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In a recent conversation I had, the question of EHR pricing came up. It was suggested in the conversation that EHR incentive money was inflating EHR pricing.
I wish that I had harder data on the price of EHR software. Unfortunately, there's no really good source of EHR pricing across all the 600+ EHR comanies. At one point I considered the idea of creating such a resource, but the challenge of getting that type of information is ominous and might be impossible since many EHR vendors keep that information very close to the chest.
Since we don't have the quantitative data that we'd love to have in this situation, instead let me offer some observational data on EMR pricing.
In my first couple years blogging about EMR software (I started EMR blogging 6+ years ago), I was able to witness a dramatic shift in the price of EHR software. The norm 6+ years ago was for an EMR for a small clinical practice to cost somewhere in the $30,000 range. For a larger group practice they were easily paying $100,000-200,000 for their EHR software. In almost every case this was a huge up front lump sum payment for the EHR software. Although, many of them conveniently offered financing for your purchase. These EHR were almost always an in house EMR software that needed a lot of up front costs for things like a server.
In those early years, we started to see a wave of mostly SaaS EHR software enter the market at a much lower price point. In most cases they were offering their EHR software for a small monthly fee (usually around $350-500/doctor). Of course at this same time a number of Free EHR software entered the market as well. Both of these entrances forced the price of EMR software to decrease dramatically. Sure, a few EMR software vendors pillaged a practice for an ourtrageous price, but for the most part the price of EMR software came down. Plus, the movement to the monthly charge pricing model for EMR software took hold. In most cases, EMR software vendors would offer a one time fee EMR pricing model along side a monthly per doctor EMR pricing model.
Over the past couple years I think we generally saw a leveling off of EMR pricing. However, I have seen one major thing happen with EMR pricing since the EHR stimulus money was introduced. The new bar for EMR pricing was set at $44k over 5 years. You can be certain that every EHR vendor has looked at their EHR pricing and compared it to the $44k over 5 years.
While I can't say I've seen long time EHR vendors increase the price of their EHR to match the $44k of EHR incentive money, what I have seen is new EHR vendors pricing their EHR software accordingly. Instead of pricing their EHR according to market pricing, they're generally inflating their EHR price to match the EHR incentive money. I believe this has driven the overall cost of EHR software up thanks to the EHR incentive money. Plus, it has held the EHR pricing of some EHR vendors higher than it would have been if the EHR incentive money weren't there.
One other thing worth considering is the long term effect on EHR pricing because of the EHR incentive money. EHR incentive is creating an artificial pricing bubble, but eventually the incentive money will run out and I expect a number of EHR vendors to drop their price when that happens. However, what might have an even longer term impact on EHR pricing is the increased number of EHR vendors thanks to the EHR incentive money. Standard economics says more EHR competition leads to lower EHR prices.
What have you seen related to EMR pricing? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experience.


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IC in the Media
Ellen Staurowsky, professor of sport management and an internationally recognized expert on social justice issues in sport, weighed in to ESPN.com and the Birmingham News (Alabama) in early April on a controversial proposal to give Division I NCAA colleges more freedom to let corporate sponsors use student-athletes for commercial purposes. Currently, the NCAA bars companies from using an athlete's name, image, or likeness in advertisements, promotions, or other ventures. Some students feel cheated because they receive little more than one-year-only renewable scholarships while their schools leverage athletes' fame to attract advertising revenue and profit from merchandise sales.
To ESPN.com, Staurowsky suggests that the NCAA is interested in keeping the "demarcation between the athlete and the professional. The rules are structured to protect athletes from commercial interests, but the rules can be read a different way," she said.Staurowsky believes that students already have a difficult time understanding their rights. Her survey of 213 Division I compliance officers found that student-athletes are often misled about the forms they are asked to sign concerning eligibility and commercial interests.

subset: commoncrawl


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PSA has a free shipping on $50 sale.
they got some good deals on ar-15 parts.
i went over there for some of those $59 blemished uppers --but they are OOS--
they still have BCGs , LPKs and other goodies though.
worth a look anyway. good prices and free shipping is hard to pass on.
their ammo is a little picked over. but they do have some-- @ $0.45 a round or so.


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Source: Citi
Samuel Itzcovitz has been appointed the Global Head of Clearing and Financial Institutions Payments for Citi Transaction Services.
In this role, Sam will be responsible for the continued growth, development and transformation of this important global business, developing strategies and execution plans to deliver on the potential of this business and to meet the increasingly complex and sophisticated needs of Citi's clients in the Financial Institutions segment. Sam will report to Ebru Pakcan, Citi's Global Head of Payments.
Global Clearing is an important business for Citi, providing core payment services to financial institutions for the clearing of their treasury and commercial payments globally. Citi, one of the premier providers of cross-border payments, has an unparalleled global network. As a result, Citi is able to harness the local knowledge and expertise found with colleagues who operate in more than 100 countries around the world and bring that value to clients who can leverage Citi's in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to do business most efficiently in foreign markets.
Sam has been with Citi Transaction Services in Australia for eight years and has led a number of divisions over that time across Product Management, Client Sales Management, Public Sector and the Bank Services Group. Most recently Sam led the Treasury & Trade Solutions business for Australia and New Zealand, with responsibility for the full suite of cash management, trade services and trade finance offerings. Sam also headed the Bank Services Group from its inception in Australia and New Zealand in 2008, helping to create a market-leading franchise and delivering exceptional growth in Clearing and the FI Payments segment.
Sam began his career at Westpac Banking Corporation in 1993 within Financial Markets before moving into transactional banking where, among other responsibilities, he ran the Australian Dollar Clearing business and Network Management function.
Citi Transaction Services, a division of Citi's Institutional Clients Group, offers integrated cash management, trade, and securities and fund services to multinational corporations, financial institutions and public sector organizations around the world. With a network that spans more than 95 countries, Citi's Transaction Services supports over 65,000 clients. As of the third quarter of 2012, it held on average $415 billion in liability balances and $12.8 trillion in assets under custody.
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|Summary of 9 reviews :
|Room :
|Facilities :
|Service :
|Location :
|Hotel room status:
|Set in the lush green hills only a few meters from the peaceful
beachfront, All Seasons Naiharn Phuket offers a glimpse into the peace
and clam of modern day Phuket. The hotel's low rise compound opens out
to an expansive panorama, with coconut palms and manicured greenery
evoking a rustic feel.
Designed to capture the spirit of Phuket's lush nature, the hotel's open air lobby and 154 rooms and suites blend contemporary Thai decor with nature elements. Woven rattan furniture, silk cushions and dark wood paneling from an elegant backdrop amidst dashes of vivid colors and contemporary interior fittings. The two sea facing swimming pools and outdoor Jacuzzi are clustered within the hotel's central landscaped garden, adjacent to Thai style pavilion serving as a pool bar. Dining is a highlight in itself. Each of the five venues features an individual concept from specialty restaurants to a stylish pub lounge with innovative finger food. tapas and generous selection of cocktails, beers and wines. Families with small children will find comfort in the hotel's children friendly services, which includes daytime babysitting and fun activities at the Kid Club.
Standard Rooms :
Relax amongst the comforts of the Standard Room, complete with lovely tropical garden views, modern décor and satellite TV. Interconnecting rooms are also available and are great for families. Up to 2 adults. No rollaway.
|Superior Rooms :
Opt for extra space in the larger Superior Room and enjoy great ocean, garden or pool views, a private terrace, WIFI Internet connection, satellite TV channels, a sofa, and a turn down service. Up to 2 adults and 1 child.
|Spring Cafe' :
Type of cuisine : International
A superb international buffet breakfast served daily. A la carte selection featuring Thai and Western cuisine, open for lunch and dinner everyday.
Lunch : 11.00 - 17.00 | Dinner : 18.00 - 23.00
|Equinox TH :
Type of cuisine : Cafe
This gourmet restaurant boasts stunning sea views. Enjoy the calming ocean breeze as you tuck into specially prepared tapas, home made pastas, premium barbecued meat, selected Andaman seafood and an array of creative desserts.
Lunch : 11.00 - 16.00 | Dinner : 18.00 - 23.00
|Sammara Lounge :
Type of cuisine : Wine Pairing
The wine lounge is a cosmopolitan meeting place, pairing our selection of wines with light meals. A perfect way to end a lazy day at the beach, winding down with a cool drink and sitting back to relax and enjoy good music and a romantic sunset.
Opening hours : 11.00 - 23.00
|ETE Pool Bar :
Type of cuisine : Cocktails & Snacks
Located at the main swimming pool with a variety of activities and games. Order your favorite snacks and they will be prepared "a-la-minute" by our chefs. Selection of refreshing beverages to cool down from the tropical sun.
Opening hours : 10.00 - 19.00
|53C Pub :
Type of cuisine : Beers from around the globe
Lobby bar offers a wide selection of international beers, cocktails and finger food.
Opening hours : 11.00 - 23.00
|Tucked away in a peaceful enclave, immersed in the hotel's lush green surrounds, All Seasons Naiharn's "Bhukit" meeting room is capable of various seating arrangements and is suitable for organizing small-scale seminars, trainings, company outings and teambuilding activities. With 100 square meters of space, Bhukit can host a mid-scale banquet of up to 60 dinners and 80 participants. To ensure a smooth and efficient run of any function, a team of events experts will cater various arrangements, from pre to post events, to meet the guests' specific requirements. The service ranges from designing the right meeting/banquet packages and recreational activities all the way to setting up the facilities and equipment.
Meeting Facilities
|Everyone's Facilities
At All Seasons Naiharn, sharing good times is the central theme. Whether indoor or outdoor, morning or afternoon, couple or family, the hotel's wide range of activities deliver extra splashes of fun. For guests who need to get in touch with friends or colleagues back home, a relaxing stroll down to the Business Centre will complete the job.
Drawing from an age old practice of natural healing, Nhamaya Spa recreates journeys that will leave guests with a sense of total rejuvenation. A stimulating Thai massage to improve the blood circulation and muscle tone. An herbal steam bath that detoxifies and restores skin damages. Or therapeutic treatments to help relieve specific stress or tense muscles. Nhamaya Spa designs a perfect solution for all pampering needs.
|Fitness Center
A wide range of facilities allows for many levels of workouts, from comprehensive trainings to light physical exercise.
Opening Hours : 07.00 - 19.00
|Kid Club
Families with small children will find comfort in the hotel's children-friendly service, which includes daytime babysitting and fun activities at the Kids Club. Catering to children up to 12 years old, the Kids Club has a range of exciting activities in store. Parents can join in the fun too.
- Movie Corner
- Play Station and Video Games
- Toys and Board Games
- Painting Equipment
Note: Children under 5 years old should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
|Business Center
Should the need for work arise, the Business Centre is equipped with standard facilities to immediately put guests up to speed with the outside world. Located in the lobby area, access to hi-speed Internet and business facilities is only steps away.
- Free Wifi at the lobby area
- Copy/Print Service
- Fax Machine
|Swimming Pools
The two sea-facing swimming pools and an outdoor Jacuzzi are clustered within the hotel's central landscaped garden, adjacent to a Thai-styled pavilion serving as a pool bar.
Note: Because our pools are not supervised, we recommend that parents do not leave their children unattended.
Jacuzzi Pool
Main Pool
|Located on peaceful Naiharn beach. (Most Beautiful Beach)
Shuttle Bus Service
(Phuket Town, Central festival, Patong Beach, Kata Beach)


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No. 3 Louisville rips South Florida, 64-38
Peyton Siva scored 17 points and No. 3 Louisville held South Florida to a season-low 27 percent shooting for an easy 64-38 victory on Saturday.
Center Gorgui Dieng added 12 points and 16 rebounds while forward Chane Behanan had 12 rebounds and seven points for the Cardinals (15-1, 3-0 Big East), who won their 10th in a row. Behanan played just five days after injuring his left ankle in practice and missing Wednesday's victory against Seton Hall.
Siva meanwhile bounced back from a 2-of-6 shooting effort against the Pirates to hit seven shots, including three 3-pointers. The Big East Conference preseason player of the year also surpassed 1,000 career points.
The Cardinals dominated the boards 49-24 including a 19-6 edge in offensive rebounds.
Victor Rudd came off the bench to score 10 points for South Florida (9-6, 0-3).
The best news for Louisville was the earlier-than-expected return of Behanan, who sprained his left ankle in practice Monday and was expected to miss up to four games. But after watching the Cardinals' 73-58 win on Wednesday night at Seton Hall from campus, the sophomore declared himself available to play on Friday after X-rays that his pain was caused by a spur rather than the sprain.
Pitino vowed to play Behanan and inserted him during the first media timeout. Despite braces on both ankles, Behanan came out with spring in his step and quickly became a presence with a rebound, a tip-in basket and steal of an inbounds pass in his first two minutes alone. He ended up with eight rebounds in five minutes, exiting midway through the first half with nearly twice of USF's total (five) after 12 minutes.
Behanan added an alley-oop dunk on a lob from Siva to give Louisville a 19-3 lead that typified the Cardinals' first-half dominance. They led by as many as 25 before heading to the locker room with a 37-15 lead achieved mostly by relentless defense that made seven steals and forced 10 turnovers along with a whopping 30-10 rebounding edge including a 12-2 advantage offensively.
South Florida's poor shooting made some of those numbers possible. The Bulls shot just 23 percent in the first 20 minutes (five of 22) and made just two baskets in the first 10 minutes, resulting in a season low for first half points and their worst overall half since shooting 6 of 26 in the second half of a 58-53 loss to Western Michigan on Nov. 18.
The Cardinals stretched their lead to 30 with seven minutes remaining in the game.
JoVantae Hawkins had nine points and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick seven for the Bulls.


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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said Friday in Fort Lauderdale he has "no plans" to run for governor next year, but declined to give a Shermanesque statement flatly declaring it's something he wouldn't do.
Speaking to about 175 Realtors and 20 mayors of Broward cities at the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Nelson said he didn't want his remarks to be taken as indications of future political plans.
He went on to decry Republican-controlled state government for failing to approve an expansion of the Medicaid program for the poor, the cost of which would be covered by the federal government.
And during the Q&Q, he excoriated state government for allowing the insurance industry "to rule the roost" in Tallahassee, which he said is the reason the state hasn't acted to fix the high cost of windstorm insurance.
Yet he also hinted at how much he enjoys life as a senator who has built up seniority at age 70, he noted his chairmanship of the Senate Aging Committee and the Subcommittee on Science and Space.
Later, in an interview, he said people should take him at his word that he has isn't planning on running. Here's the back and forth:
Nelson: "I've already told you. I have no plans of running for governor. I have no intention of running for governor," he said.
Reporter: If your plans were to change, when would he have to make a decision?
Nelson: "How can it change? I mean I told you the best I can tell you. You guys just can't accept what I say. So you think that I look like I am enjoying my job now that I'm getting some seniority in the Senate?"
Reporter: Yes you do. But is this Shermanesque, you're absolutely not going to do it?
Nelson: "I've said what I've said. It's clear. I have no plans to run for governor."
Still, the political world is waiting to see what Nelson really decides.
"He's the most well respected and most popular statewide Democrat in Florida. Whatever he decides to do he'll receive overwhelming support. He'll be great at it," said U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, in a brief interview before he received an award from the Realtors and introduced Nelson.
(For the record, Nelson is the only statewide elected Democrat.)
"Ultimately Senator Nelson throws a lot of weight around in this state, and I think everyone is anxious to see what kind of decision he makes before anyone focuses in on the governor's race," Deutch said.


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Monday, December 13
my favorite things: giveaway monday!
52 comments:
- AnonymousDecember 13, 2010 at 2:48 PM
i love the tie shirts!! I remember when you had Brody's pic taken in it and have loved it ever since! :)ReplyDelete
i love the BROWN SHORT SLEEVE BODYSUIT with an AVIARY dressy vintage style BIB applique. email@example.com
I follow you. firstname.lastname@example.com
I love the black long sleeved onesie with the red plaid tie... My lil' dude has a hat that would look precious with it!ReplyDelete
I follow you!ReplyDelete
I follow you :)ReplyDelete
The Twins Giftset of the necktie & bib bodysuit. Adorable!ReplyDelete
I follow you:)ReplyDelete
I really like the navy blue and white striped tee with the red anchor on the front...so cute!ReplyDelete
jessicaikiehn at yahoo dot com
aw, your Brody looks as cute as can be in his shirt. Such a handsome fellow! Your blog is adorable, as are you and your kiddos!ReplyDelete
I love the tie shirts! So cute.ReplyDelete
I love the tanks with the "off the shoulder ruffled accent!" But I want a grown up size!!!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog!!ReplyDelete
danavee_r (at) hotmail (dot) com
oh my word...the bib shirts. in LOVE.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 13, 2010 at 9:08 PM
I have a 3 week old grand boy and a new baby due this summer! This is the most fun (being a new grammie) I can put some of this cuteness to use!ReplyDelete
I like the aviary line
BROWN SHORT SLEEVE BODYSUIT with an AVIARY dressy vintage style BIB applique
I follow you!
- AnonymousDecember 13, 2010 at 9:11 PM
what a cute idea. I love anything with birds on it! So, the aviary line is just perfectReplyDelete
Heya I'm a brand new follower, and I love the daddy/son tie tees. My hubs and babe would look SO cute in those!ReplyDelete
i love the brown tank top with the cream ruffle on the side! my niece would rock that!ReplyDelete
Love the Christmas Tree Applique on white.ReplyDelete
I follow your blogReplyDelete
Love the vintage brown chocolate bib tee!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog!ReplyDelete
sweetpeasandsassafras at yahoo dot com
I love the bird's teeReplyDelete
flordtaronger at gmail dot com
I'm a follower!ReplyDelete
flordtaronger at gmail dot com
I really like the shirts with lace around the edges and the tie shirts. Very cute!ReplyDelete
this tie shirt is adorable: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62781968/navy-long-sleeves-lap-tee-with-a-greenReplyDelete
taraz9 at excite dot com
follow your blog... just stumbled across it this week & now it's one of my faves!! :)ReplyDelete
taraz9 at excite dot com
the BROWN Long Sleeve BABY BODYSUIT with BROWN and GREEN STRIPES NECKTIE APPLIQUE is just preciousReplyDelete
cmw_2289 at yahoo dot com
I am now a followerReplyDelete
cmw_2289 at yahoo dot com
LOVE this father/son set!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 16, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I love the White Short Sleeve Bodysuit with the Orange Seahorse -- so cute. Makes me think of summertime and giggling children.ReplyDelete
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I would love to have the BLACK LONG SLEEVE RIB-TEE with a RED PLAID NECKTIE appliquedReplyDelete
stephcrs339 at gmail dot com
follow via gfcReplyDelete
stephcrs339 at gmail dot com
This yellow bird onesie is my favorite: http://www.etsy.com/listing/26524487/white-short-sleeve-baby-bodysuit-with-aReplyDelete
(but I also love the christmas trees and the bibs onesies and the tie onesies)
I"m a GFC follower!ReplyDelete
I love the seahorse applique shirt!ReplyDelete
hrfarley at gmail dot com
I really love the yellow bird ona a branch shirts...Adorable.ReplyDelete
oneanddoll at gmail dot com
The brown babysuit...totally adorable!ReplyDelete
I am a blog follower!ReplyDelete
I love love the father and son sets- adorable and perfect for pictures! kimbarsness at yahoo dot comReplyDelete
I love the WHITE Short Sleeves BABY BODYSUIT with an ADORABLE SEA HORSE applique.ReplyDelete
I am a blog followerReplyDelete
I love the navy long sleeeve tie toddler teeReplyDelete
I follow your blog :)ReplyDelete
I love the adorable tie shirts for boys!! I also follow this blog!ReplyDelete
these are truly fabulous.
And this is adorable: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55102694/brown-short-sleeve-bodysuit-with-an
Oh how adorable!!!!! And ypur little Brody looks dashing in his cute shirt!! I do follow happily :)ReplyDelete
i like the red anchor nautical teeReplyDelete
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Love the CHRISTMAS TREE appliqued on a BLACK LONG SLEEVE RIB TEE.ReplyDelete
smrtmouse at yahoo dot com
I'm following your blog.ReplyDelete
smrtmouse at yahoo dot com
I have three girl and three boy babies to buy for this season and all of my shopping could be done with this store. There are so many cute items here. I really like the CHOCOLATE BROWN RIB TEE with ALMOND AVIARY BIB and CREAM TRIM. ambrerose at(aol) dot(com)ReplyDelete


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Pull-Up Pamplin Challenge
Can you do 20 pull-ups? In a suit and tie? At age 69? Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. '64, '65, '66 can–and he wondered if other members of the Lewis & Clark community could as well.
Pamplin, who is a fitness promoter, philanthropist, life trustee, and longtime benefactor of Lewis & Clark, challenged members of the campus community to show their stuff at the pull-up bar. Over the course of a week in mid-November, roughly 250 students, alumni, faculty, and staff flexed their collective muscle. In return for their demonstration of commitment to fitness, Pamplin agreed to donate $3,000 to Lewis & Clark.
From the law school, twin brothers Salahudin and Mika'il Ali led the men with 40 pull-ups each. For the women, Jazz Dial CAS '11 and Kelly Yelverton CAS '13 topped the charts with 16 pull-ups each. Jim Proctor, director of environmental studies, led the faculty contingent with 20 pull-ups.
Those who participated received various awards, courtesy of the campus bookstore, Nike, Papa John's Pizza, and Bon Appétit.


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A casual encounter in Greenland has an American pro-life activist gritting her teeth.
I was in the Arctic Circle, in Greenland, for some R&R and to learn about polar explorations. Having fallen in love with a pair of child's sealskin slippers, I was poised to buy them.
"You are from the United States, no?" the woman behind the counter asked in her nicest ever tour-guide voice. "It is one country you cannot bring in the skin of the seal."
Seeing my confused look, she explained, "It is, how you say, a populist law, only made in U.S." She paused to make sure there was no offense. "It is not fair law. We use every part of the seal and throw nothing away."
I remembered seeing foot-long strips of seal meat drying as they hung from porches on tiny colorful family homes for Greenlandic winter consumption and for their husky sled dogs laying around lazily in the summer sun. I recalled the stench wafting from the seal tanning factories on the harbors of tiny settlements, where warm outerwear was produced. It left me with little appetite.
"It is the baby seals that the U.S. tries to protect," said a fellow tourist, a Dane, chiming in on the conversation. I immediately remembered learning about the baby seals in a PBS documentary.
The tour guide responded gently with a question: "But in America you can take the knife to the Inuit not born, no?" As she caressed her midriff behind the kiosk, I saw that she was pregnant.
Inuit. At a lecture I attended by and about Arctic people, I learned that Inuit is another word for human being. I wondered if Greenland is like other European countries, struggling to maintain replacement levels of population. One tiny settlement of 150 that we visited boasted that they had 27 elementary children, whom they claimed as a cherished resource.
Her obvious reference to abortion rights left me dumbfounded. As a pro-life activist, didn't I come to the Arctic Circle to get away from debates like these?
I mumbled under my breath, "Don't go there with me."
S'kuse me?" she said.
"I said I don't think that is right either-killing babies of any sort, seal or human. It's just that in our country one has a choice to believe if a baby is human or not human." I realized how utterly ridiculous that sounded only after I had said it.
"The baby seal is not human, yes? This is my choice to believe, no?" I really set myself up for that one.
This young bright woman should be doing something other than selling souvenirs.
But the Dane once again came to my rescue: "I think it is the clubbing of seals that the U.S. opposes." (Please God; don't let her ask me if clubbing a baby seal is less compassionate than scraping a human fetus from the womb with a curette.)
The conversation goes from bad to worse. "Ah. If we kill seals with the gun it would be, how do you say, political? Like the U.S. bombs in the war?" (Note to self: Vacation in Antarctica next year.)
"Actually all of these killings are wrong," I replied. That's me, the moralistic American.
"But some killings you can do. Because you can choose in America, no?"
I was slow on the uptake. I began to understand the posters I saw hanging on Greenland's public buildings that read "Avoid Cultural Prejudice," featuring two mocking Greenlanders in sealskin coats holding a young calf and the words "Save the baby veal."
I slithered away, writing in my head a sequel to The Ugly American, starring myself.
This article appeared in the January 2011 issue of U.S. Catholic (Vol. 76, No. 1, page 37).


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ALBANY -- This season marks Patty Vincent's 30th with Feld Entertainment and Disney on Ice. A native Canadian, she said, "I'm originally from Toronto. We learn to skate before we learn to walk." Vincent joined first as a performer. Later, she became a performance director-- the artistic staff member charged with traveling the world with one of Disney's touring shows, maintaining it technically and artistically once it has left the rehearsal rink. Then, in 2004, came what she calls "probably the biggest call in my career that I can remember," the opportunity to direct one of Disney's mammoth undertakings. Earlier this year, Vincent completed her ninth Disney on Ice spectacular at the helm -- "Rockin' Ever After," launched at the end of August on its inaugural tour. The show is at the Times Union Center in the the run-up to Christmas. The Capital Region is one of the first areas to get "Rockin' Ever After." "When we first produce the show, it'll travel the East Coast of the United States, and it closes around May," Vincent said. "Next year, it's on the West Coast; the third year, Japan." From there, it goes into a repertoire of Disney shows than remain in circulation for years and travel the world to be seen by millions. "Rockin' Ever After" boasts a cast of 39 performers. "And I can't even give you a total for crew, to tell you the truth," Vincent said with a laugh. Each show takes a little more than a year to create, design, cast and rehearse. "But it's kind of a fun challenge," she said. "We always want to keep it fun and contemporary." Some ice spectacles are based principally on single titles in Disney's catalogue of successful animated features, such as "Finding Nemo On Ice," Vincent's first undertaking as director, and "Toy Story 3." Others, like "Princess Wishes" and "Dare To Dream," pull characters from several of these cultural touchstones. "Rockin' Ever After" is in the latter vein. "We were especially challenged with this one, because we have some familiar stories in it that we've pulled together before," Vincent said. "But how to make this one different?" The production team reached into the zeitgeist for inspiration. In this case, it rubbed up against the competition-show craze that brought us "American Idol" and its imitators. The "Rockin' " scenario: "Mickey and Minnie go on this global, around-the-world search for the most talented performers they've ever seen," Vincent said. Among the contenders are Pinocchio, Cinderella's evil stepsisters (picture comic pratfalls galore) and Sebastian of "Little Mermaid" fame, who introduces that film's Daughters of Triton dancing to, of all things, "We've Got the Beat." That's just for starters. "We tell four stories in under two hours," Vincent said. The show revisits some of Disney's classics, from "Beauty and the Beast" to "Tangled." Making her ice-show debut is Disney's newest girl-power celebrity, Merida, the flame-haired archer-princess from "Brave." Vincent said the production team can incorporate so much story because of the ubiquity of all things Disney: "As soon as the audience hears 'Under the Sea,' you can hear in the audience a kind of a gasp," she said. 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Little Mermaid,' even 'Tangled' now -- people are familiar with the stories, so we can work in chunks these days. You don't have to have every line and situation to tell the story." Even after the finished production hits the road, Vincent is not done with it. "I often sit with the audience to see how the audience is reacting and what's working. Right now, we've got six of our ice shows on the road, and seeing how they're doing is a big part of my job. "This is something I've always wanted to do, and every year I learn something new. As long as it's always as exciting as this, I want to do it as long as I can." Disney on Ice 'Rockin' Ever After' Where: Times Union Center, Albany When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $22 to $55;timesunioncenter-albany.com
, (518) 487-5000 orwww.ticketmaster.com


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For Immediate Release
Patricia Kiernan Johnson;
New York, NY —
OPERA America
, the national service organization for opera, announces four grant programs to be administered through June 2011. Grants totaling more than $250,000 will be awarded through the following programs:
Opera Fund
Repertoire Development
grants assist OPERA America Professional Company Members and their partners in meeting the special costs incurred by developing and producing new North American opera and music-theater. Repertoire Development grants allow the creators and/or producers to assess and refine a work in progress. The grant may be used to offset creative fees, recording expenditures for evaluation and archival purposes, or other costs associated with the development of a new opera/music-theater work, including but not limited to a lab production, workshop, reading or revision. Over the past 20 years, OPERA America's Opera Fund has provided grants totaling more than $10.5 million to assist companies with the creation and development of works such as
Cold Sassy Tree
Dead Man Walking
Elmer Gantry
Frau Margot
Little Women
Margaret Garner
Nixon in China
Shining Brow
(Hagen) and
A Streetcar Named Desire
Intent to apply deadline: August 23, 2010 | Application deadline: October 1, 2010
The Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase
is a bi-annual program offered as part of OPERA America's continuing effort to foster emerging opera artists. Emerging director-designer teams submit a production proposal for a work selected from a list of North American operas. Four teams chosen as finalists will receive a stipend to create more complete renderings and models for the concept and will receive a trip to Opera Conference 2011 in Boston, MA to present their production proposal to a group of opera company general, artistic and production directors. The program connects promising directors and designers with those who are in a position to promote their careers. Members of all four finalist teams from the first Director-Designer Showcase in 2009 have been offered career-advancing opportunities with opera companies across the U.S. as a result of their showcase participation. OPERA America is grateful for the commitment from The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund to continue this granting initiative.
Intent to apply deadline: August 23, 2010 | Application deadline: October 1, 2010
The MetLife Foundation
Music! Words! Opera!
Teacher Training Program
provides grants to Professional Company Members and their school partners to host training workshops for teachers using OPERA America's multi-level curriculum series, focusing on opera masterpieces while allowing students to produce their own opera. Since its inception in 1990,
Music! Words! Opera!
has served more than 32,500 students, nearly 1,300 music educators and over 600 music programs.
Application deadline: September 10, 2010
New Works Exploration Grants
provide support to representatives of OPERA America Professional Company Members who wish to travel to another city to attend a performance or workshop of a new opera and meet with the creative artists and administrators who are responsible for the work's creation. The goals of the program are to broaden awareness of new North American opera and music-theater works across the field and create relationships among opera companies interested in pursuing the creation and production of new works. Grants cover the cost of transportation and lodging. OPERA America gratefully acknowledges The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for its support of this program.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2011.
These grant opportunities exemplify several of OPERA America's key objectives: enhance the vitality of opera in North America through the creation and production of new works, develop an understanding and appreciation of the art form among future audiences, and encourage creative artists who will write and interpret new works.
"We are delighted that The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and MetLife Foundation have made generous contributions to OPERA America in support of these programs," stated OPERA America President & CEO Marc A Scorca. "Along with our own improved endowment, which supports The Opera Fund grants, these opportunities provide invaluable support to a wide range of opera constituents, including opera companies, educators and artists."
Further information, including guidelines and application procedures, is available at
These grant opportunities are made possible through the generosity of
Opera Fund
donors and The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and MetLife Foundation.
OPERA America leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
Information, technical, and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America's worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 16,000 subscribers to the association's electronic news service. In 2005, OPERA America relocated from Washington, D.C. to New York as the first step in creating the first-ever National Opera Center. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, the Opera Center is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
OPERA America's long tradition of supporting and nurturing the creation and development of new works led to the formation of
The Opera Fund
, a growing endowment which allows OPERA America to make a direct impact on the ongoing creation and presentation of new opera and music-theater works. Since its inception, OPERA America has made grants of nearly $11 million to assist companies with the expenses associated with the creation and development of new works.


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Income disparity, debt lead risk list
The widening income gap between the rich and poor and burgeoning government deficits are the risks most likely to have a global impact over the next decade, according to experts surveyed by the World Economic Forum.
Climate change, water shortages and aging populations rounded out the WEF's top five risks. The 1,000-plus experts surveyed for the Switzerland-based forum's annual risk report also warn that risk factors could combine to produce unique problems. These risk combinations included climate change putting a heavy burden on a global economy and a declining economy in turn hurting efforts to fight global warming.
"These global risks are essentially a health warning regarding our most critical systems," said report editor Lee Howell, a managing director at the forum. "Resilience to global risks needs to be a priority so that critical systems continue to function despite a major disturbance."
The experts also identified the global health threat from increasing resistance of germs to antibiotics. Another new worry is a "digital wildfire" of wrong or controversial information going viral across online communities, such as outrage last year in the Muslim world over an anti-Islamic film.
The report's authors also noted that more and more people are living in disaster-prone areas such as coastal regions, increasing the economic costs of storms and flooding blamed on global warming.
The report was published ahead of the forum's annual meeting later this month in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.


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On April 30, Microsoft's Bing Relevance Team announced on the Search Blog some of the updates they are making to Smart Search in Windows 8.1.
In essence, Smart Search is getting smarter. Today, Smart Search is called so because it searches everything and not just one domain like the computer's file system or the web. Searching for something via the Search Charm enables search across files, emails, apps, web, etc.
Now, with the power of Bing, one can enter natural language queries as shown below (from the blog post), and get relevant suggestions for things like PC settings. This may seem like a small and obvious update but it is actually quite nifty that customers don't need to know which exact setting to look for, to change screen brightness, for example. Settings like the Control Panel have always been confusing and to most customers, intimidating. Making it easy to "get things done" as opposed to finding the right place to change settings, will help in reducing the confusion.
As the blog post goes on to say, the beauty of these updates is that because it is powered by Bing, all the benefits gained by Bing across all the end points can be funneled back as features into all other end points. Hence, Bing has stopped being a "search engine" a long time ago and for Microsoft, it is a machine learning platform.
This update will be rolling out this week, so it does not look like it needs an OS or app update. Happy searching!


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Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House
in DC:
One is from New York , another is from
Tennessee and the third, is from Florida .
All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Florida contractor takes out a tape measure with a pencil. "Well,"
he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials,
$400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then
says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew
and $100 profit for me."
The New York contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to
the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the
other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
The New York contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you,
and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
And that, my friends, is how government contracting works !


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PITTSBURGH (AP) Ben Roethlisberger was talking about another win slipping away. It only sounded like he was talking about his team's enigmatic season.
``We felt good,'' the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said. ``We felt that we had it.''
Until, the Steelers didn't.
One Antonio Brown fumbled punt return and one fantastic interception by Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr on the second play of overtime and Pittsburgh had somehow turned a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead into a 27-24 loss.
``We know that's not Steeler football and that's not what we are capable of,'' Brown said. ``We've got to be better.''
Time's a wasting.
The Steelers (7-7), arguably the NFL's hottest team at the midway point, have dropped four of their last five, their worst stretch since a season-draining five-game slide in 2009 sent the then-defending Super Bowl champions tumbling out of the playoffs.
Things aren't quite as dire this time around. Wins over Cincinnati (8-6) and Cleveland (5-9) in the next two weeks and Pittsburgh will advance to the postseason for the third straight year. The Steelers have won 13 of the last 20 meetings in Pittsburgh with the Bengals and Cleveland has triumphed just twice in the Steel City since the franchise was reborn in 1999.
``I think we still have a chance to right our wrongs here,'' tight end Heath Miller said. ``We've got two games left. We just have to keeping chipping away at it.''
Something the Steelers have only done with intermittent success this fall. Pittsburgh started 2-3 before ripping off four straight wins, including a 24-20 win in New Jersey on Nov. 4 over the Giants that seemed to signal a return to dominance.
They never quite got there.
A sprained right shoulder and a dislocated rib to Roethlisberger on Nov. 12 blunted Pittsburgh's momentum and the Steelers have spent the last month squandering countless chances to become a major factor in a wide-open AFC.
Another loss and they won't even be a minor one.
``We understand where we are in this thing and the margin of error is zero,'' coach Mike Tomlin said.
While Roethlisberger, as is his custom, shouldered the blame for the loss, there was plenty to go around.
The battered secondary - which included former practice squad player Josh Victorian and second-year cornerback Curtis Brown seeing extended playing time - allowed Dallas quarterback Tony Romo to rack up 341 yards passing. The defense registered just one sack and recorded just one turnover and the running game continued to struggle. The trio of Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Chris Rainey managed just 67 yards on 15 carries, the fifth time in the last six games the Steelers failed to top 100 yards rushing.
Still, Pittsburgh appeared to be in control thanks to Roethlisberger. A month removed from a rib injury that threatened his aorta and a bum shoulder that made it difficult to handle his newborn son, Roethlisberger passed for 339 yards and two touchdowns while rallying Pittsburgh from deficits of 10-0 and 17-10 to take a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers defense held Dallas on four plays and Brown went out to try and give Pittsburgh solid field position to close it out. Brown was a Pro Bowler as a kick returner last year but has struggled with ball security at times. He was in the midst of a lengthy return when Cowboys linebacker Victor Butler prodded it free and Dallas recovered at the Pittsburgh 44.
The game was tied six plays later and the Steelers never threatened again. Two snaps into overtime Roethlisberger tried to hit Mike Wallace on an out pattern only to have Carr dive in front of it and return it the Pittsburgh 1.
Instead of heading home with another back-against-the-wall win, Pittsburgh has six days to recover from its fifth loss by a touchdown or less this year.
``We have no choice but to put it behind us,'' nose tackle Casey Hampton said. ``We control our own destiny. At the end of the day, that is all you can ask for.
``We just have to go back and try to get these next two.''
NOTES: The Steelers reinstated running back Rashard Mendenhall on Monday. Mendenhall was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. The Steelers received a roster exemption and will not have to make a corresponding move until Tuesday afternoon. Pittsburgh promoted RB Baron Batch last week to fill Mendenhall's spot. ... The Steelers are 2-2 in the AFC North so far with two games left.
Follow Will Graves at www.twitter.com/WillGravesAP
Online:http://pro32.ap.org/poll andhttp://twitter.com/AP-NFL


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I was looking at the decisions of the OPC General Assembly and noticed this quote on speaking in tongues: "In 1976 the Assembly upheld a presbytery's decision to discipline a pastor who practiced the private exercise of speaking in tongues."
I would like to know, based on the Bible, how and why this pastor was disciplined for speaking in tongues. Note carefully that St. Paul said, "Forbid not speaking in tongues." Furthermore, there is no Scripture that says that the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are not for the church of today. Can you please tell me how the Assembly made that decision to discipline that pastor? Thanks.
I can speak from experience in the appeal of a minister who announced that he spoke in tongues. I was one of those prosecuting the case before General Assembly and Presbytery. You are right in saying that the Bible doesn't forbid speaking in tongues, and even commends it (1 Cor. 14:39), but not very highly.
Why our action in 1976? Because the special gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12) were limited to the times of the apostles which ceased at the end of the apostolic age. Hebrews 2:1 & 2 says "God has ... in these last days spoken to us in His Son ..." He is the living Word (John 1:1, 14) It is noteworthy that, after Jesus ascended, the apostles did the same miracles that Jesus did (e.g. Acts 3:1-9; 9:33-42). These miracles in the name of Jesus demonstrated that the power of Christ was given to the apostles and to some, not apostles, on whom they laid their hands.
But the main reason for the OPC's 1976 action was that 1 Corinthians 14 teaches that tongues could be interpreted by another special gift. So, when genuine tongues were interpreted to the edifying of the church, they became prophecy.
Now the New Testament gift of prophecy was for the purpose of guiding the infant Christian church while the N.T. Scriptures were non-existent or incomplete. It is interesting that there were two kinds of N.T. prophecy: those writings that were Holy Spirit inspired which made up the New Testament and those which were "ad hoc" revelations ( referred to in 1 Cor. 14). The latter were as inspired, and therefore without error, as any N.T. book, but they were not recorded because their purpose was temporary and therefore not preserved for posterity.
Now the New Testament brought to the final conclusion the revelations of God to His people throughout previous ages. With the death of the last apostle, there was no more prophecy, including tongues (which were prophecy in another language). We still get illumination from the Spirit through the Word, but no new revelations of the Spirit (see the Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 1, paragraph 6).
Just one more reference to Scripture: Revelation 22:18, 19 is almost at the end of the Bible. And it was probably written somewhere near 95 AD. With the death of John shortly thereafter, the age of the apostles ended. These words warning of plagues to those who added to "this book" and damnation to those who took away from it are exceedingly solemn. I do not say that these literally apply to those who profess to speak in tongues (they are not intentionally adding to the Word of God), but the passage does speak to the absolute sufficiency of Scripture as we have it.
Just one more thing: we should not expect that, to satisfy us on a particular question, God must in His Word oblige us by spelling it out explicitly in plain words. There is such a thing as good and necessary inference which must apply to such questions as, "should we baptize infants, or only adults?" There's plenty by way of inference, yet no specific command or prohibition. It's this sort of reasoning that I have advanced in the above. I hope it helps. Feel free to come back if you have further questions.
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been editedall personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expandedto make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chaplains and Military Personnel


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ABC Family's TV family is getting bigger.
The cable network has ordered two new dramas to premiere this summer.
From executive producer Jennifer Lopez comes The Fosters, an hourlong drama about a multi-ethnic family consisting of a mix of foster and biological children being raised by two moms. Fly Girls' Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige created the series, starring Meet the Parents' Teri Polo, Sherri Saum (Rescue Me), Wizards of Waverly Place's Jake T. Austin and Cierra Ramirez (The Secret Life of the American Teenager). Make It or Break It's Joanna Johnson will also executive-produce with Simon Fields, Greg Gugliotta and Lopez's manager, Benny Medina.
2013 bubble shows: Which will survive?
Twisted, formerly Socio, is a mystery about a charismatic 16-yearold with a troubled past who recently reconnected with his two female best friends from childhood. He becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation when a fellow student is shockingly found dead in his home. Denise Richards, Gossip Girl's Sam Robards and Victorious' Avan Jogia will star in the project, written by Greek's Adam Milch. Milch will executive-produce with Gilmore Girls' Gavin Polone and David Babcock.
"ABC Family is synonymous with groundbreaking storytelling and iconic characters," ABC Family President Michael Riley said in a statement. "These new shows will bring the same depth, heart, close relationships and authenticity that our viewers have come to expect and, will pair nicely with our already established pop culture hits."
Production on both new series starts this spring, and more pick-ups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Will you watch The Fosters or Twisted?


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Long-time, first-time tipster Mike Toper saw the video of Kansas City Star blogger/reporter Lee Judge getting beaned by a batting-cage ball, and you know what he said to himself? Judge is a pussy. Fine, he didn't say that exactly, but he provided video evidence supporting that stance, along with this explanation:
I attended Oswego State University, which boasted the #1 hockey team in Division III pretty much all season (they eventually lost in the D-III frozen four). Back in December, as a promo for our hockey broadcasts, I thought it'd be entertaining to take a check from Tyler Leimbrock, whom the head coach dubbed as one of the hardest hitters on the team.
I didn't think to submit it until I saw the Royals reporter being beaned by a ball. After taking a mild concussion, I can tell you this hurt more.
Boom went the Plexiglass.
WTOP10 Hockey Promo - Rough Cut [YouTube]
After Beaning, Reporter Will No Longer Urge Players To Take One For The Team [Deadspin]
Oswego State hockey on their way to Frozen Four [CNY Central]


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Copa America Centenario tickets for Soldier Field Stadium are now in high demand as Argentina vs. Panama and The Semifinals are set to take place in Chicago, IL this year. Soccer (or football) fans in Illinois will be eager to find tickets for the big event when it comes to Chicago. Luckily for fans, Ticket Process has a great selection of tickets for Argentina vs. Panama & The Semifinals. For years TicketProcess.com has successfully provided fans with a wide variety of tickets for nearly every major live entertainment event worldwide and continues to do so to this very day. Don't miss Copa 2016 when it comes to Soldier Field Stadium! Get tickets today.
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The popular Soldier Field Stadium will host not one, but two big Copa events this year! The first event to take place will be Argentina vs. Panama on June 10th. The teams will face off to take one step closer to earning the highly desired trophy. Additionally, Soldier Field Stadium will be the epicenter of soccer fans in Illinois when The Semifinals takes place not to long after on June 22nd. Those looking for tickets will find a multitude of tickets at TicketProcess.com now.
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In previous columns I introduced a number of topics related to the concepts of heritage planning, and in my last posting dated Feb. 29, I discussed how we set up governance structures such as a Family Council during a family's initial Heritage Day. In this posting I will focus on the family dynamics revolving around a Family Council (view all seven postings to date on the concept of Heritage Planning on this AdvisorOne home page).
Forming a Family Council can raise delicate issues. For example, do in-laws vote? Will votes on key decisions be made by a count of total family members, or will each family unit within the whole share a single vote? How long will officers serve in their positions? How will change and growth be accommodated as the family council moves ahead and learns what works and does not work?
We have learned time and again the reality that spouses are going to be involved even if they are not voting or participating members of committees—everyone knows what is going on—and if and when children, ex-spouses, and step-kids are added to the mix, mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure that each and every one of them has true permission, protection and potency so that they will participate as equals.
We typically stress the importance of getting as many people from as many generations to participate as possible. Engagement on the group level across generations is a good thing. The idea is most often that those who are ages 12-15 are beginning to learn, by observing and participating in discussion. By the time they are 18 they have some "seasoning," and are ready to participate at the next levels.
Imagine that you have been blessed to work with three generations of a family. A day or so ago, you spent the entire day with Generation 2, the adult children of your client. You felt good about the outcome of the meeting and you receive an e-mail that reads in part:
Dear Cameron,
Thank you so much for all that you put into our meeting yesterday. There are moments that happen in life that you know in your heart you will always remember. Yesterday with my sister is one of those moments. It is such a blessing to have you in our lives. Thank you for all you are doing.
Receiving this communication sure made my day!
Fostering a Hands-On Learning Atmosphere
Learning how to communicate on an adult-to-adult basis is a challenge for family members—starting at the top with Mom and Dad, to children, in-laws and grandchildren. An immediate goal is to help children begin to discuss financial matters at an adult-to-adult level with their parents.
Since teens and adults learn by doing, we create hands-on learning opportunities aligned specifically to the outcomes of our client families.
Talking about money seems to be a taboo subject—many of the people I work with have said talking about sex is an easier subject to address with their children. Since money continues to be a stumbling block, my peers and I often create a pre-inheritance experience that provides children with money that cannot be consumed so that they can learn to talk about money together. We focus on helping them learn how to invest money together by making joint decisions and how to engage professional advisors. This opens the door to the opportunity of beginning to pass intergenerational leadership within a family.
Creating a Family Fund
Sometimes a family will create what is called a Family Fund or a Family Bank as a means of implementing the business of being a family and ensuring the ongoing development of pre-inheritance experiences.
This Family Fund or Family Bank may or may not be a legal entity, and the other family governance structures may or may not have legal authority over the funds. It is up to the family to stipulate in their Heritage Statement and in any bylaws they enact for the formation of their Family Council.
It is not unusual for families to divide the family governance via the Family Council, which typically contains all of the family, from the Family Fund or Family Bank, which may just be the blood relatives, or a small group of them.
In these cases, financial decisions are made by blood relations only which tends to stave off the many complications that pop up in the real world, like divorce, separation, re-marriage, etc.
In my next column I will expand on the process of developing a Family Fund or Family Bank and why it is one of the keys to long-term success in creating a multi-generational strategy for promoting family unity and development.


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Syrian opposition activists are calling for a "day of rage" Tuesday to protest what they see as Russian support for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
On Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev rejected calls from the United States and Western Europe for increased sanctions against Syria for its violent crackdown on protesters.
Medvedev said there is no need for additional pressure on Syria. He also said any possible United Nations resolution on Syria must be "tough" but "balanced."
Russia has veto power in the U.N. Security Council and can stop the passage of any resolution against the volatile Middle Eastern nation.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday she "strongly disagreed" with Medvedev, saying the U.N. Security Council should "take stronger action" in imposing sanctions against the Syrian government.
Violence against protesters continued in Syria on Monday. Syrian human rights activists said security forces killed at least 17 people, mostly around the central city of Hama.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Monday during an address to the Human Rights Council that 2,600 people have been killed in the Syrian uprising in the last six months.
An aide to Assad disputed those U.N. figures Monday, saying that 1,400 have died. Syrian government spokesman Bouthaina Shaaban said the casualties have been evenly split, with 700 government forces and 700 opposition activists killed.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
|Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter
and discuss them on our Facebook page.


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There's more but that should give you the gist of A.M. Homes' May We Be Forgiven ((978-0-670-02548-0, $27.95).
Fifty years ago, Southerners used to bandy about the expression "poor white trash." Popular culture depicted these beleaguered souls as toothless, wormy people who lived at the end of a dirt road, kept a 1940s tire-less Ford on blocks on a scruffy front lawn, infected schools with head lice and beat the tar out of anyone who looked at them cross-eyed. In the film version of To Kill A Mockingbird, Hollywood gave us white trash walking in the characters of Mayella and Robert Ewell.
In our current age of euphemism and goose-stepping political correctness, "poor white trash" is now verboten. Today we might calls these folks "economically-deprived Caucasoid detritus." Given our current political climate, however, I am reasonably certain that only a few would object to the term "rich white trash."
And it is this "rich white trash" who make up the bulk of the characters in May We Be Forgiven. Harold Silver, nominally Jewish, a fan and would-be biographer of Richard Nixon, is at the center of the events described above.
After George Silver goes mad and commits his acts of mayhem and murder, Harold finds himself caring for his brother's children Ashley and Nate. Nate, a saintly boy on the cusp of his bar mitzvah, is wiser than any adult in the novel; Ashley is a 10-year-old who writes school essays on soap operas and finds comfort in the arms of a teacher after her mother is murdered. The childless Harold even takes into his care the boy whose mother George Silver kills in the car crash. The young woman with whom Harold has an affair eventually runs away, leaving Harold as the primary caregiver for her two aged, senile parents. Add a few pets, and by novel's end Harold is a one-man branch of social services.
Harold engages in other endeavors as well. He talks with Julie Eisenhower about her father, Richard Nixon, and uncovers a trove of short stories written by the disgraced president. He loses his job at a university, which apparently consists of teaching a single course on Nixon. He has few financial worries, however, as the imprisoned George, a newscaster, has left the family awash in money, and Harold himself gets a wad of bucks from the school to hush up the teacher's antics. He takes the children on various trips, including one to Nateville in Africa, where Nate wishes to have his bar mitzvah.
Though May We Be Forgiven has a good bit of dark humor, it is in her description of this African trip that Homes turns unintentionally humorous. Here the people are poor but happy: Nate and Ashley are greeted with celebrations as white bwanas, and a wise old medicine man — that's a euphemism for witch doctor — cures Harold of his "inner sickness" through a series of purgative teas. The stereotypes depicted here — poor people happy, rich people sad; black people wise, white people foolish — will doubtless strike some readers as true, but for this reviewer, they became moments of high humor.
May We Be Forgiven is well-written, and many other critics have lauded it as a story of second chances. I decided to take it as a warning. Nearly all the characters in May We Be Forgiven belong to the Northeast elite who run much of this country. If these portraits are accurate, we are in even bigger trouble than we can imagine in this country. The lunatics truly are in charge of the asylum.


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Official Greek Metallica Fan club
Hellasmetallica is the Official Greek Metallica fan Club, the Greek MetClub Local Chapter.
It was established in 2006 by a bunch of guys sick of the whole shebang of "syrupy" music every time we wanted to hang around.
We meet, organize parties and other happenings, travel and enjoy Metallica shows around the world , promote the band and the club and above all...make everyone listen more METALLICA!!!
Chapter Head : Sonia Gerogianni (email@example.com)
Find us :
In 1993, the members of Metallica established their own unique Fan Club. The Metallica Club is a way for the band to keep friends, family, and fans fully informed regarding all things 'Tallica. Far more than the name "fan club" would imply, The Metallica Club exists so the band can keep a two-way line of communication open to the people who have supported them over the years. The Club is your ticket to staying up to date about what the band is up to as well as interacting with the band you love. Fully owned and operated by the band itself, the Metallica Club is a fail-safe way to know that all fan voices are heard and all requests are considered. ALL MAIL IS READ. Everyone, especially the band, wants to hear Club Member ideas!
Why should I sign up?
As the Mighty Metallica Machine ploughs across the globe, Metallica Club Members can always be found hanging in the best seats of every stadium, arena or club. Exclusively through the Club, members are given the opportunity to purchase tickets to virtually every show on the tour's itinerary. Best of all, the Club also gives members a chance to live every fan's dream - to meet members of the band backstage! Unfortunately we can't take all the Clubbers at any given show, so to keep this opportunity fair to all members, the Club conducts an online "enter to win" drawing in advance of each tour date.
Over the years, the band has performed a number of gigs exclusively for Metallica Club Members. Some of these shows are staged in small, intimate clubs or theaters while some have been tour rehearsal shows in large arenas. Either way, these shows give the Club Member an opportunity to see shows that the average fan cannot see.
Since 1995, Metallica has given Club Members access to over 30 gigs that were not available to the general public, including the four 30th Anniversary shows held at the world famous Fillmore in San Francisco. Club Members have also been seen at a few Death Magnetic Rehearsal Shows, the Death Magnetic release parties in Berlin and London, and we can't forget the sweaty little club gigs at The Basement in Nashville, TN, BBC Radio One in London, and the four 2003 rehearsals at the Fillmore. Were you there?
As if tickets, backstage passes, and exclusive concerts were not enough to make you want to join the Club, there is more! Five lucky Club Members (and their guests) were invited to the band's HQ to, not only listen to some of Death Magnetic before it was released, but to watch the band participate in a radio show hosted by Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters. Club Members also had a chance to go to a special BBQ Party at the Bonnaroo festival as well as a party celebrating Death Magnetic in Denmark.
And that's just what has happened recently. In the past, an extremely lucky contest winner won an all expense paid trip to watch the band record the St. Anger album. In the summer of 2002, Metallica HQ was the home of the "Launch Party." Club Members won a contest to hang out, eat and drink with the members of Metallica. Then the band performed a special show just for them! And back in 1998, eight winners won a contest to, not only go on tour for a week, but to be part of Metallica's road crew, which included their own tour bus!
The Metallica Club is constantly creating new ways to give away hard to obtain prizes. Basically, the shit we give away you CAN NOT FIND ANYWHERE ELSE! A few of the prizes the Club has given away in the past include: tour jackets, VIP passes, loads of autographed materials, band instruments, and even the greasy nuts off James' car used in the "I Disappear" video! The Club is constantly thinking of cooler and more unique prizes to give away. The past speaks for itself, so who knows what will happen next!
Four times per year, all members of The Metallica Club receive the official magazine of The Metallica Club, So What! This collector's item is a 48-page glossy, full color magazine that brings club members the most Metallica news, photos, and inside information.
The boys are major contributors to each magazine answering your letters, providing personal photos and letters, judging contests, and providing a behind the scenes view that you won't find anywhere else. Each issue of So What! brings the members of the club even farther into the world of Metallica.
Club Members also have full access to Metallica.com. You want more? You NEED more! As a Club Member, Metallica.com expands the online Metallica universe by offering more audio and video content, as well as exclusive pictures from the studio and from the road. Club Members also get their own message board and chat room to connect with fellow Clubberz across the globe. We also expand the Fan Club Magazine, So What, by giving you a Virtual So What! section that offers up additional content from the cutting room floor and also gives you a chance to catch up on issues that may have been missed. Content is frequently updated which should give you a reason to keep coming back to Metallica.com.
The Metallica Club store offers exclusive, one of a kind Met merchandise to club members only, as well as discounted prices on many of the items you see on tour and in stores. From t-shirts to gear shift knobs to Christmas ornaments to the coveted Fan Can, Metallica Club members have the opportunity to purchase items that you won't find anywhere else.
What is the Fan Can you ask? The Fan Can is a limited edition collector's item containing a CD, a video, a rare t-shirt, and a trinket all packaged in a custom paint can. The can is filled with stuff that is unavailable anywhere else and designed especially for the club! Fan Cans are ONLY available for purchase by members of The Metallica Club and are available every few years. The last was Fan Can VI released in 2010 and was the ONLY video to feature the World Magnetic Tour in the indoor setting.
Sign up using your credit card, and minutes later, you will receive your password and immediate access to the Members Area section.
Click here for all of the information needed to join the Club!
© 2013 Όλα τα δικαιώματα κατοχυρωμένα


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Scott Ullom says it was the "be First" attitude that attracted him to Fairmont State University. The first time Ullom visited Fairmont State's campus he was attending a workshop as a student representative for another college. As a deaf student, he immediately found the FSU community welcoming and supportive. "I visited 17 other colleges and universities," Ullom said. "At Fairmont State, four people offered to direct me around campus within the first seven minutes of being here."
Ullom was pleased to find a school that not only met his physical needs, but also provided the educational and experiential opportunities he desired. After visiting campus and interacting with helpful and outgoing faculty and staff, he knew that he had found the right fit. Today, Ullom and his hearing assistance dog, Raider, are very popular on campus, frequently seen surrounded by a friendly circle of students or faculty and staff. In fact, Ullom was elected by the student body to serve as its representative on the FSU Board of Governors.
Read more of Ullom's story by clicking here.


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Who needs a piece of plastic to give a gift card anymore? Not you if you go through Square. A new update to the Square Wallet app adds digital giftcards you can give right from your phone right to someone else's. And if your gift-target is running iOS 6, it'll show up in their Passbook.
The update comes in two halves, the first is the update to the consumer app Square Wallet which adds the ability to purchase the cards and send them to others. The second is an update to Square Register which allows business owners to accept the cards in three ways: Printed QR code, Square Wallet or Passbook.
While the cards will work on all platforms with the QR code and Wallet options, the Passbook integration is where the opportunity really shines, making it very easy for iOS 6 users to spend that sweet gift-money with a little less hassle. Thanks to moves like this, the gift card is becoming less of a last minute gift and more of a last second one; procrastinators rejoice.


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Tesla earrings
This striking pair is my fresh take on traditional chandelier earrings. Three crystal drops dangle from these multi-tiered beauties to catch the light with your every move.
- Earring is about 2.25" long on crystal post.
- Genuine Swarovski crystals.
- Handmade in our Denver, CO studio.
- Packaged in our signature heirloom box.
- Ships in 3-5 business days.
- Please CONTACT us to inquire about expedited processing.
- Final Sale: All Sara Gabriel pieces are individually hand cut, stitched, set and soldered by our team of artisans when you place your order, so we can't accept returns.
- If you are not certain a design is right for you, please visit one of the many BOUTIQUES that carry the Sara Gabriel collection for a one-on-one styling appointment and assistance placing your order.
Can't decide which color you need? Order a Swatch Card HERE.


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Amazon Fire Phone's Free Unlimited Photo Storage: Open to Abuse?
In smartphones, there are features, and there's flash. The Amazon Fire phone has its share of both: The quasi-3D display is pretty compelling, but the jury is still out on how much of a novelty it is.
An undoubtedly important Fire phone feature for everyday users, however, is the fact that you get unlimited cloud storage for all the photos you take with it.
Offering free, unlimited photo storage for every photo you take on a smartphone is unprecedented. Although many apps offer automatic photo (and sometimes video) uploads, there's usually either a storage limit (go over it and you start paying) or some other caveat (such as a maximum resolution).
At 1 terabyte (1,000GB) of free storage, Flickr comes pretty close to unlimited for most practical purposes. But it doesn't come preloaded on any phones — you need to download the app and register.
Amazon is the first smartphone vendor to offer free, out-of-the-box cloud storage for every single photo you ever take with the phone. It's a very consumer-friendly move — and while Amazon's competitors have been inching in that direction, no one else has taken the plunge.
Picture this slippery slope
The reason is simple: It would be very easy to abuse such a feature. Cloud backup for smartphone photos is meant to back up photos actually taken with the phone. But the camera roll on a smartphone also needs to be accessible by other apps (indeed, Apple recently announced it would make the iPhone's camera roll even more connectable than it already is in iOS 8 to satisfy developer desires).
Many of those apps are essentially bridges between the phone and a wireless-enabled camera. That way, you can take high-quality photos with, say, a DSLR, and relay them (either via the camera's own Wi-Fi or an Eye-Fi card) to your device so you can then share them on services such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and all other digital communities where people share photos.
You can see where this is going. A photo service that grants unlimited free storage (as Amazon's purportedly does) opens the door to gaming the system — it's a relatively simple exercise to ensure every photo you take from any camera is uploaded to the service.
This is a photo archivist's dream: all photos — whether RAW, JPEG or anything else — all stored in the cloud, forever, at no charge.
Even Flickr charges for such a service (you needed to have the now locked-down Flickr Pro to go truly unlimited). Amazon doesn't. The company's FAQ on the subject doesn't reveal any fine-print caveats, and when we asked Amazon directly, a company rep said there are no resolution or size restrictions, or any artificial storage limits.
While Amazon will monitor for potential abuse, it expects the majority of Fire phone owners will fall within a "normal range of usage."
Is so-called abuse even something to fear, though? The multiple-camera scenario is certainly bending the rules, but given how few people would actually partake in it and the relative cheapness of cloud storage, Amazon can probably afford to absorb the outliers who will take advantage of its free service.
And given the lack of other tools, Amazon's photo cloud probably won't challenge Flickr for the attentions of professional photographers.
Who's next?
Now that Amazon has dived into free photo storage, will its competitors step up?
Apple has already outlined its plans for iCloud Photo Library — and although its rates are cheap, they're not free. Google already backs up all your photos to Google+ for free, but not at full resolution. The company will have an opportunity to respond at Google I/O next week.
Microsoft may be the company best positioned to match Amazon's offer. Windows Phone still has relatively low market share compared with iOS and Android, and the company has a strong cloud platform in Azure and OneDrive.
Given the fact that the draw of many Windows Phones is the camera, Microsoft could earn a lot of customer loyalty by guaranteeing that all photos are automatically backed up, for free.
One thing's for sure: It will take a while before video follows photos into unlimited-storage territory. There's almost no upper limit to how much space a video can take up. Guaranteeing that every video gets stored — no matter how long or how high-res — is going to take generational jumps in storage and connection speeds.
But for now, Amazon's offering has no equivalent, and it solves a big pain point for consumers. Who hasn't needed to delete a bunch of old photos to clear out space on their phone? Amazon has pointed the way to a photo-friendly future, and it would be surprising if the rest of the tech world doesn't follow sooner or later.


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For Immediate Release
Patricia Kiernan Johnson;
New York, NY —
OPERA America
, the national service organization for opera, is pleased to announce the recipients of the
2010 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award
. In its third year, this award honors trustees of U.S. opera companies for exemplary leadership, generosity and audience-building efforts on behalf of their respective opera companies.
The 2010 National Opera Trustee Recognition honorees are
Marc I. Stern of Los Angeles Opera
Jeffrey A. Evershed of Portland Opera
Eve and Fred Simon of Opera Omaha
Benjamin Keaton of Long Leaf Opera
OPERA America is committed to recognizing strong trustee leaders, acknowledging the pivotal role they play in the success of opera companies and the vitality of the communities they serve. By celebrating the dedication of board members at the national level, the National Opera Trustee Recognition Program seeks to inspire exemplary service to opera companies and to strengthen the relationships between opera companies and their trustees across the U.S.
"We are delighted to celebrate the substantial achievements of these dedicated trustees," stated Marc A. Scorca, president and CEO of OPERA America. "The National Opera Trustee Recognition Award provides OPERA America and the opera community with the opportunity to recognize those who have been so generous in their passion for the art form, vision and support of their opera companies."
Each year, OPERA America member companies are invited to nominate one of their trustees for this award. Honorees from each of the four OPERA America budget levels are chosen by an adjudication committee through a competitive selection process.
The honorees represent a significant range of accomplishments, generosity and a deep commitment to promoting opera in their communities. The following profiles illustrate just a few examples of the dedication of these trustees.
Marc I. Stern, Los Angeles Opera
Jeffrey A. Evershed, Portland Opera
Eve and Fred Simon, Opera Omaha
Benjamin Keaton, Long Leaf Opera
Marc I. Stern, Los Angeles Opera
Marc I. Stern has been one of Los Angeles's preeminent cultural leaders for over a decade. He has served as Los Angeles Opera's Chairman and CEO since 2002, leading the company to become one of the most important in the U.S., and providing volunteer leadership for artistic and community service initiatives that have solidified Los Angeles Opera's unique artistic identity. Through their personal giving and through the Marc and Eva Stern Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Stern are among Los Angeles Opera's most generous benefactors, providing extraordinary support for new productions, special events and artistic programming. He also serves on the boards of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the California Institute of Technology and Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. Mr. Stern is vice chairman and CEO of The TCW Group Inc., an asset management firm with over $100 billion in assets under management. Mr. Stern has been appointed as a "Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Mérite" by the President of France. He is a member of the management committee of Société Générale Group and chairman of Société Générale's Global Investment Management and Services (GIMS) North America unit. TCW was acquired by Société Générale in 2001. He currently serves as a director of Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ), a director of Rockefeller & Co., Inc., and is a member of the advisory board and an owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jeffrey A. Evershed, Portland Opera
Prior to joining Portland Opera's board of directors in 1990 as a corporate representative from one of the organization's major sponsors, Jeffrey A. Evershed had never attended a single opera. That first exposure to opera has fueled a passionate commitment to both Portland Opera and to the art form. In his 19 years on the board of Portland Opera, he has amassed an astounding resume of inspired leadership, advocacy and governance. During Mr. Evershed's tenures as president of the board and as chairman, he led Portland Opera through the
Fresh Aria Campaign
, a five-year effort to enhance the sustainability of Portland Opera and the artistic quality of productions. This successful $16.7 million campaign was the largest fundraising effort conducted by a Portland cultural institution to date and set a new bar for arts support in the community. It also placed the company on a strong and stable financial footing that has resulted in Portland Opera completing 11 of the past 12 years in the black. Mr. Evershed also played a pivotal role in helping Portland Opera acquire its new home in 2003. The purchase and renovation of The Hampton Opera Center marked the first time in its 40-year history that Portland Opera was able to consolidate its administrative, artistic and rehearsal facilities and a studio theater under one roof. Together with General Director Christopher Mattaliano, he has helped expand the season and dramatically grow Portland Opera's audience, establish the new Portland Opera Studio Artist program and launch a new chamber opera series. Mr. Evershed also led the company in the launch of the
New Era Initiative
, a five-year strategic effort focused on creating sustainability in virtually every area of operations — from earned revenue and fund raising to program planning and endowment.
Eve and Fred Simon, Opera Omaha
For five generations, the Simon family and their family-owned business, Omaha Steaks, have been critical supporters of every major arts organization in Omaha, as well as others nationally. For nearly 40 years, Eve and Fred Simon's generous personal giving and participation in all aspects of Opera Omaha's activities, coupled with their company's ongoing sponsorship, have made them wonderful advocates for fundraising and have ensured the health of Opera Omaha. Their individual gifts have allowed Opera Omaha to provide productions of the highest artistic quality possible for the people of this community, while at the same time ensuring the company's longevity. Most recently, Mr. Simon served as the lead fundraiser for Opera Omaha's collaboration with the Institute for Holocaust Education's production of
, which was attended by 9,000 area schoolchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Simon's monumental fundraising efforts, including reaching out to other patrons and helping to build new audience, have resulted in continued fiscal health for the arts in Omaha. For more than 20 years, Mr. Simon's company has annually sponsored productions, community outreach events, the opera chorus, artists, personnel and season program books. In 2008, in celebration of Opera Omaha's 50th anniversary, Mr. Simon was also the co-sponsor of the production of a retrospective, full-color book entitled
Opera in Omaha: The First Fifty Years
, which chronicles the rich history of the organization through the eyes of those who have witnessed the organization's success. In addition to providing long-term fiscal support to Opera Omaha, thus ensuring that this beautiful art form is available for future generations, Mr. and Mrs. Simon are also important supporters of The Santa Fe Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, as well as other key arts organizations in their community: the Omaha Symphony, Film Streams, the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Performing Arts Society and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts.
Benjamin Keaton, Long Leaf Opera
(Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC)
Twelve years ago, conductor and composer Benjamin Keaton co-founded Long Leaf Opera with Randolph Umberger as an alternative company with two missions: to present exclusively operas written originally in English and to develop a multicultural company of artists at all levels. Concerned with the lack of opportunities for young American composers, Mr. Keaton set out to recruit the finest regional and national composing talents available and to follow a colorblind casting policy on stage, in the pit and in the board room. Since then, Mr. Keaton has overseen the production of 33 operas, including seven world premieres. In 2007, Keaton established an international competition for new operatic works, and to date over 100 compositions have been received from countries including Germany, Australia and the U.K. Under his baton, the company's orchestra and vocalists have evolved from local performers to a professional company of artists with established careers at major opera houses both in Europe and the U.S. In his 12 years on the board of directors, Mr. Keaton has served as vice-chair and treasurer, and has tirelessly encouraged others to donate time and money to Long Leaf Opera. A native of Belhaven, NC, Keaton holds a Master's degree from East Carolina University, where he was a founding member of the Zeta Psi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and where he has recently endowed scholarships for voice majors. Keaton taught 20th century music and theory for 18 years at NCCU and has served as maestro for musical organizations throughout the southeast and west. He has directed in England and serves as opera advisor to Chez Nous Productions in Paris. He is a composer of vocal and instrumental music and was recently awarded the Durham Jaycees Outstanding Citizen Award and the ECU School of Music's Distinguished Alumni Award for 2009.
OPERA America will pay tribute to the 2010 honorees and celebrate their remarkable achievements at a February dinner and reception in New York City.
OPERA America's commitment to recognizing excellence in governance is shared by its sister organization Opera.ca, the Canadian national association for opera. Opera.ca honors
Ms. Alberta Cefis of Opera Atelier
as the 2010 recipient of its
National Opera Directors Recognition Program
OPERA America leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
Information, technical, and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America's worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 16,000 subscribers to the association's electronic news service. In 2005, OPERA America relocated from Washington, D.C. to New York as the first step in creating the first-ever National Opera Center. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, the Opera Center is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
OPERA America's long tradition of supporting and nurturing the creation and development of new works led to the formation of
The Opera Fund
, a growing endowment which allows OPERA America to make a direct impact on the ongoing creation and presentation of new opera and music-theater works. Since its inception, OPERA America has made grants of nearly $11 million to assist companies with the expenses associated with the creation and development of new works.


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Our products are meant to be worn all day and night*, so it's important to follow a few simple guidelines as you wear and care for your device.
To keep your band clean and your skin happy, our board of certified dermatologists have outlined the following tips:
*Excludes leather, woven/knit and metal accessory bands.
As part of our commitment to help people live healthier, more active lives, we have created a Scientific Advisory Board of leading, certified dermatologists who meet with Fitbit executives to review our testing protocols, ensure our products meet the highest possible standards and help us better communicate with our customers on how to properly wear and care for our bands.
Dr Peter Schalock is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery (Dermatology) at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and practices clinically at Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery. He edited the book Primary Care Dermatology and has authored many book chapters and journal publications.
Dr Schalock was chosen for the Dermatology Leadership Programme by the American Academy of Dermatology and received the Presidential Citation from the American Contact Dermatitis Society.
Dr. Patricia Norris began treating contact dermatitis as a research assistant for Dr. Frances Storrs at Oregon Health & Science University. 10 years later, Dr. Storrs retired and Dr. Norris took over the OHSU Contact Clinic.
Dr. Norris was named a top doctor in Portland in 2008, 2016 and 2017, among other accolades. She loves teaching, collaborating with patients and exercise – setting her alarm for 4.45 a.m. for early-morning workouts and tracking heart rate and distance with Fitbit.