text:
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text:
This is one in a series of posts on when and where to use a distributed architecture design in your organization's computing needs. You can find the main post here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/buckwoody/archive/2011/01/18/windows-azure-and-sql-azure-use-cases.aspx
Computing platforms evolve over time. Originally computers were directed by hardware wiring - that, the "code" was the path of the wiring that directed an electrical signal from one component to another, or in some cases a physical switch controlled the path. From there software was developed, first in a very low machine language, then when compilers were created, computer languages could more closely mimic written statements. These language statements can be compiled into the lower-level machine language still used by computers today.
Microprocessors replaced logic circuits, sometimes with fewer instructions (Reduced Instruction Set Computing, RISC) and sometimes with more instructions (Complex Instruction Set Computing, CISC).
The reason this history is important is that along each technology advancement, computer code has adapted. Writing software for a RISC architecture is significantly different than developing for a CISC architecture. And moving to a Distributed Architecture like Windows Azure also has specific implementation details that our code must follow.
But why make a change? As I've described, we need to make the change to our code to follow advances in technology. There's no point in change for its own sake, but as a new paradigm offers benefits to our users, it's important for us to leverage those benefits where it makes sense.
That's most often done in new development projects. It's a far simpler task to take a new project and adapt it to Windows Azure than to try and retrofit older code designed in a previous computing environment. We can still use the same coding languages (.NET, Java, C++) to write code for Windows Azure, but we need to think about the architecture of that code on a new project so that it runs in the most efficient, cost-effective way in a Distributed Architecture.
As we receive new requests from the organization for new projects, a distributed architecture paradigm belongs in the decision matrix for the platform target.
When you are designing new applications for Windows Azure (or any distributed architecture) there are many important details to consider. But at the risk of over-simplification, there are three main concepts to learn and architect within the new code:
Stateless Programming - Stateless program is a prime concept within distributed architectures. Rather than each server owning the complete processing cycle, the information from an operation that needs to be retained (the "state") should be persisted to another location c(like storage) common to all machines involved in the process. An interesting learning process for Stateless Programming (although not unique to this language type) is to learn Functional Programming.
Server-Side Processing - Along with developing using a Stateless Design, the closer you can locate the code processing to the data, the less expensive and faster the code will run. When you control the network layer, this is less important, since you can send vast amounts of data between the server and client, allowing the client to perform processing. In a distributed architecture, you don't always own the network, so it's performance is unpredictable. Also, you may not be able to control the platform the user is on (such as a smartphone, PC or tablet), so it's imperative to deliver only results and graphical elements where possible.
Token-Based Authentication - Also called "Claims-Based Authorization", this code practice means instead of allowing a user to log on once and then running code in that context, a more granular level of security is used. A "token" or "claim", often represented as a Certificate, is sent along for a series or even one request. In other words, every call to the code is authenticated against the token, rather than allowing a user free reign within the code call. While this is more work initially, it can bring a greater level of security, and it is far more resilient to disconnections.
See the references of "Nondistributed Deployment" and "Distributed Deployment" at the top of this article for more information with graphics: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee658120.aspx
Stack Overflow has a good thread on functional programming: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/844536/advantages-of-stateless-programming
Another good discussion on Stack Overflow on server-side processing is here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3064018/client-side-or-server-side-processing
Claims Based Authorization is described here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee335707.aspx

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Message From Texarkana Mayor: In Memory of Bowie County Deputy Sherri Jones
Texarkana, Texas, Mayor Steve Mayo requests that all businesses and organizations in Texarkana and the surrounding areas lower their flags to half staff to honor the memory of Bowie County Deputy Sherri Jones who was tragically lost on Monday in an incident at the Bowie County Courthouse. Please join Texarkana, Texas City Hall in paying tribute to this dedicated public servant.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Sheriff Sherri Jones' loved ones, family and friends, and all of the members of the Bowie County Sheriffs Department. The Officer Down Memorial Page has a post up, with information on funeral arrangements, and information on the survivor's benefit fund… WWW.ODMP.ORG


text:
Meet Me at MoMA
Next on Tuesday, May 28, 2:30 p.m.
The Museum of Modern Art
1 upcoming occurrence
For individuals with dementia and their family members or caregivers
Please join us for The Museum of Modern Art's monthly program for individuals with dementia and their family members or caregivers. Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at and making art. Specially trained Museum educators highlight themes, artists, and exhibitions during an interactive program in the Museum's galleries and classrooms.
FM assistive listening devices (headsets and neck loops) are available.
Meet Me at MoMA is free of charge.
Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, please call Access Programs at (212) 408-6447 or (212) 247-1230 (TTY), or email firstname.lastname@example.com. Programs for groups of visitors with dementia can also be arranged.
Education at MoMA is made possible by a partnership with Volkswagen of America.
Access Programs are supported by The Taft Foundation, Bloomingdale's, Allene Reuss Memorial Trust, J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation, Von Seebeck-Share B Charitable Trust, Frank J. Antun Foundation, Langner Family Fund of The New York Community Trust, The Josephs Family in loving memory of Hal and Florence Josephs, an anonymous donor, and the Annual Education Fund.


text:
I have vacillated a bit about my next kite purchase because of design variations among companies. Being a flyer and not a designer and so little quality info on design other than forums where opinion reigns without solid data.
My question is with more companies going to 3 and 4 strut kites. I am a little confused
About the design difference between center strut vs no center strut. Having flown a 5 strut delta hybrid for the last 3 years I flew two 4 strut delta hybrids and found them to be much less stable than my kite with the center strut. The demos with the 4 strut kites were in less than ideal wind, but I was able to fly my 5 strut kite back to back with one of them and got going no problem eventhough the wind was terrible up and down gusty while the 4 strut kite was struggling just stay in the air( not sure if the lack of center strut was the issue or not). Also there were 4 other people on the water with center strut kites that were kiting just fine. Perhaps my experience would have been better with more ideal wind, but other kites were flying very well inspite of the lousy wind.
Have you designed Any 4 strut kites with no center strut and if so what are the pros and cons from your experience with this design platform. The kites where I have had the issue without naming companies have a huge gap in the center between the 2 medial struts.
I have a 6 strut 9m kite with 2 struts just to the right and left of center and it is a great kite with none of these stability issues.
If your willing to comment on this I would really like to here some designer opinion on this topic.
Good winds!


text:
New York Children�'s Theater Festival Accepting Submissions for Spring 2013 Productions
Submissions for The New York Children's Theater Festival will be accepted October 1 through November 12, 2012, it was announced today by Festival co-founders Michael Shawn Lewis, Chelsey Shannon and Renee Barnett. In its second year, The New York Children's Theater Festival provides a birthplace in New York City for new live children's entertainment from around the globe, and serves as a platform for writers and producers who are passionate about developing innovative theatrical experiences for children.
According to Lewis, "Our first season was a success and we saw some fabulous original productions. We are excited to grow even stronger this year and bring four shows to family audiences in New York. We encourage any playwright, anywhere in the world to send us their submissions of entertaining, original, exciting works for kids. Our team is ready to be dazzled by the quality and scope of work we know is out there."
The Festival is offering an early submission discount for entries received by October 12. There is a $20 fee October 1 to 12; $25 for those received Oct 13 to Nov 12. The four winners will be notified December 15, 2012.
The aim of The New York Children's Theater Festival remains to greatly widen the spectrum of existing theater offerings for children and bring new respect and heightened awareness to the art form and the artists involved. Lewis says, "We hope this festival will bridge the missing link within the theater community and help foster the growth of theater audiences of all ages."
The inaugural Festival last year reached over 1,000 audience members and has already seen results for its participants: Go Green! received Honorable Mention in the Jackie White Memorial National Children's Playwriting Contest (Columbia Entertainment Company, Columbia, MO), and Scheme of the Super Bullies is in the planning stages of launching a local tour through The Sarah Lawrence College Theatre Outreach Program.
The New York Children's Theater Festival will premiere April 19, 2013 and run through May 12, 2013. It will feature four winning submissions who will produce their works for the New York City stage. Musicals, plays, puppetry, event presentations, and any other live theatrical form of children's entertainment are encouraged. Work that has been previously produced may also be submitted for consideration. For submission forms and details, visit www.newyorkchildrenstheaterfestival.org.
All submissions will be read by a team of 30 industry professionals including artists, writers, producers and designers from leading national theaters, Broadway, and children's television. The finalists will be judged by a Festival Panel of ten top industry leaders including Michael Jung, Vice President of Theatrical Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, and John Tartaglia who has been nominated for an Emmy Award (creator, star of Disney Channel's Johnny and the Sprites), Tony Award (Broadway's Avenue Q), and Drama Desk Award (creator, producer, and voices for John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean).
The New York Children's Theater Festival is filing as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More at www.newyorkchildrenstheaterfestival.org.


text:
Joseph J. Snyder has more than a passing interest in railroading and especially the venerable Baltimore & Ohio, whose storied passenger service is the subject of his recently published book.
The B&O invented the passenger train. On Jan. 7, 1830, a horse pulling four coaches carrying passengers who had plunked down 9 cents for one way, or three tickets for 25 cents, inaugurated passenger service on the B&O as Old Dobbin clip-clopped along at a leisurely pace from Mount Clare to the Carrollton Viaduct in Southwest Baltimore.
While the horse-powered train would eventually get patrons to their destinations, it was the arrival of the diminutive steam locomotive Tom Thumb in 1830 — the brainchild of Peter Cooper, a wealthy New York merchant and tinkerer — that forever changed the complexion of motive power.
Steam — which lasted until the mid-1950s — would be the last motive power innovation until the arrival of diesels on the B&O in the 1930s.
According to Snyder's "Baltimore and Ohio: The Passenger Trains and Services of the First American Common-Carrier Railroad, 1827-1971," during the summer of 1831, the B&O put into service the York, its prototype steam locomotive, and the Columbus, which is considered the forerunner of the modern passenger coach.
In his book, Snyder catches the sweep and grandeur of the B&O's passenger service, whose royal blue, gold and gray cars were some of the most handsome and distinctive vehicles on eight or 12 wheels in the business.
Trains such as The Capitol Limited, The National Limited, The Royal Blue, The Diplomat, The Shenandoah, The Columbian, The Cincinnatian, The Ambassador, The Abraham Lincoln and The Cleveland Night Express — to name a few — transported passengers in extreme comfort between Jersey City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington over its far-flung tentacles to Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit.
Snyder's use of pictures of trains, stations, timetables, dining car menus (no railroad set a finer table or offered better cuisine than the B&O) and advertisements, many in dazzling color, along with descriptive copy, keeps things moving as fast as The Capitol Limited, a brand name that Amtrak resuscitated in 1982.
I particularly enjoyed his essays re-creating rides on the road's named trains, but I have to take exception with a very nicely written piece about a snowy winter's evening ride aboard The National Limited in 1926.
Snyder writes that after entering the dining car, "You place your order in writing with the waiter in white, and settle back to enjoy a cocktail, while you talk about business conditions with your dinner-table companions."
I think not. This was the heart of Prohibition, and for the B&O to have been serving cocktails then would have been in complete violation of the Volstead Act.
There are other minor problems — a caption accompanying a photograph of a locomotive he misidentifies as the Lord Baltimore, "one of four 4-6-4 Hudson types used for fast passenger trains."
The locomotive is actually an example of the famous President-class Pacific 4-6-2 types — in this case the President Cleveland — that were indeed on the head end of all of the B&O's premier trains. Its sister, the President Washington, the first in the class, can be seen at the B&O Museum.
On a picture spread on Page 209, he writes that the cars were manufactured by the "Buda Co." It is the Budd Co., which was once located in northeast Philadelphia.
This is mere nitpicking, I know.
The handwriting was on the wall after World War II, as the thrill of the open road meant traveling by car on broad interstates. With the competition from airlines and automobiles, the American passenger train was on life support.
In 1958, the B&O ended passenger service north of Baltimore; the company exited the business completely with the arrival of Amtrak in 1971.
But there was one more gesture from a railroad that had been a class act.
William F. Howes Jr., director of passenger service, re-created the eastbound Capitol Limited of old on its last run from Chicago to Baltimore on April 29, 1971.
Farewell dining car menus had been printed for the occasion and The Capitol paused on the Thomas Viaduct for a last portrait.
Snyder wrote that the company had enjoyed a long tradition of service "with a capital 'S.'"
No truer words were written about what railroaders call "The Best & The Only."


text: On Fri, 14 Feb 2003, ambrose lewis wrote: > I'm thinking about using an MPI code to analyze a > large remote sensing dataset. > I'm wondering the best way to distribute the data to > the individual nodes (NFS, MPI message, other)???? If you are distributing the same data to all nodes, if your data is large (several hundreds of MB) and if you have a switched network, then you might consider our tool "Dolly" [1,2]. Dolly forms a virtual TCP chain through all the nodes and then sends the data through this chain. On a Fast Ethernet network with a good switch we achieve full wire speed (about 11 MB/s no mather how many nodes participate in the distribution). I still have to update the web-page, since the version of Dolly online is older than the most recent one. So if you want to try a newer version, feel free to mail me and I will send you the source by mail. NFS is probably the simplest method, but it's not fast to send large amounts of identical data to many nodes, since the server has to send the same data over and over. If you don't have a switched network (only hubs/repeaters), but your network is multicast capable, then you could try UDPcast [3]. This tool sends data using IP multicast. - Felix [1] http://www.cs.inf.ethz.ch/cops/patagonia/dolly.html [2] http://www.cs.inf.ethz.ch/stricker/CoPs/patagonia/ Project page, Dolly is near the bottom of the page. [3] http://alain.knaff.lu/udpcast/ -- Felix Rauch | Email: rauch at inf.ethz.ch Institute for Computer Systems | Homepage: http://www.cs.inf.ethz.ch/~rauch/ ETH Zentrum / RZ H18 | Phone: +41 1 632 7489 CH - 8092 Zuerich / Switzerland | Fax: +41 1 632 1307


text:
Skip Hire Swanage from YourLocalSkipHire.co.uk
For skip hire in Swanage, look no further than YourLocalSkipHire.co.uk. Our skip hire experts have worked alongside everyone from builders to homeowners, providing a huge range of skips that suit any project or budget.
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text:
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text:
Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
4 speed trans p8b14c #18L336738
Pretty common for 68's to have the small c after the code.


text:
It was Nov. 22, 1963. Americans sat glued to their televisions and radios as broadcasters announced that President John F. Kennedy had been fatally shot in Dallas.
Kennedy's murder sent shockwaves through the country, with some historians going so far to say that the event changed the trajectory of the nation's history.
Exactly 50 years later, a group of more than 30 Orange County politicians, community members and Concordia University students gathered at the Newport Beach Public Library to remember JFK's legacy.
"Every so often there is an event so traumatizing, you feel as though it's happening directly to you," said Tim Naftali, the keynote speaker of the event, which was hosted by Concordia's Center for Public Policy.
Naftali is the author of several books on Kennedy and is the former executive director of the Nixon Presidential Library for the National Archives and former professor at the University of Virginia.
For the generation old enough to remember JFK's assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald as he was traveling in a motorcade through Dallas, the event is one that changed them, Nafali said.
Keith Curry, Newport Beach mayor and director for Concordia's Center for Public Policy, remembers exactly where he was 50 years ago when news of the former president's death broke.
He was in third grade when a girl he went to school with approached him at lunch to tell him the news, he said.
"She could have said elephants fly and I would have given it more credence," he said. "It was just so unbelievable."
Nafali touched on many aspects of Kennedy's presidency, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and other issues with the Soviet Union, his creation of the Peace Corps, challenges surrounding civil rights in the southern states and his alleged womanizing.
However, Nafali focused his presentation on Kennedy's desire to serve his country and motivate a generation of people to do the same.
Kennedy's words in his inaugural address, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" were just one example of what made him the leader of a generation, Nafali said.
"A madman with a rifle killed this personification of a call to service," he said. "He deleted the self confidence of a can-do generation."
Nafali also debunked longstanding rumors that Kennedy's assassination was a conspiracy by citing evidence in the timeline of the events.
"The chronology of his life made it impossible that Kennedy's death was a conspiracy," he said.
Joe Deverian, a junior history major at Concordia University, said for someone who wasn't alive for Kennedy's assassination, hearing first-hand accounts from older generations helps keep the history alive.
"It's almost like having an artifact. It's a living artifact, actually," he said. "Listening to testimonies is a great way to learn more about JFK."


text: Wisdom publishes a broad range of books from the tradition of Theravada Buddhism. This branch of Buddhism has inspired the founding of many insight (vipassana) meditation centers, introducing a great number of people to the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Wisdom's Theravada collection ranges from distinguished translations of canonical texts to in-depth meditation guides and advice on the practices of loving-kindness and insight. Our collection contains the renowned Teachings of the Buddha series, as well as translations of works by masters of the Thai, Burmese, and Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions, including Ajahn Chah, Sayadaw U Pandita, and Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, as well as original works by Western teachers like Ayya Khema and Ajahn Brahm.


text:
Product Info
|Product Name :
|Loose Deep Wave
|Product Number :
|# 4
|Category :
|Remy Full Lace
|Brand :
|Miss Wig
|Material :
|Length :
|Style :
Hair Type: 100% Indian Remy Human Hair
Texture: Soft Loose Deep Wave
Lace Color: Medium, Light Brown
Cap Construction:Full Swiss Lace, Stretch Lace From Ear to Ear
Hairline: Baby Hair around entire perimeter
Bleached Knot: Along the perimeter to make the hairline even more undetectable
Note: Fully Free style may be parted anywhere High ponytail Buns & Twists. May be flat ironed, Roller Set, Washed, Blow Dried
Cap Size:
-Circumference: 22.5"
-Front to Nape: 14.5"
-Ear to Ear Forehead: 12"
-Ear to Ear Over Top: 13.5"
-Temple to Temple: 14.5"
-Nape of Neck: 5.5"
Cap Info
Comments that contains foul language and/or other commercial interest outside misswigs.com may be omitted and/or deleted by the management after reviews.
If shipping address different from billing address, we will call you to verify
For your protection, when shipping address different from billing address and cannot be verified, we reserve the right to ship to the billing address
|USPS Ground
|4-5 Business Days
|USPS Priority
|2-4 Business Days
|USPS Express
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Please contact us within 7days after you receive unit
We don't issue Refunds, you can exchange the wig as long as following criteria are met:
- Do not cut the lace
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- Do not put any kind of chemicals on the wig unit
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- Do not put any product on the unit
- Do not wash or conditioning on the wig unit
� 2015 MissWigs.com. All Rights Reserved. | firstname.lastname@example.com | 1-972-807-2439


text:
Number: 110-7
Date: August 2, 2007
Senate Passes H.R. 1538, the Dignified
Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act
On July 25, 2007, the Senate amended and then passed by unanimous consent H.R. 1538, the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act. When the House takes up the Senate-passed version, it will either accept the Senate amendments and clear the bill for the President, or disagree with the Senate-passed version and request a conference to resolve the differences.
The Senate-passed bill contains the following provisions of interest to SSA:
Comprehensive Policy on Care, Management and Transition of Members of the Armed Forces with Serious Injuries or Illnesses
• Would require the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy on the care and management of service members who are undergoing medical treatment, in medical hold or medical holdover status, or on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness. Among the areas covered by this policy would be the medical and disability evaluations of service members.
The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs would have to develop this policy no later than January 1, 2008. In developing this policy, those departments would have to consult with other federal departments, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations that have expertise in matters related to the policy. This provision would be effective upon enactment.
Handbook for Members of the Armed Forces on Compensation and Benefits Available for Serious Injuries and Illnesses
• Would require the Department of Defense to develop and maintain a comprehensive handbook that describes the compensation and other benefits to which a service member and that member's family would be entitled upon the member's separation or retirement from the Armed Forces as a result of a serious injury or illness.
In developing and maintaining this handbook, the Department of Defense would be required to consult with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. The provision would be effective upon enactment.


text:
The Hawai'i Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded $437,000 in grants to nine projects across the islands aimed at the protection and restoration of Hawai'i's coastal areas. Funding for the projects is made possible through a three year partnership between the Hawai'i Community Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Restoration Center and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. The community-based grant program was started with the strong support of Senator Inouye, and actively bridges cultural and environmental stewardship efforts. Since 2009, the partnership has provided more than $1.5 million in funding to community organizations repairing fishponds, removing invasive species, and preventing polluted runoff in coastal waters on all major Hawaiian islands.
"In Hawai'i clean water and healthy lands are fundamental to our quality of life," said Josh Stanbro, director of Environment and Sustainability at the Hawai'i Community Foundation. "We commend these community groups for taking responsibility in their own backyards, and putting in countless hours to protect our most treasured sites."
"This public-private initiative is a win-win, and demonstrates how much more we can do when we work together," said Senator Daniel K. Inouye. "Engaging with the community upfront provides the best chance of an enduring and sustained effort. I will continue to advocate for a return of earmarks to be able to support efforts such as this because it is a justified and worthy federal investment."
The Hawai'i Community Foundation is also proactively seeking funding from private donors and foundations to keep the successful grant program going in 2013 and beyond.
Hawai'i's unique coastal resources are increasingly threatened by invasive species, climate change impacts, and inappropriate development. Wetlands and other coastal habitat help filter sediment and pollutants, replenish fishing stocks, and support traditional cultural practices. During the summer, the voyaging canoe Hōkule'a spent time at several of the restoration projects, lending her crew as volunteers working shoulder to shoulder with local residents because of the strong environmental-cultural ties.
Specific goals for the partnership include restoration of coral reef habitat, coastal wetlands and estuaries, traditional coastal fishponds, riparian zones/stream habitat, and land-based sources of pollution mitigation. Coastal habitats support approximately 25 percent of Hawai'i's reef fish, 32 percent of marine invertebrates, and 90 percent of stream animals that are found nowhere else on the planet.
"We know how hard our ancestors worked to keep things in balance," said Kanekoa Schultz, whose Kāko'o 'Ōiwi restoration project was a 2011-2012 grant recipient. "This grant is going to teach a new generation how to work to support the natural systems that in the end take care of us."
Projects funded this year include:
- "Loko 'Eā Fishpond Habitat Restoration Project"- Undertaken by Alu Like, Inc., this project will restore the cultural, biological, and socio-economic prosperity of Loko 'Eā Fishpond. The goal of the project is to conduct habitat and fishpond restoration utilizing community collaboration while integrating traditional Hawaiian knowledge.
- "Bridging Land, Sea and Native Cultural Practices Through Restoration on Kaho'olawe Island"- Undertaken by the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission and fiscally sponsored by Tri-Isle Resource Development Council, Inc., this project proposes a land-based restoration project that will help hold and improve soil health, prevent runoff, and improve water quality in the adjacent near-shore area.
- "Watershed Restoration Program/ Mangrove Eradication Project Phase I"- Undertaken by Kaiola Canoe Club, the project will restore approximately one acre of the Huleia River riverbank which is being severely overgrown by red mangrove, reaching in some areas up to 40 feet in height.
- "The Hawai'i Youth Conservation Corps"- Undertaken by KUPU, this project will increase the number of Hawai`i Youth Conservation Corp members available to local conservation organizations, by working with over 40 conservation groups over six islands to help add capacity during both their summer and year-round programs.
- "Invasive Marine Algae Removal at Maunalua Bay, O'ahu"-Undertaken by Mālama Maunalua, this project will train six new volunteer coordinators and four interns to focus on doubling the amount of community workdays that they can do in a year. As a result, one acre of Maunalua Bay will be cleared of invasive algae and several other benefits (maintenance on previously cleared areas, monitoring, recycling of algae as soil amendment, etc) will simultaneously occur.
- "Anapuka Dune Restoration and Revegetation Study"- Undertaken by Moloka'i Land Trust, this project consists of partial assistance for the continued restoration of 45 acres in a coastal dune ecosystem, including habitat modifying invasive species removal, weed control, ungulate control, and restoration/replanting of native species to help offset sediment transport into the adjacent nearshore marine ecosystem.
- "Streambed repairs to reduce silty run off at Nāpili Bay"- Undertaken by the Nāpili Bay and Beach Foundation, Inc. this project will remove woody invasive species from a 600 foot stream area in West Maui, and replant this area with native species. This will shore up the stream bank and help filter sediment before it emerges into Nāpili Bay.
- "Coastal Fishpond Restoration at Kīholo, Hawai'i"- Undertaken by the Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i, this project will clear invasive vegetation from around the side and rear portions of two inland fishponds at Kīholo to increase juvenile fish habitat and pond water quality.
- "Kahului Harbor Ho'aloha Beach Park and Shoreline Restoration"- Undertaken by the Wailuku Community Managed Marine Area and fiscally sponsored by Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., this project will replant and restore approximately 2,500 feet of coastal shoreline, and begin reintroducing native limu in the nearshore water at Kahului. The project seeks to replant strategic areas and channel foot traffic in marked corridors to reduce coastal erosion and siltation of the nearshore water.
On the Web:
Hawai`i Community Foundation: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org
NOAA Restoration Center: www.restoration.noaa.gov
The Castle Foundation: www.castlefoundation.org
Filed under: Agriculture, aloha, Announcements, Education, Environment, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Health, Something New?, State Affairs, Sustainable Living Tagged: | Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, Maunalua Bay


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To All Of Our Premier Members
If you're part of the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber you get to know the pulse of our community. You meet the people that make things happen. You find out what's going to happen before it hits the newspapers... you're part of the conversation!
Come to the monthly luncheons & keep in touch & build new friendships, face-to-face! Cold-calling is for the birds... spamming people with email can be frowned upon but meeting your friends and prospects regularly in a friendly forum allows you to build life-long relationships.
There are two things you can't do by yourself.... one is being married, the other is running a business. So, join the Montgomery County Chamber and let us help you grow your business. How? Through introductions to the key people that you need to know, through regular network events that keep you informed... the list goes on. Come and join us and get ready for the growth!
9320 Lakeside Blvd., Building 2, Suite 200
The Woodlands, TX 77381


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And not Tibetan Buddhist monks, who achieve the same.
The monks, wearing only loincloths, meditate in below-freezing temperatures at high altitudes. By visualizing fire and heat, they are said to be able to control the flow of blood in their bodies and stay warm, resisting frostbite and hypothermia. In one amazing feat, the near-naked monks are draped in wet sheets while they sit on glacial ice. Within minutes, their bodies dry the cold sheets. The ice around them melts too.I don't know what physicalists would say about this—maybe that it shows "God" is physical. This weird claim came from an atheist who told Barbara Bradley Hagarty he had the experience of being connected to everything around him—the classic mystical experience—but he interpreted this as meaning "God" is physical.
"God" only physical!
I enclose "God" in quotation marks because for many people the word refers to a humanlike individual. For me it means spiritual reality. My first experience with an atheist subordinating spiritual reality to physical reality came in The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality, wherein atheist André Comte-Sponville also describes a mystical experience, and he admits humans can have a spiritual life but does so reluctantly and with difficulty.
Then he makes an assertion amazing to me. He says that spirit does not create nature but is created by nature. Translated, this says that "God" didn't create the world; the world created "God." A reasonable statement if "God" means an external deity, but ridiculous if "God" refers to spiritual reality.
Comte-Sponville says spirit comes from nature. I believe the reverse—I believe nature is a manifestation of spirit. He says,
It is likely that without the brain, [thinking, imagining, laughter, and so on] . . . would not even exist. On the other hand, without this ability, the brain would be an organ like any other.I've read that science is finding evidence that our thoughts are not limited to brain power only, but arise in our whole body. It seems to me, this destroys his argument.
But wait. I see where his weird claim comes from. Elsewhere he marshals "arguments against the belief in his existence." Readers, did the word "his" jump out at you? It should have. It's the entire, total, whole, complete (my thesaurus doesn't supply any more synonyms) reason atheists declare atheism. It's our ridiculous language referring to God—the damaging He-His-Him syndrome that reduces the Absolute, the Infinite, to an idol with merely human mind and will. As I read Comte-Sponville's arguments against believing in God, I shout, "I don't believe in this god either!" And this god IS created by the world.
So we Christians should learn this lesson from atheists, who rank among the most deeply spiritual people I know. Exhilarating discussions about spirituality are conducted by atheists . . . who deny that spirituality exists! My nearly twenty-year association with atheists impresses this fact on me.
Now for the mind-over-matter question raised by the popular book The Secret AND by Wim Hof and the Buddhist monks. As I reflect on my own history, I see the truth of Job 3:25: "What I feared has come upon me." Did my fears bring on the bad things that happened? That's the perplexing question.
William James, a psychologist/philosopher, was a pioneer in melding secular knowledge with religious insight. Writing around the turn to the twentieth century, he urged people to realize that our beliefs create our facts. Some statements of James:
• Belief creates the actual fact.No one can argue against the common sense in these statements or the need to remind ourselves of their message or the difficulty of actually putting them into practice. It has been taught by great wisdom teachers in many traditions and many eras.
• Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
• If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.
• It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.
• We can alter our lives by altering our thinking (I liberated this one from its original sexist "man" language).
• The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.
Eric Butterworth, now deceased, is a modern one:
If you have ever had a desire to do something but have held back or stopped short for some reason, then you need to know this fundamental truth: "If you want to, you can! Because you couldn't want to if you couldn't. Your desire is proof-positive of your ability."So I believe that our thoughts create our circumstances and I see my life improve as I alter my thoughts. Here's the rub—I do not believe that we can (or should) fulfill our wishes by believing they will come true. It's my understanding that The Secret encourages people to do this—I confess I haven't read the book and ask to be corrected if I'm wrong.
It is the fear of failure that postpones your initial effort. How can you develop the faith you need to keep on? By keeping on! Simply refuse to give in to the negative thoughts that tend to harass you. Know that your power to see a goal at all is also the power to see it through to achievement. Believe this and act as if it were impossible to fail!
My reservation was strengthened when I read an interview of Eckhart Tolle in Unity magazine. Because I no longer have the magazine, I have to use my own words to state the sense of his. He said we sometimes have a conviction that something will happen if it is indeed on the way. And he did not support the notion that we can direct the course of history by focusing on our wishes. Our inner Self knows what will happen, and working with it is the key.
My problem with believing in wish fulfillment stems from my acceptance of Carl Jung's insight that the human psyche "reaches so far beyond the boundaries of consciousness that the latter could easily be compared to an island in the ocean." We don't know what will truly bring happiness. My ego, my thinking I, might want fame, but my inner Self may know that I'd hate it if it happened or that it would harm me or harm others. Recent newsmakers sadly illustrate this.
I agree with religious people that what we call God knows best what's best for us, and the eternal Mystery always produces more than we can fathom. I have wishes, of course, but taking a lesson from Buddhism, I try to release attachment to specific results and trust in a larger Wisdom than my own. I try to improve the quality of my thoughts.
The Institute of HeartMath can help us do that. It studies how the earth's magnetic fields affect human activity and, conversely, how the feelings and brain activity of many people influence the earth's fields. It developed the Global Coherence Initiative to teach us how to achieve coherence or harmony and minimize conflict. Here is its mission:
The Global Coherence Initiative is a science-based initiative to unite millions of people in heart-focused care and intention—to shift global consciousness from instability and discord to balance, cooperation and enduring peace.This reading of mind over matter excites me.
Let's explore some more this idea of our lives being the consequence of our thoughts and beliefs. Here are some deep-seated beliefs that control lives today or did so in the past:
• Women should not work outside the home.
• Gays are intrinsically disordered deviants with psychic disturbances (language used by Vatican officials). Sharp observers note that a statistically disproportionate number of religious have a homosexual orientation, leading to the conclusion that many Catholic officials who denounce gays are themselves gay.
• Muslims are a threat to us.
• We have to fight to defend ourselves against enemies.
• I will always be bested by people who don't like me.
We can easily see the consequences of these beliefs—personal, religious, national, and global. Here are affirmations to counter ingrained beliefs that cause trouble:
• All people have a divine center.
• A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a gallon of vinegar.
• With spiritual help we can overcome our difficulties.
• Life flows easily and joyfully.
• The money I need will come to me.
• When people practice peace, more peace happens. This last reflects the belief of the Global Coherence Initiative .


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About The Grove Consultants International
How does The Grove's way of working differ from that of other facilitators and consultants?
The Grove offers consulting and design services, workshops, and do-it-yourself tools. Our large-format graphics are at the heart of our facilitation and consulting services. We create panoramic visual environments that are productive, creative and highly memorable. In addition, The Grove's products for group-process design and facilitation are unusually adaptable and the most comprehensive in the industry.
Why do you emphasize models so much in your work?
We believe that models—frameworks that guide the design and implementation of any level of group process—work like lenses and mental "keyboards". They help people to see things from different angles and invite new ways of looking at things.
How long is a typical engagement with The Grove?
A project with The Grove can range from a half-day design session to an organization-change process that entails multiple meetings over several months or longer. We work with many of our clients on a variety of different issues year after year.
How did The Grove get its name?
The Grove used to be called Graphic Guides, Inc. and shared offices with CoVision, now a leading groupware consultancy. Informally, we called the combined group "The Grove." With an increased emphasis on consulting in the 1990s, we sought a new name, and everyone loved "The Grove" as an apt metaphor for the way in which we collaborate with like-minded organizations in a business "ecology." We added "International" to signal our intention to work globally.
Your location, in the Presidio of San Francisco, seems to fit your name and brand. Is that just a coincidence?
No, it isn't. When the Presidio Army Base was first turned over to the National Park Service in the early 1980s, The Grove facilitated the visioning process. As part of this transition, The Tides Foundation created the Thoreau Center for Sustainability at the old Letterman Hospital for some forty environmentally-oriented organizations. During its later expansion, Tides recruited The Grove as a tenant, knowing that our work would be compatible with this community.
How big is The Grove?
The Grove is at the center of a worldwide network of consultants, associates, collaborators and strategic partners. This network includes 12 full-time staff at our Presidio offices in San Francisco, 3 staff at Grove Tools, Inc. in nearby Novato, another six senior associates who work on contract, and a growing number of affiliates who have links for purchasing Grove products on their websites.
What is the most common feedback you hear from your clients?
"We love your people," and "we love your tools."
Whom should I contact to discuss my organization's various needs and to see whether The Grove is a good fit for us?
Please call us at 1.415.561.2500, or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com. We will be happy to discuss your needs and make recommendations based on your specific challenges and situation.
Graphic Facilitation and Recording
What is the difference between graphic recording and graphic facilitation?
Graphic facilitation integrates facilitation, interactive graphic recording, and graphic templates to lead groups toward agreed-upon goals.
Graphic recording documents a group's conversation and key ideas in real time on flip charts, large poster paper, graphic templates, murals, tablet PCs, and other visual media. This is also known as "scribing."
Who first developed graphic facilitation?
In the 1970s, Grove founder and president David Sibbet, Geoff Ball, Fred Lakoff, Michael Doyle, and Jennifer Hammond Landau began experimenting with the application of the visual techniques used by architects and designers. Originally branded "Group Graphics®" by The Grove, the general name for this highly visual method of leading groups gradually evolved into the term "graphic facilitation." This work is also called "visual facilitation."
What should we do with all the charts that are created during our graphically facilitated meeting?
Take digital photos of the charts and create a graphic meeting report. (Grove designers can help you with this, if you like). If you need to use the charts again, roll them up, tape and label them, and store them for use in your next meeting. Recycle any materials you won't need to refer to again. You can also covert the information into a digital format using our Digital Graphic Guides®. This is particularly useful if your charts are difficult to read at a reduced size.
What is the value of creating a meeting report from a meeting that has already been graphically recorded?
A meeting report helps participants to remember the event, to tell others the story, and to do follow-up work. An 11-by-17-inch reproduction of a wall chart looks virtually identical to the original, increasing retention dramatically. Add pictures of people and annotations next to the original charts, and you have a robust capture of information.
How can I communicate the value of this work to my own organization?
Focus on your organization's needs and how you can address them. Some standard needs are for group engagement, big-picture thinking and innovation, and productive implementation. The Grove's products and services deliver on all three. If you can, tell a story about a situation where you saw these methods work. The Grove website has many examples of our work with clients; see Case Studies, for example.
Isn't it distracting to have a graphic recorder at a meeting?
No. A graphic recorder helps people to remember complicated information. If presenters are using presentation software, the graphic recorder usually stands off to one side. In planning discussions, the charts are the focus, not the graphic facilitator.
If I already know how to facilitate a group, is it just the graphics I need to learn in order to become a graphic facilitator?
No; much more is involved in this work. Graphic facilitation combines facilitation and interactive graphic recording skills. It requires significantly-above-average competency in listening, knowing how graphic work affects other activities, and knowing how to design both the process and the physical environment so that panoramic visualization is effective. The Grove offers public and customized workshops to teach these skills.
How can I get into this line of work? Where do I start?
This is a learn-by-experience business, so don't be afraid to jump in. The Grove Store has lots of resources to draw upon. To run more effective meetings and processes, start right in by incorporating Graphic Guide® templates into your work. To learn graphic recording and facilitation, take a Grove Principles of Graphic Facilitation workshop, then practice in low-risk settings such as committee meetings or community events. Practice makes better... try scribing a television presentation, a YouTube talk, a classroom session, whatever opportunities come to you.
Digital Graphics Recording
Can graphic recording be done for a Web conference?
Yes; this is called digital graphic recording. It is done using a tablet. The graphics appear on the screen in real time, reflecting key ideas being shared and serving as a facilitative focal point for the group. Most web-conferencing software also includes whiteboards that allow for simple interactive recording.
What are the benefits of using graphic recording in virtual work?
A meeting that incorporates digital graphic recording is much more engaging and interesting for participants. It is an especially helpful best practice for large, significant meetings for which participants are not co-located.
Team Development and Team Performance Model
Briefly, how does the Team Performance System help teams that are struggling get back on track?
Often teams can be so involved in "the work" that they don't understand the root causes of obstacles they continually run into or know how to find solutions. The Team Performance Model opens up teams to all the critical components of teamwork that support accomplishing "the work." Teams tend to focus on execution and getting results. The Model gives team members the big picture and a set of success factors to overcome the predictable challenges that teams face. It provides a common and productive language, which is especially important when things go wrong. Having non-blaming language and a shared framework helps the team come together to work through its difficulties.
What is the difference between the Team Performance Model Overview and the Team Performance Abstract?
The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance™ Model Overview is a four-page brochure designed to orient teams to the Model. The Team Performance Abstract is a twenty-four-page booklet that provides an in-depth description of the Model, including its history, background and theoretical foundations.
I'm starting a new team. Which Team Performance System products should I purchase?
The Comprehensive Kit includes tools to support you as a leader, plus tools for conducting your initial meeting and action plan. The Team Startup Kit provides only planning tools, such as the Graphic Gameplan Graphic Guide. You can also start with just the Team Leader Guide from the Comprehensive Kit.
The Grove's Strategic Visioning™ Process
What is involved in a typical Grove Strategic Visioning&trade process?
Strategic Visioning combines the best of strategic planning and visioning, employing The Grove's Graphic Guides® to lead users visually through the planning process. Each planning process is customized to each client's unique circumstances, but usually involves facilitating a group by assessing its past, understanding its current situation, imagining a desirable future state and planning to reach that end.
Who from my organization should be involved in a visual planning process?
At the beginning of a planning process, participants should include key leaders seeking results from the process and operational leaders and mid-level managers who will be involved in implementing visions and goals. Outside experts with macro-economic or other industry information can also be useful. Eventually, others in an organization will need to be included in the process as is appropriate.
How can I make sure the valuable work done during a visual planning process lives on after the meeting?
Ultimately the success of strategic visioning and other visual-planning processes relies on the commitments of the participants. That is why it is so important to involve people in the design of the process, as well as to make specific agreements about goals and action steps. Visual meeting reports make a world of difference for successful follow-through
Grove Storymaps®
What are Grove Storymaps®?
A Storymap® is a panoramic visual history, context map, strategy map, vision, or roadmap created to help leaders and managers tell consistent, compelling stories that sustain aligned action.
What is the advantage of doing a Grove Storymap® process vs. simply hiring a design agency to illustrate our vision?
Grove Storymaps® are more than just visual artifacts. The value of our Storymaps is as much in the collaborative development process of the maps as in the maps themselves. Everyone who is involved in developing a Storymap gains a sense of ownership, which is invaluable to realizing any vision
Digital Graphic Movies
What is a digital graphic movie, and how are these used by companies and organizations?
A digital graphic movie (also known as "graphic recording movie") features rapid hand drawings in video format. These are in growing use as a way to communicate key messages and draw attention to new visions, plans, and concepts.
Using Graphic Guides® to Facilitate Meetings and Strategic Planning
What are Grove Graphic Guides® and why are they useful?
Graphic Guides® are pre-formatted graphic templates, printed on charts of various sizes for recording group communications in real time. Graphic Guide templates provide simple, flexible visual workspaces for planning. Their clear headings support easy scanning of a day's worth of work when posted around a room. Their field-tested categories guide inexperienced facilitators through important topics. Afterwards, they make it easy to create a shared visual synopsis of the meeting that aids follow-through.
I've never worked with Graphic Guides before. Which ones should I start with?
If you're new to graphic facilitation, we suggest you start by using templates that are the easiest to facilitate, such as Meeting Startup, Graphic History, and Cover Story Vision.
What if groups think Graphic Guide templates are "cartoony" or not serious enough? How can I address that kind of resistance?
Being able to visualize major steps in the planning process builds focus, alignment, and capacity for follow-through. Visual thinking is the key to whole-systems thinking; there is much strategic value in seeing patterns within the information. Visuals (especially fun, engaging visuals) make the planning process more memorable and give the outcomes more "sticking power".
My organization tends to get stuck in the vision and can't get to the action stage. What Graphic Guides do you recommend for us?
Make sure you develop an action plan as well as a vision. We have developed several Graphic Guides expressly for that purpose:
Use Five Bold Steps to help determine key initiatives.
How can Graphic Guides help me develop a strategic plan?
In meetings, Graphic Guides support panoramic visualization, which is the most effective way to present the big picture in order to think and plan strategically. Developed in conjunction with The Grove's Strategic Visioning™ Process, our Graphic Guides are now the key elements in our Visual Planning Systems.
Digital Graphic Guides
What are Digital Graphic Guides and how do I use them?
These are Microsoft® PowerPoint® versions of the Graphic Guides that enable you to type in the information from your meeting charts and create digital documents that you can then share with your organization by e-mail. They are useful as templates for virtual meetings. They also serve as presentations of research and as a way to capture ideas and plans.
Does my Digital Graphic Guide user license allow me to share these with others?
Yes, you can e-mail filled-in Digital Graphic Guides or post them to a company's internal web page. (Note that if multiple people will be using the slides by typing into or editing them, each user will need his or her own license.) We would be happy to discuss a multi-user license; please email email@example.com or call +1.415.561.2500.
Does my user license allow me to print the Digital Graphic Guides?
Yes, you can print the slides in sizes up to 11" x 17."
The Digital Graphic Guides were not designed to be printed larger than 11" x 17."
We have several options for you to obtain wall-size prints:
Visual Facilitation Products: Getting Started
I am interested in becoming a graphic facilitator. What products will be useful?
The best place to start is with The Grove's Facilitation Guide Series, written by Grove founder and president David Sibbet.
Principles of Facilitation (book): Includes forty basic principles, organized around the four flows of activity that a facilitator needs to manage in any group process.
Graphic Facilitation: Transforming Group Process with the Power of Visual Listening (book with CD-ROM): The definitive guide to this methodology.
Best Practices for Facilitation (book): A collection of 175 activities that a facilitator can suggest to a group to help achieve its goal together.
If I cannot attend a workshop to learn graphic techniques and skills, which products will help me get started?
Here are several Grove tools we recommend for beginning graphic facilitators:
Strategic Visioning Agenda Planning Kit: Comprised of four key tools: Agenda Cards, Best Practice Cards, an Instruction booklet, and a detailed Strategic Visioning Process Outline. The Strategic Visioning Agenda Planning Kit makes it easy for leaders to plan effective one-day and two-day meetings or a series of virtual meetings.
Fundamentals of Graphic Language Practice (book): Moves step-by-step from basic strokes and lettering to improvisations.
Pocket Pics (book): Contains more than one hundred icons for some of the more difficult-to-draw concepts.
Graphics—Just in Time (video or DVD kit): Teaches you the basics of flipchart graphics, lettering and simple icons.
Graphic Improvisations (video or DVD kit): Teaches you how to combine simple shapes to create a lexicon of graphic images and icons.
Charters® Markers and paper: For practicing your newly learned techniques.
What makes your Charters Markers better than other markers?
The nib and the ink. Sturdier-than-usual chisel tips allow for variable line thicknesses and retain their shape. The inks are vibrant, nonpermanent and odor-free. We have also increased the ink-carrying capacity so that our markers last longer. A triangular base keeps them from rolling off tables.
What is the benefit of using large sticky notes?
Our large sticky notes work well for brainstorming sessions and for getting a group engaged. On these oversized Post-its®, words and drawings are more visible from a distance, as well as being more readable in follow-up meeting documentation.
Do you recommend the 25-yard roll or 50-yard roll of paper?
The 50-yard roll of paper is more economical but heavier than the 25-yard roll of paper. The 25-yard roll is easiest to manage. It will support a full day of recording and approximately nine 8-foot displays.
Grove Workshops and Training
What does each workshop cover?
Advanced Visual Facilitation is a three-day workshop for experienced visual practitioners seeking to deepen their facilitation skills and their command of graphic frameworks. Prerequisite: the Principles of Graphic Facilitation workshop or a similar graphic facilitation skill-building workshop, and experience applying visual skills in meetings.
Designing and Leading Change, a three-day intensive, builds capacity to design and lead organization and social change processes, within and across organizations as well as across sectors. Prerequisite: some training and experience with change process consulting.
Facilitating Virtual Collaboration is a seminar-style online workshop that will prepare you to facilitate successful collaborative work at a distance. Teams and workgroups are increasingly asked to work with colleagues located around the world. This workshop will prepare you with practices that support effective creative and collaborative work when participants are not all in the same room together.
Principles of Graphic Facilitation is a three-day immersion in graphic recording and graphic facilitation skills. It is ideal for consultants, team and project leaders, managers, facilitators, and trainers experienced in facilitation who want to use visual displays to engage team members and meeting participants, capture ideas, focus their group's work, and improve implementation. Prerequisite: background of some sort in facilitation, and/or some type of facilitation-related training.
Strategic Visioning is a two-and-a-half day workshop for organizational strategists, process managers, facilitators, and other team and project leaders who want to learn how to use visuals to focus direction for groups. This provides a skill development workout in using the "big seven" Graphic Guides: Meeting Start-up, Graphic History, Context Map, SPOT Matrix, Cover Story Vision, Five Bold Steps, and Graphic Gameplan. It is ideal for those who seek to incorporate large-scale facilitative visuals in their work without having to work from a blank sheet.
Team Performance is a three-day, hands-on immersion in the essential practices and visual tools to create and sustain high-performing teams. Learn how to use the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance&trade Model, the Team Performance Survey, and associated best practices to help your teams work more effectively and enjoyably together. This workshop is useful for team leaders, managers, HR specialists, and consultants who work with teams. It is a certification workshop.
Can The Grove run a customized workshop for my team/organization?
Certainly. We believe that the best way to develop Grove skills within your organization or team is to have an internal group that is learning together and sharing best practices. The advantage of running a workshop within your organization is that participants can tackle real challenges while learning Grove skills.
Can I register and pay online?
No. Registration happens by phone or email. To register, email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 1.415.561.6132.
What is your policy for transferring to another workshop?
What is your policy for cancellations?
NOTE: In the event you do need to cancel, the 10% amount to hold your seat is non-refundable.
You may transfer your registration to a colleague or friend at any time for no charge, as long as they attend the same workshop for which you were registered.
Copyright Policy
What is The Grove's copyright policy?
The Grove is committed to sharing our ideas, processes and tools in order to foster collaboration. Anyone can use the ideas in the ways described below. Digital and print versions of our models, templates and other tools are the intellectual property of The Grove, and cannot be reproduced beyond one use by an individual without written permission or an explicit licensing agreement. We expect anyone who uses our tools and concepts to acknowledge their source and to purchase any materials that display a Grove copyright from us or from one of our Affiliates.
We permit reproduction of our Graphic Guides and models in the following situations:
Any other reproduction of our copyrighted material without express written permission from us is a violation of our copyright.
If you wish to use our copyrighted material for uses other than those described above, we would be happy to assist you with a purchase or discuss an appropriate licensing arrangement. Please contact us at 1.800.49.GROVE or (415) 561-2500 between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. PST, Monday through Friday, or e-mail email@example.com.
About Grove Tools, Inc.
What is the relationship between The Grove Consultants International and Grove Tools, Inc.?
The Grove's product-fulfillment business has relocated to Novato, California, just north of San Francisco. The Grove is now two distinct business entities working in close coordination, with Grove Tools Inc. focused on product fulfillment and licensing. The Grove Consultants International continues at the Presidio offices in San Francisco with a focus on consulting, design services, and workshops.
Whom do I speak with if I have product-related questions or I need to arrange in-person pick-up at the Novato office?
Email Grove Tools at firstname.lastname@example.com, or call 1.415.561.2500, ext. 1 to reach Thom Sibbet or Andrew Underwood at Grove Tools.
Graphic Facilitation and Recording
Do you accept corporate purchase orders?
We can provide an estimate including accurate shipping costs to help facilitate your request. Once we have received your P.O. by fax or email we will process your order. Please provide complete billing and shipping information.
How soon will you ship my order?
All Next-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day orders submitted before 3pm Pacific Time will be shipped the same business day. UPS Ground orders will be shipped no later than 2 business days after receipt. Customers wanting to pick up orders can visit our warehouse in Novato, CA between the hours of 9am and 4pm. Please call before arriving to make sure we have your product available: 1.415.561.2500 ext. 1
What is The Grove's return policy?
We offer a full refund on products returned within 30 days of purchase as long as they are received in saleable condition.
Is UPS my only shipping option?
While we strongly recommend choosing UPS shipping, we are flexible and can make alternative arrangements for some orders. Contact us at (800) 494-7683 or firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Are there any special things to consider if I am ordering from outside of the United States?
International orders arrive in 2 business days to most European destinations, 2-3 business days to most Canadian and Asian destinations, and are traceable via UPS. International shipping charges shown on your sales order are an estimate; many orders cost less to ship than the total shown at checkout, and in these cases ship costs are adjusted. We will contact you if the shipping amount is more than what is shown. If you would like an exact shipping cost, please contact us at (800) 494-7683 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
NOTE: Import tax, brokerage & additional fees will apply at time of delivery. Canadian customers may calculate these charges in advance, here: http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html
If I'm ordering from the United States, how soon will I receive my order?
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America's Tomorrow Newsletter, January 12
The Curb-Cut Effect; Year in Review: 2016 Highlights from America's Tomorrow
The Curb-Cut Effect; Year in Review: 2016 Highlights from America's Tomorrow
There Are No Shortcuts: Cooperation Jackson's Kali Akuno on Solidarity, Economic Democracy, and Organizing for the Long Term; Can Austin and San Francisco Foster Growth Without Displacement?
Can Other U.S. Cities Follow in NYC's Footsteps to Help Renters?; Growing Jobs in the Urban Forest to Advance an Inclusive Economy
"Best for NYC Challenge": Small Businesses Leading the Way in Best Practices; "A Movement Is Not a Flash of Light"
Banks' Community Benefits Agreements Bring Billions in Community Reinvestment
Expanding Opportunity in City Contracts: St. Paul's Racial Equity Strategy
Expanding Opportunity in City Contracts: St. Paul's Racial Equity Strategy
The Half-Trillion Dollar Tax Program That's Driving Wealth Inequality
Visionary Opposition: Thomas Shapiro on the Growing Racial Wealth Gap and How to Reduce It
Bridging the Economic Divide: The Black Workers Center in Washington DC
A Seat at the Table for All: Sanctuary Restaurants in the Movement for Immigrant Rights; Resistance Is Not Enough: What Cities Can Do to Move the Needle on Racial Equity
Careers, Not Jobs: How Boston's Workforce Development Initiatives Are Pushing the Economy Toward Equity; "Infrastructure is Not Just Roads and Bridges"
Fighting for an Inclusive NYC Transit System: A Conversation with Disability Rights Activist Sasha Blair-Goldensohn
Why America's Economy Needs Inclusive Competitiveness ®: A Conversation with Johnathan Holifield; Cultivating Equitable Food-Oriented Development: Lessons from West Oakland
Through Outreach and Education, Seattle Empowers Workers and Employers to Embrace Fair Labor Standards
When Housing Is Affordable, Everyone Wins
Crafting an Economic Agenda for Black Lives
Accelerating the Housing Recovery and Building Community Wealth in Chicago; In Boston, Momentum Grows for Renters' Rights
University of California Bans the Box for Job Applicants


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Do you still remember the world's first dual-core smartphone manufactured by LG? Yes, we are talking about the popular LG Optimus 2X. This handset originally runs on the Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS, but it was later updated to the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Operating System. LG Optimus 2X was launched in India with a price tag of Rs.30,000.
Most of us in India preferred Samsung Galaxy S II over Optimus 2X, thanks to the better specifications and features. Hence, the sales of LG Optimus 2X was too less compared to the Galaxy S II. After 6 months of its official launch, the price of LG Optimus 2X has been finally dropped. If you are planning to buy one, then check out the complete specs below.
LG Optimus 2X features a 4 inch WVGA screen, Android 2.2 (FroYo) OS, 1 Ghz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 3G Connectivity, Wi-Fi 801.11 b/g/n, Micro USB, 8 megapixel rear camera with full HD (1080p) video recording and playback, 1.3 megapixel front camera, 8 GB internal memory, 32 GB expandable memory, 3.5mm headset jack, HDMI mirroring, 1500 mAh battery and so on.
LetsBuy, a popular online retailer in India is selling this powerful smartphone in India for just Rs.19,999. Yes, that's a Rs.10,000 discount on the original price. If you are planning to buy one, then head over to this page. If not, then which smartphone would you like to buy in this price range? Let us know your views in the comments section below.


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Morning Stampers and Happy Valentines Day to you all...hoping you are all indulging in lots of chocolate and lurve :O)) Many thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge last week...wow, there are some seriously delish roses out there...speaking of which, I hope that your beloveds have bought you some for today! The new challenge for today could only be one thing couldn't it...so, I chose LOVE...and the song, another Beatles classic is one of my all time faves - yep, another Beatles song so it goes without saying that I am going to love it LOL To join in with the challenge, all you need to do is make something, incorporate the theme and some stamping and then leave me a comment here with the link to the place you are showing your creation. The challenge remains open until 23:00 on Saturday February 20th.
I have always been a bit of a grump when it comes to Valentines Day and think that it is commercialism and why should I just have one day to tell Grim that I love him when I tell him everyday anyway...still, every year I succumb to the "romance" of it all and end up making a card for him LOL This year, I have done a card and a matching altered frame...using a combination of inky messy techniques and some delightful Wendy Vecchi stamps. The main idea actually came from a tut that Wendy had on her Blog (HERE) so I kind of nicked the heart idea and actually, more or less copied the whole tutorial! **anyone else think that Wendy is a Beatles fan too? Only, check out the titles of her last two posts :O))**
The card was made using some cardstock which was dipped into Cranberry and Sunset Orange inks, which had been swooshed over my craft sheet and then spritzed with Perfect Pearls in a Mini Mister. I made a few of these until I got the colours I wanted...now, Wendy was using Adirondack Pigment Inks for her tut...I have a fair few of these...well, I did have...until my drawer unit decided to eat them all up... they have fallen right into the back of the drawers...and the drawers are those daft "male" ones that are attached inside, so unless I grow some massive muscles overnight, the ink pads are trapped until the whole chest is moved :O( So, I improvised and used /adirondack dye ink pads instead :O)) which, I have to say, are loads richer in colour but didn't give me the pale washy look I wanted.
The background is made up from two different stamps, stamped with Cranberry and then I made a divider using a Martha Stewart punch. The heart is stamped into cardstock and swooshed thru more inkyness and then the little flowers and leaves are made from Grungepaper, coloured with DI's and then attached with silicone glue. Now, don't you just LOVE the sentiment? This is actually a Beatles lyric from a song called The End, which is the 2nd to last song, side B of Abbey Road...which I have to admit is my fave album too...ah, many an evening spent in my bedroom as a teenager, pretending to drum along to it...*back to present day* So, I was over the moon when I saw that this was on one of the new Wendy Vecchi plates...Isn't this sentiment just perfect?
I wanted to make something for Grim this year...I usually buy him something (which...*whispers* I have but don't tell him cos he doesn't know yet) and because I loved the card stylee so much I altered a photo frame, this can be for his study/computer room/den/room of boxes....ROFL I started by sanding the frame and then hammering it with Tim's texture hammer (actually, it is my hammer but Tim designed it...it would be just too funny if I had actually got the one that belongs to Tim!!!) I painted the whole surface with Trad Tan and then slapped on patches of Rock Candy Cracklepaint...which is my ultimate fave cracklepaint in the whole wide world ever....and once this was dry, I used a combo of red and gold Glimmer Mists...the clogged one was de-clogged! I now have a delightfully splattered tshirt though...(memo to self, when de-clogging GM's, wear a pinny) I rubbed some golden wax into the crackles to emphasize them but the pics really do not show it properly, I may try to do pics in the morning when it is daylight and see if it looks better with no flash!
The middle of the frame was made using some sturdy card, swooshed as before and then background stamped with Cranberry...and the With Love added a little too far to the right...whoops, forgot the card was larger than the frame apperture...actually, I did that on purpose really LOL
The heart is made from mountboard, inky swooshings and Glimmer Misted and then the same embellies as the card, except this time I used some Maya Road Trinket Pins and a pearl. The sentiment wouldn't fit as it is stamped, so I chopped it up and made it into little pieces, 3d'd them onto the cardstock and then bunged the whole thing together. I decided against adding anything else to the frame as I want the heart and sentiment to stand out...whatcha fink? Does it need more embellies on the frame? I hope Grim likes these...if he leaves a comment then we will find out :O))
Thanks for looking and I hope you all have a great week....
Hels x
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Sunday Stampers - Week 91 - All You Need Is Love
Morning Stampers and Happy Valentines Day to you all...hoping you are all indulging in lots of chocolate and lurve :O)) Many thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge last week...wow, there are some seriously delish roses out there...speaking of which, I hope that your beloveds have bought you some for today! The new challenge for today could only be one thing couldn't it...so, I chose LOVE...and the song, another Beatles classic is one of my all time faves - yep, another Beatles song so it goes without saying that I am going to love it LOL To join in with the challenge, all you need to do is make something, incorporate the theme and some stamping and then leave me a comment here with the link to the place you are showing your creation. The challenge remains open until 23:00 on Saturday February 20th.
Posted by Hels Sheridan at 00:01
Labels: Adirondack InkPads, Altered Art - Photoframe, Cards, Cracklepaint, GlimmerMists, Grungepaper, Martha Stewart Punches, Studio 490 stamps, The Sunday Stampers, Wendy Vecchi
46 comments:
- Minxy said...
Happy Valentines hun, your artwork as always is flawless.. i'll be blogging my piece later this morning x which you will obviously find HERE
xo xo xo xo xo xo
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:58:00 am
- Linda Cain said...
I LOVE your colors!!!! I'm all for intensity....great piece.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 1:46:00 am
- Lori said...
Lovely card and hanging Hels, I'm sure Grim will love it! Love the colors, I do so love the Adirondack dye inks. Well, really I love all the inks Ranger makes. lol I'll definitely try to enter this one too!
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:36:00 am
- Susan said...
Your art , as always, is terrific. I would leave the frame as is - as you said, doing anything more might take away from the focal piece. Happy Valentines Day!
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:50:00 am
you have been making some cool stuff with the new stamps. love the look as it is. but do hope you are able to retrieve the pigment stamps soon. i think the frame is great as is...more masculine than all tricked out.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:24:00 am
- Gayle Page-Robak said...
So, beautiful!!
Happy Valentine's Day.
Hugs, Gayle.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:36:00 am
- Fliss said...
Mmmm, lovely! No more embellies needed, would be OTT. Happy Valentine's Day and hope he loves his pressies.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 7:47:00 am
- TinaB said...
Fabby card and frame Hels xxxx
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 8:22:00 am
- Sid said...
Two fab projects and both are brilliant....such warm colours. May have chance to join in this time too :-)
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 8:46:00 am
- * Shaz * said...
Happy Valentines to you and Graham Hels... lovely work as always big hugs to you both xx
Here's my card
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:01:00 am
- Helen said...
Hi, love the card and the frame, both great as they are. Will be back later with a little love....
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:11:00 am
These are terrific Hels. I hope you are having a lovely romantic morning. My Valentine can be found at http://Heavens2betsy-creativeoverflow.blogspot.com/
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:30:00 am
- Sandy said...
Wonderful Valentine Creation. Fantastic elements and darling work. Love them.
Happy Valentines Day my friend.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:36:00 am
- Diane.W. said...
Both are gorgeous!!! Luv the colours.
Happy Valentines Day :o)x
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 10:16:00 am
- Laura said...
Lovely grungy pink!
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 10:38:00 am
- Lesley said...
Happy Valentine's Day Hels.
Here's mine"
Lesley x
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:23:00 am
- Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...
Hi Hels, 2 wonderful creations - lucky Grim :) the frame is wonderful as it is, sometimes it's nice to overload with embellies sometimes it's fine without. Would Grim prefer more embellies or not? Will try to get mine done today.
I dreamt about you last night hehe. Your hair was short and a funny colour can't remember exactly but it was speckled :O I was in this big room; don't know where; when you turned up with someone big in crafts (but only in my dream) and you were advising her on stuff 'cos you knew so much LOL.
Anne xx
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:28:00 am
- Daniele said...
morning Hels love this piece hope hubby appreciates it...I'm sure he will.her is my card at least its inky this weekas my fingers are still red lol
hugs x
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:36:00 am
- Rosie said...
Oh it's gorgeous! You're SO talented I may have to decide to hate you after all .... or maybe I'll just copy your fabulous ideas?? Note to self - MUST get some of those Wendy thingy stamps! Hope Grim appreciates your magnificent efforts - I made mine a book out of toilet roll middles ....
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:04:00 pm
- Helen said...
hi, all. Back with my entry this time - I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Hope you like it.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:55:00 pm
- Joanne said...
I keep saying it and will continue to do so, your work is AMAZING. I am such a Tim fan and can't get enough of Ranger products, but now I've found your blog, life just got even better. x
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:57:00 pm
- Linda Elbourne said...
Lovely work Hels ... My entry for this week's challenge is here
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:20:00 pm
- Faerie Moon Creations said...
This is absolutely beautiful! I am in awe of your work, and I'm so happy I discovered your blog through One World One Heart! Have a lovely day with family and friends (and enjoy more chocolate!)
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:59:00 pm
- Jennie said...
Stunning stuff! I am sure Grim will love it :)
Will be back later in the week
Hugs xx
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 3:33:00 pm
- Dan said...
Using Linda's suspect "Love" connection, my entry can be found here
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 3:47:00 pm
- Jennie said...
ok, I am so fast that I have created a card in just a few minutes!!!rofl! Mine is Here
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 4:07:00 pm
- Ang C said...
Two beautiful creations
My offering can be found Here
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 4:08:00 pm
- Andrea said...
just lovely work Hels and I am sure Graham will leave a message for you, he would of loved this to, great stuff and have a wonderful evening xx
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 5:15:00 pm
- cockney blonde said...
Lovely artwork as always, x
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:38:00 pm
Too right I liked it Andrea. Am I lucky to have such a talented wife or what?
Thanks for the card and stuff babes...I love you X
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 6:58:00 pm
- 2amscrapper said...
Love both of these pieces. The colors are fab!
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 7:32:00 pm
looks amazing Hels...Ive just purchased my 1st set of Wendy Vecchi stamps, hope I can create something half as good as this!
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:47:00 pm
- Hermine said...
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! love it. Happy valentines day to you too.
- Sunday, February 14, 2010 10:08:00 pm
- IsaNorris said...
This is really lovely!! beautiful piece.
Thanks for your comment on my blog too ;)
- Monday, February 15, 2010 3:17:00 am
- Cheri said...
here is my entry
Thank you for looking.
- Monday, February 15, 2010 4:45:00 am
- Anke said...
Wonderful works Hels, I love the colors.
- Monday, February 15, 2010 6:35:00 am
- Nicks said...
All done.. not exactly valentines though!
BUT!!!! I have managed to do some stamping on it this week!
- Monday, February 15, 2010 9:46:00 am
- Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...
Mine's done now and on my blog. You can see it here
Anne xxx
- Monday, February 15, 2010 1:49:00 pm
- Joanne said...
I've had a go but am struggling with a decent photo. I'll keep trying though. In the meantime, here's mine:
- Monday, February 15, 2010 3:35:00 pm
- Lottie said...
Oh my fantastic - sorry I haven't posted a comment on each of your post - have been doing the rounds an ran out of time
- Monday, February 15, 2010 8:44:00 pm
- crafterGM said...
Here is my Card Thanks Gloria M.
- Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:09:00 am
- Artyjen said...
Gorgeous colours...love the whole ish! My ATC is here.
- Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9:38:00 am
- MarissaDW said...
Hels, I love your artwork. You inspired me to join the challenge, so here's my entry at
MDW's Love
- Wednesday, February 17, 2010 4:47:00 am
- Hazel said...
You are such an inspiration, Hels. My card is here x
- Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:45:00 pm
- Emma - Independent SU! Demonstrator said...
Your creation is fab. This is my first challenge for ages (other than Tuesday Taggers). Here is my creation
Thanks for the challenge.
Emma xx
- Friday, February 19, 2010 10:35:00 am
- Pat Bowman said...
Oh my gosh. I just love, love, LOVE everything about this. Of course, I'm an avid Beatles fan myself so how could I not LOVE it. Also, this is one of my favorite color combos. Someone was very luck to receive this card. I'm still drooling over it!
- Thursday, March 04, 2010 5:57:00 pm


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Each year, Oregon Business ranks the top 100 companies to work for in Oregon based on confidential employee surveys and benefits reports submitted by employers. Rankings cover work enivornments, decision-making abilities, performance management, and career development.
Here are the top employers in large, medium and small business:
1. Microsoft Corporation - No. 1 Large Company
Though headquartered in Seattle, the Portland branch of the software giant has moved up from its previous Oregon Business ranking of number 7 to be the number 1 large company. Forty-nine sales and customer service reps can use the newest technology and work from home whenever they wish. Autonomy and independence, along with benefits including strong healthcare and paid volunteer work, help employees feel respected and understand their individual impact.
2. Hitachi Consulting - No. 2 Large Company
Hitachi Consulting is a Portland-based IT and business consulting firm. Benefits like excellent pay, 30 days of paid vacation, and comprehensive dental and health care are just some of the perks of working for Hitachi. Employees here commend the other employees -- fun and smart -- and give high marks to the company's empowerment of employees, career development, and philanthropy.
3. Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront - No. 3 Large Company
Hospitality managers at this hotel understand that taking care of their employees is a direct investment in the health of their business. (Or, as the management told Oregon Business, "If we take great care of associates, they'll take great care of our customers.") Benefits for the 209 employees here include travel and hotel discounts, as well as flexible schedules, health club access, and the chance to influence and even change procedure at the hotel.
4. Oregon Cascade Plumbing & Heating - No. 1 Medium Company
This first-place medium-sized company is an HVAC and plumbing contractor based in Salem, Ore., just oustide Portland. Oregon Cascade is family-run, and so they put families first. Generous benefits, an annual retreat, a fun environment and employee ownership (the company is 25% employee-owned) lead to employee satisfaction.
5. Hospice & Palliative Care - No. 2 Medium Company
The obvious emotional toll of caring for patients near the end of life can lead to burnout for doctors and nurses and other hospice care workers. This company recognizes that fact, and so employees who interact with patients on a daily basis only work three days, but receive full-time benefits. The laid-back environment, support, mission of the organization and life-work balance make a hard job a little easier for these caregivers.
6. Pittman & Brooks - No. 1 Small Company
This small Portland CPA firm works hard and plays hard. Fifty-hour weeks during tax season are balanced by 100% flextime during the other nine months of the year. And to make tax season a bit more bearable, the company offers massages, catered meals, on-site weekend childcare, and dry cleaning. A wellness program and evening fitness, yoga and cooking classes help employees stay healthy.
7. Northwest Newborn Specialists -- No. 2 Small Company
Caring for ill and premature babies is stressful, and Northwest Newborn Specialists understands this. The company provides support and respect to employees through flexibile scheduling, and promotion of personal and professional growth, including conference attendance and research.
See the full list at OregonBusiness.com. Find a school in Portland that can give you the skills you need to get your foot in the door at one of these companies.


text:
I would like show you model Panzer IVD from Mirage Hobby (I think good modeller could make it awesome model) and few figures from Revell, Italeri, Orion, Matchbox and something else. I will never do the dioram of this meeting in desert.
Panzer IV D
Tank crew
Troops (looking for ideal colour of uniforms DAK)
In old fashion style...
Thank you for watching.


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