.
This is a story that needs to be told and shared widely. The water wells drilled and constructed by the YMCA engineers reminded me of East Jerusalem YMCA and Palestinian well drilling in the desert to help beduins to stay where they belong, and the farm reminded me of the YMCA farm outside Medellin in Colombia.
We just need to collect these brilliant examples of Youth Empowerment in rural settings and share them widely and make them part of our world wide image.
It is with the last left overs of energy that I write this blogpost to get the message out while it is fresh from today, sleep is overtaking all of us, and tomorrow we have an early flight to Costa Rica. Good night!


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Tagged: poverty
The Poverty and Social Exclusion UK Survey 2012: first results
The first results have just been published from the largest survey ever undertaken of poverty and social exclusion in the UK – the PSE-UK survey. They make for shocking reading – or viewing for those who saw the ITV documentary 'Tonight: Breadline Britain'.
Unlike most Government statistics on poverty which use a measure of income, this approach measures people's actual living standards directly. And unlike the Government statistics, the survey uses a consensual or democratic approach to defining minimum standards or the 'poverty line'.
The PSE-UK study uses two surveys. The first survey measures public opinion on which items people think that everyone should have and which activities they think everyone should be able to afford to do – the 'necessities'. Separate lists cover adults and children. For adults, for example, the majority of the population thinks that necessities include a damp-free home and two meals a day. For children, the majority thinks that necessities include three meals a day and a holiday away from home for one week a year.
The survey shows that one effect of the recession has been to make people slightly less generous in their views about the minimum standard. Some items which had been regarded as necessities in the 1999 survey were no longer regarded as such in 2012. In other words, the public see poverty in 'relative' terms – their sense of the minimum standard rising and falling with living standards in general.
The second survey examines living standards, and identifies how many people are unable to afford each necessity due to lack of money. One striking feature of the minimum standard which the public defines in this survey is how far above current levels of welfare benefits or minimum wages it is. For Scotland, for example:
- Over 1-in-5 people (21%) suffers from a damp, inadequately heated or poorly decorated home. The majority of Scots (over 50%) think that everyone no one should have to suffer any of these things.
- The great majority of Scots (over 75%) think that all children should have: three meals a day; fresh fruit and vegetables daily; and meat/fish or vegetarian equivalent every day. 3% of Scottish families contain children who lack at least one food item.
- 1-in-12 working-age adults cannot afford appropriate clothes for a job interview (8%). Among unemployed adults, the figure is more than 2-in-5 (41%).
For Britain as a whole, we can also compare the results for 2012 with those for similar surveys in 1983, 1990, and 1999. These show that the situation today is worse than it has been for the past thirty years. In 1983, 14% of the British population suffered from multiple deprivation by the standards set by the public. Today, it is 33%.
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (Grant RES-060-25-0052), the project involves teams from the Universities of Bristol, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, Queens Belfast and York, as well as the Open University. For more details, please visit the project website (www.poverty.ac.uk).
Nick Bailey is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Glasgow. He is also a member of the Board of the Poverty Alliance. he can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com .
Time to Raise our Game to End Poverty
Guest blog post by Milind Kolhatkar – Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations' Council.
Over two days last week I was privileged to join hundreds of people keen to tackle poverty at The Poverty Alliance's third Poverty Assembly. Details – and plenty of multimedia – via YouTube and at PovertyAlliance.org and via #PovertyAssembly for those of a twitterary bent.
I was heartened and encouraged by what I saw and heard through the interactions between civil society organisations, politicians, commentators and real live activists – with a slew of social media staff and volunteers active across the two days.
Heartened, yes. Encouraged, most certainly. But still, I left the two days hungry for more change, more urgently. The old Politics, the old Economics have served society poorly. Though there is a discernible desire to make positive change with people, for people, the alternatives have gained too little traction.
We hear talk of the new consensual politics – but we see the old, oppositional tribalism.
We hear talk of the new, person-centred economy – but we see Governments – at every level – hoping to return to Business-As-Usual (and struggling Third Sector organisations vying amongst themselves to be the most Business-like!).
On day two of the #PovertyAssembly we were invited to make a pledge for the next year. I promised to speak out more strongly to End Poverty, and to Tweet more to #EndPoverty. Expect more. I hope many who were there pledged to be greedy for good, to want more, to expect better.
The time is right for an Economy that serves People, rather than People being slaves to the Economy.
The time is right for a Politics that relocate Power with the Many not the Few.
The time is right for a Society that turns its back on the destructive and divisive values of hyper-consumerism, and rather values Human Assets and the Core Economy – caring and life-enhancing, creative and joyful.
As this blog becomes our 'go to' space for action to End Poverty – for sharing, debating, encouraging and a little bit of giggling – I'll be pleased to meet you here.
Changes to the welfare system could see child poverty at the same level it was over a decade ago
CONTROVERSIAL changes to the welfare system will "wind the clock back" by more than a decade in terms of child poverty levels, a think-tank adviser has warned.
Dr Jim McCormick, Scotland adviser with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said UK Government proposals aimed at simplifying the benefits system would put the country on track to miss child poverty alleviation targets.
Dr McCormick was appearing at the first meeting of Holyrood's Welfare Reform Committee, set up to scrutinise the Welfare Reform Bill currently passing through Westminster.
The Bill will bring in a £26,000-a-year household benefits cap and set up the universal credit for benefits.
Charities, trade unions and public-sector organisations have warned the changes could lead to a rise in homelessness and child poverty, as well as have an adverse effect on disabled and vulnerable people.
Speaking during a round-table discussion at the committee, Dr McCormick said the benefits package being proposed by the UK Government would be "substantially poverty increasing".
He said figures from work carried out for the foundation by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicated that by 2020, the UK would be left with the "remarkable situation where we have the UK Government and the devolved administrations all signed up to the child poverty targets of a big reduction in child poverty, and yet we are on track to miss that target by two and half times".
"We can talk about a mitigation, long-term prevention agenda for Scotland, but the big picture here is an increase in poverty which winds the clock back to the date when this Parliament began in 1999, in terms of child poverty levels," he said.
"If nothing else changes, that's the track we are on as a result of welfare reform."
Dr McCormick was joined by representatives from other voluntary and public-sector organisations who all raised concerns about the adverse impact of the reforms.
Michael McClements, policy manager at council umbrella group Cosla, warned that services provided by local authorities would be put under increased pressure.
"Local authorities have already done some work and are looking at the impact on charging policies, and the expectation is that more people will require more services, but their ability to make payment for those services will be reduced," he said.
Dr Jim McCormick will be opening the #PovertyAssembly 2012 at 10.30am today. Remember you can join in the debate via the hashtag and by following the live video stream over at http://bit.ly/povertyassembly
Major Conference Debates New Solutions to Scottish Poverty
Leading policy-makers, commentators and charities are joining forces to explore new solutions to poverty and inequality in Scotland. With the economy flat-lining, youth unemployment increasing, fuel poverty rocketing and more and more families hit by debt and low income, there has never been a greater need for new, alternative approaches.
On the 15th and 16th of March community and voluntary groups, people experiencing poverty, policy makers and politicians will gather in Glasgow for the third annual Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty. They will debate the problems Scotland faces, and plan the practical actions that will help tackle poverty now and in the future.
Organized by the Poverty Alliance, the anti-poverty network in Scotland, the Assembly will not only to raise awareness about the reality of poverty in Scotland, but also create opportunities for genuine dialogue between communities facing poverty, and policy makers and politicians that are responsible for addressing it.
Among the issues which will be debated are:
Child poverty: is expected to increase in Scotland over the next three years, but recent figures show that half of local authorities in Scotland have wards where more than 30% of children live in low income households.
Welfare reform: the new system is expected to take £500million out of the pockets of disabled people in Scotland every year from 2013. What are the alternatives to further benefit cuts and increased compulsion in the system?
Alternative economic models: Income inequality has continued to increase in Scotland, and despite high unemployment we still work some of the longest hours in Europe. How do we get a better balance between economic growth and economic fairness?
Fuel poverty: Price increases could push another 170,000 Scottish households into fuel poverty, taking the total to near 1 million. What more can we do to address the problem both locally and nationally?
Sustainable communities: Many communities in Scotland have been blighted by lack of investment and lack of jobs resulting in decline. How do we create socially and economically sustainable communities?
Alongside community representatives from across Scotland there will be a wide range of speakers including Owen Jones, the author of 'Chavs', Philip Blond, one of the key thinkers behind the Big Society, Anna Coote Head of Social Policy at the New Economics Foundation, and Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland and Ghazala Hakeem a community activist with the Poverty Truth Commission.
On the second day the Assembly will hear contributions from a range of local and national politicians including Michael Matheson MSP, the Scottish Minister for Public Health.
Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance, said: "Whether it is bankers' bonuses, rising fuel bills, or cuts to public services, there is widespread discontent with the direction our society is moving."
"Behind the headlines about bonuses or so-called 'welfare cheats' the fact is that inequality and poverty will increase in Scotland over the next few years. This Assembly is an opportunity for all those concerned, including those with direct experience, to come together to find practical alternatives to the policies that are currently failing us."
Philip Blond, Director of the think-tank Respublica, and author of Red Tory said: "We desperately need to rethink our approaches to poverty, spending billions on small payments to supplement income has not moved anyone out of poverty, we need to focus on assets, culture and education if we are really to save the poor from their lot."
Anna Coote, Head of Social Policy at the New Economic Foundation, said: "It is time to transform our welfare system from one based on a scarcity of economic resources to one based on an abundance of human resources. "We can do this by tapping into the wealth of human assets that are embedded in everyday lives and relationships. But it will only work if everyone is able to participate and contribute on equal terms."
Owen Jones, author and journalist, added: "Austerity threatens to plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty and hardship. If the welfare bill is to be reduced, rather than kicking people at the bottom, the focus must be on tackling a three-fold crisis: housing, jobs, and low wages."
Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: "Oxfam fights poverty around the world and on our doorstep. There is no excuse for poverty in Scotland. The country is richer than ever before, but inequality is increasing. That shows that our economy isn't working. We need to create a new economy together that promotes fairness and equal opportunities, and one that meets people's real priorities."
"Part of that is about giving communities real power to make change. Part of it is about helping businesses create real work. And a big part of it is about making sure social support like state benefits are easily-accessible and at a level that gives the most vulnerable people in our society real protection."
Ghazala Hakeem from the Poverty Truth Commission said: "The Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty is a real opportunity to challenge the acceptance of poverty that seems to exist in our society. It is also a chance for those directly affected by poverty to have their voices heard, which must be the basis for real change."
Michael Matheson MSP, Minister for Public Health – #PovertyAssembly 2012 confirmed closing speaker
We're pleased to announce that Michael Matheson MSP will be make the closing ministerial address at the 3rd Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty 2012.
Michael was elected as the MSP for Falkirk West following the May 2007 elections. Previous to that he was a Regional MSP for Central Scotland from 1999-2007. Before being appointed Minister for Public Health and Sport Michael was Vice Convenor of the European and External Relations Committee. He also sat on the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee, and previously served on the Justice and Enterprise and Culture Committees.
He was re-elected at the May 5, 2011 election and thereafter appointed to his present Ministerial position.
He is married to Susan and has three sons, Sean, James and Daniel. Away from politics, Michael is a keen mountaineer, which has taken him to the Western Himalayas.
Remember we only have Day 2 (16th March 2012) tickets left – these are available for FREE.
Report of the 2nd Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty
The Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty returns on 15 & 16th March 2012, tickets are free and registration is open now. If you can't make it along you can follow the day online via the Twitter hashtag #PovertyAssembly plus we'll have a live video stream of the main talks and debates available online.
The full report from last year's Assembly is available to read below.


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My mind drifts from the still life in landscape painted in oil breaking up the melancholy of cursed rooms to the center of the hospital bed as I stood next to my mother pressing my pulse to her's willing her to live her life dispensing into my soul losing cherished moments running through my fingers … Continue reading
Tag Archives: relationships
The Daily Grind
Meet Daryl, he is a character from the 1990s. I need to know on a scale of 1-10 how detestable he is. Daryl knew what they wanted when he saw that note on his desk. He sat and stared at it for a few minutes. It read: "NANCY SARGENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU." … Continue reading
Wrestling the Blue
So I found myself walking atop Big Blue trying to talk a vampire down from the ledge. Of course, I knew him, after all, we go way back. Not as far back as we could go, as I'm obviously not a vampire, mind you. He wasn't even old in vampire years yet, but old enough … Continue reading
Another Side – Pt. 2
This is an old story that I wrote approximately 200 years ago, otherwise known as the 1990s, for a creative writing class that I was taking for credit hours in English lit. Professor I Don't Remember His Name said that this story "did not bother him that much" but that I leaned much too heavily … Continue reading
Ice, Ice Maybe
Dixie had to go to work and it was snowing outside. Why did folks have to pass away in the dead of winter? She combed the purple streak in her hair. Even though it was cold, Dan had promised to take her to the ice display at the Freemont Hotel in Dallas. Giant ice sculptures, … Continue reading
I escaped with tiny, shimmering coins stuffed in my pockets finally running free with you and Mad Desire. I was only one step ahead of Disaster gleefully skipping into midnight madness and twinkling lights in downtown trees. The melodic music vibrating off thin air in the syrupy night shadows. I warned you about the hot … Continue reading
That House, Again
West B Street Long ago In a small place And in that small space, hearts beat secure and life melted in cozy comfort Time passed, seasons changed, morning sun beamed shining perfection, Then night came Summer poured into fall, golden supreme Evenings masked perfect – not dark, but day not yet gone Those precise hours … Continue reading