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Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations
Gills Onions, LLC 1/23/13
Department of Health and Human Services
|Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
|Los Angeles District
Pacific Region
19701 Fairchild
Irvine, CA 92612-2506
Telephone: 949-608-2900
January 23, 2013
Steven H. Gill, Partner
Gills Onions, LLC
1051 Pacific Avenue
Oxnard, CA, 93030-7254
Dear Mr. Gill:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected a sample of Gills Onions "Fresh Diced Yellow Onions" product at a retail establishment on July 5, 2012. On August 27, 2012 we collected a sample of Gills Onions "3/8" Diced Yellow Onion" product at a wholesale establishment. Both samples yielded isolates of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) that are indistinguishable by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) analyses. The presence of L. monocytogenes in your products causes them to be adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. §342(a)(1)] in that they bear or contain a poisonous or deleterious substance which may render them injurious to health.
We collected these finished product samples as a follow-up to our May 30 through June 1, 2012 inspection of your onion and celery manufacturing and distribution facility, located at 1051 Pacific Avenue, Oxnard, California. During the inspection, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample (FDA sample # 722304) that consisted of 167 environmental swabs from various locations in your facility. Analysis of thirteen swabs yielded L. monocytogenes, including two swabs collected from food contact surfaces. The PFGE analysis determined that all thirteen swabs yielded isolates of L. monocytogenes that were indistinguishable from the isolates that we isolated from your finished products.
L. monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that is widespread in the environment and may be introduced into a food processing facility from raw materials, humans or equipment. Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can result in a mild illness (called listerial gastroenteritis) or a severe, sometimes life-threatening illness called invasive listeriosis. Invasive listeriosis occurs predominantly in older adults and persons with impaired immune systems. Listeriosis in pregnant women is typically a mild "flu-like" illness, but can result in fetal death, premature labor, or neonatal infection.
We note that the finished products that were positive for L. monocytogenes were processed after your firm had conducted corrective action to clean your facility and eliminate L. monocytogenes from the processing facility. Our findings demonstrate that the corrective action your firm took was inadequate, that your facility has a harborage problem, and that your celery and onion products are adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(4) of the Act [21 U.S.C. §342(a)(4)] in that they were prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health. You can find the Act and FDA's regulations through links on FDA's home page at www.fda.gov.
We acknowledge your firm conducted voluntary recalls on May 5; July 17; July 24 and September 6, 2012 as a result of findings of L. monocytogenes in finished products by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, FDA and the California Department of Public Health. We also acknowledge that you reported making corrective actions in your letters and submissions on June 12; June 16; June 24; August 2; August 29, and September 18, 2012. We have also reviewed your September 28, 2012 letter addressed to the California Department of Public Health in which you reported making extensive structural and operational corrective actions. We have the following ongoing concerns:
- You found Listeria species on a food contact surface during a validation run after making renovations and repairs to building 5 (retail area). In response to the positive finding you replaced the piece of equipment and sanitized the surrounding area. You resumed production on the line on September 18, 2012. Because you are processing commodities that may be contaminated with Listeria in the field, FDA recommends that you develop a plan to control for Listeria which may come in on raw product as well as a corrective action plan to prevent Listeria that comes in on product from colonizing the facility.
- Your letter states that once a month you collect swabs from food contact surfaces during production. FDA recommends that you collect swabs from food contact surfaces during production at least weekly to allow you to take corrective action before Listeria colonizes your equipment and facility. In Section XVI of FDA's draft guidance entitled Guidance for Industry: Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Refrigerated or Frozen Ready-To-Eat Foods; Draft Guidance, we recommend measures to monitor critical surfaces and areas to detect locations that harbor Listeria species or L. monocytogenes. FDA also recommends that you have a written environmental monitoring plan for Listeria that includes corrective actions you will take upon finding samples that are positive. Our draft guidance is available at: http://www.fda.gov/food/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidancedocuments/foodprocessinghaccp/ucm073110.htm.
The above violations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations at your facility. It is your responsibility to ensure that your products are in compliance with the Act and all applicable regulations, including the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods [21 CFR Part 110].
You should take prompt action to correct the violations cited in this letter. Failure to do so may result in enforcement action by FDA without further notice. For example, we may take further action to seize your products and/or enjoin your firm from operating.
Section 743 of the Act (21 U.S.C. 379j-31) authorizes FDA to assess and collect fees to cover FDA's costs for certain activities, including re-inspection related costs. A re-inspection is one or more inspections conducted subsequent to an inspection that identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of the Act, specifically to determine whether compliance has been achieved. Re-inspection related costs means all expenses, including administrative expenses, incurred in connection with FDA's arranging, conducting, and evaluating the results of the re-inspection and assessing and collecting the re-inspection fees (21 U.S.C. 379j-31(a)(2)(B)). For a domestic facility, FDA will assess and collect fees for re-inspection related costs from the responsible party for the domestic facility. The inspection noted in this letter identified noncompliance materially related to a food safety requirement of the Act. Accordingly, FDA may assess fees to cover any re-inspection related costs.
Please notify this office, in writing, within fifteen (15) working days of the receipt of this letter, as to the specific steps you have taken to correct the violations noted above and to ensure that similar violations do not occur. Your response should describe any additional corrections that you have made since your September 28, 2012 letter to the California Department of Public Health. We also request that you contact this office within fifteen (15) working days to arrange a meeting to discuss your facility repairs, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), revisions to your Listeria control plan, and our ongoing concerns.
Please send your written reply to this letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Attention: David Whitman, Compliance Officer, at the address above. To arrange the meeting please contact Compliance Officer Whitman at 619-941-3769 or via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Alonza E. Cruse, Director
Los Angeles District
Ms. Ingeborg Small, Chief
California Department of Public Health
Food and Drug Branch
1500 Capitol Avenue, MS 7602
P.O. Box 997435
Sacramento, CA 95899-7435
Close Out Letter


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Last night, NBC Nightly News deliberately censored the grisly details of abortionist Kermit Gosnell's alleged crimes. Claiming that they're "too gruesome" to be discussed on television is absolute nonsense. NBC News covered the Casey Anthony child murder trial 12 times on Nightly News in 2011, including multiple graphic descriptions of that crime. If they can talk about Caylee Anthony's body decomposing in the trunk of a car, they can talk about Gosnell "snipping" spinal cords to kill babies born alive.
The difference is that the details of this murder trial raise serious questions about abortion, the liberal media's most sacred cow.
If NBC thinks one Gosnell story with no details is enough, they're wrong. If CBS thinks two stories on This Morning are enough, they're wrong. And if ABC thinks their complete blackout on World News and Good Morning America hasn't done major damage to their brand in the eyes of the American people, they're outright delusional.
This is what it looks like when networks have a political agenda. They are in lock-step in defense of the abortion industry. It doesn't matter how many babies are murdered. All that matters to the Big Three is hiding the truth about the horrific violence of abortion.
Gosnell may go down as the most lethal, depraved serial killer in American history, and the nation's three biggest television news outlets refuse to tell the truth about him. It's disgusting on every level.
Editor's note: For our archive of coverage on Gosnell bias, click here. For today's MRC press release, click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Gaza City (AFP) Jan 14, 2009
Israeli jets carried out a fresh wave of air strikes across the Gaza Strip late on Wednesday, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, medics and witnesses said.
Six people were killed in a number of air raids near the Sufa crossing, close to the southern town of Rafah, said the sources.
Three civilians were also killed in a house east of Khan Yunis in the centre of the narrow coastal strip while the 13-year-old died in a strike on the Sabra neighbourhood in southwestern Gaza City, in the north.
Medics said that two suspected militants were also killed in bombing around the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza in a strike that also wounded two cameraman from a Hamas television channel.
At least one person was killed in another attack, in Gaza City's Tel El-Hawa neighbourhood. Witnesses said that several people were injured in a separate strike in the same area on a United Nations vehicle.
The head of Gaza's emergency services Moawiya Hassanein told AFP that the overall Palestinian death toll since the start of Operation Cast Lead on December 27 rose to 1,035.
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Second Generation Warfare Bungles In Gaza Part One
Washington (UPI) Jan 14, 2009
So far, Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip has produced no surprises. On the physical level of war, the Israel Defense Forces are triumphing. The Palestinians are suffering about 100 people dead for every dead Israeli. To a Second Generation War military, which is what Israel's formerly Third Generation War army has become, that is the main measure of victory.
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Here's how you can download the Hay Day app free for your iPad, iPhone, iPad mini or iPod Touch.
1. Go to the Hay Day app preview page in iTunes (or tap the link on your iOS device to install the app directly).
2. Click the View in iTunes button.
3. Click the Free button to download the app.
4. Sync your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad mini with iTunes to install the app.
Here's a description and screenshot:
"Get back to nature and experience the peaceful, simple life of working the land and rearing chickens, pigs, cows and sheep.
Make a name for yourself by harvesting crops and building bakeries, sugar mills and dairies that turn your fresh produce into wholesome goods you can trade with your friends at your very own Farmer's Market."
This article is published as part of the IDG Contributor Network. Want to Join?


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Winter Warmup: Brodo – A New Kind of Hot Beverage
January 29, 2017 by admin
Filed under City Food Finds, Featured, Latest, Nutrition
Put down that coffee cup. If you're looking for a winter warm up pass up Starbucks and head to Brodo instead. If you haven't heard already, broth is the hottest superfood this winter, and it's being served up daily at this East Village takeout window (attached to the restaurant Hearth), AND now you can visit their […]
10, 0000 Yogis Expected To Take Over Central Park For Lole White Tour
Tomorrow expect a little more zen to be radiating out of Central Park. Montreal-based activewear brand Lole is rolling out its signature yellow yoga mats for the 2015 Lole White Tour™, an unforgettable series of yoga events in cities around the globe. Tomorrow a spectacular session in New York's Central Park is expected to […]
OM(G): FREE & Cheap Outdoor Yoga In & Around NYC
May 25, 2015 by admin
Filed under Deals & Steals, Featured, Latest
It's that time of year again, and we are so excited for all the FREE and totally inexpensive options when it comes to getting our OM on outside! Take a look at the amazing lineup of outdoor yoga classes throughout the NYC area. Get out, and get OMing! Classes on the Cobbles: Meatpacking Yoga is […]
This Weekend: NYC Mother's Day Shopping Events and Freebies
May 8, 2015 by admin
Filed under Featured, Latest, Motherhood
With Mother's Day this weekend, we're sharing this great list of events and happenings from our friends at Time Out New York. Still searching for a way to entertain mom in the Big Apple this week? Or are you still struggling to find the perfect gift? A homemade card and a musical rendition of "Mama" […]
Giving Back: Cycle For Survival
Join Equinox to give back to a great cause. It's time to ride! Start a team, join a team, or simply give for a great cause. For more details to to cycleforsurvival.org.
City Escape: Release & Manifest Retreat in Guatemala
Are you ready to live the life that wants to live you? Get ready for a simple and powerful program that will empower you to let go of your past and manifest your dreams into being. RELEASE & MANIFEST RETREAT THE YOGA FOREST, LAGO ATITLAN, GUATEMALA WITH CJ ANANDA & JESSI LUNA DEC 7 – 14, […]
Ready to Play? NYC Team Sports Are Starting.
Spring is upon us, and it's the perfect time to take to the great outdoors and find something new and exciting to make you sweat. And here in big city, there is are a ton of facilities, clubs and activities for us to take advantage of. Now is the perfect time to add to or switch […]
Dreaming Of Sunshine… And Shortbread!
March 7, 2011 by Marissa Lippert
Filed under Featured, Latest, Recipes
Yesterday's dreadful rain has me fantasizing about springtime and sunshine so bright that it enlivens you to the core. Even when it's gray and dreary, these little rosemary-lemon shortbread I baked up over the weekend do just that. The mix of herbal and citrus notes, and of course a nice dose of buttery sweetness, take […]
Peak 20 Workout: Get Fit in only 20 Minutes A Day? (*VIDEO*)
February 22, 2010 by Vanessa Alfano
Filed under Featured, Fitness, Video
When I heard that I could see results from a workout that only required 20 minutes of my day, I was sold. No more elliptical machine and 45 minute cardio sessions on the treadmill before hitting the weights? Done. Personal trainer, Natasha Linton, developed the Peak20 workout. It is "cutting edge and scientifically proven to […]


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Ottawa will provide $60-million toward the rebuilding of homes and businesses in the devastated community of Lac-Mégantic.
Speaking in Lac-Mégantic on Monday, local Conservative MP and International Development Minister Christian Paradis said he is delivering on his previous commitment to "be there" for the people affected by the deadly oil spill and the ensuing fire and explosions.
"We are present as we have said from the start," Mr. Paradis said as he was flanked by the city's mayor, Colette Roy-Laroche.
Of the new federal funding, $25-million will go to the provincial government to reimburse expenses that were incurred during the first days of the tragedy. Mr. Paradis said that Ottawa "will continue to work" with the provincial government, signalling that more federal funds could be on their way as the costs continue to climb.
The rest of the money – $35-million – will go toward projects proposed by the community and local businesses, to be overseen by the federal government's agency in charge of economic diversification in the province.
"Some of the people here are wondering what the future has in store for them," Mr. Paradis said. "There is now a light at the end of the tunnel."
The federal government has been criticized for its slow response to the tragedy. The Quebec government quickly pledged $60-million in emergency help shortly after the train derailment that has left at least 47 people dead or missing.
"I applaud the Quebec government for having acted quickly, they were acting within their jurisdiction," Mr. Paradis said.
He added that there is no federal program to deal with this type of a catastrophe.
"This is a unique situation, and we hope that it will never happen again," he said.
Meanwhile, more than 50 non-government organizations have joined forces to call on Ottawa to improve the safety of Canada's oil transportation system.
"Even as we mourn the dead, we must fight for the living," said Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians. "These measures cannot undo the damage done to Lac-Mégantic and other regions, but they can help reduce the risk of future disasters."
The coalition is calling for a ban on unsafe shipping oil in tankers such as the ones that carried the crude oil through the heart of Lac-Mégantic, and for a return to two-person train crews on trains, at a minimum.Report Typo/Error
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These screenprinted prints are limited editions available from Alice's shop. They are just fabulous!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
2 comments:
- Ludmila {creamylife.com} said...
Love them, these colors are fantastic!
- August 3, 2010 at 9:16 AM
- Lorelei said...
Love that bird print. That's sweet!! your blog is chock full of inspiration!
- August 5, 2010 at 6:06 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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News of the Day From Across the Nation, March 3
Updated 10:52 pm, Sunday, March 2, 2014
1 Risky rescue: Four hikers were rescued overnight after they became trapped by rising floodwaters in Malibu Creek State Park, sheriff's officials said Sunday. The hikers were rescued around 3 a.m. and flown out by helicopter after a risky rescue, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said. The hikers were cold and exhausted but not hurt. They had become trapped between a high wall and rising floodwaters at Malibu Creek in a remote area of the park. One of the hikers called for help around 6:30 p.m. as it was getting dark and their cell phones were dying, the sheriff's department said.
2 Jet crash: A fighter jet that crashed during a training exercise in western Nevada is a total loss and the pilot's condition is unknown, a spokeswoman for the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, said Sunday. It took rescue crews several hours to reach the site after the 3 p.m. Saturday crash because of a snowstorm and mountainous, remote terrain, Lt. Reagan Lauritzen said. The F/A-18C, a U.S. Marine jet on loan to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, went down on a Navy range training complex about 70 miles east of Naval Air Station Fallon, she said. The name of the pilot will be withheld for 24 hours, she said. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
3 Breaking with Scouts: The Walt Disney Company will cut funding to the Boy Scouts of America beginning in 2015 because of a ban on gay adult leaders in the organization. Deron Smith, a Boy Scouts spokesman, said the decision will affect the organization's ability to serve children. Disney does not provide direct funding to the Boy Scouts, but it donates money to some troops in exchange for volunteer hours completed by Disney employees.
4 Texting ban: A proposal to ban texting while driving in New Mexico has become a state law. Gov. Susana Martinez signed the bill Sunday while at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque. The proposal will prohibit drivers from sending or reading text messages and e-mails, or making Internet searches from smartphones or other handheld wireless devices. There would be a $25 fine for a first violation and $50 for subsequent violations. The bill would make exceptions for situations such as summoning emergency aid. Forty-one other states ban texting by all drivers.
Latest news videos
5 Wrong number: The phones were ringing off the hook at Gordy's Pizza & Pasta in Port Angeles, Wash., on Wednesday, but the callers weren't looking for the restaurant's signature fettuccine. They were trying to vote for their favorite singing contestants on the Fox TV show "American Idol." It's not clear why the calls were routed to Gordy's for two hours Wednesday night, the Peninsula Daily News reported. The number the show advertised for voters is not similar to the number the pizzeria has had for the past 50 years. A spokeswoman for "American Idol," now in its 13th season, said efforts were being made to fix the problem.


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Extra Premium
Origin: Kyoto
Characteristics: Tencha is not kneaded and the leaves are very soft, indeed a very delicate and exquisite tea.
Brewing Tip: Temperature of hot water = 66°C/150°F. Amount of tea leaves used per pot = 5g per 10 oz. water.
Brewing Time: 2 minutes.
(Complete steeping instructions included with order)
49.50 (50g) Add to Cart
99.00 (100g) Add to Cart


text: Home > How To > Foundations > Foolproof Cure for Wet Basements Foundations Foolproof Cure for Wet Basements Skip the exterior excavation and waterproofing -- an interior perimeter drainage system can work just as well By Scott Anderson Login or Register to download the PDF version of this article. (611.13 kB) My company, Tri-State Basement Systems, based in Berlin, Vt., concentrates on basement waterproofing and, as the radio show indicated, there is always plenty of work. Unlike most DIY efforts and "miracle coatings" that attempt to prevent ground-water entry with a barrier, our techniques don't try to stop the water, but rather to manage it. Sometimes we use exterior perimeter drains and waterproofing, but more often we install water-management systems on the building's interior. Most homeowners prefer this approach because it costs less than excavating around the foundation and is less destructive to their landscaping.One recent project involved a 1950s ranch home with a block foundation. The basement in this house was literally soaking wet. Water running down the walls accumulated on the floor, making the space virtually unusable — even for storage. And when you opened the basement door, you were greeted by a wave of humid air and the pungent smell of mold.... Login or Register to continue reading


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From your morning croissant to your company's holiday bash, Chicago Pastry is the place to go for delicious homemade pastries that'll make you smile!
Stop by our cozy pastry shop, Casa dei Dolci, to enjoy every kind of baked good you can imagine!
Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
142 N. Bloomingdale Rd.
Bloomingdale, IL
Call 630-529-6391 to make a special order. See ordering details on our Custom Baking page.
We provide Turano Bread Company products
Baking Since 1967


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Cheshire Cat PDF Amigurumi crochet pattern by Kandjdolls
The Cheshire Cat is the cat of the Duchess. Alice meets it when she leaves the Duchess house, and finds it in a tree. It constantly grins and can disappear and reappear whenever it likes. Sometimes it disappears and leaves its grin behind
The patterns of K & J Dolls are very well written and describe every step. Ilove this set as hey are cute and easy to make.Tags: crochet, pattern, amigurumi frog, amigurumi pig, amigurumi bear, amigurumi bunny, amigurumi animal, amigurumi dog, amgurumiAdded 7 Years Ago from Etsy


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Are you up-the-minute on your gay terminology? Know what a "bean queen" is, for instance? Well, my friend Mike Diamond — a snarky Noo Yawkuh with no gag reflex (and no ability to edit himself) — put together this video. It's offensive sometimes, but pretty hilarious. And it's NSFW.
Mike Diamond's lessons in gaiety
In other R.E.M. news, see Michael Stipe naked
Thanks to Stereogum for pointing this out Wednesday, but coming off the heels of R.E.M.'s big announcement, we were also privy to singer Michael Stipe's semi-big statement of his own. In a Tumblr post from earlier this summer (how are we so late to this?), Stipe reveals all in a series of photos mashed together as he dresses, undresses, whatever. Thankfully, Fleshbot took it upon themselves to slow the vid down to post the money shots of Stipe as he was in his full monty. And by the way, that link is SO NSFW.
But here's a slight preview sans Stipe's monster. Heck, this pic alone is ready for Grindr and Scruff.
WATCH: Gay singer Matt Zarley's 'WTF'
If you're not familiar with Matt Zarley, the pop singer, think Colton Ford or Brian Kent. They kind of run together in that scruffy-but-polished-gay-dance-singer category. They sing fine, but rely more on looks, muscle and dance beats to get our attention.
Instinct oozed all over this new Zarley vid, which doesn't highlight his beefcake as much as it just includes a whole bunch of it. The song is cheese, as is the video (if not kinda embarrassing), but wanted to share since he debuted it earlier this week. It's probably PG-13, so I can't give it a strong NSFW rating.
WTF from Matt Zarley on Vimeo.
Dallas hip-hop musician T-Cuz responds to gay porn allegations, says images were 'digitalized'
On Tuesday, JamWillis of Blog on Blast posted this item about Dallas rapper T-Cuz allegedly doing gay porn. Immediately, I went over to TCuz's Twitter feed to see what the buzz was. Some people defended him, others told him to own up, and he responded that he likes [women] too much to be gay, cluttering the feed quickly. It became such an issue, that the unsigned rapper started to trend in the DFW Twitter community. That's major.
In the post, JamWillis said photos had surfaced from the porn of T-Cuz and a dude. T-Cuz claimed the photos had been "digitalized." But by the looks of the photos at this link, I don't see how that's possible. Just sayin'.
JamWillis and cohort Zeralyn caught up with T-Cuz and confronted him about the video in an interview. They posted it online Wednesday and the interview is gold. T-Cuz gives explanations about the magic of filmwork and editing and ponders the idea of Zeralyn's hypothetical offer of $10,000 for doing gay porn. Part one is below.
It's all quite the drama. I've attempted to contact T-Cuz but have had no response. I can say one thing — on his Twitter feed, I never saw a tweet from him bashing gays or pulling a 50 Cent. Gay or not, I kinda give him props for that. Unless I just missed it, in which case I take it back.
BTW, consider the above NSFW. Especially, the link to the pics.


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Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Ok, I realize it has been ages since I updated the front page and ... I'm sorry, ok?! *laughing to self at the years spent in lectures from parents explaining that is not a real apology* Anyway, I have many excuses. Pick your favorite, they are all relevant:
1. I normally write during a lull at work, and there have been no lulls.
2. Related to #1, my boss has had an unusual number of projects the last two months, specifically, a new one every 5 minutes.
3. The lack of coherence in said projects has led to a general malaise and/or derangement, blocking any semblance of creativity I may or may not have had prior to the onset of the above.
4. After nearly 4 years of "You don't need a window to work" indoctrination facilitated by a double-wide, shared cubicle, we are moving to an office with windows and a door (that only goes out) in 2 days.
5. For someone who typically does not travel, I've managed to schedule 3 trips in June, 2 of which are over already and have inspired the following new theme...
Crazy Theories! Yes, it's true. There will be new entries soon, each one under the theme of Crazy Theories, mostly formulated while
So! Be on the lookout! I know you are all shivering with excitement! Crazy Theories coming soon!


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YouTube movies
All movies on this site are embedded movies from YouTube. This is not movies with me. just movies i like.
All rights to material on this section belongs to the respective picture/site/movie owner.
Sometimes YouTube movies are removed form YouTube, so if you see any of my shown movies are gone, then please send me a message.


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National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling / CDFI Regional Multi-Course Training - Seattle, WA 2012
Downtown Seattle, WA
May 21-25, 2012
Through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, NeighborWorks®
Along with NFMC tuition and lodging scholarships, we will be offering CDFI tuition only scholarships to applicants that have been invited to apply. CDFI scholarships are by invitation only. Please DO NOT contact NeighborWorks America or the scholarship sponsor requesting the scholarship code.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 16, 2012 (PST)
This event is open to scholarship recipients only. You cannot pay to attend this event and there is no onsite registration. For more information on the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Training Program, please visit http://www.nw.org/network//foreclosure/nfmcp/training.asp
|Seattle, WA
|Red Lion Hotel
1415 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
|Support Offered
|NFMC PBT Scholarship
|NeighborWorks America
Must be staff of a qualified nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. This includes both HUD-Approved housing counseling agencies and others who are not HUD-Approved.
Organization and staff must be providing foreclosure counseling activities, and/or working toward providing foreclosure counseling activities. The intent of program is to strengthen and build mortgage mitigation counseling services.
Individual's employment status and the organization's 501(c)(3) status may be confirmed. Depending on scholarship availability, board members of qualified nonprofits may receive scholarships. Staff of state and local municipalities may also be considered on a limited basis.
NeighborWorks America reserves the right to give priority based on individual's job responsibilities (e.g., front-line foreclosure counselor) and proximity to training event.
Further eligibility criteria may apply.
|Tuition, Lodging


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Images to Inspire the Imagination
de Pieter Brits
Acerca del libro
Beware! This book is designed to seriously inspire your imagination – and it will do exactly that, if you are willing to take a chance and look at the images. Green leaves that appear to be purple – an orchid with black petals – chopped wood that radiates more than the living trees nearby – all of these images, and more are just waiting for you.
Características y detalles
- Categoría Fotografía artística
Apaisado estándar, 25×20 cm
74 Páginas
- Fecha de publicación nov. 20, 2007
- Etiquetas digital photography, amazing images, abstract, inspiration, imagination, unusual, photography
Acerca del creador
I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1968, and spent my childhood residing in both South Africa and Australia. This diverse upbringing has resulted in my unusual and imaginative art. I have had a passion for photography ever since I received my first camera, a Kodak Box Brownie, for my 6th Birthday. Since then, I've been snapping away, freezing moments in time. Over time, my photography turned to art, and I found I was not content to simply capture images – I took up the challenge of discovering the extraordinary in normal, everyday life. My passion is to inspire the imagination. I do this by capturing images photographically, and then digitally editing the original image to achieve something distinctive and extraordinary. I hope that you get as much enjoyment out of my books as I have had in creating them. Regards, Pieter
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TinyMOS startup introduces Tiny1 astrophotography camera
TinyMOS, a startup formed by National University of Singapore students, has introduced its Tiny1, a camera designed for astrophotography. The camera was introduced earlier this month at TechCrunch Disrupt 2015, and claims to be the first-ever portable consumer-level astronomy camera.
Tiny1 functions as an everyday camera, according to TinyMOS, with the same performance level as a mirrorless camera. The model includes a Point-to-the-Stars feature that offers star charts over a live preview for locating constellations and stars. Tiny1 is able to capture barely-visible celestial objects with an exposure of approximately 30 seconds, and it can record 2.5K-resolution time-lapses. The camera has a brushed aluminum chassis, but additional information about its hardware hasn't been revealed.
TinyMOS plans to launch Tiny1 in an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign next month to fund the project; those interested can subscribe for updates about the pending launch.
As mentioned above the released images don't give good impressions about quality of the cam. A mid quality moonshot and bloomed starfield don't give a good impression of the quality of future images even with better lenses or scopes.
From a real astro photographer's view, there's nothing more than pixel size. What's your cams? Bad s/n ratio is a nogo for astro photography. Bad dynamics won't be improved esentialy by readout amp.
What's your pixel size? 1 µm?
Full well? 10,000 e-? 5,000e-?
And ... without moving to real dark skies (Australia?) and testing it I can't give your project any positive comment.
it kind of does. Hope it has good relief. Most wide field's do. Wonder if it will do prime focus, or is the lens fixed? I can't tell from the images if it is through lens or not.
Having worked for at a major "orange" telescope co. at the corporate level, I can say this is a good idea. The critics on this site are wearing their ignorance as a badge of honor. Anyone know if the interface is 0.96, 1.25, or 2 inch. 1.25 is the most common. Maybe they will sell adapters, or is it already using standard threads (t40? 42? been so many years I do not remember). Wonder if it uses Astro stack or if it is able to use the four k video and stack the best shots? What about cooling? Lots of non consumer cameras need to be cooled because it increases light sensivity on film and digital. Wonder if that will make its way to the consumer market?
There are lots of things this could have that would not work on today's smart phones. Trolls, please close your mouths and learn the product before criticizing.
Hi Nathebeach, thanks for your support! The camera is designed with the CS mount in mind so that it has a short flange distance to support the maximum amount of legacy optics possible. We are building some form as basic stacking in the camera to enable the average consumer to be able to have access to good astro images off the camera. Advanced users will still have access to RAW for their preferred image post processing. Cooling is a feature that we may add in the future, possibly as an accessory for advanced users.
For more information please subscribe to www.tinymos.com/subscribe. we will be releasing more information and collecting applications for beta testers shortly.
- Grey
Let's get real. Just check who's the founders of this company. One self claimed photographer, One mechanical engineering graduate and one engineering undergraduate. All they have showed so far is the shiny case. Are you guys seriously think they can make something functional at all? Really?
I think all they can reasonably do (and maybe actually going to do) is ask a Chinese company to build a tiny android device inside their box and make a star chart view program for it.
"self claimed photographer", what a joke...
The only person who should be able to engineer a camera is a photographer chosen by GOD.
I remember being at a camera store in my town and seeing a nice camera, I heard a voice from up in the clouds (it sounded like GOD) The voice told me who ever could remove that lens cap could have that camera and BE a photographer.
Well all the customers in the shop tried to remove that lens cap, but it was stuck tight, impossible to remove.
It was my turn to try, when sudenly the clouds opened up and a ray of sunshine shone down to illuminate the me. As I tried the lens cap released and I had then BECOME the chosen one.... a photographer.
So after paying for the camera, some accessories, memory cards, a carry case, extra lens, comfortable neck strap and tripod, I was then anointed by the King, and hence forth known as THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
let's get real....
*thanks to King Arthur....
and my local camera store www.excaliburcameras.com :)
It may be a great Engineering learning project but they aren't doing themselves any favors with the images they've posted! If the camera is capable of better quality, let's see it. If not, shelf the project as a good learning undertaking and move on...
hello bwana4swahili, thanks for your comment. We will try to improve the image quality as soon as we get a chance to. We started 18 months ago and we only started getting the engineering sample recently. As we live in Singapore, dark skies are not easily accessible to us for testing. The regional haze definitely hindered our efforts.
I'd like to see some of the Automatically Negative idiots in these forums actually create something other than spitting out hostility. Sure you can find apps for lots of things -try writing one, or even use a voltmeter before mouthing off. It's too bad there is not a Stupidity/Hostility Cutoff Filter for Comments -we'd lose a good 65% of these posts... :)
thanks Dan Tong for your support. We really appreciate it. We are definitely going against conventional camera design to provide a new imaging tool and experience for the everyday camera user. I think that we'll definitely face quite a bit of negative comments over our "unconventional" methods. I wouldn't suprise myself I had laughed at Nick Woodman's first concept of GoPro. As with all new technology and thinking, it is always 1 step back before we can take 2 steps forward.
Warm regards,
The thickness of the device clearly shows the sensor is TINY and not worth anything. You can install star chart app on any smartphones everyone have so what's the point?
I think this particular one is an excellent example of extremely poor student mentoring/advising.
I respectfully disagree. Having taught electrical engineering, I can see the tremendous amount of lessons learned here in circuit design, board layout, schematic diagrams, microprocessor and component selection, control engineering, optics, programming, calibration, astronomy, ..., etc.
Even if the project ends here, the lessons they have learned can be applied in their future careers, and I can bet that they will be selected for employment at some major photography companies before anyone else who is without such experience.
Poor design riddled with compromises that ultimately won't do the job. Considerable investment of time and money for a completely unmarketable project.
Yes, there is a life lesson in there for sure.
Well done, some people here forget this is university students having a go at electronic engineering, manufacturing techniques, business, teamwork and product design. Probably aged around 20, they will go on to work in a variety of technical fields. No doubt a project like this will be great experience, and a good way to network with visiting engineers assisting in this project. It may lead to an awesome career, maybe designing cameras or any other item imaginable.
If any one has the time I recommend a visit to the next university open day in your city....
I already posted this elsewhere, but ...So what if it's a startup from University Students, what is your point? Maybe someone should teach them ethics. This is their attempt at exploitation of the average consumer. They haven't invented anything special that a well equipped engineering student couldn't do. The average consumer wont have the patience for astrophotography even if you do point them towards the stars. This is nothing but an attempt at bragging rights for them.
*Full disclosure, I'm an engineering student too.*
Just because your idea might be loud doesn't mean it's special.
I do not see any ethics issue here at all. I am an engineer as well, and I had taught electrical engineering after graduate school, and very well familiar with EE students' projects.
It is possible that this was a joint senior project for the students.
If they have succeeded in overlaying interactive sky maps on the camera screen, then it is not a trivial job that "any well-equipped engineering student" can do.
"Bragging rights" is very common among young college students, especially when they accomplish something like this, and that is not unethical.
I'm pretty confident that by the time they graduate, they will have plenty of offers from multiple major photography companies to work for them.
Let's be a bit humble, and also let's encourage them instead of this vicious attack on them that has been repeated twice so far.
Better yet, you should show us your accomplishments, as a well-equipped engineering student!
Simply put, just don't donate to funding their project.
Cool thinking...... considering the fact that we only use a small part of the sensor while photographing celestial objects it is a good idea to have a high resolution high sensitivity small sensor that supports small or big lenses. I believe it will make the art of astrophotography affordable and fun..... Cheers
Thank you rishikol! Actually that was the genesis of our idea. A large sensor will require large optics to perform the same task of acquiring a small object such as the planets and the Moon. For planetary imaging the optics becomes prohibitively large. We tried imaging Saturn with a 3500mm Equivalent focal length and we barely got the rings to show. If we were using FX cameras to capture it, imagine a 3500mm lens and the corresponding lens mount for it. That would be enterprise level/varsity level equipment that will not be portable.
We are very lucky to have a high sensitivity sensor which allowed us to perform wide field imaging of the Milky Way. We should be testing the camera on M42 Great Orion Nebula in the coming month. Stay tuned and subscribe to www.tinymos.com/subscribe
Cool concept, but I'm not convinced why you'd buy this instead of any normal mirrorless camera. Give it a sensor without a CFA, and a built-in filter wheel, and we might be talking. Tell me why I should use this, rather than my Fuji X camera, for wide-field astrophotography...
And for deep-sky stuff (basically anything other than the Milky Way, moon, or planets), there really is no such thing as "amateur" astrophotography. You have to be seriously dedicated. It's expensive and difficult.
Hey guys, give them a break........we should appauld them.....young people, clever, with ideas and energy, trying to innovate, trying to make their mark, not sitting around drinking beer and moaning.....bravo I say!
Not my photographic cup of tea but I wish them every success :)
If this camera is the pure data capture device that it appears to be then excellent - this is the way all cameras should be designed. No in-camera processing, no ridiculous histograms, no useless articulated screens, no scene modes, no plethora of knobs and controls to get in the way - just a device that captures an image for subsequent processing using a PC. If that's what it is, I'll have one.
I just love these random new camera companies who go head first into a market they know nothing about with a product no one wants...
But why do market research when you're crowd-funded, right?
When it comes to astrophotography, the Pentax K-3 II with it's Astrotracer feature is about as good as it gets right now. Just get a good lens+tripod and off you go...
Can't really see the benefit of this over a dslr. Now, if it had active cooling I may have taken it more seriously. I think they are trying to invent something that doesnt need inventing. I suppose the sky chart overlay is a cool feature, but would still have doubts about implementation and accuracy.
Oh, and the milkyway photo could have been taken with a better lens...atrocious lens aberration.
Hi CheersUK! Active cooling might be something we add as an accessory in the future. For now the camera is designed more for wide field, planetary, lunar and solar imaging. The target objects would not benefit greatly from cooling but should benefit immensely from high FPS imaging. That is where we are heading towards at the moment. Regarding the wide field lens, we are designing our own optics in the future. Think of the test lens as a kit lens for now.
Which lens mount ?
"with the same performance level as a mirrorless camera"
What they don't say is how big the sensor is in that mirrorless camera they are comparing it to. My guess is that they are comparing it to a 1/3 inch sensor.
Here is my advice on Astrophotography. If someone is trying to sell you a DSO astrophotography camera then simply ask them "How big is the sensor" and "How long can it expose for". If they don't say the sensor is at least 1" diagonal and the exposures can go for at least 2 minutes then just keep moving along.
Based on its' name, perhaps 1".
Except star trails start to appear around 30 seconds, unless the camera is mounted on an astrotracker.
Yes, but you have to provide your own transportation.
I read as far as "crowdfunding"
"with the same performance level as a mirrorless camera"
like a pentax Q mirrorless?
In the strictest sense, Pentax Q is not "mirrorless", it is not based on a system that ever had a mirror. Same for the Nikon 1, there was never a 1" reflex (mirrored) design.
So in the "strictest sense".... oh wait, humans aren't running Unix command line prompts are they? I mean what if folks start calling bananas mirrorless bananas because, hey, they don't have a mirror? But, yeah, I'm glad you cleared that up for me because I was about to have a slice of mirrorless apple pie and listen to some tunes on my mirrorless ipod. ;) BTW, I'm guessing that in the strictest sense you are not a golden retriever and I'm barking up the wrong tree here. ;) (Don't take me too seriously, I'm just working on my forum stand up routine).
Don't give up the day job ;-)
A plain BMW engine would be too noisy. Now if you go for the Bentley version then I can imagine a whole different experience to mull over while waiting for the ambulance.
|Sophisticated construction by the nature by Orchideon
from Sophistication
|After the Rain by Flor Tempra
from Macro - Something Pink
|Asilah by Limburg
from Cozy Corners
With card readers disappearing from MacBooks, USB-C card readers are now a necessity. Macworld's helpful guide compares five models and decodes the current mess of card speeds and certifications.
A Sony a7S II mounted on the outside of the ISS' Japanese Experiment Module (KIBO) for the last seven months has sent back some impressive 4K video and stills.
A Federal judge has refused to throw out a copyright case against controversial artist Richard Prince, who used an image by photographer Donald Graham in an exhibition.
Sony has teased its customers with news of an upcoming announcement: it will soon take the wraps off a new CineAlta motion picture camera, one sporting a 36x24mm sensor.
QuikStories is integrated into the latest version of the GoPro app and automatically creates 'stories' using the video clips you've shot during a day.
Journalists photographing a protest in the US Capitol building claim they were told by Capitol Police to delete photos and videos of arrests.
The Meizu Pro 7 Plus secondary display can be used for music playback, date and weather-related information, or as viewfinder when taking selfies with the rear cameras.
Nikon is marking its 100th anniversary in many ways, including the creation of a new scholarship program for 'future visual creators' in the USA and Canada.
Take one Digital ELPH (or IXUS), rotate it vertically, add a fully articulating LCD and a lens with a camcorder-like focal length, and what do you get? Why, the Canon PowerShot TX1, of course. In this week's Throwback Thursday we revisit Canon's one-of-a-kind hybrid stills/video camera.
Just in case there was any doubt in your mind, here's the definitive video proof that yes, a $50,000 cinema camera beats the pants off a $50 camcorder in a side-by-side test.
Photographers who fly frequently in the US may want to finally invest in that TSA Pre-check status: in standard security lines, cameras and all other electronics larger than a smartphone will need to be placed in a separate bin for screening.
Images have appeared which claim to show Nikon's forthcoming D850 DSLR, the development of which was announced this week. If genuine, the pictures indicate that the D850 will offer illuminated controls and a tilting LCD screen, but no built-in flash.
To celebrate the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 lens' successful Kickstarter campaign, Lomography has announced a chrome-plated version of the lens in Nikon and Canon DSLR mounts.
Nikon just released four new firmware updates, adding features and fixing bugs in the D600, D610, D750 and the KeyMission 80.
It probably hasn't made your landscape photography bucket list just yet, but there's a good reason to visit Idaho. Here are 9 must-visit locations in this beautiful state.
Oops... Adobe accidentally leaked their unfinished Lightroom-powered cloud-based photo editor 'Project Nimbus' to some Creative Cloud users yesterday.
Storm chaser and award-winning photographer Mike Oblinski just released his latest time-lapse, and it is absolutely stunning.
Looking to level up your video capture capabilities without buying a whole new camera? Blackmagic's Video Assist 4K is well worth considering, despite a few flaws and its lack of 4K/60p support.
We're big fans of Fujifilm's fast-growing GFX system, and the GF 110mm F2 lens is no exception. Positioned as the system's classic portrait lens, its optics are just as impressive with non-human subjects as well.
Nikon turns 100 years old today, and the company is celebrating with a wacky music video, some tributes to its history, and a new vision presented by president Kazuo Ushida.
Phottix just released the Premio Parabolic Umbrellas series, replacing their Para-Pro line with a stronger, deeper and better made set of parabolic umbrellas.
The Moto Z2 is Motorola's first dual-camera smartphone and, compared to its predecessor, comes with a number of improvements and new camera features.
Researchers at Stanford have revealed a new '4D camera system' built for robots. The system is based on the same light field tech that allowed Lytro cameras to refocus images after they were taken.
If you want 'beautiful rendition' from your lenses, follow this simple rule: only buy classic low-element prime lenses with lead glass elements—everything else is junk.
In an interview with CNBC, Leica Chairman Andreas Kaufmann said he dreams of a 'true Leica phone,' and hinted at what's next for the Leica and Huawei partnership.
Wildlife and nature photographer Peter Mather tells the story behind this exceptional shot of a mama grizzly and her cub searching for salmon in Yukon, Canada.
Popular YouTube channel TastyTuts has put together this 33-video Beginner's Guide to Adobe Photoshop—a godsend for anybody who wants to learn Photoshop from scratch.
The long anticipated replacement for the popular Rode VideoMic Pro is almost ready for shipping. The price of the upgraded VideoMic Pro+ will be £290/$300 when it goes on sale in mid-August.
A new iOS app called Explorest wants to help you find new locations to shoot. It's limited to Singapore for now, but the app is packed full of useful location scouting features.
Nikon's D850 development announcement is extremely light on details, so we assembled a wish list of upgrades and features we'd love to see.


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Uncyclopedia:Pee Review/Chanupocalypse
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
edit User:Kip the Dip/Chanupocalypse
I started with the idea of an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory with Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" as the basis, and it grew to this. -- Kip > Talk • Works • • 10:50, Dec. 5, 2010
:This ones mine. 24-48 hours--If you're 555 then I'm Talk What's it like to be a heretic? 23:51, December 23, 2010 (UTC)
::Unfortuantly, I don't understand the subject too well, so someone else can review this.--If you're 555 then I'm Talk What's it like to be a heretic? 07:31, December 25, 2010 (UTC)
Actually, fuck it, I'll just do my best on this. God knows how long thishas been on pee review. 24-48 hours--If you're 555 then I'm Talk What's it like to be a heretic? 21:04, December 25, 2010 (UTC)
- Well, I have absolutely no evidence to back this up, but I'd say, 20, 21 days? -- Kip > Talk • Works • • 00:28, Dec. 26, 2010
- I'm about halfway done. Sorry for the delay, the holidays takes alot of my time, but I think you know the feeling.--If you're 555 then I'm Talk What's it like to be a heretic? 21:53, December 28, 2010 (UTC)
|Now this is quite an interesting article. Although it does have a few things that need to be worked on, this article has potential. Shall I begin? I'll take it as a yes.
The Good Parts
I've see you've done your research and used it well, which tells me you followed the "Truth is funnier than nonsense" statement from the HTBFANJS. And then you add your own little facts that even though they are untrue, the amount of truthfulness in your article makes the untrue work. I'm very proud of you.
I'll give you praise for the way you made fun of Jews without outright bashing them, something I am strong against. Instead of saying something like, "Jews are evil and are the spawn of Satan," you were more like "Jews are preparing for the End Times and are very crafty. Well, not really, but you get what I mean.
I do like how the narrator starts to look like he's crazy around midway and how the listener is reacting to him. I think that will work out just fine.
The Bad Parts
When I got to sections such as" Hollywood" and"Why Paul Newman and Goldie Hawn?", I was both interested as well as disappointed with what I've read. You went from explaining about a conspiracy run by the Jews to pointing out that a few celebrities were Jews and were part of their plans. Some of it was ok, but having celebrities as leaders doesn't sound professional to me. To me, it's another way to bash celebrities. I think it can be pulled off, but don't let the leaders of the Jewish Cabal be celebrities. Now if they were political leaders, it would work out. But letting Hollywood be a bastion of the evil Jews is a good idea in my opinion.
A link to Barack Obama, in my opinion, is stupid because I know for a fact he's not Jewish (or even a born American citizen) and may be Muslim (who hate Jews). Having links to Barack Obama is funny, but this is not one of them.
Most of the article's sections have like 2 or 3 sentences, or even just one word. Doing that makes the article look messy. Having one or two sections with1 or 2 or more sentences are ok (especially if they are conclusion sections) but try to refrain from doing that.
|It has quite an interesting concept and I really like it. However, it appears like you're trying to do a questionnaire and a first person article at the same time, which I don't think works too well. You should pick one or the other. The questionnaire tone would be good as you can have sections explaining a certain topic on the subject and have one person ask a question and have another person answer. Or, you could have a tone like this article has. Read and you'll see what I mean.
|Prose and formatting:
|I see a few spelling and grammar errors, but it's not much of a big deal. Just have it proofread or use spell check on MS Word and It'll be fine in no time.
|All are good except for the Tom Cruise image and the Rob Schneider. They don't contribute to the article and should probably go. The only other problems I have with the images are as followed: 1.) Try to space them out some because some of them are two close to each other, making the article look very messy, 2.) They are on the small side, so it would be best to expand them, and 3.) You need to work on the captions because they are really dull and don't make the images funnier. Other than that you're pretty much good on images.
|My average score of this article.
|Final Score:
|Sorry for taking this long to finish this review, had so much to do during the holidays. But at least I got it done. Anyways, this article does show promise; it just needs a little tweaking. Also, it's usually a good thing to get someone else's opinion if you're unsure or don't like this review. If you have any questions or comments, I'll be more than happy to reply to them on my talk page. Good Luck! Cheers!
|--If you're 555 then I'm Talk What's it like to be a heretic? 03:07, January 3, 2011 (UTC)


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text:
And just like that, the Colonial Athletic Association has lost two of its best basketball programs within a week.
Adios, Old Dominion. The Monarchs announced at a Thursday afternoon news conference that they're headed to Conference USA. This news comes two days after VCU announced its departure from the CAA to the Atlantic-10.
Old Dominion's move will not be immediate (like VCU's). The Monarchs will join C-USA effective July 1, 2013.
"Conference USA offers us a unique opportunity," Old Dominion President John Broderick said at the school's announcement. "Football certainly was a driving force in this decision. ... But football is only one part of this. We know the potential of all our sports to be successful and compete for conference championships and NCAA championships."
Old Dominion athletics director Camden Selig emphasized the benefits of expanding the school's footprint and gaining more exposure on a national stage by joining C-USA.
Broderick said while Old Dominion wasn't actively seeking change, it had been monitoring the "dynamic shifts happening across the country" and found an opportunity to move and reclassify the Monarchs football program at the same time.
"This will elevate our football program to the highest level of NCAA competition in the Football Bowl Subdivision," Broderick said.
The Monarchs, who restarted their football program only three years ago, will be moving up to the Bowl Subdivision level after one more season in the Championship Subdivision. The Monarchs qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time last season and finished 10-3. Old Dominion will then begin adding scholarships and be bowl eligible/C-USA eligible for the 2015 season.
Old Dominion's move also will be costly. It will have to pay a $250,000 exit fee to the CAA, $2 million entrance fee to C-USA and add football scholarships. Monarchs boosters have already pledged $3 million in private support to help meet those expenses.
Broderick also said that "rivalries will endure" with teams it competed against in the CAA.
The addition of Old Dominion will give C-USA 14 members and, according to CBSSports.com, the conference is expected to split into divisions: East - East Carolina, Florida International, Marshall, Southern Miss, UAB, Charlotte and ODU; West - Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Rice, Texas-San Antonio, Tulane, Tulsa and Texas-El Paso.
The Monarchs won the CAA men's basketball tournament in 2010 and 2011.
The news of Old Dominion's move was first reported by the Newport News, Va., Daily Press and CBSSports.com.
CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager said he was informed of Old Dominion's withdrawal Thursday morning.
"The CAA had an open dialogue with President Broderick and C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky throughout ODU's evaluation process, but ultimately Conference USA was the desired destination," Yeager said in a statement. "The conference wishes the university well as it pursues these new interests."
"The CAA and CAA Football will remain strong and are committed to growth in every sport providing our student-athletes the best athletic and academic experience possible."
Contributing: Wire reports
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Discussion in 'New Members Zone' started by milesdez, May 24, 2012.
hello this is milesdez and i am happy to be a cowboyszone member
Hello. Your Dad has raised you right so we're glad to have you here.
Welcome milesdez!
Yes Hos, I raised him to someday become a real man. Thank you
We look forward to hearing your opinion on any forum topics.
Welcome, MD... glad to have you here...


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Existing vision based solutions for obtaining precise, dense object centric 3D reconstructions require expensive hardware such as high resolution cameras, or integrated depth sensors, while lower resolutions and susceptibility to motion blur and rolling shutter effects have limited the potential of smart devices. With a focus on spatio-angular resolution, this work advances the view that the increasingly ubiquitous high frame rate video capture ability is the key to enabling precise reconstructions using smartphone platforms. This is achieved by making use of both photometric and silhouette based cues.
Recent advances in SLAM (DSO, LSD, and DVO) have demonstrated compelling benefits to using photometric alignment rather than feature based matching such as less drift due to subpixel alignments, and higher robustness to illumination change by explicitly modelling it. All while being fast.
Drawing upon these discoveries, at the core of this work is an entirely photometric object centric bundle adjustment with more focus on the recovery of the object's surface than on the odometry of the camera. By processing a video in batch, photometric methods can be pushed beyond the limits explored by SLAM algorithms. By exploiting the temporal consistency of high frame rate sequences, reconstructions can be obtained significantly more efficiently than existing batch methods.
Silhouettes are complementary to photometric cues, as they mark the regions where a surface can no longer be directly observed, and allow for the reconstruction of non-lambertian surfaces such as metal and glass. Instead of generating visual hulls by enforcing pixels to be labelled as being inside or outside the object, visual edges are considered as potential occlusion and silhouette boundaries, from which edge clouds with normals are reconstructed. This allows for the reconstruction of boundaries at self-occlusions rather than just foreground-background regions.
Christopher Ham is a computer vision PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, Australia, with graduation just around the corner. He's part of the CI2CV Lab led by Prof Simon Lucey. With a degree in Mechatronics Engineering, and having been taught how to work with wood from a young age, he has a very hands-on attitude. While designing and making something - be it physical or software - he's always considering how someone might approach it, what their first impressions will be, and how this affects their expectations and interactions. By way of design his goal is to manipulate these aspects.
Sponsored in part of Disney Research
Despite recent progress, AI is still far from understanding the physics of the world, and there is a large gap between the abilities of humans and the state-of-the-art AI methods. In this talk, I will focus on physics-based scene understanding and interactive visual reasoning, which are crucial next steps in computer vision and AI. The first part of the talk will describe our work on understanding preliminary physics from images, and the second part of the talk will be about our recent work on using Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning to perform tasks in the challenging AI2-THOR environment.
Roozbeh Mottaghi is a Research Scientist at Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2). Prior to joining AI2, he was a post-doctoral researcher at the Computer Science Department at Stanford University. He obtained his PhD in Computer Science in 2013 from UCLA. His research is mainly focused on computer vision and machine learning.
The quantity of video data is vast, yet our capabilities for visual recognition and understanding in videos lags significantly behind that for images. In this talk, I will discuss the challenges of scale in labeling, modeling, and inference behind this gap. I will then present three works addressing these challenges. The first is a method for efficient inference of action detection in videos. We formulate this method as a reinforcement learning-based agent that interacts with a video over time, and decides both where in the video to look next and when to emit a prediction, significantly reducing the total frames processed in the video.
The second work pushes dense, detailed understanding of actions in video. We introduce a dataset of dense, multilabel action annotations to enable research in this direction, and a model that increases temporal modeling capacity from standard recurrent neural networks for action recognition to target this task.
Finally, I will discuss an approach for leveraging noisy web videos to learn classifiers for new concepts without requiring manually labeling training videos. We propose a reinforcement learning-based formulation for selecting the right examples for training a classifier from noisy web search results. I will show that after learning a data labeling policy on a small labeled training set, we can then use this policy to automatically label noisy web data for new visual concepts.
Serena Yeung is a Ph.D. student in the Stanford Vision Lab, advised by Prof. Fei-Fei Li. Her research interests are in computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning. She is particularly interested in the areas of video understanding, human action recognition, and healthcare applications. Serena interned at Facebook AI Research in Summer 2016, and before starting her Ph.D., received a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering, both from Stanford.
Automated analysis of dense crowds is a challenging problem with far-reaching applications in crowd safety and management, as well as gauging political significance of protests and demonstrations. In this talk, I will first describe a counting approach which uses traditional computer vision techniques, and was recently applied to Catalonia Demonstrations in Spain in 2015 and 2016. An extension of this work using convolutional neural network with hundreds of layers is presented next, partially made possibly through a new dataset for counting with over one million humans - all marked with dot annotations. Next, I will discuss how context in the form of local consistency captures the similarity in scale in local neighborhoods in an image and is used to detect partially visible humans in dense crowds. Finally, for the task of re-identification in a multi-camera setup, spatio-temporal context in the form of personal, social and environmental constraints aid in eliminating incorrect hypotheses and significantly improve performance on correct re-acquisition of people across cameras especially when appearance and visual features alone are insufficient.
Haroon Idrees is a postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Research in Computer Vision (CRCV) at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He is interested in machine vision and learning, with focus on crowd analysis, action recognition, multi-camera and airborne surveillance, as well as deep learning and multimedia content analysis. He chaired the THUMOS challenge on Action Recognition (CVPR, 2015) and has been program committee member of Workshop on Applications for Aerial Video Exploitation (WACV, 2015), Multiple Object Tracking Challenge (ECCV, 2016), and the upcoming BMTT-PETS Workshop on Tracking and Surveillance (CVPR, 2017) and Open Domain Action Recognition (CVPR, 2017).
He has published several papers in CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, Journal of Image and Vision Computing, and IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. He received BSc (Honors) degree in computer engineering from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan in 2007, and the PhD degree in computer science from the University of Central Florida in 2014.
Faculty Hosts: Kris Kitani, Yaser Sheikh
Sponsored in part by Disney Research.
Over the past 5 years the community has made significant strides in the field of Computer Vision. Thanks to large scale datasets, specialized computing in form of GPUs and many breakthroughs in modeling better convnet architectures Computer Vision systems in the wild at scale are becoming a reality. At Facebook AI Research we want to embark on the journey of making breakthroughs in the field of AI and using them for the benefit of connecting people and helping remove barriers for communication. In that regard Computer Vision plays a significant role as the media content coming to Facebook is ever increasing and building models that understand this content is crucial in achieving our mission of connecting everyone. In this talk I will gloss over how we think about problems related to Computer Vision at Facebook and touch various aspects related to supervised, semi-supervised, unsupervised learning. I will jump between various research efforts involving representation learning. I will highlight some large scale applications that use the technology and talk about limitations of current systems.
Manohar Paluri is currently a Research Lead and manages the Computer Vision team in the Applied Machine Learning organization. He is passionate about Computer Vision and in the longer term goal of building systems that can perceive the way humans do. Through out his career he spent considerable time looking at Computer Vision problems in Industry and Academia. He worked at renowned places like Google Research, IBM Watson Research Labs, Stanford Research Institute before helping co found Facebook AI Research directed by Dr. Yann Lecun. He spent his formative years at IIIT Hyderabad where he finished his undergraduate studies with Honors in Computer Vision and joined Georgia Tech. to pursue his Ph.D. For over a decade he has been working on various problems related to Computer Vision and in general Perception and has made various contributions through his publications at CVPR, NIPS, ICCV, ECCV, ICLR, KDD, IROS, ACCV etc. He is passionate about building real world systems that are used by billions of people. Some of these systems are running at Facebook and already have tremendous impact on how people communicate using Facebook.
Sponsored in part by Disney Research
As opposed to the traditional notion of actions and activities in computer vision, where the motion (e.g. jumping) or the goal (e.g. cooking) is the focus, I will argue for an object-centred perspective onto actions and activities, during daily routine or as part of an industrial workflow. I will present approaches for the understanding of 'what' objects one interacts with, 'how' these objects have been used and 'when' interactions takes place.
The talk will be divided into three parts. In the first part, I will present unsupervised approaches to automatic discovery of task-relevant objects and their modes of interaction, as well as automatically providing guidance on using novel objects through a real-time wearable setup. In the second part, I will introduce supervised approaches to two novel problems: action completion – when an action is attempted but not completed, and expertise determination - who is better in task performance and who is best. In the final part, I will discuss work in progress on uncovering labelling ambiguities in object interaction recognition including ambiguities in defining the temporal boundaries for object interactions and ambiguities in verb semantics.
Dima Damen is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Computer Vision at the University of Bristol. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Leeds (2009). Dima's research interests are in the automatic understanding of object interactions, actions and activities using static and wearable visual (and depth) sensors. Dima co-chaired BMVC 2013, is area chair for BMVC (2014-2017) and associate editor of IET Computer Vision. In 2016, Dima was selected as a Nokia Research collaborator. She currently supervises 7 Ph.D. students, and 2 postdoctoral researchers.
Humans perform a wide range of complex tasks such as navigation, manipulation of diverse objects and planning their interaction with other humans. However, at birth humans are not yet adept at many of these tasks. When observing infants, one might conclude that they perform random actions such as flailing their limbs or manipulating objects without purpose. It is possible that while infants engage in such exploration of their motor abilities they learn a mapping between their sensory and motor systems that enable adults to plan and perform complex sensorimotor tasks. Taking inspiration from this hypothesis, I will present some initial results on how a robotic agent can learn via random interaction with its environment and its intrinsic curiosity to push objects, manipulate ropes and navigate in mazes. I will then show how these basic skills can be combined with imitation to perform more complex tasks. Finally I will touch upon how models similar to object interaction can be used to reason about human behavior in sports games.
Pulkit Agrawal is a PhD Student in the department of Computer Science at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on computer vision, robotics and computational neuroscience. He is advised by Dr. Jitendra Malik. Pulkit completed his bachelors in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and was awarded the Director's Gold Medal. He is a recipient of Fulbright Science and Technology Award, Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Award, OPJEMS, Sridhar Memorial Prize and IIT Kanpur's Academic Excellence Awards among others. Pulkit served as the General Secretary of Science and Technology Council and vice-captain of water-polo team at IIT-Kanpur. Pulkit holds a "Sangeet Prabhakar" (equivalent to bachelors in Indian classical Music) and occasionally performs in music concerts.
Assistive technology is the art of building tools, devices and services that can support activities of daily life of people with disabilities. In this talk, I will describe some recent projects from my UCSC group focusing on sensing technology for people who are blind and for people with low vision. These include: blind wayfinding using visual landmarks and inertial sensors; text and sign reading; and accessible public transportation. I will conclude with a few reflections on some critical requirements of accessible wayfinding systems.
Roberto Manduchi is a Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he conducts research in the areas of computer vision and sensor processing with applications to assistive technology. Prior to joining UCSC in 2001, he worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and at Apple. He is a consultant for Aquifi, Inc., and sits on the scientific advisory board of Aira, Inc. In 2013 he shared with Carlo Tomasi the Helmholtz Test-of-Time Award from the International Conference on Computer Vision for their article on Bilateral Filtering.
Host: Dragan Ahmetovic
Advances in sensor miniaturization, low-power computing, and battery life have enabled the first generation of mainstream wearable cameras. Millions of hours of videos have been captured by these devices, creating a record of our daily visual experiences at an unprecedented scale. This has created a major opportunity to develop new capabilities and products based on First Person Vision (FPV)--the automatic analysis of videos captured from wearable cameras. Meanwhile, vision technology is at a tipping point. Major progress has been made over the last few years in both visual recognition and 3D reconstruction. The stage is set for a grand challenge of activity recognition in FPV. My research focuses on understanding naturalistic daily activities of the camera wearer in FPV to advance both computer vision and mobile health.
In the first part of this talk, I will demonstrate that first person video has the unique property of encoding the intentions and goals of the camera wearer. I will introduce a set of first person visual cues that captures the users' intent and can be used to predict their point of gaze and the actions they are performing during activities of daily living. Our methods are demonstrated using a benchmark dataset that I helped to create. In the second part, I will describe a novel approach to measure children's social behaviors during naturalistic face-to-face interactions with an adult partner, who is wearing a camera. I will show that first person video can support fine-grained coding of gaze (differentiating looks to eyes vs. face), which is valuable for autism research. Going further, I will present a method for automatically detecting moments of eye contact. Finally, I will briefly cover my work on cross-modal learning using deep models.
This is joint work with Zhefan Ye, Sarah Edmunds, Dr. Alireza Fathi, Dr. Agata Rozga and Dr. Wendy Stone.
Yin Li is currently a doctoral candidate in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research interests lie at the intersection of computer vision and mobile health. Specifically, he creates methods and systems to automatically analyze first person videos, known as First Person Vision (FPV). He has particular interests in recognizing the person's activities and developing FPV for health care applications. He is the co-recipient of the best student paper awards at MobiHealth 2014 and IEEE Face & Gesture 2015. His work had been covered by MIT Tech Review, WIRED UK and New Scientist.
Visual recognition methods have made great strides in recent years by exploiting large manually curated and labeled datasets specialized to various tasks. My research focuses on asking: could we do better than this painstakingly manually supervised approach? In particular, could embodied visual agents teach themselves through interaction with and experimentation in their environments?
In this talk, I will present approaches that we have developed to model the learning and performance of visual tasks by agents that have the ability to act and move in their worlds. I will showcase results that indicate that computer vision systems could benefit greatly from action and motion in the world, with continuous self-acquired feedback. In particular, it is possible for embodied visual agents to learn generic image representations from unlabeled video, improve scene and object categorization performance through intelligent exploration, and even learn to direct their cameras to be effective videographers.
Dinesh Jayaraman is a PhD candidate in Kristen Grauman's group at UT Austin. His research interests are broadly in visual recognition and machine learning. In the last few years, Dinesh has worked on visual learning and active recognition in embodied agents, unsupervised representation learning from unlabeled video, visual attribute prediction, and zero-shot categorization. During his PhD, he has received the Best Application Paper Award at the Asian Conference on Computer Vision 2016 for work on automatic cinematography, the Samsung PhD Fellowship for 2016-17, a UT Austin Microelectronics and Computer Development Fellowship, and a Graduate Dean's Prestigious Fellowship Supplement Award for 2016-17. Before beginning graduate school, Dinesh graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai, India.
Sponsored in part by Disney Research.


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LAND ROVER Discovery tyres
rezulteo, the tyre buying guide, will guide you through the tyre selection process for your LAND ROVER Discovery. By selecting the exact characteristics of your LAND ROVER Discovery, you can get a list of available tyre dimensions, as well as information about your vehicle, for example, the recommended tyre pressure. To find out the tyre dimensions (size) for your Discovery tyre, select the specification of your LAND ROVER Discovery, and follow the instructions.


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Closing the barn door • Utah's largest hospital chain, Intermountain Healthcare, will pay the federal government $25.5 million after reporting violations of federal law to the U.S. attorney for Utah. It's to the company's credit that it disclosed leases and doctor payments that were in violation of the federal Stark Law. And IHC has admitted it's embarrassed and has rightly promised to fix the areas that did not comply with the law. Those actions are deserving of a "thumb up." The disclosures and vow to improve how IHC does business as well as the sizable fine should nudge other big hospital companies to better monitor their own operations. However, it must be said that IHC should have prevented the embarrassment by better managing its operation in the first place.
Postponing the inevitable • Blame a society in too much of a hurry. Blame a generation who doesn't love the language. Blame technology. Or maybe, simply accept the slide into oblivion of the once much-revered art of writing in cursive. The one thing that's certain is that hardly anybody worries any longer about fancy handwriting. Still, we have to agree with the Utah State Board of Education, which voted unanimously last week to continue teaching cursive in Utah public schools. Despite the move to communication by computer and mobile device and the widespread use of "u" instead of "you," Utah's current crop of youngsters will have a need for writing on paper at certain times and places. And all of them will have to sign their names from time to time. That may not be true for their children, but for now, let's keep cursive alive, IMHO.
Attracting criticism • The choice of an AR-15 .223-caliber rifle as a raffle prize for a youth hockey team's fundraiser was insensitive and unnecessarily provocative. The assault-style, high-capacity rifle is similar to one used to slaughter 20 first-graders and six educators in Connecticut in December. It and other firearms like it have been the center of much debate between gun-rights advocates and gun-control proponents. The event, sponsored by Vernal sporting goods store Basin Sports, was publicized with an image of the AR-15 .223-caliber gun, although the raffle winner could use a gift certificate to buy something else at the store. Tickets for the April 4 drawing cost $10, and the Uintah Ute Hockey Team reached its goal of raising $30,000 to pay for a trip to a national tournament. Some parents defended the raffle by saying hunting is popular in that rural eastern Utah area, but it's a poor shot who needs to expend 30 or 40 rounds per minute to bring down an elk.


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Today, the "ride everything" mentality is more pervasive than it ever has been and that's been something you've been championing all your life.
Surfing is everything, it's not just one thing. And you can accomplish all of it; you don't have to ride one piece of equipment, which now everyone's kind of doing. I didn't have an ASP/NSSA upbringing. I didn't grow up with Ian [Cairns] and PT [Peter Townend] telling me what was cool. I grew up with Nat [Young] telling me what was cool.
And really, Nat's one of the founders of our counterculture. Nat was such a powerful figure for me. He rode everything. He would just critique the shit out of me if I did something wrong. And really, I couldn't say anything back to him because he was so legitimate. There was no backlashing the man. He pressed so many things on us that were so different, and that made us step outside of the box. I mean, yeah, we went to contests and all that, but he also lectured us about having manners, which is funny coming from him. But he'd also tell us crazy things, like telling us to take psychedelics. And we did. And those were experiences and times that were priceless. Because I wanted to experience the things that they experienced. I wanted to surf on acid, I wanted to do all these things. And I did, under his guidance. And I know parents are gonna freak out on this, and I hate to say it, but that's surf culture. It really is surf culture. I was under an elder, a chief. It was only natural to do that kind of stuff. And it molded me into who I am today. I wouldn't take any of it back.
And surf culture now?
It's a different time. I mean the kids these days think it's normal to take a filmer to the beach and make a video about yourself and put it up on the Internet. For some reason it is just completely cool to blow your own horn in 2012. Like there's nothing wrong with being an egomaniac and basing your entire existence from sunup to sundown on producing yourself as a cool person. In my day, if you did that, you were done. My car would still be getting destroyed every time I parked it in the lot. Today, it's all about yourself and how to make yourself seem cool. How much talent you have doesn't seem to matter. It's cool to film and make videos and all that shit, but not if that's your sole purpose for surfing. If you can't go to the beach and have fun without a filmer, well something's wrong.
You're not really getting everything that surfing has to offer.
There's something really natural about getting into your car and not contacting anybody and just disappearing and finding a wave and just surfing. That lonely aspect is an escape and a cancellation of all the shit that you deal with on a day-to-day basis. And sometimes it's just cool to leave the documenter or photographer behind and not spend the rest of the day editing your clips to get it up by that night. I think we're just spending too much time making ourselves look cool. I mean I'm not gonna knock it, it's how we make a living, and I get it, but there's just something kinda tacky about it. I like the old Greg Weaver theory or even Denjiro Sato, who I got to work with when I was a kid, they would show up and film you and you wouldn't know. And they would do it on purpose, because I think that element of not knowing a filmer is around makes you surf that much better. And that's why the best surf sessions are not on film. Because you don't have the pressure of performing. Natural is better than posed.
As someone who comes from a skate background what are your thoughts on aerial surfing?
I'm so sick of watching the same rotation air, it's about as lame as noseriding on every wave—it gets monotonous and old. You've got to break up the routine. Everyone can do the same air and they do it on every wave. You're watering down a trick that's cool. You're taking the technical aspect out of it 'cause you're doing them every wave. And then it really comes down to who has the best style when they do it. Overall, I think that a lot of aerial surfers would really benefit from studying skateboarding a little more. If you look at how much skateboarding was influenced by surfing—with the current state of airs, it would only make sense if these guys took some time and learned a little bit from skateboarding. I mean, there are some crazy airs. I watch everything—that Matt Meola Innersection thing was incredible. That stuff's cool. I don't necessarily like the style of certain things, and I think that's where skateboarding would probably fix the kinks. Some of these guys could actually benefit from taking a little bit of time and rolling around on four-wheels.
What's it going to take to change course? What's going to slow the onslaught of air reverses?
Cancel your Facebook.
Cancel your facebook? That's it? Stop watching two-minute clips on the internet?
Well the Internet has changed everything. It kind of waters down certain things, because everybody can see something and copy it immediately. Before, you had a long window of originality before someone could get to it. In this day and age, you have about 20 seconds before somebody sees it and they're like, "I want to do that too." And then it's a fight for who did it first.
Who's getting it right?
I think Ryan Burch embodies the future of surfing. Burch's approach applies to every surfer. He embodies what we're all about, he makes his own equipment, he's fascinated by different things, he moves from one board to another. We need more free-thinkers in our next and current generations. Ryan is an example of what it will take for us to get to the next level of the sport. Simon Anderson had the sense to make three fins the same size and the only way he did that was because he was designing his own equipment. Ryan embodies a change in surfing in that direction. We need more free-thinkers who aren't 50 years old.
In your opinion, what is the cutting edge of performance surfing right now?
I look forward to going to Hawaii every year because for me, the proof is in the pudding. I get to go and see all the hype. And I'm a pretty astute critic. I believe you have to surf big waves as well as you surf small waves. I came from that generation. I think that's super important. What's blowing me away is the level of tube-riding. Airs I could give two shits about. But the level of tube-riding when you go and you sit at Pipeline and you watch, every year the bar is getting higher. John John is leading that charge. I used to say that Tom Carroll bought the blueprints of the reef at Pipeline from Dane Kealoha, Kelly took the blueprints from Tom Carroll, and now it seems like Jamie [O'Brien] and John John got the blueprints of the reef too. John John is probably the best surfer in the world today—he's on that level of being able to ride a 10-foot wave like a 2-foot wave. He schools Dane Reynolds in that aspect, hands down.


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Intensive Interaction is an approach for teaching communication abilities to children and adults who have autism, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties who are still at early stages of development. The approach focuses on teaching the Fundamentals of Communication – the communication concepts and performances that basically precede speech development, though it may include many people who have some speech and language development.
The Fundamentals of Communication are typically referred to as being attainments such as:
- enjoying being with another person
- developing the ability to attend to that person
- concentration and attention span
- learning to do sequences of activity with the other person
- taking turns in exchanges of behaviour
- sharing personal space
- using and understanding eye contacts
- using and understanding facial expressions
- using and understanding physical contacts
- using and understanding non-verbal communication
- using vocalisations with meaning (for some, speech development)
- learning to regulate and control arousal levels
Intensive Interaction was developed during the 1980s by teachers working in schools in long-stay hospitals in southern England. The development of the approach came about partly as a result of practitioners questing for effective teaching approaches and partly as a reaction to and move away from the dominance of behavioural psychology in the field. A psychologist, the late Geraint Ephraim, working at Leavesden Mental Hospital, propounded the original formulation of techniques known then as 'Augmented Mothering'. The detailed development work carried out at Harperbury Hospital School resulted in the first research projects and publications by Melanie Nind and Dave Hewett.
The techniques of teaching borrow from understandings as to how infants in the first two years carry out the learning of these highly complicated, critical concepts and abilities. The mass of research on babies learning in interactions with adults that has arisen since the mid 1970s, allows some simple pedagogical insights. Babies gradually accrue these complex performances by taking part in many successive, cumulative interactions with the adults around them. The main learning motivation for both participants is the mutual enjoyment of the interaction. The natural adult style is to construct the interaction basically, mostly, by allowing the baby to lead with her behaviour, with the adult building the content and a flow by responding to the behaviour of the baby. It is usually observed that the most frequently seen adult response is to imitate what the baby does. Thus the teaching is highly responsive and by process, rather than directive and driving to an objective.
For the developers of Intensive Interaction, it seemed a logical step to borrow from these processes in order to ignite the communication learning of many people who can frequently be considered 'communicatively difficult to reach', often living with some, or extensive, social isolation. Thus, Intensive Interaction activities are literally highly interactive, with the teacher enjoyably working from the behaviour of the learner. The activities can operate at many levels of intensity; they can be active and physical, but also quietly intense and contemplative. For good progress to occur the activities should happen frequently, daily, day after day, with the repetition of successful activities within sessions providing the basis for the activities gradually expanding in duration, content, sophistication and complexity.
The gradual dissemination of Intensive Interaction since the late 1980s has been a completely practitioner-led initiative. Intensive Interaction is now common practice in special schools and adult services all over the United Kingdom. Interest worldwide is growing and developing. There are a range of books and other materials now available and a burgeoning community of Intensive Interaction practitioners.
- Nind, M. & Hewett, D. (1988) 'Interaction as Curriculum.' British Journal of Special Education 15 (2) 55-57.
- Nind, M. & Hewett, D. (1994) Access to Communication: Developing the basics of communication with people with severe learning difficulties through Intensive Interaction. London: David Fulton.
- Hewett, D. & Nind, M. (Eds) (1998) Interaction in Action: Reflections on the Use of Intensive Interaction. London: David Fulton.
- Lovell, D.M., Jones, R.S.P. and Ephraim, G. (1998) 'The effect of Intensive Interaction on the sociability of a man with severe intellectual disabilities', International Journal of Practical Approaches to Disability. Vol. 22, Nos 2/3, 3-9.
- Nind, M. & Hewett, D. (2001) A Practical Guide to Intensive Interaction Kidderminster: British Institute of Learning Disabilities.
- Kellett, M. & Nind, M. (2003) Implementing Intensive Interaction in Schools: Guidance for Practitioners, Managers and Coordinators. London: David Fulton.
- Nind, M. & Hewett, D. (2005) Access to Communication (2nd edition): Developing the basics of communication with people with severe learning difficulties through Intensive Interaction. London: David Fulton.
Further readingEdit
Zeedyk, M.S> (ed) (2008) Promoting social interaction for individuals with communicative impairments. London:Jessica Kingsley.
- Firth, G., Elford, H., Crabbe, M. & Leeming C. (2007). Intensive interaction as a novel approach in social care. Care staffs views on the practice change process. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(1), 58-69
External linksEdit
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


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About the Book
A portfolio book from the Westcountry photographer Mike McNally
Features & Details
- Category Wedding
Large Square, 12×12 in, 30×30 cm
66 Pages
- Publish Date Mar 31, 2011
- Tags bovey tracey, newton abbot, sigma, nikon, speedlight, pier, torbay, paignton, plymouth, brixham, totnes, buckfastleigh, ashburton, chudleigh, abbot, newton, taunton, tiverton, torquay, exeter, westcountry, cornwall, devon, mcnally, mike, portfolio, reverend, vicar, father, mother, service, blessing, bless, marry, marriage, day, big, the, potfolio, confette, photo, registry, civil, church, vow, vows, band, engagement, ring, dress, cake, photography, formal, groom, bride, bridal, wed, Wedding
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