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Note: This is the text of the sermon I preached on August 13, 2017, following the devastating events in Charlottesville that weekend. You can find the audio of my sermon here.
So today is World Indigenous People's Day, and I have at least two former pastors in the room today. I don't know if there's more , nut I know there's at least two, and so I hope I don't speak out of school, but typically the way I prepare a sermon is to, throughout the week, just kind of think on it, and then write down notes. And then, typically, Saturday at 10 PM I begin to write.
Fortunately, this week I started earlier; I started Friday at 10 PM because I knew I had a busy Saturday. And so really, by Saturday morning, the sermon was almost done.
And then, yesterday happened and I felt like I needed to make a change.
So I began, yesterday, to scribble down some more notes, some sermon notes as I like to call them, on what I would preach about. But what happened is that I had so long a time of writing notes, that I never actually got to write a sermon; so I'm just going to share my notes with you today.
This is World Indigenous Peoples Day, but this sermon must put Charlottesville and white supremacy at the center.
This sermon must juxtapose the wisdom and beauty ff indigenous culture with the violence and bigotry of white supremacy that quashed indigenous folks always.
This sermon must reflect on the indigenous natural methods ff healing disease without harming the environment, and how white supremacy seeks to control drugs and medical access to fill their pockets with money.
This sermon must be an angry sermon.
This sermon must denounce the emboldened Neo-Nazi/white supremacist movement.
This sermon must draw a line, must show how the thread of white privilege-that was first sewn into this land's quilt over 600 years ago-has been the constant thread that has led to the horrific acts of violence, terrorism , and hatred that we saw unfold on our television, our laptop, our ipad, our smartphone's screens.
This sermon must dare to connect the dots of the election of a man who openly spewed racist, misogynistic, homophobic screeds, whose campaign speeches could be classified as hate speech, whose utter disregard for the planet that indigenous people consider kin, whose complete lack of empathy for those who don't fit into his narrow vision of what constitutes someone of worth and dignity--which, by the way, doesn't include me, as a queer person--or anyone else who is queer, or a person of color, or a woman, or an immigrant, or refugee, or trans, or poor---
this sermon must connect the dots from this man's election to yesterday's carnage, as heard in the remarks of former Grand Imperial Wizard Of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke, who said in an interview yesterday, with the Indianapolis Star, "This represents a turning point for the people of this country. We are determined to take our country back. We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That's what we believed in, that's why we voted for Donald Trump, because he said he's going to take our country back and that's what we're going to do."
That connect-the-dots-image reveals a gross perversion of justice, of democracy, of what has really made America great in the past.
Those dots connect to a flashing neon sign that says Make America Hate Again.
And too many are too willing to comply. Not just in Charlottesville, VA, but in Bloomington, MN, where the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center was bombed on August 5, and in our own town, where the "n" word was spray-painted onto cars in the neighborhood next to mine, and where the Jewish synagogue was defaced with swastikas and Nazi statements.
This sermon that I'm going to write must, of course, show how those dots go all the way back to the genocide of the native folks, the indigenous folks of this land, carried out by white people far from here, who already had firmly embraced the idea that their way was the best way; that their desire for land, for power, for wealth superseded the indigenous folks right to simply dwell in peace on the only land they had known for generations.
This sermon must point out we lost so much when we destroyed entire nations of peoples, even while we engaged in human trafficking, bringing over and enslaving other nations of people, other peoples of color; as is white was the only true humanity, as if white really did make might.
But this sermon must also speak about hope.
This sermon cannot end with despair, with an overwhelming feeling of hopeless.
No, this sermon must also speak of the pockets of beauty that are waiting to be picked by our seeking hands:
The Love Lives Here rally that was held in Bonforte Park last Sunday in response to the vandalism in the North End where so many people of so many faiths gathered together; where Muslims mingled with Jews, and the neighbors of the Old North End joined the liberals of downtown.
This sermon must remember the tear-inducing video ff clergy of many faiths standing arm in arm
in Charlottesville yesterday, facing the armed domestic terrorists who swaggered down the streets in the combat fatigues, and overly compensating semi-automatic weapons.
This sermon must speak about the bold words of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who said what the president did not; who clearly said to the white supremacists and the Neo-Nazis:
Go home. You are not welcome here. You are not welcome in America.
This sermon must also tell how Minnesota governor, Mark Dayton, unflinchingly called the bombing of the mosque an act of terrorism, and said, Let's face it, if it had been the other way around, we would have already been calling it that, if Muslims had bombed a Christian church.
This sermon must talk about how already, by Monday morning, just two days after the attack, over 900 people had contributed over $36,000 to help with the repair of the Mosque.
This sermon must mention the 3 plus hour meeting I attended yesterday, along with Isabel, and Charles, and Jan, and Rick; how we gathered with members of the Colorado Springs Sanctuary Coalition, as well as members of the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition; how we talked with those who fear being ripped away from the lives they've made for themselves here, from the families they created here; how we know that today, Foothills UU Church in Fort Collins is on the cusp of a vote to become a sanctuary church, as well.
And how--even though we were talking about such dire things as men and women in fear for their freedom, in fear of what will happen to their families, should they be snatched up off the streets and deported--how I felt suddenly, in the midst of that dire conversation, a small spark of hope, of comfort, a certain joy that I was not alone, that these men and women were not alone, that our small, intrepid coalition of a rag tag band of folks from different organizations and faith communities were not alone, that the counter-protestors in Charlottesville, VA, and the Love Lives Here rally last week were not alone.
We are, none of us alone. We have others who are showing up with us, showing up for justice, for peace, for equity in human relationships.
We have an entire seminar coming up in Boulder, an entire seminar on Dirt. There's a youtube video that shows how simply composting, creating dirt, can save our planet, even if our government will not; that she is not alone, that we have not forgotten all the wisdom of the ancestors of the indigenous folks who once lived, and who still live among us, ready to share their wisdom, ready to introduce us to our mother, Earth, whenever we are ready to truly meet her.
This sermon needs to call us back to a simpler understanding of the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part.
But not is some schmaltzy, kum-by-yah way that attempts to sugar coat the ways that we have been complicit in the system of white supremacy, that allowed nations of indigenous folks to be murdered, or forced off their land, or forced to adopt a culture that wasn't theirs, that profited from the selling of humans in the most inhumane chapter of our history, that allows us to turn away from the rhetoric coming from the White House, or the violence spilling over in the streets of not just Charlottesville, but every city in our nation, with a simple click of a button.
This sermon needs to be a clarion call to action! To rise up! To speak up!
But also to shut up! And to sit down! And to listen, listen deeply. Listen deeply to the voices of the indigenous people of all cultures, to the voices of the marginalized peoples in our own town, to the voices of hope and peace, and a way out of the shadows of bigotry, and hate, and oppression, and hopelessness.
This sermon needs to remind folks that there is a way. It is the way of love, of never-ending love, of love which never gives up, or gives in, of love which is embodied in our words and actions, in how we protect one another, and learn from one another.
Of love that recognizes we are , each of us, indigenous citizens of this planet earth and we cannot survive, until and unless, we embrace our diversity, and embrace our Mother, and channel our consciousness and spirit to tend the garden and not destroy it.
That's what this sermon needs to say.
Now, if I can only find the words to say it.
Now, if I can only find the way to live it.


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Hello Blue Card (Ten Things: Folded Paper)Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Before I take a little vacay, I wanted to share with you my Ten Things project for this week. This week was definitely a challenge: to use folded paper. I knew when I saw the challenge that I wanted to create a bi-fold card. I created a few bi-fold cards last Christmas and they ended up being my favorite out of all the Christmas cards I created, so I definitely wanted to create one for this challenge.
I must be honest and admit that I was a little apprehensive about creating this week's project. I haven't been the happiest with what I have been creating lately and I didn't want this to be another project I was unhappy with. (I think I've been unknowingly avoiding my craft room for several days now). When you lose your mojo, creating something you love is truly so hard.
This weekend, however, proved that maybe all you need is a few smiles and inspiring women to get you going. See, this weekend I went to a scrapbook crop at the Archiver's in Downers Grove, where I met some amazing ladies who were all so inspiring. I was in such good company I couldn't help but craft something beautiful. It was the happiest I had been in weeks! (You can see a photo from our crop here).
Okay, back to the card. I received quite a few happy packages the last few weeks from some very dear friends. My awesome friend, Kim, sent me a huge envelope filled with October Afternoon goodies, which I used for this card. I also received the below "Hello" stamp in the mail from a dear friend, Heather, which I used as the center and "door" of my bi-fold card.
I'm so very happy with how this card turned out. It also gave me so much hope that I am not losing my mojo completely. I love crafting. It frees me. But the past few weeks have made me wonder if I am feeling done with crafting all together. Or maybe I just need to organize my craft room. And maybe I just need a short break away from it all. We shall see.
Kelster Jean
P.S.: As always, hop on over to the Practical Scrappers blog to check out what the rest of the amazing ladies did with folder paper!
2 comments
This is soooooo pretty! I simply adore it!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Hi girl! I wanted to stop by and say it was nice meeting you at Archivers last week. We will have to do it again soon and hopefully have a chance to chat more. Hope you have a good weekend :)ReplyDelete

subset: commoncrawl


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About UPEC
The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition chartered in 1976, was the first grassroots group that focused solely on environmental issues across all of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The U.P., as this region is known, is a forested peninsula (85%) that is surrounded by three Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, and Michigan). It is a sparsely settled region of small towns founded originally on the extractive industries of lumbering and mining (copper, iron, silver, and gold). Since 1900, the region's population has hovered between 300,000 and 320,000, with its largest city, Marquette's population about 22,000 (2014). UPEC draws its organizational strength from the entire U.P. which also hosts three major universities (Northern Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, and Lake Superior State University). UPEC board members come from all over the U.P. and members and volunteers come from all over the country.
The coalition is made up of hundreds of interested individual members. We are a non-profit, registered 501(c)(3) organization operating under a constitution originally ratified on January 24, 1976. Since the beginning the purpose has remained unchanged: to protect and maintain the unique environmental qualities of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by educating the public and acting as a watchdog to industry and government.
UPEC has been an effective voice for the environment on a variety of issues. In the late 1970s and early 1980s UPEC members helped form development plans for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and worked to get more stringent leasing rules for mineral mining in Michigan. In the early to mid-1980s we were involved in a controversy over the dumping of asbestos into Lake Superior by a Minnesota mining company, which eventually was halted by court order. At the same time we fought the Navy's ELF submarine guidance system, (Extremely Low Frequency electromagnetic radiation.) We successfully fought a proposal to put a high-level nuclear waste dump in the U.P. Later, in concert with others, UPEC worked to establish ten designated wilderness areas in Michigan, nine of which are in Upper Michigan. We have also worked to stop proposals to build large pulp and paper mills within Lake Superior's watershed, to push for zero discharge of toxins into the Great Lakes, and to encourage citizen action in protecting community lakeshores from inappropriate development.
UPEC is a charter member of the Michigan Environmental Council, a statewide network of environmental groups. Through our membership in regional environmental organizations, we stay abreast of developments related to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Through the Timber Wolf Alliance, we have supported the return of wolves, now estimated to number over 200, into the U.P.'s ecosystem.
In its decades of citizen activism, UPEC has organized dozens of educational forums on everything from recycling to National Forest management plans to severed mineral rights and conservation easements. Our officers, directors, and members have testified at Congressional and state-level hearings. Sometimes we have gone to court, most recently in an amicus brief supporting the Federal Forest Service in their right to regulate motorized boat traffic in the Sylvania Wilderness area of the Western U.P. We have penned many policy statements on U.P. environmental issues, including preparing a handbook on U.P. forestry practices.
For over three decades an all-volunteer structure sustained UPEC as new activists were recruited to replace those who retired. Given the increasing variety and complexity of environmental issues in our region the Board of Directors decided in 1995 to move beyond relying on this all-volunteer structure. A permanent endowment fund was begun through the Marquette Community Foundation, which has since permitted UPEC to bring a paid professional staffer on board.
On December 31, 2017 UPEC added new capabilities as a group following its merger with Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP). Over its thirteen-year history, SWUP has developed a strong social media presence and a reputation for hard-hitting commentary on sulfide mining permits in the U.P.; their work continues as the Mining Action Group of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition. Adding, at the time of the merger, former SWUP President Kathleen Heideman, former Executive Director Alex Maxwell, and former SWUP Board Member Steve Garske to the UPEC Board enhances UPEC's overall effectiveness as it continues to pursue its mission.
UPEC's MISSION:
"As the longest serving environmental organization in Michigan's U.P., the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) strives to preserve the unique cultural and natural resources of the Upper Peninsula through public education, the promotion of sound land stewardship, and reasoned dialogue with communities, governments, industries and others with whom we share this land."
Contact UPEC:
UPEC ~ PO Box 673 ~ Houghton, MI 49931
phone 906-201-1949


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Add to Goodreads || Buy on Amazon
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis via Goodreads: As an NHL player, relationships haven't been my thing. Shrouded in secrecy and speculation, they never last very long. But then that's what happens when you require an NDA before the first date.
Until Charlene. She's like a firefly. She's elusive, and if you catch her she'll burn bright, but keeping her trapped dulls her fire and dims her beauty.
I caught her. And as much as I might want to keep her, I'll never put the lid on her jar. Not at the risk of losing her. So I've let her set the rules in our relationship.
But as long hidden secrets expose us both, I discover exactly how fragile Charlene is, and how much I need her.
We're all broken. We're all messed up. Some more than others. Me more than most.
The FINAL standalone novel in The Pucked Series.
The last installment in the Pucked series is finally here!
But before I get to my review, I think it would be fitting if we take a look back at my experience while reading this series. I've never fully reviewed any of the previous Pucked books before, mainly because it was not love at first sight when I started this series and I so badly wanted to love it since it's such a beloved series among romance readers in the community. I actually still have a lot of not so nice things to say about the first book and I literally can't even discuss that book without my temper flaring (can you tell that Violet and Alex are my least favorite couple, lol?). But while there is a lot of hate, there is a bit of love (especially for my main squeeze Lance Romero) and Helena Hunting has somehow managed to make me love some of these characters and I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna miss this wild bunch. Now let's get on with this last hoorah!
Charlene Hoar and Darren Westinghouse have spent the past two years living by one rule: what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors. That is until Darren's teammates walk in on Charlene in a compromising position—then their group of friends start asking questions. But what happens when Charlene and Darren's own secret pasts threaten to break them apart, will these two be able to find the courage to let one another in or will being vulnerable prove to be too much for either one of them to handle?
Pucked Love is the final installment in the Pucked series and while it can be read as a standalone, I feel like reading this book first without having read the previous books would just ruin the HEAs for all the other couples so I personally would recommend reading the series in order before picking up this book. Moving on, I have been DYING for Charlene and Darren's book for quite some time now and was high key pissed when the audiobook was released months before the ebook because patience is not one of my virtues. I've had so many questions about our secretive pair and I felt like I've waited forever for all of them to be answered. I gotta say, while I did enjoy the romance and getting to see these characters again, the inconsistencies in the story line was what held me back from rating this book higher and I'm kind of scratching my head a bit because how does one mess up the details for a story they created?
I'm gonna start off by discussing what didn't work for me in this book before I get to the good stuff. So this book starts off with a prologue that takes place two years prior and shows Darren laying down his rules when it comes to dating and Charlene basically saying "fuck your rules" and telling Darren how things were going to be between them. Then there's a time jump to the present and it just felt like an awkward place to start because we don't really get a strong enough backstory for these two. In the previous books, Charlene and Darren's relationship was always hush hush so we as readers never really knew what was going on between them so going into this story with the two year time jump didn't work for me. Hunting should've either thrown in some flashback scenes of when these two first started dating or she should've moved Darren and Charlene's story up on the timeline so all these missing gaps could've been filled in. Also, these two definitely don't act like a couple who have been together for two years. During the first half of the book, Darren and Charlene are quite awkward around one another, as if they're walking on eggshells and not wanting to say or do something to offend the other. It was just so weird and things felt forced which doesn't make sense because they seemed to care a lot for each in the previous books. And finally we have the inconsistencies. Y'all, I'm really confused because some of the details about Darren's family life doesn't match up with what we were previously told. In Forever Pucked, we're told that Darren's parents live in the South Carolina but in Pucked Love it states that Darren was raised by his strict grandparents and his parents aren't involved in his life. Now the thing is, the truth about Darren's childhood plays a major part in this story as it explains why he is so big on privacy when it comes to relationships so changing such an important detail like that just for added shock value screws up the story line. There are also a few other inconsistencies about Darren that had me going back to reread more of Forever Pucked and this is another reason why I think this book should've been written earlier because maybe then all these inaccuracies could've been avoided.
Now onto the good. Despite their awkwardness in the first half of the book, I really do like Charlene and Darren as a couple and I think they fit perfectly with one another. They've both been through some shit and they get each other and understand one another's hesitations so that's why they work well together. Even though he may seem a bit intimidating, Darren is a low key softie and will protect Charlene no matter the cost which is probably why he's my second favorite hero in this series (because no one can beat my baby Lance of course!). Charlene on the other hand has proven that she definitely has a bit of crazy in her. I wasn't expecting it at all and now I see why she and Violet are best friends. While there was a lot of foolery when it came to all the plot twists, I can't help but say that I was somehow entertained by them. Yeah they were over the top and some were just down right strange, but Hunting had me cracking up so I guess that's a plus in my books.
Pucked Love was definitely not a perfect book but it wrapped up this series quite nicely and like I said before, I am definitely gonna miss these characters and all their wild antics. These books were good, cheesy entertainment when I needed to be pulled out of my reading slumps and despite the rocky start, I don't regret picking up this series in the end.


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Welcome to our blog!
See what's brewing!
Why do we collect things?
There was some point in time, I guess when I was in high school, that I said "Giraffes are my favorite animal." it's a standard thing to say, I mean most people have a favorite animal and it's easy to share that fun tidbit with people around you.
But when I said that I like an extremely tall animal, people thought that it was hilarious. Why? Perhaps because I haven't grown an inch since I was in fifth grade and have remained at a meager 4 feet 10 inches tall, it would naturally be funny for me to like something so tall. Why couldn't I love something small, maybe caterpillars or tea cup pigs, something I could identify with?
Who knows! There's just something about giraffes that I absolutely love, I just can't help it!
Ever since I declared this love, I've begun to start this whole giraffe collection. Today, I look at it and it's a pretty cool thing, I have giraffe pieces from all over the country and all over the world. I have a gorgeous hand made wooden giraffe wind chime, marionettes, and everything in between. I even have a sub collection of giraffe mugs!
Yup, I'm obsessed. So are the people around me. I think it's become habitual for them to buy me a giraffe something when they spot it.
But why do we even collect things? Is it to say we have a lot of something? Is it to marvel at the beauty of something that is so close to our hearts? Is there more to it than that? Are our collections a reflection of ourselves?
Maybe I associate myself with the elegance of a giraffe because in my head I see myself as a strong person, one you can't miss. Or at least I like to think so... I view giraffes as kind, gentle creatures (who when they get mad, will neck thrash other giraffes, click here if you want to see it). I strive to be as kind as possible, I try not to get mad too often, and I really try not to act on any negative feelings (I don't neck thrash, I promise!)
To be honest, I love knowing I have these one of a kind pieces from all over the place. I love getting postcards with a family of giraffes on it and I love all my giraffe nick knacks. It's fun to take a look around my room and see where a giraffe might be hiding or to see where some pieces shine. I enjoy being the only person I know who specifically collects giraffes.
I think it's great to compare my giraffe collection with one of my best friends elephant collection to another best friends Wizard of Oz collection. It's interesting to see others approaches to collections because there are defiantly different ways to collect something.
I still don't really know why we collect things, maybe each person has their own reasons. I think I collect things for a whole mess of reasons. Why do you do it?
My name is Kristina and I'm the founder of Love Struck. Read about how Love Struck came to be, see how I make it happen or just read a random thought I just might have! Anything can happen at our blog & I wouldn't have it any other way! It's time to get Love Struck, and what better way to start than right here!
September 2018


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Posted: '21-FEB-07 16:52′ GMT – Mineweb.Net – Archive
Zimbabwe's leader, President Robert Mugabe, has announced plans that will allow only state-owned companies to mine for diamonds in the country, confirming fears of nationalisation of the country's mining operations, which miners have dreaded for over two years.
According to a Bloomberg report Wednesday that quoted Mugabe's late Tuesday interview on state television, the move is aimed at trying to arrest an economic slump that began following the seizure of white-owned farms seven years ago.
The move is also an attempt by the government to control the diamond mining industry after allegations of smuggling from the country's mines and a diamond rush in the eastern district of Marange, Mugabe was quoted as saying.
"Only government will mine diamonds," Mugabe said on state television, adding that diamonds will fall into a "special category," Bloomberg quoted. The president then accused the mining companies who currently operate in the country of selling their diamonds illegally.
On December 7, the Zimbabwean government evicted African Consolidated Resources (ACR) from Marange after thousands of illegal diggers descended on the area and started digging following the diamond find. The area has now been cordoned off and handed to the state-run Zimbabwe Mining Development Corp.
ACR, which is challenging the eviction, had formed alliances with government ministers and officials, Mugabe was quoted as saying.
"Government ministers and members of the politburo joined ACR, but we said no to that company," he said.
De Beers, the world's biggest diamond company, discovered the Marange deposit and passed it on to African Consolidated, Mugabe was quoted as saying.
"If the state takeover of diamond mines is passed into law, it will destroy diamond exploration in this country," Andrew Cranswick, CEO of ACR was quoted by Bloomberg as saying.
Zimbabwe has two diamond producing mines, namely the Rio Tinto and Riozim owned Murowa and River Ranch which is owned by private investors.
But Zimbabwean miners have seen this coming as the ageing leader has repeatedly warned them of looming mass nationalisation of mining operations.
In 2004, his government – in power since 1980 – cancelled Anglo American and Rio Tinto's exclusive prospecting rights on properties in the country.
Over 28,000 people have been arrested on charges of illegal gold and diamond mining in an operation which started in mid-November to curb the country of illegal mining activities as the country.
In January Washington-based World Diamond Council (WDC) launched an international probe on Zimbabwe's diamonds after reports emerged that the country's rough gems were being smuggled into neighbouring South Africa and blended with "blood diamonds" from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for onward sale into the world market under fraudulent certification of origin.
But the government dismissed such reports of diamond smuggling as "absolute nonsense", "politically motivated rumours" and "madness".
In January Mines and Mining Development Minister Amos Midzi was quoted as saying, "There is nothing of the sort alleged by the World Diamond Council. That madness should stop. We know they think they have found sufficient grounds to vilify us ahead of plans by the EU to renew sanctions."
The sanctions, banning Mugabe and 100 members of his ruling ZANU-PF from travelling to EU countries, as well as an arms sales embargo and freezing of Zimbabwean assets in European banks, were however renewed Monday.
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Hiking & Trekking Adventures
What to bring?
Trekking and Hiking
Here's a chance to explore the real Costa Rica, a unique and authentic back-country experience for those seeking to combine adventure and tranquility.
Our hiking routes take you off the heavily-beaten track along safe trails through almost untouched mountain wilderness where you'll often encounter rare birds, mammals and flora. We offer two, three, or four-day day trips for groups, over-nighting in small, locally-owned lodges whose hosts live the old way, cooking on wood stoves, raising their own domestic animals for staples such as eggs and cheese.
These family-owned lodges are rustic, clean, and well-kept. By taking tourists up there, we help support rural families maintain their gentle, traditional way of life. Please note that a 2-day advance notice is recommended for reservations. No reason to carry heavy packs. Our horses do the heavy lifting.
All trips include:
-snacks and refreshments
-lodging and meals (bunk beds for the most part)
-dry bags
-equipment for all described activities
-first aid kit
What's included?
There is very little electricity at these lodges.
They have small solar collectors which produce enough power to keep a couple of lights burning at night. It gets dark by 6 PM, so folks are usually in bed by 7 or 8.
Cell phone service is very limited. Please make sure that all camera and flashlight batteries are fully charged before the trip. Bring extras if need be.
What to bring?: (try to pack light)
-good hiking shoes
-sun block and hat
-insect repellent (the bugs aren't that bad)
-bathing suit
-synthetic quick dry clothing (recommended)
-light rain jacket or poncho
-light pants and long sleeve shirt (it can be cool at night)
-water bottle
-extra cash just in case


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We live in interesting times. Never before have we had so much information thrown at us. And yet never before have we been lured so much to believe or follow what we are told is trending.
It seems everything we do online has some element of presenting us with things based on the popularity of other people looking at it… whether it's Facebook displaying a list of trending news articles or Google including click-through-rates as a factor in ranking search results.
Maybe I'm wrong to say we are unique… after-all the history of man is about 5,000 years and yet we've only believed the world wasn't flat for about the last 500 years. Maybe humans have always followed prevailing opinions – until a lucky few explorers challenge things and seek to correct or change opinion with concrete facts. And it's just that because "trending" is trending, that it's really noticeable.
I believe that it's part of the human condition to want to observe the world around us and make sense of it. We are always looking for patterns, for cause and effect, to make sense of what is happening. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we get it really wrong. (If you want a humorous aside take a look at this 2011 article from the BBC that talks about this phenomenon and likens it to us believing if we wear our lucky socks we might influence the match outcome of our favorite sports teams. Go Figure: Why we think rituals can influence results )
So why on a business blog, am I rambling on about lucky socks and whether the world is round?
Because, I want us to be aware of this natural inclination to look for trends whether they are there or not, when we seek out business insights from our business data. And then use this as a warning to cross-check our conclusions or allow for a margin of error.
I think a lot of businesses don't have the luxury of having Big Data. I wish there was a term Little Data to talk about how to do business intelligence when you either have a small group of customers or haven't been engaging in a particular business line for a long time. We aren't all Amazons that have enough customer behavior data to predict a need to ship stock to different fulfillment centers even before orders are placed.
So the business problem for most people is: how best to capitalize on the data that you have to make sound business decisions. Can Little Data still provide actionable business insights? I think it can if we also consider the following.
Are we looking for answers or looking for questions?
There is an appropriate time in business innovation and strategy planning to be looking for questions. I believe when we are looking at business data for actionable business insights we are best to keep in mind that we are looking for answers.
If you've read some of my other posts on analytics and metrics, you know that I advocate a test-measure-learn agile way of approaching them. That you need to start with a business goal, then engage in activities to support it, and finally, use the metrics to determine your success at achieving it. Once we have the measurements we can also do investigation and root-cause analysis to look further at the result to decide our next actions. But we are still using the original business goal as the yardstick.
As an example, we might be a clothing manufacturer who has created equal amounts of red and blue sweaters. When we look at the sales from last year, we see that we sold all the red and only a few of the blue. Some root-cause analysis might determine that red was the "it" colour last year. So this year's decision on what to make might now consider looking into what is predicted to be the "it" colour next year. Or we may consider, can we influence the "it" colour for next year. Our analysis doesn't mean we only make red sweaters from here on in.
Is it repeatable?
Are we taking actions, that once they are repeated come up with somewhat similar results? (Of course the sock wearers would also say yes, which is why we need the root-cause confirmation.)
I spoke with a business owner recently who had launched a beta mock-up version of their recruitment SaaS service. It was a two sided business model, with (paying) companies looking for talent and (free) talent signing on, with a unique way that they brought them together. Having only had a few employers sign up for the beta, they only completed one placement during the trial quarter. Yet because there seemed to be some organic sharing of the site on Pinterest, they had about 1500 creative professionals sign on to the site. In the words of the founder… we got about 1500 people without really trying.
A quiet voice inside of me had a few concerns. If they didn't take deliberate actions to attract the talent, how do they know they will continue to attract even more talent? Or will it trend for a while on Pinterest and then interest fall off. If you didn't actually deliver on jobs for these people, will you hold the existing subscribers interest? Having people sign up is a good thing, but real traction comes from a history of getting deals done.
The scary part of it was that the business owner also said that she was going to make a business change to narrow her focus on looking only at employers who had jobs for creative professionals. Maybe a good insight given she now had more of this type of talent signed up, but without knowing more about how engaged this segment was and whether employers for them were interested in the site, it could negatively limit her search for paid customers offering jobs.
Sometimes we are wrong
I believe that have to remember that although business intelligence can help guide us in our business decision making, there is always the possibility that what we may not achieve our goals
It's a complex world and there are so many things out there beyond our control or factors that might influence our outcomes that we couldn't see or consider.
The point is that having armed with some foresight based on the information that we are able to collect, we do make better decisions than if we have none. What we are trying to do with business intelligence is contain or limit the risks. But the risk is always there.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart


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Way to insert and edit
I have an insert record form which has quite a lot of validation and hide / show fields on it.
It works as expected. I also need to provide an update record form for the same data. Is it practical to use a copy of this form to show the existing data in the record and apply an update record server behavior to it without having to enter all the validations again.
The problem as I see it is that I usually bind the date from the record that I am updating to the form fields during edit, when using a different validation system to security assist.
However, the fields need to be bound to the Webassist validation variables so that if a field does not validate, the data is re-displayed.
It seems that the same fields will need to be bound to two different variables which looks like it may not work.
So just how does one create an update record form and validate it?


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PS - What the hell is a jigawatt?
9) CAPTAIN NEEDA (The Empire Strikes Back)
"I was, ah… well, what you have to understand, son, is that it's not the winning, it's the taking part..."
3) NIEN NUNB (Return of the Jedi)
What is he supposed to be, a hotshot pilot of some sort? Because the only discernible qualities I've ever seen exhibited by Lando Calrissian's cockpit buddy are having fanny lips, a dead-eyed fish mug and looking a bit surprised once in a while. Even in the toy world, he was utterly superfluous – the plastic equivalent of that infuriating Panini football sticker you seemed to get in every packet and no-one wanted to swap (usually a third-rate Spurs defender like Pat Van Den Hauwe or Gudni Bergsson), Nien Nunb was the sort of action figure that even girls who weren't even into Star Wars seemed to have stashed away amongst their Sylvanian Families. Still to this day I've got three of the bastard and can't get rid of them for love nor money.
1) DACK (The Empire Strikes Back)
The ultimate Redundant Rebel Wally, neatly summarised here. Ill-prepared, inept, all talk and precious little action - in many respects, Dack is the embodiment of the expendable unknown soldier. If Hoth were Vietnam, Dack would be the fresh-faced young recruit who'd signed up voluntarily, makes all the grim-faced veterans laugh with his misguided ideals, then proceeds to get torn to pieces the moment he lands in the jungle. For someone who claims to feel like he could "take on the whole Empire by himself", Dack displays a quite incredible lack of evidence to back up his bravado. Can't get his approach vector set, develops a malfunction in fire control, fails to get a shot off with his harpoon and tow cable, then gets lasered into oblivion - all within the course of just three minutes of screen time. No wonder the Empire struck back – with chumps like this onboard, the Rebel Alliance needed to do some serious regrouping before coming back for another pop.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Still, I suppose none of them were Jar Jar fucking Binks or young Anakin's token Asian mate.
Props to Natalie Stone for the Ozzel gag.


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Commentary: 2009 Defense Preview
by Jonathan Hodges
For the first time in about 13 years, Northwestern fans can (and should) be very excited about NU's defense for the coming season. In 2008, the Wildcats' D, led by new DC Mike Hankwitz,
improved in every major defensive category
and return 8 of 11 starters from a year ago and again have the defensive mastermind to help put the guys in the right spots to make the plays. And of the 3 positions where NU must find replacement starters, 2 are on the DL where they have experienced players with significant playing time and some starting experience under their belts. The linebacking corps proved themselves proficient last season and have more young talent waiting to make an impact this season. And, most significantly, the secondary returns its wealth of proven talent and looks to be one of the strongest defensive backfields in NU history.
Last season, NU led the Big Ten in sacks, was 2nd in the conference in TFLs, and overall allowed just under 20 points/game during the regular season (a 10 point/game improvement over 2007). Look for more of the same, if not better, in 2009, as the 'Cats will get their star player and NFL prospect Corey Wootton back from a knee (ACL) injury sustained during the Alamo Bowl and will field a formidable front 7. As 'Cats fans know well, getting into the backfield and making things happen leads to good things on defense, and last year's squad did that well - and that aggressiveness up front looks to continue this season. The question is: can this defense carry the team, especially with so many question marks on offense?
Defensive Line
It all starts up front, and NU is looking pretty good up there, just a season removed from a very strong performance. The starting foursome are expected to be (from left to right) Wootton, Bryant, Hahn, and Browne. It's important to note that Wootton, Bryant, and Browne all sustained knee injuries during 2008 (although Browne was able to return for the Alamo Bowl). The starters departing NU were tackle Gill and end Mims, which means the DL was hurt the most by attrition (at 50%), but what is hidden is the fact that Browne garnered significant playing time during the season and Hahn was previously a starter (mostly during his sophomore year). Plus, the 'Cats have Thomas (a senior with a good amount of playing time) and sophomores DiNardo and Watt (who both saw the field last season) to throw into the rotation, not to mention touted recruit Quentin Williams.
Many are rightly placing a lot of attention on Wootton's return from his ACL tear and are leaving the fate of the entire defense up to Corey. While he has really come into his own and is a key component of the D, what Hankwitz has shown us is that the whole can be better than the sum of its parts when running a well-planned and aggressive scheme. Tackles Bryant and Hahn must occupy blocks and clog the middle while containing the running game (last year's squad allowed a respectable 128 yards/game during the regular season). And the ends must get to the QB and finish the deal, while maintaining containment - especially against mobile QBs (in 2009 look out for PSU's Clark and Minnesota's Weber). Thankfully NU has a talented player in Browne who has shown flashes of great play in limited time - and he'll get a huge opportunity to shine this year as a starter and with opposing offensive lines worried about Wootton. Replacing Gill may be more of a challenge, but Bryant has proven himself on the field and Hahn has some starts under his belt and knows what it takes in the Big Ten. And both players know that they have to perform at their best because Thomas and DiNardo will be chomping at the bit for more playing time.
This is a strong unit that should again be at or near the top of the conference in the major "disruption" categories of sacks and TFLs, like last year, especially with Hankwitz directing their activities. And that will lead to another strong performance by the defense as a whole. The biggest concern for NU fans should be depth: last year NU weathered the injury storm, but this season there are fewer experienced guys to go around - especially on the line, and this is especially concerning with 3 of the starters returning from significant injuries a season ago. So, staying healthy will be key, as will the performance of the backups who will be given playing time to rest the starters.
Unfortunately, NU lost starting MLB Arrington half way through last season, but fortunately the 'Cats found their new starter as Nate Williams stepped up nicely in that role for the second half and looks to anchor the LB corps in 2009. All he seemed to do last year was make tackles - never really making the big, glamorous play, but instead taking care of business and stopping the ballcarrier. In fact, he was 5th on the team in tackles despite only starting for half of the season. The linebackers should be in good hands with him in the middle (and Fitz in his ear).
Davie will return as starting strong side LB, after showing great speed and an ability to get into the backfield during his first 2 seasons at NU. He was tied for 2nd on the team with 9.5 TFLs and had the highest number of sacks outside of the DL with 3.5 in 2008. Look for him to continue to disrupt opposing offenses when he lines up for the 'Cats, although when NU goes with the nickel, he is typically pulled while S Phillips takes over a hybrid LB/S role. But his success is key as his ability to get after the QB gives the Wildcats some interesting blitz options.
Finally, the weak side LB slot is expected to be taken over by Ben Johnson, who is coming off of a strong season on special teams and a very good spring that led to him grabbing the starting spot (at least for now). He'll look to replace the reliable Prince Kwateng, who made a lot of good plays in 2008 (highlighted by that hair-grabbing TFL on Ohio QB Boo Jackson), and Johnson has the speed to make an impact - especially against teams running the spread offense. What stood out last season on special teams was his ability to get down the field on kickoff coverage, shed blocks, and make the tackle. Now NU will be looking for him to do that on defense.
The 'Cats have some depth this year that is mostly based on potential - ND transfer Nagel is backing up the weak side with redshirt freshman Pinckney, senior Jeske and redshirt freshman Nwabuski are backing up the middle, and sophomore McNaul (who saw a lot of time on special teams last season) is backup on the strong side. There is a lot of talent to go around, and all of the guys listed here are likely to see the field sometime this fall. The question will be who will step up and make things happen, and will anyone successfully challenge for a starting spot?
The secondary almost needs no introduction. There's sophomore Mabin and senior McManis at the corners, with seniors Phillips and Smith holding down the middle at safety. Phillips is coming off of shoulder surgery, but he's expected to be back in playing shape by camp (he did survive the Alamo Bowl with the injury). Also, don't forget Peters and Arnold (backup safeties), as well as Vaughn (who was the starter until sustaining an injury and watching Mabin take over) and Bolden at corner who have played a good bit and have looked effective. Peters is used quite often in the nickel at safety with Phillips moving closer to the line of scrimmage.
This constitutes one of the most experienced and proven defensive backfields in Northwestern history, and I'm not overstating that. Mabin was a redshirt freshman who took over a difficult position, corner, and showed off his speed and football prowess week after week. McManis really started to turn into a shutdown type guy after having a down sophomore season in 2007. Smith lived up to his billing as the leader of the D (and took 2 INTs to the house during the course of the season). And Phillips seemingly came out of nowhere to be the hard-hitter of the D and led the team in tackles in 2008. Now they're all back and should be able to improve even more.
The question here is can this unit take it to the next level and become the cream of the Big Ten crop by "locking down" those opposing receivers while generating turnovers. Last year, turnovers came in bunches, but there were still droughts when some questioned the abilities of the secondary. With so much talent and experience available, they only way they can prove themselves in 2009 is to prove that they're one of the best in the conference.
It's strange for any 'Cats fan who has been following NU closely for the past decade or so, but the defense is the strong point of this year's team and will be looked to in order to carry this team to victory. The talent and experience are there, the leadership is there with Hankwitz, and the dedication of the head coach is there with Fitzgerald. Now the question is can the D live up to deservedly high expectations a season after exceeding any sane person's realistically low predictions (based on about 10 years of evidence). While NU's schedule is considered soft, they'll still have some challenges, like going up against Penn State, featuring Clark and Royster, Minnesota, featuring Weber and Decker, and Illinois with Juice and Benn. With a whole lot more questions on offense and special teams, the D will be relied upon to keep games within reach and maybe even to make plays to win some themselves (see the Minnesota, Syracuse, and Ohio games last year as examples).
Go 'Cats!!!
Previous jhodges commentary
jhodges is the primary content provider of HailToPurple.com. His commentary and game analyses appear regularly during the season and occasionally in the offseason.


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So these two managed to schedule their wedding on the precise day, six years later, of the day they began dating. They met where they attended college, at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. This was a brisk fall wedding in November at the Oceanview of Nahant. Seaside portraits are a big draw here, with ....Read More
Tag: Asian Weddings
Contact Fort Point Media about photography and video services for your wedding:
You call also view my wedding photography and video portfolios for a look at some of my favorites.


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This electric powered winch is ideal for indoor applications such as pulling wire through conduits or lifting equipment.
It can lift loads of 250 kg in a single line and a block and tackle system will increase the lifting capacity to 500 kg.
For lifting purposes, it is equipped with a rope grabbing system which will hold a load in position; allowing the operator to work safely.
The electric motor is activated by simply pulling on the rope. As soon as the operator stops pulling, the drum stops rotating, preventing rope damage. For the operator's safety, it is equipped with a rope grabbing system which will prevent the rope from sliding inadvertently.
The PCT1800 is recommended for situations when gas-powered (petrol) winches cannot be used and is a good alternative when noise is an issue.
*Note: One (1) anchor polyester sling 60 mm x 2 m is always included with every winch.


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Posts Tagged 'Home Decorations'
It can be quite easy to begin with your place decoration utilizing some simple ideas. Decorating the house in virtually any season or particularly when they get together season will be coming is mostly a common need and even gives one advantage to your house and you also feel well informed when friends and family members arrive. It doesn't matter what is a festival will it be, this property decoration has to be planned certainly. In sequence to plan the house decoration, you have to decide any taste together with color combined with theme and additionally all. Here really are some best tricks of home decoration which you can use.
First off, all the area's most definitely those areas which you'll find frequently levied by one or the guest; they have to be clean without having any odor. It is vital to have any home awesome and transparent so thru decoration you'll be able to some additional look to your residence. For example in case you are planning the house cleaning together with decorating just for Christmas competition, you have to plan where you will end up putting an individual's Christmas bonsai tree. If you have little place and space would be the issue, you can test removing any some furniture to generate some supplemental space, and in the event the Christmas is expired you may get them instruction online position.
You'll want a policy for the style like exactly what is provide the adornment and which unfortunately area you will be majorly directed at for your home medallion. In case you are on a superb budget, you may get some cutting edge and modern home furnishing especially retro wooden home and chairs designed to surely win over your client.
If sanctioned temporary your home ornamentation you're planning then you've gotten plenty for ideas like you can get yourself home structure papers in your walls that will plan balloon for the roof together with multi coloring lightning's. But if you are interested in a permanent style everybody painting any walls together with favorite designs and designs. Do never put identical colors on lots of the side areas but purchase the lighter colors or richer shades quietly walls.


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I have been interested by the FPGA technology for some time so finally here is a new toy that joins my workbench: a DE0-Nano board from Terasic. Smaller than an Arduino but with the same spirit of a platform opened to experimentation and not constrained by too much pre-wired peripherals. It's up to you what you will do will the 40-pin headers.
What is on the board:
- Altera Cyclone IV EP4CE22F17C6N
- EPCS16 configuration device
- Integrated USB Blaster (Programmer and JTAG interface)
- Some peripherals: digital accelerometer, A/D converter, EEPROM, some leds and switches
A simple board powerful enough to get started with soft-core processors. My plan is to test system design based on the LEON3 GPL core from Gaisler Research.


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If you're ever wondering what food to pair with a wine, pick chicken. It goes with everything! I experienced my ultimate in chicken pairing at Zuni Cafe, their infamous roast chicken and bread salad and a 2012 Puligny-Montrachet from Domaine de Chérisey. Literally my heaven on earth. I hadn't been to Zuni Cafe in years and I don't think we even ordered the chicken the first time I went.
We started the evening with oysters and a glass of bubbly.
And then, the most amazing burrata toast.
And then the wine…..
Puligny-Montrachet is one of the most famous wine-growing towns in the Côte d'or in Burgundy and is known for some of the best Chardonnay in the world. It's name in part comes from one of the most famous vineyards in the world, Montrachet, located in this region.
This 2012 1er Cru wine comes from a small hamlet called Blagny, in the hills between Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. As with most wines from this region, this wine is 100% Chardonnay from vines that are over 60 years old. It's a classic expression of white Burgundy, focused, smooth, rich fruit flavors with a creamy, limestone mineral finish.
And now, for the chicken. Perfectly crispy skin, with dense, chewy croutons sopping up all the goodness underneath. Those greens….they're just for show, who are we kidding this dish is not a light chicken dinner!
The savory, rich wine complimented the rich salty chicken in the perfect way. This might be a contender for my last meal on earth……
If you're visiting SF I highly recommend a trip to Zuni, and a bottle of white Burgundy to accompany you!
|One more shot
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Healthy Lifestyles for Children With Complex Heart Problems (ReACH)
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01785498
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : February 7, 2013
Last Update Posted : February 12, 2015
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Healthy Lifestyles for Children with Complex Heart Problems is a planning and resource development project. The goal of the project is to develop an implementation plan that would enable children with complex heart problems to lead healthy, active lives within their own community. The primary goal of the project is to promote physical activity, because the physical and mental health benefits of activity are very important for these children. Children with complex heart problems have a higher risk for obesity, diabetes, acquired heart disease and mental health problems than their healthy peers. The physical health benefits of physical activity are well known, but physical activity is also key for children's mental health. Physical activity enables children to socialize with peers and create bonds and friendships. Physical activity participation also directly elevates mood through the release of brain chemicals. Children with complex heart problems are also known to experience fear and anxiety related to physical activity. This project will also develop strategies to promote healthy eating and the prevention of physical activity-related injuries to these children and their families. Children with complex heart problems are at higher risk of overweight and obesity and face unique injury risks related to pacemakers or their medications.
Extensive consultations with families and caregivers have identified needed supports for physical activity lifestyles, mental health, healthy eating and injury prevention for these children. The goal of the interviews was to understand the positive and negative influences on physical activity and healthy lifestyles for these children. Analyses of the interview content was used to develop a detailed, step-by-step implementation plan to provide the supports necessary for children with complex heart problems to lead active, healthy lives in their own community, with their family and friends. The implementation plan specifies changes to family education and counselling resources, clinical care routines, and communication among professionals and families.
The clinical trial will evaluate the impact of implementing the family supports and changes to practice previously developed. Surveys will be completed by families attending the cardiac clinic before and after the changes to practice and additional resources are made available. Interviews will be utilized to gather additional feedback from professionals and families that receive counselling utilizing the supplementary materials.
|Condition or disease
|Congenital Heart Defects Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias Cardiomyopathy
|Behavioral: Supplementary resources
|Not Applicable
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|64 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Single (Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Healthy Lifestyles for Children With Complex Heart Problems
|Study Start Date :
|January 2012
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|September 2013
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|October 2013
No Intervention: Control Group
Receive standard clinical care and supports.
Experimental: Supplementary resources
Receive standard care and supports plus supplementary resources developed for the intervention.
Behavioral: Supplementary resources
Clinical and educational resources for patients, their families and the professionals who care for them.
- Family perception of clinical service [ Time Frame: Within 2 weeks of clinic visit ]Likert scales to measure family satisfaction with healthy lifestyle information and resources provided during clinic visit.
- Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) [ Time Frame: Within 2 weeks of clinic visit ]
- Change from Baseline of Children's Self-Perceived Adequacy and Predilection for Physical Activity [ Time Frame: 1 month after intervention completion ]
- Change from Baseline in Multi-dimension anxiety scale for children [ Time Frame: 1 month after intervention completion ]
- Change from Baseline in Pediatric Symptom Checklist [ Time Frame: 1 month after intervention completion ]
- Change from Baseline in PedsQL Family Impact Module [ Time Frame: 1 month after intervention completion ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|4 Years to 17 Years (Child)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- child with a heart condition requiring on-going follow up between 4 and 17 years of age or parent or healthcare provider of such a child
- able to verbally answer questions and express opinions in English or French
- able to provide informed consent or assent to participate
Exclusion Criteria:
- disability other than heart condition which significantly impacts physical activity participation or healthy lifestyle habits
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01785498
|Canada, Ontario
|Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
|Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8L1
|Responsible Party:
|Dr. Pat Longmuir, Scientist, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01785498 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
2012-06-1-4460033 ( Other Grant/Funding Number: Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport Healthy Communities Fund )
|First Posted:
|February 7, 2013 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|February 12, 2015
|Last Verified:
|February 2015
quality of life
physical activity
healthy lifestyle
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Heart Defects, Congenital
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Pathologic Processes
Cardiovascular Abnormalities
Congenital Abnormalities


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Add a bit of whismy to your outfit with a frog on your scarf! Maybe your own prince will want a kiss. . .
Scarf is 15 inches wide by 59 inches long.
Made of 100% polyester. Feels like a silky rayon blend. Due to the application process, colors will not fade over time. Machine washable!
We chose a small independent Michigan based company to make our scarves believing in the excitement of collaboration, the uniqueness of one at a time creations and the resulting charm of the scarves.
A fierce lion with a rainbow of colors. Scarf is 15 inches wide by 59...
The Nutcracker Ballet in a Kaleidoscope! Scarf is 36 inches wide by 36 inches long. ...
A sweet pea flower makes a beautiful scarf design. Scarf is 15 inches wide by...


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Rhonda Cook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, February 22, 2010
Four women, two of them well into middle age, were discussing funeral plans for a friend when an Atlanta police officer told them to move.
Three did but one asked "why." In answer to her question, Minnie Carey, then 61, was handcuffed, put into a police wagon and taken to jail, where she was held for nine hours.
The Citizen Review Board found that Atlanta Police officer Brandy Dolson had violated APD policies and had falsely arrested Carey.
"I was blown away," Carey told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I had heard about people in the community being harassed by the police … It really didn't shock me as much as it probably would have if I had not heard of people going to jail for no reason. I figured I was just another one.
"But I had the right to ask 'why' I had to move," she said.
The Citizen Review Board – resurrected after the 2006 fatal police shooting of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston in her home – voted in a recent meeting to sustain Carey's false arrest claim and the allegation that the officer had violated the department's arrest policies.
"This case will illustrate to the public how OPS [Office of Professional Standards] responds [to allegations of police misconduct] … There have been some concerns that OPS has not sustained complaints," said Seth Kirschenbaum, an attorney who is vice-chairman of the board.
This article was posted: Monday, February 22, 2010 at 11:40 am


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When I was at primary school in the early 1980s we had a BBC Micro computer which everyone had a bit of a go on. At secondary school if anything there was less computing. We had about 12 computers but I don't remember using them much. I don't know if it was just my school or being a girl but we just weren't exposed to opportunities in coding.
My brother was a proper techie at home, though. We had a Dragon 12 and he showed me how to do some very basic coding, things like changing the colour of my name on screen. He ended up doing a computing degree and my dad used CAD (computer-aided design) to design fire engines and off-road vehicles for the emergency services. I found it amazing but at that point really had no idea I'd end up doing anything to do with computers and certainly never thought I'd be an IT teacher.
If I'd known more I probably wouldn't have done my degree in international management at Brighton University. But I did enjoy it, especially the year in France, and after graduating I got a job with an IT recruitment company. I worked in this area for a few years but I suppose in the end it was too cut throat – I enjoyed my job but I knew it wasn't quite me.
I did a lot of traveling with my husband in the early 2000s, and for a while I worked as a studio manager for COFA University of New South Wales in Australia which was designed to offer industry experience to graphic design students. It was here I got my first exposure to some teaching with the undergraduates and I discovered it was something I was really interested in. I did a CELTA course and then I spent a year as a part-time voluntary classroom assistant in a primary school which helped me finally decide what I wanted to do.
I had real trouble getting on a PGCE course in teaching ICT as I didn't have a degree in ICT, or even an A-level. I had my life skills and nothing else. So in the end I did a PGCE in teaching business and economics back at Brighton University. My first placement was in an all-boys school in Chichester which was fun and my second was at Dorothy Stringer School in Sussex, where I teach now. I was also pregnant in my PGCE year so I finished the course and gave birth a couple of weeks later. This meant I couldn't do my NQT year straight away but I did a few days of supply work with Dorothy Stringer that first year and then got offered my first job there the following September to teach IT and GCSE maths full time. The maths was a bit of a stretch at first, but luckily I wasn't teaching the top group.
I've been teaching for seven years now. I have two children and I'm lucky to work in a school which is very family-orientated. I've felt so supported and I've been allowed to work flexibly. You can even bring your children in for inset days if you need to. We say our school is like a country club without the money. I work three days at Dorothy Stringer teaching ICT and this year, GCSE computing for the first time. Then for two days a week I teach A level computing and software development at Sussex Downs College.
Our pupils at Dorothy Stringer do lots of coding. They're used to Scratch, Alice and now we're bringing in Python for year 8, so coding comes naturally for them. Some of my pupils can outcode me blindfolded and teach me a lot. In some areas they are confident enough to be the teacher and for me to be their assistant so if that works that's what we do.
As I don't have a computing degree I've learnt pretty much everything myself, which has involved lots of crying at night. I think it's important to always be a lifelong learner. If you're a teacher you should be learning and I think this approach has helped me be a better teacher. I know the pain of not understanding.
I've done some wonderful courses. This summer I did a brilliant five day course at Kent University for teachers of Java and Greenfoot. I also recently did a three month AI (artificial intelligence) course at Stanford University. I like experimenting with the different types of teaching that I've encountered and I share what I've learned with my pupils from a pedagogical perspective as well as the subject. One thing that has surprised me in teaching is the lack of CPD (continuing professional development) in my subject. There is pedagogical base training but very little subject-based CPD available. I've had to find it and pay for it myself in many cases.
When I was at school I always preferred teachers who had done something before teaching or were able to share with us their experiences outside of teaching, so I guess I've become that kind of a teacher. The amount of times I've used my experience in the industry to help in my teaching are far too many to count.
I enjoy teaching, I like the teenage character which says nothing is impossible. My pupils aren't jaded and that can be inspiring, particularly when you get them out of school. I really enjoy running my different clubs in games and animation, coding and one especially for special girls as well as working with the pupils on special hack days. The conveyor belt of lessons can be tiring for pupils as well as teachers and sometimes we forget they are also exhausted when we get them at the end of of long hard day, after however many lessons in however many subjects.
One of the challenges is overcoming students' lack of ownership over their work. They'll say: "Can you help me Miss?" – but they often mean: "Can you do it for me?" I try to get them to use the brain, book, buddy, boss method. So use your brain and if that fails try and find out by looking up your query in a book or the internet, if that doesn't work try asking a friend and as a last resort you can ask the boss, in this case that's their teacher. So, by the time they ask me, ideally they'll at least understand what their question is!
Genevieve Smith-Nunes teaches IT, computing and business at Dorothy Stringer School in Sussex. She also teaches A level computing and software development at Sussex Downs College, an FE college in Lewes. She is hub leader for Sussex CAS and she blogs at Pegleggen.wordpress.com


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What is Diki Continental Exports?
We are a service for international buyers interested in exclusively Nepalese and Tibetan Arts, crafts, clothing and antiques.
Why was Diki Continental Exports started?
It is a well known fact that many people travel to Nepal for the sole purpose of buying local products (arts, crafts and antiques) which they then export back to their own countries for sale. Diki Continental Exports was started so that people could buy Nepalese products from the comfort of their own home, saving money and time.
Some reasons why you should choose us above the rest:
Your orders will be made to your design specifications, and the highest degree of quality is assured.
We are experienced and meticulous with our packaging and in the case of fragile products we use only the best wooden boxes to protect against mishandling.
Amongst the dozens of courier and freight services running from Nepal we at Diki Continental Exports are proud to say that we have been recommended above all the rest in the very well known Lonely Planet guidebook. ( pages 108 and 135)
A high percentage of our handicrafts and all our antiques must be approved and verified by the Archeological Department of Nepal before we can dispatch them to you.
We can arrange all modes of transport to any corner of the world.
We offer the most competitive prices and the best rates of transportation.
Your satisfaction is our guarantee!


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Everyone is amazed at the experience of watching and getting a wax hand done. It is an experience too! From cold ice water into hot wax and back and forth…how awesome it feels! Then you get to take home a memory piece that can last forever! Just don't leave it in the back window on a hot summer day as someone found out lol!
College and high school events, weddings, corporate parties, we would love to help make your next event even more fun!
How about wax hands and then a face paint all from the same line-yep, we can do that! Your guests will sooo appreciate it and thank you!


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If you are a first time buyer, the language of property and finance can be daunting. We debunk the jargon of some of the commonly used terms you're likely to hear during the home loan process that may be helpful as you navigate the maze of property investment.
Much like any other sector, the property and home loan market comes with its own terms and language that can be confusing for first time home owners, investors, or upgraders alike.
Our list looks at some commonly used financial terms and explains them in plain English to help keep you in the know throughout the home loan process.
1. Private Treaty
Most properties in Australia sell through private treaty. A private treaty is when the seller lists a property for sale with an asking price, commonly through a real estate agent. You then make an offer to the seller who decides whether to accept the offer.
Private treaties are in contrast to an auction, or a public sale in which properties sell to the highest bidder.
2. Contract of Sale
During the process of buying a property, you'll need to become familiar with a Contract of Sale.
This is a document that outlines the terms and conditions under which you agree to buy, and the vendor agrees to sell, a property.
It will include details such as your offer, the agreed amount of deposit, and the settlement date. Importantly, it will also contain vital property information, such as a copy of the title documents, drainage diagram and the Zoning Certificate.
The contract of sale is usually compiled by your solicitor or real estate agent, and becomes legally binding once you, the buyer, signs the dotted line.
3. Lender's Mortgage Insurance
If you are borrowing more than 80% of the value of a property, you will be required to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This one-off insurance payment is designed to protect your lender if for any reason you can't meet your repayments.
If applicable, you will need to pay your LMI before settlement and your lender may include the cost in your overall loan amount.
4. Cooling off period
Once you've signed a contract of sale, you'll enter a phase known as the cooling off period. The cooling off period refers to the number of days you're legally allowed to walk away from a property deal. If you're planning on purchasing a property at an auction, note that there is no cooling off period for auctions.
The duration of the cooling off period varies from state to state. Tasmania does not acknowledge a cooling off period at all, while NSW and Queensland allow for five business days. The Northern Territory allows four business days, Victoria three, and South Australia two.
While a cooling off period may be a saving grace for some, you don't necessarily walk away scot-free. Much like any other process, the cooling off period is subject to a formal procedure and a fee may be payable. This also varies from state to state. In Victoria, for example, you will be required to pay a fee set at 0.2% of the sale price. In NSW, it is 0.25%.
5. Equity
Equity refers to the value of an asset, minus any liabilities attached. In terms of property, it refers to the fair market value of your property, minus what you owe on your mortgage.
Equity can be accessed for a range of purposes – renovating or maintaining your property, as a deposit on an investment property, building other investments for your future or obtaining a few lifestyle perks – such as a new car or a much-needed holiday.
You can't automatically access all your home equity. To qualify for refinancing, many lenders will require that you first have at least 20% equity in your home and they are unlikely to allow more than 95% of equity to be accessed.
6. Stamp Duty
Stamp duty is a charge applied by the state during the transfer of land or property and must be legally paid by you, the buyer, within 30 days of the exchange.
Stamp duty differs from state to state and depends on the market value of your property. It can also be applied to home loans, some insurance, and gifts.
To make sure you're budgeting for the right amount on your next property purchase, you can use this online stamp duty calculator.
7. Depreciation
If you're buying an investment property for income-producing purposes, you could be eligible to claim depreciation costs on that property.
Depreciation considers the impact wear and tear can have on the value of your investment property. Claimed against your taxable income, it can amount to beneficial tax savings, known as negative gearing.
There are two types of depreciation available – capital works and plant and equipment. Capital works is about construction and maintenance costs to the building itself while plant and equipment refers to elements inside your property, which could include carpets, window coverings or heating and cooling systems.
The amount of depreciation that can be claimed is based on the number of years your asset can be effectively used to produce income. To claim depreciation, you'll need to have a tax depreciation schedule completed by a qualified quantity surveyor.
8. Torrens versus Strata Titles
Land titles were developed to simplify the recording and registering of land ownership in Australia.
Torrens Tile is the most common form of land ownership title in Australia and refers to ownership of both land and property. For example, your house and the land it sits on.
In contrast, Strata Title — common in the purchasing of units, townhouses and villas — covers ownership of the individual property as well as collective ownership of common areas, such as lobbies, lifts, pools and gardens. This means that you, along with other owners within the building, will be responsible for paying strata fees for the maintenance of common areas. This is usually managed through an owner's corporation, also known as Body Corporate.
9. Body Corporate
Once you've purchased a unit, duplex, townhouse or any other sort of shared property, you'll encounter the Body Corporate – a legal entity that is entrusted with the maintenance and management of common property on behalf of owners.
The Body Corporate also manages property budgets and creates its own set of rules for the property, known as bi-laws.
Rules, budgets and the amounts of fees payable by residents are usually agreed to during general meetings and through the Body Corporate Committee.
10. Capital Gains Tax
Naturally, when you're selling an investment property, you'll be looking to make a profit. The difference between what the property cost and what you receive when you sell it is known as a capital gain.
Capital gains are considered as part of your income and are subject to taxation through the capital gains tax (CGT). In Australia, since 1985 all assets have been subject to CGT, with the exemption of the family home and personal items such as your furniture and car, up to certain values.
Straight-talking advice from Aussie
Still finding the lexicon of property finance a little daunting? Aussie has been helping Australians navigate the home loan maze for more than 25 years. For straight-talking mortgage advice and guidance in anyone's language, contact your local Aussie broker today.
Some other links you may find helpful:
• 6 things to know about home loans that you didn't need to know 25 years ago
• If only I knew then what I now


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What if a GOP dominated congress finally managed to ban abortions and the Dems decided not to fund the military unless the abortion law was overturned? Wonder how that would play out. Something tells me the left would not brand that as holding the government hostage but as a noble cause.
And if you think this hypothetical tells you where I stand on these issues, you'd likely be wrong.


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Scroll down our page to see lessons: Beginner LessonsNext StepJunior Development
Wichita Public Golf Courses is going to make sure you have a great experience in a beginner group lesson! Day one is spent touring the facility and getting comfortable at the course. Days two-four are all about technique, putting, chipping, driving and more. Day five is exciting, you will spend time on the course playing three holes putting everything you learned in the first four classes to use! Youth lessons are for junior golfers ages 17 and under, unless indicated below.
At the completion of your beginner lesson you will receive five 9-hole green fees FREE in the mail to use all the tools you have learned and enjoy your time at Wichita Public Golf Courses!
This class is designed for youth wanting advanced instruction and playing opportunities throughout the summer. High school and middle school golfers looking to improve and play competitve golf will benefit from this clinic.
*Optional class, included with $90 fee.
Wichita Public Golf Courses
City of Wichita Park & Recreation
455 N Main, 11th Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
Visit Wichita Park & Recreation
Connect With Us
Wichita Public Golf Courses
Greater Wichita Golf Association
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Kansas Women's Golf Association
Wichita Junior Golf
Wichita Area Womens Golf Association
Wichita Open
Wichita Public Golf Tournaments


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The Use of Wesleyan Libraries by Non-Wesleyan Users
Although Wesleyan University is a private institution and our first priority is to students, faculty, staff, and administration of Wesleyan, the libraries are open to all users for research purposes and for access to the U.S. federal government depository collection.
Non-Wesleyan affiliated users may use any and all publicly-accessible resources and services not currently being used or needed by Wesleyan users. Publicly-accessible resources include photocopiers, microforms and microform readers, computers and online resources that do not require logins or passwords to access. Printing is available only to the Wesleyan community; non-Wesleyan users may bring a disk or flash drive for downloading if needed.
Individual assistance to non-Wesleyan users will be provided after the Wesleyan community is served. CTW and interlibrary loan services, reserve materials, group and individual instruction, classes, and unscheduled tours are not available to non-Wesleyan users. Teachers bringing groups of students to Wesleyan for special research assignments must call and speak to someone in the library office at least a week in advance to determine whether such a group can be accommodated.
Non-Wesleyan users should keep in mind that at various times of the academic year the library's resources are in heavy demand. Non-Wesleyan users may be asked to give up resources (books, computers, study space, etc) that are needed by Wesleyan users. Visitors should plan accordingly.


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An Antivirus Software For Business must be simple to use, yet very powerful. Not absolutely all businesses have their bought it department or are able to employ IT consultants. In my own 15+ many years of working with business I've seen a whole lot of different Antivirus Software For Business come and go. I've seen many businesses make an effort to escape with free options which may be ok for home use, but aren't accredited for business and will often have slower virus description upgrade intervals or various other limitations.
What you want is a remedy that is centrally been able. A lot of the big players give a management console and that means you can login to 1 computer / server and start to see the status of all protected systems in one place. Developing a centrally managed gaming system makes it considerably faster to deploy, check out, upgrade, troubleshoot and "Take care of" all the systems on your network. This makes things easier for companies to cope with the duty of taking care of their Antivirus Software For Business, and enables face it as a business proprietor myself, time is not really a luxury most of us have.
[Do not forget to read: Recruitment as the Most Important Aspect of Human Resource Management]
Another feature of the centrally supervised solution is alerting. Whenever there are any problems or when a virus is available on your network on the computer systems that are handled by the gaming system, you'll receive an alert via email. That is fantastic because once you have acquired the Antivirus Software For Business installed after that you can get automatically notified of any problems and never have to login to the gaming console once in awhile to check on. Here's something you may well not have considered. Antivirus for your iPhone, iPad and Google android devices. While using growing adoption of cellular devices, virus manufacturers are needs to target cellular devices as well. This will be a thought whenever choosing your antivirus solution.
Okay here's the answer I would recommend:
Vipre Antivirus by ThreatTrack Security
Below are a few of the reason why this specific software is victorious my vote for top level Antivirus Software For Business
– Easy to set up
– Very small footprint, doesn't use much resources on computers
– No annoying popups like a few of the others
– Works on Laptop or computer, Macintosh personal computer, iPhone, iPad, Android
– Works from cloud servers
– Aids Hyper V Virtual servers
– Includes management console
– Good price
– Has free thirty day trial
– Most of all, it works well at obstructing threats
– Integrates with View to check out your emails


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Debt relief programs are designed specifically for people who can no longer afford their minimum monthly payments. The programs work to reduce the total amount of the debt and consolidate it into a single affordable monthly payment.
Online PR News – 18-July-2010 – – In today's modern world, debt is becoming a larger and larger program for a growing number of Americans. Many want to know how they can relieve their debts and if those debt relief programs are actually effective.
There are literally hundreds of programs available to the public that claim that they will be able to bring about debt relief. The truth of the matter is that they have varied degrees of success, and you need to know which ones to pick from among the options available to you.
One way that is suppose to help take care of a debt is something known as debt settlement. This is a strategy by which an individual who is up to their neck in debt hires a lawyer to negotiate on their behalf with their creditors. The lawyer gets in contact with these creditors and attempts to work out a way for you to be able to owe them less money or get a better interest rate. The way that they do this is to make your creditors aware that it is possible that you could declare bankruptcy. If you were to declare bankruptcy, then the creditors would not be able to get as much if any of their money. In order to avoid this, they will often make a debt settlement with you.
This strategy has worked well for many people, and it is one that anyone in serious debt should consider. However, you need to make sure that you carefully examine your situation and examine your options within the debt settlement realm before deciding that this is the route you are going to take.
Other debt relief programs certainly exist, however many of them are not nearly as effective. It turns out that many of them are nothing more than scams aimed at those who are desperately in need. The old rule of if it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is certainly stands true here as well. If any of the programs that you see seem to offer more than they possibly could, then you want to avoid them all together. If you are largely in debt, then you already have enough problems on your mind, there is no reason to add a scam to them.
Start your search for the right program for your problem today so that you can begin to regain control over your life.
About DebtSettlementLink.com:
The debt negotiation and debt settlement attorneys at www.DebtSettlementLink.com can act on their clients' behalf to stop them becoming victims of creditor harassment. By offering their debt negotiation and debt settlement services through DebtSettlementLink.com, they are looking forward to helping restore financial stability and security to American families.


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Hello Everyone!
Sometimes I think it is necessary to take a step back from all of the extra glitz and glamour of everything. Even in the christian circles, there is pressure to do things this way, read that book, or listen to this artist all because it's the current, popular thing to do…
Now, maybe you'll disagree with me, but I think that even that can get a person so full of anxiety, because if you aren't doing it, then you're on the "outside" and you feel awkward. I mean, have you ever gone to a church group and had people say " Oh, my goodness! Did you hear _____'s new song?" or "Hey, did you read (insert book title) yet?" It's pretty awkward when you say "Um, no, I haven't" and then proceed to listen to a group of people stand there talking about something you haven't a clue about. It can get a person feeling pretty awkward. (Or is that just me?!)
This morning I was reading Hosea chapter 5 about God's judgement on Israel, and verse 15 really struck me.
"Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me."
My thoughts: How often is it that we earnestly seek God solely because of the tough situation we are in? I know I am certainly guilty of doing that.
I grew up listening to a song called 'Now More than Ever' and the first verse says:
"When I started my journey in fresh childlike trust
I believed that the Lord's way was best.
I would read in His Word how He mothered the bird
And grieved when it fell from it's nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day,
What a pure sweet communion we had."
When we first become Christians, there's a hunger and thirst that comes upon us that causes us to just want more and more of Christ because we-as the Bible says-have "tasted and seen that the Lord is good" ( 1 Peter 2:3) but as time goes on, sometimes, we forget or lose focus of that.
Life tends to throw a lot of stuff our way, and sometimes we get lost in all the "stuff" whether it be throwing church events, the music and sermon (or the delivery of them) and we lose focus on THE ONE it's ALL ABOUT! Or we lose focus of why we're there in the first place.
So, from November 2nd-6th, we are going to be hosting a "5 Day Back to the Basics" Bible Study, focusing on key points of Jesus' life and why we believe and do what we do as Christians!
If you are interested in joining us (Which, by the way, will occur on your very own internet-capable device from the comfort of…well…wherever!!) all you have to do is click HERE!
I look forward too seeing all of you there and diving back into the basics of why and who we are as Christians!