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Mountcollins Feb 1
Card Game: The team of Tom Lenihan, Necia Lane and Jimmy O'Connell continued their winning run as they again emerged winners at last weeks card game. The runners-up prize was shared between Linda Gleeson, Marian Roche and J.J. Lenihan and John O'Connell, Toddy O'Connor and Florence O'Connell. The table prize went to Sean Lyons, Dan Brosnan and John Lyons. The door prize went to Eileen Murphy with raffle prizes going to Marian Quirke, Marian Roche, Eileen Murphy, Denis Flannagan and Necia Lane. Cards continue on this Thursday night at 9pm and all are welcome.
Ceili: The February ceili in Halla Tadhg Gaelach, Tournafulla will be held on St. Valentines Night, February 14th. Dancing will commence at 9.30pm to the music of Taylor Cross Ceili Band. There will be refreshments served during the evening and all are welcome.
Soccer Lotto: The numbers drawn last weeks soccer lotto were 3, 9, 21 and 28. There was no winner of the jackpot prize. The winners in the lucky dip draw were, PJ O Halloran, Listowel, Tess Boaz, Abbeyfeale, James Doran, Brosna, Jamie O Grady, Meenkilly and Breda O Connor, C/o Kostal. . The winner of the promoter's prize was Julie Murphy. This week's jackpot will be €1,900.
GAA NEWS: The club membership for 2014 is now due to Mountcollins GAA club. This years subscription is fixed at €30 for adults and €10 for students. It is most important that all players are registered with the club prior to the commencement of the playing season with training due to get underway shortly. From this year onwards it is compulsory for all players from underage level upwards to wear mouth guards. This is for players protection and insurance cover and no player will be allowed train or play without a mouth guard.
GAA Lotto: There was no jackpot winner in last weeks Mountcollins/Tournafulla Gaa clubs lotto where the numbers drawn were 5, 15, 16 and 23. The winners in the lucky dip draw were Scotts Fitzgerald, Abbeyfeale, Jimmy Wolfe, Michael O Callaghan, Tournafulla, Eugene Danaher, Listowel. The winner of the promoters prize was Muireann Hickey. This weeks draw will be held in The Goalpost Bar, Tournafulla for a jackpot prize of €3,100.
Parish History (2): The first church was built in the village in the middle of the 18th century by Fr. Luke Collins whose name was later adopted by the parish. Prior to this Mass was celebrated in private houses by priests from Abbeyfeale or Killeedy. In 1953 the Church was reconstructed with the addition of a sacristy, a bell tower of 80ft, a new roof and floor and an extension to the graveyard. Funds were collected through card games and dances. Fr. Dan Murphy was curate and he travelled to America and England to fund raise for the project. The first school in the parish was built in Caherlevoy in 1870. It had four teachers, two for the boys and two for the girls. Mountcollins had a large population at that time and children were encouraged to leave school at 12 or 13 years of age to accommodate the younger children. A new school was built across the river in 1948 and is used to this present day. Politics was to the fore front of the news in Mountcollins in 1918 with a large attendance at the Sinn Fein Club meeting. The officers elected were Chairman – Mr. J. Reidy, Vice Chairman – Mr. D.D. Lenihan, Secretary – Mr. M. Kerins, Treasurers – Mr. JJ O Connor and Mr. M.M. Lenihan. Committee members were Mr. D.D. Kenneally, Mr. Martin Lenihan, Mr. Lawrence Hartnett, Mr. Denis Lane, Mr. Denis Lyons and Mr. W. W. Quirke. A District Council of Cumann na mBan was formed in Mountcollins in June 1918. Delegates from Tournafulla, Brosna and Rockchapel were in attendance. The cumann had a very able and energetic secretary who has organised lectures and first aid classes for its members. The meeting also proposed conscription to the army in an effort to unite a wayward people.


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2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium Review – At the point when Toyota presented its 4Runner in 1984, it was on the main edge of what ended up noticeably known as the SUV rage. After thirty years, with the prime of the SUV contracting in our rearview reflect, rivals, for example, the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder have relinquished the "put a wagon body on a pickup-truck body" recipe to grasp current, auto based, hybrid ideal models. The 2014 Toyota 4Runner has amended outside styling, new headlights and a patched up inside. A touchscreen-based sound framework and Toyota's Entune suite of cell phone associated applications are standard for every single trim level, just like a rearview camera. There are additionally minor changes in standard hardware.
Meet the 2014 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Trail Premium: a straightforward, old canine that is found out a couple of new traps in this most recent era. On paper, it's shaking a 12-year-old power-prepare that is as moronic as a sack of sledges, however on those mallets is a touch of innovative insight with an Advanced Traction Control framework. Initially, the thick dashboard resembles a tyke's toy, yet fueling the infotainment is Toyota's Web-associated, application based Entune framework. Most likely you've as of now observed the ordinary star rating above, yet I really making the most of my week gone through with Big Red.
2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium Review
The 2014 Toyota 4Runner Specs comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 motor that produces 270 pull and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed programmed transmission is likewise standard. The SR5 and Limited models are accessible with either raise wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while the Trail is 4WD as it were.
Control now moves through the main alternative, a 5-speed programmed transmission, on its way to the back pivot. On the off chance that this is sounding recognizable, this is on account of Toyota has essentially conveyed a similar motor and transmission combo from the past era into this 2014 model with a couple changes. From one perspective, Toyota is staying with a more seasoned gearbox here with just five forward proportions, while whatever is left of the business moves to six and past. On the other, Toyota realizes that this gearbox will be solid regardless of the possibility that it's additionally somewhat unsatisfying. That gearbox highlights Sport and Manual move modes that marginally change the character of the vehicle's execution, however no oar shifters on the controlling wheel. (We'll speak more about that controlling wheel in a bit.)
2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail
Before achieving the back wheels, a touch of the motor's torque can be redistributed to the front wheels through the discretionary 4×4 framework (standard on our Trail Premium model). The driver connects with the 4×4 framework not with a bank of catches or an electronic handle, however with an antiquated move lever that sits just to one side of the transmission's stick. Tossing this lever from 2H to 4H is a mechanical issue with no electronic silliness. Move from 4H to 4L, you can feel the riggings of the exchange case connecting with or, in case you're not cautious, crushing against each other.
As I said before, on the off chance that you don't realize what you're doing, fiddling around with the Toyota 4runner 2014 4×4 framework's shifter could bring about some appalling granulating of apparatuses, so Toyota has incorporated a little, single-line show at the highest point of the dashboard that gives the drivers data and guideline about what the 4×4 framework and A-TRAC are doing. It will, for instance, reveal to you that you have to drive forward or back a bit when moving in the vicinity of 2H and 4H or that the A-TRAC landscape administration framework won't work in 2H, so quit fiddling with it. It will disclose to you what A-TRAC program you've chosen and what exchange case proportion works best for the picked landscape. No, it's no place close as enlightening or natural as the framework that we tried in the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, however it doesn't expect to be.
2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium Driving Impressions
Not at all like the vast majority of today's moderate size SUVs, the 2014 4runner trail vs trail premium is intended to give genuine utility when the asphalt closes. This Toyota is getting it done when you're stopping along on rough terrain trails – the Trail with discretionary KDSS is the form you'll need for these enterprises. In the meantime, the 4Runner has enough refinement that you can essentially drive it to work each day, if that is your inclination. This is as yet a SUV in the customary form, be that as it may, and contrasted with present day hybrid SUVs you'll feel significantly a greater amount of the knocks and grooves in the street. Toyota's directing feels excessively light and overboosted in ordinary driving circumstances, yet this adjustment ends up being perfect for going dirt road romping, as it results in lessened kickback on gnarly trails.
At last, these 4Runners felt more not quite the same as you'd anticipate. Driving the Limited resembled a return to the '90s and the pinnacle time of SUV-as-extravagance proclamation, notwithstanding a couple of current touches. The Trail appeared to be nimbler and more inclined to fulfill those drivers whose ways of life truly do include the outrageous conditions that actors just dream about. Luckily for Toyota, 4Runner unwaveringness runs profound. Today, clients who need a genuine truck-based SUV for what it can do will be happy to know there are as yet a couple of accessible; the individuals who were becoming tied up with the picture have proceeded onward.

subset: commoncrawl


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LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2020 / Georgia Healthcare Group PLC ('GHG' or the 'Group') (LSE:GHG), announces the Group's first quarter 2020 consolidated financial results. Unless otherwise mentioned, comparatives are for the first quarter of 2019. The results are based on International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted in the European Union ('EU'), are unaudited and extracted from management accounts.
GHG announces today the Group's 1Q20 consolidated results, reporting 10.6% y-o-y growth in revenues to GEL 260.1 million (US$79.2 million/GBP 63.9 million) and a 50 basis point reduction in ROIC. The Group posted near break-even profit of GEL 0.1 million, excluding the IFRS 16 lease accounting impact. The Group's adjusted1 profit and EPS in 1Q20 totalled GEL 14.3 million (US$4.4 million/GBP 3.5 million) and GEL 0.07 (US$0.02 per share/GBP 0.02 per share) respectively, both excluding IFRS 16 impact.
The Group adopted IFRS 16 'Leases' from 1 January 2019. As investors are accustomed to viewing lease expense as part of operating expense, and the impact of the accounting change is particularly meaningful to the Group given that facilities lease contracts in Georgia are denominated in U.S. dollars and the dollar/GEL exchange rate has been quite volatile, the financial tables and discussions throughout this report for the Group and each business line provide the numbers both including and excluding the IFRS 16 impact. We believe that this provides a more meaningful explanation of business processes translating into the Group's results.
GHG - the market leader in Georgia's healthcare ecosystem
1 Adjusted to exclude losses from foreign currencies and non-recurring expenses
During the first quarter of 2020, the Group's business and focus has been substantially affected by the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and Georgia's response to it which has, to date, been effective and successful. Georgia's response to the virus outbreak was rapid, with swift containment measures proving critical in ensuring that Georgia has one of the lowest active ratio of COVID-19 cases per capita in the Europe. Early international flight restrictions and a full lockdown, extending to a declared State of Emergency which will remain in place until 21 May, have led to significant negative economic pressures and an expectation of a reduction of an estimated 4% in GDP during 2020.
As the largest healthcare provider in the country, Georgia Healthcare Group has risen to the challenge of supporting the Government's efforts while, at the same time, developing significant Group-wide action plans to cater for our patients' and customers' needs, as well as to ensure the health and well-being of all of our employees.
Infection prevention and communicable disease emergency preparedness programmes and guidelines relating to hospital admission, are already established across the Group. To prevent the virus spread, employees at our hospitals, clinics and pharmacies have been given comprehensive training, including how to manage patients and customers flow. Personal protection equipment has been procured and made available in our healthcare facilities and pharmacies, with appropriate instructions.
In close co-ordination with the Government, we have made six of our hospitals (c.600 beds) available across the country, for COVID-19 patients. These facilities are already prepared with properly trained medical teams, isolation wards, and fully equipped intensive and critical care units. In May, two of them already officially started to engage and receive the patients. Substantial contingency arrangements have been put in place, and further details of these are described on pages 9-10.
It is currently very difficult to fully estimate the severity of the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent economic lockdown. The impact has, however, been different in each of the Group's businesses. In the Hospitals and Clinics businesses the most significant impact has been a meaningful reduction in patient footfall, both in terms of lower emergency treatment requirements, and the cancellation and/or postponement of many elective procedures during the lockdown. This reduction led to utilisation levels falling to between 35-40% during April, although there have been some early signs of a pick-up in treatments and utilisation rates so far in May, as the country started gradually to lift lock-down restrictions. The Pharmacy and Distribution business has been more resilient throughout the pandemic, as our pharmacies remained open throughout Georgia's initial economic lockdown and delivered a small increase in quarter on quarter sales. In the Medical Insurance business, the main impact of the last few months has been a reduction in loss ratios.
In the face of these challenges, the Group's response has been robust. Each of our businesses has stood strong and we are ensuring that the Group is well positioned to face the changing environment. We have taken number of specific actions to ensure the Group's operational stability and financial and balance sheet health, including:
- Implementing a number of Group wide cost management initiatives, such as reviewing the lease contracts terms of our pharmacies and clinics;
- Reducing certain planned capital expenditures;
- Securing a new USD 25 million loan facility from EBRD, to provide additional contingent liquidity;
- Requesting grace periods on principal payments on some existing loan facilities; and
- Deciding not to recommend an annual dividend to shareholders at the forthcoming AGM.
During the first two months of the year, our performance was demonstrating our ability to capture the benefits of our recent investments and core business strategies. In March, however, the COVID-19 impact changed many short-term business priorities, and our near-term focus has shifted to supporting the country's healthcare system to effectively manage the situation and maintain the health of the Georgian population. At the same time, we have prepared for the economic downturn, for which the Group is well positioned.
In the first quarter of 2020, strong organic revenue growth in the Pharmacy and Distribution business was offset by lower revenues in the Hospitals business, but still led to double-digit overall revenue growth at the Group level. Excluding the impact of IFRS 16, the Group delivered EBITBA of GEL 36.3 million, 3% lower than in the first quarter of last year, and adjusted profit2 of GEL 14.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to GEL 18.3 million in the first quarter of last year. The Group's balance sheet remains robust and, during the quarter, net debt continued to fall as a result of continued strong operating cash flows. Net cash flows from operating activities increased by 65% to GEL 43.2 million, with an EBITDA to cash conversion ratio of 119%, reflecting strong cash collections in the Hospitals and Clinics businesses. The Group's return on invested capital reduced slightly, from 12.3% to 11.8%.
During the quarter the Georgian Lari depreciated by c.13% against the Euro and c.15% against the US Dollar. This depreciation led to foreign exchange losses, largely attributable to the revaluation of foreign currency denominated payable in the Pharmacy and Distribution business, which created a net loss from foreign currencies, excluding the impact of IFRS 16, of GEL 13.5 million. So far, this impact has partially reversed in the second quarter.
Hospitals business. The Hospitals business has been significantly affected by the economic and travels restrictions implemented throughout the country during February which, when combined with general concern throughout the population with regard to catching the virus, reduced the number of referrals in hospitals. With the vast majority of elective treatments being restricted in March, and the number of emergency cases falling significantly, overall hospital admissions decreased by 12% in the quarter. As a result, the quarterly EBITDA of the Hospitals business reduced by 23% year-on-year to GEL 14.7 million, excluding the impact of IFRS 16. As noted above, trends in April worsened, with the overall number of admissions down approximately 60% year-on-year, although we have seen some signs of increased activity during the first few weeks of May.
Clinics business. Our Clinics business was also significantly affected by lower patient footfall from the beginning of March, although overall clinics revenues increased by 9%, to GEL 12.1 million, following a strong first two months of the year, enabling the business to post a 15% increase in EBITDA to GEL 2.4 million during the quarter, excluding the impact of IFRS 16. Patient activity levels were down by c.60% in April, reflecting the impact of the Government lockdown restrictions, however we expect to see activity levels rebound in line with the start of the easing of these restrictions.
Pharmacy and Distribution business. Our Pharmacy chain and Distribution business has been less affected by the COVID-19 related restrictions. Our pharmacies have remained open and during the quarter benefited slightly from higher demand for pharmacy products. As a result, the business posted record quarterly revenues of GEL 175 million, with 20% year-on-year sales growth. EBITDA, excluding IFRS 16 impact, increased by 19% to GEL 18.6 million, and the EBITDA margin remained strong at 10.6%. The GEL devaluation during the quarter created a foreign currency loss, excluding the impact of IFRS 16, of GEL 9.4 million reflecting the increase in the GEL value of US Dollar denominated payables to suppliers. This has partially been reversed so far in the second quarter. Excluding the impact of IFRS 16 impact, the business reported adjusted profit2 of GEL 13.8 million, an increase of 16% year-on-year. Pharmacy revenues during April and May have been negatively affected by the lockdown.
Medical insurance business. In our Medical Insurance business, net insurance premiums earned increased by 3%, as good progress in increasing client numbers was partially offset by the expiry of the Ministry of Defence contract in February. We also continued to improve the level of medical insurance claims retained within the Group and, in the first quarter of 2020, 44% of medical expense claims were retained within the Group. The business loss ratio in the quarter benefited from lower levels of hospital and clinics patient activity and the expiry of the higher loss ratio Ministry of Defence contract, and this trend further increased in April. This improvement has, however, been partially offset by an increase in the business expense ratio as a result of a decline in receivables collection and consequent increase in the impairment expense.
Diagnostics business. We have continued to make strong progress in the utilisation of Mega Lab and Diagnostics business revenues increased by 44% in the quarter, y-o-y. Mega Lab is one of the few facilities in Georgia that was assessed to satisfy the strict criteria for COVID-19 testing within the scope of the Georgian state testing programme, in which we started to engage from April. The business is also currently engaged in commercial testing for COVID-19.
Group-wide initiatives
As part of our response to the crisis, we have expedited a number of new digital services, through our new EKIMO application, which include the launch of telemedicine and an online pharmacy home delivery service. The services are picking up well and since the launch, in March 2020, we already had c.3,800 online pharmacy orders and c.1,500 online consultations. We think now it is the best time to enhance our digital channels, as we consider digital health as a significant strategic opportunity for the Group.
Given the significant level of uncertainty with regard to the global impact of COVID-19, and the potential length of time of that impact, the Group has reconsidered its planned levels of capital expenditure and for the moment is prioritising those projects that are important to current business operations. As a result, the level of expected capital expenditure for 2020 has been reduced from the previously anticipated GEL c.40 million, to GEL c.25 million.
In addition, on 18 March 2020, the Board announced that it had decided not to recommend a dividend to shareholders at the 2020 Annual General Meeting, pending a greater understanding of the full economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the ongoing uncertainties, the Board has confirmed that the Group will not distribute a 2019 dividend to shareholders. The Group continues to generate positive cash flows and the Board plans to return to its targeted payout ratio range of 20%-30% of annual profit attributable to shareholders as soon as practically possible.
These are challenging times, but the Group has ensured that each business continues to deliver strong operational performance, with exceptional resilience, business continuity planning and clinical excellence. This positions our businesses as the strongest brands in the country, and we expect to see the benefits of this once the situation recovers. The start of the lockdown restrictions has clearly impacted our first quarter performance, and April was particularly challenging. Nevertheless, each main business remained EBITDA positive throughout these difficult times. We have ensured that our balance sheet is strong and we have increased our cash and liquidity to maintain this strength to be well prepared for the post recovery opportunities. As the situation improves in the country, the Government has started gradually to lift the restrictions, which will also help the rebound trend.
At its core, Georgia Healthcare Group is a people business, and it is in times like these that we experience the true quality of the organisation and its people. We have seen a remarkable response from all of our management and employee teams, and I thank everyone for their fantastic energy and resilience in supporting not just the business, but also the country in its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Nikoloz Gamkrelidze,
CEO of Georgia Healthcare Group PLC
2Adjusted to exclude losses from foreign currencies and non-recurring expenses
GHG overview
Georgia Healthcare Group is the largest and the only fully integrated healthcare provider in the fast-growing, predominantly privately-owned Georgian healthcare ecosystem with an aggregate annual value of c.GEL 3.8 billion. Georgia Healthcare Group PLC is the UK incorporated holding company of the Group and is listed on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange.
GHG comprises five business lines: Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacy and Distribution, Medical Insurance and Diagnostics. Each business line has its own chief operating officer reporting to the Group CEO, pursuing value creation through revenue growth, profit growth and asset productivity (ROIC). With the exception of Pharmacy and Distribution, which has a small presence in Armenia, each business operates exclusively in Georgia. In Georgia:
GHG is the single largest market participant in the healthcare services industry, accounting for more than 23% of the country's total hospital bed capacity, as of 31 March 2020. Through its vertically integrated network of hospitals and clinics, our healthcare services business offers the most comprehensive high-quality range of inpatient and outpatient services targeting virtually all segments of the Georgian market.
· Hospitals business operates 18 referral hospitals with a total of 2,967 beds, providing secondary or tertiary level healthcare services, located in Tbilisi and major regional cities.
· Clinics business operates 34 healthcare facilities, including:
- 19 community clinics with a total of 353 beds, providing outpatient and basic inpatient healthcare services, located in regional towns and municipalities.
- 15 district polyclinics, providing outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, located in Tbilisi and major regional cities.
GHG is the largest pharmaceuticals retailer and wholesaler, with a c.32% market share by revenue. Our Pharmacy and Distribution business consists of a retail pharmacy chain and a wholesale business which sells pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to hospitals inside and outside the Group and to pharmacies outside the Group. The pharmacy chain operates under two separate brand names, Pharmadepot and GPC, with a total of 298 pharmacies, of which 21 are located within our healthcare facilities. The Pharmacy and Distribution business is the country's largest retailer in terms of both revenue and number of bills issued.
GHG is also the largest provider of medical insurance, with a 32% market share based on 4Q19 net insurance premiums. Our Medical Insurance business consists of private medical insurance operations in Georgia. We have a wide distribution network and offer a variety of medical insurance products primarily to Georgian corporate and state entities and also to retail clients. We have c.178,000 persons insured as at March 2020. The Medical Insurance business plays an important role in our business model, as it is a significant feeder for our polyclinics, pharmacies and hospitals.
GHG opened the largest diagnostics laboratory (not only in Georgia but in the entire Caucasus region). In December 2018, we added Diagnostics business under GHG, an important new business line for the Group, by opening Mega Laboratory ('Mega Lab'). The multi-disciplinary laboratory, equipped with latest infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment, covers 7,500 square metres. High-capacity automated systems enable GHG to provide accurate, high-quality results to the entire population of the country. In addition to basic laboratory tests, the laboratory allows us to offer complex tests for oncology and a molecular lab. Some of the lab tests offered by Mega Lab have never been available in Georgia; offering them provides faster service to our clinicians and retains the value in the Group.
For a copy of the full press release, click on the link below:
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact email@example.com or visit www.rns.com.
SOURCE: Georgia Healthcare Group PLC
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A complete business solution provider
Alliance Computers Co W.L.L is a division of Alireza Holding group of companies. We works both as a consultancy partner and a solution provider with its customers, guiding them through the process of identifying key requirements and exploring the various option before delivering the solutions in an efficient and economical manner. Combining detailed domain knowledge with proven development and delivery capabilities, our solutions meet the specific requirements of individual customers.
ERP Consulting
ERP Services – Consulting, Implementation, Training and Enhancement. We provide strategic ERP Services for enterprises across the Kingdom of Bahrain that face up to market challenges.
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We are provide the necessary professional and technical assistance in information technology to design, implement, manage and support advanced networking solutions.
Web development
We provides the activity related to developing a web site for the World Wide Web (www) This includes e-commerce business development, web design.
Customized Software Development
Today's technology world changes constantly and the massive volume of information at our fingertips grows at an ever-increasing rate.
Microsoft Dynamics
A Business Solution from Microsoft – that is quick to implement, Easy to Use, and has a power to support SMB ambition Microsoft Dynamics is a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.
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ePROMIS Enterprise ERP Software is a full-fledged, fully integrated ERP system that serves the needs of the Big Enterprises. With high levels of customization and provide the best solution for your organization.
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Missing Open World
Such announcements as there were seem rather ho-humish. Is there more to Oracle's support for the cloud than jumping on a fashionable bandwagon? Well there is Oracle's partnership with Intel. It's official: Larry now likes x86 chips more than he likes SPARCs. In fact, I think the big story from Open World is the dissolution of the Sun-Oracle relationship. For over a decade, Oracle on Solaris has gone together like a horse and carriage. Not any more.
The most significant thing about Ellison's keynote was not Exadata appliance itself - it's a rather niche product - but the fact that the hardware is supplied by HP. In the old days the hardware would have been Sun, but then Sun went and bought MySQL and things went rather sour. Funnily enough last week Sun announced a remarkably similar sounding device they
were building for Fox Interactive Media, albeit using "Greenplum's data warehousing software on Sun's Solaris/ZFS based OpenStorage platforms".
Despite what I said earlier there were many interesting sounding presentations. Jared Still recently listed a few of them on Oracle-L. I hope that they will eventually be made available to the masses. At the moment there's only Oracle on demand which is demanding - oh ho! - $700 for streaming access to the presentations. I think I'll pass.
Labels: openworld


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By Julie Shoemaker
Three different stamps and ink colors were used on the background on each of these cards. The first card is 'glittered' which you probably can't see in the photo. A Faux Designer Paper technique was used to create the background of all 3 of these cards. When I first started stamping, I became a member of 'Technique Junkies', which gave me the tools I needed to use ink and paper in a more creative way. I created my own paper flower on the last card by simply cutting circles with decorative scissors out of matching paper, stamping on some vellum, crumpling them a bit and layering them up. The stamps and paper are all Club Scrap. I hope your week is Extraordinary...
Category: Cards 2 Leave a comment
2 Leave a comment:
Time to re-try paper flowers again, this one is AWESOME!
- Wednesday, 12 May, 2010
- Capescrapper said...
Just beautiful cards Julie!! Love the flower!
- Wednesday, 12 May, 2010
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It is challenging to visualize a world without garages. It houses your rake, your toolbox and, most importantly, your car. The word "garage" comes from the French word "garer," which means to protect and shelter. Like most inventions, the garage was created out of necessity and has evolved tremendously.
An Accidental Garage
After Henry Ford created the Quadricycle in 1896 in an old shed, he soon found the doors were not big enough to move the vehicle. In order to allow Ford to remove his new creation and take it for a test drive, he decided to strike an opening in the brick wall that was large enough for the Quadricily to exit. In return, he unintentionally created the very first garage.
A Bigger Need is Created
As more and more people began to buy automobiles in the 1920s, they suddenly needed to find a place to keep their cars safe. People already had carriage houses for livestock and horses but quickly realized that it was not the right place store a car due to bad odors. A short time later, people began building structures solely to store their cars. The units were actually a lot like carriage houses but were made completely from wood with two front doors. However the structures weren't very functional. The doors were heavy and awkward, and after a short time, the hinges fell out due to rust.
The Modern-Day Invention
The invention of modern-day garages were necessitated by the fact that a normal-hinged door needed a much wider opening space, leading to extremely large garages. The traditional wooden overhead doors that were made have been replaced by fiberglass and galvanized steel. The maintenance of galvanized steel or fiberglass product is minimal compared to that of wood. These materials don't rust, warp, fade or rot.
New technologies like garage door openers, tamper-resistant bottom brackets, pinch-resistant doors and many other innovations have been developed. Raynor Garage Doors of Kansas City can help you select the best garage door for you and your needs. Give us a call today at (913) 766-2366.


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Family Worker Training + Development Programme Inc. (FWT+DP) is a non-government, not for profit agency supporting the learning and development of people working with families in western Sydney. FWT+DP delivers a wide range of dynamic and affordable training and other learning and development opportunities on topics and issues current to the needs of individuals and agencies working with families.
FWT+DP pride itself on delivering quality training and development based on current best practice and the evidence base in the relevant disciplines.
Check out our profile video to listen to more about what we do:


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Series Profile
Network: Disney Channel
Genre: Children, Comedy
Genre: Children, Comedy
Status: Ended
Rating: TV-G
Rating: TV-G
Synopsis: Miley Stewart might seem like an average girl but she isn't. She moved from Tennessee to Malibu and is adapting to a new lifestyle. Miley has a huge secret only known by her dad/manager Robbie Ray Stewart, her weird brother Jackson Stewart, and her two best friends Lilly Truscott and Oliver Oken. Miley Stewart's huge secret is she leads a double as the famous pop singer Hannah Montana along with her friend Lilly who also has a double life as Lola, Hannah's friend.
Miley Cyrus,Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Mitchel Musso, Moises Arias,
Photo Galleries
- Miley Cyrus71 Pictures
- Mitchel Musso7 Pictures
- Emily Osment35 Pictures


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Digital electric heating solutions
Discover Harmoni Heating's premium range of energy efficient, intuitive and well-designed practical heaters with electrical excellence at the heart of every product. All Harmoni digital electric heaters are Lot 20 approved.
Harmoni Heating has 30 years' electrical specialist trading experience and we are proud of our reputation for providing exceptional customer service, sound technical advice and quality products.
Harmoni Electric Radiators
The Harmoni Lugo range incorporates many features, including an intelligent 24/7 programming control & much more, along with a conservatory radiator range for low-level walls.
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Harmoni Ebro digital electric towel rails are programmable with an exclusive electronic temperature programmer. Available in 4 different sizes and two finishes: chrome & white.
Harmoni Thermostats
Harmoni thermostats are not only stylish and well designed, they are intuitive and easy to use with advanced energy saving features. Simple set-up procedure.


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Having a Memory for God
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Author: Catholic.net | Source: Catholic.net
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8: 14-21.
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered him, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
Introductory Prayer:
Lord, I know you have worked in my life, and yet I take so little account of it. Just knowing the truth of your presence in my past would be enough to convert my heart totally to a future of commitment to you. Knowing your history will make me long for you. I am hungry for goodness that will make this day fruitful in ways that will last, that will not deceive me. I intend not to let my mundane passions leave me blind and crippled before the opportunity to be your apostle today.
Lord, grant me the grace to commit myself more to your will through a deeper trust and confidence in you.
1. Missing the Foundation:
"Is it because we have no bread?" We can see how easy it is to miss the messages God wishes to send us in prayer, because we are preoccupied only with what is immediate. We can be hungry for success, want a friend or family member to make peace with us, or we become obsessed over the finances. The insecure heart is pulled away from a healthy vision of life because it is not founded on rock. The soul that lives from the true foundation knows that as long as it has Christ and is doing his will, all is well.
2. Remembering the Works of God:
"Don't you remember?" One of the worst sins: the people of Israel had forgotten God's great works on their behalf. It is important to reflect often and with gratitude on the many benefits we have received from Our Lord. Each of us should remember: It is God who created us and who has began the work of our holiness. If he has brought us this far with only a modest amount of cooperation on our part, how much further could we go if we were to give him our total dedication? How much more good would flourish in our lives? How many problems would find God's hand shaping them for our benefit?
3. Wishing to See Again:
Any day, every follower of Christ should have a healthy mistrust of what he thinks is the absolute need for his life. Oftentimes, a spiritual "detox" is in order to free us from becoming obsessed over secondary goals. This detox is found in the school of prayer. St. Augustine notes prayer is where we exercise desire, where we let our heart purify itself from its distractions, and where we let affection and devotion for the Beloved expand. The fire of divine love can heal many divisions and complexes in our psychology, if we consistently open ourselves up to it.
Conversation with Christ:
Lord, keep me from that spiritual anorexia that makes me lose the hunger for your presence in my life. I can let daily pressures and disordered passions block my ability to love you as I should. How I endanger myself; how I destroy my happiness in this world of illusion. Free me, Jesus, from my own folly! Give me back the hunger to love you again, as I promise never again to let myself be carried away by activism and pride.
Today I will write down things that I have been seeking that could take me away from Christ. I will honestly renounce them in an attitude of holy indifference, wanting them only as much as Jesus wants them in my life.


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|Project name
|Living and Working in Coronavirus Times
WageIndicator is interviewing people around the world to discover what makes the Coronavirus lockdown easier (or tougher), and what is the COVID-19 effect on our jobs, lives and mood. The results are shown in maps and graphs for 100 plus countries, updated on a daily basis. WageIndicator Foundation is responsible for the contents of the survey and the daily updated maps and graphs.
WageIndicator Foundation organizes this global research effort together associated researchers, web masters and translators through its network. All contributions to make this survey possible, to operate it and to disseminate results through its many websites are for free.
March 15, 2020 till …
|Global - 134 countries, 38 languages
Pilot Mapping Collective Bargaining Agreements of Palm Oil Plantations
|Improved labour rights in the palm oil value chain as a result of the existence of a CBA database providing valuable data for different parties to address and mitigate labour rights risks:
● for the financial sector
● for the palm oil traders
● for palm oil plantations
● for strengthening trade unions positions and capacity to negotiate improved CBAs ensuring better working conditions and increased trade union rights.
|Netherlands Enterprise Agency
|2020 - 2021
|West Kalimantan, Indonesia
|Insight in actual wages, Cost of Living and Collective Agreements, in order to strengthen say of trade unions through improved Collective Agreements
|Mondiaal FNV
|Q1 and Q2 2020
|ResPecTMe - Researching Precariousness across the Paid/Unpaid Work Continuum
|ResPecTMe will generate a new theoretical model of, and a measurement approach and monitoring tools for, precariousness at the paid and unpaid work continuum. By uncovering the unpaid activities that increasingly underlie paid employment as a source of 'value' creation in the labour market, ResPecTMe will generate a novel scientific perspective which breaks the paid/unpaid distinction, and rethinks precariousness on the paid/unpaid work continuum.
|The project This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement n° 833577). WageIndicator is a partner in this project.
|October 2019 - August 2024
|Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom
|How Decent is my Factory? Phase 2
|Workers' driven academic data input on wages and working conditions, enabling stakeholders in the garment industry to check, debate and negotiate factory specific compliance with the labor law and to promote wide application of Collective Agreements.
|C&A Foundation
|October 2019 - October 2022 (follow up from Transparency through Mobile Internet )
|Process and offer target group and action-oriented information in order to make up for knowledge arrears in the fields of rights and pay quickly and effectively, for the benefit of platform workers in the Netherlands, Argentina, India Spain, UK, South Africa.
|Instituut Gak
|October 2019 - April 2021
|Netherlands, Argentina, India, Spain, South Africa, United Kingdom
|Improve labour conditions through compliance checks in the flower sector in Ethiopia and Uganda.
|Mondiaal FNV
|July 2019 - January 2022
|Ethiopia, Uganda
|Teach and share WageIndicator survey, data processing and dissemination know how with FLAME students and offering internships to max 100 students per year.
|FLAME University, Pune, India
|July 2019 - July 2022
|Contribute wage and cost of living data for the creation of a level playing field in tripartite negotiations and consultations, in preparation of establishing new minimum wage levels in the country
|Mondiaal FNV
|Second half 2019
|Aims to provide insight into the taxes and social security contributions that Dutch employees and employers have to pay, through updating its Gross/Net Check and providing explanatory content
|Instituut Gak
|May 2019 - June 2020
|The Netherlands
|Changes in the financial Labour Market: the impact of Directive 2014/65 (MiFID II) and Digitalization.
|European Commission - Social Dialogue Program - VP/2018/004/0049
|2019 - 2020
The overall objective of COLBAR-EUROPE is to improve knowledge about industrial relations and social dialogue, specifically about the content of Collective Agreements in Europe.
European Commission - Social Dialogue Program - Improving expertise in the field of industrial relations - VP/2018/004/0008
|April 1, 2019 - April 1, 2021
|Europe 28 plus 5 associate countries
The project aims to provide a full-fledged Social Sciences and Humanities Open Cloud (SSHOC) where data, tools, and training are available and accessible for users of SSH data.
European Commission - Horizon 2020 Framework Programme : H2020-INFRAEOSC-2018-2020, nr 823782: Implementing the European Open Science Cloud
|January 1, 2019 - May 1 2022
REWIR (Negotiating Return to Work in the Age of Demographic Change through Industrial Relations)
European Commission – DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
|March 1, 2019 - April 1 2021
|Europe - Case studies for Estonia Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia + benchmark studies for France, Germany and the UK
|INGRID2 - Inclusive Growth Infrastructure Diffusion
InGRID2: Inclusive Growth Research Infrastructure Diffusion to fulfil its key role in the development of evidence-based European policies for Inclusive Growth, better measurement of related state policies.
European Union - Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (No. 730998)
|May 2017 - May 2021
|Mywage.org/Ethiopia for living wages in the garment sector
This project has a focus on the garment industry. Results will be good insight in living wages, in collective agreements and compliance with the law in garment factories. On the basis of living wages, analyses of the CBA's and performence of factories the trade unions will use intervention meetings with employers/employees in the factories to improve conditions.
FNV Mondiaal
|January 2018 - January 2021
|Transparency through Mobile Internet
Enabling apparel workers and employers to check, debate, negotiate and publish wages and working conditions online
|C&A Foundation
|April 1, 2017 - April 1, 2019, bridge project til August 1, 2019. (Phase 2 - 2029-2022: How Decent is my Factory? )
Synergies for Europe's Research Infrastructures in the Social Sciences (SERISS) is a four-year project that aims to strengthen and harmonise social science research across Europe. - Publications
|European Union - Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (No. 654221)
|2015 - 2019
Improve expertise in industrial relations in the commerce sector by an innovative approach to analyse the content of collective agreements and relating this to the sectoral bargaining systems, resulting in 3 widely available publications.
European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2016/0106)
|April 2016 - April 2018
|Decent Wage Central America
Focus Central America - 2016 - Smarter Collective Agreements.
Continue marketing Tusalario
|CNV International - Netherlands
|2014 - 2017
|Central America
|Living Wage
Focus in East Africa - 2016 - Wages in Context/ Collective Agreement Data base
Continue marketing Mywage
|Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2012 - 2017
|East Africa
|Decent Wage Africa
|Focus in West Africa and Madagascar in 2016 - Good Company Certificates. Continue marketing Votresalaire.org
|CNV International - Netherlands
|2012 - 2017
|Francophone Africa
|Decent Wage Asia
|Focus in 2016 on improvent information to avid violence at the workplace. Continue marketing Gajimu and Prake
|CNV International - Netherlands
|2011 - 2017
|Enabling Social Dialogue - East/West Africa
|Focus in 2016 in East and West Africa on debates as mini social dialogues. Continue marketing Mywage and Africapay.
|FNV Mondiaal/ DECP - Netherlands
|2011 - 2017
|East Africa and Ghana
|Wages in Context
|2016 - >
|Garment Industry in Asia
|Wages in Context in the Garment Industry in Asia
|Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2015 - 2016
|Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
|Working to end sexual harassment in the workplace: South Africa and Indonesia collaborate. This project is a unique comparison which explores legislation and social action about sexual harassment in the workplace in South Africa and Indonesia.
|CNV International - Netherlands, (This activity is a part of project: Decent Work & Wages Africa and Asia, 2016)
|October 2016
|South Africa and Indonesia
|Monitoring the impact of the WageIndicator sites and activities
|Focus in 2016 impact of debates, websites, helpdesk
|FNV Mondiaal - Netherlands
|East Africa and Ghana
|Industry-level bargaining structures in relation to employment and competi-tive structures in 23 European countries (under review)
|European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2014/0533)
|December 2014 - December 2016
|Labour market matching processes
|European Union - Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (No. 608311)
|October 2013 - October 2017
|Inclusive Growth Infrastructure Diffusion – working conditions
|European Union - FP7 research programme (No. 312691)
|February 2013 - February 2017 - InGRID 2 - prolongation
|Widely disseminate information about gender pay gap in European countries and support trade unions in Hungary, Spain and The Netherlands to reduce the gender pay gap.
|European Union - Progress Program (No. JUST/2013/PROG/AG/4929/GE)
|December 2014 - December 2016
|Europe plus Turkey
|Violence at the Workplace
|Violence against women at the workplace is a major problem, though the statistical evidence is not well developed for many countries. This report aims at gaining a better insight into the extent to which working women (15 - 65) are facing violence at work in four countries
|CNV International - ITUC
|June 2015 - November 2015
|Honduras, Indonesia, Moldova, Benin
|Wages and working conditions in social services in European countries
|European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2013/0404)
|December 2013 - December 2014
|WageIndicator Zanzibar
|Focus on face to face salary and working conditions data collection, and website Mywage.org/Zanziba
|Dutch Embassy - Tanzania
|Africa / Tanzania
|Multidisciplinary European network bringing together leading web-based data collection experts
|European Union - COST Action (No. IS1004)
|May 2011 - May 2015
|Wages and working conditions in utilities in 13 European countries
|European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2010/0382)
|November - 2010 - November - 2011
|Improving web survey methodology for social research
|Erasmus University Rotterdam - Netherlands
|November 2008 - November 2011
|The Netherlands
|Everybody Wants to Earn a Bit More
|Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2010 - 2011
|The Netherlands
|Tariffs of the Self Employed
|Focus on data collection income of self employed in The Netherlands. Result - Income Check for self employed and in depth information about tariffs.
|Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2009 - 2010
|The Netherlands
|Labour Rights for Women
|Focus on improvement Labour Law, Collective Agreements. Through Training and Debates.
Partnership with ITUC Brussels and University of Amsterdam/AIAS
FLOW grant, Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2012 - 2016
|Global - 3 continents
|Decisions for Life
|Focus on crucial decision in life for women (and men) below 35. Focus on education, carreer, partner, family and worklife balance. Strong WageIndicator websites. Trade union interaction. Partnership with ITUC Brussels and University of Amsterdam/AIAS
|MDG 3 grant, Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|2008 - 2012
|Global - 4 continents
|Developing occupations database
|European Union - FP6 research programme (No. 028987)
|April 2006 - March 2009
|Decent Work in southern Africa
|Focus on developing DecentWorkCheck for use in rural areas, in debates.
|Ministry Foreign Affairs - Netherlands
|Southern Africa
|Focus on development of the DecentWorkCheck online
|Oxfam Novib - Netherlands
|Wages and working conditions in multi- national enterprises versus domestic firms in 10 European countries
|European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2007/0534)
|December 2007 - November - 2008
|Face to Face Interviews salary and working conditions data collection. Set up WageIndicator websites and share information with national centres, trade unions.
|CNV International - Netherlands
|2008 - 2010
|Latin America
|Global – Towards a Global WageIndicator
|Focus on development WageIndicator websites outside Europe. Focus on multinational research.
|FNV Mondiaal - Netherlands
|2008 - 2010
|Global - 3 continents
|Gender pay gap in industries in the Netherlands
|Ministry of Social Affairs - Netherlands
|January 2007 - September 2007
|The Netherlands
|Flexible wages
|Focus on data collection in The Netherlands on bonusses, allowences
|FNV Bondgenoten - Netherlands
|2007 - 2008
|The Netherlands
|Low pay and poor working conditions in 13 industries in 9 European countries
|European Union - Social Dialogue programme (No. VS/2006/0178)
|September 2006 - August - 2007
|Expanding WageIndicator websites and surveys to 8 European countries
|European Union - FP6 research programme (No. 506590)
|April - 2004


text:
From the shores of Lake Geneva to the slopes of Davos, this expansion takes you through the heart of Switzerland's mountainous geography. You'll climb aboard the Mont-Blanc Express connecting Martigny to France and ride the Bernina Express over soaring passes into Italy.
Previously only available to Ticket to Ride Computer game players, the Ticket to Ride Swiss Map Expansion is now coming to your board game table!
Designed specifically for 2 or 3 players, this expansion forces you to reconsider all your Ticket to Ride playing strategies. It features Locomotive cards that can only be used on tunnel routes; only 40 trains per player; and new Destination Tickets that take you not just to other cities, but to surrounding countries as well.
The game's author, Alan R. Moon, has called the Swiss map his "favorite of all the Ticket to Ride maps". We think you'll also find this map a great new way to play your favorite train game!
The Swiss expansion contains:
- A full-size game board
- 46 Destination Tickets
- A multi-lingual rules booklet for playing the Swiss map
The expansion requires an original copy of Ticket to Ride™ or Ticket to Ride Europe to play and is for 2-3 players ages 8 and older. Playing time is 30-45 minutes.
The Ticket to Ride Swiss Map Expansion is expected to be available in October. MSRP in North America is $25; in Europe €20.


text:
Chicago Legal Advocay for Pregnant Mothers
John Howard Association of Illinois
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange
National Resource Center on Justice Involved Women
Prison Activist Resource Center
Prison Industrial Complex Chart
Sentencing Project: Research and Advocacy for Reform
Prison Culture: How the PIC Structures Our World
Books and Articles
Abu-Jamal, Mumia. Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners V. the U.S.A. San Francisco: City Light Books, 2009.
Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindess. NY: New York Press, 2010.
Bliss, Sharon, Kevin Chen, Steve Dickison, Mark Dean Johnson, ane Rebeka Rodriguez, eds. Prison Culture. San Francisco, CA: City Lights Foundation, 2010.
Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild. Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual: How to Bring a Federal Lawsuit to Challenge Violations of Your Rights in Prison.(2003-9): Web.
Chen, Ching-In, Jai Dulani, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinh, eds. The Revolution Starts at Home: Confronting Intimate Violence within Activist Communities. Brooklyn, NY: South End Press, 2011.
CR10 Publications Collection. Abolition Now!: Ten Years of Strategy and Struggle Against The Prison Industrial Complex. Oakland, CA: AK Press, 2008.
Davis, Angela. Are Prisons Obsolete? New York: Seven Stories Press, 2003.
Faith, Karlene. Unruly Women: The Politics of Confinement and Resistance. Seven Stories Press: New York, 2011.
Incite! Women of Color Against Violence. The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2007.
Law, Victoria. Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women. Oakland, CA: PM Press, 2009.
Lawston, Jodie Michelle and Ashley Lucus, eds. Razor Wire Women: Prisoners, Activists, Scholars, and Artists. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2011.
Rudovsky, David. The Rights of Prisoners: An American Civil Liberties Union Handbook.NY: Avon Books, 1973.
Smith, Nat and Eric A. Stanley, eds. Captive Genders: Trans Embodiment and the Prison Industrial Complex. Oakland, CA: AK Press, 2011.
Solinger, Rickie, Paula Johnson, Martha Raimon, Tina Reynolds, and Ruby Tapia, eds. Interrupted Life: Experiences of Incarcerated Women in the United States. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2010.
Travis, Jeremy and Michelle Waul, eds. Prisoners Once Removed: The Impact of Incarceration and Reentry on Children, Families, and Communities. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute Press, 2003.
Journals With Issues Dedicated to the PIC
Sinister Wisdom – Winter 2003/4 – Issue 61 – "women loving women in prison"
Angela Davis and Eric Stanley's Captive Genders Conversation:
Erica Meiners on School Pushout:
"Criminal Queers" Trailer (sequel to Homotopia) by Chris Vargas with Eric Stanley:


text:
Looking for a good dessert for Valentine's Day I went through my archives and found a few that I thought would be perfect.
These lava cakes are good and simple to make.
Apple Pie Egg Rolls are a creative dessert.
Zeppole- Fried Donuts
What are you planning for dessert on Valentine's Day?


text:
Last week my husband & I went camping for the first time since we got married. A friend invited us to Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge in south eastern Oregon. We are not really campers, we are glampers. We like to be comfortable and need a comfortable bed to sleep and good food to eat. I didn't think Chris would want to go but he was all excited and tricked out our truck for the camping trip. It was a long drive but it was well worth it for the things we saw were AMAZING. My friends & I went rockhounding and looking at saw some petroglyphs, but the coolest thing I saw was called the Glass House. The camp host told us about his house that was built in the 70's and later abandon in the 80's, now the property and the house is owned but the refuge. I was not able to find a lot of information about the place. One Facebook post from the Royal Order of Antelope said " The house was built by some eccentric California Winemaker who died in the house. The glass panels are actually thick pieces of plexi". I have yet to find a lot of information about the original person that built the house. It was bought by the Friends of Hart Mountain in 2009, I found this, which is all photos from 2012 but no real information and I found this which stated the original owners arrived by jeep and helicopter. When we were there it was obvious there has been a fire in the house and there was some burned wood outside the front door. The house is very high up overlooking Hart Lake. The house is built into the side of a plateau, the doors on the north and south side open so you can get a cross breeze going through if you open both doors. On the day we were there only the front (south) door was open, the back door was padlocked, so there was no breeze...it was HOT. Almost too hot, I was able to go inside for about 5 minutes before I had to go back outside to cool off. It looks like people have stayed in the house recently as there was clean bedding and some spices in the spice rack. The house had some interesting metal work and a simple but very functional layout inside. I'm not sure if the furniture if from the original owner but the bed in the place looked cool and so did the table in the main room. The house is hard to get to unless you have a jeep, that much is very true. It took us about 40 minutes to go 10 miles. You really do need a vehicle that has high clearance.
We also saw some very cool petroglyphs on the way to the house. We stopped and took a few photos, but again it was very hot about. Me being a fair skinned Scottish Lass it's hard for me to be out in the sun too long, but this trip to see the petroglyphs and the Glass House was well worth the sun exposure.


text:
CPI (M) corners govt. for not initiating action against Mann
| Updated: Aug 23, 2017 11:20 IST
New Delhi, July 22 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA Government for not taking any action against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwat Mann for breaching the Parliament security and sought an explanation for the same. CPI (M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury wondered as to why no action had been initiated yet despite the government being in majority in the Parliament. "Whatever it is, I will say that it was breach of security, it was breach of privilege of the Parliament. And on the basis of both an action needs to be taken," said Yechury. "The BJP has majority in the Lok Sabha; it is their government at the Centre. Why has the Centre not taken any action against him since tomorrow? The government must answer," he added. The AAP MP yesterday posted a video of Parliament's security positions and details on the social media. Mann, however, clarified his act after severe criticism from the opposition parties. "My only intention was to tell the procedure (during the Zero Hour). I have done nothing to risk the security of the Parliament," he said. (ANI)


text:
Which Water System
serves me?
Find information about
your Water System.
News & Announcements
WebMap of Drinking Water Labs in Utah
The laboratories shown on this map may be able to perform the testing indicated.
Lead in School Drinking Water: Apply For Funding
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is encouraging schools and childcare facilities to apply for funds to test for lead in their drinking water after the agency received a $434,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to cover the cost of
testing. Interested facilities should apply by March 31, 2020, for the best chance to receive grant money.
Proposed Changes to Division of Drinking Water Fee Schedule
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be holding a public hearing for DEQ Fiscal Year 2021 fee schedule. The proposed DEQ fee schedule includes substantial changes to the Division of Drinking Water fee items.
Public Comment Period from September 15 to October 15, 2019 for R309-400 Rule
The Drinking Water Board authorized the Division of Drinking Water on August 27, 2019, to initiate rulemaking for revising R309-400, Improvement Priority System and Public Water System Ratings (IPS Rule). Please visit our website ips.utah.gov for detailed information.
September Webinar: Sampling Basics with Reed Hendricks
Significant Changes to Cross Connection Control Rules
(11/5/2018)–The Drinking Water Board has adopted changes effective January 1, 2019, to the Cross Connection Control rules for both water systems and certifications. These changes will have an impact on a water system's Cross Connection Control program and requirements for Cross Connection Control certifications. Water systems and certified individuals should familiarize themselves with these changes.
Fee Changes
(11/26/2018)–Operator Certification and Cross Connection Certification fees changed, effective January 1, 2019.
New Water Use Data Collection and Reporting Requirements for Public Water Systems (2018 Revisions to Utah Code 19-4
(07/21/2018)–Revisions to the Utah Safe Drinking Water Act, Utah Code 19-4, became effective on July 21, 2018. The revisions impose new requirements on Public Water Systems to collect and report water use data to the state of Utah.
Lead Sampling in Schools
In 2017, the EPA sent a letter recommending that schools test their drinking water for lead. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Utah Department of Health (DOH) are partnering with Utah schools to conduct voluntary sampling for lead in their drinking water.
Public Notices
- Adoption of Amendment to R309-500 The Division of Drinking Water adopted an amendment to the rule on November 7, 2017.
Water System Resources
Chlorine Reporting
GRAMA Requests
Can't find the documents you're looking for using EZ Records Search? Send us a GRAMA Request. Have questions about GRAMA Requests? Contact Laurie Leib (801) 536-4205.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Phone: (801) 536-4200
Environmental Incidents
(801) 536-4123
DDW Emergency Incident Response
(801) 560-8456
(24-hour call or text)
DDW Emergency Resources
LocationMulti Agency State
Office Building
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, Utah
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


text:
The duty to report depended on whether there had been a discharge within the meaning of Section 14(1) of the EPA. Section 14(1) prohibits a discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment if the discharge causes or may cause an adverse effect. "Adverse effect" is a defined term in the Act, and the majority of the Court of Appeal panel found that for the harms listed in subparagraphs (b) to (h), there is no requirement that there necessarily be harm to the environment (i.e. there can be an adverse effect for the purposes of Section 14(1) without harm to the environment). On this basis, although the "fly-rock" caused no apparent harm to the environment, the conviction was upheld.
Justice Robert Blair wrote a dissenting opinion. His view was that there could be no "adverse effect" without either non-trivial harm or impairment of the natural environment. As it was conceded that the "fly-rock" had no more than a trivial or minor impact on the natural environment, Justice Blair would have allowed the appeal.
Read the decision at: Ontario (Environment) v. Castonguay Blasting Ltd.


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Does it sound appealing to have your own blog? Maybe you already blog with WordPress, but aren't happy with its setup. There are lots of ways to provide your visitors with an attractive and inviting blog. The advice here can help you make an impressive blog.
Don't choose a design that looks like every other WordPress site. It may be very tempting to do so, but it can give visitors a bad impression. It is important to create a site that shows the individuality of your business.
If your title is long, clean up your post's permalink. For instance, an overbearing or difficult URL would be along the lines of "Top Tips For Parents of Unruly Children." Choose something simpler like "intelligent-parents-manage-children".
Spend some time learning about the tools and features WordPress offers bloggers. Look around and familiarize yourself with all of your formatting options. That will help you with formatting.
Special Characters
Be sure to take special characters out of your blog post's URLs. Special characters make it more difficult for search engines to index your site. Try shortening all URLs to avoid overwhelming visitors. Try using only keywords.
Do your posts attract lots of comments? If so, it can be hard to weed through all of these comments. To remedy this, you can use a plugin that adds page numbers to your comments section. That will improve navigation and make your site look better organized.
Improve the greeting at the top of the page on your WordPress website. This will make visitors feel like your blog is more personal. In this way, your page will seem more human, and it will be accessible via the plugin called WP Greet Box.
You shouldn't pick a username such as "admin". Doing so subjects your blog to bots. This is a major security risk. Be sure to delete usernames containing "admin" or "administrator". Find creative user names that you can remember.
Security is an important measure that you will want to consider. Keep your password to yourself. In addition, don't download plugins from disreputable sites and always read the reviews before installing any plugin. Otherwise, you are vulnerable to hackers and malware.
Maintain organization with your media from the start. While uploading images randomly to the library is tempting, chaos can set in. Develop a system of folders so that things go where they should. In time, when you wish to go back and find something, it will be easy to do.
Make sure you have the latest versions of all your plugins. Plugins are a smart solution for making your site unique and highly functional. They will update just like normal software. If you do not keep your plugins current, you might miss major upgrades or discover faulty ones.
Always use the newest version of WordPress. There are security patches in updates, which decreases vulnerabilities. If you use an older WordPress version, it opens your site up to attacks of malware. That's why you should always download WordPress updates, to make sure your website is secure.
Don't forget to back up your blog. This should be done on a regular basis. Try using a WordPress plugin like Xcloner. Use the plugin or site you're confident in for blog backup, but be sure to backup in a lot of places. It would be terrible if you lost everything.
Use linking plugins to help connect your posts. These plugins will let you add links to the bottom of your posts.
If you want to pick a header for your post, don't bother with the drop-down menu. Rather, use shortcuts on your keyboard. You can hold down CTRL, and choose from one to six for the different options. This is a much quicker way of doing things.
When searching for plugins, check their reviews. Remember, anyone who can program is able to create a plugin. You shouldn't use one that has lots of reported flaws and bugs. Plugins with a lot of downloads and high ratings are generally safe to use.
Do you hate how disorganized WordPress can be? Turn several of the boxes off to clear it up. You can do this with the top WordPress button labeled "Screen Options." Click this button to get a menu that lets you turn off any of the boxes.
Experiment with a number of blogging platforms. Are you not a fan of the WordPress dashboard? Try a blog authoring program like Windows Live Writer. There are a lot of tools outside of WordPress that work well with the platform and are very efficient. Try several of them. Find one that works for you.
Create a plan before starting a WordPress website. Define what you hope to accomplish with you website and what you want your readers to know. That way, you can build the site around what you want to accomplish instead of doing it the other way around.
You have the ability to add a button to Read More. Nobody wants to see a page full of text that can be hard to read. Let visitors see more content if they like. Not doing this could make the blog appear unfriendly and cluttered.
If you want to work on your site without the changes being made live in order to test them, duplicate your blog in a second folder with a second, identical database. Once you know how a plugin will affect your website, you can decide whether or not to make it permanent.
Keep in mind, it isn't necessary to do everything on your site by yourself. Hire or trade work with someone to get the job done.
When planning your site, look up help resources. For example, social media groups, forums and blogs are great places to get great advice. Whether your question is about themes or plugins, you should be able to find viable answers.
There are several things that need to be accomplished in order for your blog to be successful. Clean content and specific plugins will really make your blog stand out from the crowd. Hopefully you learned some things from this article. Use that knowledge and start getting others interested in your blog.


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By Jessica Khoury
Available 4 Sept 2012
Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.
Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia's origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.
This Blonde's Review:
Pia is not your typical teenager. She has never met anyone under 30 years old. She has never left the laboratory compound where she was born. And she will live forever.
Pia was engineered to be immortal. Through careful selection and a secret process used through several generations she was born perfect. Her skin can't be broken, her senses are sharper, and she's incredibly intelligent. She works hard to gain the respect of the scientists around her and to become one of them. They all know she'll live forever and work towards the goal of creating more immortals. Pia doesn't know the secret to the process yet, but she will as soon as she passes the final test.
The story starts with her as the smart girl who does everything that is asked of her. There are things that she sees as normal since she doesn't know better that throw up serious red flags for us, but we can't expect her to have our experience. She is very curious about the world outside of the compound, so when a new scientist comes in she isn't sure what to think. She doesn't want to like her, but she casually talks about the outside world as though it's a marvelous place Pia should want to know. When given the chance to explore she finds more than she bargained for in the form of Eio.
I enjoyed watching them get to know each other. I loved that Eio didn't push Pia to do anything she didn't want to do and didn't try to force her to see things his way. He simply cared about her and made sure she knew she was welcome to come back any time. The people in the compound were such a great mix. We don't want them all to seem great, awful, or forgettable but the author gives us a great mix of both. There are certain people that I had an instant dislike to and others that I liked right away. When it gets down to Pia's final test and we see what they have to go through to be accepted we can't help but wonder if anyone of them are worth liking. Despite the small environment and small number of people around her, the author did a great job of giving that mix of characters to explain how Pia could be so sheltered yet have so many normal thoughts and emotions.
When I got this one I wasn't sure that I was in the right reading mood for it but I actually really enjoyed it. The concept was strange since there was never any conversation or thoughts on why they'd want to create a race of immortals. I also couldn't see why they were so insistent that Pia not be allowed to know even the basics about the world beyond the compound, except to make her desire to go outside the gate more understandably thrilling for her. I did like Pia, despite her sheltered upbringing, and I liked Eio. An important first step is having characters we can like. But how can they be together if Pia will live forever and Eio can die?
If a story about an immortal girl learning what it means to live and what the price of her immortality really is sounds like a story you'd want to read, then you'll want to get ahold of Origin in September.


text:
Class C crew at the Emmys.
Thank you!
Posted in Awards
Class C has been nominated for 6 Northwest Regional Emmys. Check out the nominations. We're off to Seattle for the ceremony that takes place on May 30th. Check back for pictures of Wally, Mark, Phil and Justin in tuxes.
Blog at WordPress.com.


text:
This Limerick is shared with Limerick-Off Monday.
Monday, March 04, 2013
Two Brothers
This Limerick is shared with Limerick-Off Monday.
28 comments:
So true. They accomplished their goal.ReplyDeleteReplies
They are true legends :-)Delete
Dreams are always mocked at first, followed later.ReplyDelete
You have to keep whatever fire inside alight..always..ReplyDelete
Ah the Wright brothers - they took their first flight only about three hours from where I live :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Wow ... I wish I could visit your place !!!Delete
thanks for dropping by and giving me the opportunity to land here..
lovely space u have :)
loved the way you gave such a powerful message in few lines..
how people laugh, as they always, but can be proved wrong..
hope to c u more Green Speck !!Replies
Thanks for visiting Jyoti :-)Delete
Yes, great poem, great men.ReplyDeleteReplies
Great men indeed !!!Delete
yeah thats a wonderful poem..:)ReplyDelete
keep writing Green Speck...;)
Kudos to them for not giving up...lovely limerick with a message of following your dreams.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank You Reshma :-)Delete
A nice tribute to the Wright brothers and a good reminder to us,,,never say never,,,,ReplyDeleteReplies
Well said Ellecee :-)Delete
I was always mesmerized by their story as a kid and there are better reasons to idolize them now.ReplyDelete
Lovely limerick! :DReplies
Thanks Vaishali :-)Delete
This had such a strong message. Truly inspiring. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank You Srishti :-)Delete
and arent we glad they did not be deterred...ReplyDelete
most great things have to face that opposition...Replies
Yes, we should be proud of them forever !!!Delete
Speck, an excellent limerick!ReplyDelete
Thanks so much for your delightful contribution to last week's Limerick-Off!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank You Madeleine :-)Delete


text:
About one hour ago EST, the idea of "ReciclaGEM" turned four. Four years ago, to this day, in the beautiful and artistically distressed (like Diesel jeans) neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn, I was given the task of creating a "vegan fashion show" for my dear friend, Amanda Perez's event Vegan Jam, an event that celebrated hip hop, multiculturalism, and veg-friendly living. More than just avoiding animal by-products, I wanted to create a fashion collection using one of the greatest waste resources in the United States- clothing and textiles.
They have filled these landfills, polluted oceans around the world, destabilized local economies, and have been justified by many as the consequences of the fickle fashion cycle. But they are also the very material that, if reclaimed, could reduce a downward spiral of the United States becoming the energetic black hole of the Americas and the world.
The collection, showcased on that sun-charred rooftop of that artist collective in Brooklyn, was inspired by the Gulf BP oil spill, and as a vegan would consider, the perspective of the animals who perished in a man-made mistake.
The fashion show featured many fantastic models, who embodied from gait to gaze the emotions of such fallen creatures. And that day, I had the honor of collaborating with an amazing photographer who would continue to be one of my central collaborators, Katherine Soutar.
Katherine Soutar is a Melbourne-based photographer who, at the time, lived in New York and photographed many an artist and performer with her signature emotive and stylistic precision. In 2010, she created these beautiful, dynamic portraits of incredible models who embodied the narrative.
And four years later, our collaborations have continued in the form of a Frida Kahlo and Josephine Baker inspired project (to be revealed shortly), and the photographing of my look book for Fall 2014, Bricolage.
We drove to an abandoned, dried up swamp hours from Melbourne City in the small town of Willaura to a plot of land accompanied by nothing but dried bones and mud to address a collection that also, ironically enough, explored the very post-apocalyptic destruction that the earlier Gulf oil spill, and many environmental political events after, seemed to suggest.
The land was supernatural, almost as if Wangechi Mutu's mind spat forth the animation of "The End of eating Everything" into the soil of Willaura, Australia. The sky was grey, the algae rose-tinted, and the sky scratching the surface of what is to come, what has already come.
(All photos by Katherine Soutar)
In either case, before the actual End of eating Everything, we can continue to collaborate, to grow, and to learn from one another, take roadtrips with brilliantly minded friends and create a work that translates what the earth has been trying to tell us for so long.
We didn't just speak with the earth that day. We conversed with her. This roadtrip, these images, these words are the silent moments between words that we left for her to speak back.
To see more of Kat's photography work, check out her wedding photography company, It's Beautiful Here, co-created with Scout Kozakiewicz, and await her forthcoming website, showcasing exclusively to her years of photo artistry such as this.
And here's a flash back to our two year birthday....


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Our Policy and External Affairs Work
In 2016 the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) published its Strategic Plan (2016-21), in which the RCoA outlined the following aims:
By communicating the central role of anaesthesia in patient care, we will strengthen our position as the expert anaesthesia body, extend our influence and share our expertise. We provide our specialty with a powerful and collective voice that influences the health sector. We will continue to increase our profile with governments, regulators, hospitals and the media.
Consistent with this aim the RCoA undertakes policy development and external affairs activities to enable the College to take a position which is informed by a robust evidence-base, member engagement and findings emerging from the RCoA's research initiatives.
Our policy development and external affairs activities are underpinned by the principles that the RCoA is constructive, collaborative and proactive, with a focus on achieving positive outcomes. These values support a solutions-focussed approach to policy and engagement.
RCoA Manifesto
(Published 27 April 2017)
On 27 April 2017 the RCoA published its manifesto document which outlines the priorities we believe should be addressed by the next Government ahead of the general election on 8 June 2017.
In our response to the Prime Minister's decision to call an election, the RCoA responded by stating that we have a chance for a 'New Deal' for the NHS, through which all parts of the health and social care system can be appropriately resourced, effectively integrated and sustainably delivered, in the best interests of patients.
Briefing: Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs)
(Published 8 May 2017)
This briefing provides an overview of Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) which, prior to the publication of Next Steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View, were referred to as Sustainability and Transformation Plans. The briefing outlines the College's position on STPs, provides analysis of their development and role, and offers key recommendations to shape the implementation of STPs.
Download the Briefing on Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs)
Briefing: The anaesthetic, intensive care and critical care workforce
(Published 11 December 2017)
The briefing outlines recommendations to inform a robust and sustainable approach to anaesthetic workforce planning, provision and wellbeing. From the analysis, a number of priorities emerge which impact on the safe delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care and inform our recommendations.
Download the Briefing on The anaesthetic, intensive care and critical care workforce
Responses to consultations
The RCoA responds to consultations on a number of issues from a number of stakeholder organisations. You can read the College's responses to consultations on a range of issues.
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You are hereHome › About the College › Our Policy and External Affairs Work
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- Contact the College


text:
I'm a feminist. There I said it. Accept it, deal with it and move on. But before you do, let's clarify what this actually means.
In essence, feminism boils down to one common belief: that men and women should have equal rights. Do you fundamentally agree with this? If so, you're a feminist too, so welcome to the club.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let me tell you about a little incident at a well known High Street fashion shop. Okay, it was Bonmarché if you must know.
I don't typically shop at Bonmarché (pronounced Bon-marsh-eh if you're wondering), but sometimes I have to. You see, I'm just a 'half pint' in real life: a whole 5ft and 1 inch tall. And us shorties never forget the extra inches.
Bonmarché is, dare I say it, a particularly good place to shop for us shorter girls – they have jeans in all leg lengths and styles, so naturally, to ensure a good fit (and because I don't know how to turn up trousers), I usually get my jeans from there.
And because I've previously shopped in there I'm privy to their customer loyalty scheme, whereby I can earn stamps and receive discounts for being loyal.
The card that caused the problem
Anyway, loyalty card in hand, I picked the jeans that I wanted and headed to the till. The young girl (she couldn't have been older than 23) asked me if I had a loyalty card and I handed it over.
After a few minutes of tapping at her till and looking puzzled, I could feel a 'computer says no' moment coming on.
"Er…it's not accepting your card, so you'll have to apply for a new one."
"Oh…that's strange", I reply "It has worked before."
"Yeah, sorry about that. I'm not sure why it's not working. Have you shopped in here lately?"
Admittedly, I hadn't been into the shop for at least six months, possibly 9 or 10 months, but if I could avoid having to go through the hassle of getting a new card, I was going to try.
"It must only be a few months since I've been in…"
Time passed and feet started to shuffle in the queue behind me. I waited patiently.
After what seemed like 5 minutes, but was probably just a matter of seconds, the cashier exclaimed: "No, sorry it's going to have to be a new card" and promptly whipped a promotional loyalty card leaflet out of thin air for me to take. "Can I take your name please?"
"Yes, it's Lauretta Wright" I replied, spelling it for her.
"And your title…. (and here came the killer line) – "Are you a Miss or Mrs?"
Er….do I have to have a title?
If truth be told, I rarely give my title as Miss or Mrs because I just don't think it's important that strangers know my marital status – end of.
What I'd really like to know is what difference does it make (knowing if I'm married or not) to buying a pair of jeans? And because of questions like this, if I'm filling out forms I'll tick the 'Ms' box.
However, the cashier hadn't actually given me the option of 'Ms'. She wrongly assumed that I would want to be address as either Miss or Mrs. And I didn't.
In my mind, I'm not being awkward on this – it's just a personal preference. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the whole topic of my mini rant today.
Why are men just referred to as 'Mr', but women have to choose their title depending on whether or not they've got a marriage certificate? It seems unfair if you ask me. I'm a private person if truth be told, and the less people know about me, the better. And that includes whether or not I'm married.
So, going back to my verbal exchange with the cashier…
"Do I have to specify?" I asked her boldly. I wouldn't normally take a stance on this seemingly trivial matter, but she had irked me slightly with her assumption that I would be a Miss or Mrs.
By this point I think she had clocked that I was being a little, shall we say…'fresh' with her, and quick as a flash she replied "No, no of course not, that's fine."
Whatever happened to Ms? I felt like asking her. Does she even know what a Ms is? What is it they teach you about customer service these days?
The confrontation
And while I was silently asking her these questions, she continued to tap the till with her ridiculously long fingernails. More foot shuffling went on behind me and I heard someone tut. By this time other cashiers had stopped what they were doing and were peering at the screen with her.
"Don't do what you normally do at this stage Lauretta" I told myself silently. This would typically mean that I would revert into a typical Brit, apologising profusely, giving her my title and probably buying something extra to alleviate the feeling of guilt.
But today I was feeling nonchalant. So I waited, silently and patiently.
And then, just as I was in the middle of wondering how she managed to wipe her backside with her long nails (I know right?!), she said: "No, sorry, the system says I have to input a title."
Bloody hell! In this day and age the till was still saying no! Talk about a drama.
She looked at me expectedly and raised her eyebrows. I didn't like the look.
"So is it Miss or Mrs?" she said, a little too abruptly. From the look in her eye I guessed that she was silently cursing me.
"Neither", I replied, "It's doctor." I paused for effect. "Now who looks thick you dumb shit? Put that in your till and smoke it."
Okay, so I didn't actually say that last bit, but I did tell her that I was a doctor (I'm not if you haven't already gathered), and I made sure that I told her in a voice a little louder than necessary. Just for full effect of course.
In fact, looking back, I almost wish I told her I was a Professor or even a Baroness, but given that I was in scruffy jeans and t-shirt with my hair scraped back and not an ounce of make-up on my face, this might have seemed a little far-fetched, even for someone who probably believed that Africa was a country (why do kids always get that one wrong?)
The look that said it all
I once read that if you looked someone square in the face without losing eye contact when you reply to their questioning, they are more inclined to believe your answers.
And this was now one of those rare moments when a useless bit of trivia suddenly came into its own.
I steadfastly held my gaze with hers. My mouth didn't twitch; my eyebrow didn't raise and I didn't start sweating. But I did give the tiniest hint of a smirk while looking straight into her eyes.
And it was a bit of a patronising look that said: "Don't you feel a bit silly now?"
The next 30 seconds of the transaction were surprising. As if suddenly transported to a parallel universe, my young cashier finished up on the till, the other bagged my item (without slapping on a 5p fee) and ANOTHER cashier almost appeared out of nowhere to hand me a promotional leaflet – it was the same one given to me a few minutes earlier.
It was like watching 'flies around shit' as my mother would say. Except this time I wasn't a turd; I was the master of this little exchange and I was commanding authority. And boy did it feel GOOD!
And as I walked out of the shop with a spring in my step, I felt jubilant, victorious and, most of all, I felt smug.
And all because I told a little porky pie.
Mmmh….Baroness Wright …..it's got a nice ring about it don't you think? I have a feeling I'll be climbing the ranks and using this one next time – who knows what special treatment I'll receive then?
A Pin For Later…


text:
Section 7 of the Local Government Act states that every council must operate as a good employer. This applies to both governors and the chief executive, who then employs the staff.
Although elected members need to delegate the appropriate level of authority to the chief executive to manage all operational matters, they retain overall responsibility for the council meeting its employment obligations.
Whether you are a governor, a CE, or a senior member of staff, you might be wondering:
- What is a good employer?
- How can I tell if my council is one?
- How do we all work effectively together for excellence?
Join us to discuss ways to be a great employer via the two-part 'Councils as Employers' webinar series brought to you by EquiP.
These are offered to separate audiences - Good Employer Governors for elected members and staff, and Building Good Employer Councils for council CEs, HR and senior staff. Gain access to either of these on-demand webinars by contacting email@example.com.
1. Good Employer Governors
Purpose: To share information to achieve good governance employment relationships, which enables effective working environments.
Audience: Elected members and staff
AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND. Gain access by contacting email@example.com.
2. Building Good Employer Councils
Purpose: To help councils identify, build and monitor good council employer behaviour.
Audience: CEs, HR and senior managers
AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND. Gain access by contacting email@example.com.
Charles McGuiness
Pamela Peters
All EquiP's material is copyright and as such any violation of this could meet with prosecution under the Copyright Act.