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View the article online at http://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/article/a644429
RSA doubles IFA's PI premiums after rate-rocketing risk review
by William Robins on Dec 13, 2012 at 08:45
Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) has hiked IFAs' professional indemnity (PI) insurance rates, in some cases by 100%, following a review of the advice market.
The insurer is also demanding comprehensive information from advisers over their sales of structured products, unregulated collective investment schemes and 'tax mitigation' vehicles.
Chris Mellor (pictured), director of Amersham-based The Financial Management Group, was told the next 12 months of cover, beginning from 14 February, would cost his firm 100% more than it had the year before.
Mellor said the firm had arranged a small number of structured products, with unregulated investments accounting for less than 1% of its business last year.
He said the firm had received no complaints in relation to structured products or unregulated investments.
Mellor said RSA had no good reason to hike PI rates and accused it of taking advantage of a lack of competition in the IFA PI market.
'It's going up by 100% before the risk of anything else we are doing has been measured,' he said.
A letter to Mellor from Julie Hustwit, a senior broker at Bartlett & Company, said: 'RSA has undertaken a UK-wide rate review which has resulted in much higher rates… and there are no exceptions.'
28 comments so far. Why not have your say?
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:00
Follow the money the large institutions are the beneficiaries of changes not the clients and certainly not the advisers
When will this failed legislation be addressedreport this
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:13
Didn't somebody predict last week a fall in PI costs due to RDR?report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:19
@Jonathan Kirby
Now who makes predictions you get rich by shorting??report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:21
Further evidence of lack of representation.
For many years, AIFA were asleep (or arranging backscratching dinners) when they were needed. I fear it is too late now.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:34
So "if" the structured product providers want to do more business that benefits a client then why dont they get rubber stamp from the FSA (or son of) & then the PI insurers to convince them of the risk ?report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 09:54
"a review of the advice market"? Shouldn't that read "a review of regulatory policy", notably with regard to regulation by hindsight and the FSA's practice of instructing the FSCS to short-circuit the normal complaints process?
Then again, only a month or two back, Martin Wheatley announced that the FCA will not be perpetuating the FSA's policy of hindsight reviews to shift onto intermediaries the blame for its own failings. And Linda Woodhall said that "after the end of this year all advice will be up to scratch." One may assume that RSA don't believe either of them.
To Jonathan Kirby ~ I believe it was Skandia that predicted a fall in PII rates post the FSA's Red Button Day.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:02
Hindsight insurance is now no longer affordable nor will it be offerable. What does PI mean anyone?
Do you remember these words from a certain Mr Merrick..." we make the law"..... so how can you issue an insurance policy when the law's consequences you are supposed to be insuring against is unclear and not known..
I'm afraid the FSA and FOS have made PI a history lesson in the making!!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:06
So it has started already, because IFA cannot exclude sections of advice from their PI, the insurers have them by the short and curlies.
This is one of the concerns that I put to the MD of the IFA Centre, who said it was absolute rubbish and was a poor excuse for choosing the restricted route !!!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:11
PI for advice is the unknown in the new world. Unfortunately the PI insurers still see financial planning as selling products. They have no idea how to rate with all the noise coming from the FSA on a daily basis.
This clarifies the need to separate out the areas.
1) product sales,
2) product intermediation &
3) financial planning advice.
Post RDR IFAS should be allowed to act in areas 2 & 3 with a professional bodies global PI plan included in individual RI level membership.
Correct me if i am wrong if the IFA is supposed to be an agent for the client. If so any option for additional protection should be the client choice and cost.
Clarity of service should be as simple as Independent acting for client, vs. Restricted acting for provider before client.
This takes me to (1) product sales area . Almost all complaints and failures relate to product. Thus a product levy is the required answer and regulated products having their own client protection policy in place for failure, fraud etc. Badge these as "New regulated solutions" and give them a kite-mark or something similar. Let the FSA do a real value advertising, promotion campaign.
Simple the higher the risk of a product the higher the cost to the provider.
The professional bodies give a simple fact sheet for advisers to utilise on all products that are then regulated and suitable for a retail investor. Product providers stay on the hook for any misrepresentation of a product that does not fit standard definitions ( IFAS can then tell clients what it says on the TIN.)
Suitability of a product is then a much more straightforward checking procedure for any professional adviser.
Clients / advisers/ Sales agents etc who act outside of "New regulated solutions" should need to get a declaration signed by client and a counter signature by the regulator for any transactions outside of this that throws all redress back on the individual consumer with appropriate warnings. Thus the regulator would be able to act under product intervention earlier when it sees a pattern of promotion.
Thus you end up with the same cost of a regulated product if bought with or without advice. The advice and any intermediation costs are separate and give the client the choice of do it themselves or seek help.
This is the only way to separate out cost and stop financial advice being artificially denied to the public.
Also the issue with PI insurance, FSCS levy, FOS etc all sorted in one go. Sorry just woke up much to simple an idea.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:24
In two ancient words that have stood the test of time " caveat emptor". What was wrong with that?
Oh...of course..it wasn't good enough for the lawyers who draft these rules for the FSA because there isn't enough dosh to be made from it!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:52
The whole world is going to end on the 21st - so why do we worry!
I for one won't be able to keep on meeting this overbearing costs. I don't believe I earn a fraction of the regulators. I have anly been set up as a self employed IFA for 3 years and the costs have doubled in this time - wish my income had!!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:57
Unfortunately this is not likely to be a random incident, more providers are going to review their rates.
Some firms do not have any evidence to challenge the Insurers as they do not have any active risk management operating in their businesses to cover all the elements of their business. There can be easily adopted methods for IFA Risk Management systems - just Google it. Often the best IFA risk management system doesn't need expensive additional software and can provide a full audit trail and evidence of how risks have been assessed, mitigated, transferred or accepted and above all proof that the firm has taken it seriously.
The problem a lot of insurers face is that although advisers no longer work on commission, they will be charging a fee, often based on a flawed hourly rate. Once the uncontrolled costs rise due to unforseen risks, the advisers hike up their hourly rates or start taking shortcuts on time spent on their clients cases and suddenly the complaints start rolling in, or worse (for the insurers and advisers) the market shrinks.
Read my article on IFA Life at http://www.ifalife.com/articles.asp?AID=1372 and the other "The Folly of Hourly Fees" at http://www.ifalife.com/articles.asp?AID=1427report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:08
The availability of affordable PII will have greater implications on sales of structured products than any amount of marketing - basically they are dead in the water as an IFA product as PII costs will be unaffordablereport this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:09
I think there is a much simpler explanation for this. Nothing to do with risk simply maintaining profits.
Business volumes are likely to drop as a result of RDR, so on a like for like basis would PI cost. Increasing the cost of PI will ensure that the PI providers can maintain margins.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:13
If the FSA continues to expect the IFA market and their PI Insurers to pick up the cost of their failure to regulate - what can you expect?report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:19
We're just the latest money making opportunity for them I'm afraid. Another example of seeing a chink of opportunity and milking it to the max. This obsession with products rather than company complaints records is ridiculous. Is an ISA a tax mitigation vehicle?
Following the EU Gender directive, my daughter will pay more for her car insurance, will my son pay less? Hell no.
Is this fair, no, probably not, but in reality what can we do? We all need insurance and they have us by the short and curlies, it's not as if we can even boycott the insurance companies in protest, we all need insurance.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:27
Isn't it time that all the professional bodies got together with Lloyds to arrange PI for all members, or is this too simplistic? The CII would be a good place to start with the amount they collect.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:33
I think you will find that you now have the IFA Centre to stand up for IFAs on these issues now, as AIFA isn't actually for just IFAs anymore. Give Gill Cardy a call!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:46
i agree with mpt earlierreport this
Dec 13, 2012 at 12:12
Let's face it - Structured Products were and are risky and rubbish and UCIS were just plain super-risky ('Unregulated' should give you a clue). PI insurers know that and sadly the only people who didn't or still don't know it are generally the clients who allowed their adviser to recommend them and purchase on their behalf. So if P I insurers choose to charge those in the industry who didn't give those products a wide berth then so be it. Even those who did not get involved in that market will end up paying through the FSCS levy as a result of upheld misselling claims.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 12:57
Ditto Kim, mine has doubled. I have only been self employed for nearly 4 years.I now have to consider another career after spending all my spare cash on exams.
After all this is what the FSA wanted.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 13:42
@Barney Stackhouse - How can you make a sweeping statement that Structured Produts were and are risky and rubbish!
What a load of tosh!
Investing in anything where the underlying assets fluctuate in value carries risk. I suppose you think that Gilts are a safe investment or buying a house!
The problem is understanding the risk and the client accepting the risk. Lets face it keeping money in a bank account earning 1% with inflation at 3% is a risk!
Please do not make sweeping statements unless you can back it up with hard facts!report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 13:59
@Barney Stackhouse
Could I suggests that learn about EPUTS, Foundations, and quoted funds on HMRC recognised exchanges
Most of these are the products that make money rather than the discredited methods where you scatter money liberally around with little regard for where we are in the economic cycle.
You then might be at risk of adding value to clientsreport this
Dec 13, 2012 at 14:58
We have just renewed our PII for 2013 on the same terms as for 2012 plus we no longer have an exclusion for any FSCS claims. Sense is committed to independence and, in our experience, good insurers care more about your risk management processes and track record than they do about whether you are independent or restricted.report this
Dec 13, 2012 at 19:20
I have to agree with Steve Young. Some of our largest clients have renewed with single digit increases in PI ins. One of them was offered Comparator licences paid for by the PI underwriter, to demonstrate their support for the improvements they're making in their 'systems & controls' as they could then demonstrate they'd checked for potential client detriment & enhanced the value of their adviser charges when based on FUM.
Generally I've found more IFAs getting increases vs those going restricted. There's definitely an assumption by the PI underwriters that as restricted firms will be limiting providers to one or a small panel & stating up front that UCIS etc won't be advised upon; it reduces risk going forward. There also seems to be an unwritten assumption that if things then go bad, that the providers they've restricted themselves to will help to rectify the issues & so limit the amount the PI insurers may have to pick up.report this
Dec 14, 2012 at 10:04
This is old news. I notified Citiwire that ours had more than tripled overnight in August this year (for some reason they chose not to print it at the time) and we were cited by the insurance company the reasons for this being a small amount of structured products and 'a hardening of the marketplace' - whatever that means.
Thankfully we've since managed to obtain much more favourable terms with Aon and I would certainly recommend anyone considers them at renewal, as not only are their premiums very good, they haven't included any exclusions (with the exception of UCIS).
What's not been mentioned in this article is the impact on your capital adequacy. As a small practice I wasn't aware that as soon as you had exclusions your capital adequacy requirements went through the roof and only found out when completing my GABRIEL report that not only was I required to hold an additional £16,000 of capital to offset my UCIS exclusion, but also needed additional capital due to the policy excess having been increased above £5,000. Needless to say that wasn't a nice experience!
My advice to anyone is to be very wary when renewing your PI of the overall impact on your business, not just the cost of the insurance itself.report this
Dec 14, 2012 at 10:31
Thanks for that Julian D, that would bear out my testimony about adopting a robust and effective IFA risk management system to keep PI premiums low, and save your regulatory capital requirements. I have had first hand experience of this in a larger company using a system only slightly more technology driven, but with the same principles. As we show in the case study video, we helped them to manage a reduction of over 18% of their capital adequacy!
If you haven't got additional capital to increase your capital adequacy, then treat your own risk management seriously and the benefits can be manifested over the next few years as a serious multiple of the original investment. Get in touch with the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants and get to grips with risk management for your firm.report this
Dec 14, 2012 at 14:20
That'll be before RSA pull out of the market next year.report this
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Anesthesia-free dentistry, or nonprofessional dental scaling (NPDS), is becoming more common, particularly in dogs and cats. Anesthetic concerns, monetary issues and the desire to maximize
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Case example 1: A history of inadequate care
Case example 2: Disease that could be missed


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This week House Hunt offers three Open Houses and three homes listed within the past week Featured homes include a charming two-bedroom ranch home on Free Lane in Holly Springs and a four-bedroom Craftsman-style home on Highlands Loop in Woodstock.
Click on a picture in the photo gallery to see a listing description. Click on an address listed below and get directly linked to AOL Real Estate for complete listing information. In addition to helpful home buying tips, maps and contact information for the listings you choose, you will also be to calculate a monthly mortgage payment, check your credit and get prequalified.
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Lost Items
Please return any personal items you find in the library to the Circulation Desk. Valuables will be kept in a safe in the Circulation area. If the item is labeled with a name or address, we will attempt to contact the owner. Please bring identification to reclaim valuables. Lost Tulane University photo IDs are sent to the Card Services office at Bruff Commons.
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Do not leave your valuables unattended in the library. Label your books and other personal items. Report anything suspicious to the Circulation Desk staff.


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A group crusading for the decriminalization of marijuana stopped in the Peace Region to raise awareness of the cause.
Dana Larsen, director of Sensible B.C., spoke to supporters about the campaign he is running to have the province adopt the Sensible Policing Act. This legislation would stop police from arresting people for possession of marijuana.
�We want to legalize all aspects of the cannabis industry and bring it forward into a regulated system,� explained Larsen.
Larsen believes that it�s important that he visits all the regions in British Columbia, including the Peace Region.
�For this campaign to succeed we need the support of people in every electoral district in British Columbia, and if we miss just one of those districts, we will fail at our chances for a referendum. I think I have to come everywhere and this is a very important spot in terms of gaining support,� Larsen said.
Both Dawson Creek Mayor Mike Bernier and Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman voted against a motion at the meeting of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to decriminalize marijuana.
�A lot more needs to be addressed prior to decriminalization,� said Ackerman in a previous interview.
�How do we know how to deal with any social impact (that could arise)?�
Bernier was also vocally against the motion.
�It�s not the right time to do so,� he said at the time. �Some of the debate has been around legalizing it would shut down grow ops � no, it wouldn�t.�
Bernier said that he believed many grow-ops would continue to sell their wares illegally to customers in the U.S., even if the drug were decriminalized in B.C.
Larsen�s campaign is based around the idea of decriminalizing the possession of pot, but he says this isn�t his end game.
�Our legislative starts off with just decriminalizing the position, but that�s just the first step and we intend to go further than that to actually pass and regulate cannabis at the provincial level,� he said.
In Larsen�s vision, this would give those who are currently selling marijuana illegally the chance to become part of the business legitimately.
�People who are growing cannabis now would be able to participate in the legal aboveground industry and come aboard.�
He sees the legalized pot industry looking a lot like the current wine industry.
�I visualize legal cannabis being similar to the modern wine industry, where people can produce it in their own home for themselves and their friends or they can open up a winery and sell it to others. That�s the kind of model we see for cannabis,� explained Larsen.
Local police are currently fighting against marijuana and local grow-ops. However, the RCMP has a policy against commenting on pending or prospective legislation.
�As the national police force of Canada we provide expert input to lawmakers when requested and in specific capacities, but we do not blur the line between law enforcement and legislators,� said Cpl. Jodi Shelkie of the Fort St. John RCMP.
�Like every community in our province, Fort St. John has serious drug issues. Fort St. John RCMP strives to identify, target and apprehend drug dealers and suppliers. As well, we work at educating our youth on the dangers of drug use.�
However, according to Larsen he is not alone in his thoughts that cannabis should not be considered illegal or criminal.
�Eighty per cent of people in British Columbia think that possession of cannabis shouldn�t be a criminal offense,� he said.
Larsen believes that decriminalizing marijuana would benefit the Peace Region because the justice system would not waste manpower and resources on charging people with possession.
�Well it would save the police a lot of time and money,� he said.
A report released in October from the B.C. Ministry of Justice, shows that possession charges increased by 88 per cent over the last decade, from 2,004 charges in 2002 to 3,774 charges in 2011.
According to Larsen, if marijuana was decriminalized than it would give the police the opportunity to focus on substantive crimes and not waste their time busting pot smokers.
And Larsen is not alone in his way of thinking.
Recently two states � Washington and Colorado � voted to legalize possession for up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use at the state level.
�I think this is very good for our movement�. It�s very important for the worldwide effort to end the global war on cannabis. America is really the heart of that war. They�re the nation that promotes their global war on cannabis to other countries around the world and now it�s starting to crumble from within,� said Larsen.
He also noted that this is particularly important for Canada because it�s very similar to what Larsen and his supporters are trying to do with the sensible policing act.
�Their law in Washington legalizes the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis right away, so that comes into play in December when all the initiative laws come into play. Any adults in Washington will be able to posses up to an ounce of cannabis with no fear of anything at all,� explained Larsen.
Larsen says this is a positive thing because it�s the same process that he is currently trying to get going in B.C.
�It sets a great example for us here, and gives us hope as to what can be done when citizens get together and write their own laws and use the democratic tools they have to make them come into play.�


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How to Find the Right Contractor for the Job
A home remodel is only as good as who you hire.
Thinking about updating your contemporary kitchen to something more modern? Or maybe you want to give the master bathroom that Jacuzzi tub and steam shower you've been dreaming of? Whatever the home renovation, you'll want to find the right contractor—someone you can trust to do a great job for a fair price.
More Americans are staying in their homes due to the sluggish housing market, and many are choosing to remodel. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders' Remodeling Market Index (RMI), a good benchmark for judging the pulse of the remodeling industry, reached a five-year high and has stayed strong this year.
Ed Roskowinski, the general manager and vice president of general contracting company Vujovich Design Build in Minneapolis, says while his company has seen an uptick from about 40 projects a year to 70, they're smaller in scale. "We're seeing a lot of smaller, repair-type projects, maybe a bathroom or a kitchen remodel, and not as many full-scale remodels," he says. Although more homeowners are hiring contractors, annual revenue for the contracting industry is still on the mend—placing hiring power in the hands of the consumer.
Take these steps to ensure you choose the right contractor for the job:
Vet the contractors and their bids. While you may hear of a good contractor through word of mouth, online customer reviews are also a good place to start. On its website, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has compiled more than 100,000 reviews of general home contractors, many of which are accredited by the BBB—meaning they exhibit a good-faith effort to resolve consumer complaints. You can also read customer reviews on AngiesList.com to gauge a contractor's work ethic, but the site charges a monthly membership fee ranging from $2.60 to $6.80 depending on where you live, plus a $5 to $10 initiation fee. Unlike other websites, Angie's List doesn't allow anonymous reviews, which founder Angie Hicks says "enhances the accuracy" of its reviews.
Before you make a hasty hiring decision, talk to several contractors in your area and get at least three bids, advises Rick Lopes, a spokesperson for the California Contractors State License Board (CCSLB). It's essential to have the contractors survey the property before making an offer so that the bids are as accurate as possible. To get an apples-to-apples comparison, make sure the bids are identical in their plans, all the way down to such specifics as what brands of materials will be used.
Lopes adds that you shouldn't necessarily go with the lowest estimate. "If two bids are the same and one is really low, ask yourself, 'Why is this person offering to do this for a lot less money?'" he says. "That low-ball bid may just be a way to get you to commit to them, and they're going to come back later and say things like, 'Oh, I didn't realize you needed this done,' or they may be providing you with inferior products."
The prospective contractor will likely supply you with a list of references, but odds are, those clients will only have good things to say. A better way to judge a contractor's quality of work is to visit one of their current job sites. Consider asking the homeowner there if the contractor is responsive to phone calls and if the workers show up on time.
Warning signs. With a large number of scam artists posing as contractors, homeowners should be suspicious if a contractor does any of the following:
• Pressures you for a quick hiring decision
• Accepts only cash (usually an indication he's trying to skirt paying taxes)
• Wants to skip the building permit (any major home-improvement project legally requires one)
• Solicits door to door (a few reliable contractors do, but be wary if they're not local)
• Tries to cut you a deal using materials left over from another project
• Quotes a final price without seeing the job
Confirm licensing and insurance. If your state licenses contractors, you can typically do an online license check. As for the insurance, Katherine Hutt, a spokesperson for the BBB, says the bureau's website indicates what the insurance requirements are for your state, so you'll know what to look for.


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Ashley Wallace, president of the Community Government Association
Ashley Wallace, president of the Community Government Association
Ashley Wallace strives to serve as a student advocate and improve communication at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. In addition to addressing students' concerns, CGA oversees numerous facilities used by BU students, including Honeysuckle Apartments, the Student Recreation Center and the University Store.
Wallace, of Hawley, is a junior early childhood and special education major, minoring in audiology and speech-language pathology. She was elected freshmen class president and joined the CGA executive board during her second semester at BU. She also served as secretary during her sophomore year.
As president, Wallace hopes to "connect the dots" between departments on campus, students and student-run organizations. She says many available resources aren't used to their full potential and believes that the campus community would benefit from positive communication and sharing ideas. "For example, student clubs could team up to do fundraising, or academic departments could give presentations together," she explained.
She hopes more students will discuss their concerns with CGA members, stating that the organization is available to help students address issues around the BU community.
"As a future teacher, I understand the importance of all individuals having a voice, no matter who they are or what they have to say," Wallace said. "I value helping students express their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, concerns, and opinions regarding their education and their home here at BU."
She encourages students to participate in some of the more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, but also reminds students to take a break to relax. "It is crucial to make this personal time in order to be effective academically, and to understand why you enjoy your involvement and dedication to additional activities," she explained.
Outside of her involvement with CGA, Wallace serves as historian for the Student Council of Exceptional Children (SCEC). She is also an orientation workshop leader (OWL) and a Board of Governors student.


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Click on the links below for more details.
1. A suspected would-be robber intended to stick up a Johns Creek Panera while an employee was working alone one early morning. The suspect became enraged when the employee refused to let him in and With that, the suspect punched the glass door, shattering it, then ran away.
2. A Lilburn homeowner told police he was upset about his escalating water bills that he chose another route to fill his pool. He attached a green garden hose to a fire hydrant nearby and ran it back to the pool. He had two feet of water in the pool before police arrived. In case you don't know, it's against the law to do this.
3. Somebody tried to steal an ATM machine located inside a Norcross-area CVS pharmacy by yanking it out with a cable attached to a stolen van. The attempt was unsuccessful, however. The suspect, or suspects, only pulled out the ATM sign; it wasn't part of the actual machine. The sign was attached to the still-running van when police found it later.
4. You can understand why the police were a bit miffed at this one. Lilburn Police said a woman made up a story about an attempted kidnapping of a child from a Lilburn store. Her reason? Because, according to police, she was angry that the child's parents weren't watching him while they were shopping. At that time, she told police she had seen a man try to kidnap the boy. She later admitted she lied. "This is a serious offense," a police spokesman said. "The department spent several man hours trying to locate this suspect. The department takes these types of reports extremely serious and when this was initially reported other investigations were dropped to focus on this one."
5. A Snellville man interrupted a break in a church service, snatched up his estranged wife and sped off with her in his vehicle. "He won't let me go," the woman mouthed to people in the parking lot as the man forced her to leave with him. He was later found at his father's house and was arrested.
6. Police say an Athens man intended to steal a bottle of laundry detergent, then return it as if he had purchased it. He's done it before, employees at a Family Dollar store told police. He's been barred from the store for two years.
7. Someone stole 15 pots intended for a yard sale from an Athens carport, but the victim noticed something else was missing. She told police the suspects had stolen a green mushroom growing in her front lawn.
8. A Winder man told police that we wasn't burglarizing a vacant residence. He said he was interested in renting the place, so he was just doing some work there. Neighbors who called police suspected he was attempting to steal copper from where the water heater was located. The suspect said he thought he could stay there until making a decision. That isn't how the leasing process works, an officer told him.
9. Well, at least the thief waited until a Lilburn man was finished mowing the lawn before stealing his $700 lawn mower. When the man finished, he took a break inside his house, leaving the mower in the yard. .
10. How do you think the son felt when he saw this off-the-court altercation during his basketball tryout at Dacula High School? The tryout was attended by the boy's father, his girlfriend and his soon-to-be ex-wife. According to the police report, after the estranged wife approached the girlfriend to question why she was there, she punched the woman in the face and dragged her to the ground by her hair. The man told police he separated the women and his wife then left the school.
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A new drug to treat hepatitis C is boosting patients' odds of recovery, but it's causing a major insurer in Washington and the state's prison system to wonder how they're going to pay for it.
Washington's largest provider of Medicaid managed care plans, Molina Healthcare, isn't covering the new hepatitis C medication for all patients, including some who state health officials say should get it.
Sofosbuvir, known by the brand name Sovaldi, boasts a 90 percent cure rate when used to treat the typical patient with hepatitis C.
It also costs about $1,000 a pill — or $84,000 for a 12-week treatment. And that doesn't include the cost of other drugs a hepatitis C patient might need.
The state Health Care Authority is now pressuring Molina to broaden its rules for covering Sovaldi, which the federal Food and Drug Administration approved for treating hepatitis C in December.
"They're not covering it under the same guidelines that we think are appropriate," said Jim Stevenson, spokesman for the Health Care Authority.
Meanwhile, state prisons — where 16 percent of inmates have hepatitis C — might end up spending even more on hepatitis C medications this year, after earlier treatments already doubled prison spending on hepatitis C drugs between 2010 and 2013.
The drug is raking in money for the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences of California, which reported $2.27 billion in sales of Sovaldi during the first quarter of 2014.
Stephen Polyak, a research professor in the departments of global health and laboratory medicine at the University of Washington, said he sees Sovaldi as "a great breakthrough" for treating hepatitis C, but the cost of the drug creates questions about who will be able to access it.
"It's going to impact health tremendously," said Polyak, whose research focuses on hepatitis C and HIV. "But it is going to be for the countries and the insurers and the individuals who can afford to pay for that."
An estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus that can cause liver failure or liver cancer if left untreated.
A big selling point of Sovaldi is that the daily pill can treat hepatitis C with fewer side effects than previous drug regimens, while getting better results. Sovaldi also can treat patients in 12 weeks, while previous drug combinations took 24 or 48 weeks.
Two national organizations — The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America — now recommend Sovaldi for treating hepatitis C in most circumstances.
Yet Molina Healthcare, which contracts with the state Health Care Authority to provide Medicaid plans for roughly 429,000 people statewide, still is developing its internal rules for covering the drug.
Molina has denied at least some hepatitis C patients coverage for Sovaldi. In an April 23 letter obtained by The News Tribune, the company wrote it was denying a request to cover the drug "until such time as clinical guidelines have been established."
Dr. Daniel Lessler, the chief medical officer at the Health Care Authority, said his agency is working with Molina to ensure the company's policy for covering Sovaldi matches the state's coverage standards.
"We have spoken with them and made it clear that we expect them to be providing coverage for this drug," Lessler said last week.
The other four insurance companies that contract with the state to provide Medicaid plans already cover Sovaldi in accordance with the state's clinical guidelines, Lessler said.
But of all the state's managed-care providers, Molina serves the most people — about 39 percent of the nearly 1.2 million Washingtonians who are on Medicaid managed care plans.
Dr. J. Mario Molina, the president and CEO of Molina Healthcare, said in a trade publication last week that he has concerns about the high price of Sovaldi, as well as other hepatitis C drugs that will soon come on the market.
"These new drugs could be a budget buster for state Medicaid programs," Molina told the magazine Modern Healthcare.
An older drug to treat hepatitis C, telaprevir, cost significantly less than Sovaldi when it debuted in 2011 — about $50,000 for a longer treatment cycle.
Molina spokeswoman Laura Hart wrote in an email Wednesday that the company has agreed to cover Sovaldi for some patients, and is working with the Health Care Authority "to formalize a clear and clinically driven process for future requests."
For now, Hart wrote, "we are reviewing requests for Sovaldi on a case-by-case basis."
Dr. John D. Scott, the assistant director of the Hepatitis and Liver Clinic at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, said he doesn't understand why Molina's process is taking so long. Scott said the insurer has already declined to cover Sovaldi for about 10 to 15 Medicaid patients at his clinic, many of whom have advanced liver scarring and need the treatment.
"Every other insurance company is paying for Sovaldi," said Scott, an assistant professor in the University of Washington's Department of Medicine. "Molina is denying potentially life-saving therapy to many patients, which I think is wrong."
State Medicaid Director MaryAnne Lindeblad said the back-and-forth that's happening between the state and Molina isn't unusual, and that it should be resolved soon. She said it's too early to say how the cost of Sovaldi could affect the state's Medicaid program financially.
"With any new drug coming out, it takes time to look at what is appropriate clinically," Lindeblad said. "I don't know that we should draw attention to this one particular drug."
The state's prison system also is grappling with how to deliver the expensive drug to inmates who need it. State prisons have a constitutional obligation to provide care that is deemed medically necessary, so simply not treating seriously ill inmates isn't an option, said Norah West, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections.
Even before Sovaldi came on the market, the costs of treating hepatitis C in the state prison system were on the rise. The state Department of Corrections spent $834,113 on medications to treat patients for hepatitis C in the 2010 fiscal year, compared to $1.8 million on hepatitis C drugs in fiscal year 2013.
This year, the prison system expects to meet or exceed the amount it spent on hepatitis C drugs in 2013, West said. Some patients are starting to receive a multidrug regimen that includes Sovaldi, which costs a total of about $142,000 per patient, she said.
Not all infected inmates get treated, though. Historically, the prison system has treated about 70 inmates for hepatitis C each year, even though about 2,640 prison inmates in Washington are living with the disease, West said.
"We would love to treat everyone," West said. "There's absolutely no way we can afford to do that."
Dr. Lara Strick, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington and an infectious disease specialist for the DOC, said that many factors go into deciding which inmates get treated for hepatitis C, including whether inmates want to undergo the therapy and how badly the virus is damaging their health.
Because hepatitis C is a progressive illness, not all patients need treatment immediately, said Strick, who also treats patients at a clinic at Harborview Medical Center.
For certain patients, it might be better for them to wait until newer treatments are available that cause even fewer side effects, she said.
The FDA is expected to approve additional drugs to treat hepatitis C this year.
Still, the cost of the new drugs coming on the market is a barrier for those who would like to eradicate the hepatitis C virus, instead of just treating the sickest patients, Strick said.
"The hope is the future will bring medications that are priced in such a manner that we can treat this as a public health issue, and eventually eliminate the epidemic," Strick said. "But I don't think we're there yet."Melissa Santos: 360-357-0209 email@example.com Melissa Santos: 360-357-0209 melissa.santos@ thenewstribune.com


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David Shaywitz, Contributor
I write about entrepreneurial innovation in medicine.
In Woody Allen's classic, "The Lunatic's Tale," Ossip Parkis struggles between his love of two women, one brilliant and sophisticated, the other outrageously beautiful; following a successful brain exchange, Parkis is able to live happily ever after with his perfect partner – until he finds himself falling for a flight attendant "whose boyish, flat figure and Alabama twang caused my heart to do flip-flops." At this point, Parkis descends into madness.
I was thinking about this story, and more generally, the difficulty of knowing what happiness – or success — looks like, in the context of two recent experiences.
First, I was reading a WSJ interview with the comic actor Josh Gad, who starred in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon, and has now seen his career take off. The fascinating part of the Journal's interview was the revelation that Gad had always aspired to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live, but never made it. Gad said,
"It was an obsession. I really thought that was it, that was the only way I was ever going to break in. I put together four audition tapes each year. You need to get in the door, and I never did. So when you're so blind to other potential opportunities and you're so focused on that one thing, you forget that there are many similar things out there waiting for you."
I doubt Gad's story is all that unusual – it's easy to get so fixated on one particular vision of success that it can be difficult to recognize other possibilities that might even be more compelling.
I was reminded of this recently by a former college classmate of mine, who I always viewed as leading a dream life as a remarkably successful television comedy writer. (In college, he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon; I had always aspired to, but unfortunately, my submissions were returned with witty, constructive comments such as "this blows s*** out of my a******" [amazing how some critiques stick in your memory]).
Anyway, it turns out a part of him had always wanted to be a doctor, and after nearly two decades in television, he had returned to go to med school.
I know lawyers who want to be doctors, doctors who want to be bankers, bankers who want to be writers, and now a writer who wants to be a doctor. Perhaps through life experience, we discover the limitations of our own, original dreams (reality tends to do that), and then we reach expectantly for someone else's.
I admit I look with wistful admiration at creative minds in different fields who seem to be living life on their own terms: select entrepreneurs, of course; also Ira Glass and Woody Allen (as I've previously discussed), the brilliant lyricist and composer Robert Lopez, larger-than-life writers Tom Junod and Michael Lewis, sui generis VCs Brad Feld and Dave McClure, and investor/authors Michael Mauboussin and Nassim Taleb, among others.
At the same time – and often from their own words – it's clear all of these individuals have dealt with their own sets of very difficult challenges, and continue to wrestle with external critique and internal doubt.
One conclusion, perhaps, is that we should suppress the instinct to look externally, and focus instead on accepting our choices and making the best out of what we already have. We'd probably be happier if we did.
At the same time, I confess that my heart is with those who are determined to identify and follow their passion; I am more encouraged by the writer who decides at the age of 40 to become a doctor than by the lawyer who decides to grit out a miserable existence because the pay is good and the responsibilities defined.
Of course, there's probably something to be said for an uninspiring job that pays well; like sex without love, it may be just an empty experience, as Woody Allen points out, "but as empty experiences go, it's one of the best."
Here's to 2013, and the meaningful pursuit of passion…
David – what an awesome / inspiring post to start the year with. For everyone out there who reads this and feels like making a new years resolution, make ONE – "pursue your passion."
What an excellent reflective write-up to begin the New Year with. There's a sense of dichotomy in our understanding of the nature of our desires and the fulfillment of the same: pursuing a dream is important, but what if the very pursuit is hampering you from being happy and focusing on other, equally important things in life? Our culture especially promotes the idea that one must not give up this pursuit and fulfilling a dream is a sign of a determined and disciplined person. What we forget is that many times, sheer luck, circumstances and other extraneous factors (economic, social and physical) decide whether or not we are able to pursue a dream. Another cultural factor in pursuing our dreams is the idea that the younger you are, the easier and better chances of actualizing your ambitions. This brings an element of pressure and fear; we begin to set unrealistic benchmarks for achieving our goals and slowly begin to lose the sense of adventure that should accompany the pursuit of any dream. What I would love to understand is this: how do we realize that it is time to give up on a childhood dream and change tracks? How do we know that we have given it a 100%? Intuition would go for a toss in this case as when it comes to achieving your own dreams, you become emotional and subjective. Should there be an objective and logical way of looking at dreams? http://longformwriter.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/spring-cleaning-your-childhood-dreams/
What a great wisdom you shared for the New Year!
In America, there is strong culture to identify people with their job and what they do for a living. As a result, a lot of people are prisoners of their jobs to project the right image to society. We live to work. In reality, following our inner passions is what make us interesting to other people and alow us to accomplish amazing things…so that we can work to live!


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August 1, 2014
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow prosecutors to charge parents who refuse medical help for their children on religious grounds with child abuse.
Under current Wisconsin law, parents can't be found guilty of child abuse if they choose spiritual treatment rather than medicine or surgery.
The measure stems from the case of Dale and Leilani Neumann, a Weston couple who prayed while their 11-year-old daughter died of undiagnosed diabetes in their home.
The bill's author, Rep. Terese Berceau, a Madison Democrat, tells the Assembly Children and Families Committee children shouldn't have to die for their parents' beliefs. Joe Farkas, legislative liaison for Christian Science churches in Wisconsin, counters the bill is vague and raises questions about whether parents can teach their children religious values.
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Delectable meals await you when you are our guest at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center Cedar Rapids. Our full-service hotel is home to Synergy Restaurant, serving healthy meals at an affordable price, and the 33rd Avenue
Sports Bar & Grill, offering a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits, as well as tasty appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Complimentary Full Hot Deluxe Breakfast Buffet with every room stay.
Savor the best of American and International cuisine at Synergy Restaurant, located in the heart of the Clarion Hotel. Hotel guests can enjoy a hot breakfast buffet served every morning, or purchase a variety of special dishes from the menu, such as Eggs Benedict.
Our Lunch Buffet, served Tuesday through Friday, offers a complete meal including soup & salad bar, a choice of entrees, vegetables and potato, dessert and a beverage for only $8.95 ! Our dinner menu includes appetizers and entrees to satisfy any taste, from the choicest filet and prime rib to finely-crafted pasta and seafood dishes served with a continental flair. Back by popular demand, our Sunday Brunch Buffet is a smorgasbord featuring made-to-order omelets, Belgium Waffles, soup & salad bar, and a wide choice of entrees, sides, pastries and desserts - all for just $13.95, with discounts for kids and seniors. Room Service is also available from 6am-10pm Monday-Saturday and 6am -9pm Sunday.
BreakfastDaily - 6:00am - 9:00am
LunchMonday - Friday 11:00am - 1:30pm
DinnerMonday - Friday: 5:00pm - 8:00pmFriday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET 10am-1:30pmAdults 13.95 Seniors $12.55 Kids $7.95
New Large screen Plasma and LCD TVs, a pool table, refreshing cocktails, and appetizers are the hallmark of the 33rd Avenue Sports Bar & Grill. What's more, you can order a light snack or full meal from the ultra-friendly staff. The 33rd Avenue Sports Bar & Grill is open seven days a week for dinner.
Open Monday-Friday 3pm- 11pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am 1:30am
The package features one night's accommodation and two discount museum tickets.
If you are flying out of Eastern Iowa Airport (Cedar Rapids Airport), this package is for you.
Make your wedding ceremony and reception truly special by reserving a first-class venue at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center Cedar Rapids.
Whether it's your honeymoon, anniverary, or other special occasion, the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center Cedar Rapids offers you a chance to indulge yourself with our reasonably priced Romantic Getaway package.
1 standard room for two and 2 vouchers redeemable for tickets to Rough Riders Hockey Home game.


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By Shelby Mertens, Capital News Service
A House subcommittee has rejected the Senate's proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Virginia governors to serve two consecutive terms starting in 2017.
Sen. Thomas Garrett, R-Lynchburg, introduced Senate Joint Resolution 276. The amendment passed in the Senate on Jan. 28 with a 25-15 bipartisan vote: 16 Democrats and nine Republicans voted for it, while 11 Republicans and four Democrats opposed it.
When the Senate resolution "crossed over" to the House this week, however, it ran into trouble.
The proposed amendment was assigned to the House Committee on Privileges and Elections. This week, that panel's Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee recommended tabling the bill, killing it for this session.
Virginia is the only state that does not allow governors to serve consecutive terms. Fourteen states have no gubernatorial term limits; 27 have a two-consecutive-term limit; and four limit governors to two consecutive or nonconsecutive terms.
Petersen was one of the proposal's largest critics in the Senate, fearing a multiple-term governor could open the door to a full-time Senate, instead of the citizen legislature that has been in place for the past 225 years, he said on the Senate floor last month.
Two identical House proposals met a similar fate in the same subcommittee, dying at "crossover" on Feb. 5, the deadline for legislation to clear the House or Senate.
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It seems that well-known researcher Vinay Deolalikar is onto something big in the world of computer science.
A paper has been produced by Vinay Deolalikar, who works in networks and complexity theory in HP labs, which claims to prove the solution of the most important and renowned problem that is P is not equal to NP.
The big news of the problem solving by Vinay Deolalikar hit the web, as it is one of the Millennium Prize problems and worth one million dollar prize for the problem solver.
It has been reported that Vinay Deolalikar worked out on problem in his leisure time and finally when he came up with the breakthrough solution, Vinay sent his outstanding paper to leading researchers.
The paper by Vinay Deolalikar has been published on the web; however, the status of the paper is not confirmed yet. The confirmation or flaws of the proof are normally settled by peer review, which will take time.
However, the suitable track record of Vinay Deolalikar and his proof, which stated that P was smaller than NP for infinite time Turing Machines, lessen the chances of errors. If the final verdict reached in favor of Vinay Deolalikar, a jackpot is waiting for him.
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More than 50 years ago, it was Carnegie Mellon that showed the world another way – a more strategic way – to succeed in business.
A group of unconventional academicians, impatient with the predictable case studies used to teach business principles, were shaking up management mindsets and loving it.
Bringing together the university's leadership strengths in business management, computer modeling, organizational behavior and economic theory, the faculty team envisioned a business model built on a more sophisticated, scientific approach. A new academic principle was born, and nobody could have predicted the sweeping, worldwide influence that management science would create as a revolutionary model. Today's business school standard combines both the case study and management science approaches as a basis for cutting-edge curriculum. We respect a historical perspective – we just don't believe it should be the sole predictor for future decisions, especially in unpredictable, dynamic business situations.
Don't make the mistake of pigeonholing "quant" into the stereotype of numbers crunching. It's actually the unsung hero of complex decision making. In other words, it's leadership. Tepper School graduates know how to leverage management science to make better, smarter, innovative decisions.
How do you solve a problem you've never seen before? Nearly 60 years ago, Carnegie Mellon was the first B-school to recognize the need for a business program that would equip students with the fundamental tools and knowledge needed in uncertain, rapidly changing markets.
Although we lean toward the analytical, we also include case-based learning with the MBA program. While the case method is an effective approach when the environment and problems feature stable variables, we choose to emphasize a combination of teaching methods so that graduates are prepared for business environments that have a level of complexity yet to be confronted.
Rigor Vs. Relevance
B-schools are participating in an in-house debate about academic vs. career preparation. We believe it's not a question of either - or, but rather "when & how." Read former dean Kenneth Dunn's perspective on how B-schools ultimately serve students' academic and career interests.
Alix Bowman (MBA 2007, recorded when she was a second-year student) shares her perspective as a career switcher on how quant is the ultimate exercise in rounding out management skills.


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Play and Learning for Toddlers
- Costumes for Young Children (4)
- Fall Activities (2)
- Kids and Cats
- Play Dates and Friends (2)
- Playdough and Craft Recipes (28)
- Software and Web Sites (2)
- Spring Activities (3)
- Summer Activities (25)
- TV and Books (8)
- Toddler Activities (30)
- Winter Activities (3)
Cardboard Tube Play
Save your cardboard tubes from toilet paper, paper towels and wrapping paper for play time with your toddler.
Traditional Kids' Songs
From "The Hokey Pokey" to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to the basic "ABCs Song," rediscover traditional singalongs that you and your child will love.
50 Things Your Toddler Can Use to Paint
Here are 50 things besides a paint brush your toddler can use to paint with when doing art activities.
Homemade Toddler Toys - Share Your Ideas for Homemade Toddler Toys
Parents share their ideas for homemade toddler toys.
Taking Toddlers to Live Shows
Tips for taking young children to plays, live musical performances, and other shows.
Toddlers and Music
Make music and singing part of your child's everyday life.
Bubble Wands
These bubble wands will work for a variety of bubble-blowers from the youngest toddlers to the adults who love them. Bubbles are cheap, easy entertainment that inspire wonder and a sense of playfulness. Start out with a good, homemade bubble solution (or buy the commercial version if you must). If you don't want to negate the frugality of bubbles, consider making some of these bubble wands with …
Toys That Encourage Dramatic Play
As toddlers or 2-year-olds begin more and more imaginative play, these toys and games can help encourage independent dramatic play.
Toddlers and Music
Make music and singing part of your child's everyday life.
Best Movies and TV Shows for Toddlers
If you're thinking of taking a young child to the movies, weigh this points first.
Playing with Dolls and Figures
Dolls and figures are a must-have toy for toddlers and are easy on your wallet as well. Boys enjoy dolls and figures just as much as girls and all children can benefit from the social-emotional skills, role-playing and nurturing that playing with dolls and figures can help develop.
Toddlers Helping Around the House - How Does Your Toddler Help Around…
Parents describe how they get their toddlers to help around the house with clean-up and other appropriate chores.
Toddler Chores - What Are Some Appropriate Toddler Chores?
Help your toddler gain independence and learn self-help skills by allowing him to participate in household chores.
Toddlers and Dance - Exploring Movement with Toddlers and Dance
Toddlers feel music in ways it seems some of us adults have forgotten. They use their bodies to express emotion and explore the ways their bodies can move. Here are some classic and modern examples to explore dance with your toddler.
Follow the Leader with Toddlers - How to Play Follow the Lead…
Toddlers love to imitate adults, so use a game of follow the leader to get your child physically active.
Planning Physical Activities for Toddlers - How to Start Planning Phy…
Toddlers should be getting at least 90 minutes of physical activity each day. Here's how to start planning so that your toddler gets the physical activity she needs for optimal development.
Inexpensive Toddler Toys
These days, many of the toys we buy for our children come with lots of bells and whistles and sometimes entertain more than they teach. This isn't always necessary, however, and can even be limiting to your child's development. The best toys for learning are those that have more than one right way for play. Plus, if you're looking to save money (and who isn't in this economic climate?) these s…
Cars are a must-have toy for toddlers and are easy on your wallet as well. Girls enjoy cars just as much as boys and all children can benefit from the imaginative play and motor skills that cars can help develop.
Playing with Blocks
Blocks are a must-have toy for toddlers and are easy on your wallet as well. Girls enjoy blocks just as much as boys and all children can benefit from the math, problem solving and motor skills that playing with blocks can help develop.
Playing with Balls
Balls are a must-have toy for toddlers and are easy on your wallet as well. Girls enjoy balls just as much as boys and all children can benefit from the motor skills that playing with balls can help develop.
Do You Let Your Boys Play with Dolls?
Toys Made in the U.S.A. by Step2
Many products made in China have been recalled lately due to high lead paint content and other hazards. Some feel this would happen no matter where the products were made, but others feel that products made in America are safer. Step2 toys are nearly all made in the United States though some are made in other countries and others are assembled in the United States but the parts are made in other countries. Here are some of my favorites.
Making Soap Flakes for Craft Recipes
Many craft recipes, including those for paint, fingerpaint and slime, all call for Ivory Soap Flakes. Unfortunately, the company stopped making the flakes in 1993. Here's how you can make your own and maintain the quality of these recipes.
80s Toys Your Preschooler Will Enjoy
These are toys you probably loved as a child. See if your child will love them just as much. And here's a bonus-- none of them require batteries.
Make a Quick Dry Erase or Chalk Board
Large dry erase boards and chalkboards can be expensive, but they are a fun way to give your child a ready and renewable space for creative art. Here's how you can make your own.
Home Made Playdough Recipes
Little hands love stimulation, and these playdough recipes will keep them busy for a long time. All can be made at home with standard pantry ingredients.
Home Made Paint Recipes
Painting helps active toddlers learn fine motor skills and encourages them to explore the feel of different textures. Stimulate your child with these recipes for paints that you can make right at home.
Home Made Bubble Recipes
Easy recipes for bubbles you can have fun with indoors or outdoors.
How To Make a Flannel Board
Instructions for how to make a flannel board that will inspire imaginative play and develop fine motor skills for your toddler or preschooler.
30 Days of Summer Fun for Kids
30 Days of Summer Fun is a 30-day newsletter packed with all the fun ideas for projects, crafts, food and outings featured on this page -- but it comes directly to you via e-mail! In addition, you'll find tips on how to make your summer safe and keep your children healthy all season long.
Removing Marker from Skin
Kids love markers, but moms don't always enjoy spending all that time at the sink trying to get colored faces and hands clean. Here are some quick and safe ways to get marker off your child's skin.
5 Musical Instruments You Can Make at Home
Here are a variety of musical instruments you can make at home for your toddlers and preschoolers.
Easy Toddler Suncatchers
How to make suncatchers with older infants and toddlers. A quick, fun activity that requires few materials.
Make Fourth of July Popsicles
How to make Fourth of July popsicles, much like the "bomb-pops" you used to buy from the ice cream man.
Prevent Popsicle Mess
A quick tip to cut down on popsicle mess with infants and toddlers.
Taking Care of Shoe Laces
Children love toying with their shoelaces. While fine at first, it can end up driving you batty. Learn how to deal with shoelace problems and redirect your child's unlacing and relacing practice.
My Sleep Book
Create a book with your child that will help set goals towards sleeping through the night. You can also use this book to help your child through weaning and other life events that require change.
Fourth of July Activities for Toddlers
Here are a week's worth of Fourth of July activities to get you started as well as other ways to extend the week's learning.
Exploring Art and Developing Fine Motor Skills with Toddler Collage
You can explore many different art techniques and help develop your toddler's fine motor skills through the art of collage. Here's how.
Parents Share: Collage Ideas for Toddlers
Parents share their toddler's collages.
How to Make a Fingerpaint Rainbow
How to make a fingerpaint rainbow.
What is Week of the Young Child?
Learn more about the Week of the Young Child.
Sort Laundry with Your Toddler
Toddlers can learn many skills just through the simple act of helping you sort laundry. Here's how.
Educational Gifts for Toddlers and 2 Year Olds
Find the best picks for educational gifts for toddlers and 2 year olds.
Toddler Birthday Party Planning
Plan a fun, no-fuss birthday party for your toddler. These ideas help you get ready for a first birthday, second birthday, or third birthday.


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By DANIEL SUDDEATH
New Albany's general fund should be boosted by more than $600,000 annually from the annexation of the Charlestown Road commercial corridor near Interstate 265.
The 219-acre portion will be incorporated into the city on Jan. 1, and the additional property taxes will flow into New Albany's general fund beginning in 2015.
"The city is 200 years old, and the annexation is a reflection of our growth," Mayor Jeff Gahan said this week.
"By expanding into that area, that gives us more responsibility to serve more people."
The New Albany City Council approved the annexation about three years ago but delayed its implementation until 2014 in part to provide time for affected businesses and residents to prepare for the changes.
When the council was considering the annexation, several business owners said they opposed the move because they would have to pay both city and county property taxes.
Some large businesses such as Meijer and Great Escape 16 will be annexed into New Albany on Jan. 1.
When approved, city officials said less than 10 residents would be affected by the annexation, as the property to be incorporated is primarily commercial.
New Albany Plan Commission Director Scott Wood confirmed this week those estimates are still accurate as they pertain to the number of residents that will be incorporated by the city.
Those residents will now be eligible to vote in municipal elections and receive all city services.
The jagged portion to be incorporated essentially runs from near Sunset Drive north to Saint Joseph Road, and from Payne Koehler Road east to Charlestown Crossing.
New Albany Fire Chief Matt Juliot said no additional manpower or equipment will be needed to serve the annexed area.
"We'll provide better service to that area than what they're getting," he said.
The NAFD began responding to some calls for service in the area this year, and will cover all calls once 911 relay connections are transferred to the city dispatch, Juliot continued.
The New Albany Police Department will also assume coverage of the area from the Floyd County Sheriff's Department beginning on Jan. 1.
If additional neighborhoods off Charlestown Road are annexed, Juliot said the city would likely have to reach an agreement to assume control of a firehouse in the area that's operated by the New Chapel Volunteer Fire Department.
The annexation process is lengthy and requires public hearings and multiple votes by the council. Though the council hasn't been requested to launch the process for any additional properties, Gahan said the city is always reviewing the possibility of annexing other portions of Floyd County especially within the fringe area.
"It's our responsibility to plan the zoning in those areas, so we're always reviewing the needs of those residents just outside the city limits," Gahan said. "We're always in the evaluation mode. I think it would be safe to say we're always looking for the opportunity to provide [municipal] services to people."
New Albany hasn't had a substantial annexation in several years, he continued. Jeffersonville's population eclipsed New Albany's from 2000 to 2010 according to a U.S. Census count due primarily to annexation, as the city increased from 27,362 people to 44,953 residents.
New Albany is in the midst of budget talks for 2014, but Council President Pat McLaughlin said it isn't too soon to look ahead to 2015 and the impact of the annexation.
The council and administration will have to study the figures and effects of the annexation to build a firm grasp on what the new territory will mean for New Albany, he continued.
"We need to discuss what it's going to bring in as opposed to what it's going to cost in terms of services," McLaughlin said.
A sizable portion of Charlestown Road is covered in a tax-increment financing district, and the city has footed some infrastructure improvements near the annexed area over the years.
McLaughlin said it will be good to capitalize on those investments and have additional revenue for city services through the annexation.
"Overall it's a good situation," he said.


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Product DescriptionThe Black Ops from Para USA features all the amenities popularized by special operators world wide. The stainless steel frame offers forward cocking serrations and an ultra-hard black, smooth, non-reflective finish. The G10 grips feature aggressive texture for optimum shooting control under the most demanding conditions. The Trijicon 3-dot night sights provide a clear sight picture under darkened conditions. The trigger is skeletonized and fully adjustable and both grip and thumb safeties are included for added security.


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Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
The Waukesha Civic Theatre presents Our Town, running weekends from October 26th to November 11th, 2012.
Our Town explores the lives of young Emily Webb and George Gibbs, along with their families and neighbors, in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. This Pulitzer Prize-winning classic reveals the big moments in a small town: Life. Love and Marriage. Death and Eternity. Like Emily, you'll discover the importance of experiencing life as you live it – "every, every minute." Written by a Wisconsin native, Our Town remains as engaging today as when it first captivated audiences in 1938.
The cast includes Brooke Bellehumeur, Dave Boxhorn, Steve Decker, Nathan Danzer, Seth Dittmer, Eric Eggers, Colleen Glatzel, Brandon Haut, Diane Kallas, James Katzenmeyer, Barb Lancelle, Wesley Lang, Bjorn Larson, Karl Magsig, Ami Majeskie, Jim Mallmann, Mina Miller, Nate Oldenborg, Holly Penzkover, Diana Randelzhofer, James Ryan, John Sindic, Marcia Skarie, Hannah Snyder, Brenna Thiele, Zach Ursem, and Ashley Wilkinson.
Robb Smith is the Director, Scenic Designer, Set Decorator, Master Carpenter, and Sound Designer. The production staff and crew includes: Stage Manager Pam Seccombe, Costume Designer Laura Anderle-Smith, Wig Master Anthony Mackie, and Properties Designer Shawn
Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, October 26th: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 27th: 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28th: 2:00 p.m.
Friday, November 2nd: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 3rd: 4:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 4th: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 9th: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 10th: 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 11th: 2:00 p.m.
Tickets for Our Town are $19.00, or $17.00 for students and seniors, or $15.00 for subscribers and groups of ten or more, or $10.00 for educational groups, Boy Scout groups, and Girl Scout groups of ten or more.
All tickets may be purchased by mail, phone, e-mail, fax, online, or in person using cash, check, or credit card
(credit card only for phone, fax, e-mail, and online sales). We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. There is a $5 per transaction fee for all subscription sales, a $2 per ticket fee for all individual sales by fax, phone, e-mail, or mail, and a $3 per ticket fee for individual online sales.
Student Rush tickets are available at half price one hour before curtain of any show. WCT also offers a "Pay What You Can" promotion for the last Saturday matinee
performance (2:00 p.m.) of a Mainstage series production. Patrons can buy tickets for that show one hour before curtain at whatever price their budget will allow. For more information, visit us at www.waukeshacivictheatre.org.


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Just in time for Oktoberfest, the first Brews and Blues in the Valley will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Peoples Natural Gas Park, 90 Johns St. in downtown Johnstown.
The one-day festival will be presented by Johnstown Area Heritage Association, Froggy 95 and Rocky 99.
Ticketholders will receive 20 samples of craft and microbrews, choosing from the products of more than 20 breweries.
"We have been looking at ways to work with the fine folks of JAHA to promote and use the new Peoples Natural Gas Park, and we thought this would be a nice feature during the fall months," said Terry Deitz, vice president of Forever Broadcasting.
"The local foliage will be at its peak, and we should enjoy some nice fall weather, which will allow for a great afternoon of fun, music, food and some of the best beers from brewers around the country. We would truly like to make this an annual event at the park."
Featured breweries will include Anchor, Angry Orchard, Atwater, Blue Moon, Boulder, Craft Brew Alliance, Flying Dogfish, Franziskaner, Full Sail, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Penn Brewery, Redhook, Rogue, Samuel Adams, Shiner, Southern Tier, Spaten and Widmer Bros.
"Peoples Natural Gas Park was developed by JAHA to serve as a home for existing events and also to serve as a catalyst for new events like this one," said Todd Wagner, chairman of the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival.
"We're delighted to be working with Forever Broadcasting to create a new festival here in Johnstown."
The festival will be held rain or shine, with beer sampling beginning at 1 and ending at 6.
A variety of food vendors from the local area will offer Oktoberfest-style food.
Anyone interested in obtaining the limited vendor space should call Tina Perry at Forever Broadcasting at 255-4186.
Live music under the Polacek Pavilion will feature Flood City Brass, Ben Dumm with Southside Jerry, Jukehouse Bombers and the Tony Janflone Jr. Band.
Kicking off the afternoon of music, local band Flood City Brass will perform at 12:15.
The nine-piece band from Johns-town features male and female lead vocalists, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, sax and trombone.
Formed in 2002, the group plays at area festivals and other events.
Two performers will combine their talents when Ben Dumm with Southside Jerry entertain at 1:40.
Dumm and the Deviants combine traditional 1950s rock 'n' roll sounds with the energy and influence of punk rock.
Dumm, who is from Ebensburg, formed the Deviants in 2011.
Jerry Mellix, also known as Southside Jerry, has been entertaining audiences with his musical sound and style in and around Pittsburgh since the mid-1960s.
He currently performs on saxophone with various local and national entertainers.
The Jukehouse Bombers of Indiana, Pa., will take the stage at 3:30.
The band specializes in blues, soul and classic rock.
The band is known for dazzling instrumentals, hearty vocals and a rowdy presentation.
The Tony Janflone Jr. Band will close the festival's music at 5:15.
Janflone knew he wanted to be a guitarist from age 13, having been influenced by his guitarist father from the time he started playing at age 9.
He is one of Pittsburgh's most sought-after performers and session musicians and plays virtually every night.
His performing credits include opening for or performing with B.B. King, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Steely Dan, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Ted Nugent.
General admission tickets are $25 plus fees in advance and $30 plus fees on the day of the event.
A $15 designated driver ticket is available for those who wish to come to the festival to enjoy the music and atmosphere, but do not intend to drink.
All attendees, including designated drivers, must be older than age 21 and will be required to show ID at the gate.
Tickets may be purchased online at floodcitymusic.com or myfroggy95.com.
Tickets also will be available at Habits Beer and Tobacco, 960 Franklin St., Johnstown; Fine Wines and Winemaking, 1801 Stockholm Ave., Windber; C&J Falchini Inc., 834 W. High St., Ebensburg; Charleson's Furniture, 4115 Crawford Ave., Northern Cambria; Heritage Discovery Center, 201 Sixth Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown; Press Bistro, 110 Franklin St., downtown Johnstown; Stahl's Jewelry, 121 N. Center Ave., Somerset; Forest Hills Pharmacy, 552 Locust St., St. Michael; and Windgate Winery, Indiana Mall.
Ruth Rice covers Features for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/RuthRiceTD.
If you go ...
What: Brews and Blues in the Valley.
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 19.
Where: Peoples Natural Gas Park, 90 Johns St., downtown Johnstown.
Tickets: $25 plus fees in advance and $30 plus fees on the day of the event; $15 for designated drivers.
Information: www.rocky99.com.


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Matthew Lewis, the actor who plays the bumbling Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films, stopped by the Rolling Stone office to reminisce about his experience will all of the directors who have worked on the series over the years. Lewis says that Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Potter movies, was "dealt the shortest straw," because he had to work with all the actors when they were very young and inexperienced, and that Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell pushed the cast toward becoming more professional in their respective installments. Lewis says he can't pick a favorite, but he seems rather partial to Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2 director David Yates, who he says is "the loveliest human being to ever exist, like a puppy crossed with a rainbow."
• Review: Peter Travers on 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2'
• Rolling Stone's Guide to 'Harry Potter'
• Photos: Rock Stars Who Look Like Wizards
• Photos: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II' Premiere
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Levein wants more confident display (From Salisbury Journal)
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Levein wants more confident display
7:54am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2014
Craig Levein wants his Scotland players to have "more swagger" about them going into tonight's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Macedonia at Hampden Park.
The Scots drew a blank in their Group A opener against Serbia at the national stadium on Saturday and are under pressure to take all three points against a side who narrowly lost 1-0 in Croatia on Friday night. Levein was not unhappy with his team's performance or work-rate at the weekend but is looking for his men to show more confidence.
He said: "I keep saying to the players, we should have more swagger, we should be more confident and that is what we are aiming towards."
Levein added: "That is what we are trying to achieve, that's why we are sticking together and everyone is really tight.
"Every time you pull on a Scotland jersey there is a responsibility and I know I have a responsibility as a manager.
"But I think the fans do understand that every time we go out to represent Scotland we are doing our best. We are working as hard as we can and preparing as well as possible."
Meanwhile, Kenny Miller insists he will have no complaints if tasked with the lone striker role once again.
He said: "The role has become pretty familiar to me over the years, whether it be at club or international level.
"The manager is the one who will make the decision. He sets us up for games and 99 times out of 100, I feel he's got it right in the way we set up.
"He will play us in the way he feels is best for us to get the three points. If that's one up, it will be one up. If it's two up, it will be two up. We are happy with the way we play and if we can improve on what we did on Saturday, I think we will be okay."


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- Degree Programs
Special Opportunities
- Departmental Graduate Student Advisory Council
The GSAC is a committee of four graduate students in Historical Theology who meet periodically with the Director of Graduate Studies to plan and facilitate events for the graduate life of the department. They also provide continuing review of the program. The four students represent four different years of entry into the program and are elected to serve for one year by the students who began their full time study in that specific year. The departmental representative to the Graduate Student Advisory Council of Graduate Education is an "ex officio" member.
- Department of Theological Studies Graduate Student Action Committee (DTS SAC)
DTS SAC is organized by graduate students (MA and PhD) as a representative body for and in service to all the graduate students in the department. The goal of DTS SAC is to enhance the graduate student experience within the Department of Theological Studies. Learn more about DTS SAC by visiting their website.
- Graduate Student Association
The GSA represents all full-time and part-time students enrolled in Graduate Education. It sponsors the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium to showcase graduate student research. The GSA also helps with funding for travel to academic conferences and for meeting publication expenses. The Department of Theological Studies has a representative to the university Graduate Student Association. This representative serves as a liaison between theology graduate students and the other graduate students throughout the university. It is important for students to be in communication with the departmental liaison. Link to GSA.
- Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning
The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning supports faculty and graduate students in the development of instructional skills and individual teaching pedagogy. For this purpose, two teaching certificate programs are available. Selected mentors guide participants through the program. During their course of study, all Ph.D. students in the Historical Theology program are strongly urged to acquire a teaching certificate. Visit the CTTL Website.
- Puleo Scholarship
The Mev Puleo Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for students in the department. It combines formal study and experiential learning to foster awareness and understanding of the people and culture of Latin American countries, Liberation Theology and the influence and role of the Catholic Church as an agent of change in Latin America.
Learn more about this program here.
- Language Reading Groups
Language Reading Groups meet informally upon availability of a professor throughout the semester to encourage development and retention of language skills. These groups are usually headed by a professor and tend to focus upon primary texts in differing languages.
- Graduate Student Research/Study Abroad Awards
All graduate students in the College of Arts and Science are eligible to apply for $2000 awards for study or research abroad. Summer proposals are due Oct. 1 and proposals for the academic year are due March 1. See the attachment for details.


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Anchorage Job Fair Moved!
As always, Alaska-focused Job Fairs will be held in March
and April, 2014. The largest event ATP hosts is the Alaska
Educator Expo (Anchorage Job Fair), and it will be held
April 11-12, 2014 in Anchorage, Alaska. However,
due to scheduling conflicts, the 2014 Anchorage Job Fair
venue has been changed to the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage not at the usual location at the
Hotel Captain Cook.
ATP will also host Lower 48 Job Fairs in Seattle, Washington (March 29, 2014) and Minneapolis, Minnesota (April 6, 2014).
District annual ATP Services Agreements were sent out to HR
contacts. Email Anjali if you are not sure if your district
has renewed its registration. Links to the ATP online
Employer Job Fair Registration forms for employers will be
sent out in January, 2014.
For full details on the 2014 Job Fairs, including the live candidate registration forms, please see the ATP Job Fair page.McFadden Named ATP Manager The University of Alaska Statewide has announced the appointment of veteran Fairbanks educator Toni McFadden to be the new Manager of Alaska Teacher Placement. Toni has been an Alaska teacher for nearly three decades, and was principal of Ticasuk Brown Elementary School in for Fairbanks for eight years. She most recently was Coordinator of Response to Intervention (Rti) services for the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District, and brings expertise in both education and project management to ATP. Congratulations to Toni! Toni's full bio will be added to our About ATP page soon, but for now you can reach her by email, or by phone if you have questions about ATP services for the current recruitment cycle, or about planning for Spring 2014's ATP Job Fairs. If you are seriously considering Alaska, we strongly suggest you join the ATP Forum and post your questions forToni, and other forum regulars so that everyone benefits from the conversation.
|2014 ATP Live Chat Schedule
|Date /
February 20th
Walters - ASMP
Ready for an ATP Job Fair
|February 28th
Sondra Meredith - Alaska DEED
|Alaska Teacher Certification
|March 6th
|Sondra Meredith - Alaska DEED
|Alaska Teacher Certification Q&A
March 13th
April 3rd
|Betty Walters & Brenda Luthi - ASMP
|Getting Ready for an ATP Job Fair
ATP's Live Chats are online video presentations with special guests who take questions by text chat. Participants log in and watch the live video of the presenter and interact via a chat window by using the Live Chat Page.
Virtual Job Fairs use the same interactive interface to bring one or more school districts and their representatives, live, to participants who can interact via a chat window. Many working relationships between educators and administrators have been forged during ATP Virtual Job Fairs, and have even been known to lead to a job offers. ATP staff provide technical help online and via audio.


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Tom Wysocki (1974-78/ Cross Country, Track & Field)
Wysocki was an NCAA Division I All-America selection in both cross country (1977) and track ('78). He was the West Coast Athletic Conference individual cross country champion in 1976 and 1977, and finished 10th in the 1977 NCAA cross country championships. After graduation, Wysocki continued running, and in 1980, he was the third alternate on the


text: HOUSTON—Buses rolled from southeast Houston early Thursday morning heading to our nation's capitol for a historic event. Next week marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. KHOU 11 News' Larry Seward spoke to a group of excited elementary, middle and high school students who were ready to retrace those historic steps.