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"You just had to go there didn't you?" I hear you asking yourself.
Yes, only I can associate cupcakes with the inevitability of the grave.
"She's kinda dark, isn't she?"
Well, yeah. But this is my party and I'll be morbid if I want to. We've talked about this before: this persistent rushing towards oblivion and the abject determination to accomplish something that we deem of worth before the sand in the hourglass runs out and we're stuck dealing with eternity and the possibility that there is no such thing as a bookstore in the afterlife. (Assuming there is an afterlife at all, and I'm not one to make assumptions, but I try to look at things objectively and if there is something beyond the obvious and present, I hope I haven't offended anyone in the great hereafter by doubting their existence as a means of propelling myself forwards towards my goals right fucking now.)
Forgive my potty mouth. I've spent the past two weeks working until midnight nearly every day. It's like having two jobs, but you only get paid for one, and the other one you're paying people to read your babble with your blood.
Just hook that suction pump up to my veins!
It's my birthday. That's what "Thirty Four" Means.
Thirty four, guys. As of seven thirty five this morning, that's where I'm at.
It's not mid-thirties yet, but it's pretty damned close. *wipes sweat from brow* I refuse to review the giant list of accomplishments I've failed to meet so far, opting instead to focus on the positive and the forthcoming:
Book Releases: Two of 'em!
I have two book releases in the pipeline for later this year:
- The Short Fictions & Curiosities Collection: which compiles the final versions of every free short story released from October to October — thirteen in total — and includes a novella that I've had on my lap for a while now that hasn't seen the light of day beyond my crit groups. It's going to be a big chunk of paper is what. That novella is something like 40,000 words, and all thirteen stories will probably fall in under 100,000 words. LOL this is my first official release. Buy it and use it as an extra large doorstop then snap me a photo so I can laugh heartily about it afterwards.
- Shine: which will launch in October as a replacement to Short Fictions. It's my summer writing project, and will be offered first as a free serial. It's YA horror: no nonsense, no dicking around, fire and brimstone and violence horror. Young Adult. Male protagonist. First person POV which I never do. (Technically I guess this means it'll be available for sale as a completed novel in early 2017, but you get what I'm saying: this is a writing project that will be completed and edited and whipped into something resembling a book and distributed through this website and a couple of other channels before it vanishes and reappears on Amazon for purchase.)
A Horror Community Event-type Thingy
I have one major reader community event scheduled for 2017 that will be announced in December, and begin on January 1, 2017. Yes, its horror-related. *hand flap* One day I might surprise you and denounce the dark stuff in favour of romance or some nonsense, but today is not that day!
Accomplishments this year
- Book Reviews in Horror and Dark Fiction: I've launched a Book Review initiative. People are submitting stuff, to my delight and my terror. (I was pretty explicit about the "no paranormal romance" thing, but I still get requests, and I still have to send the emails saying thanks but no thanks, and I feel rotten about it every time for, like, two seconds. To be fair, I will take the occasional paranormal romance review request, but they're few and far between. I'm currently reading The Crow Box by Nikki Rae and loving it, for example. I have a long-standing history with paranormal romance, in fact: I read so much of it that even five years later I feel oversaturated. Reading repetitively in the same genre pushes my writing in that direction, and that's not an end goal for me just yet, so I tread lightly.)
- Short Fictions & Curiosities: The damned thing went live without much thought or prep, and I've spent the past month scrambling to get ahead of the game to make it work, make it time-effective, and spend more effort writing and editing, and less time marketing. Check out yesterday's post for the news. I really beat this one into submission in short order. If that doesn't interest you, go download some stories for free while you still have the opportunity to do so. Once the collection hits the shelves following the final release on October 31, 2016, they won't be available individually anymore for free download. You'll have to shell out some dough to get 'em as a complete collection.
Query-time, motherf*ckers!
- This year Wake the Dead starts the query process. I'm going to try the traditional route first. I'm releasing enough free written stuff this year in the meantime to keep myself busy instead of freaking out. It'll be fine. I'm going to keep reassuring myself. It'll be fine. It'll be fine. I'm going to put on my big girl pants and it'll be fine. And then I'm going to paper the walls around my plotting whiteboard with rejection letters and photograph it along with the big, bold "SUCK IT" in the middle of it. Right next to the post-it that says Harry Potter was rejected by twelve publishers by getting picked up by Bloomsbury.
Other nebulous ephemeral things I wish to breathe life into
I have other ideas, guys — ideas that I want to work on and develop now but I can't. The segue-way: I had the opportunity to play Dungeon World for the first time with a few friends recently, and given the option to pick a character, I chose a Necromancer. Part of the process of playing Dungeon World allows for the players to world build — they set the rules, and the Dungeon Master approves or denies, and subsequently works it into the story he's building.
I managed to cobble together a wielder of the necromantic arts in five minutes. She's okay for the game, but my writer-brain imagines a world where a necromancer fell in love, and lost that love, and lost him again. I imagine a world where that necromancer is driven to find what's she's lost time and time again, only to lose once more.
I imagine the sort of strength and determination that would require of a person: to face that sort of heartbreak over and over and endure, and keep trying knowing she can never really win in the end, and never really be whole.
Maybe it's the other side of romance that I ought to be looking at: the side that only knows pain, and few brief moments of fulfilment. The side that knows a lot of death.
*brain meanders into the world of plot bunnies and tulips and bones protruding from various disturbed graves*
Back to point: sketches were made by one of our party. The character I'm playing in this Dungeon World session is in the middle. I named her Kebechet — "cooling water" — a death god from the Egyptian pantheon, whose name is synonymous with embalming fluid.
The monkey skull is named "Harold."
Things I learned in the process of playing Dungeon World for the first time:
- I really like dead things… narratively.
- Dead things in ordinary conversation are best offset with a touch of deprecating humour and a talking monkey skull on a stick.
- If another player references a creature that I can somehow turn into a corpse to resurrect, I will totally do it.
- If you want to get people going, start trouble by running into the woods after a will-o-the-wisp and find a barrow with something evil and dead in it that "calls to you." (The Slytherin in you will want to try and control it. Repress the urge, or not. You can always eat your toe to regain five health when it takes a piece out of you.)
- I really, really, really need to write a story with a necromancer as the protagonist.
Give me a gift
What I want more than anything for my birthday this year is more time: time to write full-time, time to freelance, time to nurture my big ideas instead of constantly rushing to get things done. (I'm really killing it, as far as goals go, but I won't lie and say I'm not sleep-deprived and haggard-looking. I still have time to bathe, which is good, but I haven't hit the yoga mat in weeks and I'm considerably softer around the middle. The conclusion I'm coming to is that this isn't sustainable, but I sure am getting some wild ass stuff done. I only want to do more.)
Solution: time turner, obvi.
I can't order one of those on Amazon? Well, failing that, I'll always accept gifts of LARGE SUMS OF MONEY. Or these Merit Badges for practical things like grave robbing, arson, and money laundering.
Finally, I did what I usually do to celebrate my birthday… I bought myself some stuff:
These bunnies, because contrary to popular belief, my dark little heart actually has a squishy centre:
…And a bunch of books, which brings me to the real meat of this post:
There are more than Thirty Four Books on my To-Read Shelf
I'm not joking. I had this wild ambition to list them all, but the reality is that you nor I ain't got time for that nonsense.
I didn't actually buy thirty four books in one fell swoop. I did, however, find digital copies of a few things on sale, which basically resulted in some deep discounts while buying for my Kindle, and those I will post here because I am very excited to sink my teeth into them.
Check out the titles; maybe there's something here that appeals to you too.
Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto
The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it's perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.
Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She's determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there's nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.
But Westie's search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel's latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There's only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie's kin. With the help of Nigel's handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she's not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.
This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0062366157/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0062366157&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out Revenge and the Wild" color_override=""]
The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins.
In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn't know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life.
In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories–and demons—long thought forgotten.
Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch's Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/125000408X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=125000408X&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out The Witch's Daughter" color_override=""]
The Vampire of Highgate by Asa Bailey
Kathy Bilic is adopted. Until now, she's had only a vague memory of her real family. But terrifying dreams and visions of her sister Amber are waking her in the night. When Amber starts giving her messages, Kathy gets a sickening sense that her sister is in danger – from a deadly, inhuman source. Kathy hits London to find her sister – but when she arrives at her aunt's house in Highgate, she is actively dissuaded from pursuing the mystery.
Undeterred, Kathy's trail leads her through a bloody murder in the British Museum to a charged meeting with the mysterious, hypnoptic Antwain and a final confronation with her sinister father. Before long, Kathy uncovers the full horror of her heritage and her sister's fate at the hands of the Vampire of Highgate.
Gripping, atmospheric and sexy, this is British horror at its best.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00GU3G4HE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B00GU3G4HE&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out The Vampire of Highgate" color_override=""]
The House of Small Shadows by Adam Nevill
Catherine's last job ended badly. Corporate bullying at a top television production company saw her fired and forced to leave London, but she was determined to get her life back. A new job and now things look much brighter. Especially when a challenging new project presents itself — to catalogue the late M H Mason's wildly eccentric cache of antique dolls and puppets. Rarest of all, she'll get to examine his elaborate displays of posed, costumed and preserved animals, depicting scenes from World War I. When Mason's elderly niece invites her to stay at the Red House itself, where she maintains the collection, Catherine can't believe her luck. Until his niece exposes her to the dark message behind her uncle's 'Art'. Catherine tries to concentrate on the job, but M H Mason's damaged visions raise dark shadows from her own past. Shadows she'd hoped had finally been erased. Soon the barriers between reality, sanity and memory start to merge. And some truths seem too terrible to be real.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1250068819/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1250068819&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="The House of Small Shadows" color_override=""]
Phantom Effect by Michael Aronovitz
Jonathan Martin Delaware Deseronto is a six-foot-five serial killer with a problem. He's stuck out on I-476 in a heavy November rainstorm with two flat tires and the dead bodies of a cop and a co-ed named Marissa Madison in his trunk. Desperate to get off the highway, he drives his car on its back rims towards Exit 6. The car stalls on the ramp and Deseronto uses the last of its momentum to plunge over the crest of a steep slope and crash into a length of concrete pipe below. The car comes to rest on the edge of a construction site where machines are positioned to tear down an old Motel 6.
For Deseronto, the worst is yet to come. Marissa Madison had been a psychic of sorts while alive, using her ability to assist people in their personal journeys. Now, the ghost of Marissa will utilize her strange gift, trapping Deseronto in the abandoned motel, and forcing him to live the last, fatal week of her own life as a passive passenger in her body . . . Soon, Deseronto will experience something truly horrific: the mind-numbing terror of being stalked by himself.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B014TOVNQC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B014TOVNQC&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out Phantom Effect" color_override=""]
Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty
When rare-manuscript expert Joseph Barkeley is hired to authenticate and purchase the original draft and notes for Bram Stoker's Dracula, little does he know that the reclusive buyer is a member of the oldest family in Transylvania.
After delivering the manuscript to the legendary Bran Castle in Romania, Barkeley—a Romanian orphan himself—realizes to his horror that he's become a prisoner to the son of Vlad Dracul. To earn his freedom, Barkeley must decipher cryptic messages hidden in the text of the original Dracula that reveal the burial sites of certain Dracul family members. Barkeley's only hope is to ensure that he does not exhaust his usefulness to his captor until he's able to escape. Soon he discovers secrets about his own lineage that suggest his selection for the task was more than coincidence. In this knowledge may lie Barkeley's salvation—or his doom. For now he must choose between a coward's flight and a mortal conflict against an ancient foe.
Building on actual international events surrounding the publication of Bram Stoker's original novel, Royce Prouty has written a spellbinding debut novel that ranges from 1890s Chicago, London, and Transylvania to the perilous present.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="ttp://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00AR2RZ3Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B00AR2RZ3Q&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out Stoker's Manuscript" color_override=""]
The Fireman by Joe Hill
No one knows exactly when it began or where it originated. A terrifying new plague is spreading like wildfire across the country, striking cities one by one: Boston, Detroit, Seattle. The doctors call it Draco Incendia Trychophyton. To everyone else it's Dragonscale, a highly contagious, deadly spore that marks its hosts with beautiful black and gold marks across their bodies—before causing them to burst into flames. Millions are infected; blazes erupt everywhere. There is no antidote. No one is safe.
Harper Grayson, a compassionate, dedicated nurse as pragmatic as Mary Poppins, treated hundreds of infected patients before her hospital burned to the ground. Now she's discovered the telltale gold-flecked marks on her skin. When the outbreak first began, she and her husband, Jakob, had made a pact: they would take matters into their own hands if they became infected. To Jakob's dismay, Harper wants to live—at least until the fetus she is carrying comes to term. At the hospital, she witnessed infected mothers give birth to healthy babies and believes hers will be fine too. . . if she can live long enough to deliver the child.
Convinced that his do-gooding wife has made him sick, Jakob becomes unhinged, and eventually abandons her as their placid New England community collapses in terror. The chaos gives rise to ruthless Cremation Squads—armed, self-appointed posses roaming the streets and woods to exterminate those who they believe carry the spore. But Harper isn't as alone as she fears: a mysterious and compelling stranger she briefly met at the hospital, a man in a dirty yellow fire fighter's jacket, carrying a hooked iron bar, straddles the abyss between insanity and death. Known as The Fireman, he strolls the ruins of New Hampshire, a madman afflicted with Dragonscale who has learned to control the fire within himself, using it as a shield to protect the hunted . . . and as a weapon to avenge the wronged.
In the desperate season to come, as the world burns out of control, Harper must learn the Fireman's secrets before her life—and that of her unborn child—goes up in smoke.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" size="medium" image="default-arrow" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B013C5M08O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B013C5M08O&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out The Fireman" color_override=""]
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman's eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!
London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall's presentation to the queen, one of her family's housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00X5938K2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B00X5938K2&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out The Dark Days Club" color_override=""]
Things Half in Shadow by Alan Finn
Postbellum America makes for a haunting backdrop in this historical and supernatural tale of moonlit cemeteries, masked balls, cunning mediums, and terrifying secrets waiting to be unearthed by an intrepid crime reporter.
The year is 1869, and the Civil War haunts the city of Philadelphia like a stubborn ghost. Mothers in black continue to mourn their lost sons. Photographs of the dead adorn dim sitting rooms. Maimed and broken men roam the streets. One of those men is Edward Clark, who is still tormented by what he saw during the war. Also constantly in his thoughts is another, more distant tragedy–the murder of his mother at the hands of his father, the famed magician Magellan Holmes…a crime that Edward witnessed when he was only ten.
Now a crime reporter for one of the city's largest newspapers, Edward is asked to use his knowledge of illusions and visual trickery to expose the influx of mediums that descended on Philadelphia in the wake of the war. His first target is Mrs. Lucy Collins, a young widow who uses old-fashioned sleight of hand to prey on grieving families. Soon, Edward and Lucy become entwined in the murder of Lenora Grimes Pastor, the city's most highly regarded–and by all accounts, legitimate–medium, who dies mid-seance. With their reputations and livelihoods at risk, Edward and Lucy set out to find the real killer, and in the process unearth a terrifying hive of secrets that reaches well beyond Mrs. Pastor.
Blending historical detail with flights of fancy, "Things Half in Shadow" is a riveting thriller where "Medium" and "The Sixth Sense" meet "The Alienist"–and where nothing is quite as it seems.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1476761728/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1476761728&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out Things Half in Shadow" color_override=""]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne, is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It will receive its world premiere in London's West End on 30th July 2016
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.[button open_new_tab="true" color="accent-color" hover_text_color_override="#fff" image="default-arrow" size="medium" url="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1338099132/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1338099132&linkCode=as2&tag=elidesfou-20″ text="Check out the new Harry Potter" color_override=""]
Happy reading, and happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday! You have accomplished more in 34 years than I even dreamed of in my (almost) 39 years, so kudos to you!
You listing book recs/reviews is a dangerous thing for me… lol So many of these look interesting.
And, now I'm all excited about the books you have coming out! I am really looking forward to the collection, and Shine sounds promising.
Thanks so much, Angie! Looking forward to releasing a few of these things into the wild myself. 🙂


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CII - UNIDO MoU to promote 'mutual credit guarantee schemes' In auto components, leather and footwear sectors
Chennai: Confederation of Indian Industry - Southern Region (CII-SR) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today to promote Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS) to help micro, small and medium enterprises in auto components, leather and footwear industries secure bank loans without collateral security.
UNIDO has also opened an Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) today at CII Southern Region Headquarters, Chennai to promote foreign direct investment, transfer of technology and SME development through various activities such as creating sub-contracting exchange for small and medium enterprises and matchmaking the buyers with sellers. Delivering his address at the Seminar on "Mutual Credit Guarantee Schemes - The Italian Experience - Growth through Cooperation, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry - Southern Region, in association with UNIDO, here today, Mr Alejandro Vera, Advisor, UNIDO TIP, said that the core objective of UNIDO's SME initiatives is to promote business through partnerships. UNIDO aims to bring private equity to small and medium enterprises, besides reducing the gap between banks and small units. As a technical cooperation agency, UNIDO, would promote MCGS, which is a key component of UNIDO's three-year Consolidated Project for MSME Development in India. He said that since micro, small and medium enterprises do not have easy access to bank loans without collateral security, they can come form a Mutual Credit Guarantee Agency (MGA), which will in turn provide guarantee for bank loans availed by its members. The advantages of mutual credit guarantee for the bankers include: increased comfort level, reduced risk and cost. UNIDO is partnering with Unionfidi, an Italian mutual credit guarantee agency, to replicate Italy's success in mutual credit guarantee schemes in India. In his address, Mr Bruno Valanzuolo, Chief Technical Advisor, Consolidated Project for SME Development in India, UNIDO, said that UNIDO would strive to disseminate information about cluster best practices, MCGS and identify training needs of SMEs in forming MGAs. He said that mutual credit guarantee schemes represent new tools for MSME sector to better access to formal credits. Explaining the Italian experience with MGAs, Mr Giorgio Guarena, General Manager, Unionfidi, a leading MGA in Italy, said that the relationship between small, medium enterprises and banks has to be strengthened to remove difficulties for industries to access credits. Generally, small industries lack equity participation, suitable guarantees and information. The role of a MGA here is to issue guarantees to loans, to assist SMEs in building expertise in credit management and provide structured information and ultimately to act as risk mitigator for financing banks. A successful mutual credit guarantee arrangement would involve the partnership of trade associations, banks, financial institutions, small and medium enterprises, local and national authorities and counter-guarantee entities. In her address, Ms Rama Devi Kanneganti, President, Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Andhra Pradesh (ALEAP), said that mutual credit guarantee agencies try to leverage the collective strength of small industries and help the industry access bank loans without collateral security. ALEAP has setup a corpus fund to give direct guarantees to loans availed by its member units. The ALEAP approach to MGAs has increased the comfort levels of bankers, reduce default rate, improve the credit flow to small scale industries and reduce procedural formalities involved in availing loans. In his address, Mr Aniruddha Bagchi, National Expert - MCGS, UNIDO, said that active private sector involvement and proper design of schemes are keys to make MGAs a success in India. MGAs would help banks reduce administration cost of small scale lending and increase the information flow between the banks and industries. MGAs are parallel agents for lending agencies as they can act as rating agency, credit bureau and recovering agency, all rolled into one. The MGA model reduces duplication of work for banks, improves credit delivery and provides an alternate to credit risk mitigation. With MGA small industries can access bank loans at low cost. The process time of bank loans can be reduced by over 60 per cent. Earlier, in his opening remarks, Mr T T Ashok, Chairman, Task Force on International Business Promotion & Networking, CII Southern Region, said that MCGS model works on the mutual trust of the cluster members in guaranteeing the financial needs of the other members. Building trust is the key to the success of the model. UNIDO's ITP office, set up at CII, would focus on 1) providing subcontracting, outsourcing platforms and vendor-buyer meets, 2) investment, match-making, joint ventures and business partnerships, 3) financing, equity, venture capital and mutual credit guarantee schemes and 4) technology transfer financial schemes.
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subset: commoncrawl


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WASHINGTON — The US military has inadvertently been funneling American taxpayer dollars to Afghan warlords who have been linked to murder, kidnapping, bribery, and other "pro-Taliban, anti-coalition" activities, according to a detailed report released Thursday by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
It is an investigation that at times seems lifted straight out of a Quentin Tarantino film, with local thugs nicknamed "Mr. Pink" and "Mr. White" in command of private militias that are waging bloody turf battles for a greater share of contracting dollars – and who may be using arms and ammunition purchased with these dollars to aid the Taliban.
The report raises questions that go to the heart of the US mission in Afghanistan. There are concerns that guards paid by the US military but controlled by local strongmen could harm US troops or inadvertently place the troops in the middle of proxy wars.
Moreover, investigators argue that private contractors are undermining the US exit strategy in Afghanistan, since Afghan soldiers and police trainees routinely drop out of training to take more lucrative jobs as guards hired by private firms. This jeopardizes the US military's mission to train competent Afghan forces so that US troops can eventually leave the country.
The solution, Senate aides argue, is in tightening enforcement of contracting laws already on the book. But though senior military officials say they are well aware of the gravity of the contracting problem in Afghanistan, they add that US officials who oversee contractors are overworked and often unaware of the laws at their disposal – or the often-complex ties between Afghan power brokers and insurgents that make unregulated cash payouts to people who are essentially militia members perilous.
What's more, taking these warlords off the Pentagon payroll may entail "huge risks," Sen. Carl Levin (D) of Michigan acknowledged, that could force US troops to make some tough and at times unsavory compromises.
Chronic lack of oversight
While the charges are shocking, they are not necessarily surprising – the lack of oversight surrounding what often amount to classic protection rackets has been clear for some time, military analysts point out. In a February report, Senate investigators discovered that employees of a Blackwater subsidiary were not only riding armored vehicles like stagecoaches and wildly shooting weapons, but also pilfering rifles meant for local trainees.
In the weeks to come, determining how to enforce restrictions on contractors with strikingly similar pattern of lapses will be the order of the day for Pentagon officials, who have long wrestled with corruption and violent behavior among contractors on their payroll.
Senate investigators, for their part, have concluded that "the Department of Defense has failed to address serious deficiencies" in the performance of private security contractors, even when Pentagon audits turned up considerable evidence that wrongdoing was taking place.
In the short term, the lack of oversight costs the lives of US troops, say top US commanders who are keenly aware of this point. US generals have cited "significant evidence that some security contractors even work against our coalition forces – creating the very threat that they are hired to combat," Senator Levin said. "These contractors threaten the security of our troops and the risk success of our mission."
Pentagon foots bill for incompetent guards
In other cases, the report also suggests that contractors are simply not doing what they are paid to do, resulting at times in tragic ineptitude. Key installations have gone unprotected by local guards who received inadequate training from contractors. In at least one instance, Afghans hired with funds from the Pentagon's Commanders Emergency Response Program shot and killed a US Marine.
The investigation found that the guards routinely used opium and had received no training in how to use their weapons.
Says a senior US military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the matter with the media: "The US military knows very well how serious the contracting problem is. We're certainly aware of incidents where folks are getting US taxpayer dollars that haven't been spent in the best of ways."
While Levin advised that the US military take steps to integrate Afghan militia paid through these contracts into formal structures like the Afghan military and police force, he acknowledged that for now US commanders will have to make some tough choices.
"The decision of whether or not to utilize a strongman or warlord has got to be made at the highest levels of the chain of command," Levin said.
"There will be times when our top level people are going to want to take some risks and utilize people that are not ideal, but which under the circumstances are the best that we can do," he added. "This is Afghanistan."


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Jesus Is The Light
Heaven's Citizen Gary Cannon – Former Associate Pastor – The LIGHT Ministry:
(Gary's life-changing story)
May 5, 2014 – "Gary, you have cancer" The worst words a person can hear. "Do with me what you will"
Surgery for cancer of the colon –
"During surgery, God gave me a message of hope, a future, peace and comfort; a message for me to share and a message for everyone. 'I have you in my Right Hand, you are safe!' (Psalms 41:3 'The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health')
"I woke with new comfort and peace knowing God had restored my life and that I had received a message for everyone to know. The message of hope, comfort and peace that God freely gives."
"I am not qualified through man, but ordained by God's calling. God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called." (Romans 8:28-30 'And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined, He also called, and those whom He called, He also justified and those He justified, He also glorified.')
"God gave me the mission to go pray for those with life threathening diseases and addictions and show them the hope of His eternal promise."
"Heaven is yours; surrender daily…take up your cross daily…follow JESUS!"
"He is, was and always will be THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE."


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Major Tech 24 Hour Programmable Timer
Brand: Major Tech
Estimated Delivery Times
Due to the national lockdown, all orders placed will only be processed after May 4th
|Please note that where it states "Ships in", it refers to the time between a product being orderd to it physically leaving our warehouse floor.
Please click here for a more detailed breakdown of estimated delivery times based on province
|Delivery Location
|Estimated Delivery Time
|Main Centers
|24 - 72hrs
|Regional Areas
|48 - 72hrs
|Remote Areas
|48 - 72hrs
|International - Prior Arrangement Necessary
|1 - 4 Weeks
Free* returns valid for 15 days
If you are not happy with your purchase within the first 15 days of receipt, we will collect the products at our cost, and present you with a full refund.In order for this to be applicable these basic conditions must be met:
- Products are returned unopened, in their original packaging and in a saleable condition.
- Proof of purchase needs to be presented should we request it.
- Refunds are processed subject to a final inspection once received back in our warehouse.
- The 15 day window starts counting from the calendar date the order was physically received by you as the customer.
- For more details on our returns policy, refunds and product warranties click here.
Product Features
- Programming timer is a simple and quick procedure
- Time duration of required working time of appliance can be set by pushing in joint slices
- Real time can be set by turning disc in direction of arrow until marked point indicates current time
- IEC60730 Safety standard


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To be without flowers in our lives would be devastating,
to be without Hydrangeas would be even worse.... they're one of my favourite flowers and they're so beautiful!!
These shots below are from a food advertising shoot that I did for a client (and friend) a few years ago and the location was on their parent's property, one of the most sensational gardens in the Southern Highlands called 'The Burrows'
My dear friends, owners & creators of 'The Burrows' John & Susan Carter literally started with a couple of bare paddocks, fired up with imagination and lots of know how, they started building and creating the garden. I remember visiting the garden when it was literally a paddock, and my many visits over the years to to the property there was always something new to see!
It is a sensational garden and open occasionally to the public. John is also an artist and he built his own studio and gallery on the property, and it is definitely well worth a visit click here...... and if you're lucky enough to be in the Highlands when their gates are open you really must drop in.
My favourite spot in the garden the day I was shooting was this front lawn surrounded by these amazing hydrangeas. They were so beautiful to work with and definitely made this shoot! They were the most wonderful colours and huge in size, imagine what they're like now. I really must plan a day very soon and head back out to 'The Burrows' '
Wishing you all a wonderful, happy and peaceful weekend
Aussie school is back for a new year!! Yay... time to get on with some serious work


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Good Morning! I wanted to share something a little different with you today. I have been participating in a monthly Artist Trading Card group for quite a while now and I really wanted to show you how Our Daily Bread designs stamps can be used for this type of project as well as cards and other projects. ATC's are the size of a playing card (2 1/2 by 31/2 )and are not meant to be sold, they are only to be traded with fellow artists. It's very important to sign and date your artwork before trading. It's also a great way to recycle! For the backs of my cards, I used cardboard from packaging. In the group that I trade with, the hostess chooses a recording artist and the participants to choose a song title by that artist and make an ATC based on only the title of the song. September's artist is Neil Diamond and I chose the song Simply Amazing Grace! This was a perfect opportunity to use the ODBD's Amazing Grace Collection! I randomly stamped the Amazing Grace Hymn onto some beige designer paper, sponged it with ODBD Terra Cotta ink and sprayed it with Gold Glimmer Mist. I punched blue coordinating designer paper with Martha's lacy border punch and sprayed with more glimmer Mist. I used Versamark ink to stamp the dogwood flower and the word grace from Grow in Grace set, then heat embossed with gold embossing powder. I cut these pieces out and attached them with foam tape, glue and my Xyron sticker maker. I heat embossed more gold around the edges of the card. Then I added the little Martha butterflies and gold pearls and gold organdy ribbon. I really enjoy working with this smaller canvas. ATC's are fun and allow you to expand your creativity. I hope you have enjoyed this post today and maybe you will be inspired to join a swap and see what others will share with you! I hope you all have a fantastic day! Thanks for stopping by!
Paper-The Paper Studio
Ink-Versamark, Memento Brown, ODBD Terra Cotta
Accessories-Embossing powder, Martha punches, ribbon, gold pearls
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Simply Amazing Grace
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Aug 21, 2012
Q&A With Alum Jessica Patty
Dreyfoos alumnus Jessica Patty takes center stage performing Eva Peron in Evita on Broadway. Jess is a class of 1997 Dance Department graduate with a Musical Theatre crossover, she explained that performing Eva for the first time was a moving experience. "Standing on the balcony singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" was very surreal. Truly, a dream come true".
Back at the old Palm Beach County School of the Arts - North Shore Campus Ms. Patty performed in many Dance Department shows but her favorite and most memorable was her senior showcase. The students choreographed their own numbers highlighted by a multimedia montage of their lives. This was a very emotional culmination of her five years at the School of the Arts.
When asked about the most profound changes she experienced at the School of the Arts she responded saying, "I went to school there from 7th to 12th grade, so I think it's safe to say there were many profound changes. But SOA surrounded me with so many amazingly talented and intelligent kids; you were constantly challenged and inspired to aim high and dream big. It sparked an intense drive and ambition in me that helped immensely in my career."
With so many amazing teachers as the School of the Arts Jess found it hard to pinpoint the ones that helped her most along the way. Mr. Robbins and Mr. Lewis surely shaped her towards her future in Musical Theatre while Mr. Farquar, Sra. Smith and Mrs. Porche held a warm place in her heart.
Upon leaving High School she attended Florida State University. She performed in countless shows while studying in the BFA Music Theatre program and graduated with honors in 2001. The FSU Music Theatre Department had their annual senior showcase in NYC and the very next day she had an audition for the First National Non-Equity Tour of Cats. She got it!
After being on the road for two years, with Cats and then Fosse, Jessica officially moved to New York City in August of 2003. Following her move to NYC Jess has worked tirelessly and has many Broadway credits to her name including: The Addams Family (understudy Morticia, Wednesday), People in the Picture (understudy Red), 9 to 5 (understudy Judy), A Chorus Line (Cassie) and The Boy From Oz.
One of her most memorable Broadway moments was standing on stage playing Cassie in A Chorus Line, singing "Music in The Mirror". She explained, "There are mirrors on stage and when I first caught myself in the red leotard it really hit me. I was playing Cassie on Broadway."
When asked to give some recommendation for current Dreyfoos students she exclaimed, "Work hard and don't ever let someone telling you 'No' stop you. Do what you love and you will always be happy and fulfilled." She went on to discuss the importance of who you know. Who you know and who you are can mean a lot in the Theatre world. Knowing someone behind the casting table in an audition can be a help or a hindrance. They can vouch for you talent and work ethic but they could also say something negative about you. It's important to always be professional.
Bringing it back to the School of the Arts, Jess concluded, "We had such a special, intimate experience at SOA. I wouldn't trade it for the world".
[Jessica Patty is currently performing daily in the ensemble of Evita but can be seen this Saturday, August 19th, performing her fifth show as Eva. If you are in New York be sure to check out the show.]
[UPDATE: Evita closed on January, 26, 2013 after 10 and a half months of performances.]
Do you know an alumnus who deserves to be in the Spotlight? Email the Foundation.


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Helpful Information
These government agencies and non-governmental organizations warn of the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Occupational Health and Safety Administration
- Oxford Academic: Personal Exposures to Asbestos Fibers During Brake Maintenance of Passenger Vehicles
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission
- National Toxicology Program
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- American Cancer Society
- World Health Organization
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, created two new government agencies designed to protect the workers of America; the National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH) and Health and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as NIOSH, is a branch of Public Health Service and is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States government. NIOSH was formed to conduct research in the field of disease and injury; and, based on its findings, make industry recommendations. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is a division of the Department of Labor, and was formed to regulate workplace standards and policies based on NIOSH recommendations. Together, the two agencies recognize and solve potential work-related health issues.
Without it being a regulatory function, NIOSH was given responsibility to go into the work place at the request of workers to assist them in solving occupational safety and health problems that they may encounter. NIOSH immediately began to conduct research studies focused on asbestos exposure. The conclusive evidence, asbestos causes cancer. NIOSH's formal recommendations were made in 1972, when OSHA passed its first standard (recommended levels of asbestos exposure) at five fibers per cubic centimeter. This standard set a limit on permissible exposure, specifying safety practices and protections for employees handling these products. OSHA also required that all manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing materials apply warning labels to their products. On July 1, 1976, OSHA reduced the permissible exposure to two fibers per cc, based on NIOSH recommendations. In 1986, the standard was reduced again to 0.2 fibers per cc, and then in 1994, the standard was lowered to the current concentration of .1 fibers per cc.
United States Government Position on Asbestos-Containing Brake Linings
A study on asbestos exposure and brake linings was published in 1976 causing NIOSH to put out an alert regarding the potential for asbestos-related disease found in brake mechanics. At this time, NIOSH was also the first federal organization to call for a complete ban of asbestos in the workplace. However, that never occurred, and asbestos can still be found in the workplace.
On April 17, 1980, OSHA held a press conference to address growing concerns over asbestos and its potential to cause deadly diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. This conference was centered on a committee of OSHA and NIOSH scientists to evaluate the occupational safety and health standard for asbestos, and to make recommendations to increase the protection of workers from asbestos exposure. At this press conference, it was formally stated that there is no safe level of exposure, and that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile fibers found in brake linings, can and do cause cancer and lung disease. Today this belief is shared by organizations such as the International Agency for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on NIOSH and its position on asbestos exposure in auto mechanics visit:
- NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Asbestos
- Asbestos During Brake and Clutch Service Work Self-Inspection Checklist
For more information on OSHA and its advisory regarding asbestos-automotive brake and clutch repair work for auto mechanics, visit:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted its own studies on asbestos exposure. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to list all hazardous air pollutants and publicize emissions limits. In 1971, asbestos was added to this list of hazardous air pollutants. By 1973, the emission standard was set, and throughout the 1970's, into the 1980's, the EPA continued to research and issue regulations regarding asbestos exposure. By 1986, asbestos was declared to pose an unreasonable health risk to humans and the EPA began placing prohibitions on the use and distribution of asbestos- containing products.
In 1986, the EPA published a manual detailing the prevention of asbestos- related diseases in auto mechanics. Commonly referred to as "The Gold Book", this publication refers explicitly to the asbestos laden dust created in servicing brakes through grinding or beveling brake linings. It states that the ability for asbestos fibers to remain airborne for extended periods of time puts each person in the surrounding areas at risk for exposure. The manual also states that there is no safe limit for exposure to asbestos. An excerpt of this manual can be viewed by clicking here.
Currently, several national, scientific and health-related organizations agree that all forms of asbestos, including, actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, crocidolite and chrysotile can cause cancer and lung disease. Only 59 countries worldwide have altogether banned the use of asbestos-containing products.


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South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch hosted its monthly Senior Movie Event which also happened to occur on October 31. Several of our playful and spunky seniors walked in with appropriate Halloween attire and wished staff, as well as onlooking patrons, a happy and ghoulish Halloween. They expressed their thanks to staff for taking such good care of them each month by providing a friendly and safe place to come and enjoy a movie, popcorn, and a drink. The Senior Movie Event is by far the highlight each month at the South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library! SC-PR seniors rock!
Tag Archives: South Congaree Pine Ridge
Summer Reading Kickoff Celebrations
Lexington Main:
Cayce-West Columbia:
The 2014 Summer Reading Kickoffs started with a BOOM on June 2 at the Batesburg-Leesville and Chapin Branch Libraries. At the Gilbert-Summit Branch, the children celebrated our summer science theme by making batches of slime and having their photos taken with the mad scientist photo display. Irmo Branch prepared for the big day by sliming their meeting room! Youth Services staff were busy drawing, cutting, gluing, and hanging decorations until the entire children's area and meeting room were slimed and "science-ified" from Einstein to signs of the elements hanging from the ceiling.
On June 4 the party moved to the Main Library where, per custom, the Library hosted the popular attractions: games; food; face-painting; a bounce house and slide; and, for the older youth, a rock climbing wall. The day concluded with the "After Party, Party" featuring the high energy performance of Story Squad. This wonderful event, which marks the "official" beginning of summer for so many families in our community, was made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Lexington Main Library and by many community partners including Air Fun Rentals, Kmart, Fatz Cafe, Donut Guy, Jimmy Johns, and Chick-fil-A.
Gaston Branch hosted their kickoff on June 5. There were five stations manned by our volunteers where children could make an ocean in a bottle, salt paint, color, have their face painted, and grab a snack. For the grand kickoff finale there were two science experiments. The first one was a coke and mento geyser, and the second experiment was learning how a balloon could inflate with soda. The kids used pop rocks and three different types of soda to see which one would blow up a balloon the fastest. Everyone had great time and laughed at Ms. Stephanie when she got all sticky in the name of science.
Cayce-West Columbia followed with their kickoff on June 5. This year's event included something for all ages. Story Squad performed Once Upon a Time Remixed for the younger patrons, DNR set up an inflatable archery range for the teens, and Willie Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass performed for the adults. We also offered a gadget gallery for patrons to explore and ask questions about our downloadable services for eBooks, audio books, and magazines. The Friends of Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library sponsored the event and manned a membership and t-shirt sales table. One of the highlights of the evening was when the band called up our Jr. Volunteer Ella Thomas to play along with them. She and her family frequently play at Bill's Pickin' Parlor who graciously helped us in arranging the music for the event.
The turnout at all of our branches was wonderful! South Congaree-Pine Ridge, Swansea, and Pelion Branch Libraries brought our Kickoff celebrations to a close by June 7, and patrons are on their way to filling out those reading records! We look forward to seeing everyone throughout the summer months.
Love Your Pet Month at South Congaree Pine Ridge Branch
May was "Love Your Pet" month at the South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library. The children enjoyed a visit from Chase the dog, and four large boxes full of supplies and monetary donations were collected on behalf of Pets Inc. As always, the staff from Pets Inc. was very appreciative of this community's efforts.
South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Blood Drive
The South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library hosted another successful American Red Cross Blood Drive on May 20. In the few short hours they were here, approximately 20 patrons gave of their time to donate blood and give the gift of life. We also had a junior volunteer, who was of age, give blood for her first time and we were pleased to be able to share the experience with her. We are very proud of all our patrons!


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Our Medical Advisors
The AllergyKids Medical Advisory Team is comprised of respected Doctors, Physicians, and Pediatricians from around the country…
Home » About Us » Blog » H1N1 Flu Vaccine: Because You Deserve Answers
As swine flu pandemic headlines swirl, parents around the country are asking the question: Is the H1N1 vaccine safe for my family?
In a Sept. 28 survey, Consumer Reports found just 35 percent of parents plan to have their children vaccinated. According to WebMD, the Consumer Reports National Research Center: "Flu and Seasonal Flu/Swine Flu Vaccination Poll Report," which was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, found the following:
•Only 35% of parents plan to have their child vaccinated against swine flu.
•Nearly two-thirds of parents who don't plan to have their child vaccinated say they worry the swine flu vaccine is too new to be safe.
•Overall, 28% of respondents are "not very" or "not at all" confident the swine flu vaccine is safe. An additional 10% say they don't know whether the vaccine is safe.
•Although the CDC says vaccination is the most important weapon in the fight against flu, only 41% of parents think flu vaccination is "very important" in keeping kids healthy during flu season.
•Most parents are at least "somewhat worried" that their kids will get swine flu. But 43% of parents are "not at all worried or "not too worried."
•39% of those who don't get flu shots worry about the vaccine's side effects — or think the vaccine will give them the flu, even though this is a medical impossibility.
•More than half of people who don't get flu shots think they'll never get the flu.
A week after the extensive independent Consumer Reports study finding just 35 percent of parents plan to have their children vaccinated, a Harvard School of Public Health survey found 51 percent of parents plan to have their children immunized. Forty percent of adults in the same survey were "absolutely certain" they would be vaccinated. Late last week, a third poll, this one by The Associated Press and GfK, found more than a third of parents did not want their children vaccinated for H1N1.
Given the uncertainty around the introduction of this new vaccine, the growing concern over vaccines roles in bowel disorders associated with autism, allergies, ADHD and asthma, while seeking the opinion of your doctor, you may want to ask the following questions:
•ask about the egg base of the vaccine and its risk level for children with egg allergy
•ask about other autoimmune disorders that may be triggered by the administration of the vaccine
•ask to see a copy of the manufacturers' pamphlet that accompanies the vaccines and what compensation your doctor might receive from the vaccine manufacturers for administering the vaccine
•read the fine print listed in the pamphlet, focusing on the required disclosure of the risks associated with the vaccine
•ask what compensation he or she receives from the pharmaceutical industry for adminstering the vaccine and if there is any recourse against his or her practice should he or she speak out with concerns over the vaccine
•watch Dr. Oz on CNN
Should you choose to vaccinate your family with the H1N1 vaccine, the following precautionary steps are suggested to reduce autoimmune reactions to vaccines and treat vaccine exposure, by Dr. Russell Blaylock whose work is detailed in The Unhealthy Truth (Random House 2009):
1.Place a cold compress on the site of the injection immediately after the injection and continue this for at least two days. If symptoms of fever, irritability, fatigue or flu-like symptoms reoccur—continue the cold compresses until they abate. A cold shower or bath will also help.
2.Take fish oils as they have the correct balance of EPA and DHA to reduce the cytokine storm. The dose is one tablespoon a day—if severe symptoms develop—two tablespoons a day until well and then switch to one tablespoon a day. Children—one teaspoon a day.
3.Curcumin, quercetin, ferulic acid and ellagic acid as a mixture—the first two must be mixed with extravirgin olive in one teaspoon. Take the mix three times a day (500 mg of each)
4.Vitamin E (natural form) 400 IU a day (high in gamma-E)
5.Vitamin C 1000 mg four times a day
6.Astaxanthin 4 mg a day
7.Zinc 20 mg a day for one week then 5 mg a day
8.Avoid all immune stimulating supplements (mushroom extracts, whey protein) except beta-glucan—it has been shown to reduce inflammation, microglial activation and has a reduced risk of aggravating autoimmunity, while increasing antiviral cellular immunity.
9.Take a multivitamin/mineral daily (one without iron—Extend Core)
10.Magnesium citrate/malate 500 mg of elemental magnesium two capsules three times a day
11.Vitamin D3:
•All Children—5000 IU a day for two weeks after vaccine then 2000 IU a day thereafter
•Adults—20,000 IU a day after vaccine for two weeks then 10,000 IU a day thereafter
•Take 500 mg to 1000 mg of calcium citrate a day for adults and 250 mg a day for children under age 12 years.
12.Avoid all mercury-containing seafood
13.Avoid omega-6 oils (corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola and peanut oils)
14.Blenderize parsley and celery and drink 8 ounces twice a day
15.Take Jatoba tea extract (add 20 drops in on cup of tea) one day before the vaccine and the twice a day thereafter.
And keep in mind the wisdom of CNN's health reporter, Elizabeth Cohen, who highlights how we can do so much to protect the health of our families as empowered patients!
The content of the AllergyKids' blog, site and newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please contact your physician or other qualified healthcare professional. The content of the AllergyKids' newsletter is not intended to constitute legal advice or substitute for obtaining legal advice from your own counsel.
Turmeric and Curcumin and great for sickness, cooking and hair color.


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Custom Canopies is a leading manufacturer of shade canopies, sails and umbrellas, located just outside of Los Angeles, California. They are a 20-year-old company serving commercial clients nationwide.
Company owner Steve knew his company's growth and industry position was not reflected in his company's visual identity, key messaging materials and web presence. He wanted to give his marketing communications an update that would impart his company's professionalism and experience to new clients while preserving some of the original elements of his company's branding.
That's where we came in. As a team, we took on the task of helping Steve expand his brand, maximize his sales strategy and connect with new customers while remaining faithful to longstanding clients.
We started the rebranding process by implementing Custom Canopies' commitment to innovation and established expertise in the shade structure industry through all aspects of their logo and marketing materials. With their logo, we updated it and gave it an overall more modern appeal. For the collateral pieces, we kept the design visually-oriented to emphasize their ability to create custom products with ease.
One of the major struggles Custom Canopies encountered with their previous website was conveying their expertise and cutting-edge product applications to prospect customers. To solve this issue, we created a responsive website that is rich in visuals and straightforward copy. Combined with an extremely easy navigation, the visuals assist in showcasing their diverse products and applications, while providing the needed information and specifications. The result is an easily navigable website that serves as a valuable resource to both current and prospective customers.Visit the website
To help Custom Canopies maximize their marketing efforts, we took on the role of helping them manage their content and brand. We assist them with online management and marketing communication pieces for upcoming tradeshows and sales efforts.
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Please select a second date to complete the range.
Don't give up! Our predictive Search bar is here to help. Simply type any destination or attraction and you'll see a world of isango! suggestions just waiting to be uncovered.
Don't fancy it? Head back to our homepage to start from scratch. Our travel experts are also on hand 24/7 to assist you with all of your isango! adventures, just call 1-866 663 7017 or email us at email@example.com.
The tour was well organized and on time for every stop. It was lovely to see how they said clear instructions in different languages to ensure the participants' comfort. I would highly recommend it.
We were collected on time, the guides were very helpful and everything was fantastic. Would highly recommend.
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I scoured the internet for a pattern that would actually fit my little hands and wrists, but had no luck. So I just started crocheting. This is my first time using double crochet, and working without a pattern. All in all, I am pretty proud of myself, and my fingers are never cold anymore - a small miracle!
Yes, I know, they make my fingers look short and stubby, but that's the price I have to pay for warm hands! lol


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Reproducibility of geochemical and climatic signals in the Atlantic coral Montastraea faveolata
By: Joseph M. Smith, T.M. Quinn, K.P. Helmle, and R.B. Halley
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: External Repository
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Monthly resolved, 41-year-long stable isotopic and elemental ratio time series were generated from two separate heads of Montastraea faveolata from Looe Key, Florida, to assess the fidelity of using geochemical variations in Montastraea, the dominant reef-building coral of the Atlantic, to reconstruct sea surface environmental conditions at this site. The stable isotope time series of the two corals replicate well; mean values of ??18O and ??13C are indistinguishable between cores (compare 0.70??? versus 0.68??? for ??13C and -3.90??? versus - 3.94??? for ??18O). Mean values from the Sr/Ca time series differ by 0.037 mmol/mol, which is outside of analytical error and indicates that nonenvironmental factors are influencing the coral Sr/ Ca records at Looe Key. We have generated significant ?? 18O-sea surface temperature (SST) (R = -0.84) and Sr/ Ca-SST (R = -0.86) calibration equations at Looe Key; however, these equations are different from previously published equations for Montastraea. Variations in growth parameters or kinetic effects are not sufficient to explain either the observed differences in the mean offset between Sr/Ca time series or the disagreement between previous calibrations and our calculated ??18O-SST and Sr/Ca-SST relationships. Calibration differences are most likely due to variations in seawater chemistry in the continentally influenced waters at Looe Key. Additional geochemical replication studies of Montastraea are needed and should include multiple coral heads from open ocean localities complemented whenever possible by seawater chemistry determinations. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.
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|Journal Article
|Reproducibility of geochemical and climatic signals in the Atlantic coral Montastraea faveolata
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Al Arabiya unveils sleek broadcast facility with dramatic lines and tech
Disinfecting and cleaning methods for broadcast studios and equipment
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Networks pay tribute to George Floyd during special reports
Gameday showcases 'evolution' of learning in 'Jeopardy!' Teachers Tournament open
Gothic Storm catalogs now available from Warner Chappell Production Music
Nexstar brings communities together with custom image song
Planar launches multi-year leasing program for display technology
Industry Insights: Experts show us the trends in display technology
Q&A: ARRI helps turn conference room into studio at WRDE
Column: There's no place like home – your home studio simplified
How Al Jazeera used universal language to convey the virulence of coronavirus
Sky News uses AR to walk through some possibilities for the future of travel
Column: Adapting the control room to the software age
How to maximize your archive, reuse and recycle
Lighting design company of JM Montecalvo.
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Our Services
Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM)
Community Safety
Hazardous Materials
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Office of Emergency Services (OES)
San Bernardino County OES Mission Statement
Through leadership and guidance, strengthen countywide emergency management capabilities to ensure the protection of life and property before, during and after disasters.
About OES:
The Office of Emergency Services (County OES) is a division of the San Bernardino County Fire Department; OES is responsible for countywide emergency planning, mitigation, response and recovery activities. The OES works with all county departments and 24 cities, and many non-government organizations. In the event of an emergency the OES manages the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and coordinates with the county's disaster response expenses for recovery from state and federal governments. OES is ran by an OES Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the county's disaster preparedness and response program and development of the County's Emergency Operations Plan. One of the primary functions is to ensure that the EOC is in a constant state of readiness.
OES responsibilities:
Emergency Management:
Emergency Management is a coordinated effort of all levels of government (local, state and federal) working together with business and industry; community based organizations, and volunteers to effectively meet the challenges posed by all types of emergencies and disasters. Within an integrated emergency management framework, these entities assist citizens and their communities to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and eliminate or mitigate the effects of natural, civil, and technological emergencies and disasters. The primary mission of emergency management is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce property damage in a community as a result of all types of emergencies and disasters.
National Incident Management System is a system mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) that provides a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments; the private sector; and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State, local, and tribal capabilities, the NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles, and terminology. HSPD-5 identifies these as the ICS; multiagency coordination systems; training; identification and management of resources (including systems for classifying types of resources); qualification and certification; and the collection, tracking, and reporting of incident information and incident resources.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS):
As a result of events during the 1991 East Bay Hills Fire, Senator Petris introduced SB 1841 (chaptered as Government Code Section 8607, effective January 1, 1993). This statute directs the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (State OES), in coordination with all interested state agencies with designated response roles in the state emergency plan and interested local emergency management agencies, to establish by regulation the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). The framework of SEMS includes the Incident Command System (ICS), multi-agency or inter-agency coordination, Master Mutual Aid Agreement and System, and the Operational Area (OA) concept. SEMS is currently in use in all operational areas throughout California to assist emergency management in the response to multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies and disasters.
Operational Area (OA):
Under SEMS, the Operational Area (OA) concept means an intermediate level of the State's emergency services organization which encompasses a county and all political subdivisions located within a county, including special districts. The OA manages and/or coordinates information, resources, and priorities among local governments within the OA, and serves as the coordination and communication link between the local government level and the regional level. County OES serves as the Lead Agency for the San Bernardino County Operational Area (OA). In this role, County OES coordinates emergency management provisions with the 24 Cities/Towns, self-governed Special Districts, volunteer organizations, private industry, State and Federal agencies and others.


text: Since 1956, Christianity Today has challenged the church with real-world content that is timely, compelling, insightful, balanced, and biblical. Christianity Today is a magazine that seeks to present Christ preeminent in all things, with a clear ministry emphasis via trustworthy, Bible based content. Written with journalistic excellence and professional integrity, the authors and editors of this work seek to avoid the status-quo and push themselves and the modern church to live in obedience in light of God's revelation. Since its founding by Billy Graham, Carl Henry, and others, this publication has commented on culture and shaped debate for over fifty years. Christianity Today has worked to change those who change the world: all who are serious about wanting their lives to be used by God as a counterculture for the common good.


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Better living -- and smarter rats -- through chemistry
Some day, humans may plant a chip in their head to help them remember where they put the car keys. (By Michael Kanellos, CNET News.com)
- A group of researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany, have devised a specially designed chip that can stimulate or monitor brain tissue when placed under it. A synapse fires, and a corresponding spike in voltage occurs in the adjacent chip. Alternatively, electricity courses through the chip, and chemical synapses fire in the brain tissue.
So far, the group has only used the technology to study the reactions of snail neurons, sections of rat brain and a few other types of nerve cells. The group is not close at all to delivering a product -- but the technology creates the possibility that the movements of mind can be mapped (or guided) by computers.
"The real goal is to make content-addressable memory" in living beings, said Peter Fromherz, speaking at the International Congress of Nanotechnology this week in San Francisco. "You can really look at brain dynamics with a CMOS chip," he said, referring to complementary metal-oxide semiconductors.
If you want to get a glimpse of the future, a nanotechnology conference is the place to be. Other ideas discussed at the three-day event include a fuel cell that runs on plant matter, including matter scavenged from the ground; a chip that can detect the onset of a disease days before any physically visible symptoms appear; and computers controlled by domino-like chain reactions among zinc-oxide molecules. More here
Quanta on my mind
Nano on the brain
Nanotubes and the tale of the rats


text:
Summer is almost here! If we had four seasons in the Philippines, it'll probably be around spring time now. Of course, Shantee the Dog Fashionista is into it too 🙂
I actually made this spring time doggie dress for Shantee a few years back. She wore it for a short television segment on GMA7's Zooperstars with child actress Sabrina Man (not sure if the show is still running now though). But hey, it's spring time! Since I haven't posted this dress on Dog Fashionista anyway, I thought this would be the best time to bring it out once again… Read more


text:
Fast TDD setup for TypeScript
Writing tests is not the most enjoyable task for many developers. Things become much easier when you have a fast response time in the edit-compile-test cycle. Combine it with a good expressive testing framework and you're off to a better start.
Panu talks about writing tests with TypeScript and how to optimize the process.
"Release Candidacy was really a time to see what we didn't consider outside of Google."
If you've been on the bleeding edge of Angular development, you might have noticed some massive breaking changes in the Angular RC cycles. This thread talks about that and the future of Angular 2's releases.
A Nerd's Guide to Color on the Web
There are a lot of ways to work with color on the web. Sarah Drasner thinks it's helpful to understand the mechanics behind what you're using, and color is no exception. This article delves into some of the technical details of color on the web.
10 reasons why you should give Elm a try
Elm is a beautiful language geared directly towards frontend development. It's inspired wonderful projects like Redux and is making waves in the frontend community. If you've been hesitant to pick the language up Thibaut Assus lays out 10 reasons why you should give it a shot!
Optimizing Ember Templates
When source code goes through a compiler or transpiler, it's easy to create a disconnect between the perceived weight of a piece of code and its actual size in the shipping product. This is especially true with Ember templates, where small changes can have a profound impact on the amount of JavaScript that is generated.
A Real-time Recipe for Rails and Ember using Pusher
The ability to update in real-time is a requirement for web applications today. We should expect the users to do as little as possible, and requiring a refresh to pull down the latest app state is one extra action. Kelly Sutton walks us through setting up a project for realtime user experiences.
Modernization of Reactivity
Reactive programming has taken JavaScript by storm over the last decade, and for good reason; front-end development greatly benefits from the simplicity of writing user interface code that "reacts" to data changes, eliminating substantial error-prone imperative code tasked with updating UIs. David Walsh talks about the practical uses of reactive programming in modern web development.
Descartes, Berkeley, and Functional Reactive Programming
Functional reactive programming is laden with unfamiliar terminology to the newcomer: pure functions, immutability, monads, etc. But beneath this nomenclature is a deeper principle — one debated long before Charles Babbage and the first computers. In this article David Valdman argues the difference between object-oriented programming (OOP) and functional reactive programming (FRP) is as much about interpretations of reality as it is about structures of programs.
React Router v4 (Pre)
React Router is getting an overhaul. Want a super early Ryan stayed up all night to get a preview out sneak peak? Check out this link.
React fast! A (kind-of) Definitive List of Frontend Blogs!
Sasha Pliusnina with Honeypot brings us a definitive list of frontend content resources! I definitely recommend checking these out.


text:
I purchased 4 different domains .co.uk .eu .app .us
I paid and received confirmation email.
I received all 3, but not .eu
I am from Lithuania and they do not have customer service for my country.
I tried to call customer service in Ireland, but it does not answer.
How do I receive my .eu domain?
Go to Solution.
Hi @Vytautas,
Thanks for posting. Yesterday we were experiencing issues where customers were unable to register, renew, delete, redeem or update any .EU domains but that has since been resolved. You Should have your .EU domain in your account, if you still do not see it, you should contact customer support.
View solution in original post


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[Episode 92] Today's episode of the Social Work Podcast looks at an innovative approach to developing strengths and resilience in youth experiencing homelessness - a music studio housed within an agency.
In today's interview, I speak with Brian Kelly, Ph.D., assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago. Brian briefly describes factors that put youth at risk for homelessness and the three levels of services provided to homeless youth. We end with Brian playing some clips from the audio documentary, and discussing how the music provides insight into the youths' lives.
Download MP3 [39:46]
Brian L. Kelly, Ph.D.
Loyola University Chicago
School of Social Work
Title/s: Assistant Professor
Office #: Lewis Tower 1247
Phone: 312.915.7479
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hey there podcast listener. You ready to play a game? It's called "word association." Freud loved it. He sort of built a whole psychotherapy off of it. If you don't know what it is, here's how you play it: I say a word, and you say the first thing that comes to mind. Yeah, just shout it out in your car, at the gym, on the bus, at the library, in class. It will be a good time. (Freud thought so). Alright. Here we go.
- Recording studio
- Composer
- Lyricist
- Musician
- Documentary
Here's what popped to my mind (and yes, I really did this exercise):
- Recording studio : Success
- Composer : Beethoven
- Lyricist : Stephen Sondheim
- Musician : Creative
- Documentary : Ken Burns
When I think about Beethoven, Sondheim, Burns, I think of them as creative and successful. These are high status associations. What I didn't associate with these words, was the words "homeless youth." Well, today's episode of the social work podcast is all about homeless youth who are composers, lyricists, musicians, whose work in a recording studio was the subject of a documentary.
My guest is Brian Kelly, assistant professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago. Brian's insights into the intersection of all of these ideas are drawn from his doctoral dissertation, "Superman in the smallest space: Exploring a music studio for young people experiencing homelessness." The link to the dissertation is on the website. In today's interview, Brian briefly describes factors that put youth at risk for homelessness, the three levels of services provided to homeless youth, and an innovative way of helping homeless, or housing insecure, youth develop skills and resources that might protect against future homelessness – a music studio housed within an agency. As part of his dissertation, Brian and the youth created an audio documentary. Brian first told me about his dissertation and the audio documentary about a year before we did this interview in November 2013. As he described the audio documentary I thought, "podcast. I gotta get this guy on the podcast, if for no other reason than to hear what these youth were able to create." Apparently my colleagues from University at Buffalo's InSocialWork podcast series felt the same way. You can hear Brian talking more in depth about his research questions, methodology and results in their episode 136. The link is on the podcast website. Now, the best part of this interview is that Brian shares with us some clips from the audio documentary.
And now, without further ado, on to episode 92 of the social work podcast, Music, positive youth development, and homelessness: Interview with Brian Kelly, Ph.D.
References and Resources
- Episode 136 - Dr. Brian Kelly: Superman in the Smallest Place: Exploring a Music Studio for Young People Experiencing Homelessness. (2014, February 3). inSocialWork® Podcast Series. [Audio Podcast] Retrieved from http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=136
- Kelly, B. L. (2013) Superman in the smallest space: Exploring a music studio for young people experiencing homelessness. [Dissertation]. Retrieved from http://indigo.uic.edu/bitstream/handle/10027/10220/Kelly_Brian.pdf?sequence=1
APA (6th ed) citation for this podcast:
Singer, J. B. (Producer). (2014, September 22). #92 - Music, positive youth development, and homelessness: Interview with Brian Kelly, Ph.D. [Audio Podcast]. Social Work Podcast. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkpodcast.com/2014/09/brian-kelly.html


text:
I came across the Minnesota State Park 125th Anniversary Challenge while looking for some upcoming MN State Park events. I didn't know the challenge was happening and the more I read about it the more excited I got.
The challenge is to "Bike, Boot or Boat" 125 miles in 2016 in honor of the 125th Anniversary of the MN State Parks.
My kids love being outside. We would be stupid to work on this crazy Airstream project of ours if they didn't love to be outside. Last year we boated, booted and biked a lot but I don't think we came close to hitting 125 miles. I love the idea of setting this big goal, getting the kids excited about it and keeping track of our progress.
Patrick isn't a huge fan of biking, Michael isn't a huge fan of hiking if there isn't a destination to work towards and Elise is 5 years old. 125 miles will be a lot of work but I think it will be great for us as a family. It will be a wonderful way to commit to getting our bodies and our minds ready for larger and longer Airstream family adventures.
The kids were gifted hiking boots and backpacks from my parents for Christmas. I can't wait to put them to use!
We are going to boot up, rent canoes and spend the year convincing Patrick that biking is fun. And then when we hit our 125 miles… we will get a sticker!
I know. It is just a silly sticker but I think that earning that sticker as a family and then maybe sticking it on Alice (not completely sold on the stickering up Alice idea quite yet) will be a great way to really drill into our kids that it is the experiences and not the stuff that matter. And even though it may seem like we have only gotten a sticker for all our work, we really received so much more!
I am really stoked about this challenge. We will continue to post about our progress on the blog but for more timely posts, follow us on Instagram.


text: Interested in this kind of news? Receive them directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week. Sign Up The draft proposal would also make EU transport's GHG emissions look 478 million tonnes lower than they actually are over the period 2021-2030, compared with a phaseout of first-generation biodiesel in 2025 and first-generation bioethanol in 2030. This is because biofuels count as zero-emissions fuel in the draft proposal [1]. The extra emissions and the 'hot air' that the loophole would introduce is equivalent to the total emissions of France in 2014. Annex X of the leaked Renewable Energy Directive states the Commission's intention to continue promoting land-based biofuels and have them account for 3.8% of transport fuels in 2030. This is a mere 1.1% reduction from the 4.9% biofuels share in transport achieved already in 2014, and almost a contradiction of the Commission's own Strategy for Low Emission Mobility that promised 'phaseout of food-based biofuels' in July. Jori Sihvonen, biofuels officer at Transport & Environment (T&E), said: "Just four months after promising a phaseout of food-based biofuels, the European Commission proposes to still have them supply 3.8% of Europe's transport energy in 2030. This is not a phaseout. It is business as usual, allowing the transport sector to pretend it is cleaning up on paper, while increasing its emissions on the road. Where have we seen this before?" On average, biodiesel from virgin vegetable oil leads to around 80% higher emissions than the fossil diesel it replaces. Biodiesel made from virgin vegetable oil is the most popular – and cheapest – biofuel in the European market with a market share of three-quarters in 2014. Of all biodiesel, palm oil has the highest GHG emissions – three times worse for the climate than fossil diesel, because palm expansion drives deforestation and peatland drainage in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. In 2014, 45% of all the palm oil used in Europe ended up in the tanks of cars and trucks. This number skyrocketed in only four years, as palm oil accounted for just 8% of biodiesel used in Europe in 2010. Earlier work by Ecofys on behalf of T&E found that both biodiesel and bioethanol plants are built for a payback period of 5-10 years, and that 95% of investments in current biodiesel installations would be paid back at the end of 2017. Jori Sihvonen concluded: "Biodiesel should be phased out well before 2030 given its devastating impacts on the world's climate and tropical forests. The industry will have been given more than enough time to earn a decent payback on its investment; it's time to turn the page and start a new era of truly green transport energy." Footnotes: [1] On average, first generation (1G) biofuels have GHG emissions 52% above those of the fossil fuel they replace, based on the biofuel mix of 2020. This is a weighted average of 81% higher GHG emissions from 1G biodiesel, and 33% lower GHG emissions from 1G bioethanol.


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Review by Claudia Moscovici, author of Holocaust Memories: A Survey of Holocaust Memoirs, Histories, Novels and Films (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2019)
The Holocaust refers to the genocide of nearly 6 million Jews by the Nazis and Nazi collaborators. There is no doubt that the Jews were singled out for systematic extermination. However, it is also important to keep in mind that the Nazis murdered or sent to slave labor camps millions of non-Jews as well. Over 3 million Russians died as prisoners of war and in concentration or labor camps established by the Nazis.
Max Hastings documents that by February 1942, "almost 60 percent of the 3.35 million Soviet prisoners in German hands had perished; by 1945, 3.3 million were dead out of 5.7 million taken captive. (Inferno, 488). A large percentage of Russian civilians sent to Nazi forced labor camps—170,000 out of 2.77 million workers—perished there, along with large numbers of Polish and Italian prisoners of war. (Inferno, 489).
The Nazi policy of deliberately starving the inhabitants of conquered territories—in Holland, Poland and the Soviet Union–in order to channel food and supplies to their soldiers and to native Germans led to the slow and painful deaths of millions of innocent people. Their deaths, and their suffering, are part of the Holocaust and should also be commemorated and remembered.
Auschwitz statistics tell a grim story about the Nazi regime's countless victims. According to Max Hastings, out of the over one million Jews who arrived at the camp only 100,000 survived, against all odds. Only half of the non-Jewish Polish prisoners survived in the camp. By the end of August 1944, when the Gypsy camp was liquidated, only 2000 out of the 23,000 Gypsies incarcerated at Auschwitz made it out alive. (see Inferno, 486).
Ruth Maier, a young Jewish Austrian woman, considered this more universal dimension of the Holocaust shortly before she herself was sent to die in Auschwitz:
"If you shut yourself away and look at this persecution and torture of Jews only from the viewpoint of a Jew, then you'll develop some sort of complex which is bound to lead to a slow but certain psychological collapse. The only solution is to see the Jewish question from a broader perspective… We'll only be rich when we understand that it's not just we who are a race of martyrs. That beside us there are countless others suffering, who will suffer like us until the end of time… if we don't … fight for a better…" (cited in The Diary of Ruth Maier, translated by Jamie Bulloch, Vintage Books 2010).
Ruth didn't finish her sentence. She perished in Auschwitz on December 1, 1942. In 2010, her diary appeared in an English translation by Jamie Bulloch under the title of Ruth Maier's Diary: A Jewish Girl's Life in Nazi Europe. Some have compared her writing to that of Hannah Arendt and Susan Sontag. Others have likened it to the journal of Anne Frank. Indeed, her diary offers not only an eloquent individual testimony about the Holocaust but also an important universal message: The Holocaust targeted Jews first and most, but the Nazi ethnic cleansing touched millions of lives and would have annihilated entire peoples and nations had Hitler realized his evil dreams. Ethnic hatred poisons the lives of countless people, often reaching far beyond the victims it isolates and targets first.
Claudia Moscovici, Literature Salon