text:
For rationalizing medical treatments in the hospital setting, particularly for improving the utilization rate of examination and therapy equipment and to avoid long waiting times, a time management system (1) is disclosed having at least one treatment station (2 a-2 c) coupled with an appointment-scheduling module (3) for storing appointments (T1, T2) in memory, each of which is assigned to a medical procedure (8 a-8 c) specified with a view to the treatment station, or a defined treatment station, (2 a-2 c) and to a predetermined duration (tv). The treatment station (2 a-2 c) is operative to output a check-back signal (R) to the appointment-scheduling module (3) once a procedure (8 a-8 c) has been completely performed. The appointment-scheduling module (3) is embodied for dynamically adapting subsequent appointments (T2) on the basis of the check-back signal (R).
1. A time management system for medical treatments comprising:
at least one treatment station having a first processor and a first memory coupled therewith; and
a central server computer having a second processor and a second memory coupled therewith in communication with the at least one treatment station via a data network and comprising an appointment-scheduling module stored in the second memory and executable by the second processor and coupled with the at least one treatment station, the appointment-scheduling module being operative to cause the second processor of the central server to store a plurality of appointments in the second memory, each of the plurality of appointments being assigned to at least one medical procedure specified in view of one of the at least one treatment station and characterized by a predetermined duration, wherein the at least one medical procedure comprises a plurality of procedure steps; and
further wherein:
the first processor of the at least one treatment station is operative to output, upon completion of each of the plurality of procedure steps of the at least one medical procedure of the assigned appointment, a check-back signal to the appointment scheduling module indicative thereof via the data network and, in response thereto, the appointment scheduling module is operative to cause the second processor to adapt subsequent of the plurality of appointments on the basis of at least one of the check-back signals;
the appointment scheduling module being further operative to cause the second processor of the central server to formulate each of the plurality of procedure steps of the at least one medical procedure assigned to the appointment in the form of a DICOM-standard-compatible planned procedure step; and
the first processor of the at least one treatment station being further operative to generate the check-back signal based on each of the plurality of procedure steps that has been performed, the check-back signal being in the form of a DICOM-standard-compatible performed procedure step.
2. The time management system according to
3. The time management system according to
4. The time management system according to
5. The time management system according to
6. The time management system according to
7. The time management system according to one of
8. The time management system according to one of
9. The time management system according to one of
10. A method of managing time for medical treatments, the method comprising:
providing at least one treatment station and a central server in communication therewith, the central server computer comprising a processor and a memory coupled therewith, the central server computer further comprising an appointment-scheduling module stored in the memory and executable by the processor and further coupled with the at least one treatment station via a data network;
storing by the appointment-scheduling module in the memory of the central server computer, a plurality of appointments, each of the plurality of appointments being assigned to at least one medical procedure specified in view of one of the at least one treatment station and characterized by a predetermined duration, wherein the at least one medical procedure comprises a plurality of procedure steps, each of the plurality of procedure steps of the at least one medical procedure being assigned to the appointment in the form of a DICOM-standard-compatible planned procedure step; and
outputting, by a processor of the at least one treatment station upon completion of each of the plurality of procedure steps of the at least one medical procedure of the assigned appointment, a check-back signal to the appointment-scheduling module of the central server computer indicative thereof, the check-back signal being in the form of a DICOM-standard-compatible performed procedure step, and, in response thereto, adapting, by the processor of the central server computer, subsequent of the plurality of appointments on the basis of the at least one of the check-back signals.
This application is further related to and claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. �119 to the filing date of Jun. 30, 2004 of German patent application no. 102004031690.2 DE, filed on Jun. 30, 2004 and the filing date of Apr. 12, 2005 of German patent application no. 102005016852.3 DE, filed on Apr. 12, 2005.
In the hospital setting, medical treatments are increasingly being defined in the form of standardized procedures (or work flows) in a way that is similar to industrial processes. As used here, the term "treatment" includes the entire field of medical treatments, especially diagnosis, therapy planning, and therapy. The efficiency of such standardization is increasingly significant, especially given the increasing cost pressure and hence the economy increasingly demanded of a hospital. Once standardized procedures have been predefined, they can be better planned for, and appointments for them can be set better. Unlike conventional industrial processes, however, such an appointment schedule is a rule difficult to achieve in a hospital setting. This can ascribed particularly to the fact that estimating the actual duration of a medical treatment in advance can be done only with comparatively great uncertainty, because of the individual differences of every patient examined and the associated clinical picture. In particular, findings that affect the duration of the treatment are typically not known until during the course of a treatment.
The resultant deviations from the original appointment schedule, depending on the direction of the deviation, lead to long waiting times for later patients or times when the examination equipment stands idle between two treatments, making for a comparatively low degree of utilization. Low utilization is a considerable disadvantage, above all in the case of a cost-intensive examination or treatment device, such as a particle accelerator used for therapeutic purposes.
Until now, for scheduling appointments in the hospital setting, a conventional, and in particular software-implemented, appointment scheduler with static time allocation has typically been employed. Such an appointment scheduler makes it possible to assign appointments within fixed or variable time slots. If deviations from the appointment schedule occur in practice, then the appointment schedule may need to be updated manually, which is complicated. If for reasons of time the manual updating is not done, then a delay, once it occurs, spreads on and on to newly assigned appointments.
The disclosed embodiments relate to a time management system for medical treatments intended particularly for use in a hospital. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the time management system includes at least one treatment station and an appointment-scheduling module. The treatment station may include a medical radiation therapy or examination system, such as a CT unit, some other kind of radiology unit, a magnetic resonance imaging system, or the like that is associated with a particle accelerator (linear accelerator, cyclotron or synchrotron). However, a computer assigned to a treatment room or operation room may also be provided as the treatment station. The appointment-scheduling module is preferably embodied as a software component of a data processing system connected to each treatment station within a data network. The appointment-scheduling module is embodied to store a number of appointments in memory, each being associated with one medical procedure. A scheme of a medical treatment, which in particular is specified with regard to an associated treatment station and a predetermined duration, that is, an average desired duration, is called a procedure. Making an appointment for such a procedure, that is, by generating an appointment for a certain procedure, assigns the procedure both a starting time and a patient to be examined. By means of the appointment and the associated procedure, the data essential to a medical treatment, particularly the starting time, predetermined duration, patient, type of treatment, and treatment station, are thus fixed.
According to one embodiment of the treatment station or each treatment station, when a procedure is completed in an appointment, the station will output a check-back signal to the appointment-scheduling module; the appointment-scheduling module is in turn embodied for dynamically adapting the starting times of subsequent appointments on the basis of the check-back signal. This includes, first, postponing appointments. If performing a procedure in an appointment takes longer than the specified time assigned to the procedure, then subsequent appointments are delayed accordingly, as a consequence of this dynamic adaptation. Conversely, if performing the procedure in an appointment takes less than the specified time, then subsequent appointments for the treatment station are moved up accordingly. Optionally, the series of appointments, or in the case of a plurality of equivalent treatment stations the treatment station assigned to a particular appointment, can be adapted as needed. It is also provided that the allocation of resources (such as the particle beam of a particle accelerator) and staffing planning for the treatment stations be adapted dynamically in accordance with the appointment schedule.
By means of the feedback of the treatment station, or each treatment station, to the appointment-scheduling module and the dynamic adaptation of the appointment schedule performed by the appointment-scheduling module, it is assured that the appointment schedule will be automatically updated continuously. As a result, on the one hand especially good utilization of the treatment stations is achieved, and on the other, long waiting times can be effectively avoided in this way. In particular, it can be assured in a simple way that the new assignment of appointments is always done with a view to an updated of the existing appointment schedule. This effectively prevents a delay, once it happens, from spreading to more and more new appointments in a chain reaction.
With a view to efficient, rational assignment of appointments, it is preferably provided that the appointment-scheduling module for the treatment station or each treatment station is specified at least one predefined procedure, which is already specified in advance in terms of the predetermined duration associated with it. Alternatively, however, at least for some procedures, it may be provided that the predetermined duration is defined only manually, and not until the appointment is made.
In a refinement of the time management system, it is provided that the procedure or each procedure is subdivided into a number of procedure steps. In this version, each treatment station is expediently embodied for displaying the completion of each procedure step in an appointment by outputting a corresponding check-back signal to the appointment-scheduling module, so that possibly even during an ongoing treatment, this module can react to any deviations from the original appointment schedule and adapt the appointment schedule accordingly.
In one embodiment, the time management system is embodied on the basis of the DICOM standard. The DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard, which is internationally established in imaging medical technology, defines data objects, communications protocols, and server-client applications in the diagnostic field. For instance, data objects that represent an X-ray, CT, or MRI are defined. The standard further defines how these objects are forwarded, for instance from the imaging device (generator) to an evaluation device (workstation) or a digital archive. For further details, reference may be made to the documentation of the standard known as "Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)", Version 3, Part 1 (PS 3.1-2003) through Part 16 (PS 3.16-2003), NEMA, Rosslyn, Va., USA. The server-client definition according to DICOM is supplemented by the IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) standard, which provides the roles and objects with which the components involved in clinical processes, such as radiology information system (RIS), imaging device and evaluation station, are assigned their tasks in the process. For instance, the RIS can generate a list of patients to be examined. This list is retrieved by the imaging device along with the relevant patient data. Once the examination data has been recorded, as in an X-ray, the full information is forwarded to an interpretation station in the radiology department. The radiologist then dictates his findings. The images are stored in a digital archive. The RIS stores the findings in memory.
The DICOM standard now offers the possibility of defining not only already predetermined and internationally standardized procedures but also freely configurable procedures. These server-client applications are summarized under the term "General Purpose Worklist or General Purpose Procedure Steps (GPPS)." With GPPS, arbitrary processes in the hospital setting that are compatible with the DICOM standard can be described. For this purpose, DICOM furnishes especially the class of planned procedure steps, by means of which process steps to be performed can be defined. DICOM also makes the class of performed procedure steps available, by means of which the components involved in the clinical process can report that the planned procedure steps have been performed to a procedure step provider. With the aid of these object and communication definitions, which are available to all manufacturers through the DICOM standard, DICOM-compatible components can now furnish reports. The GPPS environment may be especially advantageously employed for achieving dynamically adaptive time management. To that end, it is provided that for making an appointment for a procedure, the appointment-scheduling module formulates the step, or every step, of the procedure in the form of a planned procedure step in accordance with DICOM and allocates it to the treatment station performed pertaining to the procedure. For achieving the check-back signal, it is expediently provided that the treatment station, or each treatment station, formulates every procedure step performed in the appointment in the form of a performed procedure step in accordance with DICOM and reports it back to the appointment-scheduling module. By monitoring these performed procedure steps reported back, simple adaptation of the appointment schedule is now possible.
In addition, or alternatively to this, for generating check-back signals, it is provided that a locating system, embodied for locating patients, transporting devices, or medical products, be used for locating purposes. In one embodiment, the locating system may be embodied on the basis of a bar code system. In an alternate embodiment, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or transponder technology is employed for generating check-back signals. The locating system includes at least one RFID signal transducer and at least one RFID reader unit, which generates the check-back signal when the RFID signal transducer, or an RFID signal transducer, is read out by the reader unit. The RFID signal transducer is embodied in particular as a mobile part and is assigned to a transporting device (such as a trolley), a medical product (as part of a package, as a label on a package, or the like), or directly to a patient (for instance in the form of an ID badge). RFID signal transducers or transponders can be affixed to the patient (on his arm or leg), to treatment aids (such as vacuum mattresses), or to the treatment table (gurney/cot, wheelchair). The reader units should be set up and oriented accordingly. The reader unit or each reader unit is conversely preferably stationary, that is, assigned to a certain place, so that once the associated RFID signal transducer is brought into the sphere of influence of a reader unit stationed at that place, the current position of the patient, transporting device, or product in a hospital is located. In particular, the reader units are mounted at different heights above the floor, so that signal transducers or transponders affixed to the arms and legs of patients who are standing or walking and patients who are lying down can be read in; for instance, on entering or leaving a treatment station, changing room, and so forth, by communication of the RFID signal transducer assigned to a patient with a corresponding reader unit, a check-back signal is generated automatically.
The check-back signal, generated from the association of place and time, is allocated to the procedure step by means of predefined medical procedures (work flow, procedure step), and based on that, an optimization of the appointment-making process is made by the appointment-scheduling module.
The process of making an appointment for a procedure is optionally done manually; the medical staff selects a predefined procedure that specifies the patient to be examined and in particular selects an assigned starting time for the appointment. The appointment-scheduling module is, however, preferably embodied for automatically selecting the time associated with the appointment and entering it in the appointment schedule, optionally after a positive acknowledgement from the medical staff. The appointment-scheduling module is embodied such that it selects the assigned starting time for the appointment on the specification of an optimized utilization of the associated treatment station. If there are a plurality of treatment stations that are dependent on joint resources, then it is expediently provided that the appointment-scheduling module associates the appointments of the various treatment stations with one another chronologically in such a way that the jointly used resources are equally utilized. If a delay occurs in the area of one treatment station, then the appointment-scheduling module expediently also adapts the later appointments of the other treatment stations accordingly. Optionally, appointments are made taking into account a static pre-correction that is derived from an evaluation of appointment changes that have already been made. For instance, if for a particular procedure, a delay statistically occurs with extraordinary frequency, then the appointment-scheduling module, in the future determination of this procedure, will schedule a longer length of time than the predetermined duration originally assigned to the procedure.
For better avoidance of waiting times, it is expediently provided that the appointment-scheduling module, upon a dynamic adaptation of an appointment, automatically informs the associated patient in accordance with predefined criteria. This can be done in the form of a direct message, such as an automatically generated call, an SMS, by means of a radio receiver (beeper), and so forth. Alternatively, however, the patient can be informed indirectly, for instance by informing the staff responsible for caring for the patient. It is also conceivable that the appointments can be made accessible to the patient, in always updated form, on a display board, information screen, or the like.
In addition or as an alternative, the patient for whom an appointment is made is automatically informed of this by the appointment-scheduling module, in advance of the time set for the appointment by a predetermined length of time, or lead time. This option is highly advantageous especially in the inpatient hospital setting, especially since then a patient can be called up within a relatively short time for treatment, so that waiting times can be avoided almost entirely.
One exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in further detail below in terms of a drawing. Elements and sizes corresponding to one another are identified by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.
The time management system 1 further includes an appointment-scheduling module 3, which is embodied as a software component of a data processing system 4, such as a central server.
The time management system 1 furthermore has access to a number of communications units 6 for communicating with the patients. As the communications unit 6, a communications means by which a patient, or the medical staff caring for patients, can be spoken to directly can be used, such as a room or station telephone, cell phone, etc. However, a generally accessible information medium, such as a display board, information screen, or the like, may also be included as a communications unit 6.
The treatment stations 2 a-2 c, the data processing system 4 and the communications units 6 communicate with one another via a data transmission network 7. The data transmission network 7 may also include a plurality of separate networks, such as a LAN, a Tk network, and optionally wireless networks, etc.
The object of the appointment-scheduling module 3, shown in a function diagram in
For that purpose, a number of predefined procedures 8 a, 8 b and 8 c are specified to the appointment-scheduling module 3 for each treatment station 2 a-2 c. Each procedure 8 a-8 c represents the abstract scheme of a medical treatment that is intended to be performed at the associated treatment station 2 a, 2 b or 2 c, respectively. If the treatment station 2 a is for instance an X-ray unit, then among the procedures 8 a associated with this treatment station 2 a, one procedure 8 a is for instance directed to a chest X-ray using the anterior-posterior projection for the image. If the treatment station 2 b is a radiation therapy station, for instance, then an associated procedure 8 b is for instance directed to a particular radiotherapy treatment.
Each procedure 8 a-8 c is in turn broken down into a number of procedure steps 9. The successive procedure steps 9 a-9 d of the procedure 8 a include for instance registering a patient 9 a, immobilizing him in the imaging position 9 b, the actual imaging 9 c, and finally remobilizing the patient 9 d. A predetermined specified time, that is, an average desired time, is allocated to each procedure step 9, 9 a-9 d. From the total of the specified times allocated to the individual procedure steps 9, 9 a-9 d of a procedure 8 a-8 c, the result is in particular a (total) predetermined duration tv, which is schematically represented in
In the course of appointment scheduling, appointments for procedures 8 a-8 c are assigned by the appointment-scheduling module 3; that is, an appointment T1, T2 is assigned to a particular procedure 8 a-8 c. An appointment T1, T2 represents a concrete instance of an abstract procedure 8 a-8 c, by which the procedure 8 a-8 c is made concrete with regard to a particular patient and an assigned starting time ta. The appointment T1, T2 thus specifies all the information required for the concrete execution of a medical treatment corresponding to the applicable procedure 8 a-8 c.
For making an appointment for a procedure 8 a-8 c, the medical staff selects the particular procedure 8 a-8 c and specifies the patient to be examined by inputting corresponding patient data P that make it possible to identify the patient, such as the name of the patient or a code number corresponding to the patient, and so forth. The assigned starting time ta for the appointment T1, T2 is either also specified manually by the medical staff or automatically defined by an appointment-making module 10 of the appointment-scheduling module 3. The appointment-making module 10 then enters the appointment T1, T2 into an appointment schedule 11 of the appointment-scheduling module 3. The appointment schedule 11 is a calendar with a number of fields 12 a-12 c, each associated with one treatment station 2 a, 2 b or 2 c. The time axis t of the calendar is represented schematically as an arrow in
Optionally, once an appointment has been made, the appointment-making module 10 automatically informs the appropriate patient.
In addition to assigning appointments T1, T2, the appointment-scheduling module 3 controls and monitors the concrete performance of the corresponding procedures 8 a-8 c by the associated treatment stations 2 a-2 c. To that end, for each procedure step 9 performed in accordance with the appointment, the appointment-scheduling module 3 outputs a corresponding control signal S to the associated treatment station 2 a-2 c. Once this procedure step 9 has been performed, the treatment station 2 a-2 c sends a corresponding feedback signal R back to the appointment-scheduling module 3. By evaluating the check-back signals R, the appointment-scheduling module 3 can tell which procedure steps 9, 9 a have already been performed (shown shaded in
In one embodiment, the time management system 1 uses the classes of the so-called general purpose procedure steps (GPPS), defined by the DICOM standard, for forming the control signals S and check-back signals R. Accordingly, the appointment-scheduling module generates control signals S by formulating a procedure step to be performed (in
On the basis of the check-back signal R, the appointment-scheduling module 3 checks whether the specified time, assigned to each procedure step 9 performed on time, was adhered to within predetermined tolerance limits. As long as that is the case, the appointment schedule 11 is recognized by the appointment-scheduling module 3 as having been adhered to.
In hospital settings, however, frequent and sometimes serious deviations from the actual treatment time, compared to the predetermined duration tv assigned to a standardized procedure 8 a-8 c, are unavoidable. One such case is shown as an example in
To prevent patients that are to be treated from having to be informed personally each time there is a change in appointment, possibly overloading a patient with more and more changes of appointment, it is optionally provided that the communications unit 6 assigned to a patient to be treated in an appointment is sent a message B2 only a single time, specifically prior to the properly set starting time ta by the amount of a predetermined lead time tp. Since in a hospital, a patient can be called up comparatively spontaneously for a given treatment, this lead time tp can be selected to be comparatively short, so that the risk of a further postponement of the appointment schedule 11 within this short lead time tp is comparatively slight. The likelihood of long waiting times for a patient is thus minimized. On the other hand, expediently each time there is a change in the appointment schedule 11, a corresponding message B3 with the updated appointment schedule 11 is output to a communications unit 6, where the information can call up information on the current appointment schedule 11 as needed, for instance on an information screen operated on the basis of HTML documents or screen text.
The time management system 1 preferably includes a locating system 13, shown schematically in
Each RFID signal transducer 14 a, 14 b is an (optionally active, but preferably passive) electrical oscillating circuit in the radiowave frequency range, which contains a predetermined item of information that is read out by electromagnetic interaction by each reader unit 15 a, 15 b of the locating system 13 when the RFID signal transducer 14 a, 14 b is kept in the sphere of influence of the reader unit 15 a, 15 b. The information associated with an RFID signal transducer 14 a, 14 b is configurable, and in particular it can be changed or deleted.
The RFID signal transducers 14 a, 14 b are mobile and are each assigned to one patient 16, one transporting device, or one medical product package, while the reader units 15 a, 15 b are stationary, or in other words are assigned to a particular examination station 2 a-2 c of the hospital.
In the example shown, a first RFID signal transducer 14 a is integrated into a wristband and is secured to a wrist of the patient 16. A further RFID signal transducer 14 b is embodied as a label and is applied to a product package 17. Other RFID signal transducers may be integrated in trolleys or the like, for instance.
One reader unit 15 a is located at an entrance or exit of a room, especially a waiting room, assigned to one of the examination stations 2 a. A further reader unit 15 b is associated, as a handheld unit, with a control computer 18 in the examination station 2 a.
By readout of the RFID signal transducers 14 a, 14 b by one of the reader units 15 a, 15 b, it is ascertained when the patient 16 is passing the reader unit 15 a, by entering or leaving the waiting room, for instance, changing room, or treatment room that is associated with this reader unit 15 a. This information is fed back to the appointment-scheduling module 3 by the respective reader unit 15 a, 15 b in the form of a suitable check-back signal R and is assessed for dynamic adaptation of appointment scheduling. Also by means of the reader unit 15 b, it is ascertained when and to what extent medical products are being used for the treatment station 2 a, and so forth.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
The Santee Cooper Board of Directors approved the promotion of two officers at its board meeting last week.
Pamela Williams will become senior vice president of corporate services, replacing R.M. Singletary after his April 30 retirement. Michael Crosby will take on a new position, senior vice president of nuclear energy.
Williams, Santee Coopers current vice president of administration, joined Santee Cooper in 2001 as associate general counsel for corporate affairs. In 2006, she took on the additional duties of corporate secretary. She moved to vice president of administration in 2011. Prior to her career at Santee Cooper, Williams was corporate counsel for Clorox and an associate attorney for Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon.
Williams has a bachelor of science in economics from the College of Charleston and a juris doctor from the University of Virginia. She is married and has two children.
Crosby, currently Santee Coopers vice president of nuclear operations and construction, came to Santee Cooper in 1985 as an assistant engineer in Generation. Over the next decade he moved up to associate, general and principal engineer.
In 1995, Crosby became supervisor of electrical maintenance at Cross Generating Station. In 1999, he moved to superintendent of maintenance at Winyah Generating Station, and in 2007 he became manager of station construction. In 2011, Crosby was promoted to his current position.
Crosby has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina and a master of business administration from The Citadel. He is married and has two children.
Pamela and Michael bring much experience and demonstrated success to their new positions, and Santee Cooper will certainly benefit from their continued leadership in these new roles, said Lonnie Carter, Santee Cooper president and CEO.
Santee Cooper is South Carolinas largest power producer, the largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Visit www.santeecooper.com.
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For top quality residential and elderly care, as well as facilities for people with mental health and dementia or Alzheimer's disease, Silver Court is a welcoming care home owned by Anchor Homes.
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All rooms have views of the home's scenic garden area and connections for satellite and digital TV, with visitors welcome and a 24-hour call system for staff.
Group: Anchor
Person in charge: Jane Baxter (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: West Sussex County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned , 42 residents
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age
Specialist Care Categories: Alzheimer's • Visual Impairment
Single Rooms: 42
Rooms with ensuite WC: 42
Facilities & Services: Own Furniture if required • Pets by arrangement • Close to Local shops • Near Public Transport • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Phone Point in own room/Mobile • Television point in own room
Latest CQC* Report on Silver Court: click here
*Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
Review Score: 7.6 (7.648)
The user 'Review Score' (7.6 for Silver Court) is based on 1 review. The Review Score is is calculated using a combination of the average of all ratings on user reviews submitted in the last 2 years, and the total number of user reviews submitted in relation to the number of beds at the care home. The maximum Review Score is 10. To see more about the carehome.co.uk user reviews please click here.
The reviews submitted to our site do not represent our views and we accept no responsibility or liability for any such reviews.
Submitted by Joan Lawrence (Wife of Resident/Service User) on Friday 9 August 2013.
My husband has been cared for by the Management and staff of Silver Court for nearly two years and I feel the care, consideration compassion and general attitude has been so very good. I visit several times every week and can in all honesty say that I have no negative feelings whatsoever about my husband being cared for in Silver Court. Of course it could never be `home` but it is as close to that as it is possible to make such an establishment. The general atmosphere is calm and I have never ever felt anything but positive when visiting. I am always contacted immediately if there is any kind of problem regarding my husband and any serious health problems have always been dealt with promptly and efficiently. The General Manager and her team both carers and those in the administration side, are always friendly and happy to talk when it is needed. I would also finally add, that The Gen Manager`s door is never closed unless of course she is interviewing prospective clients. The Residents are encouraged to go and have a chat if they so wish - it is always possible to talk to the Manager. I would be happy to recommend Silver Court to any prospective client looking for a suitable compassionate and caring place to have their loved one looked after. One last point - I would strongly give praise to the lovely food that is provided by the excellent chefs - A good deal of thought, care and fresh produce is always given.
Overall Standard: Excellent
Facilities: Good
Care / Support: Excellent
Cleanliness: Excellent
Treated with Dignity: Good
Food & Drink: Excellent
Staff: Excellent
Activities: Good
Management: Excellent
Safety / Security: Good
Rooms: Good
Value for Money: Good
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- Tiebacks included
- Energy saving
- Care instructions: Machine washable
- Can be hung from standard or decorative curtain rods (not included)
For proper fullness, panels should measure 2-3 times the width of your window.
The digital images we display have the most accurate color possible. However, due to differences in computer monitors, we cannot be responsible for variations in color between the actual product and your screen.
|Contemporary Formal Traditional
|64 Inches
|Beige Black Blue Brown Green Grey Pink Purple Red
|Fabric Care
|Machine Wash
|Product Features
|Blackout Energy Efficient Insulated Thermal
|Window Treatment Header Type
|100% Polyester
|Model Number
|Grommet Top 63
Customer Reviews
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Best curtains I have EVER owned!
Lush, thick, silky and make the room so dark for night and private its INCREDIBLE! I want to buy them for every window and my patio!Read More
Great blackout curtain!
Very nice quality curtains with blackout. Especially nice as there are the same colors/fabric/style in different lengths for matching different sized windows! Be sure to verify the grommet color from the picture to ensure you get the same item.Read More
Black out curtains
I bought these for my daughters apartment at college . She absolutely loved how dark they kept the room allowing her to get much needed sleep on her days off.Read More
Blackout drapes that really black out
I live in Alaska where the summer is one long day. The curtains are beautiful as well as functional. They hang like custom made. I chose the red color which is rich and vivid.Read More
Pauline Keaton
Love them, soft and silky and they work well.Read More
Great Insulation
I was very pleasantly surprised with these curtain panels! (I purchased the Chocolate color) Some reviewers said they weren't pleased with the fabric, and it attracted pet hair... which was a concern of mine with my very furry pup! Please know that the fabric is thick, doesn't look cheap, and does NOT attract pet hair. I think they hang nicely, and REALLY keep the cold out, and the heat in... it was a very obvious improvement while sleeping next to a drafty window! I can't recommend these enough. They arrived super-quick, and the price is wonderful for high-quality drapery panels... and yes they do make the bedroom nice and dark! :)Read More
Makes about a 20 degree difference in room temp!!!
Great curtain for that late afternoon sun. We could tell a difference in the room temperature within an hour of hanging them! They also make a perfect, dark room for that afternoon nap!!Read More
I just received my black out curtain that I ordered in Chocolate. They arrived a bright medium brown, not the color that I was expecting. They are very shiny and attract all duct and pet hair. They do a great job of blocking out the light are are wide enough to only use one panel per window.Read More
Beautiful curtains
I was pleasantly suprised when I recieved my package. I had orderd 2 colors, chocolate brown for the livingrm & blue for my bedroom. Wow, I'm so happy with both. The gromet tops make it so much easier to position & they hang beautifully. The material is so soft & silky. The backs are the same color & I really like this. I couldn't have asked for a better quality of curtain. I will be ordering more for the sliders in the bedroom & livingrm. This definately was a value compared to 'big box stores' that charge 'per panel' & the material doesn't come close to matching these!Read More
Cheap looking
I bought these because of the positive reviews, but I am not impressed. The fabric looks cheap--it has a shiny polyester sheen and feels gross to the touch. I am going to return them.Read More
Questions & Answers
Hello Nancy, these are not lined, the back is the same color as the front. Thanks for shopping with us!
I just ordered these curtains in the panel style. can I change my order to grommet style?
Hello linda66131. For assistance with this issue please contact Customer Care at the number below. I hope this helps, thank you for shopping with us! U.S. and Canada Toll free: 1-800-The-BIG-O (843-2446)
Can I get these panels is the dark grey? It says in the description that dark grey is an option but it does not let me select that option from the drop down menu. If not is the slate grey more grey or is it blue?
Hello Maye0050, we do apologize, the dark grey is not currently in stock. The slat grey is a true grey, in my opinion. Thank you for shopping with us.
what color are the grommets? I ordered another pair and didn't realize the grommets were silver :(
Hello teresainmoseslake, this item features grommets in Antique bronze. Thank you for shopping with us.
I'd like to get this in the color "biscuit" as shown on the website, but it doesn't appear on the drop down menu to select. Is it available?
Hello Melultimate, the current available colors are listed under the options drop down box. Items are restocked as they become available; however, we cannot guarantee an item will be restocked. Thank you for shopping with us.
Why did you choose this product?
Need more at this time to cover office window.
have some already
Because of the lenght, the color and the block-out feature
Color and blackout.
Thermal benefit and black out light ability....Liked color/style and reviews
Great looking colors, hopefully will do the job of cool in the heat and warm in the winter, with blackout, and can be washed in the washing machine!!! Will let you know how it goes, still have two more windows :)
Because I ordered both avocado and grey previously and was not happy with those colors, although I did like the drapes. Please be sure to send 64 inches, not 63 inches!
Needed something colorful for my sons bedroom. Also, customer reviews gave the curtains high marks.
To match a previous order. I need the fullness.
Look like good quality.
i like them
Ordered previously and loved the texture of the fabric and the quality of the product.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I needed curtains for my living room, but didn't want to spend a fortune. I like that they are grommet top because the window is wide and it will be easier to open and close plus no hassle of curtain rings!
need for condo
Perfect color and style for my grand childrens room
Teenager bedroom needs ability to be dark and cool!
Looking for a basic privacy curtain for my teenager's bedroom
Son also needs this for new bedroom
Matches my decor
I needed better and brighter curtains for my bedroom.
Will the light pink ones still block out sunlight?
Hello tdraper, the light pink curtains will block out the sunlight. They feature the same innovative fabric construction to block 99.9-percent of light and insulate your home against the heat and cold. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you for shopping with us! A.C.
Are the curtains lined with a white backing? Thanks.
Hello lattekahn, these are not lined, the back is the same color as the front. Thanks for shopping with us!
How much does each panel weigh? we are going to use a tension rod and need to know..thanks
I couldn't tell you the exact weight, but they shouldn't be to heavy for a extension rod.
Hello MarWood, I hope your morning is going well. A panel will weigh approximately 2.5 pounds. Thank you for shopping with us and have a Happy New Year!
Do the navy come in 95 length ? Need to match window certain in same room, for sliding glass door?
Hello nikkie58, yes, we offer this in the 95-inch length in the navy color option under item number 12329779. Thank you for shopping with us!
Can you please tell me if these curtains use to be listed as chocolate brown and black instead of brown and onyx. I think these are the curtains I purchased in a longer size but colors were different. Thank you
Thank you for contacting us, bmsw. No, the description should be the same. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Are these curtains available in an 84" length?
I'd like to order the gray, but need to know is it a dark color or light, and is it more of a slate/pewter tone or a bluish gray?
Thank you for your inquiry, mellison. These curtains are a lighter bluish grey. We try to represent the colors of our products accurately, but unfortunately due to the difference in monitor colors we cannot guarantee that the color will match exactly what you see on your screen. We hope this helps. Thank you for shopping with us.
What color are the grommets for the cobalt and navy drapes? Descripton says bronze, but pix is silver/nickle.
Hi txdonna78, They are antique bronze. Thank you for shopping with us.
My Window is 8 foot wide, how many sets of panels should I order? Also I do not know what a grommet is. What do I need to order to hang them up?
Hello alicianmark, Two (one set) will cover it, but four (two sets) will look fuller. It really just depends on your preferences. These panels are 104 inches wide together.Your window is 96 inches wide and we recommend 2-3 times the width. A grommet is the reinforced circle that the rod goes through to hang the curtain. These grommets will be able to hang on a curtain rod that is 1.5 inches in diameter or smaller. I hope this helps, thanks for shopping with us.
You will need two sets. A grommet is a metal fitting that is on the top of the curtain. A pole type rod is all you need. Just remember that for 8 ft buy a rod with center support.
I would order 4 panels at the minimum. My window is 56" wide and I ordered 2 panels, then purchased two more so I could get more folds while they are closed. a grommet is a round , usually metal ring on which to slide a rod through for easy hanging. The only thing you need to purchase is a rod that will fit through the grommets, which is simple, The grommets on these specific panels are large enough for a medium to large diameter rod. I used a standard rod with pretty finials at the end in oil rubbed bronze to match the hue of the curtains. Good luck and enjoy these panels, I know I do.
I understand that its recommended for the panel width to be 2-3x wider than the window. Since my window is 80", it would seem that I need to order (2) pairs of these. How would I go about installing it? Is there a way to connect these panels together, so that instead of 4 panels, there would now be 2?
Thank you for your question jus2impress. The Grommet Top Thermal Insulated Blackout 64-inch Curtain Pair are 104 inches wide. And they cannot be connected. Have a great day.
If you overlap the two curtains on the rod, you won't be able to tell when one ends and the other begins, unless you look very closely. It works beautifully.
Used one pair on a 70 inch window. They are perfect. Check the width per pair . ( I hates skimpy looking curtains) They were wide enough to extend the curtain rod a few inches on either side of the window. This really helped keep the room dark.
Hello, The width of the window is 59". Would one set of two panels providing 104" in width be sufficient? Thank you.
Thank you for your question luvdriven540i. Yes, we think it would be sufficient to purchase one set of two panels, this also includes tie backs, so you should be ok!! Have a great day.
If you truely are looking for blackout curtains you'd probably be better off going wider width to insure no slivers of light come through.
i have a double window in my son's bedroom that is 72 inches wide in total and 54 inches high. How many panels do I need?
I used two.
I got these for my dad and although the style is a guy look due to the hooks it takes some material away from the actual size of the curtain. He had an 80" opening and we would have needed two sets but he switched to another rod style adn they worked better.
do these panels come any shorter than 64 inches? I need a max length of 40. prefer 36 inches
Hello phoenixgirl123, Unfortunately, we do not. The minimum length we have in any of our curtains or drapes currently is 64 inches. Thank you for shopping with us.
The grommet color says "antique bronze", but when I look through hardware I either see "antique brown" or black. Which one is the closest match to this grommet color?
Thank you for contacting us cascon. The color of the grommet is antique bronze, which looks brownish and not black. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
I ordered the brown panels and the bronze grommets look great with the brown rod we got. All in all, any earth tones will look great
It is a brownish color.
Shopping Tips & Inspiration
Summer by the Lake
You're invited to enjoy a weekend by the water. Paddle around in a canoe or settle into the hammock with a good book. Everything is better at the lake.
Dipped in Gold
The glitter and glamour of gold is catching the eye as a 2015 home decor trend.
2015 Lighting Trends to love
If you want to refresh your home this spring, new pendants and lamps help create a chic, brightening effect.
Old Kentucky Charm
You've placed your bets and now it's time to enjoy the Kentucky Derby. Known for the horses, hats, and high fashion, this elegant event is filled with iconic Southern style. Bring home the excitement of a day at the track with an equestrian home makeover.
Tips on Buying Drapes
Tips on Buying Drapes from Overstock.com. Before shopping for new window treatments, read these tips on finding the perfect drapes.
How to Create a Bishop's Sleeve Window Treatment
How to Create a Bishop's Sleeve Window Treatment from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about creating a bishop's sleeve window treatment and advice about our many brand-name products.
How to Choose Curtains and Drapes for Your Home
How to Choose Curtains and Drapes for Your Home from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to choose curtains and drapes and advice about our many brand-name products.
How to Care for Curtains
How to Care for Curtains from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to care for curtains and advice about our many brand-name products.
Curtains Buying Guide
Curtains Buying Guide from Overstock.com. Inspiration and tips on window treatment selection and installation.
How to Install Blackout Curtains
How to Install Blackout Curtains from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to install blackout curtains and advice about our many brand-name products.
How to Measure Curtains for Bay Windows
How to Measure Curtains for Bay Windows from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to measure curtains for bay windows and advice about our many brand-name products.
How to Pick Curtains
How to Pick Curtains from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to pick curtains and advice about our many brand-name products.
FAQs about Thermal Insulated Curtains
FAQs about Thermal Insulated Curtains from Overstock.com. Learn more about these curtains by reading the following answers to frequently asked questions about thermal curtains.
How to Care for Velvet Curtains
How to Care for Velvet Curtains from Overstock.com. Our guides provide customers with information about how to care for velvet curtains and advice about our many brand-name products.
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** Most Oversize orders are delivered within 1-4 weeks. Some orders may take 6 weeks to be delivered.


text: Directed by Robert Rodriguez in whiz-bang style, this is the saga of super-cool rocker Dude (David Arquette), his girlfriend Donna (Salma Hayek) and their struggles to survive in and get out of small-town America. Hampering their efforts are punks, cops, parents and other assorted pressures. Be sure to watch for a cameo from one of the "pod squad."


text:
Item: AGE001
If you are dissatisfied for any reason, we'll give you a full refund and pay return shipping. Lee Swanson, President of Swanson Health Products
Serving Size 2 Capsules
Servings per Container 30
|Amount Per Serving
|%Daily Value
|Testofen® (Fenugreek PE 50% fenuside)
|600 mg
|Male Enhancement Blend Saw Palmetto Berry powder, Astragalus Root powder, Phytosterol (40% Beta Sitosterol), Asian Ginseng Root powder, Tribulus Fruit extract, L-Arginine, USP
|100 mg
†Daily Value not established.
Other ingredients: Vegetable capsule, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide.
Directions: Men take two (2) capsules daily on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
WARNING: If you are taking any medications, consult with your physician before taking this product. Discontinue use and consult your physician if you experience any adverse reactions. This product should not be taken by women. In particular, those women who are pregnant, lactating or trying to become pregnant. Do not use if imprinted seal under bottle cap is broken or missing. Close tightly and store in a dry place at room temperature. Keep out of reach of children.
Look here for an easy way to
navigate to your previously
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text:
Walmart to test product locker system at stores
Walmart says it will test out a new locker system that lets shoppers buy goods online and pick them up in stores.
Walmart plans to test a locker system at some of its retail locations this summer, the company said today.
The system, unveiled at a press event at the company's Silicon Valley headquarters this morning (via Reuters), will let people purchase items online, then pick them up in stores -- enabling customers to skip lines and guaranteeing that an item is in stock.
Amazon began a similar practice last year , in an effort to sell goods to people with hard-to-ship-to addresses. By shipping it to a locker, there's also a potential to save on shipping costs, and get items sooner than if they were to go through a standard shipping carrier to a home or business address.
Walmart has 10,700 stores in 27 countries, and is the largest retailer in the world. The company did not elaborate on how many of its stores would get the lockers, or where those stores would be located. Online rival Amazon's strategy has been to put lockers in other companies' existing retail locations, including Staples, 7-11, and Radioshack, as well as coffee shops and shopping centers.


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|Sort By:
The Howard Johnson Inn Hearst is located just off of Front and 9th streets.
Find great deals on quality Hearst, Ontario hotels & resorts, or indulge at one of our luxury resorts. Take advantage of the many amenities that can be included with your stay such as in-room internet access, wifi, room service, fitness center, pool, hot tub, steam room, and shuttle services to and from the airport. Browse our Hearst, Ontario hotels and resorts and plan your Hearst, Ontario vacation today!


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Delay Pedals
Earthquaker Devices Dispatch MasterThe Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master is a digital delay and reverb that combines both effects in one pedal. From cavernous, natural sounding reverb to sweet, organic delay the Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master provides delay times up to almost 2 seconds.$185.00
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The Earthquaker Devices Transport Jr is an analog voiced delay that gives you 625 ms of delay time, an all analog dry signal path, and an emulation of tape echo for you vintage enthusiasts. The Transport Jr is a brilliant delay pedal that brings the real vintage echo tones - th... read more$165.00


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Introducing Pinedrops IPA
Assistant Brewmaster Veronica Vega, Brand Ambassador Chad Hester, and Executive Chef Jeff Usinowicz, tell you everything you need to know about our newest year-round Bond Street Series release, Pinedrops IPA, now available in six-packs. We promise you'll be thirsty after watching this.
Categories —brew pub, Craft Beer, Hops, IPA, Pinedrops IPA, Film
Drink Green Lakes Organic Ale, Help Save Wild Salmon
Healthy rivers are very important to us at Deschutes, especially since it's one of the main sources we tap into to make great beer. If we don't have clean rivers, our beer and the craft beer industry in Oregon wouldn't be where it is today.
Categories —Bend Oregon, Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Green Lakes Organic Ale, Hops, Organic Beer, Salmon Safe, Wild Salmon
Why Whole Flower Hops You Ask?
"Deschutes Brewery has used whole leaf hops (and have invested heavily behind them) from day one because we believe they yield a better beer with better flavor. It is interesting to note that, when we believe we can get better flavor we have, and do, use some pellets and even extract.


text:
(NBC News) A full 30% of the complex and critical HealthCare.gov site is not yet built according to project manager Henry Chao.
"That 30% represents the payment aspect and the accounting aspect of making payments in the market place," Chao explained to a House committee on Tuesday.
At stake are the billions insurance companies will be paid in federal subsidies for many who buy policies through the site.
The site has to account for who gets what and move the money by January 1st.
The job must also be completed before any security checks can be run.
Copyright 2013 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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All | Editorial | General Tech | Graphics Cards | Networking | Motherboards | Cases and Cooling | Processors | Chipsets | Memory | Displays | Systems | Storage | Mobile | Shows and Expos
You can't always teach old tech support new tricks
Subject: Systems | September 26, 2006 - 03:24 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Dell's XPS 410 is a solid performing system, [H]ard|OCP was quite happy with the performance of the sytem when gaming or using it for other multimedia applications. However, several issues with the system had them dealing with Tech Support, whose performance was far from stellar.
Sailin' a Core 2 Duo with tha help of Gateway
Subject: Systems | September 19, 2006 - 01:55 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Our mates at [H]ard|OCP be doing a review of the Gateway FX510XG system o' gaming. She be rigged out for a hard sail into whatever realms o' tha imagination you might be venturing towards.
"Gateway couples an Intel Core 2 Duo with one of ATI's most powerful graphics processors. Could this be a match made in heaven?"
Here are some more Systems articles from around the web:
HTPC or LAN party box ... you decide
Subject: Systems | September 14, 2006 - 11:59 AM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Is a 5.5lb SFF case designed to fit dual video cards, 4 drives, a full power supply, and 4 fans designed for HTPC use, or as a mobile box to take on the road? Either way SPCR takes a long look at the QMicra from PC Design Lab, to figure out what niche this case best fits in.
New Dell Dimension PCs Featuring NVIDIA nForce and GeForce technologies
Subject: Systems | September 13, 2006 - 05:44 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Quickly go from work-mode to play-mode with a Dell™ Dimension™ desktop powered by NVIDIA. Whether you are crunching numbers, watching a Hollywood blockbuster, or taking on the enemy in your favorite game, the new Dell™ Dimension™ can deliver the performance and features you need with the flexibility you desire.
The new Dell™ Dimension™ E521 and C521 feature the NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150 LE graphics processing unit (GPU), which is designed to deliver:
Antec's home for overclocked HTPC systems
Subject: Systems | September 5, 2006 - 05:32 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
The Antec Fusion seems aptly named, a mix of HTPC style, with some serious cooling. It is very easy to set up with the colour coded instructions and the quiet power supply and 120mm fans don't make that much noise. Take a look and see if you are as impressed as Overclockers Online.
Overclock your way to savings
Subject: Systems | September 5, 2006 - 03:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
With a bit of tweaking, and a good cooling system, [H] will show you how to put together a budget system with the performance of an Intel Extreme Edition or an AMD FX processor. Make sure you read it.
You can also get a second opinion from Ryan, he has just updated the Hardware Leaderboard, and for the first time ever, 3 of the 4 systems are Intel.
Complete Core 2 Duo system for those on a budget
Subject: Systems | August 30, 2006 - 05:54 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
AnandTech reviews the PC Club Enpower Sabre Extreme, a Core 2 Duo system with 1Gb of RAM, a 19' LCD, a 250Gb hard drive, a 7900 GT and more. At $1,400 it won't empty your wallet as badly as some other new systems will, so take a look to see if it's what you want.
Viiv versus AMD Live, just your standard battle for dominance
Subject: Systems | August 29, 2006 - 03:20 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
HTPC's are quickly becoming a common thing, so Intel and AMD have decided to each offer their own standards. They take 2 very different approaches, Intel's is to only allow pre-made machines to carry the Viiv label, while AMD has made a list of approved components, so you can choose between buying a complete system, or building your own. TweakTown has gathered a lot of information on this battle to rule the Digital Home.
No, it's not an iMac
Subject: Systems | August 16, 2006 - 02:19 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
ENlight has gone and made a SFF PC case, that is essentially shoved into the back of a 19" touchscreen LCD. They even managed to do it without making it look too ugly. HEXUS has a full write up of this mATX setup, and found it very flexible.
Adopt a Core 2 for less
Subject: Systems | August 14, 2006 - 06:10 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
The Tech Report points out the pricing of the Core 2s, and AMDs price cuts, have made it fairly cheap to set yourself up with a new system. Check out the 4 system recommendations they offer, and their subsititions for those who don't like the basic setup.
Don't forget we have our own Hardware Leaderboard here at PCPerspective, with links right to New Egg to buy all the components.
PC Club's new Tech Support
Subject: Systems | August 9, 2006 - 02:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
[H]ard|OCP has gone through 4 systems from PC Club, but ran into some serious difficulties with their tech support. Giving them another chance, they try out a new system priced at just over $1200, and call up tech support to find out what, if anything, has changed.
Shuttle launches AM2 SFF system
Subject: Systems | August 1, 2006 - 02:42 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Shuttle's new XPC SN27P2 could bring back their dominance in the barebones SFF PC market. The Tech Report puts the system through it's paces, and discovers what could be a problem for people trying to save money by buying a cheaper, but easily overclockable AM2 processor.
SLI and PPU, read to play, no effort required
Subject: Systems | July 25, 2006 - 01:54 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
The Systemax Wildcat SLI Gaming PC is pretty impressive for it's $4499 price tag. You get 2 BFG GeForce 7900GTX 512MBs in SLI and an Ageia PhysX 128MB GDDR3 Physics Accelerator Card, all ready to play GRAW. Head to Hot Hardware to see it in action.
This HTPC is a pyramid scheme
Subject: Systems | July 19, 2006 - 01:58 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
In their newest system review, [H] looks at the Maingear Prysma HTPC. Maingear has manged to put a lot of powerful components in a uniquely shaped case, and bundled lots of goodies to make the setup easier.
[H] gets their game on
Subject: Systems | July 12, 2006 - 12:14 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
The ABS Sniper is a rather nice gaming machine, based around 2GB of Corsair DDR400, an A64 4000+ and a pair of eVGA 7900GTs in SLI. The stats sound great, but you need to read the full article at [H]ard|OCP to see how the service and tech support performed.
Samsung's take on the UMPC
Subject: Systems | July 6, 2006 - 06:04 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Take a quick look at Samsung's Q1 UMPC at The Hardware Zone. It is very modular, with external add-on components like a DVD player and keyboard, but is fully functional by itself. With 512MB of RAM and a 900MHz Celeron M, it packs some power and a 7" WVGA LCD screen with a resolution of 800x480 means you should have to squint to see it.
"This is exactly where a UMPC, like the Samsung Q1, comes in handy as compared to bigger notebooks.
Build an Ultra-matic HTPC
Subject: Systems | June 29, 2006 - 06:48 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Drop by motherboards.org for a look at the Ultra Products Microfly SFF case, a perfect home for an HTPC system. It might take a bit of planning to squeeze a full system in the box, but once you get it in, it should run nice and steady.
iBUYPOWER versus [H]ard|OCP
Subject: Systems | June 27, 2006 - 01:58 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
The next retailer on [H]'s list is iBUYPOWER. Opting to buy the same system they purchased from Cyberpower, this reivew focuses on the experiences they had with the original purchase and shipping of the system, as well as the Tech Support they used after the box had arrived. Find out if they met [H]'s expectations or not.
Foxconn provides the basis for a killer HTPC system
Subject: Systems | June 21, 2006 - 06:23 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Foxconn's Winfast 6150K8MD Micro-ATX Motherboard, based around nVidia's 6150 chipset will let you build a powerful s939 HTPC system. With 7.1 sound onboard, as well as 4 SATA ports, you will be able to store and play a lot of media. Drop by TweakTown for the full review.
eMachines revisited
Subject: Systems | June 20, 2006 - 06:32 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
[H]ard|OCP revisited eMachines website, this time to order the new T6528. For an extra $50, they've moved from a Sempron to a full fledged A64 3500+. Check out the full review, which even covers trouble they had with a hard drive.
As well, Ryan has updated the Hardware Leaderboard, to include the new AM-2 chips, as well as the nVidia 7950GX2.
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text:
Huge sound and solid playability!
Sunk into its flamed maple top are a pair of heavy-hitting SB-4 pickups designed to give up a massive wall of low-frequency mayhem. The 5-piece maple/walnut neck bolts up to the mahogany body and has a rosewood fretboard fitted with 24 XJ frets, pearl dots, and the model name at the 12th fret. Tweak your tone with volume and balance knobs plus an ESP ABQ-3 active EQ. This is one very nasty sonic package housed in a dark and deadly instrument that looks as hot as it plays.


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Green dream
Posted: February 14, 2013|
Comments (0)
Mitsubishi Motors in the United KIngdon has announced the arrival of the all-new, third generation Mitsubishi Outlander.
Representing a hugely exciting opportunity for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, the all-new Outlander will make a dramatic entrance into Mitsubishi showrooms all across the UK during this month.
Eagerly awaited, the all-new SUV from Mitsubishi Motors is the greenest, most stylish and most technologically advanced yet.


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Welcome to our Injury Brace Blog
Thank you for checking out our Blog at Injury Braces where it is our goal each and every day to help you "Get Back in the Game". We strive to cover a wide range of topics related sports, injuries, braces, therapy products and much more. We understand that we are only as good as our next customer, so we encourage you to comment on these topics. Or even better, you could use our contact page and let us know about a topic that you would like for us to Blog about.


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Fairfax, VA, USA < change city >
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R&r Catering
7627 Fullerton Road
Springfield, VA, United States
4 ratings, 3 reviews, 4 weddings
Food was wonderful. Coordinator Nancy was very nice and accomodating. My only n...
Edibles Incredibles
11917 Freedom Drive
Reston, VA, United States
4 ratings, 3 reviews, 4 weddings
I have had other cakes from them and they were amazing. Our wedding cake was fa...
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 N Culpeper Street
Arlington, VA 22207, USA
703 527 8394
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 5 weddings
The cake was moist and delicious. The designs are simple and traditional, but can...
Limosines, Inc.
Annapolis, MD, United States
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
Wonderful! Our driver did a test run before he came to my hotel to pick us up an...
Meadowlark Gardens Park
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct
Vienna, VA 22182, US
Ceremony Sites, Reception S...
3 ratings, 2 reviews, 23 weddings
Beautiful Venue! Perfect for a wedding with 100 people. The only negative is that...
Maggiano's Little Italy
2001 International Dr
MC Lean, VA, United States
Reception Sites, Rehearsal ...
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 20 weddings
Working with Maggiano's was a wonderful experience! The food was amazing, the pri...
The Westin Arlington Gat...
801 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA, USA
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 18 weddings
All of our guests loved the hotel. It is convenient to the Metro, was convenient...
Chantilly Flower Gallery
13619 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Chantilly, VA, United States
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 3 weddings
Rick Rick Rick! Work with Rick! He is real and will give you what you want with...
Celebrated String Quartet
9012A Old Dominion Dr
Mc Lean, VA, United States
Bands/Live Entertainment, C...
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 2 weddings
Incredible. The best in the business. Professional, wonderful to work with, and p...
Cakes By Happy Eatery
14200A Centreville Sq
Centreville, VA, United States
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 2 weddings
These folks were very easy to work with! I had spoken with a few other places, a...


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COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City's softball team opened its season in prime fashion Monday night, hosting Marion in a perfect 10-0 win.
The game was cut short after the Lady Eagles took a 10-0 lead in the fifth inning after a run by junior Alyssa Brandt.
Senior Hannah Schnorr boosted the score in the third inning with a grand slam to take an 8-0 lead.
Columbia City not only put out a strong offensive performance by senior Allie Vodde, who not only pitched a shut-out, but along with her teammates didn't allow a single Marion runner on base.
Vodde had 10 strikeouts on 16 at bats.
The Lady Eagles' opening five batters scored in the first inning to take a 5-0 lead.
After a scoreless second inning, Schnorr doubled the score with her grand slam, helping Brandt, Megan Giffin and Kaylee Parks cross the plate.
[1] http://www.thepostandmail.com/sites/default/files/DSC_6397.JPG
[2] mailto:email@example.com


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How would you like the chance to play at the brand new £2million home of Maidstone United Football Club?
Soccersixes and Maidstone United have joined forces in a partnership deal that was signed and sealed this week. The deal will provide the local community with the chance to play 6aside football at the all new Maidstone United home ground, The Gallagher Stadium.
Teams competing in the Soccersixes leagues will play all their league fixtures and cup competitions at the new stadium when it's completed.
Soccersixes will have Monday, Wednesday and Sunday evening leagues for the local community to get involved in.
Not only will teams have opportunity to play in a stadium environment but they will also have the chance to pit their skills against other teams in the area. League fixtures for all of the leagues will accommodate an intense 36 minute match (18 minutes each way). All of the referees provided will be FA qualified to a high level.
As part of the partnership Soccersixes and Maidstone United aim to have the leagues to FA Charter Standard (the highest standard of club/league status) within a year and aim to maintain the high quality of service to maintain the award.
Due to the amount of interest already, Soccersixes are urging any teams interested in joining one of the leagues to contact Matt Scoffham on 07796 696837 as soon as possible in order to reserve a space. Alternatively, teams can register online at www.soccersixes.net


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Melinda Borbély Featured
Melinda Borbély is a professional photographer based in Cape Town, South Africa. Her fresh, photo journalistic approach and vibrant way of shooting capture the essence of the moment. Weddings, portraits, commercial, industrial, personal and corporate shoots are covered by th ...
Larissa K. Design Featured
Larissa K. Design is a freelance photography and web design company based in Morristown, Vermont.
Unframe Featured
Unframe - Photo Essay Magazine. Exhibitions, articles and discussion forum. Showcase of hand-picked reportages by emerging and affirmed photographers and artists.
Remote-Controlled Camera Helicopter for aerial photography and hd filming.
Paul Walker Photography
Wedding and portrait photography website, based in the UK
Philbert Photography
Joseph Philbert is a professional photographer of about 10 years based in St. Thomas Virgin Islands. He shoots mostly Fashion and Beauty Photographer but also shoots, Weddings, portraits, commercial, industrial, and corporate shoots.
Ken Duncan
Ken Duncan is famous for his landscape photography of Australia, panoramic photo & limited edition prints. Ken Duncan OAM, is recognised as one of the world's leading landscape photographers. With every new release of Limited Edition Prints he delights long-time col ...
Catch Photography Studio
Catch is a professional Photography Studio based in Taipei, Taiwan focusing on interior design and wedding photography. This website uses full screen graphics to capture the mood and is fully responsive for mobile devices.
James Reyes Photography
James Reyes is a professional photographer in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia metro area. He uses a non-traditional and organic approach to capturing weddings. James is highly talented with capturing mood, expression and emotion through the lens and portraying the ...
Focus On Landscape
Gettin' Light
A photo website dedicated to the light. As a non-professional photographer, brice likes the wide open spaces of nature, the dayspring or the evening sunset have the good gleam to be captured regarding his work.
Silvan Wick Photography
The site highlights my photography, including travel, portrait and lifestyle photography... I currently live in Switzerland, in a small provincial town by the name of St.Gallen. I relocated here from the Caribbean in 2010.
Jose Antunes Fotografia
A photographers website
Parkins Photography
Photography site.
Il Portale di Enzo Pizzoferro
A site that talks about photography, the ECDL, my life, my blog, my work ...
DavidIrwin Photography
Davidirwinphotography.com is a showcase for photography with galleries for photographic artwork by David Irwin and approved approved and invited artists. The site has support for the community of hosted artists with feedback and moderated commentary.
Joretha Taljaard Wedding Photography
Web site of South African wedding photographer, Joretha Taljaard.
Patrick Stroobach Photography
This website is showing a selection of photographs that i've made in recent years. Furthermore, I regularly write a blog about the events that I witnessed. Below is a list of the extensions i used for this website: * Tabs Manager GK3 - Gavick Tools * Frontpage ...
A resource about the world's greatest Fashion & Beauty photographers.


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Posts filtered on Tag
History no predictor of outcome in NFL rematches
Nothing figures to serve the Texans better against New England on Sunday than some selective amnesia. First and foremost, they need to forget to pack their unlucky letter jackets, which apparently already has been made clear to them. It's also best that they forget how hopelessly overmatched they seemed in Foxborough on Dec. 10 when […] [Read More]
RT Derek Newton out for Monday, CB Alan Ball gametime decision
Joseph good to go; Newton, Reed out As expected, Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph was declared probable for Monday night's game at New England. Right tackle Derek Newton and linebacker Brooks Reed are out. Although cornerback Alan Ball did not practice all week, he was listed as questionable on the injury report. "Alan can play without […] [Read More]


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David Manzur Christmas card to Dorothy Canning Miller, 1958 Dec.?
Physical Details: Christmas card : 1 folded sheet : handwritten, ill. ; 22 x 10 cm.
Sender: David Manzur
Recipient: Dorothy Canning Miller (1904-2003)
Description: Front of card features a print of a man with a halo holding a staff, embellished with gold leaf.
Interior of card has a short note from Manzur to Miller, signed and dated 1958-1959.
Forms part of: Dorothy C. Miller papers, circa 1912-1992, bulk 1959-1984
Rights Statement: Current copyright status is undetermined
Citation: David Manzur Christmas card to Dorothy Canning Miller, 1958 Dec.?
Digital ID: 13218
View all Image Gallery items from the Dorothy C. Miller papers


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Another example of a school (high school or college) selling its soul for success (relative) on the athletic field. Also the rampant underage illegal consumption of alcohol, extremely common on college campuses. Why were they not charged with that? What about the thirty year old? Which team is he on?
Why no mention of the strike / lockout? That was a deal killer for me. The prospect of so many multi-millionaires squabbling like children over who has the advantage in getting even richer while the fans are falling asleep was a huge turnoff for me. I'm not sure I will, or even want to, get over it.
This scheme and others like it were carried out in broad daylight. Anyone who cared to look could see these were fraudulent deals. Our political leaders and the agencies tasked with enforcing regulations and laws were looking the other way. Not to say what these two did was in any way excusable, but they could not have done it without what appears to be willful negligence in high places.
This scheme and others like it were carried out in broad daylight. Anyone who cared to look could see these were fraudulent deals. Our political leaders and the agencies tasked with enforcing regulations and laws were looking the other way. Not to say what these two did was in any way excusable, but they could not have done it without what appears to be willful negligence in high places.
Wow. Tim, what a great piece of writing, sports or otherwise. Beautiful.
Thanks for the nice article. The GA team is working very hard, and coach Dodd is doing a great job of keeping the boys spirits up. Keep up the good work!
An NFL team preaching about steroid abuse. Rich!
I've been thinking about this problem and I have the answer. Require everyone over the age of twelve to own and carry in full view a handgun. You would need to carry it any time you leave the house. Training would be mandatory. Half time at high school football games would feature a marksmanship and quick draw competition. Then there would be very few fights!
If the kids challenge this it will be impossible to enforce, or at least very difficult. How big is the jail?
As a resident of the area, I like a strong police response. There is too much at risk to let the situation deteriorate.
Psssst. they are smarter than we are. don't tell anyone, it's a secret!
The various activities that are collectively known as "mortgage fraud" went on for many years, in broad daylight, in plain view of our city and county leaders, who for one reason or another chose to do nothing. It seems to me their inaction is at least partly responsible for the disaster. Given what we now know about County government during this period, is it really any wonder that our local leaders sat on their hands while the citizens were being systematically conned?
I've known Harlan Diamond for 10 or 15 years - not very well, but well enough to judge a fundamentally good man. He made a mistake. He will pay a price. I hope he can get on with his business and his life.
anyone else get a whiff of political corruption here? Probably a few people on the take for this to go on so long in plain view. How else to explain it?
"Freedom of expression is the freedom to offend." Salman Rushdie
The Beck (or anyone) has a right to stage the show. Any individual or group has a right to protest. Free country more or less!
For that matter, we have great acting talent right here as well. Hire a local actor to effect a latin accent.
I don't understand (ok perhaps I do) why we need to hire out of town architects and landscape designers for our major projects. We have great talent right here in Cleveland. We need the work and economic benefit here at home. If we want to talk to a fellow with an accent, go to Miami, then come back and work with a local firm. Or just ask whatever local architect we retain to go hire an actor from Argentina.
Byron Scott is a class act, a really good man and good coach, from what I can tell. He has a tough act to follow. I'm glad he's leading the team.
these abusive and fraudulent practices were going on for YEARS in broad daylight. Our political leaders were clearly simply looking the other way. What incentive?
For many years this stuff, this obvious fraud, was going on in plain daylight. Anyone who took the time to look could see the criminal activity. Where were our political leaders and law enforcement agencies then?


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...I was so pleased we used the guys at StagWeb. It made the whole planning a breeze, the hotel was the best we have ever stayed at on a stag do, the events were fun and very well organised and the price of all of this was fantastic. Thanks to all involved in the planning of our event, I wouldn't hesitate to use again or recommended to anyone....
500cc of revved up madness, our Bristol mud buggies are epic! The perfect antidote to hours sat in rush hour traffic and a driving experience the lads will never forget, as you tackle all kind of terrain in these open sided, bad boys.
The Woods - Any bar that is frequented by all the cities bar tenders has to be good. The fact that The Woods stays open until 4am at the weekend makes it even better!
The Apple - When in Rome… Well when in Bristol quite frankly it would be rude not to sample the local speciality and there's no finer place than The Apple.
June - Let's Rock Retro festival with big-haired stars of the 80's.
July - Bristol Comedy Garden The biggest names in comedy 'avin' a laugh.
July - Bristol Harbour Festival After 40 years BHF is one of the original and biggest festivals in the UK.
September - Bristol Beer Week A whole week, dedicated to beer! Thank you Bristol.
September - Encounters International short movie and animation festival.
September - Brisfest 14 stages featuring the best talent from across the South West.
The Clifton Triangle is a party district slap bang in the middle of the city. However Bristol is bloody nice when it comes to looking after visitors and has placed all the cities best nightlife conveniently within an easy walking radius. The Waterfront and Harbourside are also worth a gander on a big night out with the guys.
Banksy - If ever you were a cheeky young scamp who "tagged" in his younger days or a fine purveyor of exquisite art, nearly everyone appreciates the work of the notorious street artist. Some of his most famous works are still 'roughing it' on Bristol's streets and with free guides you can hunt them down quite easily.
Bristolians proudly claim that America was named after the Bristol city merchant who funded one of the first successful trips across the Atlantic to the New World. His name was Richard Ameryk.
Wallace & Gromit were born in Bristol at Aardman Animation which is here.
The walls have ears... and noses, and loads of other celebrated features as street artist Banksy hails from "Brizzle".
Bristol is ruddy funny. No, seriously. Russell Howard, Stephen Merchant, Mark Watson, Bill Bailey all grew up in Bristol while Matt Lucas and David Walliams both studied here.
Eats - You simply can't go wrong with Za Za Bizarre. A buffet style eatery with flavours from all four corners of the globe which means all the lads will find great food to start your night.
Drinks - For a proper drop of "Brizzle" you've got to try the cider. Perry's Real Somerset Cider captures everything good about this most heavenly of beverages and distils it all, one perfect pint at a time.
All the main party areas of Bristol are within easy walking distances of one another so you won't need to try flagging down cabs on route to your nights out. During the day, buses or cabs are the best way to go any distances. There is also a handy ferry which shuttles between the Waterfront and Harbourside.
"All right me luvver!" - Hello, how are you?
"Brizzle" - Bristol
"That's gurt lush" - That's jolly good.
"Tha zider, thass a proper drop." - This cider really is rather good.
"Aaaarrrrgghhhh" - Bristol pirate speak for just about anything.
When considering stag weekends, Bristol quite rightly comes high up in the list of top stag do destinations. It has consistently been a Top 10 stag city for good reason, its not only a city that knows how to party but also has a wide range of top drawer activities so a Bristol stag do won't fail to tick all the boxes for you and the boys.
From the cowboys on the plains to the popstars of the 80's its been a long held belief that if you're looking for the promised land then there is only one way to go... "Go west." And its no different when it comes to finding an epic stag weekend location and seeing as this is the final farewell to the next matrimonial lemming about to throw himself off the cliff of solo happiness into the wedded waters below it deserves to be the kind of weekend that all other stag parties will forever be measure against. Don't be a stag leader, be a stag LEGEND! And when booking your stag do, Bristol is a great place to start. In recent times laughs have rolled out of Bristol by the bucket load, Russell Howard, Steve Merchant and Lee Evans all have strong ties to the city and of course it is well renowned for having more than its fair share of the fairer sex. Laughs and looks in abundance, a great nightlife and a bucket load of top quality daytime challenges means for your stag weekend Bristol is the perfect stag destination for a stag do!
Bristol is the fourth most visited city in the UK for a number of reasons, the great nightlife on offer being no small part of that but also great travel links, being easily accessible by train from London or by car as it is directly off the M4. Being the man with the plan is the only way forward, find out the best on offer whether that be where to stay, what to do or how to budget effectively to get the most for your money. It's no easy task trying to get a rabble of stags together and plan a weekend to suit everyone's pocket while making sure the groom gets a fitting send off, especially if you're not familiar with your city of choice. That's where we can help. StagWeb have 11 years experience of planning Bristol stag weekends so not only do we know the city well but we have built up long standing relationships with the best activities and accommodation available.
Think of the money. Of course price is always going to be a factor, when booking any kind of group weekend you instantly become responsible for the fate of everyone's hard earned dollar. So you need to spend it wisely and also make sure its protected. Booking with an ABTA approved company means everyone's cash is protected and the company you'll be dealing with meets their high requirements and codes of practise.
Timing is another critical factor. Too many stag parties fail purely on the grounds that the main man didn't get booking until too late to get the best deals and secure the best activities. Like any major city, Bristol has its fair share of visitors and you need to make sure you don't get beaten to the punch by better placed stag commanders.
Rely on local know how. Our offices are a short hop from Bristol, a city we know well so we're well placed to give you a real insight into the best stag weekends Bristol has to offer. Ask the questions now and it gives you more time to make an informed decision. You can speak to our team today for a no obligation quote. Give us a rough idea of numbers, dates and the activities you have in mind and we'll design a package specifically tailored to your group and then do the running around for you to get it all booked on your behalf.
And if you're still looking for ideas then why not ask the experts. We already know what's hot in Bristol so send us a quick enquiry and we'll provide the top answers to all your Bristol stag weekend needs.


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Renewing single-gender debate
Last summer, a proposal for a single-gender academy to serve struggling young male students split the Durham Public Schools board right down the middle, and along racial lines.
It was a difficult patch for the board and the system and, in hindsight, was an early signal of the eroding relationship between then-Superintendent Eric Becoats, who pressed for the academy, and the board.
In August, after a summer of heated debate, Becoats was ready to propose and the board was likely to accept a more cautious and methodical approach to the idea than originally suggested. But one member, Frederick Davis, pushed for an all-or-nothing vote which ended in a tie. Becoats' compromise proposal never made it to a vote.
Then, as Becoats' tenure unraveled through the fall, the idea went dormant.
Now, it's back.
New Superintendent Bert L'Homme told The Herald-Sun's Greg Childress Monday that he's prepared to put the idea back on the agenda.
"I'm a big supporter of single-gender schools," L'Homme said in an interview shortly after he was sworn in. "It gives both girls and boys an opportunity to learn in an environment where they can do their very best."
Like some board members, we had reservations about the single-gender idea last summer. At the time, the schools seemed to be in a difficult financial position, and making a $12-million or more bet on a major single-gender experiment seemed risky. Education authorities differ on the potential benefits and downsides of gender.
But it seems worthwhile to reopen the discussion. Two board members whose vote for the full program deflected Becoats' compromise have left the board, which has three new members this month. With those fresh eyes – and those of L'Homme – looking at the single-gender idea again has merit,
It seems especially important to listen closely to the person the board just unanimously selected to head the system. He comes with widespread enthusiasm within the system and the broader community, and giving him latitude to undertake changes about which he feels passionately would seem prudent.
Board Chairwoman Heidi Carter, who voted against the plan last summer, expressed willingness this week to revisit the idea. "I was open to the idea then, but had some concerns about opening another choice program," Carter said.
She noted that L'Homme has mentioned creating single-gender classrooms within traditional schools. That would be a cautious beginning, and could give the system an opportunity to evaluate the experience.
There may be other approaches, too. And the board may conclude concerns expressed last year are still too great to risk the investment on single-gender experiments when the system has already launched a number of innovations to raise student achievement.
But for many reasons, a new round of debate on the issue will be fruitful and may be persuasive that single-gender classrooms can be, as L'Homme put it, "one of the choices, a very powerful choice" to keep young male students "on the straight path to graduation."
We're willing to listen.