text: Fans and competitors of Jack Nicklaus knew he had very few weaknesses in his legendary golf career. There is, however, one weakness he confesses to off the course—ice cream—and now he's giving into it and sharing it with the public. In a partnership between two great family-owned companies, rooted in the Midwest, comes Jack Nicklaus premium ice cream, manufactured by a division of The Schwan Food Company—the 60-year-old Minnesota-based manufacturer and marketer of fine frozen foods and nationally renowned for its home delivery service. With a shared commitment to philanthropy, Schwan has become a supporter of the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation (nchcf.org). The Foundation's goal is to provide families access to world-class pediatric healthcare. The new Jack Nicklaus pint-sized ice cream will be available at Winn Dixie, Bi-Lo and Kroger stores in select markets with a suggested retail price of $1.99. The ice cream comes in seven rich and creamy varieties, loaded with real ingredients. Flavors include: Warm Spiced Butter Pecan, Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Salted Caramel Toffee, Strawberry Lemonade, Triple Chocolate, Coffee and Donuts, and Homemade Vanilla. "It's no secret that I love ice cream," Nicklaus confessed. "Needless to say, I have never had so much fun in the research and development of a product. The team at Schwan has a world-class product development center. Together, we have created a variety of flavors—all with real ingredients—for a quality, premium ice cream at a value price."


text:
This website uses a limited number of cookies to improve your browsing experience. For further information (including how to withdraw consent), please refer to our Cookie Policy. By clicking Accept below or continuing to use this website (including closing this message), you confirm that you have read and consent to our use of cookies as detailed in our Cookie Policy.
Top of this page
Skip navigation, go straight to the content
Grini Naeringspark, 8 B N - 1361 Oesteraas Tel: +47 67 16 5880 Fax: +47 67 16 5881 E-mail: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Viewed 2857 times
By the time the next 365 days will have become history, coverage of the Centennial Celebrations of the world's premier hockey circuit will virtually have known no end. Its birth, history, and ups and downs will have been analyzed, scrutinized, patronized, canonized, and criticized from every possible angle. To put it candidly, if one is going to write anything about the NHL's 100th birthday, it had better be now, because in short order it will have been said already—in the press, in special publications, on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook—ad nauseam!
Without a doubt some positive highlights will be accentuated. Its immigration into the USA; the solidarity of the "Original 6"; the doubling of the size of the league in 1967; and the exorcism of the WHA by swallowing it up.
But be assured that its short-sightedness and its shortcomings; its bias and it bull-headedness; its narrowmindedness and it naiveté; its politicking and its pretenses—all will have been uncovered and unfolded.
Never-before revelations will undoubtedly be unearthed. Skeletons from previously undiscovered closets will be headlined. Manipulations on behalf of the powers-that-be, intended for their greater good, will be unveiled.
Without a doubt some of it is going to prove interesting—even exciting reading and viewing. However, for the most part the warp and woof of that century of pay-for-play shinny at the highest level will be a case of "seems we've heard that before".
I am not going to attempt a condensation of the events of those 100 seasons. Rather I want to focus on the three major doldrums which prevailed between 1917 and 2017.
That first hurdle came very close on the heels of the loop's organization. In a 1946 Toronto Star column, Charlie Queerie reminisced about those fledgling years: "In 1919-20 professional hockey was in a bad way. The Arena (Toronto) did not want a team and Quebec was ready to quit. Only two teams, Ottawa and Canadiens were ready to play."
The birth of the NHL could not be considered as going off without a hitch by any stretch of the imagination. Mr. Queerie could just as well have recalled the two years earlier. The tension undermining the existing National Hockey Association led to the formation of this new fraternity on November 26, 1917. It was mainly caused by the uncooperative attitude of Eddie Livingstone, C.E.O. of the Toronto interests. In a word, the managers of the others clubs were tired of his attitude, and questioned continuing as long as he was involved.
This spilled over from the hockey's front offices into the business community. E. D. Sheppard, president of the Montreal arena griped that he was "sick of the NHA bickering, and unless Canadiens and Wanderers could produce decent caliber talent, pro hockey would be out and the rink we be used only for skating".
The situation looked no less uncertain at ice level. Of the six clubs which made up the former league for the 1916-17 schedule, there were issues with three of them. The 228th Battalion, pro hockey's only military squad in the game's history, had been shipped overseas. When that happened, Toronto's Blueshirts dropped out of contention. Even though the Toronto Arena Company had purchased the team from Livingstone, and put Queerie in charge, the pesky executive persisted in interfering with the team. So much so that Queerie resigned for a time. And Quebec was poised to cease operation. It would soon be evident that all the hurdles had not been cleared.
The schedule did get underway on December 19, with Ottawa and Canadiens leading the way into the new season. But trouble was brewing early in that campaign. The Wanderers won their first tilt over Toronto, but it was their only victory in four matches. On the 21st they were trounced 11-2, and that before only 700 spectators. As it turned out, they found a convenient way to bow out quietly, when, on January 2, 1918, the Montreal Arena, in which they played, burned to the ground. Both the Habs and the Redbands had used this as their home base; and both lost sticks, sweaters and other equipment,
But the disaster hit the Wanderers harder. While the Canadiens quickly moved to the Jubilee rink for "home" games, the Wanderers, whose supporters lived in the west end, contended their fans would not travel to the east end for games. Add to that, they were still badly in need of reinforcements, and the other clubs felt they could not spare skaters to fill those gaps. Art Ross, their manager, stated bluntly they could not contend in their present condition. On the 4th, owner Sam Lichtenhein formally submitted the club's resignation. This left Toronto, Ottawa, and Canadiens as the full complement in what was considered the elite level of the game.
The following season, the schedule got underway on December 21st. Nothing very drastic at ice level undermined the success of the three-club circuit, but E.J. Livingstone was still very much in the picture, seeking to revive the defunct NHA. All sorts of moves and countermoves, too many to mention, ultimately spelled "finis" for the proposal. But one more fly-in-the ointment was waiting in the wings. Toronto, champions the previous year, withdrew from the schedule on February 20th, forcing cancelation of remaining games. With only two franchises remaining, a rather restricted playoff series was all that could be salvaged
Add to that, the year climaxed under a very dark cloud. A flu epidemic, which took the life of the Canadien's Joe Hall, forced the cancelation of the Stanley Cup championship series between the Habs and Seattle.
Without a doubt, the future looked dim for the three-year old fraternity—a reality reflected in Charlie Queerie's recollections. But fortunately, by the time the NHL annual meeting took place, the Bulldogs from Quebec were anxious to reactivate. The Queen City franchise, now rid of the pesky Livingstone, was reorganized as the St. Patricks. And larger attendance figures—like the 8500 turnout in Toronto on February 21st., helped the loop turn the corner to respectability.
To be sure, the short-lived Pittsburgh/Philadelphia franchise; the deterioration of the once thriving Capital City club (which tried to survive via a one-year transfer to St. Louis); and the demise of the Maroons team, were hardly highlights in the league's saga. But the enduring "Original 6" was the end result of those abdications; and during those campaigns the circuit was never stronger.
But a far more staggering hindrance nearly swept the skates out from under the fraternity commencing in 1939—namely World War II. The effect on the NHL's welfare started slowly, picked up steam, and climaxed in 1942.
Andy Lytle, in his column on Toronto Star column on November 24, 1942, wrote: "Frank Calder's look back over 25 years in which he has been boss of the large hockey scene in Canada, probably has not seen a year so stormy as this one. He has spent endless hours cooling his heels around government offices before the season began, wondering if he would get the "green or red light" from Mr. Little (Elliot Little was National Director of Selective Services. He was in charge of wartime manpower policies).
Right from the horse's mouth, as it were, it was that same Little who said without hesitation: "It is imperative for the country's morale that you carry on with hockey!" Sport's Editor Lytle, in his editorial, was quick to note, however, that this would not mean every facet of NHL hockey would function as it had before the on-going conflict involving so much of the world's population.
He criticized the inconsistency of the dictation of who could play where. Apparently, some skaters were allowed to compete with clubs across the border, and others were not. In all fairness the Dominion government was not alone to blame for these mystifying policies.
For instance, four New York Ranger players were not all subject to the same rules. Ott Heller and Bryan Hextall entered the USA as "non-resident aliens". The Patrick brothers, Muzz and Lynn were listed as "resident aliens". Until it was too late, all of them had been subject to the American military draft. The former two had voluntarily subjected themselves to the draft, when indeed it was not necessary that they do so.
A number of players were not allowed to play "away" matches if it meant crossing the 49th parallel. For example, Mud Bruneteau, who worked in a Detroit Ford plant could participate in weekend games only. Phil Watson of Montreal and Vic Heyliger of Chicago found themselves in similar "part time" playing circumstances.
In Canada, at least, only competitors who received "rejection slips" from the military were allowed to join pay-for-play sextets. To put it mildly, this created headaches for coaches who could not be sure of consistent rosters for games.
There were other snags as well. One NHL manager revealed that he had sent out 62 pairs of gauntlets for repair because it was impossible to buy new hockey gloves during the war, due to the shortage of leather.
There is an amusing element related to one fly-in-the-ointment facing wartime clubs. U.S. Customs charged duty to be paid on sweaters used by Canadian teams going south of the Border for games. The Leafs were willing to pay for their blues, but not for their whites. When they first visited the Big Apple in the fall of 1943, the Rangers offered to accommodate them by donning orange pullovers to arrange contrasting colours. When the next visit neared, New York insisted it was Toronto's turn to wear these "pinnies". But Hap Day refused—saying they looked "cheap"—let Lester Patrick spring for a set of whites for the home team. When the puck was dropped both were sporting blue. The referees almost went blind, since all they had was the Ranger's red stripes to distinguish the home sextet.
But the real headache was manpower. Estimated numbers of NHL'ers in uniform varied. By 1943 it was claimed there was 176 in the armed services, including minor leaguers under contract to one of the "Original 6" fraternities. It was probably more like 90 who had previously been in the line-up of one of the big clubs. But the bottom line was that the talent was very thinly spread, especially in Beantown, the Windy City, and on Broadway.
The fact of the matter was, with the leeway given to fill the rosters, there was far more quantity than quality. The Maple Leafs, who were, in reality, not hit as hard as some of their peers, were known to use players from "Chewies Aces", which was a Junior "B' outfit in the Toronto area. It was noted that Chicago were forced to call upon skaters from local mercantile clubs to ice a full lineup from time to time. Montreal, who were the least of all affected, were allowed to call up CHA players to fill the gaps left by those called into active duty. It was fondly referred to as a "lend-lease" programme. The Canadiens, on one occasion, forgot the "lending" part, and, having engaged Glen Harmon's service for one game, kept him on.
There were occasions when desperation dictated sending out an SOS for re-enforcements. In 1944, the Blackhawks rattled veteran Art Wiebe's chain, disturbing his contented lifestyle in his Bakery in the west, and recalling him to the fold. Frank Boucher, who had been making a path pacing behind the Rangers' bench came out of a five-year retirement to cut grooves in the ice lanes instead. At the other end of the scale, Oshawa General's Memorial Cup stalwart, Bep Guidolin, was promoted to the Boston Bruins at age 16, becoming the youngest ever to skate in the league. It is questionable if any of the three would have pulled on NHL togs had the war not robbed these clubs of their regular talent.
With the depletion of skill levels, there were complaints about the "entertainment value". Unusually high scores were common. Within a one month time frame, these were some examples of blowouts: New York 9 Chicago 0; Boston 10 Chicago 0; Montreal 10 Chicago 0. The Rangers had perpetual netminding woes. Jimmy Franks, Bill Beveridge, and Steve Buzinski shared those duties. The little slogan, "Steve Buzinski, the puck goes inski" spelled out the part of the problem. Chicago, with veteran Bert Gardiner between the pipes, simply suffered from talent shortages in front of him.
One respected shinny scribe summarized the overall problem very well: "It is not necessary to rake too deeply in the ashes of hockey's yesterday to find players who stand head and shoulders over anything the Hawks and Canadiens paraded last night!"
But in 1945 some name players were beginning to filter back into the main stream of the game's top league. And, even though it was stressful to management, players and fans, the league weathered the storm and revived.
There have been other times when the NHL has hit low tide over its century-long time frame. Anytime a franchise folds, or reaches the stage where it must be shifted to another location represents a roadblock in the way of progress. That has happened nine times since 1967.
Two Stanley Cup championships credited to the ability to intimidate the opposition on the ice, as was the case with Philadelphia in 1974 and 1975 can hardly be considered anything but a smudge on the circuit's pages.
The rash of untimely deaths of enforcers, starting with Reggie Fleming in 2009, can only leave a collective bad taste in the game's mouth. The demise of Bob Probert, Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, Wade Belak, and Steve Montador followed in close proximity.
The apparent continuing indifference toward the dangers of head shots by the powers-that-be only affirms the conviction that selling the product regardless of cost to player's well-being reigned supreme.
In a way, the third major encumbrance needs little elaboration. Merely the mention of six digits summarizes the entire scenario. We speak, of course, of the 2004-05 season—the campaign that wasn't! One can look in vain for the name of a Stanley Cup champion for 2005. The only other blank of this kind came in 1919 when a flu epidemic forced the cancellation of the games for this exciting drama. This brief numerical reference almost speaks for itself.
One correspondent put is succinctly: "It was the league's darkest hour". Other journalists used similar words: "grim", and "ugly", for instance.
Government at more than one level discussed the situation, especially after the season was officially cancelled. A B.C. MP, John Reynolds, snapped: "If they came within in seven million (agreement) and couldn't do a deal, they are both incompetent!" Another candidly minimized with: "It stinks!"
Still another opined: "It is a big loss for kids who look up to players as role models. They have lost confidence in what kind of men they are."
A number of players, both active and retired spoke out. "Mr. Goalie", Glenn Hall, said: "I have lost all respect. They need smarter people on both sides!"
Summit Series hero, Paul Henderson, said: "It's too bad cooler heads could not have prevailed. It could mean the end of the NHL!"
One active player spoke anonymously: "It is an ugly situation. I don't think anyone ever wants it to happen again."
Daniel Alfredsson, NHLPA Vice-Pres, who claimed to have lost $14 million in salary, grumbled: "I don't think missing a whole year was worth it!"
Call it a "lockout", or call it a "player strike"—the former only happened because the latter essentially was the NHLPA's stance was NOT to accept management's terms. Call it what you will, but, in more than one way, the collective assemblage shot themselves in the foot.
In D.C. which was hardly a hockey hotbed, sports writer Tim Harper groaned: "The NHL Caps are gone for the season, and no one notices they're gone". This affluence must have prevailed in at least eight other centres, since it was estimated in that number of locales attendance was down the following year—with some teams as much as 23%. Simultaneously millions of dollars in lost revenue followed.
But perhaps the most condemning of all manner of censures was a common sense faux pas. The whole circus-like procedure reminded fandom of boys playing a sandlot ball game, where one spoiled lad announces, "If you won't let me be captain of one of the teams I'm taking my bat and going home!" For the average Joe and Jane, it was hard to conceive of grown men—millionaires all—squabbling over "salary caps" when ticket prices fattened the wallets of ownership, and skater's take home pay for a single season was more than average folks could dream of earning in a lifetime. The touchtone word was spelled G-R-E-E-D! Had it not been for spectator's passionate love of the game, played at its highest level, that fact would have stuck in fan's craws—badly enough to choke them incurably.
The world's oldest shinny fraternity has survived these major quicksand-like threats. Growing pains, such as were evident in the loop's fledgling days were almost impossible to avoid. War, especially one of lasting duration, is beyond the sport's control. But the third, and most unique kind of blockade, can be avoided by using something called horse sense. How refreshing it would be if the next 100 years could promise success, through cooperation and its resulting peaceful coexistence.
Viewed 2857 times
Lest We Forget!
Posted November 11, 2019
Blues Not the Only St. Louis Pro Hockey Champions - Part Two
Posted October 30, 2019
Blues Not the Only St. Louis Pro Hockey Champions - Part One
Posted October 14, 2019
That Decisive Seventh Game
Posted May 26, 2019
You Gotta Have Hart!
Posted May 13, 2019
He Shoots! He Scores! Hockey's Clarion Call
Posted April 25, 2019
Second Thoughts on Penalties
Posted April 14, 2019
His Night to Howell
Posted March 30, 2019
Firing Blanks
Posted March 18, 2019
Humour - A Way to Catch Your Balance
Posted March 03, 2019
The Revival of Hockey's Lost Art of Stickhandling - Part 2
Posted February 15, 2019
The Revival of Hockey's Lost Art of Stickhandling - Part 1
Posted February 01, 2019
The Rise and Fall of Sweater Number 9
Posted January 23, 2019
Penalty-Free NHL Games
Posted January 09, 2019
The Greatest of These is Charity
Posted December 22, 2018
Minor League 'Davids' Defeating Major League 'Goliaths'
Posted December 07, 2018
The Shadow Knows
Posted November 25, 2018
Lying Down on the Job
Posted November 04, 2018
The Perils and Pleasures of Water
Posted October 19, 2018
Hockey's Cinderella Teams
Posted October 07, 2018
"Stop Thief!"
Posted May 19, 2018
Hockey's Classic Embarrassing Moments
Posted May 10, 2018
Playing in a Fog
Posted April 21, 2018
Media Goofs
Posted April 08, 2018
First Game, First Shift, First Goal!
Posted March 26, 2018
Always a Bridgroom
Posted March 12, 2018
The Year the Canadiens Almost Died
Posted February 24, 2018
Tangled With the Law and the Lawless - Part 2
Posted February 17, 2018
Tangled With the Law and the Lawless
Posted January 28, 2018
Lucky Black Cats and Number 13
Posted January 17, 2018
Concussions in Hockey Nothing New
Posted December 30, 2017
The Best Christmas I Remember
Posted December 18, 2017
Filling the Gap
Posted December 01, 2017
Off Duty Injuries; mishaps away from the rink
Posted November 13, 2017
The Most Cruel Bird of All
Posted October 26, 2017
Las Vegas — NHL's 31st Team — Knights or Knaves?
Posted October 13, 2017
Playing Under the Influence - of Pain
Posted May 29, 2017
In Tune Pucksters
Posted May 14, 2017
Laughter - The Best Medicine
Posted April 29, 2017
The Last Straw
Posted April 15, 2017
Whose Side Are You On Anyway?
Posted March 30, 2017
Ferreting Out Phantom Hockey Stars
Posted March 17, 2017
A Woman's Place...is On the Ice (Part 2)
Posted March 08, 2017
A Woman's Place...is On the Ice (Part 1)
Posted February 19, 2017
Tales From the Sin Bin!
Posted February 04, 2017
Happy 100th Birthday N.H.L
Posted January 25, 2017
New Year's Resolutions that Might Have Been
Posted January 06, 2017
It Happened on December 25th
Posted December 21, 2016
The Best of Hockey's One-Liners
Posted December 10, 2016
The Price of Stardom
Posted November 18, 2016
Is There a Doctor in the House?
Posted November 03, 2016
Auston Matthews: Liberator or Lemon?
Posted October 14, 2016
Hockey's Multi-Generation Families
Posted June 16, 2016
Picture Perfect - A Dozen Classic Hockey Photos
Posted June 08, 2016
Anatomy of the Penalty Shot
Posted May 17, 2016
Hockey's Honourary Indian Chiefs
Posted May 04, 2016
Goaltender's Idiosyncrasies
Posted April 17, 2016
Records That Will Never Be Broken
Posted March 31, 2016
Right Church — Wrong Pew
Posted March 23, 2016
Does "Captain" Mean Much Anymore?
Posted March 02, 2016
I Quit!
Posted February 21, 2016
Now That's Not Pun-ny!
Posted February 07, 2016
A Century of Leap Year Landmarks - Part 2
Posted January 26, 2016
A Century of Leap Year Landmarks - Part 1
Posted January 06, 2016
Christmas Babies
Posted December 29, 2015
Practice Can Be Precarious
Posted December 11, 2015
How Much is a Body Worth?
Posted November 25, 2015
Brooklyn Bridge is Falling Down...
Posted November 15, 2015
Did You Have a Good Summer? (Part Two)
Posted November 01, 2015
Did You Have a Good Summer? (Part One)
Posted October 16, 2015
From Champs to Chumps
Posted June 07, 2015
Posted May 11, 2015
Putting the Bite on the Opposition
Posted April 24, 2015
One Eyed Wonders
Posted April 12, 2015
Captain Cage Cop
Posted March 26, 2015
Trade Deadline Deals — Blockbuster or Bluster?
Posted March 17, 2015
Fun In the Snow
Posted February 27, 2015
Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated
Posted February 16, 2015
It's not what they said - it's what they meant!
Posted January 31, 2015
Funny Fights
Posted January 18, 2015
Hockey's New Years Babies
Posted January 03, 2015
Strange Gifts - Christmas or Otherwise
Posted December 20, 2014
Two Dozen + 1 Wacky Wonders
Posted December 06, 2014
The Last of a Long Line of...
Posted November 24, 2014
A Compendium of Referee Non-Calls
Posted November 09, 2014
40th Anniversary of the 1974 Summit Series
Posted October 25, 2014
The Many Faces of Training Camp
Posted October 13, 2014
The Rise and Fall of Playoff Heroes
Posted May 30, 2014
Boston Bruins Celebrate 90 Years
Posted May 17, 2014
A Curse Upon Ye!
Posted May 01, 2014
For the Birds
Posted April 20, 2014
They Were Not Fooled By Their Birthdates
Posted April 08, 2014
Bitten By The Hand That Feeds
Posted March 22, 2014
Tongue in Check
Posted March 08, 2014
A Few L.A.F.F.S. to Relieve your S.A.D.
Posted February 21, 2014
The Ultimate Valentine - A Kiss
Posted February 08, 2014
Hats Off to Hockey
Posted January 25, 2014
Horsing Around
Posted January 11, 2014
New Year's Revelations
Posted December 30, 2013
Christmas Specials
Posted December 23, 2013
Esposito vs Esposito - Smith vs Smith
Posted November 30, 2013
Just Dying to Play Hockey
Posted November 17, 2013
What's In 50 Years
Posted November 02, 2013
The Ongoing Resolve - NHL Season is Too Long!
Posted October 20, 2013


text:
DVD Review: PBS Craft in America (4/5)
The PBS Series Craft in America is available on DVD and I rented it through Netflix. It contains one DVD with three "episodes." I've caught snippets of the episodes on my local PBS station, but was under the impression that the only way to get your hands on a DVD was to pony up during the pledge drive. Silly, silly Mal. It can also be bought on Amazon.com.
If you like, you can skip my review of the content and get right to my opinion on it.
The three episodes, beautifully and cinematically directed by documentarian Dan Seeger, are called Memory, Landscape, and Community. I was especially touched to find that the intricate theme song of the series is Simple Gifts — the lyrics of which are the inspiration for my blog's title.
It's interesting to note that the series won a Peabody Award. So did Stephen Colbert, so you have to take that for what it's worth (Hi, Stephen! If you're reading this, call me!) Here's a nice summary of the series from the good folks at Peabody:
"Craft" is a term packed with many meanings. This series of three interrelated, one-hour programs sets out to unpack those meanings and to explore the history and continuing significance of craft work. Each of the three topics provides unusually specific focus for this task. Memory examines the history of craft movements in America. Landscape situates craft and craft workers both geographically and in terms of the materials used in creative activities. Community again places people and objects within contexts, in this case the very special networks of schools, mentors, pioneers and practitioners. But all this conceptual elaboration is presented through the most exquisite visual framing, the focus on the works themselves. Clay rises on the wheel, formed into pots. Glass melts into stunning shapes, fiber is woven into fabric, scraps of cloth are sewn into quilts. The treat for the viewer is in what is seen, in watching beautiful objects emerge, and what is said, as craft makers explain what it means to be so intimately involved in these creative endeavors. For examining processes as old as human experience and as fresh and vibrant as the latest local craft fair, a Peabody Award goes to "Craft in America."
Before we get going, it's important to mention that when this documentary speaks of "craft," they are not necessarily speaking of pompoms and glitter. These are not camp crafts or kits or any other type of "quick and easy" projects that you can buy at Hobby Lobby. Rather, the emphasis is on practical, durable, hand-made items and the artists who make them. It is a documentary about hand-made products which highlights the making process. That's what I ultimately like about it.
This episode features two furniture makers, two basket makers, and a blacksmith.
Glass, clay, wood, fiber, metal. Human hands transform humble materials into works of function and beauty, creating objects that hold the memory of who we are as people. How are the traditions of craft kept vital by today's finest artists? And how has the legacy of craft been re-imagined as a modern art form?
There is discussion of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the Arts & Crafts Movement. I appreciate its emphasis this episode places on learning from (and breaking with) the traditions of the past.For instance, at one point the blacksmith, Tom Joyce, talks about how he spent years learning the traditional skills and techniques of metalwork before he could branch out into more modern and "artistic" applications. The basketweavers are both grounded in the traditions of their ancestors (African American slaves and Native American Indians, respectively) but have found a great personal meaning and purpose in their modern creations.
As may be expected from an episode called Memory, there is also a lot of talk about handing down traditions and questioning those who came before.
This episode features two jewelry designers, another woodworker, two ceramic artists, and a ski lodge. Seriously.
Sweeping pastoral vistas. The refuse of city streets. The limbs of a particular tree. The headlines over the morning paper. Artists look to the world around them for inspiration. How does landscape influence the act of creation? And how do artists translate this influence into a landscape shaped by their own hands?
We are invited to reflect about our surroundings and how they contribute to the process of making art.You might think that this episode would be locked into discussions of trees and flowers, but I was highly intrigued by the work of Jan Yager, who uses drug paraphernalia found in her rough Philadelphia neighborhood and transforms them into visually interesting pieces of art. Her commitment to using materials found in her immediate vicinity — no matter how ugly or rough — is pretty inspirational.
A break in the documentary's form occurs when they highlight Timberline Lodge — a ski lodge built after the Depression by the Works Progress Administration which employed not only welders and brick-layers, but also apparently artists and craftspeople. It seems like a strange inclusion in the documentary, but it (mostly) works.
This episode features glass artists, ceramicists, quilters, two more jewelry artists, another basket weaver, and a roster of craft schools and organizations.
A quilt made for a loved one. A piece of jewelry passed down from one generation to the next. Crafts connect us to other times, other places, other people. How do simple, beautiful objects bind us together and how do they come to embody our sense of community?
This episode sticks most closely, in my opinion, to its theme of community. It shows artists working in residences, schools, and other group settings. Readers of this blog will be glad to see that a modern quilting-bee community, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, is highlighted. Not surprisingly, with the exception of the glassworkers (a craft which I imagine is extremely difficult to complete in isolation), most of the artists featured in this episode are women. This makes sense, given what we see of women finding communities of creativity even here online in blogland.
My take on it
The people and products in this documentary are so lovingly and generously filmed that it will sometimes take your breath away. I frequently wished that I could reach through my television to caress a particular curve of a rocking chair, or feel the weaved texture of a basket or a rug. Fortunately, the camera does a pretty good job of caressing for us. Truly, these episodes are shot with a cinematic view and there is plenty for the eye to take in.
As someone who truly enjoys learning about not only art but also artists and their process, these episodes are jam-packed with gems. Please remember, however, that I am an art therapist and I could sit and listen to people talk about their artwork and their creative process all day every day. (Oh wait. I do. But, I never get sick of it.)
There are things about the documentary which fall a little short for me, too. For instance, I found the organizational structure of the episodes a little baffling. The worst offender of the episodes in this sense is Landscape — which inexplicably (and jarringly) leaps from highlighting artists who are making art based on their physical surroundings to an artist that makes art in protest of war. Huh? This episode also features Timberline Lodge, which is a cool collaboration of artists that came together during a difficult time and… therefore… wouldn't it fit better in the episode called Community?
Also, those of us who are trying to incorporate art wherever we can in our modern, average lives may have to dig a little to find useful ideas from these full-time, studio-based, livelihood artists. I believe the gems are there, but I had to kind of commit myself to not being jealous of their set-ups. That said, the quilters are of course just everyday women. None of us should find this to be much of a surprise, I guess.
I was also struck by what is missing from this documentary — as I alluded above, it lacks a taste of everyman, of common folks who are using art or craft to enrich their lives. Because of this, there are great swaths of media that are not discussed. The episodes deftly avoid highlighting fine artists (painters, sculptors, and the like) in favor of crafts-people who are creating beautiful (yet largely practical) art. However, I would have liked to have seen more time devoted to things like embroidery, sewing, paper arts, bookbinding, and other more accessible media. I found myself wondering more than once, "Really? Another furniture maker?"
Finally, the "episode" format of this documentary is very tantalizing. My one remaining criticism is that there are only three episodes, with no apparent plan for continuation. If they could reduce the production value a little, we might get fewer sweeping vistas and perfectly-lit images of glazed pots, but if it would have resulted in a longer-running examination of art and artists, I would have been glad of it.
Overall, I give this DVD 4/5 stars.
The pros: Gorgeously filmed, beautiful work. Lots of artists are highlighted and they talk at length about their lives and their creative process. There's an emphasis on getting back to handmade, simple objects and moving away from machine-made.
The cons: Organization is a bit loose and, at times, jarring. Many of the arts and media highlighted are out of reach of the average Joe. Potential for an interesting, ongoing series is somewhat wasted with only 3 episodes.
If you've seen this documentary (or choose to watch it in the future), please comment on it below!


text:
A Compact Shared Document file extension is a compressed assemblage of electronic document files that consist of text and images. As a CSD it compresses the original collection of files by a factor of ten. In Windows, the CSD file extension is a temporary file created by Microsoft Sharepoint Server.
PC and mobile devices support the general CSD file extension, which requires special software to decompress and open. The CSD file extension specific to the Windows operating system is a temporary file created during the Microsoft Sharepoint Server 2007 backup process. It is a remnant of a file that serves no important function.


text:
From Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada:
My son, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a week ago, has blood sugars e ranging around 13 mmol/L [234 mg/dl], but I am guessing in a couple of more weeks he will hit his honeymoon period. When should I start expecting him to hit lows? When should I be checking his sugars in the night? I am scared he will go low in the night, and I won't know. Do lows always happen during the honeymoon period?
Mild hypos are common during the honeymoon period, but severe hypos are very rare. You should follow your diabetes team's advice about testing during the night.
Original posting 22 Jul 2002
Posted to Honeymoon and Hypoglycemia
|Return to the Top of This Page
Last Updated: (none)
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.
This site is published by T-1 Today, Inc. (d/b/a Children with Diabetes), a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, which is responsible for its contents. Our mission is to provide education and support to families living with type 1 diabetes.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Privacy Policy.
© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2018. Comments and Feedback.


text:
Latest News
Morsi calls for unity as he's declared Egypt's first non-military president
Mohammed Morsi, a twice-jailed member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was declared president of Egypt on Sunday, becoming this country's first civilian, democratically elected leader, the region's first Islamist president and the new official face of the 17-month-old uprising that has demanded, but not yet created, revolutionary change here.
The challenges ahead for Morsi are daunting. He is taking over a divided populace and sharing power with a military council that has governed Egypt directly or in the shadows since modern Egypt was created with the 1952 overthrow of the country's monarchy. With no permanent constitution and the elected Parliament ordered dissolved 10 days ago, Morsi's duties and powers are uncertain in a state where corruption and institutions established under the three-decade rule of Hosni Mubarak remain solidly in place,.
In his first television address, in a state media building he was once banned from, flanked by presidential guards who once served those who jailed him, Morsi delivered a message of national reconciliation. At one point he begged for unity. He praised nearly every major constituency and vowed to serve them all: the revolutionaries, the police, army, women, businessmen and religious leaders. He even called the Mubarak-appointed judiciary "independent."
"I would not be standing here without the sacrifice of the martyrs," Morsi said, a reference to those who had died during the 18 days of demonstrations that led to Mubarak's resignation from the presidency. "I will serve all of Egypt. …The revolution continues until we achieve all our aims."
And in a nod to the Egyptian peace deal with Israel, he said he was committed to "international agreements" and to peace.
Undeniably, Egypt had entered a new chapter as a nation with a history of autocratic rule that goes back thousands of years. Despite a week filled with conspiracies and fears of a rigged outcome, it appeared that the ruling military council had not obstructed the will of the people. Egypt had held a legitimate democratic election.
According to official election commission results, Morsi a 60-year-old engineer, garnered 13.2 million votes to Ahmed Shafik's 12.3 million, a 52-48 percentage split that was almost identical to what Morsi had claimed just hours after the polls closed a week ago. But that didn't stop the commission from leading up to the announcement with an hour-long explanation of its findings, including details on why the commission disqualified two votes for one of the candidates in a nation of 26 million voters. In the end, however, the difference between the results released by the Brotherhood in the hours after the vote and those unveiled Sunday showed just 5,000 fewer ballots for Morsi.
Morsi's supporters were exuberant, thrilled not just by the results but also by the fact that they clearly had not been rigged.
"I knew Morsi won but we feared the military council would rig the results," said Ahmed Hussein, 28, an accountant and fervent Morsi supporter who had spent two days in the square.
In Tahrir Square, the focus of the uprising that forced Mubarak from office, Morsi supporters erupted in cheers at exactly 4:29 p.m., when the results were announced.
The revelry was without restraint. People screamed, dropped to their knees in prayer and fired off fireworks, even though the sun was still up. Morsi supporters showered the crowds with water to fend off the scorching summer heat. Revelers remained well into the evening, in what looked likely to become an all-night street party.
Morsi's uncertain mandate was evident, however, as was his lack of appeal to the revolutionaries whose fervor had toppled Mubarak. Revolutionaries said they were more pleased that Shafik, a retired air force general and Mubarak's last prime minister, had lost than Morsi won. And they were aware that the election did not mark real reforms.
"I feel the same way I did when Mubarak resigned," Ahmed Maher, who led the 6th of April, revolutionary movement, Sunday night. "We will continue to stay in Tahrir until we find a solution for the constitutional amendments. …No one expected the results. When [the military council] saw the pressure of protesters in Tahrir, it was difficult for them to rig the elections."
A shop owner just a block away from Tahrir expressed his tepid enthusiasm for change, all as honking supporters whizzed by.
"We haven't tried the Brotherhood before," said Mohammed Ahmed, 39, an electronics shop manager, who had locks on standby for his shop had Shafik won. "We haven't had a chance to try something else."
During the campaign, Morsi promised to be a centrist ruler, despite his Islamist background and his role at the head of the nation's most powerful and most divisive political organization. He promised to build a coalition government, pledged that his prime minister would be an independent and that his government would include Christians. He vowed not to turn Egypt into a cleric-led theocracy, though he said Islam should provide governing principles.
On the military, he has said he would not shield its vast budget from the public but at the same time suggested he would seek the military council's advice on who the defense minister should be.
Morsi has called for Egypt no longer to be subordinate to the United States, suggesting he would confront Egypt's close ties to America under Mubarak. In a statement, the White House Press Secretary Jay Carney noted the U.S. hope that a Morsi presidency would respect human rights and the minority Coptic Christians. "We look forward to working together with President-elect Morsi and the government he forms, on the basis of mutual respect, to advance the many shared interests between Egypt and the United States."
Within minutes of claiming the presidency, Morsi met a campaign pledge and resigned from the Brotherhood, though it seemed to be a largely symbolic move. Once called the "spare tire" since he only became a candidate after the first choice was disqualified, some consider him as a puppet of a party dreaming of an Islamist-governed Egypt.
President Barack Obama called Morsi after the announcement, the White House said in the statement. Among others who offered their congratulations were the head of the military council, Field Marshal Mohammed Tantawi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, the head of Egypt's interior ministry whose officers once jailed Morsi.
Obama also called Shafik, who earlier had conceded that he'd lost. According to the White House, Obama encouraged Shafik "to play are role in Egyptian politics by supporting the democratic process and working to unify the Egyptian people."
Shafik's supporters expressed shock at the outcome. Some collapsed and cried. In Cairo's wealthier neighborhoods, residents cursed the outcome or just remained silent.
The result was announced a full week after the balloting. In the days between the voting and the announcement, the nation was tense over rumors that the military might orchestrate naming Shafik the winner. As late as Thursday, Shafik had said he was certain he would win.
Those rumors had been fed by a series of developments in recent days. Within hours of polls closing a week ago, the ruling military council, whose members had battled the Muslim Brotherhood for decades, announced that it had amended the nation's temporary constitution so that the president would have no independent say over military matters. The council also handed itself authority over the drafting of a permanent constitution. Only days before that, the military council had dissolved the country's Parliament, which the Muslim Brotherhood had dominated, after the country's Supreme Constitutional Court declared that it had been elected illegally.
But many said Sunday that those actions were less important now than the declaration of Morsi's victory, a sign that the military council had respected the will of the people.
"Morsi is our president. We recognized it from the initial results. We came here to bring him his rights and authorities as president," said Ahmed al Masry, a 24-year-old Arabic teacher who said he hadn't voted for Morsi in the initial round of balloting in May.
Special correspondent Mohannad Sabry contributed to this report.


text:
Our Commercial litigation and arbitration practice offers the combination of expansive litigation experience, legal know-how and expertise and a vast understanding of the judicial system, industry knowledge, and practical business sense critical to our clients businesses and needs.
We are aggressive in protecting our clients' interests and specifically seek the best litigation solutions for our client and their businesses
We have expertise in alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration, mediation and negotiation.
Our recent experience:
- Resisting various contractual dispute claims of more than Kshs. 1.5 billion for The Alliance Companies
- Defending CFC Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd against two claims totalling over Kshs. 200 million made by the plaintiffs claiming that interest on loans were charged illegally
- Representing the Privatisation Commission in a privatisation case relating to the Kenya Ports Authority whose value was over Kshs. 1 billion
- Successfully representing the ABB Group of Companies (ABB Sweden, ABB Finland, ABB Kenya) in various procurement cases filed at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board whose contract value was about Kshs. 1.5 billion
- Acting for Unlimited Directions Kenya Ltd In a complex arbitration claim
- Representing Seven Seas Technologies Ltd in procurement cases
- Obtained Mareva injunctions for the Capital Markets Authority and also freezing the defendant's assets including bank accounts in a suit relating to fraud in the capital markets. The initial claim against the defendant was Kshs. 513 million
- Successfully appeared before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board as counsel for the successful bidder CPSC Transcom in a contract worth over Kshs. 200m
- Representing a multinational in the abuse of a dominant market position dispute


text:
This step involves taking an in-depth look at your options around ownership transfer, financing, living arrangements, business structure, legal considerations like wills and estates, tax planning, off-farm investing and insurance. You'll work with your advisors to narrow options and make some decisions.
Generating Options
You've made some critical decisions and gotten started on some important tasks. Now it's time to look at the detailed business options and work with your advisors to figure out the best choices for your farm succession.
How this section works
You'll be looking at everything from ownership transfer options to business structure to tax implications. We'll give you some information to help you understand the options so you can discuss them as owners and successors and so you can discuss the options with your advisors.
You have the option to keep all your options open, narrow your options or make a definite choice. We also leave you room to write in your reasons for your choice. This saves you having to remember your thought process two weeks later when you're meeting with your advisor.
You have the opportunity to look at all of your choices as a whole near the end of this step. You and your advisors can check for conflicts between decisions. You can also change your choices or rule out options at any time.
Do not try to make these decisions without some smart and trusted advisors to help you. Your advisors are specialists who know a lot about their area of expertise. Let them help you. There's a lot riding on your decisions.
Tackle these topics in the order that makes sense for you. This will reduce the strain for you. For instance, if the owner and successor both demand the business structure be a corporation, go to that section and enter that choice. You'll get to review the decision later anyway.


text:
All children receive high quality curriculum and instruction in the general education classroom or program.
Tier 2
The school or program provides help for children who need more support than they are receiving from the general curriculum. This support usually occurs in a small group pull-out setting with specific goals set for each child.
Tier 3
The school or program provides more individualized instruction for children who need the most support. This support usually occurs more frequently in either a small group or individual pull-out setting with specific goals set for each child.


text:
Tom Hanks in Forest Gump, famously said, "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." For me, the holiday season this year was feeling rushed, stressed, busy, and let's not forget the last minute shopping. That was until a single unexpected event changed everything.
I'd like to share a story about the best Christmas present I could have asked for, and in fact, have ever received. It was simply to have my dad come home to his family healthy. I received a call from my mom that dad had a heart attack at the cottage while he was collecting firewood on Friday, December 9th in Muskoka.
At the time, I was at our annual Manawa Christmas party, celebrating another successful year with the entire team. It was a joy reminiscing about a great year, joking and reconnecting with colleagues and friends.
Early that day, my dad started to experience severe chest pains, headache and numbness in his arms while gathering wood. After getting back to the cottage, my mom called Dr. Lester Affoo, a GP and family friend, who has a nearby cottage. Lester practices in Alliston and asked my parents to drive to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket immediately. As they drove, Lester called to check on them every 10 minutes.
When they arrived, Lester was at the emergency entrance waiting. My dad was admitted and monitored by the emergency department staff. While in the emergency department my dad's symptoms had improved and the ECG looked normal. Lester went to see Dr. Steve Minor, a professional colleague, who is a Cardiac Interventionist at Southlake. Dr. Minor saw my dad after his current patient and performed an angiogram and angioplasty. Dr. Minor said my dad's arteries were severely blocked and was surprised he made it out of the woods. My dad was transferred to the Cardiovascular Care Ward and on Saturday was met by Dr. Charles Peniston, the surgeon. Dr. Peniston told my dad he would need triple bypass surgery and scheduled it for Sunday morning.
Our family stayed with my dad as long we could until visiting hours ended Saturday evening. We said our goodbyes. My dad told us how proud he was of each of us and how much he loved us. My dad had one simple wish saying, "I just want to wake up after surgery and see you all again". Sunday morning was one of the longest days in my life, waiting for any news of dad's surgery. When someone's life is in the hands of a few healthcare trusted professionals down the hall, time feels ever so precious. We were heartened when the surgeon came out and informed us the surgery had gone well. My dad would be kept asleep in the Cardiovascular ICU, until his vitals stabilized. We stayed with my dad while he was sleeping all day Sunday. On Monday, when my dad awoke, he was ecstatic to see us, to see the hospital staff, to see everyone. His wish had come true.
The quote below by William Arthur Ward sums up the emotional jubilation and overwhelming gratitude my dad felt after he woke up for the hospital staff on the Cardiac ICU floor.
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
Well, my dad, whose name is Randy by the way, didn't waste any time and sent the rest of the family on an errand for chocolate truffles – all 150 lbs. of chocolate! He wanted to personally give every staff member at the hospital on the fifth floor a box. He walked through the hallways in his Hospital gown with his "Harry Potter like" glasses interrupting anyone to give each and every staff member truffles. It didn't matter whether they were a cleaner, admin, security guard, nurse or doctor. A nurse who hadn't worked on my dad asked, "Everyone is getting chocolates?" As my dad handed a box to the cleaner, he expressed with sincere appreciation saying to them both:
"You all worked on me, because if the guard wasn't keeping everyone safe, and the cleaners weren't keeping things clean and sanitary, you couldn't work. Even though you didn't work on me directly you were doing something else for someone else freeing up the people who did. Without all of you, I wouldn't be here."
Dad asked each and every person involved in his care and recovery to sign his heart-shaped pillow, because he wanted to remember the people who helped save his life. Now, as he recovers at home, dad often gets teary-eyed looking at the signatures on the pillow, feeling a sense of connectedness. He knows the Southlake staff are right there with him. Each time he grasps the pillow against his chest to push back the pain when he coughs, he feels that same support and love he experienced at the hospital.
An Attitude of Gratitude is a popular theme during the Christmas season. I believe the amazing care and attention my dad received would be the same had he been admitted to Southlake at any time of year. Organizations that deliver incredible service to customers do so because of the talented team of people that consistently deliver.
And that brings me to nurses, a group known for working long hours and being underappreciated for their contribution. A website, called Nurse Uncut, an online community for nurses ran a contest asking nurses why they choose the profession.
Just like the staff at Southlake, their responses offer a glimpse into their "Attitude of gratitude" view that extends far beyond the holiday season. Three contest responses, for which we might learn from are:
1. "True fulfillment comes when you know that you've rendered love and care selflessly to a complete stranger."
2. "Because each day I go home feeling like in some small way I have helped at least one person. Whether it is a clean bed, assistance to walk to the bathroom or a shoulder to cry on. Someone feels better due to the attention they receive from me. Even the flower in my hair makes someone smile!"
3. "I've stayed with Nursing because it has enabled me to journey deeply and broadly in understanding what it means to live a human life. By encouraging compassion, common sense and communication in all of life's situations, inside and outside "nursing", it has given me gratitude, joy and laughter."
Nurses truly are ambassadors of compassion, care and good will. They live an attitude of gratitude for their patients (my dad seen with some nursing and hospital staff above). I'm glad our family was able to recognize them with our small gesture of appreciation. Life really is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you're going to get. I got the best Christmas present ever. My dad did too! Our family and Manawa Networks wish you and your family a safe and joyful holiday season and a new year filled with gratitude and success.


text:
branding, packaging, custom pattern & illustration | view the website
Rachel Goode is the talented founder and designer behind the wonderful brand, Briar Handmade. Rachel began creating her signature bonnets shortly after the birth of her daughter. For Rachel's branding, we created a one-of-a-kind hand-lettered primary logo and paired it with a hand-drawn illustration of some delicate flowers. Not only did the flowers add a little extra touch to her branding, but they made a great pattern for her to utilize in multiple ways. Rachel also had this idea of creating a card that could be shipped out with every one of her beautiful bonnets that visually showed her customers how to tie the perfect bow for their new bonnet. To achieve this, Rachel sent over photos of her tying the bow as well as a video that captured all of the steps. Based on that, I was able to illustrate each and every step and in the end we were able to bring Rachel's idea to life.


text:
Web design companies in San Antonio go above and beyond to make your business stand out online. From highly skilled staff that make their way to every San Antonio web design firm, to the incredible technology used in each project to ensure the product you're receiving is top gear. Web design companies in San Antonio do more than just create a website. They create a site that is responsive across all digital platforms and one that works to enhance your SEO. Ready to get started on your San Antonio web design project? Click on each description below to learn more.
Best eCommerce Development Firm - Lounge Lizard is an eCommerce design firm that goes beyond the textbook to create a successful eCommerce site. Having created dozens of sites, this team of developers will take your business into the 21st century and meet all the goals set before them.
707 N. Walnut
San Antonio TX 78218
1128 West Blanco
San Antonio TX 78232
7126 Forest Mont
San antonio TX 78240
12815 Independence Ave.
San antonio TX 78233
5170 Broadway Suite 3
San Antonio TX 78209
8110 Broadway #H102
San antonio TX 78217
115 E. Travis Suite 1241
San Antonio TX 78205
212 E. Ramsey
San Antonio TX 78216
San Antonio
San antonio TX 78239
212. E. Ramsey San Antonio
San antonio TX 78216
8627 Cinnamon Creek Suite 501
3463 Magic Drive Suite 215
San Antonio TX 78229
2003 Oak Hill Rd # 507
San Antonio TX 78238
3463 Magic Drive Site 215
84 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 100
16002 Rough Oak St San Antonio
San antonio TX 78232
16002 Rough Oak St
2002 NW Military Hwy Building AB Suite #2
San antonio TX 78213
6247 John Chapman
15010 Spring Star
San antonio TX 78247
po box 65120
9487 Lelsie Rd
San antonio TX 78254
2897 Thousand oaks
23827 Castle Peak
San antonio TX 78258
105 Falls Court Suite 300


text:
New foundation has big plans for Darien athletics
The newly formed Darien Athletic Foundation is looking to improve the powerhouse that is Darien youth sports with the start of the "Sunny Day" plan, a $7.5 million project that is in the beginning phases.
Two phases of the project were presented as gifts to the Board of Education at its Tuesday, April 23, meeting: A new $200,000 scoreboard and a $500,000 building equipped with a ticket booth, concession stand and bathrooms.
Two additional phases include laying down turf at Darien High School and at Middlesex Middle School.
Darien is a "sports enthusiastic town," said Mark Maybell, DAF treasurer.
Youth field hockey has increased 400 percent in the last seven years and is the largest in Connecticut and New York, according to Kelly Vegliante, the Darien Youth Field Hockey president.
Youth soccer is the second largest in the state behind Greenwich, according to John Gallagher, the Darien Soccer Association president.
Youth lacrosse is the second largest in the country, just falling behind Greenwich, and is 50 percent larger than New Canaan's program, according to Andrew Barnard, Darien Youth Lacosse Association president.
More InformationFact box
Youth baseball is the largest in the entire country, according to Little League International.
The DAF, which was incorporated in January 2013, seeks to improve facilities and support all youth and high school athletics in Darien, according to Maybell.
"We need to be competitive," Maybell said. "We want take an athletic infrastructure and put it on par with New Canaan and Greenwich."
The Sunny Day plan was developed with input from schools Superintendent Stephen Falcone; Michael Lynch, Board of Education facilities manager; Michael Sullivan, DHS athletic director; DHS field sports, such as football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, varsity coaches; Jeremy Ginsberg, planning and zoning director; and heads of youth leagues.
All of the phases of the overall project will be presented to the town as gifts. The organization wants to endow funds to be used for future maintenance so that the town incurs no costs.
However, the town would be expected to pay basic janitorial costs that it already incurs, according to Debbie Parnon, DAF vice president, who was also a part of the downtown revitalization and the Weed Beach pavilion projects.
"The turf will eliminate the labor-intensive aspects of grass fields," said Peter Graham, DAF president. Graham is the quarterback coach for the high school football team and was active in the Junior Football League.
The life expectancy of turf fields is 10 years, Maybell said. He added that laying down turf is an estimated $1 million per field.
DAF's plans include turfing the junior varsity baseball field and three others for multi-purpose use at the high school.
Several youth groups already have committed more than $200,000 for the scoreboard, but the DAF will not officially start to raise funds until it has approval from the Board of Education, Maybell said.
The DAF's applications for the scoreboard and concession stand will go before Planning and Zoning Commission in May. The DAF hopes to have the scoreboard installed in time for the start of the fall sports seasons.
This is the second-largest fundraising campaign in Darien; the first being the one for the new library, which cost $28 million.
email@example.com; 203-972-4407; @Meg_DarienNews


text:
The Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of the Sahara or blue eye of Africa, is a prominent geological circular feature in the Sahara desert in Mauritania near Ouadane. It is nearly 50 kilometers across and very visible from space. Initially interpreted as an asteroid impact structure because of its high degree of circularity, and then as a structure formed by a volcanic eruption that also seems improbable because of the lack of a dome of igneous or volcanic rock, it is now argued to be a highly symmetrical and deeply eroded geologic dome that collapsed.
So it is now thought by many to have been caused by uplifted rock sculpted by erosion. But the fact that the "rings", are equidistant to the centre and that the Richat Structure is nearly circular remains a mystery.
And new questions arise. Some people are amazed by the resemblance of this structure with the representation we have of Atlantis by Plato. According to Plato, the island was circular, divided into concentric circles of land and water: "There were 2 of land and 3 of water… Atlantis when sunk by the earthquake became an impossible barrier of mud to voyagers sailing from hence to any part of the ocean…"
And he spoke about a mount sheltering the city by North and "and encompassing a great plain of an oblong shape in the south "…etc… Atlantis in Greek means Atlantis, nesos : the island of Atlas. And we get near the geologic eye at the North the Mount Atlas. According to Plato, Atlantis was lying "in front of the Pillars of Hercule", and we are there just in front from South and not beside from East or West as many authors are searching…
It is an interesting point of view anyway and deserving more research. I wanted to go there for 3 years now but the area is too dangerous for the moment. I think the first thing to do is to investigate is the depressed corridor accessing to the "eye" from West. It is a possible ancient canal or delta for me and the only access to the Atlantic Ocean. It is much more easy to get results there because the "eye" suffered alot of collapsing and geologic changes that is making discoveries difficult.
For the moment geological data are saying :"According to field mapping and aeromagnetic data, the gabbroic rocks form two concentric ring dikes. The inner ring dike is about 20 m in width and lies about 3 km from the center of Richat Structure. The outer ring dike is about 50 m in width and lies about 7 to 8 km from the center of this structure. Thirty-two carbonatite dikes and sills have been mapped within the Richat structure.
Atlantis main Island according to the text of Plato in Timaeus & Critias written in 360 BC.
The dikes are generally about 300 m long and typically 1 to 4 m wide. They consist of massive carbonatites that are mostly devoid of vesicles. The carbonatite rocks have been dated as having cooled between 94 to 104 million years ago. A kimberlitic plug and several sills have been found within the northern part of the Richat structure.
The kimberlite plug has been dated being about 99 million years old. These intrusive igneous rocks are interpreted as indicating the presence of a large alkaline igneous intrusion that currently underlies the Richat structure and created it by uplifting the overlying rock".
So we are talking about a 100 millions years ago geological structure, we have to keep in mind this, but if old stratas were uplifted it is normal. And we get extensive hydrothermal alteration of rhyolites and gabbros and a central megabreccia created by hydrothermal dissolution and collapse there too.
We know also that 40000 years ago it existed huge lakes in Sahara. We know that Sahara was still with some humidity 6500BC. Sahara desert covering ten countries of Africa with 9,400,000 square kilometres was 100 Millions of years ago all covered by sea. So in any case I think that this is a research that deserve alot of attention.
Antoine Gigal – April 2012


text:
If I ran the world, #942 in an infinite series.
I'm listening to Orbital's cover of the Doctor Who theme by Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire, and what I am thinking is this: Moffatt's takeover of Who production should be accompanied by a complete overhaul of the series music. Ditch the hysteria-laden orchestral crap and go back to an electronic version of the theme. As is proper. Since the first recording is such a great piece of early electronica.


text:
Ezekiel Boone
Happy Publication Day, 10th January 2019!
Happy new year one and all. We're gearing up for great 2019 at Gollancz Towers and are absolutely raring to go! To kick things off, we have a bumper haul of titles releasing today. Scroll on down to check out what you can find now in bookshops! Before Mars, Emma Newman Acclaimed author Emma Newman […]
Related Categories: Alastair Reynolds, Brandon Sanderson, Emma Newman, Ezekiel Boone, Gollancz News, Miles Cameron, Mimi Yu


text: http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=9817 --- Comment #2 from tehblunderbuss at gmail.com 2007-09-28 23:49:44 --- Yes I forgot to add that I submitted my debug as an attachment. The debug is similar to Vitaly's. Since I do not know for sure where the repeat starts, I pasted a cycle period of it. -- Configure bugmail: http://bugs.winehq.org/userprefs.cgi?tab=email ------- You are receiving this mail because: ------- You are watching all bug changes.


text:
I've been a little quiet on my blog over the last few months, mainly due to a huge building project going on here (more of this another time!) which has had me moving around from room to room like a nomad searching for some peace and quiet! its nearly finished now so thought I would give you a quick run down of a few of the new things we have been doing over the past few months.
Most of what I show on the website is wedding based but I am always working on other things too. Back in February I decided at the last minute to design a range of Valentines Day cards, working really quite quickly for me. I started with my sketch book before moving on to Illustrator, I came up with 6 designs. I was really please with the response they had and I am thinking of adapting a couple in to wedding designs and would love to hear what you think!


text:
Software Refactoring: Benefits Outweigh the Challenges
Though Refactoring has been around different development environments for a specific time, one has seen very little variation when it comes to human interfaces. These have caused programmers to refactor slowly in a bid to curtail errors. To expect Refactoring to solve all the problems associated to the software is absurd. However, it can definitely prove to be a valuable tool for a CIO in keeping things tight on various fronts. We take a look at some of the benefits of software refactoring below:
Helps in improving software design: Most organizations make changes to the code in order to realize short-term goals without really caring for the design of the code. This often leads to the code losing its structure which makes it harder to see the design by reading the code. Refactoring is helpful in such situations as it removes the bits that aren't in the right place and makes sure that the code retains its shape.
Enables to understand the software easily: Refactoring comes to the rescue of a lazy programmer. It helps the program become more understandable by making the code more readable. Refactoring helps in closing the gap between what the user wants the computer to do and what he tells it to do.
Helps in locating bugs: The understanding of codes ultimately leads to the discovery of bugs. Refactoring helps in that regard as well by enabling programmers understand what the code does. When they put the new understanding into the code, the spotting of bugs becomes evident.
Helps in faster programming: All the above benefits leads to faster programming. The biggest asset of refactoring is that it helps users maintain speed in software development without worrying about the design, readability, and bugs of the code.
Problems associated with Refactoring
Refactoring is not free of problems. Here we discuss a couple of the significant challenges that one has to face with regard to Refactoring:
Databases: With most organizations preferring to keep their business applications tightly coupled to the database schema that supports them, it emerges as one of the problem areas for refactoring. This acts as a hindrance in the process of changing databases and data migration, which is a long and panic-stricken task.
Changing Interfaces: Changing Interfaces are another cause of worry for refactoring. The problem associated with it is particularly seen when a published interface is changed while refactoring, as it becomes mandatory to retain both the old and new interfaces until users have a chance to react to it. Though this is a simple method, it is very troublesome as it complicates the interfaces apart from making it hard to use.
Efforts that can be taken to keep Refactoring problems at bay
Investing in proper tools: Lack of proper tools is the most common cause of refactoring problems. Starting from renaming variables and methods, changing method signatures as well as moving things around, refactoring is in need of the correct tools at all times. Not having them at its disposal can easily lead to disasters.
Avoid using the results of a database query: Resisting the urge of using the results of a database query is another way of keeping refactoring problems at bay. This saves an organization from having to deal with an application crash caused due to a missing field or bad data type. On the contrary, organizations can resort to the repository pattern which is also helpful in dealing with the problem of lack of unit tests.
Lack of unit tests: Refactoring without a unit test safety net is asking for trouble. One can deal with such problems by creating a set of unit tests for the existing code, which enables the pre-existing defects to be detected along with the new ones that might emerge.
Avoid refactoring code having many external interfaces: This is an essential point to be remembered, especially in the case of string parameters. With these errors remaining undetected until a full QA cycle or in production, the best way to solve this is to capture all data transmitted between the two systems within a specific time. The captured data can be then used in unit tests in making sure that refactoring can handle live traffic correctly.
Read Also


text:
sgcGO.com, or Singapore City Guide Online, is a local social online media that publishes valuable information and shares with people living in Singapore. Whether you are a marketing manager of any company or a manager for Public Relations (PR) company, you are welcome to share valuable information at sgcGO.com. Find out what sgcGO can help you engage your customers.
Submit Information for FREE
Generally speaking, any information that is valuable to local consumers in Singapore, we'd love to share them. And, we are currently NOT charging any fee. It's free. Specifically, the following information are popular:
- New products launch
- Press Release
- New service
- Online contests
- Events
- Lucky draw
- Giveaways (e.g. free samples)
- Discounts
- Promotions
Information targeting companies (B2B) or any that is not valuable to the general consumers will not be approved. You can submit information via email or directly post it on sgcGO Writers (Login, or Register here). Before you can login, you need to verify your registration by clicking on the activation link sent to you right after registration (check your spam box if you can't receive it after half hour).
Email submission may take longer as priority is given to direct submission. In addition, you can NOT have a branding logo beside the headline via email submission.
Become A Fan
Being a sgcGO fan at Facebook means you can post at Facebook and interact with other sgcGO fans. Information are shared at Fan page faster and mots of them are not share on sgcGO.com (unless it's really valuable to consumers), especially time-sensitive information such as promotions, contests, and small events.
Build A Page
This service requires no subscription fee; only a one-time fee of $99. The benefit is obvious:
- No web hosting cost
- No CMS setup cost
- No server maintenance cost
- Free optimization for search engine traffic
- Shared with hundreds of sgcGO subscribers
- Money back guarantee (fully refund; no question asked) if you are not happy when it's done
You only need to provide necessary content copy and pictures (charge is different if you require content copy written for you and/or photos taken for you).


text:
TPI presents Beyond the Game
What if you knew your career would be over in just a few years and there was nothing you could do about it? This is exactly the future every athlete faces, and whilst many of us believe that athletes stay in the sporting system post retirement in either a coaching capacity or sports journalism role, the fact is less than 20% of athletes end up choosing this route. Instead, entrepreneurship is by far the most popular route for an athletes career post-retirement, yet entrepreneurship training is rare. A special Beyond The Game event (presented by The Players Impact) on January 9, 2019 in Las Vegas is seeking to improve this training.
Beyond The Game is a peer-to-peer based event centered on the Athlete Investor, the Athlete Entrepreneur and the Athlete in Transition. Athletes, more than ever, are doing business off the field, executing their ideas and investing in others. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in structured meaningful conversation with former athletes and executives who are experts in their respective post-athletic fields. The event will be co-hosted by NFL veteran and Co-Founder, Fan Controlled, Football League Ray Austin and Bonnie Bernstein, ESPN/CBS veteran and Founder, Walk Swiftly Productions. Featured speakers and Huddle hosts include Isaiah Kacyvenski, NFL Veteran, Investor and, Will Ventures Founder, Marques Colston, NFL veteran, Entrepreneur, Founder, Dynasty Innovation and Amobi Okugo, MLS player and author of Frugal Athlete.
The Beyond The Game concept was developed by The Players Impact (www.theplayersimpact.com), a group of 100+ investment and entrepreneurial minded professional athletes investing in and building business together led by Tracy Deforge
The event will also see a first of its kind startup pitch competition for current and former athletes who have founded a startup. They will pitch in front of an audience of their peers. The winner of the competition will win coaching from Journey Partners, a guaranteed pitch for capital to The Players' Impact community as well as a spot to present at the NYC Huddle (a group of sports industry executives who help startups via one intense half-day session).
The companies selected to pitch in Las Vegas are:
Special thanks to the sponsors Beck Bode Wealth Management and Pepper Hamilton LLP as well as the hosts the Fan Controlled Football League.


text:
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Blackstone Group LP (BX.N) said it has raised about $9.4 billion (7.03 billion pounds) for two new funds - the largest-ever fund dedicated to real estate investments in Asia as well as its first private equity fund for the region.
The funds add to a massive industry-wide pool of money for Asian acquisitions and investments, with investors attracted by rapid economic growth compared to other major markets.
It raised $7.1 billion for what it called its second regional "opportunistic" real estate fund. Growing urbanisation and rising incomes, particularly in China and India, have boosted investor appetite for shopping malls, warehouses and other property assets.
"The size of this fund...gives us flexibility to pursue a range of opportunities and commit capital with speed and scale," Ken Caplan, global co-head of Blackstone Real Estate, said in a statement.
Blackstone's real estate business was founded in 1991 and has about $120 billion in capital under management. The portfolio includes hotel, office, retail and industrial properties in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Its first Asia-focused property fund, which closed in 2014, raised $5.08 billion.
The Asian private equity fund closed at about $2.3 billion, Blackstone said, adding that it now has at least $3.8 billion to invest in Asia equity when "associated commitments" from its global buyout fund are counted.
Roughly two-thirds of the private equity fund, as well as the contribution from its global fund, will be used to invest in China and India, said one person with direct knowledge of the matter, declining to be identified as details of the investment plans were not made public.
The fund will focus on buying controlling or significant minority stakes in sectors such as healthcare, high-end manufacturing and services, as well as goods and services geared to consumers who want to upgrade their lifestyles, people familiar with the plan told Reuters last year.
Blackstone, whose previous private equity investments in Asia were from its global funds, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its capital deployment plans.
Asia private equity deals have increased in size following corporate restructuring and as global funds become more established players in key markets such as China, India and Japan.
Rival Carlyle Group (CG.O) is set to close its biggest Asia private equity fund at $6.5 billion, Reuters reported last month, after other global groups including KKR & Co (KKR.N) raised fresh capital.
Hong Kong-based private equity firm PAG is planning a new Asia fund that aims to raise as much as $6 billion.
Last year, a total of 342 funds raised a combined $107 billion in Asia, according to data provider Preqin.
Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee and Julie Zhu; Additional reporting by Kane Wu; Editing by Edwina Gibbs


text:
The Evil Within torrent download is visually, functionally, and emotionally instep with director Shinji venture to the style, the legendary Resident Evil 4. It's not merely a rehash of this sport, although, as his development business and Mikami Dance Gameworks have shipped now to a tougher, bleaker game.
Not the piece is just a work with the horror genre. The Evil Within torrent download pc can be an analysis of what seems to be a multiple murder at Beacon Mental Hospital in its imaginary Krimson Town, before you understand points aren't because they appear (an exaggeration). It slowly veers off-course, and finally buckles underneath the weight of its unfocused goal although its main puzzle begins as persuasive. I came across its closing particularly, filled with an unwanted boss fight evidently placed simply to assist the account, frustrating. Simply, the somewhat useless person personality, Investigator Sebastian Castellanos, who's not emotional and awesome to the stage of parody undermines this narrative wrapper. Right into a damage that will generate the typical average person afterhours of experiencing the type of creatures. It's difficult to worry about the levels when it seems he doesn't when his relaxed detachment – "I should be dropping it!" – is occasionally darkly amusing.
Although not even close to delicate – this really is not about due like a terror game gets – Dance has generated some fantastic and extremely unusual locations Within The Evil Within crack download 15 sections. Actually the typical horror cliches have already been contorted and turned in creative methods; meat lockers, clanging commercial rooms, and mannequins have already been given awful and fresh existence. Cruising in, these locations are linear stage styles and little, however using exemplary lighting's help, they become labyrinthian and claustrophobic. Despite only a little roughness round the sides – I observed consistency pop up and cutting problems within Xbox One variations and the PS4 – the overall game continues to be beautifully made. You like Evil Within ? So you can also like similar games like this one – Lords of The Fallen.
No password
Download RAR Archive from our website
Download game using The Evil Within Game Downloader by Razor-Games
After game installation click on Get Key button when window popup and download license key
Copy Crack to your game folder
Start "The Evil Within Launcher.exe" as administrator
Enjoy the game
IMPORTANT - crack from our website works well only with our version of the game,
we are unable to say whether our crack will run games from other sources
OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1/Windows 8.1
Processor: i7 or an equivalent with four plus core processor
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: GTX 460 or equivalent 1 GB VRAM card
DirectX: Version 11
Hard Drive: 50 GB available space
Additional Notes: It's worth noting that the 50 GB of space required is for the PC install. When the installation is complete, the game will take up ~41 GB of HDD space
OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1/Windows 8.1
Processor: i7 with four plus cores
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 670 or equivalent with 4GBs of VRAM
DirectX: Version 11
Hard Drive: 50 GB available space
Additional Notes: It's worth noting that the 50 GB of space required is for the PC install. When the installation is complete, the game will take up ~41 GB of HDD space


text:
Fidelis Bath Sheet or Pool Towel Makeover Set
The ultimate shortcut to bathroom heaven! 2 gorgeous Fidelis Bath sheets plus 2 Fidelis hand towels all packaged up so you SAVE 10%. Plus, all online orders receive a complimentary luxurious gold Ziporah Lifestyle shopper bag.
The Fidelis Ziporah Lifestyle bath sheets or pool towels and hand towels are designed to add luxury and amazing designer color to your bathing or swim experience day after day.
About this collection
Latin for always faithful and loyal, Fidelis is indeed faithful, strong and eternal. The colors of emperors reign in this bold design. Neutrals are not without glory.
Metallic modal gold and silver shimmer and shine against warm white, grays, cream, putty and soft pastel peach. Bold black ties these magical colors together into a design that is beautifully classic yet uniquely modern and striking.
Woven in Portugal using the finest looming techniques, your Ziporah Lifestyle Towel will produce the softest, most luxurious drying experience whilst providing a unique designer statement in your bathroom, powder room or aquatic space.
2 x Fidelis Bath Sheets or Pool Towels
Each at 33.8 inches x 63 inches
86cm x 160cm
This extra generous sizing will make the ultimate bathroom or poolside style statement.
2 x Fidelis Hand Towels
Each at 29.6inches x 27.5 inches
50cm x 70cm
All online orders receive a complimentary luxurious gold Ziporah Lifestyle shopper bag.
65% finest quality terry cotton
35% metallic modal
Yarn dyed velour terry on one side, yarn dyed looped terry towel on the other side.
Modal is a luxurious, smooth and extremely soft fiber that is 50% more water absorbent than cotton and is resistant to shrinkage.


text:
Filler Products – Medical Rhinoplasty
1 session per year
1 day
510 to 600 €
Principles of treatment
- Some corrections to the nose can be achieved using filler products
- 'Medical' rhinoplasty consists of re-establishing the balance of the nose by simple injections of fillers.
By definition, this can only treat some depressions, but filling depressions helps reduce the appearance of an adjacent bump.
Treatment procedure
- The products proposed are either hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight (Restylane®) or calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse®)
- A session under local anesthetic lasts 30 minutes
- Uses micro-cannulae and needles.
Reduction in social activity
- None.
- Shaping of the tip
- Reduction of the bridge protrusion
- Repair of nasal passages (nostrils)
- Treatment of certain respiratory troubles.


text:
What should fertility doctors say or not say, do or not do, to avoid angry reactions from patients on the internet?
observation, not advice
This is tricky. I can help practices increase their positive reviews, but I will not tell physicians how they should talk to their patients, because I am not a physician. I write prescriptions only to medicine I've swallowed myself. The reason I feel comfortable telling clinics to invest in Facebook ads, is because I have had success reaching new patients through Facebook ads. I'm comfortable telling fertility specialists how to respond to negative reviews online because I have improved doctors' online reputations from the way I respond to reviewers.
I have never delivered a fertility diagnosis inside a consult room. I've never told a couple that their prospective IVF cycle has a 10% chance of success or called someone to tell them that their 3rd IUI was not successful. I have an idea of how I think I would communicate with patients, but I have little tolerance for arm chair quarterbacks.
navigating the mine field with compassion
What I can show you, however, are patterns that I've observed from upset patients: what I call "landmines" or "trigger points". These are common themes that, when received a certain way, tend to send patients' thumbs into a blaze of fury to light up their IVF center on the internet. By being aware of how patients recount certain interactions, you may better prepare for them.
"It's not what we say, it's what people hear."—Frank Luntz, PhD
1). Body Mass Index
When a patient visits an IVF center, her initial testing may reveal that her body mass index (BMI) is too high for a fair probability of IVF success. Patients may first be referred elsewhere to help decrease their BMI. While I cannot tell you how to deliver this news, I can show you how it is sometimes received. Comments like, "he called me fat" or "they refused to even see me because I'm too fat," are common on social media and review sites. I wouldn't suppose that the physician used those words, but in a very difficult moment, this is what the patient may hear.
2). Age and Diminished Ovarian Reserve
"She told me I was too old to ever get pregnant". The quality or quantity of a patient's eggs may be low, and a physician may issue caution about the probability of successful treatment. What could be a very honest move, certainly in patients' best interest that they not spend money and energy on unwise surgery, can send patients to their keyboards in anger when received the wrong way.
3). Low probability diagnoses
Patients occasionally feel that their doctor is rooting against them, or shows no compassion for them when going over their diagnosis. Reviews commonly include boasting that the patient got pregnant, even though their doctor said they would not. This article articulates what patients sometimes write about their doctor after they have seen more than one specialist.
4). Contact availability
"The two week wait" (#2ww) is one of the most notorious chapters of fertility treatment and it is only one of many anxious periods patients have to face. When one doesn't receive a call when she or he was told to expect one, more stress is added to the patient experience. Failing to call with test results, not responding quickly enough to patient calls or e-mails, and not being available via the media which patients use to communicate are all landmines for patient reaction.
In fact, I would be very curious to know what percentage of negative fertility center reviews come during moments when the patient is waiting for correspondence from the provider. When worries about treatment monopolize a person's mental bandwidth, the wait for answers turns seconds into hours. It is a feeling of helplessness and desperation in which lashing out against the provider online may be an attempt to regain a sense of control.
5). Face time with doctor
Smaller fertility practices frequently claim that individualized care is their edge over larger practice groups. It is an advantage, if in fact, the patient gets to spend more time with the provider. Rarely seeing one's physician is a very common pain point that leads patients to say things like "baby factory", "only in it for the money", and "looked at me as a dollar sign".
6). Punctuality and preparation
Doctors are very busy people. So are patients. With high demand from patients, and a nearly infinite number of scenarios that can arise at any moment, the need for providers to maximize their time can make timeliness impractical. Still, patients feel slighted when they are not seen on time because their time is valuable too. The same goes for when they feel the doctor has not read their chart, not taken the time to thoroughly answer their questions, or rushes through their appointment.
7). Absolutely anything to do with billing
If these scenarios are landmines for fertility center reviews, the billing department is a minefield in and of itself. Billing issues might account for 1/3 to ½ of your negative reviews. In short, the billing department is arguably the greatest liability to a fertility practice's online reputation. Patients often feel ambushed by the costs that they incur during the course of treatment. Insurance coverage (or lack thereof), reimbursements, deductible requirements, and variability in medication costs are pain-points unique to healthcare. Patients may lash out against their practice in a public forum because they do not experience these annoyances in most other consumer categories.
To make matters worse, prospective patients receive very little education about IVF costs prior to treatment. In fact, some practices refuse to detail any cost information on their websites because they are afraid that it will dissuade people in need from seeking a consultation or that it will give a competitive advantage to other IVF centers. Many fertility clinics would rather bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best, than properly use digital media to educate patients about the headaches of insurance and billing.
Setting the stage
As a fertility specialist, you are walking into a minefield of patient anxiety and frustration. I don't think it would be possible to tip-toe around every possible pressure point. Instead, what may be more prudent, is to disarm the tension as much as possible from the very beginning. Of course, I can't tell you what to say to patients. From what I observe from their accounts, however, is that many patients do not hear their concerns addressed in this way:
"What you are going through is extremely difficult at times, and that is perfectly normal. You're not alone because we're here to help you with everything we can and connect you with resources for those things we can't control. We wish we could wave a magic wand and make everything better right now, but there will likely be parts of this process that are very frustrating.
"Billing, medication costs, and insurance can be a big headache. You may see a charge for a service and think what the heck is this? Just ask, we're here to help you through it.
"There may be times when we don't call you back as quickly as we want to because our nurses are helping other patients in the same way we want to help you.
"We always try to be on time for our appointments, but every now and again, a patient needs a little extra time with her doctor, and we want to extend that same level of care to you.
"We often have to be the bearers of very delicate news. We balance optimism and our eagerness to help you have a healthy, beautiful baby with our duty to inform you of the implications and realistic outcomes of your different options.
"You don't have it easy and neither do we, but the plus side is that we're working together. We hope you'll tell us if we are falling short at all during this process because we need your help to do our best for you".
Satisfaction equals experience minus expectation
By setting expectations abundantly clear ahead of time, you may be able to prevent negative reactions when, not if, issues arise. Some patients develop their own expectations, regardless of what you do to help set them. It's okay if some people are not satisfied with your practice and staff as long as the dissatisfied number is the lowest it can be. There are certain pressure points that must be approached with empathy during the already tense fertility journey. By setting the stage and disarming the mine field, you can reduce the number of complaints about your practice and doctors, and increase patient satisfaction.
If it's too late and you need examples on how to respond to negative reviews, read chapter 4 of the Ultimate Guide to Fertility Marketing


text:
Yesterday in Three-Course Meal, Ristorante Nicola executive chef Luigi Iannuario told you a little bit about himself. Today, he shares his thoughts on Dallas' dining scene.
What are the five Dallas restaurants you go to most often? I work at the restaurant most days and nights, and I have a family. So I mostly eat at home with them when I can. But I like Tei-An, Komali and Smoke.
What are five things the Dallas restaurant scene needs more of? Small, chef-driven restaurants, food trucks, farmers, wine bars and loyalty.
What are five things the Dallas restaurant scene needs less of? Flash, noise, trends, impatience and short ribs.
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!
What is the best of Dallas when it comes to restaurants? I am way to modest to answer that question honestly.
What is the worst of Dallas when it comes to restaurants? I am way to nice to answer that question honestly.
If you could steal one dish off another Dallas chef's menu, what would it be? Any of the mussels dishes from Toulouse.


text:
Obama hews to status quo on finance
The consensus on President Barack Obama is that he seeks consensus. He's always been a centrist, we are told by his many biographers, so it is no surprise — they say — that he hews to the center on issues like financial reform.
His staff reinforces the message that Obama is all about moderation: The president wants reform, but not in a way that would disrupt the recovery or prospects for longer-run sustainable growth.
Story Continued Below
There is just one fly in this ointment. In the current Senate debate about reforming the financial system, the push for stronger measures has come largely from the center — not from any radical wing.
But this is not the center that Obama claims. Obama's moderation is quite conservative on finance — i.e., stick with the devil you know.
Centrist senators like Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), among others, have pushed hard to strengthen the financial reform legislation — working with little or no support from the White House.
These moderates have championed reform because they see extreme dangers posed by our existing financial system. In stark contrast to the president's view, their attitude is: "Hey, it's quite a devil."
Even the centrist Democratic leadership — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Dick Durbin of Illinois — all supported (or still support) amendments that would have made the legislation far more effective.
Among Obama appointees, it is Gary Gensler at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission — not the core White House-Treasury team, and, of all things, a former Goldman Sachs executive — who has pushed hardest, with some success, for stronger rules on derivatives.
And it is Mary Schapiro who took the risk to pursue Goldman Sachs — against the votes of the GOP appointees at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
With them all, of course, stands the intellect and vision of Paul Volcker — the man who remained apart, with apparent diffidence, from the initial reform effort last summer. But he then launched an effective sub rosa campaign that culminated in the "Volcker rules" that, at least initially, proposed a hard size on our largest banks and would still force megabanks to drop "proprietary trading" activities — the big speculative bets they make that are implicitly backed by the taxpayer.
No one has yet accused Volcker of being a left-wing radical.
It becomes increasingly clear that the divide is not left-right within the Democratic Party, or even across the aisle but, rather, between people who want to rein in the power of our largest banks vs. those broadly comfortable with the status quo.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, chief White House economic adviser Larry Summers and the White House-Senate core — which includes some Democrats and most Republicans — are all about not being too tough on the Big Six banks.