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Kitchen Compliance
In June, BBC TV's Watchdog programme revealed that ice from three of the UK's biggest coffee chains (Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Caffe Nero) contained bacteria from faeces. The good news (if that is what you can call it) was that some of the bacteria identified were what are known as 'opportunistic pathogens', which are bacteria that do not often cause disease to healthy people. Unfortunately these bacteria do, however, cause disease to people whose immunity is reduced. Whichever way you look at it, kitchen hygiene has once more come under the spotlight and a less than perfect picture has emerged. As the countdown to Christmas gets underway, operators are urged to ensure that their kitchens are run as a tight, immaculately clean ship
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates that up to 5.5 million people are being affected by food poisoning in the UK each year. In the vast majority of cases, the cause is thought to be food prepared outside of the home.
"Maintaining standards is a 24-hour, 365 days a year job," says Tony Lewis, Head of Policy for CIEH*. "The law is clear: food businesses are responsible for producing and selling safe food. As trade cranks up in the build-up to Christmas, catering businesses need to remember that standards should never drop. If there are failings, this could lead to unwanted attention or, worse still, you could find yourself facing action initiated by environmental health professionals."
Hands on approach
Paul Jakeway, Marketing Director at Deb, explains how operators can employ effective hand-hygiene regimes to avoid the double threat of foodborne illness and occupational skin disease
Food poisoning is a potential problem for any catering business. Germs and bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, travelling rapidly between food, equipment, and hands. To avoid cross-contamination, hand hygiene is crucial. Employees must frequently wash their hands – not just before and after contact with food – but before and after breaks. Also at key moments, such as after using the washroom, or when coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces.
Causes for concern
Alarmingly, when it comes to hygiene, research suggests cause for concern. In the FSA's largest ever UK-wide survey of food hygiene knowledge among workers in the catering industry, 39% of employees admitted to not washing their hands after visiting the toilet while 53% did not always wash their hands before preparing food. Recognition of hand hygiene was low too, with just under half (42%) of catering managers listing hygiene as a key factor in the success of their business.
Occupational Skin Diseases
Poor hand hygiene can impact employees too. Foodhandling environments are in the highest rated risk category for Occupational Skin Diseases (OSD). From red, sore, or chapped skin to occupational dermatitis, OSD is the second most common work-related health problem in Europe, causing employees to miss around three million working days every year.
Risk, education and regular audits
To ensure risks are addressed, a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system should be implemented and regularly reviewed. This system identifies moments when cross-contamination could occur, or when certain arduous substances could irritate the skin. It calculates the likely incident rate, while anticipating and preventing hazards.
For a HACCP system to be effective, staff education is crucial. Catering managers must ensure employees know the critical handwashing points, such as before and after visiting the toilet, before preparing food, and after handling raw food and equipment.
Education should not be a one-off event, but an ongoing conversation between employer and employee. Materials such as leaflets, posters, and information boards are widely available and increase awareness of hand-hygiene compliance, as do regular staff meetings.
However, educating employees on protocols is futile if the correct skin care products are not present. These should be accessible, in easy-to-use dispensers and placed in critical locations. Regular site audits that consider compliance, accessibility and the right product choice can help to make sure a hand-hygiene regime remains effective.
Regular skin audits, meanwhile, are crucial to assure that the health of employees stays a priority.
Taking healthy steps
Using a cleanser at regular intervals will prevent employees from cross-contaminating food, but it will not effectively protect their hands. In catering environments, the hands are put under an immense amount of strain each day, requiring several different products to ensure they remain in a healthy condition.
If your customers fall ill as a result of the food they have eaten, you can be hit with considerable costs and lose trust that is not easily regained. If legal action is taken, the damage can be irreparable.
A proven 3-step programme for skin care should be implemented, identifying the crucial moments for hand hygiene.
- In the first step, a pre-work cream is applied to the hands to provide preventive care and protect the skin from exposure to arduous materials. These specially formulated creams leave a protective layer on the surface of the skin
- Hand cleaners should then be used regularly throughout the day
- Finally, an end-of-work cream is required to restore the skin's strength and health.
Nice, ice baby
To help operators avoid the foul fallout suffered by Costa, Starbucks and Caffe Nero this summer, David Teasdale, General Manager of Dishwashers Direct, advises on how best to maintain your ice machines.
Ice machines are often some of the dirtiest pieces of equipment in the kitchen as they can be neglected and overlooked when cleaning. No matter what type or size of ice machine an establishment runs, this must not be allowed to happen. Any part of the unit that has contact with water can develop scale, slime, or mould, which will contaminate your ice and has the potential to harm your customers.
If you want a healthy, well-running ice machine, it must be regularly cleaned and maintained. Signs that you have neglected your machine include the following:
- Poor-quality ice, either soft or not clear
- Shallow or incomplete cubes
- Lower capacity.
Before you clean your machine, you should read the instructions in your ice machine's manual. Most machines will follow this generic procedure:
- Open the front door to access the evaporator compartment. Remove all ice, for the cleaning cycle to be effective.
- Remove all ice from the bin or dispenser – either scoop out the ice, or turn the power off and allow the ice to melt. When cleaning, the ice machine should be empty, giving you easier access to the entire machine.
- Press the 'clean' or 'wash' button. This will allow water to flow through the water dump valve and down the drain.
- Wait until the water trough refills and the display indicates to add chemicals. This typically takes a few minutes. Add the correct amount of ice machine cleaner as stipulated in your manual.
- Wait until the clean cycle is complete. This can take up to 30 minutes. When complete, disconnect power to the ice machine the dispenser.
- Remove parts for cleaning. For safe and proper removal, refer to your machine's manual.
- Mix a solution of cleaner and lukewarm water. Use a cleaner that is fit for use in food preparation areas and follow the manufacturer's dilution guidelines.
- Use half of the water and cleaner mixture to clean all components and parts you've removed. Most solutions can foam once they come in contact with lime, scale, and mineral deposits.
- Once the foaming stops, use a soft-bristle nylon brush, sponge, or cloth to carefully clean all parts. All parts except the ice thickness probe can be soaked when heavily scaled. Rinse all components with clean water.
- Use the other half of the water and cleaner mixture to clean all other surfaces of the ice machine, bin, and dispenser. Use a nylon brush or cloth to thoroughly clean the following ice machine areas: side walls, base (area above the trough), evaporator plastic parts (top, bottom, sides), and the bin or dispenser.
- Finally, rinse all areas with clean water. This will help remove chemicals and prevent ice from becoming contaminated.
Take special care with the area near the drain as this is a common place for limescale to build up.
Ice machines can sometimes give off smells, which may be coming from outside the ice machine. Remember to clean the edges and exterior of the ice machine, as spills or food debris can gather around the edges. You also need to clean the area around the ice machine.
After cleaning an ice machine, it is a good idea to run a production test to ensure the machine is working properly. Do not serve the first batch of ice to customers. Finally, remember always to treat your ice as you would any other item of food. Always serve ice with a clean scoop, never by hand.


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Educational institutions operate in an environment of relentless expectations. They serve a new generation of highly skilled consumers of services; legally and socially savvy parents and students who are living and communicating in a virtual and social world. At RTG we offer services and support that aim to make effective use of ICT to enhance learning outcomes.
Tailoring a solution that meets a school's specific requirements is something that we have been doing successfully for over 30 years. That is precisely why we are the ICT consultants of choice for educators. We understand how to successfully and effectively deliver ICT to improve learning outcomes. RTG serves schools in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
RTG provides many schools with dynamic, living and flexible strategies to ensure best practice is continuously implemented to integrate pedagogy and technology. Consideration is always given to the school's budget to provide the most suitable technology model. RTG can help you by listening, collaborating and planning with your staff and appropriate vendors to produce ICT solutions that best meet your educational needs.
Are you ever frustrated with unreliable systems that compromise on your ability to educate? Do you have a clear future ICT direction? Is your team embracing new ICT initiatives in the classroom? Do you have a lack of technical resources to keep things in working order? Are you driving learning innovation through promoting ICT awareness and professional development?
Whatever your situation, we can assist you moving forward. Developing and maintaining an ICT strategy is demanding and together with the general upkeep of a school network, it can often be left on a perpetual "to-do" pile. RTG has the expertise and resources to get your ICT strategy off the ground and into classrooms, incorporating ICT support and ICT solutions that work.
RTG in partnership with BrightBytes, a Silicon Valley based learning analytics organisation, is now making it possible for schools to measure the effectiveness of technology on student learning outcomes.
The BrightBytes product, Clarity, measures modern learning outcomes and the factors that shape them identifying strengths and gaps, and delivering research-driven information and suggested tools. The platform is able to track progress within the plan, and provides up-to-date reports that leaders can use to be better informed in the decisions that they make.
Armed with a team of data scientists and researchers, BrightyBytes bring a variety of solutions aimed at helping schools understand the link between what they are doing and the outcomes that research has proven is effective.
In simple terms, you've always had data and the Clarity Platform now offers you the Answers.
In all the excitement over the slew of smart learning devices, tools, services and software now proliferating through education, it's important to consider whether you're advocating the use of technology for its own sake (or progress sake) or whether these new tools are actually having an impact on achieving effective student outcomes.
Our partnership with BrightBytes will help schools be better informed around this critical question and complements RTG's approach to making technology more effective.
Not only can RTG help out with ICT strategy, infrastructure and support but we can also help with your e-learning management needs. Our services in this area are broad and include:
The RTG team includes leading teachers and Google Educators who aim to connect the classrooms of the future with the students and teachers of today. But don't just take our word for it here is what one of our school clients said about RTG:
"Engaging RTG to work with us is the best decision we could have made. Their knowledge and expertise is enabling us to implement physical and cultural change at a rate we could never achieve on our own."
Do you have a Learning Management System or are you thinking of changing your LMS? RTG can help. With over 1400 LMS support options available, selecting the most appropriate LMS for your environment can be difficult and time consuming.
We bring a wealth of experience with LMS systems including: Schoolbox, Firefly, EWS, SEQTA, Google Apps, Office 365, Canvas, SIMON and many more. We also provide strategy, advice and learning management software support for schools, regarding the selection and implementation of learning applications and other software tools and solutions. Our services also extend to providing schools with database development, maintenance and administration support.
At RTG we are vendor- and product-agnostic. We don't recommend an alliance to any one of the LMS systems on the market, instead at RTG we'll review your needs to provide find a solution that aligns with your short and long term objectives.
It's hard to find a student without a smartphone or even access to a tablet. So it is only natural progression that has landed us in the age of 'bring your own device' (BYOD) solutions. Students have a strong preference on using their own device as opposed to something foreign and it enables them to work seamlessly between home and school. The students therefore have more opportunity to demonstrate safe, responsible and creative uses of digital technologies.
RTG has worked with many schools in formulating strategies and implementation plans for BYOD. These strategies have enabled limited resources to be redirected to other pressing needs.
The benefits of BYOD can only be hassle-free if schools manage the diversity of devices, assist their teachers and students in the transition and protect their data from being compromised. At RTG, we help evaluate, pilot, plan, integrate and measure the effectiveness of BYOD into classroom practice. We have the BYOD strategies, solutions and experience to ensure your infrastructure and data will be not compromised and that your students and teachers are kept happy. And we work relentlessly to keep it that way.
Our abilities go beyond educational institutions. We have the expertise and experience to help provide solutions for your Not for Profit or Aged Care Facility or your medium-sized business. With services stretching all over Australia, including Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales, wherever you're based we're bound to be able to assist you.
Interested in having a discussion? If you're looking for further information on our ICT strategy and support services, or learning management software for your school, please call us at 1300 362 456 or send us an email – we're always happy to chat!


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Sterling Silver
Made in the USA
1/2"h x 1/2"w x 3mm thick
The word "POPE" in the style of our LOVE Park Charm.
Posted by Unknown on 10 08 2015
I like it but it is much smaller and lighter than I thought it would be for the price....dimensions would be more informative in the description. I guess I should have considered the weight as stated so that is my mistake. However, keeping as a delicate souvenir for a great weekend with the Pope visit to Philly.


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August 2018
Consolidation of pathology networks
Head of Pathology Services Consolidation at NHS Improvement, David Wells, sets out the progress made on the 29 networks and looks at the next steps and future plans.
August: journal-based learning
Each article's contents should be read, researched and understood, and you should then come to a decision on each question. The pass mark is 17 out of 20 questions answered correctly. JBL exercises may be completed at any time until the published deadline date. Please select your choice of correct answers and complete the exercises online at: www.ibms.org/cpd/jbl
From haematology to stand-up comedy
Dave Spikey may be a famous comic and actor now, but in the late sixties he was starting a biomedical science career.


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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Summit Series
Guest post by Greg Price, Chief Services Officer, VolunteerMatch
"Collision Networking", "Davos for hipsters", "Humbling and invigorating", "Best Dance Party ever." These are some of the descriptions of "Summit Basecamp," the latest Summit Series conference that occurred January 27-30 at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe.
The planners convened 700 people over three days: digital entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, social entrepreneurs, foundations, thinkers, muses, artists, dreamers, adventurers, breathing masters, futurists, politicians and realists. What a smorgasbord of influencers. Since the event is invite only, I'm going to let you in on the secrets of the Summit here, in this blog post.
Over the past four years, Summit Series conferences have brought together thought leaders and doers from all over the world to participate in events meant to inspire and foster collaboration and creativity. There are no lectures, only two-way conversations. No one is a spectator – everyone participates.
This was my second Summit Series, and the best part was sitting next to someone you've never met and are unfamiliar with their organization. Every time, I was humbled and energized by their accomplishments and perspectives… the woman who shines a light on Sierra Leone and creates sustainable programs there, the man who introduces schools in Guatemala, the marketer who built vitaminwater and sold it to Coke for billions, the satirist who just released his book, "How to Be Black," the pilot who was the youngest person to fly around the world, and the marines who started a nonprofit to engage their fellow veterans in service and disaster response as they return home.
My favorite of many fascinating conversations was with a barrister and traveler from New Zealand who is collecting stories across America about what makes us most happy. His outside observation is that we, as a people, are most happy when two forces interact… camaraderie with innovation. It's part of our makeup, moving west, building a nation, and is best exemplified under the Friday Night Lights in Texas where the huddle (camaraderie) turns into a play (innovation) and is acted upon… and corrected and then repeated.
I'm still unsure how the Summit Series organizers can set the tone so exactly right, but the energy is supportive and inspiring without being distant and without encouraging one-ups-man-ship. For me, the lesson is that we all have a story, we all have a dream, and we all want a better world.
What's your dream? On your next flight, talk to a stranger next to you waiting to board a plane and see what their dream is. Chances are, you'll be inspired.
This post also appears on Volunteering is CSR.
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About The Author
Shari Tishman
Shari led Online Marketing and Communications at VolunteerMatch from 2010-2015. After working with nonprofits for 9 years, she moved over to the corporate sector and is now leading Inbound Marketing for a tech company in San Francisco.


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Marine Cargo Loader
Game info
48 plays
Date added: 2013-03-31
Description: If you enjoy playing parking games, then this game by Card-Board-Games.com is one that you might well like! You are a driver of the loader tractor at the marine port. Your task is to park in special parking place without hitting tons of port rubbish and containers. Pass all eight levels to perfect your parking and driving skills.
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Sometimes we have a methodcall in the Tasflows and these methods return a value.
If you need save the return value in a bean you can put a EL expression throught:
- Parameters >Return Value.
See next image.
Today I upload a sample that shows how to call a method call before step train in a declarative way.
This is a image of Taskflow:
We have a generic navigation to the methodCall, now in the outcome property of the second step put a generic navigation goMethod.
In this sample also show how to change the labels of the train steps
For more info see the doc: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E15523_01/web.1111/b31973/trains


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The procedure for electing a president is spelled out in Article II of the
U.S. Constitution. Each state is entitled to a number of electors equal to
that state's representation in Congress (Senate plus House members). Since
each state has two senators and at least one Representative, every state has
at least three electors. Currently California has the largest number of
electors: 55. The electors meet in their respective state capitals in
December of each election year to cast their votes for president and vice
president. These electors, who together form the electoral college, are the
ones who actually elect the president. If no candidate gets a majority of
the electoral vote, the House of Representatives elects the president, with
each state having one vote. This happened in 1800 and again in 1824.
At least one commentator predicts the presidential election will be handily
won by Kerry-Edwards gaining about 294 of the needed 271 electoral votes


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I came into tea drinking later in life. Having pretty much always foregone coffee (I've got an allergy/intolerance to the beans themselves) it was only when I'd be invited out for coffees on a regular basis that I needed to order something off the menu to avoid looking like I didn't belong.
Enter my love affair with tea.
Drinking tea is just such a, well, refined thing to do. You can have a cup in the morning, afternoon or evening and it's always acceptable. You can steep it to your preference, add sugar or milk. You can have a kettle to yourself or you can share with friends. I'm preaching to the converted though, aren't I?
As I've been browsing the fall fashion magazines, one of the things I like to read is what the celebrities on the covers did during the shoots near the Editor's section. I like knowing if they brought their dog, latest boyfriends or newest trendy boots to the shoots and I also love knowing what they ate during their time with the magazine (I actually now purchase and snack on cut up pineapple thanks to one article and adore frozen blueberries as dessert). They were probably all fabricated, I know, but they still intrigue me. This season it seemed like celebrities everywhere were drinking Kusmi teas. Naturally, I had to see what all the buzz was about.
Founded in 1867, a Russian man by the name of Pavel Michailovitch Kousmichoff founded a teahouse in Russia and when things started to look desperate in wartime Russia, he moved his business primarily to Paris where he set up Maison Kusmi-Thé. Parisian tea? How chic. I can see why celebrities are all over this brand.
I recently found a store while on vacation which stocked a great assortment of Kusmi teas and I knew that it was the time to take advantage of their selection (and a sale!). Take advantage I did.
I got myself some Jasmine Green Tea, Almond Green Tea, Rose Green Tea, Four Red Fruit Tea (Black tea with cherry, strawberry, raspberry and currant) and their "Wellness" Tea Kit including Boost, Algothe, Love, Be Cool and infamous Detox tea. I practically couldn't resist the green teas in the tins- they are gorgeous.
And the million dollar question – are they worth it? YES! The green teas are fresh – as a green tea should be – but with delicious hints of the additional flavours. The detox teas literally made me feel better inside and out and it has lemongrass in it which I love.
So go get yourself some of this delicious tea! Once you have, here are Kusmi's tips on preparing a great cup of tea:
1. The water quality
It is essential to choose fresh water with a low mineral content. The ideal is to use spring water or perhaps filtered water. It is also best to boil it in a kettle, because water heated in a pan can easily be tainted by the taste of the food previously cooked in this receptacle.
2. The water temperature
The golden rule about water temperature is never use boiling water on the tea, whatever kind of tea you are making.
Green Teas require water at 70°C and black teas require water at 85-90°C.
These days you can get kettles which enable you to choose your water temperature.
3. The teapot
If you are making your tea in a teapot, it is advisable to scald it first, i.e. pour boiling water into the pot, rinse it and throw the water away.
There are two kinds of teapots:
- Terracotta teapots which are said to have a "memory" because they retain the flavour of the tea already made in them. It's best to have a different teapot for each kind of tea, so that you don't mix up the flavours. After use, the teapot should merely be rinsed out, without scrubbing it or using any detergent, and then left to dry with the lid off. This kind of teapot is very suitable for black teas and Oolong teas;
- Ceramic, metal, porcelain teapots, which can be washed in hot water (without detergent). These are more versatile because they don't absorb the flavours of the teas.
4. The amount of tea
Custom dictates that 4 grams are sufficient for one cup. But the amount is partly a matter of preference. In the case of Assam tea, which is naturally very robust, you might want to reduce the strength and brew 3 grams instead of 4.
5. The brewing time
This is a very important step in the art of tea-making. In fact, the brewing time varies depending on the type of tea. An over-brewed black tea will develop a bitter taste whilst an under-brewed white tea will be flat and insipid.
Black teas are normally brewed for 2-3 minutes, green teas for 3 – 4 minutes. It is a good idea to check the brewing time before making the tea, because some teas need to be infused for very specific times: for example, Jade Pearl is left to infuse for 7 – 20 minutes, whilst Oolong tea will need 5 – 7 minutes for its bouquet to develop fully.
Brewing is normally done with a lid on, so that the tea retains all its aromas.


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It's time to deck the halls and get your tree ready for the holidays! Join Steel City Pops in Homewood for an ornament-making party on Sunday, December 16th between 2pm and 5pm. Whether you're looking for a fun family activity while the kids are out of school or you're looking for a relaxing afternoon yourself, you're in the right place!
You'll have the choice to create one of our designed ornaments (Christmas tree, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, or a beautiful holiday star) or create your own!
Each ticket includes: an ornament creation kit, wassail or hot chocolate to sip on while you create, samples of our 12 Pops of Christmas, a family polaroid "pop photo" for your fridge, exclusive pricing on our holiday gift packs, and of course, a pop!
Click Here to purchase your tickets


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Too much sitting emerged as a serious health issue. So, consider alternating standing and sitting at work or do something instead of only sitting. Try to sit as close as possible to your desk (with upper arms parallel to your spine and your hand rested on the work surface and make sure that your legs are bent at the knees at a 90 degrees angle. Maintain an ideal sitting posture as much as possible, and if you start to feel slacking, give yourself a break by getting up and stretching.
Do not sit too high because it can make your ankle swelling, and boost your feet in certain situations; use a footstool to prop and rest your feet as opposed to leaving them hanging when sitting if the chair is too high for you. Raise your work surface if needed and check the depth of your seat to keep you away from back pain. Support your back with small pillow or cushion adjust your armrest to reduce neck and shoulder strain and diminishing the likelihood of slouching forward in your chair. An ergonomic chair is not only for your office chair, but it can be put in your living room too, so check out these ergonomic living room chair design ideas below to inspire you.


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You may have noticed that while we were told that DC's local NCLB/RTTT test scores went up a little bit this year, we were also told that NYState's and city local NCLB/RTTT test scores went down tremendously.
What gives?
Both systems and city schools have been under the sway of charter-school privatizers and DEformistas for many years now. There has been an unbelievable, unprecedented turnover in the national cohort of school teachers. The DEformistas and privatizers have been dictating policy. The Deformistas (and their billionaire backers) ARE the educational establishment, and they have themselves hired the vast majority of teachers here in DC and NY.
So how come scores are supposedly way down in one place and a tiny up in the other?
The 'old school' type of allegedly "union-stifled" education is out: Big Data and Big Billionaires Rule, and have been doing so for some years now, with mostly brand-new teachers, but with kids who are not so different from their slightly older siblings and cousins and community members….
Plus they instituted Common Core, which is supposed to bring about more creative thinking in our teachers and students.
However, my friends who are still teaching tell me that their principals and other administrators require that each teacher follow a very strict, regimented script that allows for no creativity at all. Every single thought, every single teacher question, and every other detail that teachers are supposed to do, is spelled out. And, of course, the kids had better be able to follow the same script by answering the idiotic, long-winded test items correctly, if the teachers want to keep their jobs.
(But as far as I or others can actually see, the test questions given to the kids don't really make a lot of sense; and the checklists and rubrics for judging teachers follow one particular philosophy and have never been shown to make any actual difference in the classroom; nobody has ever done any field tests to make sure the curriculum, the methodology of the pedagogy, or the test items have any reliability or validity in the field. All this allegedly 'data driven' verbiage has virtually no connection to how actual people learn and teach.
The new type of educrat and consultant has the pretty cross-linked chats, and the extremely high salaries, even though some of them still have trouble with percents. Nonetheless, a few of them have figured out some complicated ways of putting numbers on stuff and grinding that through formulas that obfuscate rather than clarify, resulting in a number they can use to fire or blame or give rewards. However, if the number doesn't come out the way they like it, then they cheat and change it or hide it or make stuff up (one of Michelle Rhee's specialties).
If it does come out favorably, then it gets trumpeted in all the media.
Another point of similarity between NY and DC: in both cases they have a new test this year. Which means it is at best very hard to compare scores of one test to the next. However, we members of the public are dependent on what they let us see. We can't see the questions, are not told the actual number of correct answers,nor what the cutoff scores are, and so on.*
So much for actual "data". Just as with the federal government, under both Republicrat or Democan state or local or national leadership, more and more real important stuff is hidden while we are bombarded with trivial junk of all sorts. (Why do I have to be visually bombarded by mewspapers and magazines with pictures of the British monarchy or various movie star scandals every time I go walk down the street or get food at a store or visit a doctor or dentist, while at the same time the data resource people at DC's OSSE doesn't return phone calls? Or if I watch most TV channelse?
To me the most interesting thing is this:
1. The DEformistas like Arne Duncan, Michelle Rhee, Joel Klein, Mayor Bloomberg and Wendy Kopp (of KIPP fame) and the Koch brothers and the Walton family have been claiming for quite some time that if they were able to gut the teacher union's mighty powers and implement their policies (including mostly at first firing teachers and lots of tests but now including micro scripted and deadening curricula) then there was no boundary of excellence we would reach. We oiuld have 90% of the students reach the 90 th percentile at schools that were 90% poor and 90% minority (just the way Michelle Rhee pretended had happened in her classroom). They have set up those charter and voucher programs. They have showered money on the people in charge because of their excellence.
2. None of the rosy scenarios have actually come true.
I still haven't answered 'what's up' with the NYC and DC scores. Here is an interesting fact. KIPP is supposed to be pretty-much a teacher-proof school of excellence. They are rigid, they have doctrines and rules of excellence and data and standards that all teachers must follow. In NYC their scores collapsed this year, worse than in the regular public schools , according to Gary Rubenstein, but in DC they rose to I think their highest level.
Is the DC kipp so different from the NYC kipp Kopp operation?
Or is it more likely that the big difference is the tests and scoring systems — which are kept from us?
My conclusion: for qwhatever reason, the test makers and graders the stupid NYC test harder and the DC test a little easier this year. While following almost identical policies in both cities.
NYC scores go down a lot. DC scores go up a bit.
And then they blame the teachers.
In any case, these data are:
# unreliable
# inconsistent
# invalid.
# do show that the promises of the DEformistas have utterly failed.
* Keep in mind that anyone leaking test items to the public would be risking his/her job and fines and jail time. Not risking being placed in solitary or tortured or hunted into exile or called traitors like Manning or Snowden * but the penalties for test leaking are serious and are enforced. Unlike the penalties for illegally firing people, which are weak and essentially never enforced. I think that Manning and Snowden are imperfect but brave heroes.


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N V Organics has embarked on the journey from being a distributor to a manufacturer, by setting its first manufacturing facility at Bawana, New Delhi with the name N V Cos.
N V Cos begin with contract manufacturing since July -2015 manufacturing Nail Polish and adding Lipstick. All products are made from quality international ingredients.
For more information click here – www.nvcos.in


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Dive Deep
I'm not a deep-sea diver, nor am I a scuba diver. The one time I attempted the latter, I got so nervous about my breathing and being underwater about one foot down that I immediately resurfaced and got back on the boat. Perhaps I'll try it again someday.
But for now, I am a diver in my daily life. When I get bored or annoyed with humdrum matters (which, I admit, does happen from time to time because, well, I like drama, dahling!), the antidote, nine times out of ten, is to dive deep—to dive deep into the sweet fragrance of the soap while I'm washing the dishes . . . into the lavender color of my tea as the light shines through the glass from which I'm sipping it . . . into the timeless song of rainfall outside my window . . . into the feeling of the soft, yellow quilt under my fingers as I make my bed. The deeper I dive, the more bliss I feel, and a day spent attending to the quotidian becomes, if not a deep-sea adventure, certainly a deep-spirit one, a deep-art one, and a deep-human one. And, as far as I can tell, that's the kind of dive my soul intended for me in this lifetime in the first place.
Care to go diving with me today?
Two of my favorite supplies for daily deep-diving are Mrs. Meyers Geranium Dish Soap and Highland Organics Whole Plant Wild Maine Blueberry Tea.
Court Artisan: Ann Moller


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Here lives an experimental bot that does this: Commitfest → Github → ( AppVeyor, Travis ). You can find a report for the current CF, the next CF or individual patch authors.
News: Some information about this project can be seen in these slides from PGCon 2018. TL;DR: the plan discussed with the pginfra team is to integrate this into the Commitfest application. May take some time, but watch this space.
Needs review
|Add timeline to partial WAL segments
|David Steele
Waiting on Author
|Remove deprecated exclusive backup mode
|David Steele
Please send feedback to thomas.munro-at-gmail.com.


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All I see on Facebook lately is "Colorado was STOLEN!" "Cruz is an establishment sellout!" and the further I investigate these claims, the more I facepalm.
I know I'm not convincing anyone of anything here, so I'm merely going to point out why your logic is flawed if you believe these things. I understand you all have your preferred sites that deliver news in exactly the tone you wish to hear, so I'm under no illusions that my post will shake the foundations of your beliefs. This is simply cathartic for me.
First, let's start with your news sources, shall we? I keep hearing how The Media is evil and in the tank for The Democrats or The Establishment Republicans (it changes depending on who is critical of The Angry Cheeto – which reminds me of the evil Cheese Curls in Veggie Tales, right down to the lips). I see a…
View original post 978 more words


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Are You Hiring a LICENSED Professional Home Inspector?
How We Can Help You
Our inspections enable you to take control of your real estate transaction by helping you:
- Identify potential problems
- Survey the home's condition
- Consider possible repairs and upgrades
- Take measure of your investment decision
- Experience confidence and peace of mind about your investment and any negotiations.
We Are Impartial and Work For You
Home inspections are our only business. We are impartial and work only for you. Our job is to provide you with a comprehensive, fair, independent, objective evaluation so that you can understand and take care of your valuable investment. Your interests are our interests before, during, and after the inspection.
What To Expect
The inspection provides an invaluable learning and discovery experience during which your questions can be answered on the spot. You will gain insight into maintenance and energy conservation tailored specifically to your home. We wholeheartedly encourage you to accompany us during the inspection. In addition, all of our clients are offered free telephone consultation after the inspection.
NJ Home Inspection License #24GI00076900


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Andis!!! Detachable Blade Clippers!!! – Prices, Ratings, Testimonials & More!!! Available!!!
If you are looking for some Fantastic Selections of Andis Detachable Blade Clippers, this may be the web-page for you. If you happen to be looking into some information on the Andis Line of Detachable Blades, this may be the web-page for you also. We, here at the Barber Supplies Online Store!!! & StylezandKutz Mag!!! Have created this particular page with our visitors in mind who may be in need of this type of information. What we will feature here will be some of the Selections of Detachable Blade Clippers that we found to be of the More Popular Ones, judging from the Ratings and the Reviews that Our Writers and Research Team have found. As always, we hope that the information found here on this page will be of some aid and assistance to our visitors.
What this Page has to Offer
The Barber Supplies Online Store!!!
If you do not find here what you are looking for or if you would like to Take a Look at More Selections of Equipment and Clippers, all that you have to do is just Click Here and you will be taken to the Official Barber Supplies Online Store!!! Website!!!
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Barber Supplies Online Store
The One Place You Can Count On for Information on Barbering & Styling Tools & Equipment
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Dear parent/player
Welcome to the Sunshine Kangaroos Juniors section of our website, please browse the many pages for some fantatsic images
and lots of information.
-Junior Football is a place to learn and develop football skills
-Junior Football is a place to make friends and have fun
-Junior Football is a place to develop a love of the game
-Junior Football is place to develop self-confidence and social skills
-Junior Football is a place to encourage players to come back next year and develop their football further
The club fields an under 18s, 16s, 14s, 13, 12s,10s and U9s division of the WRFL competition as well as a Girls U12s team.
The club also conducts the Auskick program each year. All coaches are fully accredited with level 1 qualification.
Junior training is held on Wednesday and Friday nights. Games are held on Sundays. We have excellent lighting for night training, large comfortable change rooms and a heated social club with full license capabilities.
If at anytime you have any queries or concerns realting to your child, or would like to help out around the club in any way, do not hesitate to contact myself or Tracey.
Kind regardsShaun JanetzkiJunior AdministratorSunshine Football Club
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EM : email@example.com
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Location: West End
As our trip comes to a close, it's hard to realize we've been on the water with this crew for 21 days. There have been many memories formed, friends made, skills learned, and stories to be told about any of the past three weeks. We've had a boat full of dive certifications, with all of our Vega divers getting their open water certificate, our Carinas receiving their advanced open water certificates, as well as their night, boat and fish identification specialties. In total, our boat of 11 amazing divers received a total of 21 certifications, which is amazing! My dive group, which consisted of Maddy, Ali, and Erin, are three of the most naturally talented divers I have ever met. The other Vega group, which others instructed, have also been called "a champion group of divers." That group was composed of Duncan, Webb, Brandon, and Janna. Our entire group of advanced divers, including Niamh, Jil, Joey, and Quinn, have also shown great love and passion for diving; that is evident in their skills underwater. I am truly proud of all of them. Henry, one Quest student, has shown his love for others and is always a helping hand around the boat. One of his best skills around the boat is on the helm. He, as well as Ali, have shown their knowledge of sailing. I am amazed by their ability to obtain his IYT crew certification. With a boat full of students learning diving and sailing, it's amazing to see how they grow as people as well. As always, it will be sad to see everyone go, but our full staff on Laurasia is excited to see where our crew of 12 incredible shipmates go in the future.


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He was very professional, prompt and helpful, which made the entire process and transition much easier.
we would recommend Ryan and his firm to anyone who was facing a challenge similar to ours. He was a bright light in a very dark sky…
I felt confident in his abilities and I have to say it was so smooth and painless. I would recommend Ryan to my best of friends!
I would recommend Ryan Loyacano and the Bacchus Law Group, LLC if you are considering bankruptcy.


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|Collection of thread from napkin project. Any ideas?
When I get the creative spirit, I loose the neatness element. Thread ends are trimmed and eventually find their way to the little trash collector. Well, some do! In the mean time there is thread all over the ironing board...or hitch hiking on my velour.
New year's commitment: deal with trimmed thread ends! I frequently run around with dog hair and tread on my sweat (sewing) pants. Can't do much about the magnetic dog remnants. I have vowed to use those little fabric scraps to start and end my stitches... less waste and much neater. It is soooo hard to change old habits.
|As you can see, lots of encouragement!
Not too successful using them...
Maybe it's because they're just boring white!
|The thread collector!
Anyone have any sewing behavior modification ideas? I'm open to suggestions or just a comment on what you would like to change in 2014!
'till Tuesday...


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WASHINGTON — Two federal appeals court panels issued conflicting rulings Tuesday on whether the government could subsidize health insurance premiums for millions of Americans, raising yet more questions about the future of the health care law four years after it was signed by President Obama.
The contradictory rulings will apparently have no immediate impact on consumers. But they could inject uncertainty, confusion and turmoil into health insurance markets as the administration firms up plans for another open enrollment season starting in November.
By a vote of 2 to 1, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down a regulation issued by the Internal Revenue Service that authorizes the payment of premium subsidies in states that rely on the federal insurance exchange.
If it stands, the ruling could cut off financial assistance for more than 4.5 million people who were found eligible for subsidized insurance in the federal exchange, or marketplace. It could also undercut enforcement of the requirement for most Americans to have insurance and the requirement for larger employers to offer it to their full-time employees.
The Justice Department said the government would continue paying subsidies to insurance companies on behalf of consumers in the 36 states that use the federal exchange, pending further review of the issue by federal courts.
Critics of the law, who said the ruling in Washington vindicated their opposition to it, did not have much time to celebrate. Within hours, a unanimous three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Va., issued a ruling that came to the opposite conclusion.
The Fourth Circuit panel upheld the subsidies, saying the I.R.S. rule was "a permissible exercise of the agency's discretion."
The language of the Affordable Care Act on this point is "ambiguous and subject to multiple interpretations," the Fourth Circuit panel said, so it gave deference to the tax agency.
In a separate case, the Justice Department informed a federal appeals court in Denver on Tuesday that the Obama administration would issue new rules within a month revising a compromise on contraceptive coverage under the health care law in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Four Cases Challenging Health Care Subsidies
Two federal appeals courts issued conflicting rulings on whether the Internal Revenue Service is allowed to provide subsidies for premiums to people in states that use the federal insurance exchange.
The court ruled this month that Wheaton College, a Christian college in Illinois, did not have to fill out certain forms that would result in birth control being provided by insurers. The administration is studying options for ensuring that women still receive the coverage. The court suggested that Wheaton could notify the government of its religious objections rather than send the opt-out forms to insurers.
Subsidies, in the form of tax credits, are a major element of the health care law. Without them, many more consumers would be unable to afford coverage and could be exempted from the "individual mandate" to have insurance.
The employer mandate is enforced through penalties imposed on employers if any of their workers receive subsidies, so it could become meaningless in states where subsidies were unavailable.
The White House rejected the ruling of the appeals court panel in Washington and indicated that the Justice Department would ask the full court to review it. The Obama administration has consistently underestimated court challenges to the health care law, including one decided in 2012 by the Supreme Court, which upheld the individual mandate.
At least two other cases on subsidies are pending in federal district courts, in Oklahoma and Indiana.
In the case decided in Washington on Tuesday, Halbig v. Burwell, the appeals court panel said that the Affordable Care Act made subsidies available only to people who obtained insurance through exchanges established by states.
The law "does not authorize the I.R.S. to provide tax credits for insurance purchased on federal exchanges," the panel said. The law, it said, "plainly makes subsidies available only on exchanges established by states."
Aides to Mr. Obama said the ruling seemed to fly in the face of common sense.
"You don't need a fancy legal degree to understand that Congress intended for every eligible American to have access to tax credits that would lower their health care costs, regardless of whether it was state officials or federal officials who were running the marketplace," said Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary. "I think that is a pretty clear intent of the congressional law."
Reacting to the ruling, a Justice Department spokeswoman, Emily Pierce, said, "We believe that this decision is incorrect, inconsistent with congressional intent, different from previous rulings and at odds with the goal of the law."
Under this ruling, many people could see their share of premiums increase sharply. Subsidies reduced the average premium to $82 a month from $346, according to the administration.
The majority opinion in the case here was written by Judge Thomas B. Griffith, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, with a concurring opinion by Judge A. Raymond Randolph, a senior circuit judge, who was appointed by the elder President George Bush.
New Hampshire Residents: Did You Sign up for Insurance Through the Affordable Care Act?
The Times would like to hear from Americans who are signing up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
"Our ruling will likely have significant consequences both for the millions of individuals receiving tax credits through federal exchanges and for health insurance markets more broadly," Judge Griffith said. "But, high as those stakes are, the principle of legislative supremacy that guides us is higher still."
Another member of the appeals court panel, Judge Harry T. Edwards, a senior circuit judge appointed by President Jimmy Carter, filed a dissent in which he described the lawsuit as an "attempt to gut" the law. The majority opinion, he said, "defies the will of Congress." He said that the Obama administration's reading of the law was "permissible and reasonable, and, therefore, entitled to deference."
A similar approach was taken by the Fourth Circuit panel in its case, King v. Burwell. Judge Roger L. Gregory, who received a recess appointment from President Bill Clinton and a permanent appointment from President George W. Bush, said that the rival interpretations of the law by the plaintiffs and by the Obama administration appeared to be "equally plausible."
But, Judge Gregory said, the administration's position helps achieve "the broad policy goals" of the Affordable Care Act. "The economic framework supporting the act would crumble if the credits were unavailable on federal exchanges," he said.
In a concurring opinion, Judge Andre M. Davis, a senior judge on the appeals court, said the plaintiffs' argument "would effectively destroy the statute." It would, he said, "deny to millions of Americans desperately needed health insurance through a tortured, nonsensical construction" of the law. Judge Davis and the other judge on the panel, Stephanie D. Thacker, were appointed by Mr. Obama.
The health law authorized subsidies specifically for insurance bought "through an exchange established by the state."
When the law was adopted, Mr. Obama and congressional Democrats assumed that states would set up their own exchanges. But many Republican governors and state legislators balked, and opposition to the law became a rallying cry for the party.
The lawsuit in Washington, championed by conservative and libertarian groups, was filed by people in states that use the federal exchange: Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. They objected to being required to buy insurance, even with subsidies to help defray the cost.
One of the plaintiffs, David Klemencic, who has a carpet store in Ellenboro, W.Va., said: "If I have to start paying out for health insurance, it will put me out of business. As Americans, we should be able to make our own decisions in matters like this."
Democrats said the Fourth Circuit ruling validated the law, which they passed in 2010 without any Republican votes. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, said the plaintiffs' reading of the law was "obviously false."
By contrast, Speaker John A. Boehner praised the ruling of the appeals court panel in Washington. It showed, he said, that "President Obama's health care law is completely unworkable."


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ashlee simpson
Make over !!Wednesday, January 27, 2010
My best est mate Kate :) rhyme lol , doesn't need a make over at all she is naturally beautiful but i was bored and wanted to use my new mac brush sets on someone other than myself :) No Photoshop editing on face at all just editing of background.
In the picture above i have used the mac brush set special edition,
-Do the trick buff and line brush set
-Morning, Noon, & Knight Everything Eye Brush Set
Products used are:
-Revlon color stay foundation.
-Rimmel Bronzer
-Beauties Factory eye shadow pallet (also used liner brush and black shadow to create pencil liner effect)
-Rimmel multi-tonal powder blush
-Rimmel moisturising colour lip stick and gloss Nude pink.
Thanks Kate for lending me your face lol and thanks Craig for lending Katie to me for 20 mins before you started your Gears of War fest lol!!!
Toy Story 2 3DWednesday, January 27, 2010
Craig, Katie and I went to the cinema yesterday to watch Toy Story 2 3D which was really good. We had to wear the silly glasses ( photo above) and it was fun !
We all had huge hot dogs and lots of munchies for the film.
Review time...The film was really good but i was a little let down by the amount of 3d effects . The 3d Depth of the film looked great but there wasn't many 3D out of the screen bits. As in the trailers the new Tim Burton Film Alice in Wonderland looks amazing and even the trailer popes out of the screen. Cant wait to see this film !!!
Its worth seeing toy story though as it is really funny and as toy stories are it is a good plot :)
Thanks Craig n Kate for a lovely film night out lol :)
x SLJ x
Max Update!Tuesday, January 26, 2010
As i have already blogged about Katie's kitten max this blog is an update on how he has grown and some NEWS!!
Katie has just found out she is soon to be expecting her first child :) were all so chuffed for her! , Craig and I are so excited because she honored us with the question of being God Parents to him/her when he/she arrives. YAYYY!!! so ill keep blogging on Katie's pregnancy progress and cant wait to take lots of lovely photos of mum and baby in July :) .
Max on the other hand ..well were to start he is a little cutie but a little monster lol , he has taken full advantage of terrorising our cat Jodie :P which she doesn't find amusing lol. But he's lush and i have a few photos of him above. also above is a picture of Katie's new mumzy hair which is lush too :)
Also I'm making the most of my post exam study leave and totally chilling out!!
Love you always Craig :)
Christmas Time!!Monday, January 04, 2010
Christmas was realkly amazing! Craig and I got the most perfect tree and it was decorated with lush decorations which i love! its still up now but its coming down tomorrow and im not very happy about it as i just love it its so happy and pretty!
We were both very spolit and got everything we wanted and more, my main present off craig was a Panasonic lumix TZ7 which i just love and it takes the most amazing pictures and HD videos :) happy happy happy! Im big into photography so i will be blogging my pictures and my photoshop creations.
Thanks craig for making this xmas the best xmas yet and i love you loads !!
*Now im back to school .. fun and am looking forwards to exams ... lol NOT!!


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Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast with Alaska Cruise Inside Cabin (Summer 2020)
Tour Type: Discovery Trip
Brochure Type: 2020 USA & Canada
Discover the majestic landscapes, towering peaks, and sparkling turquoise lakes of the Canadian Rockies, teamed with the charming and sometimes quirky Pacific Northwest. This fabulous journey is as relaxed as the Canadian wilderness is vast. For the majority of the time you will be at the mercy of Mother Nature's eye-popping palette, with a whole day at leisure in Banff National Park and free time in Jasper National Park. From taking a walk on the wild side at the Capilano Suspension Bridge to nourishing your palate at a waterfront celebration in Seattle, you won't be disappointed with this sensational trip - just don't forget to bring your camera!
Authentic Dining
Brochure Type: 2020 USA & Canada
Discover the majestic landscapes, towering peaks, and sparkling turquoise lakes of the Canadian Rockies, teamed with the charming and sometimes quirky Pacific Northwest. This fabulous journey is as relaxed as the Canadian wilderness is vast. For the majority of the time you will be at the mercy of Mother Nature's eye-popping palette, with a whole day at leisure in Banff National Park and free time in Jasper National Park. From taking a walk on the wild side at the Capilano Suspension Bridge to nourishing your palate at a waterfront celebration in Seattle, you won't be disappointed with this sensational trip - just don't forget to bring your camera!
Authentic Dining
- Victoria: Take your pick of specially selected local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
- Spokane: Dine at Steam Plant Brewing Co. and Pub, nestled among the remaining catwalks, pipes and boilers of a historic Spokane building.
- Quincy: Visit a boutique winery in the picturesque Columbia Valley region for a hearty luncheon and wine tasting.
- Seattle: Head to the waterfront for a Celebration Dinner at Ivar's, aptly referred to as Seattle's King of the Waterfront, to toast your newfound friends.
- Dining Summary: 21 Breakfasts (B), 7 Lunches (L), 1 Lunch with wine (LW), 8 Dinners (D), and 6 Dinners with wine (DW).
- Chase: Partake in a Smudging Ceremony and witness a traditional spiritual ritual conducted by a member of the local indigenous community.
- Icefields Parkway: Experience Athabasca Glacier, onboard a specially designed Ice Explorer, with an expert driver guide.
- Seattle: See the sights of Seattle with a city tour. Visit the renowned Space Needle with its jaw-dropping panoramic views.
- Glacier National Park: Board a traditional Red Jammer for a private tour with a park veteran and enjoy the stunning views.
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: Join a Blackfoot elder and hear fascinating stories about the Plains people.
- Vancouver: The Four Seasons Vancouver provides a sophisticated backdrop for your visit to Vancouver.
- Victoria: Stay just a short walk from the Inner Harbour and historic downtown Victoria at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria.
- Chase: The Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort in Chase is the unique, lakeside hotel of the Little Shuswap Indian Band, and strives to preserve First Nation heritage and culture.
- Jasper: Enjoy the beautiful views and rustic charms at the Sawridge Inn in Jasper National Park.
- Banff: Marvel at the exceptional views of the Canadian Rockies at the Rimrock Resort Hotel.
- Glacier National Park: Many Glacier Hotel is located in the park among awe-inspiring majesty.
- Lake McDonald: Stay in classic Swiss chalet style Lake McDonald Lodge, located inside Glacier National Park, on the shores of the largest lake in the park.
- Spokane: With soaring architecture and a rich history that dates back to 1914, it has earned the reputation as Spokane's grandest hotel.
- Blue River: Get a taste of British Columbia on an exhilarating Blue River Safari boat ride(8) in Grizzly Bear Valley followed by lunch at a unique, floating restaurant.
- Vancouver: Embark on a city tour with your Travel Director and discover the highlights in this bustling west coast seaport, including the famous totem poles in Stanley Park.
- Victoria: Visit the stunning floral displays at Butchart Gardens.
- Vancouver: The Capilano Suspension Bridgecrosses the Capilano River, providing an appreciation of nature from three breathtaking perspectives.
- Jasper: Embark on a narrated cruise across the serene waters of iconic Maligne Lake.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Call (800) 257-6544 for more information or to book today! Mention code 14887637
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 6/30/2020
- Duration
- 22 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
|Day 1
|Welcome to Vancouver.: Arrive in Vancouver, a haven for sports enthusiasts and keen history buffs alike. This unique city offers something for everyone. From its striking mountains to the bustle of the city's art and music scene, this British Columbia seaport does not disappoint. On arrival, your airport transfer will take you to your luxury hotel before you join your Travel Director at 18.00 for a Welcome Dinner and an opportunity to mingle with fellow guests over wine. (Dinner with Wine)
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
|Day 2
|Cruise the Gulf Islands to Victoria.: Embark on a tour of Vancouver, including a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Gastown. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. This afternoon, board a ferry and sail through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island, an idyllic place known for its fishing and art communities. You'll end your day here, in British Columbia's stunning capital city, Victoria. Your hotel will be the Inn at Laurel Point, a modern waterfront venue with harbour views. (Breakfast)
Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria.
|Day 3
|Butchart Gardens.: Start your day wandering through world renowned Butchart Gardens, a beautiful National Historic Site of Canada featuring groups of floral displays. Enjoy an immersive day exploring Canada's oldest Chinatown, the bustling Inner Harbour and stately Legislative Buildings. At night, choose from a selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening, where you'll sit down and enjoy a hearty meal with striking views. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
|Day 4
|Victoria to Chase, British Columbia.: Cruise back to the mainland and continue on your scenic journey through British Columbia to the charming town of Chase. Upon arrival you will witness and partake in a Smudging Ceremony, a traditional spiritual ritual conducted by a member of the local indigenous community. As you settle in at your lakeside lodge this evening, you'll enjoy a Dinner with Wine, featuring authentic regional flavours. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort, Chase.
|Day 5
|Jasper National Park
|The Alpine Wonderland of Jasper National Park.: After breakfast this morning, your journey continues to Jasper National Park. You'll stop for a smooth yet exhilarating Boat River Safari (waiver required) with an excellent chance to view grizzly bears and other wildlife along Grizzly Bear Valley in Blue River, B.C. To complete your exciting experience, enjoy lunch in the unique floating restaurant, The Forest Table where the menu focuses around game, wild salmon, berries and greens. Arrive in the wonderland of Jasper National Park with its soothing mineral hot springs, rugged glaciers, colourful meadows, and majestic mountains. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre Jasper.
|Day 6
|Jasper National Park
|Exploring Jasper National Park.: Wake up to breathtaking views of the park from your balcony rooms, before heading on an informative walk on the trails of Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Move on to a narrated cruise across the serene waters of iconic Maligne Lake, one of the jewels of the Canadian Rockies (weather permitting). Stop at Spirit Island, quite rightly one of the most photographed sites in the Canadian Rockies, before returning to Jasper where the rest of the day is yours. You'll end the day surrounded by lush landscapes and a delectable three course dinner, with your choice of fish or meat, to satisfy your palettes. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
|Day 7
|Icefields, Glaciers and Lakes to Banff National Park.: No trip to Canada would be complete without a road trip along the majestic Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most stunning mountain drives. Once at the Icefields Visitor Center, you'll embark on a specially designed Ice Explorer for a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. You'll be led by an expert driver-guide, who will help you step out onto the frosty flow, formed centuries ago. After your icy adventure, warm up at sumptuous Chateau Lake Louise. Journey on to the resort town of Banff, where you'll stay at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, a superior address with exceptional views from inside Banff National Park. Attractive to writers and artists, this pretty town will be your home for the next two nights. Enjoy a delicious Dinner with Wine at your hotel in the evening. (Breakfast)
The Rimrock Resort, Banff.
|Day 8
|Banff National Park
|The Unspoiled Wilderness of Banff National Park.: Today is yours to spend exploring the rugged charms of the park. Choose from several optional experiences, including a once in a lifetime helicopter flight over the magnificent Canadian Rockies, or a ride onboard the Banff Gondola, a scenic cableway that can take you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
|Day 9
|Glacier National Park
|Quest for Buffalo on the way to Glacier National Park.: Prepare for a day of culture and history as you depart for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, one of the world's oldest and largest buffalo jumps. Once here you'll discover how the indigenous people used this 36-foot-high (11 metres) cliff to hunt stampeding herds of bison. You'll also get a unique chance to join a local Blackfoot elder and hear fascinating stories about the Plains people of long ago. From craggy plains to mountainous landscapes, you'll cross the U.S. border into Montana and end your day at Many Glacier Hotel, a charming property situated in the heart of Glacier National Park. (Breakfast)
Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier National Park, Babb.
|Day 10
|Glacier National Park
|Going-to-the-Sun and the Glacier National Park.: Today, board a private Red Jammer bus to cruise along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in style. During your narrated trip you'll witness stunning views from Logan Pass and the marvels of the park's wild interior. Disembark and end your day at Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier National Park. Rest up in a classic Swiss-chalet-style lodge with spectacular mountain views. (Breakfast)
Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park.
|Day 11
|Lake Coeur d'Alene and Spokane.: Today you'll continue on to the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene, one of America's most beautiful lakes, and arrive in Spokane to stay at The Historic Davenport, Autograph Collection hotel.This is Washington State's grandest hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ithas welcomed a number of famous faces including Amelia Earhart and Clark Gable. In the evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at Steam Plant, an award-winning brewery, situated in a nationally recognised historic building. From house-smoked carbonara to pizza or rotisserie porchetta this unique venue offers a number of inventive dishes. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
The Historic Davenport, Autograph Collection, Spokane.
|Day 12
|Wonderful Wines en route to Seattle.: Wine connoisseurs rejoice. Today you'll head through the wide, endless horizons of the wine-producing area of Washington State. Visit Cave B Estate, an award-winning boutique winery and local favourite. Explore the nuances of their fine wine selection with some tastings over a Highlight Lunch, focusing on fresh, local and artisanal ingredients. Then it's on to forward-thinking Seattle for an evening at leisure at your hotel. (Breakfast / Lunch with Wine)
The Charter Hotel Seattle, Curio Collection by Hilton.
|Day 13
|The Soaring Sights of Seattle.: Enjoy an Insight Choice today. Either head to the Space Needle, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the unique skyline or the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. You'll also see Puget Sound, Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market, where you should watch out for flying fish. The afternoon is yours at leisure and you'll find activities, restaurants and shops aplenty. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner with wine at Ivar's Acres of Clams. Here you'll find the Northwest's best dining, as you take in the views on Seattle's waterfront. (Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)
|Day 14
|Back to Vancouver for the Alaska Cruise Extension.: It's time to say goodbye to the Emerald City as your trip comes to an end. You will be transferred back to the Four Seasons Vancouver for the night, before boarding your Alaska cruise on Day 15. (Breakfast)
Four Seasons Vancouver.
|Day 15
|Your Alaska Cruise
|Your Alaska Cruise.: Enjoy the morning on your own until you are transferred to Canada Place where your cruise begins with the Inside Passage. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 16
|Cruise the Inside Passage
|Cruise the Inside Passage.: With most of southeast Alaska accessible only by boat or plane, cruise the Inside Passage for a unique view. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 17
|Cruise Tracy Arm and Juneau
|Cruise Tracy Arm and Juneau.: The dramatic Sawyer Glaciers at the end of Tracy Arm are framed by mountains and bathed in the blue hue of the ice. Arrive in Juneau, where you can shop downtown, kayak, dogsled, raft or flightsee. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 18
|Skagway, Alaska.: Step into the town's colourful past at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 19
|Cruise Glacier Bay
|Cruise Glacier Bay, Alaska.: From the comfort of your ship, enjoy pristine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 20
|Ketchikan.: While ashore, check out the world's largest collection of standing totem poles or an optional guided through town or a harbour cruise. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 21
|Scenic Cruise of the Inside Passage
|Scenic Cruise of the Inside Passage.: Today is a day of relaxation as you cruise back to Vancouver. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
|Day 22
|Depart Vancouver.: Sail into Vancouver Harbour this morning. After disembarking, take your transfer to Vancouver International Airport or to the hotel, if you wish to extend your stay. Airport arrival will be at approximately 09:30. (Breakfast)
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Notes: Twin prices are per person. Itineraries, durations, hotels and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at the time of booking. Guaranteed Room Share is not available. Single and Triple cruise staterooms are available on a request basis only. All departures are sailing on the MS Koningsdam. Supplements: (9) Above prices include Cruise Fees, Taxes & Tips and are accurate as of 09 May 2019. These compulsory charges are levied by the cruise line and comprise a Non-Discountable Amount, Government Fees, Taxes and Tips/Gratuities - see Terms and Conditions for details. For activities marked with a (8) in the day-by-day itinerary, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class


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If there's one thing I can count on, it's this:
When I come home to my parents' house, whether it's from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Cleveland, I can always count on my mom standing at the front door, her shoulders pulled up around her smiling face as she holds her arms out and says, "Oh! Hi, my Hooty!"
And then I hug her, and she starts asking me if I want anything to eat. 🙂 She's truly a great mom.
When I was little, I wanted to be like her, to drink coffee out of McDonald's cups and to paint my nails. So we initiated "Girl Talk" once a week, and she would buy me a hot chocolate (in the McDonald's cup) and paint my nails. I wonder how obnoxious I was then, and wonder how she could bear to play along with me like that all the time. But then I remember that she's a darn good mom.
So here's a list of some of the things I love about my mom (not all of them, of course, because I don't have that kind of time!):
– "Hi, my Hooty!"
– Girl Talk nights.
– Her ability to extinguish my anxiety.
– The way she waves goodbye from the kitchen window any time my brother, my father, or I leave.
– That her first grade picture looks identical to mine.
– Her excitement about McDonald's coffee (all 3 of 'em a day 😉 )
– How she always did without so that her kids could have more than they deserved.
– The way she won't "let" you go to sleep without saying "I love you."
– Her chicken crescent squares.
– The way she sneaks money into my account sometimes–EVEN THOUGH SHE DOESN'T NEED TO.
– That I can tell her anything.
– How two beers makes her tipsy.
– That she's the best euchre partner around.
– That she still takes "Little Man" off her drinks sometimes. Ha ha!
– Her hands. I want her hands.
– Her willingness to help people, even when she's burnt out.
– Her patience, with me, and with life in general.
– That she goes to Bon Jovi concerts with me.
– That she sends me cards, even though I'm only an hour and a half away.
– Our Christmas shopping trips.
– The names of the colors she puts in her hair.
I love most that I see her in me. I do things and think, "That's what mom does" or "Wow, I did that just like her." But there'd be nothing better than turning out like her.
I know you read this sometimes, so I love you, Mom!


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Hi Creative Friends!
Welcome to another awesome Paper Issues Product Spotlight!
Today we're shining the light on all things Pink Paislee
There are SO many fabulous collections from Pink Paislee in the Paper Issues store right now!
I chose to use my new favourite, Summer Lights - it's so bright, fun and playful!
It just screams Summer!
I chose to use my new favourite, Summer Lights - it's so bright, fun and playful!
It just screams Summer!
Here's my layout,
"Weekend Vacation Vibes"
"Weekend Vacation Vibes"
Summer perfection! La la love this!!!
So many pretty colours, patterns and embellishments in the Summer Lights collection!
The chipboard and 6 x 12 stickers both feature holohgraphic accents and are super awesome!
You'll spy some cute emojis and a fun watercolour mixed media background too!
Here's a closer look....
How gorgeous is that die cut frame?!
And a holographic foil accent icecream!!!
So much Summer goodness here!
Those sunset sunglasses are pretty cute too!
Summer is definitely magic with Pink Paislee's Summer Lights line!
I hope my layout has inspired you today!
Grab all the Pink Paislee pretties in the Paper Issues store here
& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
til next time,
Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo


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Welcome to my personal webpage. I am the only veterinary surgeon in the United Kingdom to specialise in minimally invasive "keyhole" surgery of wildlife. While this is my main interest, in my line of work I still have to do a little bit of everything, from an ultrasound examination of a Giant land snail to blood sampling a giraffe. I was born and grew up in South Africa, although my father is Italian (which explains my surname).
My wife Yolanda, who is Spanish, is also a veterinarian, and she specialises in cardiology. Somewhere along the line I ended up doing occasional TV work, and have presented or appeared in series on the BBC, Channel 4, Five, and Animal Planet. My latest series "Vet on the loose" followed me as I travelled around the UK treating a wide variety of animals, from tarantulas to tigers, as well as more common pets, and first aired on Animal Planet in the UK in August 2009.
I continue to be involved part-time in teaching, as a Special lecturer in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine, and lecture and teach on wildlife surgery internationally.
· Inclusion in Marquis "Who's Who in the World" (2009- )
·Inclusion in Marquis "Who's Who in Science and Engineering 10th Edition" (2008- )
· British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) congress award for best clinical research abstract by a practitioner (2007)
· Inclusion in Marquis "Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare" (2006- )


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New Years Eve South Beach
New Years Eve South Beach style is without a doubt the New Years Eve you will not forget! South Beach is place to be for the best celebrity filled nightclub parties and were else are you going to party hard all night long and get a great tan New Years Day while you revive. Lounging on the beach or poolside in the beautiful warm and sunny Miami Beach weather is the perfect way to spend the first day of the new year.
South Beach in know for having the most exclusive night clubs and when it comes to NYE the nightlife parties are even more amazing. The NYE parties are hot at the nightclubs and at the really chic hotels. Miami Beach is one big party that will be sure to bring in the new year with party to remember.
Miami Beach draws a international crowd for NYE and has all different types of party venues including street parties, hotel, nightclub and private mansion parties of all types so you better start planning now tickets sell out fast.
If you need NYE party guidance, NYE tickets or dinner reservations and you want to make sure you are at the best New Years Eve party in town call us at VIP South Beach 305 804 5071 and we make sure you have the best NYE possible.


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Google Tosses Wave Over the Open Source Fence
In August, Google kicked the door shut on its online collaboration service, Wave. But yesterday, Google said they would lob the Wave source code over to the open source community.
On Monday, the software giant said that Wave would continue to operate as it has been until the end of the year. Between now and that time, Google is expected to release an open sourced scaled down version of its Wave codebase called "Wave in a Box."
According to the Register's Kelly Fiveash, Google software engineer Alex North said, "This project will not have the full functionality of Google Wave as you know it today. However, we intend to give developers and enterprising users an opportunity to run wave servers and host waves on their own hardware."
View Article
This article was originally published on September 3, 2010
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Be the Nurse you want as a patient. (by AllNurses.Com)
If you have had the misfortune of being a patient in the hospital, what stands out about your experience? No matter the specific reason for your admission, I'm sure it was an experience you would rather not have had. What was it that made your experience a good one…….or a not so good one?? Was it the care you received……… or the care you did not receive??
Nurses do not have the ability to change your reason for being in the hospital, but they do have the capacity to make your hospital experience a more pleasant one. I am not talking about customer care, so to speak. I am talking about nursing………including the little things. What might seem little to us may mean the world to the patient. Think about lying in bed in pain….not being able to get out of bed by yourself….dependent upon strangers for even the small things…..like a drink of cold water……assistance to the bathroom……kind words of explanation regarding tests and procedures……common courtesies. Nurses can change patient experiences — making difficult things less difficult, being present when there are painful and uncomfortable situations, being there to help navigate through the confusing medical world.
We all know all the administrative tasks vying for our time as nurses, with technical and managerial aspects of care sometimes taking priority over delivery of care. We also know that increased patient loads decreases the amount of time we can spend with each patient. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the "things" we have to do that we forget what one of our main jobs is…..to compassionately and empathetically care for the patient. But the patient is more than a name, a room number, a diagnosis….. The patient is a real person with feelings, concerns, and needs. We only get to see them while they are hurting. But we must remember, that this patient has a life outside of the hospital……or at least they did before they got to the hospital. For all we know, this may be their last stop before they die. Ours may be the last face that they see……our words the last that they hear.
If you were the patient in room 37-H who had just been told that they only had a few weeks to live, how would you feel? What would you want from your nurse? How could she/he help ease the blow you had just been dealt? It is true she/he cannot change your diagnosis…..cannot take away the disease that is slowly taking your life. But she can help to ease some of your physical and mental discomforts…….by just being there……for you and you family. Being there to listen and answer questions. Being there to see if you would like for her/him to call your pastor or the hospital chaplain. Being there to hold your hand when others have gone home for the night.
Sometimes we forget that bedside nursing involves being at the bedside for more than procedures, medications, assessments. Yes, all of these things are definitely important to the care of our patient. But we must also remember that it is at the bedside where we can let the true compassion of our profession shine through some of the darkest hours that our patients and their families face. Remember………one day we will all experience those dark hours. Maybe it will only be a few days before the sun shines again for us and we are discharged home. Or maybe it will be for the final time that we will see the light shine on this side of death. When our time comes, let's hope that we are lucky enough to get the type of nurse we were to our patients.
As we go through each day, let us try to imagine what we would think if we were in the patient's place. Let us be the nurse that we would want as a patient.


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Busy. Crazy busy!
That used to be my automatic answer when someone would ask "How are you?" What I was thinking was, "I am running like a hamster on a wheel." My work "to-do" list always had more to be accomplished than there were hours in the day or week.
The pace felt hectic, stressful and exhausting and, yet, I couldn't see any other way. After all, if I didn't do it, who would? Who has time for Sabbath? Sound familiar?
When I was honest with myself, I admitted I also got a lot of satisfaction from being indispensable. I know I am not the only one. We live in a time that glorifies and rewards "crazy busy" even while we brag/complain about the toll it takes on our body, mind and spirit and our relationships with others.
When I was growing up, Sabbath seemed to be about following "Thou shalt not" rules to keep God from getting mad. No work, no play, no fun. Why would God care if I rode my bike or went to a movie on Sunday? As a pastor with responsibilities on Sunday, it has been healing to re-examine what it involves to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
MaryAnn McKibben Dana's refreshing book, "Sabbath the Suburbs," helped me shift from rules to an awareness of "living Sabbathly" -- intentionally setting time apart each week and making holy the simple acts of everyday life. That shift has made such a difference in my peace and awareness of being grounded in God. I am finding I can keep God in the center of Sabbath by saying "yes" to slowing down, being attentive and grateful, unplugging from technology, choosing to do something that is a break from my day-to-day activities, appreciating the wonders of nature and being fully present with those around me. In our busy culture, the ancient practice of Sabbath holds healing and holy grace.
I am learning to embrace Sabbath as commandment and gift. After all, even God rested on the seventh day. How did I become persuaded I was more indispensable than God?
At some level, I suspect, it is about fear and identity. Too often, it seems we are valued primarily for what we do. Even churches fall into the habit of holding up as role models those who are too busy to rest and renew their spirits. And yet, I believe the church is called in this time to be a counter cultural voice, to reclaim our identity as human-beings over human-doings.
The commandment and gift of Sabbath is blessed reassurance we are more than the quantity of work we accomplish. We are already precious and beloved of God. Nothing we do will make God love us more, nor less. Thanks be to God.
The Rev. Celeste Lasich is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Hays.


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Iranian twins Laleh and Ladan Bijani were joined at the head for 29 years.
I was deeply saddened to learn they did not survive the brave attempt to
become separated...to have missed an opportunity to look one another in the eye for
the first time...and to pursue individual paths.
Wash off your hand from this copper-like existence,
So that one day you gain the alchemy of love
And become gold. -Hafiz


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Obama is by nature a booster–like the first stage of a missile lofting its payload into the upper atmosphere. A huge bang, a mighty whoosh and then, a few miles up, a fizzle as the Obama-booster burns out and drops back to earth. He doesn't seem to have much stamina or even strategy for getting useful things done. No wonder he leaped on the "secret Iranian nuclear facility." It was a perfect setup up for a booster.
Half-close our eyes and we could have been back in Bush-time, amid the ripest hours of the propaganda barrage for the US-led onslaught on Iraq. (Though this time the venue was the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh, not the UN General Assembly, since Obama wanted to reserve that for a message of uplift.) Theme: disclosure of fresh, chilling evidence of the duplicity of a pariah nation and of the threat it poses to the civilized world. Then it was Secretary of State Colin Powell obediently dispensing lies and blatant forgeries about Iraq's WMDs. On September 25, it was Obama flanked by his Euro-puppets, rolling out alarms that were relayed to the world by a compliant press, albeit sometimes with sidebars puncturing the essential claims. Within minutes of Obama's Pittsburgh ambush, the White House's scenario about a terrifying new nuke factory near Qom began to crumble; a few days later, it was rubble.
US intelligence knew about the mountainside site back in Bush-time. Work had started on it, then stopped. Obama was briefed about it during the transition. Last spring, US surveillance–from satellites and maybe from spies on the ground–concluded that the plant's construction was nearly complete. US intelligence then supposedly learned that the Iranians knew the plant was under US observation. Of course they did. Who doesn't know about American eyes in the skies?
Both Iran and the United States were planning a disclosure schedule matching their political needs. Iran's letter of notification to the IAEA was probably timed to strengthen the theocracy's domestic position and Iran's hand in the upcoming Geneva talks. Claims that Iran violated its obligations under the nonproliferation treaty and subsequent annexes are questionable at best and will give international legal experts plump incomes for decades. One of the United States' tactics has been to rearrange the legal requirements of the treaty, then to insist that each new arrogant stipulation is retroactive. Iran naturally objects to this and responds with dense legal barrages, some depending on whether or not the Iranian Parliament ratified the successive amendments to the treaty. Its case is pretty good–certainly a hundred times stronger than Obama's wild accusations, dutifully echoed by his equerries, Sarkozy and Brown. The most persuasive outline of the legal issues comes from Los Angeles-based Muhammad Sahimi, on the (anti-theocracy) site for Frontline's Tehran bureau.
In reality, the public disclosure of something the United States knew about years ago–knowledge it shared with its prime NATO allies and Israel–changes nothing. The consensus of US intelligence remains that there is no hard evidence that Iran is actively seeking to manufacture nuclear weapons. Iran has agreed to inspection of the plant at some appropriate point.
In a larger perspective there's the absurdity of Obama thundering against Iran, which signed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and has allowed inspections, while remaining silent about Israel. That country has refused to sign the nonproliferation treaty, has an arsenal of somewhere around 200 nuclear weapons about which it has been serially deceptive for nearly half a century and has adamantly refused all inspections. Behind Obama, discoursing on nuclear responsibility, were Sarkozy and Brown, whose nuclear subs collided in the Atlantic in February 2009.
Obama's policy remains in sync with that of his predecessor in the White House. Spasms of ferocious bluster toward Iran raise public anxiety. Stories about imminent Israeli raids on Iran are balanced by leaks to the effect that the White House is keeping Israel on a leash. Then sanctions on Iran are tightened. These strengthen the hand of the theocracy, which can put extra muscle into its repression on the grounds that the country is under siege. What other effect do they have? Professor R.T. Naylor of McGill University, who has written Economic Warfare, a book on sanctions, tells me, "Iran, of course, has had US sanctions against it before, without any sign that much happened. Of its exports to the US, the main thing was always the profits US firms earned on corrupt contracts, so this was a classic case of the US shooting itself in the foot in those early sanctions. Also, Iran stopped putting its oil surpluses in US banks." California is growing more pistachios, caviar comes from Russia and a lot of other countries are knocking off Iranian styles and patterns in carpets.
Meanwhile, the supposedly rational president is already having to pay the bills for his reckless boosterism, during his campaign, of a wider war in Afghanistan. Anyone wanting to understand how JFK plunged into the Vietnamese quagmire, and how LBJ got in even deeper, has only to follow the current fight over Afghan policy. Insanity effortlessly trumps common sense.
By general agreement, the situation in Afghanistan is rapidly getting worse. Militarily, the Taliban have been doing very well, helped by America's bizarre policy of assassinating members of the Taliban high command by drones, thus allowing vigorous young commanders to step into senior positions.
Alas, we have a booster president who turns out to have painfully few fixed principles but an enthusiasm for news management that gives him high ratings but that leaves more and more sensible people wondering if he has any constructive long-term strategy to lower tensions and reduce the likely prospect of savage bloodletting across the Middle East. The passing months have been brutally unkind to such expectations.


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Tuscaloosa Study Group is located at 2678 21st St, Tuscaloosa, AL. This business specializes in Continuing Education.


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Balisong Black Butterfly Knife COMB Trainer Stainless Steel Practice Tool
Balisong Black Butterfly Knife COMB Trainer Stainless Steel Practice Tool This Butterfly Comb Knife is ideal for practicing your flipping safely and maintaining your short or long locks. It is 8.75 inches long when open and the stainless steel is heat treated along with having a satin black, powder coated finish. Imagine the look your friends will give you when they see you flip out this Balisong Butterfly Comb Knife.
*Must be 18 years or older to buy*
Overall Length: 8.75 Inches
Comb Length: 4 Inches
Comb Material: Heat Treated Stainless Steel
Comb Thickness: 1mm
Closed Length: 5.125 Inches
Other Features: Flashy Comb, Identical to a Balisong Butterfly
Handle: Heat Treated Stainless Steel, Hex-Head Hardware
Lock or Securing Latch: Tail End Lock
Finish: Satin Black, Powder Coated Finish


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Have you heard of appSmitten? If not, prepare to fall in love.
Here's a must-have tool for those of us without the time to spend our entire free time in our various app stores.
There are so! many! apps!
It's all too easy for an appoholic to get a bit bogged down, a lot overwhelmed, and maybe even a tad weary.
I mean, by the time you find the stuff that's awesome, how do you have any time to use it?
(OK, obviously I have a lot of issues. Let's look past that, shall we?)
Here's the deal: you sign up, and every two weeks or so, you get a nifty email with three apps. The highlights are short, the relevant details are included, and downloading the apps is usually as easy as clicking.
I have appSmitten to thank for the awesome non-Catholic apps I've found recently. While they're not usually life-changing apps, they are often fun, informative, and worthwhile in some manner.
I never thought I'd advocate getting more email, but in this case, I can and I do.
Read more of our Tech Talk columns.
Copyright 2012 Sarah Reinhard


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50% OFF Print & Embroidery When Spending Over £200 | Use Discount Code: PNE50
In our Footwear Range, we have more than 500 pairs of boots, shoes and trainers for both men and women that are fit for a number of workplaces and environments. With an unrivalled choice of safety boots and safety trainers designed to keep you comfortable and protected in hazardous workplaces with features like steel toe caps, we also have footwear perfect for catering environments, wellies, rigger boots and much more.
Displaying 1 - 32 of 744 products
Displaying 1 - 32 of 744 products
When it comes to safety boots and any other type of work boots, we've got it all. Keep yourself safe at work with some steel toe cap boots or dry with some waterproof safety boots. We've got you covered when it comes safety shoes.