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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- When it comes to denying legitimate patients their prescribed pain meds, how far is too far? Contact 13 has uncovered another group of patients in critical need.
One cancer patient was denied her pain medication shortly before she died.
When Rose Chamberlain passed away her husband, Carl, lost the love of his life, "My wife was all I had."
The two met in Santa Barbara, "She was walking down the street. She smiled at me. Wow. She had me right then."
But in 2006 Rose was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was in remission for a long time, but about two years ago the battle returned, "It came back and it was stage 4."
The couple loved to travel the world together but Rose's last months on earth were a world of pain.
"I was holding her hand. We were in the room alone, and she opened her eyes and looked at me."
On Sunday, March 2, Rose passed away. Carl recalls that day and told us through tears, "She's the luckiest person in this room. No more pain. She closed her eyes."
Carl is the one in pain now as he looks back on the unnecessary agony Rose suffered in those final months, "She would scream in pain sometimes at night."
Oxycodone was prescribed to manage Rose's pain, but Carl said several pharmacies refused refills.
"I guess some of these people make judgments about whoever's walking in to get a prescription. They're too suspicious."
Rose was just one of many patients caught in the battle against prescription drug abuse. Pharmacies across the country implemented stricter policies on strong pain killers after the DEA hit national retailers with heavy fines last summer.
"Now they're hitting us where it really hurts, which is the patients," said Dr. James Sanchez an Oncologist with Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. He's seen several cancer patients experience this problem.
"This is a totally new wrinkle," he said.
He and his colleagues don't know what to make of pharmacies denying their pain pill prescriptions. After all, he explains, opiates were designed to treat cancer patients, "In order to provide them with a good quality of life, we have to provide them with relief of their pain."
Quality of life is all Carl wanted for his wife last Christmas, "All Christmas Eve and all Christmas Day, she was in pain, screaming in pain."
On Christmas Eve, he went to Walgreens on Farm and Durango, "And they refused me. I went back 2 or 3 times."
That's because he kept getting different answers from different staff members but ultimately, no relief. With no meds to manage Rose's pain, their holiday became a nightmare.
"They don't really care, you know."
Rose finally got her pain pills after the holiday, but with the next refill it was more denials and delays at other Walgreens locations, CVS and Target.
"When people refused to call the doctor, when they lie to your face, that hurts a lot," said Carl as tears ran down his face. "Especially when you know your wife is dying and you just want her to have a little relief from the pain. Just wanted to be treated with dignity and respect."
David Wuest is Deputy Secretary of the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, "Right now there's less meds being manufactured. There's less meds that are being shipped to pharmacies. And there are patients that unfortunately, that may be going without medicines."
Wuest said reducing the supply is one of the ways to fight prescription drug abuse and offers this perspective.
"We have about 5 percent of the world's population and we take about 80 percent of the opiates that are manufactured in the world."
But he sympathizes for patients like Rose Chamberlain?
"I think you're bringing it to light, an excellent problem, and they're going to try to fix it," said Wuest.
He said the legislature, governor's office, State Board of Pharmacy, the medical community and law enforcement are getting together to figure out what the fix is.
Until that is found, Carl said everyone can learn something from Rose, "Rose believed that people were more important than policies or rules and regulations."
If you're being denied or delayed, the Board of Pharmacy recommends you go back to your doctor. Also, while under state law the board cannot require a pharmacist to fill a prescription, they will try to help patients having problems.
You can call the state Board of Pharmacy at (800) 364-2081.
We contacted the pharmacy chains where Carl said he ran into these problems. Both Walgreens and CVS refused our requests for an on-camera interview.
Walgreens referred us to a previous statement provided when Contact 13 started this investigation:
"With the sharp rise in the abuse of prescription painkillers in recent years, health care professionals in all practices are continuously striving to find better ways of ensuring those medications are used only for legitimate medical purposes. We are working to ensure our patients continue to have access to the medications they need while fulfilling our role in reducing the potential abuse of controlled substances. We have over recent months taken a number of steps to provide additional guidance and training to our pharmacies on the proper handling of controlled substances. Because of the legal requirements placed on pharmacists to verify that controlled substance prescriptions are issued for a legitimate medical purpose, pharmacists may need to gather additional patient information from their prescribing physician's office. This diligence may take extra time.
For example, under our good faith dispensing policy, pharmacists may determine that they first need to check the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database for anything unusual. They may also decide to contact the prescribing doctor's office to verify the diagnosis and confirm that the patient has had a recent examination. Often, this information can be obtained from a member of the doctor's staff.
We firmly believe that addressing prescription drug abuse will require all parties - including leaders in the community, physicians, pharmacies, distributors and regulators - to play a role in finding practical solutions to combating abuse while balancing patient access to critical medication."
CVS provided the following response:
"Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the health care industry. As health care providers on the front lines of health care delivery, our pharmacists use their professional judgment when determining whether a prescription for a controlled substance was issued for a legitimate purpose, which is part of their professional responsibility under state and federal law.
Our pharmacists consider a variety of factors when evaluating a controlled substance prescription. These factors, along with a pharmacist's professional judgment, help them to determine when it is necessary to verify information with a physician before filling a prescription for a controlled substance."
Target did not respond in time for this story.
The Drug Enforcement Agency also referred us to a previous statement:
"DEA communicates with all its registrants, including pharmacies, to help them understand the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and its implementing regulations when it comes to preventing the diversion of controlled substance prescription drugs (CSPDs). DEA holds day-long regional Pharmacy Diversion Awareness Conferences on weekends throughout the year, including 14 conferences in 2013, for pharmacists to attend to be briefed and ask questions. [We have not yet had one in Nevada, but last year we had 2 in California and 1 in New Mexico, and this summer we are holding conferences in Phoenix and SLC. I haven't seen the schedule for the whole year.] DEA sets no quotas or limits on what pharmacies can dispense or what their distributors can provide them, but the CSA requires both pharmacies and distributors to know and communicate with their customers (in the pharmacies' case, both patients and doctors) to help prevent diversion. DEA sometimes has to take administrative action when this process breaks down."
If you're having problems with your prescriptions we want to know about. Email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Contact 13 reached out to lawmakers since we started investigating this problem late last year.
Governor Sandoval's office provided this statement:
"Abuse of pain medication is a growing national problem that affects all of society. In Nevada, the Attorney General has already implemented the Substance Abuse Working Group. In addition, Governor Sandoval was recently appointed by the National Governors Association to co-chair the Governors' Policy Academy on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse. A major concern of these working groups is balancing the needs and concerns of patients who have legitimate prescriptions. Through collaborative efforts, we hope to address the problems of prescription drug abuse in a thoughtful and effective manner."
- Latest


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Nokia Announces their X, X+ and XL Android Devices!
Nokia has officially launched not one, but three Android phones! Nokia if you don't know is a cell phone manufacturer that has been at the top of the heap for years now. A while back however the company was facing a rather unsettling future and turned to the power of Windows Phone and in turn, Microsoft sorted the company by buying them out. The result of this merger is Lumia handsets and a huge host of people wondering what a Nokia made Android would be. Well folks the wonderment is over as the Nokia X, X+ and XL have been made Android official, even if it's at Microsofts will!
The Nokia X was rumored, leaked and speculated for months and the day has finally arrived. Also known as the Nokia Normandy, this new Finnish made handset runs their own version of Android 4.1.2 and comes with a whole host of proprietary software including a Nokia Store, HERE Maps, and Skype built in. The Nokia X while it does stir the Android pot a bit is a mid-ranged smart phone. It starts with a 4 inch IPS LCD touch screen that offers up a 480×800 pixel resolution at 233 pixels per inch. Internally it packs in a Snapdragon S4 system chip that uses a dual core 1 GHz processor for computing! Additionally the X has 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal storage and expandable micro SD memory options up to 32 GB. The X comes with a 3 mega pixel rear facing camera w Its packs in a 1500 mAH battery, GPS, dual SIM card support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and micro USB connectivity.
The Nokia X+ and Nokia XL are pretty much more of the same. The X+ however gets a slight bump as it runs with 768 MB of RAM and an included 4 GB micro SD card out of the box! The Nokia XL is also a bit more of the same, but is slightly larger. The XL comes with a 5 inch screen with the same WVGA resolution, a slightly larger 2000 mAh battery and an improved camera sensor that snaps images with a 5 mega pixel sensor.
The software on these devices however will prove to be the "story" as Google applications, services and even the application Play Store is nowhere to be found. Looking over pictures of the handset you will notice the software UI is strongly engrained with the Windows Phone Tile approach. Price wise these new X's are cheap. The X starts at €89, the X+ €99 and the XL €109. The handsets will begin to see the light of day starting in March and will target Asia, South America and some European markets.
Anyone interested? Are you curious to see what the future of Nokia's X series handsets? Sound off in the comments section below and let us know what you think and remember all the very best in Nokia accessories are here.Windows Phone, Microsoft, Nokia Android, Nokia XL, micro sd memory

subset: commoncrawl


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Letter: 'Fracking' presents serious health threat to all Americans
Kimberly Gonzalez, Port St. Lucie
Letter: 'Fracking' presents serious health threat to all Americans
It's happening to communities all across the country. Not only is it poisoning our waters, but it also poisons our air with cancer-causing fumes and fills our rivers with radioactive waste water.
Families have no other option but to wake up and drink this, bathe in this. Allergies reappear, rashes occur, houses blow up and as if that weren't enough, there are earthquakes.
There's natural gas that's ensnared underground. This is extremely hazardous because it can explode at any moment. Major energy, gas and industry companies, such as Statoil and Exxon come in and free that natural gas. These projects are cost-efficient and are finding an alternate way of dependence on foreign oil. It's a quicker way of extracting natural oil from under the ground. Good? No.
These companies are forcing water contaminated with more than 150,000 chemicals and the volume of pressure that is being put in is shattering bedrocks.
These companies use 7 million gallons of clean water. The outcome is that methane ends up in wells, as well as minerals, iron, magnesium, chloride sodium and thousands of other unidentified chemicals.
It's called horizontal hydraulic fracturing.
Thirty percent of Germany's energy is coming from the sun. Portugal boosted its energy source by 20 percent over two years.
Unless we move forward, we will be left behind. This is our environment; this is our lives. It's time to stand up and act.
Fracking is happening all across the country and has reached the western most part of Florida's panhandle.
"Cost externalization" is a strategy that corporations use to maximize profits. Regardless of whether we live in a rural area or in a city, we can all be affected.
Subscribe to TCPalm.com and our Treasure Coast Newspapers
Need Help? Call us at 1-877-710-6180.
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The Asahi Shimbun Weekly
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a reconstruction... News PhotoEarthquake,Emergencies and Disasters,Horizontal,Japan,Japanese Prime Minister,Nuclear Energy,Organised Group,Politics,Prime Minister,Rebuilding,Shinzo Abe,Talking,Tokyo - JapanPhotographer The Asahi ShimbunCollection: The Asahi Shimbun 2013 The Asahi ShimbunTOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 29: (CHINA OUT, SOUTH KOREA OUT) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a reconstruction promotion committee at his official residene on January 29, 0213 in Tokyo, Japan. The government decides to set up the Reconstruction Agency Fukushima Headquaters to enhance the restoration from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant accident. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)


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Welcome to The Little Tiara Company
We have tiaras to suit every style and theme of wedding for todays modern bride as well as combs and grips. We also have a selection of jewellery for the bridal party and guests.
Browse our store to find lots of ideas for your special day.


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Comss InBusiness
Lean software applications for construction,
distribution, retail and project-driven businesses
What is Lean Software?
A new concept in business software that delivers the benefits below.
Increased competitiveness
The operational insight needed to win business and protect margins – that until now has only been available from more expensive business software.
Improved decision making
The financial transparency you need to make smarter and quicker decisions and avoid expensive business mistakes.
Lower cost of operations
InBusiness helps businesses flourish by delivering customer value with fewer resources. It uses simple, streamlined workflows that eliminate wasted effort and enable the core processes needed to run a business competitively.
What people say about Comss:
"Three years ago we were a €60m business. Today we turnover €10m, yet I am working harder than ever. Comss software gives me the visibility I need to make my projects profitable."
Director of a Construction company
"We are impressed with the InBusiness Lean Accounting solution. We particularly like the streamlined workflow and the way data entered in one module was immediately visible in another. Our clients are under pressure every day to make financial decisions and this software package provides the insight they need to get them right. When the performance is considered with the simple subscription pricing, we would have no hesitation in recommending it."
Dermot Neary, Partner, Eaton Neary Accountants
"Keeping on top of Health & Safety has always been a real nightmare. I really like the way Comss has simplified this complex task by providing a comprehensive view of all our H&S activities."
Martin Denny, Managing Director, Safety Link Consulting
"Small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy and a key contributor to growth and employment at home and within the EU. The ability of Small Business to continue to succeed and grow underpins our future potential for jobs, growth and prosperity. That is why I am so pleased to see Comss Limited building an innovative suite of lean software applications designed specifically to improve the effectiveness and competitiveness of our small and medium enterprises."
John Perry, Minister of State for Small Business
"I am delighted to endorse InBusiness, the breakthrough business software from Comss. This software has been tailored to address the needs of today's construction companies. It's fantastic that a former CIF National Executive Member has developed something that will help Irish construction and provide a valuable tool for construction companies."
Tom Parlon, Director, Construction Industry Federation
When working harder is no longer an option, you need to work smarter: InBusiness is the first software package designed specifically for a company endeavouring to deliver customer value with less resources.
What is Lean Software?
your email and download our whitepaper.
Latest Blog Posts
What is Lean Software?
How to run lean business in today's tough economy The first step most businesses take... Read more > >
Managing resource costs for a successful construction project
According to the article in The Construction Index, EC Harris has estimated that more... Read more > >
Latest News Posts
COMSS featured in the Construction Industry Federation magazine
The official magazine of the Construction Industry Federation recently featured COMSS... Read more > >
Deane Roofing and Cladding selects COMSS InBusiness construction software to deliver improved financial visibility and operational insight in the UK and Ireland
London, 26 September 2013 - COMSS, the Irish Software Company, announced today that... Read more > >


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- Filed Under
PALO ALTO, Calif. - The final throw was the one that drew the largest reaction from the crowd that had gathered this afternoon at a practice field at Stanford University.Andrew Luck dropped back, planted his right foot, limbered up his right arm and delivered a tight spiral 70 yards down the field.
"More than 70 yards,'' Luck said, smiling broadly of his signature throw during Stanford's pro day that lured personnel from the Indianapolis Colts and virtually every other NFL team. "But who's keeping track?''
It wasn't a moment of braggadocio by the polished quarterback considered the ...


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| 1. It had to be you (with big band and vocals)
2. Our love is here to stay
3. Stompin' at the Savoy
4. But not for me
5. Winter wonderland
6. Don't get around much anymore
| 7. Autumn in New York
8. I could write a book
9. Let's call the whole thing off
10. It had to be you (2) (instrumental trio)
11. Where or when
Use the tools below to refine your search by only displaying reviews with a certain number of star ratings or to only show reviews from a certain time period. Eg click on '1 star' to just display the reviews we have which received a 1 star rating click or 'Within the last month' to display just reviews posted over the last month.
Written on: 28/03/2007 by Eye 4 Goth (4 reviews written)
If like me you are a big fan of Rob Reiner's classic movie, when Harry Met Sally, then you will also love the soundtrack!
It Had To Be You (no one can sing this song like my husband can lol), Let's Call The Whole Thing Off and Winter Wonderland are my favourite tracks on the album, without a doubt… Read Full Review
" NEW AGE MUSIC FROM ANIMA THAT FEELS LIKE FLOATING " Read More
" NEW DEUTER ALBUM AND SOAR AWAY TO A RELAXED, HEALING STATE " Read More
" GYMNOSPHERE MUSIC BY JORDAN DE LA SIERRA " Read More
" WITH "WEIGHTLESS," MARCONI UNION NOW LEADING THE WAY " Read More
" MEGAN CHASKEY CHANTS LIKE AN ANGEL " Read More


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Darton State College News & Events - Darton Student to Intern at Disney!
News and Events
Darton Student to Intern at Disney!
November 21, 2013
Darton sophomore Jaelah Smith keeps a set of Mickey Mouse ears in her car. To say that she loves Disney would be like saying Dumbo hears pretty well. Jaelah really, really loves Disney. But the young music major loves college life too – and recently she secured a way to experience both.
Jaelah is one of a handful of college students chosen among thousands of applicants from all over the globe for the Disney College program. She will begin a full-time, paid internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., this coming January. It's quite an honor, and Jaelah – Darton's sole piano major – is feeling pretty upbeat about her future plans.
"I've been to Disney World nine times," she said. "It's the feeling of Disney – it's such a good feeling. There's this sense of joy wherever you go."
Jaelah will continue to take Darton classes online while she works in merchandising at the resort. Previous retail experience and lots of research and planning helped her through the application process only weeks ago, but her charm and personality carried her through the following interview.
"I just tried to make them laugh and to be personable," she said. "I was really nervous; I didn't think I was going to get it."
Jaelah got an additional boost from Dr. Zheng Jennifer Huang, an assistant professor of piano at Darton, whom she used as a reference. She also refers to her experience at Darton as reason for her focus and success.
"The classes, the people – it was just a mixture of things," she said. "I was an art major. Darton made me realize I wanted to be a music major, then get into entertainment, and that lead to this. It kind of opened the door."
Go Back to News and Events
Go to the News & Events Archive for 2013
Content Contact: Cynthia George (web representative)
The Darton State College web site is maintained by the Technology Services Division.


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GAC Album Review: Lady Antebellum's Golden
On their fourth studio album, Nashville harmony trio Lady Antebellum takes a sly step forward with a more polished sound and a few subtle changes in their songwriting style. Golden, which is available now, propels the seven-time Grammy winners with twelve new songs willing to change things up while making sure not to take away from the group's famous chemistry.
Co-producing the project with long-term collaborator Paul Worley (The Band Perry, Sara Evans), the members of Lady A – Hillary Scott (vocals), Charles Kelley (vocals) and Dave Haywood (guitar, vocals) – found inspiration for the new project through the moments they shared onstage during their recent Own The Night World Tour. And from an energy standpoint, Golden rides high on finely executed dramatics and an upbeat tempo.
Watch our exclusive interview clips with Lady A »


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iOS and Android can't lay claim to very many AAA games, but this one definitely qualifies. Horn is from the creator of The Dark Meadow, and it looks spectacular.
Make Your Own Geeky Wallpaper Using Instagram Pics With Insta-WP
What's your current wallpaper on the computer/laptop? How about your iPad/tablet? Your phone? No matter what some people might say, being able to change and customize wallpapers is something that adds color to life. Yeah, that might be an exaggeration, but have you tried Windows 7 Starter? I have known people to hate it simply […]
Weekly Poll: Will You Buy an iPad 3?
Apple made headlines this week by unveiling its third-generation iPad with a Retina Display screen. Are you getting one?
A Third Round of 'Infinity Blade' – With a Twist
You've heard about the new iPad by now, but this bit might have slipped past if you didn't follow the news closely: Epic Games is producing a prequel to its mega-hit Infinity Blade, which features wholly different gameplay than the first two games.
Max Payne Coming to iPad & iPhone!
Is it bad that I'm more excited about this than I am about Max Payne 3? The original Max Payne, by Remedy Entertainment, is being ported to iOS devices with an expected arrival within the next two months.
New Year's Resolutions 2012
In honor of the new year, I humbly present 8 resolutions for things that we geeks desperately want (and don't want) in 2012.
Ascension: Return of the Fallen Expansion now on iOS
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Justin Gary of Gary Games — better known as one of the Magic Pro-Tour players who founded the highly addicting deck building game, Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer. In this interview he hinted of an iOS version of the first expansion, Return of the Fallen due soon. And […]
Black Ops Zombies Comes to App Store
Activision is bringing Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies to iPhone, iPod, and iPad tomorrow. And by all indications, it's going to be a blast.
Brawl: The Card-Based Boxing Game
There's a new game out for iOS and it's called Brawl. The game made it to my radar for two reasons — first because it was a free release and secondly, it was a card-based boxing game. I'm a huge fan of deck building games like Ascension, Dominion and 7 Wonders so albeit this one […]
Assassin's Creed Bustin' Out All Over
Man, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed machine is cranking like crazy. In anticipation of November 15th's release of Assassin's Creed Revelations, there is so much tie-in stuff happening, it would constitute an entire article to catalog them all. So hey, why not do just that?
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Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks - Game Six
Palabras clave
Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks looks to drive against the Indiana... Fotografía de noticiasAl Horford,Atlanta,Atlanta Hawks - Equipo de baloncesto,Baloncesto,Basket-ball - NBA Pro,Deporte,EE.UU.,Eliminatorias,Eliminatorias de la NBA,Estadio Philips,Georgia - Estado de EEUU,Horizontal,Indiana Pacers,Lanzar,Mirar,Ronda de cuartos de final,Sexto partidoPhotographer Scott CunninghamCollection: National Basketball Association 2013 NBAEATLANTA, GA - MAY 3: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to drive against the Indiana Pacers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2013 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)


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Celebs Out & About: Djimon Hounsou, Paris Hilton, JWoww, Snooki, Lance Gross
Single father Djimon Hounsou was spotted with his son Kenzo shopping at the Grove in Hollywood, CA today. Hounsou and his baby mama Kimora Lee separated last year. Insiders wondered what took Djimon so long to realize he was with an emasculator who treats men like objects.
Photo: Zodiac / Splash News


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Praise from 2011 TIPS attendees:
"Excellent blend of science, clinical application and industry, while looking forward."
"Loved the point-counterpoint format -- industry debates. Great idea!"
"This is the most intellectually stimulating meeting I've been to in years."
Program Highlights*:
A point-counterpoint format on the benefits vs. the risks of ADMs. Plus, a session on what ROI to expect in this field; emphasis on breast ADMs.
Cutting edge research and the science behind biofilms in aesthetic plastic surgery. Plus, how anti-infectives, anti-virals, breast implants and fillers are impacted by biofilms.
Fillers and Volumizers
An overview of temporary and longer lasting fillers. Look at how this field can expand into volumizers and the treatment of fine lines. Detailed discussion on various filling agents.
Also featuring a special keynote session focused on the regulatory environment and entrepreneurship for clinicians, including sessions featuring the venture capitalist perspective.
*Subject to change


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The La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson - Reid Park has been awarded the 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson - Reid Park is consistently ranked in the Top 20% of TripAdvisor ranking for hotels in the Tucson area. The newly renovated La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson - Reid Park hotel in Tucson, AZ is conveniently located in the central mid-town area of Tucson. The hotel is a short walk from golf, tennis, restaurants and just minutes away from upscale shopping, University of Arizona and cultural centers, making it the ideal location for both business and leisure travelers. While staying at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson - Reid Park, guests are treated to a free Bright Side Breakfast, free high speed wireless Internet, state-of-the-art fitness facility and resort style pool with shallow lounging area. Our guest rooms treat you to many of the comforts of home including a microwave, refrigerator, flat screen TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and free local calls. Take care of business in our convenient business center. Host your meetings, networking events and celebrations in our meeting room. You can also stop by our Bright Side Market if you forget any of your essential amenities. The La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson - Reid Park prides itself on outstanding guest service, ensuring that each guest is treated with personal attention and warm hospitality while a guest at our Tucson AZ hotel.LaQuinta
24 hour front desk
Business center
Complimentary breakfast
Fitness center
Hot tub
Meeting/Banquet facilities
Non-smoking rooms available
Outdoor pool
Free parking
Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Wheelchair accessible
Get Rates
Get Flight + Hotel


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Toys and collectibles securely ordered from the comfort of your comfiest chair and delivered straight to the address of your choosing… that's what you get when you order toys and collectibles from Excalibur Toys. We offer an exceptional range of quality toys, reproductions and collectibles covering all the true classics as well as the most up-to-the-minute items. Our goal at Excalibur Toys is to provide our customers with an extensive range of high quality merchandise at the most competitive prices.
If you or someone you care about loves Harry Potter, Star Wars, Halo, Twilight, The Simpsons, Bad Taste Bears, Doctor Who, Family Guy, James Bond, Coraline or just about any collectible or reproduction toys and merchandise, Excalibur Toys is sure to have just what you are looking for and a whole lot more besides.


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Home > Blog > Editors Blog > Events > Saks to carry larger designer sizes!
July 28th, 2010
The internet is buzzing over Racked's scoop that Saks Fifth Avenue is set to increase its sizing in many of its designer lines. Most high-end stores rarely carry designer labels past a size 10 so this is a long overdue initiative. Saks is launching this pilot project at its Manhattan location to test the waters, promising to start carrying up to at least a 14 in all proposed lines and 16-20 in several. I'm seeing many reports the store will be carrying "plus sizes" when in fact this is extended straight sizing that will fit many curvy fashionistas but unfortunately not all
CATEGORIES:Amazing Events (26)
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Normally I keep my politics to my own blogspace, but this is the sharpest, most clever little spoof of the campaign season, and I'll be damned if I don't share it. Enjoy!
"Remember, when you vote for a candidate, you're actually voting for every stance they've ever held. So slow down Ashley - you've just met this guy. Don't so something you'll regret....FOREVER."
Christmas must have come early this year! World on Fire was nominated for an ENnie, the newer and stronger printings of Spycraft 2.0 and World on Fire hit game stores across the world, and we've decided to run our biggest sale ever, this weekend only!
From Thursday July 24 through Sunday July 27 on DriveThruRPG, you can get 25% off on ALL Spycraft PDFs, from the the ENnie-nominated Spycraft 2.0 to Classic Spycraft to the brand new Agent X: One Man Army! Now's the best time to get clean out your wish list or just treat yourself to a litle something for the midsummer - after all, Chirstmas is still a long ways away...
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This information applies to camps, and to "enrolled" sites not located in eligible areas, that participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Camps participating in the SFSP may claim reimbursement only for meals served to eligible children. See section below on Collecting and Approving Household Income Statements.
"Enrolled" sites claim SFSP reimbursement for all meals served to enrolled children, if the enrolled site establishes eligibility to participate in the SFSP by documenting that at least 50 percent of children participating at the site meet income eligibility guidelines. (Enrolled sites located in eligible areas are considered to be area-eligible sites and do not need to document the eligibility status of enrolled children.)
To establish eligibility to participate in the SFSP for an enrolled site that is not located in an eligible area, the sponsoring authority must:
1. Distribute and approve/deny Household Income Statements (or verify that children are already approved for school meal benefits) and determine that at least 50 percent of participating children are from income-eligible households. See section below on Collecting and Approving Household Income Statements.
2. Ensure that at least 50 percent of the participants meet income eligibility guidelines on an ongoing basis. The enrollment roster must represent the active participants in the program.
Note: If the sponsoring organization can obtain a list of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals from their school(s), it is not necessary to collect SFSP Household Income Statements.
1. Distribute the SFSP Household Income Statement and attached pages to households:
- Household Letter (one page).
- Instructions for Completing Household Income Statement (one page).
- Household Income Statement (two pages).
2. Review, and approve or deny, the completed Household Income Statements. Use the following references available on the SFSP/Eligibility page of the Minnesota Department of Education website:
- Current household income guidelines (Refer to the table of household income guidelines on the Household Letter that is attached to the Household Income Statement form.)
- Procedure for Approval/Denial of Household Income Statements.


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Used Melba yesterday Kimibos, I first applied Gingerly towards the back of my cheeks and then Melba on the apples of my cheeks, I'm officially in love It gives the nicest flush of color, so pretty...
Don't have a favorite look of the week, I haven't been doing anything interesting, just using my Sleek Storm and Chaos palettes but hopefully next week I'll have more pretty looks to post, jut picked up some new Inglot shadows, can't wait to use them... Anyone have their gel liners? I got them in 77 and 83 for the first time, any opinions on them?
Hope everyone is having a great start to the new year so far
glammy girl! Your Gingerly/Melba combo sounds just lovely! I haven't ventured into the Inglot gel liners...too busy buying nail polish like it's facing a ban and we'll never have access to it again. Please don't ask me to explain this madness.


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31 December, 2013
My latest book Projecting Britain at War is available in either print edition or as an e book. Both can be purchased at a discount on the Amazon website. All my articles are gradually being put on the website under 'articles' though these also appear on my Facebook page.Post to Delicious


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Last orders at the Charlotte
Posted: January 27, 2009|
Music venue the Charlotte will shut its doors for the last time at the end of the month.
Thevenue which has played host to acts including Oasis, Coldplay, ArcticMonkeys and Leicester band Kasabian – has run out of cash.
PunchTaverns, which owns the building, said its priority was to reopen thevenue "as soon as is feasibly possible" and appealed for "localentrepreneurs" to get in touch.
Andy Wright, who has run thevenue for 20 years, began the process of liquidating its operatingcompany, The Princess Charlotte Public House Limited, this month.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury yesterday Mr Wright said: "It will definitely be closing at the end of the month.
"That's when the company officially ceases to trade.
"Then it's up to Punch Taverns as to what it wants to do with it.
"I will be gone at the end of the month and it will be closed until further notice."
Bandshad pledged to help a campaign to save the Oxford Street venue, withmany acts saying they would be happy to play in a fund-raising gig.
Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan spoke exclusively to the Mercury to offer the band's support.
He said: "If we can help, we will. At the end of the day, it's a legendary venue."
Other Leicester bands, including The Displacements and The Screening, also offered to help.
AGovernment petition set up to save the venue gathered almost 1,100signatures, including that of Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby.
More than 10,000 people joined internet campaign groups set up to support the venue.
Richard Haswell, manager of De Montfort Hall, said the closure was a "sad loss" for the city.
A spokesman for Punch Taverns said the company was committed to the Charlotte's future.


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NYCC: "Naruto" Creator Masashi Kishimoto Thanks Fans, Talks Series End
TV, Comic Books, Film
Showing results 734-773 of 1052
Disney Publishing showed off their upcoming graphic novels based on "Tron," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Mickey Mouse, plus motion comic adaptations of Roger Langridge and BOOM! Studios' "Muppet Show" comics.
Mark Waid spoke with CBR TV about his new position as CCO of BOOM! Studios, stronger interaction between "Irredeemable" and Incorruptible," his infamous Baltimore Comic Con speech on digital comics and more.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Irredeemable" #18 by the creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Peter Krause. The epic war against the Plutonian continues on October 13.
BOOM! Studios has provided CBR with advance looks at new titles on sale October 6, including "Incorruptible" #10, "28 Days Later" #15, "Toy Story" #7, and three new trade paperback collections.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Incorruptible" #10 by creator/writer Mark Waid and artist Horacio Domingues. The next chapter of the Irredeemable-verse unfolds on October 6.
Chad Nevett gave BOOM! Studios' "The Incredibles" #14 4.5 stars saying of Landry Walker, Ramanda Kamarga and Marcio Takara's all-ages superhero comic "Every issue is a joy to read."
BOOM! Studios has provided CBR with advance looks at new titles on sale September 29, including "Incredibles" #14, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep: Dust to Dust" #5, "Walt Disney's Comics and Stories" #711, and more!
BOOM! Studios has released a preview of the first issue of "Stan Lee's The Traveler" by Lee, writer Mark Waid and artist Chad Harding. The first issue goes on sale in November, 2010
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust to Dust" #5 by Philip K Dick, Chris Roberson and Robert Adler.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR brings you previews of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" #15, "Dracula: The Company of Monsters #2, "Muppet Show" #10, "Mickey Mouse and Friends" #300, and more!
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive, extended preview of "Darkwing Duck" #4 by Ian Brill and James Silvani. Comic books continue to get dangerous next Wednesday, September 22.
Sam Humphries returns for the third in his series of interviews with creators from BOOM! Studios' "CBGB: The Comic Book" miniseries, this time talking with Kim Krizan about the story she wrote for the anthology.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive extended preview of "Muppet Sherlock Holmes" #1 by Patrick Storck and Amy Mebberson with a cover by "Mouse Guard's" David Petersen!
Chad Nevett gave BOOM! Studios' "Irredeemable" #17 4.5 stars, saying that Mark Waid and Peter Krause "keep upping the ante and the surprises [and] make this title a top-of-the-pile-read-right-away comic every month."
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR brings you advance looks at comics on sale next week including new issues of "The Incredibles," "Toy Story," "Irredeemable," "Farscape: Scorpius" and more.
BOOM! Studios announced today that Disney's âChip 'n Dale Rescue Rangersâ will return in comics form. CBR News spoke with writer Ian Brill, who also writes âDarkwing Duck,â about bringing back another popular cartoon.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR brings you an exclusive preview of "Irredeemable" #17 by Mark Waid and Peter Krause, on sale September 9 in finer comics stores everywhere.
BOOM! Studios' Mark Waid met with fans in Baltimore to discuss his work on the companion series "Irredeemable" and "Incorruptible," and also to discuss BOOM!'s new line of Stan Lee comics. CBR was there.
BOOM! Studios has released an advance look at Stan Lee's "Soldier Zero" #1, created by Lee, written by Paul Cornell with art by Javier Pina and covers by Dave Johnson, Phil Noto and more. The issue hits stores in October.
BOOM! Studios has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at three of the covers for the debut issue of "Stan Lee's The Traveler" by Mark Waid and Chad Hardin with covers by Hardin, Scott Clark and Joe Benitez.
In this second edition of our regular feature, Sam Humphries interviews Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic about her comic writing debut contributing a story to "CBGB: The Comic Book," her music and more.
Courtesy of BOOM! Studios, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Dracula: The Company of Monsters" #1 by Kurt Busiek, Daryl Gregory and Scott Godlewski with a cover by Dan Brereton.
Mark Waid moderated the BOOM Kids! Muppets panel with Eisner Award nominated cartoonist Roger Langridge who told the inside story of his path to the popular comic book.
BOOM! Studios writers Mark Waid, Chris Roberson, and Paul Cornell all took to the Comic-Con stage to talk with fans about their new superhero projects and what it's like working with "The Man" himself, Stan Lee.
Despite the proliferation and growing popularity of handheld devices like iPads, iPhones and Kindles, panelists said digital comic publishers continue struggle to get their comics into the hands of would-be buyers.
Independent writers unite at Comic-Con International for a discussion about writing, promoting, publishing comic books outside of the mainstream industry and what it means to be independent.
BOOM! Studios announced its three Stan Lee-created titles during a press event at CCI. CBR was there to bring you the details, including comments from Lee's so-writers, Mark Waid, Paul Cornell and Chris Roberson.
Thursday morning at Comic-Con International in San Diego found BOOM! Studios CCO Mark Waid and Peter Krause discussing their superhero-gone-wrong series "Irredeemable" as well as "Incorruptible," starring a heroic villain.
CBR News spoke with Mark Waid about his experiences writing "The Traveler," one of the newly announced Stan Lee created series debuting in November and starring a masked mystery man who can bend time.
CBR News spoke with Paul Cornell about âSoldier Zero,â the first of three BOOM! Studios titles created by Stan Lee that were announced today at Comic-Con International in San Diego.
As announced at Comic-Con in San Diego, âStarbornâ will be the third of BOOM! Studios' new ongoing series created by Stan Lee. CBR News spoke with writer Chris Roberson about the series, which debuts in December.
In this inaugural edition of a new regular feature, "CBGB" writer Sam Humphries interviews fellow writer Kieron Gillen about his contribution to the BOOM! anthology inspired by the legendary rock club.
The publishing line's lead creative force and respected star writer Mark Waid is moving to the position of CCO leaving the E-i-C reigns to Matt Gagnon as both men tell CBR about their plans for Comic-Con and beyond.
Archives: All | Comic Books | TV/Film | Video Games | Web Comics


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February 9, 2013
Star Entertainment
Plans set for inaugural Rainforest Seafood Festival
Many have lived their lives governed by the mantra that "It is better to give than to receive".
The doctrine is espoused by leading Jamaican business, Rainforest Seafood Limited, as the company finalises plans to stage the inaugural Rainforest Seafood Festival dedicated to raising much-needed funds for the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
Aptly set for the religious Ash Wednesday holiday, and with red meat off the menu, thousands of Jamaicans across the island are expected to descend on Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay, St James, on February 13 from 10 a.m. to midnight.
It is there that Rainforest Seafoods and the festival's main sponsors - Red Stripe, Pepsi, Digicel, Scotiabank, National Bakery, CB Chicken and ATL - are hoping to do for the paediatric ward of Cornwall Regional Hospital, what Shaggy's King's House concert is doing for Kingston's Bustamante Hospital for Children, projecting to raise some $5 million from this first event, with all proceeds going to the 'We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital' initiative.
"Plans are coming on great! We will be ready to stage the largest charity festival western Jamaica has ever witnessed," said Max Jardim of Rainforest Seafoods Limited, assuring that "everything is in line to do our best at matching the huge success Shaggy has had with Bustamante."
Launched recently at Sandals Royal in Montego Bay, the Rainforest Seafood Festival will showcase Rainforest's diverse seafood offerings through many well-known restaurants and chefs across the country.
"We are expecting 15 restaurant booths, including Prendy's, Spring Garden Café, Sky Beach Seafood, Scotchies, Pelican Grill, Fish Pot Restaurant, Pier One, etc, as well as the culinary delights of vendors from Hellshire in St Catherine, to Middle Quarters in St Elizabeth to Port Royal in Kingston," Jardim informed.
He said patrons will be exposed to Jamaica's best in seafood, citing "everything from jerk grey snapper fillet, to escoveitch fish and bammy, fried shrimp, pepper shrimp, steam fish and festival, lionfish, crayfish soup, saltfish fritters, etc."
Also, patrons will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with sponsors and acquire information on their products, from the many booths that will landscape the well-endowed facility, all this amid an all-day package of entertainment activities designed to meet the needs of family and friends.
"Additionally, we will have booths by all major sponsors, with giveaways and many activities," Jardim said further, disclosing among the highlights, the free National Bakery Kidz Corner which "will feature water slide, bounce- about, rock climbing, dancing, stilt walkers, mascots, and face painting for the young ones."
"The grown-ups will surely visit the ATL presentation that will see its latest motor vehicles; they can also watch in awe at the cooking demonstration of the feared lionfish; and marvel at the tech centre," he added.
Regrettably, acknowledging the absence from the upcoming event by one of its keenest sponsors, Jadim said, "Unfortunately, Yohan (Blake) cannot make the festival due to an Adidas photo shoot in New York," noting that "he still endorses the festival," while calling for public support to what is expected to be one the largest seafood and entertainment festival in the Caribbean.
And if that isn't enough, the organisers are boasting a day-long concert, comprising some of Jamaica's most popular artistes, including I-Octane, Romain Virgo, Prodigal Son, Ken Boothe, Tifa, Chronixx and Beenie Man, alongside comedians Ity and Fancy Cat. They believe that the quantity and quality of attractions planned for the day will make this Ash Wednesday festival one of the most memorable in the country's calendar of events, and set the platform to raise money for the improvement of medical services at the hospital.
Emphasising that, "our citizens of Jamaica deserve first-class medical care," Jardim pointed out, however, that "the reality is that our hospitals, such as Cornwall Regional Hospital in the west, need significant help to ensure we receive essential health services," stating that "we all must play our part in this very important initiative to ensure it becomes one of the first sprinting steps towards making a difference".
Encouraging all Jamaicans to come out and support the Rainforest Seafood Festival, Jardim assured that "together, we can make a difference."
The 'We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital' initiative, which will manage the funds raised from what will be an annual event, was founded in 2011 by a group of Montegonians who are "driven by a mission to enrich and inspire the lives of community members".
Working with hospital professionals to identify operational weaknesses and equipment most in need, the group has so far raised over US$140,000 with plans to raise US$1.8 million for the urgent needs of the paediatric ward initially, as the hospital is the only facility in western Jamaica specialising in blood transfusions for young children and babies.
Imploring the business community and residents to get involved because "you may save the life of a loved one," Jardim said "through events such as the Rainforest Seafood Festival you can make a difference; we sincerely encourage you to join in on our cause."
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Adam Serwer
August 11, 2011
The shadow war in Somalia.
Basic economics.
Can teachers overcome poverty?
Eleven angry men.
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Adam Serwer is a writing fellow at The American Prospect and a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He also blogs at Jack and Jill Politics and has written for The Village Voice, The Washington Post, The Root, and the Daily News. Follow @adamserwer


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LUSBY, Md. (WUSA) -- Calvert County Department of Health officials have not confirmed that "Influenza A" killed three people in a Lusby home, but say it was a contributing factor.
Influenza A is the virus that is most commonly known as the flu in humans. However, if not treated properly, as in these cases, it can prove to be deadly.
"The first case of illness occurred in an 81-year-old woman who presented symptoms at her home beginning on or about February 23, 2012. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. The caregivers developed similar upper respiratory symptoms on or about February 28, 2012. All were hospitalized and became critically ill. The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter subsequently died. A third family member and caregiver is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center," CCHD officials said.
Residents are recommended to take standard precautions to prevent the spread of illness including hand washing and limiting contact with sick individuals. Those with flu-like symptoms should check with their healthcare provider to be evaluated.
Health officials say if you think you have similar symptoms, you should check with a doctor immediately.
"In the meantime, we continue to recommend that people ill with influenza-like illnesses (fever and cough or sore throat) check in with their healthcare provider to be evaluated and see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications," officials said.


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Bob's Bloggers
A community of bloggers who live and die to DIY
Floor Adventure: Round 2
By Picardy Project on Feb 02, 2012
When we last left the floors we had gotten most of the sanding done, but there was still some problematic areas over by the picture window. We've been working on sanding more and more and more and more. We finally came to the conclusion, that well, that area but the picture window really isn't going to get much better. Whether it is indeed damage by the sun, crappier wood, or just not great sanding by us (but we tried and tired and tried) that's just how it's just going to have to be
So we moved on and started tackling more things we had to get done before we were even close to stain ready.
Like all of the little crevices and corners we couldn't get the finish sander or our palm sander into
And the stairs
And now those stairs look mighty pretty
We also had to replace a piece of wood in front of the fireplace. The old one had split so we carefully removed it a little while ago. We measured for fit and then found that our new wood would be installed a bit proud of the old wood. The subfloor is a little wonky here so I think it's a combination of it being a high spot and also our new wood being slightly thicker
Good thing we have a planer! :) It made things a lot easier. If we didn't have one we would have had to take the belt sander to it over and over and over again, but with the planer we were able to slide it through little by little to take a completely uniform amount off and get it just about perfectly level with the old floor. Once we got that right, we slid it into place and hammered it in with finish nails (we could have used the nail gun, but we wanted round holes like the rest of the floor)
Then we went around the whole room looking for bare metal showing from old nail heads. We used a counter sink to nail them down below the top surface of the wood so our wood filler would cover it up and once all the floor was finished you wouldn't be able to see any sparkle of visible nail heads (I forgot to take a picture).
Then came time to screen it which involves using a screen-like sandpaper...
...and attaching it to a pole and running it over all of your floors. This fine gritted screen helps smooth the transitions between the different sanding methods used on your floors (between the field area and the corners and borders)
Then finally we were ready for the wood filler, hooray! (after vacuuming of course). We opted to use Woodwise Full-Trowel Filler on the floors. Instead of patching holes here and there you pour out a workable amount of the wood filler onto your floors and then use a grout float to spread it out all over. This fills all your nail holes, gaps between wood, gouges in the wood, you name it. It helps give a nice, clean, even surface across the entire floor. We hopped to it
It took the two of us maybe 45 minutes to get it all done, which is actually probably faster (and a lot less annoying) than it would have been to hunt around for every nail hole and putty it over. Once we got to the edge of the room and our butts started colliding I jumped out and Chris finished it up
We were hoping to be able to sand that same day so we brought in a fan to try to dry things out quicker
But things were still taking a bit longer to fully dry everywhere and while we were pretty sure it wouldn't take too long to get it all sanded, we didn't want to push our luck and have it take hours longer and be sanding at 10pm (no fun), so we resolved that we'd sand it this weekend. It's looking oh so inviting now though!


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Weekly Update: Garnishing Social Security?
Using Student Debt to Attack Social Security Social Security benefits traditionally have been protected from debt collectors. But Republicans in Congress—always looking for an opportunity to cut Social Security benefits—created a loophole in 1996 that allowed outstanding federal student loan debt to be taken from the benefits that help recipients pay for medication, food and […]
Weekly Update: It's About Priorities
IBEW 125 Pickets Pacific Power Headquarters Linemen, wiremen, metermen, dispatchers and clerical employees along with other classifications employed by Pacific Power picketed the front of the corporation's headquarters today in Northeast Portland. The workers were protesting the corporation's efforts to shift more health care costs onto employees and hold their wages down below the industry […]
Weekly Update: The Dignity of Work
Oregon's Minimum Wage Won't Change in 2016 Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain issued the following statement to the press today: "The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry announced today that our state's minimum wage will not increase in 2016. This comes as a tough hit for working people across the state. A wage of $9.25 […]
Statement from Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain on the 2016 Minimum Wage
"The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry announced today that our state's minimum wage will not increase in 2016. This comes as a tough hit for working people across the state. A wage of $9.25 an hour is simply not enough to live on and there are around 100,000 people in Oregon earning the minimum […]
Weekly Update: Moving Up
Unions are Tools for Economic Mobility When we talk about rebuilding the middle class, we're talking about economic mobility. The dream for so many hardworking parents is to be able to give their children a prosperous future, but in today's economy where recovery has not been a certainty, that dream can be all too elusive. […]
Labor Day Statement from President Chamberlain
"This Labor Day, I'm encouraging every worker in Oregon to consider how much we can accomplish by coming together to make our state a truly prosperous place to live. We're standing in the middle of a crossroads: in one direction, we have a state where workers can afford the basics in life without having to […]
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Uber's Worst Nightmare? You might know Uber as the company that began operating without permits in Eugene and Portland last year. The popular app-based transportation company has been called out by companies like Union Cab for lowering standards for taxi drivers. Late yesterday, a federal judge in California opened the door to what may be […]
Weekly Update: The Cost of Living
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Scouting report: Duncanville vs. Cypress Falls 5A girls basketball semifinal
5A state semifinal
Duncanville vs. Cypress Falls
3:30 p.m. Friday
District: 5-5A (first)
Record: 38-1
Coach: Cathy Self-Morgan
State titles: six ('76, '88, '89, '90, '97, '03)
Previous state appearances (last): 21 (2004)
Playoff victories: Hurst L.D. Bell (68-33), Flower Mound Marcus (50-31), Southlake Carroll (60-46), Amarillo (60-29), defending 5A champ Irving MacArthur (62-55 in OT).
Top players: Guards Empress Davenport (Texas signee), Tasia Foman and Morgan Bolton all average more than 10 points per game. So do Ariel Atkins and Kiara Perry, a pair of guard/forwards who do the bulk of the rebounding. Atkins (5-10) and Perry (5-11) each average seven rebounds per game.
Analysis: Duncanville doesn't have a lot of size, but its quickness and aggressiveness helps the Pantherettes rebound well. Duncanville, which suffered its only loss to Plano West in the first week of December, beat Cy Falls, 58-47, in the Pasadena Texas Invitational in November. Duncanville's depth makes it the favorite to win the 5A title.
District: 17-5A (first)
Record: (37-2)
Coach: Jim Stephens
State titles: none
Previous state appearances: None
Playoff victories: Alief Taylor (77-27), Katy Taylor (70-48), Cy Ranch (60-33), Galena Park North Shore (50-27), Alief Elsik (59-52).
Top players: Despite having a pair of 6-2 post players, Cy Falls is guard-oriented like Duncanville. Loryn Goodwin (North Texas signee), a 5-9 guard who averaged nearly 19 points per game in the regular season, leads Cy Falls in scoring, rebounding and 3-point shooting. Guards Shernise Robertson and Kit Metoyer are also double-figure scorers.
Analysis: Cy Falls has several players who can have big nights, but the team's leader is Goodwin, who transferred from Temple before her senior year. How well Cy Falls handles Duncanville's pressure defense will be key in the semifinal.


text: Rang Tang | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information Official Broadway League sites: - sites - broadway.org broadwayleague.com broadwayfanclub.com kidsnightonbroadway.com stagespecs.org tonyawards.com Quick Search For: In This Category: All Show People/Org. Theatre Season The credits for this production have not yet been completed or verified. Rang Tang Royale Theatre, (7/12/1927 - circa. 10/24/1927)Majestic Theatre, (9/1927 - circa. 10/1927) First Preview: Total Previews: Opening Date: Jul 12, 1927 Closing Date: Oct 1927 Total Performances: 119 Category: Musical, Revue, Original, Broadway Description: A Musical Revue in Two Acts Opening Night Credits Production Staff Produced by Mr. Walker and Mr. Kavanaugh Book by Kaj Gynt; Lyrics by Jo Trent Directed by Charles Davis and Miller and Lyles Cast May BarnesGeorge BattlesInez DrawJosephine HallDaniel HaynesGilbert HollandCrawford JacksonJosephine JacksonZaidee JacksonByron JonesA. LylesLavinia MackMarie MahoodF. E. MillerEvelyn PreerLe'etta RevellsJames StrangeEdward ThompsonLillian WestmorelandJosephine Willis © 2001-2015, The Broadway League, All Rights Reserved. (Copyright and Disclaimer)


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Natrona County Fillies
NC Girls Conquer Campbell County
In what was surprising to very few people, the Natrona County Fillies defeated the girls from Campbell County, 60-33. They are the only team from Casper to advance to the finals of the state basketball tournament, and they will face the winner of the Evanston/Laramie game to for the 4A State Title. The NC girls made Casper proud, and they should be proud of themselves as well.
Undefeated NC Fillies Trounce Cheyenne East
As State Basketball kicks off, the NC girls continue to remain undefeated, as they picked off Cheyenne East with relative ease, beating them 64-36. Despite the score, it was a hard fought win, and the Cheyenne East girls have nothing to be ashamed of. The Fillies, however, have everything to be proud of. They worked hard, they played hard, and they won…hard.
Fillies End Season with a Win [PHOTOS]
The Natrona County Fillies closed out the season with nothing short of their A-Game. They defeated the Star Valley Lady Braves 54-31 this morning at the Casper Events Center...


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How to Survive a Break Up like a Modern Day Yogi. ~ Durgaya Palmieri
A recent move from my life in Atlanta to a spiritual community in Sebastian Florida, brought my relationship to the ultimate crossroads, and unfortunately it all fell apart like a pile of rocks toppling over.
Since my breakup, my heart feels like it lives directly under the thinnest layer of skin, overly sensitive to every thought, loud sound or even touch.
Some days I go to bed feeling this way, and I wake up feeling this way only to repeat the cycle again. I have come to realize that "this way" I'm feeling is vulnerable. I feel wide open, the way that we strive to be in love and relationships, but I am not in the happy phase where being wide open and vulnerable means feeling more love and getting greater intimacy.
I am in a different phase where being open and vulnerable means, "this hurts like hell."
I made the decision to leave my old life knowing that this was a possibility, but hoping that it would not be a reality. But here I am.
In honor of my decision to deepen my commitment to a yogic lifestyle, I know that I have to go trough this loss in a conscious way. I have to open to grace and participate in the things that are actually happening in my life.
It's kind of a bummer. I wish I could just spend the next few weeks getting drunk, and casually dating hot guys but that won't actually make me happy.
However painful this break up is, I think it is better to be vulnerable than the alternatives I can come up with, which is to close up, protect myself from feeling anything, to be mad at him so I can mask this feeling, to give up on love, to pack up everything I own and try to run back to him.
Yes, I think feeling this way is definitely better than that. Vulnerable is not a feeling I am accustomed to, not because I am insensitive, but because when I have the chance to feel vulnerable, I usually choose to just be "strong" instead. The irony is that being in this relationship is what showed me how to be vulnerable, and it was not an easy process.
I broke through barriers that had taken me years, possibly even lifetimes, to put up, and I worked hard to see those barriers crumble. I cried, I spoke my truth, I forgave, I asked forgiveness, I listened.
I did the harder things that love asks of us.
I may have to deal with the loss of a love, but I have to ask myself, how can I hold onto the growth and great opening this love has brought into my life? How can I be strong enough to be vulnerable and really feel this pain so I can truly move through it? How do I get from here to feeling empowered?
When we go through a breakup or any kind of deep transition, we are faced with the fact that something we put our blood, sweat and tears into isn't working. We have grown out of our old way of doing things, or perhaps it never worked to begin with, so there is this empty feeling.
There is suddenly a void, a space in our lives that needs to be filled–but we can't fill it just yet. First we must mourn for our loss.
As I can say from experience, this part sucks! As we mourn the loss of something that used to mean everything to us, we are finally allowed (or even forced) to really look at it. The truth is, if it didn't work out, there is something to look at – and if we want to grow or change, we will actually have to look at it, and it will probably be painful, but this is the path yoga asks of us; consciousness.
As I go through this process, I am realizing that all the things I did to make my relationship work, I now have to do for myself in order to make my relationship with myself work.
I have to be honest with myself about why things ended up this way, I have to listen to my truth even when it's "ugly," I have to forgive myself for not being perfect…but it's not all bad; this is what it means to grow up.
As we begin to see why and how things started to unravel and how we ended up a total mess, we are finally able to heal. In the grand scheme of things, when we finally put as much effort into the relationship we have with ourselves as we do with other people, we are finally able to stop searching for something outside of ourselves.
We are finally able to see ourselves as powerful, interesting, dynamic beings. We are finally able to find peace – a kind of peace we glimpse in shivasana after an amazing yoga class, a kind of peace that doesn't change with the wind.
This kind of peace, the kind we get from an inner knowing, is to me, our connection to a higher power. Somehow knowing this is empowering, and I feel vulnerable and strong at the same time because I know that this also serves a purpose.
I know that next time I am ready for love I will understand my needs and wants better, and I will know myself enough to give myself what I want and avoid falling into the same patterns I was in before this relationship. So maybe this hurts like hell, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing; amazing things are manifested when we face our path in new creative ways.
The five tips of the yogi breakup survival guide:
1. "Darkness is the absence of light"
In the first few days, weeks or even months of a breakup, it is common to feel pretty dark, maybe even emotionally exhausted or heavy. Relationships take a lot of time and energy and when one ends we are not only alone the sheer sense of change makes us feel lonely.
This loneliness can be especially scary when we feel or think that it is going to last forever. Try not to get stuck here. Take some time to get quiet and face your fears. Shine the light on the thoughts that scare you the most and come up with a mantra or simple saying to help you get though these dark moments.
Try: "I trust life to bring me happiness and love," or "I trust my decision to leave this relationship because I know in my heart that there is something I needed that I wasn't getting."
2. Get moving.
Roll out your yoga mat, go to the rock climbing gym or go running, just get moving. Negativity lives in our body, which is why when we feel depressed we just want to stay in bed. Our bodies and minds are emotionally and physically exhausted.
Consciously open your hips in your favorite yoga class and release anger, go climbing and prove to yourself that you like a challenge, run and allow every once of sweat to represent a release of negativity in your life. The endorphins from any exercise will naturally make you feel lighter and happier so whatever your exercise of choice is, go for it!
3. Mourn your loss.
In yoga we aim to align our bodies and to move with the flow of our lives and breath. If your current situation has you down, take the time to look at it. What lessons does this time in your life offer you? How can you learn from this experience so that your next relationship is a fresh start and not a reason to live through the same hurtful habits?
4. Just as we need to feel the loss we also need to feel what we have gained.
Is there anything that you wanted to do when you were in a relationship that you couldn't. Maybe your ex felt like you spent too much time with your friends.
Well, you may not realize it, but you're free! In this moment you only have to consider yourself. Go do and be whomever you want, just take the time to be introspective. Do you feel like spending a lot of time with your friends is too much, or does this time with friends enrich your life?
The answer to this question will let you know something about what you need in your next relationship. Maybe you realize that you need someone who allows you to spend a lot of time with your friends. Suddenly you have perspective. Your last relationship wasn't perfect, because none are, and there are things that you may want or need to be different in your next.
5. Facebook—don't do it.
Sorry but I suggest defriending your ex. Don't check out their page, because you don't want to see what they are up to on a Friday night. Don't stress yourself out wondering if they are looking at your page, or if you look cute enough, fun enough, fit enough. No. You already did this, in the beginning when you were investing in the relationship, and even then it didn't really tell you what was going on.
Love, Gratitude & Good Luck!
Durgaya Palmieri is the creator and yoga instructor behind Kula Journal. A growing community of mindful yogis who enjoy life, on and off the traditional path. Her love of yoga and community has lead her to create KJ and to continue to seek out new contributors and readers who will enrich the yoga community with truly inspirational post, teachings and musings. Durgaya recently moved back to the spiritual community she grew up on, Kashi Ashram in Sebastian, Florida
Editor: Mel Squarey
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9 Responses to "How to Survive a Break Up like a Modern Day Yogi. ~ Durgaya Palmieri"
Lots of practical,useful, realistic advice, — so valuable! Thanks, Durgaya.
A very interesting,insightful article. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Well said but do not be bitter….remember the great moments and be grateful for the glass half full Move on …there is so much more INSIDE YOU..ie where the bliss is…….love you Durgaya Kimti
BE STILL and KNOW.
[…] Real d8s (dates) dried up. I'll spare you the deets (details). I never got the 143 (I love you). I just got the TTTT (too tired to talk). Now it's 2FB (too freaking bad) because it's over. […]
[…] wrote this statement one week after a breakup. It was a breakup I didn't want, nor did I see coming. I've never written before, just for the sake of writing, […]
[…] One minute you can have little tolerance of what you feel is unacceptable behavior towards one person but with another you will let them get away with murdering your heart. […]
[…] […]
thank you.


text: I am travelling to Quebec city on March break for a Grad trip. I will be staying in a hotel right near the Dag. Now I have never been there myself but people tell me there are some really good accesory shops there. Can anyone from Quebec city confirm this for me? Also I'm just curious as to the quality of bud up there, and how readily available it is. I live in Southern Ontario and our bud here is awesome and pretty cheap. I think I'll be bringing up about 2 Oz for the trip. Anyway any input as to the MJ situation happenin in Quebec City would be much appreciated.


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Yesterday afternoon I visited the Welney Wetland Centre which is part of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Here I photographed this family of six Whooper Swans ~ two adults and four cygnets who have recently arrived at Welney after completing a 1,200 mile journey from their breeding grounds in Northern Iceland. This includes a non-stop 700 mile ocean crossing over the North Atlantic. The Whooper swans can complete this section of the journey across the water in as little as 12hours and 40minutes! That is a speed of over 55 miles per hour for nearly 13 hours! It is even more remarkable when you realise that the cygnets are only 2/3 months old. They will over winter at Welney before returning to Iceland in the Spring
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|Canon EOS 400D
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|Whooper Swans at Welney
|30 Oct 2008 - 7:29 AM
|Birds, Norfolk, Ouse washes, Photo journalism, Welney, Wetland, Whooper swans, Wildfowl, Wildlife, Wildlife / nature, Wwt
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they are truely remarkable the way they migrate each time arriving at the same spot as last year, autunm watch usually covers sereral groups of them as well as brent geese.
you've captured them perfectly Albert, lovely silky water.
p.s i wish that i really was consisent Albert, you would'nt believe how many of my shots get binned, if i was using film it would cost a bomb.
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This is beautiful. It's one of those satisfying compositions that just happen naturally, if you have the eye to seize the moment.
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A fine shot of this family of whooper swans, they haven't arrived at Slimbridge yet
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Very nicely captured of this family - they appear be be having a conversation.
I am amazed at their flying prowess!
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Superbly taken shot Albert. You've done remarkably well to hold the whites on the swans against the dark background.
Nice bit of info too thanks.
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A wonderful family portrait Albert, with some very interesting background information.
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Beautiful capture, the water makes a perfect bg.
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For some, the close of February marks the end of LGBT History Month in more than just the calendrical sense. Alan Turing and Oscar Wilde go back into the box as March approaches and things return to heteronormal. So it's always encouraging to hear about places where the importance of LGBT History Month is felt year-round and the lessons reverberate long after too-short February has passed. One such place is Stoke Newington School, a comprehensive in Hackney, London, which has incorporated LGBT awareness into the curriculum and become a diversity training centre. The driving force behind the initiative was a spirited music teacher and Head of Year, Elly Barnes, who has kindly agreed to speak to So So Gay about the programme and fighting homophobia in schools.
Barnes has no doubts about the importance of LGBT History Month. 'Its role is absolutely to create a cohesive community. It's to raise awareness, it's to give understanding. It's for young people to acknowledge that LGBT people exist!' She believes LGBT History Month is the most inclusive of all the celebrations of diversity observed by the school. 'You can be black and you can be gay, you can be Christian and be gay. It spans all of the different diversities and that's why our kids really like it, because every single student can get involved.' She credits it with providing a launch pad for her diversity work in Stoke Newington, having become a Head of Year shortly after LGBT History Month was inaugurated. 'I'd got the new Year 7 cohort, and it was such a brilliant position to get some autonomy to sort of … infiltrate 240 children's minds,' she laughs.
Barnes recommends any teacher beginning such a programme start off small. 'I just don't think you can just walk into a Year 10 or 11 lesson and start talking about transgender people,' she cautions. 'But it does grow. Very, very small beginnings and then it's just the most wonderful thing to get involved!' At Stoke Newington, she started by explaining what 'LGBT' means, then identifying famous LGBT people: 'all people they knew, but they didn't know they were LGBT.' She has classes look at significant symbols: the pink and black triangles, the labrys and the lambda. Lessons on the Stonewall riots are effective, as 'every student understands that you need to fight for your rights' and 'you can take it into the drama classroom.' A later project involved pupils watching the music video for Bronski Beat's 'Smalltown Boy': 'The kids were really, really responsive to it because it prompted debate,' Barnes enthuses. 'You know, why have his parents thrown him out? Why did he get beaten up by those other boys? And the general consensus was, this isn't right. Because he's being who he is, it's just the way the community deals with it.'
Throughout her lessons and training other teachers, Barnes follows a simple rule: 'just give students facts.' She explains words like lesbian, gay and bisexual to pupils, 'because the reason they laugh and giggle and use them as derogatory terms is because they don't know what they mean.' After they know that, 'they use the words in the correct way.' It's what they want, she says. 'We had lots of conversations about, "Is it legal to be a lesbian?" Because the kids didn't actually know if it's legal or not! So I have to tell them, yes it is! And it is legal to get married – called civil partnership – and it is legal to adopt children.' She is adamant that building that awareness is vital. Partly because 'they are facts and they're facts that young people need to know because it happens every day,' and partly because 'if there's nothing in the curriculum that represents LGBT people, what is there for those young LGBT people in our school? There's nothing – there's nothing for them. So we have to reflect it.'
It's apparent that in having such a programme, Stoke Newington School is virtually unique among British schools. The reason, according to Barnes: 'As a school we are quite fearless!' The school, she says proudly, has 'tackled this absolutely head-on with absolutely no apologies for what we do.' But this year there was a lot of angry noise around proposals to bring LGBT awareness into school lessons. Loudly negative reactions in parts of the media (some of which prompted responses from SSG) gave the impression this is still a controversial idea: has there been opposition to what she has introduced at Stoke Newington?
'Yeah, absolutely,' she answers casually. 'I mean; that's all part of it.' She's unafraid of hostility, but says has there has been very little from pupils' parents. She estimates there have been 'maybe five complaints from parents over the six years I've been doing this work,' in the form of a note in a student's diary. 'But I don't take that very seriously,' Barnes explains, 'because it's just a note in a diary. If a parent has a real problem they will phone me.' That's happened twice, and each time she employs the same approach as with her pupils: 'I just stick to the facts.' She elaborates: 'The facts are that our school is an inclusive school, and when you sign up to join our school you sign up to our diversity policy, and our school code says we respect each other's sexual orientations. This is our school and you signed up to it. After that it doesn't seem to be much of a problem.'
The 'most difficult audience,' at least initially, were other teachers. When the work was first begun a few members of staff objected. They have since left, but at the time their concerns needed to be addressed. 'There were difficult times,' Barnes recalls, 'but what we did was we had open meetings where staff could express their views.' In her experience, differences can be reconciled through discussion: 'we can always overcome those issues.'
Now staff across the school embrace the LGBT-friendly curriculum. During History Month, every department does a project. One year, Design and Technology made 'a beautiful tree' covered in leaves asking the question, 'what would this world be like if there was no homophobia?' Pupils wrote their own comments on the leaves, which were turned into 'a fabulous dress that someone wore on stage.' Humanities examined the black activist, James Baldwin, while ICT did a project on Alan Turing, whose story Barnes believes is particularly resonant for students. When you explain the persecution he faced, she explains, 'the kids understand that he was treated in an awful way.' More relevant to them, however, is his role in the development of computers: 'this links so directly into their lives! Kids can not survive without computers, so using him as a role model is fantastic.'
With so many projects undertaken since she started the programme, it's difficult for Barnes to pick a favourite, although 'the music side of things is always absolutely wonderful because the kids just love to get up and perform.' Members of staff, too – one year, 60 'heartily' sang 'Go West' in an assembly. She remembers one student, 'who had been bullied badly in the school when we first started the work,' choosing to sing George Michael's paean to coming out, 'An Easier Affair' at a whole-school assembly. 'It was one of those moments where you never know what's going to happen – anything could happen with a thousand kids in that hall. And he sang the song and he got an absolutely rapturous applause from the audience. He was being bullied but there he was on stage singing this really powerful song and they loved it.'
An outstanding moment for Barnes was a performance and workshop at the school by lesbian rapper Mz Fontaine (born Naomi Romeo), who has since transitioned to identify as male and goes by the name Naechane Valentino. 'It was absolutely brilliant,' Barnes recounts. 'She worked the audience, she walked around the crowd and got everybody involved.' It seemed to have a transformative effect. 'We had been having problems with a group of girls who had been particularly homophobic around the school. And it was like waving a magic wand. I know it sounds hard to believe but that ten-minute performance just got rid of homophobic opinions amongst so many of those students. I didn't have any problems with them afterwards.' To Barnes, it underlines the importance of bringing role models into schools. 'You just "usual-ise" – that's Sue Sanders' word! – LGBT people within your community and within your schools, and you can create that environment where everyone can be who they need to be.'
Stoke Newington School's 'thrilling and electrifying' History Month event this year continued in that musical tradition, with a concert in the school theatre. 'It had a lovely positive and uplifting vibe,' Barnes reported warmly. 'The students rocked out to Joan Jett, Janis Joplin and Katrina and the Waves. Earlier in the day, they had a Pride march through Clissold Park, which provided a touching echo of history. 'A man with his dog was staring in wonderment so I stopped to talk to him,' she recalls. 'He said he never thought he would see the day when school children would be fighting homophobia – he had been on the first Pride march in 1970 with the Gay Liberation Front!'
Homophobia is still a terrible problem in schools across the country, although Barnes admits she's sometimes at a loss to understand why. 'It hasn't been illegal to be an LGBT person in my lifetime and I'm, like, nearly 40 years old! It's not been illegal in my students' lifetimes, so I always ask them where their homophobia comes from.' She says they usually point to their family, or claim they don't really mean it; that it's just part of their language.
Wherever it comes from, Barnes wants to see tackling homophobia at the top of every school's agenda. 'All the equality laws and the equality policies are now all in place and schools should be doing this work,' she argues. 'It is a matter of child protection: are our young people – especially our LGBT young people – being protected in our schools? I don't think they are!' She points out that the abolition of Section 28 in 2003 means teachers can talk about these issues, and new Ofsted criteria mean 'if they do not see your diversity policies being implemented in your classrooms then you will only get "inadequate" as your grade.' She reassures the teachers she trains that resistance from parents and governors doesn't matter: 'You have got all the legal backup you need at the moment to use these words in your classroom.'
The first action they took at Stoke Newington School was to create a sanction against homophobia. 'We put homophobia as a tick-box on our referral pads,' Barnes outlines, so the kids could get detentions and then get sent home or excluded for being homophobic.' It was important step, she says, but one backed up by explaining the importance of a cohesive community.
It is teachers who must be at the vanguard of efforts to tackle homophobia in schools, but most are unprepared to take on that responsibility. 'This is the crux of the problem,' admits Barnes. 'Nine out of ten teachers are not trained; they don't know how to deal with homophobic bullying.' To that end, she has helped Stoke Newington become the first school to set itself up as a diversity training centre for teachers, which she encourages any to attend 'if they want to make their school LGBT-friendly.'* There are many obstacles to overcome, though, such as a lack of confidence among teachers. 'There's a strange, strange thing where teachers seem to think if you talk about LGBT issues the kids will automatically assume that you are gay yourself,' Barnes muses. 'And that is absolutely not true. They just don't! You're just giving them facts!' 'If I could get that message to every single teacher,' she says, 'that the kids will not make a judgement about you, that's half the battle won.'
She is one of several out members of staff at her school, for which she credits the effect of LGBT History Month in helping to foster a more accepting environment. She accepts that 'not all gay teachers will have a desire to come out,' but encourages all of them to know their rights. 'It is legal to be LGBT and teach,' she asserts. 'You can say the word "lesbian" in your classroom. In fact, shout it! LESBIAN!'
Like all good schoolteachers, Barnes is warm and ebullient. But like her LGBT Hero, Sue Sanders ('I totally admire what she's done: she's a kick-ass lesbian!'), she doesn't back down from a challenge. That will serve her in good stead with so much still to be done to bring LGBT awareness into UK schools, but in Stoke Newington she already has some remarkable achievements under her belt. 'It's my job to change opinion,' she says fearlessly. 'It needs to be changed!'
*The next two training sessions of 'Educate and Celebrate – How to make your school LGBT-friendly' are on 22 March (NUT, Hamilton House) and 23 June (Stoke Newington School). Email Elly Barnes for details.