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Happy February! Yes, Valentine's Day is right around the corner, but if you're like most nonprofits, the kind of love you're thinking about this time of year is good old-fashioned funder love. You know what I'm talking about—that symbiotic meeting of the missions, where the work your organization does perfectly aligns with the priorities of the funder…
But wait, that's just in the movies, right? How is a nonprofit gal or guy supposed to find grantor/grantee bliss?
I do think of myself as a bit of a matchmaker when it comes to finding the right funder prospects. And I'm certainly not the first to notice the resemblance between the grant seeking and dating processes. Fundraising colleagues have written posts on the ways grant seeking is like online dating, and provided tips on how to develop a long-term funder relationship. There's great stuff here that I couldn't agree with more!
But too often, organizations look to jump into a relationship with a funder without doing the difficult work of self-reflection and assessment. Personal relationships are more likely to succeed if you know your values, know what you are looking for in a mate, and are ready to talk about the tough stuff. Turns out, these are great ready-to-date criteria for nonprofits, too.
Know your values, and be confidently rooted in them. Nonprofits need to know, deep down, who they are: who they serve, to what end, and via what means. Often, this identity is reflected in the organization's vision and mission statements—they are the center from which the nonprofit's values naturally flow, and are guideposts for the community work that the organization undertakes. (If, by the way, your nonprofit's mission doesn't reflect its identity, your organization may be suffering from mission creep, and would be wise to revisit its mission statement.) This sort of deep and confident embrace of an organization's values is critical not only to successfully articulating the organization's goals to potential funders, but also to ensuring that a meaningful alignment exists between the nonprofit and the funder. After all, how can funders know that you have priorities in common if you're not able to identify what your values are?
Know what you are looking for—and what you can accept—in a (funding) mate. If you're a quiet-walks-on-the-beach kind of person, you are not necessarily looking for a high-flying, adventurous type to be your mate. Likewise, not all funders are going to be a good fit for every nonprofit. It's important to be honest about what you are looking for in a funder to ensure a good fit. Maybe your organization is a small nonprofit, debating whether to apply for grants at all. Perhaps it's a medium-sized grassroots organization, and you prefer an accessible, hands-on funder with whom you can communicate directly. Local funders and smaller family foundations may be a good bet for your organization. Has your nonprofit experienced success with smaller regional funders, and you are seeking to raise its profile? State or national funders might be a logical next step. Is your heart set on securing funds for a capital improvement project? Then funders that are committed to program giving are probably not going to be a good match, no matter how well you make your case.
Just as important, your organization needs to be honest with itself about the types of funder relationships it can accept. Is that government grant opportunity tempting your organization, but you worry that your staff of two won't be able to manage the reporting? It may be wise to seek other funders whose requirements won't overwhelm your organization, or perhaps postpone applying until your staff capacity improves.
Be ready to discuss the difficult stuff. Nonprofits have to be ready to acknowledge their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Fundraising limitations, budget constraints, programmatic shortcomings—none of these is easy or fun to discuss. But it's important as an organization to recognize areas for improvement, to realistically assess the bad with the good, and to be prepared to discuss both. The organization that is able to own its challenges is more likely to communicate with a funder in an open, honest way—a key to any successful relationship.
What other similarities do you see between dating and grant seeking? What other steps do nonprofits need to take to be ready for a "funder relationship"?]]>
OK, just to be clear: I'm not talking about the grain-storing kind here. I'm talking about the metaphorical kind—the type that compartmentalizes our organizations, divides the efforts of the social sector, and generally keeps my sandbox separate from yours. In recent years, "silos" have been highlighted as a critical problem within the nonprofit community, hindering the sector's effectiveness. At this month's annual conference of the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO), talk of silos and their threat to the sector permeated keynote presentations, break-out sessions, and informal conversations alike.
What is it exactly about silos that is so scary? Maybe it's their insidious nature—that they can often exist without challenge, quietly reinforcing the status quo in the name of "efficiency" or "delegation." Or rather, maybe it's the alternative to silos that truly scares us: creating deep and meaningful collaboration is certainly far more difficult than keeping to ourselves, plowing ahead, blinders on. Like toddlers at a playground, many organizations are content with "parallel play," independently pursuing the same goals and serving the same populations, curiously observing others alongside without actually engaging them.
Hawaii Community Foundation President & CEO, Kelvin Taketa, pointed out at the HANO conference, however, this approach just isn't going to cut it in the long run. The philanthropy landscape has shifted in recent years, favoring those who focus on mission over organization. And just as the children on the playground will grow to realize that cooperative play is both more interesting and more rewarding, nonprofits too will need to realize that cooperation and partnership—true partnership—with other "players" will increase community impact and ultimately advance their missions. As Melissa Kushner, Founder and Executive Director of goods for good put it, we need to turn our sector's silos into curtains, to create opportunities for collaboration that can help all organizations accelerate their work toward achieving social impact.
So where can nonprofits begin swapping out those silos for curtains? Numerous posts have been written about addressing intra-organizational silos with greater cooperation and integration—for example, with regard to marketing, social media, fundraising, and organizational development. But I think it's important for nonprofits to think about tackling three types of silos beyond their own walls:
Silos Within the Nonprofit Sector: I can think of no single reading that makes the case for cross-sector collaboration better than John Kania and Mark Kramer's piece in the Stanford Social Innovation Review on Collective Impact. As the authors point out, large-scale social problems simply cannot be effectively addressed by any single organization. Rather, they require coordinated efforts along the continuum of the problem to effect meaningful change—and these efforts require broad, cross-sector coordination. Shifting from isolated impact to collective impact requires not just partnership, but a focus and commitment to shared objectives across organizations in order to succeed. In Hawaii, Hui Kupa'a, a joint partnership between the State of Hawaii and Hawaii's nonprofit social service providers, actively utilizes the Collective Impact framework to address some of the state's most pressing and complex social issues.
Silos Between Nonprofit and For-profit Sectors: Unfortunately, the very name of the sectors sets up an "us" vs. "them" dynamic: a nonprofit is the antithesis of a for-profit. But the explosion of social entrepreneurship in recent years demonstrates that this dichotomy can be a false one, and that serving the common good can be sound from both a business and community perspective. Nonprofits must shift from seeing corporations solely as sources of funding, and instead as potential partners in solving problems and increasing effectiveness. This article on Toyota's donation of expertise—rather than money—to the Food Bank for New York City beautifully demonstrates the results of bridging the nonprofit/for-profit silos to benefit community.
Silos Between Service Providers and Recipients: This silo may be the most difficult of all to break down, because the chasm between those serving and those served can seem the widest. And yet, nonprofit organizations often speak of empowering those served, and giving voice to all stakeholders. Creating mechanisms that invite clients to participate in problem solving and that value their perspectives can cultivate a climate of mutual respect and collaboration. Just as school boards have increasingly given students a place at the table, nonprofits might similarly consider client representation on their board of directors. While not appropriate for every organization, the inclusion of a constituent on a nonprofit's board can provide a firsthand, unique view into the organization's service delivery and community perceptions.
How does your organization tackle the problem of silos? How has swapping curtains for silos impacted your organization's work, internally or externally?]]>
So what does that mean for you and your organization? It means it's time to shake off the summertime slowdown, and put things into high gear. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of your remaining fundraising months in 2013:
Revisit your fundraising calendar. I know, you might be thinking, "What fundraising calendar?" Fear not, fundraising expert Gail Perry offers month-by-month fundraising priorities for nonprofits. Gail's list offers a great starting point for nonprofits looking to maximize their fundraising efforts in the final four months of the year. (A tip to the wise: It wouldn't hurt to start outlining your fundraising calendar for 2014, either!) And although December is the most critical month for many nonprofits' annual giving, relationship building and effective communication with supporters during the months prior is key.
Put your best foot forward for online giving. Recent studies show that online gifts to nonprofits are growing at a faster rate than other types of charitable donations. In 2012, online donations totaled $2.1 billion, an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year, eclipsing the overall rise of just 1.5 percent in charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Make sure that your organization is ready to accept online donations, and that your website is warm, welcoming, and easy to navigate. The Network for Good breaks down the elements of a fantastic donation page. And both Nonprofit Quarterly and Noupe offer examples of well-designed, inviting nonprofit donation pages.
Add Giving Tuesday to Your Fundraising Toolbox. "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" have entered the post-Thanksgiving lexicon. Charities across the country are hoping to make "Giving Tuesday" just as popular a term and concept. Launched in 2012, the Giving Tuesday campaign seeks to create a national day of giving that highlights and encourages charitable activities at the beginning of the annual holiday season. In its first year, the movement engaged more than 2,500 partners from across the country. Blackbaud online donations processed on November 27, 2012, exceeding the Tuesday after Thanksgiving of the previous year by 53 percent. This year, its organizers are hoping to double the number of participating charities, and are encouraging partners to begin planning activities and communications well in advance of the December 3rd event. While it's still in its infancy, I predict that Giving Tuesday will only get bigger in the coming years. Because the event provides a focal point for charitable giving for your organization—not to mention a welcome antidote to the consumer-driven messages overwhelming us during the holidays—I believe it's worth including Giving Tuesday in your organization's year-end giving toolbox.
Think About a Thank-a-Thon. It's an adage in fundraising: You can't say thank you often enough. Amid the many "asks" your organization will be making in the coming months, it's important to carve out time for simply saying thank you to your donors and supporters, too.
I love the idea of a thank-a-thon, which focuses purely on recognizing your donors, and reminding them of the impact that their gifts and support provide to the community. This is a great way to involve volunteers, staff, and board members in relationship building and to encourage a culture of philanthropy within your organization. Taking time to recognize the contributions of your supporters will go a long way toward keeping your organization front and center in their minds.
Need inspiration for your organization's thank-a-thon? Check out this post by Lynne Wester (aka the Donor Relations Guru) for tips and ideas for a successful Thank-a-thon. Mark Miller of Children's National Medical Center shares his experiences on holding a Twitter #thankathon. And Operation Smile and the National Wildlife Federation provide firsthand insight into their own thank-a-thon events.
How does your organization prepare for year-end giving campaigns? How do you keep your year-end appeals "fresh" for donors and supporters?]]>
It's graduation season, which means it's the season for advice. Even though I'm no longer a student, I still love a good nugget of wisdom. I'm one of those people who actually listens to the speaker at commencements, hoping to glean some sage advice or witty aphorism that I can squirrel away in my brain, ready to reproduce it when the right occasion arises.
All the commencing this time of year has gotten me thinking: If I could go back in time and visit myself at my college graduation, what would I say? What has experience taught that might benefit the younger me?
Here are a few pieces of advice I'd give to my 22-year-old self:
Don't diminish yourself. I recently discovered the blog of Alison Green; in it, she dishes out advice to women with professional quandaries. In a post last month, she noted that she had seen an uptick in young women—usually recent college grads—who wrote to her about landing their first "big girl job." Alison then goes on to make the case why young women must stop doing this, and why the issue goes beyond pure semantics. I couldn't agree with her more.
In my experience, women in particular have trouble owning their accomplishments, or portraying themselves as smart and competent without feeling the need to apologize or somehow diminish themselves. But how you project yourself is ultimately an indicator of how others should treat you; there's no need to give others the opportunity to treat you as less than you are. Comedienne and author of Bossypants, Tina Fey, notes that one of the rules of improvisation—Make Statements—applies to us women as well: "Speak in statements instead of apologetic questions. No one wants to go to a doctor who says, 'I'm going to be your surgeon? I'm here to talk to you about your procedure? I was first in my class at Johns Hopkins, so?' Make statements, with your actions and your voice." Exactly.
Block out the noise. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and don't get distracted. Know yourself well enough to know your own strengths—and if you don't know them yet, stay focused enough to recognize them when you find them. Ignore the naysayers, the ones who urge you to think small and dream smaller.
An anecdote: After I won a writing competition in high school, a close relative of mine warned me, "You can't make a living by writing. You need to go into law, or medicine, or business." As much as I enjoyed my science classes in college, I knew that one of my strengths was as a writer. And realizing later in life that I could contribute my writing for the benefit of nonprofits allowed me to combine that strength with my passion for community benefit work. How short-sighted it would have been for me to take that relative's advice, pursuing a career that just didn't speak to me.
Broadcast journalist Soledad O'Brien, in a speech at this year's Harvard Senior Class Day, shared her mother's delicate phrasing regarding the need to block out the noise: "Most people are idiots." Remember to ignore the idiots.
Seek out opportunities to "play up." My sons are both active in sports, and I observe that in many situations, they benefit from the opportunity to "play up"—to be part of a group in which other players are older, stronger, or more skilled than they currently are. This notion of playing up, I have found, applies in professional life, too. Playing up professionally pushes you to develop your skills, to reach beyond your comfort zone, and to grow in ways you didn't think you were ready to grow. Marissa Mayer, President and CEO of Yahoo, put it this way in her 2009 commencement address to the Illinois Institute of Technology: "Find the smartest people you can, and surround yourself with them. Working with smart people means that you'll be challenged to do your best. You'll have to strive to keep up with them and as a result, they will elevate your thinking. When there are better players around you, you get better." Be brave enough to not be the best in the room, while always striving to become better.
What advice would you give to your younger self? What lessons did you wish you knew as you were beginning your career?]]>
On the morning of Monday, April 15th, I had dropped off my children at school, then returned home to work. Feeling the weight of a deadline, I had been engrossed in writing for several hours when my husband called. Hearing his question, I felt my stomach tighten. My husband only asks me if I've seen the news when something truly terrible has occurred.
"No, what happened?"
As he told me of the initial reports of the Boston Marathon bombing, I opened a browser on my laptop and began to read through the headlines. The searing photos were hard to comprehend. As I read the details of what was known at the time—how the joyful finish line celebrations had been rocked by explosions without warning, how scores had been injured—I felt a deep and painful sadness, and a sense of loss for Boston.
That afternoon, I picked up my young sons from school, and was relieved to find they were unaware of the events from across the country. "Hey Mom," my older said, "we have to remember to wear shorts with pockets on Thursday, because that's Poem in Your Pocket Day." I smiled as he described his school's tradition of celebrating poetry by having each child either write or locate a poem to literally carry in his or her pocket that day, to share with classmates and to experience a bit of the fun and beauty of words. I couldn't help but think of the juxtaposition of visions in my brain: the jagged and broken scenes from the bombing mixed with images of children, pockets bursting with tidily folded bits of poetry.
Over the next few days, I felt myself—almost obsessively—wanting to learn more about what was happening in Boston. Which was strange, when I thought about it. Here I was, living with my family more than 5,000 miles away from the East Coast, and yet the bombing had struck such a chord with me. Yes, as an American, I was deeply affected by its senselessness and randomness, and its reminder of our vulnerability. But even beyond that, the reason I felt connected to what had happened was that on some level, I still felt Boston was my community.
I had called Boston "home" for two years when I attended graduate school, and like any place one thinks of in that way, I still carried with me memories of and connections with the city. I had met incredible people through my studies, and forged friendships built on shared interests and common passions. I had explored the sights and sounds of New England there, like the glorious arrival of autumn and the crunch of fallen leaves on my morning walks across the Public Garden. I had learned a flinty toughness from that town, surviving two Boston winters—no simple feat. And my husband and I had been married in Boston, in a little art gallery on Newbury Street, just blocks away from the Boston Marathon's finish line.
The connection I felt to Boston in its time of crisis was, I realized, born from those memories and emotions that I continued to carry with me from my time there. Much as I felt on 9/11, having moved to Boston from New York City, I felt a solidarity with the city because I had felt ownership of it, if only for a brief time. Boston had shaped who I was, and was becoming; the rhyme and meter of the city had become part of my own verses. And so, much like my son's anticipated poem, I carried a bit of Boston in my pocket, as I had carried—and still carry—a bit of every city and town in which I've lived.
On Friday, as news of the death of one bombing suspect and the capture of the other spread through the Internet, I felt a sense of relief. Again I thought, how strange it is to feel this way when all these events are happening at such a distance. But in some way, it does make sense. We crave connection, and we seek community. So often we define "community" geographically, but community is larger than that. It spans space and time, language and culture. Sometimes circumstance gives us our communities, but other times, we create community through our connections. We need only witness the extraordinary outpouring of support from around the world to know this is the case—that this past week, the community of Boston reached around the globe. Every person who ever called Boston "home"—or strolled its streets, admired its skyline, ran a marathon, cheered on a race's runners, or welcomed spring with an annual ritual—felt a connection with the city. Last week, we all carried a bit of Boston in our pocket.]]>
Resolution #1: Read more blogs and attend more webinars.
Many of us who work in and with nonprofits lament how little time, money, and consideration is given to professional development. But I've realized that sometimes, to our own detriment, we limit our notion of what professional development is. We need to go beyond the annual sector conference or the quarterly educational seminar, and think more creatively about how we can grow our knowledge base. And thankfully, technology makes that process incredibly simple, user-friendly, and more cost-effective than ever.
In 2013, I'm resolving to make blogs and webinars a significant portion of my professional development plans. In just the past few months, I've gained terrific insights and gotten fresh ideas from the blogs of fundraising gurus like Pamela Grow, Gail Perry, and Mazarine Treyz, and those of nonprofit marketing and communications experts Katya Andresen and Kivi Leroux Miller. I plan to continue doing so, and to further my learning by checking Wild Apricot's monthly round-up of free nonprofit webinars, as well as webinars offered by sources like Idealware and NTEN. Because, hey—as the educational website BrainPop puts it—the more you know, the more you know.
Resolution #2: Cultivate my professional circle.
Confession: I'm not an outgoing person by nature. It can take a little extra effort for me to reach out and—oh, the dreaded "N" word!—network. But I realize that my role as a nonprofit consultant is often to make connections by joining organizational needs with the right people and resources, and networking is an essential part of building that professional toolbox. And so, I've decided to make a concerted effort in 2013 to grow my professional circle, both online and in person. I'm growing my virtual presence by making strategic use of LinkedIn (which, although I still don't find it to be as widely used in Hawaii as in the mainland, has certainly come in handy) and by connecting with mission-driven and community-minded individuals and organizations through Twitter. In person, I'm reaching out to local experts in a wide range of industries—such as graphic design, law, social media, and marketing/communications—whose skills can advance the work of my nonprofit partners. And because all work and no play can make Joyce a very dull girl, I'm planning to take time out to socialize with colleagues as well, through events like Kokua Lunch Club and AFP-Aloha Chapter's Lunch & Laugh.
Resolution #3: Set aside time for big-picture thinking.
Does this ever happen to you: You find yourself at the end of the day—after focusing on meeting deadlines, attacking To Do lists, and being generally mired in the details of your work—having lost sight of the "big picture"? I know this is an easy trap to fall into; particularly in a nonprofit environment, where staff wear many hats and are spread thin due to scarce funding and limited resources, having the time to step back and reflect seems like a true luxury.
And yet, there is a reason we are working in the nonprofit sector. In general, this isn't a sector that people have just fallen into—it's one they have chosen. I believe it's important to carve out time to think about what community needs exist, what outcomes we hope to achieve, what our greatest strengths and contributions are—and where the alignment between those three lies. Reflection allows us to celebrate our accomplishments, but also keeps our passions fresh and our eyes on the horizon. Big-picture thinking reminds us that there is more to do, and allows us to envision how we can do it better. And so, in 2013, I resolve to schedule regular time to simply think—reflectively, creatively, maybe even innovatively. If I can run through financials on a monthly basis, surely I can do some big-picture thinking just as often!
What are your professional resolutions for the New Year? How would you like to make this year more successful or productive than the last?]]>
A quotation from Fred Rogers, host of the beloved children's TV show, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," circulated widely on the Internet in the days following the shooting:
When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.
And it's true that in the midst of recent terrible events, you find evidence of extraordinary goodness and selflessness: police and paramedics rushing to put themselves in harm's way; spouses and family members, shielding their loved ones; teachers and staff giving their lives in an attempt to protect their students. The outpouring of sympathy from around the world to the community of Newtown has been awe-inspiring to witness, and has reassured me that in spite of the pain people can inflict on others, far more of us are creatures of compassion.
And so in some ways, it should come as no surprise that the Newtown shootings have inspired a kindness campaign. Dubbed "26 Acts of Kindness," the campaign has taken off and expanded since NBC News' Ann Curry initially suggested via Twitter an act of kindness to honor each of the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. The campaign has prompted donations to charity, meals for the needy, tree plantings, favors for neighbors, thank you cards for those whose work often goes unappreciated. Clearly, many have been moved to create something good out of something tragic.
But as powerful an idea as the campaign is, it is not enough. It should not take a tragedy to spur us to demonstrate compassion. We have the opportunity to demonstrate kindness in ways large and small, in our families and communities and with strangers, each day. Our compassion binds us together; it helps us to grow our sense of empathy, to see others' children as our own, others' losses as ours. It is our innoculation against callousness and inaction. Our challenge is not to merely to honor those lost in the Newtown shooting, but to harness the spirit of compassion beyond tragedy. The children lost had entire lifetimes ahead of them; 26 kind gestures should be only the beginning.
As difficult as it may be to imagine now, we know from past tragedies that our collective hurt will slowly diminish. And yet, even as we begin to heal, we—as communities and as a country—must continue to grow our sense of kindness. Our compassion shouldn't be responsive, it should be proactive. And our children shouldn't need to be frightened by the news to be reminded that there are helpers in the world; the helpers should be visible to them everywhere, in plain sight.
Wishing everyone the love of family and friends during the holidays, and peace and compassion in the New Year.]]>
Certainly, recognizing and appreciating the generosity of donors and supporters is important. But we may be less mindful of the need to appreciate the very folks who make the impact of nonprofits possible: the staff and volunteers. These "front line" individuals are often the ones interacting most directly with an organization's clients: serving meals to the hungry, sheltering the abused, caring for the frail, housing the homeless, advocating for the voiceless. The work that staff and volunteers do is driven by purpose and mission, and they graciously take on challenging and, at times, thankless tasks to help others in need.
As the holidays near, some in the private sector may look forward to a holiday bonus, or a token of appreciation from their employers. Nonprofits don't usually have the luxury of bonus pay or holiday gifts to distribute to staff and volunteers, but what I have observed that most nonprofits have—in spades—is a deep and passionate belief in the power of people, and an appreciation for the kindness that individuals can extend to one another. In such a culture, genuine and heartfelt thanks are a simple yet cherished gift.
In that spirit, here is a list of ideas and reminders for appreciating your staff and volunteers for all they do, everyday:
1. Show gratitude often. Rachel Hutchisson, Blackbaud's Director of Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy, borrows a phrase from election season humor, noting that "Saying Thank You, Early and Often" is vital. Take time to recognize staff and volunteers regularly--not just when a project or an event is successfully completed, but on a day-to-day basis as well.
2. Notice the unique contributions that individuals make to your organization. Effective thank you's recognize your staff and volunteers based on not only the work they do, but on their personalities and traits as well. As Geil Browning, Founder of Emergenetics, notes in her article "How to Thank Your Employees in Only 8 Words": "People who feel their efforts are noticed, and their work makes a difference, are more likely to go the extra mile in the future. Leadership is about empowering others to realize their own abilities. Communicate your belief in your people, and watch them rise to meet your expectations."
3. Think of volunteers as an extension of staff. They may not be on your organization's payroll, but volunteers can serve a critical role, amplifying an organization's work and growing its visibility in the community. Communications writer Charlie Hullihen suggests "7 Ways to Thank Your Volunteers," including a volunteer award system, food or treats, or a volunteer bulletin board featuring pictures of volunteers hard at work.
4. Find partners in appreciation. An Executive Director may feel that staff appreciation should come from him or her, but remember that there are others who can help spread gratitude. Department supervisors, board members, and volunteer managers are all in a position to express appreciation for the work that staff and volunteers do.
5. What's good for donors can be good for staff and volunteers, too. Some of the creative suggestions for thanking donors can be used to express appreciation to staff and volunteers as well. Give staff shout-outs via social media. Send volunteers handwritten notes of gratitude. Email a thank you video or photo from the Executive Director or board. Any of these will surely be a welcome surprise to your staff and volunteers!
6. Remember that thank you's are appreciated year-round. There's no season for gratitude. Extend that spirit of appreciation throughout the year!
How does your organization express thanks to staff and volunteers? In what memorable ways have you been shown appreciation by your employer?]]>
And yet, certain political terms apply in a nonprofit context as well. Recently, I was struck by the phrase, "firing up the base." In a political context, the term refers to the need to excite and engage the loyal constituents who are most likely to cast a vote for their political party on Election Day. But certainly, nonprofits have their base constituents too--their loyal members, service recipients, and supporters who, time and time again, have shown their commitment to the organization.
And so, if you think about your organization's mission as its platform, consider these questions about the campaign your organization wages:
In the nonprofit community, we often speak of an organization's "target population," meaning the group or individuals to whom services or programs are provided. I use the term "base" here more broadly, to include not only an organization's target population, but also donors, volunteers, or advocates who may not necessarily benefit from an organization's work directly, but who champion the organization's cause nonetheless. For example, a local youth arts organization might count among its target population low-income children ages 12-17, residing in a particular community. Its base, however, might include parents of those children, arts patrons from the broader geographic region, and those interested in supporting programs for low-income families.
It's important to identify these key constituents, and work to ensure your messages reach and engage these audiences. Keep in mind that you want to define your base narrowly enough to maintain focus, but broadly enough to be inclusive. Note also that your base may change over time. The Denver Foundation breaks down this concept of defining your constituents, while also reminding readers to be conscious of demographics and varying levels of constituency.
In other words, how do you make your constituents feel impassioned about the work that your organization does? Politicians use stump speeches, TV ads, and debate performances not only to inform voters of their party platform, but also to stir voters' passions and create messages that resonate on a personal level. What messages is your organization using to engage supporters personally? What are the compelling stories it is telling that will speak to supporters' hearts as well as their minds? In reviewing giving statistics from Giving USA 2012 Report, the National Park Service notes, for example, that charities have experienced success in crafting compelling case statements in the context of a more competitive fundraising environment, creating a sense of urgency among supporters: "Charities built strong messages around the consequences of not supporting their cause, such as highlighting the loss of education or art programs, the closing of a center, or reductions in services."
So you've gotten your base excited about your cause—now what? In politics, there is often a singular goal in firing up the base: getting constituents to vote for their candidate on Election Day. For nonprofits, the goal for action may come in multiple forms. Perhaps an organization seeks to increase its membership, or improve utilization of services. Maybe an organization is hoping to increase its number of donors, volunteers, or advocates within the community. Whatever the avenues for action, supporters need clear, specific ways of making meaningful contributions and advancing the mission of your organization. Aloha United Way, for instance, provides a "How You Can Help" tab on its website, providing a variety of ways that constituents can support its work. Likewise, Hawaii Public Radio's "Support" tab describes how interested listeners can become members, make a donation, or volunteer at the station.
The true challenge for nonprofits is maintaining the fire of its base, year after year. For politicians, Election Day will come and go, and the ebb and flow of the political cycle will follow its natural course. Nonprofits' season for support never ends, and so maintaining the interest, energy, and engagement of your organization's constituents is likewise a year-round endeavor.
How does your nonprofit fire up its base? How do you keep your engagement with your core constituents "fresh", and turn their interest into action?]]>
Resources for Hawaii Grantseekers
Guide to Hawaii Grantmakers
The Guide to Hawaii Grantmakers, compiled by local grantwriters Dana E. Kokubun and Carolyn J. Lee, provides an overview of more than 240 foundations and trusts that provide funding to nonprofits throughout the state. This handy volume summarizes funders' interests, recent award amounts, contact information, application process, and key decision makers.
Contact: Dana E. Kokubun, Grantwriter. Tel: 808-753-0840. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Contact: Carolyn J. Lee, Grantwriter. Tel: 808-256-9557. Email email@example.com
Hawaii Maoli Prince Kuhio Computer Resource Center, a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection
Most grantseekers are familiar with the Foundation Center's Foundation Directory Online (FDO), arguably the gold standard of funder databases. Subscriptions to the FDO can be pricey, however, particularly for small nonprofits. Luckily Foundation Center partners, known as cooperating collections, make the FDO available free of charge to the public. On Oahu, the Hawaii Maoli Prince Kuhio Computer Resource Center provides access Mon-Fri, from 8am-5pm.
91-1270 Kinoiki St. Kapolei, HI 96707. Contact: Rae DeCoito. Tel: 808-394-0050.
Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF)
HCF is perhaps best known as a community grantmaking organization, but the Foundation offers other tools as well. Website resources include a grantseeker's calendar, a nonprofit event calendar, and a nonprofit consultant database. HCF staff is also available to provide partnership and expertise to nonprofits across the state. In addition to its main office in Oahu, HCF has offices on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui (which also serves the islands of Lanai and Molokai).
Main office: 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: 808-537-6333 Toll-Free: 888-731-3863
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)-Aloha Chapter
AFP-Aloha Chapter is the state's lead association for serving development staff, nonprofit managers, and fundraising consultants. Among its many services, the Chapter provides professional development and educational opportunities throughout the year, including workshops, webinars, and events of specific interest to fundraising and development staff. Of special note, the AFP-Aloha Chapter will be hosting National Philanthropy Day on November 1, 2012, at the Sheraton Waikiki. The full day conference will include an awards luncheon, plenary speaker, and roundtable discussions, as well as numerous sessions within four content areas: Fundraising Tools & Strategies; Ethics & Best Practices; Partnerships/Emerging Trends; and Communication.
PO Box 11899, Honolulu, HI 96828-0899. Tel: 808-626-6755. Email: email@example.com
General Information for Hawaii Nonprofits
Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO)
HANO is a member of the National Council of Nonprofits, and is the leading organization in the state in representing and addressing the needs of Hawaii's nonprofit community. Each month, HANO's newsletter provides local updates on nonprofit news, advocacy and public policy, and the economy. In addition, HANO's website offers a calendar listing the current month's events, workshops, and conferences geared toward Hawaii nonprofits. Staff also provides training and technical assistance to nonprofits in areas such as strategic planning, board development, evaluation and professional development.
1020 South Beretania St., 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96814. Tel: 808-529-0466. Email: email@example.com
Online Resources for Nonprofit Organizations, compiled by the Department of Research and Development at the Hawaii County Resource Center
The mission of the Hawaii County Resource Center is "to facilitate the sustainability of Hawaii island through community-based collaboration and capacity building services." To this end, the HCRC published in 2006 Online Resources for Nonprofit Organizations, which includes a list of Hawaii foundations as well as state, national, and government grant sources grouped by area of interest. The guide also provides resources on grantwriting, organizational development and management, and finance/budgeting. A list of sources for state data and Hawaii County info is included as well.
25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301, Hilo, HI 96720. Contact: Frecia Basilio, Economic Development Specialist. Tel: 808-961-8085. Email: email@example.com
Nonprofit Resources Bibliography, Published by the Hawaii State Public Library System
Published in 2006 by the Business, Science, and Technology Section of the State Library, the Nonprofit Resources bibliography lists materials in the Library's collection on starting and managing a nonprofit organization. These include books on nonprofit management, how to form a nonprofit, grantwriting, legal issues, and publicity. E-books on strategic planning, engaging business support, and board governance are also available. The Hawaii State Library is open Mon & Wed, 10am-5pm; Tues, Fri, Sat, 9am-5pm; Thur 9am-8pm.
478 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Business, Science, and Technology Section Reference Desk: Tel: 808-586-3481.
Meeting Spaces
Hawaii Imin International Conference Center at the East-West Center
The Hawaii Imin International Conference Center at the East-West Center, located on the campus of UH-Manoa, offers more than 20,000 square feet of conference space to fellow nonprofits, ranging from intimate meeting rooms to a large auditorium.
1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848.
Contact: Cathy Hirano, Tel: 808-944-7159. Email: email@example.com
YWCA of Oahu
YWCA of Oahu offers a range of room types and sizes at their headquarters in Laniakea, with capacity for groups up to 200 people. Rooms are available Mon-Fri from 7am-7pm, and on Sunday from 8am-2pm.
1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Tel: 808-695-2608. Email: email@example.com
YMCA of Honolulu
YMCA of Honolulu offers meeting spaces at both its Metropolitan office in Honolulu as well as its location at Camp H.R. Erdman in Waialua. The Metro office offers meeting spaces capable of hosting up to 40 people; the Waialua location, up to 300. Meeting spaces are available Mon-Fri, 7:30am-5pm.
Metropolitan Office: 1441 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813. Tel: 808-531-9622. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Camp H.R. Erdman: 69-385 Farrington Highway, Waialua, HI 96791. Tel: 808-637-4615. Email: email@example.com
ING Direct Café
ING Direct Café offers open air meeting space and an enclosed conference room with capacity for 20 people. Best of all, the spaces are available free of charge to nonprofits.
1958 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Tel: 808-955-1435. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Know of other local resources for Hawaii nonprofits? Have tips on resources for nonprofits on the neighbor islands? Pass them along!]]>


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GOSHEN — Vaunda LaKae "Kae" Davey, 82, passed away at Memorial Epworth Hospital in South Bend Monday.
She was born May 14, 1930 in Olney, Ill., to Lawrence E. and Margery W. Whitson.
On Oct. 10, 1953, she married Michael D.A. Davey in Vincennes. He preceded her in death June 22, 1993 in Elkhart.
She is survived by her son, Derrick S. Davey of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; three daughters, Pamela K. Davey of Chesterton, Tracey M. Stack of Goshen and Kimberly A. (Rory) Brock of Bristol. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Eric W.M. Stack, Rory Brock Jr., Cheyanne Brock and Jetta Brock; and two nieces.
Vaunda was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Marie Davey; husband, Michael D.A. Davey; and sister, Naccoli Pedersen.
Mrs. Davey was a courier for Roche Laboratories in South Bend, a census taker and researcher for the University of Michigan. She also served for 75 years as a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was a member of the South Elkhart Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and a 1953 graduate of Watchtower School of Gilead in New York. She loved traveling and being a mother and grandmother.
Services will take place Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 25448 C.R. 22, Elkhart. Leonard Konkle Jr. will officiate the service.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Elkhart South. Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Elkhart, is entrusted with arrangements.

subset: commoncrawl


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A judge has awarded a Zion teen the largest dog bite settlement in state history.
Lawyers for the 17-year-old say he will receive more than $1 million.
Back in June of 2011, the teen was riding his bike when the bull mastiff bit him several times. The dog's owner was cited for the attack and the dog was put to sleep shortly after it happened.
The previous record for a dog bite settlement was $835,000.
Follow @fox32news


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Beta Marketing Solutions is a full-service advertising and marketing firm that offers a wide variety of digital and conventional solutions uniquely tailored to suit each client's needs. Marketing is constantly changing, and our diverse mix of marketing modalities provide the necessary steps to help your business or organization reach its goals. As marketing and business consultants, our goal is to assist in getting you noticed and growing your business.
Clients are unique, and so are the methods, technology and expertise needed to get it right! Advantage Marketing Solutions has a diverse and experienced team that can help with any aspect of your marketing, advertising or business needs. We specialize in the development and implementation of business, credit union, bank or organization marketing. Website design and development, internet marketing, consulting, creative services, media, public relations, event planning, printing and promotional items are just some of the services we provide.
Call us to find out how we can assist you!


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Latest Headlines
Thursday the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed 20 Arkansans have died ...
Cooler than average temperatures this week.
The No. 24 Arkansas baseball team (21-13) raced out to an early lead Wednesday ...
Due to the threat of inclement weather, Arkansas baseball's series opener with ...
Edmonton, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Braden Holtby stopped 30 shots to help the
Washington Capitals take a 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom each posted a goal and an assist while
Jason Chimera and Joel Ward also scored for the Capitals, who have won the
first two games of a five-game road trip.
Justin Schultz scored the lone goal of the game for the Oilers, who had a two-
game winning streak stopped. Devan Dubnyk gave up all four goals on 26 shots
in the loss.
The Sports Network


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After you're admitted Pay Your Enrollment Deposit
Students admitted to the summer or fall semester are required to pay an enrollment deposit to secure their spot at the university. You can pay your deposit by using your UT EID and password to log into MyStatus and following the link to make your payment.
Your enrollment deposit is due by May 1 or by the date given to you when you're notified that you've been admitted. The fee amount will be applied to your first semester's tuition and fee bill.
Deposit Exemption
Some students qualify for an enrollment deposit exemption because of financial need. Students with financial need can request an exemption online through MyStatus. To satisfy your deposit requirement, requests for an exemption must be received by the deposit payment deadline.
Updated Mon, 2012-04-23 13:09 | Top
Ask Admissions
Contact us
The University of Texas at Austin
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 8058Austin, TX 78713-8058


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Posted on October 25, 2012, in Social Issues and tagged Book Review, Doc Bonn, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Dr. Scott Bonn, Holding My Hand Through Hell, Memoir, susan murphy milano, True Crime, Virtual Book Tour. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Greetings Doc Bonn! Good tribute blog… Love your "just the facts ma'am " writing style… Reminds me of the legendary Joe Friday….
Best Regards,
Donna "Ladyjustice"
Thank you, Donna. All the best wishes to you!


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About Us
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Art Materials Articles & Tips
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Art Materials Articles & Tips
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paints, like our
LQ Primary 6 Acrylic Paint Set
LQ Primary 6 Acrylic Paint Set, are versatile, fast drying paints that can be used in many different ways. Acrylic paint is an exciting art tool that can bring you beautiful pieces of art. It is important that you keep either your acrylic paint, or brush, moist. Acrylic paint dries extremely fast. Adding different amounts of water to the paint will not only keep it moist, but also dilute the paint to have a different texture. This is important if you are going for a thick, heavy look, or a more watercolor look.
Wooden, glass or plastic palettes can all be used with acrylic paint. Although, it can be difficult to get dried acrylic paint off of your palette. Disposable palettes work out great to solve this problem. There are multiple supports that are great for acrylic paint use. Canvases, canvas boards, wood panels and paper are all fantastic surfaces for acrylic paint use. Do a simple test of the surface you wish to use before buying in bulk to make sure your acrylic paint works well on the surface.
You can use different mediums to thin your acrylic paint besides water. You can thin your paint, or add a medium to give it a different texture. Whichever you use, make sure you have an older set of clothing on. Acrylic paint is extremely difficult to get out of clothing. An accident can lead to a ruin shirt or pant.
Many individuals like to sketch out their painting in pencil before using acrylic paint. Simply sketch your design on your canvas. After you have done so, put a very light amount of acrylic paint over your pencil lines. This allows you to prime the areas in which you have drawn. After you have primed your areas, your pencil line should still be visible. This will allow you to work in a more efficient and effective way and eliminate mistakes. The heavier your sketch line is, the more you will have to paint over it so it is not visible.
You can make a huge variety of colors with acrylic paint. Using a color wheel will allow you to make most colors imaginable. The wonderful versatility of acrylic paints allow you to work and find exactly the color you are searching for. This will allow you to have improved paintings and get the look you want.
There are multiple techniques to use when using acrylic paints. Watercolor effects, blending opaque colors, using a squeegee and the sgraffito technique are all get ways to build your masterpiece. Our LQ Primary 6 Acrylic Paint Set is a great set that will cover all of your needs. Right now you can obtain this acrylic paint set at a fantastic sale price. You will receive 6 amazing colors and can mix them to make countless more. You can find this set, and much more, at Madisonartshop.com today to get started.
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Operational Limits Proposed for Large Aircraft
Transport aircraft manufacturers, including business jet OEMs, will be required to develop operational limitations for all future Part 25 designs, under a far-ranging notice of proposed rulemaking intended to eliminate "widespread fatigue damage" (WFD) as aircraft age. For existing type certificates, this proposal would affect the heaviest Bombardier and Gulfstream business jets, as well as all other transport airplanes with mtows of more than 75,000 pounds. However, only Part 121 U.S. and Part 129 foreign carriers would be required to incorporate maintenance and inspections to prevent WFD. Aircraft would be prohibited from operating beyond their established limit. However, the rule would provide a means for operators to extend the limit, after which the aircraft could no longer be operated in the U.S. The proposal is primarily aimed at aging airliners, including the Boeing 737, DC-9 and BAC 1-11. Comments on the proposal are due July 17.
Please Register
In order to leave comments you will now need to be a registered user. This change in policy is to protect our site from an increased number of spam comments. Additionally, in the near future you will be able to better manage your AIN subscriptions via this registration system. If you already have an account, click here to log in. Otherwise, click here to register.


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Copper & Blue's pre-draft write-up of Marek Tvrdon
Derek Zona over at the Oilers blog Copper & Blue wrote a series about guys that he wanted to see the Oilers target in this draft. One of the writeups was about Red Wings' fourt-rounder Marek Tvrdon. Head over to give it a read.


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Citibus will see nearly $4 million in federal stimulus money. Some of that money will put hybrid buses into the city's fleet.
Lubbock City Council approved the contract for the purchase Monday. It's the first big step in a "green direction" for Citibus.
Riders NewsChannel 11 spoke with are excited about the new hybrid buses, but say money for new shelters is what they really wanted. Rain, snow, sleet, high winds with dust bowls are all elements everyday Citibus rider William Higgins says he has to battle. "It gets cold and wet when you're standing out there," he adds.
Word of the new bus shelters was good news to Higgins. "I think it'd benefit everyone," he says.
Ten new shelters will go up around Lubbock in the next two months. Two of the proposed locations include 3rd and University and 82nd and Slide with a total price tag of nearly $70,000.
By December Higgins may be riding on a new hybrid electric diesel powered bus. "Main purpose is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We feel like we'll save the city money in the long run," says Citibus General Manager John Wilson.
Six new buses will replace ten 13-year-old vehicles and three of the six will be paid for by stimulus money and the remaining are paid for by a federal grant. Each bus has a price tag of $548,000.
"In the long run, they'll help the air quality. Lubbock's in a unique position because we meet all federal air pollution standards unlike most of the state of Texas," says Mayor Tom Martin.
Wilson says you'll know when the hybrids hit the streets, "you'll be able to tell right away," he says. The battery pack will be very noticeable - on top of the bus. He says that the new buses will be five feet shorter and the front of the bus will look different. He says one of the most noticeable differences will be the noise - about 30 percent quieter.
Citibus hopes to purchase 30 more hybrids over the next six years.
Proposed new shelter locations.
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When the Johnson kids heard about the tornado in Oklahoma they felt bad for all the families there.
"It made me a little sad for all the people that died and the people that don't have their houses anymore," said Estelle Johnson, eight years old.
The kids decided they wanted to help in any way they could.
"It's just something that comes to mind," said Tucker Johnson, eleven years old. "You just want to help other people because it makes you feel better."
The kids decided that the town will need all new school supplies. Now the family is working to collect supplies at Waverly-Shell Rock schools and at others across the state.
"It sort of spread like wildfire which is awesome," said Nikki Harken, of Shell Rock.
Nikki Harken posted about the kids' idea on her Facebook page. She's got friends helping collect in different towns.
"One of the benefits of living in Iowa is that we do take care of our neighbors and we're so good about helping others," said Harken. "Whether they are sick and we take them food or whether they break their leg and we mow the lawn. Whatever it happens to be we have that giving spirit of generosity."
The family plans to collect supplies through mid-June.
"I just feel really good about helping people," said Estelle.
Then they'll pack up a car and drive all the supplies they've received to Oklahoma.
If you want to help, you can email Nikki Harken at email@example.com


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A Palmer Township man has filed suit over an injury to his eye when he walked into a plank sticking from a parked pickup truck.
Eugene Daily, 3600 Bridle Path Road, is suing George McEntire, 677 Pearl St., Easton, the owner of the truck. The action was filed in Northampton County Court.


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Peer Consulting - Who are the peer consultants?
Peer Consultants who are available to assist you are listed below. The bullets relate to specific areas each Peer Consultant can help with. If you need additional information please do not hesitate to contact the Center at 581-3472.
François Amar, Chemistry
- Large class instruction
- Active learning and technology
- Interdisciplinary teaching
- Writing across the curriculum
- Peer-group team learning
- Working with undergraduates on research & teaching
Mark W. Anderson, Resource Economics and Policy, Coordinator, B.S. Program in Ecology and Environmental Sciences
- Team-based learning
- General education outcomes assessment
- Student values change in classroom
- Rubrics for evaluating student work
Sandy Caron, Family Relations, Education and Human Development
- Teaching large classes
- Interactive exercises
- Development of a syllabus
- On-line courses
- Clickers
Mac Gray, Civil Engineering Technology; Civil Engineering
- Learning objectives
- Cooperative learning
- Web C/T
Mazie Hough, Women's Studies and History
- Classroom climate
- Interdisciplinary teaching
- Discussion based learning
- Small group discussion
- Gender issues in the classroom
John Hwalek, Chemical Engineering
- Group projects and team assessment
- Active learning
- Teaching first-year students
- Mid-term assessment
Irving Kornfield, Marine Sciences; Biological Sciences
- Engaging students in large science lectures
- Altering presentations to adjust to student needs
- University Teaching Council
Judy Kuhns-Hastings, Nursing
- Lecture organization for classes up to 80 students
- Course organization
- Setting and maintaining expectations for student learning (course milieu)
- Laboratory teaching for student experiential learning
Kristin Langellier, Communication & Journalism
- Active learning
- Classroom communication
- "Climate" issues – Gender and other social markers and how they include/exclude people & how the classroom climate distributes talk and silence
- Speaking across the curriculum
- Uses of storytelling
Christa Schwintzer, Biological Sciences
- Large classes (more than 100 students)
- Constructing a syllabus
- Constructing exams
- Team teaching


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Marlowe's Premium Coffee has been providing the region with fine products and dependable service since 1973. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, Marlowe's services northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. We at Marlowe's also take care of many out-of-state customers that enjoy receiving our products via parcel service.
We offer our customers the finest quality products from different roasters throughout North America. Marlowe's Coffee not only has exclusive in-house blends but also the best coffee from roasters ranging from O'Neill Coffee Company based in West Middlesex, PA to one of the nation's premier roasters, S&D Coffee based in Concord, North Carolina.
Sales Policies
Since Marlowe's Coffee deals in foods and perishables any food or perishable item may not be returned unless an item is mis-shipped. In that case the item will be exchanged for the correct item. All other items may be returned unless they are special order items.
Thank you.


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|Platform Xbox, Win, Mac, iOS
|Publisher LucasArts
|Developer BioWare
|Release Date 2003-07-15
Latest Forum Activity View all posts
No forum activity yet. Start a discussion about Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Latest Stories
Deals26 Comments
Star Wars games discounted 66 percent on Steam through the weekend
By Dave Tach on May 01, 2014 05.01.14
The droids you're looking for might be on Steam, where 16 Star Wars games are now discounted just ahead of May 4, Star Wars Day. Games available include the 14-game Star Wars Collection bundle for $33.99 as well as: Pinball FX2 - Star Wars Pack for $3.39 (regularly $9.99) Star Wars: Battlefront 2 for $3.39 (regularly $9.99) Star Wars: Dark Forces for $1.69 (regularly $4.99) Star Wars: Empire at War for $6.79 (regularly $19.99) Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Ultimate Sith Edition for $6.79 (regularly $19.99) Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 for $6.79 (regularly $19.99) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for $3.39 (regularly $9.99) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 for $3.39 (regularly $9.99) Star Wars: Republic Commando for $3.39 (regularly $9.99) Star...
News16 Comments
Star Wars: The Old Republic receives ridable Tauntauns and a new story arc
By Jenna Pitcher on Aug 06, 2013 08.06.13
BioWare's role-playing game Star Wars: The Old Republic update 2.3 Titans of Industry is now live, introducing Tauntauns as the game's first animal mounts, as well as featuring a new story arc, allowing gamers to delve into the shadowy secrets of Czerka Corporation's CZ-198 Labs. Involving two new level 55 Flashpoints — Czerka Corporate Labs and Cezerka Core Meltdown — the story arc centres on the fictional company Czerka Corporation, headed by special executive Rasmus Blys. Based on the private moon of CZ-198, the nefarious organization focuses on weapons design, droid manufacturing and biological research. Through exploration of the labs, players will fight the corporation's experiments, uncover secrets and recover new weapon types. Ridable Tauntaun mounts can now be bought...
News19 Comments
BioWare celebrates Knights of the Old Republic's tenth anniversary
By Colin Campbell on Jul 15, 2013 07.15.13
It's ten years today since BioWare launched Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the company is celebrating by looking back at some happy memories. KotOR was released by publisher LucasArts on July 15, 2003 for the original Xbox, and immediately secured its place as one of the all-time great role-playing games. It scored golden reviews across the board and won multiple awards including the Game Developers Choice Award. Earlier this year, the game was released for iOS. On its blog today, BioWare assembled some of the game's old hands to look back at their time on KotOR. "I was actually working as a texture artist on Neverwinter Nights when I heard the news that we had secured the rights to do a Star Wars RPG game," recalled art director Derek Watts. "Casey [Hudson, game...
News21 Comments
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is coming to iPad (update: available now)
By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 30, 2013 05.30.13
BioWare's role-playing game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is getting an iPad port, according to a review for the version on IGN. The game has been developed by dedicated Mac OS port developer Aspyr, and adapts the game's controls for touchscreen, according to IGN. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic launched in 2003 for Xbox and Windows PC. The title was ported to Mac the following year and was released through Steam in 2011. A sequel, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 — The Sith Lords, was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and launched in late 2004 for Xbox and early 2005 for Windows PC. The Sith Lords hit Steam last summer. Update: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is now available for $9.99 through the iTunes App Store. According to a listing on Aspyr's...
'Fallout: New Vegas' developer teases new game
By Emily Gera on Sep 11, 2012 09.11.12
Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and Fallout: New Vegas, is teasing a new untitled game on the front page of its official website. The developer's website is now replaced by an image of an ouroboros surrounding the number four. Clicking on the icon takes users to a speculation forum for what is being called Project X. "What do the words mean?" reads the site. "Nothing. The Dirge of Eír Glanfath is sound without form, a lone voice crying out in mourning because it must." Additional text is available within the page source: "X . X X . X X To tenderness, fellowship. To fellowship, vigilance. So bring we all to the Night Market. I am the Spindle of Esenath. Know me by my light and stand with me in darkness." It is so far believed the title...
GDC Online Awards nominees revealed
By Dave Tach on Jul 26, 2012 07.26.12
The nominees for the third annual Game Developers Choice Online Awards were announced today. Nominees in 12 categories ranging from Best Online Game Design to Best Community Relations were selected and voted on by the development community. Members of the public will be able to vote soon in the Audience Award category at the GDC Online Awards website. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, BioWare's MMORPG, lead the way with six nominations. Several other games, including Glitch, Realm of the Mad God, DragonVale, Tera, Indiana Jones Adventure World, Empires and Allies, CastleVille, The Sims Social, Draw Something, League of Legends, World of WarCraft, and Diablo 3 earned two nominations each. Awards will be given at the GDC Online Awards ceremony, which will take place October 10th...
'Knights of the Old Republic II' modders restore cut content
By Alexa Ray Corriea on Jul 26, 2012 07.26.12
Modders working with 2004's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords have restored content cut from the final version of the game, releasing the final version of the mod yesterday, PC Gamer reports. "The Sith Lords Restored Content Mod" has been in development since 2009 and restores deleted plot elements and dialogue, as well as fixes over 500 bugs present in the game's final version. The mod team also provided voice acting for the restored dialogue where it was absent. "I think TSLRCM makes it pretty close to Obsidian's vision," project co-lead Zbigniew Staniewicz told PC Gamer. The group is working on another mod for Sith Lords, which will add to the game planet M4-78, the Droids' Planet, from unused models left in the game files. Since the planet was not part of...


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PEORIA,Ill--Theaters around the country are on alert after the mass shootings at a Movie theater in Aurora Colorado early Friday morning during a special showing of Batman: Dark Knight Rises.
Here in Central Illinois general managers say the show must go on.
"Hello, no we're still gonna show the movie," said Landmark Cinema Manager Zach Washburn to a caller on the phone after word spread of the shooting massacre in Aurora, Colorado.
"The individual that did this clearly was sick in the head. But I been telling people things in Peoria are not that bad," he said.
Unlike Landmark Willow Knolls 14 General manager Chris Dungan says he has not received calls from the public about the shootings. Dungan says he's reviewing Homeland Security guidelines but does not plan to add more security.
"Obviously we're anticipating it being the biggest movie of the summer, we're gonna have enough staff to handle that. So we're staffed up probably more now for this weekend than we've been for any other weekend," he said.
Washburn says due to the tragedy in Colorado they're asking Landmark customers not to wear masks or costumes this opening weekend.
He says some employees however still plan to wear character costumes from the Batman Movie "Dark Knight Rises" which is expected to attract huge crowds over the next few days.
"I was like not even sure if I should go see the movie or not cause it can happen anywhere especially at that time of night. So I had to think about it," said Justin Bryant of Peoria.
"I think it's just an isolated incident and I don't think it could happen here cause it sound like it's just a one guy kind of thing," said Chennele Butts who had come to see the movie at Landmark Cinemas.
"I can understand being upset about something but to go all out like that, that's just uncalled for. He had to be off his meds or something," said Steven Beer.
While motives are still unclear for the movie massacre the general managers say theaters are still safe but stress that unfortunately any public place can become a target for disaster.


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Ask others: ACM DL/Guide - - CSB - MetaPress - Google - Bing - Yahoo
|Ela Yildizer, Ali Metin Balci, Tamer N. Jarada, Reda Alhajj: Integrating wavelets with clustering and indexing for effective content-based image retrieval. Knowl.-Based Syst. 31: 55-66 (2012)
|Wadhah Almansoori, Omar Zarour, Tamer N. Jarada, Panagiotis Karampelas, Jon G. Rokne, Reda Alhajj: Applications of Social Network Construction and Analysis in the Medical Referral Process. DASC 2011: 816-823
|Osama Alhawsawi, Mayad Al-Saidi, Michael Phi, Tamer N. Jarada, Mohammad Khabbaz, Negar Koochakzadeh, Keivan Kianmehr, Reda Alhajj, Jon G. Rokne: From Fuzzy Association Rule Mining to Effective Classification Framework. IDEAL 2011: 413-420
|Wadhah Almansoori, Shang Gao, Tamer N. Jarada, Reda Alhajj, Jon G. Rokne: Link prediction and classification in social networks and its application in healthcare. IRI 2011: 422-428
|Alan Chia-Lung Chen, Kostas F. Xylogiannopoulos, Tamer N. Jarada, Omar Zarour, Panagiotis Karampelas, Jon G. Rokne, Reda Alhajj: Simple and effective behavior tracking by post processing of association rules into segments. iiWAS 2011: 296-300
|Alan Chia-Lung Chen, Shang Gao, Tamer N. Jarada, Ming Zhang, Christos Pavlatos, Panagiotis Karampelas, Reda Alhajj: Effectiveness of Heuristic Based Approach on the Performance of Indexing and Clustering of High Dimensional Data. JIKM 10(3): 261-271 (2011)
|Kaziim Sarikaya, Duygu Sarikaya, Tamer N. Jarada, Shang Gao, Tansel Özyer, Reda Alhajj: A novel client-based approach for signing and checking web forms by using XML against DoS attacks. iiWAS 2010: 202-209
|Tamer N. Jarada, Kelvin Chung, Armen Shimoon, Panagiotis Karampelas, Reda Alhajj, Jon G. Rokne: Mapping rules for converting from ODL to XML schemas. iiWAS 2010: 307-316
Selection of 8 from 296 records - Reda Alhajj has 201 coauthorsLast update 2012-09-10 CET by the DBLP Team — Content released under the ODC-BY 1.0 license — See also our legal information page


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FOX 2 viewer Josh Linx sent us a video this morning with a simple message: "something to make you smile today." And that it did.Take a look at Josh's son Zack laughing at the window blinds inside his Royal Oak home.
KDFW FOX 4400 N. Griffin StreetDallas, Texas 75202
Main Station Directory:(214) 720-4444News Fax:(214) 720-3263 or (214) 720-3333


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A mother and her child were burned in a South Memphis house fire Friday morning.
Fire crews received the call that a
house was on fire on the 800 block of Cavalier Drive around 3 a.m. A mother and her two sons were inside the
home at the time.
A 7-year-old boy was taken to LeBonheur Children's Hospital with second degree burns on his hand. His mother was taken to The MED to be treated for smoke inhalation.
"They were minor injuries from
what we understand but as soon as we can, we're going to get to the hospital to
see about it," said Marvin Hill, who owns the home.
Hill owns the house. He says Misty Smalls, a single mother, rents it with her two sons.
Lieutenant Wayne Cooke with the
Memphis Fire Department says the house has no working utilities and a candle
was found in one of the back bedrooms.
Hill says he is just glad things were
not worse. "Could have been much,
much worse. Her 7-year-old son had minor burns, she had minor burns. Other than
that, it's alright," said Hill.
Investigators believe the fire may have started near the front of the house. Right now, they say it was an accident and it is not clear whether any charges will be filed.
WHBQ-TV | Fox 13
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Routes Sorted
L to R R to L Alpha
Venusian Blind is another of the great, adventurous arete climbs on Temple Crag. Depending on your climbing tastes and personal experience on the route, this may be a dream climb or a nervous adventure bordering on epic. For my wife and I, it was a little of both as a 3 foot square block she was standing on ripped off the wall while leading the first roped pitch, nearly bringing a quick demise to both of us.
Venusian Blind climbs the arete left of Moon Goddess Arete, sharing the same start.
Standard alpine rack of stoppers and cams up to 2" and many slings.


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Subscribe to Bossip on YouTube!
#DontShoot Report
- #ArrestDarrenWilson New Audio Allegedly Captures Moment Mike Brown Was Shot [LISTEN]
- Family, Mourners And Celebrities Gather For Mike Brown's Funeral In Ferguson [VIDEO]
- #JusticeForMikeBrown: Missouri Governor Refuses To Replace Prosecutor Leading Shooting Investigation Despite Strong Ties To Ferguson PD
- Ferguson PD Finally Files Mike Brown Incident Report, Refuses To Release Darren Wilson's Personal Account
- Mad Men Star John Hamm Speaks On #JusticeForMikeBrown – "They Have A Legit Reason To Protest"
- Autopsy Reveals Cops Lied About Handcuffed Suspect Committing Suicide
- New York Times Calls Michael Brown "No Angel" In Obit, Twitter Reacts [Photos]
- Alleged New Audio Of Michael Brown Shooting Released [LISTEN]
- Hillary Clinton Pretends Not To Hear Journalist's Question About Mike Brown [VIDEO]
- Actor Orlando Jones Takes Ice Bucket Challenge With Bullets, Attracts Racist Hate [Photos]
- But Ferguson, What About Black On Black Crime?
- Report: Man Accidentally Records Audio Of Michael Brown Shooting During Video Chat
- For Harriet Scott And The Women Of Ferguson
- Michael Brown's Father Ask For Protests To Cease During Funeral "Out Of Respect For Our Son"
- Darren Wilson Trained In Police Dept Wrought With Racial Tensions
- Remembering the Many Michael Browns: 5 Ways You Can Help End Injustice
- Look at Us: In Response to T.I.'s Open Letter on Ferguson
- Compton Gets Rifles: Do School Police Officers Really Need Military-grade Weapons?
- Trayvon's Mother Leads The Way, Michael Brown's Mom Keeps It Real
- Mother to Mother: Trayvon Martin's Mother Writes Open Letter to Michael Brown Family
- Pierre Garcon — Peyton Manning's My Pizza Mentor!!!
- Robin Williams — Turned Down HUGE Vegas Offer
- 'Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta' — Allegations Crack Cocaine Triggered Violent Brawl
- 'The Butler' — Priceless Script Signed by Oprah STOLEN
- Suge Knight's College Football Coach Wayne Nunnely — He Wasn't 'Gangsta' At UNLV
- Naomi Wildman in 'Star Trek: Voyager': 'Memba Her?!


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The ink can be applied to some sort of wearable thing that adheres to the skin, reports Unwired.
But wait, it gets weirder. Nokia envisions the day when people wouldn't want to bother with detachable skin-based ring tones. They may want to permanently tattoo them to their bodies.
The patent covers that too.


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With its inherent good looks and charm, tea is a natural star on the silver screen. Here are a few of the documentary films about tea that have chronicled the histories, cultures and techniques behind it.
âAll in This Teaâ
Perhaps the most famous tea documentary made to date, âAll in This Teaâ follows American tea aficionado (and early industry leader in the U.S. specialty tea movement) David Lee Hoffman as he travels through China in search of the best teas he can find. Always informative and occasionally funny, this Les Blank documentary also features interviews with tea notables such as James Norwood Pratt (author of âThe Tea Loverâs Treasuryâ) and Winnie Yu (owner/importer at Teance in Berkeley, CA).
âThe Lord of Darjeelingâ
This beautifully shot, Cannes-screened DVD comes with the book âThe Rajah of Organic Darjeeling Tea: Makaibari,â which you can read more about in this list of tea books. It focuses on the daily life and work of Rajah Banerjee, the owner of Darjeelingâs famed Makaibari Estate and the so-called âLord of Darjeeling.â
âThe Meaning of Teaâ
This wide-reaching documentary spans continents and centuries in its exploration of the (possibly dwindling) meaning of the tea in high-tech, fast-paced cultures that are increasingly prone to buying mass-market foods and drinks. I only wish it had been made a few years later so it could have covered the current trend toward tea consumption in American tech sectors!
âThe Renaissance of Teaâ
This in-depth and authoritative DVD from Teance was shot in China, Taiwan and the U.S. It covers Chinese and Taiwanese tea processing techniques to an unprecendented level and includes interviews with tea authorities, such as James Norwood Pratt and Winnie Yu of Teance. Unlike other tea DVDs, it includes abundant information on tea preparation methods and techniques.
âRobert Fortune: The Tea Thiefâ
This Australian documentary chronicles the British-led espionage of Chinaâs tea industry by Scottish botanist/adventurer Robert Fortune. Confusing? Donât worry⦠unlike âMagnolia,â âIt will all make sense in the end.â
âTea: A Mirror of Soulâ and âTea: Broken Silenceâ
These films are two sides of the same coin: a tragic, stunning, tea-inspired opera and the making of it. The opera itself uses unconventional approaches to convey the singularity and depth of tea as a beverage, while the documentary explores the creation of it through interviews and opera footage. The operaâs composer, Tan Dun, is best known for composing the score for âCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.â


text: Look at this hottie getting ready to get her tight ass fucked, she looks so sweet and innocent but we know better, she and her man are into all the freaky shit and they are going to show us in this hot amateur anal. They rip each others clothes off and after a nice blowjob he gave her big long pussy lips a lick and then jammed his cock deep inside her soaking wet snatch. Look at how wet this chick gets, she makes enough lube that he won't need any extra to fuck her ass with and after working it with his finger she gets on all fours and shoves his rod into her tight hole. Watch him fuck her poop scoop till she is screaming and begging to cum and she plays with her clit while he is in her ass till her pussy just erupts.


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There may not be a 'one size fits all' HTPC, but there are some HTPC features that are universally (well, almost universally) desired. For one, it's our opinion that an HTPC should be as quiet as possible. It should also be capable of any multimedia related task, it should be easy to install and use and it should look like it belongs in its environment. Even with those guidelines in mind, an HTPC can be many things. But we think one OEM, namely ASRock, has struck a great balance between performance, form factor, and features with one of their HTPC lines and have come up with a solution that will likely please a wide swathe of potential HTPC consumers. The ASRock Vision 3D HTPC, with NVIDIA 3DTV Play technology, is an attractive home theater PC on many levels. We show you why and how in the video posted here and will step through many of its features and performance on the pages ahead... ASRock Vision 3D 137B HTPC with NVIDIA 3DTV Play
Sony Sucks!!! LOL!!
Where's 3vil..wait till he sees the video...hahahaha.
firstname.lastname@example.com + Asus Sabertooth X58+ CM692 Advanced+ 6GB A-Data Gaming DDR3@1600
ATI Radeon 6870+ 1TB Hitachi HD+ 750w Modular PSU + Asetek Liquid Cooler + DigitalStorm PC
Thanks To HotHardware.Com
That's nice SONY killed the video for copyright...
Thanks for the review it looks like a really nice machine that can really handle just about anything. Bye bye cable hello internet TV.
Oh snap! They should put more effort into their ps3 network instead of blocking hardware videos on youtube. Did you guys bad mouth sony in the video or something? Great review though, looks like a killer little machine; a bit on the pricey side though.
Now you're just mashing it!
Wow, ain't that some s--t! :)
Marco ChiappettaManaging Editor @ HotHardware.com
Follow Marco on Twitter
Well, we have the Viddler version in there now. Works like a charm. ;-)
Editor In Chiefhttp://hothardware.com
Nice review Marco. This looks like a really good solution for someone's living room. While I can agree that is is a little pricey, if you pay it, you get something with full capabilities right out of the box. No messing around is sometimes worth the extra cash.
Dogs are great judges of character, and if your dog doesn't like somebody being around, you shouldn't trust them.
After looking at just the specs I want one. This is what I wish my Intel based Mac mini was. 67 watts isn't bad for a full system under load. If they were cheaper I'd consider building a folding farm out of them, of course when the fans spin up full tilt I bet it gets loud.
@Digitaldd - I've never heard the fan spin up in the weeks I've been using the thing.
Marco C:
@Digitaldd - I've never heard the fan spin up in the weeks I've been using the thing.
Good to know, @ $760 with 2x2GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 500GB, 7200 rpm hard drive, & a BD Combo Slot-in Optical Drive its looking really good to me.
Marco C - good review, thanks.
I am using an Asus EEbox right now and having problems with 1080p films (from file) so I am thinking of getting the Asrock 3D. Would you recommend shelling out the extra cash for the 156b (with Intel Core i-5 processor)?
This site is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The contents are the views and opinion of the author and/or hisassociates. All products and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All content and graphical elements areCopyright © 1999 - 2014 David Altavilla and HotHardware.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy and Terms


text:
The president of Berklee College of Music wants a Boston version of South By Southwest, the sprawling music festival that draws thousands of people to Austin, Texas. A Boston University film professor wishes City Hall would answer phone calls from students applying for shooting permits. The Museum of Fine Arts director just wants to meet for coffee. He's fine with Dunkin Donuts.
Martin J. Walsh won't take office as Boston's mayor until Jan. 6, but cultural leaders are eager to get started on a vision he outlined during the campaign, one in which "artists will have a true partner and advocate in City Hall."


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Floating Point Waves
In Floating Point Waves an installation of strings, water, dance, video, and live electronic music converge in a stunning, seamless landscape. Leimay immerses the audience in a mesmerizing space where the human body and basic elements fuse. Every motion of the dance is reflected in the surface of water. The waves alter and shape the light and projected image, evoking the interconnected nature of our world. The dance emerges as an interplay between the body and water; heightening the perception of water inside our body. Projected video creates forms of light that function as visual music. The multilayered sound composition of real-time environmental sounds, live guitar and electronics creates an ethereal atmosphere in which all the performance elements coexist. The world transforms until our only standing point is instability and we are but an interconnected floating point.
Floating Point Waves has been in development for two years through the HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP) and it will premiere in the fall of 2011.
Show duration
55 minutes
Concept and Design
Ximena Garnica and Shige Moriya
Dance and Choreography
Ximena Garnica in collaboration with the dancers
Live Video Projections and Video Light
Shige Moriya
Additional Lighting
Solomon Weisbard and Ayumu "Poe" Saegusa
Composition and live music
Jeremy D. Slater
Developmental credit
"Floating Point Waves" was developed through the HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP) with additional support from CAVE Organization and the New Hazlett Theater residency.
World Premiere
HERE Art Center, New York November 2011


text:
Copywriting Jobs:
New Opportunities
for Copywriters and Designers
- Full-time Catalog Copywriter
Colony Brands, Inc. is currently looking for a super-flexible, up-and-coming catalog, web and advertising Copywriter I who has what it takes to work in our Creative Marketing Solutions Department in Monroe, Wisconsin. This position will mainly be responsible for researching, writing and editing copy primarily for the Montgomery Wards and Seventh Avenue brands. Apply now!
- Industrial Copywriter
From Uline, North America's leading distributor of shipping, packaging and industrial supplies: We're a family-owned company known for our incredible customer service and quality products. Our people make the difference. We're looking for the best and brightest to help us grow – in customer service, distribution, sales, marketing, IT and other vital areas. Do you have the passion and drive to be on a winning team? Consider a career at Uline. Apply today!
- Part-time Copywriter
Chanel, Inc., a leader in the luxury goods industry, seeks a Copywriter (temporary) who will write and edit copy to support brand initiatives in all divisions, create effective advertising and marketing materials, and voice a clear brand identity. The Copywriter will partner with internal clients to ensure copy is compelling, accurate, on brand, trend-right and in compliance with legal standards. Apply now!
*** Business Opportunity of the Week ***
Register for Bootcamp 2014 for only $449!
If you're serious about taking your copywriting success to the next level, AWAI's FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and Job Fair is the one event you need to attend to give your copywriting career the kick-start you've been looking for.
You don't want to miss this opportunity to learn from and network with industry-leading copywriters and marketers.
More Job Opportunities …
- Marketing and Business Development Manager
The Marketing & Business Development Manager is responsible for promoting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) brand. Through targeted digital and print marketing initiatives, constituent-specific engagement campaigns and corporate branding and sponsorship opportunities, the Marketing & Business Development Manager will increase the visibility of the TPWF brand in order to drive philanthropic support. This position reports to the Associate Director. Apply here!
- Full-time Internet Copywriter
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Apply today!
- Junior Copywriter
Pavone, a Central Pennsylvania advertising agency focused on food and beverage, other consumer package goods, financial services and healthcare, is looking for a copywriting professional who has agency experience working with brands of all shapes and sizes. Apply here!
Your Next Paid Assignment Is Just a Few Clicks Away
DirectResponseJobs.com is the fastest and easiest way to hook up with the top direct-response marketers looking to hire AWAI-trained Copywriters and Graphic Designers for their next assignment. Browse or search the listings for your next exciting and challenging job …


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News: Kelis Still Bossy After Nas Split, "I Can Still Say I Don't Regret It"
Thursday, May 26, 2011 10:51AM
R&B singer Kelis recently opened up about her separation from ex-husband/rapper Nas and said despite the media hype, she still holds no regrets.
Despite sharing a child with Nas, Kelis said she does not look back at how things turned out.
"I'm not a big regret person. I've been divorced, and I can still say I don't regret it," she said in an interview. "I'm a big believer that if a bad situation happens, it is a lesson that needs to be learned, just once. My mom told us that when we hit our thirties we'd feel our most beautiful and sexy and smart, and I really do feel like that." (Showbiz Spy)
In summer 2009, Nas was ordered to pay Kelis over $40,000 a month in support.
A day after welcoming a baby boy, the "Milkshake" singer, 29, was awarded nearly $44,000 in monthly support from her ex Nas at a hearing Thursday. He initially asked a court to deny Kelis any spousal support and then proposed paying Kelis a one-time payment of $20,000 until the judge could settle on an appropriate spousal and child support amount at a later hearing. But on Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Louis Meisinger rejected the offer, stating that new mom Kelis needed more money per month to accommodate her new lifestyle. (Us Magazine)
Last July, Nas spoke on his separation from Kelis.
"Nope, nope, nope," Nas told Tim Westwood when asked if he wanted to comment on his personal life. "I never, you know, I never was that kind of dude, you know what I mean? It took me by surprise that today's game, though, no matter who you are, you can wind up out there. Your business be out there. That's just the way it is. I don't know what to do about that. You can't control it, it is what it is. I wish everybody the best, I wish the best for everybody. I ain't tripping, life is life. I love life. You live and learn. You just keep growing. Yeah. It's tough bruh, but yo, I dive in. I goes in. I still think marriage is a beautiful thing, it's a beautiful thing, you just gotta be strong to weather the ups and downs. I think it's a good thing to marry -- I had great hopes. I thought we were going to go through it big, but two people are not, we gotta become one mind in a way. Two people think about life different, they see things different and then you just grow in different directions but I had a great time. Shout-out to my son Knight, he'll be one tomorrow." ("Tim Westwood TV")
Earlier this year, Nas won a legal victory allowing his child support payments to become reduced.
Nas just had his child and spousal support obligations sliced in half, but he still has to pay ex-wife Kelis a pretty penny ... TMZ has learned. According to legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Nas must now pay a tad over $5,000 a month in childsupport and $20,000 a month in spousal support. It sounds like a lot, but Nas was paying twice that until he convinced the judge the bad economy has even hit the rap biz hard. So this month, Nas pockets an extra $25k for himself. (TMZ)
Check out Kelis speaking on Nas down below:


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Number of ratings 6 / Average Grade: N/A Submit a correction
Awesome class, if you enjoy learning about race issues. Memorize study guides and look over notes for test. In class assignments help boost grade. Easy A if you go to class make sure to pay attention and do well on tests.
class was extremely easy. you can easily get by without doing the readings. just make sure you pay attention during lectures and group discussions.
class is extremely easy. most of the times, you can get by without doing the readings. just make sure you pay attention during the lectures and group discussions.
Pretty cool class.
awesome class. lots of discussion. one of my favorite classes ever. average on the tests were Cs.
Total grade booster. Average on the first midterm was 95%; it was all logic. Unfortunately attendance in the 60 person class was mandatory but she learns everyone's names and really cares. She basically copies and pastes the text from the reading onto the powerpoints, and then just reads them. Just show up and do other homework during lectures.
More Sociology professors at University of Arizona


text: Cowboy Trap Series 1 - Episode 13 Share: About this programme 13/20. Clive Holland and his team visit Staffordshire, where they fix a back garden that has been left in a mess, and travel to Glasgow to put right a bathroom and loft. Cast and crew Cast Presenter Clive Holland Crew Executive Producer Steve Anderson Series Producer Gloria Wood Categories Education Share:


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By Jennifer Emert - bio | email ALBANY, GA (WALB) - The fight against hunger continued Tuesday in Lee County.
The Food Bank of Southwest Georgia parked their Manna Food Distribution truck loaded with 360 boxes of food at Leesburg United Methodist Church. Volunteers handed out 200 of those boxes in the first two hours.
This was the second time the Food bank took their truck to Lee County. Volunteers say they were surprised by the number of new people who signed up for assistance.
"We try and go to each county two or three times a year if we possibly can we're trying to get our distribution up in these impoverished counties and so we try and go two or three times a year," said Mark Harness, Food Bank of Southwest Georgia Salvage & Volunteer Coordinator.
The Smithville Neighborhood Freedom Center brought a busload of six to today's food distribution. Volunteers say community partners willing to get people to the distribution sites make the manna program work.
©2009 WALB News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Feedback
P.O. Box 3130
Albany, GA 31706
(229) 446-1010
FCC Public File
(229) 446-4005
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


text:
Cowboys Ranked 6th in drafting past 10 years!
According to the guys over at DRAFTMETRICS, the Dallas Cowboys have actually ranked 6th in the league in drafting proficiency over the past 10 years, despite a "perceived" rank of 29th. However, you'll notice that they evaluate the players taken - not how the team manages those players. That means that players who have gone on to perform for other teams still count for the 'Boys.


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The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge announces the appointment of Father Daniel P. Oschwald as Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral and the appointment of Msgr. Gerard M. Sherba, current Rector, to full-time responsibilities as Judicial Vicar, Chancellor and Bishop's Delegate to Religious. Both assignments are effective June 30.
In a letter to parishioners of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bishop Burbidge expressed his gratitude to Msgr. Sherba for his nine years of pastoral and spiritual leadership as Rector. He noted the parish has nearly doubled in size, which he points out is a "great testament to Msgr. Sherba, the priests who assisted him and the dedicated members of the Cathedral pastoral staff."
In addition to serving as Rector, Msgr. Sherba holds two other important positions, Chancellor of the Diocese and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese. He was recently appointed to serve as liaison to the Council of Religious in the Diocese. "There comes a time when one a person comes to realize that he can only do so much," Msgr. Sherba said, "and that time has come. I thank Bishop Burbidge for being the wonderful Shepherd that he is: a shepherd concerned about his flock – and especially about me."
Msgr. Sherba said he is grateful that he will be able to continue to use his gifts and talents, especially his work in Canon Law, to be of more service to the Diocese of Raleigh.
In being appointed Cathedral Rector, Father Oschwald is leaving his position as Pastor of St. Mark's Church in Wilmington, a position he has held since last July. In a letter to the parishioners of St. Mark announcing the appointment, Bishop Burbidge said he realizes the "great sacrifice Father Oschwald is making in accepting this appointment and in leaving the parish he loves so much."
Bishop Burbidge expressed his gratitude to St. Mark's parishioners for their cooperation and prayerful support at this time of transition. "As I seek recommendations from the Priest Personnel Committee regarding your next Pastor, I ask for your prayers," the Bishop said in his letter. "I am committed to sending you a priest who will have the necessary pastoral and administrative experience, the enthusiasm and commitment to serve as your Pastor." The forthcoming appointment will be effective June 30, 2009.
"It is with mixed emotions that I received this news," Father Oschwald said, "for I have found great welcome and a wonderful home here at St. Mark. I am humbled by our Bishop's decision on this assignment and I look forward with the same trust and hope I came to St. Mark with in serving the people of the Cathedral Parish as their Rector.
"I am also most grateful to Msgr. Sherba who has been so encouraging and supportive of this assignment. Please pray for St. Mark and the Cathedral Parish, our Bishop and the Priest Personnnel Committee, Msgr. Sherba and myself."


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Kelsey Megan Price and William Leonard Barker
Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Price of Roswell, Ga., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelsey Megan, to Mr. William Leonard Barker, son of Mrs. Linda Leonard Barker of Sutherland, Va., and Mr. Joseph DeKalb Barker, Jr. of Montgomery, Ala.
Miss Price is a 2012 graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in foreign affairs and psychology. While at Virginia, Kelsey was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, where she served as chair of the formal recruitment committee. She was production editor of the Cavalier Daily, the University campus newspaper. Kelsey is currently employed by Amber Road in McLean, Va., where she is a marketing coordinator.
Mr. Barker is a 2011 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was a foreign affairs major, a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, a member of the sailing club, and a transfer student peer advisor. Will is employed by Altria Group as a territory sales consultant.
Kelsey is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul Eugene Gibson of Front Royal, Va., and the late Mrs. Marilyn Diane Strub Price of Whispering Pines, N.C., and the late Mr. James Richard Price of Laguna Hills, Calif.
Will is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Maurice Leonard of Sutherland, Va., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeKalb Barker Sr. of Montgomery, Ala.
A summer wedding is planned.
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