text:
Perchance to dream
In The
Woman's Book of Sleep, Professor Amy Wolfson brings cutting-edge research
and practical tips to women-and men-of all ages.
By Patricia Moreis-Stiles '87
one of those peculiar ironies of life, I received a copy
of The Woman's Book of Sleep on a morning that had
started for me long before dawn. I had gotten up with one
or the
other of my two children-ages 3 years and 9 months-when finally, at 4 a.m., it
seemed as if my day had already begun. Like many women, I often feel
that I can't get enough sleep, so I was anxious to read this book-hoping, of
course, to uncover the "real" secret to a good night's sleep.
Woman's Book of Sleep; A Complete Resource Guide, was written by Amy R.
Wolfson, associate professor of psychology and former director of the
Women's Studies Concentration at Holy Cross. A member of the Sleep Research Society
and the National Sleep Foundation, she is also the immediate past co-chair of
the Women in Sleep and Rhythm Research of the Sleep Research
the book's introduction, Wolfson traces the evolution of women's health, which
historically focused on maternal health as it related to childbearing. She notes
that, in the past, it was not uncommon for medical research to exclude women
from important clinical trials, leaving significant gaps in understanding their
health issues. Then, in 1991, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched
a campaign to expand the involvement of women and minorities in clinical trials
and initiated clinical research on women's
mid-life health concerns- osteoporosis, menopause and
hormone replacement therapy. Women's health today has become a national priority,
and many women have finally become advocates for their own health
After extensive research, Wolfson wrote her book with the hope that it would
draw much needed attention to the important role that sleep plays in a
woman's physical and mental health.
number of years ago," Wolfson explains, "I became concerned that we needed to
get the word out about the importance of sleep to our general well-being. Sleep
is as important as nutrition and exercise throughout a women's life, but it is
often overlooked by health-care providers and women themselves. I hope that the
book will be a resource for women to assist them and their health-care providers
in asking the right questions when their physical
or mental health has been disrupted."
Wolfson mentions three goals she wanted to accomplish in writing this book. First,
that it would include cutting-edge research on the topic of women and sleep.
Second, that it would provide practical tips for women on ways to improve their
sleep habits. Third, and most important, that it would provide validation for
millions of women who were concerned that their sleep disruptions were different
from men.
in an engaging conversational tone, The Woman's Book of Sleep traces
physiological experiences unique to women, including their menstrual
cycle, pregnancy, child
rearing and menopause, and highlights how each of these life stages
can have a dramatic effect on a woman's sleep patterns. The book is unique in its style,
in that it can be read cover to cover, or used as a resource to decipher the
significant role that sleep plays in
a woman's health. Readers will also enjoy the Sleep-Smart Strategies listed
at the end of each chapter.
Although the book is written for women, in her foreword for the book, Kathryn
A. Lee, professor of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California,
respectfully disagrees with such a notion. "What struck me most about this book,
its contents, and the way in which it is written, is that it is definitely not
just for women. Although women do suffer from sleep problems more often than
men, men would also benefit greatly from the information contained
in this book-not just to understand their mothers, wives, or daughters, but to
understand their own personal sleep-related health."
statistics related to women and sleep illustrate why Wolfson's book is long overdue.
Eighty-six percent of working women complain of fatigue and exhaustion, and 64
percent report that they have trouble sleeping. Researchers have also found that
women suffer from sleep disorders more than 1.5-to-2
times the rate of men.
you're like me, you want to know two things about sleep: How much sleep should
I get each day and how can I improve my sleep habits? According to sleep researchers,
7.5-to-8.4 hours of sleep per night is the optimal amount for the average adult.
While eight hours is an average amount, sleep requirements vary from woman to
woman and from one developmental stage to another. But Wolfson cautions that,
while it is important to get the appropriate amount of sleep each day, the quality
of sleep can be as important as the quantity. In addition, Wolfson warns against
what she calls "binge
sleeping," which may be defined as getting less than desired amounts of sleep
during the week, then trying to "catch up" on weekends. Confessing that I am
one of those people who looks forward to a few extra hours of sleep on weekend
mornings, Wolfson chuckles. She points out that sleeping a little extra can be
beneficial, but if you throw off your regular weekday routine by more than a
few hours, this "binge sleeping" can alter your
biological clock.
response to the question, "How do I improve my sleep habits?" Wolfson offers
a number of practical tips throughout her book that men and women can use to
improve their sleep. Some of these tips include regular exercise, healthy eating,
cutting caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as developing a bedtime ritual
that works best for you.
Bizzell, chair of the College's English department, describes The Woman's
Book of Sleep this way, "I think Amy Wolfson's book is important as much
for the way it is written as for the important information it conveys about women
and sleep. Wolfson has combined scholarly credibility, documenting every claim
subtly but thoroughly, with an engaging approach to a more general audience,
illustrated with personal anecdotes that would never be acceptable in an academic
journal but that make the information that much more accessible to many women.
She has, in short, given us a wonderful example of the new types of intellectual
writing being generated by women's studies and other post-modern disciplines,
in which the traditional academic discourse conventions can be blended with other,
more personal modes of
In addition to her book, Wolfson has published significant
studies in other areas of sleep research and has received
recognition as a national leader in the area of adolescent
sleep patterns.
Her colleague, Mary A. Carskadon, professor of psychiatry and human behavior
at Brown University Medical School, says, "I have known Amy Wolfson for nearly
a decade and have witnessed the flowering of her professional academic and research
career. Her work on adolescent sleep patterns has been important, producing significant
insights about the particular ways in which sleep puts young people at risk.
Her independent research on sleep patterns in women has also been outstanding,
and was, I am sure, at least part of the
inspiration for her book."
Christine A. Marco, assistant professor in the department of psychology at Worcester
State College says, "Although sleep is an extremely important topic, relatively
few psychologists in the U.S. study sleep processes. Wolfson is at the cutting
edge of research on sleep. Her work encompasses understanding the sleep needs
of many different groups of people: children, adolescents and women. I think
that Wolfson is an outstanding researcher, and that Holy Cross is fortunate to
have such an active and distinguished researcher
as a member of its faculty."
Amy and her brother, Adam, also a Ph.D., grew up in a close-knit family. Her
mother, Judith Wolfson, now deceased, was a mental health administrator. Her
father, Nicholas Wolfson, is a lawyer and a retired professor of law at the University
of Connecticut. According to Wolfson, hers was an idyllic
childhood. "My parents were very supportive of both my brother and me. They were
very invested in us and provided us with the motivation to succeed
in our lives."
She credits her parents with encouraging her to stand
up for what she believed and to fight for her own ideas. She recounts a story
about her mother, Judith,
who, at one time, fought planned cuts in state mental health funding even though
she was working at the time as an appointee of the governor of Connecticut who
supported such cuts. Rather than backing down on her position, Judith Wolfson
chose to resign. In 1998, Judith lost her battle with cancer at the age of 62.
It is in her memory that the book is dedicated.
Graduating cum
laude from Harvard in 1982, Wolfson then moved to St.Louis where
she completed her master's degree and Ph.D. at Washington University. It was there that she
met husband, Andy Futterman, also an associate professor of psychology at Holy
Cross. Together they have one son, Noah, age 10.
This spring Wolfson was one of four faculty members to receive the Arthur J.
O'Leary Faculty Recognition Award, presented in recognition of their outstanding
work and special contribution to Holy Cross through their teaching, scholarship
and/or service.
Sharing her own experiences with her students has been a trademark for Wolfson.
She and her husband, who are both Jewish, occasionally invite students to their
home to share in the lighting of Shabbat candles. She has also mentored a number
of students, one of whom illustrates the role that Wolfson has played in her
life. "Amy sparked my interest in research and has been the best mentor I could
ask for. Her strength has been working with students and giving them the necessary
guidance, but also knowing when to step back
and let them take their own direction," says Amy Gorin '94, assistant professor
at Brown University Medical School.
In addition to her position at Holy Cross, Wolfson has
been very involved with the local Jewish community. She is a representative of
the Jewish Federation
of Central Mass and has been a board member, as well as chair, at the Solomon
Schechter Day School of Worcester. As part of her community efforts, she went
on a Solidarity Mission to Israel this past February.
Currently on sabbatical, Wolfson is collaborating with
her colleagues on two projects that will evaluate and promote healthy sleep/wake
habits in adolescents.
One of the projects involves working with teachers, faculty and administrators
at a middle school in Worcester.
describes her fondness for the Holy Cross community this way, "I like teaching
at a place where students feel strongly about ethical and moral issues and try
to live their lives in a way that includes hard disciplined work, but also allows
for friendship and relationship-building with faculty. For example, when I lost
my mother, my students were so there for me in a way that was qualitatively different
than other places that I have worked. I felt comfortable sharing my struggle
with them. For my own students I
try to do what I know best-I share and I teach."
Patricia Moreis-Stiles '87 is a free-lance writer from
Springfield, Va.


text:
This Forum has been archivedVisit Discussions
Well its just the trailer 4 Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, it shows the new chars. Yaaaaa so some of u may have seen it but watever, Kit the Shad part is 4 u! Dawn the Hedgehog 21:17, 4 June 2009 (UTC)
PS: I know i spelled the title wrong! hehe
Great trailer. I was lit up with Metal Sonic's appearance, and I think Tails was cheating...--Milotheechidna 22:21, 4 June 2009 (UTC)
WELL! IM NOT IN THAT GAME! XXRougeTheBatXx 04:45, 5 June 2009 (UTC)
Don't worry Rouge! Your probably a secret character. WE NEED MORE GIRL CHARACTERS IN THIS! I think Tails was cheating.--Kit the Cat 14:47, 5 June 2009 (UTC)
how would tails cheat?Valerie the Voxai 16:18, 5 June 2009 (UTC)
He is using his tails, tisk tisk, but maybe its only in the tailer, and yes Kit i agree they need 2 add more girls! Dawn the Hedgehog 22:48, 5 June 2009 (UTC)
The Sonic characters that I want in the game are Rouge, Silver, Tikal, Honey, Mighty, Fang, Maria, Espio, Charmy, and Cream. The Mario charcters I want are Rosalina, Birdo, Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, Dixie Kong, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, and Baby Daisy.--Kit the Cat 23:43, 5 June 2009 (UTC)
agreed Dawn the Hedgehog 17:56, 6 June 2009 (UTC)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mission Statement:
Our goal is to understand the molecular cues that help
build sensory systems during development. We are focused on
understanding the development of the taste system, because this systems
unique anatomy allows us to answer fundimental developmental questions
that could not be addressed in other systems. We are examining
the general mechanisms underlying important developmental processes,
such as target selection during axonal guidance, neuronal cell death,
synapse formation, and trophic influence of neurons on sensory organs.
We pursue these goals in a cooperative laboratory environment
that allows each laboratory member to grow and develop professionally,
so that each member can reach their greatest possible potential.
Many of our pages require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader


text:
Gretchen Robbins, M.S.
Gretchen is a Senior Policy Associate at the Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy at the Muskie School of Public Service. She is the lead for providing training and technical assistance to States and Tribes in Training Systems and coordinates the Peer Training Network for the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (NRCOI). She also works with supervisors in building leadership skills as an instructor for the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, Leadership Academy for Supervisors.
In her current position, and as a former director of the Muskie School's Child Welfare Training Institute, a prior collaborative effort between the University of Southern Maine and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, her primary focus is on promoting best practice in child welfare through engaging practitioners, supervisors, and managers in positive change toward meeting outcomes for children, youth, and families. With over 30 years of child welfare experience, Gretchen appreciates sharing state of the art practices with those continuing to do the extremely important work of child welfare. She knows that she is making a difference for children and families.
- Master of Science, Human Development, University of Maine
- Bachelor of Science, Child Development, University of Maine
Areas of expertise: facilitation, coaching, curriculum development, training delivery.


text:
Dr. Kent Sepkowitz on the public-health threat to the water supply—and why government works.
The usual sequence when the water supply is disrupted is to use bottled water.
water supply and catering facilities were more pressing concerns than the latest fashion in milk-maid costumes.
The crew exits the cab of the engine and practices a precise drill of connecting to water supply and entering the building.
Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
The village gets all its water supply from the public fountains.
And, ironically enough, it occurred to no one to ask about the water supply.
They serve as reservoirs for the water supply of towns and power plants and as sources of ice and fish.
What about the wells the settlers are digging for water supply?
Before buying irrigation machinery, it is a good plan to test the water supply by temporary means.


text:
In Bermuda some healthcare professions are regulated and some are not. Regulated health professionals are registered by legal bodies charged with overseeing a profession. Registration usually involves checking a health professional's training and qualifications, and agreeing to adhere to any established standards of practice for that profession.
Unregulated health professionals are usually members of professional associations, which allow the professional to keep up their skills and benefit from some oversight of clinical practice. The practice areas below include regulated professions and those professions that are in the process of becoming regulated. Visit the links below for more information:


text:
Anupam Sanklecha (13) and Rohit Jadhav (2) remained not out when Maharashtra captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar called his team back to pavallion, signalling declaration.
Vidyut Shivramakrishnan of Tamil Nadu, opened their 2nd innings and hit 40 before being caught behind wicket.
They were 76 for the loss of one wicket at lunch.
The ground has helped seamers in the last two days as they have bowled 138 overs while spinners bowled just 34 overs.
Maharashtra, having no point in their earlier three matches, are trying to win the match to earn points.


text:
Indian elections draw growing interest in America
Indian elections draw growing interest in America
Wall Street investor conference calls are analyzing Indian politics
March 25, 2014 Washington, DC. — India's hotly contested parliamentary elections that are due next month are being increasingly viewed in the United States as one of most important elections since the independence of the country. Therefore in order to keep abreast of developments in India an increasing large and varied number of people all across America are dialing into a unique conference call that takes place every week (http://www.usinpac.com/India-Elections2014/conference_calls.php), and discusses these issues.
Though of interest and open to everyone, most callers are having more than a passing interest in India – they want to get expert opinion on the election trends in India, or to understand the economic policies of various political parties, or to evaluate the investment environment in India post elections. Participants across 9 cities, which included leaders of the Indian American community, policy-makers at Capitol Hill, investment bankers and investors from the Wall Street along with technology entrepreneurs and academicians connected through the call.
The discussion points during the calls touch upon subjects such as possible outcomes of the elections, impact on trade and investments in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, aviation, IT, status of civil liability bill, possible shift in India's foreign policy.
This unique initiative is the brainchild of the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) which is running a series of weekly conference calls with noted analysts from India providing their expert opinion to the American callers. Last week the featured experts were Dr. Jagdeep S. Chhokar, the founder member of Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a non-profit organization that's working for government and electoral change in India; and Dr. Anupam Srivastava, Managing Director of Invest India.
"There is significant interest in the U.S. about the upcoming elections in India. Policy makers, businesses, and investors want to evaluate the developments. Major policy and business decisions would depend on the outcome of these elections. Through this initiative we aim to provide a better understanding of India to our U.S. members so that bilateral relations which are seeing a rocky present, have a cooperative future," said Sanjay Puri, the chairman of USINPAC.
USINPAC plans to conduct these calls (http://www.usinpac.com/India-Elections2014/conference_calls.php) until May 16. "In an age when we all live with information overload, key decision-makers want a quick, crisp, and high-quality analysis from the real situation on-ground. The financial community on Wall Street is long used to such analyst calls that help them to forecast or price company stocks. We are doing something similar, but with a big difference - our callers are interested in a country, not a company stock," Puri further added.


text:
Donor Registry
The gift of human tissue at the time of death or surgery by people of all ages, especially those afflicted with a genetic or developmental disorder, is the most precious resource on which medical researchers depend to study diseases for new treatments and cures. It is in human tissues, particularly the brain, that many dysfunctions occur and manifest themselves. By examining these tissues, comparing the unaffected with the affected, or by comparing different age groups, medical researchers begin to answer endless questions.
Unfortunately, the availability of tissue is limited especially for those scientists studying many childhood disorders including autism, Fragile X syndrome, adrenoleukodystrophy, Rett syndrome, Lowe syndrome and many more.
A donor registry has been established. Thousands of individuals have already registered with the Bank to become tissue donors. The process is easy. Should you have any questions, at any time, even after you have registered, please do not hesitate to contact us. Remember, you can withdraw your registration at any time if you change your mind in the future.
The UMB Brain and Tissue Bank works with bona fide support groups for developmental disorders without bias or preference for one support group over another. Indeed, it is the joint effort of all groups that will overcome the problem of the limited supply of human tissue for a broad range of medical and scientific research.
Tissue Donor Registration
You can register online to become a tissue donor at the UMB BTB Family Website. (Please use Microsoft Internet Explorer.)


text:
Paris Hilton Beauty Quiz
Bella Quiz: Beauty Product or Paris Hilton Endeavor?
Paris Hilton has her own shoe line out now along with books, jewelry, hair extensions, movies, fragrances, TV shows and even a self-titled record. Since she's frequently in the public eye, this quiz should be breezy. Guess which of the following are beauty products and which are Paris Hilton endeavors. Wouldn't acing this just be so hot?
Bella Quiz: Beauty Product or Paris Hilton Endeavor?


text:
Beginner Dive Lessons
Begin your dive adventure by learning to dive with a PADI Open Water Diver course. With a maximum of four students to each instructor, the new PADI eLearning system, and new classes beginning three times a week you can complete your course in just two days. You will get more time having fun scuba diving and finish the course as a much better diver.
We also offer scuba refresher courses, PADI Open Water Referral courses and a "try diving" Discover Scuba Adventure for the non-diver.
Browse for more products under these categories "Beginner Dive Lessons "
Featured products "Beginner Dive Lessons "
Loading... Please wait.


text: Hey, would anyone be interested in attending a Gainax themed photoshoot somewhere either in or around Boston some time in late May/June? It would probably be on a Saturday or Sunday, but I haven't decided on an exact location or date. Other cosplayers would be welcome too, so don't feel left out if you don't have a costume from an anime by Gainax. I just want to get a rough estimate of how many people would attend to see if it's worth doing.


text: On Tue, Jan 08, 2008 at 10:31:31AM -0600, Ted Maas alleged: > Has anyone been able to run a perl program from multiple > nodes using qsub? I'm not sure what you mean. You are free to run whatever you want in the batch script. If your nodes have perl installed, then just run your perl scripts. And yes, I have users that run perl scripts every day on the nodes. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 189 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.supercluster.org/pipermail/torqueusers/attachments/20080109/fc8722ec/attachment.bin


text:
Diet and Nutrition Q&A by Betty Kovacs
I read Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, when it came out. Now my acupuncturist is telling me that I should not eat dairy, eggs, and wheat, which is what D'Adamo's book recommended for people with type O blood. Is there a genuine connection between blood type, diet, and health?
Author: Betty Kovacs, MS, RD
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
It comes as a surprise to many people to hear that there is no research to support the claims that tell people what to eat and what not to eat based on their blood type. Without research, there is no way to prove if these recommendations work or if they are even safe to follow. I think that people are attracted to a diet like this because it sounds like something that would be based on research without realizing that it isn't.
One of the biggest problems that I have with diet recommendations like the ones that you were given is that they are made without taking your lifestyle or preferences into consideration. It's my experience that the best way to make changes to your diet is to personalize them. The only time that I ever omit specific foods or food groups from someone's diet would be if there is a medical condition that requires me to do so. Believe it or not, you could actually end up doing more damage to your health by doing what you were told. For example, if dairy is your primary source of calcium, you will increase your chances of being deficient in calcium if you cut it out of your diet without guidance on getting it from other sources. Another problem could occur if you cut wheat out of your diet. Whole wheat products are great sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. One of the worst things that you could do is change from whole wheat to white, and not being allowed to eat wheat would increase the likelihood of this happening. The research is clear that there are numerous health benefits to eating whole wheat products and that is why so many companies have switched to using it over white flour. Registered dietitians (RD) exist to assist people with making changes to their diet without harming their health.
Thank you for your question.
Last Editorial Review: 11/30/2006


text:
Advanced General, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures at Our Beverly Hills Practice
Contact Us Today
Contact our cosmetic dentistry practice in Beverly Hills to find out what Dr. Jonathan Rudner can do to brighten both your smile and your outlook.
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
450 N. Bedford Dr., Suite #214
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 226-8181
Click HERE for map and directions
The impact of a bright, healthy smile cannot be overstated. When your teeth don't look as good as possible, it can prevent you from feeling confident and make you reluctant to flash a smile. Dr. Jonathan Rudner is highly trained and has extensive experience in performing the most advanced treatments in cosmetic dentistry at our Beverly Hills office, which is outfitted with the very latest high-tech dental equipment, allowing us to correct any number of smile issues. Whether your smile simply requires brightening with fast, effective Zoom!® teeth whitening or you need a full smile makeover with durable, attractive porcelain veneers, cosmetic dentist Dr. Jonathan Rudner can fashion a smile you'll be proud to show off wherever you go. We also offer regular cleanings and oral exams to help maintain optimal oral health, as well as dental implants and other restorative dentistry treatments to restore function to patients who have difficulty speaking or chewing normally. Find out why so many patients feel reassured when placing their dental care in the skilled hands of Dr. Rudner by scheduling an appointment or consultation today.
As a highly skilled cosmetic dentist in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Jonathan Rudner brings an artist's eye to all the procedures he performs for our patients. His dedication to providing top-quality cosmetic dentistry is unsurpassed, and he truly relishes being able to "give back a smile," ensuring that each patient at our Beverly Hills office receives outstanding treatment uniquely tailored to his or her needs and desires. Learn more about Jonathan Rudner, D.D.S.
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry has quickly become the premier destination for patients seeking top-notch cosmetic dentistry in the Beverly Hills area. Our office features the most advanced procedures available for brightening and rejuvenating your smile and restoring your dental health, ensuring that you and your family are able to maintain strong, healthy teeth for life. We also offer a wide range of amenities to help make your dental visit as pleasant and relaxing as possible, including massage chairs; blankets and pillows; and safe, effective sedation dentistry, which allows even nervous patients to receive the dental care they need.
At Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, we take special pride and joy in being able to improve our patients' lives through cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment at our Beverly Hills office today and learn what Dr. Jonathan Rudner can do to enhance your smile.
We create beautiful smiles using a variety of advanced techniques at our cosmetic dentistry practice in Beverly Hills. View our smile gallery featuring before-and-after pictures of some of Dr. Jonathan Rudner's patients.


text:
The prime minister was heard telling aides on Friday night that there was "no sub-prime" in this country.
This stretches the "narrative" (all of our problems have come from the US) to breaking point. Read more
All of them.
Yes, that's right; the MPs' pension fund makes money from the same hedge funds which many of its members denounce as amoral "spivs". Read more
|About this blog


text:
Diamond Boost Radeon R7 240 R7240D32GXOC 2GB DDR3, PCI-Express 3.0 (x16), OverclockedItem#: BEZ-102109398 | Model#: R7240D32GXOC
Currently Out Of Stock!
You May Consider This Alternative
Diamond Boost Radeon R7 240 Video Card Product Details
Related ItemsPrevious
Manufactured by: Diamond Multimedia
Warranty provided by: Diamond Multimedia
UPC No: 757448023640
Mfg Part No: R7240D32GXOC
Box Size:
( Length:12, Width:10, Depth:3)
Shipping Weight: 1.4500 pound(s)
Dimensional Weight: 2pounds
What is Dimensional weight?
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Diamond Multimedia logos are registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


text:
The Master of Management (MM) is a thirty-six (36) semester credit hour general management program offered as a dual degree option for MBA students from selected Latin American business schools. In the dual degree application of the MM program, seventeen (17) hours of core business courses (accounting, finance, economics, organizational behavior, operations management, business communications, business law, strategy, and marketing) are transferred from a partner institution and nineteen (19) hours of advanced electives beyond the core courses are offered by Tulane faculty to comprise the thirty-six (36) hour dual degree program.
The MM dual degree option has been offered with the following partner schools: ESPAE-ESPOL, Guayaquil, Ecuador (1996-97), ICESI, Cali, Colombia (2006 to present) and Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala City, Guatemala (2006- present). The admissions requirements for the MM program are the same as the admissions requirements for admission to the MBA programs of our partner schools plus English language proficiency which is determines by test scores and/or personal interviews.
The program will enable you to:
Please contact one of the following people for detailed information about admission requirements and tuition:
Participants in the program will take the following courses.
Global Environment of Business
The purpose of the course is to provide a basis for understanding the fundamentals of international business. The course is organized around three major topics: (1) Differences in the business environment across nations from a social, cultural and political perspective as well as the effect of business environment on managerial decisions. (2) Firm's international expansion and entry strategies. (3) International business strategy and organization across borders.
The course is designed as a seminar divided in three modules that will be covered during the course. Each module has a specific objective which is intended to be fulfilled through the learning activities required for the session and in-class discussion.
International Leadership and Teambuilding
The goals of the course are as follows: 1) gain understanding of ideas and frameworks for analyzing leadership and teams, 2) stimulate, strengthen and develop leadership, and 3) learn from others in a challenging, multicultural learning laboratory.
Leadership is analyzed in terms of personal characteristics of effective leaders. What are the qualities that great leaders possess? How can we develop those qualities in ourselves and in others? What kinds of qualities do we like to see in leaders that we choose to follow? Are there cultural differences in how we think about leadership? Leadership is also examined from a functional point of view. What are the most important functions of a leader in an organization? What are the best ways for accomplishing those functions? We will pay special attention to participative leadership, leading a change in strategy or operating culture, and leading teams.
We will also take a critical look at team performance. What are the factors that influence team effectiveness? How do teams realize synergies from differences that exist between members? How can teams make decisions more effectively? How can a leader foster team effectiveness?
International Finance
This course is offered in Europe and introduces students to the European Union financial market system and includes executive lectures from banking sector, the stock exchange, and local financial market regulators. Students also have advanced topics in international financial market structure and transactions.
International Management
Globalization is a major challenge faced by an increasing number of companies.
Competing internationally is an obvious and long established necessity for firms who decide to do business abroad, but it is also an obligation for companies facing global competition on their domestic markets.
The objective of this course is twofold:
Entrepreneurial Finance
Entrepreneurs like the adrenaline generated by managing a new business opportunity. Examples of new business opportunities are (1) the development of a new product or service, (2) the management of a franchise, and (3) the optimization of an existing company with problems. However, one of the areas where entrepreneurs have fewer skills is financial management which includes basic accounting, fund raising and cash management. Entrepreneurial Finance is a comprehensive course that not only includes finance-specific concepts but also other more qualitative subjects like marketing, sales, and strategic planning and their implications in the value of the venture.
Organizational Capabilities
This course applies concepts from psychology and social psychology to solve organizational problems that managers face. In addition, students will be provided with the organizational capabilities that are needed to manage people within a global context, and with the knowledge to implement organizational strategies focused to achieve a people-centered culture.
Competition and Strategy
In this course, we will be studying strategic challenges facing managers of multinational corporations (MNC's), or any other companies that compete in the global marketplace. Our central objective is to markedly improve your understanding of the intricacies involved in managing on the international scale, so that you can become effective global managers.
International Finance
This course provides a good understanding of the basic principles of international finance. These principles are reinforced through an ongoing study of the international transition to a market economy. A framework will relate the concepts of international financial markets, international financial risk and its management through various financial instruments, and international financing of corporations.
This course analyses leadership in terms of personal characteristics and qualities of effective leaders. Students learn to develop those qualities in themselves. The course also examines the cultural differences in how people view leaders and their functions in different organizations. The course also focuses on the application of common sense morality to business conduct.
Global Supply Chain
The course provides an introduction to supply chain management language, concepts, tools, and strategies and is targeted to executives and general managers. The course focuses on supply chain strategy; therefore, the course begins with an overview of business, corporate, and global strategy. The case method is used and supplemented with lectures.
International Marketing
This course covers a broad range of topics related to managing global marketing efforts and deals with the different stages and challenges of the international expansion efforts of the firm. The course also analyses the dilemma of tailoring versus standardizing marketing programs for specific foreign markets.
International Entrepreneurship
This course approaches the subject of entrepreneurship from the perspective of the entrepreneur. It covers the issues that are of particular concern and the most crucial in managing the smaller enterprise that remains relatively small and is kept for a long period of time.
New Venture Creation
The goals of the course are to train the student to apply the skills learned in the functional area courses to the task of identifying and evaluating new venture opportunities. Working in four person teams, each student will learn to identify, conceptualize, evaluate, plan, finance, launch, manage, and harvest new ventures. Finally, intrapreneurship, the application of entrepreneurial methods of management to established organizations, will be discussed.
Negotiation is a process of capturing and creating value through discussion and voluntary agreement. It is analyzed several ways in this course. First, we ground our analysis in the context of on-going negotiation challenges. Second, we participate in a series of role-playing exercises. Negotiation exercises are designed to test negotiation skills, increase self-awareness, stimulate discussion, and facilitate learning about negotiation concepts. Third, we supplement in-class activities through individual reflection, reading and writing in order to summarize, integrate and apply course lessons.
Throughout the course, we will seek answers to important questions about negotiation, about being prepared, evaluating results, strategic and tactical choices, personal qualities, the role of leadership, etc.
In this course, we will also learn about ethics; our examination of ethics will reflect the notion that business is a practical endeavor.
Cross Cultural Management
We will consider how culture and cultural differences impact perceptions of social, organizational and societal environments. Our analysis will include some ideas from the psychology of human perception as well as research on the ways in which cultures differ. Some guiding questions for us are: What is the nature of culture and cultural differences? How can we respond to cultural differences that lead to emotional conflict? How do national and organizational cultures differ? How can we incorporate culture into business and investment decisions? How can we find value in differences? How is business negotiation affected by culture? How should cross-cultural negotiations be conducted?
Corporate Finance
In this course, we will learn how to calculate returns, look at historical returns in the U.S. capital markets, see how we can use statistics to model expected returns, learn how to measure the tradeoff between risk and return in a portfolio of financial securities, and calculate the Weighted Average Cost of Capital for a firm.
<< Back to top
<< Back to Programs for Managers and Executives
Goldring/Woldenberg Hall7 McAlister Dr.Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA 70118ph (504) 865-5438fx (504) 862-8770


text:
Abidjan (AFP) Oct 9, 2008
The trial of nine people accused over the dumping of toxic waste off Ivory Coast's main city, killing 17 people, faced collapse Thursday as the defence threatened a permanent boycott alleging bias.
Speaking at a press conference, defence lawyers refused to participate in the trial unless the judge grants a delay in the evidence of a key witness.
Lawyers for five of the nine defendants said the testimony of N'Zi Kablan, the head of Puma Energy, a subsidiary of Dutch company Trafigura, which shipped in the waste, was crucial for "the truth to come out."
On Wednesday the judge suspended the trial until October 13 when the lawyers walked out in protest after he refused to grant a delay to call witnesses from the two companies.
According to Ivory Coast law, a trial cannot take place if defendants are not represented by a lawyer.
"This position is not negotiable. We do not want to be complicit in a biased form of justice," said lawyer Charles Kignima, adding that the defendants "are prepared to stay in prison without trial" until Kablan appears in court.
"It is an abuse of justice in our country. It was the moment for judges in Ivory Coast to raise their heads, to restore Ivory Coast's image," he added.
Meanwhile the president of the bar in Abidjan, Claude Mentenon, called the lawyer's dissatisfaction "legitimate", adding that he was taking the case to the appeals court to find a compromise.
A total of 12 people have been charged with involvement in the 2006 toxic waste scandal which killed 17 Ivorians and poisoned thousands.
Nine of the 12 face a raft of charges including poisoning, complicity to poison and breaking environmental and public safety laws.
The incidents date from August 2006 when truck tankers hired by Salomon Ugborugbo, the director general of Ivorian company Tommy, dumped more than 500 cubic metres of waste "slops" from the Panamanian-registered cargo ship, the Probo Koala, at public sites across Abidjan.
The so-called slops were in fact a mix of petroleum residues, sulphur and caustic soda which had accumulated in the ship.
Exposure to the waste caused respiratory difficulties, nausea and other medical problems among the local population, prompting entire neighbourhoods to evacuate.
The accused face life imprisonment if convicted.
Email This Article
Comment On This Article
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links
Our Polluted World and Cleaning It Up
Defendant in Ivorian toxic waste trial blames Trafigura affiliate
Abidjan (AFP) Oct 1, 2008
The leading defendant in a key toxic waste trial Wednesday said he was misled by an affiliate of the Dutch multinational that brought the poisonous liquid to Ivory Coast in 2006.
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement


text: We here at the Yak recently got word (thanks to our very own SaintDagame) that there'll be a slight change in your Live Feed viewing this summer…but don't fret! Essentially, Superpass won't be working with old BB viewers or RealPlayer. You will need to update your version of Adobe Flash (can be done here), as the feeds will be playing in a browser, similar to the way you view YouTube. Per RealPlayer's website, RealPlayer no longer supports most of the features of SuperPass. If you have any questions, visit Real's website or just hop on in our forums and we'll do our best to help! For all your Big Brother needs, stick to THE YAK!


text:
on After Effects, Final Cut Pro, AVID and much more.
A blog by Premiumbeat
Posts Tagged 'Enable Disable'
Enable/Disable and Link/Unlink Clips in Final Cut Pro X
In this post, we'll take a look at how to quickly break apart audio from video footage in Final Cut Pro X. Then we'll use a simple shortcut to enable or disable elements in the FCPX timeline. These two editing functions will make your edits more organized and make YOU more efficient!


text:
Early in my career, a lot of B.A.S.S. tournaments were held during the fall. That schedule fit my style because it was often prime time spinnerbait fishing — just as it is in many parts of the country right now.
The spinnerbait is a great tool for the power fisherman because you can cover water and fish fast — my specialty.
The lure fits the seasonal pattern because the bass are eagerly feeding on baitfish to bulk up before winter.
The pattern has begun in many parts of the country and will continue for several weeks. In fact, I was on Table Rock Lake in late September and the bass were really getting aggressive. Although the water temperature was in the mid 70s, I caught a lot of fish on "blades."
There are more windows of opportunity for spinnerbaiting in the fall because of the many fronts that push through. And this year, the summer drought has left lakes clearer than normal, which enhances spinnerbaiting. The clearer the water, the farther fish can see the bait churning, and they are drawn to it. A little wind and bad weather offers the perfect scenario.
I've found that southern bass don't chase spinnerbaits the same way northern bass do. In Michigan, the fish want the bait moving fast; in the south, they want it a tad slower.
I use a medium retrieve with big spinnerbaits for fall reservoir fishing. The shad are larger and the bass are targeting bigger baitfish, so a big spinnerbait moving at a medium pace is an irresistible target.
I prefer to throw 1/2- or 3/4-ounce spinnerbaits with willowleaf blades but will upsize the rear blade to a No. 5 instead of the standard 4 1/2.
I will put a plastic trailer on the bait, or use a full-size skirt with a trailer built into it. A lot of the Strike King spinnerbaits I like have that kind of skirt built into them. It creates a bigger profile, which is important.
As noted earlier, wind is a plus, so target areas where the wind is blowing into the bank. The wind or some cloud cover cuts down on light penetration and you'll get fewer short-strikers.
In early fall, most of the fish are on the main lake, but moving. On reservoirs with grass, the shad are drawn to the vegetation. The days are shortening, which has the shad thinking about migration to the creeks and the main lake flats become their first move.
I'll look for those grass beds on flats or points that are reasonably close to deep water. On lakes without grass, I still fish points on the main lake and the secondary points of major creeks.
I like to reel the spinnerbait with a medium retrieve and pop the rod every 10 feet or so. If I have a fish following, I'll snap the rod to trigger them to bite.
As the days get shorter and the water cooler, the shad will move into the creeks and the bass will follow. The blue herons and gulls offer clues as to where the bait is positioned, but expect it to move farther into the creeks as the season progresses.
Because the creeks become a little more stained, the bass will get around shallower targets. That's when I switch to a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce spinnerbait and fish around floating docks, crappie brush piles and logs.
Never overlook boat docks, especially the floating type, because the bass will suspend under them waiting for a pod of shad to swim by.
When fishing the back of creeks, I will go to a shorter rod (6 1/2 or 7 feet) because I can make more accurate casts with the smaller bait. I also like to bang the lure against objects and let it flutter for a second before resuming the retrieve.
Also, remember that the bass will get extremely shallow in the backs of these creeks, so the flats with isolated stumps or pieces of wood are great ambush areas for bass stalking shad.
This is also a time when the HydroWave becomes a key piece of equipment because there are so many shad in the same zone as the bass. I have had several instances where I activated the shad when I turned on the HydroWave, and when that happens, the bass get aggressive.
My best advice for fall spinnerbaiting is to keep moving until you find the fish. This is not a time to sit on a hole; keep that trolling motor moving and the spinnerbait wet if you want to load the boat with quality fall bass.


text:
Even with the best practices in place, product recalls can still happen. Johnson & Johnson has had over 20 product recalls in the past 1 ½ years. Theses continuous recalls have not only hurt their revenue and profit, but their reputation as well. Prime Choice Foods Corporation had a recall on their tortilla chips because they were packaged incorrectly. Nestle recently recalled Milkybar because of a potential rubber contamination.
Then you have the product recalls due to allergens or mislabeled products that could lead to an allergic reaction of some sort to a certain percentage of the population. Cottage Grove Farmhouse Bakery announced a product recall because they didn't list egg whites as an ingredient; and there are many people with an egg allergy. Two kinds of carob products where recalled because they didn't mention they may contain milk on the labels. These can all be serious mistakes and, if continue to happen, can lead to a poor reputation for a company.
Because of all the product recalls, the FDA recently launched a new website to help the public know what recalls and safety alerts have been made. This searchable database is a big upgrade from the previous one. You can also sign up to receive email alerts. They also have an archive where you can check recalls that are over 60 days old. You might be surprised what you missed!
Habasit does everything it can to help customers avoid product recalls by providing conveyor belts that can help diminish the chances of allergen transfer or foreign object contamination due to the belt pieces coming apart. For more information about the many products that Habasit offers, please visit our website.


text:
Many of the walkers have been touched in some way by the disease, like a group of friends who are taking part after Emily Stevenson, from Battersea, south London, was diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 29.
My boyfriend found a lump in my breast when we were on holiday in Rome.
My GP was really reassuring and told me cancer was uncommon in a woman my age.
He said at worst it might be a benign lump but I should go for a check up.
I had private medical care and only had to wait two days for an appointment instead of three to four weeks.
It's lucky that was the case because I found out I had a very aggressive form of cancer which would have got much, much worse had I waited.
'I knew I had cancer'
At the hospital I knew something was wrong because the nurse told me it definitely wasn't a cyst and I was sent for a biopsy.
It never crossed my mind that it could be cancer, I was convinced it was something else.
Two days later I went back for the results. I walked into the room and there was a Macmillan nurse I had met before. I knew as soon as I saw her I had breast cancer.
I felt complete and utter shock. You feel as if your life collapses around you. Like it has completely stopped.
I couldn't imagine there would ever be a time when I would come to terms with it.
And then being told I would have to have chemotherapy, all I could think about was the hair loss.
I didn't deal with it very well, but luckily my boyfriend was a calming influence. I actually thought he would run a mile. But he didn't - neither did my friends.
The only way I can describe it is like being on a rollercoaster, which you have no idea how you are going to deal with.
I don't think I took it all in for a long time and I over-compensated, tried to get on with my life, more so than before and over did it.
I think I had a moment of clarity after my operation a few weeks later. I thought 'I haven't lost my breast, it doesn't look that bad and my scar isn't as big as I thought it would be'.
Side-effects of treatment
Then when chemo started I was back on the rollercoaster. I thought about losing my hair and began thinking my friends wouldn't want to be around me.
It was hard to control my emotions.
Being my age none of my friends had experienced anything like this, they could talk about older women, their mums or grandmas, but no-one my age.
I have a very active social life and I wanted someone to tell me if I could still go out with my friends, to pubs and clubs and parties. But there was no-one.
The worst thing was losing my hair. It sounds odd but I think if I had kept it I would have found it easier to cope with the other side-effects of chemo like the depression and infections.
I would lock myself in my room with the curtains closed and it wasn't until the end of chemo that I'd really learnt to cope.
I don't want this to come across as a negative story, like so much of the literature I have read, because my life has changed.
I've given up work and have gone travelling around the world with my boyfriend.
I am waiting for someone to turn around and say 'It's not coming back', but they can't just yet.
I have to have check-ups every three months and I am still on drugs which aim to stop the cancer coming back.
'Live your life'
But when you've been through an experience like this returning to the normal routine doesn't sit comfortably.
My friends didn't take much persuading to do the Moonwalk.
They've been through it all with me and I think they wanted to do something positive, although I don't think they've quite realised what they've taken on.
It's a way women can come together to do something without having to talk about what your friends, wives or relatives have gone through.
My first milestone will be two years clear, then five then 10, but I'm not even going to think about that until I get there.
It's going to be hard, but you've just got to live your life.
All funds raised by Walk the Walk's Playtex Moonwalk go to breast cancer research and care.


text:
Banned Durex Condoms Ad That 'Almost' Aired [VIDEO]
In radio we call it a spec spot. It's a produced commercial that the client may or may not air. This happens in the television world as well as this ad was just named Spec (speculative) ad of the year by (AICP), the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. Apparently some felt the ad had a 'hate children' feel to it so it never saw the light of a television screen.


text:
I mentioned briefly in yesterday's post that I started working out with a virtual personal trainer a few weeks ago.
So I thought it would be fun to tell you a little bit about what I'm doing, how it all works and why the heck I decided this would be a fun idea.
We'll start with a little bit of back story:
When I was in college I was a group fitness instructor. It was hands down one of the most fun part-time jobs I've ever had because I got paid to work out and I met some really cool people…like my friend Virginia.
I'm second from the left, Virginia is third from the left
I would say Virginia was one of the most well-liked instructors because she would kick your butt in class, but do it with a smile on her face and make sure that you were having fun at the same time.
Fast forward a few years and Virginia had made health and fitness training and coaching her full-time gig working with a variety of clients at gyms in the DC area.
Shamelessly borrowed from Facebook
But earlier this year, she and her business partner Kris — a trainer and coach with years of experience under his belt — decided they wanted to expand their services to help people outside of the DC-area reach their health and fitness goals.
So they launched EP Fitness Prep — a virtual training and coaching program.
In the past, Virginia and Kris have worked with clients to help prepare them for a variety of fitness competitions (figure competitions, bikini competitions, etc.).
Virginia with a client at a competition
I have no dreams of being a figure competitor, but I reached out to Virginia because I wanted a dedicated program to help me get back in shape after lots of time off for injuries. I wanted something that would build fundamental strength to help me get back to where I was pre-injury.
In full disclosure, Virginia and Kris offered to work with me in exchange for blogging about my experience working with them.
So now that we've got the back story out of the way, let's talk a little bit about how this whole virtual training thing works.
To get started, Virginia and Kris had me answer a bunch of questions about my goals, the amount of time each week I could dedicate to a fitness program and how I would measure success.
I wanted a fitness plan that let me keep running, while rebuilding strength I lost. In response to my answers, that's what Virginia and Kris gave me.
My current plan has me doing strength work in the gym four days per week with the flexibility to throw in runs where I want.
They also provided me with a diet plan, which I was a little leery about. I'm not doing this to lose weight or massively overhaul the way I eat, and normally I find diet plans restrictive and annoying. If you tell me I can't eat something, it's pretty much all I'm going to want to shove into my mouth.
But Virginia assured me that the diet plan was more a guide that gave me flexibility to eat most of the things I wanted, but was structured to ensure I was refueling on necessary macro-nutrients to rebuild and recover from workouts.
I told her I'd give it the old college try, and in the two weeks I've been doing the program, I've found my diet hasn't actually changed all that much other than to increase the amount of protein I was eating, but I haven't felt like there aren't certain foods I can't eat.
So each week, I do the workouts, record the weight I use and track my food Monday through Wednesday and report back to Kris and Virginia. By Friday, they provide guidance on where I can perhaps increase weight and suggestions on how to improve in the upcoming week.
I'm only two weeks in, but I'm liking it so far. It's definitely different than working with a coach in person, but I like the flexibility of being able to do my workouts when my schedule allows, and I really love getting the feedback from Kris and Virginia each week.
If you want to learn more about EP Fitness Prep, you can check them out online: website, Facebook and Instagram.


text:
Ask an Eye Doctor and Get an Answer ASAP
Hello, Welcome to Just Answer
Are you available for chat now?
Was the eyelid swelling painful to begin with?
no it was a little tender but he said it didnt hurt much he only started having pain in his eye this morning
Can he see from the affected eye by lifting the eyelid upwards?
a little but its blurry
Is he still applying the antibiotic eye ointment?
no it was only prescribed for 7 days every 4 to 5 hours
Has the lid swelling resolved now , after two weeks, or is it still seen?
no there is still the tiniest bump that is barley visbile under the lash line they said it was an extra piece of skin and to just put a warm compress on the eye for 5 min a day and try to flush it out
Can you just let me know the names of the eye ointment and eye drops used for this ?
i dont have that with me it is at home i know the eye crea, started with an O and the eye drops started with a M
Who was the treating doctor- GP or an optometrist?
i am just concerned that he said it was hurting this mornign then could not see out of it the dr was a GP
Ok. From the given symptoms it appears like he had an internal hordeolum( or a stye) due to the presence of the swelling and some amount of tenderness and the site of the swelling. It usually resolves well with warm compresses and antibiotic ointment and should not cause any kind of reduced visual acuity.
Blurring of vision is known to occur with the use of eye ointment due a thin film over the anterior surface of the eye but its effect would not last for so long as a week after stopping it.
should i take him to the eye dr since he is experiencing some loss of vision in that eye then because they just diagnosed it as a stye but i don't understand then why two weeks later hes now having pain in the eye and loss of vision
Yes it would be better to get his eyes examined by an eye doctor for a closer look , as there can be painful conditions of the eye which can cause reduction in vision ( can get missed by torchlight examination) such as a keratitis or even an iritis.
But neither of these would be related to the stye which was treated a week back.
ok yes beacuse i am freaking out that he cant see out of that eye i dont want any permanent damage done
Relax, whatever is the cause of this painful eye with reduced vision, is treatable ,as most of the anterior segment conditions are.
ok thank you
I wish your son well.Thank you and best wishesIf you are satisfied with the answer , please press the accept button so that I get my dues.A bonus and/or positive feedback are welcome.Views expressed are for information purpose only and cannot substitute a visit to an ophthalmologist


text:
The end of Talking Heads
Thank you for your comments regarding the ABCTV Series Talking Heads series completion. It is indeed....
- Margot Phillipson
David Campbell is the new king of swing. He grew up in the spotlight after discovering his dad was Jimmy Barnes. After an often difficult journey to find himself and his groove, David Campbells infectious energy and classic songs have made him one of the hottest entertainers in Australia.


text:
Taking care of a car is important because it maximizes your investment and is the only thing that dads will ever respect. Drive on with this Groupon.
Choose Between Two Options
- $39 for four-wheel steering alignment (a $79 value)
- $74 for an air conditioning system service (a $149 value)
The air conditioning service includes evacuation, recharge, and a full leak check.
Everett Street Autoworks
Everett Street Autoworks manages the needs of auto owners with the modern responsibilities of a green business. As an EcoBiz-certified establishment, the shop uses recycled anti-freeze when possible, recycles all their used oil filters, and utilizes only environmentally friendly degreasers for cleaning. Inside the 10,000-square-foot garage, a team of ASE-certified technicians tackles factory-scheduled maintenance, oil changes, or full-scale engine repairs. Located near the city's light rail, Everett Street Autoworks offers patrons alternative commuting options including a free shuttle or pony.


text:
Texas Research International, Inc. (TRI)
TRI Air Testing, Inc., an AIHA-LAP, LLC accredited laboratory, provides worldwide compressed air testing for SQF, ISO 8573, medical, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food/beverage, firefighters, scuba, OSHA, industrial companies and the Government/Military. Our patented air/gas sampling equipment was designed originally for the U.S. Navy Diver's compressed air quality sampling. The TRI system, used today, employs a method that lowers the pressure of both high pressure and low pressure air supplies to under 3 atmospheres absolute pressure, which in turn reduces the size and weight of the equipment and containers needed to obtain accurate samples. TRI currently holds the U.S. Navy Diver's air sampling contract
TRI Air Testing, Inc., formally Texas Research Institute was founded in 1975 as a spin-off from the former Applied Science Division of Tracor, Inc., a diversified technology firm based in Austin. TRI Air Testing, Inc. is one of six companies organized under the company now known as Texas Research International, Inc.
Today, TRI is a diverse technology, scientific and services company; and TRI Air Testing remains a central component. We are proud to be part of this history of success, which now includes multiple international companies interacting in a broad range of industries.
TRI Air Testing provides the dependability of 40+ years of operation, an extensive suite of industry-specific tests for safety and compliance, 24-hour turnaround on (most) tests, and secure, round-the-clock, online access to lab reports via MyAir. Solutions for compressed air testing to international standards are provided with excellence in science and quality.
Learn more about TRI: Texas Research International and TRI Air Testing Video


text:
Edible Cladonia: What's not to Lichen?
Lichen can be harder to tell apart than twins in the dark. My guess my picture above is of Cladonia Evansii (kla-DOE-ne-ah ev-AN-see-eye) which is a southern version of a common lichen that came down the Appalachians. It takes a lichenologist to know for sure, but fortunately lichen are not like mushrooms. While 96% of the 10,000 species of mushrooms are not edible (including the one to four percent that will definitely kill you ) only two lichen out of some 20,000 are what we would call poisonous, Letharia vulpina (leth-AH-ree-a vul-PEEN-ah) and Vulpicida pinastri, (vul-pis-EYE-dah pin-AST-try or wol-peek-EE-dah pin-ass-tree)) or Wolf Lichen and Powdered Sunshine Lichen… and conveniently they are both yellow, Wolf Lichen a greenish yellow and the Sunshine Lichen a sulphur yellow. And though internally toxic from vulpinic acid they can be used on external wounds and sores.
Most lichen are likable, but not exactly consumer friendly. What the lichen all share is acid and as such require proper preparation if they are to be eaten because unprepared and uncooked they will painfully attack your digestive track. Unprepared lichen taste like aspirin. That should motivate you to prepare it correctly. Never eat unprepared and raw lichen unless your life truly depends upon it. It probably will not kill you but you will wish it had.
One of the most widespread and commonly eaten lichen, by beast and brute alike, is a northern version of what you see above, Cladonia rangiferina, (ran-jiff-er-EYE-nah or ran-ghif-er-EE-nah) also known as Cladina rangiferina — both Latin for many branching reindeer like. That's rather clever since reindeer eat a lot of it and its branching resembles deer antlers. C. rangiferina, however, stops its southward migration in the United States with the end of the Appalachian Trail. I can remember as a boy, living on the northern end of those mountains in Maine, not only playing with C. rangiferina but running through brittle beds of red-topped Cladonia cristatella . You could actually leave foot prints in the lichen like those left in snow… and unknowingly crushing centuries of growth at the same time.
The two common "reindeer mosses" found here in central Florida are the Cladonia evansii and Cladonia subtenuis, with the subtenuis — which means thinner — being less compact than Cladonia evansii. C. evansii — named after North Carolina botanist Alexander W. Evans — has no official common name but it is called Powder Puff Lichen. C. subtenuis is called Dixie Reindeer Moss.
There are three surprising things about lichen. The first is lichen is a symbiotic relationship of two life forms, fungi and algae, with the fungus providing the form and the algae the operating system inside. That seems a lot more understandable than the creature normally used to explain symbiotic relationships, the Portuguese Man of War. It's called a jellyfish but is really a colony of different life forms, one group whose job is defense and they sting painfully. Lichen are more likable. Heck even 50 or so species of bird use lichen for their nests. If ya can't eat it, sleep in it. By the way, it burns readily and makes great kindling, or a small hot fire.
The second surprise is folks used to make a lot of booze from lichen. For about 50 years in the 1800's Sweden led the world in lichen alcohol production with the rest of Europe and Russia joining in. It was viewed as an alternative to grain alcohol. Lichen brandy was a big hit, and it was also used in the making of Akvavit, a traditional caraway-flavored spirit. That said, I have to run off on a non-plant tangent here for a moment.
Akvavit comes from the Latin phrase Aqua Vite, which means "water of life." The Irish word "whisky" is from the same Latin phrase and means the same thing: "water of life." Akvavit/whisky…aqua vite….The obvious conclusion is the Irish spoke ancient Latin with more of an accent than the Scandinavians. Now, from a marketing point of view, you read it here first: They should reintroduce lichen into their Akvavit. Lichen is grown commercially in Scandinavia. It would make for great branding. Can't you just see a clear vodka-like bottle with a lichen-esque label, maybe some stately lichen on some craggy gray rocks, maybe even a flak or two of lichen in the bottle…. it has to cost less than gold flakes….
Anyway…. Not only were lichen used to make alcohol but Russia managed to make a molasses out of it. I'm surprised the Russians didn't try to make rum. That alcohol and molasses could be made from lichen highlights their third interesting aspect: Most lichen, including most of those you see on trees, rocks and old cemetery stones, are some 94% carbohydrates. That's some 14% more carbs than a potato. But, along with those carbs is a lot of rock-dissolving acid that can burn your insides, which is why they have to be prepared a certain way.
The amount of acid varies from species to species with the Cladonias, especially C. rangiferina, being among the most nutritious and the least acidic. A combination of nutritional studies suggest Cladonias are, by dry weight, 1.4% ash, 5.4% protein, 32.9% fiber, 2.1% fat, and 0.501% niacin 3.7% calcium, and 0.09% phosphorus. They also have vitamin A. Fiber, carbs, vitamins and protein. Maybe the Scandinavians of old were on to something.
In a severe survival situation lichen can be eaten unprepared and uncooked. You will survive but you will also have a severe stomach ache that will make you want to die. The amount of carbs per lichen species and its availability varies. To make the lichen edible they are soaked in several changes of water, better, several changes of water with bicarbonate of soda added to each soaking. Another method is to soak them with hardwood ashes. The modern version of that is to soak them in a 1% solution of potash. A method used in China is to boil lichen for 30 minutes and then soak for two days in several changes of water. After discarding the soaking water they are boiled and that water discarded, or they are steamed. They are then ready to eat, plain or mixed with other things, or dried and added to flour or as a thickener to soups. Lichen is often cooked until it turns into a gelatinous mass. My mother remembers her mother using prepared lichen to make a pudding, probably as a thickener. Cladonia islandica was used to thicken jelly until gelatins came along. The point is the longer you soak them and the longer you boil them and the more often you change the water the more palatable they will be and the less acidic.
Yet another way is to take about three cups of lichen, cover with water, add about a quarter cup of bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate aka baking soda) put on a stove and bring to a boil and boil for about 15 minutes. Drain, replace the water, replace the bicarbonate of soda, again bring to a boil and boil for about 15 minutes. Drain, rinse, barely cover the lichen with water and bring to a simmer can cook until it is gelatinous. It is then edible but not greatly palatable.
Oh….You can also eat any lichen you find in the first stomach of a reindeer, but it's messy and not too good tasting. To get around that you freeze the stomach and its content. Then you slice it off and put it in stews and the like. There it is far better, but not five stars.
I saw forager Dick Deuerling nibble on Cladonia evansii uncooked while out on the trail, just picked it up, crushed some in his hand and down it went. One also told me he just crumpled it up and dropped it into soup. Woodsmen in northern Canada reportedly used rock lichen to make a "stimulating" tea by boiling it for 15 minutes. I suppose a stomach ache can be stimulating.
One point to consider is whether to eat lichen at all in populated areas. Lichens grow very slowly, one or two centimeters a year, and can live to be three thousand years old, and can stay in tact another 10,000 years. The lichen you may be thinking of partaking could be older than you are or was alive when the ancient Greeks were. Lichen can also collect a lot of pollution in those years. It just might be that it is good to know one can eat lichen but one doesn't have to. In fact, they take very well to dish gardens and don't have to be watered. They get all the moisture they need out of the air. It's a pet that can outlive your parrot, and it talks less, too.
There are actually five different kinds of lichen: Those that grow in clumps as the one shown here, those that grow in flakes commonly seen on trees, crust lichen, often seen on cemetery stones, lichen that looks like a combination of flakes and crust, and a class called Leprous for powdery patches (so named by the ancient Greek Dioscorides because they resemble the lesions of leprosy.) Here are some more lichen that are commonly eaten.
Gyrophora, aka Rock Tripe; Umbiliceria, also aka Rock Tripe, mucilaginous, used for thicken, has antibiotic properties; Historical Note: George Washington's troops had to eat rock tripe during the deadly winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. Lecanora, aka Cup Moss, Manna, can be broken apart by the wind. This is the lichen mentioned in the Bible when it showered starving Israelis with "manna rain"; Alectoria, aka Black Tree Lichen, Indians steamed it for two days in pits, was eaten or dried and powdered for mush or thickener. Also eaten are Evernia, Sticta, Umbilicaria esculenta, Peltigera canina, and Aspicilia esculenta.
Usnea is also edible but is more valuable as an antibiotic and antiseptic (see separate entry.) In fact, it it estimated that 50% of all lichen have medical applications but Usnea are especially good externally on wounds and the like. Usnea lichens have an elastic white chord running through the center of the main stem. Lichen that resemble Usnea do not have this white cord. They also appear grey-green throughout. Also Usnea lichens do not change color during the growing season whereas lichen which closely resemble Usnea do. If you're in the southern US and you think you've found Usnea and it has a black hair through the middle you've found Spanish Moss. Spanish Moss is not edible but does have some medicinal applications.
There are two versions of how the word lichen came to be, both of them from the same Greek root. λειχω (LEAK-ho) means to lick and λειχην (leak-NEE) is an eruption. In modern Greek λειχην is what herpes is called. Theophrastus (371-284 B.C.), a Greek botanist, used the term to describe superficial growth on the bark of Olive trees, as if it had been licked up. The second version is that flaky lichen looks like it is licking rocks and trees and were named lichen by botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1700. He was on a two-year trip to Greece, which at the time was enslaved by Turks, a slavery that for Greeks overall lasted over 400 years. To demonstrate how the Greek linguistic ear works, LEAK-ho is to lick and GLEE-ko is sugar, or a sweet lick.
As for exactly how many toxic lichen there are, well, two for certain, and maybe a 100 more. No one really knows. But, if the lichen you are looking at has any yellow parts, or is yellow, it is best not to eat it. That easy to remember.
Lastly if you are not inclined to eat lichen, especially those found on cemetery stones you can use the lichen to calculate how long the stone has been in the cemetery, a useful genealogical tool if the date is worn off, as is often the case with marble. To calculate, measure the lichen in centimeters from a center point to the outside edge, then multiply by five and subtract the total in years from today to get the latest date that the gravestone could have been made. The size of the lichen directly reflects how long the stone has been exposed and is a common dating technique of natural events.
For the curious, here are two recipes using C. islandica (called Icelandic Moss.) Below the "profile" is an except from the Journal of Economic Botany on how they made mollasses out of lichen.
Icelandic Lichen Flatbread
1 packed cup Icelandic moss (C. islandica after soaking)
1 1/2 c rye flour
1/2 c stoneground whole wheat flour
a pinch of salt
Boiling water as needed
One cup soaked Iceland moss is about two cups dried.
The Icelandic moss is soaked for a few minutes in lukewarm
water to soften it, then drained and chopped. Mix it with rye
flour, wheat flour and salt, then gradually add boiling water
and stir well, until you have a stiff but pliable dough. Divide
it into 12 equal pieces, roll them out thinly and cut out a
round cake, 7-8 inches in diameter. Prick them with a fork.
Cook on a griddle or bake at high heat until black spots
appear, then turn over and cook the other side. Store in a
damp cloth or plastic bag because they dry out quickly.
Lichen Milk Soup
a large fistful of prepared Icelandic moss (C. islandica after soaking)
1 litre (4 cups) milk
1 tbsp sugar or brown sugar
Prepared the lichen then dry it. Pour the milk into a saucepan and heat to the boiling point. Add the Iceland moss and the sugar and simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt to taste and serve. In another version, the soup is simmered for 2 hours, until somewhat gluey. Some versions add far more sugar but that is not traditional.
Green Deane's "Itemized" Plant Profile
IDENTIFICATION: Cladonias: Spongy, grayish mass up to 4 inches thick forming extensive mats three or four inches high, or clumps. Richly branched, each branch dividing into four, with the main branches distinctly curved in the same direction. Looks like the tubes inside a lung
TIME OF YEAR: Year round
ENVIRONMENT: Well drained open areas, sandy scrubland in Florida, prefers acid soil, Alpine environments in the north. It grows where other plants will not and for virtually thousands of years so it can often be quite polluted including nuclear fall out. Choose carefully.
METHOD OF PREPARATION: Must be soaked/boiled in copious amounts of water, or water with wood ashes or water with sodium bicarbonate or potash to get rid of acids. Then it can be added to various foods, wet or dry but must be cooked well.
From the Journal of Economic Botany Vol. 10 #4 pp 367-392, 1956 by George Llano.
If you would like to donate to Eat The Weeds please click here.


text:
The transport committee meets next Tuesday and there is quite a bit on the agenda. I will look at aspects at a later date but one that caught my eye is something that has been discussed a bit here recently, the Manukau Southern Rail Link Connection (page 213 – 6.9MB). We have talked about a bit in the past here and here. This report doesn't really add anything new but does summarise many of the issues. The link is shown in red below and the intention is that it would allow for trains from south of Manukau to directly access the Manukau station.
The report confirms that there are some potentially big barriers to building the link. The first of which pretty much confirms that some really poor planning went into this entire area, but I guess that is fits with how Manukau has always been. About the only thing that was done right was done by the NZTA who designed the motorway bridge piers to enable it. Since that time, Kiwirail have built an Inland Port on the Eastern side of the tracks, partially covering the path of the southern link. That will only serve to add costs to the project.
As we also know, a key rail project will be a third main line that will help to separate freight trains from passenger lines however that is going in on the western side of the tracks. It means any freight trains accessing the inland port HAVE to use the same tracks as our passenger trains, increasing the chances of delays occurring. Auckland Transport is also building the EMU depot on the opposite side which will see a lot of train movements in the area, especially when combined with the Manukau junction itself. In my view the EMU depot and the Inland Port should have been on opposite sides.
Even if it can be built cheaply enough, there are also potential operational issues from doing so, in particular could the two track Manukau terminus station handle all of the trains from both North and South not to mention the inevitable conflicts between freight trains and passenger trains in this area?
As always with these things, the biggest issue will end up being if the benefits outweigh the costs. There is no information given as to just how much the physical works however the report does say that just to run a 15 minute service between Papakura and Manukau would require an additional 3 EMU. Those cost around $7.5 million each to buy and at least $400,000 each per year to run.
It is worth remembering that there is still a lot of development and services to add to the existing network. By the time electrification is finished and all of the electric trains rolled out we are expected to see a train every 10 minutes to/from both Papakura and Manukau. With those higher frequency services and a quick transfer at Puhinui, the benefit of a direct service from the south to Manukau reduces significantly. That means it may only really become a viable after significant growth in Manukau as well as particularly the greenfields expansion that is proposed south of Papakura.
Overall the most interesting thing about the report is that it suggests Auckland Transport are currently working on updating their rail development plan which will set out what they intend to do to improve the rail network out to 2041. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what comes out of it and I wonder if they will still be using the same models which underestimate rail trips?
p.s. Nice of the council to use an image from the blog, the map has obviously come from this post.


text:
We should all be prepared to excuse their lapses for this reason.
If all this were only hypocrisy, Gingrich might legitimately expect voters to shrug off his lapses of decency and humanity.
Napolitano isn't the right person to correct the many security problems and lapses revealed by the Christmas day bomber.
When he looked up, he wore puzzled frowns; there were lapses of memory, prolonged bewildered silences and moments of deafness.
All of this has become so familiar that it lapses from our minds, it's just the way things are.
Worship and sacrifice, as mere acts toward supernatural beings, may be consonant with any number of lapses in conduct.
She had felt that, whatever his lapses, the years had made her necessary to him.
After the first greeting, the conversation between the two was remarkable chiefly for its lapses.
Courtships of married women, and lapses by them, are very rare.
That was "back in the Sixties," when his lapses were as far apart as they were unrivalled in consumption, span, and pyrotechny.
mid-15c., "elapsing of time, expiration;" also "temporary forfeiture of a legal right," from Middle French laps "lapse," from Latin lapsus "a slipping and falling, flight (of time), falling into error," from labi "to slip, glide, fall." Meaning "moral transgression, sin" is c.1500; that of "slip of the memory" is 1520s; that of "a falling away from one's faith" is from 1650s.
early 15c., said to be from lapse (n.) or from Latin lapsare "to lose one's footing." Related: Lapsed; lapses; lapsing.
early 15c., said to be from lapse (n.) or from Latin lapsare "to lose one's footing." Related: Lapsed; lapses; lapsing.


text:
TTC first time(2 Posts)
Blissfulignorance Sun 31-Jul-16 20:52:32
Pyjamas81 Sun 31-Jul-16 21:00:30
Join the discussion
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join in the discussion, get discounts, win prizes and lots more.Register now
Already registered with Mumsnet? Log in to leave your comment or alternatively, sign in with Facebook or Google.
Please login first.


text:
'All Good Things' Trailer with Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst
We're not the first to say it, but it's true: It does not pay to be married to Ryan Gosling in an independent film. In the late December release "Blue Valentine," Gosling drives on-screen wife Michelle Williams to distraction as the two spar and attempt to save their sad, doomed marriage. And in the early December release "All Good Things" (which debuted a new trailer today), he plays a real estate heir whose wife (played by Kirsten Dunst) goes mysteriously missing. Directed by Andrew Jarecki and written by Marcus Hinchey and Marc Smerling, the film is loosely based on the life of real estate heir Robert Durst, who was suspected of murdering his first wife Kathleen, not to mention a subsequent "self-defense" killing and the murder and dismemberment of an elderly neighbor in Galveston, Texas. Durst was acquitted of the murder/dismemberment charge, was sent to jail on parole violations (though subsequently released early). On lighter note, SNL's Kristen Wiig is also in the movie!
Watch the trailer after the jump:


text:
Should U.S. Lime & Minerals Consider An MLP Conversion?
|July 11, 2013
|Posted by Nat Stewart under Cash Flow Stocks, Compounding Machines
Comments off
Note – For background information on U.S. Lime And Minerals, see my previous article here.
Timm Fenn, of the law firm Latham & Watkins, LLP, states in his outstanding MLP primer (PDF) that (emphasis added by me),
"For purposes of the qualifying income rule set forth in the tax code, with respect to natural resource-related activities, the term "mineral or natural resource" means fertilizer,geothermal energy and timber, as well as any product from which a deduction is allowable,which includes oil, gas, and oil-and-gas related products. Typically, anything that is dug or pumped out of the ground qualifies, which includes coal, lignite, potash, salt, aggregates, limestone, sand and many other hard rock minerals. Moreover, Congress made it clear in the legislative reports accompanying these qualifying income rules that, for purposes of determining the limits of what constitutes oil, gas, or products thereof, such term includes gasoline, kerosene, number-2 fuel oil, refined lubricating oils, diesel fuel, methane, butane, propane and similar products that are recovered from petroleum refineries or field facilities."
Let's step back for a moment: Productive finance has two primary purposes:
- Provide capital to productive business and enterprise
- Create securities which meet investor needs for income and/or capital appreciation
I believe that in the case of U.S. Lime & Minerals, both of the above objectives would be enhanced through a conversion to an MLP structure.
Right now, with millions of individuals at or near retirement age, there is a tremendous need for securities which create strong, relatively stable "cash flow" returns that will maintain their purchasing power (and even grow purchasing power) over time.
In many ways, a well-run, investor focused MLP is an ideal structure to meet this objective. Profits are not taxed at the company level, and in many cases cash flows count as return of capital, which can work to defer taxes for a significant period of time. As it stands, U.S. Lime and Minerals has used its excess cash generation to repurchase shares, and to routinely build a substantial cash reserve on the balance sheet. I believe that the MLP structure will allow for a higher use of this "hard-asset" derived cash flow.
Benefits for U.S. Lime & Minerals, the productive enterprise include:
- I believe that an MLP conversion would immediately and significantly boost U.S. Lime & Minerals market capitalization
- L.P. units create a stable source of financing which can be used for accretive, productivity enhancing acquisitions
The bottom line is that when the right structure is combined with the right assets, real values can be enhanced. This is because the productivity for both parties (the investor and the operating business) is increased.
I strongly urge CEO Timothy Byrne, the majority shareholder, and the full Board of Directors to explore the feasibility of an MLP conversion.
Nat Stewart


text:
The LG Cookie is impressively svelte at just 11.9mm thick and weighs a mere 89g.
When typing text we found the virtual keys were too small and often resulted in accidental and irksome key presses.
As seen in the LG Renoir, the Cookie sports a customisable home screen
Users can drag and drop widgets (shortcuts to applications) from a side menu onto the home screen.
The battery life on the Cookie is average.
Review by Sunetra Chakravati,12/12/2011 3:54:00 PM
Look and feel
Ease of use
Battery life
A slimline, eye-catching touch-screen device with an appealing price tag.
Its slack of features, include no 3G, HSDPA or 3.5mm headset port, may ultimately put some people off.
Ask the majority of people what they like most about touch-screen phones and we would be willing to bet the answer is that they look good. However, style sometimes comes with a hefty price tag. That was until LG produced their credit crunch-busting 'affordable touch-screen phone', the LG KP500 Cookie.
The LG Cookie is impressively svelte at just 11.9mm thick and weighs a mere 89g. Despite its size zero credentials, the Cookie has managed to pack in a three-inch touch-screen display. Obviously one of the benefits of a touch-screen is the fact that manufacturers do not have to add a lot of hard keys, as the main controls are operated through the display. LG has managed to get away with just the three keys located beneath the screen. The call, call end and a favourite applications key feel a tad rubbery, but the LG Cookie has achieved a great minimalist design that is sure to turn heads despite its low cost.
LG has been a touch-screen pioneer, so they have had ample opportunity to perfect the user experience. Fitted with both a haptic (vibrating) response and tone alert, each time you press one of the virtual keys, you are left with little doubt that a key command has been recognised. Most of the icons are big enough to be easily pressed.
However, when typing text we found the virtual keys were too small and often resulted in accidental and irksome key presses. This is even the case when turning the phone on its side so that the built-in accelerometer displays a full QWERTY keyboard. Thankfully LG includes an extendable stylus that tucks neatly in the bottom of the handset to narrow in on the correct keys, though we did find that it left the odd scuff mark on the screen.
As seen in the LG Renoir, the Cookie sports a customisable home screen. Users can drag and drop widgets (shortcuts to applications) from a side menu onto the home screen. There is no limit to how many you can drag and drop and, for the neat freaks among you, a simple shake of the device will neatly align them into a grid. What's more, if you slide your finger from left to right, the screen will turn over to reveal another home screen. Here you can drag and drop up to eight of your favourite contacts to save you having to sift through your address book.
Whereas, LG's Renoir phone sported a whopping eight-megapixel camera, the Cookie has a more modest three-megapixel snapper. While we were generally pleased with the camera experience, it is a shame that LG does not make the most of the whole screen, instead opting to fill each side with various settings icons. Surely these could have rested on top of the view? For those that like to play around with their photos, there is a host of post-snap editing features, including adding text as well as sharpening the contrast, brightness and colour.
The lack of a 3.5mm headset port means you will be relying on the boxed headphones, which is a pet hate of ours. Although the radio picked up all the stations we searched for, the frequency displayed often did not correspond with the correct station. If you are serious about using the Cookie as your main music player you will need to invest in some additional memory, due to the handset's miserly 48MB of internal storage. That said, it does support memory cards of up to 8GB. There is also no 3G or HSDPA so keen web surfers may want to give the Cookie a wide berth.
In the current economic climate we expect the LG KP500 Cookie to do well. Available from The Carphone Warehouse for just under £100, it is a great option for people who want an eye catching device without having to break the bank, or be tied to a long-term contract. It is for this reason that we forgive the Cookie for all its shortcomings, including the lack of 3G, a 3.5mm headset port or its poor amount of memory. What it may be missing in terms of brains, it makes up for in beauty.


text:
Work party: The Edmonds Wildlife Habitat Native Plant Demonstration Garden is holding a work party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26. Volunteers will help weed and cultivate. Tools and refreshments provided. Contact Susie Schaefer, 425-771-8165, or email firstname.lastname@example.com to sign up. The demo garden is at Willow Creek Hatchery, 95 Pine St. off Highway 104, Edmonds.
Arboretum tours: Reservations are now being taken for 2013 custom group tours of the Evergreen Arboretum &Gardens. The group tours are available all year by calling 425-257-8597. There is no charge, but donations to the Evergreen Arboretum Foundation are welcome. The arboretum is at 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Go to www.evergreenarboretum.com or email email@example.com.
Everett Parks and Recreation: Design and organization classes with Kelly DuByne of Distinctive Interior Designs, Monika Kristofferson of Efficient Organization and Gary Hartz of Kitchens for Cooks. Register online at signmeup.everettwa.gov; by phone at 425-257-8300, ext. 2; or at the Recreation Office at Forest Park.
- Nov. 7: Decluttering, downsizing for seniors, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Everett Senior Center, $25.
- Nov. 14: Plan a kitchen remodel, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Forest Park Spruce Hall, free.
- Nov. 14: Psyched about color, 6 to 7:30 p.m, Van Valey House, $25.
Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens 2013 lectures: Noon to 1 p.m. select Saturdays, at the arboretum, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett, either in the indoor classroom or, when appropriate, outside on the arboretum grounds. All the classes are free. Seating is limited and some classes require registration. Call 425-257-8597 to register. Go to www.evergreenarboretum.com to learn more.
- Oct. 19: Putting your Garden to Bed with Wink Cushman, master gardener. Meet at the arboretum entrance.
- Nov. 16: Holiday natural centerpieces with Marylou Hart, arboretum board member and master gardener. Registration necessary.
- Dec. 7: Arboretum gift-making workshop for kids, noon to 2 p.m., with Hap Wertheimer, past arboretum president and art teacher. Registration necessary.
Master gardener program: The Snohomish County Master Gardeners are accepting applications for training to be a WSU Master Gardener Community Educator. Training focuses on familiarization and learning to use resources to research, educate and answer horticulture questions. Training involves approximately 80 hours of classroom and workshop instruction once a week on Thursdays from January to April. Tuition is $245 plus a volunteer commitment of 50 hours a year for two years. Without the volunteer commitment, tuition is $745. For information and an application, visit snohomish.wsu.edu, call 425-357-6010, or e-mail email@example.com. Deadline is Nov. 15.
Nursery classes
These local nurseries feature gardening classes, guest speakers and special events throughout the year, often for no charge. Check their websites or call for details.
Christianson's Nursery and Greenhouse: 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon; 360-466-3821; www.christiansonsnursery.com
Falling Water Gardens: Free classes in creating and caring for a pond, 17516 Highway 203, Monroe; 360-863-1400, www.fallingwatergardens.com.
McAuliffe's Valley Nursery: 11910 Springhetti Road, Snohomish; 360-862-1323; www.mcauliffesvalleynursery.com
Molbak's Garden &Home: 13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville; 425-483-5000; www.molbaks.com
My Garden: 17414 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek; 425-402-1842; www.mygardennursery.com
Pine Creek Nursery: 23225 Sofie Road, Monroe; 360-863-8866; www.pinecreeknursery.com
Plant Shack: 2829 164th St. SW, Lynnwood; 206-390-1422; www.plantshacknursery.com/
Sky Nursery: 18528 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline; 206-546-4851; www.skynursery.com
Sunnyside Nursery: 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., Marysville; 425-334-2002; www.sunnysidenursery.net
- Oct. 26: Putting the Garden to Bed with Trevor Cameron, 10 a.m.; Protect your plants and get a head start on next spring. Free.
The Plant Farm at Smokey Point: 15022 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville; 360-652-3351; www.theplantfarm.com
Wight's Home &Garden: 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-775-3636; www.wights.com
To submit an item for the Home &Garden calendar, e-mail email@example.com.