text:
Demand for organic products is growing. You can buy certified organic coffee quite easily in most developed countries. But what exactly is organic coffee?Generally speaking, organic coffee is grown using methods that respect the local environment. Organic farmers don't grow genetically modified plants and they don't use synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. However, "organic", like "fair trade" and "sustainable", is still a fairly loose term. It has always meant different things to different people. That's where certification comes in: it defines what can and can't be labelled as organic. In some countries this is regulated by the government. There are also international organisations such as the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Fair trade and shade-grown coffees sometimes also have organic certification.
Many countries around the world have created organic farming certification systems. Others are still in development. The standards are different. In Australia, for example, they only apply for export.In the United States, organic certification is controlled by the National Organic Program. In the European Union, the rules are made by the European Council, which has created a label for all organic packaged goods produced in the EU. Member sates may apply their own standards and labels, but they must comply with the EU legislation.
The aim of the NESCAFÉ Plan is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As part of the NESCAFÉ Plan, over the next five years (2011-15), we will double the amount of NESCAFÉ coffee bought directly from farmers and their associations, purchasing 180,000 tonnes of coffee from around 170,000 farmers.With the support of Rainforest Alliance and 4C, all directly purchased green coffee will be compliant with the internationally recognized 4C sustainability standards by 2015.
Coffee production
Fair trade coffee
The NESCAFÉ Plan


text:
The reference LAN computers are used only for research. There are a few information resources that are only available on these computers. All of our other electronic resources are available from the research options page on the library website.
|1st floor: main entrance | cup & chaucer | circulation desk | reserves desk | reference desk | reference computers | browsing section | interlibrary loan | current periodicals | newspapers | atlases | new book shelf | printing and photocopying | elevator and phone
|2nd floor: media desk | techlab | curriculum library | microform | granberg room | library director | video collection | muste alcove | teaching lab
4th and lower level : group study
rooms | rare book room

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Stephen Hawking's
Ambiguous Statements
Ralph Voltz
From: "RalphVoltz"
To: "Positive Atheism" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Subject: WebMaster:_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2001 6:28 AM
Hello Cliff,
I noticed in two recent letter postings the religiosity of Stephen Hawking being an issue. One letter stated that he is a theist which I don't think you addressed in your answer, and in an answer to a 'Stephen Gould letter' you brought up his silence on religion.
Everyone knows he uses the word "god" in his writings -- recklessly, if you ask me. When he was a guest on Larry King Live, over a year ago, he was asked by Larry if he believed in God. He answered by saying that he equates god with the laws of nature. He also said that he believes everything in the universe can be explained scientifically (sorry, I can't remember his exact wording). This clearly shows that he does not believe in a supernatural god, as Christians do. In my opinion he uses the word "god" for populist reasons, as you suggest. Christian writers like Ravi Zacharias abuse Hawking's ambiguous statements and claim he's a theist, trying to strengthen their side, by making him one of their own.
Maybe this helps shed some light on the subject.
Ralph Voltz
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.


text:
- No comments found
Desa and Puseh Temple with its uniqueness does not only become the pride of Batuan community, but also becomes the attraction to foreign tourists. Since the opening of the tourist route of Denpasar - Gianyar through Celuk (1980), Batuan village began to be known. Many tour guides and travel agencies take their guests to see the uniqueness of the temple. "Initially, tourists were free to enter the temple. However, to maintain the sanctity of the temple, guests are given a cloth and shawl with compensation of voluntary contribution," said Chief of Batuan customary village, I Wayan Bendi.
Indeed, the Desa and Puseh Temple of Batuan village is always crowded with tourists every day. From the morning till night, foreign tourists are always fascinated to see the uniqueness as well as feel the magic aura of the temple. Some are coming in person, while some others come with travel agencies by small and large vehicles.
According to him, the cultural activity categorized to be unique became an attraction. Desa temple with typical carved shrines also became an attraction. Ancient relics of various forms exuded magic aura. Tradition of cockfighting and the presentation of Rejang Dance were also serving as fascinating cultural attraction.
Cockfighting tradition and Rejang Dance performance were not organized in relation to the peak of piodalan or temple festival. However, they were organized every year, approximately 4 months before the Nyepi Day. Such unique traditions were held from sasih kalima (the fifth month in Balinese calendar falling around December) to sasih kasanga or the ninth month. "The cockfighting is performed in the temple area while the Rejang Dance is staged in wantilan hall in the temple," he said.
Tourists making a visit were not charged with an admission fee but a voluntary donation. The donation was then put into the village fund to repair the temple and finance the oblations and rituals in the temple. Similarly, it was also taken advantage to finance the other temples in the village area. "Existence of the fund greatly alleviates the burden of Batuan community consisting of 110 families. As a result, they will not be charged with any levies. They just need to pay devotional works," he added. (BTN/015)


text:
Type: Suggestion
Status: Resolved
Resolution: Duplicate
Affects Version/s: 2.9
Fix Version/s: None
Component/s: Navigation - Dashboard
Last commented by user?:true
Updated Description
Some company policies want to restrict the viewing of a list of users. Thus they would like to disable the people directory and any way to access it.
Is detailed in this documentation: http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/DOC/Hiding+the+People+Directory
However if you navigate to the profile of a user, and then click on the "People" in the breadcrumb link (Dashboard >> People >> FullName >> Profile) or you go to the URL directly <CONFLUENCE_INSTALL>/browsepeople.action, you will be able to access the people directory.
To workaround this, set up Apache webserver in front of confluence and redirect requests to this URL.
Original Description
It would be good to have an option to disable the People Directory section in the Browse menu of the Dashboard page.
Issue Links
- duplicates
CONF-7837 People Directory and "controlled" privacy / configure access to People Directory depending on Group membership
- Open
- is related to
CONF-7837 People Directory and "controlled" privacy / configure access to People Directory depending on Group membership
- Open
Ideally, you might want to try the manual workaround below to remove the text from the "Browse" menu:
- Shutdown Confluence
- Look for global-browse-sections.xml.
- Comment/Remove the web-item below:
<web-item key="global-people" name="People Directory" section="system.browse/global" weight="10"> <label key="people.directory.title" /> <link linkId="people-directory-link">/peopledirectory.action</link> <condition class="com.atlassian.confluence.plugin.descriptor.web.conditions.NotSharedModeCondition"/> </web-item>
- Restart Confluence
For Confluence standalone version, the global-browse-sections.xml is located in the WEB-INF\lib\confluence-2.9.jar. After making the changes to the file, you can simply place the file into the WEB-INF\classes\plugins folder. You need to create the plugins folder manually.
The doc is now updated: http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/DOC/Hiding+the+People+Directory
Why do people want to disable the people directory? Is this actually a duplicate of CONF-7837?
Perhaps our situation is unique, but we use Enterprise Hosted Confluence with anonymous access enabled, and we don't want (or need) users to see the individuals who manage the site.
It would be great if we had not merely an option to disable the link on the dashboard, but disallow anonymous access to the directory entirely. Currently with the manual work-around the actual directory is still searchable/viewable. Hiding the information is much more important to us than the link (though that would be nice too). We want to keep the wiki open to anonymous users so that they can get a sense of what it is before they sign up.
Related JIRA Studio issue: https://studio.atlassian.com/browse/JST-5176


text:
Spitfire Ace
Davidson &Taylor
Tom... ? (Canadian serviceman)
I am trying to find out any information of a canadian serviceman called Tom who was based in North Bersted in West Sussex in 1942, who courted my grandmother Lily May Hammond who lived in Aldingbourne Nyton Road. I am not sure of the second name but wondered if anyone may remember or have an idea of who he was as my grandmother recently passed away, and his name was mentioned within the family.
Entered July 01 2004
Click to :
Email via XPlanes
(An email will be sent to this Contact, who will hopefully then contact you)
Go back
Full Contact list
Also highly recommended,
Site Map
(click + to expand)
Site Map
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Copyright ©


text:
Santa Ana City Council okays new meeting day for 2014
SANTA ANA - Beginning in January, the City Council will change its regular meeting nights from the first and third Mondays of the month to the first and third Tuesdays.
The switch was among changes in council procedures approved recently that included updates of such matters as the council's committee structure, procedures for calling special meetings, the agenda structure and special presentations to the council and council recognitions of community groups and individuals.
The council's next regular meeting is set for 5:45 p.m. on Monday, May 20 at council chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza.
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Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Register publications without any notification or payment.


text:
US Marshal Deputy Imposter Faces Federal Charges
Last week, a man who authorities say posed as a US Marshal deputy and led a family to think they were in serious danger made his first appearance in federal court.
Zerk Bears was said to be armed, dressed in a bullet proof vest, and carrying a fake deputy's badge when he allegedly led the family to think they were under attack by a Hells Angels hitman.
This happened after the family's father's funeral in Sheridan, where the family told friends they thought the death was suspicious.
Police say Bears then recruited himself to investigate.
A medical examiner said Bears went as far as to demand an autopsy of the father from authorities.
The family said Bears disappeared a few weeks into his fake investigation.
Last week, the judge ruled Bears will not have bond because he is a threat to society.


text:
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Site Information
- Seasons: All
- Site Contact: (804) 333-1470 firstname.lastname@example.com
- Site Access: Free, Reservations
- Visit Website
Report Bird Observations [New]
Other Trails Nearby
Site CFB06: Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Port Royal Unit
The Port Royal Unit of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge protects critical floodplain habitat on the river's edge. This 125-acre site will be managed as grassland and shrub habitat for species such as, vesper and grasshopper sparrows. A mowed trail provides access to the Rappahannock River, host to year-round concentrations of bald eagles, and wintering waterfowl.
Turn right out of the Pettigrew Wildlife Management Area parking area onto Rt. 615/Buckner Road, go 0.8 miles and turn left on US 17 South. Travel 6.5 miles and turn left on US 301 North, drive 0.7 miles, turn right on Rt. 1008/Caroline Street and continue to the entrance.


text:
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Teddy Grahams!
26 comments :
This is SO cute...pinning!:)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for Pinning Jill!Delete
- AnonymousFebruary 8, 2014 at 7:38 AM
LOve this Idea...I can actually create this myself! Thanks so much...ReplyDelete
Of course you can create this yourself! :)Delete
So cute and your tags are so adorable. Pinning!ReplyDelete
Beth @ Hungry HappeningsReplies
Thanks Beth, sometimes the tags take longer then the treat! :)Delete
hey! it must be teddy graham time Kim! i just posted a teddy graham craft yesterday! yours are sooo darn cute! i love it when we think the same :)ReplyDeleteReplies
I love it when crazy minds think alike! :)Delete
Those are adorable! I know any kid would love these!ReplyDeleteReplies
You're right, any kid of all ages would love these!! :)Delete
Thanks for sharing the love! This is a perfect gift for Valentine'sReplyDeleteReplies
They were so easy and tasted pretty good too! :)Delete
Cute, cute, cute!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you so much for the comment Anne! :)Delete
Really cute- I love the little hearts!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you Stephanie!Delete
Teady grahams on marshmallows drizzled with chocolate...AMAZING!!! It looks like the kiddos can help with this one :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Not only can they help make them, they will help you eat them!Delete
So cute! I had no idea they had stackable Marshmallows! You can do so much with them. Like make these cute Teddy Grahams :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Oh yes, stackable marshmallows are the best! Thanks!!Delete
So cute! What a fun Valentine's Day idea! Thanks!ReplyDeleteReplies
You must make them for the grand kids!Delete
These are so sweet! I want to make them for my sweetie and maybe a few for my friends ;)ReplyDeleteReplies
Be sure to make enough for you too..just sayin'! :)Delete
So cute!!! I love that they're holding hands, and I bet they're delicious too! Pinning, and I featured this today on my blog!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you for the feature and pinning! :)Delete


text:
I'm trying to run Lubuntu within an LXC container on my host already using a GUI.
Is it possible to redirect the X output from the container to say; VT9 rather than VT7? If so where is the VT7 setting? Will this work given that I only have one graphics card?
Any help is greatly appreciated.


text:
Current News & Events
2010 News Archive
2011 News Archive
2012 News Archive
2013 News Archive
2014 News Archive
2015 News Archive
November 9, 2012
SUNY Cobleskill Students Visit Equine Advocates
©2015 Equine Advocates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Site Map | Privacy Statement | Equine Advocates is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
All photos are copyright Equine Advocates unless stated otherwise and unauthorized use is prohibited. Use of this web site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use.


text:
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Jordan Bachynski had a career-high 26 points and blocked Joseph Young's reverse layup at the buzzer, helping Arizona State hold off hard-charging Oregon 74-72 on Saturday.
Arizona State (18-6, 7-4 Pac-12) dominated the first half, building a 20-point lead while the Ducks flailed at both ends.
Oregon (15-8, 3-8) put together a furious rally behind Young and its press in the second half, using a 34-11 run to take the lead with 5 minutes left.
Young scored all of his 29 points in the second half and hit four 3-pointers, but couldn't get his final shot past Bachynski's long arm, sending Oregon to its fourth 2-point conference loss.
Jahii Carson had 11 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Arizona State, which had 15 turnovers that led to 21 points for Oregon. Shaqueille McKissic added 15 points.
Mike Moser added 14 points for the Ducks.
While Arizona State has gotten back on track, moving up to third in the Pac-12 with four wins in five games, Oregon has drifted from the postseason bubble.
The Ducks had a chance to gain a little momentum against No. 2 Arizona Thursday night, but faltered down the stretch.
Leading most of the second half, Oregon botched the end of the game with a turnover, a questionable shot and three missed free throws in the 67-65 loss.
That put added emphasis the game against Arizona State.
The Ducks didn't play like there was much urgency in the first half, digging a deep hole as they missed one shot after another and Arizona State scored seemingly whenever and wherever it wanted.
Bachynski and Carson had their way with Oregon throughout the first half, combining on numerous pick-and-rolls for easy baskets.
Bachynski had 18 points and five rebounds by halftime, and Carson filled up the state sheet with five points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Sun Devils made 15 of 22 shots in the half and led 43-23.
The Ducks were dysfunctional on offense throughout the half, struggling from the perimeter or to get much going inside, where Bachynski blocked one shot and altered numerous others.
Oregon missed its first nine 3-point attempts and finished 1-of-13 in the first half, and shot 9 of 36 overall.
Young and the Ducks' press turned the game completely around.
Forcing turnovers and tough shots, Oregon was able to push the pace and get out in transition for baskets in the lane and from the arc.
The Ducks scored on consecutive three-point plays - one off a turnover caused by the press - and hit three 3-pointers during a rapid-fire 20-3 run that cut Arizona State's lead to 53-49.
Young, who went 0-for-5 in the first half, confidently pulled up for 3-pointers and got into the lane, almost single-handedly bringing the Ducks back.
Oregon kept up the pressure and Arizona State kept stumbling, missing 18 of 21 shots - over 8 minutes without a field goal - as Oregon went ahead 61-59 with just over 5 minutes left.
Arizona State went up 71-68 on a pair of free throws, then Young hit a pull-up jumper with 47 seconds left to cut the lead to one.
The Sun Devils had to call two timeouts to escape Oregon's pressure before Jermaine Marshall hit an off-balance runner with 13 seconds left.
Young hit two free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Marshall hit 1 of 2 to give the Ducks a final shot, but Bachynski swooped in to knock Young's final attempt away.
FINAL: Arizona State (18-6, 7-4) 74, Oregon (15-8, 3-8) 72
- After trailing 43-23 at halftime, Oregon outscored Arizona State 49-31 in the second half to erase what was once a 21 point Sun Devil lead.
- Joseph Young was held scoreless in the first half before taking over the second period, scoring 29 points. Young went 11-of-22 from the floor and 4-of-6 from deep. Young has led the Ducks in scoring 13 times this season.
- Mike Moser chipped in 14 points, reaching double figure scoring for the 14th time this season.
- After an ASU made free throw, Oregon took the ball with four seconds left and Johnathan Loyd found Young on a backdoor cut, but his layup was blocked as time expired.


text:
Gonzaga Downs UMass, 68-57, At Battle In Seattle
Dec. 4, 2004
Battle In Seattle
UMass came back from a deficit as large as 17 (37-20) with 19:09 left in the second half, to tie the game at 40-40 with 10:50 left in the second half. In the 20-3 run, Maurice Maxwell and Rashaun Freeman combined for 16 points. UMass took a lead at 47-45 as Lawrence Carrier made a three-pointer with 8:46 left in the game, it was the Minutemen's last lead.
Senior guard Anthony Anderson moved to 29th in career scoring with 14 points, giving him 1058 for his career. He passed Alex Eldridge (1053) in the game. Anderson also stands alone at ninth in career assists with 324, as he broke a tie with current Boston College coach Al Skinner (320).
Sophomore Maurice Maxwell tied his career-high 19 points as he scored in double-figures for the third time this season and 14th time in his career.
Sophomore Rashaun Freeman hit all of his four shots from the floor and finished with nine points before fouling out with 3:42 left in the game. For the season, Freeman is shooting 57.1 percent.
UMass held All-American center Ronny Turiaf in check for the first half, as he scored just eight points, he did not have a field goal for the first 13 minutes of the half, missing his first five shots before a dunk with 7:01 left in the first. Turiaf finished with 19 points, but missed five free throws, coming into the game, he was 42-of-47 (five misses). Turiaf also had 14 rebounds.
Of UMass' 19 shots in the first half, 13 were three-point field goals, as they made four of them. The Minutemen made 4-of-6 two-point field goals. In the second half, UMass went to more two-pointers, making six of their first eight shots.
UMass played its first-ever game against Gonzaga, first-ever game in the state of Washington and second-ever game in the Pacific Northwest. UMass lost to Oregon at the Rose Garden in Portland on Dec. 2, 2000.
The Minutemen continue their hardest three-game stretch of the season, as they host defending national champion and No. 6/7 UConn on Thursday at 9 p.m. in the Mullins Center. The game will be televised live on ESPN2. UMass then travels to the opposite corner of the country from where they played Gonzaga, as they head to Miami for a Dec. 12 game with the Hurricanes.
Other Notes: UMass won the opening tip ... Stephane Lasme scored just 24 seconds into the game on a short jumper over Ronny Turiaf ... Maurice Maxwell canned a three-pointer to give UMass a 5-2 lead ... Anderson's trey made it 10-5 ... UMass held Turiaf scoreless for the first 4:35 of the game, when he made a free throw, he missed his first five shots from the floor, before scoring with 7:01 left in the first on an alley-oop dunk ... UMass made three of its first four three-point field goals, two by Maxwell ... UMass did not trail for the first nine minutes of the game, until Gonzaga took a 14-13 lead ... Gonzaga went on 15-0 run over 7:34 to build a 23-13 lead before an Anderson trey ended the run ... Lawrence Carrier and Anthony Anderson both attempted their first free throws of the season in the game, Anderson made both of his shots.
Featured Links
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text:
|55 Drew Williams
2014: Missed the season due to an injury.
Claremont HS: Was a three-year starter under coach Tim Tracey ... A two-time All-Sierra League honorable mention ... Helped the team to a second-place finish in the Sierra League and a CIF SS quarterfinal appearance as a senior in 2013 ... Received the 2012 Coach's award and was named a team captain as a senior in 2013 ... Was the goalkeeper for the 2012 Sierra League Championship team ... Claremont was ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 3 in the state according to ESPN rankings ... Posted nine shutouts with 31 saves and six goals against in 920 minutes in net as a junior in 2012 ... Also lettered two years as a thrower for the track and field team ... Captured third place All-Sierra League honors in the shot put ... A member of the National Society of High School Scholars ... Earned a California State Seal of Biliteracy and was a four-year honor roll student.
Club Experience: Played under coaches Lala Alvarado and Mike Alexander for Eagles SC of the ECNL ... listed as a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com ... Was a Surf Cup semifinalist in 2013 while playing with Germany's National travel team after winning the championship in 2012 ... Led the team to a So Cal Summer Showcase Championship in 2011 and was named Tournament MVP.


text:
Kris Kohl, Agriculture Engineering Field Specialist, Northwest
Problem Statement:
Livestock producers often need to work with their crop producing neighbors to apply manure in a way that is equitable to both parties. Because agitating a pit can release large burst of hydrogen sulfide which is dangerous to livestock and people, this program was developed to educated and prevent problems associated with H2S.
Programmatic Response:
Iowa State University developed a 2 hour education program to help producers calculate the value of manure compared to commercial fertilizer. The program reported on current manure research and presented information on protecting the environment. Because of the higher cost of refining and transporting commercial fertilizer livestock producers are afforded greater opportunities to collect income for their manure application. Testing manure allows producers to apply manure to maximize crop production while minimizing any adverse environmental impacts.
The second part of the program with the hazards associated with agitating liquid pits to prevent livestock or human beings from being harmed by hydrogen sulfide release.
Farmers and producers of manure attended 20 workshops in Northwest Iowa with a total of 453 returning evaluation on our educational meeting
· 166 producers (36%) Plan to sell some of their manure to the neighbors and 237 of them (65%) plan to haul their manure greater distances to get the most value out of the manure on fields that need the nutrients preventing over applications and protecting the environment.
· 367 producers (81%) plan to develop a safety program to protect the workers and livestock form gas released during the agitation of their liquid manure with only four percent reporting that they don't plan to implement a plan.
· 408 producers (90%) thought that the information was useful to their farm operation and 96% believed that the presenters were prepared and knowledgeable on the subjects presented.
· 196 producers implemented a plan for their mortality management due to last year's program on composting.
This program continues to meet the needs of our confinement manure applicators. These producers continue to work hard to protect the environment and utilize the nutrient resources they have. This helps them out financially and protects the environment.
160 - Natural Resources & Stewardship
Page last updated:
April 6, 2009
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, email@example.com


text:
Increase your storage space and add to the overall look of your executive office when you add this hutch to your Statesman collection desk.
Cabinets each include an adjustable height glass shelf (50 lb weight capacity), and center section has two vertical storage slots flanking a wider middle section with an adjustable height wood shelf. Also includes a touch-controlled task light and a cut-out along base of back panel for easy wire routing. Back of hutch is semi-finished - should be placed against a wall. Ships fully assembled.
This product has been Greenguard certified to support better indoor air quality for offices, homes, schools and healthcare facilities. Products that are Greenguard certified are regularly tested to ensure that their chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable pollutant standards.


text:
ASCC – Student Government
Meet our 2015-16 ASCC officers!
Wilson Kessel, PresidentPosition: President
High School: Kamiak High School
Hobbies/Interests: Sports, trying new things and learning in all contexts.
Why you came to CC:I came to further my education and work towards pursuing my goal of playing college baseball.
What you want to be when you grow up and how CC is going to help you achieve your goals? I want to be successful, in whatever endeavors I pursue, I want to be successful. Centralia College can help me achieve my goals by providing me with a strong base education and giving me the tools necessary to reach my full potential.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Alejandro Romero, Vice PresidentPosition: Vice President
High School: Rochester High School
Major: Business Management
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy giving back to the community, helping people out, doing Sudoku puzzles, doing word searches, hanging out with friends, going out for coffee, and learning a third language.
Why you came to CC: I came to CC to further my education but also to experience the college life before heading out to a university. CC is also close and affordable. CC continues to improve their atmosphere and also do all they can for their students. I am thankful to be part of this leadership opportunity.
What you want to be when you grow up and how CC is going to help you achieve your goals? Through getting my AA in Business Management, I will have a better understanding of how to run a business effectively/profitable. My dream job is to own my own grocery business that will stay actively involved within the community that I reside in.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Amber Hort, Senator for Executive AffairsPosition: Senator for Executive Affairs
High School: Kelso High School
Major: Communications and Psychology
Interests/hobbies: Outdoor Club, reading, video games, movies, and being involved in school events.
Why you came to CC: It was the only option I had at the time due to location and financial concerns, but I also heard it had wonderful opportunities and great professors!
What you want to be when you grow up and how CC is going to help you achieve your goals? I'm not sure what I want to do when I grow up but I do know that CC has already helped me achieve many of my goals so far. They've given me opportunities to be involved as much as I can (which is something I've always wanted to do). They've also given me a great education and experience that I won't ever forget. If I don't know what I want to do before I leave, I know that they'll give me the tools to figure it out later!
Email: email@example.com
Elizabeth LaChester, Senator for Clubs & OrganizationsPosition: Senator for Clubs & Organizations
High School: Centralia High School
Major: English/Library Science
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy reading, cooking, drawing, painting, sculpting, and editing.
Why you came to CC: CC was the best opportunity for leadership I could find. It's a beautiful, small town school that offers a lot to both its students and the community around it, all while being completely affordable.
What you want to be when you grow up and how CC is going to help you achieve your goals? I want to get my Masters in Library Science to become a librarian, hopefully coming home and working here at CC. CC is a good stepping stone because it helps me get through my first two years of college debt-free and with some much needed experience in both leadership and college life in general.
Email: email@example.com
Jared Chung, Senator for Student Relations and AdvocacyPosition: Senator for Student Relations and Advocacy
High School: W.F. West High School
Major: Biology
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy cooking, photography, unicycling, napping, and finding adventure in the great outdoors.
Why you came to CC: I came to Centralia College because of the educational opportunities it provided. The campus had a welcoming and supportive environment, and provided a smooth transition into the college experience.
What you want to be when you grow up and how CC is going to help you achieve your goals: I am planning on going into the medical field so that I will be able to help other people. Centralia College is helping me achieve my goals by providing a transition into higher education.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
A Doctor's Opinion
If someone suggested that you undergo an elective procedure that could keep you out of work — and in pain — for six weeks, might leave you incontinent, deep-six your sex life, increase your risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, and possibly shorten your life span, would you do it? Maybe not — but what if your trusted ob-gyn told you it was a good move?
Chances are you would agree to it. In fact, every day, as often as 11 times every 10 minutes, women in the United States struggling with noncancerous pelvic conditions — including fibroids, endometriosis, and heavy periods — agree to resolve the problem by getting rid of their reproductive organs. Ninety percent of hysterectomies in this country are performed for reasons other than cancer treatment, and the vast majority involve major open abdominal surgery. Women between 40 and 54 are most at risk, and not just because the onset of many pelvic disorders occurs during the years leading up to menopause. The hysterectomy rate is so high because many of us take our doctor's word that once we are finished bearing babies, it's no great loss if our problematic uterus, and maybe even our ovaries, are removed. Don't believe it. And don't believe that there are no alternatives to open abdominal surgery. The question is, why isn't your doctor telling you about them?
Why the Uterus Is Worth Keeping
Evidence is growing that our reproductive organs serve a purpose beyond birthing babies. In 2005 a landmark study showed that removing ovaries, which is still done during most hysterectomies to reduce the relatively small risk of ovarian cancer, actually increases the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, according to study coauthor William Parker, MD, of the UCLA School of Medicine. While the ovaries produce a diminishing level of estrogen after you turn 45, for decades they will continue to produce testosterone and androstenedione, hormones that convert to estrogen when they circulate throughout the body. These provide crucial protection against heart disease and osteoporosis. Testosterone also helps preserve our sex drive, bolster energy levels, and maintain lean body tissue. Even though some women opt to keep their ovaries when they undergo a hysterectomy, Parker says that within four years of the operation about 15 percent will experience postoperative ovarian failure, which triggers premature menopause.
All of this might be acceptable if doctors had no alternatives to offer women suffering from noncancerous pelvic disorders. But that is far from the case. Over the past two decades, there has been a virtual explosion of new ways to treat pelvic problems.
Laparoscopic technology now allows ob-gyns to remove endometriosis and accompanying scar tissue, as well as fibroids, without cutting open the abdomen. Uterine artery embolization (UAE), which is performed through a minor incision in the groin, can shrink fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. Endometrial ablation, an outpatient procedure, can end bleeding by destroying the uterine lining via vaginal probe. Pessaries — which are diaphragm-like devices — and other fixes can lessen pain by lifting a fallen uterus back into place rather than removing it. Birth control pills, the progesterone IUD, and other nonsurgical therapies have also been shown to relieve disabling pain and bleeding while leaving the uterus intact. "It's true that many of the new treatments may not provide a permanent solution. After uterine artery embolization, bleeding can return," says Carla Dionne, of the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation. "But many pelvic disorders naturally subside as women get closer to menopause, after which recurrence is less likely." In other words, midlife women don't necessarily need a permanent solution; we just need a bridge treatment that can relieve symptoms of noncancerous pelvic conditions until we reach menopause.
Many of these treatments have existed since the 1980s, which is why it's appalling that the annual rate of nearly 600,000 hysterectomies in the U.S. hasn't declined significantly in 10 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control's statistics. What's more, almost 70 percent of these hysterectomies are still being performed via open abdominal surgery, which was pioneered in 1843, despite the fact that laparoscopic hysterectomy, available since the mid- to late-1990s, is a less-invasive removal method. The surgery is guided by a tiny camera inserted into the body via a small incision, in a procedure that causes less pain, less scarring, and less risk of infection. And women who have laparoscopic surgery are back at work in about one-third the time as those who undergo an open abdominal hysterectomy.
With such effective alternatives now available, why do physicians continue to treat non-life-threatening problems by removing our reproductive organs? Why, even when a hysterectomy is appropriate for noncancerous conditions, is it being done in the most scarring and disabling way possible? And why are we — a generation of women who research and challenge personal trainers, investment advisers, and other professionals in our lives — allowing this?
Our Mistaken Acceptance
The idea that hysterectomy is okay is deeply ingrained in our culture, Dionne says. "The 20 million American women who have had hysterectomies indoctrinate their daughters, sisters, and friends: Just do it. You'll feel so much better once the pain is over." Granted, if you are a woman who is seriously worried because she is bleeding heavily, any relief will seem like an improvement. "What many women don't realize is that they might have resolved their problem without such a drastic measure or without the physical complications that may result — the complications that many of their friends and relatives don't connect with the removal of their uterus," Dionne says. One eye-opening statistic: Compared with women who haven't undergone the surgery, those who've had a hysterectomy have a 60 percent greater risk of being incontinent after age 60, according to a study from the University of California, San Francisco.
"Women also may not realize that the uterus supports everything above it. Removing it is like pulling out the cork from an upside-down wine bottle. Unless the woman has strong muscles, her bladder or her bowels can descend into her vagina," says Beth Battaglino Cahill, RN, of The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), in Red Bank, New Jersey. Finally, the surgery itself can shorten the vagina and damage nerves, making sex less enjoyable or downright painful.
Some research has nonetheless suggested that hysterectomy improves women's sexual lives, but that claim is controversial. "I'm wary of such studies," says biologist Winnifred Cutler, PhD, author of the upcoming Hormones and Your Health. As an example, she cites the 1995 Maryland Women's Health study, in which women two years beyond hysterectomy reported they were more sexually active, more orgasmic, and had sex more frequently than before the surgery. "But the researchers asked the women about their sex lives in the 30 days prior to the surgery [to establish a baseline]. What woman, experiencing and fearing pain, is going to be having a lot of sex in the month before her operation?" With such a low baseline, Cutler notes, any increase may be misconstrued as improvement due to the hysterectomy. Her own findings with coauthors on sexual response postsurgery, presented in 2000 to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), showed just the opposite: Hysterectomy can have a negative impact on sexuality. That is why she urges women considering the procedure to look closely at the facts.
What Most Doctors Will Tell You
Patients first hear about possible treatments from their doctors — and for gynecologists, open abdominal hysterectomy is also a deeply ingrained tradition. It's their default recommendation, not because it's a big moneymaker but because they're comfortable doing it. And feeling comfortable with a procedure usually reduces the doctor's chance of error — a big factor in a specialty in which lawsuits are a major concern.
Not surprisingly, most ob-gyns do what they know. "When residents first go into practice, most have a huge number of obstetrics patients," explains Barbara Levy, MD, coauthor of So You're Having a Hysterectomy. After years of being on call to deliver babies, many settle into the saner schedule of gynecological practice. But their skills may not be as up-to-date or well-honed as they should be. "Since they've spent years performing c-sections, abdominal surgery is what has become most familiar, and that's what they tend to do," Levy says.
The bottom line: Open abdominal surgery is frequently performed when another, less-invasive procedure could solve the problem, and the doctor's skill level is often the reason. Vaginal hysterectomy — a decades-old, minimally invasive procedure that enables a physician to remove the uterus through the vagina — is underused because many ob-gyns consider it too difficult. And laparoscopic hysterectomy, a newer treatment, has not been fully embraced because most of the ob-gyns practicing today do not have enough experience in the required technology. "Many doctors talk their patients out of laparoscopic surgery and other [less invasive] procedures because they aren't trained to do them and don't want to lose the business to someone who is," claims Harry Reich, MD, who performed the first fully laparoscopic hysterectomy in 1988.
Not Motivated to Modernize?
It's not as if doctors can't retrain midstream. General surgeons crowded in for classes when it became clear that laparoscopy was the future of gallbladder surgery. Even though the procedure requires training and great technical skill, the market demand forced doctors to get with the program. Today, 80 percent are performed via the laparoscopic route as compared with 15 percent of hysterectomies.
Compensation may be a factor. Minimally invasive gynecological surgery is more difficult — and takes longer — than the open abdominal version. Yet insurance companies pay ob-gyns virtually the same fee — around $900 — no matter how they get the job done. Perhaps it's not surprising, then, that most time-pressed practitioners choose what is, for them, the quicker, simpler and, from a doctor-liability point of view, lower-risk option. "Doctors face the question of, do I do a quick 90-minute abdominal surgery, or do I invest in training, increase my liability, spend three hours in hard surgery, and get not a penny more for my trouble? What's in this for me?" Parker says.
For general surgeons, like those who remove gallbladders, the rewards of retraining are much more immediate. Because they rely primarily on referrals, they need to be more competitive, which means offering the latest treatments. "If you were referred to a general surgeon who said he wanted to remove your gallbladder the old-fashioned way, by opening up your abdomen, you wouldn't think twice about finding someone else who could do it laparoscopically," says Franklin Loffer, MD, of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL). "Women, on the other hand, have a relationship with their ob-gyns. They trust them and tend to stay loyal to them. That makes ob-gyns less motivated to change what they are accustomed to doing."
If doctors should be moving beyond their comfort zone for the sake of better patient treatment, so should women. "No matter how much you love your ob-gyn, it's time to rethink the idea that the doctor who delivered your babies in your 20s and 30s should be the same one who deals with your pelvic pain in your 40s and 50s," says Grace M. Janik, MD, president of AAGL's fellowship board. "If you have a problem, you need to ask how many cases like yours the doctor has handled and who she knows who's done more of them. Your own doctor may be able to treat you. But you must ask yourself, is she the best person out there for this job?"
That's what Hope Waltman, 45, did when, in 2001, her longtime ob-gyn determined that fibroids were causing her painful periods and immediately proposed major surgery. "He really didn't talk about any possibility except abdominal surgery," says Waltman, who lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Unnerved by the idea of a major operation, she researched fibroids and found a treatment that piqued her interest: uterine artery embolization. "I went back to my doctor and asked him about UAE. Only then did he pull out pamphlets about the procedure. He told me it was new, that his office didn't do the procedure, and that he didn't know of anyone he could refer me to. You could tell he wasn't happy to even discuss alternatives," Waltman says. She eventually found another doctor, underwent UAE, and has been symptom-free ever since. "My ob-gyn had been my doctor for 15 years. I don't know if it was that he was arrogant or that he didn't want to lose business, but I couldn't believe how unwilling he was to provide me with information. It just made me so blasted mad, I never went back."
Your Right to Know
If ob-gyns don't develop skills that may inflict less pain on their patients, are they doing anything wrong? No, says bioethics professor Arthur Caplan, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania. "A doctor takes an oath to offer treatment he can perform safely and that will relieve a patient's symptoms." Open abdominal hysterectomy meets those criteria. However, when a doctor like Hope Waltman's fails to inform the patient that other procedures exist, even if he prefers not to perform them, that omission violates a patient's right to informed consent. This cornerstone of modern medical ethics requires physicians to inform patients of all reasonable treatment options, Caplan notes. The informed consent requirement is spelled out in ACOG's code of ethics. But ACOG, which defines itself as a voluntary membership organization, "does not monitor its physicians" regarding their adherence to the code, according to a spokesperson.
Recognizing this, women's health activists have fought to put some teeth in informed consent by backing it up with legislation. Currently, three states (California, New York, and Texas) have passed informed consent laws specific to hysterectomy. "But as they are written and enforced now, these laws are pretty much a joke," the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation's Dionne says. The law in California was passed in 1987, the one in Texas in 2003 — but when MORE magazine called medical board representatives in these states, they weren't even aware such a law existed. They later reported that few, if any, complaints had been filed — not surprising, since presumably few patients are aware of the laws either. Since 1991, any New York State physician recommending hysterectomy has been required to give the patient information published by the state department of health (DOH) that provides details about the procedure as well as alternatives. But MORE magazine's investigation found little evidence that the information is actually getting into the hands of the women who need it. Within the past year, DOH records show that fewer than 20 ob-gyn practices in the entire state ordered copies of the booklet. That poses the questions: How many of the more than 4,000 ob-gyns in New York are actually complying with the law and providing the required information every time they recommend hysterectomy — and how many, perhaps unknowingly, are breaking the law by not doing so? The DOH spokesperson says it has not received any complaints from patients, and that doctors can download the required information from the DOH Web site. But there's no system to track how often doctors do download, and if they do, whether the information reaches patients, says Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, who cosponsored New York's law. "It's the job of the DOH to ensure physicians distribute it…The purpose was to inform patients who didn't know to ask questions. The ball was dropped," she says.
Caplan cites another problem with informed consent: Even when physicians mention alternatives, they often build in their own bias. They may tell you that laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy will carry a higher risk of complications than an open abdominal procedure. "But they are not finishing the sentence and telling you that this is true in their hands, but not necessarily in the hands of others," Caplan says. "Doctors often finesse informed consent in this way because they don't want to lose business." Even ACOG's pamphlet on fibroid treatment, which is what you're most likely to find in ob-gyn offices, avoids mentioning the importance of the doctor's skill. It clearly states that whether a hysterectomy is performed vaginally or abdominally "depends on the size of the fibroids." That's true, as far as it goes. But the brochure fails to mention another crucial element: ability. The larger the fibroid, the more difficult the removal, however it is accomplished. But in many cases, experienced surgeons can do it laparoscopically, vaginally, or a combination of both, and do it well. A 2005 review of 27 trials conducted by the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration concluded that a physician's decision on which type of surgery to perform (open abdominal, laparoscopic, or vaginal) "is tightly tied to experience and comfort level."
Change: It's in Our Hands
Given the way that doctors are trained, women should not look to the medical schools for any immediate improvement. Although less-invasive gynecological procedures are being taught, residents have scant opportunities to refine their skills. "Ob-gyn has become complex. In addition to gynecology, residents must now train in many things, like perinatology and ultrasound," Levy says. Residents are expected to "understand" laparoscopic hysterectomy but not necessarily "be able to perform it independently," according to the list of requirements issued by ACOG's educational arm known as CREOG (Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology.) "This should change," says Alan Decherney, MD, of the UCLA School of Medicine.
That change will probably not be spearheaded by ACOG, which is not a consumer advocacy group. Haywood Brown, MD, former chair of CREOG, believes trainees may not be completely comfortable with every major procedure at the end of training, and that those interested in subspecialty training can continue. And although ob-gyns are required to take continuing medical education courses, ACOG's spokesperson says the group can't require that members sign up for any particular subject. "If you know most of your physicians are doing open abdominal surgery, how are you going to retain membership if you tell them that has to change?" the AAGL's Loffer says. No group wants its members to withdraw.
Others say ACOG could still make a difference. "Maybe ACOG can't enforce anything, but they set standards. Why can't they call this the Year of Modern Fibroid Management and set it forth as a priority?" Decherney asks.
Numerous physicians in the field say that in the future, change may come as the specialty evolves. Already, ob-gyns are beginning to subspecialize in areas like urogynecology, which deals with disorders such as incontinence. "Within the next 10 years, you're probably going to see a split. Residents will either train to be an office ob-gyn, doing prenatal care and basic gynecology, or they'll train to be a hospital ob-gyn and do surgery," Decherney says. That means that if the pills your ob-gyn prescribes to end your bleeding don't help, you won't have to leave her for another doctor if you want to consider other options; it will be standard for you to move on to a gynecological surgeon. Others believe the split may separate obstetrics and gynecology into two different fields, which could mean that, at midlife, women would stop seeing an obstetrician — deeply experienced in doing c-sections — and start seeing a dedicated gynecologist, for whom surgery would be only one of many options he considers every day.
But for women suffering right now, 10 years is too long to wait. When it's time to make a treatment decision, we need to find the doctor who is best qualified to handle our case in the safest, most effective, and least invasive way possible, and that means doing our own research. And we need to start making noise about this outrageous situation. "Only when women began to talk about breast cancer, only when they began to demand research and to call for procedures like lumpectomy, did we begin to have alternatives to radical mastectomy," says the NWHRC's Cahill. "Men are willing to talk about erectile dysfunction today, and we've got to start talking about our reproductive organs. We can't wait for doctors to start the conversation about alternatives to open abdominal hysterectomy. We have to educate ourselves and start demanding. Just like we've done with everything else."
Stand Up to Your Insurance Company
Kathryn Friedman, 53, of California, knew the facts about the dermoid cyst on her ovary. So when her ob-gyn said the only treatment was abdominal surgery to remove her ovary, she said no thanks. "Dr. William Parker told me he could remove just the cyst laparoscopically," Friedman says. The only problem: Like many specialists, Parker didn't participate in any insurance plan.
If you find yourself in Friedman's situation, don't assume that you must work with in-plan practitioners who lack the right qualifications. You may need to fight, but you may win — as Friedman did.
With Parker's help, she took her case to a state agency, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), arguing that none of the physicians in her plan were qualified to perform the procedure Parker proposed. She had to pay for the operation up front, but in the end Blue Cross reimbursed her entirely — and paid a price for its cost-consciousness. "The DMHC fined them $85,000 for trying to make me undergo the slice and dice," Friedman says.
If your insurer denies coverage, take these steps.
- Call the insurer's utilization or case management department and ask to discuss the denial. Take detailed notes of every conversation.
- Request a formal review. Submit an appeal via certified mail and request a return receipt. Ask the specialist to write a letter explaining why she is suited to treat you; including that in your appeal can help overturn the denial.
- Look for allies. Many states have agencies to help resolve disputes. Do a Google search using your state's name plus words such as ombudsman. To learn how to file a complaint, go to the Kaiser Family Foundation's guide at statehealthfacts.kff.org.
Find the Right Doctor, Find the Right Treatment
If your ob-gyn recommends an invasive procedure, go for a second opinion. Here's how to get the best advice.
- Look beyond your own community. Doctors are often hesitant to disagree with peers who practice in the same circles. Instead, check out the staffs of nearby teaching hospitals, and ask for names from support groups such as endometriosisassn.org.
- Consult experts in other cities — without leaving home. New online services benefit patients who live far from big centers and can put your case in the hands of impartial physicians. Partners Online Specialty Consultations (econsults.partners.org) and some centers, such as the Cleveland Clinic (eclevelandclinic.org), offer online consults. If the second opinion differs, seek out a local doctor who can perform the alternative treatment.
- Ask about options. Whichever doctor you see, request a diagnosis and an explanation of all the possible treatments. Ask what would happen if you chose to do nothing.
- Let your regular ob-gyn know you are getting other opinions. "If your doctor resists, that's a red flag. Don't try to spare someone else's feelings at the risk of harming yourself," says Richard Bercik, MD, of the Yale School of Medicine.
When Hysterectomy May Be the Answer
- If you have been diagnosed with uterine, cervical, ovarian, or one of the other cancers affecting the pelvic region, a hysterectomy can stop the spread of disease and may save your life.
- If your uterus hemorrhages or ruptures during or after childbirth.
- If you have severe, intractable bleeding that does not respond to a variety of nonsurgical, less-invasive therapies. "In the vast majority of cases, however, bleeding can be controlled by a physician knowledgeable about minimally invasive techniques," says Grace M. Janik, MD, of the Reproductive Specialty Center, in Milwaukee.
- If you have been diagnosed with adenomyosis, a buildup of endometrial tissue that invades the uterine wall, hysterectomy might provide pain relief. (Endometriosis alone, even when it is extensive, rarely requires hysterectomy when it is treated by an expert in the field.)
- If your uterus has prolapsed and is falling out of your body through your vagina. However, you should first try less drastic measures, such as using a pessary or having corrective surgery, and resort to hysterectomy only if other treatments don't work.
How to Find Alternative Treatments
If you want to know more but aren't sure where to start, check out these resources.
- To learn more about endometrial ablation and other less-invasive treatments for heavy bleeding, go to the Guide to Uterine Health at healthywomen.org.
- Investigate laparoscopic myomectomy and other minimally invasive treatments for fibroids at fibroidsecondopinion.com or nuff.org.
- For more on laparoscopy and other minimally invasive treatments for endometriosis, go to endometriosis.org.
- For information about pessaries and other treatments for uterine prolapse, go to althysterectomy.org/prolapse.htm and mayoclinic.com/health/uterineprolapse/DS00700.
- If you need a hysterectomy, go to aagl.org to learn more about laparoscopically assisted vaginal surgery and other alternatives to open abdominal surgery.
Take the Fight National
We can't change this situation one ob-gyn at a time. For big-picture action, ask your representatives in Congress to support the Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act, cosponsored by Maryland Senator Barbara A. Mikulski and the late Ohio Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
The act "allocates funding for patient education to help women make informed decisions about what treatment is right for their bodies and their lives," Mikulski tells MORE magazine. "It's time to break the silence and change the way uterine fibroids are treated and understood. Women deserve it." Go to senate.gov and house.gov, and plug in your state's name or ZIP code to find links to contact your senators and representatives.
Originally published in MORE magazine, December 2008/January 2009.


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Whitney Filloon at EaterDallas reports the recently shuttered Mi Piaci space in Preston Center is reopening as Cucina Neighborhood Italian. Filloon has pictures of the menu which is posted in the front window and reveals there are ads on Craigslist for front of the house staff.
The long saga of Mi Piaci ended on April 18, 2014 when owner Brian Black was locked out of the space for failing to pay rent. Perhaps the landlord decided to take advantage of the fabulous finish out and make a go of it.