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Canada Announces $1M Investment to Improve Mental Health in African Nations
January 27, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabToday we're sharing an official announcement about an investment in BasicNeeds, its founder Chris Underhill's new blog and his new interview from Davos:
Grand Challenges Canada funds innovative social franchising of BasicNeeds' Mental Health and Development Model
Toronto, Canada – Grand Challenges Canada today announced an investment in an innovative social franchise approach to scale up the treatment and support of mental illness in resource- poor countries. The approach has been developed by international mental health and development NGO BasicNeeds, to ensure their award-winning model for those living with mental illness reaches as many people in need as possible.
Today nearly 75% of the 450 million people worldwide with mental illness and epilepsy live in the developing world, and 85% of these people have no access to treatment. The size of the problem is huge, with depression alone projected to be the leading global burden of disease by 2030. This urgent and currently unmet need for better treatment and expanded access to care for those living with mental disorders in resource poor settings is what the 'BasicNeeds Model' seeks to address.
BasicNeeds' unique approach works with existing health and community systems, and staff to provide community based mental health treatment through outreach clinics, mental health camps and regular check-ups. However, treatment alone is not enough for sustained improvements to mental health, which is why the Model also increases an individual's access to emotional and practical support through self-help groups, improves their capacity to find meaningful occupation and employment, and ultimately works to changes health systems and policy for the better.
Through the implementation of its Model across 12 countries, BasicNeeds has presented strong evidence that its approach generates sustainable impact. It has enabled 86% of people with mental health problems in the communities they serve to access treatment (compared to 49% baseline), of which 73% reported reduced symptoms. The positive outcomes of reported reduced symptoms are underpinned by a reduction in mortality. Over the last 14 years, the lives of more than 600,000 beneficiaries have been improved. While this is a sizable number, it is only a drop in the ocean, when we consider the vast treatment gap.
The new investment announced today will enable organisations in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria to deliver the BasicNeeds Model for Mental Health and Development themselves, under a social franchise agreement, with ongoing training and assistance from BasicNeeds International. Empowering and supporting in-country organisations to take on the independent delivery of the BasicNeeds Model will expand its reach in a sustainable and cost effective manner, whilst ensuring that quality remains central to the delivery and BasicNeeds brand. Over 3 years the funding is projected to help 10,000 people.
Simultaneously, BasicNeeds Ghana will initiate scale-up through the direct implementation of the Model in new regions in Ghana. To support this process, researchers at the University of Ghana will be rigorously testing the Model's cost utility as compared to standard approaches to mental health treatment provided by the Ghana public health system. This will involve measuring costs against economic welfare, functional capacity and Quality Adjusted Life Years gained.
Grand Challenges Canada is investing $1 million CAD, bringing the total funding to $2 million CAD from investments made by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), the Skoll Foundation, Caritas Nyeri, the Ministry of Health in Osogbo Osun State, Nigeria, and the Kenyan and Ghanaian governments.
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this generous investment from Grand Challenges Canada to improve the lives of thousands of people suffering from mental illness in Africa. We are hugely grateful for this support. This investment in our social franchise programme will give us the opportunity to build the capacity of organisations in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria to effectively implement our holistic model and make a difference to many more lives," said Chris Underhill, Founder President of BasicNeeds.
In other BasicNeeds news, Underhill just wrote an article for Mental Health Innovation Network called "Breaking Through Depression: What is the best way to reach people suffering from depression in resource-poor settings?" Here's an excerpt:
"Despite the obvious size of the problem, to my surprise I have found that tackling depression is sometimes portrayed as a luxury in both richer and poorer nations, something to aspire to when basic standards of living, and basic levels of physical health, are met. The reality, however, is that without good mental health, all other areas of life unravel. Depression prevents people from studying or working and impairs their relationships with others. It can also damage physical health, as an individual's ability to look after themselves is reduced. In resource-poor settings, sufferers find their social standing is decimated as they become unable to contribute economically to their family, and their unusual behaviour makes them feared and rejected by their community."
Read the rest: http://mhinnovation.net/blog/2015/jan/22/breaking-through-depression-what-best-way-reach-people-suffering-depression#.VMctZVb68ds
"Social" Shines at Sundance
January 26, 2015 by philSnow-covered mountains, celebrities, and long lines in the streets of Park City can only mean one thing: the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
The Skoll-Sundance partnership is a natural one. The Skoll Foundation has a long history of storytelling about entrepreneurial solutions to some of the world's thorniest problems. Sundance has a long history of cultivating a cutting-edge community of filmmakers unafraid to tackle complicated issues. The Stories of Change program, a Skoll-Sundance collaboration, is often regarded as one of the Foundation's most successful initiatives.
As Skoll Foundation President and CEO Sally Osberg put it, "Sundance Institute, led by Robert Redford, is a leading voice for independent storytelling whose community of world-class storytellers share with Skoll a deep commitment to highlighting injustice and shining a light on solutions to the world's most pressing problems."
As Ken Brecher, former Executive Director of the Sundance Institute, liked to say, "It used to be that you went to Sundance to escape the world, now you go to Sundance to learn about the world."
This year's lineup covered a huge range of issues. The documentary segment alone addressed themes that included education (Most Likely To Succeed), sexual assault (The Hunting Ground), civil rights (The Black Panthers, 3 1/2 Minutes), environmental issues (How To Change The World, Racing Extinction), Middle East conflict (Censored Voices), and more.
Of particular note was Racing Extinction, directed by Louie Psihoyos (known for his previous work on The Cove), which gave us an alarming look at the overfishing of sharks and manta rays in Asia, climate change and ocean acidification, and how current trends compare to previous extinction cycles.
Another festival highlight was the latest from Participant Media, 3 1/2 Minutes, which tells the story of the 2012 murder of unarmed teenager Jordan Davis, in Jacksonville, Florida. Davis' parents spoke following the film screening and delivered a powerful message of racial unity that felt especially relevant in light of the events in Ferguson, Missouri.
Last but certainly not least was the Sundance-Skoll Stories of Change panel which brought together directors Jehane Noujaim (The Square), Orlando Bagwell (3 1/2 Minutes), Laura Poitras (Citizen Four), Jess Search of Britdoc, and Skoll Awardee Carne Ross of Independent Diplomat. The event was massively oversubscribed with lines down the block.
The panel followed recent news that Skoll is expanding our support of the Stories of Change program with a $2.5 million dollar grant, including $1 million that will be used to fund new content that shines a spotlight on solutions to urgent social issues. A video of the panel will be available shortly.
New to the program is the inclusion of support for non-documentary feature films, new media initiatives, and new forms of media. One of the big trends we saw at this year's Sundance Festival was the use of virtual reality technology through systems like Google's Cardboard and Oculus Rift. While most people associate the technology with gaming, it was impressive to see how developers are using the immersive experience to explore a wide range of social issues, like the conflict in Syria and sexual assault.
It was heartening and clear for all to see that the Sundance community remains committed to bringing awareness to social issues, in the belief that the power of a story well told can change lives and the world. Filmmakers often risk their lives and make huge sacrifices to bring these stories to life. Sandy Herz, Director of Strategic Alliances at the Skoll Foundation, summed it up well: "There's no better place to find courage than the Sundance community."
Inside Philanthropy: Skoll and Sundance Ramp Up Their Partnership to Tell "Stories of Change"
Joe Madiath's New TED Talk: "Better Toilets, Better Life"
January 26, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabJoe Madiath of Gram Vikas was one of the Skoll Awardees who spoke at TED Global last year, and his talk was just released online.
He talks about he problem of open defecation in India and how his organization is solving the problem. An excerpt from his talk:
"We have had clear evidence of the great impact of [our] program. Before we started, there were, as usual, more than 80 percent of people suffering from waterborne diseases. But after this, we have empirical evidence that 82 percent, on average, among all these villages—1,200 villages have completed it—waterborne diseases have come down 82 percent. (Applause) Women usually used to spend, especially in the summer months, about six to seven hours a day carrying water. And when they went to carry water, because, as I said earlier, it's only women who carry water, they used to take their little children, girl children, also to carry water, or else to be back at home to look after the siblings. So there were less than nine percent of girl children attending school, even if there was a school. And boys, about 30 percent. But girls, it has gone to about 90 percent and boys, almost to 100 percent. (Applause) The most vulnerable section in a village are the landless laborers who are the daily wage-earners. Because they have gone through this training to be masons and plumbers and bar benders, now their ability to earn has increased 300 to 400 percent."
Hear the entire 12-minute talk at http://www.ted.com/talks/joe_madiath_better_toilets_better_life
Stella Artois and Water.org Launch "Buy a Lady a Drink" to Help Stop Women's Journeys to Collect Water in the Developing World
January 22, 2015 by Water.org and Stella Artois
Limited-edition Chalices help support the cause: One Chalice provides five years of clean water to one person in the developing world
(NEW YORK, NY – January 22, 2015) – Today, with the support of Water.org and its co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White, Stella Artois launched its first global social impact campaign 'Buy a Lady a Drink' to drive awareness of the global water crisis and help provide solutions. Every day, women around the world spend a combined 200 million hours collecting clean water for their families. 'Buy a Lady a Drink' aims to help put a stop to these water-collecting journeys, so women can start new journeys of their own.
Stella Artois has made a donation of $1.2 million to Water.org and is now inviting consumers to join the cause by purchasing limited-edition Chalices. One Chalice will help Water.org provide five years of clean water to one person in the developing world. In the U.S., consumers can purchase one of the 20,000 exclusive Chalices for $12 at Amazon.com; all proceeds from sales of the Chalices will be donated to Water.org. Beyond purchasing a Chalice, consumers will also be able to learn more about the Stella Artois 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign, the partnership with Water.org and stories of women directly impacted by the global water crisis by visiting http://www.BuyALadyADrink.com.
"We're honored to be joining forces with this premier global brand that has stepped up to support Water.org and help us raise awareness of the water crisis," said Gary White, co-founder of Water.org.
"Awareness is as important as fundraising," said Water.org co-founder Matt Damon. "We want people to understand the issue in all its complexity."
New Forest Trends Report Finds Increasing Commitments to REDD+
January 21, 2015 by Skoll FoundationForest Trends has released its latest report, Tracking REDD+ Finance-2009-2012 – Finance Flows in Seven REDD+ Countries. This first-ever REDDX report for 2009-2012 tracked US$1.2 billion in REDD+ commitments and US$378 million in disbursements in seven tropical forest countries: Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, and Vietnam. The overall trend in REDD+ investments is a positive one, as donor countries have continued to make financial commitments in the seven REDDX pilot countries from 2009 through 2012.
Key findings include:
- Increasing commitments to REDD+: Between 2009 and the end of 2012, total REDD+ finance commitments increased steadily to US$1.2 billion.
- Large gap between commitments and disbursements for REDD+: In the seven pilot REDDX countries, large commitments by donors for REDD+ were often followed by long delays before initial disbursement of funds. Of the US$1.2 billion tracked by REDDX in seven countries, less than a third (US$378.3 million) had been disbursed by the end of 2012.
- Multilateral sources of funds are beginning to overshadow the bilateral donors and private foundations that had supplied early REDD+ finance: Approximately 78% of all REDD+ finance was committed by bilateral government donors, with the governments of Norway and Germany responsible for over 91% of these commitments.
- The role of domestic contributions by REDD+ countries increasingly recognized: The extent to which national governments are themselves supporting activities for REDD+ has not been comprehensively quantified, yet domestic financing is increasingly being recognized as an important piece of the REDD+ finance landscape.
- Low level of private sector financing: Our findings show that the private sector is still not making large-scale REDD+ investments. Data from the voluntary carbon market indicates that the private sector spent US $379 million in carbon offsets in 54 countries during 2013 while the seven REDDX countries only tracked around US $1.2 million. REDDX tracks funding and activities associated with national level REDD+ development. For private sector projects that are not linked with jurisdictional REDD+ programs, please refer to Ecosystem Marketplace state of the voluntary carbon market report 2014.
This report and other information can be found on the REDDX website at: http://reddx.forest-trends.org/, as well as http://anthropozine.com/uncategorized/reddx-keeping-track-of-forest-carbon-finance-in-2015/.
Landesa on Why Land Rights Should Be in Post-2015 Goals
January 16, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabAs UN member states begin their discussions on the post 2015 sustainable development framework on January 19th, Landesa and its partners want to continue efforts to ensure that land rights for women and men is explicitly included in the post 2015 development goals, targets, and indicators.
This video makes the case for why it is vital to retain secure land rights for women and men under three key goals: poverty, nutrition, and gender equality. Learn more: http://landpost2015.landesa.org
Renee D. Kaplan to Speak on Women in Philanthropy Panel
January 14, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabIf you're in Seattle, don't miss Women Leaders in Philanthropy on February 5 at the Harbor Club downtown.
Skoll Foundation Chief Strategy Officer Renee D. Kaplan will speak alongside Sandra Archibald, Dean and Professor, University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, and Rosario Pérez, President and CEO of Pro Mujer. The panel moderator is Melissa Merritt, Vice President, Waldron. The panel is sponsored by Global Washington, which supports the global development community in Washington state that is working to create a healthier and more equitable world, and Waldron.
"We will hear the candid stories and points of view of three successful women from different areas of the social sector," Merritt says. "They will describe their journeys to leadership. We will ask them about their biggest barriers or struggles, the importance (or not) of mentorship and from where that should come, generational differences in the desire to lead, whether the concept of "leaning-In" is a myth or real, how to achieve balance and the effect of all this on the state of women in leadership in the future of the sector."
Merritt formed the group "Women Leaders In Philanthropy" three years ago to provide a peer support group to women coming to Seattle to run organizations as the result of Waldron's searches. They meet quarterly in round-robin fashion for round table discussions and informal conversation. Some valuable connections and collaborations have come from these gatherings.
To register, visit http://globalwa.org/events-center/upcoming-global-washington-events/#post-24590
Sundance Institute Expands Support for Filmmakers Spotlighting Urgent Social Issues with a $2.5 Million Grant from the Skoll Foundation
January 13, 2015 by Sundance InstituteSundance Institute | Skoll Stories of Change Initiative Adds Feature Film and New Media Project Support
Panel during Sundance Film Festival with Laura Poitras, Jehane Noujaim, Orlando Bagwell, Carne Ross and Jess Search
Park City, UT — Sundance Institute, in collaboration with the Skoll Foundation, will broaden the scope of the Sundance Institute | Skoll Stories of Change initiative, which connects independent storytellers with renowned social entrepreneurs to support the creation of films that shine a spotlight on solutions to urgent social issues.
With an additional $2.5 million grant from the Skoll Foundation, the initiative will expand to include feature film and new media artists as well as documentary filmmakers.
Over the past seven years, Stories of Change has supported 66 social entrepreneurs, 50 documentary filmmakers and storytellers, 11 documentary films, 11 multi-platform media projects, and 20 convenings, workshops, and labs.
Highlights include the Academy Award-nominated film Open Heart, which spurred the government of Rwanda to make eradication of Rheumatic Heart Disease a priority for their country, and the documentary Rafea, broadcast around the world as part of the Why Poverty initiative.
Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, "Through the generous support of Jeff Skoll and the Skoll Foundation, we look forward to supporting brave documentary, narrative, and new media artists working to improve the world around them through storytelling. The evolution of this collaboration will build on the greatest strengths of the existing program, increase its reach, and enable us to bring vital independent stories to broader audiences."
"The Skoll Foundation lives and breathes Jeff Skoll's unwavering belief in the power of storytelling," said Sally Osberg, president and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. "Sundance Institute, as led by Robert Redford, is a leading voice for independent storytelling and whose community of world-class storytellers share with Skoll a deep commitment to highlighting injustice and shining a light on solutions to the world's most pressing problems. We're proud and excited to expand our support to broaden the reach of these stories and their potential to help us envision and work toward a better world."
The renewed Sundance Institute | Skoll Stories of Change initiative will kick off an exciting new phase with a reception at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 25. The event will feature a panel discussion looking at timely, issue-driven stories focused on democracy and accountability with Laura Poitras (Director, CitizenFour), Jehane Noujaim (Director, The Square), Orlando Bagwell (Director, UC Berkley J-School, Eyes on the Prize), Carne Ross (Founder, Independent Diplomat), and Jess Search (Chief Executive, BritDoc).
Stories of Change is a multi-year, multi-million dollar initiative of Sundance Institute and the Skoll Foundation. The partnership began in 2007 with the goal of bringing together the power of storytelling with the impact of social entrepreneurship. The partnership includes global gatherings of leading filmmakers and social entrepreneurs, including at the Skoll World Forum and the Sundance Film Festival, as well as investments in a portfolio of documentary film projects featuring social entrepreneurs and their innovations.
The Skoll Foundation was established by Jeff Skoll in 1999 to pursue his vision of a sustainable world of peace and prosperity. The Foundation's mission is to drive large-scale change by investing in, connecting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs and the innovators who help them solve the world's most pressing problems. Social entrepreneurs are society's change agents—creators of innovations that disrupt the status quo and transform our world for the better. Join the Skoll Foundation on Facebook and Twitter, and learn more about the 2015 Skoll World Forum.
Sundance Institute
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute's signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Google Earth's 6 New Projects—and Imazon—in New York Times
January 9, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabImazon is featured in today's New York Times in a story called "Mapping the World's Problems." Here's an excerpt:
Nearly a decade ago, an environmental group in Brazil grew concerned that government data and maps about Amazon deforestation were out of date and hard to view. The group, Imazon, decided to create its own monitoring tools, using information from satellites. Imazon's efforts caught the attention of Google, the search engine giant. Now, monthly reports on the Brazilian Amazon are produced through Google Earth Engine, a technology platform within the company.
Future projects include mapping the locations of fishing vessels, which can help detect illegal fishing; tracing the spread of malaria; showing sea-ice melt; and depicting fires, such as the flaring of natural gas from North Dakota's shale fields. The European Union's Joint Research Center, working with Google Earth Engine, presented a paper last month on mapping the planet's permanent and seasonal water sources. Other projects, to be presented at the United Nations' conference in Japan this March on disaster risk reduction, include a tool that will help model and map rising sea levels as they affect areas that differ in elevation.
Read the rest: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/business/international/mapping-the-worlds-problems.html
EcoPeace Middle East Win: Israeli High Court Denies Request of Israeli Military to Approve Battir Separation Barrier
January 5, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabGreat news from EcoPeace Middle East, which received news coverage from Haaretz, AFP and more…
From their press release:
January 4, 2015
Following two years of deliberations, the Israeli High Court of Justice today decided to deny the request of the Israeli military to confirm the legality of the proposed route of the separation barrier that was planned to cut through the unique terraced landscape of Battir.
The case is based on a set of petitions filled by the Palestinian village of Battir, neighboring Israeli residents across the 'green line' and the cross border environment organization EcoPeace Middle East (formerly Friends of the Earth Middle East), protesting the proposed building of the Separation Barrier on the site of the ancient terraced landscape of Battir.
Nader Khateeb, Palestinian Director of EcoPeace Middle East said: "This is an important win not only for Battir but for cross border cooperation between like- minded Palestinians and Israelis who have worked together for so many years. Trust building is a very powerful way to build peace and prevent building concrete barriers. This helped maximize constructive international attention to our cause. Together we undertook research to strengthen our case. Together we helped create political will that led to UNESCO registration of the Battir site. Together we were able to reveal that the security imperative claimed by the Israeli military to be hollow."
The head of the local council of the village of Battir, Engineer Akram Bader, was relieved to hear of this decision, saying "great efforts at all levels were made to defend the rights of our peoples, of nature and its beautiful scenery".
Gidon Bromberg, Israeli Director of EcoPeace Middle East stated, "The Battir landscape managed to survive 4000 years of various conquests. The High Court decision today opens the New Year 2015 with Battir symbolizing a beacon of hope for a better future in our region."
Learn more: http://www.skollfoundation.org/friends-of-the-earth-middle-east-helps-a-city-become-a-world-heritage-site/
New Video on Child Marriage from Kenya: Convincing Men that Ending Child Marriage is their Responsibility
January 2, 2015 by Sally Farhat KassabHappy New Year!
As the Christian Science Monitor shines a spotlight on child marriage in its new article, "Too young to be a bride: More countries aim to curb child marriage," we would like to share a video following Wanjala Wafula, a women's rights activist from Kenya, in his day-to-day work. He seeks to convince men that ending child marriage is not just a necessity: it is their responsibility. The film explores the complex factors that perpetuate child marriage and how men can take a more active role in upholding the rights of girls.
Five Ways to Tap the Crowd to Drive Change
December 20, 2014 by Suzana GregoOn December 5th, the second annual Social Entrepreneurs Challenge, hosted on CrowdRise, came to an end. And what an ending it was! The goal was for social entrepreneurs to raise $3 million over a six-week campaign to unlock match and prize funding from the Skoll Foundation. By the final week of the Challenge, donations continued to pour in, and the entrepreneurs ultimately raised more than double our goal—$6.6 million.
In total, the Challenge raised $11 million, including $3.25 milion in matching grants and a $1.2 million Chairman's grant from the Skoll Foundation.
Last year, we launched the Social Entrepreneurs Challenge to what we considered to be great success, exceeding even our top goal.
This year, we aimed higher. We tested and piloted new strategies and achieved more than we ever thought we would.
We're thrilled with this success, but also excited to see that we were able to learn from last year's Challenge and craft strategies that brought this effort to the next level and led to unprecedented results.
As many other groups look to leverage crowdfunding and other unique approaches to fundraising, we wanted to share some of the our top five pointers for building successful crowdfunding campaigns:
- You know what they say about early birds. It may feel unnecessary to think about a year-end fundraising campaign in early summer. But that's precisely what we did with our CrowdRise partners and social entrepreneurs.
In July, our communications team sent sample communications plans, timelines, and marketing collateral to Challenge participants. We also sent them tips about building their email lists and social media networks, and about reaching out to high net worth donors. We hosted fundraising webinars before the Challenge started.
These early steps helped lay the groundwork for a successful fundraising campaign and allowed the social entrepreneurs to build and create their contacts and content during the "dog days of summer".
- Mash it up! Maintaining momentum and excitement over a six-week fundraising challenge can be…well, a real challenge.
To keep the nearly 70 participating organizations engaged, we worked with CrowdRise to create a wide variety of weekly contests. Each week focused on different ways to reach goals, such as getting as many unique donors as possible, or reaching a certain threshold to be eligible for prize funding.
These opportunities allowed social entrepreneurs to reach out to their donors and networks with various giving options. We also created a page for essays on The Huffington Post, and used social media to build interest for the duration of the Challenge.
- Constructive competition is cool. A good dose of healthy competition can go a long way—especially when prize funding is involved.
We structured the Challenge to encourage competition among social entrepreneurs, which got their donors inspired to help them win. Deadlines and targets for the contests, which maximized different strengths and assets at different points throughout the campaign, helped create a sense of urgency every week.
- And collaboration is even cooler! That said, competition isn't everything—after all, we shouldn't lose sight of the essential "social" part in "social entrepreneur".
For one week of the Challenge, we paired social entrepreneurs into teams so that they could support each other and share ideas. When we announced this special "collaboration" week, social entrepreneurs shared their esprit de corps with us, each other, and their networks. Some of them even shared their donors!
- Don't BIAY (Build It All Yourself). Engage in existing events. This year, we timed the Challenge to leverage #GivingTuesday, the global day of giving held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Our social entrepreneurs were able to provide audiences with a tangible "give back" option, and leverage the visibility and PR that broader #GivingTuesday activities provided.
We also wanted to pilot a new effort to link our online campaign with a physical, in-person event, so we co-hosted a #Give2Future event for #GivingTuesday with the Institute of the Future in their terrifically new, open, and welcoming space. We used the #Give2Future gathering to talk about the future of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship and to share information and exciting news about the Challenge.
We are heartened to see how many people participated in the Challenge—as fundraisers, donors, and champions. Ultimately, participating social entrepreneurs and their staff members worked very hard to ensure success.
But the great news is that their efforts this year will continue to reap results in 2015 and beyond. It came as no surprise that the organizations that embraced the campaign and involved most of their staff and supporters were the most successful in "crowd-raising" funds.
We couldn't be more delighted that the Social Entrepreneurs Challenge proved to be a great way for individuals to support people and ideas driving solutions to the world's thorniest problems.
As we look to bring 2014 to a close, our thanks go out to all of the participating social entrepreneurs and donors who helped make this Challenge such a remarkable success!
Health Care Without Harm Calls for Climate Action at White House Event
December 16, 2014 by Health Care Without HarmWASHINGTON, DC–At a senior-level White House event yesterday, Health Care Without Harm and health executives from across the country called for an increased commitment from the health sector to take the significant and measurable actions that the mitigation of climate change demands.
Eric Schwarz is Carsey Social Innovator of the Year
December 12, 2014 by Sally Farhat KassabCongratulations, Eric!
DURHAM – Eric Schwarz, founding chief executive officer of Citizen Schools and executive chairman of US2020, was named the Carsey 2014 Social Innovator of the Year.
Schwarz will be honored at the New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge Monday, Dec. 15 at the University of New Hampshire, where he will deliver the keynote address on social entrepreneurship and systemic social change. The challenge and Schwarz's speech are free and open to the public but registration required at www.unh.edu/svic. The Carsey Social Innovator of the Year Award recognizes a New England leader with a demonstrated commitment to social innovation.
"Eric Schwarz has changed the opportunity equation in our country," said Yusi Turell, executive director of the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy's Center on Social Innovation and Finance. "By growing Citizen Schools and using its successes to impact education policy, Eric has not only helped local children 'beat the odds' in educational attainment, he has 'changed the odds' for all American children. Eric is a visionary, a critical thinker and outstanding leader."
Schwarz founded Citizen Schools in Boston in 1995 to support a vision of offering students in low-income communities a longer learning day, including hands-on "apprenticeships" led by volunteer "Citizen Teachers" from local businesses and universities. Now in seven states, Citizen Schools partners with public middle schools to expand the learning day for children through academic mentoring and skill-building apprenticeships. More than half of the skill-building apprenticeships are focused on STEM subjects and activities.
US2020 is a STEM mentoring initiative inspired by a White House call to generate large-scale solutions to the nation's educational challenges in the STEM fields. US2020's goal is to match 1 million STEM mentors with students by the year 2020.
In addition to his keynote address, Schwarz will lead a workshop, "The Opportunity Equation: Innovative Models for Business and Citizen Engagement in K-12 Education," with New Hampshire panelists Fred Bramante of the National Center for Competency-Based Learning; Tanna Clews of the N.H. Charitable Foundation STEM Pathways Initiative; state Rep. Mary Stuart Gile, who serves on the N.H. House Education Committee, and Mark Greenlaw of FIRST.
For more about the Carsey School of Public Policy, visit www.carsey.unh.edu.
Learn more: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141209/NEWS/141209227/101143/NEWS#sthash.WrNQMENX.dpuf
How much is being done for the world's 450 million smallholder farmers?
December 12, 2014 by Sally Farhat KassabToday, we're sharing a new infographic and briefing from Dalberg – Global Development Advisors.
Technical assistance programs can help smallholder farmers improve their agronomic skills, business and financial skills, and access to markets. Currently, $8 billion is spent on such programs each year, which may sound like a lot, but equates to an average of only $18.66 per farmer. Learn more about technical assistance for smallholder farmers — and what can be done to make it more effective — in this infographic from the Initiative for Smallholder Finance.
Agricultural technical assistance can address many constraints to smallholder financing. On the supply side, financial services and advisory support programs help banks and financial institutions overcome constraints of product design and distribution for smallholder farmers. On the demand side, technical assistance prepares farmers for financing through value chain development programs or government extension programs.
Both aspects of technical assistance are important. But new data from the Initiative for Smallholder Finance finds that 97% of technical assistance funding currently goes to programs that address demand side constraints, while relatively little technical assistance funding goes to the supply side to mitigate risk and boost confidence for financial institutions involved in smallholder financing.
Building off research on the anatomy of the agricultural technical assistance market, this briefing explores how donors, financial institutions, and technical assistance providers can improve the efficacy of technical assistance to close the smallholder financing gap.
Click to view the full-size infographic
GoodWeave Founder Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
December 10, 2014 by GoodWeaveFrom the cocoa fields of Côte d'Ivoire to the carpet sheds of Uttar Pradesh, there are 168 million children around the world who toil in obscurity. Today, their plight took center stage when GoodWeave Founder Kailash Satyarthi accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, alongside Malala Yousafzai.
In his opening remarks, committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland acknowledged Mr. Satyarthi for founding GoodWeave as a part of his long career of working to end the exploitation of children for others' economic gain.
As Kailash spoke, he called us all to action, declaring, "I refuse to accept that the shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the quest for freedom." He asked the audience to hold their hands over their hearts and listen to the child inside. (The text of Mr. Satyarthi's speech is available here.)
As Mr. Satyarthi accepted the medal, he had company on stage as he evoked the hundreds of thousands of children who have been rescued or liberated, because of his campaigns and on the ground work. "At GoodWeave, we thought about the 50 children we have liberated this year so far and the more than 3,500 since our founding," said Nina Smith, Executive Director of GoodWeave International. "We also imagined by his side the 2,450 children who in 2014 got to hold books instead of tools, and the 12,165 boys and girls who have been educated since GoodWeave began."
In the 1980s, once on an engineering career track, Kailash Satyarthi began rescuing children from bondage. As chairman of the South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude, he fought against child slavery one factory at a time, one child at a time. He conducted rescue raids and liberated children who were enduring extreme violence, some brutally beaten if they ever tried to escape.
Following one such raid, Satyarthi personally returned a trafficked boy to his home village. When he went to board a train home, Satyarthi saw dozens and dozens of children destined for the looms in the hands of middlemen. Arrested for causing a disturbance at the station, Satyarthi suddenly realized that this situation required a larger solution.
"Something else had to be done. I thought, 'Consumers have to be educated!'" Satyarthi said in a 2013 interview. This realization was for him a turning point and for the child labor movement, a profound shift in thinking and strategy. In addition to exposing the ugly truth behind beautiful rugs, Satyarthi set out to establish a certification system that would incentivize manufacturers to stop exploiting children as well as guide consumer purchases. Thus the RugMark label (now GoodWeave) was born. The first carpets with that certification were exported from India in 1995.
Today, GoodWeave works in the top consumer capitals of the world and in the key rug-producing areas across Asia, expanding most recently to Afghanistan. Their programs in weaving villages near Kabul, Mazar and soon Herat are reaching girls, many of whom resemble Malala. And in the two decades since Satyarthi's jail cell a-ha moment, the organization has gone on to reduce the number of "carpet kids" in the region by two-thirds. GoodWeave is now preparing to finish the work that Satyarthi began and reach the 250,000 children left on looms through their "Stand with Sanju" campaign. It is inspired by the real life story of a Nepalese girl – not unlike Malala – who went from carpet loom to classroom.
As Kailash looks back on his journey, he remains optimistic that the model can be used in other industries from chocolate to mining. "At the time we launched the certification, nobody had heard the phrases, 'corporate responsibility,' or 'corporate accountability.' But we have given voice to many initiatives in the world. And some of the basic ingredients of GoodWeave now are being used as great lessons by others. In the end, we can change the world in this way."
Congratulations, Malala and Kailash!
December 10, 2014 by Skoll FoundationTake a moment, if you can, to read through this account of today's 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Awards to two remarkable human beings: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi.
I think we'd all agree that the Nobel committee really hit it out of the park this year!
Read more about the Skoll Foundation's ties to these two inspiring people:
Girls Not Brides' New Film on Ending Child Marriage in Zambia
December 9, 2014 by Skoll FoundationWe're happy to share Girls Not Brides' new film, which tells the story of Mirriam, a 17 year-old girl from rural Zambia with big dreams and big ambitions. Where Mirriam lives, however, child marriage is all too common: two in every five girls are married before they are 18.
Gawad Kalinga Has Built More than 2,000 Houses Since Typhoon Haiyan
December 8, 2014 by Sally Farhat KassabWith the recent Typhoon Hagupit in the central Philippines this weekend, we thought it would be a good time to share some of the current impact of Skoll Awardee Gawad Kalinga (GK) after last year's Typhoon Haiyan.
- 2,923 houses funded, of which 70% are under construction or completed. They expect to start the rest by January 2015 and their goal is to raise funds and build 3,000 houses more by end of 2015.
- 3,652 kids eating nutritious meals daily through the "Kusina ng Kalinga" anti-hunger program piloted in Alang-alang, Leyte. They intend to open 10 more kitchens that will serve 6,000 kids more by year end, and address hunger for 50,000 children by end of 2015.
- 797 Balangay boats distributed across the fishing communities of the Visayan islands; their goal is to build 700 boats more by June, 2015.
- 1.7 Million volunteers for Bayani Challenge 2014 mobilized to bring hope and a clear message of Walang Iwanan in Haiyan-affected areas; they continue to encourage volunteers to sustain these efforts, with the goal of involving 6,000 barangays by June, 2015.
Learn more: http://gk1world.com/typhoon-yolanda
Nelson Mandela Remembered: A New Film from The Elders
December 5, 2014 by Sally Farhat KassabToday is the first anniversary of the passing of Nelson Mandela. The Elders have produced a new film which you can view above. In it, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and fellow Elders talk about what Nelson Mandela was like to know as a person, his impact and the legacy that he left behind.
Don't miss our past blogs: http://www.skollfoundation.org/tag/nelson-mandela/


text: Get the Healthiest Delivery Service in Seattle this week! ORDER ONLINE and choose from 12 different salad styles, 6 jars of dressing, or 6 different party bowls. Salad Delivery is where it's at during these hot days. Start your week off right with Salad Delivery! With Seattle Salads, even kids love salads.

subset: commoncrawl


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Lake Oahe Channel Catfish
Channel catfish abundance in Lake Oahe is high and they are found in a wide range of depths and habitats. Excellent shore fishing opportunities for channel catfish exist especially in the spring.
There is no daily limit for Lake Oahe channel catfish. Many of the channel catfish caught from Lake Oahe are incidentally caught by walleye anglers. Channel catfish are excellent to eat and easy to catch. If an angler would change a few tactics and target channel catfish, they could have good success.
To effectively fish for channel catfish, an angler should fish in the back of large bays with a variety of baits such as night crawlers, minnows, or commercially prepared baits.


text: Really enjoyable afternoon completing the murder mystery trail around Brecon, with an initially sceptical 15 year old boy! Trail took around 90 mins & was great fun :-) To make the trail even more fun, would suggest an Easy and Difficult option. The trail we completed would easily fit into the Easy option category, as the clues were straightforward and... More


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Men On the High Wire
This is the face of Sun Valley Ski Patrol you probably recognize — one of uniformed, highly capable men and women keeping you safe on Baldy and Dollar. Ski Patrol boasts a team of more than 50, including firefighters and paramedics, explosives experts, mountaineers and some of the fittest, most determined, most amazing skiers on the map. I love seeing Ski Patrol on the hill, which I do numerous times each day I am up there. Just a glimpse of their jackets makes me feel safe and cared for.
Here is another face of Sun Valley Ski Patrol, one that makes me feel safer yet. Yesterday, under a typical Idaho bluebird sky, three weeks before the slopes officially open to the public, members of Ski Patrol were preparing for any and every inevitability. Like the safety announcement made before a plane taxis down the runway, Ski Patrol has to consider many "in the unlikely events," including gondola evacuation.
The methodology? Climb a tower carrying a 10-pound titanium "cable glider." Position the wheels of said cable glider onto the high wire. Clip in and attach yourself in about 20 different ways. Do not tangle your ropes. Swing your body onto a small bike seat. Release the brake and "ride" down the cable to the first gondola car. Unhook. Evacuate occupants. Repeat.
When Mike Lloyd and Mike Davis of Ski Patrol explain the process, they make it sound quite matter-of-fact. From below the tower, looking up to the platform dozens of feet overhead, surrounded by the stunning panorama of mountains, to me, it looks intimidating at best. But that's why they are the pros.
The pros featured in these photos are 'Whiz' McNeal and Troy Quesnel, who both look forward to this training. "The Patrol does this drill a few times each year and they like to get as many 'touches' on the equipment as possible," said Lloyd. "Everyone gets to practice riding, belaying, climbing, opening the doors. It's a great time to get hands on and make sure it becomes second nature."
Rest assured, all these skills do become second nature to Ski Patrol. The gondola training exercise is only one of many that go on year-round. Ski Patrol's motto is "Haulin' the Fallin' since 1936." I guess a list of all the other things they do doesn't rhyme.
When you see a Patrol member on the slopes, be sure to give him or her a big smile. They are there for you and are, collectively, some of the nicest people in Sun Valley.
And they know how to evacuate you from a gondola – bonus!


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Simone PereleRevelation Shorty
The Simone Perele Revelation Shorty is crafted from beautiful embroidered tulle and sexy mesh. This luxurious and seductive shorty offers moderate rear coverage.
Product code: SP-12R630
- Please note: Due to licensing restrictions, we regret that we are unable to ship UK Simone Perele ranges to USA, Canada or Mexico


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Reviewed Pumpkin Soup
Apr 19, 2013 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"Delicious! I used Jap Pumpkin instead of Butternut as they are too expensive here and flavours were wonderful. At those negative comments about pumpkin and squash, Butternut squash is a pumpkin it just depends on which country you are from as to what you call it! ""


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Rolling right along...
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by northspruce z3a MB CDA (My Page) on Sat, Feb 16, 08 at 12:26
Rosa gallica versicolor REVERSION of same to Rosa gallica officinalis ($#&*@!) |
- Posted by laurie_z3_mb sw MB (My Page) on Sun, Feb 17, 08 at 15:25
Very nice Gillian! I'll start off with the lilies. |
- Posted by crazy_gardener ~Z2b~ AB Canada (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 08 at 3:06
Very nice Gil and Laurie! Enjoy! |
- Posted by i_heart_flowers 2b MB (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 08 at 10:50
- Posted by crazy_gardener ~Z2b~ AB Canada (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 08 at 15:55
i_heart_flowers, are you sure your rose is Prairie Joy? It looks like Distant Drums? |
- Posted by northspruce z3a MB CDA (My Page) on Mon, Feb 18, 08 at 20:24
I agree, Prairie Joy should be just pink. Very pretty anyway! :) |
- Posted by i_heart_flowers 2b MB (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 08 at 13:22
Well now, its funny you both should ask that as I was looking at some other posts and noticed a similar looking flower but with different names. I even went and checked the tag that came with it (from Vesseys) and it clearly says, Prairie Joy. Oddly enough, when the buds formed they were red, when it first opened it was a dark pink and then looked like the above picture a few days later. I'll post the different stages when I get home tonight. I expected a pink as well. It was just put in last summer and it had quite a few flowers - one late into October. What do you think? Did I receive yet another plant tagged incorrectly?? Hard to complain cause it is rather pretty but now I'm worried it will be a lot bigger then I wanted :/ .....sigh! |
- Posted by crazy_gardener ~Z2b~ AB Canada (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 08 at 21:51
I'm sure you got a mislabeled rose. Email Veseys and tell them your FN gardening buds told you that you got the wrong rose and that you didn't realize it at bloom time. Veseys guarantees that you are completely satisfied. Email the photo along with your order confimation and see what they have to say. Although its pretty, its NOT what your ordered. good luck, |
Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Joy
- Posted by valleyrimgirl 2b (My Page) on Fri, Feb 22, 08 at 21:06
Lovely "R"s everyone :-) Rose - Polareis..new last spring Rose - William Baffin..2nd year and bloomed wonderfully Red Pixie Lily Rain Daisy savona |
- Posted by i_heart_flowers 2b MB (My Page) on Tue, Feb 26, 08 at 13:36
Hey Sharon, thanks for the advice! I heard from Veseys yesterday and they agree that I received the wrong rose. They've put a credit through for me. They figured it was a Kaleidoscope...what do you think? (of course I'm going to go with the opinion of the forum!!) Man, FN buds are the best...always looking out for each other : ) I would have just left it thinking, well, I did get a rose.... ..oh boy, more ordering to do! |
- Posted by crazy_gardener ~Z2b~ AB Canada (My Page) on Tue, Feb 26, 08 at 23:41
Yup, it's probably Kaleidoscope Rose since they carry it in stock. Good to hear you got a credit. If a company is going to advertize a plant in a catalogue it better well be the correct plant they send then. Veseys is pretty good most times for making their customers happy. Savona, I'm glad I ordered Polareis last year, hope to see it bloom this year ;) Sharon |
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text: PORTLAND, Ore. — OR7, a wolf originally from northeast Oregon, may have found a mate in southwest Oregon's Cascade Mountains. In early May, remote cameras on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest captured several images of what appears to be a black female wolf in the same area where OR7 is currently located. The images were … Continue reading »


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School Failure Linked to Higher Use of Computers at Home, Spanish Study Shows
Jan. 29, 2015 Researchers have analyzed the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by secondary school students, by using a sample of 5,538 students. The study, based on surveys taken in the ... full story -
Pacemakers With Internet Connection, a Not-So-Distant Goal
Jan. 28, 2015 An efficient security protocol has been designed to protect the information provided by pacemakers and similar medical devices connected to the Internet. Thanks to the latest advances in ... full story -
Researchers Use Sound to Slow Down, Speed Up, and Block Light
Jan. 28, 2015 How do you make an optical fiber transmit light only one way? Researchers have experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, the phenomenon of Brillouin Scattering Induced Transparency (BSIT), ... full story -
Nanoscale Mirrored Cavities Amplify, Connect Quantum Memories
Jan. 28, 2015 Constructing tiny "mirrors" to trap light increases the efficiency with which photons can pick up and transmit information about electronic spin states -- which is essential for scaling up ... full story -
New Pathway to Valleytronics: Femtosecond Laser Used to Manipulate Valley Excitons
Jan. 27, 2015 Researchers have uncovered a promising new pathway to valleytronics, a potential quantum computing technology in which information is coded based on the wavelike motion of electrons moving through ... full story -
New Search Engine Lets Users Look for Relevant Results Faster
Jan. 27, 2015 Researchers have developed a new search engine that outperforms current ones, and helps people to do searches more ... full story -
Maximizing Access to Mobile Networks by Seamlessly 'Offloading' Some Traffic
Jan. 27, 2015 Mathematical analysis reveals how to maximize access to mobile networks by seamlessly 'offloading' traffic to smaller Wi-Fi and cellular ... full story -
Researchers Identify Materials to Improve Biofuel, Petroleum Processing
Jan. 26, 2015 Using one of the largest supercomputers in the world, a team of researchers has identified potential materials that could improve the production of ethanol and petroleum products. The discovery could ... full story -
Researchers Make Magnetic Graphene
Jan. 26, 2015 Graphene has many desirable properties. Magnetism alas is not one of them. Magnetism can be induced in graphene by doping it with magnetic impurities, but this tends to disrupt graphene's ... full story -
Stock Market Changes: Patents Provide Insight Into Wall Street 'Technology Arms Race'
Jan. 26, 2015 A new study has used US patent data to shed light on the technological roots behind Wall Street's ongoing 'technology arms race.' The way financial assets are traded, and the nature of ... full story -
Chemists Control Structure to Unlock Magnetization and Polarization Simultaneously
Jan. 26, 2015 Scientists have controlled the structure of a material to simultaneously generate both magnetization and electrical polarization, an advance which has potential applications in information storage ... full story -
Entanglement on a Chip: Breakthrough Promises Secure Communications and Faster Computers
Jan. 26, 2015 A team of scientists has developed, for the first time, a microscopic component that is small enough to fit onto a standard silicon chip that can generate a continuous supply of entangled ... full story -
New Programming Language for Fast Simulations
Jan. 26, 2015 Programming is a time-consuming process, and it may take many years to develop even a basic simulator. Researchers want to simplify this process. They have created a language similar to the language ... full story -
3-D View of Greenland Ice Sheet Opens Window on Ice History
Jan. 23, 2015 Scientists using ice-penetrating radar have created 3-D maps of the age of the ice within the Greenland Ice Sheet. The new maps will aid future research to understand the impact of climate change on ... full story -
Massive Chip Design Savings to Be Realized
Jan. 23, 2015 IT researchers have developed a programming language making the massive costs associated with designing hardware more manageable. Chip manufacturers have been using the same chip design techniques ... full story -
Improvements in Transistors Will Make Flexible Plastic Computers a Reality
Jan. 23, 2015 Researchers revealed that improvements should soon be expected in the manufacture of transistors that can be used, for example, to make flexible, paper-thin computer ... full story -
Tablet Computers Good Medium for Educational Materials
Jan. 22, 2015 It's increasingly important for educators to understand how mobile technology such as touch-screen tablets can enhance learning instead of being classroom distractions, says a professor of ... full story -
Scientists Set Quantum Speed Limit
Jan. 22, 2015 The flip side of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, the energy time uncertainty principle, establishes a speed limit for transitions between two states. Physical chemists have now proved this ... full story -
Major Breakthrough in Reading Ancient Scrolls
Jan. 22, 2015 Revolutionary software is making a breakthrough in reading 2,000-year old Herculaneum scrolls, computer scientists report. After working for more than 10 years on unlocking an ancient piece of ... full storyMore: -
Profitable Phishing Schemes Slyly Tinker With Our Heads, Then Rip Us Off
Jan. 22, 2015 Researchers have found evidence that the incredible spread of email phishing scams may be due to phishers' increased use of "information-rich" emails that alter recipients' ... full story
- Pacemakers with Internet connection, a not-so-distant goal
- Researchers use sound to slow down, speed up, and block light
- Nanoscale mirrored cavities amplify, connect quantum memories
- New pathway to valleytronics: Femtosecond laser used to manipulate valley excitons
- New search engine lets users look for relevant results faster
- Maximizing access to mobile networks by seamlessly 'offloading' some traffic
- Researchers identify materials to improve biofuel, petroleum processing
- Researchers make magnetic graphene
- Stock market changes: Patents provide insight into Wall Street 'technology arms race'
- Chemists control structure to unlock magnetization and polarization simultaneously
- Entanglement on a chip: Breakthrough promises secure communications and faster computers
- New programming language for fast simulations
- 3-D view of Greenland Ice Sheet opens window on ice history
- Massive chip design savings to be realized
- Improvements in transistors will make flexible plastic computers a reality
- Tablet computers good medium for educational materials
- Scientists set quantum speed limit
- Major breakthrough in reading ancient scrolls
- Profitable phishing schemes slyly tinker with our heads, then rip us off
- NASA, Microsoft collaboration will allow scientists to 'work on Mars'
- Computer scientists improve privacy of Internet currency Bitcoin
- Self-powered intelligent keyboard could provide a new layer of security
- Experts call for a rethink on guidelines about children's screen time
- Optimizing optimization algorithms: Getting best results when approximating solutions to complex engineering problems
- Twitter can predict rates of coronary heart disease, according to research
- How attached to our smart phones are we?
- Which 'letters' in the human genome are functionally important?
- New signal amplification process set to transform communications, imaging, computing
- Many antennas, multiple benefits: Can handle cellular traffic more reliably
- Machines teach astronomers about stars
- Finding farmland: New maps offer a clearer view of global agriculture
- Rice-sized laser, powered one electron at a time, bodes well for quantum computing
- Doctors who use health information technology are 'slightly' more likely to get patient data
- No technological replacement exists for bulk data collection
- Improved interface for a quantum internet
- Robots learn to use kitchen tools by watching YouTube videos
- Image searches are improved by 3-D presentation
- On-site visualization of planned buildings
- Computers using digital footprints are better judges of personality than friends and family
- Vision system for household robots
- 'Batman' leads way to extremely fast and precise data storage
- Poker-playing program knows when to fold 'em: Heads-up limit for hold 'em poker solved
- New algorithm will allow better heart surgery, experts say
- Quantum optical hard drive breakthrough
- Researchers work to counter a new class of coffee shop hackers
- New light shed on electron spin flips
- Doing more with less: Steering a quantum path to improved internet security
- New half-light half-matter quantum particles created
- A qubit candidate shines brighter
- What you tweet when you go party can be useful for improving urban planning
- Live adaptation of organ models in the OR
- Major websites could be doing more to promote improved password security, experts say
- Throwing money at data breach may make it worse
- Atom-thick CCD could capture images
- Cheaper 3-D virtual reality system: Powerful enough for a gamer, made for an engineer
- Technophobia may keep seniors from using apps to manage diabetes
- A Facebook application knows if you are having a bad day and tells your teacher
- Instant-start computers possible with new breakthrough
- In one aspect of vision, computers catch up to primate brain
- 'Deep learning' finds autism, cancer mutations in unexplored regions of genome
- The right route to disaster relief: Algorithm automatically finds quickest way to calamity-affected sites
- Big data may be fashion industry's next must-have accessory
- Switching to spintronics: Electric field switching of ferromagnetism at room temperature
- Lens-free microscope can detect cancer at cellular level
- Privacy policies good for big business, not so good for consumers
- Amputee makes history controlling two modular prosthetic limbs
- First real-world trial of impact of patient-controlled access to electronic medical records
- Researchers generate tunable photon-pair spectrum using room-temperature quantum optics silicon chip
- Copyright confusion has 'chilling' effects in online creative publishing
- New algorithm a Christmas gift to 3-D printing, and the environment
- Lead islands in a sea of graphene magnetize the material of the future
- Algorithm identifies networks of genetic changes across cancers
- Fraud-proof credit cards possible with quantum physics
- Control of shape of light particles opens the way to 'quantum internet'
- Training elderly in social media improves well-being, combats isolation
- More-flexible digital communication
- New method helps map species' genetic heritage
- Interstellar mystery solved by supercomputer simulations
- New way to plug 'leaky' light cavities demonstrated
- Smoothing the path to an independent life: Virtual reality based training systems boost cognitive functions
- Pros and cons of using big data to monitor drug safety
- Scientists resolve spin puzzle
- Move over smart cities, the Internet of Things is off to the country
- Long-term aging of electronics in nuclear weapons
- Computer system more effective than doctors at producing comprehensive patient reports
- Twitter posts may shine a fresh light on mental illness trends
- Nanoscale resistors for quantum devices
- Composite materials can be designed in a supercomputer 'virtual lab'
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Posted Monday, November 9, 2009
At the first Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit in August, citizens and local leaders generated ideas ranging from the practical to the somewhat dreamy. The thing is, Cleveland doesn't have to re-invent this wheel. In his recent books Green Urbanism and Resilient Cities, Tim Beatley tells the stories of how city planners have greened their communities, such as Helsinki, where hot water from power plants is piped to nearby buildings to provide heat, or Freiburg, where there no cars downtown. Beatley is coming to town for an event with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. Monday morning at 9, we'll talk to him and local thinkers and doers about Greater Cleveland's potential for a greener future.
Economy, Environment, Government/Politics, Other, Community/Human Interest, Housing/Real Estate, Technology, Transportation
Please follow our community discussion rules when composing your comments.
I look down from my building at the Cuyahoga and the bridges - the RTA bridge, the Detroit-Superior, Inner-Belt, Hope Bridge, and so on. So many south-facing, unobstructed, long, wind-protected surfaces for solar-panels. Why not? These could be a lot cheaper than other electrical sources, there IS a lot more sunlight in NEO than people realize, and if it could lessen the electricity bill of the RTA, Cleveland, or simply power the lights on the bridges, it would probably recoup their investments fairly quickly. Again, why not?
Adding to my last comment on solar panels on the bridges over the Cuyahoga, if so: make them feed power to condos and businesses in the flats - imagine that as an economic development and residential draw - free electricity?
Thank you for this show idea. This is what we need to engender an ethic of innovative thinking into our community, a community that tends to shy away from new ideas.
Good morning,
Terry, Andrew, Dan,
To re-purpose Cleveland's abundant vacant land, how about constructing a wind turbine farm through the East 55th corridor? Abandoned buildings could be torn down and replaced with turbines.
Sustainable farming could take place on the ground below the turbines.
This could bridge the gap between downtown/CSU and the University Circle/Case areas.
During the show I heard the host comment about efficient German trains that RTA could never do that. We need to expect that RTA can do that and demand that RTA management do it. RTA continues to let us down and we must not let ourselves accept less than great performance. The RTA of the past had a much better reputation.
Comment on Jon's comment on "so many south-facing surfaces" in Cleveland.
Cleveland is a city with a nominally East-West axis especially on the West Side. Have you ever looked at an aerial photograph of Cleveland's West Side, including Lakewood, and all the peaked roofs? Almost all have a south-facing slope. Most of these roof slopes are close to the optimal angle for capturing solar energy at Cleveland's latitude. There are thousands (maybe tens of thousands?) of these slopes on houses on the residential side streets that run north and south between the major east-west and northeast - southwest running arterials there. Much of this exists on the East Side as well.
Watch the Sound of Ideas during the broadcast - view now! Live video stream available during normal broadcast, Mon-Fri, 9-10 AM (EST).
Every weekday at 9:00 AM (EST), The Sound of Ideas reports the news, explains the news, and sometimes makes news. The Cleveland Press Club awarded it "Best Radio Show" in Ohio and thousands daily find it to be an indispensable source of information about what's most important to Northeast Ohioans.
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Center for International Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I attend Western Illinois University if I have not yet taken the TOEFL?
A: Yes. You can take the WESL Placement Test and study English at WESL Institute; this is called Conditional Admission. After you have successfully completed the WESL program, you have met the English language requirement at Western Illinois University and can pursue a degree program on the condition that you meet the university and departmental criteria for admission.
Please contact our International Admissions office for more information on our undergraduate and graduate programs.
Q: What is WESL placement test?
The WESL Placement Test is given at the beginning of each semester to each non-native-English speaking student who does not meet the English language requirement for studying at Western Illinois University. Students must take the WESL Placement Test during new student orientation week of the same semester they plan to begin their studies: in August for each Fall semester; in January for each Spring semester; and in late May/early June for the Summer term.
Students are not allowed to take the exam earlier than the semester they plan to attend WESL and/or Western Illinois University without written permission from the WESL Director or Assistant Director. Based on the scores, students are placed into one of three levels. The WESL Placement Test includes reading, writing, listening and written structure components.
Q: What are the three different ESL course levels at WESL?
A: Foundation (Basic), Intermediate, and University Preparation (Advanced). Below are course descriptions:Foundation (WESL 010): Basic language and academic skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation; reading strategies; sentence to paragraph writing, guided note-taking; conversation and simple discussion; computer skills; development of foundational language and academic skills. Orientation to American life and culture. 20 hours per week. Non-credit.
Intermediate (WESL 020): Development of intermediate language and academic skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. Reading strategies; paragraph to essay writing; note-taking and lecture comprehension; discussion and speeches; computer skills. Orientation to American life and culture. 20 hours per week. Non-credit.
University Preparation (Advanced) (WESL 030): Development of advanced academic and language skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation; test taking; library and Internet research, essays and research paper; lecture comprehension and note-taking; interpersonal and intercultural communication; public speaking; computer skills. 20 hours per week non-credit.
Q: Can I be a part-time ESL student and part-time university student and take only Reading/Writing or Listening/Speaking?
A: Yes. Based on your Placement Test score and/or your performance in WESL courses as well as teacher recommendations, you may place into our Dual Program (WESL 040). Students in the Dual Program enroll in University Preparation (UP) 10 hours a week and a limited amount of undergraduate or graduate credit hours in the university. WESL coursework is noncredit.
Q: Once I have graduated from WESL Institute, do I need to take the TOEFL exam to enter Western Illinois University?
A: No. If you have been accepted by WIU and have successfully completed the WESL program, you do not need to take the TOEFL exam to study at WIU.
Q: What if some of my English skills are stronger than others?
A: Split-level enrollment is not offered at WESL Institute, due to the nature of our curriculum and classes.Q: What if I need extra help with a particular skill area?
A: WESL offers an integrated skills course which focuses on grammar, pronunciation, listening, and computer lab skills to help students develop their knowledge and use of English. This course is required of all WESL students and follows the curriculum at each specific level of study.
Q: Will I get an opportunity to improve my conversation skills outside of class?
A: Yes. A Conversation Mentors Program is offered at WIU in which WESL students meet weekly with American students, professors, and members of the Macomb community to talk about various topics related to student coursework at WESL. In addition, all WESL students may participate in Conversation Partners, which is available for all international students at WIU. Weekly presentations followed by discussions are also scheduled for WESL students.
Q: Will I receive help becoming familiar with WIU & Macomb?
Q: What is the background of the teachers at WESL Institute?
A: All the WESL teachers possess graduate degrees in ESL and/or ESL-related fields. They have extensive international experience - all have traveled to several countries, lived in other countries, studied abroad, and/or speak other languages - and enjoy helping students develop their English skills.


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Pearl Izumi Womens Cyclone Gel Gloves - Road Bike Shop
Road Bike Shop
Product Search Results For "Pearl Izumi Women's Cyclone Gel Gloves"
Pearl Izumi AmFib Cycling TIght - Women's
You could probably pedal across the Arctic in the Pearl Izumi Women's AmFIB Tight, not that you would really want to, but Pearl Izumi's waterproof, windproof, and insulated AmFibCycling Tight would keep you toasty. Due to the stretchy proprietary fabric and design, the AmFIB Cycling Tight vents... |
Price: $134.95
Pearl Izumi AmFib Tight - Women's
Pull on the Pearl Izumi AmFib Tight and head out for a little mid-winter pick-me-up ride. The AmFibs don't have a chamois so you can wear them over your favorite pair of cycling shorts, or do a little running or cross-country skiing cross-training in them. |
Price: $109.95
Pearl Izumi Attack Low Socks - Women's
Whether you spin pedals on a trail or the trainer, the mesh panels and flat seams of Pearl Izumi's Attack Low Women's Socks permit airflow and prevent irritated skin. Made from Pearl Izumi's Select Transfer yarns, the Attack Low Socks wick moisture away from your skin for comfortable, dry feet.... |
Price: $8.95
Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gel Gloves - Men's
With changing seasons comes a changing cycling wardrobe, and whether you're moving from summer gloves to fall gloves or winter gloves to spring gloves, chances are that the perennially popular Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gel Gloves are part of the process. With its combination of function, aesthetics,... |
Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket - Women's
When inclement weather is on the horizon, slide into the versatile Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Convertible Women's Jacket. With its removable sleeves, you can adjust to the conditions on hand, in real-time. However, don't think that zip-off sleeves are the extent of this jacket's weather-resistance... |
Price: $109.95
Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier WxB Women's Jacket
Pearl Izumi's Elite Barrier WxB Women's Jacket gets its name from its waterproof and breathable features. The jacket is aligned at the top of Izumi's Wind+Water collection, as its watertight construction ensures that you remain warm, comfortable, and most importantly, dry while logging your... |
Price: $199.95
Pearl Izumi Elite Gel Vent Glove - Men's - Men's
If you put Pearl Izumi's Elite Gel Vent Gloves on one hand, and the Elite Gel glove on the other, you'll immediately notice the mesh panel along the ring and pinky fingers. This is an obvious addition in order to increase ventilation on stifling hot rides. What won't be noticed, though, unless... |
Pearl Izumi Elite Gel Vent Glove - Women's
From the palm to your fingertips, every stitch, panel, and material of the Pearl Izumi Women's Elite Gel Vent Gloves is designed with comfort, performance, and durability in mind -- for cycling. And one result of this is Comfort Bridge Gel-Vent technology. Its soft gel padding relieves pressure... |
Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool Short Cut Shorts - Women's
If you're looking for a simple, straightforward, no-nonsense pair of shorts, you need look no further than the Elite In-R-Cool Women's Short Cut Shorts. The shorts have been constructed from Pearl Izumi's Elite Transfer fabric, which wears three hats during warm-weather rides. By this, we mean... |
Price: $109.95
Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool Tri Jersey - Sleeveless - Women's
Race day is never comfortable. It's miles and miles of hard effort. The Pearl Izumi Elite in-R-Cool SL Jersey works hard to keep you cool so that your body can focus on the day ahead. The In-R-Cool Tri jersey combines several fabrics for optimal fit and cooling. Elite Transfer In-R-Cool fabric... |
Price: $84.95


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Book your room at St. Ermins Hotel, Autograph Collection
Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
Max Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)Deluxe Double Room, 1 King Bed
Max Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)Executive Room, 1 King Bed
Max Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)Two Double Guest Room
Max Occupancy: 4 guests (up to 3 children, 3 infants)Junior Suite, 1 King Bed
Max Occupancy: 3 guests (up to 2 children, 2 infants)Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, 2 Bathrooms
Max Occupancy: 5 guests (up to 4 children, 4 infants)Suite, 1 King Bed
Max Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)Deluxe hotel nestled in the heart of London
+VIP Access™ Hotel
We carefully hand-picked this hotel based on its dedication to service and excellent guest reviews.
Expedia +gold members receive free room upgrades and +gold and +silver members get other perks upon availability at check-in.
See detailsNear attractions
Once a monastery, this newly refurbished hotel is set on a side street 1 block from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, and the London Eye are within walking distance.
On-site restaurants
The hotel's Caxton Grill specializes in modern European food in relaxed and genial surroundings. An elegant Classic Afternoon Tea, including mouth-watering delicacies and fresh sandwiches, is served in St. Ermin's' Library.
Free WiFi
The recently renovated 331 guest rooms vary in size and shape, but all have historic prints, LED TV entertainment systems, complimentary wireless Internet access, MP3 docking stations, and minibars.
Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!


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The Webster Bible (WBT) | New International Version (NIV) |
1 For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: | 1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. |
The Webster Bible is in the public domain. (The Webster Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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This session is available as an online webinar (90-minute webinar) or an on-site session at your organization. Please contact us to request scheduling.
This workshop is for business users who have been using Excel to manage lists of data, but want to take advantage of the powerful tools Microsoft Access offers. Microsoft Access provides versatile tools for entering, visualizing, analyzing and understanding with data, and gives you the ability to create database applications that work just the way you want them to, maximizing business efficiency with convenience and ease.
This workshop is offered for users already comfortable with Microsoft Excel, but who have not worked with Access before. This class is conducted as public instructor-led webinars. It is also offered for corporate users in the form of corporate Webinars, and onsite training sessions.
Outgrowing Excel/What Access Can Do: How Access' organization and presentation of information can improve upon the limitations of keeping data lists in a spreadsheet. Demonstration of custom forms, reports, and automation.
Basic Interface. How to create the different types of objects in Access, and where the various working tools can be found.
Tables. How Access manages data in columns and records. How to think about and organize your data in table form. Creating tables and relationships, different field types, primary keys.
Queries. How to search for just the data you want, using queries that return results from one table or many related tables.
Forms. How to create a visual representation of your data with an on-screen form that displays just what you want it to show, exactly as you want it to be shown. Sorting and filtering data by form.
Reports. Creating a ready-to-print report on your data, customized for the best visual impact. Grouping and Sorting within a report.
Eve Porcello is the owner of Moon Highway, a web development company based in Tahoe City, CA. She works primarily as a web project manager and has deployed interactive web projects for clients such as Microsoft, 1-800-DENTIST, and ESSP Law. In addition, Eve has implemented a variety of time and task management solutions to help client organizations track and improve productivity.
You can request scheduling for this class using the "Contact Us" form. This class is available as an online webinar or on-site session.
Microsoft Access Techniques—Intermediate
Intro to HTML5 Programming
Intro to CSS3 Programming
Google Apps
Google Analytics
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Access Techniques
Microsoft Project Techniques
Microsoft Sharepoint Techniques
Microsoft Visio Techniques
Creating Engaging Presentations with Prezi
Collaboration Technologies: Blogs, Wikis, SharePoint, and more!
Learn more about our Corporate Onsite Training and Webinars, and how to bring the benefits of these programs to your team or company easily and cost effectively.


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In winter times like now, my lips get rly dry and the corner of my mouth tends to flake which doesnt look that nice. I bought this balm with the hope that it would take the flakes away and smoothe it out, and it did! Its a part of my skin care routine now as I put it on in the morning and before I go to bed. Also works good before putting on lipstick so the colour smoothes and makes it look more homogeneous. A minus is the jar, altough its very cute but since I have long nails its not that sanitary. Either I dip in my knuckle in the jar or use a cotton bud to dig out some balm.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
This stuff is really rather pricey. That said, it smells wonderful and does a very nice job of moisturizing (although not significantly better than vaseline). I like it a lot, but it's too pricey for me to justify buying it again.
OMG! this lip-balm is the best and also the only one I can use for my big, dry lips. I feel I have tried everything from rosebud, carmex, nesoporin etc.. those did not work! The best thing about it is that it is trancelucent so it dosent show off the dryness on your lips like the majority (all!?) of the other lip balms do! The formula is quite thin, but it works wonderfully as well as the lovely smell! It lasts a long time. I did use my previous bottle about 8 times a day, and it lasted over a year which is not bad for paying only $12. My ONLY complain is the packaging. I wish they could put it in a tube or something which would make it more sanitary.
I love this product for elbows, heels, any rough areas. However, I moved my rating down to a 4 because it appears that Boots has altered the fragrance of this product. It used to have a wonderful herb smell--now the fragrance is more fruity, reminded me of a kool-aid smell. I hope this is not a permanent change. There are already too many cosmetic products that smell like they are targeting a pre-teen girl; please don't let this great product be one of them!
I personally love the cute jar this product comes, it's has a nice vintage feel to it. As for the product itself, I don't like it on my lips at all, however, it is a brilliant foot and hand balm and when travelling I use it all over - a little goes a long way. I would not really compare it to vaseline as vaseline is much thicker and much greasier; the consistency of this balm is far lighter and absorbs quite quickly. The smell is nice and price-wise I think it is reasonable. Is it a 'wonder' balm? No more than any other 'balm' out there, but it is good value for money IMHO.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I don't understand why some people are disapointed about this product. I myself love it because it has a great smell and I can use it for anything! I use it for nails, lips, cuts, burns, whatever I may encounter! It's great to carry in your purse too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
The scent is divine on this little thing. But to me it just feels more or less like a water based petroleum jelly. I use it with hand cream on cuticles overnight but for more heavy duty moisturizing I much prefer the Weleda skin food.
ahhh, the scent. sometimes I just open the cute little jar to get a whiff of the calming, herbal scent. Not much good for anything else though ;\. i at times use it as a cuticle balm but that's it.
For some reason I had really high hopes for this product (probably bcs of the name), but I was disappointed.
I used it as a lip balm and it didnt do much not really moisturizing and wore off very quickly. I read some reviews that compared to Vaseline, but in my opinion Vaseline is better, at least it stays on for more than 20 minutes.
I gave it a try on my cuticles and again nothing really happened.
And then (yeah, Im kinda dense) tried it on random dry spots, and guess what? Nada.
Also, the packaging is retarded, I would always get some of it under my nail and it was just too much trouble to try to get into that stupid jar for such a lame product.
Too bad.
More reviews by snow_white_suicide
I can't really review a product just for its scent.. can i? Well, i can only say this is just what others have said - its scented petroleum jelly. It didn't really do much for me at all but to be fair, it wasn't completely awful and despite the name, there really isn't anything wonderful about this wonder balm.


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Resources and links – 13 January 2012
- WordPress: Improved the_excerpt() function
The the_excerpt() function is useful and very popular among theme developers, but it's far from being perfect. Today's recipe showcase an improved the_excerpt() function, which display an excerpt which is not longer than a predetermined length and doesn't cut off in mid-sentence.
- A List Apart: Articles: Faux Columns
- WordPress › Leaflet Maps Marker « WordPress Plugins
- 9 Free Display Typefaces for Designers
- New High-Quality Free Fonts (2012 Edition) – Smashing Magazine
- A Responsive Design Approach for Complex, Multicolumn Data Tables | Filament Group, Inc., Boston, MA
- How To Create Custom Taxonomies In WordPress – Smashing WordPress
- How to Sync A Local And Remote WordPress Blog | Wptuts+
- Practical CSS3 tables with rounded corners – RedTeamDesign


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Update on Meningitis here and there
The Centers for Disease Control says Indiana is home to 8 of the 91 cases of Meningitis from a contaminated Steroid injection. As of Monday morning, a total of 72 of the 560 patients who received injections from a contaminated lot have come to the St. Mary's Emergency Room. Some did not have symptoms and were not tested for meningitis. Of those who were tested, no one has tested positive for meningitis and none have been admitted. The CDC says 7 deaths have been reported, and Meningitis has been reported in 9 states.


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DHS News January 2013
Brandy Grabill, a caseworker with Allegheny County Justice Related Services, received glowing praise in a letter from the mother of a consumer, who writes that her son "has been in and out of jail for numerous difficult to understand reasons." She credits Brandy with setting goals for her son, getting him in a group home, and helping him establish a plan. "Brandy was a Godsend to us….She was very dedicated to [our son's] case and [his] well-being. I always looked forward to a phone call from Brandy as she was uplifting and hopeful."
DHS News Newsletter DHS News Archive


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Updated: March 2, 2013 11:46AM
The Illinois Supreme Court essentially has ruled that private security officers can exercise real police powers. We think the decision makes no sense and worry that it almost guarantees a senseless tragedy at some point.
While the court's ruling applies initially to traffic enforcement on private roads that are overseen by homeowners associations, we don't like where this could be heading.
Eventually, a private-duty cop, lacking proper training and experience in tense or dangerous situations, will shoot an innocent person for seeming to be suspicious. In such a confrontation, would the security guard call the police? We hope so but fear some would see no need.
A former DuPage County prosecutor sued his homeowners association in LaSalle County after he was pulled over in 2008 by a vehicle with flashing lights, and a uniformed officer wrote him a $50 speeding ticket. The man wasn't a police officer but an association employee with little police training and no state certification.
The analogy is not perfect, but the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman last year in Sanford, Fla., comes to mind. Zimmerman claimed that he had the right to stop the unarmed teenager because Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community.
People who think they have police power will use that power. That's why we have strict rules for police conduct and require thorough training. They are sworn to enforce the law, not residential preferences.
Last year, the Illinois Appellate Court decided that the homeowners group could not stop and ticket drivers for violating its traffic rules. But the Supreme Court reversed that ruling, while specifying that such groups' bylaws apply only to members — though it's not clear how rent-a-cops determine who's a resident or whether they bother.
Homeowners associations are quasi-commercial enterprises, not governments. Their security guards are not sworn police officers empowered to detain citizens. The state's high court has issued a ruling that it will come to regret. We already do.


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Assists a licensed pharmacist in filling prescriptions and administration.
More info: National Pharmacy Technician Association
pharmacy technician:
Assists a licensed pharmacist in filling prescriptions and administration.
More info: National Pharmacy Technician Association
science/lab technician:
Helps scientists and engineers run experiments and research projects, and performs routine lab work.
More info: Medical Laboratory Assistant Training Schools
Measures and assesses geographic data for research or land development purposes.
National Society of Professional Surveyors
More info: American Congress of Surveying and Mapping
mail carrier:
Delivers mail and assists in handling and sorting it.
More info: United States Postal Service
library technician:
Sorts, shelves, and catalogues library books and assists library patrons.
More info: Council on Library and Media Technicians
Diagnoses and repairs cars and rebuilds car engines.
More info: Baran Institute of Technology
computer support specialist:
Assists customers with questions or difficulties with a computer-related product or service.
More info: The High Tech Institute
office clerk:
Creates and organizes office files, paperwork, and accounting books.
More info: Gibbs College
Reads and edits text, checking for mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
More info: American Copy Editors Society
tax preparer:
Fills out yearly income and other tax forms for clients.
More info: National Tax Training School
bill collector:
Helps companies collect overdue payments from their clients or customers.
More info: Association of Credit and Collection Professionals
Records the financial dealings of a business on a daily basis.
More info: American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
Installs and repairs electrical circuitry and telephone lines.
More info: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, and appliances that use water.
More info: The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
Makes and replaces keys and locks.
More info: The Associated Locksmiths of America


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An Edward Weston retrospective at the Longmont Museum brings the ordinary to life
Edward Weston: "Dunes, Oceano," 1936.
Edward Weston holds an upper berth in the pantheon of modern American photography, and it's easy to see why. A solid Modernist who began working in the early twentieth century, Weston -- who was also a great technician in the darkroom -- breathed life into inanimate objects and places, turning nautilus shells, peppers and rippled dunes, with their natural curves and shadows, into sensual images seething with inner beauty. And when he took on the human form itself, well -- look out! Just as his still lifes and landscapes anthropomorphize shapes, Weston's nudes picture humanity in its most lovely, natural state.
To see a Weston is a visual treat, and 115 of them will be on display in Edward Weston: Life Work, which opens tomorrow at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center; a public reception kicks off the exhibit at 7 p.m. Saturday. Life Work will run through July 22; the museum is open daily, and museum director Wesley Jessup will lead walk-throughs every Tuesday at noon. Admission is $5 to $7 (children ages eleven and under are free).
Here's a look at some of the classic Weston photographs you'll see:
All images courtesy Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
Edward Weston: "Self Portrait," 1908.
Location Info
Sponsor Content


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the device life
medical technology expands to younger generations
Page 4 of 4 Previous
The hardest thing for them is "coming to terms that something is wrong with your heart," Kobelinski said. "We need to check their devices. They can't fall off the face of the Earth."
Kobelinski knows what they're going through. She was born with a heart defect that has required six open-heart surgeries, and her aortic valve had to be replaced when she was a child. Scar tissue from those surgeries later interfered with her heart rhythm, requiring doctors to put in a pacemaker when she was 17.
Her aortic valve is from Little Canada-based St. Jude Medical and her pacemaker is from Fridley-based Medtronic.
Like all children with devices who will grow up to be adults with devices, Kobelinski has endured a lifetime of tough choices.
As a teen, it meant that she played tennis instead of higher-impact sports. It also meant shopping for a prom dress that was not only pretty, but that would hide her scars and pacemaker lump.
And it meant getting a letter two weeks before her wedding saying that her pacemaker lead needed to be replaced. She waited months to do it; she wanted a more normal start to her marriage.
It also has meant making the decision to not have children. She doesn't want to pass along the risk of heart disease to her baby.
Kobelinski hopes technology for the next generation of children will allow them to live longer, better lives. She wants smaller devices that won't wear out, leads that don't break and batteries that don't need to be replaced as often.
Kobelinski knows such advances would also benefit her own health.
"I don't want to have more surgeries," she said.
Kobelinski is optimistic. Lifting weights and walking have strengthened her heart to the point where it relies less on the pacemaker. She can do more than she once could with her husband, Mike, who cross-country skis and bicycles. They even hope to adopt a baby.
But her top goal in life is a simple one.
"I want to be old with him," she said. "Whatever needs to happen to get there, that's what I want."
Star Tribune staff writers Jim Spencer and Glenn Howatt contributed to this report.
James Walsh • 612-673-7428


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Contemporary, spacious and beautifully designed
East Village is a perfect base to explore the capital. It's a quick trip back from enjoying London nightlife or a West End show. But even better, there's a world of entertainment, history and leisure on your doorstep right here in Stratford – from the biggest urban shopping centre in Europe and the Olympic facilities to canalside cafes, a theatre, boutique galleries and some amazing restaurants.
East Village London:
Everything on your doorstep
- The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Olympic Pool, Velodrome and other world class sporting facilities
- Westfield Stratford City shopping centre and coming soon to East Village over 30 small local shops, cafés, a pub, restaurants, a convenience store, even a gym
- Chobham Academy – a world-class education campus offering education to 1,800 students aged between 3 and 19 years (from September 2013).
- Stratford International Station with outstanding transport connections to St Pancras (7 minutes), The City (12 minutes), the West End (20 minutes) and Europe (under 2 hours)
- The Sir Ludwig Guttman Medical Centre with GP services, dentist and pharmacy