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Being a bit of a geek and liking toys, I like to look at new technology and new things to try to understand what hole in our lives they're trying to fill.
And that is a far better opening sentence than I was intending when it comes to the news that an Indian condom company called Manforce is introducing a spicy new Achaari flavour to its lineup. Achaari, for those who don't know, is a type of lime pickle accompaniment to main meals.
So, why?
Well, savoury are flavours are generally missing from most company's rosters so this could certainly spice up a bland sex life.
Unlike sweet, fruity flavours though, a curry isn't synonymous with sex in any way you care to think about it. Considering my ability to sweat at anything hotter than a korma, combined with the bloating caused by rice and half a family sized naan bread, it's safe to say that I can't think of many instances where I feel more unsexy than after a curry.
Nor have I ever been in the middle of the act and thought, "I know what I fancy – a chicken dhansak and a chapati." It's hardly cream and strawberries.
"Ooh, and a salted lassi."
The main thought though is that the tingling sensation caused by spicy food either while eating or the day after isn't a particularly pleasurable one for me. Why would anyone want that feeling (and presumably smell) on the most sensitive parts of their body?
Or maybe it's just me.


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Monday, January 17
Wednesday, January 11
Because of the weather, we will not have time to have everyone participate in the debates as planned before the end of the semester. Therefore, we will use the following plan instead:
1) Everyone will turn in a written case affirming or negating your resolution. While you will work with your partner, you will be graded on your case and your case alone. The grade will count as half of a test grade, since we are taking out the improvisation and quick critical thinking that would be required in participating in a real debate.
2) Any group, or pair, who participates and films their debate will receive 10 points extra credit. You must send a working link to a youtube video, with adequate audio, to me by Tuesday morning to receive the extra credit.
3) Tomorrow, block 1 will participate in a seminar on monopolies and a topic of their choice to make up for the seminar missed on this past Friday. Both classes will have a seminar on a topic of my choice and a topic of your choice on Tuesday of next week as a final opportunity to make up any missing seminar grades.
4) Tomorrow, you will be given time to work on finishing your cases, and filming if you so choose.
5) Friday, I will not be there. Block 1 will take the vocabulary quiz that you missed last week. Everyone will work on a NC Final Review packet that we will review on Tuesday after MLK day.
I hope you have enjoyed your days off. I will see you all tomorrow!
January 09th, 2017
Because of the inclement weather, we have lost our last work day for the debates. We will still have our first two debates tomororw, but I will give you the first half an hour in class to make sure you have all of your materials together.
First block: because of the power outage on Friday, you were unable to take your final vocabulary quiz. Plan on taking that quiz on Friday. If you are not here on Friday, or you know that you will not be here on Friday, make sure that you figure out a time to make it up with me. Otheriwse, it will go down as a zero.
We will have a make up seminar on Thursday, if we have all of our debates completed by then, and a second one on Tuesday, the review day. These will be your final opportunities to get your semianr grades in for the semester.
Please let me know if you have any quesitons.
Wednesday, January 4
Today's agenda:
1) Silent reading
2) Discuss values for resolutions
3) Discuss empathy debate
4) Work on your own resolutions and debates
1) Work on your affirmative and negative case.
2) Prepare for your final vocabulary quiz on Friday
3) complete your blog post for Friday morning, and our final seminar on Friday.
ARTICLE: www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/11/14/should-the-government-bring-back-trust-busting
You can also find the article and its questions on the resources page.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Today's agenda:
1) Opening Poem
2) Announcements
3) Introduce LD debate terms and structure
4) Introduce Claim, Warrent, Impact structure
5) Discuss values
6) Practice finding warrants/contentions
1) Be ready to discuss the resolution from today: A just government ought to prioritize civil liberties over national security.
2) Prepare for your final vocabulary quiz on Friday
3) complete your blog post for Friday morning, and our final seminar on Friday.
ARTICLE: www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/11/14/should-the-government-bring-back-trust-busting
You can also find the article and its questions on the resources page.
Tuesday, December 20
Today's agenda:
1) Mead Hall day!
1) Relax!
2) Review your vocabulary words. We will have a vocabulary quiz after break.
Monday, December 15
Today's agenda:
1) Beowulf test!
1) Prepare for our Meadhall day tomorrow!
Thursday, December 15
Today's agenda:
1) Silent reading: read the article we will use as the basis of our seminar.
2) Seminar
Block 1: Gay men giving blood
Block 3: Marijuana in the workplace www.denverpost.com/2016/12/04/can-my-employer-fire-me-for-legally-using-marijuana/
3) Dsicuss Dragon pages
4) work on your project
Coming up:
1) Tomorrow, you will have time to work on your project and complete a study guide for the test on Monday
2) Monday, Beowulft test
3) Tuesday, Mead Hall Day:
4) Wednesday: your revised papers are due if you have completed the two other steps.
Wednesday, December 14
Today's agenda:
1) Silent reading
2) Discuss questions for section 87-123
3) Work time to complete: the blog post and vote (down below), read the dragon pages and answer the questions, and work on your projects.
Block 1 and 3: go to pollev.com/meghansander111 OR Text MEGHANSANDER111 to 37607 and then text the letter of the answer you want. The answers will be listed on the site.
A: Self driving cars sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/how-ubers-autonomous-cars-will-destroy-10-million-jobs-and-reshape-the-economy-by-2025-lyft-google-zack-kanter/
B: Quantum cognition:https://www.google.com/amp/www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/405787/
C: Abortion and the heartbeat bill www.cnn.com/2016/12/07/politics/ohio-abortion-bill/index.html
D: Gay men giving blood: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/28/health/fda-gay-blood-ban-policy/
Tuesday, December 13
Today's agenda:
1) Silent reading
2) Kenning lesson (see resources page)
3) Finish your questions for pages 87-123 and work on your projects for the Mead Hall Day.
* I will collect these questions first thing in class tomorrow.
Coming up:
1) Your 2nd student choice blog is due on Wednesday night. (I will check in Thursday morning)
2) Your questions for 87-123 are due tomorrow at the BEGINNING of class as we will be going over them.
3) Your questions for the end of the book, which you will receive tomorrow, will be due on Thursday before the seminar.
4) We will have the student choice seminar on Thursday.
5) Friday is a sub day, and you will get the period to work on your projects and prepare for the test.
6) Monday--Beowulf test
7) Tuesday--Mead Hall Day, projects are due

subset: commoncrawl


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After fleeing the scene, Juelz Santana has been arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm.
After it was reported that Juelz Santana would be turning himself in after he bolted when he was caught with an unconcealed firearm at the Newark airport, it appears he has stuck to his word as he was arrested for the charges today. After realizing that the feds would find him in the end, Juelz came to the conclusion that it would probably be better to surrender to the authorities. The New York rapper was arrested at 1 in the morning by police at the Newark airport for unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to TMZ.
New Jersey law states that any airplane passengers carrying a firearm must unload and unpack the weapon inside of a hard-sided case that has been designed specifically for the gun. As he was scheduled to fly out of the state and he did not abide by this instruction, the rapper ran out of the airport once he realized that TSA had found the weapon. Having fled the scene and reportedly leaving behind his luggage, passport and the bag that held the gun, Santana returned to the airport today to face the consequences.
Juelz Santana and Lil Wayne have teased that they may be finally completing their collaborative effort I Can't Feel My Face but this may push things back even further as he may be subjected to time behind bars.


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Schenck Foods Bloomtown Derby: A Wine and Food Experience
New Location for 2018: As with all events that were held last year at the Festival Event Tent at the Winchester Medical Center, the Schenck Foods Bloomtown Derby is moving to the Tolley Event Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center at Shenandoah University. The Festival is finding much positive curiosity regarding the new location.
New Lead Chef for 2018: After last year's overwhelming success, Schenck Foods Bloomtown Derby: A Wine and Food Experience, is back with a significant change. Wines and tapas style foods will once more be carefully paired by Certified Sommelier and Wine Consultant, Debbie Hotinger; but, her creative partner this year will be local Chef and Restauranteur, Barbara Hineline. This is not a typical "cheese and cracker" wine pairing. The wines are artisan wines from small family vineyards from around the world. The tapas will be prepared using locally sourced products for a Virginia touch. The event's signature cocktail, "The Pink Derby," is back by popular demand! This upscale event is designed to be entertaining, while also educating attendees about great wines and food. Bon appetit!
New Musical Entertainment for 2018: In addition to the wine and food pairing, you are encouraged to participate in "The Bloomtown Derby Hat Contest!" Bring out your best pink and green and get creative! We will have themed categories for: Best Apple Blossom Hat; Best Kentucky Derby Hat; and, Best Overall Hat! There will be door prizes; and, new for 2018, the musical entertainment will be Raised on Analog! Tickets for this event are $35.00. Tickets are available at the Festival Office (540-662-3863); online; and, soon, at the Festival Souvenir Store at 2218 Wilson Boulevard. Seating is limited. Don't get left out of this exciting new event. See you at "the Derby!"
Apple Blossom Old Town Midway
Changes in the Kid's Fun Zone and the Midway Stage: Filling that overwhelmingly nostalgic need for candy apples, funnel cakes and corn dogs; noise, colors and lights; barkers, carnies and gypsies; games, games and more games; the Apple Blossom Old Town Midway will once more cover multiple blocks of Old Town Winchester along Piccadilly Street, North Loudoun Street, and Fairfax Lane. This year, the centrally-located, OneMain Financial Midway Stage, will be moved from a somewhat hidden location to a much more obvious location, literally set up in Loudoun Street, between the Loudoun Street Autopark and the old Sarah Zane Fire Hall. The stage will face the Old Town Walking Mall; and, will be much more accessible and welcoming from Piccadilly Street. The OneMain Financial Free Photo Booth, the Kid's Fun Zone, and top-rate concessionaires will spread out across this area between the banks and Fairfax Lane.
The Winchester Imaging Band Performance Schedule At the OneMain Financial Midway Stage
Friday, May 4th, 11am to 1pm – Doug Parks Duo
Friday, May 4th, 2pm to 4pm – Boo Snider
Friday, May 4th, 5pm to 7pm – SV Jazz Band
Friday, May 4th, 8pm to 10pm – Ronnie Johnson
Saturday, May 5th, 11am to 1pm – Dill Pickers
Saturday, May 5th, 2pm to 4pm – Night Watch
Saturday, May 5th, 5pm to 7pm – Shag
Saturday, May 5th, 8pm to 10pm – Push to Start
All shows are completely free and completely accessible to the public!! Just walk up and enjoy!!


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A few years ago, immigration was barely a blip on people's political radar. Today, immigration has been catapulted to one of the most divisive issues in America and across the western world. Depending on what side of the argument you take, you're either a righteous, compassionate saint or you're a fascist, xenophobic bigot. Even the Church has been forced to take sides in this debate leading to heated dialogue. What should a Christian think about the issue of immigration?
An examination of the biblical notion of the Kingdom of God can be quite helpful to this discussion. Indeed, the concept of immigration has been used to allegorize entrance into the Kingdom of God by John Bunyan in his classic book Pilgrim's Progress. The main character, Christian, is seeking to leave his native city and immigrate to the Celestial City. Christian is even saddled by a threat to his life: his sin pulling him down to Hell. In order to get into the Celestial City, Christian must obtain certain artifacts (i.e. a passport, visa, or green card), things that the character Ignorance lacks denying Ignorance entrance. Christian is even separated from his family as they refuse to accompany him (though they later make the journey).
It is easy to see the principles of modern immigration woven into Bunyan's story. These images of immigration, however, are not Bunyan's invention but are taken directly from biblical theology. God is a sovereign over a kingdom of people; therefore, He must deal with those who are not part of the Kingdom as well as those who wish to be a part of the Kingdom. How does God deal with those who are not part of the Kingdom?
1. Immigration Into the Kingdom is allowed
First, immigration into the Kingdom is allowed. The Bible clearly states that Christ died for the "world." John 3:16 eloquently states that God loved the world and sent Christ to die for it. John 1:29 and 1 John 2:2 say that Christ takes away the sin of the world. 2 Cor 5:14-15 says that Christ "died for all," 1 Tim 4:10 says that Christ is the Savior of "all men," and Heb 2:9 says that Christ has tasted death for all people. While there is much theological disagreement over exactly what these passages mean, what is not in dispute is that anyone can immigrate into God's Kingdom.[1] The pathway is made available to all people, but "few there are who find it" (Matt 7:13-14).
2. There are Rules for Entering the Kingdom
While anyone can enter the Kingdom of God, Scripture also makes it clear that not everyone will enter the Kingdom. There are rules about how a person may enter the Kingdom. Paul succinctly states the rules for immigration (i.e. the Gospel) in 1 Cor 15:3-4: that Christ died for humanity's sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was physically resurrected on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Others might know of this teaching as the "Romans Road" to salvation: that all people are sinners and condemned to the judgment of death, that the gift of eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ who died for our sins, and that one must confess Jesus' death, resurrection, and lordship.[2] One must believe these things in order to be saved and enter God's Kingdom. That is what divine law requires.
Further, the Kingdom does not have open borders. As the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) indicates, there is a barrier between those in the Kingdom and those outside of it that permanently separates those who are within the Kingdom and those without. No one may enter the Kingdom unless the requirements are met. Lastly, God does not respect a person's "status" when it comes to entering the Kingdom (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11). Who you are, where you came from, or what you might be experiencing in life does not grant you a place in the Kingdom. Though God is loving and caring, the rules must be followed if one wishes to enter the kingdom.
3. Denial of Entry to and Expulsion from the Kingdom is Allowed
Those who do not follow the rules regarding entrance into the Kingdom are either denied entrance or are expelled. This truth is seen in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13) and the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matt 22:1-14). The five foolish virgins did not do what was necessary to enter the wedding, and they were denied entrance. In the Wedding Banquet parable, one man tried to slip into the wedding without "wedding clothes," and he was expelled. These parables make it clear that a person who does not follow the rules for entering the Kingdom will either be denied entrance or will be cast out if trying to slip in surreptitiously.
4. Families are Separated by the Kingdom
These rules for immigrating into God's Kingdom also separate families. As Christ states, he has come to divide family members regarding entrance to the Kingdom (Matt 10:34-36, Luke 12:49-53). Even Paul's teaching about unbelieving spouses demonstrates how the Kingdom often separates families (1 Cor 7:15). While such a state of affairs is unfortunate, it is not unjust. God's moral purity places requirements upon both us and himself. The rules must be enforced, and God will enforce them.
Certainly, I have not covered all that the Bible has to say about the issue of immigration, but these theological truths should give one pause when thinking about Christianity and the issue of immigration. Like Bunyan's character, Christian, who was seeking the Celestial City, there is only one legal way to immigrate to the United States, and it is not unjust or unethical to require people to adhere to just laws or face the consequences−−as unfortunate as those consequences might be. These are things to consider as the Church navigates the thorny issue of immigration.
[1] This claim could mean that anyone can freely choose God's offer to enter the Kingdom or that anyone can be elected by God to enter the Kingdom depending on one's theological stance.
[2] Rom 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:12, and 10:17.


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In November 2014, we were notified that ICOA has received a new "Transforming state LTSS Access Programs and Functions into a No Wrong Door System for All Populations and All Payers Grant". The grant requires them to address the following two items:
In June 2014, Blue Cross of Idaho contracted us to provide education and outreach training for those individuals who are dual eligible - having both Medicare and Medicaid - to sight up for the Blue Cross True Blue program which provides case management services for these individuals as well as providing additions benefits.
Educating consumers to prevent health care fraud is the essence of the mission and message of the SMP program. SMP projects recruit and train volunteers to educate their peers about how to protect their suspicious activity to SMP when detected, to ensure appropriate resolution or referral. The SMP Program empowers seniors through increased awareness and understanding of health care programs, to protect them from the economic and health-related consequences associated with Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error, and abuse.
IN May 20147, we signed an agreement to participate in the SMP program. With this capacity grant the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) seek to expand the capacity of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program to reach more Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries their families and caregivers in each state. CMS and AoA plan to achieve this by: expanding and enhancing the volunteer work force; expanding SMP outreach and education to beneficiaries; expanding the grantee's ability to manage beneficiary inquires and complaints in a timely, professional manner; and improving and enhancing state-level SMP program and volunteer.
In order to provide sustainability funding for ADRC programs. In January 2014, an addendum to the Area IV Performance Based Agreement for the SFY 2014 with ICOA was signed to participate in the MIPPA program. Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), states, territories, and the District of Columbia received funding to help Medicare beneficiaries apply for the Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP's). Funding is also used to provide Part D counseling to Medicare beneficiaries who live in rural areas, and to promote the new Medicare prevention and wellness benefits.
On January 2, 2013, Area IV AAA was officaially designated as the Aging and Disability Resources Center for the eight counties of the South Central Idaho region through a memorandum of understanding with the Idaho commission on Aging.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). ADRC's serve as single points of entry into the long-term supports and services system for older adults and people with disabilities. Sometimes referred to as a "one-stop shop" or "no wrong door" systems. ADRC's address many of the frustrations consumers and their families experience when trying to find needed information, services, and supports. Through integration or coordination of existing aging and disability service systems. ADRC programs raise visibility about the full range of options that are available, provide objective information, advice, counseling and assistance, empower people to make informed decisions about their long term supports, and help people more easily access public and private long term supports and services program.The ADRC is not just about senior services or Older American Act services, but includes information and assistance about long term cares issues for anyone. The goal is for people to get all the information about long term care they may need with one telephone call.
In March 2015, three AAA IV staff members attended training for transition managers for the Idaho Home Choice program, and are now certified to provide services. In July 2015, we were approved as a Medicaid provider for Idaho Home Choice service and added to the Idaho Home Choice providers list on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website.


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"If you're searching for the right words, Lee Carter ought to be your first stop. There's no one who better understands messaging persuasion or what people really want."
—Tucker Carlson
"Everyday life is filled with situations that require the art of persuasion. From negotiating a raise to selling a product. From winning a political debate to getting your kids to do their homework. In every situation, you can choose how to approach the other person and what language to use. Lee Carter gives you a road map to making choices that will help you get what you want. Through real-world examples and extensive research, she has created simple tools that you can put to use to win hearts and minds.
Effective communication starts with the ability to empathize deeply with your audience. In Persuasion, Lee explains what empathy is, why it matters, and how to use it to craft persuasive messages. Filled with examples and case studies, this book takes complex concepts and makes them easy to understand, and and readily applicable to everyday life."
—Michael Maslansky, CEO maslansky + partners, author of Language of Trust
I can't think of a time when understanding the art and science of persuasion was more important than right now. This book is academic in its comprehensive approach. It's practical in how the reader can and should benefit from every lesson. It's so loaded with essential insight that I put my highlighter down after the first chapter – there was yellow on every page. As an occasional competitor, I shouldn't admit this but the "Persuasion Plan Workbook" is so essential to effective communication that I plan to steal it and use it for my clients immediately.
—Dr. Frank I. Luntz, author of Words That Work
"As this engaging book makes clear, what we have in common is often much more powerful than the differences that divide us. Building empathy and trust, rather than trying to be 'right,' offers a path toward positive change—on an individual level and for our culture at large."
—Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD
Host of The Psychology Podcast and author of Transcend
"Don't let the title fool you – this book is as much about listening as it is talking. Lee Carter explains how if you want someone to listen to you, you have to start by listening to them. If you are want to know how to shift someone's mindset, this practical book will help you see that the key ingredient is actually empathy."
—J. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and author of Changeable
"As Lee Carter rightly points out, nobody today can afford to be a persuasion amateur. The very connections that sustain us and the aspirations that elevate us are at stake. Fortunately, she has created this smart playbook for a more effective, and far more human, approach to communication."
—Matthew DiGirolamo, Chief Communications Officer, L'Oréal USA
"In the world of politics, Lee sees the entire playing field. This book will teach you to tell your story for maximum impact."
—Mitchell M. Roschelle, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers
"In this compelling book, Lee gives us a roadmap for how to climb out of the empathy chasm. For people who long to find the place of commonality where meaningful change can happen, this is the book."
—Sharon Callahan, CEO TBWA Worldhealth
"In Persuasion, Lee Carter puts a science behind the art of persuasion. She gives clear instruction on how to affect change through communication. Everyone from CEO's to school teachers, parents to pastors, will find this book deeply helpful. Many of the largest corporations in the world hire Lee Carter to help them communicate effectively. In Persuasion, she shares her best advice with us. If you want to communicate in a way that leads to change, read this book and apply it."
—J. Josh Smith
Pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church and author of Preaching for a Verdict


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NCHS Math Department: Ms. Jennifer Lee
Dear Parents/Guardian,
Welcome to my site! You can find links to course pages in the left margin of this page. Links to daily classwork and homework assignments will posted on the home pages for Algebra 2 and Geometry. Assignments are listed by the date on which they are assigned, and due dates are given. All course materials can be found in Schoology. If a student misplaces a handout, he or she is expected to find and retrieve a replacement.
Have a great year!
Jennifer Lee, NCHS Math
Room: 205Email: email@example.com Taught:
- M2 Geometry
- Period 2
- Period 4
- M3 Algebra 2
- Period 3
- Period 7
- Multivariable Calculus
- Period 6
Office Hours:
- Periods 1, 5, or 8, or before/after school in room 205. During the first semester, I will be at the Math Help Desk during period 8.
- Appointments recommended.
- M2 Geometry


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For the past half century, democracy has been the political ideology. The cold war saw a concerted effort to promote democracy, led by the USA. Since then, more and more countries have moved towards some form of democracy as the specter of communism was beat back. The idea of everyone's opinion being considered in an equal and fair manner, without prejudice, captured the imagination of millions around the world. The recent spate of political upheaval in Arab stats, dubbed the Arab Spring, was heralded as the dawning of true democracy in the Middle East. But reality presents a far more murky picture, one where democracy's success and future are both called into question. Here's an examination of where democracy stands across the world.
Previously: The West (USA)
In Europe, arguably the source of democracy (Athens), democracy isn't faring much better. The UK has a coalition government, which is arguably a good thing, but it points to a failure of the original system dominated by Labour and the Conservatives.
In Greece, a referendum on the bailout plan was called off and an unelected, technocratic government formed to lead Greece towards calmer waters. Now, not one, but two de-facto referendum on the bailout and elections have been held, with the lack of national consensus on many of the core issues facing Greece scaring markets. Elections, the supposed bedrock of modern democracy, only seemed to further complicate political uncertainty and help send the financial markets tumbling.
Italy is now led by 'Super Mario' who heads an unelected, technocratic government that for all our love of democracy, lacks any sort of electoral mandate. It should probably be noted that Berlusconi was duly elected.
Even the European Union has been chastised for the failure of its consensus and democratic decision making. Pundits have long called for much stronger action and for ways to bypass democratic deadlock. Germany's dominance of the debate surrounding the Eurozone's debt crisis points in much the same direction.
More than anything in recent times, the debt crisis in Europe seems to be pushing Europe away from democracy and consensus decision making as was championed in the past. Rather, Europe increasingly seems to be embracing the idea that a few people and institutions hold a disproportionate share of the power for decision making.
Next time: Asia


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614 8th Ave SW Decatur AL United States 35601
Hot Stuff Magazine debuted as a print publication in March 1995, and now has become the longest-running entertainment mag around. We are now in our 15th year!
Inside each issue you'll find exclusive interviews with major music artists, the largest concert & club calendar to be found, and the always popular beautiful women in our Hot Stuff Model Search Contest.
Pick up your free issue each month at over 280 locations from North Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee.


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Individualized Learning for Every Student, Every Day
Middle school is a time of self-discovery for children. They are just coming into their own, narrowing down their likes and dislikes, discovering who they are, what they want to be, and the whys of this world. New Vision Charter School in Loveland fosters the formation of life-long connections, both between students and in the minds. We follow the Core Knowledge curriculum, as well as Common Core Standards. Visit us today to learn more!
Our Difference
We are a Loveland charter school founded by parents in order to create the best learning environment for our children. As a school of choice, all of the students want to be here, and you can see the difference immediately as you enter our school. Our students strive for excellence in all that they do, and we meet them right where they are at.
Our Why
Our students are the future. Our mission is to ensure they have any future they desire. With exceptional teachers, a superb curriculum, and caring and involved parents, our students excel in all that they do. Creating new visions is what we are all about.
At New Vision Charter School our priority is growing every student, every day. We accomplish this through the use of our Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) classes. ELO classes are a block of time that happen on a daily basis for our middle school students. During this times students individual needs are met through differentiation.
New Vision Charter School uses iReady Assessment for our local assessment to determine students needs at the beginning of each year. This assessment is given in early September of each year and provides teachers and support staff with real time data on student needs in the areas of mathematics and literacy. Once the assessment has been completed teachers and our Multi Tiered Systems of Support Team reviews the data and groups students into classes where they will receive differentiation to best support their individual learning needs.
Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction. NVCS differentiates during ELO times by offering extensions to students who have exceeded grade level expectations (provided through our Gifted and Talented teacher), remediation for students who have gaps in their learning (provided through literacy specialists, math specialists, and blended learning), and also provide cross curricular activities for students who are on grade level.
What is blended learning and how does it tie into ELO?
Blended learning is an innovative approach to teaching that incorporates designing and customizing digital technology with personalized learning to accelerate achievement for all students. In our ELO classes teacher break their students into two groups, one group received direct instruction from the teacher and the other group works on individualized digital learning that is customized for their specific needs. Blended learning is used in ELO classes by teachers to provide small groups where teachers can provide more direct, one on one support. Teacher split their classes into two, sometimes three, groups and provide individualized instruction to students based on their needs. Once the direct instruction with the first group has been completed the teacher switches groups and provides direct instruction to the second group. While students are not getting direct instruction from the teacher they are working on digital tools (ZEARN, MobyMax, Prodigy, ReadWorks, etc.) to build skills in the areas where they need the most support.
Blended learning maximizes student support in getting students small group instruction where they have more one on one time with teachers, but also specific support in the areas where they need the most instruction to get them to grade level.
Spanish 1A- 7th grade Spanish
This year-long course focuses on building skills for reading, writing, understanding spoken Spanish, as well as speaking and cultural topics. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are presented through a thematic approach in the Realidades text book, and will prepare students for 8th grade Spanish here at NVCS. This course aims to foster cultural awareness and sensitivity. No prerequisite.
Spanish 1B- 8th grade Spanish
This year-long course is a continuation of Spanish 1A from 7th grade, and will focus on building skills for reading, writing, understanding spoken Spanish, as well as speaking and cultural topics. This course aims to foster cultural awareness and sensitivity. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are presented through a thematic approach in the Realidades textbook and will prepare students for Spanish II in high school should they choose to continue their language study in Spanish.
Sixth Grade Choir
This year-long music class introduces students to traditional choral music. Students will learn healthy vocal skills while singing music in unison and two or more parts, using solfeggio and building their musical literacy by studying a variety of scores and styles. Concerts will be held in the winter and spring.
Sixth Grade Band
This year-long music class introduces students to traditional band music and playing a new instrument! Students will learn techniques and care of their choice of flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, or percussion (snare drum, bass drum, and bells to begin). Concerts are performed in the winter and spring.
7th Grade Art
Beginning with the developers of abstraction, this course takes students through the art movements that transformed the way society thinks about and creates art. With a historical framework, students will create projects that help them understand how and why abstract artists developed their philosophies and techniques. Students will work with a variety of art media in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Art criticism and aesthetics will also be explored, to help students develop an understanding of how to talk about art in a more meaningful way.
8th Grade Art
This course focuses on the further development of skills, techniques, and voice in the visual arts. Students will fine-tune their understanding of art through a more independently driven curriculum that will involve experimenting with a variety of art media in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Students will build upon their understanding of the artistic movements that lead to where art is today, and advance their understanding of art criticism and aesthetics.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir
These year-long music classes are extensions of the vocal techniques, musical skills, and choral music that students began learning in sixth grade, though no prior background is required to join. Students study a variety of unison and two-, three-, or four-part song genres as they continue to strengthen their vocal tone and musical literacy. Concerts are performed in the winter and spring.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Band
These year-long classes are extensions of the instrumental techniques, music literacy skills, and traditional band repertoire that students began learning in sixth grade. It is expected that students enrolling in these classes have at least one year of prior experience playing woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Concerts are performed in the winter and spring.
Physical Educatio
This year-long required class for both 7th and 8th grade. This course provides students with a continuing opportunity to learn. both individual and team, sports at a developmentally appropriate level. Students will increase their strength, endurance, agility, and balance, as well as focus on positive healthy behaviors, meeting state standards with each unit.
Visit our Enrollment page to see when the next Student Enrollment Parent Information Meeting is.
Attend the meeting, and place your child's name on the waitlist.
A lottery will be announced.
If your child makes the lottery (which is random), you can then apply to New Vision Charter School.


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February 4, 2004
In what is now a 23-year old tradition, Jewish children from all over Brazil, closed a fun-filled, lively and spiritually enriching summer at Camp Gan Israel in the resort town of Nazra Paulista.
The camp, under the direction of Rabbi Dovid Whiteman, director of Chabad of Morumbi, has earned a reputation for its outstanding program that delivers the best of outdoor sports and recreational activities in an enivronment that fosters Jewish pride and Torah values.
Brazil's Camp Gan Israel is one in Chabad's network of Gan Israel camps--the largest Jewish camping network in the world.
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Pictured above are my new Moo Business Cards created from select photos from my Flickr collection. They are printed on recycled card stock making a sturdy and unique business card. The colors of the printed images remain true to the original photos and the images are nicely scaled to the size of the card.
Using the Moo software, you can import photos from Flickr, Facebook or Etsy to create your masterpiece. Don't have good photos? No problem, the Moo people provide designs you can use to create your cards. Within the space of a few minutes, you can design personalized business cards that reflect your personal style or business venture.
These cards are a great way to make a unique and personalized first impression. This is a must have for citizen journalists or bloggers extraordinaire.
Get your Moo Cards HERE
I've no conflict of interest to disclose. I've not received financial or material compensation from the creators of the Moo Business Cards in exchange for this review


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Summer is the time to get together with friends and family and fire up the barbecue at the beach or in the backyard. Beer in hand, you put that patty on the fire and hear the satisfying sizzle. Of course, the downside of a great cookout is the shopping, prep, and cleanup.
If you love burgers, why not forgo the grill and let Miami's best chefs do the work for you at New Times' Burgerfest?
September 14, Haulover Park will host the Magic City's favorite summer food festival, where South Florida's finest restaurants will offer burgers and more.
Come out and indulge in burgers, fritas, and treats from your favorite eateries. Enjoy a cash bar, along with music and fun.
Participating restaurants (general admission) include:
- 109 Burger Joint
- Boss Burger & Brew
- Black Belt Brunch
- Cao Bakery & Cafe
- Clutch Burger
- Donna Mare Trattoria
- Hard Rock Cafe Miami
- I Heart Mac & Cheese
- JR's Gourmet Burgers
- Miami N' Ice
- Mora Pizza
- Odalys Delight Cafe
- Pincho Factory
- Planet 57
- Q Burger & Blues Bar
- San Bernardo Ice Cream
- Silverspot Cinema
- That's Mine Burgers
- Top Golf Miami Gardens
- Tucker Duke's Lunchbox
- Yarumba
- Wild Fork Foods
Think you're the ultimate burger-eating champ? Put your money where your mouth is and enter the Wild Fork Foods Burger Throwdown. The competition will challenge 20 contestants to consume the most burgers in ten minutes. The winner will receive a $500 prize for their massive accomplishment. To sign up, email email@example.com.
We Believe Local Journalism is Critical to the Life of a City
Engaging with our readers is essential to Miami New Times's mission. Make a financial contribution or sign up for a newsletter, and help us keep telling Miami's stories with no paywalls.
Support Our Journalism
Now through this Sunday, September 8, at 10 p.m., take advantage of a special BOGO flash sale where you'll get two general-admission tickets for $30. That's buy one, get one free!
But hurry — once the clock strikes 10:01 p.m. this Sunday, ticket prices will increase to $30 for GA and $65 for VIP through September 13. At the gate, tickets will cost $40 for GA and $75 for VIP — if they're still available. VIPs will have access to a special area with unlimited drink samples in addition to all the food and fun in the GA area.
To purchase tickets to this 21-and-over event, visit newtimesburgerfest.com.
New Times' Burgerfest. 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, September 14, at Haulover Beach Park, 10800 Collins Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $25 to $65 via newtimesburgerfest.com and $40 to $75 at the gate if available.


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It's commercial van season at Ray Varner Ford. And we have plenty to talk about, because Ford offers the best-selling commercial vans in America.
Here's why: the Ford Transit Van is one of the versatile and customizable vehicles you can have in your fleet. The Transit Van is designed to maximize cargo space for carrying large volumes and heavy payloads. The Transit Wagon, with seating from eight to fifteen, accommodates a broad range of personal- and commercial-use applications. Whether you're an independent owner-operator or the manager of a corporate fleet, it's all about working productively and raising the bottom line.
The all-new Ford Transit is a major transformation of the full-size van you've been accustomed to driving. Configure a Transit cargo van or passenger wagon with the combination of box length and height for the cargo volume/payload or passenger capacity you need. The Ford Transit is designed for capability and flexibility--and engineered to Built Ford Tough® standards for durability.
You can choose three different box lengths and three different heights. There's plenty of power available with your choice of a 3.7 liter Ti-VCT V-6, a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V-6, or a 3.2 liter I-5 PowerStroke diesel. Our commercial vans are workhorses that will get your cargo delivered on time, every time.
And right now at Ray Varner Ford, we're offering special incentives for all commercial vans. We have several models in inventory, and any configuration you need available for order.
Take a look at these: New 2015 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van, just $21,990 after the Ford Factory Rebate! Stock number T4106.
Or a new 2015 Ford Transit Commercial Van! Cruise! Flex Fuel. $28,400 after the Ford Factory Rebate! Stock number T4055.
As always, Ray Varner Ford is Ford Truck Country. We have amazing deals on a few remaining 2014 models, including a new 2014 F150 Supercab. STX , just $27,490 after the Ford Factory Rebate, Ford Credit Financing and Ford Retail Trade Assist. Stock number DT7110.
Check out our full inventory here.


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I finally got around to updating the site with my latest list of charts. There were about 30 or 40 additions, including 20+ additions to the available list for men and women.
I'm also in the process of clearing several charts for purchase directly from the website! Once complete, this will allow you to purchase the charts for significantly less than the per-copy cost associated with a new clearance (particularly for quartets). I should have the first batch of charts updated and available for purchase directly by the end of April.
Thanks for visiting!


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Hi, I'm Tamryn, an award winning Creative Director with over 13 years experience at fantastic agencies including, BBH London, Joint London, Publicis London, Colenso BBDO and TBWA Auckland. Recently, I've been hogging the coffee machine at VMLY&R London. I'm a truly integrated creative. Over the years I've turned a conveyor belt into a lava flow, launched a telco, made graffiti 3D, taken Britain to America and opened a conversation about the gender pay gap in advertising. I was part of the lead creative team on the British Airways account at BBH, delivering global campaigns for Britain's leading airline. I crafted campaigns for every facet of their business from glamorous holidays to industrial cargo. Being collaborative comes naturally to me and I love working with everyone, from other creatives to CDs, designers, developers and strategists. I'm a passionate advocate for women in creative industries. Outside of work I'm a social media manager and volunteer for Creative Equals, an organisation that champions diversity in creative advertising. I'm also on the She Says committee organising events, mentorship and training for female creatives. I really enjoy working with and mentoring up-and-coming creative talent and this year I'm a 'For Creative Girls' mentor. In my spare time I'm an illustrator and last year I launched The Trumphabet, a personal illustration project inspired by the turbulent reign of Trump.Locked Pro Plan feature
At Joint I've worked on Amazon, VUE Cinemas, Tommy's Charity and shot some fun films for Thatchers Cider.
I was part of the lead creative team on British Airways and worked on every facet of their business. I helped to create sub-brands for London City Airport, Gatwick Airport and IAG Cargo. I also made brand campaigns for Old El Paso, Tesco and Next and worked on Barclays, Absolut, Axe, Experian and Surf.
Publicis was a great way for me to break into the London advertising scene. I worked on global, European and London based clients in a variety of sectors. The clients I've worked on include Tourism Ireland, Renault UK, Jacobs (Mini Cheddars and Twiglets), Beefeater Gin, Malibu, Nescafe, Maggi, SCA (Libero Nappies global and Tempo Tissues for Europe) and Garnier.
At Colenso I worked on, TVNZ, Vodafone, Tower insurance, Air New Zealand, Visa Entertainment, Farmers, Sanitarium, Frucor (Appletiser, Dilmah Iced Tea, V Energy Drink), Tip Top, Westpac, SCA Hygiene (Purex), GrabOne. While I was at Colenso I made the Mountain Dew - Beyond the Wall campaign which was featured in WARCs top 100 smartest campaigns of 2014.
The accounts I worked on included ASB Bank, Visa, 2Degrees Mobile, Nissan, Playstation, The Radio Network, Mercury Energy, Westfield, Beam Global, Oxfam, Starship Foundation, Sovereign Insurance and SKYCITY.
British Airways Bringing Britain Closer
British Airways Bringing Britain Closer
British Airways Map Pins
British Airways - Live from Space
Mountain Dew - Beyond the Wall
Mountain Dew - Beyond the Wall
Mountain Dew - Beyond the Wall
Shortland Street Summer Fling
Shortland Street Summer Fling
Go Back to Pompeii
Stay 2 Degrees
Upgrade Your Year
Go Back to Pompeii
Hands - Purell


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Week 4 has just ended, and it's 2 more weeks to recess week, 3 more to midterms. That's really very, very fast.
Where did all the time go?
Newton's first law explains this very well. I read an article recently about how the laws of physics can be related to productivity, and this is exactly what is happening. The ball is starting to roll, and I believe it's only going to roll faster as time goes on.
I think it's good to do a module by module reflection on what I've learnt, and let's try to connect the dots.
CS1101S: Programming Methodology (5 MCs)
People who take this module are often viewed as 'crazy'. It's probably one of the first few 'difficult choices' that a student can choose in School of Computing. I believe I've written in my previous post that I had to go through an interview to make sure that I was crazy enough to take this module. This module is a game. We submit our code through an online academy called the JFDI Academy, and there will be regular missions and sidequests. This online portal will constitute 35% of our overall results. What I feel about this system is really simple.
It encourages you to do your work.
What's more fun than applying what you learnt in lesson to a certain task you have on hand? Previous weeks we've done 2D/3D graphics, along with curves and fractals. Along with really advanced analytical things such as order of growth, data abstraction and next week, we're diving into RSA Encryption. This is one of the few modules that I'm really into, though it really frustrates me at times when I don't understand what's going on in the code. (That's what professors/tutors are there for right?)
Oh did I miss out that there is a leaderboard? My logic for getting onto the leaderboard is simple. It doesn't matter who is consistently on the leaderboard, so long as you make it onto the leaderboard in the end, you are the final winner. Such a ranking system is dynamic, and being on the leaderboard for once or twice right now doesn't signify anything. Rather, it signifies who has been consistently doing work early, and participating actively in the discussion forums. It does not reflect solely on how well your understanding of the material is. There's mid-terms and finals for that.
Value learning over results, quality of work over how early you finish your work.
That's what I have to convince myself for this particular module. Of course I have to at least score an A- for this module in order to do the next crazy module, CS2020: Data Structures and Algorithms (Accelerated) (6 MCs), next semester. But first we have to understand, then synthesise, followed by the results. 🙂
CS1231: Discrete Structures (4 MCs)
This is a module that (almost) every senior warned us about. Yes, it is difficult, it is something new, but it is definitely not something useless.
So far we've done proofs, logic and boolean algebra. Right now we're at Set Theory. This module is changing the way I think about problems, and in fact about life as a whole. We're essentially studying logic. The module is not exactly as mathematical as it seems, but then again, what is mathematics? It is a study of logic, of how we could use our brain to make sense of a certain idea.
We've learnt in lectures that a set is simply an idea. You can't see a set, you can't feel a set, but you know that it's there. If this is the case for mathematics, then mathematics itself is just an idea. We're playing with ideas that may or may not even exist!
So far, this module has been about a play on words. How to make sense of mathematical notions and symbols in English. The crux of this module is to train how we think, to sharpen our logical abilities. How the hell is this useless?
MA1521: Calculus for Computing (4 MCs)
In a way, this feels easier than H2 mathematics. Or is it because this is just the beginning? Either way, this module is currently is simply calculus, and the mathematics that we're all so used to. Differentiation and integration. Study, practice and you'll probably do well. What's new right?
LSM1301: General Biology (4 MCs)
This module is surprisingly fast. The lecturer goes through most of the slides every lesson, and always assigns us to watch the webcast afterwards. In a way I've been neglecting this module a lot. Not reading it etc. Some say this is an easy A. But I guess nothing is easy in university, and I'm not taking any chances with that.
I should probably start revising some of the stuff for this module
GEM1902M: On Blindness
This is a Tembusu Junior Seminar that I'm taking. There are lots of advices online about taking a 'fun module' every semester. This would exactly be what this module is about. Fun.
In fact, what we learn has nothing to do with blindness at all, since blindness could really mean anything. We've read Fragments by Heraclitus, and Before the Law by Franz Kafka. In fact, what we discuss about in class is so broad and deep that sometimes I have a tough time connecting the dots. Maybe just an example (my favourite) to illustrate what we discuss about:
You cannot step twice into the same rivers; for fresh waters are flowing in upon you.
As we interpreted this fragment, or as anyone else would interpret it, it really has the notion of change is constant. The river is always flowing, and the water we are standing in changes for every moment we step into the river. But then, what happens at the very instant when our feet touches the water? There is no comprehension. What happens in that moment becomes the past in the next frame, but at that very exact frame, there is no meaning. In a way, it could mean that life has no meaning if you don't compare it with memories of the past.
Deep? You bet, that's the first lesson, but the next few lessons are on more solid passages. Previous lesson was on Kafka, and the next on another passage not as abstract as the one above.
Remember I mentioned about CS1231 changing the way I think about things?
Its usefulness can be seen in this module that I'm taking. How do I know if something is true? What implies what, proof by exhaustion, contradiction etc. In some ways, philosophy and mathematics are very related. Plato was a philosopher as well as a mathematician, so were Archimedes and Socrates.
I think based on the length of each module, you could see which modules I'm really interested in, and which few I'm taking for the sake of taking. 🙂 But fret not, I have learnt that to make life easier, fall in love with the things you don't like. This way doing work wouldn't be a chore, but something enjoyable.
Oh and did I mention, I made it into my faculty's basketball team! 😀
The jerseys look really awesome, and 18 because I really didn't have any preferences. I was so glad to just make the team. The competition is tomorrow, and hope things will go well!
I think basketball has given me a boost in confidence in whatever I do. It's a sport that requires you to be self-confident. Taking wide open shots with courage and stability. Really a useful skill to have in life as well.
Side note: I think I've been studying too much recently, spent my last weekend in school finishing work that was piling up. I'm glad I did it though, my week was relatively more manageable. Basketball is somewhat a stress-reliever. Oh and not to forget, my suite mate installed a chin-up bar at the toilet door. Best. Thing. Ever. 😀
Here's to three more weeks before mid-terms, let's go! 🙂


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Sorry, you missed this event, SIGN UP to get information on our forthcoming shows
Fast paced, challenging classes for advanced students competent in contemporary or ballet. Emphasis is on building movement sequences, stretching your facility and versatility.
Renaud's class is based on release technique, particularly on the mobility of the back but also includes floor work and dynamic fast-paced travelling phrases.
Teacher's Biography:
Born in Lausanne (Switzerland) in 1979, Renaud Wiser, recipient of a Migros bursary, trained in dance in Geneva before starting an international career as a dancer.
He worked in Switzerland with the Ballet Du Grand Théâtre de Genève, in France with the Ballet National De Marseille, In Sweden with the Gothenburg Ballet and in England with Rambert Dance Company and Bonachela Dance Company.
His interest for choreography started in Gothenburg where he created is first work, Fleur de Peau, for the company workshop. Since then, Renaud has created numerous pieces performed in the UK and in festivals in Spain, Poland, Latvia and Italy.
In 2011, Renaud took part in Siwic, a coaching project in Zurich for young and promising choreographers. Renaud is a founding member of New Movement Collective Ltd. and is currently freelancing between London and Switzerland.
Times: 6.30 - 8pm
Duration: 90 mins
Venue: at The Place
Day: Tuesday
Level: Level 3
Style: Contemporary


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February 4, 2019
Family Support Line: Helping victims of child sexual abuse find hope and healing
Family Support Line, a nonprofit based in Media, has a 30-year history of providing a wide range of direct services to victims of child sexual abuse. In 2015, with the opening of the Delaware County Children's Advocacy Center (DCCAC), we expanded our services to child victims of crime. The DCCAC is fully accredited by the National Children's Alliance. The dedicated professionals who work for Family Support Line
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July 26, 2018
What I've Learned as a Forensic Interviewer
I often meet people, as we all do, who ask what I do for a living. When I reply, "I'm a forensic interviewer", I am often asked, "What's that?" To which I explain, I conduct neutral, fact finding interviews with children who are suspected victims of sexual abuse. The majority of people assume that I'm some sort of saint, which I promise you, I am not.
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There's a quick and easy method of installing Ubuntu (or any derivative) from a pendrive: isohybrid.
It's a tool which is part of the syslinux package.
just install it, then type
where FILENAME.ISO is your iso file. The md5 checksum will change, of course.Code:isohybrid FILENAME.ISO
Then, you can just write your modified iso file to a pendrive:
where sdX is your pendrive device name. Pay attention!Code:sudo su umount /dev/sdx
I wonder why the standard ISOs aren't already patched with this. Or maybe they are and I didn't know it?Code:dd if=FILENAME.ISO of=/dev/sdX sync
Hope this helps


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Dermot McMeekin was appointed to the Board in May 2012. He is a former Solicitor and Management Consultant who brings over 20 years of on the ground country experience across Asia Pacific, and has a deep understanding of the strategic issues affecting corporate growth across the region. Dermot was a partner in what is now Trowers & Hamlins and, having received an MBA from Harvard Business School, subsequently became Managing Partner of Accenture's Asian Strategy Practice. He was formerly Chairman of PMC Treasury Group Ltd, a financial advisory firm with offices in London, New York and Hong Kong. Mr McMeekin is a Non-Executive Director of European Leisure Estates, Greenway Limited and Sanater SpA, he is also Chairman of Westonbirt Schools Limited.
Senior Independent Director, Nomination and Remuneration Committee Chairman


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Even as the partial government shutdown continues, floral industry members are preparing to make their case to lawmakers this spring.
"Make YOUR Business the Hill's Business" is the floral industry's call to action for the Society of American Florists' 39th annual Congressional Action Days, March 11-12, in Washington, D.C. The more members who join in the process, the more effective the message.
"It's easy to get caught up in thinking that issues affecting your small business can't possibly matter to busy government leaders, but the collective number of voices that come together grab their attention," said Brian Kusuda of Jimmy's Flowers and JFS Wholesale in Ogden and Layton, Utah, who lobbied for the first time last year.
"As a non-political person, I was very nervous, but SAF took that worry away by preparing me with talking points and telling me what to expect," he added.
Seeing "so many people from so many organizations and segments of the industry" further bolstered his confidence.
Veteran participant Cheryl Denham of Arizona Family Florist in Phoenix pointed to recent achievements, such as increasing funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative, as evidence that persistence, dedication and passion pay off. "We cannot stop the momentum," she said. "Nothing gets accomplished with complacency. We live and breathe our challenges every day and we need to educate our leaders. Without our stories, many are oblivious to how the floral industry works."
Both Kusuda and Denham described the trip to Capitol Hill as an invaluable investment of their time.
"There never seems to be enough hours to put out all the fires we encounter day-to-day, let alone try to adjust to the rapid changes in the retail world," Kusuda said. "Still, taking a weekend to speak with state representatives goes so much farther than you can predict. They do care about small business owners' concerns. They do listen."
For details and to register for CAD, visit safnow.org/congressional-action-days.
Katie Hendrick Vincent is the senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.


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Deportations will not infringe human rights
From The TimesFebruary 19, 2009
Deportations will not infringe human rights
House of Lords
Published February 19, 2009
RB (Algeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
U (Algeria) v Same
Othman (Jordan) v Same
Before Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Hoffmann, Lord Hope of Craighead, Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood and Lord Mance
Speeches February 18, 2009
Appeals from decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission were restricted to questions of law or irrationality.
The commission had been entitled to conclude, having regard to assurances given by the respective governments and to closed material, that the appellants would not, if deported, face a real risk of inhuman treatment contrary to article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights or of violation of the article 6 right to a fair trial.
The House of Lords (i) dismissed appeals by RB and U, Algerians, from the Court of Appeal (Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Buxton and Lady Justice Smith) (The Times August 3, 2007; [2008] QB 533) which had allowed their appeals from the commission and remitted their cases to it for reconsideration and (ii) allowed an appeal by the Secretary of State for the Home Department from the Court of Appeal (Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Buxton and Lady Justice Smith) (The Times April 15, 2008; [2008] 3 WLR 798) which had allowed Omar Othman's appeal that his expulsion would contravene article 6.
Mr Rabinder Singh, QC and Mr Hugh Southey for RB; Mr Richard Drabble, QC, Mr Hugh Southey and Mr Raza Husain for U; Mr Ian MacDonald, QC, Mr Mark Henderson and Ms Michelle Butler for Liberty, intervening; Mr Robin Tam, QC and Mr Robert Palmer for the Home Secretary; Mr Martin Chamberlain as special advocate for RB and U. Mr Michael Beloff, QC, Mr Robin Tam, QC, Mr Tim Eicke and Mr Alan Payne for the Home Secretary; Mr Edward Fitzgerald, QC, Mr Guy Goodwin-Gill, Mr Raza Husain and Mr Danny Friedman for Mr Othman; Mr Angus McCullough and Mr Martin Chamberlain as special advocates for Mr Othman. Lord Pannick, QC, Miss Helen Mountfield and Mr Tom Hickman for Justice and Human Rights Watch, intervening in all cases.
LORD PHILLIPS said that the Home Secretary wished to deport the appellants on the ground that each was a danger to the national security of the United Kingdom. Each contended that she could not do so because that would infringe his Convention rights.
RB and U contended that deportation to Algeria would infringe their rights under article 3 in that it would expose them to a real risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment. Mr Othman made a similar contention and also contended that he would face a real risk of a flagrant breach of his right to liberty under article 5 and of his right to a fair trial under article 6.
Each had unsuccessfully appealed against the order for his deportation to the commission and successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal. In each case, closed material had been put before the commission, which had given open and closed judgments, as had the Court of Appeal.
Closed material was defined by rule 37(1) of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) Rules (SI 2003 No 1034) as material on which the secretary of state wished to rely but which she objected to disclosing to the appellant or his representative.
The right to appeal to the Court of Appeal from a final determination of the commission was stated by section 7 of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission Act 1997 to be "on any question of law material to that determination".
By restricting appeals to questions of law, Parliament had deliberately circumscribed the review of commission decisions that the Court of Appeal was permitted to undertake, so that it fell well short of the review that would be carried out if a case reached the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg.
The commission's conclusions could only be attacked on the ground that it had failed to pay due regard to some rule of law, had regard to irrelevant matters, failed to have regard to relevant matters or been otherwise irrational. Its decisions could also be attacked on the ground that its procedures, such as the use of closed material, had failed to meet requirements imposed by law.
The wording of subsections (3) and (6) of section 5 of the 1997 Act was clear and contained no hint that rules providing for closed hearings could only be made in so far as that was necessary in the interests of national security and not in relation to the issue of safety on return, as the appellants contended. Rule 4 of the 2003 Rules fell fairly and squarely within the rule-making power in section 5.
The commission's procedures struck a fair balance between the public interest, to which it was required to have regard, and the need to ensure that the hearing was fair. The appellants had not been denied a fair trial by reason of the use of the closed material.
In RB and U's cases, the commission had held that, having regard to assurances given by the Algerian Government as to the way in which they would be treated on return, they would not face a real risk of inhuman treatment under article 3 if returned. The Jordanian Government had given similar assurances in Mr Othman's case.
Decisions of the Strasbourg Court did not establish a principle that assurances had to eliminate all risk of inhuman treatment before they could be relied on, although they should be treated with scepticism if given by a country where inhuman treatment by state agents was endemic. The contention that the assurances did not, on their true construction, protect against inhuman treatment was not well founded.
Mr Othman contended that, if deported, he faced a retrial in respect of charges on which he had been convicted in his absence, that he would be tried by the State Security Court, which was not an independent and impartial tribunal, and that he would be at real risk of being convicted on the basis of confessions made by others that had been obtained by torture.
Before the deportation of an alien would be capable of violating article 6, there had to be substantial grounds for believing that there was a real risk that there would be a fundamental breach of the principles of a fair trial guaranteed by it and that that failure would lead to a miscarriage of justice that itself constituted a flagrant violation of the victim's fundamental rights. The focus had to be not simply on the unfairness of the trial process but on its potential consequences.
The potential consequences in Mr Othman's case were sufficiently severe to satisfy the second limb of the test. The question was thus whether there were substantial grounds for believing that he faced a real risk of a fundamental breach of the principles of a fair trial as recognised in Strasbourg.
While in a domestic case, the composition of the State Security Court would violate article 6, it did not follow that that would, of itself, constitute a flagrant breach of article 6 sufficient to prevent deportation in a foreign case.
The United Kingdom was not required to retain in this country to the detriment of national security a terrorist suspect unless it had a high degree of assurance that evidence obtained by torture would not be adduced against him. What was relevant in the appeal was the degree of risk that Mr Othman would suffer a flagrant denial of justice if deported to Jordan.
The commission had concluded that there were no reasonable grounds for believing that, if deported, the criminal trial that he would face would have defects of such significance as fundamentally to destroy its fairness. The Court of Appeal had held that in so concluding it had erred in law. In his Lordship's view it had not done so, and the secretary of state's appeal should be allowed.
Lord Hoffmann, Lord Hope, Lord Brown and Lord Mance delivered concurring opinions.
Solicitors: Fisher Meredith; Birnberg Peirce & Partners; Ms Corinna Ferguson, Southwark; Treasury Solicitor; Special Advocates Support Office, Treasury Solicitor. Treasury Solicitor; Birnberg Peirce & Partners; Special Advocates Support Office, Treasury Solicitor. Herbert Smith LLP.


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The much mocked and riled UEFA Nations League could finally be a positive change from Europe's footballing governing body as they reduce the number of energy sapping pointless friendlies for the big teams, and provide an opportunity for some of the lower ranked footballing nations to play some meaningful games to improve them.
As the dust settles on the inaugural round of UEFA Nations League fixtures and we all dread the return of league football across the continent, a quick reflection shows that the new format has been well received across a lot of Europe and could actually be a good idea on a number of levels. Firstly, rather than friendlies club sides manager's would rather do without, and fans would rather didn't feature in excess of 17 different players appearing for both sides, games have been both competitive and useful for the teams towards the top of the Nations League pyramid – with the higher ranked nations playing each other in a competitive game which hasn't been win at all costs for competition qualification, but at the same time hasn't been as pedestrian as friendly. Likewise, teams towards the bottom of the pyramid haven't played games where they have been humiliated by the traditionally stronger nations, learning absolutely nothing other than how to chase shadows and pick the ball out of the net – they have played teams with similar quality and history, giving them a chance to play in competitive games and give them a feel for what it is like to win games, or defend leads going in to the final minutes, or keep the ball; this can only stand them in good stead for future qualification games.
The UEFA Nations League is not a league of friendlies as it offers sides who struggle during regular qualification for the European Championships in 2020 a 'back door' in to the competition – the trick being that you can't abandon the Nations League on the basis that Euro 2020 qualification is most important, and then if that isn't achieved, revert back to the Nations League – by that time the Nations League will be done and dusted. Teams should give the Nations League due attention, as it may be their saving grace come Euro 2020.
The format is confusing:
- 55 teams split in to four leagues (Leagues A, B, C and D) according to UEFA rankings
- Each league (A-D) is then split in to four groups (Groups 1 -4) of 3 or 4 teams
- In each league (A-D) four teams are promoted (group winners) and four teams are relegated (bottom of each group)
- Winners of Groups 1-4 in League A qualify for the final of the Nations League
- Each Nations League gets four play-off spots (if the Group winners have already qualified for the Euro's the spot goes to second place and so on) – 16 teams who go in to four groups with top team in each going forward to the Euros. The four teams in each group play semi-finals and final to determine qualification. The play-offs not being played until March 2020, but the line-up determined by games before the usual Euro Qualification games.
The format may be confusing but ultimately teams need to perform well to give them an insurance option for qualification for the Euro's, and at the same time it offers the lower ranked and smaller nations a potentially more attractive route to qualifications – top a group of similar ranked teams and then win three 'one-off' games (rather than a longer qualification campaign in the traditional ranked format).
The Leagues and Groups are based on UEFA Rankings so they should be relatively comparative and close-matched – and for the most part in Leagues A and B they are, but looking at Leagues C and D, years of poor qualification records mean there is some disparity between the teams – in particular, Scotland look to have a modest group with Albania and Israel; Bulgaria with Slovenia, Norway and Cyprus; and, Serbia with Romania, Montenegro and Lithuania. In Group D Macedonia are the best of a poor bunch against Armenia, Liechtenstein and Gibraltar.
It is League D Group 3 which intrigues me the most: Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta and Kosovo. In any regular qualifying game or normal friendly, all four of these teams would be long odds against a win, but on paper they all have the potentially to both win the group and finish bottom of it. My money would be on Kosovo though.
As a country, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. In footballing terms, they played their first game as an independent nation almost two years to the day since they achieved independence in February 2010, a 3-2 home defeat by Albania. Despite applying for FIFA member the October following independence, this was rejected on the grounds that the independent state was not recognised by the international community – this meant they couldn't even play friendly matches. It took until May 2012 for FIFA to revert that decision, allowing Kosovo to play international friendlies, but this was followed by a period of protest by Serbia resulting in the decision to allow them to play international friendlies to be revoked. It was not until January 2014 that FIFA granted permission for Kosovo to play against other FIFA member associations in international friendlies, but not representative teams of countries of former Yugoslavia. Kosovo's first international friendly followed in March 2014, a 0-0 draw with Haiti. In terms of competitive football, Kosovo made their debut in the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup following being accepted in to UEFA in May 2016 – they finished bottom of a qualifying group which contained Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine (Group I), with 1 point, 3 goals for and 24 against (see above regarding teams learning nothing from traditional qualifying games where they stand little chance of learning anything). The campaign had started with reasonable positivity with a 1-1 away draw with Finland.
At the end of that qualification campaign, Kosovo's international record (competitive and friendlies) read: Played 24, Won 6, Drawn 3, Lost 15 – with the 6 wins all coming in friendlies against the likes of Sapmi, Monaco and Equatorial Guinea. It wasn't an immediate birth of a footballing super-power.
Fast-forward to the current day, and in the six games since the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign they are unbeaten – winning five and drawing one. Giving them an overall record of Played 30, Won 11, Drawn 4 and Lost 15 – for a such a young footballing nation, a 50% non-defeat record is not a bad building block to start from. The friendly against Latvia in November 2017 resulted in a 4-3 victory – the first time they had scored four goals since independence was definitely a turning point following a disappointing qualifying campaign, and this victory came after their manager during World Cup qualifying, Albert Bunjaki, resigned following the poor results in qualifying, with a win percentage of 16.7%.
Bunjaki may have seen them as poor results but their worst defeat was 6-0 against Croatia in October 2016, just five months after being accepted in to UEFA, and don't forget, Croatia reached the final of that tournament. Apart from a 3-0 loss away to the Ukraine days after the Croatia defeat, and a 4-1 loss to Turkey, Kosovo weren't beaten by more than two goals in any game.
Following the victory over Latvia at the end of the World Cup Qualifying campaign (presided over by Caretaker Coach Muharrem Sahiti, Kosovo appointed the Swiss Bernard Challanders, a former coach of Young Boys, Zurich, Sion, Thun and Armenia, as well as the Under 17s, 18s and 21s of Switzerland. Since starting his role with the Swiss under 21 side on 1st July 2001, and including his five games in charge of Kosovo, he has a win percentage of almost 42%, winning more games than he has lost (129 to 111).
Since taking over the Kosovo team he has led them to four victories and one draw – with friendly wins over Madagascar, Burkina Faso, the Faroe Islands and most importantly Albania, and a draw against Azerbaijan. They are also yet to concede a goal under him (current goal difference is +8). He seems to have taken what they were good at in defeat in to games against comparable opposition – not conceding too many goals, and adding goals to the mix (they only scored 3 goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign). At the lower levels of European International football, teams concede a lot of goals – if you can be stingy at the back and not concede often, the likelihood is you will get chances. As was evident in the recent Nations League game against Faroe Islands. Going in to the tournament, Azerbaijan where probably favourites for League D Group 3, and recognising this as the toughest of their ties, Kosovo got a 0-0 draw in Baku – drawing away and winning at home is a good method to make sure you are in the mix at the end of the tournament, and you would expect them to get a win away at Malta and maybe even at the Faroe Islands, so it could all be in their hands.
If you look at the Kosovo squad, they aren't made up of nobodies playing in part-time leagues in the middle of nowhere; their last squad featured players from Dinamo Zagreb, Mouscron, Zurich, Akhmmat Grozny, Heerenveen, Bronby, Swansea, Start, Genk, Sheffield Wednesday and Willem II – all teams people have heard of and the majority of which play in the top flights of their respective football pyramid. These are just the players who have chosen to play for Kosovo since their independence and acceptance in to UEFA. Prior to this the likes of Shaqiri, Behrami, Cana, Xhaka and Januzaj all qualified to play for Kosovo but chose alternatives potentially due to Kosovo not being accepted by UEFA for International Football. These are all players who would improve any team in Leagues B, C and D. Now Kosovo players no longer have to look elsewhere for international football, there is the chance that more talent can come through the system to represent the national side.
The Football Superleague of Kosovo is hardly a footballing hot bed – its is ranked the 55th league according to UEFAs coefficient, just ahead of San Marino and Gibraltar and some 15,000 coefficient points behind Scotland , and this is reflected in their performance in the Europa and Champions League entrants in the last couple of years – the furthest a team got was the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Champions League this year, where Drita where eliminated by F91 Dudelange of Luxembourg, which gives you an idea of the quality of the league. But this could be to the national sides gain. If a player has quality and wants to make it a decent level, he will more than likely have to move abroad, probably from a young age, and potentially to nearby countries of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Croatia to help them progress. The key here though is that they have a country they can return to and proudly represent on the international stage, an option the likes of Shaqiri, Behrami and Xhaka weren't afforded at that stage of their careers. The future has the potential to be very bright.
Part way through their failed World Cup campaign I spotted the trend that although they were a young side in terms of International football for the country, they weren't getting tonked like we see with San Marino, Malta and Gibraltar, and from a personal point of view, backing them in the handicap market of +3 goals at roughly evens was pretty successful. To take it one step further I asked Skybet to price up a #RequestABet that they would qualify for either the Euro's in 2020 or the World Cup in 2022 – they never responded. At present Skybet are offering odds of 8/13 for Kosovo to win League D Group 3 and odds of 2500/1 to win the Euros in 2020 – I'm not saying they will win the tournament, but they are currently 48th in the list to win it, which gives an indication on the bookies belief in their chances of qualifying – not very likely. In normal circumstances they would probably be right, but I imagine not so long ago Iceland were somewhere down that list and look how far they have come and what they have achieved in the last 6 or so years. And they didn't have a 'back door' option to qualify. I don't think it will be long until we (hopefully) see a Shefki Kuqi-style belly flop to celebrate qualification for a major tournament.
Updated form – unbeaten since October 2017:


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Followup: EU data protection 11 Mar 2015
After reading my previous post on data privacy in the EU you may need some convincing because I didn't give any solid proof for the allegations. It also focussed on German law so, I'll use this post to connect the two.
There are some efforts to reform data protection regulations in the union. LobbyPlag.eu, a platform for citizen oversight, publishes some interesting insights:
LobbyPlag.eu obtained about 11.000 pages of classified EU documents and a number of classified German diplomatic cables on the EU data protection reform. In addition to publishing many of the documents, LobbyPlag.eu also shows which national governments are working on lowering or raising data protection laws in Europe.
– http://lobbyplag.eu/governments
Let's just picture the scene:
For the incomprehensible sheep: German's government thugs are the driving force behind contributions to the data protection reform which are detriment to the sovereign's will and, to use more populist words, the technology location Germany.
Sheep, do you see the irony here? Them wanting to keep their political actions secret while having your data be insecure?
Can you see it, people? Do you understand that this is not a partisan issue? That you won't be making any difference whatsoever by electing anybody else? Is this entering you fucking head?


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With so many outdoor activities in and around our luxury apartments in Bethesda, life is like a breath of fresh air.
While our beautiful apartments and enticing amenities make staying indoors a tempting proposition, there's no shortage of outdoor activities to fill your leisure time. Gallery Bethesda II's rooftop is home to an unbelievable assortment of outdoor amenities; and the surrounding neighborhood is equally rife with enough outdoor activities and events to keep you busy constantly.
- While the days are still warm, take a refreshing dip in our resort-class jetted pool.
- When the nights get cooler, keep warm in front of the ever-shifting flame of our fire feature.
- Invite your friends up the elevator for delicious barbeque, hot off the grill. Or, fire up the rooftop pizza ovens.
- Bring your four-legged best friend up for a walk in the rooftop dog park.
- Need a break from all this outdoor socializing? Sit back and enjoy the spectacular view from the rooftop terrace.
And then there's all the outdoor fun to be had in Bethesda, like trails, parks, enticing events and much more.
The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) – is a shared-use, off-road trail from Georgetown, DC, to Silver Spring, MD, used by over a million walkers, joggers, bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers each year.
Big Wheel Bikes – If you've started entertaining thoughts of tackling the CCT on two wheels, you need to know about Big Wheel Bikes and their 45-year history of selling, renting and servicing top-quality bicycles of every kind.
Taste of Bethesda – Bethesda's famous food and music festival brings 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Woodmont Triangle. While you sample the delicious restaurants and enjoy the live entertainment be sure to visit the kid's corner for face painting, and arts and crafts.
Saturday, October 6, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. with food ticket sales ending at 3:30 p.m.
21st Annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival – Recognized as one of the top fine arts festivals in the United States. For two days, the streets of downtown Bethesda will be transformed into an outdoor gallery of arts and crafts.
From 11 a.m. Saturday, October 13, 'til 5 p.m. Sunday, October 14
Very soon, your outdoor activities will be seriously curtailed by the inevitable arrival of winter. But, before you head outdoors to enjoy autumn, take a moment for one more indoor activity: take a tour of Gallery Bethesda II's apartments in downtown Bethesda today!


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Cobalt Creations Co is here to bring you high quality handcrafted by Debe Frazer, glass and stone jewelry, incredible handcrafted one of a kind handgun grips designed by Kent Frazer, unique paintings and dramatic photos from around the world.
We love our customers and welcome your feedback and suggestions. Use our Contact Us page to tell us what we're doing right or what we can improve on.


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Upload Install
- In the Joomla! Administration, go to Extensions -> Manage -> Install
- Click the Upload Package File tab, then click the Browse for a file button. Select the package on your computer. The upload and installation will start automatically.
- Set JCE as the default Joomla! WYSIWYG Editor
- Go to System -> Global Configuration.
- Select Editor - JCE from the Default Editor list.
- Click Save
- Go to System -> Global Configuration.
Manual Installation
Installation may fail on some servers due to technical limitations and a manual installation may be necessary.
- Download the JCE Editor extension
- Extract the downloaded JCE Editor package to a folder on your hard drive, eg: jce
- Upload this folder to the Joomla! tmp folder using an FTP client.
- Open the Joomla! Extension Manager and add the name of the folder you uploaded to the end of the Install from Folder path
- Click the Check and Install button
For help installing Joomla! components, read the Joomla! Component Installation article


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By Dorothy (Corey) Nichol-Hack – Oliver, B.C.
Our family of four was very lucky to be living in southern Alberta on an irrigation farm during the Dirty '30s.
My mother was exceptional. She could do so many things, a jack-of-all-trades so to speak: sew, wallpaper, paint, etc., and she had a wonderful garden, chickens, etc. We were never hungry.
My dad owned or was paying for a half section of CPR land, but was renting a quarter section in the early '30s and it was closer to our town.
However, in 1934 he had the choice between the two places. We could stay where we were, a lovely big, roomy house, or go back to the half section and build a house on it.
My mother chose the half section, so dad hired a carpenter and between him, our family and an uncle, a lovely California bungalow was built for $1,500 including some new furniture.
One of our friends fell through a living room window while dancing at the grand opening party. It wasn't as big and wide as some are today and it was easily replaced.


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The 2019 Vietnamese Students' Sport Festival kicked off in Moscow on May 1, drawing more than 1,000 athletes who are Vietnamese students learning in Russia.
A new feature of this year's event is the participation of a team from the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League of the host country.
During the five-day festival, participants are competing in four sports of men's football, women's football, relay run, and tug-of-war.
A football match within framework of 2019 Vietnamese Students' Sport Festival.
In his opening remarks, Tran Duy Thanh, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter in Russia, said that the festival is the largest annual sport and cultural event of the Vietnamese community in the country.
It serves as a venue for Vietnamese students in Russia to strengthen solidarity, Thanh added.
The festival was first held in Moscow in 1998 as a football tournament for Vietnamese students.
Source: VNA


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Colorado's cannabis industry got plenty of national attention in August, largely because of an op-ed that Jeff Hunt, vice-president of public policy at Colorado Christian University, wrote for USA Today headlined "Marijuana Devastated Colorado, Don't Legalize It Nationally." Our Thomas Mitchell took issue with that in his response, and readers agree that marijuana did not devastate Colorado. Except in one way, says Bill:
For buying marijuana, yes. For basically everything else, no.
Adds Leon:
Marijuana Legalization hasn't caused any problems in Colorado. People simply want to point fingers.
Responds Bill:
I wouldn't say the influx of hard money into Colorado real estate investment (because cash marijuana businesses have no other place to put it) has "ruined" the state. But it's made it more difficult for basically everyone to afford to live here. And if you weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth, that's a serious problem. If I had to do it over again, I'd have voted no on 64. Simple as that.
Says Travis:
There's an easy solution. Legalize nationwide.
Concludes Jack:
Exactly. The only reason any of the problems are there is because Colorado has become an oasis in the desert. Make other areas green, too, and you ease or eliminate the problems.
Read more about the Jeff Hunt's op-ed below.
Dear USA Today: Marijuana Hasn't Devastated Colorado
Marijuana Deals Near You
We Believe Local Journalism is Critical to the Life of a City
Engaging with our readers is essential to Westword's mission. Make a financial contribution or sign up for a newsletter, and help us keep telling Denver's stories with no paywalls.
Support Our Journalism
Pot Revenue Has Definitely Helped Fund Cherry Creek Schools
Denver 420 Rally Deserves to Die, Critic Says
What do you think of Jeff Hunt's campaign? His piece in USA Today?


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5th July 2010
A back-to-work course for former prisoners is bucking the trend of high rates of recidivism, writes Roisín Ingle in the Irish Times.
Trasna, a year-long back-to-work course, is designed to make former prisoners job ready. The scheme is run as part of Jobcare, an organisation founded in 1994 to help people back to employment. According to co-founder and chief executive Paul Mooney, only three of the 19 Trasna participants have returned to lives of crime.
The course also makes financial sense. The article quotes Mooney as saying: "The average cost of providing prison space for a year is almost €93,000. It costs €27,500 to put someone through the Trasna programme for the same period."
IPRT's recent report, Reintegration of Prisoners in Ireland, found that the "revolving-door phenomenon of recidivism" could be stemmed by providing more funding for post-release services.
The article concludes with three short case studies and an item on Business in the Community Ireland's Linkage Programme, which has seen more than 4,000 former offenders placed in employment, education or training since 2000.
See opposite for short video about the work of Trasna.
Read more:
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.


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How to connect: https://psu.zoom.us/j/613720745 (link will launch Zoom client – if you do not have Zoom, expand the instructions below)
Meeting ID: 613 720 745
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Meeting ID: 613 720 745
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Time: 9:00am PDT / Noon EDT
Moderator: Jennifer Lindner (DCE)
Notetaker: James R. Griffin III
- LaRita Robinson (Notre Dame)
- Julie Allinson (CoSector, University of London)
- Jim Coble (Duke)
- steve van tuyl (oregon state)
- James R. Griffin III (Princeton University Library)
- Michael B. Klein (Northwestern University Library)
- Carolyn Cole (PSU)
- Michael J. Giarlo (Stanford)
- Chris Colvard (Indiana University)
- Lynette Rayle (Cornell)
- Andrew Myers (WGBH)
- Chris Diaz (Northwestern University Library)
- Tom Johnson (DCE)
- Nestor Walker (UVA)
- Trey Pendragon (Princeton)
- you!
Roll call by timezone per following order - ensure notetaker is present (moderator)
folks outside North and South America
Eastern timezone
Central timezone
Mountain timezone
Pacific timezone
folks who were missed or who dialed in during roll call
- Welcome all newcomers!
- Agenda (moderator)
- Call for new agenda items (moderator)
- Error handling: Always raise from lower levels in the stack, like services? Log and re-raise? Catch StandardError or require more specific errors? What might a best practice be in this topic? see: https://github.com/samvera/hyrax/pull/2655#issuecomment-368589775
- Hyrax Analytics (steve van tuyl)
- Current status
- Merge to master
- 2.1 release and analytics
- Is https://github.com/samvera/hyrax/issues/2718 a blocker for 2.1.0? (Conor)
- More hands on deck?
- Hyrax 2.1 beta Testing (Chris Diaz)
- QA Testers had a brief meeting on Monday to discuss the testing procedures (link to shared google sheets)
- NURAX is currently on 2.1.0 Beta
- Testing is expected to begin this afternoon and continue into next week
- There are 13 open issues on the 2.1 milestone – any help you can provide is greatly appreciated! (sign up or just grab an issue)
- Parent collection list format (LaRita Robinson)
- Notetaker and moderator for next time
- Notes:
- Moderate:
- After call, this week's notetaker should create the agenda for the next call.
- If desired, stay after the call to assist in grooming PR backlog
Agenda Items
Error Handling
- https://github.com/samvera/hyrax/pull/2655#issuecomment-368589775
- https://github.com/samvera-labs/bixby/issues/23#issuecomment-367458604
- Related to Rubocop
- Discussion for the best way to handle errors
- Do we log? Do we raise exceptions?
- Prefer to catch StandardError
- Establish best practices for moving forward
- Raising from lower in the stack: Services might not have an interface directly exposed to users
- Catch and handle these closer to the user interface logic
- Summary of positions on the issue:
- Started with a Rubocop PR
- Johnson and Jonathan Rochkind discussed this
- Whether or not to catch errors at all became a point of dispute
- Coyne: Avoid raising a StandardError if possible
- Not clear which error was expected by the author of the code
- Prefer to have people specify which errors they are expecting...
- Cole: Capturing StandardError down in the stack can hide more specific errors
- Lindner: In defense of StandardError (they don't have a strong position on this issue) ensures that the App doesn't blow up entirely
- Johnson: There is an older Rubocop rule felt that rescuing StandardError (or rescue without a specified Class) wasn't acceptable
- Rule is gone - now, instead of enforcing that you never rescue StandardError, you now must explicitly specify that you want to rescue StandardError
- *This is now the state of Bixby*
- That seems find (to Johnson)
- #266 where Coyne was trying to remove the handling...
- Johnson prefers to leave the logging in place
- Cole: Is there a test for this where the exception isn't raised
- Headley: Johnson's proposal is a good one, catch any error and pass it along again
- Coyne: Should be a community practice - write a comment outlining why you are using StandardError
- Rayle: It would be wise to have this added to the best community practices documentation (samvera.github.io)
- https://github.com/samvera/samvera.github.io/issues/207
Hyrax Analytics
- Van Tuyl
- Most of the work on the background for integrating support for Google Analytics or Motomo
- Questions which have arisen
- Many discussions around not having lengthy feature branches
- Analytics is now on a feature branch...and the WG is looking to move this off of the branch
- Perhaps discuss this process with the Collection Extensions WG
- #2718 (https://github.com/samvera/hyrax/issues/2718)
- Should this be a blocker for release 2.1?
- O'Malley identifies this as affecting the master branch
- URL's are now nested, creating problems for analytics
- NestedWorks leads to problems
- Rayle: Will inspect in order to determine it came in with Collection Extensions contributions, but suspects that it's related to NestedWorks
- Should verify that it is in 2.0 before determining whether or not it is a blocker
- Van Tuyl can help coordinate determining when it was actually broken
- If this is finished by next Wednesday, then better context will provide the community with the ability to determine if this is blocking a release
- Also, should aim to document precisely how to avoid generating difficult, nested URL's from the app. routing
- Release QA testing should encompass testing this for future releases
- Diaz: There is not currently extensive testing around analytics
- Walker
- Crossroads with deciding to create new tables which model the new reports, or extend the old tables
- Old analytics tables are one table per stat
- Perhaps consolidate this more efficiently?
- Use flipflop to provide backward compatibility and ease of upgrade
- Coyne
- Has also wanted to consolidate these tables, but there was concern over migration pain
- (No objections were raised to this consolidation proposal)
- Crossroads with deciding to create new tables which model the new reports, or extend the old tables
Hyrax 2.1 Beta Testing
- Testing is going to begin today
- There is an invitation for contributors to ensure that remaining issues can be resolved
- Rayle invites all interested to contact them for easier issues (if they are less experienced with the codebase)
Parent Collections
- Massive duplication in pagination logic for parent collections
- Calling attention to this in response to these concerns
- Giarlo:
- Perhaps before and after screenshots
- UI/UX designer feedback can be solicited
- Rayle:
- Agreeds, have someone propose a refactor
- Perhaps 2.1.1 timeframe would provide enough time to reduce the clutter on the interface design
- Also may apply to Work nesting
- LaRita is invited to offer a WIP pull request in response to these
- Want to avoid feature specs (consuming too much time)
- Perhaps View tests?
- LaRita invites more feedback over Slack
Moderator: Van Tuyl
Notetaker: Griffin