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According to the Bible's Book of Genesis, God created the first man and woman and invited them to live in a heavenly place called the Garden of Eden. This couple, known as Adam and Eve, lived there in bliss until they took the advice of a serpent and disobeyed God's command not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As punishment for their disobedience, God expelled them from the Garden, thus compelling them to work for their living, suffer pain, and eventually die. Medieval Christians honored Adam and Eve as the father and mother of all people and commemorated their story on December 24, the day before Christmas.
Eastern Christians, that is, those Christians whose traditions of belief and worship developed in the Middle East, eastern Europe, and north Africa, were the first to honor Adam and Eve as saints. Their cult spread from eastern lands to western Europe during the Middle Ages, becoming quite popular in Europe by the year 1000. Although the Roman Catholic Church never formally adopted the pair as saints, it did not oppose their veneration. Commemorating the lives of Adam and Eve on December 24 promoted comparison of Adam and Eve with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Medieval theologians were fond of making such comparisons, the point of which was to reveal how Jesus and Mary, through their obedience to God's will, rescued humanity from the consequences of Adam and Eve's disobedience. Indeed, the Bible itself refers to Jesus as the "second Adam" (Romans 5:14). Whereas humanity inherited biological life from the first Adam, it would imbibe spiritual life from Jesus, the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15: 22, 45, 49). Some theologians took this to mean that Jesus' coming could restore humankind to a state of grace lost when Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden. In like manner, Mary would undo the effects of Eve's disobedience. When the angel Gabriel visited Mary and delivered the message that she would bear a divine son, Mary replied, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38, also Annunciation.) Medieval commentators relished the fact that in Latin, Eve's name, Eva, read backwards spelled Ave, meaning"hail." Ave Maria, or "Hail Mary" were the first words that the angel Gabriel spoke to the Virgin Mary. The spelling of these two shortwords seemed to them to symbolize God's plan to reverse the consequences of Eve's deed by bring a savior into the world through theVirgin Mary.
Medieval Christians celebrated Adam and Eve's feast day with a kind of mystery play referred to as the paradise play. This little folk drama retold the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It ended with thepromise of the coming of a savior who would reconcile humanity with God. The paradise play was often staged around a single prop called a paradise tree. Actors adorned an evergreen tree with apples and sometimes also with communion wafers. Decked out in this way it served to represent the two mystical trees in the Garden of Eden: the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life.Although the church officially banned the performance of mystery plays in the fifteenth century, the people of France and Germany's Rhine river region kept on decorating paradise trees for Christmas. Some writers believe that the paradise tree evolved into what we now know as the Christmas tree. Indeed, as late as the nineteenth century people in some parts of Germany customarily placed figurines representing Adam, Eve, and the serpent under their Christmas trees. In some sections of Bavaria, people still hang apples upon their evergreens at Christmas time and refer to the decorated trees as paradise trees.
As the Middle Ages receded into history, so too did the western European feast of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve have retained a bit more of their ancient importance among certain Eastern Christians. The Greek Orthodox Church still honors Adam and Eve on the Sunday before Christmas.
The previous link did not work so am re-posting one that I hope will. Thanks to Michael Marsh who first posted this though. Some of you will obviously get this through twice!
Be Not Afraid People. For Fear makes us prisoners. Love sets us Free.
For all those who have experienced terror attacks first hand, witnessed them via our global media and for those who are fearful…I offer this beautiful reminder of Psalm 23; The Lord is My Shepherd sung by the Wells Cathedral Choir, UK. May it bring you some peace.
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And that company does not mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head held up and your eyes open.
With the grace of an adult
Not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrows ground is too uncertain
For your plans.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you have too much.
So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to buy you flowers.
And you will learn that you can endure
That you are really special
And that you really do have worth.
Live to learn and love yourself.
In doing so, you will learn to live.
Speaking personally, I am now well into those Autumn years and am filled to over-bursting with reverence. I remember blissful innocence in young tender years and the heady mix of exuberance in those often turbulent summer years…and am busy qualifying for perseverance!!
I have recently been reading again [did not manage to finish it the first time] a delightful book entitled The Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer. The majority of my husband's and my prayer practise revolves around this ever-deepening prayer, only 12 words long. It is a transformative ever evolving and deepening experience. I have posted several times on this Prayer of the Heart which is the one prayer monks and nuns of all traditions, and especially the Orthodox branch of the Christian Faith use silently throughout the day. I digress….
Towards the end of the book I came across something I had not known and wonder if many of you do…there is a church at the South Pole! Run by the Russian Orthodox Church it is a delightful church and I have found a small clip about it on Youtube.


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Kids Day is Saturday, August 10th, 2013 at Riverfront Park from 11:00am until 5:00pm! For one day Clear Channel Media + Entertainment Spokane and area businesses set up free activities for kids of all ages in Riverfront Park. Activities include gymnastics and other sport presentations, live music, giant inflatables, face painting, obstacle courses, educational opportunities, fire and police safety demonstrations, and so much more.
Bring your camera to take pictures with Ringo from Apple Valley Dental & Braces, Ziggy, Bo from Washington Basset Rescue, McGruff The Crime Dog, Clifford, Aqua Duck and Daniel the Tiger!!
Where To Go In Riverfront Park

subset: commoncrawl


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Empire State College Establishes New Music Club
By Jennifer M. Ward, student, School for Graduate Studies, Metropolitan Center-Manhattan Unit
September 21, 2012
Empire State College hosted a welcome mixer to introduce its new Music Industry Club Wednesday, June 6, from 6 – 8 p.m., at the Metropolitan Center - Manhattan Unit.
This lively event was held in the multi-purpose room on the third floor and featured students who sang or played an instrument. Afterward, the students were available to speak with members of the audience about the club and their performances.
If you are an aspiring musician interested in learning more about the music business, The Music Industry Club may be a good fit for you. The three main goals of The Music Industry Club are to educate students about the music industry, provide a networking foundation and showcase students' music. By integrating these three aspects of the organization, the club creates a bridge between a musician's passion and potential music career. Professor Justin Giordano, who teaches law and public policy, is working with The Music Industry Club.
The club and its events are open to all Empire State College students and fellow alumni. The showcase events are held inside the college, as well as in outside venues. This group typically meets a few times a month at the Metropolitan Center - Manhattan Unit and is planning to connect with other locations of the college during future meetings via video conference.
To find out information about joining the Music Industry Club, please email the club's secretary, Christina Bernard, at email@example.com.


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Oprah on Dealing with Fame
By ROBERT PACE
August 11, 2013
Through her talk show, Oprah Winfrey became one of the most well-known media magnates in recent history. Now reaping the reward of success, Oprah tells ET how she deals with fame and the wealth that's come along with it.
"Quincy Jones used to say...to me...'There needs to be a grace school for people who are entering the fame trip,' because unless you can enter it with a sense of grace, the fame trip becomes the fame trap," Winfrey told ET's Nancy O'Dell.
PICS: Stars Take On Real-Life Roles
As for her own fame, Winfrey revealed that she needed the aid of others to deal with it. Watch the full clip above for more.
Lee Daniels' The Butler is in theaters August 16.
More On: Oprah Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey


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The "Keep Your Distance" Bug Vacuum. This cordless insect vacuum quickly captures bugs from up to 2' away. Flies, bees, spiders, and other insects are suctioned by a 22,400-rpm motor, sending the insect through a one-way valve in the extension tube to an electric grid in the handle that instantly kills the pest. The extension tube removes to place dead bugs in the garbage, shutting off the electric grid in the process to protect curious fingers from electrical shocks or burns. From SkyMall.
Click on the image below for a preview.
Bug Vacuum
Without the use of toxic chemicals or vacuum bags that can serve as breeding grounds, this handheld device has an extendable nozzle to reach insects in high ceilings while the flexible rubber suction cup compresses to fit in tight corners, and the lightweight plastic design allows complete control while chasing flying insects.
* Includes a charging stand that plugs into AC
* LED charge indicator light to monitor battery life
* 12" L x 5" W x 5" H
* 3 lbs.
Bug Vacuum - Preview


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The Egyptian Censorship Committee has refused to accept the new film "Siko Siko" to costar Hala Shiha that tackles the issue of sex education taught in schools. The committee stressed that it will not allow the creation of any film with such sensitive themes as teaching children about the nature of sex.
Hala had taken off her Islamic headdress (Hijab) after wearing it for a period of two months amidst objection from family and members of the acting world. Hala said that taking off the Hijab does not lessen her connection with God and her commitment to Islam. She added that the real Hijab is that of the heart and soul, and good manners, and not just the mere covering of the head. Hala stressed that the decision affects her alone and no one else.
Shiha is now taking part in a number of films scheduled to be out this summer. Her decision to return to acting has led her to pick off her career where she left off and is mainly focusing on films that serve for bettering humanity. It was revealed from close contacts that Hala had already received a number of offers to star in different films.
While wearing the hijab, Hala's wish to continue her role in the film "Waraka" (Paper) wearing the Hijab (Islamic headdress), was refused by the producer and director. Hala had previously accepted the role in the film after having doubts of whether to continue in the sequel of the original film "Al Limbi", in which she played the role of girl from downtown.
After her rejection, Hala had decided to use her popularity, which she achieved throughout her acting career, in religious programs on TV. The former actress stressed her desire in enlightening people with the religion of Islam, and added that her determination to take part in such program has nothing to do with keeping her fame, but rather comes from her strong devotion to God and Islam.
Growing up, Hala always had musical and artistic talent, as she excelled at dancing, drawing, fashion designing, piano and keyboard playing. But it wasn't until renowned actor and family friend Adel Emam encouraged her to join the academy of arts, did she think of pursuing a career in acting – Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)


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I'm Tori (Victoria) and I'm 17 years old. My brother...
The Supply Teacher
- by TheUltimateCookieMonster
- Rating:
- Published: 18 Jun 2014
- Updated: 18 Jun 2014
- Status: In Progress
Lauren Brooks isn't your normal teenager. She goes to MapleWood Heights Academy and lives in the boarding house. She's always been rebellious , never listened to anyone and most of all , she's always been herself. But then she meets the supply teacher Mr. Styles and suddenly art becomes her favourite lesson. But will she choose her crush or her supply teacher ?(A lot better than it sounds!!!) warning : sexual scenes (._.) and swearing. A lot of it. A. Lot. Like , so much ._. [Yellow for now , MAY become red idk]
Join MovellasFind out what all the buzz is about. Join now to start sharing your creativity and passion
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I have played about 5 Head2head games online and 15 games in Ultimate team and in 50% of those games, my PS3 will freeze when i score a goal. It happens exactly as the ball is about to touch the net. I could not find any other threads regarding this issue, has anyone else encountered this? Could my console be causing this error? I tried formatting the PS3 and cleaning it for dust and after that i managed to play 7 games straight without encountering a freeze. But out of nowhere the freeze came when i scored a goal in Ultimate Team. Note that the freeze does not occur when goals are scored against me.
Hi ive been having these "crashes" since the start of fifa 13 its been like 3 days, everytime I try to go online it crashes to desktop, so I was wondering are you making some updates or something like that because I have tried everything I have updated my drivers and I have repair installed fifa 13 so there is nothing left for me to do and im not the only one with these problems so please fix it so i can start playing online !
I received an email, was given this solution but doesnt work. I don't even have such a file in FIFA 13 folder in 1st place.
1. Navigate to the Documents folder
2. Enter the FIFA 13 folder
3. Delete the Facegen XXXXXXXXXXXXXX file.
After that follow the below steps:
1. Login to Origin.
2. Click on Application Settings in Origin tab on Left hand side corner on the top of Origin screen.
3. Scroll down in General tab.
4. Check the box with "Enable cloud storage for all supported games".
5. Click on Done.
@4ydeca I have the very same, exact the same problem as you mileysad:
Not a word not a hint not any clue on any forum all over the world! :catmad:
Same here. I play every game mode with ease offline. But as soon as i started TRYING to play online (in the screen where the game is supposed to search my opponent) the game crashes to my desktop.
Just like last year, EA has no solution to this or other problems. Since they are working with Origin, they lost quality.. a lot....
I'm a FIFA player since FIFA 95.
Hi there,
I will try to explain myself in my best English. First of all, Fifa 13 looks great as always, so my compliments to that.
Still I'm having some difficulties. The reason that i always buy Fifa is to play online. I have bought the game 2 days ago and i haven't been able to play a single online game. When i try to play seasons i get to the part it says opponent found, then my screen goes black. Most of the time i do have the loading sign in my left bottom of the screen. Then after a few minutes it goes entirely black and i have to alt+f4 and restart. I searched for the answer and i got to the port forwarding solution. With my port open, i get to seasons and now when it says downloading player updates or something like that it crashes to desktop. I really want to play online. The last issue is regarding the audio. I select Dutch at the language option and when i check at the game settings the commentary is dark grey and i can't change it. So i don't have commentary at all. I already tried setting my speakers to stereo but no effect. I hope you can help me out!
With kind regards,
Nils Toepoel
hello all, ive got a half decent set up and am having issues with replays its very flickery and colours go light and dark and most of the video scenes are the same ie at half time full time it does the same are their any issues with game and will be patched?? ive searched online and seems other people with better set ups then me are having same issues please could you let me know as want to enjoy the whole game as at the moe not keen on playing as doing my eyes in
Where's EA to fix this ?!
Do something useful for us, not answering bull**bleep** that won't solve the problem.
It's a joke? I payed and i can't play online... Very nice! If i knew that, i would have download a pirate version.
As if not enough, i need to create a new profile every time i open the game, cuz if i load my profile the game crashes to desktop...
FIX THIS! I'm not the only with the same problem!!!
Bump this topic please, maybe this so-called company take it seriously and solve the problem "as soon as possible". Thanks!
Turn on Login Verification to access FUT Web and Companion Apps, and protect your information.View more on EA Help
Try these steps first to clear up any problems you may have when connecting to an EA game.Connection troubleshooting steps


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Summer Painters
College Pro - Santa Barbara, CA 93106
The Painter role is a fun and challenging position that is ideal for someone wanting to get hands-on work experience and make money over the summer. The ideal individual is hard working, athletic, coachable, and has effective communication skills. Our painters work outside with on a crew of 2-3 people and have a steady paycheck all summer long. Training is provided; therefore, no experience is necessary!
If you stand out as a leader, you may be selected from the interview process to be a Job Site Manager. Job Site Managers gain experience in leadership and run a crew of several painters. Ask to be considered for this if you feel you might be a good fit.
- Able to work full-time throughout the summer (30-40 hours/week).
- Must have own transportation (job site locations will change).
- Manual labor required.
- Cannot be afraid of heights (ladder work required).
Pay: $10.00-$15.00 per hour plus bonus opportunities. Starting rate will depend on your location and experience. Bonuses will depend on your performance and the criteria established by your Manager.
Click here to Apply
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(PDF Version, 1 MB) *
This report presents the results of an internal audit of the Global Partnership Program (GPP) within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Material of Mass Destruction ("Global Partnership") was launched by world leaders at the 2002 G8 Summit with the singular objective of the prevention of weapons of mass destruction acquisition by terrorists. The Global Partnership Program is Canada 's response to the Global Partnership. In terms of materiality to the department, GPP is one of DFAIT's largest contribution programs receiving approximately $90 million annually in contribution funding. Canada committed up to $1 billion of funding over a 10 year period from 2003/04 to 2012/13.
Over recent years, the use of transfer payments in international program management has emerged as a significant activity within DFAIT. In fiscal 2009/10, transfer payments represented approximately 34% of DFAIT's $2.2B budget. GPP's contribution funding represents about 12% of DFAIT's total $726 million transfer payment funding. Given its magnitude, the complex nature of the GPP, and because the GPP is a mature program (currently in its seventh year of operation, which had as a key requirement *** that an audit would be conducted), the audit of GPP was included in the Internal Audit Plan for fiscal year 2009/10, and approved at the June 2009 meeting of the Departmental Audit Committee.
The GPP activities are focused on five portfolio areas: biological non-proliferation; chemical weapons destruction; nuclear powered submarine dismantlement; nuclear and radiological security; and, redirection of former weapons scientists. The projects funded by the GPP range from $50,000 to in excess of $10M. The GPP is administered by the Major Programs Bureau which is headed by a Director General who reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister, International Security Branch.
The scope for this audit covered the period from June 2008 to February 2010 and included projects that took place in all five portfolio areas. The objective of this audit was to provide DFAIT senior management with assurance that:
Based on the audit team's risk assessment, the following five areas were determined to be of elevated risk, and therefore were examined in detail during the audit: Governance and Strategic Direction; Stewardship; Operational Capacity (People/Systems); Results and Performance; and, Risk Management. The audit criteria selected for this audit have been mapped to the applicable Office of the Comptroller General Core Management Controls . Please refer to Appendix A for further details.
Throughout the audit fieldwork, the audit team observed strengths in GPP's governance and risk management practices and observed internal controls which were properly designed, implemented and operating effectively. Examples of key strengths noted, particularly during the review of a sample of project files, include the following:
While the audit noted that the Program is in compliance with its Terms and Conditions, the following areas were identified where management practices and processes need improvement:
These areas are discussed in further detail within the body of this report.
As a result of the identified areas for improvement, the following key recommendations are made:
Overall, an appropriate management control framework is in place for the Global Partnership Program. Key components such as governance, risk management and internal control practices were generally found to be effective and adequate. Improvements are required, however, in the areas of resource management and the reporting of results. In addition, the audit noted that the GPP is in compliance with relevant acts, its Terms and Conditions and policies and procedures.
In my professional judgment as Chief Audit Executive, sufficient and appropriate audit procedures have been conducted and evidence gathered to support the accuracy of the information contained in this report. This is based upon a comparison of the conditions, as they existed at the time, against pre-established audit criteria that were agreed to with management. The evidence was gathered in accordance with the Internal Auditing Standards for the Government of Canada and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
Original signed by: Yves Vaillancourt, July 13, 2010
The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Material of Mass Destruction ("Global Partnership") was launched by World Leaders at the 2002 G8 Summit with the singular objective of the prevention of weapons of mass destruction acquisition by terrorists. The Global Partnership Program (GPP) is Canada 's response to the Global Partnership. Canada committed up to $1 billion of funding over a 10 year period from 2003/04 to 2012/13 and the GPP is currently in its third and final phase. The GPP is one of the largest contribution programs in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) - receiving approximately $90 million annually in contribution funding. The projects funded by GPP range from $50,000 to in excess of $10M. The GPP is administered by the Major Programs Bureau which is headed by a Director General who reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister, International Security Branch. The Program currently conducts its activities in five priority areas:
Given the complexity and breadth of the GPP projects, the GPP makes use of an array of delivery mechanisms such as contracts, implementation arrangements, contribution agreements, memorandums of understanding and treaties in order to achieve the GPP strategic objectives. To assist in monitoring the completionof the projects occurring in Russia and the former Soviet Union countries and to ensure funds are being used for their intended purposes, technical experts are hired to assist GPP program staff in monitoring and assessing the status and completion of projects.
To obtain an understanding of the GPP operations, a review of documentation and a sample of project files was performed and a series of interviews were completed. An assessment was then carried out to determine the extent to which each of the audit criteria had been met. Significant gaps between an audit criterion and an observed practice were evaluated and consideration was given to the degree of risk in order to assist in the development of recommendations for improvement. Details on the observations are provided in this section.
Given the magnitude, availability, and variability in funding which can be allocated amongst the various program priority funding areas, it is critical GPP have a transparent and documented rationale for the allocation of funding, which considers risk information and changes in the internal or external environment. It is important that a formal budgeting process exist to challenge resource allocations and appropriately align resources with priorities. The funding allocation process should include a review of new threats or priority areas as well as a periodic review of planned versus actual expenditures and documented rationale and approval of any funding amendments or changes. While GPP has a formal budgeting process, which takes most of the above factors into consideration, there were three areas for improvement noted, as described below.
As part of its fund management and resource allocation practices, the GPP sometimes transfers funds with other DFAIT transfer payment programs. Specifically, the audit noted that in fiscal 2009/10, net in-year transfers to/from other DFAIT Programs and GPP totalled approximately $5M. While the transfer of these funds between Programs is documented, reviewed and performed by Corporate Finance, the expectation within DFAIT is that when excess funds have been identified, the DFAIT Resource Management Committee (RMC) should be notified. A key role of RMC is to direct and coordinate measures to meet in-year departmental resource pressures and lead and manage re-allocations among resource centers. The audit observed, however, that there was inadequate communication by Corporate Finance to the RMC prior to making these program fund transfers. Without the perspective provided by the RMC, there is an increased risk that resource allocation decisions made unilaterally among programs may not reflect the priorities of DFAIT.
Additionally, the audit noted that GPP uses a number of mechanisms to establish priorities and associated resource allocations including the Global Partnership Advisory Group (GPAG), the Global Partnership Working Group (GPWG), and the Annual Priority Review (APR). The GPAG, chaired by the DG, GPP, includes representatives from other government departments; however, the audit noted that GPAG is used primarily as an advisory body on future policy issues, not in-year budgetary decisions. Although GPP priorities are discussed with other donor country members at GPWG meetings, these meetings are only held five to six times each year and while the APR provides for a formal review of the GPP's priorities and minutes are forwarded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his approval, the APR is only an annual activity.
The Program could benefit from an additional oversight body in order to provide an ongoing advisory and challenge function to the GPP with regard to its decisions on spending priorities, and resource allocation, as well as to provide feedback on program risk and results reporting. One potential avenue is the existing Policy and Program Board within DFAIT whose mandate is to provide strategic direction and oversight for DFAIT's international policy advice and integration, as well as for diplomacy and advocacy functions under which GPP is classified. Included in the Board's responsibilities are providing feedback on major initiatives, exercising a challenge function for operational strategies and approaches, and approving programs related corporate planning and reporting requirements. Given that GPP is one of DFAIT's largest transfer payment programs, with a high degree of visibility globally, and faces significant risks which could have a profound impact on DFAIT's reputation, using this existing Board may be beneficial for the program as well as the department overall.
Lastly, the GPP has received Treasury Board approval to adjust funding amongst the GPP portfolios while staying within the overall funding profile. The Director General has the authority to transfer funds between portfolio areas to respond to funding pressures and the GPP's staff has the authorization to perform the fund transfers in the Integrated Management System (IMS). While there is verbal discussion between the Director General and his staff regarding these fund transfers, no evidence or audit trail was found for the final review and approval of the transfer of funds between GPP portfolio areas. Given the frequency (i.e. approximately 20-30 times per year) and net value of the transfer of funds between portfolio areas, without evidence of approvals of such transfers, there is an increased risk that not all transfers receive approval from an appropriate level of authority. Further, it is difficult to determine whether the transfers are completed as intended by the Director General, GPP.
Within the public sector environment, it is expected that programs will gather relevant information on results and use that information to enable decision making, and to provide reporting to Parliament that is balanced, transparent, and easy to understand. In doing so, programs need to measure, review and report on results using established performance objectives.
For GPP, the Accountability, Risk and Audit Framework (ARAF) acts as the program's primary source of guidance on accountability and also aims to provide guidance to the GPP on how to support the overall management of the program, demonstrate the achievement of planned results, and provide the ongoing information needed to support evaluation. Most performance measures listed in the ARAF are clear and measurable; however, certain performance measures used by the GPP (e.g. sustainable employment, industrial and scientific benefits to Canada , capacities enhanced, etc.) would be difficult for the GPP to quantify and attribute to program activities.
The audit noted that the primary mechanism used by the GPP to report on program performance is the program's annual report, which is submitted to Treasury Board. Upon review, the audit noted that only a few of the ARAF performance measures are reported through the annual report such as the quantity of chemical agents that were destroyed; the status of construction projects to safeguard biological weapons; and, the number of submarines dismantled. To inform and report to Canadians, the GPP publishes progress updates for each of its portfolio areas through the GPP DFAIT web site as well as reporting publicly through the Departmental Performance Report (DPR). Other reporting mechanisms used by the GPP, such as the internal bi-monthly reports, contain some additional performance measures, but not all significant performance measures are reported. So while the audit found that performance reporting was being conducted, the GPP does not have a consolidated program-wide approach in its reporting against established performance measures and outcomes (as outlined in the GPP's ARAF). This finding is consistent with a 2008 summative evaluation of the GPP which noted that more attention should be paid to the presentation and assessment of the overall program results which would enhance understanding of the GPP's broader impact. A 2006 formative evaluation of the GPP also recommended the development of precise performance measures and indicators for each portfolio area and for the GPP as a whole.
Without a consolidated approach to reporting on performance measures, there is increased risk that GPP will not be able to: demonstrate results and the program's overall impact to key stakeholders; enable decision making; and support resource allocation decisions.
Given that the program operates in high risk environments and deals with high risk projects, it is critical that the program has well established and documented risk management practices and enabling tools which are consistently used. Effective risk management should also include practices and tools which allow for reasonable completeness in the identification of risks, a formal assessment of risks, routine monitoring of mitigating actions and risks, and a consistent application of risk management practices across all portfolio areas.
The GPP's project risk management process was found to be robust (i.e. identify, assess, monitor and report). The GPP uses risk management software called the Risk Info rmation and Assessment System (RIAS). RIAS is used by all portfolio areas for input of project risk-related information and for the creation of risk registers. As a leading practice, the RIAS tool provides for a standardized approach to project risk management. The outputs generated by RIAS are risk management plans, including mitigating actions, accountabilities and due dates. These risk management plans are used to facilitate decisions on monitoring and discussions within the project group. ***.
As well, the audit noted a list of program risks that have been identified and updated as most recent as May 2010. It is vital that a disciplined approach be taken by GPP management to continuously review, assess and update program risks in order to keep mitigating strategies as current as possible.
Given the nature of the GPP and its involvement in projects that facilitate chemical weapon destruction, nuclear submarine dismantling, and nuclear and radiological security, there is a need for heightened security and protection of confidential information. The possibility that terrorist groups may gain access to this knowledge represents a danger to domestic and international security.
The audit noted that precautions are taken by the GPP regarding the security and release of confidential information. Some of these observed practices included secured cabinets, secured email communication, restricted access to network servers, and additional logical access and physical security controls. As a federal government program, the GPP is sometimes, however, presented with opportunities to share information on its projects, practices and lessons learned with other government departments.
The audit noted that a formal practice is in place within the GPP to classify documents based on their intended use and obtain approval to present confidential information at these information sharing events. Audit testing, however, found one instance where a presentation on a GPP human and animal health biological containment laboratory (biolab) was mistakenly shared publicly on the internet. The biolab is being planned (i.e. construction has not yet started), and is a 6,200 square meter, $30 million project being considered for the Republic of Kyrgyz . ***. The presentation was given by the GPP to a restricted government audience and while the organizer of the conference was specifically instructed by the program not to post the presentation on the internet, this instruction was not followed.
Advice was sought in this matter from the Corporate Security Division (ISC) under the Departmental Security Officer (ISD). The Corporate Security Division is responsible for the development, implementation and effectiveness of security policies, personnel security services and security training for DFAIT. When requested by the auditors to review and assess the document in question, the division indicated that responsibility for the classification of a document rests with its author and therefore, no assessment of this document was provided.
The authority for this audit is derived from the Internal Audit Plan for the fiscal year 2009-2010 which was approved at the June 2009 meeting of the Departmental Audit Committee.
The objective of this audit was to provide DFAIT senior management with assurance that:
The audit scope covered the period from June 2008 to February 2010 and addressed areas of governance, internal controls and risk management. The audit was carried out at DFAIT headquarters in Ottawa , between February 2010 and May 2010. The focus of the audit was on areas of elevated risk which were identified in the audit planning phase.
The internal audit of the GPP was conducted in accordance with the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as per the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the standards and requirements set out in the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Audit.
Sufficient and appropriate audit procedures have been conducted and evidence gathered to support the audit conclusion provided and contained in this report.
The principal audit techniques used included:
The approach used to address the audit objectives included the development of audit criteria against which observations, assessments and conclusions were drawn. The audit criteria developed for this audit are shown below.
|Audit Recommendation
|Management Action
|Area Responsible
|Expected Completion Date
|1. Corporate Finance and Operations should ensure that the Resource Management Committee (RMC) is informed prior to the movement of GPP program funds for the purpose of addressing potential lapses in order to enable RMC to make resource allocation decisions which reflect DFAIT's priorities.
|Agreed — Corporate Finance will liaise with IGD to operationalize this. Corporate Finance will discuss with RMC the modalities, including the threshold amount for notification.
|Chief Financial Officer (SCM)
|September 15, 2010
|2. Given the size, complexity, and sensitivity of the program, GPP management should further strengthen the program's governance structure to provide challenge and advice on its decisions on spending priorities, and resource allocation, as well as to provide feedback on program risk and results reporting. The program should consider using the existing Policy and Programs Board within DFAIT for this purpose.
|Agreed — While GPP has very robust oversight through the GPAG, GPWG, APR and Treasury Board, we will indeed avail ourselves of the Policy and Programs Board and regularly present its priorities, budget, risks and results regularly in order to obtain feedback and advice.
|Director General, Major Programs Bureau (IGD)
|Immediately, at first available opportunity
|3. GPP management should establish a practice to formally document approval of significant fund transfers between GPP portfolios.
|Agreed — The bureau will review internal fund transfers to determine and implement an appropriate procedure.
|Director General, Major Programs Bureau (IGD)
|September 15, 2010
|4. GPP management should review performance measures for clarity and measurability and should consolidate performance data to enable better reporting of the program's impact and performance.
|Agreed — We do indeed report performance results in a number of different documents including DPR, Annual Report to Treasury Board Secretariat, Annual Report to Parliament and reporting to GPAG and GPWG. We will consolidate the performance measures in our Annual Report to TBS. We will also review our performance measures for clarity and measurability, adjusting as required, as contained in our ARAF.
|Director General, Major Programs Bureau (IGD)
|December 31, 2010
|5. For the one instance in which a sensitive presentation, that was deemed to be unclassified, was mistakenly made available on the internet, GPP management should review its document classification process and procedures and implement any lessons learned.
|Program management has reviewed their processes for classification of documents. The processes are well documented and staff is very aware of Classification and Security Guidelines. In this case, the Program deemed the document to be "unclassified" ***. When Program management became aware of the event, it took immediate action. No further action will be taken.
*If you require a plug-in or a third-party software to view this file, please visit the alternative formats section of our help page.


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The meaning of ConfirmationConfirmation is one of the seven sacraments within the Catholic faith. During Confirmation, Catholics receive the Holy Spirit and become adults in the eyes of the church. Most Catholics are confirmed around the ages of 14 or 15, and the ceremony is presided over by a bishop, who possesses the fullness of the priesthood but also rules a diocese as its chief pastor.
» Read More
Preparing for the sacrament of ConfirmationWhen a person receives the sacrament of Confirmation within the Catholic church, that person is then seen as an adult in the eyes of the church. Though grown men and women can be confirmed at any age, most Catholics receive the sacrament around the age of 14 or 15.
» Read More
How to choose a Confirmation nameFor many young Catholics, the day they receive the sacrament of Confirmation is a day for which they have spent years preparing. When Catholics are confirmed, they become adults in the eyes of the church.
But before candidates can receive the sacrament, they first must fulfill a number of obligations. One such obligation is choosing a Confirmation name, so young Catholics have a source of inspiration and a patron saint to protect and guide them through the rest of their lives.
Choosing a Confirmation name is a task not to be taken lightly, and candidates typically must choose the name of a canonized saint for their Confirmation name. There are exceptions that allow Catholics to choose the name of someone who has not been canonized, but candidates must discuss these options with their teachers or priest.
» Read More
Things to consider when choosing a Confirmation sponsorCandidates for the sacrament of Confirmation have lots of work to do in preparation for the day when the church will officially recognize them as adults. The day a Catholic is confirmed is one of the most significant events in his or her life, and that significance is apparent in the various requirements candidates must fulfill before they can receive the sacrament.
» Read More


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A woman who suffered severe brain injuries after being hit by a bus has amazed medics by making a 'remarkable' recovery, and has become a volunteer to help others overcome a similar ordeal.
Jaxx Cave spent ten months in hospital after she was hit in Park Street, Croydon, on her way home from work as a drug and alcohol commissioner for young people, as she waited for a bus on May 5, 2010.
She was airlifted for brain surgery first to the Royal London Hospital, then taken to the University Hospital in Lewisham, before finally being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability.
Ms Cave said: "Initially I wasn't interested in rehabilitation, but when the nurses came to measure me for a wheelchair, something clicked and I was determined to get better.
"It wasn't easy, but the staff were fantastic and encouraged me every step of the way and the rehabilitation team have helped me realise that I can contribute to society by helping others who are also on the same long road to recovery."
Sarah Griggs, an injury expert from Irwin Mitchell lawyers, said: "Jaxx suffered serious head injuries and her life won't ever go back to how it was before the accident, but she has found a new passion for helping people, and here at Irwin Mitchell, we are working to secure her a lifetime care package that will ensure she gets the care she needs."
The insurers of the bus company, one of whose buses hit Jaxx, have partially admitted liability and are now working with Irwin Mitchell lawyers to settle the case and provide compensation to help Cave live as independently as possible and cover her loss of earnings as she will never be able to work in paid employment again.
Jaxx recently stood in front of 400 brain injury victims, support staff and medics at the Headfirst brain injury conference for the charity Headway and delivered a speech about the importance of rehabilitation services and how there is always hope.
She is now looking to become a brain injury ambassador with head injury charities to help others in a similar position to her.
Ms Cave still has problems with memory function, but has made a full physical recovery.
- An ex-lorry driver from Caterham thought he was encouraging a 13-year-old to send indecent images
- The Glamorgan pub lives to fight another day
- A man has been found dead at Jurys Inn Hotel in Croydon
- Woman rescued from house fire in New Addington overnight
- Indian film-maker hoping a Croydon family can star in his next film


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The deal, which will be funded by a combination of working capital and term debt, and comes four months after it agreed to pay $10.5 million for Kirin's 46,000 tonne malt house in Western Australia.
GermanMalt has four malt houses, with 190,000 of annual malting capacity.
GrainCorp chief executive
Ms Watkins said GrainCorp's recently opened Hamburg office would play an important role in delivering synergies associated with the acquisition.
The acquisition price includes €18 million of working capital, predominately barley inventory.
GrainCorp, the world's fourth-biggest maltster, said the binding agreement to buy GermanMalt was subject to regulatory and other approvals that were expected to be completed by the end of November.
Ms Watkins reiterated GrainCorp's earlier full-year earnings guidance for net profit after tax. Earnings are tracking well against guidance. Grain receival tonnage and domestic and export grain marketing revenues are in line with expectations," Ms Watkins said.
"Overall export demand remains strong due to large quantities of available grain. This will continue to support port elevator earnings. We expect our full-year results to be comfortably in line with our NPAT guidance of $145 million to $165 million."
The Australian Financial Review


text:
As both companies embark on due-diligence of each other's operations, Australand may be jostling for a better offer after lifting full-year earnings guidance by 4 per cent and anticipating a $76 million lift in its investment portfolio following independent valuations.
Australand securities have risen to a new post-GFC high of $4.31. But analysts believe what's been put on the table by Stockland is a final, full price offer and won't be sweetened further.
"If the deal were to fall over," wrote Credit Suisse analyst John Richmond in a new note, "we believe Australand would trade back towards our $4.03 stand-alone NAV".
Mr Richmond also highlighted that Australand's earnings growth cycle driven by residential sales would not last forever, with gearing set to rise to 30 per cent as development costs increase.
Morningstar analyst Tony Sherlock said his firm continued to view Australand as overvalued on a standalone basis with the stock trading about 10 per cent above Morningstar's valuation.
Stepping back from the financials, property market fundamentals indicate that both Australand and Stockland security holders would benefit from ownership of a bigger listed entity, strongly weighted to the residential and industrial markets.
As Stockland boss
Sweetening the deal further would be the creation of the second-biggest logistics warehouse and business park portfolio in Australia (after Goodman Group) once Australand's $1.2 billion worth of assets are tipped in. Demand is high for modern, automated facilities from retailers and third-party logistics providers.
The Australian Financial Review


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How to Leverage the Tools of UC to Best Serve Enterprise Communication Needs
Organizations around the globe are increasingly implementing unified communication systems to enhance collaboration and productivity internally as well as to offer better service to customers and clients.
Research has shown a substantial growth in the UC market over the last several years, and the data underscores how significantly the market will continue to expand as more organizations, both big and
Organizations around the globe are increasingly implementing unified communication systems to enhance collaboration and productivity internally as well as to offer better service to customers and clients.
Research has shown a substantial growth in the UC market over the last several years, and the data underscores how significantly the market will continue to expand as more organizations, both big and small, leverage the benefits of the communication technology. Between 2010 and 2011, the worldwide UC-capable market increased 8 percent, reaching $12.3 billion, according to recent research by COMMfusion and UCStrategies.com. Additionally, the research indicated the UC market will increase to $20 billion in four years, growing by a 17-percent compound annual rate.
For the businesses that are planning to implement UC in the near future, it may seem unified communications is complex, involving a range of possible components and features. But the benefit of UC is simplicity. A well-implemented UC solution will radically simplify your business processes by improving workflow efficiency. Furthermore, determining how to best leverage all the available UC tools to best serve your needs does not have to be a stressful and complicated undertaking. First, look outward: Learn about the potential capabilities of a unified communication system. Then, look inward: Consider some key characteristics of your organization to determine what UC tools to deploy and how to deploy them to maximize benefits.
The UC Toolbelt
To determine how your business can leverage the benefits of a UC system, it's necessary to understand what the communication solution encompasses. According to global market research and analysis firm IntelliCom, unified communication systems often include five capabilities:
- IP telephony - Technologies that use the internet protocol's packet-switched connections to allow users to communicate through voice, fax and other means that have been traditionally been enabled over a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
- Instant messaging - A collaboration tool that allows users to communicate through text-based messages in real time over the internet.
- Conferencing - Another feature of UC that enables collaboration, virtually bringing together groups of people in different locations over the phone or through an online video.
- Presence - A UC tool that allows users to track other's locations and their devices when connected to an enterprise's network.
- Unified messaging - Integration of different communication tools like voicemail, fax and messaging over one interface, making it possible for users to access information from remote locations.
What to Consider to Best Leverage UC?
To best leverage all these tools of a unified communication system, businesses and other organizations need think about how all the UC elements can best work together given the characteristics of the organization and its needs.
Business Size
UC works well for businesses large and small, but the size of an organization will play a role in determining how to leverage UC features. For instance, how many employees will be using the UC features? If your business is expected to grow in the near future, that should be factored in when choosing a UC system that will offer the most benefits to the organization.
Small businesses need to ensure the UC system is small-business friendly. Often, this will boil down to a system that is simple to use, as many smaller organizations do not have the internal resources available to implement and support a system that demands a significant amount of day-to-day management.
Case Studies
Halliday Financial Group
An independent financial planning firm with 50 employees occupying four different offices in New York - is an example of a small business that implemented a UC system to leverage tools in a savvy way, focusing on the company's primary need while also utilizing other benefits. As with many SMBs, Halliday's challenge was related to resource allocation: The company did not have a full-time, central receptionist, so phone calls had to be fielded by available employees, interrupting their daily workflow. In response, the company leveraged the unified messaging capabilities of an IP phone system. With ShoreTel IP phones and voice switches in place, the whole Halliday workforce now shares a phone and voicemail system.
"We didn't have a central receptionist function. I decided it was time to look into a more efficient way of handling the phones, one that enabled customers to call a central receptionist and quickly be able to reach anyone at any of our locations," the president of the company said.
Thanks to a simplified UC system, the company is able to have all incoming calls routed to the right employee, saving the business time and money while also enhancing communication with clients. Although this was the primary UC capability the firm sought to leverage, it has also benefited substantially from conferencing, instant messaging and other collaboration features. The president of the company said "we didn't realize … we'd be getting all these other features that would improve our bottom line."
Larger enterprises will also find unified communication can radically simplify operations. Big businesses face the challenge of maintaining communications through numerous office locations and among hundreds of employees.
CNET Networks
CNET Networks is a San Francisco-based media firm with 1,600 employees in seven offices throughout the United States and in London. The company realized it needed a simple solution to connect everyone through one system. A unified communication solution served the company's needs of enabling employees to collaborate and share information despite the thousands of miles between them.
"We knew that whatever we chose, we would have to stick with it for the next 10 years," said CNET's director of client services.
End Users
In addition to thinking about the overall size of the enterprise, organizations can better leverage UC by thinking about what communication tools specific employees will need, and then training these workers to maximize the benefits.
Even though many of the capabilities of UC are intuitive, end-user training will still prove useful and allow employees to leverage the tools properly. Provide initial training on basic functionality, and follow up later on additional capabilities. Without this reinforcement, users may become comfortable with just one or two of the system's features and miss out on many of the others. Preparing employees properly will not only ensure they are taking full advantage of the UC system, but that the company sees a very significant return on investment.
"Enterprise workers use communications devices to complete specific tasks relevant to their role within the organization," Frost & Sullivan analysts wrote in a 2012 report. "Consequently, a worker's ability to leverage communications devices to successfully complete business tasks is a fundamental part of an enterprise's overall ability to deliver on business objectives."
A business that is small today may become much larger very quickly if they are positioned to take advantage of opportunities, so enterprises need to think about their plans for future growth to most effectively leverage UC tools.
If a company is expanding to different geographic locations and employees need a way to stay in touch, it will be crucial to leverage video conferencing tools, instant messaging and other VoIP technology included in a UC system to support constant collaboration between the dispersed workforce. Luckily, as UC adoption continues to rise, vendors are offering solutions that can be scaled to support more users as needed.
A business that is small today may become much larger very quickly if they are positioned to take advantage of opportunities, so enterprises need to think about their plans for future growth to most effectively leverage UC tools.
If a company is expanding to different geographic locations and employees need a way to stay in touch, it will be crucial to leverage video conferencing tools, instant messaging and other VoIP technology included in a UC system to support constant collaboration between the dispersed workforce. Luckily, as UC adoption continues to rise, vendors are offering solutions that can be scaled to support more users as needed.
Case Study
DeHaven Eye Clinic
DeHaven Eye Clinic in Texas was growing, and needed a phone system that could accommodate this expansion. The company's existing phone system wasn't making the cut, as the system would reach capacity and voicemails would be lost. The clinic took a look at available solutions, and settled on a plan that demonstrates how a growing business can best leverage UC. It chose a VoIP phone system that is more scalable than a traditional phone system, as it works with existing Internet infrastructure. As a result, the clinic is saving about $500 monthly on interoffice communication charges. However, in addition to choosing an affordable, scalable solution, the clinic chose a solution that allows it to leverage UC tools for cross-site collaboration. Notably, the organization is using an intuitive call management interface compatible with a variety of devices, Web browsers and operating systems. This makes it simple for workers to leverage features like instant messaging and video conferencing.
Enterprise Mobility
To best leverage a UC system, an organization not only has to think about how to use UC features to meet internal needs, but how to use available features to keep up with industry trends. For many organizations, enabling a more mobile workforce is emerging as a pressing need.
According to Channelnomics, mobility will likely become the focal point for UC systems within the next five years. This should come as no surprise, as smartphone adoption rapidly rises. IDC expects there will be 804 million smartphones in use by 2015 - 500 million more than were in use in 2010. Within just three years, 149 million tablets will be in use, according to iSuppli. By next year, IDC estimates, more than one-third of the global workforce (1.3 billion employees) will be mobile workers, who are employees that can work from any location thanks to mobile devices and unified systems linking them to their enterprise's network.
Enterprise mobility is a main driver in the growth of the over mobile market, representing more than 30 percent of mobile services-related revenue. According to ABI Research, mobile business users around the world will create $340 billion in revenue for the industry by 2017. Employees are also increasingly using their personal devices for work functions - about 38 percent of CIOs expect their workforce to be using their own smartphones and tablets by year end, a Gartner report titled "Bring Your Own Device: New Opportunities, New Challenges" stated.
A final, yet major, consideration to getting the most out of a UC system is ensuring it is secure. To best leverage the system, identify potential security issues that may arise. For example, when adopting a BYOD program, as discussed earlier, the organization will have to think about how to keep its network secure as workers access it on a variety of personal mobile devices.
Too often, companies fail to include a security plan in the implementation of a UC strategy, according to Nemertes Research. In other cases, involvement of the security team comes too late in the implementation. To avoid any security threats becoming reality, which will prohibit an organization's ability to reap the benefits of the UC system, executives should follow some best practice tips.
A UC system should include firewalls and other security features - such as intrusion prevention/detection and session border controllers - that prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. Security settings can also be automated to keep the solution simple while guaranteeing that worker productivity is not compromised by efforts to keep enterprise data and IT infrastructure secure. For example, a UC solution might include a security component that automatically detects when a mobile device has left the corporate firewall, and launch a virtual private network (VPN) application to maintain security. VPNs protect remote workers by connecting off-site phones to the rest of the UC system, creating a secure route for communications.
Simplicity Makes Leveraging UC Tools Possible
Businesses of all sizes from a variety of industries, ranging from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and government, are taking steps to leverage UC in the most effective way possible. Take the Broad Institute, which uses a unified communication system to enable more than 1,500 researchers and students from Harvard, MIT and around the world to constantly share their findings in the field of genomic medicine. Or, the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which implemented a single UC system that linked municipal buildings including city hall with the city's libraries and other departments.
With these examples, and many more, the simplicity of the UC system empowers workers to take advantage of the features that best serve their needs and equips IT professionals with functions to maintain the security of the enterprise systems. An easy to use UC system also gives decision-makers peace of mind about the investment in the technology, as they can be confident the system is being leveraged to boost organizational morale and improve bottom-line results.
ShoreTel. Brilliantly simple business communications.
ShoreTel, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOR) is a leading provider of brilliantly simple IP phone systems and unified communications solutions powering today's always-on workforce. Its flexible communications solutions for on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments eliminate complexity, reduce costs and improve productivity.
Between 2010 and 2011, the worldwide UC-capable market increased 8 percent,reaching $12.3 billion.
Enterprise mobility is a main driver in the growth of the over mobile market, representing more than 30 percent of mobile servicesrelated revenue.


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For the Houston Astros, they gained some roster clarity regarding first baseman Jeff Bagwell, but the news for the beneficiary was bittersweet.
Bagwell has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, which seals a roster spot for outfielder Willy Taveras. But Bagwell's right shoulder injury could be career-ending, a sobering thought for the club.
"I didn't want to win it this way," Taveras said. "I feel for Jeff. I know he wants to play. I don't want anyone to get hurt. He's a big part of this team."
If Bagwell's shoulder had been healthy enough for him to play, Taveras, who hit .291 last season as a rook ie, would have started the season at Class AAA. Now Lance Berkman moves from left to first base, with Preston Wilson moving from center to left, leaving Taveras as the center fielder.
Other clubs have similar juggling acts. The Seattle Mariners lost starting center fielder Jeremy Reed to a broken wrist Friday and are mulling giving the opening-day job to recently acquired Joe Borchard and utility men Mike Morse or Willie Bloomquist. Borchard was acquired in trade from the Chicago White Sox before Reed was injured.
The St. Louis Cardinals will be without left fielder Larry Bigbie (stress fracture in left foot) for two to three weeks and will split the job among So Taguchi, Skip Shumaker and John Gall with Taguchi the leading candidate.
New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada worked out Sunday for the first time since breaking his nose while playing catch Wednesday. Posada will see an eye doctor today and thinks he could be ready for opening day.
Only Bagwell's condition, however, is career-threatening. He's going to ponder surgery to have bone spurs removed from his elbow.
In spring training games, he didn't have the strength to toss grounders to infielders between innings, even though they were on the grass.
"I said I wasn't going to embarrass myself, and I felt like this was a joke," Bagwell said. "God bless my teammates, even from the pitchers who come get the ball from me. I just couldn't get it to them. We are out defending our National League championship, and I'm not going to be this kind of distraction of a broken-down first baseman who can't throw to the infielders."
Bagwell, who leads the Houston franchise with 449 career home runs, is a four-time All-Star. He has 2,314 career hits. He said he'll be with the Astros on opening day and the second day, when there's a ring ceremony at Minute Maid Park.
Second baseman Craig Biggio said losing Bagwell is a devastating day for the Astros. Free agent pitcher Roger Clemens said Bagwell is a "definite Hall of Famer," and Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte said he "hates" to see Bagwell gone.
Bagwell's situation was controversial. He's owed $17 million this season, and the Astros asked him not to play so that they could collect $15.6 million in insurance money.
But Bagwell tried to prove his fitness anyway during spring training games. It didn't happen, though Bagwell says time will heal his relationship with the team.
Owner Drayton McLane said the insurance issue is complex and there probably will be litigation. It is unclear how Bagwell's participation in spring training games will affect the Astros' insurance claim.
"Jeff and I have been close friends," McLane said. "This was a difficult time for him. I would hate to think what the Astros would be today in 2006 if Jeff had not been here the last 15 years."


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American Girl is best known for its dolls that
introduce girls to their historical counterparts or provide them
with their own mini-me's, courtesy of the My American Girl line.
But now the Wisconsin-based company is quietly expanding its reach
with some new "special needs" items.
In 2012, American Girl introduced a
service dog set,
doll-sized hearing aids,
dolls without hair, and-most surprisingly-an
allergy-free lunch. These offerings join mainstay products like
wheelchair and
eyeglasses that have been part of the American Girl line since
the 1990s.
"There's a variety of different issues that girls are
facing," says company spokesperson Julie Parks. "People have been
really highly complimentary about the new products."
Parks says the dolls without hair have received the most
media attention, especially since they are fully customizable with
five different skin tones and multiple eye colors. And knowing that
some hair-loss conditions are reversible or temporary, the company
offers one free doll head replacement.
The hearing aids, which also have been well-received, are
done the same way as an ear piercing and cost $14 for right ear,
left ear, or both.
Although Parks says the company doesn't have any definite
plans for additional special needs items, American Girl constantly
is exploring new options that reflect the lives of its young
"By creating a doll without hair or with a hearing aid,
we're just providing more options for a girl to create a doll
that's as unique as she is."
Elizabeth Diffin is the senior editor at Chicago Parent. She lives in Wheaton.
See more of Elizabeth's stories here.
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text:
Windle spins five shutout innings
Dodgers' second-round pick strikes out career-high seven
By Brandon Simes / MiLB.com | July 12, 2013 7:34 PM ET
Through his first four appearances as a pro, Tom Windle is making the Dodgers look pretty savvy for selecting him with the 56th overall pick in this year's Draft.
Windle gave up two hits and recorded a career-high seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings Friday night in Class A Great Lakes' 10-3 loss to Burlington at Dow Diamond.
"Tonight, I just took the approach to mix all three pitches," said Windle, who throws a fastball, slider and changeup. "At times, I overthrew, but overall I made big pitches when I needed to."
"Anytime you get five shutout innings, that's outstanding. And tonight, [Windle] was just that," Loons manager Razor Shines said. "He moved the ball in and out, up and down, along with a good breaking ball. He had command of all of his pitches. We were real happy with his work tonight."
The five innings and seven strikeouts were career highs for Windle, who totaled five strikeouts through 8 2/3 innings in three appearances. The 21-year-old left-hander also pulled off a rare feat by fanning four batters in the fourth.
"When there were two outs, there was a passed ball on strike three and that just gave me a chance at another [strikeout]," Windle said. "I was just trying to keep a level head and go after the next batter after that happened. I was feeling pretty comfortable throughout the game throwing strikes."
The University of Minnesota product has been trying to absorb as much knowledge as he can.
"I think the biggest adjustment [to pro ball] is to kind of watch the game and learn what the hitters are doing. You need to go out there and pitch, you can't just throw the ball," Windle said. "I've been learning from both coaches and teammates. We're always talking baseball here, whether it's before or during the game. I'm picking up little things like using my legs or maintaining my arm speed."
Windle, who issued one walk, lowered his ERA to 1.32 across 13 2/3 innings.
"I've noticed so far that you can get a lot of guys out with the fastball if you place it well and get ahead in the count," he said.
After just three starts, Windle is hoping to find success the same way he did against Burlington.
"For the rest of the year, I'd say [my goal is to] stay consistent and use all three pitches, keep mixing them in and not just rely on my fastball and slider," he said.
Windle was in line for his first professional win, but four relievers surrendered 10 runs over the final four innings.
One night after he had an eight-game hitting streak snapped, Dodgers No. 3 prospect Corey Seager went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored for Great Lakes.
"Tonight, they kind of mixed it up on me," said Seager, who raised his average to a season-high .303. "I saw of bunch of fastballs early and off-speed stuff later in the game. So I just had to make some adjustments and I had some success."
Andrew Ray drove in two runs, while Chance Ross doubled twice, walked twice and scored twice for the Bees.
Brandon Simes is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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Dear Sandie, some Australian thoughts.
When my children were young, and I was keeping the reading diary (to become Stories, Pictures and Reality, much later) we only got English editions (apart from a few Australian ones) and they had access to all the ones mentioned – Zozo the clown, Millions of Cats (particularly important to my daughter), The Snowy Day (actually irrelevant, though they did have it, and my daughter called her son Ezra – but Whistle for Willie much more relevant and important). Also things like Mike Mulligan and his Steam shovel (which my son loved) and Make Way for Ducklings. We owned most of them, so they were available here in Englsih editions.
Without actually checking it up, my memory is that they were mainly Bodley Head and World's Work (I'm mystified by someone's reference to Billy King in this regard!). Also Picture Puffins did a lot – the Ezra Jack Keats ones were certainly theirs and Virginia Lee Burtons . I actually did a table one time, for a never-written article, on the proportion of titles originally from UK and USA. No doubt I could find it again if it were to be of any use – let me know. I do think libraries got editions from America so the children would have had access that way.
This was, for picture books, between 1972 and 1984, roughly. I have the same record for when they are older of course. They still only had access to American titles that were republished in Britain.
As far as 'translation' is concerned, it still happens a lot – maybe more than ever. I have both the Australian (Penguin/Viking) and the US (Random House) editions of isobelle Carmody/Declan Lee's The Wrong Thing (even retitled in US as Magic Night). Carmody's lyrical text has been radically changed, for no reason that I can see. The whole idea of a 'wrong thing' (a baby pixie or fairy) in a normal home, has been lost and become a 'strange thing'. All allusiveness has gone. I hate to say it, but it's as if American publishers don't want their audience to be able to make assumptions and fill in gaps – everything has to be spelt out in words, even when it's quite clear from the illustrations.
And I know that, despite Australian and British children having to cope with occasional illustrations of cars driving on the'wrong' side of the road, for instance, illustrators here have to be careful to have no writing on shops or otherwise in street scenes if they are likely to go to America, because they will be printed back the front to get the cars on the 'right' side of the road. (Our children have to learn that different people do things differently) And there are all the restrictions about bare bottoms (Margaret Wild/Ann James' The Midnight Gang, has still not been published there I think, because Baby Molly scrapes off her nappy in going out the cat flap. What about Mickey's penis in In the Night Kitchen? It seems that the US has become more conservative)
(I'm waiting to be shot down by my US colleagues!)
Hope this helps,
Dr Virginia Lowe
Create a Kids' Book
http://www.createakidsbook.com.au <http://www.createakidsbook.com.au/>
PO Box 2, Ormond Victoria 3204
ph: 03 9578 5689
mob: 0400 488 100
"Stories, Pictures and Reality: Two children tell" (Routledge 2007)
From: Academic discussion of all aspects of children's literature [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandie Mour ã o
Sent: Friday, 8 April 2011 10:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Picturebook titles crossing the Atlantic
Dear all,
I am hoping the collective knowledge on this list will be able to help me in a query.
In a paper I'm writing I am referring to a picturebook which is available and well known in the US, but is not usually found on bookshop shelves in the UK, (though of course is available via online books shops like Amazon.co.uk and The book Depository). I want to make the point that there are a number of picturebook titles which do not cross the Atlantic, and remain with either a US related readership or a UK one. This is based on a gut feeling, but also from experience working as a consultant here in Europe (as an ex-pat Brit) and discovering so many different authors and titles I'd not come across in the Scholastic US catalogues. If it hadn't been for this experience I would never have discovered Peggy Rathmann or Chris Raschka for example.
I'm also aware that there are Australian titles we don't get either, and that the publishing markets are different in their demands and what they think their national readers actually want / will accept.
Can someone confirm this is more than a gut feeling? And is there anything published which I can refer to in the paper? I have a vague memory of this being mentioned somewhere, but can't quite focus the reference.
Much appreciate any responses, and many thanks in advance.
Sandie Mourão
Sandie Mourão


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Worldfund "Why we are different", (Team (Luanne Zurlo video1, bio2), Directors) using education to fight poverty in Latin America
The Inter-American Partnership for Education (IAPE) is a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment that aims to transform English language instruction in Mexico's most underserved public schools by training, empowering, and supporting a dedicated network of innovative and dynamic English language educators. IAPE is a partnership of Worldfund and Dartmouth College's Rassias Center for World Languages and Cultures and is underwritten by Bécalos and Nextel de México. IAPE receives additional generous support from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and from participants' home institutions. IAPE's flagship program, the IAPE Teachers' Collaborative, involves over one hundred hours of pedagogical training at Dartmouth College, followed by three years of mentoring and supporting colleagues in Mexico. Our newest program, the IAPE Intensive English Program, is offered in Mexico and involves eighty hours of intensive English instruction and twenty hours of pedagogical training.


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ROBERT PLANT: Rolling Out Dates
Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Robert Plant and his Sensational Space Shifters are starting to roll out more U.S. dates in support of his new album, Lullaby and...the Ceaseless Roar, which comes out on September 9th.
In addition to the previously announced dates in Brooklyn and Port Chester, New York, there are now dates set for Toronto, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. Plant has also teamed with Citi to offer card members a free copy of the album with every ticket purchase.


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Iowa's Moeaki, OSU's Homan and Michigan's Mesko Named Football Players of Week
Oct. 11, 2009
Zoltan Mesko, Michigan
SR, P, Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg
Recorded his best game as a Wolverine by averaging 53.8 yards on five punts at Iowa, including one inside the 20-yard line and a long of 61 yards. The senior standout boomed five punts for 269 yards, including kicks of 52, 53, 55 and 61 yards. His 53.8-yard average marked the second-best single-game effort in school history, trailing only the 56.3-yard average set by Don Bracken at Northwestern on Oct. 24, 1981. Mesko ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally with 45.6 yards per boot. He earns his first weekly award and the second for a Michigan special teams performer this season after kick returner Darryl Stonum was honored on Sept. 13, 2009.
LAST MICH SPECIAL TEAMS POW: KR Darryl Stonum on Sept. 13, 2009


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Government meetings -- Lebanon Airport Commission will meet Thursday, Aug. 4, at 4:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Municipal Airport at 760 Franklin Road.
Joint Economic & Community Development Board Executive Committee will meet at 7:45 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, at the JECDB office at 115 N. Castle Heights Ave., Suite 102, Lebanon.Wilson County Industrial Development Bond Board will meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Joint Economic & Community Development Board office at 115 N. Castle Heights Ave., Suite 102, Lebanon.
Community calendar -- Lebanon Toastmasters meet every Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Spain House on the Lebanon First United Methodist Church campus at 415 West Main Street, Lebanon. Visitors are welcome. Toastmasters is an organization dedicated to improving communication and leadership skills. For information, call 444-0126.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Wilson County is in need of volunteers who would like to reach out to those in need in Wilson County. Volunteers must be age 55 or older. If you are interested in participating or partnering with the program, call 443-7606 or 742-1113, ext. 10.
Agape has contracted with Maple Hill church of Christ to provide counseling services in Lebanon. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Diana Crawford will be available at the church building on Mondays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. She sees children and adults. For information, call 547-4244.
AL-ANON and ALATEEN family groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. They believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid in recovery. There is a local AL-ANON and ALATEEN meeting in Lebanon every week. For information, call Harriett at 444-2852 or Linda at 444-8437.
Wilson County Right to Life will not meet in August because they will be at the Wilson County Fair, but you are welcome to come see them there. For information, call Trecia Dillingham at 443-5458.
HomeSafe Womens Support Group meets Thursday evenings. For information and to sign up, call 444-6130. If you need help with an order of protection for domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking, contact HomeSafe at 444-8955.
Immanuel Baptist Church will hold a Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. to benefit the American Red Cross. To schedule an appointment online, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: Immanuel19.
Business Extravaganza, presented by the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and Lebanon Premium Outlets, will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5, at the Lebanon Premium Outlets. Tax-Free Friday will also be Aug. 5. Door prizes and family events are planned throughout the day. A Fashion Show will be at noon. If you would like to participate, or if you need information, call 444-5503.
Oakland FCE Club will hold its Ice Cream Social, Bake Sale and Auction on Friday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. at Friendship Christian School. All you can eat for $5. For information, call Ruby Margo at 443-4171.
Shopping in the Glade Flea Market will be from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Gladeville Community Center. Booth rental for a 10-foot-by-10-foot space is $20. For information, call Mabel Beazley at 243-2664.
Unity Church, 222 Cainsville Road, Lebanon, will have a gospel singing at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6. Guest group will be The Turner Family and other guest singers. Everyone is welcome. The pastor is Brother Kenneth Bowen.
Gospelfest 2011, to benefit tornado victims in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Joplin, Mo., will be from noon until 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, at Westland United Methodist Church, 110 Dawson Lane, Lebanon. Some 15 different individuals and groups will provide 8 hours of gospel entertainment. It is OK to come and go. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children and includes a hamburger/hotdog plate. Desserts may be purchased from Westland United Methodist Women. For information, call 444-0776 or visit www.westlandumc.org.
Music in the Cedars will be 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Go back to the 50s with Chris Barratta as Elvis and the Elliott Bros Band and Papa performing. The event will be at the Camper Registration Stage. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available. Bring your chair. There will be no Music in the Cedars on Saturday, Aug. 13, so everyone can enjoy the Wilson County Fair.
Seventh annual Empower Me Day Camp Summer Swinefest will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m., at College Hills Church of Christ on Leeville Pike, Lebanon. There will be barbecue, a silent auction and music by Living Waters to benefit the Empower Me Day Camp. Tickets are $20 and available at www.empowermedaycamp.com, Dynamic Therapy or The Lebanon Democrat.
Wilson County Democratic Party will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8, at the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, 149 Public Square. Agenda includes final preparation for the booth at the Wilson County Fair and the new law change for voter ID, its impact and helping those affected.
Crohns & Colitis Support Group will meet at 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, in the board room at University Medical Center in Lebanon. Guest speaker will be Dr. Lawrence Gaines from Vanderbilt University. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month.
Wilson County High School Students/Teachers Cruise The Class of 1964 invites you to attend the first of two cruise general information meetings regarding passports, cabin payment deadline, baggage limits, roommates and gratuities. The meeting will be at Market Street Elementary School, from 5 until 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12. Everyone is welcome to attend. Committees will be formed for special tasks. The cruise to the Bahamas, Nassau, will leave from Florida on April 30, 2012, and will return on May 4, 2012. For information, contact Bob Lowe at Travel World at 444-0533 or Emma Tapley Stafford at 547-4462 or 453-1402.
Wilson County Republican Party will meet at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at the WCRP Headquarters at Kevins Automotive at 500-C South Cumberland Street, Lebanon (behind 231 Car Sales). Guest speaker will be James Maness, vice mayor and District 2 Mt. Juliet city commissioner. For information, contact Kevin Foushee, chairman, at 444-5732 or visit www.wilsongop.org.
Mt. Juliet-West Wilson Historical Society will meet 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 14, at Rutland Place, 435 NW Rutland Road, Mt. Juliet. Guest speaker will be James E. Swain who will discuss The Swains and Related Families of Gladeville. He holds a masters degree and was a principal in Wilson County for 10 years. He also worked for the Tennessee Department of Education for 21 years. Everyone is invited. For information, contact Pat Everett at 758-5552.
Volunteers are needed for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to visit and advocate for the elderly residents of long-term care facilities in the surrounding counties. Requirements include patience, persistence, the ability to be objective and a genuine concern for the vulnerable elderly population in your area. The next 16-hour, two-day volunteer certification training will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 23-24. For information or to register for training, call the Ombudsman Program at 452-1687 or 452-5259.
To submit items for the calendar, you can mail them to The Wilson Post, 216 Hartmann Drive, Lebanon. 37087, or e-mail them to email@example.com . Items for the calendar will not be taken over the phone. The Wilson Post reserves the right to reject items deemed not appropriate for the calendar.


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Mom Chokes Boy Who Bullied Her Daughter in the Mall! [VIDEO]
Here's the scenario: A kid harasses your daughter (or son) on Facebook, and your child is very disturbed and distraught about it. Then, one day, you're shopping at the mall, and you spot the bully. What would you do?
This mom chose the last option! She got ahold of the boy's neck in the middle of the mall!!!! Don't believe me? Check out the video!
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Fight for middle ground goes to primetime
Page Tools
With its montage of laughing workers, gentle guitar music and a soothing male voiceover, the Howard Governments television advertising blitz on workplace law reform crept quietly into lounge rooms across the nation yesterday just as the ACTU launched the second wave in its advertising campaign.
The Governments objective is twofold: to argue the case for change, and to counter fears about what such change will mean for workers. The ads that started last night are just the beginning. These scene-setters aim to answer two questions: why do we need change, and whats wrong with the existing system? We cant stand still, the commercials argue. Costly rules and regulations ... hold Australia back.
Coupled with a fresh newspaper advertising assault from this Wednesday, the next volley of TV ads will be more reactive to specific claims. The ACTUs new campaign, designed to discredit the reforms and paid for out of a $6 million fund generated by levying all union members, opens with John Howard proclaiming at a Liberal Party conference that his Government has been the best friend that the workers of Australia have ever had.
The frame then cuts to a young man in a white button-down shirt with navy blue tie standing outside a row of offices that look suspiciously like the ACTUs workplace in Deakin House in Swanston Street. Subtitles explain that the man is an actor to protect the identity of government employees.
He then speaks conspiratorially to the camera, saying: I work for the department responsible for the new workplace laws.Now the Government is spending millions telling us youll be protected and youll have choice. Dont believe them. In here, if you dont sign a contract you dont get a job.
The ACTU has proposed another levy on unions to raise a further $22 million in its campaign against the workplace changes. Part of that campaign will see rallies in all major capital cities on November 15 and a nationwide hook-up that will beam the Melbourne protest into clubs and pubs around Australia via Sky Channel. To keep its options open, the Government has handed itself a blank cheque. Its not yet clear how much this public relations blitz will cost taxpayers.
Before the legislation even enters Parliament later this month, millions will have been spent on the big soft sell.
Howard insists it wont be as much as $100 million, but concedes it will be a significant outlay of public money. The target audience is about as broad as they come. The soothing tones are deliberate, meant to reinforce the sense of gentle evolution rather than violent revolution.
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The 14th Red Bull World Bridge Series was held in Sanya, Hainan, China from 10th to 25th October 2014 hosted by the Chinese Contract Bridge Association in cooperation with Sanya City and Beijing Lianzhong Co., Ltd.
Please click here to download a full list of medallists and other information about the results from Sanya.
The first week saw the Mixed Teams Championships, followed by the Mixed Pairs.
The Mixed Teams was won by Team SALVO: Anita Sinclair - Captain, Sabine Auken, , Zia Mahmood, Marion Michielsen, Roy Welland, Nafiz Zorlu pictured right.
The Silver Medal went to Team GEELY AUTOMATIC: Shen Yue Gui Captain., Wen Fei Wang Coach, Shen Yue Gui , Liping Wang , Jianming Dai , Yu Zhang , Lixin Yang , Hongli Wang
Joint Bronze medals were awarded to Team SAIC Rong Huang Captain, Jihong Hu Coach, Mao Yuan Hu , Zejun Zhuang , Weimin Wang , Wen Fei Wang , Yi Qian Liu , Yong Mei Zhou and Team ROSSARD: Martine Rossard , Jerzy Romanowski , Danielle Avon , Jean-Michel Voldoire , Wojciech Gawel , Grazyna Brewiak , Martine Rossard Captain
he Mixed Pairs which followed was won by Kerri Sanborn and Jie Zhao (USA-China) pictured left, with the silver medal going to Jacek Pszzola and Mieke Wortel (USA – Netherlands) and Nan Wang playing with Bangxiang Zhang (China) took the Bronze Medal. The B Final was won by Ronnie Barr and Eldad Ginossar (Israel)
Three world champions were crowned in Sanya on Thursday 23rd October, as the Polish team led by Marcin Mazurkiewicz (Piotr Gawrys, Stanislaw Golebiowski, Krzysztof Jassem, Michal Klukowski, Marcin Mazurkiewicz, Wlodzimierz Starkowski, Marcin Mazurkiewicz) pictured below left soundly defeated Monaco to win the Rosenblum Cup (Open Teams), the Lynn Baker team (Lynn Baker, Karen McCallum , Sally Brock , Nicola Smith , Meike Wortel , Marion Michielsen , Cenk Tuncok Captain) pictured below centre, beat China Red for the McConnell Cup (Women's) and the Reese Milner squad (Reese Milner , Hemant Lall , Apolinary Kowalski , Michel Bessis , Jacek Romanski , Philippe Cronier) pictured below right defeated Jim Sternberg and company in the Rand Senior Teams.
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Special Order
Although this novella stands out from his body of work in that it's a playful yet sinister fairy tale, it brilliantly fuses F. Scott Fitzgerald's ongoing lush fantasies about the extremes of wealth with his much more somber understanding of what underpins it. Loosely inspired by a summer he spent as a teenager working on a ranch in Montana, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz is Fitzgerald's hallucinatory paean to the American West and all its promises.
It's the story of John T. Unger, a young Southerner who goes to Montana for summer vacation with a wealthy college classmate. But the classmate's family proves to be much more than simply wealthy: They own a mountain made entirely of one solid diamond. And they've gone to dreadful lengths to conceal their secret ... meaning John could be in danger.
But the family also has a daughter, lovely Kismine, and with her help, John may yet escape the fate her family has meted out to all their other guests so far ...
About the Author
FRANCIS SCOTT FITZGERALD was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1896, the son of a salesman, and namesake of his distant relative, Francis Scott Key. While attending Princeton University, he wrote a novel that a Scribner's editor thought good enough to publish, if Fitzgerald would revise it. Fitzgerald, however, was in academic trouble and left school to join the army. Stationed in Alabama, he met and proposed marriage to Zelda Sayre, who refused to marry him until his rewritten novel, This Side of Paradise, made him an irresistible success. Two years later, the Fitzgeralds were leading a furious, booze-fueled social life, and his story collection of 1922, Tales of the Jazz Age, gave the era its name. In 1925, while sojourning in France--where he befriended Ernest Hemingway--he wrote The Great Gatsby. But his relationship with Zelda grew destructive, and by 1932 she was in a mental institution and he had descended into alcoholism. Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood to work as a scriptwriter, and died there of a heart attack in 1940.