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The Altar Project is Darrell Ross's vision of an artist installation of hand cast paper figures, "spirit" books and luminaries. Made up of seven stations in which a participant/viewer offers a stone that represents something important in their life. After the seventh and last offering/sacrifice the individual knows what the most important thing in their life is.
The hand made paper pieces are made from recycled paper and also signify the renewed form that they became. The word sacrifice means to release something old and make room for something better and new. Just as the paper pieces have done so will the participant.
For more information about Darrell Ross's Altar Project and paper making check out www.darrellross.jigsy.com


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I was surprised the other day, when someone (actually a few someones) asked me if The Boyfriend was The Kid's father. On account of how I always refer to him as The Boyfriend (as opposed to what, exactly, I wonder. "The Kid's Dad"?). I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. I'm an unmarried mother, and the growing trend these days seems to be for only married mothers to still be with the man that fathered their babies.
I'm still with the man that fathered my baby. Despite the lack of a wedding ring. Despite the fact that we're not sharing a last name. We have all of the commitment, with none of the formalities.
The Boyfriend is the same man I have been with for nearly four years. He's the father of my child, and the lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) man that impregnated me, after two months of dating me. He's the man that my ovaries fell in love with, and together with my uterus decided that they just had to have this man's baby.
And despite being absolute polar opposites in personality, temperment, morals, backgrounds and experiences – we reproduced marvellously.
Exhibit A:
He's an amazing father. But he was Boyfriend to me, first. Father to my child, second. Always has been. Despite what he might think, I wasn't with him merely because my ovaries and uterus made a unilateral decision without consulting me. I assume that they consulted my heart, too – because he had that long before our DNA fused.
With his Kid, he is patient. Firm and loving. When my patience seems to have run out, The Boyfriend still has more. The pride he has in his little boy is simply amazing. Discipline comes naturally to him (unlike me – I overreact to everything) and he is determined that his child will be polite and well-mannered no matter what.
This man was meant to be a father. I merely provided him with the means to become. He took to it so naturally, whilst it parenting was something that I consciously had to do. He's the one with the maternal intution. The one who can tell that The Kid is not feeling well, before any symptoms of illness present. He's the one who The Kid turns to for comfort, when he's ill.
This man was meant to be a father.
And most times. I'm really grateful that he was meant to be the father of my child.
I don't think I could do it without him.

subset: commoncrawl


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I have been having a little think recently about where I want to be.
In all honestly I have struggled to write anything down lately and I can't put my finger on why, how, or even when it started. You see I have changed since all of this began, quite a lot it seems, and it only really dawned on me more recently when this 'secret' diary of mine became nominated for an award. How lovely you might be thinking or what on earth is wrong with her? What an honour for others to recognise your writing and to be shortlisted to represent such an good cause. I thought that too for a while, until I slowly but surely felt a pressure to write instead of feeling the freedom and enjoyment I usually have when jotting down my thoughts.
After the initial elation of being nominated really for anything, the reality began to set in that in order for anyone to actually vote for me, they would have to read what I had written and judge it for themselves. It would also mean that an awful lot more people would be reading my story and my life. My little life.
Another worry I had was that I would not know anyone if I did go to the awards. I had previously met three girls at another event and that was all. This presented me with a few problems because it meant that I would have to overcome anxiety to speak, and not only that but actually explain who I was and the subject of my writing – which is not so easy for me nowadays. And so perhaps it was a combination of these things that made me freeze and no more words came out.
This has happened to me a few times over the months and each time something has happened to shake me out of it. This time it was a short message from another mum who was experiencing some of the same emotions that I had done all that time ago on that One Particular Day when I drove to pick my boy up from school feeling a numbness inside, and once again I was reminded sharply of exactly why I write. And so I kept reminding myself over and over after that message that it was an honour and a privilege to be nominated for such a thing, and that I would be representing all those whom I have come to know that have been face-to-face with the shitty C word. Oh how right Lisa Lynch was.
Having said all of this I still did what I do best, and I pretended that it was not in fact happening (I am pretty good at denial) and sure as you know the days passed and all of a sudden it was the night before the event.
Of course I need not have worried because the girl whom I had arranged to travel with was even nicer than I already imagined that she would be. As we both sat on the train we chatted and the inevitable explanation of who I am came out, and yet I found that her story was equally as tough to tell and she told it without falter or pause for thought. She kindly introduced me to her lovely friends and they welcomed me as the newcomer warmly and openly, much to my relief. Eventually the evening came and I finally decided on an outfit that I didn't much care for and donned a brave face, hands shaking. The night had arrived and after the meal, the nominations were read out dutifully. In particular when the main award was read out a brief synopsis of each person and their blog story was told, and I felt like mine was a surreal tale about someone else. I didn't win, but I didn't need too. All of the right people on the night won for their own reasons, each as important as the other. I knew on that evening that the importance of raising awareness to a room full of parents far outweighed my anxieties. In particular I had the pleasure of meeting a girl called Heidi who has been diagnosed with breast cancer too as a young mother. She won 'Best Writer' for her blog Storm In a Tit Cup, writing a darkly humorous account of her own. That girl has lost her baby, gone through treatment, and continued to look after her two young children all in the knowledge that she has stage 4 cancer. It is hard to know what to say when you meet someone as amazing as that, so we decided to dance instead.
Overall it is a good job that I did not win an award in the end, because I would have undoubtedly fallen up or down the steps to the stage or descended into a pool of tears. There was one thing that I wished I had been given the chance to do though, to thank those who have supported me and those who continue to do so. My long suffering husband, my mum and sisters and auntie who all felt my nerves, and the friends who have continued to hold my hand along the way. I am not sure there will ever be enough thanks, but thanks there should be, because it is family and friends who have been there step for step too.
The next day I set off home and I can honestly say that I have never wanted to be at home more in my life. I felt a pull and a need to be with my family – right back where I belong.
You see, I been having a little think recently about where I want to be.
There is no doubt that I have changed, not for better or for worse, but just different that's all. I still laugh and joke as I always have, but the nerves come a little more easily nowadays, as do the tears. I have decided that I may continue to write this 'secret diary' of mine, or that one day I may just stop. For now though I will keep on jotting down all of the things that come along and hope that just one other person will read this and think 'I am not the only one' or even that perhaps my children will read this when they are older and remember the day that their mummy came home.
Thanks to Sarah, Julia, Emma, Helen and Heidi


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श्रीभगवानुवाच |
ऊर्ध्वमूलमध:शाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम् |
छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित् || 1||
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
ūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ-śhākham aśhvatthaṁ prāhur avyayam
chhandānsi yasya parṇāni yas taṁ veda sa veda-vit
BG 15.1: The Supreme Divine Personality said: They speak of an eternal aśhvatth tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns, and one who knows the secret of this tree is the knower of the Vedas.
The word aśhvatth means that which will not remain the same until even the next day. This world is also aśhvatth, as it is constantly changing. The Sanskrit dictionary defines the world in the following manner: sansaratīti sansāraḥ "That which is constantly shifting is Sansar (a Sanskrit word for world)." Gachchhatīti jagat "That which is always moving is Jagat (another Sanskrit word for world)." Not only is the world always changing, but it will also be annihilated and absorbed back into God one day. Thus, everything in it is temporary, or aśhvatth.
Aśhvatth also has another meaning. It is the peepal tree (sacred fig), of the banyan tree family. Shree Krishna explains that, for the soul, this material world is like a huge aśhvatth tree. Generally, trees have their roots below and branches above. But this tree has its roots above (ūrdhva-mūlam), i.e. it has originated from God, it is based in Him, and is supported by Him. Its trunk and branches extend downward (adhaḥ-śhākham), encompassing all the life-forms in all the abodes of the material realm.
The leaves of the tree are those Vedic mantras (chhandānsi) that deal with ritualistic ceremonies and their rewards. They provide the juice for nourishing the tree of material existence. By engaging in the fruitive ritualistic yajñas described in these Vedic mantras, the soul goes to the heavenly abodes to enjoy celestial pleasures, only to descend back to earth when the meritorious deeds are depleted. Thus, the leaves of the tree nourish it by perpetuating the cycle of life and death. This tree in the form of the world is called eternal (avyayam) because its flow is continuous, and its beginning and end are not experienced by the souls. Just as the water of the sea evaporates to form clouds, then rains down on earth and merges into the sea again in a continuous process, similarly the cycle of life and death is perpetual.
The Vedas also mention this tree:
ūrdhvamūlo 'vākśhākha eṣho 'śhvatthaḥ sanātanaḥ (Kaṭhopaniṣhad 2.3.1)
"The aśhvatth tree, with its roots upward and branches downward is eternal."
ūrdhvamūlaṁ arvākśhākhaṁ vṛikṣhaṁ yo samprati
na sa jātu janaḥ śhraddhayātmṛityutyurmā mārayaditi (Taittirīya Āraṇyak 1.11.5)
"Those who know this tree with its roots upward and branches downward will not believe that death can finish them."
The Vedas describe this tree with the intention that we should endeavor to chop it down. Thus, Shree Krishna says that one who knows the secret of cutting down this tree of samsara is the knower of the Vedas (veda vit).


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Putting Out The Fire
Reflex sympathetic pain syndrome/chronic regional pain syndrome (RSD/CRPS) affects millions of people worldwide. It is a difficult illness to bear. Many sufferers believe there is no hope of relief from the constant pain. Dr. Katinka van der Merwe, DC, QNP, wrote Putting Out the Fire to assure you that this is not the case. She has dedicated her life and career to providing pain relief for RSD/CRPS sufferers. Van der Merwe outlines treatment options that can give you a new lease on life.
As a person who suffers from RSD/CRPS, you have probably found that much in your life is no longer under your control. You have probably been to a lot of doctors over time, many of whom may not have understood your condition. In addition, mind numbing daily pain may have robbed you of many of the pleasurable things you once enjoyed. You may sometimes feel as if you are the only person in the world suffering from this horrible condition, that very few doctors truly understand.
Overall, it is my hope for you to gain a sense of control over this condition. I want you to walk away from this book empowered. In order to do this, we will lead you through what we believe causes RSD/CRPS, its history and its inner workings. In addition, we will provide you with practical steps that will allow you to beat this beast down. We hope to provide you with brand-new, practical information.
Available on Amazon.com
"A blessing and great help has been an amazing support group of others with RSD being treated by Dr. Katinka. For the first time, David met and talked with others who have the same pain and other symptoms associated with RSD. It brought great comfort to all of them to share their stories and weird symptoms with each other. We found a RSD "family" who socialized and supported and cheered David on for every step of progress. We will always be there for each other to pray for, uplift, celebrate and encourage each other." – David Smith's Story


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Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #50
- Publisher: IDW
- Written By: James Roberts
- Art By: Alex Milne, Andrew Griffith, Brendan Cahill
- Language: English
- Digital Release Date: March 9th, 2016
Price: $1.99
THE DYING OF THE LIGHT--PART 1! Since joining the Lost Light, MEGATRON has rejected everything that once made him the most feared and hated Cybertronian of all time. But penitence has a price, and before the ex-Decepticon can find true redemption he must first confront his darkest legacy--the Decepticon Justice Division.


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Building a site from the ground up is intriguing and intimidating. It is tough to know just how to begin and where to get the best advice — and what you'll be spending. The tips in this article should help you figure out your basic planning soRead more →
Does it take fancy programs and special knowledge to be a good web designer? The answer to this question varies according to what you are prepared to learn about the process. If you're lazy with it, you'll need to get a third party company or program toRead more →
Creating a well-done website can be daunting. Regardless of how much experience you have, the task can be daunting. There are numerous things that you have to consider, including the color scheme, the layout, the navigation functions and the fonts. Web design techniques are constantly changing, andRead more →
One can easily become overwhelmed, when trying to build a website. It does not matter what your level of experience is, whether beginner to expert, it is still going to be overwhelming. You have to choose your colors to brand the site, create a layout, ensure navigationRead more →


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Pakistan-China: agreement for the supply and construction of 48 new drone aircraft
Pakistani industry involved in the agreement that strengthens the presence of Beijing
China and Pakistan have signed -as reported by Chinese press - an agreement to jointly produce the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) CAIG Wing Loong II, after Islamabad has bought 48 for its Armed forces. These will be built both by the Chinese company and by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), in an agreement -if will be confirmed- that would be the largest and most important in the history of drones produced in China. The Wing Loong II is an aircraft designed to carry out reconnaissance and attack missions, carrying up to 480 kg of missiles and bombs, and is powered by an engine capable of keeping it in flight for 20 hours at speeds between 150 and 370 km/h at a maximum altitude of 9000 meters.
The possible -but highly plausible- agreement between China and Pakistan comes a year after using satellite images had been seen Pakistani military use the Wing Loong I, which is the first version of the UAV. Furthermore, it would be a further cornerstone in the industrial collaboration between the two countries, since they work together to develop and manufacture a light multi-role combat aircraft (JF-17 Thunder or FC-1), which if added to one the study of the International Peace Research Institute, in which China has emerged as the main supplier of arms to Pakistan, shows how slowly the United States' historically allied State is aligning itself in Beijing, especially in an anti-India perspective.
© AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency Srl


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Week in Sleep: Summertime Slumbertime
While you were busy celebrating the official start of summer with a nap (right?), we caught up on the latest sleep news. Everything you need to know to sleep soundly this weekend:
Exciting news! Your favorite sleep products are now available at Target, both in stores and online nationwide. (Target)
Sleeping in on the weekends can actually help you lose weight and become healthier. Okay… not exactly but it's still an interesting discovery. (Cosmopolitan)
It's finally summer, which means it's socially acceptable to order iced coffee. Check out nine ways to shake things up from your go-to order. (Insider)
Can you really put a slice on friendship? In one study, 98 percent of those surveyed said they would give out a friend's personal information if it meant they could get a free slice of pizza. (HelloGiggles)
We've all asked this question at some point in our lives: "Do dogs dream?" Science says… probably. (Mental Floss)
It might be getting hotter outside, but you can cool off by learning about the history of America's favorite frozen treat from its elitist beginnings to the overwhelming popularity it has today. (Washington Post)


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In a report out today, the Accounts Commission highlights that East Ayrshire Council is performing well, services are improving, and there is strong partnership working.
The report from the local authority spending watchdog, says the council has maintained the strong performance reported in previous audits in 2006 and 2010.
The Commission says the majority of services are improving. These improvements have been achieved against a backdrop of financial, social and economic challenges in East Ayrshire.
The council has strong leadership, together with effective partnership working. Councillors, council staff and partner organisations are committed to working together, as well as working with, and empowering, local communities.
East Ayrshire Council faces a significant budget shortfall over the next five years, with an estimated budget gap of £55 million. Managing the change needed to bridge this gap will be a major challenge for the council.
The council is also acting to address challenges in some service areas, such as employment and planning, but has more work to do. Working with the business community to support and develop a more sustainable local economy will be critical in providing more local jobs and opportunities.
Ronnie Hinds, deputy chair of the Accounts Commission, said:
'The Commission is impressed by the continued improvements made to services across East Ayrshire, and the commitment of the council, partner organisations and residents.
'Faced with a substantial budget gap over the next five years, challenging levels of deprivation and changes in the make-up of its population, the council must now focus on realising significant transformation in the delivery of services. With an already strong record of partnership working and improvement, East Ayrshire Council is well-placed to tackle the necessary changes.'


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1436 Gemini Place, Columbus, Ohio 43240
(614) 841-4430
Monday-Tues 11:00 am-10:00 pm
Weds-Thurs 11:00 am-11:00 pm
Fri-Sat 11:00 am-Midnight
Sunday 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Sunday Brunch 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Join us from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
See what's happening »
Matt the Miller's Tavern is located in Gemini Place at Polaris Parkway. Sharing space with Destination XL and sitting directly in front of Earth Fare, Matt the Miller's is in close proximity to Polaris Fashion Place, Costco, Cabela's and the many neighborhoods and businesses that call the Polaris area home.
Offering an upscale tavern atmosphere, Matt the Miller's features a chef-driven menu of tavern favorites, but with a unique twist. From our Original Flatbreads, to our fresh seafood and steak selections, we offer our guests the finest and freshest ingredients available made-to-order by our culinary team.
In addition to offering our guests a comfortable atmosphere and delicious food, we are passionate about beer. We have 26 taps of draft beer, including a constantly rotating inventory of craft beer. And we love to showcase beers from local breweries such as Seventh Son, Columbus Brewing Co., and Four String Brewing Co. We also have extensive wine, cocktail and spirits lists. Whether in our bar or dining room, Matt the Miller's is a high-energy restaurant where people can enjoy family, friends and good times.
© Copyright 2019 CLB Restaurants ★ About Us ★ Connect ★ Photos ★ Work With Us ★ In The News ★ Join The Table ★ Community Support ★ Site Map ★ Privacy Policy


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You agree with your spouse to meet with an attorney regarding your financial issues. The first thing your spouse says is that you no longer own your home. You freeze. You're still living there. Your spouse says that you lost your home because you failed to pay your property taxes and have been renting the home for several months from the new owner. The attorney hesitates before informing you that a bankruptcy won't help you regain ownership of your home. He continues that had you filed a Chapter 13 before the tax deed transferred ownership, then you would have had an opportunity to pay the property taxes owed in a plan over 3-5 years.
This situation occurs frequently with varying degrees of severity. Your spouse could have told you that he or she paid a bill that you just received a garnishment notice for from your employer. Your car lender repossesses your car without warning because the car insurance has lapsed without your knowledge. In any partnership, it is common for there to be a division of labor with one spouse managing the household finances. However, it is important that the non-managing spouse to have a general understanding of the state of household finances. Here are some tools and tips for spouses to ensure that understanding:
- Review monthly bank statements, retirement statements, billing statements, and tax returns. When the statements come in the mail or in a paperless format, set aside time to review the documents with your spouse. This will increase your mutual understanding of your financial situation and protect you against any unexpected financial issues in the future.
- Monitor your Credit Report. Use a free service like creditkarma.com to know what is going on with your debt. Your credit report will show whether any of your accounts are in default or any of your creditors have filed lawsuits against you and received judgments.
- Create separate budgets and compare. Now that you are reviewing your financial information, create a budget separately from your spouse then compare. Hopefully, this will inspire a conversation about your financial goals and motivations. Try using a free online tool like mint.com to assist you with managing this aspect of your finances.
- Seek support from an accountant, financial advisor, or attorney. You may need assistance with understanding your finances with ease. Many professionals in the financial services industry offer free consultations to advise you of your options and to dispel common misconceptions regarding personal finances. If you unexpectedly find yourself in financial distress, it is helpful to have already built a meaningful relationship with a financial professional who can advise you knowing your goals and what matters most to you.
It is never too late to initiate these good habits. If you need some tools to have that courageous conversation about finances with your spouse, refer to my last blog. Your finances impact every aspect of your life. You don't have to be in the dark about them. Start today and take control of your financial future.
Patrick Patino


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Most people rarely see the full beauty of a crescent Moon. It's only visible at sunset for an hour or less, it's very low near the horizon and it only occurs for about two or three days each Lunar month.
I have a previous image on Panoramio: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/46468961 which shows a completely different sky colour and also no Earthshine.
Earthshine is visible on this other image from my Panoramio image gallery: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/46468957
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Above us only sky...
Layout by Andreas Viklund | Serendipity template by Carl


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Review: Matt Damon is Bourne again in the return of the hit Jason Bourne franchise.
Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures' Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA's most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.
For Jason Bourne, Damon is joined by Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Tommy Lee Jones, while Julia Stiles reprises her role in the series. Frank Marshall again produces alongside Jeffrey Weiner for Captivate Entertainment, and Greengrass, Damon, Gregory Goodman and Ben Smith also produce. Based on characters created by Robert Ludlum, the film is written by Greengrass and Christopher Rouse.
Die-hard fans of the franchise will be thrilled to see Damon back in the lead role and this is very much business as usual for Bourne fans, meaning fast-paced stunt scenes, fantastic locations including Athens, Vegas and London and a classic Bourne plot.
In fact, the film does follow something of an action movie blue print which we've seen of late – think Spectre, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation… a series of set pieces, all in a different location, sewed together with a convincing plot and there you have it.
That's not a criticism though, Matt Damon has never looked more convincing in the role which has become as iconic as Bond in its own right.
Why not relax and enjoy the film with extra-wide leather seats and reserved seating which can be booked online in fully air conditioned surroundings at your local Showcase or Showcase Cinema De Lux?
Guests who book tickets to films playing in the Director's Hall also have access to the exclusive Director's Lounge, a great place for a cocktail or snack before or after the film. Director's Hall tickets entitle guests to a complimentary Director's Lounge package, which includes a non-alcoholic beverage and a portion of popcorn, freshly popped on site, per person.
A movie like this is made for it.
Visit showcasecinemas.co.uk for listings.


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Abortion Debate Rages: Tiller Called "Mass Murderer"
NEW YORK (CBS) The murder of George Tiller, a Wichita, Kan., doctor who performed late-term abortions, has sent many in the pro-life movement looking for ways to distance themselves from the violence.
Not Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization.
"George Tiller was a mass murderer," Terry told the National Press Club. "He reaped what he sowed."
Terry staunchly defended the pro-life movement, adding, "Pro-life leaders and the pro-life movement are not responsible for George Tiller's death."
Terry also wrote a strongly worded op-ed piece for CBSNews.com in which he equates Tiller to a Nazi war criminal.
Operation Rescue has condemned the killing as vigilantism and "a cowardly act."
Someone identifying themselves as Scott Roeder posted a message on Operation Rescue's website in 2007. The poster asked if anyone had thought of attending Tiller's church to ask the doctor and other worshippers about his work. "Doesn't seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller," the post said.
Operation Rescue's president, Troy Newman, said Roeder "has never been a member, contributor or volunteer." He may have posted to the organization's open Internet blog, Newman said, but so have thousands of nonmembers.


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I haven't done as much summer reading this year as in the past. In part because I am working on so many projects and writing myself. Also, because I wasn't sure where to start. There are so many great books to read and so little time. I chose to start with this one. Shift This! I first chose this because Joy Kirr is amazing and I have tremendous respect for all that she has done and shared. Secondly I chose it for a very specific purpose. I want to move the needle. After a year working with staff and students in my current position, I want to start finding ways to help teachers shift to more innovative practices that provide students with more direction over their learning.
This book is perfect. It has been years since I took many of the first steps to create a more students directed classroom. I get frequent reminders when delivering professional development that the "easy steps" I often describe are sometimes in a completely different language. This book has been a great reminder of ways to shift teaching and learning in the classroom.
It also reminded me that I want to provide a major shift in professional development for educators. I want to create opportunities where teachers can understand the why, how, and WHO behind making shifts in their practices. I see all three components as crucial. We surely need to start with WHY. Shifting practices should be done with a purpose. Identifying that purpose ought to be the catalyst for any real change. HOW should guide us in clear, achievable steps. Getting teachers started in making changes can be a challenge. Teaching is difficult. It gets fast and furious, so changes need to be easy to make (like the one's in SHIFT THIS!) Finally and often underrated is the WHO of making changes. Making changes requires support. You need to find those who have been there before, hopefully recently, and build relationships with them that will provide you with support. Without the WHY, HOW, and WHO making changes can often fall short and creating real shifts in instruction becomes much more difficult to achieve.


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To the list of items you should no longer expect to see in a new car — those once-common features like a metal ignition key, an ashtray or a vent window that swings open — you may soon be adding the spare tire.
Already, nearly a third of the 2017 models offered in the United States do not come outfitted with a save-the-day spare as standard equipment, according to a recent study by AAA.
In truth, the extinction of the spare tire has been happening, if gradually, for years. Full-size spares gave way to the space-saving "doughnut" versions you sometimes spot on vehicles traveling at worrying speeds. They, in turn, are yielding their under-floor real estate to no tire at all.
The elimination of the spare by automakers is not entirely an abandonment of good sense or a severe example of cost-cutting; in fact, it can benefit drivers. The primary goal is weight reduction, a crucial factor in meeting fuel economy standards.
Removing a substantial amount of rubber and steel — up to 40 pounds, according to industry experts — along with a jack and a lug wrench is a big win for engineers who are conditioned to shave ounces wherever possible. But as appealing as it may be to skip the doughnut and lose a little weight, the disappearing spare can cause headaches: AAA said that last year it had answered roadside assistance calls from 450,000 members whose cars did not have spares — a situation that can mean a trip to the repair shop on a flatbed.
The freedom to eliminate spare tires altogether is largely possible as a result of developments in tire construction technology.
An increasingly popular alternative to spares is the so-called run-flat design, which most new BMW models use. Intended to make roadside tire changes unnecessary, this solution employs a reinforced tire sidewall that typically lets the driver continue for 50 miles at up to 50 miles an hour after air pressure is lost. But they can be more costly: It may be necessary to replace, rather than simply patch, a damaged tire, and replacements are typically priced $25 to $50 higher than a conventional design.
Another alternative is the self-sealing tire, an older solution reappearing in modern form on the battery-powered Chevrolet Bolt, where reduced weight translates to more miles per charge. Designed solely as an electric vehicle, the Bolt has no provision for carrying a spare. According to Michelin, which supplies the Bolt's Energy Saver A/S Selfseal rubber, the extra cost of a self-sealing tire — which can continue down the road even with a nail in the tread — is about $33 compared with conventional tires of the same size.
But some models are losing the spare without the benefit of run-flat or self-sealing rubber, instead including conventional tires and a leak repair kit — packaged in an aerosol can or used in conjunction with a small air compressor powered by the car's battery.
Such kits skim weight while skipping the tire, but have limited abilities to deal with any road hazard more serious than a nail hole in the tire's tread section. A larger tear in the tire — something that can happen when modern low-profile tires meet a pothole — or damage to the sidewall or wheel rim will not be fixed by a leak kit. The sealants, which are usually one-time use devices, have a finite shelf life — usually from four to eight years, AAA said — and cost about $40 to replace.
Even if a leak sealant kit gets you back on the road in a hurry after a minor puncture, it could complicate a permanent repair. Affixing an internal patch after a sealant has been used requires a thorough cleanup of all the goo inside, said Tom Carter, technical communications director for Michelin.
For a car owner — and certainly renters who might not know what they are getting into — the best way to prevent an unpleasant middle-of-the-night surprise is to check for a spare and be sure that it holds air. If there's a sealant kit instead, read the owner's manual (which may be on a DVD or available on the car's display screen) and learn how to use it.
In some cases, greater peace of mind is available from the automakers.
For instance, although mainstream versions of the 2017 Honda Civic come from the factory with space-saver spares, the Civic Si does not. A spare wheel kit, including a jack and tools, is available from Honda dealers as an accessory for the Civic Si at a suggested retail price of $254. The tire, which must be purchased separately, runs about $115 from sources like Tirerack.com.
BMW offers a compact spare kit — including jack and wrench — for many of its X Series sport utility vehicles and for the 5 and 7 Series sedans. In most cases, it's a $150 option when ordering the car, though on some models with conventional tires it is free. On the sport utility models, the compact spare fits entirely within a compartment under the rear floor, but on the sedans it juts out too high, meaning the floor panel cannot lie flat.
Not surprisingly, independent online retailers have also emerged to fill the hole. Buyers should make sure to compare prices with the dealership and to determine that there is a storage spot in the car where the tire can be secured. As designers work to smooth airflow under the car for fuel-economy improvements, those compartments are going away, too.
The disappearance of the spare tire might be more than just an exercise in efficiency. It may be a sociological statement. A survey by AAA found that some 20 percent of drivers do not know how to change a flat tire, and with the rise of roadside assistance coverage for new cars, that number is unlikely to shrink.
The era of cars proudly displaying a spare tire mounted on the front fender or rear bumper — a standby of prewar classics — is long gone, and the tradition of suburban dads gathering to inspect a neighbor's new purchase may have to undergo a major change.
Instead of crowding around the front end to see what's under the hood, perhaps they'll be checking the trunk to see if it's got a spare.


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Benro RedDog R1 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
The Benro RedDog R1 is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer with a unique swivel handle designed for different filming angles and compact for travel. The Benro R1 is currently available and will be sold for $399.00 USD.
Benro Press Release
Benro announces the availability of the new RedDog R1 Stabilizer.
The Benro RedDog R1 is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer with a unique swivel handle designed for different filming angles and compact for travel.
Unlike other gimbal stabilizers, which allow for straight holding only, the Benro R1 allows for both Upright and Carry handling modes. Upright Mode is suitable for high angle and medium angle filming. Carry Mode is best for low angle filming. Combining these options will help you get the most out of your stabilizer.
"The R1 has a great balance to it especially when using the swivel handle for waist height and low to the ground shots. It is much more comfortable to hold and operate for long shoots or multiple takes and we think that today's filmmakers and content creators will love this unique feature" says Brian Hynes, Benro's USA Brand Manager.
Ideal for cameras up to 2.9 lbs, the R1 features CNC machining with an innovative design. It's collapsible handle, makes it perfect for traveling light. The R1's ergonomic silicon grip provides comfortable handling at all times. By turning the button on the handle, you can quickly and easily convert your R1 from high angle to low angle mode, making it simple to track low moving objects, or achieve a low 360°shot comfortably by putting less strain on your wrist, and giving you incredible results.
Universal Follow Mode
With Universal Follow Mode (Pink), it provides smooth camera movements towards the direction your aiming. You would use this mode when circling around a subject, or making several dynamic camera movements following a subject
Locked-down mode
Locked-down mode (Blue) keeps the camera locked on a subject while moving the gimbal. With this mode you can replicate movements similar to a jib or slider.
Horizontal follow mode
Horizontal follow mode (Red) provides smooth movement based on where you move the camera horizontally. You would use this mode when doing a lot of dynamic panning movements around corners.
By using the directional button in conjunction with these modes, you can flawlessly control your movements. The threaded receiver allows for additional attachments, giving you even more flexibility with your shots.
The companion smart phone app allows you to calibrate your R1, operate it remotely, adjust parameters, update the firmware create a panorama or create a beautiful time-lapse with dynamic motion.
For advanced camera control you can directly operate the photo shutter/focus, video record, and zoom for Sony and Panasonic cameras making filming more convenient.
The underside of the Benro R1 handle has a ¼"-20 threaded hole for mounting the stabilizer to a tripod. This allows you to connect the camera at a particular spot while still using the various modes such as Pan track or Lock mode.
The Benro R1 is ideal for multiple camera types such as: mirrorless, smartphones and action cameras. Boost your production value while traveling light and compact, with the Red Dog R1 Stabilizer.
Features & Benefits
Swivel Handle – The unique swivel handle is designed for different filming angles and is compact for travel.
Long Battery Life – The R1 will last for 12 hours on a single charge.
Smartphone App – Calibrate your R1, remotely control your stabilizer and camera, and upgrade your firmware all via the Benro Red Dog App.
Three Shooting Modes – Your R1 has 3 modes: Universal Follow Mode, Locked-Down Mode and Horizontal Follow Mode. Each mode allows you to control how the gimbal functions for different shooting scenarios.
Quick Storage Case – The included carrying case allows you to retain the individual axis positions which will save you a lot of setup time at your next location.
The Benro R1 is currently available and will be sold for $399.00 USD.
Benro RedDog
About Benro: Originally founded in 1996 as a cooperative tripod manufacturer, Benro developed and began marketing its own brand name - Benro Professional Tripods and Heads in 2002. Since that time Benro Precision Photography Industry Co. Ltd. has received numerous accolades and awards for product and design features. Benro continuously strives to develop lighter, stronger and more versatile products to meet the needs of the most demanding professional photographers and filmmakers. The Benro mission is simple: to design and build products that exceed the needs of demanding photographers and filmmakers worldwide. Benro (www.benrousa.com) products are exclusively distributed by MAC Group (www.MACgroupUS.com) in the USA.
About MAC Group: 31 years ago, MAC Group started as a boutique marketing, sales and distribution group focusing on professional photographers. As the industry has evolved, so has MAC Group with their expansion into filmmaking, video, mobile, content creation and audio.
Today, MAC Group is one of the leading companies of their kind with world-renowned brands offering products and education that enhances the lives of passionate content creators at every experience level. www.MACgroupUS.com


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Lt. Col. Christopher J. Howell
Lt. Col. Christopher J. Howell
Maryland Wing Vice Commander, Forces
Lt. Col. Christopher Howell was appointed Maryland Wing vice commander of forces on April 7, 2016. He brings 30 years of Civil Air Patrol experience to the position, including service as a former squadron commander, group commander, and wing chief of staff. As vice Commander-forces, Howell serves as the wing commander's principal advisor and assistant on all matters related to management of the wing's subordinate units and executing the Civil Air Patrol cadet programs and aerospace education missions. Howell handles day-to-day supervision of Maryland Wing's group structure and elements of the wing staff managing wing cadet programs, aerospace education, and professional development.
As a cadet, Lt. Col. Howell joined Maryland Wing's former Fred V. Cherry Composite Squadron in 1984, transferring to the Towson Composite Squadron later that same year. In 1986, Howell earned the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award. After becoming a senior member, Lt. Col. Howell remained at Towson and was actively involved in the emergency services mission while serving as the squadron's emergency services officer and a ground team leader. Later he became the Towson Composite Squadron commander for five years before joining the staff of Group II, serving first as administrative officer before becoming group deputy commander for four years prior to assuming command of Group II, a position in which he served for two years. Most recently he served for 2 years as Maryland Wing Chief of Staff.
Lt. Col. Howell is heavily qualified in the emergency services mission of Civil Air Patrol, holding qualifications as an aircrew member and as incident commander, operations section chief, planning section chief, and air operations branch director. In addition to his responsibilities as Group II commander, Lt. Col. Howell served as the wing's counterdrug officer for six years from 2008-2014. He holds private pilot's ratings in both airplane-single-engine-land and rotorcraft-helicopter.
Lt. Col. Howell holds a CAP master rating in flight operations, senior ratings in command and professional development, and a technician rating in communications. He has completed Level IV of the CAP professional development program and was awarded the Paul Garber Award. He has been awarded an Exceptional Service Award, a Meritorious Service Award, two Commander's Commendations, a Unit Citation Award, and a CAP Achievement Award. He was named Maryland Wing's Senior Member of the Year in 2011.
Lt. Col. Howell is a graduate of the Community College of Baltimore County and holds a Bachelor's degree in CyberSecurity from the University of Maryland University College. He is employed as an IT Specialist with the U.S. Navy and holds certifications both as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Lt. Col. Howell is married to Lana and is the father of two daughters, Emma and Abigail. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and treasurer of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. In his spare time, he enjoys tracing his family tree.


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May 2, 2013
While reading the menu at Viener Fest, the new Austrian restaurant near Centennial Park, a continuous loop of the song "My Favorite Things" kept playing in my mind: "cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels, door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles."
The association bears evidence of two things: the pervasiveness of "The Sound of Music" and limited connections to Austrian food and culture. Nonetheless, from strudels and schnitzels to spaetzles and pretzels, Viener Fest strives to give you an authentic sampling of Austrian and German cuisine. They are quick to add "with an American accent"; the menu also holds a few non-Germanic dishes.
Viener Fest is the realized concept of manager and co-owner Jef Ellis. A well-traveled theater critic, he desired to re-create a beloved Viennese eatery in his hometown. The restaurant occupies the ground floor of a brick four-square on the corner of Poston and 28th Avenue North. Concrete porches on two sides of the home give al fresco diners a view of the park. Inside are pleasant dining rooms and a cozy bar. The walls are decorated with work of local artist Arthur Kirkby, which includes a serendipitous painting of our Schermerhorn Symphony Center — modeled after Vienna's Musikverein.
Jawohl, the cuisine does laud the pairing of bier und wurst. At this writing, Ellis and staff are awaiting a variance from the beer board (because of proximity to the park). In the meantime, there is a full bar, with special emphasis on Austrian and German vintages and high-gravity beers. Try a glass of a Grüner Veltliner — a crisp, dry white wine popular in Austria for its food-friendliness. Medium-bodied, peppery with apricot notes, it partners well with many dishes on the menu.
A basket of warm pretzel bites makes a fun easy nosh to share. The soft, salt-crusted nuggets are especially good when dipped into the house mustard, which is sweet with a back kick of heat. Appetizer potato latkes are silver-dollar sized, flecked with chives, and golden fried. They reminded us of tater tots, if the tots had been flattened, and they were similarly enjoyable. The latkes come with little bowls of sour cream and applesauce. We wished that the applesauce wasn't so pedestrian.
The wurst sampler has more oompah. (You can get full-sized plates, too. Check the menu's Wurst Teller heading for those offerings. The sampler plate is a good place for starters.) Viener Fest sources their sausages from Batey Farms in Murfreesboro, and a grilled trio is represented on the plate: bratwurst, andouille and Swiss cheese-laced käsekrainer. Slices of marble rye, house mustard and sauerkraut round out the selection. All three were well received by our group, with special props to creamy peppered flavors of the käsekrainer and the pungent heat of the Cajun-derived wurst.
In its traditional, purist form, Wienerschnitzel is made with a veal fillet. Pounded thin, dipped in beaten eggs, coated in fine breadcrumbs and fried, it is simply finished with a lemon wedge. Beyond purist, escallops of pork, chicken and eggplant are available, and prepared likewise. The schnitzel becomes a neutral canvas for a number of sauces to embellish it. Rahmschnitzel is napped in a béchamel, recommended if you like the flavor of nutmeg that predominates the sauce. A mushroom-burgundy wine sauce distinguishes the Jagerschnitzel, although ours seemed weary. The Holstein schnitzel, awash in a lemon-caper sauce and topped with a sunnyside up egg, offers the most dimension in textures and tastes.
You may choose two side dishes to accompany your schnitzel. There are several options more intriguing than the customary kraut and warm potato salad. Braised red cabbage makes a respectable choice. We recommend the fresh cucumber salad, cloaked in a tangy sour cream dressing, and the spaetzle, noodle-like dumplings. Whether in soup or dressed up in a casserole, spaetzle could head your list of favorite things.
We preferred the spaetzle soup for its lighter broth, over the thicker, sauce-like garlic cream bisque. And, a bowl of spinach-flecked spaetzle baked with rahm sauce and swiss, topped with fried onion is like a sophisticated Germanic version of mac-cheese, offering the same kind of comfort.
Coffee and dessert are true Viennese dining pleasures. The city is known for its coffeehouses, central in the culture as a gathering place for relaxation and socializing. At the heart of each café is an array of smooth brews, elegant pastries and cakes. Viener Fest introduces both elements of that experience.
Since 1862, the name Julius Meinl has become synonymous in Vienna with premium coffee, regarded for its superb blends and roasts. Viener Fest serves Meinl in signature cups to accompany their specialty desserts. Baker Lila Parker creates Sacher tortes, multi-layered opera tortes, rich with coffee buttercream, Black Forest cakes and apple streudels exclusively for the restaurant. We enjoyed the Sacher's dense chocolate crumb, highlighted with apricot, and the strudel, stuffed with apples and rum-macerated raisins in pastry. For an after-dinner treat, a cup of Meinl coffee and crisp apple streudel is indeed wunderbar.


text: Students will study and develop skills in interpersonal behavior in organizations and groups. They will learn about issues in leadership, how groups function, elements of power and influence, conflict management, management of time and stress, creative and rational problem solving in groups. In addition, they will study theories of motivation and methods of empowerment in organizations.


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FORESTVILLE, MD-A recent spate of leasing and investment sale deals in the Maryland suburbs is raising hopes that activity in secondary markets in the DC area may be on the upswing. Certainly that is the impression local and regional brokers are receiving. "I would describe it this way," Dean Zang, senior director with Marcus & Millichap's National Retail Group, tells GlobeSt.com. "The primary market, DC, has been on fire, perhaps all along. The secondary markets are now catching on fire. And the tertiary markets, well, the fire engine is on the way to the scene."
To continue reading, become a free ALM digital reader.


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Log In needed $42,538 · 2016 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLTReport Ad
ModelF-350 Super Duty
Price: $42,538
Stock Number: 131710
Interior Colour: Grey
Cylinders: 8 - Cyl
Fuel: Diesel
This 2016 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab 6 Passenger 4X4 8-Foot Long Box Truck comes with a 172-inch wheelbase, TorqShift 6-speed automatic transmission, electronic-locking with 3.55 axle ratio, 18-inch chrome wheels, high series cloth 40/20/40 split bench seat, FX4 4X4 Off-Road Package and XTR Package, extra heavy-duty 200-amp alternator, transfer case and fuel tank skid plates, PowerScope trailer tow mirrors, power sliding rear window with privacy glass and defrost, tailgate step and handle with tailgate assist, fog lamps, 4 upfitter switches, Class V towing with harness, hitch, brake controller, and trailer sway control, 132.5-litre fuel tank, 3,750 lbs Maximum Payload, and GVWR rating of 11,500 lbs (5,216 kgs). The 6.7-litre Power Stroke Diesel V8 engine provides 440 horsepower at 2,800 RPM and 860 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM. Touch base with us to discuss purchasing or financing options that are right for you and experience the difference you will only find at DRIVING FORCE Vehicle Rentals, Sales and Leasing.
DRIVING FORCE is committed to making your car, van, SUV, or truck-buying experience exceptional. We have a large selection of quality, fully reconditioned pre-owned inventory available for purchase. Many of these vehicles are lease returns or buy backs with factory warranty.
All prices include a Carfax report, lien check, 120-point vehicle inspection, complete mechanical fitness assessment, reports and summary of any repairs completed, commercial inspection (when required), two sets of keys, owner's manual and a full tank of fuel.
In addition to the balance of factory warranty, all our vehicles are DRIVING FORCE CERTIFIED. This insures that you receive the best quality and value for your dollar.
We offer a range of financing options, and we work directly with major banks to arrange both prime and non-prime solutions. Whether retail or commercial, we offer options that best fit your needs. All transactions are subject to approval. All trades are welcome.
DRIVING FORCE Vehicle Rentals, Sales Leasing is an AMVIC Licensed Company.
Ad #32420095
PostedOctober 04, 2018
RenewedNovember 05, 2018
ExpiryDecember 05, 2018
DetailsCommercial Seller
CategoryAutos › Trucks
EditMy ad
SellerDriving Force, Grande Prairie
PhoneNot available
|Last hour
|Last 24 hours


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Recently you did something that made me feel even more special than all that. You sent me an email one day saying simply "When I heard this I thought of you." and attached a song.
Ingrid Michealson – The Way I Am
If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.
Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.
If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.
Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.
I'd buy you Rogaine if you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.
Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
I think that meant more to me than a lot of things people have done for me in the past. You made me feel so very special and you continue to do so, I love you so much for that.
So on this Valentine's Day my wish is for you to be happy. I know I'm happy with you and I hope to stay here a good long time.


text:
He looked down at her, before reaching out and grabbing a handful of her blonde hair, forcing her up to her feet and pulling her into a rough kiss, his tongue invading her mouth. She melted at the thought of sex and submission, swaddled by the heat and passion he displayed. But then abruptly he drew back, sat down again, pulled her down onto his lap and practically ripped her breeches tugging them down over her rear, before roughly and rapidly spanking her like a child…
Proud but impoverished Susannah is coerced into becoming a sex slave to lustful explorer William Lyall.
It is 1908, and she's travelling with him through Africa on a mission to find the ancient city of Abyssar and its legendary treasures. William educates the girl in the pleasure of sex and submission, of pain and pleasure, of obediently accepting and perhaps even relishing a bare bottom spanking.
But a new Master claims her. The immortal ruler of Abyssar, Abarron, is a seductive man who promises his followers an eternal carnal life, and he helps Susannah achieve new degrees of pain and pleasure as he prepares her as his Consort.
Can Susannah use her new position to find an escape from captivity? Or will she surrender completely to her Immortal Master?


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We're on our own today and we have BIG plans. This is Gerrit's day and it's also "Let's find all the Hobby Shops we can"! One of Gerrit's Ferrari buddies has given him the name and address of several … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Hong Kong
We're in Hong Kong – it's just amazing. You wouldn't believe the size of the buildings here, they are incredible. It is overcast, possibly rain later in the day 🙁 We were docked at Victoria Terminal by 7am this morning. … Continue reading


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Long Island, the biggest island on the country's east coast with 400 miles of coastline and only a short drive east of Manhattan [via the Brooklyn Bridge] embraces some of America's best beaches, known for their long stretches of sugar white sands, mild surf, clear refreshing water, colorful communities and flashing nightlife.
Prepare for crushing crowds in summer months, particularly driving along route 27.
Some favourites: East Hampton's Main Beach for July 4th fireworks; the large public beach in Jones Beach State Park; stylish Southampton's Coopers Beach if you do not mind sky-high parking fees; and Fire Island National Seashore for its natural beauty.
Getting there: a dozen major roads from New York City lead into Long Island, all New York airports offer transport there and ferries run the gauntlet too


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A few weeks ago I got to play violin in this place:
…because the Duke School of Medicine was having their graduation, and the organizers wanted a string quartet, and I still haven't learned the art of saying No. Playing in the Duke Chapel was a pretty wicked experience though, so I can't complain that much.
After the speech by the chosen graduate who characterized each year of med school with a work of literature, and compared choosing specialties to selecting a mate, the newly minted doctors were asked to join the veteran doctors in attendance to recite the Hippocratic Oath. The classic text invoked the witness of the ancient deities–Apollo et. al.–that each shall keep their fealty to the practice of medicine, and to accept due punishment for failure to carry out their duties. The modern version kept mostly to the ancient version, save for editing out the gods. It was kind of moving to see all of the doctors rise to their feet, men and women alike, some who have practiced longer than most of the graduating class has been alive, before our generation of electronic medical records and instantaneous vital monitoring and surgery performed with camera attached to a tube.
And together they said, the art of medicine.
I went in for a routine check-up with my primary care provider, and had to have a prescription filled. I was told that the order has been put in, and I should go to the designated pharmacy (located in the same hospital complex of my primary care provider) to pick it up. So up I go through the intestines of this massive building, getting sort of lost twice on the way, found the pharmacy, took a seat in the waiting area, waited for a while, then decided I should walk up to the counter and get my bearings, finally got to talk to someone, who then promptly directed me to go to a waiting kiosk to take a number. Said kiosk was placed behind a door. Number taken. Cue more waiting. When I was called to be serviced, the personnel informed me that the Rx was in fact not yet in the system, and I would have to wait for it to be ordered, then filled, since the item I was prescribed was not in stock. When I asked about the estimated timeline that the item would be available, and what I can expect for a co-pay, the personnel said that since "[the pharmacy] doesn't have it, I can't tell you when it's going to get here. And I can't tell you how much it's going to cost until it gets here." And when I asked whether I can get the prescription at another pharmacy that might have the item on-site, I was informed that I "need to talk to [my] doctor and see what they say".
All before 9:30am.
There's a reason that I dread going to the doctor's. Not so much because I disregard my health, but I want to avoid the miscommunication and confusion and gigantic inefficiencies of a healthcare system. There's a person who is supposed to tell you what options you have for tests and treatment, another for the amount of your co-pays and out-of-pocket fees, another for your schedule (and more options!) for medication, another for what to expect for when you go home. And it seems that rarely do people actually talk to you, and even rarer to each other. Even though I have a rudimentary understanding of what questions to ask, I still run into days where no one understands who's saying what, and my words are put up against that five-to-ten-second window where someone actually has the time to listen.
We learn in school that patient education is the most crucial, because most people don't know what to ask.
Maybe that's the reason we don't see medicine as an art, because we don't have the time for art. An art requires its pupils to stay focused, to keep learning about it and re-learning about it, and being continuously open to new ideas. We try to understand an art from as many perspectives as possible, because we want to know the totality of an art for the love of knowing, because we are curious. Nowadays medicine is a trade, a war of strategies with the end goal of wringing out the most profit. We discharge ICU patients as soon as possible short of malpractice, because ICU patients cost the hospitals the most money. We prescribe an opiate to treat pain from trauma to return to work, then pop a stimulant to counter the drowsiness brought on by the narcotic. We run people through fancy machines made of giant magnets and run blood samples through gels to see if protein markers show up and run chemicals to drown a tumor and still run into the sentence of inconclusive, so we tell the patients that it's all in their head. Refer to psychological counseling. And even though we crank out healthcare providers faster than Pepperidge Farm pops out Goldfishes, we have somehow run into the age of providing sick-care.
I know that there's a wealth of dedicated healthcare professionals who take to heart their art of medicine, whether or not they have MD behind their names. And in the most dismal places we hear about the work of medical professionals who tend to the needs of the needy. And among my peers who are in training to become healthcare providers, I see this drive to do better, not for the sake of renown or prestige, but because we genuinely care about what we are learning, and want to know how to apply what we care about toward those we will care for.
And there's a looming suspicion that I can at best call inefficiency. Or perhaps, indifference towards wellbeing. We expect doctors to tell us what we want to hear, for hospitals to be hotels, and to fix our problems with a prescription. Then we fight over who's going to pay for the sick-care, the theoretical silver bullet that should alleviate all of our medical woes, because we've made medicine such an expensive trade to pay for, and the common man and woman doesn't have the means to pay for the ideal of medicine, that grossly inflated trade with the down-payments of monstrous medical tuition, unexplainable procedures, and mysterious operating costs, that has replaced art with profit.
What have we missed? And when did it start?
For an art to exist and thrive you need both the artist and an audience, and both who want to sustain what they value. And perhaps because we've stopped viewing ourselves, our wellbeing, our health as something to be cultivated and respected, and we've placed the responsibility of living healthily into the hands of others–society, institutions, government–that we've lost the appreciation for the art of medicine. And when something loses its internal value, the exoskeleton is scoured for profit. And with ballooning amount of regulations, standards, reviews and performance feedback, it's hard to keep medicine from becoming a trade. A very costly one, too. A lot of people are not going to the doctor's because they can't afford to, and they end up having their health deteriorate even further. There are people who have no other option–save for death or chronic disability–than to see the doctor and fall in the quicksand of bankruptcy from medical bills.
Perhaps we are all to blame for the loss of the art of medicine.
We have just wrapped up finals and now into our two weeks in the clinic. I have had some really slow days, but also some amazing days where I know in my heart of hearts that this is what I am supposed to be doing. There is no shortage of stress, and I tend to fall into the mindset that school is a reward-punishment model, and the end result is the quality of my grades, with the ultimate goal being my pruning into an efficient subunit in the mammoth machinery of healthcare. I have to remind myself that I am learning all of the things for the love of learning, for the love of my art-trade-vocation, and that grades and job security should not be the only goals of my efforts, but more as the outcomes from my striving toward something more, because I want to be part of something that is more than making profits and finding loopholes and wrangling compensation out of the tangle of sick-care business.
As I stand at the conclusion of my first year of PT school I feel excited and weird and surprised: excited for the second year and even more amazing things that we will learn, weird that I still don't really know anything, and surprised because I somehow retained the majority of my sanity. I know I will not be very excited for 10-plus hours of lecture videos when we come back from our 1-week "summer break" and faceplant into musculoskeletal and neurological patient management courses. And it will be hard to remember that I keep plodding along because I am curious to learn more about the art and science that is the human body. But I will somehow remember, and herein keep my fealty. To this I solemnly swear.


text:
After receiving a license code from our sales support team you need to perform the following steps to activate it and upload it to Orchestrator:
- Install the UiPath Studio and/or Robot on your machine.
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator on the machine you installed a v2019.4 UiPath Robot or Studio.
- Change the directory to the installation path of the UiPath suite. For example,
cd C:\Program Files (x86)\UiPath\Studio\UiPath.
- Activate your license using the Regutil tool by executing the following command:
regutil activate /email=emailaddress /code=licensecode.
- Check if the license was activated using the
regutil.exe get-infocommand. Starting with 18.1.3, the license expiry date is displayed in the Subscription expire date field.
- Export the license information to a file by executing the following command:
regutil export-info /out_file=D:\license.txt. The file is saved to the indicated directory.
The output file can be of any type. If you do not provide a full path for the file, it is saved in the installation folder of the UiPath suite,
cd C:\Program Files (x86)\UiPath\Studio\UiPath.
- In Orchestrator, navigate to the License page at tenant level or host level. The License page is displayed.
- Click Upload License. The Open window is displayed.
- Browse for the license file generated at step 6 and click Open. The information is uploaded to Orchestrator, and the License page now displays all the available licenses per type, and when they expire. For more information on how they are consumed, please see the About Licensing page.
For more information on Regutil commands, please see Regutil Command Descriptions.
Any changes made to your licenses from UiPath require you to activate and update the license again.


text:
Customer Operations Director - FinTech - Doncaster
About the Client:
My client has a rapidly growing presence in the UK market and is one of the leading organisations in its field.
As part of a drive to deliver outstanding Customer Experience they are currently seeking an experienced Customer Operations Director to lead their multi-channel customer contact delivery through an established contact centre. They are currently driving their business through a 3 year plan that will also mean that they could expand operations with the establishment of a second contact centre and an a fresh digital approach to customers - this individual will be key in delivering this strategy successfully.
About the Role:
This is a varied role and you will initially develop and drive contact centre strategy and operational delivery through a diverse team.
Other aspects of the role include.
- Leadership of a team of direct reports and development of a team delivering customer services (c.200+ FTE) within an SME and B2B marketplace
- Development of contact centre strategy including improving the current multi-channel strategy and digital innovation
- Promoting a culture of customer excellence and continuous improvement
- Accountability for P&L and making the contact centre network a profit centre
- Innovation around services and delivering new profitable service streams
- Extensive stakeholder management exposure and the need to understand delivering world class Customer Experience and Employee Engagement
What we're looking for:
An outstanding Customer Service / Operations Director who can drive a fantastic business to the next level - profitably and by putting customers, staff and service delivery at the heart of everything that they do. Your experience will include
- Experience of running contact centre operations and developing digital solutions
- Ideally a track record of successful business operations management gained from an entrepreneurial fast paced business
- Extensive experience of customer, partner relationships and account development, coupled with the strategic development of additional propositions
- Full understanding of P&L, budget setting and commercial management
- A collaborative leadership style
- Experience of delivering change and continuous improvement
About the Offer:
£90,000 - £130,000 Outstanding Benefits
Rob Dermott, Director


text: February 10, 2006 – TNO Defence, a Dutch research institute located in The Hague, The Netherlands, purchased FLAMES runtime licenses for its Security and Safety Division. TNO Defence will utilize the FLAMES-based Integrated Training Capability (ITC) for research and training activities relating to NATO Combined Air Operation Centers. The ITC is developed and maintained by the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A).


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Jason Ofsanko
- 336.668.9999 x125
After graduating college, Jason served in the United State Marine Corps for four years and achieved the rank of Captain. After completing his active duty service, he joined Highwoods Properties, a publically traded REIT, in Nashville, TN as a leasing representative. In 2005, he returned to North Carolina and currently resides in Greensboro with his wife and two children. He enjoys playing golf and hunting.
BS University of North Carolina


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Happy Startup Stories from Dream Valley: #3 Jon Barnes/
The third in our series of stories from Alpselerator, a week-long startup experiment in the mountains of Morillon.
In the middle of October 2015 we took 6 teams out to Morillon in the French Alps on an experiment to see whether the mountains could help us accelerate our ideas.
The theory was that by being together in an inspirational setting with likeminded, driven people, we could make much more progress than if we just worked separately in our offices back in the UK (more about what we did over that week here).
We had invited Jon Barnes to come out with us to help facilitate the week long experiment. Jon is a Partnership Director at Hyper Island and here's what he had to say about his experience over the 7 days.
Watch the interview with Jon here (5:30 mins):
Or read the transcript below:
Who are you?
My name is John, I'm a freedom seeker and pseudo rebel. I'm trying to break out of every silo and constraint that I come across in life. I spend a lot of my time working with a company called Hyperisland. We try to empower individuals and organisations to seize their potential in the best way they can. To help them really follow their passions and make all the changes that they want to create. In organisations this means creating amazing cultures where human beings can really blossom and fulfil all the creative and innovative potential that they have.
Why are you here?
Why am I here in the Alps?! Because it's the Alps!! It's completely beautiful and the more time I spend here the more my mind is expanding and more of the neurons and synapses in my brain seem to be connecting. So much is happening this week! Doing business in a boardroom or a workshop seems so weird now. In this place I'm doing all of my best talking and all my best ideas are coming from great conversations I'm having with people whether walking up these beautiful mountains or exploring these beautiful rivers and valleys. I'm almost slightly overflowed with things to do when I get back because of all the inspiration I've had from nature around me and from amazingly ambitious and purposeful people that I'm getting to hangout with at the moment.
What has shaped you?
Many, many things have shaped me but what I can say, is that the environments that I've been in have definitely shaped me. Both negatively and for the good. Traditional education and traditional businesses, run in really hierarchical ways with all the sort of structures, policies and politics that I've had to live by have shaped me in a negative way. This has given me a very clear picture of what I think work or life "shouldn't" about. The separation of work life and life life seems a bit weird. I think that's something I've learned from all the businesses I've worked for and with.
The other thing that's shaped me is experiencing the complete flip side of that coin. Working with people in amazing surroundings has made me realise what's possible. Working for a business like Hyperisland has made me realise what's possible. I've learned about how we can work in completely empowering ways if we create environments where we're just seeing each other as human beings, without all the nonsense that can be added on top through the years of artificially constructed nonsense and silliness. We are capable of amazing things.
Both the good and bad in the business and education world have shaped me.
I'm always quite proud when a friend quits a job following some advice I've given them.
What are you most proud of?
This is one of those more cringey things to talk about. I'd say I've been really proud of myself for trying to break out of systems and norms that aren't letting me be my authentic self. These systems have constrained me in the past and prevented me from flapping my wings. I'm proud of myself for embracing an alternative way of living and am having an amazing experience by living nomadically and out in nature. I'm also proud of some quite strange things too. For instance I've helped a few friends leave the systems that they were in. I've helped them follow their passions and purpose by lighting a little spark in them that lets them get some air and see more of the world.
I'm always quite proud when a friend quits a job following some advice I've given them.
How can their be an alternative to businesses being happy.
Being part of the Happy Startup tribe
What excites me about being about the Happy Startup school? I shouldn't really be excited. How can their be an alternative to businesses being happy. I kind of seems a bit crazy to even imagine that. The reason I'm really excited is because empowering employers and employees to create environments where people are happy will allow so much energy to flow out of those people and for some really wonderful things to happen.
The way for businesses to be efficient and effective is to harness the energy that people have inside them and to let them use their talents. How can you not be into happiness as a really core principle to why your doing what your doing.
So I'm excited about the Happy Startup School because hopefully I'll learn a lot about myself and how to bring happiness to myself but also being able to bring happiness others would be something nice to be proud of too.
Find out more about the teams
The Alpselerator teams were, in no particular order:
- The Happy Startup School
- Dream Valley Projects
- Coverage Book
- CogLode
- WorkSnug
- Global Green Events
- Beyond The Breakfast Flock
Also thanks to Rorie, Kate and Chalet Badney for our wonderful home for the week.
Read next: Alpselerator - an interview with the Ribot brothers ››


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Not long ago I happened to get a deal on an Apple Mighty Mouse from a friend who was unloading one. Figured it would be worth a try. I'd been curious to see how the thing performed, and the only real way to test how well you and something like a mouse get along is to actually use one for an extended period of time. So that's what I did. I didn't mind the Mighty Mouse, actually. If I'd been coming from anything other than my beloved $13 dollar Logitech optical — perhaps the greatest mouse ever invented, quite possibly mouse perfection — I probably would've liked the Mighty Mouse. It feels just like the old one-button Apple optical, but has the additional convenience of three-button, scroll-wheel goodness. And the omnidirectional scrolling is quite ingenious. Unfortunately, I can't say I was totally sold. While I didn't hate the mouse as much as a lot of folks, I did find the small, nipple-like scroll-wheel, and the overall lack of physical feedback unsatisfying and at times difficult to use.
But this isn't just a review of the Mighty Mouse. That's been done to death at this point. What I really wanted to talk about was design over function. And, of course, how all this relates to The lab.
Not long after my first foray into Mighty Mouse usage, we purchased a bunch of Quad G5s for the lab. These machines shipped with the Mighty Mouse. In years past we replaced our Apple mice with three-button mice (yes, those very same Logitechs I mentioned above) because many users — particularly those using Maya — really require three-button functionality. I was actually pretty excited that, with the Mighty Mouse included, this would be the first year in some time I didn't have to go buy new mice for our Macs. There was some initial confusion among users, as the Mighty Mouse is configured in one-button mode by default. So educating the students about configuring the mouse for three-button functionality was necessary. That turned out to be quite easy, and before long those folks who wanted to be were up and running. But after a month or two I got a request generated by the student body in one of the Student Representative meetings for — yup, you guessed it — new mice. The consensus was that people really hated the Mighty Mouse, preferring, like I do, the cheap but wonderful Logitech alternative.
Let's look at this Logitech mouse for a minute. The Logitech Premium Optical Mouse lists on MacMall for $12.99 as of this writing (it no longer appears at Logitech's online store, and is becoming hard to find, sadly). That's less than 1/4 the price of the Mighty Mouse. But, while the design of the Apple mouse is beautiful, the Logitech's design is brilliantly functional (and not terribly hideous, actually). The Logitech features big buttons and a big scroll-wheel. The buttons make a both an audible and a physical click when pressed, and the scroll wheel also makes physical clicks when you move it. This feedback, and the size of the controls let you know that you're actually using the mouse in the way you intend. I'd bet the resistance of the buttons and wheel even reduce the likelihood of repetitive strain injuries, though if not they're certainly far more psychologically satisfying to me than the practically invisible Mighty Mouse controls. Do they look as nice? No. But they feel great. And how much time do you spend looking at your mouse versus holding it? The other thing I appreciate about the Logitech is that it has a great ergonomic shape. This is something I'm really picky about, and it was the initial thing that sold me on the Logitech. This basic, early-nineties mouse shape — the one with a little hump on the back where your palm rests — is ideal for me. I find it very comfortable. Feedback and comfort: two important things that the Mighty Mouse simply lacks. (Sorry, but a speaker-generated "click" sound just doesn't cut it for me.)
I think it's great that Apple finally decided to start making three-button mice. And I think they did so in some truly innovative ways. I can't even say I really hate the Mighty Mouse. It's just that there are far better alternatives for a lot less money. And I expect more from Apple. The look of Apple's mice has long been stunning, if not always very functional. Unfortunately, design over functionality just doesn't fly for those of us who use computers all day long. A mouse needs to feel good more than it needs to look good. It is, after all, a device for the hand. And while it may just be my opinion that the Mighty Mouse is bested by the cheapest Logitech mouse on the market, a whole department of staff, faculty and students agrees with me. Not at all scientific, but that's pretty damning evidence, if you ask me.
Apple is king when it comes to combining function and aesthetics. You see it in the iPod. You see it in their computers. You see it in their software. Their monitors are heaven to look at. Their products usually work the best and look the best, in my experience. But they always seem to blow it when it comes to mice, and unfortunately, the Mighty Mouse is no exception. While Apple made the right move supplying its users with a true three-button mouse solution, I'm afraid they blew it on the implementation. Here's hoping they keep at it, though. I'd love for Apple to produce a mouse I can love.


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Using Kace 3000 to deploy Apps to iPhone
I need to be able to deploy iPhone apps without the user having to provide iTunes with an account and password. I have a itunes account but do not want the users to have knowledge of the password. I have looked through the Apple iPhone configurator but cannot determine a methed to accomplich this. Any help would be appreciated.
All Answers
Not possible, K3000 require you set up a iTunes account in order to get the certificates to deploy via K3000.
Excatly, This is all setup, I have a Apple account with all the required credentials and certificates in place. So why cant a profile be created that requires iTunes to query the KACE appliance for credentials when a user installs an App that was pushed by the KACE Appliance. Or have the credentails inserted in the push notification. All this is encrypted and I would only be pushing to devices I trust, so that is not a securtiy issue at all. In an enterprise enviroment with 100s of iPhones, I just can't imagine users having the Enterprise iTunes account login and password with Credit card info (required now to have a free account) attached just to install a free App. Despite what iTunes may think not everyone has a personal iTunes account. There has to be a method to istall Apps pushed by the Appliance without user intervention.


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I spent some time with my hexagon quilt late last week. In view of the fact, this quilt has been in and out of storage over the last 8.5 years, the progress was quite substantial, in the scheme of things. :):):) I've calculated I need three hundred hexagons for the final egde, not including those I need to complete the front blocks. So I have many more to prepare although, I am still undecided about the brightness of the joining yellow. My plan at present is to continue with the fabric as it is, then if it needs toning down, I can very carefully tea dye the joiners at a later stage. There is no photograph of current progress, however the photo above is from the year before last, when florals & contrasts for the last couple of blocks were still being sorted. It has moved on since then & you can see how far, in an earlier post, dated 22.10.09.
Over the weekend, three small cross stitch items were organised, as portions of gifts yet to be completed, for generous stitching friends. I am a little behind in a couple & one has been waiting for the appropriate moment for bestowing, which I think has now arrived. Photographs when they have been received.Speaking of cross stitch, this one is from 1994. Hearts are for me, a particular design favourite. This photograph is not great as there appears to be a reflection on the glass, which is not apparent in real life.
I am also working on a patchwork jacket I hope to have completed to wear on Sunday. I have wooden buttons to paint, to add a finishing touch. Another item from my 'to do' or, perhaps it should be my, 'to complete' list. It's certainly a great feeling to get the languishing items, out of the cupboard for their intended purpose.


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If you're interested in learning how to to create an artful, poetic, digital photo collage, you're in luck! Award winning iPhone photographer Lumilyon has written the second free tutorial in her amazing series. This time she reveals how she creates her stunning, dreamy digital collages using her iPhone!
In this unique tutorial you'll learn:
- one of Lumilyon's techniques for creating a collage using an iPhone
- how to create an interesting background with just one click of an app
- how to extract an element from a photograph and collage it onto another
- how to blend two two photographs together by blurring them
You'll need 3 creative photography apps to follow along in this guide for how to create a digital collage using your iPhone:
- Tiny Planets – Stereographic photos on your iPhone (free app!)
- Juxtaposer – Fun and Intuitive Photo Compositing App for your iPhone and iPod Touch
- BlurFX – Fantastic out of focus pictures
Now head on over to this priceless tutorial: iPhone Tutorial 02: Little Fishy Collages.


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All posts tagged "JoJo Americo"
House of O Returns to NYC Thursday Night W/ The Ones, Casey Spooner & Anita Sarko
New York City's quintessential Disco Dinner returns with a new venue, new menu, new looks and of course……the...
VIDEO: The Secret Party at Eastern Bloc With Alan Cumming After the Doors are Locked at 4 A.M.
Ever wonder what happens in the club after 4am (New York clubs that is!)? NYC's infamous underground queer...
"The Little House That Could" A Documentary on The House of Field (Official Trailer)
A new documentary about the House of Field made by Mars Roberge and shot by Bob Lesser. The...
The 12th Annual NYC Glammy Awards
http://fierth.com - the 12th Annual Glammy Awards Complete Photos


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14-18 June I met in Vadstena with my colleagues in the research project The Multisensory World of Vadstena Abbey in the Late Middle Ages, or simply: Multisensory Vadstena. The purpose of the project is the facilitating of total-immersion virtual-reality experiences within the latemedieval Birgittine abbey church at Vadstena.
Reconstructing is the keyword for the project and connects to a growing research field where multisensory aspects and reconstructing lost milieux by the help of Virtual Reality Technology and 3D Technology. Our team will during four years – from September 2017 until the end of 2020 – work with the following issues:
(1) Reconstructing the sensory experiences of nuns on their unique platform within the monastery church.
(2) Reconstructing the sensory experiences of clerics in their choir and in their unique cloister, both of which were located within the monastery church.
(3) Reconstructing the sensory experiences of the lay visitors, including pilgrims and (potential) donors on the floor of the nave of the monastery church.
Our USP is that we will stress the acoustic aspect in our model: How was the chant and other sounds in the church experienced by the listeners, participants and the many pilgrims in the church? Multisensory Vadstena will bring new life to Birgittine research, bringing many fields within this topic together: music, art, liturgy, (monastic) history, architecture.
Our team is a mix of people in a true interdisciplinary way:
Eva Lindqvist Sandgren (art history, Uppsala University), Volker Schier (musicology, Arizona State University, Leuven University), Corine Schleif (art history, Arizona State University), Stefan Lindgren (Digital Humanities Lab, Lund University), Delphine Bard (sound engineering, Lund University), and Hanna Hustio (PhD student in sound engineering, Lund University), and Karin Strinnholm Lagergren (musicology, Linnaeus University).
The meeting took place during the same week when excavations were carried out on the grass field between the abbey church (now parish church) and the building where St. Birgitta Convent Museum is housed. The purpose was to investigate the remnants of the cloister, excavated in the 1950s but poorly documented. Interesting findings were revealed and more excavations over the coming years can be expected! A few photos here:
Vadstena in itself is a treasure, probably one of Scandinavia's most picturesque cities so just being there for a few days was as always good. Here a picture of pretty the House of Mårten Skinnare:
The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council and some more information can be found here: http://sensescapes.asu.edu/.


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On Sunday, 9 January, this potent article was published in the Corriere del Veneto. The journalist, Macri Puricelli, looked to origins, ideas and philosophy for his construction of the Lago profile.
The origins date back to the 1950s, when the grandfather ran an artisan workshop that produced furnishings for Venetian churches. In the following years, the business was run by Daniele's father and older brother, Franco. The company acquired the status of an srl and counted eighteen employees. Our designer stepped into the business when he was eighteen years old…and so the whirlwind began. Today in fact that artisan workshop is a corporation that counts 170 employees (the average age is 34), a distribution network of 350 stores that carry the brand, 27 Lago shops throughout the world and annual sales that have climbed from 5 million to 30 million in six years.
From the very first lines of the article it is clear how quickly things move here…above all, the ideas. Daniele's words flow and the journalist accurately conveys the key concepts that constitute the hub around which Lago revolves. Openness, humanity and culture are the values that describe a reality in which in addition to the product there is also an approach that solidifies the concept of participation and sharing in everything that one thinks and does. Macri highlights the fact that even the company dining hall is a place where one practices the values of "conviviality" and exchange. The most recent addition, the Appartamento project, also reflects the will and the goal to contaminate and be contaminated.
This is above all an article in which the journalist not only describes but also transmits the idea of a company reality that, wanting to always remain open to the outside and using art and culture are catalysts, is and will always be in continuous movement.


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Welcome to the Maypearl ISD Child Nutrition Homepage!Thank you for choosing the Maypearl ISD Child Nutrition Team to provide nutritious meals for your child. We consider it an honor to serve our students every day and play an active role in their daily nutrition.The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 put USDA school meals on a path to ending childhood hunger, reducing childhood obesity and improving diets of children. Maypearl ISD has an agreement with the Texas Department of Agriculture to operate the Child Nutrition Programs as outlined in Federal and State regulations. Our goal is to provide nutrition to students that fuels successful learning.Each MISD student is provided a student ID when enrolled in the district. This number also serves as their meal account number. We encourage you to go to family.titank12.com and set up a meal account. This allows you to deposit money into your child's account and/or monitor their account activity. This account allows you to set limits on your child's account and set up alerts. You may also pay by cash or check in all cafeterias.
Meal applications are available at all front offices, cafeterias, and on our website. These may be filled out at any time during the school year. You may return in a sealed envelope. All information is confidential. All applications will be processed as soon as received. If you need assistance in filling out this paperwork, we will be happy to help.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Child Nutrition Director
(972) 435-1036 – Phone
(972) 435-1001 - Fax
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The last four digits of the social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.